Recent Headphone Reviews

The DD Audio DXB-03 on-ear headphones represent a very good value at their $150/pair sold direct from their website. Their construction quality is excellent and the wood grain dressing really adds a touch of class to the product. Bass is the forte of the DXB-03’s which is no surprise from a company that specializes in car audio boom. The DXB-03’s will play at ungodly loud listening levels with very little input power and they will do it cleanly with plenty of bottom end and top end sizzle. If you’re looking for a rugged, beautifully crafted affordable set of headphones with integrated microphone capability, then the DXB-03’s should be on your shortlist.

The HiFiMAN HE-560 planar magnetic headphones promise all the performance of the other HiFiMAN headphones in a package that is a fraction of the weight of the other offerings. At just under 14 ounces, it is less than a third the weight of the other HiFiMAN headphones. The HE-560s have newly designed singled ended planar magnetic drivers, a new headband with beveled earcups, and an easy to drive design. We're sure these will be just as popular as the other HiFiMAN offerings.

If you like V-Moda headphones but you wanted something more compact and formfitting, the on-ear XS headphones should excite you. With design features such as customizable back plates on the earcups and a dedication to eliminating plastic and circles, the XS headphones fit right in with the other offerings in the V-Moda line. At just over $200, the V-Moda XS headphones aren't cheap, but they are certainly more affordable than some other V-Moda offerings.

The Denon AH-C50 and AH-C120 in-ear headphones may tick all the right boxes for in-ear monitors, but they are much more than that. Yes, they have in-line controls and mics. Yes, they sport quality materials and workmanship. And yes, they are certainly affordable ($49 and $99 respectively). But what got our attention is that they are part of the Music Maniac line of headphones. Focused on audio quality over boom and sizzle, the Music Mania line speaks to what we love about music - hearing it the way it was recorded. We can't wait to see how these new headphones are received by the public.

OPPO's new PM-1 headphones seem to be the natural follow on to their recently announced HA-1 headphone amplifier. Priced at $1099, these aren't exactly low budget cans. However, the PM-1 isn't exactly your average headphone, boasting a high tech planar magnetic driver, not to mention high end materials. Suffice it to say, given OPPO's history, we have high expectations. Curious to know what else OPPO has up their sleeves? Click to keep reading.

Feenix has promised a studio quality headphone for gamers with their Aria headphones. While they've ticked all the right boxes as far as components are concerned, quality components don't necessarily mean that a pair of headphones will sound great. From a feature standpoint, they seem well rounded, though there is no mention of the cable length. For those that game at their PC, or for standard listening duties, a normal cable is fine. But for those that game in their living room, a longer cable is a must. You can pre-order the Aria headphones from Feenix for $349. We're curious to see how these are received when they ship.

MuseMini UberBuds are Bluetooth in-ear monitors sporting the newest Bluetooth 4.0 spec. This new Low Power Bluetooth allows them to operate for up to 8 hours on a 2 hour charge. The UberBuds were not without their problems, but, in the end, they sounded pretty good. With a lack of bass bloat and a generally flat frequency response, they may not be reference headphones, but they certainly may be reference Bluetooth headphones. With a rubber fin for stabilization in your ear, three different tips, a short cable to hook behind your neck, and in-line controls, the UberBuds help you cut the cord. It can pair with up to 8 devices and 2 simultaneously. Definitely worth a listen if you are on the market for Bluetooth in-ear monitors.

In the world of on-ear headphones, few can actually be called comfortable. The KEF M500 headphones are the only ones I've ever encountered that were as comfortable, and in some cases more comfortable, than over-ear headphones. For some, that would be enough to justify taking a closer look at these little beauties. Add the fantastic build quality, superior performance to other headphones in the same price bracket, and great noise isolation, and KEF has a winning package with the M500s. I won't say these are some of the best sounding and most comfortable headphones in the on-ear category, I'll say they are some of the best and most comfortable in any category! Highly recommended!

JBL's new Bluetooth headphones have everything you'd expect from wireless headphone plus a little more. The relatively low $99 price point of the in-ear JBL J46BT will attract more than a few consumers. The external lights, capacitive control, NFC pairing, long battery life, and wired and wireless functionality of the Synchros S400BT will attract some buyers while, perhaps, causing more than a few to look elsewhere. Honestly, it is all about how the external lights work. If they are tastefully done, they could be pretty cool. If they are gaudy, you can bet a lot of people with $300 to spend will look elsewhere.

The On1 headphones from thinksound purport to be a studio monitor in an on-ear headphone. That's a pretty tall order but one that I believe they have mostly fulfilled. The On1's have great top end extension, a lush midrange, and no real emphasis on any part of the frequency response range. At the lowest registers, they introduce a little noise which did distort the presentation somewhat, but it was only with the lowest bass. While I can't imagine any studio professional using an on-ear headphone for long term use for comfort reasons alone, the goal of a transparent headphone is one to be lauded. With their Eco focus, wood earcups, and extremely light form factor, these are an easy recommendation for those looking for on-ear headphones.

The Sennheiser Momentum headphones have some of the best sonic qualities I've heard in a $350 headphone. While they do have small earcups for an over-ear headphone and the headband isn't the most comfortable, the sonics more than make up for these issues. The build quality is excellent, the asethetics more than pleasing, and they've gone with a standard, PVC-covered cable because, while it isn't the "coolest", it is the one the works the best. With tons of little touches like an adjustable right angle connection, there is very little not to like about the Sennheiser Momentum headphones. Highly recommended!

Onkyo enters a crowded headphone market with an eye toward treating your ears to hi-fi. The ES-HF300 features 40mm, dual ported titanium drivers in a full-sized on-ear headphone that remains efficient and mobile-device friendly. The Japanese hi-fi company has carved a reputation for crushing cost-to-performance expectations. But its new line marks Onkyo's first-ever foray into the headphone market. In this review we'll put Onkyo's flagship cans to the test to see if they're built on the company's sound reputation or if they're just a pair of also-rans in a market that's too often more hi-style than hi-fi.

The JLab JBuds EPIC in-ear monitor is designed to bring you high quality sound, a design that keeps the headphone in your ear, and a price that won't empty your wallet. They've succeeded in all three. While the EPICs aren't without their issues, for the budding audiophile or just the workout fanatic that doesn't want to have to fiddle with their headphones, the EPICs are an easy recommendation. While the combination of in-ear and the fins that hold them in your ear won't work for everyone, most should find the perfect blend of form and function in the JLabs EPICs. Recommended!

If the OM Audio INEARPEACE in-ear headphones aren't for everyone, it is because not everyone wants accurate sound. With a dual driver design, more comfortable than most tips, and a truly tangle-free cord, the OM Audio INEARPEACE have a lot going for them. The dual drivers give them the ability to have punch bass even at low volumes while maintaining a balanced presentation at louder volumes. At $180, it is hard to find competitors with dual drivers to this headphone. If you are looking for accurate in-ear monitors, the OM Audio headphones should top your list.