Here is my Unboxing Video:
Unboxing, Overview & Initial Impressions of the AKG K545 headphones
4 Replies
Review of the EOps Noisezero O2+ with Comply Headphone Pads – The most comfortable on-ear headphone experience
Pros: Comfort, design, portability, wire
Cons: Isolation, availability, mids
Packaging & Accessories: 2/10
Build Quality: 8/10
Design & Look: 8/10
Isolation: 5/10
Comfort: 9/10
Audio Quality: 6/10
Value: 7/10
My final Rating: 6.5/10
Purchase Date: December 2013
Purchase Price: £75-£100
First of all, I would like to thank Breanna over at Comply Foam for sending me these headphones to review.
These headphones were the first headphones to feature the Comply Foam Headphone Pads. Comply are well known in the audio world for making earphone tips which are comfortable and isolate well for in-ear users. However, Comply had never made any headphone pads before – it had been requested a few times over their years of operation and finally Comply has ventured into the headphone market. The only thing that’s a shame right now is that Comply don’t offer the headphone pads as a standalone product, that can be purchased; Instead they are pads that are already made in partnership with other manufacturers, such as EOps Noisezero. I personally can understand Comply’s logic as they can’t simply make loads of different headphone pads, if they aren’t popular or well known. It would be a huge investment on their part and possibly a huge loss.
In the way that Comply have gone about this, teaming up with some manufacturers (and hopefully with many more in the future), it will give them the courage to offer their headphone pads as a standalone product, like they do with their earphone tips. This would be incredible in the headphone market, as many audiophiles are known for changing pads. Even myself, as an audio enthusiast, I’ve changed the pads on my Denon AH-D2000’s (Lawton Audio Pads) simply because they isolated better and gave me better comfort, over the stock pads that Denon provide. In other words, more options for consumers is always nice to see and always well received, as it isn’t forced upon and can be seen as an upgrade in the headphones’ comfort.
I’ll home into the comfort section of the pads in the “comfort” section of my review. However, as with all reviews I do, I will be looking at every aspect of these headphones and thus reviewing the headphones and not only the pads. Let’s not forget you, the consumer will be buying the headphones for not only comfort (although that might be a big factor for you), but also the rest of the package. So, If you want to know how good or bad the Comply Pads are, then skip to the comfort section. If however you’re interested in the headphones and would like to know how the Comply Pads deteriorate or improve the headphone’s experience, then read on!
Review of the Fischer Audio TBA-04 Triple Balanced Armature Earphones – An excellent successor to the DBA-02 mk II
Pros: Mids, highs, accessories, build quality, comfort,
Cons: Worldwide availability, bass, straight 3.5mm jack, needs to be ideally driven with an amp
Packaging & Accessories: 9/10
Build Quality: 9/10
Design & Look: 8/10
Microphonics (higher ratings means lower cable noise): 9/10
Isolation: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10
Audio Quality: 9/10
Value: 9/10
My final Rating: 9.5/10
Purchase Date: 2013
Purchase Price: £185 / $300
First of all I would like to thank Serge from Fischer Audio for sending me out the TBA-04’s on their release. I took some time doing this review as I wanted to get a good amount of personal listening done, to the music I’m used to. More so, I wanted to get used to the Fischer Audio sound signature again, as I had a good impression of the different type of sound the FA earphones have to offer over other earphones.
In this review, I will refer to the TBA-04’s as the TBA and their younger brothers the DBA-02 mk II’s as the DBA’s. A full review of the DBA’s can be found here, a read of the review can serve as a useful reference for those who aren’t accustom to some of the traits of the DBA’s.
Review of the VSonic GR07 MK2 Pro – Outstanding value for such an amazing all-rounded earphone
Pros: Price, mids, highs, insane amount of tips, accessories, wire, durability, no microphonics
Cons: Bass, nozzle design, worldwide availability
Packaging & Accessories: 10/10
Build Quality: 9/10
Design & Look: 10/10
Microphonics (higher ratings means lower cable noise): 10/10
Isolation: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10
Audio Quality: 9/10
Value: 9.5/10
My final Rating: 10/10
Purchase Date: November 2013
Purchase Price: £112
First of all I would say a huge thank you to Zarni from the GateShop located in the USA for sending me out the VSonic GR07 MK2 Pro. I’ve always wanted to get my hands on the VSonic range, due to their incredible praise they received in the recent years. The GR07 MK2 Pro, being regarded by many as one of the best earphones, not only in its price category but as a neutral sounding earphone with a little punch. I can’t comment on the other VSonic line, nor can I compare the MK2’s to its younger brothers as I’ve never owned them.
As you’ll be able to see above, its ratings I’ve given it are quite high and I whole heartedly feel that it’s the right thing to do – I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending these earphones nor hesitate in buying myself a pair. However, you’ll be able to see from the cons that worldwide availability is something of a concern, which is a shame.
With that said I have a few links that I was able to find of the MK2’s – luckily if you live in the USA, you won’t have any problems sourcing the GR07 MK2’s.
Purchase links:
–AmazonUSA $180 / £112
–MP4 Nation $180 / £112
–eBay posted from Hong Kong £115
As you can see above, the worldwide availability is scarce and finding these located in the UK and/or EU is actually near impossible. This means that people who lie in the UK/EU like myself would have to import them. Importing is always dangerous when it comes to custom/import taxes and even the time frame required to receive them could be extremely long. However, if you are in the USA or in Asia, you shouldn’t have any problems getting them in.
Review of the Fischer Audio FA-004 Headphones
Pros: Looks and design, mids, lightweight, wire
Cons: Price, comfort, lows, isolation
Packaging & Accessories: 10/10
Build Quality: 9/10
Design & Look: 9/10
Isolation: 4/10
Comfort: 4/10
Audio Quality: 7/10
Value: 8/10
My final Rating: 8/10
Purchase Date: November 2013
Purchase Price: £40-90 – Review price will be at £40.
I would like to thank Zarni from GateShop in the USA for sending me out the FA-004’s to review.
The FA-004’s can be bought from AmazonUK for £90 – the UK version comes with an in-line mic.
They can also be bought from the USA in two colours at the £40 price tag:
–AmazonUSA White