Recent content by KaiFi
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Why Is There Not More Pushback Against Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
I think their usage is very situational. They're not to be used by audiophiles who want the highest quality sound while sitting in a quiet room. They're for instances like riding a train or being on an airplane. I don't use ANC much either, but on an airplane it's a must.- KaiFi
- Post #16
- Forum: Introductions, Help and Recommendations
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XDUoo XD05PRO
It is, but it’s an amp only for $1500. It’s meant to be paired with the D16 DAC (also $1500). So it’s sort of in an entirely different price bracket :thinking:- KaiFi
- Post #2,354
- Forum: Portable Headphone Amps
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ZMF BOKEH - Closed Back (Semi-Portable)
Can I just say that the Bokeh sounds really great with classical music? I don't know if any of you listen to classical music regularly, but it's been my experience that really, you need an open-back headphone for proper classical music listening. Open-back headphones make the timbre of strings...- KaiFi
- Post #2,479
- Forum: Headphones (full-size)
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XDUoo XD05PRO
I like xDuoo's products, but I wish they were a bit more transparent about hardware updates and released regular firmware updates like Fiio. There's nothing on their website indicating anything about a revised version. If there is one, it seems to have been an entirely silent production update.- KaiFi
- Post #2,328
- Forum: Portable Headphone Amps
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Unveiled: Meet the HD 620S
Just received my HD 620S today. Testing with the Zen DAC v3. Immediately loving the excellent isolation. I really don't understand this trend of creating closed-back headphones that don't isolate. What's the point, then? For me, the reason I buy closed backs is to block out background noise...- KaiFi
- Post #404
- Forum: Sponsor Announcements and Deals
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ZMF BOKEH - Closed Back (Semi-Portable)
That's because "break-in" is psychological phenomenon :) (Yes, I know I'm setting myself up to be tarred-and-feathered). But "break-in" is just your brain adjusting to a new sound. If you go a long time without hearing it, or with using a different pair of headphones, you may need a bit to...- KaiFi
- Post #2,466
- Forum: Headphones (full-size)
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FIIO 2024 New Product Schedule-From FIIO James
That's true, but my concern with streaming on a DAP is that DAP software doesn't tend to get updated regularly and I can't trust that streaming services will always function the way they're supposed to. -
FIIO 2024 New Product Schedule-From FIIO James
I think DAPs are interesting too, but if you primarily stream music, then a phone really is the best option for portable listening. In either case, there is supposed to be a battery pack released for the KA17 dongle, so I’d keep my eye on that as well. -
FIIO 2024 New Product Schedule-From FIIO James
Yeah, it's disappointing. :( But I guess people just want desktop amps or dongles. The "in-between" categories are less lucrative these days. -
XDUoo XD05PRO
Yeah, I'll go all the way and say that I can't hear any difference. It was the same with the Q7 and other devices that have had the same filter options. Of all the things that make a difference in sound, there is a hierarchy: headphones > amplifier > DAC > filters (Not going to include cables...- KaiFi
- Post #2,312
- Forum: Portable Headphone Amps
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Unveiled: Meet the HD 620S
Just placed my order. :) I've been really enjoying the HD 660S lately. I hope this can complete with it, just in closed-back form.- KaiFi
- Post #315
- Forum: Sponsor Announcements and Deals
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Focal Hadenys & Azurys Review & Measurements
Disappointing about the "meh" isolation. The full-sized Focals have excellent isolation; the Celestee was best isolating headphone I've ever heard. It was almost like wearing ANC headphones. I know one critique of the Celestee was that the soundstage was narrow (I found it to be okay myself...- KaiFi
- Post #154
- Forum: Headphones (full-size)
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Sonos Ace: Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
It looks like both can be used wired, but the signal has to pass through an ADC and DAC first.- KaiFi
- Post #7
- Forum: Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors
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Sonos Ace: Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Sonos' first entry into the Bluetooth headphone market is currently available for pre-order and will ship by June 5. https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/sonos-ace Is anyone else interested in these?- KaiFi
- Thread
- active noise cancelling active noise cancelling headphones bluetooth sonos wireless heaphones
- Replies: 17
- Forum: Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors
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Hamburger 🍔 Novelty Headphones
Most people who try and create hamburger headphones have trouble grappling with the pickle matrix. Professor Frink figured it out, though:- KaiFi
- Post #45
- Forum: Members' Lounge (General Discussion)