2021 Annual Headphone Shootout The Over The Ear Models

These have been unprecedented times due to the pandemic. We typically do our annual headphone shootout around the time of March Madness. We figured with basketball teams duking it out…let’s have headphones duke it out. But last year, March Madness was completely cancelled. Not knowing how it would play out this year, we thought we would start early. It appears that March Madness will still be held this year, so we will go ahead and publish the over the ear part of our shootout now, the second part of the shootout, the in-ear models, will be published before the end of March Madness.

 



This year, we have some great over the ear models, from some quality manufacturers. With an increase in popularity in wireless models, we are focusing on them this year. Only one of the models is not wireless.  Some of them also have noise cancellation. One of them is also for gaming. They start with the Creative SXFI Gamer for $129 MSRP, followed by JBL Club 950NC $249 MSRP, Master and Dynamic MH40 Wireless $249 MSRP, Beyerdynamic Lagoon Traveler $299 MSRP, Audio Technica ATH-ANC900BT $299 MSRP, and Focal Listen $499 MSRP. Let the shootout begin!

 

We will start out with the Creative SXFI Gamer. It is a gamer headphone with a big bang for the buck. The prized award winning feature of these headphones is the SXFI chip, which after programing it to you, most will concur that it sounds as good as if magic was employed. Being able to get this sound in a gaming headphones is really cool!

 

Features and specs:

SPECIFICATIONS

Interface: USB, 3.5 mm Stereo Input

Product Type: Wired Headset

Weight: With Mic 349g (12.31 oz), Without Mic 336g (11.85 oz)

Color: Black

Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz

Driver: 50 mm (1.97 inches) Neodymium magnet

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Microphone: Frequency Response: 100–16,000 Hz

Sensitivity: - 42 dBV / Pa: Controls

Mic mute, Super X-Fi, Volume, RGB lighting On/Off

RGB Ear-Cup Rings: Choose from 16 million colors

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Windows® OS

Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD® equivalent processor

Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard

Microsoft® Windows 10 32 / 64-bit

1 GB RAM

>600 MB of free hard disk space

USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

 

Mac® OS

Mac OS X® 10.9 or higher

1 GB RAM

USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

 

PS4

Firmware Ver 5.0 or later

Available USB port

 

Nintendo Switch

Switch OS 5.0 or later

Available 3.5 mm headphone port on console

Available USB port

Voice communications supported when connected via 3.5 mm port and with Bluetooth to Android and iOS Nintendo Switch Online app or VOIP client

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Creative SXFI GAMER

CommanderMic

USB Cable

Analog 4-pole 3.5 mm Cable

USB-C to USB-A Converter

Quick Start Guide

Warranty Leaflet

WARRANTY

1-year Limited Hardware Warranty

 

The Creative SXFI Gamer came in a nice looking color printed box with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well protected product held in place by custom molded plastic. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with a little bit of metal. Quality of materials used as well as the fit and finish was good. Also included was the detachable mic, audio cable, USB-C charging cable, USB to USB-C adapter and owners manual.

 

I really liked the design of the Creative SXFI Gamer. The leatherette earcups are soft with thick foam for good comfort. All of the connections are on one earcup, and the touch controls are very nice. I also like the way the earcups light up, and that you can change the color. And of course there’s also SXFI chip so you can set up your own profile for your own head and ear-mapping. It’s easy to think it’s gimmicky, but it’s not. I’ll never forget the demo I participated in at CES last year. They demo’d creating surround sound through the SXFI chip and a sound profile for the user. To tell you how well it sounded, I’ll use an analogy. Remember the scene in the movie Antman, when Antman puts on the suit, and shows his guys that he can shrink? The reaction of his guys was a lot like the reaction of everyone in the demo. Let’s see how they actually sound.

 

Toto: Africa- Kick drum had very good, tight, impact and depth. The congas also had very nice resolution of the pad. Cowbell had nice tone. Vocals were very smooth with very nice texture of the timbre. Drums had very good dynamics and extension. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Recorder had very good air. Piano sounded natural.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- Huge soundstage that makes you feel like you were right there with the artists in the studio. Harmonics of the vocals was very good, and provided very good resolution to really make Freddy shine. Piano sounded very natural. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Drums were very dynamic and played with very good impact.

The HU:  Sugaan Essana- The thunder at the beginning sounded startlingly lifelike! Soundstage was as good as multiple times their price point. There was enough resolution to hear the bow slide across the strings of the lute. Vocals were nice and raw with very good resolution of the texture. Bass played with very good authority.

Next up is the JBL Club 950NC. You may not know a lot about headphones.  If that’s the case, buying a JBL headphone is a safe bet, getting you that JBL sound. Up for review is their JBL Club 950NC. Not only is it a quality wireless headphone, but you also get active noise cancelling. There’s even a cool app to control it.

 

Features and Specs:

Frequency response (Passive): 16 Hz - 40 kHz

Frequency response (Active): 16 Hz - 22 kHz

Sensitivity: 91 dB SPL @ 1 kHz / 1 mW

Maximum SPL: 105 dB

Maximum input power (Passive): 2000 mW

Microphone sensitivity: -24 dBV @ 1 kHz / Pa

Impedance: 32 ohm

Driver size: 40 mm dynamic driver

Weight: 372 g

Bluetooth transmitted power: <6 dBm

Bluetooth transmitted modulation: GFSK, _x001F_/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK

Bluetooth frequency: 2.402 GHz - 2.480 GHz

Bluetooth profile version: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5, HFP 1.6

Bluetooth version: V5.0

Battery type: LITHIUM ION POLYMER BATTERY (3.7 V / 730 mAh)

Power supply: 5 V 1 A

Charging time: <2 hrs

Music play time with BT on: Up to 55 hrs

Music play time with BT & ANC on: Up to 22 hrs

Music play time with Aux-in & ANC on: Up to 30 hrs

 

The JBL Club 950NC came in a nice looking color printed box with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well-protected headphone held in place by custom molded plastic. And they were secured in a quality hard zipper case. Opening the zipper case revealed a quality headphone made mostly of plastic, but with some metal in places it mattered most, like on the hinges. Quality of materials used was very good, as was the fit and finish. Also included was the charging cord, audio cord, and manual.

 

I liked the design of the JBL Club 950 NC. Like DJ headphones, the earcups flip up for monitoring like a DJ. But it also works great for easier storage in the zipper case. And as stated before, I also like the metal hinges for increased durability. The app is also really cool, allowing you to control not only the active noise cancelling modes, but to also control the EQ settings and DSP, for your personal preference. Now let’s see how they sound.

 

Toto: Africa- Kick drum had very good tight clean impact with very good low-end extension. Congas also had a nice full sound with good resolution of the pad. Cowbell had very nice crisp metallic tone. Vocals were very smooth with very good resolution and texture of the timbre. Drums had very good dynamics and extension. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Recorder had very good air. Piano also sounded pleasantly natural. Soundstage was very wide.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- the soundstage was huge, making you feel like you are right in the studio. Vocals were very smooth with very good harmonics of the texture of the timbre. The piano sounded very natural. Cymbals were really crisp and clean. Drums were very dynamic with a full deep sound.

The HU: Sugaan Essana- The thunder at the beginning was very lifelike, showing a huge soundstage. There was enough resolution to be able to hear the bows slide across the strings of the lute. Vocals were pleasantly raw and portrayed very well. The bass played very deep and with good authority.

 

Fairly new to the headphone scene is a company called Master & Dynamic. They may not have the decades of experience that some manufacturers have. But they are making up ground quickly with their premium sound, and the use of premium materials. Being made mostly of aluminum, you know they will last for years. Up for review today is one of their wireless over the ear models the MH40 Wireless.

 
Features and Specs:

MODEL: MH40 Wireless

DIMENSIONS: 205mm x 202mm x 71mm

DRIVERS: 40mm Neodymium

IMPEDANCE: 32 Ohms

WEIGHT: 276g

HEADPHONE MATERIALS: Coated Canvas, Anodized Aluminum, Lambskin Leather

HEADPHONE CONNECTION: Bluetooth 5.0 Supporting AptX and SBC

CABLES: USB-C to 3.5mm & USB-C to USB-A for charging

EAR COUPLING: Over-Ear

MICROPHONE TYPE: Beamforming Noise Reduction Mic Array

ANTENNA: Internal Antenna

EAR PADS: Replaceable Lambskin-Wrapped Memory Foam

BLUETOOTH PROFILE: Bluetooth 5.0 Supporting AptX and SBC

CHARGING: 100% in 80 minutes, 50% in 30 minutes

 

The Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless came in a great looking color box with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well protected headphone, held securely in place by a custom plastic molding. Materials used in the construction was mostly aluminum, with some leather and canvas. Quality of materials used was excellent, as was the fit and finish. Also included was a high quality braided charging cord and audio cable, as well as manual and soft carry bag. It’s a premium product and it shows.

 

I love the design of the Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless. It has a simple design with just volume buttons, as well as one for on/off and Bluetooth pairing and one for answering/ending calls, song playback and voice assistant. There’s and LED indicator for pairing and charge level. And I especially love the high-quality build. The aluminum construction provides a huge level of durability, and the leather earcups will provide comfort for even long listening periods. Now let’s see how they sound.

 

Toto: Africa- Kick drum had very good low-end extension that tight, played with lots of impact and authority. The congas had a full sound with very good harmonics and resolution of the impact on the pad. Cowbell had nice dynamics and detail of the impact. Vocals were very smooth like honey and with pleasant harmonics of the timbre. Drums had very good dynamics and extension. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Recorder had very good air. Piano sounded very natural.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- Vocals were extremely smooth like honey with excellent resolution of the texture of the timbre, that gave harmonics that were audibly delicious. Soundstage was huge. Piano sounded much more natural than it should at this price point. Drums were dynamic with a deep full sound that played with great authority. Cymbals were crisp and clean.

The HU: Sugaan Essana- Thunder at the beginning was extremely lifelike with dynamic highs and deep bass, that revealed a huge soundstage. The resolution came in layers and revealed a bow that could be heard across the strings of the lute. Vocals were pleasantly raw, with tons of detail of the texture of the timbre. Drums were very dynamic, playing deep with lots of authority.

 

Now it’s time for the Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC. Designed in Germany by Beyerdynamic’s, it’s a premium wireless headphone, that also includes active noise cancelling. The goodies do not end there however. They also include Beyerdynamic’s MOSAYC sound personalization software. Thanks to the truly special software, the Lagoon ANC can be transformed to provide for the personal listening needs of the user.

 

Features and specs:

OPERATING PRINCIPLE: Closed

TRANSMISSION TYPE: Wireless via Bluetooth®

NOMINAL IMPEDANCE HEADPHONES: 20 ohms

WEIGHT HEADPHONES WITHOUT CABLE: 283 g

BATTERY RUNTIME: Up to 45 hours

BATTERY RUNTIME WITH ANC: Up to 24.5 hours

HEADPHONE FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10 - 30.000 Hz

SUPPORTED BLUETOOTH PROFILES: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, SPP

CODECS: aptX™ LL, aptX™, AAC, SBC

SOUND COUPLING TO THE EAR: Circumaural (around the ear)

ARTICLE NO.: LAGOON ANC

 

The Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC came in a great looking color printed box, with phots and specs of the headphones. Opening the box showed a well-protected headphone held in place in the hard zipper case. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic, with some metal. The earcups are wrapped in ultra soft leatherette with what feels like memory foam behind it. Quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish, are all excellent. Also included was the charging cable, audio cable and quick start guide.

 

I really enjoy the awesome design of the Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC. One earcup has all the connections, as well as Bluetooth and ANC controls. The earcups are super soft for long listening sessions, and they fold in for more compact storage in the hard case. The light guide system is a cool way to show their status. And of course the MOSAYC software helps to tailor the sound by adjusting the output of the different frequencies based on your hearing needs, thanks to the hearing test that the app does. Now let’s hear how they sound.

 

Toto: Africa- Kick drum had very good tight clean impact with low end extension. Congos had very good full sound with very good resolution of the pad. Cowbell had very good resolution and metallic sound. Vocals were silky smooth with very good texture of the timbre. Soundstage was both deep and wide. Drums had excellent dynamics and tight deep impact. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Gong had clear decay. Recorder had good air. Piano sounded natural.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- Soundstage was absolutely huge, both wide and deep, giving the impression that you were actually in the recording studio. Harmonics of the vocals were excellent and really revealed the layers of texture of the timbre, in silky smoothness. Piano sounded more natural than it should at this price point. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Drums were dynamic with excellent impact, fullness and low-end extension. Guitar was nice and raw.

The HU: Sugaan Essana- The thunder at the very beginning sounded extremely lifelike it surprised me! There was very good resolution so you could hear the bow slide across the strings of the lute. Drums were very dynamic, played with great depth and tons of authority and did so cleanly! The vocals were amazingly raw with tons of resolution of the timbre and texture.

 

The next in line is the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT. If you’re looking for a manufacturer with a long history of providing quality products, Audio-Technica is one of them. They have been around for decades. Buy an Audio-Technica headphones, and it’s a safe bet that they are going to be a great sounding product. Up for review today is their ATH-ANC900BT. They are a wireless over the ear headphone, that also includes ANC.

Features and specs:

Digital hybrid noise-cancelling technology provides the highest degree of ambient noise reduction of any QuietPoint® model

Bluetooth 5 wireless technology with touch and swipe controls built into the earcup for convenient handling of calls, music playback and volume adjustment

40 mm drivers feature diaphragms with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating to deliver exceptional full-range audio reproduction

Switchable quick hear-through function allows voices (conversations, announcements at airports and transit stations, etc.) to be heard through the headphones

Fold-flat design for easy portability

Exclusive memory-foam earpads provide increased isolation

Up to 35 hours of continuous Bluetooth and ANC use on a full charge

Supports the Audio-Technica Connect app for convenient control of headphone settings, including the adjustment of noise cancellation and hear-through function

1.2 m (3.9') cable provides a wired connection for times when wireless operation is not available, when battery power is low, or when Hi-Res Audio is desired

Includes 30 cm (1.0') USB charging cable, airline adapter, and carrying case

Frequency Response  5 – 40,000 Hz

Maximum Input Power  1,000 mW

Sensitivity  103 dB/mW (when noise-cancellation used)*

100 dB/mW (when noise-cancellation not used)*

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT came in a nice looking color printed box, with images and specs of the headphones.  Opening the box revealed a well-protected headphone held in place in a hard zipper case. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with some metal. Earcups are soft leatherette with memory foam. Quality of materials used was excellent, as was the fit and finish. Also included was the charging cable, audio cable, manuals, as well as the hard zipper case.

 

I love the design of the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT. All of the connectors and hard buttons are on the left earcup. The touch controls are on the right earcup. The earcups also swivel and fold in for more compact storage in the hard zipper case. They are designed for the Hi-Res Audio. And not only are they wireless using Bluetooth, they also have a digital hybrid active-noise cancelling, to really keep the noise out of your ears. The memory foam gave a very comfortable fit. And while I like the soft feel of the leatherette, they do get warm over long listening periods. Now let’s see how they sound.

 

Toto: Africa- Kick drum was extremely deep with tight and punch in the chest impact with lots of authority. The congas were full with very good resolution of the hands across the pad. Cowbell was crisp with great tone. Vocals were silky smooth with excellent resolution of the texture from the timbre. Drums were extremely dynamic with good extension. Recorder had very good air, with sufficient resolution to show some tonguing technique. Cymbals were really crisp and clean. Piano sounded very natural. Soundstage was wide and deep.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- Soundstage was not only huge, but extremely lifelike, with a perception of being right there in the studio with the band. Harmonics were stellar, due to a resolution that really brought out the texture of the timbre. Freddy sounded brought back to life, with silky smooth vocals that we have loved for decades. Piano sounded extremely natural beyond what it should be at this price point. Cymbals were really crisp and clean. Drums were very dynamic with a full deep sound.

The HU: Sugaan Essana- The thunder at the intro was extremely deep with authority and highs were crisp, revealing a huge soundstage that was wide and deep. Drums were also very dynamic with a full deep sound that was clean and played with authority. Vocals while providing great harmonics, were also very raw, revealed by the layers of resolution of the texture of the timbre as well as the bow as it slid across the strings of the lute.

 

The Focal Listen came to us from a French manufacturer who knows a thing or two about high-quality sound. When you hear the brand Focal, you may think of their high-end car audio and home audio components. But they also do headphones as well. Tapping into their heritage of over 40 years in the audio industry, they are able to use their expertise in their headphones.

Features and specs:

Type: Circumaural closed-back ear-cup headphones

Bluetooth® wireless technology:  4.1

Range:  > 15m

Battery:  Up to 20h

Impedance (passive mode):  32Ω

Sensitivity (passive mode):  122dB SPL @ 1kHz – / 1Vrms

THD @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL:  < 0.4%

Frequency response: 15Hz -22kHz

Driver: 40mm Electrodynamic (137/64“) Mylar Titanium

Microphones: 2 Omnidirectionals (Clear Voice Capture)

Net weight: 300g

 

The Focal Listen came in a great looking color printed box with images and specs of the headphones. Opening the box showed a well-protected headphone held in place in custom molded plastic. The materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with some metal. Quality of materials used was excellent, as well as fit and finish. Also included was the charging cable, audio cable, manual and soft zipper case.

I really enjoyed the elegant looking design of the Focal Listen. The plastic being both a gloss as well as a matte finish, look extremely elegant together. The look gives a more high-end impression. This is a good thing, as some of the specs are a little dated, such as using Bluetooth 4.1 and not being Hi-Res Audio ready. I would have hoped to have real leather at this price point, but it is Focal. The fold in design of the earcups for more compact storage is a nice touch, as is the raised metal Focal logo on the earcups. The large memory foam earcups enclose your ears for nice sound isolation. Now let’s see how they sound.

 

Toto: Africa- Kick drums had really good tight clean impact with good low-end extension that played with very good authority. Congas had a really good full sound with great dynamics. Cow bell had excellent resolution of the metallic tone. Vocals were smoother than honey with loads of resolution of the timbre that yielded excellent harmonics. Soundstage was huge, not just wide but also deep, providing the realism as if you were in the recording studio. Drums had excellent dynamics and impact. Cymbals were really crisp and clean. Gong had excellent resolution of the mallet and decay. Recorder had excellent air. Piano sounded natural. Marimba’s woody texture shown through excellently.

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody- Soundstage had to be heard to fully grasp just how good a soundstage can sound. Harmonics of the vocals were off the charts, with phenomenal resolution of texture of Freddy’s timbre. Piano sounded extremely natural, much more than it should at this price point. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Drums were extremely dynamic with great authority. Guitar sounded nice and raw. Gong had nice decay.

The HU: Sugaan Essana- The thunder sounded extremely natural. There was sufficient resolution to hear the bow slide across the strings of the lute. Drums were extremely lifelike with all of the dynamics that their being played in fury provided. The raw texture of the vocals came out in layers upon layers. There’s no way that blasting this would not get you psyched up to bring your A game.

 

 

Overall sound

 

The Creative SXFI Gamer had a more neutral sound, that was maybe just a hair on the bright side for a pair of headphones more marketed towards gaming. They held their own very well for music. Yet they also had the full deep bass that sounds great with all the explosions on gaming. Giving the sound quality I would expect to hear at almost twice their price, they are a huge bargain!

 

JBL with their Club 950NC, you get a stellar sound that JBL is known for delivering. Sound signature is more neutral, maybe just a hair on the warm side, not only do you get a bit more resolution, you get active noise cancelling, as well as a handy app. Thanks to the app you get a ton of body control, not just for ANC, but also with EQ and sound personalization. Bang for the buck is huge. They’re also super comfy to wear.

 

The Master and Dynamic have a neutral sound signature that’s maybe a hair on the bright side. They are doing things right with the MH40 wireless you don’t get fancy extras like an app. But what you do get is a well made product made entirely with premium materials aluminum and leather. You know it’s built to last. And they also sound great!

 

Beyerdynamics Lagoon Traveler provided another sound signature that was neutral, leaning just a hair on the warm side. Resolution was raised a tad as well. That’s in part to their tesla driver. Vocals were silky smooth. The bang for the buck continues, thanks in part to their sound app. You get your own little hearing test, thanks to which you get a sound tailored to your own hearing need. Can you say bespoke headphones? Your mind will be blown!

 

Next is the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT. They have a more neutral sound signature, that’s just a hair on the bright side. They are designed with a traveler in mind. They are light weight, yet also very well made. And they’re taken over a decade of experience and improvements, and put it all in the headphones. Sound quality is also excellent, with increased resolution over the previous listed models. Soundstage is also huge.

 

Last but not least is the Focal Listen. Known world-wide for their high-end home and car audio speakers. They have new put that experience in their headphones. The resolution is taken to another level, with excellent huge soundstage and precision imaging. Sound signature is neutral, leaning just hair on the bright side. Their specs may not look the best on paper, maybe a little aged. But shhh…don’t tell their drivers, because they sound like absolute champs! They have to be heard to be believed.

 

Bluetooth performance and ANC performance

Before we get into the Bluetooth performance, let us tell you about the testing.  It’s a torture test, designed to be too much for just about any headphone.  Few go unscathed.  But that’s ok, because I know of no manufacturer who has headphones designed to go this distance. Most are rated somewhere between 50 – 100ft.  For indoor testing, using my LG V40 Thinq smartphone, I place my phone in one corner of the basement, walk all around and to the other end of the basement which is about 50ft away.  I then walk up to the main floor and walk all around the main floor. I then walk up to the second floor and walk all around the second floor.  And for outside testing, I set my smartphone on our front porch, and walk out to the corner of the street, which is around 250 ft.  It’s a test designed to get the phone to fail, but see just how far it’ll go before it does.

 

JBL - Good for 50 feet same floor through multiple walls with no glitches. Got occasionally glitchy in-between floors, but made it from basement to 2^nd floor with only occasional glitches. Outside it was a little glitchy at around 200 feet, but made it to 250 feet.  ANC worked very well, removing about 90%.

 

Beyerdynamic – Good for 50 ft same floor through multiple walls with no glitches. Got just barely glitchy upstairs, but made it to the 2^nd floor no problems. And it also got a tad glitchy at around 200 ft outside, but made it no problems to 250 feet.  These had the best Bluetooth performance. ANC worked extremely well, removing about 95%. It was also the best performance of ANC.

 

Master and Dynamics – good for 50 ft same floor though multiple walls, no glitches, a little glitchy going upstairs, but no problems playing on the 2^nd floor. A little glitchy outside at 200 feet, but made it to 250 feet.

 

Audio-Technica – No problems on same floor up to 50 ft through multiple walls. Was more glitchy at around 100 feet again at 150 and 175 feet. Made it to around 200 feet before signal disconnected. ANC worked well, removing about 90%.

 

Focal – No problems on the same floor up to 50 feet through multiple walls. It was more glitchy on the main floor and 2^nd floor, although it did work on the 2^nd floor. Outside it got glitchy at around 100 feet, again at 175 feet, but did make it to around 250 feet.

 

In the end, all of these headphones performed very well.  The surprise for me was just how well the Creative SXFI Gamer sounded.  It did not have wireless functionality, but it still performed like twice their price.  The JBL Club 950NC provided great performance and great build quality including some metal and even an app, while the Master & Dynamic provided great sound and the best build quality of the group.  Beyerdynamic took the app to a whole new level, providing an actual hearing test, to get the sound just to where you need it.  Audio-Technica provided some of the best resolution as well as ANC that performed in spades.  The Focal Listen Wireless wasn’t ANC, and was a little dated in their specs, yet they still had the best sound overall.  The good news, is depending on your budget, you couldn’t go wrong with any of these.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Creative SXFI Gamer, JBL Club 950NC, and Master & Dynamic earned out Highly Recommended Award, and the Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC, Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT, and Focal Listen Wireless earned our Editor’s Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.us.creative.com, www.jbl.com, www.masterdynamic.com, www.beyerdynamic.com, www.audio-technica.com, www.focal.com,

Introducing the Airmotiv RS11 Subwoofer!

The RS11 is Here Let’s start this month off with something exciting. We’re thrilled to announce the newest item to our Airmotiv collection, the RS11 Subwoofer! The RS11 features an 11" high-excursion low-frequency driver, an audiophile-quality Class-D amplifier rated at 500 watts RMS and 1000 watts peak, and a frequency response that is flat down to an impressive 20 Hz.

The Airmotiv RS11 was designed with the optimal combination of a robust motor structure, extremely high excursion, and very low moving mass. The resulting combination of raw power, low distortion, and excellent transient response allows the listener to fully experience special effects in their favorite action movies, cleanly and with absolute authority, while accurately conveying all of the beauty, subtlety, and tonality of music. The Airmotiv RS11 shares all of the features of our larger RS13. Its compact footprint allows for placement flexibility and makes the use of multiple subwoofers easier to implement. The RS11 Reference Subwoofer: clean, powerful, musical, and beautiful.    Mark D. ✮✮✮✮✮ You can literally feel the bass. “The RS13 satisfies both bass head and audio purist in me. I listen to both audio and HT equally and the RS13 handles both with ease and keeps me in amazement. For music, it’s truly accurate. When the bass in the song is supposed to “hit”, it does! You can literally feel the bass. For HT viewing, it brings an element that a soundbar subwoofer never could.” The Reviews Are (Almost) In! Though the RS11 is brand new, take a look at two raving reviews of the RS13 Sub for a taste of what you can expect.     Paul Q. ✮✮✮✮✮ I liked it so much I bought a second one! “Wow people. The RS-13 sub is what I would call the end game in subs and not because it can blow my windows out of their brackets, but because it has such a flat eq curve and so much headroom. Holy moly this thing has blown me away. It just takes hold of the lower end and delivers it to you with such precision and clarity, I still can’t believe what I am hearing. I liked it so much I bought a second one!”

Please note: arrival dates are an estimate. There will likely be postal delays because of COVID-19 but we are trying our hardest to give you the most accurate information. We are glad to offer Affirm Financing  at checkout to ensure you get the items you need with easy payments and absolutely no late fees. Free shipping within the continental U.S. 30 DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL: No-hassle return policy. We’ll issue you an RMA number with the return instructions.

Emotiva brand—taken from the Italian word for emotion. We saw the inefficiencies in the system and the ever-climbing prices, and decided to do something about it. Emotiva  |  135 SE Parkway Court Franklin, TN 37064

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces ROG Keris FPS Gaming Mouse Series

ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces ROG Keris FPS Gaming Mouse Series Lightweight and ergonomic design is ideal for marathon gaming and features a 16,000 dpi, 400 ips optical sensor and 1000 Hz polling rate   Fremont, California (February 11, 2021) — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Keris gaming mouse series comprising of the wired ROG Keris and ROG Keris Wireless. The latter is a lightweight 79-gram mouse with tri-mode connectivity and a specially tuned 16,000 dpi sensor. It can be used in wired, 2.4 GHz RF or Bluetooth® LE mode, and it features the exclusive push-fit switch socket and an ROG Micro Switch, left and right polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polymer buttons, ROG Omni mouse feet, ROG Paracord and Aura Sync RGB lighting.   Designed with input from Esports pros In designing this mouse series, ROG worked with professional gamers, using their feedback to create a gaming mouse with exceptional ergonomics. The resulting mouse shape provides a comfortable grip and precise control for gamers of varying hand sizes.   Tri-mode connectivity ROG Keris Wireless can be connected by USB, ultrafast RF 2.4 GHz wireless or energy-efficient Bluetooth LE. RF 2.4 GHz is ideal for gaming, while Bluetooth LE is perfect for daily tasks. Each ROG Keris gaming mouse features a specially tuned 16,000 dpi, 400 ips optical sensor and 1000 Hz polling rate.   ROG push-fit switch socket and ROG Micro Switch The exclusive push-fit switch socket design makes it easy to remove and drop in new switches, allowing users to tailor operating force and feedback to preference, or replace worn or broken switches. The new ROG Micro Switch boasts a 70-million-click lifespan and a gold-plated electro-junction for improved durability and longevity. Strict ROG manufacturing standards ensure that each switch is individually inspected; left and right switches are then sorted and paired to keep force deviation within +/- 5 gram-force for a consistent click feel.   Strong and lightweight An internal honeycomb design provides structural rigidity while keeping weight down to a minimum. ROG Keris Wireless weighs just 79 grams and ROG Keris weighs 62 grams (without the cable).   Optimized for gaming Durable, nonslip left and right PBT mouse buttons resist wear or shine — even after prolonged use — to ensure a consistent feel. ROG Keris Wireless features two black side buttons that can be swapped out for gray and pink ones for added personalization. Both Keris and Keris Wireless include the improved ROG Paracord – an extremely flexible and lightweight cable designed to minimize snags and maximize movement. The raised port on the mouse provides space between the cable and mouse surface to reduce cable drag and noise. The 100% Teflon (PTFE) mouse feet on the ROG Keris are rounded and 25% smoother than those found in other gaming mice to ensure an effortless glide across any surface. This design is based on extensive internal testing, which showed that mouse feet and directionality affect glide more than size.   AVAILABILITY & PRICING The wired ROG Keris will be available in North America from March 2021 with an MSRP of $69.99. The ROG Keris Wireless is available now in North America at Amazon, Newegg and B&H with an MSRP of $99.99. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.     To learn more about the ROG Keris Wireless please visit the product page here.   SPECIFICATIONS[1]   Model ROG Keris Wireless ROG Keris Connectivity RF 2.4 GHz Bluetooth® LE Wired USB Wired USB Sensor Optical Optical Resolution 16,000 dpi 16,000 dpi Max Acceleration 40 G 50 G Max Speed 400 ips 400 ips Switch ROG Micro Switch with 70 M-click lifespan 70M ROG Micro Switch with 70 M-click lifespan Swappable Side Keys Yes; 2 color options No PBT Key Plates Yes Yes Programmable Buttons 7 7 Dedicated DPI Button 4 adjustable levels 4 adjustable levels DPI On-The-Scroll Yes Yes Exclusive Push-Fit Switch Socket Design Yes Yes Pivoted Button Mechanism Yes Yes RGB Lighting 2-zone RGB 2-zone RGB Logo / Scroll Logo / Scroll Onboard Memory Profile 3 3 Cable Type Detachable 2 m ROG Paracord 2 m ROG Paracord Dimensions 118 x 62  x 39 mm 118 x 62  x 39 mm Weight 79 g 62 g (w/o cable)   [1] Specifications, content and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment, and other factors. Full specifications are available at http://www.asus.com. ### About ROG Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, audio equipment, routers and peripherals. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. Learn more about the choice of champions at http://rog.asus.com.

Introducing the EVGA Z20 and Z15 Gaming Keyboards

Introducing the EVGA Z20/Z15 Series Gaming Keyboards



4K Hz Report Rate
The Z20/Z15 Keyboard is powered by a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M33 core microprocessor to support a 4K Hz report rate. Offering the most advanced gaming keyboard experience, 4K Hz is 4x more responsive and inputs can be more precise.



Light Up Your Gaming Experience

Macro Control & Multimedia Function

Dedicated Macro Keys
Five dedicated and programmable Macro E keys, customizable via the UNLEASH RGB Software



Volume Scroll Wheel & Multimedia Keys
Dedicated volume wheel and media keys give you full control at your fingertips.



USB Passthru & Audio Jack



Illuminate!
The EVGA Z20 Elite Keyboard brilliantly outshines the competition with fully-customizable *Per-Key* RGB LEDs, with left & right edge RGB Light bar customization to fit any color scheme. The Z20 Elite LED backlighting can be configured via the EVGA UNLEASH RGB software, and multiple lighting effects can be instantly dimmed or brightened via the LED brightness function combination keys.




EVGA UNLEASH RGB Software



Gaming Keyboard Z Series



The Z20 keyboard features a ToF proximity sensor. Detecting user movement to trigger the system awake or to sleep.



The Z20 keyboard is equipped with Light Strike LK Optical Mechanical switches with a low 1.5 mm travel to actuation, generating 25% faster response time compared to traditional mechanical switches. Featuring your choice of Linear or Clicky switches with N-key rollover to ensure that you get exactly the type of feedback and experience you want.

Switch Color : Dark Gray	Actuation Force : 45 g	Switch Color : Light Gray	Actuation Force : 50 g
Switch Type : Linear and Silent	Operating Life : 100M	Switch Type : Clicky	Operating Life : 100M
Travel : 3.0 mm	Key Debounce Time : < 0.5 ms	Travel : 3.5 mm	Key Debounce Time : < 0.5 ms
Actuation : 1.5 mm		Actuation : 1.5 mm

User-Swappable Switches: Hot swap sockets allow you to customize the feel of your Z15 RGB keyboard with Kailh's 3pin mechanical switches.



The Z15 RGB keyboard features your choice of Kailh Speed Silver Linear or Kailh Speed Bronze Clicky mechanical switches to ensure that you get exactly the type of feedback and experience you want.

Switch Color : Silver	Actuation Force : 40 g	Switch Color : Bronze	Actuation Force : 50 g
Switch Type : Linear and Silent	Operating Life : 70M	Switch Type : Clicky	Operating Life : 70M
Travel : 3.5 mm	Key Debounce Time : 5 ms	Travel : 3.5 mm	Key Debounce Time : 5 ms
Actuation : 1.1 mm		Actuation : 1.1 mm

To learn more about the EVGA Z Series Gaming Keyboards, visit https://www.evga.com/articles/01466/evga-keyboard/

About EVGA

EVGA is the #1 NVIDIA authorized partner in channel sales throughout North America. Based on the philosophy of intelligent innovation, market knowledge, and the real time operation, EVGA continues to identify the need in the market place and providing the solution to that need. By offering product differentiation, a 90 day Step-Up program, and other customer focused programs, EVGA is a clear leader in all categories: etail, retail, distribution, and system builders. With headquarters in Brea, CA, EVGA's global coverage includes EVGA GmbH in Munich, EVGA LATAM in Miami, and EVGA Hong Kong. For further information online about EVGA, visit https://www.evga.com.

 

Audeze Launches Closed-Back In-Ear Headphones - the Audeze Euclid

AUDEZE EXPANDS ON THEIR AWARD-WINNING iSINE LEGACY WITH EUCLID, THEIR NEW CLOSED-BACK PLANAR MAGNETIC IN-EAR   Audeze LLC, the award-winning premium technology company responsible for engineering some of the world’s most advanced audio solutions, announced the launch of their new closed-back planar magnetic in-ear on February 5th.   Euclid is Audeze’s first closed-back in-ear headphone. Priced at $1,299 retail and featuring custom built 18mm Audeze planar magnetic drivers, MMCX cable terminations, and ergonomically designed precision milled aluminum housing, Euclid is engineered for high-end audiophiles looking for a premium mobile solution that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for style and durability.   Features: Audeze 18mm Planar Magnetic Drivers Highest dynamic range of any in-ear in its size category MMCX universal cable connectors for easy customization Lightweight precision-milled aluminum housing with ergonomic design Variety of accessories including SpinFit® and Comply™ eartips Euclid is available for purchase now at $1299 retail from www.audeze.com/euclid, and from participating dealers and distributors worldwide at www.audeze.com/dealers.  ABOUT AUDEZE Founded in 2008, Audeze is an award-winning premium technology company engineering the world’s most advanced audio solutions. Focused on science, innovation, and craftsmanship, Audeze’s precision audio extends from proprietary planar magnetic drivers and custom engineered transducers, to pristine sound reproduction and highly-unique audio-centric applications. From discerning audiophiles to Grammy-winning recording engineers, top esports athletes to specialized medical facilities, Audeze has become one of the most respected audio companies in the world.   Audeze is proudly owned and operated in the USA, designed and engineered in California.

Dirac brings high-quality audio to new FUJITSU Notebook LIFEBOOK U9311 and U9311X models

Dirac brings high-quality audio to new FUJITSU Notebook LIFEBOOK U9311 and U9311X models

 

With more business laptops bridging professional and home entertainment applications, superior sound experiences are in high demand.

UPPSALA, Sweden, February 2, 2021 — Swedish digital audio pioneer Dirac today announced that Fujitsu’s LIFEBOOK U9311 and U9311X business laptops, produced by Fujitsu Client Computing Limited (Kawasaki, Japan) and sold by Fujitsu Limited (Kawasaki, Japan), now include Dirac audio technology to deliver an immersive sound experience with upgraded sound quality for various content and use cases. 

The new Dirac-enabled Fujitsu LIFEBOOK models feature selectable audio modes for specific use cases – teleconferencing, music-listening, and movie-watching – that correspondingly enhance the audio experience of each use case. 

“Laptops are like smartphones in that they’re used for multiple purposes and in many different locations,” said Erik Rudolphi, Dirac’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “As an established leader in delivering high-quality audio to mobile devices, Dirac is now increasingly applying its audio expertise to the PC market, where audio quality remains a critical factor to the overall user experience.” 

As more professionals worldwide have been forced to blur the distinction between their home and office lives, mobile technology has become an enabling factor. And whether they are using laptops for videoconferencing or streaming media, superior audio has quickly become an in-demand feature of the mobile user experience. 

“Dirac has been integrated into 500 million smartphone devices worldwide since 2012, and is featured in some of the world’s most high-end home and professional audio systems; we understand high-quality audio, and how to effectively engineer it into small, portable devices,” continued Rudolphi. “Through our work with Fujitsu, we’re now applying this expertise to the laptop market to enable its LIFEBOOK lineup with peak audio performance otherwise not possible from such a small form-factor.”

The Dirac-enabled Fujitsu LIFEBOOK models include three pre-programmed, user-selectable audio modes:

• Voice Mode is programmed for enhanced voice intelligibility and crisper, clearer spoken audio to facilitate effortless listening in online calls and video conferences.
• Music Mode delivers clearer, more balanced sound with tighter bass and richer detail so users can enjoy music content as artists intended it to be heard.
• Movie Mode is optimized to deliver an immersive experience with expanded soundscape, crisp dialogue and powerful bass that places you right in the center of the action.

There is also a Custom Mode, which allows the users to adjust the laptop’s sound to their own preferences.

Dirac’s patented impulse and frequency response correction digitally upgrades the sound performance of laptop speakers, and creates an expanded, natural soundscape from small speakers placed adjacent to each other. Taken together, Dirac’s sound technologies enable a richer sound experience from laptops – all without any expensive hardware upgrades.

Dirac and Fujitsu began their corporate collaboration in 2018, when Dirac’s audio technology was integrated into Fujitsu’s ESPRIMO lineup of personal computers. The company’s leading-edge technology also enhances audio for smartphones, headphones, automobiles, and home theaters, through collaborations with brands such as ASUS, Klipsch, RHA, OPPO, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Harman, among many others.

The Dirac-enabled LIFEBOOK U9311 and U9311X laptops are available for purchase in EMEA, APAC and Japan from February 2021.

 

About Dirac:

 

Dirac was founded to revolutionize the way the world hears. We are inventing the future of sound with superior experiences, for any content, device and space. For the many, not the few. Based in Sweden, Dirac optimizes digital audio, perfecting sound for better listening in any environment. The patented sound solution technology spans across mobile, gaming, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, headphones, streaming, automotive, residential and commercial AV, boosting whatever sound you’re listening to, wherever you’re listening. For professionals, Dirac produces the industry’s most powerful suite of audio tools for signal processing. Some of the world’s most respected brands bring the Dirac sound experience to their customers, including Rolls Royce, Volvo, Polestar, BMW, BYD, Harman, Datasat, NAD, ASUS, OPPO and Klipsch.

 

As well as headquarters in Uppsala, Sweden, Dirac has offices in Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai, China; a Research & Development facility in Copenhagen, Denmark; and representation in Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and USA.

 

www.dirac.com