I received the Anker earphones for review and wanted to see how these Bluetooth earphones performed with my Samsung Galaxy S 3
Pros: Wireless earphones, Sound Quality
Cons: Bluetooth Range, Battery life, Design, Build Quality
Packaging & Accessories: 8/10
Build Quality: 6/10
Design & Look: 4/10
Isolation: 7/10
Comfort: 3/10
Audio Quality: 7/10
Value: 7/10
My final Rating: 6/10
Purchase Date: September 2013
Purchase Price: £40-45 from AmazonUK
Pros: Neutral sound signature, highs, accessories, packaging
Cons: Lows, price, wire, design and look
Packaging & Accessories: 10/10
Build Quality: 8/10
Design & Look: 6.5/10
Microphonics (higher ratings means lower cable noise): 8/10
Isolation: 9.5/10
Comfort: 9/10
Audio Quality: 8.5/10
Value: 6.5/10 for £300-350 price tag OR 10/10 for the £150 price tag
My final Rating: 7/10: based on £350 price tag OR 9.5/10: based on £150 price tag
Purchase Date: December 2012
Purchase Price: £300-350 -> Can now be found for under £150 (review is based on £300-350 price tag)
First of all, I would like to thank Denon for sending me out the AH-C400’s to review. These headphones, are the first “premium” range earphones that Denon has released. After being a big fan of the bass quality and quantity of the previous models, like the C710 and the C751 and especially the price point they came at, I was vastly interested what the first ever balanced armature drivers from Denon would offer. The C400’s have a dual balanced armature design, which is worth noting about as it competes with the likes of Westone, Phonak Audéo, Ultimate Ears and so on.
The price point of these is what’s more interesting, as these earphones don’t come cheap. In fact they sit right in between the competition at £300 to £350, making these earphones come in at a very expensive price point. These can be found at AmazonUK & AmazonUSA.
Here is my Unboxing Video:
Pros: Small size, mids, highs
Cons: Microphonics, no cable management, lows, sibilance
Packaging & Accessories: 7.5/10
Build Quality: 8/10
Design & Look: 9/10
Microphonics (higher ratings means lower cable noise): 6/10
Isolation: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10
Audio Quality: 8/10
Value: 8.5/10
My final Rating: 8/10
Purchase Date: May 2012
Purchase Price: £70
First of all, I would like to thank Jack, at HiSoundAudio for sending me out the Crystal for review.
The Crystal, is a very small earphone, that reminds me of some sorts of the Klipsch Image X10 and the Etymotic earphone range. In other words, small earphones that are very concealed within your ear canal.
After hearing the X10 and the HF2’s briefly, I didn’t have many expectations for the Crystal – that however quickly changed, when I put the Crystal in my ears for the first time.
Pros: Highs, Mids, Bass response for BA drivers, comfort, build quality
Cons: Sibilance, price, isolation, needs to be driven
Packaging & Accessories: 9/10
Build Quality: 10/10
Design & Look: 10/10
Microphonics (higher ratings means lower cable noise): 10/10
Isolation: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10
Audio Quality: 10/10
Value: 7/10
My final Rating: 9.5/10
Purchase Date: April 2012
Purchase Price: £400
First and foremost, I would like to send out a huge thanks (and hug?) to David, over at Phonak Audéo in sending out the PFE232’s to me, for review!
I would also like to point something out about the PFE232’s in relation to the P-Series tips – this was made aware to me by Comply:
“This tip series has a threaded core. While this core is fairly flexible and may stretch to accommodate the sound port of the PFE232 – there is a significant risk that attaching or disengaging a P-Series tip would damage the sound port. I highly discourage any customer from using the P-Series tip with this earphone. Any time you force a tip that is too small onto a sound port, you risk stressing that sound port in such a manner that could cause damage. We have heard of, and have experienced, cracking or breaking of sound ports in these situations (not speaking of Audeo specifically, but of forcing or attempting by force to put a tip onto, or remove a tip from a device that is not compatible with the Comply™Foam tip used in the attempt.)”
(Thus, please do not use the P-Series tips with your PFE232’s)
The Phonak Audéo PFE 232, also known as the PFE232’s are one of the best earphones I have heard to date. These earphones define for me the best universal fit earphones I have ever heard. That said, these do have some slight flaws, such as their sibilance, their isolation and most of all their price tag.
Apart from those few things, the PFE232’s I find are a class-leading earphone, whilst maintaining only 2 Balance Armature (BA) drivers in each ear piece.
Without further ado let’s get on with this review!
