The secret of making quality headphones
Audeze has captured the interest of audiophiles and music industry professionals alike with its high-end devices. "Most of the headphones that you see in the market use cone drivers. What we do is use a type of driver called a planar driver," said Thiagasamudram. "It's a very small, thin transducer placed in a magnetic field which then produces sound. "The diaphragm is about two microns thick, which is about one tenth of a human hair. Because of its incredibly quick, incredibly accurate low distortion, this allows people to hear sound as if they are in a [recording] studio."
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Awards, Reviews and Features
Apple Insider's Review of the iSINE 10
Almost everything about Audeze's iSine 10 headphones is audacious: the technology, the ambition, the appearance, and the sound itself. On paper they shouldn't work, but in practice they are some of the best sounding compact in-ear headphones money can buy.
The Audeze iSine 10 are the company's "entry level" model, if we can use such a term for a $399 pair of in-ear headphones. They carry such a high price because Audeze has somehow managed to cram planar magnetic technology into a form factor that can be worn on —but mostly in —your ears.
The headphone space has not been known for innovation over the years —arguably the biggest advancement in years has been Apple's proprietary W1 chip, which is a game changer for wireless. But for audiophiles, wired audio is here to stay, and this is where iSine is throwing its hat into the ring to claim the innovation crown.
From a technical standpoint, they've succeeded.
Traditional headphones (and speakers) pump out vibrations from a central point. It's efficient and cheap, which is why it's the most common technology in sound.
Despite their bulk, the iSine headphones are extremely light, almost deceivingly so. That's good, because you don't want a heavy pair of headphones that weigh in your ear.
The compact form factor weighs just 20 grams without the cable. While they are a unique style and fit, we never found ourselves uncomfortable wearing and using the iSine 10, whether out and about or at home.
This means audio can sound a little different when you switch over to the analog 3.5-millimeter headphone jack with the iSine 10. That's not to say it's bad, but we did notice fuller bass and a better sense of space when using the Cipher cable.
Another advantage of the Cipher: It is LOUD. In fact, if you turn these up all the way, you are liable to damage your ears.
Simply put, there's nothing else on the market like the Audeze iSine series. These headphones are truly one-of-a-kind, in basically every way.
If money is no object, Audeze offers a higher-end $599 iSine 20 model that features a longer "Uniforce" voice coil. It covers the planar magnetic diaphragm to a greater extent, which Audeze says enables better control and responsiveness, resulting in better bass, clarity, and improved imaging.
As for comfort and aesthetics, those are personal. The iSines are striking at first, to be sure. But we found their unique design to be charming, in their own way. These headphones are head-turners.
In the end, the design is something of a necessity, as space is needed to fit planar magnetic technology somewhere. And let's be honest, if you're the type of maniac who demands the absolute best quality possible no matter the form factor, aesthetics are going to be the least of your concerns.
Headphone Guru's Review of the LCDi4
THE AUDEZE LCDi4 IN-EAR HEADPHONES – SIMPLY THE BEST!
Right after I completed my review of the very impressive iSine20 in-ear monitors by Audeze (http://headphone.guru/audeze-isine20-ear-headphones-new-standard-portable-audio/), I then just heard about their newly released LCDi4 flagship in-ear headphones. The folks at Audeze are certainly not ones for allowing the grass to grow under their feet! As impressed as I was with the iSine 20s, I was unsure just how much better things could get? Well, in short, a whole lot. Simply put, these are the best universal in-ear monitors I’ve ever had in my ears; ever. As soon as they arrived, the luxurious packaging; including a leather-covered box and beautiful leather carrying case, really showed off the care and attention to detail that went into both the design and manufacture of this product.
Everything from the leather travel case, to the brilliantly made braided cable to the in-ear headphones themselves truly exudes quality. While definitely on the pricier side of things; coming in at $2495 US, the LCDi4s are truly worthy of their flagship status and price. While no Cipher Lightning cable was included with these in-ears, I was able to use the one included with the iSINE20s to see how they would fair with this cable/DSP.
Like their predecessors, the LCDi4s utilize planar magnetic drivers to achieve incredible definition and extremely low distortion levels. However, the LCDi4 has really stepped up on what I thought achievable from any in-ear monitor in terms of sound quality and sound staging. They borrow a lot of technology implemented in Audeze’s flagship full-sized headphone, the venerable LCD-4 and miniaturize everything to give you a portable on-the-go solution. Everything from the use of Audeze’s patented Fluxor magnets to their Voice Coil Technology was shrunk down and included; all resulting in extremely low measured distortion levels (0.1% at a whopping 100dB). The overall weight comes in at only 12 grams per ear-piece and the resulting comfort allowed me to use them for literally hours on end without any sense of fatigue or discomfort. The diaphragm used on the LCDi4 is more on par with the full sized LCD-4 headphones; namely the thickness is in the nano-scale. This thickness is significantly thinner than the diaphragms used on the iSine10 and iSine20. Also similar to the LCD-4 (my review: http://headphone.guru/the-audeze-lcd-4-update-the-best-just-got-better/), the materials and trace technology and the resulting sound quality is actually closer to its big brother the LCD-4 than it is to its similarly sized cousins the iSine10 and iSine20.
So here we are, a little over halfway through 2017 and I have a very early and promising pick for my vote for “Product of the Year”. While not cheap, the LCDi4 in-ear headphones have moved the bar even higher than the impressive iSine20s. In fact, I would think that a more fair comparison is with Audeze’s own full sized flagship: the LCD-4. If you love their top of the line full sized headphones, but wished you could take them with you for a walk or to the office, you definitely should check out the LCDi4…they are that darn good. I also want to say that when paired with an upfront setup like the newly released Chord Hugo 2, the LCDi4s are not just a portable endgame setup, but a worthy top of the line desktop setup!
Read More: http://headphone.guru/the-audeze-lcdi4-in-ear-headphones-simply-the-best/
Hifi Choice's Review of the iSINE 20
Audeze iSINE20
Dokanałowe słuchawki magnetostatyczne? W pale się nie mieści... Za to w uchu – jak najbardziej!
Audeze nie śpieszyło się specjalnie z wprowadzeniem do swojej oferty słuchawek dokanałowych. Patrząc na modele iSINE10 i iSINE20, nietrudno zrozumieć, dlaczego zajęło to aż tyle czasu. Dopracowanie odpowiednich rozwiązań musiało też sporo kosztować. To jednak nie koniec – w katalogu pojawiły się już pierwsze słuchawki z rodziny LCD-i w cenie, uwaga, prawie 2,5 tys. dolarów... Wyobraźnia pracuje, prawda? Tymczasem przyglądamy się najwyżej pozycjonowanemu modelowi z serii iSine.
Budowa
Audeze jakiś czas temu spiknęło się z firmą Designworks (grupa BMW), czego efektem były słuchawki EL-8, a następnie Sine (zob. nr 5/17 HFC&HC). O ile jednak wymienione modele pod względem designu nie zaskakują niczym szczególnym, o tyle iSINE20 (a także iSINE10) wyglądają... No właśnie, nie są podobne do żadnych innych. Niespotykany wygląd zawdzięczają przetwornikom o średnicy 30mm i konstrukcji dokanałowej – trzeba to było jakoś sensownie pogodzić i chyba to się udało. To znaczy udało się z całą pewnością, pytanie tylko, czy taka "powierzchowność" – misterne, sześciokątne ażurowe obudowy driverów – każdemu przypadnie do gustu. Tak czy inaczej, oryginalności temu projektowi odmówić nie sposób. I z pewnością nie jest to jeszcze ostatnie słowo w kwestii designu dokanałowych "magnetostatów" – wystarczy spojrzeć na model LCD-i4, który, choć bazuje na podobnym rozwiązaniu, to wygląda jeszcze ciekawiej.
Jakość brzmienia
iSINE20 mają kilka wyróżników, ale zwłaszcza jeden z nich robi niesamowite wrażenie: słuchawki te pozwalają bez żadnego wysiłku wgryźć się w muzykę, dostać się jakby do jej wnętrza, do głębi. Zawdzięczają to świetnej selektywności, umiejętności oddzielania poszczególnych dźwięków, ale też ogarnięcia całości muzycznego zdarzenia. Możemy więc nie tylko cieszyć się "fasadą" muzyki, ale też usłyszeć detale, o istnieniu których albo zapomnieliśmy, albo nie przywiązywaliśmy do nich zbyt wielkiej uwagi, a dzięki temu uświadomić sobie, że te na pozór mało istotne momenty są tak naprawdę bardzo wyjątkowe – a to wyraźniejszy niż zwykle, dający się łatwo wyodrębnić dodatkowy rytm wystukiwany na obręczy bębna w utworze "New York Morning" Elbow ("The Take Off and Landing of Everything", FLAC 24/96), albo wyszeptane "Enough... maybe" w końcówce utworu "Soul of Things XII" Tomasz Stańko Quartet ("Soul of Things", FLAC 16/44,1) – to, co nie było wcześniej zbyt oczywiste, z "dwudziestkami" w uszach nie budzi wątpliwości.
Warto wiedzieć
Słuchawki planarne (planarny znaczy płaski) często nazywane są także magnetostatycznymi, magnetoelektrycznymi, ortodynamicznymi czy izodynamicznymi. Czasami spotyka się także nazwę "magneplanarne", co niektórym audiofilom może kojarzyć się z amerykańskim specjalistą od kolumn magnetostatycznych Magnepan – całkiem słusznie, bo nazwę tę wprowadziła właśnie marka firmy Magnepan Incorporated. Konstrukcja słuchawek planarnych opiera się na drgającej membranie, na powierzchni której zamontowana jest cewka. Membrana taka jest umieszczona między dwoma magnesami i drga w wyniku działania sił magnetycznych.
Podsumowanie
W zasadzie nie mam pytań. No, może tylko jedno: jak w takim razie grają LCD-i4? Strach się bać, ale jakby co, to chętnie ten lęk oswoję.
Werdykt: Audeze iSINE20
★★★★★
Wybitne dokanałówki o harmonijnym, wyrafinowanym i szlachetnym brzmieniu
Tape Op Review of iSINE 20, LCD-X, LCD-3 & Deckard
For jaded music listeners, the Audeze line of headphones may be the cure for reconnecting with music and audio. Audeze is not a new name to audiophiles. The company has been making high-quality products for many years but have more recently caught the attention of some folks in the pro audio community, and with good reason.
The Audeze LCD-X headphones come in a rugged plastic equipment case, with a nice complement of cables and adapters. The model's open-back earcups house planar magnetic drivers with ultra-thin diaphragms (thinner than a human hair). Claimed frequency response is "5 Hz – 20 kHz, extended out to 50 kHz." The ear pads are premium, butter-soft leather; and they even make what they humorously and unofficially call the "vegan" version, which utilizes microfiber suede instead of leather.
The handcraftsmanship, materials, and design are beautiful and scream quality. At first glance, the LCD-X headphones look overly large and potentially heavy, but when you put them on, they are incredibly comfortable and almost disappear on your head.
The iSine 20 is one of the in-ear models from Audeze. Technically, its earbuds are not completely "in-ear" due to the planar magnetic drivers that are positioned outside of the ears, but they do have a low-profile. Removable "hangers" keep them from falling off of your ear, and I found them to be comfortable, even for long listens. A variety of swappable rubber eartips are included, accommodating a variety of ear shapes and sizes. I have had some decent earbuds over the years, and these Audeze ones just blow them all away. The resolution, frequency response, and soundstage are fantastic. I took the iSine 20 earbuds on a recent trip, and although they are not noise isolating with their semi-open backs, they were fine, even with typical airplane noise. I even ran off some rough mixes on them while on the road, and the results were pretty decent! Would I mix a record with them? No, but that's not their intended or touted use.
At this point, you might be wondering if high-priced headphone systems like these are worth it, especially when so many people rely on cheap earbuds, overhyped "lifestyle" headphones, or just the built-in speakers on their mobile devices. Or maybe the bigger question you're asking is if good listening routines or habits even matter in this day and age.
As music makers and creators, we spend so much time, energy, and attention on the minutest of details in our quest to bring music to life; and these days, a lot (if not most) of it is lost on compression codecs and poor playback systems. It's ironic that with how technologically advanced we are, mass music-consumption has been dumbed down so badly in the name of convenience.
Like everything else in pro audio, high quality comes at a price; and in this case, it is worth it. With the build and sonic quality, the removable cables, and protective travel case, these could be the last headphones you need to buy.
Read more: http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/119/isine-20-in-earphones/
Auricular's Review of the iSINE 10
“Using them with the hangs, makes you feel like if you wear nothing, I feel so comfortable with them”
“It’s an unique iem. Put this in your ear, backed up by a hunk planar magnetic driver, it’s an unique experience”
“The best of this headphone, and what makes it peerless, are the mids and, most of all, the voices. They include that warm touch typical of Audeze that makes them sound super natural. Voices sound magnificent, chiefly masculine ones”
“Audeze fans can fell proud, because they’re Audeze from bottom to top”
....
Hoy os traemos gracias a la cesión de Sound Pixel Planet ( Distribuidores de Audeze en España )
Los nuevos Audeze ISINE 10. Un iem enorme y abierto, que incorpora unos enormes drivers planar magnéticos. Menuda novedad eh!
Os dejo justo debajo, el enlace de Sound Pixel con información ampliada del iem.
Enlace Audeze isine 10 Sound Pixel Planet
Estos son el modelo de entrada, ( el más económico ) , luego tenemos el modelo superior ( Isine 20 )
Viene con una presentación totalmente premium, tal y como nos tiene bien acostumbrada la marca americana.
En esta unidad viene el cable cypher para Iphone, que para quien no sepa todavía que es, es un cable con conector lighting para iphones y ipads, que viene con un dac-amplificador incorporado en el mismo cable. Es comodísimo y además tiene mucha más potencia que cualquier smarthphone del mercado, debe de andar sobre los 2v de salida. Más que suficiente para mover con soltura estos iems.
Pero los amigos de Headphoniaks nos han dejado la última bestia de Ibasso, Ni más ni menos que el pedazo de Ibasso DX200 y con esa bestía es con la que he estado disfrutando estos dias los isine 10.
Lo primero que nos encontramos al abrir la lujosa caja de estos iems, además de una presentación impecable, nos encontramos con un práctico estuche, ( con un buen tamaño ) varios tips de silicona en diferentes medidas, un montón de ganchos y accesorios para que se queden bien sujetos los iems a la oreja, el cable cypher, la tarjeta de autenticidad y el cable extraible, llaman mucho la atención el diseño de los iems al abrir la caja.
El primer día que los probé, me llevé una buena desilusión, ya que no es que pesen mucho, pero a mí se me salían todo el rato del oído, perdiendo el sello y el bajo. Como ya era tarde, preferí probarlos bien al día siguiente con más calma.
Investigue un poco por la red, para ver como se los ponía la gente y ví que usan los accesorios que vienen con el auricular.
Yo he usado una especie de gancho que rodea por encima mi oreja y hace que descanse el gancho encima de ella. el peso del iem lo soporta el gancho y ya con los ganchos quedan perfectos y los estoy disfrutando hasta ahora.
Teneis que tener en cuenta, que es un iem totalmente abierto, haremos ruido hacia el exterior ( no es una barbaridad de ruido, pero se escucha fuera vamos ) y escucharemos perfectamente todo lo que nos rodea, pero aunque tengamos ese inconveniente luego el iem nos aporta una gran escena y una imagen sonora que no he escuchado en ningún otro iem cerrado.
Realmente es un iem único, tener metido eso en el oído, apoyado por un pedazo de driver planar magnético detrás del canutillo, es una experiencia única.
Lo primero que me he esperado de este iem es un bajo poderoso como el Lcd-2 y si y no.
Baja muy bien, ( aunque no tanto como el Lcd-2 ) Tiene un bajo neutro, sin distorsión, de muy buena calidad, con muy buena articulación, pero yo me esperaba que tendría algo más de peso y que en general sería lo que más destacaría de su perfil sonoro, en cambio lo que más destaca de este iem son sus medios.
Si el modelo superior Isine i20 suena todavía mejor que este, ya os aviso que tiene que tener un nivel sonoro muy cercano al del un Lcd-2. Incluso me suena de ver uno nuevo a precio de jeque árabe con la tecnología del Lcd-4.
Reconozco que este tipo de concepto es raro, La sensación de cuando ya los tienes puetos en la oreja con los ganchos y ves que no aislan nada y ya no sabes si tienes coocado un iem o una especie de Koss KSC75.
A quien va dirigido este iem ? Sobre todo a los amantes del sello sonoro de audeze, hay muchos usuarios Audeze que prueban los nuevos iems multi drivers y los Audezefans que estan acostumbrados al perfil sonoro de sus Audeze, los multidriver los notarán claustrofóbicos, artificiales, con agudos hirientes, pues para toda esta legión de fanas de Audeze deciros que estais de enhorabuena, con estos vais a tener un perfil sonoro y natural típico de los drivers planar magnéticos de Audeze.
Aunque quizá ese perfil de público ya prefiera poner un poco más de dinero y comprarse el modelo superior Isine 20.
Si tienes tanta gente que ama tu perfil sonoro, pues dales lo que quieren y eso es lo que han echo con este iem. A mi me recuerda mucho a una fusión entre un Audeze sine y un Lcd-2. ( Los veo muy a medio camino )
Espero que hayan disfrutado de la lectura.
Read More: https://auricular.org/review-audeze-isine-i10-planar-magneticos-portatiles/
SINE Wins 2017 Red Dot Award for Product Design
Manufacturer: Audeze, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Design: BMW Group Designworks, Newbury Park, CA, USA
Statement by the Jury
»The materials, workmanship and technical equipment of these headphones guarantee a unique tonal and tactile experience. «
Read More: http://red-dot.de/pd/online-exhibition/work/?lang=en&code=42-06347-2017&y=2017&c=253&a=0
The Gadgeteer's Review of the iSINE 10
While planar magnetic speakers have been around for a while, the tech can mostly be seen in larger speakers. And although planar magnetic headphones have been around since the 70s, they’ve only escaped cult status within the last few years. Now, many companies produce these kinds of headphones. Audeze is one of the more popular planar magnetic headphones makers who offer many models at many prices—all expensive. They’ve now shrunk this speaker technology into an earphone with the introduction of the iSINE 10—and it is amazing!
The Audeze iSINE 10 is unlike any other earphone you’ve ever seen. Since it uses magnetic planar technology, it wouldn’t fit into a standard earphone shell. Instead, the speaker sits outside your ear, held in place by the ear plug itself, or with the help of supplied ear hooks. While they might look like tiny headphones, their sound is bigger than many regular headphones.
Earlier I marveled about how good the iSINE 10 in-ear headphones sound. The iSine 10 earphones provide details that are both subtle and interesting. There is a lot of stuff going on in these albums—much of it buried under layer upon layer of sound effects. Having earphones that can extract these hidden aural gems is half the fun and the iSINE 10 earphones certainly provide that fun.
AV Forums Review of the iSINE 10
The Audeze iSINE 10 is the world’s first planar magnetic earphone. Audeze as a company has a considerable depth of experience in this field but, up until now, the drivers have been of the size that requires a full scale over-ear headphone to accommodate the drivers. Audeze has managed to shrink the drivers down to a point where they work in an in-ear monitor which is no small task in itself.
If that was the only noteworthy point of the iSINE, they would still be a pair of earphones worth looking at but there is another facet of their spec that is worthy of note as well. The Audeze has been designed from the outset to offer Lightning connectivity as well as a conventional 3.5mm socket. This means that for owners of recent Apple products, it might be just the ticket – if of course it delivers on the promise.
The iSINE is an extension of Audeze’s ongoing interest in the field of planar magnetic drivers. These stamp a voicecoil on a thin membrane instead of mounting it behind a separate driver assembly. This reduces the moving mass of the driver while allowing for a considerable radiating area. The challenges of turning this into something that works in an earphone are very considerable however. While the driver itself has a very low mass, the size of its radiating area and the housing required for it have ensured that it really isn’t the sort of thing you would associate with an in-ear design.
One of the reasons I am a fan is that the device as a whole is extremely comfortable. Having wound up with the distinctive form factor they have, Audeze has then put some considerable attention into making it flexible and comfortable for as many people as possible. Technically, the iSINE is not a structured wire device as the cable hangs down from the housing but to ensure a comfortable fit, Audeze has supplied a set of removal plastic clips which you use to hold the housing in place around the ear. It looks odd but it works like a charm and ensures that the iSINE will stay in place even when you are moving around enthusiastically. It isn’t quite as comfortable as the Noble Trident but it still should work well for a number of people.
The Audeze samples were supplied brand spanking new which meant they were left running in for three days before any meaningful listening was undertaken. Having done so and performed the assembly with the clips to ensure that they fitted correctly, I got on with listening. I had listened to the iSINE 20 in the halls at CES but only briefly and this was in a fairly noisy environment. In the ensuing period, some questions had started to form. Planar drivers are light and lend the units that mount them a considerable degree of finesse but armatures also do this effortlessly. In short, I wondered if there was any point beyond brand identity for bringing these drivers to earphones. After a bit of time spent with them, the answer to this is ‘yes, there is.’
Switch to the Lightning cable though and things snap into place somewhat. Audeze allows you to EQ the output to your choice so if you want the iSINE to sound a bit bright and aggressive or warmer than a sauna in a trenchcoat you can tweak them to do just that. Leave them in the flat setting though and the decoding that Audeze uses does a good job of getting the best out of their babies. This means that the iSINE is slightly warmer and more forgiving than it is via the Oppo HA-2SE but it loses none of that speed and sheer cohesion. This is not something Audeze has knocked up as a convenience feature but a key part of the iSINE 10’s functionality.
The hallmark of really good technology is that it improves the state of play in whichever category it happens to be released in but at the same time, it doesn’t demand attention from us for the sake of it. Having spent some time with the iSINE 10, this is a fine example of this. The Audeze uses its unique drivers to great effect but they are never the main story. This is a great looking and very flexible earphone that just happens to make sound via means not used anywhere else.
If you’ve skipped through to the end, you need to know that these are seriously good earphones. While they might lose out by a wafer thin margin to the best that conventional technology has to offer, if you are a Lightning device user, you need to know that the iSINE 10 is the high performance earphone these devices have been looking for. Used this way, the iSINE offers sparkling performance and enormous flexibility and for this reason, it is a clear Best Buy.
Read More: https://www.avforums.com/review/audeze-isine10-earphones-review.13512
Sound & Vision Review of iSINE 10
With the iSine 10, Audeze completely reinvented the in-ear headphone. I’m not exaggerating. While every other in-ear headphone uses dynamic or balanced armature drivers, the iSine 10 has planar magnetic drivers, the same thin-film driver technology Audeze uses with all of their on-, and very high-end over-the-ear headphones. The driver isn’t the only unique design feature, though. The iSine 10’s wild-looking earpieces are a good deal larger and designed in a completely different way than any other in-ear on the market.
At first I was concerned about the size of the relatively large earpieces. But the iSine 10 weighs next to nothing, at just 0.7 ounces, and they come equipped with ear hooks that wrap up and over your ears to secure the headphones in place. Even when I jumped around and tried to dislodge the earpieces, they stayed put.
It’s also worth noting that while every other in-ear is a closed, noise-isolating design, the iSine 10 is a “semi-open” headphone. The upside to the design is that you can hear the world around you; but that might also be a downside. The iSine 10 doesn’t provide much in the way of isolation from external noise.
The Audeze iSine 10’s sound will be a revelation to even the most experienced in-ear headphone buyers, but it won’t be a good fit for anyone who needs maximum isolation from external noise. That’s a big but, but in every other way the iSine 10 is a stunning achievement.
Read More: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/audeze-isine-10-headphones#0ulqxSxMPKYiOjuG.97
Lite Magazine's Review of the iSINE 20
Weltpremiere Teil 2: Audeze hat mit dem iSine 10 den großartig klingenden, aber raumgreifenden Magnetostat-Flächenstrahler auf In-Ear-Format geschrumpft und damit einen Referenz-Kopfhörer kreiert. Nun präsentieren die Kalifornier mit dem Audeze iSine 20 den großen Bruder und versprechen bei gleichen Maßen ein Mehr an Klangqualität. Wie soll das gehen?
Wie soll das gehen? – das war schon die Frage, als Audeze seinen ersten In-Ear-Magnetostaten präsentierte. Dem Kopfhörerspezialisent ist es damit nämlich gelungen, in ein Produkt zwei Anforderungen zu packen, die gegensätzlicher kaum sein könnten: Ein Im-Ohr-Kopfhörer muss klein sein, er lässt kaum Raum für die Technik, auch nicht für die schallwandelnde Membran. Doch genau die ist bei einem Flächenstrahler wie dem Magnetostaten ausdehnungsintensiv, der Name ist hier Programm: Die Schallwandlung geschieht über eine große Fläche, weil die Auslenkung der Membran sowie die Kraft, die sie bewegt, klein sind. Audeze hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, diesen Gegensatz gegenstandslos zu machen. Seit über acht Jahren fertigt die kalifornische Manufaktur Kopfhörer mit dem Ziel, den bestmöglichen Klang ins Ohr zu pflanzen. Dabei setzt Audeze von Anfang an auf das magnetostatische Schallwandlungsprinzip – ein Ansatz, der eine ausgezeichnete Wiedergabe verspricht, technisch jedoch knifflig ist. Audeze hat es aber geschafft, den einstmals mannshohen Breitband-Lautsprecher zu miniaturisieren und in zwei Muscheln unterzubringen. Das Ergebnis ist ein Portfolio an high-endigen Magnetostat-Kopfhörer, die in Fachkreisen großes Lob und Auszeichnungen einfahren. Beim lite-Magazin haben schon der Audeze EL-8 und der Audeze EL-8 Titanium für herausragenden Musikgenuss gesorgt. Das gilt auch für den iSine 10, mit dem Audeze vor einigen Monaten den nächsten Schritt getan hat: Die Miniaturisierung der Miniaturisierung, ein In-Ear-Kopfhörer auf Magnetostat-Basis. Der iSine 10 wird dabei von zwei größeren Geschwistern flankiert, dem Top-Modell LCD i3 und dem großen Bruder iSine 20, den wir nun zum Test haben. Wie funktioniert er denn jetzt? Und was kann er besser?
Mit dem iSine 20 übertrifft Audeze, was dem Kopfhörerspezialisten mit dem iSine 10 gelungen ist: Die Überführung der großen Magnetostaten-Vorteile in das kleine In-Ear-Format. Der iSine 20 klingt ungemein offen, dynamisch-lebendig, zugleich zeigt er eine Stärke im Bass und eine Kraft, die die Klangkünste des kleinen Bruders iSine 10 noch toppen. Die klangliche Exzellenz macht sich schon mit preiswerteren Zuspielern bemerkbar, bei ebenbürtigen Spielpartnern hingegen richtig bezahlt: Wer den Audeze iSine 20 mit einem HiRes-Player betreibt und Files in entsprechender Güte abspielt, wird mit einer High-End-Wiedergabe in audiophiler Qualität belohnt.
Read More: http://www.lite-magazin.de/2017/03/kopfhoerer-audeze-isine-20/
Phandroid's Review of the SINE
One great aspect of the Audeze Sine is that its overall design is stunning. The Sines are completely handcrafted with a sturdy aluminum frame and minimal branding across the side. When picking them up, there’s no denying these headphones are made with the utmost quality and attention to detail from the delicate stitching, leather padding, and a modern design. Since these headphones are an on-ear design, I did find them to be a bit uncomfortable after about 30 minutes of wear. This may be due to the fact that they have a very tight seal on your ears — to help ensure they don’t fall off — but in my opinion, I would have liked a more comfortable design for longer listening sessions.
Having tried and tested a myriad of different headphones in the past, I can say unequivocally the Audeze Sines are one of the best on-ear headphones I have ever had the pleasure to listening to. In terms of sound, the highs are moderately detailed, mids are crystal clear (which comes in handy for those who are vocalists or musicians) and bass performance is fantastic but not too overpowering. Sound quality has a lot to do with these featuring planar magnetic technology and also integrating a lightning port cable to listen to your music at a higher resolution than your standard 3.5mm port.
What I was most impressed with was that you can customize your music playback using the Audeze app. It features a 10-band equalizer that changes EQ in real time so if you want to increase the bass or tone down the mids then doing so is completely possible. Once you have saved the presets, the audio preset travels with the cable when switching devices, so your listening preferences are always preserved.
I briefly touched upon the comfort of the Audeze Sine headphones, but long story short — they become increasingly uncomfortable for me after about the 30-minute mark due to their extremely tight seal. Although I already expected this to some degree since they’re on-ear headphones, I do think that Audeze could have come up with a less clamping pressure design to cater for those that have long listening sessions.
Also, the Sines are advertised as a pair of portable cans, but there is no actual way to fold the headphones into a smaller size and slip into a case. If you do need these for travel and have limited space on your carry-on, then these may not be the best option for you. In the past when testing Audeze’s higher priced headphones — such as the EL-8 – the comfort was no issue at all, but for those that higher quality sound at the cost of comfort, then these could be a perfect fit for you.
As I’ve mentioned before, these are without a doubt one of the best on-ear headphones I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Not only are they stylish, but the Sines have amazing sound quality and feature some pretty awesome technology as well. At $499, the Audeze Sine headphones are a bit pricey for the average consumer, but if you value great quality sound and are looking for something that a bit more professional looking — then these are most certainly for you.
Read More: http://phandroid.com/2017/03/28/audeze-sine-on-ear-headphones-review/
iPhone Life's Review of the SINE
Apple threw headphone makers a curveball by removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. While Apple still ships some iOS products with a headphone jack and others with just Lightning, any headphone make that wants to provide a headphone that works with both has a dilemma. Audeze has come up with the SINE On-Ear Headphone ($449), an interesting high-end set of headphones that plays nice with Lightning for digital audio and the traditional analog audio jack.
The SINE On-Ear Headphone lets you plug in a cable with a Lightning connector on one end and the cable splits into a left and right channel that plugs in to each earcup. Or you can use the analog audio jack cable that works similarly. Both have in-line controls for pause/play and volume.
Physically, the SINE uses heavy-duty materials and construction, but the headphones themselves aren't that heavy. In fact, they are quite comfortable thanks to asymmetrical swiveling leather earcups. On top of this, Audeze has a clever equalizer app that you are prompted to install when plugging in the Lightning connector. The equalizer lets you adjust all frequencies of the audio signal and you can save presets for classical music versus rock, for example.
Pros
- Heavy-duty materials and construction
- Comfortable swiveling earcups
- Dual-mode: Lightning or audio jack
- Inline controls
- Clever equalizer app
Cons
- Expensive
- Cable connects to left and right ear cups
Final Verdict
The SINE headphone from Audeze is a high-end set of headphones that has a thoughtful approach to using both a Lightning port and audio jack.
Geek Dad's Review of the SINE
The big deal about these new Audeze headphones are that they are “[t]he world’s first on-ear planar magnetic” headphones. First, we need to unpack the tech-speak there. Turns out, there isn’t just one technology for headphones these days. This entry at Wikipedia will give you many of the details, but rather than the traditional moving-coil technology common to most speakers and headphones (including the Sennheisers), the Audeze Sines use a membrane with wires embedded in it, suspended between two oppositely-poled magnets. This is supposed to deliver more detailed sound, and indeed many of the more expensive audiophile-grade headphones on the market use this technology (or something even weirder). Which is why having this tech in a pair of sub-$500 headphones is a big deal.
I’ve spent quite a few hours listening to both pairs of headphones, and here’s the thing: the sound coming out of each of these it so good, and so similar, that the choice between them comes down to non-aural issues. Sonically, they both deliver highly-detailed sound; picking out separate instruments in orchestral pieces is a no-brainer, and even hearing the musicians taking breaths or moving pages is easy. They’re both pretty darn neutral, meaning if you’re listening to them without any equalizer (EQ) fiddling, there’s no part of the scale that stands out more than the other. These aren’t bass-thumpers by themselves, though if you’re running them through a DAC like I was, you can add your own personal boosts. They both produce sound that feels clean, and just slightly warm (which I like). The only significant difference I could hear was, when I added some boost on the higher end, the Sines picked up more of the hiss inherent in the recording I was listening to. Which really meant it probably didn’t need as much EQ on the high end.
So, since they’re very comparable when it comes to just the sound, how are they different? That comes down to their two main physical differences: on-ear versus over-the-ear, and closed-back versus open-back (the Sines are the first, in each case).
The Sines, being closed-back headphones, are more intimate. When you listen to music with them, you are hearing a concert just for you, inside your own cocoon. They keep exterior sounds out to a large extent (being on-ear helps there are well), so they are good for listening outdoors, on on a bus or plane, where you want to minimize outside noise and just enjoy your tunes. The negative to this are that your ears will build up a bit of heat, such that long-term listening can get a little oppressive after a while.
Read More: https://geekdad.com/2017/03/mid-fi-headphone-showdown-audeze-sine-vs-sennheiser-hd6xx/
SoundStage! Xperience's Review of the iSINE 10
I’ve been reviewing headphones and earphones since 2008, but the Audeze iSine10s are the first I’ve encountered that create their own category. The iSine10s ($399 USD with Lightning and analog cables, $349 with analog cable only) differ from all other earphones not only in their sound, appearance, and the way they work, but even in the ways you’ll use them.
The main difference between the iSine10s and all other earphones (except the step-up model, the $599 iSine20s, and the $899 oBravo ERIB-2a hybrid) is that they use planar-magnetic drivers. Planar-magnetic drivers typically use a Mylar diaphragm to produce sound. (Audeze actually uses a proprietary film rather than Mylar.) The diaphragm is suspended between two metal plates, which are lined with rows of magnets. A wire voice-coil inlaid in the diaphragm accepts the signal from the source device. Planar-magnetic drivers are known for their clear, airy treble, natural-sounding midrange, and sometimes weak bass response.
Fortunately, the largest of the three sizes of eartips fit my slightly oversize ear canals pretty well. I also found that the largest of the earhooks fit my ears well and kept the iSine10s secure.
That walk proved frustrating for a different reason -- the iSine10s didn’t block much environmental noise. If you walk down a busy street while using them, auto noise will mask at least some of the music you’re listening to. You’ll have a similar experience at Starbucks or in the subway -- and forget about using them on airplanes. The iSine10s may be the first earphones that aren’t actually all that well suited for portable use, unless you plan to listen to them in a relatively quiet environment such as an office or library.
The Cipher cable is heavier than the analog cable (28gm vs. 13gm); unless I clipped the Cipher to my clothes, it pulled down on the earphones enough to be a little annoying.
The imaging of the instruments -- particularly drummer Phillip Wilson’s snare and hi-hat, and Bowie’s trumpet -- sounded far more precise and centered than I’m used to hearing from earphones. That doesn’t mean that the iSine10s were collapsing the soundstage -- I still experienced a huge ambience, and noticed discrete aural images of the horns accompanying Bowie at far left and far right.
I think a lot of enthusiasts might be willing to buy the iSine10s just on the basis of hearing a tune or two with the analog cable. The Cipher cable, however, sounded very different. As my measurements showed, it introduced a big peak at 3kHz, and elevated the mid-treble below about 8kHz from 8 to 12dB. This added brightness was easy to hear with the Bowie recording, and while the sound did seem more detailed and spacious, the sharp increase in treble robbed it of body and warmth. Treble-loving audiophiles would dig it, but as a guy who plays in jazz jam sessions a couple times a week, I know that real instruments don’t sound this bright. I quickly became annoyed and fatigued by the sound.
The Audeze iSine10s aren’t for everyone. I take that back: Used with the Cipher cable, their sound is for everyone, especially considering how easily it can be tweaked with the EQ app, and that the result seems to have no audible downsides (other than that, as with almost any other EQ, it gives inexperienced listeners ample opportunity to mess up the sound). But the iSine10s’ use will be limited to the sort of quiet environments in which earphones aren’t typically used. Still, if you want top-notch, audiophile-grade sound you can enjoy at home and easily take along to your office, cubicle, or hotel room, I can’t think of a more practical and cost-effective way to get it. This is $4000 worth of sound for $400.
Read More: http://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/equipment-menu/790-audeze-isine10-earphones
Mix Magazine's Feature of the iSINE 20
We’re now well into the 2017 trade show season, and no matter the event, there are always plenty of new mics, speakers and headphones on display—the transducer category never gets tired. Here, we look into three head-worn listening devices I saw at Winter NAMM in January. Each company’s products offer new approaches; all are boundary stretchers for the participants.
Audeze is no stranger to manufacturing great headphones, including the LCD and EL-8 over-ear, SINE on-ear, and now the iSINE in-ear series. All feature Audeze planar magnetic technology using diaphragms thinner than a human hair moved by their patented Fluxor Magnet Arrays, delivering near-zero distortion and incredible sound. I reviewed the EL-8s for Mix in April 2016 and loved them. I’ve also had the pleasure of hearing the company’s top-of-the-line LCD-4s; they deliver a unique and beautiful listening experience. How they fit all this tech into such a light and great-sounding product is remarkable.
The iSINE series consists of three models, the iSINE10, iSINE20 (reviewed here), and the iSINEVR for use with virtual reality goggles. The iSINE20 comes in a slick plastic display box with a flip-top magnetic lid. Inside are the drivers mounted on a removable plastic and foam block, multiple bags of accessories, a cloth and leather carrying case with a magnetic flip-over clasp, and one of two cables. You can order an iOS Lightning cable compatible with the latest iOS iPad, iPid, or iPhone offering DSP and a controller/app, or a standard ⅛-inch cable compatible with a multitude of devices.
Accessories include three rubber ear tips for different ear-canal fit preferences, four pairs of plastic over-ear and in-ear guides that hold the drivers in place, and a cleaning tool. The ear tips and guides take some careful wrestling to put in place on the driver, but the pieces are solidly made and fit tightly. I’d like to see some more ear tip size options included—even the largest tip was not quite tight enough for my ear. The left/right split at the other end of the ⅛-inch plug fits tightly into the drivers and are clearly marked L and R, so there’s no question that your stereo connection is set up properly.
With listening products that fit inside your ear there is always a trick to learning how to get them on, in and comfortable. I chose the larger mount that hooks over the ear and it worked great. The trick with the oddly shaped iSINE20 is to put the ear tip lightly in place, then rotate them forward. Then, slide the end of the ear mount over the top of the ear and rotate them back until they sit perfectly over the ear. Once in place with the ear tip pushed tighter into the ear, they are so light and comfortable you forget you’re wearing them. Not being custom, the fit of the ear tip is critical to the experience. I chose the widest option, and it worked perfectly. The fit was sealed enough that the low end was even and full. Even when shaking my head, the iSINE20 stayed put. Cable handling noise is slight and acceptable.
The sound is remarkable for an earbud. The frequency balance is good, the low end is punchy and full, and the top end crisp without being overbearing. I think with a larger ear tip that I could fit tighter into my ear, the sonics would improve. These would be incredible with a custom fit option. The planar drivers are open-back, so ambient noise is apparent. For casual listening when you need to know what’s going on around you, these are perfect—like listening with great speakers that freely move around with you. Audeze is a company that never fails to surprise with its unique design, sonic integrity and outside-the-box thinking. The iSINE20 is another product that fits this description perfectly.
Read More: http://www.mixonline.com/news/reviews/3-new-headphones-3-new-approaches/429432
High Snobiety's Feature of the iSINE 10
The headphone jack has been a ubiquitous part of audio for more than 138 years. In 2016, Apple made the decision to eliminate the 1/8 inch headphone jack from the iPhone 7. For those attached to old-school wired headphones, it was a punch in the gut, but one that would nevertheless open the door for a new wave of portable audio tech that would allow the iPhone to become the premier music player on the market, especially when paired with high-quality headphones and hi-def streaming services.
For years, I’ve dreamed of the ideal portable music “system” with my iPhone at its center, with near unlimited access to high-quality music without worries of the limitation of device storage or bandwidth. The “system” would also need a truly fantastic amplifier to power even more spectacular headphones. But portable headphone amplifiers were a give-and-take: in exchange for the sonic improvements they provided over Apple’s built-in headphone amp, you’d carry a box alongside your iPhone and you’d likely have to charge that box’s batteries more than you’d like. An outboard solution was not for me.
Audeze SINE is the answer and response to those looking for a portable, travel-friendly planar magnetic headphone. At $449, the SINE is reasonably priced compared to its predecessors. It powers well through modern smartphones and music players and its on-ear positioning muffles out some (not all) extraneous noise, making it a good choice for commuters. Frequent fliers will appreciate its fold-flat portable shape and durability for quick stowing.
Enter Audeze CIPHER, a 24-bit AMP/DAC/DSP Lighting Cable built for Audeze’s SINE and EL-8 series with hi-fi fans in mind. Audeze CIPHER cable is a game changer for portable audio and is a necessary addition for those looking for high resolution audio playback on iPhones.
The appeal of Tidal HiFi is simple: It is the choice streaming music service for CD-quality playback on the iPhone.3 With the chain complete – Audeze SINE headphones + Audeze CIPHER cable + Tidal HiFi – music fans have a fantastic full resolution music solution that’s portable and works reliably over LTE and 4G data networks.
Read More: http://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/03/20/hifi-audio-audeze-sine-tidal/
Engadget mention of the iSINE 20 & SINE
Aaron: Slightly crestfallen from the "meh" response to the iSines -- I'm pretty sure they just weren't in his ears properly -- I took one last shot at impressing Mat. I've been weighing up buying a pair of Sines for months now in preparation for owning an iPhone without a headphone jack. All the Sine series can be bought with Lightning cables, and I took advantage of that for the test, bypassing my iPhone's audio circuitry in favor of Audeze's in-cable solution.
Mat: These were good, the best-sounding headphones so far. It was not only the level richness but also how I got a sense of the distance between the various instruments and me. The sleigh bells were farther away. It was almost like listening to a sound system or a sound bar: deep and bassy. Luxurious. So much better than everything else.
Read More: https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/11/teaching-an-uninterested-colleague-about-headphones/
SoundStage! Xperience's Review of the iSINE 10
I’ve been reviewing headphones and earphones since 2008, but the Audeze iSine10s are the first I’ve encountered that create their own category. The iSine10s ($399 USD with Lightning and analog cables, $349 with analog cable only) differ from all other earphones not only in their sound, appearance, and the way they work, but even in the ways you’ll use them.
Like most planar-magnetic headphones, the iSine10 earphones are open-backed. (Audeze’s specs describe them as “semi-open,” but my measurements and listening experience suggest that “open-backed” is more accurate.) This means that sounds from all around you can leak into your ears -- something that doesn’t occur with conventional earphones unless they’re equipped with eartips designed to let sound in.
I expected the iSine10s to sound different from other earphones. What I wasn’t prepared for was how different they sounded.
The imaging of the instruments -- particularly drummer Phillip Wilson’s snare and hi-hat, and Bowie’s trumpet -- sounded far more precise and centered than I’m used to hearing from earphones. That doesn’t mean that the iSine10s were collapsing the soundstage -- I still experienced a huge ambience, and noticed discrete aural images of the horns accompanying Bowie at far left and far right.
I think a lot of enthusiasts might be willing to buy the iSine10s just on the basis of hearing a tune or two with the analog cable. The Cipher cable, however, sounded very different. As my measurements showed, it introduced a big peak at 3kHz, and elevated the mid-treble below about 8kHz from 8 to 12dB. This added brightness was easy to hear with the Bowie recording, and while the sound did seem more detailed and spacious, the sharp increase in treble robbed it of body and warmth. Treble-loving audiophiles would dig it, but as a guy who plays in jazz jam sessions a couple times a week, I know that real instruments don’t sound this bright. I quickly became annoyed and fatigued by the sound.
The Audeze iSine10s aren’t for everyone. I take that back: Used with the Cipher cable, their sound is for everyone, especially considering how easily it can be tweaked with the EQ app, and that the result seems to have no audible downsides (other than that, as with almost any other EQ, it gives inexperienced listeners ample opportunity to mess up the sound). But the iSine10s’ use will be limited to the sort of quiet environments in which earphones aren’t typically used. Still, if you want top-notch, audiophile-grade sound you can enjoy at home and easily take along to your office, cubicle, or hotel room, I can’t think of a more practical and cost-effective way to get it. This is $4000 worth of sound for $400.
Read More: http://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/equipment-menu/790-audeze-isine10-earphones
平面駆動イヤホン AUDEZE iSINE 国内発売。「高解像度でフラットな特性」、Lightning接続でiPhone 7にも対応
AudioHead Review of iSINE 10
Audeze is one of the few companies in personal audio that are truly blazing their own trail. To my knowledge, the new iSine 10 are the very first planar magnetic IEMs ever to come to market. The design is one that massively unique to Audeze, and from end-to-end across the listener’s experience.
The product line starts with the 10 for $399 ($349 w/o Cipher lighting cable), but also includes the step up iSine 20 for $599 ($549 w/o Cipher lighting cable). The external facing shape of the IEM is larger than your typical in-ear. In order to make room for the larger diaphragm, Audeze had to completely redesign the outer shell which now includes a more open back orientation like the company’s flagship full-size headphones. During playback the ambient bleed is minimal, but still just barely audible in a quiet room. It is much less than your typical around ear audiophile headphone and should be suitable for work or public consumption. The benefit to this open design is quite substantial for the other end of things. IEMs are often plagued with an “in-the-head” sensation that couldn’t be further from normal listening situations or even loudspeaker playback. The iSine 10 reached out further than any other IEM we had on hand. Listening to Rock and Jazz, the instruments felt like they originated from a wider distance away, with a natural focus and decay that wasn’t merely sound waves bouncing around in an ear canal.
The Cipher cable does a good job in its given role. The noise floor from the internal DAC and amp is very low and the volume is of course very sufficient for the iSines (solid volume levels start at only 2-3 bars). It is noteworthy that the iSine 10s do require a little more power than your typical IEM through a standard 3.5mm jack, although the impedance is still rated at 16 ohms. Due to the hypersensitivity of “typical IEMs” most any portable source will still have plenty of juice to power this headphone, and suffered no issues pairing with everything we had on hand.
Detail levels from the 10s are easily on par with what can be had within its price range, however some higher priced flagships on hand were able massage a little more macro detail out by comparison. Without the iSine 20 on hand for a formal comparison, its tough to say weather its $600 price will eclipse the growing legions of $1k, $2k and even $3k IEMs entering the market. From my time with the step up piece at events I would say it has superior talents in this region, but that is a dangerous game to play within the confines of a review. The pricepoint here at $350 (for the 10) is a somewhat big pool for options, and with the extra $50 for the cable, you are looking at very interesting proposition both in terms of versatility and convenience.
The out-of-head experience from Audeze’s iSine 10’s makes it a standout IEM. The smooth yet textured mids and treble further compliment the superior bass presentation that drives its uniqueness home even further. It is different from most other IEMs, both in looks and sound. While the open back nature of iSine 10 carries along much of the same benefits and pitfalls of the feature in its full size brethren, the added portability and lighting cable bring a little bit more to the game on a smaller scale. Its worth an audition to anyone with a even a fleeting interest in a new IEM for the home or road.
Apple Insider's Review of the iSINE 10
Audeze's Lightning-connected iSine 10 planar magnetic headphones are the best in-ear set we've ever heard
Almost everything about Audeze's iSine 10 headphones is audacious: the technology, the ambition, the appearance, and the sound itself. On paper they shouldn't work, but in practice they are some of the best sounding compact in-ear headphones money can buy.
The Audeze iSine 10 are the company's "entry level" model, if we can use such a term for a $399 pair of in-ear headphones. They carry such a high price because Audeze has somehow managed to cram planar magnetic technology into a form factor that can be worn on —but mostly in —your ears.
The headphone space has not been known for innovation over the years —arguably the biggest advancement in years has been Apple's proprietary W1 chip, which is a game changer for wireless. But for audiophiles, wired audio is here to stay, and this is where iSine is throwing its hat into the ring to claim the innovation crown.
From a technical standpoint, they've succeeded.
Traditional headphones (and speakers) pump out vibrations from a central point. It's efficient and cheap, which is why it's the most common technology in sound.
And true to their design, they are pocketable and portable. You'd be hard pressed to find a pair of headphones that sound this good and can easily fit alongside your wallet and keys in your jeans pocket.
Oddly enough, the worst part of the iSine portability is the length of the Cipher Lightning cable. At around 5 feet, some will appreciate the length, but we'd prefer a cable slightly shorter for pocketability and slack reduction.
Another advantage of the Cipher: It is LOUD. In fact, if you turn these up all the way, you are liable to damage your ears.
Simply put, there's nothing else on the market like the Audeze iSine series. These headphones are truly one-of-a-kind, in basically every way.
If money is no object, Audeze offers a higher-end $599 iSine 20 model that features a longer "Uniforce" voice coil. It covers the planar magnetic diaphragm to a greater extent, which Audeze says enables better control and responsiveness, resulting in better bass, clarity, and improved imaging.
As for comfort and aesthetics, those are personal. The iSines are striking at first, to be sure. But we found their unique design to be charming, in their own way. These headphones are head-turners.
In the end, the design is something of a necessity, as space is needed to fit planar magnetic technology somewhere. And let's be honest, if you're the type of maniac who demands the absolute best quality possible no matter the form factor, aesthetics are going to be the least of your concerns.
CNET's "First Look" Video Feature of the iSINE 10
CNET's "First Look" Video Feature of the iSINE 10
Full Feature: https://www.cnet.com/videos/audeze-isine-10-in-ear-headphones-look-funky-but-sound-fantastic/
Huffington Post Feature of the iSINE
Best Tech Products of CES 2017
Audeze iSINE In Ear Headphones - I was already familiar with Audeze’s Planar Magnetic over ear headphones so I had a good feeling the in ear version would be impressive too. I was correct. This is the world’s first in-ear planar magnetic headphones and they boast superior bass response (flat to 10Hz), and a wider soundstage than other in-ear designs. Designed and assembled at Audeze’s California factory with industrial style by BMW’sDesignWorks, they are individually matched to within ± 1dB. www.audeze.com
Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/best-tech-products-of-ces-2017_us_58bafc8ee4b02eac8876cf3b
Winner of 2017 Sound + Image Awards
AppAdvice's Review of the iSINE 10
Last year, I reviewed the on-ear Audeze SINE, which I consider one of the best headphones currently on the market. Recently, I had the opportunity to try one of Audeze’s newest in-ear headphones, the iSINE 10.
The iSINE 10 headphones shine where it matters the most. From providing deep sub-bass to high-end treble, these headphones offer incredible sounds without noticeable distortion. To maximize the listening experience, be sure to use the tangle-free Cipher Lightning cable with your iOS device, rather than the standard cord.
With Lightning, you aren’t just getting a new way to connect your headphones to a mobile device. You’re also getting 24bit/48kHZ resolution. Better still, the cable includes a high-quality inline amplifier, digital-to-analog converter, and DSP.
Looking for more customization? Use the free Audeze iOS app, which features two presets and a 10-band equalizer that changes EQ in real time. The two EQ presets travel with the cable when switching devices.
If you’ve been wanting to try a pair of planar magnetic headphones but didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars, you can’t go wrong with the $399 iSINE 10. They provide excellent sound in an incredibly small package.
Rather experience the technology first with a pair of on-ear headphones? Consider the $449 SINE, which I continue to recommend.
Read More: https://appadvice.com/post/audeze-isine-10-review/739483
Katz's Corner Review of the LCD-4
This listen was performed without direct comparison with the Focals which had not arrived at the time. The bass drum is solid, deep, punchy, accurate compared to the loudspeakers. Perhaps the LCD-4 is exaggerating the extreme bottom a bit compared to the loudspeakers. The high hat is accurate. Bass instrument is accurate. The sound is very satisfying, dynamics are excellent, very moving. Vocal sound is accurate, with no extra sibilance, mirroring its tonality from the speakers. Fiddle is just right. Purity of tone is excellent. I do not feel the pressing need for EQ, unlike any previous headphone, amp or DAC combination I’ve tried here. Even my Stax need some bass boost and treble cut, so I’ll be interested in comparing the LCD-4s to the Stax in another blog, both with and without compensating EQ.
Bass may be a little extra around 55-80 Hz, but this is very minor, not enough to make me reach for EQ as the sound is not boomy or muddy, just a little on the “entertaining” side. There’s an electrostatic-like transparency and extension with these dynamic (Planar Magnetic) cans that I have never heard with previous Planars, even equalized. They are extended in the bottom and top octave that I have not ever heard from the LCD-2, -3, or –x. This is truly Audeze’s statement headphone, a radical improvement over any previous Audeze, with the lightest diaphragm Audeze has ever made.
The LCD-4 is more open and extended than the PM-3. EQ on the PM-3 would bring them more in line. But the LCD-4 is clearly in another league, and I must admit makes the PM-3 sound wimpy, probably because of the large image, visceral bass and more open sound of the LCD-4. I hope after a day away from the Audeze I’ll be able to appreciate the virtues of the PM-3 again. I don’t want it to become my lost love! I suspect the PM-3 is a bit too “flat”.
Nice phasing effect in this mix. The bass goes down to the center of the earth! The vocal has perfect level of presence. The snare drum has great punch and snap. I have no idea if I could replicate this experience in the Stax, even with EQ. We’ll see about that in another episode. The sound is rich, clear and extended from bottom to top and is transparent and revealing. Maybe I’m into my love affair with my new purchase, but I truly believe I’m being objective.
Esquire Mention of SINE, iSINE 10 & EL-8 Titanium
SINE: The Audeze SINE on-ear headphones have stylish looks designed by BMW, and exceptional build quality. As the world's first planar magnetic on-ear headphones, the SINE also delivers phenomenal audio quality. The headset's built-in remote control packs a built-in amplifier and DAC for an even better audio experience than the iPhone itself can deliver.
iSINE 10: The Audeze iSINE 10 set is a solid contender for being the best-sounding earbuds in their price range and well beyond. They feature 30-millimeter planar magnetic transducers, creating a sonic experience that's worthy of an actual pair of on-ear or over-ear headphones. Just like all the other members in the Audeze range of Lightning headphones, the remote control of the iSINE 10 earbuds has a built-in amplifier.
EL-8 Titanium: Audeze has been offering premium headphones with a Lightning cable for a while now, and the EL-8 Titanium is its best offering with the feature. Cool design, a comfy fit, and exceptional sound quality make the headphones well worth their hefty price tag. In addition to a Lightning cable with a built-in DAC, Audeze also bundles a regular audio cable with the headset.
Read More: http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g3217/best-lightning-headphones-adapters/
The Master Switch's Review of the EL-8 Titanium
For one thing, the construction is absolutely superb. These headphones don’t have the name Titanium for nothing, and the all-metal cup housing looks and feels fantastic. There’s a pleasing tension to the headband, and while they are certainly heavy, they don’t feel obtrusive or obnoxious on top of your head.
The main takeaway we got from these was of a controlled, balanced audio landscape, with articulation that took our breath away. While we still prefer running these off separate amplifier, we had absolutely no complaints about their performance with the iPhone 7. If you do own that phone, these are far and away the best compatible headphones available. No question.
Read More: http://www.themasterswit
Major HiFi's Review of the iSINE 10
Opening up the box for the iSine10 you get the feeling this is a serious headphone. Everything is packaged up separately from eartips to ear-clips inside the handsome carrying case. As with most in-ear headphones you get several sizes in eartips. The earphones themselves however come in a thick foam casing that you can also use in the carrying case for transport. The iSine10 also comes with several options in ear-clips which you’ll definitely need to keep this fine piece of technology steady and stable in the ear.
This 16 Ohm earphone has a whopping 30mm driver for each ear and promises a frequency response of 10Hz – 50kHz. Listening to several different genres of music and several different sources I was definitely impressed. As you would expect this in-ear headphone has a sound signature of a very expensive IEM but at a fraction of the price. From pop to electronic and rock I found the iSine10 even had an impressive amount of bass for an in ear. Overall it’s quite a balanced sound with an even amount of bass, mid-range and high frequencies. I discovered as with IEM’s you’ll hear elements of the mix that you don’t normally hear with most earbuds and a lot of headphones. Of course with all headphones you get the maximum sound from lossless files like FLAC and WAV.
The Audeze iSine10 is this world’s first in-ear planar magnetic headphone and it’s impressive from the sturdy feel of the earphones themselves to the sound they push out. You’d be well advised if you’re an audiophile looking for that new headphone experience that makes you smile when you first listen to your favorite tracks I highly recommend getting to an authorized online dealer or store and picking up a pair. It’s certainly going to be a game changing experience worth the money.
Read More: http://majorhifi.com/audeze-isine-ear-headphone-review/
The Verge's Review of the iSINE 20
It’s not often that you see a new pair of headphones that upsets the basic taxonomy of personal audio gear, but Audeze’s new iSine series is precisely that. The iSine 20 that I’m reviewing today are ostensibly in-ear headphones, but they also use planar magnetic technology from over-ear cans, and they’re roughly the size of on-ear models. So they’re the ultimate hybrid, and their alien appearance certainly speaks to their uniqueness. What has me really excited about the iSines, however, is that they don’t just look out of this world, they sound like it, too.
Recall the scene in The Matrix where Cypher cuts into a fine steak, masticates thoughtfully, and decides to betray all of humanity for what he knows is the synthetic illusion of a "juicy and delicious" meal. Headphones are kind of like that: most of them are like video game recreations of a musical performance, while the best among them approach a Matrix-like realism that's beguiling and enchanting. I think the iSine 20s are in the latter category. These are not the headphones for every person or every occasion. But listening to them is, in itself, an occasion of the sort that everyone can appreciate."
Read More: http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/27/14401700/audeze-isine-20-review-planar-magnetic-headphones
Sound & Vision's Review of the iSINE 10
High frequencies are nimble and crisp, with not a hint of sibilance or that 9-10kHz spiked intensity that many headphone manufacturers employ in an attempt to mimic clarity. The lows are deep and full, able to handle thumping hip hop to double bass with equal dexterity, even down to 20Hz.The attack and decay of bass notes is impressive, allowing you to have intense lows that neither muddy nor overwhelm the rest of the frequency range. Overall, the entire sound is smooth and even from the lowest lows to the highest highs. Audeze claims a frequency range of 10Hz-50kHz, so fans of the inaudible psychoacoustic range will have a lot to subconsciously enjoy.
Overall, the listening experience is extraordinary for a device so small and affordable. Maybe you find most open backed planar magnetic headphones unwieldy, or want a high quality listening experience when you travel, or just don’t want to muss up your hair with a headband. Whatever your reason, the iSine 10 are a fantastic buy, and a worthy addition (or start!) to your high-end headphone collection.
Read More: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/audeze-isine-10-weird-looks-wow-sound#ll6mBcoerwZ3o92a.97
Metal-Fi's Review of the iSINE 10 & 20
The iSINE 20 is a breakthrough product in every way and may in fact be Audeze’s finest achievement to date. It is not only the best sounding IEM I have ever heard but redefines what an IEM can and should sound like. I have owned many expensive IEMs over my illustrious audiophile career including the JH16P, the Triple-Fi’s, a few top of the line Shure’s, you name it, and none of them hold a candle to the iSINE 20. If you’ve got $549 bucks to burn and want a superb sounding, mini-full sized headphone you can carry around with where ever you go, look no further, the 20 is your can…uh, I mean IEM.
The iSINE 10 on the other hand is definitely a step down but still a wonderful sounding IEM nevertheless. I surmise you would have to spend at least double their asking price to get better sound. In fact, the 10 may very well be the best bang for your buck in the business today and certainly should be on your short list.
The iSINE series earns our highest honor with ease. Do yourself a favor and seek these little black and brown beasties out. I guarantee you will walk away impressed. I sure did.
Read More: http://www.metal-fi.com/review-audeze-isine-1020-ear-monitors/
Digital Trend's Review of the iSINE 20
Throughout our review we were torn between the iSine 20’s odd and (for this reviewer) uncomfortable fit and some of the best sound we’ve ever experienced via in-ears. Also not incidental is that the open-back design requires near silence around you to retrieve all that sonic goodness. Regardless of these caveats, those looking for relentlessly gorgeous audio performance will absolutely want to give the iSine 20 a go — they’re just that good.
How long will it last
Though the tiny forked cable terminations give us some pause, the headphones look and feel very well built and should last for years with proper care. Planar magnetic headphones are generally more delicate than those with dynamic drivers, so users should treat them with care.
What are the alternatives
There really isn’t anything like the iSine’s sound in the in-ear realm, but you can get equally great detail, dimension, expression, etc. with top-tier devices like the UE Reference monitors we mentioned (around $1,000). The closest sound signature we’ve heard comes from the $800 Audeze EL-8 open-back, but they’re much less portable option. While we haven’t spent any quality time with them, the iSine 10 are also available for a lower price point of $400.
Should you buy it
If the shoe fits, wear the hell out of these things. We lament the fact that they don’t fit right for our ears, as this is truly one of our favorite new players in the audiophile space, and even at $600, they offer extremely impressive sound for the money.
Read More: http://www.digitaltrends.com/headphone-reviews/audeze-isine-20-review/
TechHive's Mention of the iSINE 20
Audeze’s new iSINE 20 headphones almost defy categorization. They’re neither on-ear nor over-the-ear headphones, but they’re not exactly earbuds, either. Hybrid might be the best description for them, since they fit in your ear canal but have planar-magnetic transducers mounted in an open-back chassis that clip to your ears.
The iSINE 20s plug directly into your iPhone’s Lightning port (using a special Lightning cable with an inline 24-bit DAC), and work with Audeze’s companion app so you can fine-tune your experience. A conventional 1/8-inch cable is included if you’re not an Apple fan or if you prefer the DAC in your source device. The iSINE 20 headphones come with both silicone and foam tips plus an over-ear loop for a custom fit. They’re available now for $599. These have to be heard to be believed.
iSINE Wins TWICE Picks Award
Audeze’s iSINE are billed as the world’s first in-ear planar magnetic headphones, engineered for audio enthusiasts and travelers looking for great sound in a comfortable, portable headphone. Miniaturizing planar magnetic drivers is no small feat. The new iSINE, barely weighing 20 grams, contains Audeze’s patented technology. The distortion (THD) is less than 0.1 percent overall, even at high volumes. The iSINE10 incorporates Fluxor Magnets and large 30mm planar magnetic diaphragms that deliver precise control and fast response times without distortion. The iSINE20 features an even longer Uniforce voice-coil that covers the ultra-thin diaphragms to a greater extent, enabling better control and responsiveness for enhanced bass, clarity, and improved imaging.
Read More: http://www.twice.com/twice-picks-award-winner-audeze-isine/64132
The iSINE 10 Wins Digital Trends Top Tech of IFA Award
Audeze is on a roll right now. So far, every Planar Magnetic headphone has been a hit with reviewers and headphone lovers alike. That trend will likely continue with the new iSine 10 announced at IFA 2016, the first single-driver planar magnetic in-ear headphones ever made.
We had a chance to give the iSine 10 a listen on the show floor, and although their open-backed design let a lot of the surrounding noise through we could very clearly hear how wonderful they sounded. Bass is immense and deep, the mid range is lush and transparent, and treble is crystal clear with not so much as a hint of harshness.
Top to bottom, the iSine 10 are a luscious sounding headphone. Toss in the conventional 3.5 mm headphone cable and Apple Lightning cable with built-in DAC and amplifier, along with the price tag of $400, and you have an easy winner for our audio category.
Read More: http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/top-tech-of-ifa-2016-award-winners/
PC Mag Review of the iSINE 20
In all the hubbub over Apple eliminating the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, one fact seems to get overlooked often: You can use the Lightning port for audio, so you can, in fact, use wired headphones. With that in mind, the Audeze iSINE 20 earphones feature innovations beyond the Lightning cable—they utilize planar magnetic drivers to deliver an exceptionally accurate audio experience. You have to be on board with two things, however: the whopping $599 price tag, and earpieces that look like Star Trek props. The audio itself, however, is truly fantastic.
The Audeze iSINE 20 deliver a wonderful audio experience—the dynamics are more lively than you typically hear from in-canal earphones, and the overall sound signature is rich, bright, and balanced. Personally, we are not fans of the look, nor the ear hooks. But based on audio performance alone, it's hard to find much fault here. But those who can accept the quirks of the iSINE 20 are in for an exciting audio experience that surprisingly justifies the price of admission.
Read More: http://www.pcmag.com/review/351167/audeze-isine20
The Next Web's Announcement of the iSINE VR
Audio is the most underrated part of the VR experience, but companies are finally starting to pay attention (look at Microsoft teaming up with Dolby). Now Audeze is promising the best VR audio experience you can get with its $400 iSine VR headset, announced at CES.
You might’ve heard of Audeze’s iSine series before; they are to date the world’s only planar-magnetic in ear monitors. That’s because they’re basically just giant drivers with a casing that funnels sound directly into your ears.
The iSine VR are a permutation of the lowest-end (but still very good) iSine 10, except they include short connectors made specifically for some of the top VR headsets on the market, including the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and StarVR units. While you can connect a 3.5mm headphone to most headsets, the idea is that you don’t have to worry about a mess of wires tangling up your mobility in VR.
Engadget Announcement of the iSINE VR
"When Audeze announced it's iSine in-ear planar magnetic headphones last summer, the company also touted the device's ability to play nice with the Oculus Rift. Here at CES, Audeze is officially announcing a dedicated VR version of the TIE fighter-esque audio accessory. The iSine VR, as it's called, will work with the HTC Vive, PlayStation VR and StarVR headsets, on top of the previously announced Rift compatibility."
CNET Review of the iSINE
"Audeze was in New York Tuesday night to premiere its upcoming iSine10 in-ear headphones, which look and sound like a game changer to me. If you're considering an iPhone 7, or already own any iPhone with a Lightning connector, the iSine10's cable will plug directly into your phone's Lightning port.
The iSine10's earpieces are relatively large, but I found them comfortable over an admittedly short listening time. Without EQ turned on I heard incredibly deep, clearly articulated bass, natural midrange and very finely detailed treble. Soundstaging was bigger and far more spacious than even the better in-ears, and soft-to-loud dynamics were excellent. The iSine10 is an open-back design, so the good news is it doesn't cut you off from the outside world, but that also means it doesn't hush external noise."
Read more here: https://www.cnet.com/news/are-you-ready-for-audezes-radically-different-in-ear-headphone/
Esquire Mention of the EL-8 Titanium
Men's Journal of the SINE
"A few seconds into unboxing the on-ear Sine headphones, it's obvious they're a luxury object. The first tracks we tried out with the Sine sounded flat-out amazing. The balance of highs, lows, and mids was great, but the real magic was in the details that bobbed to the surface, even in songs we've listened to hundreds of times. The main advantage of planar magnetic tech is the way it reduces distortion, and improves responsiveness. Jargon aside, the result is clarity. Not just balance, meaning that bass drums don't drown out guitars, and vocals of all ranges cut through the mix, but a true sense of lifelike, you-are-there proximity, like you're standing in the band's practice room, or the podcaster's recording studio.
What these undeniably amazing headphones are for is at-home, ultra-attentive listening. Their reduced size makes those listening sessions more comfortable, and their price point, however high it appears, is dirt cheap for planar magnetic tech. The right song, played at the highest quality possible, and channeled through that Lightning cable and DAC, will sound nothing less than perfect."
Read more here: http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/articles/72-hours-with-the-audeze-sine-headphones-w434704
EL-8 Wins Top Pick of the Year Award from Sound & Vision
Product: EL-8
"I’ve reviewed a lot of headphones, but I’ve never encountered anything quite like the Audeze EL-8 before. It’s the first high-end planar magnetic headphone to come alive and sound fully transparent with portable music players. Now, sure, we’ve heard similar claims for other high-performance, full-size headphones; and yes, they play, but too much of the headphone’s potential is forfeited with portable devices. The EL-8 sounds scary good with my humble little iPod classic.
The EL-8 is still a good deal smaller, lighter, and more sleekly designed than Audeze’s flagship LCD series headphones. Build quality feels positively robust. The EL-8’s metal headband, ear cups, and yokes are beautifully finished, and the ear cushions and headband’s ample padding ensures comfort.
Audeze is definitely upping the ante. With the EL-8, they’ve brought out their lightest, most comfortable, best looking, easiest to drive, most affordable, made-in-the-U.S. headphone, and maintained Audeze’s signature sound. Well done!"
Read More: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/audeze-el-8-closed-back-headphone-review#5WtJc9ChmOo5Qj8R.97
Sound on Sound Review of LCD-X & EL-8 Headphones
Product: LCD-X & EL-8
“The LCD-X’s are simply the best-sounding headphones I have ever heard, with incredible musical dynamics and a remarkably neutral frequency response. The open-back EL8s are not too far behind them. The closed-back EL8’s offer very good isolation. All of them can be driven easily from any half-decent headphone amp.
Audeze’s decision to pursue an alternative headphone technology has yielded rich rewards, especially in their flagship LCD-X’s. They won’t be within everyone’s reach, but make the effort to hear them if you possibly can!
All in all, then, this trio of models from Audeze make a powerful case for the benefits of planar magnetic technology. The closed-back EL8’s offer excellent isolation, and despite their somewhat pinched tonality, do offer the core benefits of clean sound and superb transient response. The open-back EL8s add to this mix a frequency response that is as flat as any dynamic headphones I’ve ever heard, making them a compelling choice for mixing duties. And as for the flagship LCD-X’s — well, they are in a class of their own. If the idea of spending a four-figure sum on a pair of headphones seems ridiculous to you, these might just change your mind.”
Read More: https://www.audeze.com/sites/default/files/audeze-lcdx-el8.pdf
Men's Journal Review of the EL-8 Headphone
Product: EL-8
"Tech: Hi-Fi Sound on the Go
Audeze's new EL-8 Open-Back Headphones use a unique magnetic design to deliver ultra-detailed sound with visceral bass — straight from an iPhone. Similar sound quality has typically required a dedicated amp and cost nearly $2,000, but Audeze is bridging the gap to the mainstream. "People pay $400 for headphones that don't sound good," says co-founder Sankar Thiagasamudram. 'We wanted to raise the bar.'"
LCD-X Wins Product of the Year Award from The Absolute Sound
Product: LCD-X
“There are over 100 headphones on the market today, and I’m not going to tell you I have listened to all of them, but I have listened to a fair number of top contenders under ideal conditions. Since I am writing this review for The Absolute Sound, I am using only its criteria, which is adherence to the sound of unamplified music, to judge the winners. I guess it could be called the battle of the flagships. Among the legions of headphones currently on the market I could only find four that I would characterize as flagships. They are: the Sennheiser HD 800, the Stax 009, the Audeze LCD-3, and the Audeze LCD-X. Each of these headphones has some flaws, but none of them has what I would consider fatal flaws, like huge variations in frequency response, or high distortion, or limited bandwidth, or odd colorations—anything that obviously distorts the music. Having listened extensively to these four flagships, the headphone that presented music in the most astonishingly accurate way is the Audeze LCD-X.
The LCD-X has the fewest and the smallest flaws of the four contenders. I’m a very meticulous guy when it comes to finding faults in any piece of audio equipment. In my experience, there are precious few transducers that are so close to flawless that pointing out their shortcomings is merely nitpicking. It was difficult to discover the flaws of the LCD-X even after listening to them for five months with the superb equipment and the superb program material I have described above. All the people of Audeze and especially its technical staff deserve enormous credit for greatly advancing the state of the art in headphones.”
Read More: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audeze-lcd-x-headphones/?page=4
EL-8 Wins Top Tech of CES 2015 & Editor's Choice Awards from Digital Trends
Product: EL-8
“You’ll find no shortage of headphones invading the halls of CES 2015 in Las Vegas, but when the gurus at Audeze debut a new pair of cans, the record stops. This year, the company premiered the EL-8, an incredibly innovative pair of headphones that the company hopes will own the audiophile scene. As for that membrane, it’s constructed from materials developed by NASA, and at only 2 microns thick, it’s the company’s thinnest to date, which helps to make it extremely responsive. Audeze also engineered a brand-new magnet set for the EL-8, which is able to create a more powerful magnetic field on the side of the headphone that faces the membrane driver, allowing for an extremely efficient transference of energy, and therefore, lighter and more-efficient interior components.
As for the performance, even from our quick first impression, there was little doubt the EL-8 offer some of the most vivid, dynamic, and powerful sound in their genre. Acoustic instruments spun across the soundstage in tactile clarity, including one particularly impressive moment in which an acoustic guitar run moved from the right side to center, gushing like a waterfall in reverse. Peter Gabriel’s “Up” also offered a host of dimensional effects resonating through the wide soundstage. We’ll be able to offer more detailed impressions once we get our hands on a review sample, which should be in the coming weeks ahead of the EL-8’s official launch.”
What Hi-Fi Review of LCD-3 Headphone
Product: LCD-3
"There’s no denying the LCD-3s are expensive, but such is the quality of their performance that they almost seem like good value. Greatness is apparent straight from the off. Delivers a scale and authority of sound we didn't think headphones could ever manage. A rich, vibrant sound. By the end of the test period we had our answer, and it’s firmly in the positive. Provided the source and amplifier are up to the job these ’phones deliver a scale and authority of sound we just didn’t think headphones could ever manage."
Read More: http://www.whathifi.com/audeze/lcd-3/review
CNET Review of the SINE Headphone
Product: SINE
"The SINE is a little bit more forward and revealing than the Oppo, which means it'll make well recorded tracks sound even better but bring out the harshness in badly recorded material and make it sound even worse. So it goes with really transparent headphones. And the clean and natural sounding Sine is just. The Beyerdynamic T51i is more forgiving and would be better with rock tracks, but overall the Sine is the better, more open-sounding headphone.
As far as the Cipher Lightning cable goes, don't expect to get a high-quality headphone amp for the extra $50. Using the Lightning cable does act a little like a headphone amp, boosting the volume and the bass (it also draws a little bit of power from your phone). However, a true headphone amp -- a good one anyway -- would improve the sound more significantly.
For instance, while the bass sounded bigger with Beach House's "Myth" using the Lightning cable, we felt a touch airiness was lost. And obviously, if you don't plan on using this with an Apple iOS device there's no reason to get the optional Lightning cable. (We also tested the Sine with a few portable high-resolution audio players.) It's great to see Audeze bring planar magnetic to a smaller, more mobile oriented headphone. We liked this headphone a lot and would recommend it to anyone looking for a truly high-end sounding headphone that isn't incredibly expensive."
Read More: http://www.cnet.com/products/audeze-sine/
Headphone Guru's 2015 Writer's Choice Award
Product: LCD-4
Well, it was one heck of a year. Trying to pick my “Writer’s Choice” award came down to three new incredibly impressive products: the LCD-4 headphones by Audeze, the DAC/Amplifier Chord Hugo TT and the Hifiman HE1000s. All three could very easily have been my choice, but in the end I had to pick one. As difficult a decision that it was, I decided to go with Audeze’s LCD-4 headphones.
I’ve been a big fan of their headphones since the LCD-2s were released many years ago, but the LCD-4s have truly taken their products to the absolute pinnacle of headphone audio and for that, they get my vote. They are incredibly natural and detailed headphones with an amazing ability to portray a very realistic soundstage. Their build quality and choice of materials pushes for the very best I’ve seen on any pair of headphones. While not cheap, if you are looking for the one of only a very select pair of headphones at the apex of personal audio, look no further than the LCD-4s!
Read More: http://headphone.guru/headphone-guru-2015-awards-best-of-the-best/
WIRED Review of the EL-8 Headphone
Product: EL-8
“We had a pair here at WIRED, and they did sound absolutely amazing, but they were comically large, criminally heavy, and of course they required amplification. Audeze kept riding that wave, though, and now it’s released a planar magnetic headphone that is more affordable, more sensible, and infinitely more enjoyable.
The EL-8s are beautifully made. A thin ribbon headband has a spring-loaded pad at the top of its curve, and they hug the head comfortably with a nice amount of clamp. The metal earcups are ringed with wood veneer and capped with high-quality leather pads.
Headphone nuts—true enthusiasts who are in it for the thrill more than the utility—should definitely give the EL-8s a listen. But those looking for a pair of cans for the office or the commute should look elsewhere."
Read More: http://www.wired.com/2015/08/review-audeze-el-8/
Forbes Review of the SINE & Cipher Cable
Product: SINE & Cipher Cable
The rationale for banishing the headphone socket is that Apple could make its iPhones thinner or it could increase the size of the battery in order to improve the woefully inadequate battery life that bugs so many iPhone users. There’s also another advantage when using the Lightning socket: you can take a native digital stream that can be fed into a far better Digital-to-Analogue converter that could offer higher quality audio than available via the iPhone’s built-in amplifier.
The Sines are superb in their reproduction of the music. Neodymium drivers give a frequency response of 10Hz – 50kHz. There’s certainly plenty of deep bass but the top end is silky smooth. Absolutely no complaints at all. With the Lightning connector in place, these headphones really pull out the detail in your music. The soundstage and stereo separation is beyond reproach.
If you are thinking of upgrading to a new iPhone (and assuming the headphone socket is consigned to the dustbin of tech history) then these headphones from Audeze are an obvious choice. The sound quality is perfectly balanced and the ability to sculpt your own tone curves using the Cypher app is a brilliant move. Yes they are expensive but if you’re serious about your music then these are the way to go for better reproduction. The inclusion of a carrying case and a full-size headphone jack adaptor is also a nice touch.
Stereophile's Review of the LCD-X Headphone
Product LCD-X
“The LCD-X’s are deliciously smooth, unambiguously stable and accurate imaging with a lack of coloration in the midrange and treble.
Which headphones will be preferred for midrange and high-frequency rproduction will ome down to personal taste. For me, its performance in the low frequencies swung the needle toward the Audeze LCD-X.
The beautifully finished and equally beautiful-sounding Audeze LCD-X’s have seduced my away from my allegiance to Sennheisers. Highly recommended!”
Read More: https://www.audeze.com/sites/default/files/Stereophile_032014.pdf
Huffington Post's Review of the SINE
Product: SINE
"While the soundstage is obviously smaller and more intimate than on open-backed headphones, the Sine through Cipher have more dimension than through the standard cable. Of course, the use of any headphone amp would enhance the sound quality of the Sine, but most other headphone amps aren’t the size of a stick of gum. That a 24-bit, high-resolution DAC/amp/DSP could be crammed into the space where the remote and mic live on a cable and somehow still make a clearly discernable improvement in sound is amazing, and the kind of thing that makes me glad I live in the future. Really, the only criticism I have of the Sine was the clamping force. To be fair, my ears stick out somewhat, so on-ears generally aren’t a style that I can wear for long periods of time. But the headband itself was also a bit tight."
Read more: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/audezes-small-mighty-sine-and-cipher#FV7HT36k6SiWxEpJ.99
Electronic House's Review of the LCD-3 Headphone
Product: LCD-3
“In its best form, listening to music becomes a transportive, emotional experience. If you’ve ever sat down to listen to a few songs, or maybe one album side, and later discover you’ve just spent the better part of two hours glued to your stereo system then you know what I mean. A great listening session can get out of hand in a hurry when you’re in your happy place.
That’s where the Audeze LCD-3 headphones took me every time I donned them. Of course, I was partly blocking off some quality time to evaluate them in the first place … but when you’re listening to an audio component that reveals your music collection in a new light, you just want to continue with another song or album.
Hearing the LCD-3s was like having your own personal concert hall with top-notch acoustics. The overriding impressions of the LCD-3s for me were its incredible clarity, fine transients, gorgeous midrange and spot-on imaging. For those seeking headphones that will take them to that transportive musical point of no return, well, try these on for size.”
Read More: https://www.electronichouse.com/headphones/hands-on-audeze-lcd-3-headphones/
Forbes Review of the LCD-3 Headphones
Product: LCD-3
"The Audeze LCD3′s are not your normal headphones. In design, build, and performance, they’re the epitome of high-end. They don’t really look like other headphones, and in many ways, they don’t sound like other headphones. No, they sound much, much better.
The word that comes to mind as I listen to the LCD3s is “realism.” Compared to most headphones, the LCD3’s seem like they’ve taken a layer of film off the music. They’re not brighter than other headphones, specifically, or even more detailed (which would imply an overbalance of high frequencies). Full-size planar magnetic speakers have this same quality, and I figure it’s because of the speed at which the drivers react. Percussion hits, like the crack of a snare drum, are quick in real life and fade rapidly. Through the LCD3s these attacks just seem a little more lifelike in that speed and decay."
Read More: http://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffreymorrison/2013/07/17/audeze-lcd3-review-the-ultimate-headphone/#83a3dd4170de
Alex Newell & DJ Cassidy (with Nile Rodgers) "Kill The Lights"
Trusted Review's Review of the LCD-X Headphone
Product: LCD-X
"The Audeze LCD-X are high-end headphones willing to make no compromises on sound quality. If you want something to plug into your iPhone as you saunter about listening to Taylor Swift, run away now.
However, If you need a pair of headphones to use at home, attached to a dedicated headphone amplifier, the Audeze LCD-X are quite simply among the best pairs in the world. We’re not convinced they’ll appeal more than the Sennheiser HD 800 for many – they’re more expensive and the benefits of the planar magnetic drivers requires even closer, more attentive listening – but if you value soundstage intricacy over pure size, they’re stellar.
The Audeze LCD-X sound fantastic, with the sort of supremely natural voicing we’ve come to expect from planar and electrostatic headphones. There’s such refined and sophisticated detailing to the mid-range that vocals and middy instruments are rendered with an incredible amount of spatial information. In other words, the Audeze LCD-X makes vocals appear three-dimensional like almost no other pair."
Read More: http://www.trustedreviews.com/audeze-lcd-x-review
Reviewed.com's CES Editor's Choice Award
Product: SINE
"Audeze Sine On-Ear Headphones: Compact, portable, and totally awesome
Typically, headphones that feature planar magnetic diaphragms are two things: bulky and expensive. The Audeze Sine on-ear headphones aren't cheap and they're not small, but they're cheaper and smaller than other PM headphones on the market. This makes them more portable, which ensures that these headphones stand out—even in a very crowded field of high-end headphones."
The secret of making quality headphones
The secret of making quality headphones
Audeze has captured the interest of audiophiles and music industry professionals alike with its high-end devices. "Most of the headphones that you see in the market use cone drivers. What we do is use a type of driver called a planar driver," said Thiagasamudram. "It's a very small, thin transducer placed in a magnetic field which then produces sound. "The diaphragm is about two microns thick, which is about one tenth of a human hair. Because of its incredibly quick, incredibly accurate low distortion, this allows people to hear sound as if they are in a [recording] studio."
CNET Review of the LCD-X Headphone
Product: LCD-X
"The way I see it, high-end audio is all about the pursuit of excellence, and Audeze headphones exemplify that philosophy. Now sure, most headphone manufacturers try to make the best products they can, but mass-market brands have to satisfy a broad range of tastes, load on features like Bluetooth and phone controls that don't enhance sound quality, and design their products within real-world price constraints. Audeze engineers focus on doing whatever it takes to make the world's best-sounding headphones, and the results speak for themselves.
The LCD-X's sumptuous real-sheepskin-leather, thickly padded ear cushions will coddle your ears, or if you prefer, you can order your headphones with leather-free super-suede fabric covered earpads. The LCD-X's machined aluminum earcups are far more substantial than what you see from even Sennheiser's or Beyerdynamic's flagship models."
Read More: http://www.cnet.com/news/more-proof-the-worlds-best-headphones-are-made-in-the-us/
Best of CNET
Product: LCD-4
The Audiophiliac's top 10 (full-size) headphones for 2015
For those who crave the very best, take your pick from the Audiophiliac headphone list.
Audeze LCD-4: Oh my, the Audeze LCD-4's sound borders on deliriously decadent -- it's lovely and uber-detailed. Then there's that delicious midrange that's simply more lifelike than what I've heard from Audeze's other 'phones, and that's saying a lot. It's $3,995 in the US and £3,299 in the UK.
Read More: http://www.cnet.com/news/the-audiophiliacs-top-10-full-size-headphones-for-2015/
WIRED's Review of the SINE Headphone
Product: SINE
"Truly excellent sound. All the hallmarks of the planar magnetic driver: Skull-rattling, distortion-free lows, nicely balanced mids, and crisp, like-you’re-there highs. Jazz, classic rock, and anything with acoustic instruments sounds particularly excellent. You don’t need a headphone amp—the Sine is rated at a phone-friendly 20 ohms, but they can handle 6W of input, so plug them into your tube Mjolnir 2. Earcups fold flat, making the headphones easier to transport. Remarkably small and lightweight for a set of planar magnetics. Handsome too! Lots of premium leather, with a tasteful and stealth all-black construction. (DesignWorksUSA handled the industrial design here, so brava.)
Audeze’s on-ears come with a standard analog headphone cable, but you can get that and a Lightning cable for another 50 bucks. If you’re an iPhone owner, spend the extra dough. Not only will you get the advantage of hearing your digital music before it is converted to an analog signal (a process that alters it in tiny ways), but you’ll be future-proofing your headphones. Should Apple ditch the standard headphone jack and move to Lightning-only audio (as rumors suggest, and rumors are always correct), you’re covered. And if that never happens (because rumors are never correct), you still get a noticeable audio upgrade."
Read More: http://www.wired.com/2016/04/audeze-sine-headphone-review/
The Absolute Sound's Review of the LCD-X Headphone
Product: LCD-X
"Reviewing an audio product is extremely challenging, because it is difficult to describe the intensity of human emotional experience when one listens to music. It involves putting on a two-dimensional page the magnitude of the three-dimensional sonic experience. I will try to describe how a piece of musical information actually sounds to me through a given chain of the tangible media, comprising headphones, a computer, a DAC, music data files, an amplifier, and cabling. The first few minutes of listening in my own environment suggested to me very quickly that the LCD-X headphones were extraordinary, and would require equally state-of-the-art equipment in order to review them properly, no different than if I were reviewing a very high-end speaker system.
Many of the best speakers on the market do not exhibit all of these qualities. I am not in any way trying to denigrate great speaker systems. My point is that to purchase a truly state-of- the-art speaker system and all of its attendant pieces would cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars. For a state-of-the-art personal audio system the price would be less than $30,000. And I can assure you I have enjoyed my state-of-the-art personal audio system as much as any speaker that I have had in my listening room over the years.
I now understand that both headphones and speakers can offer a wonderful connection to what really is the bottom line, and that is the enjoyment of music."
Read More: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audeze-lcd-x-headphones/
The Next Web's Review of the SINE
Product: SINE
“On-ear headphones aren’t known for their comfort, but the SINE are more comfortable than most. My ears were sore after a few hours of listening, but that’s expected. That’s partly because the headphones have a fairly solid clamping force, which helps them block out sound. There’s no active noise cancellation on board, but the combination of their solid grip on your head, very pliable foam ear pads, and freely rotating earcups mean that they don’t tend to lose the isolation the way many on-ear headphones do while you’re on the go or working out.
As a result, bass is hits fairly hard without being overbearing (though a bit lighter than I prefer for portable headphones) – treble is detailed with virtually no sibilance, and voices sound full and lack the recessed quality often found in portable headphones tuned for bass and treble. No frequency range stands out, and that’s a good thing. The best word to describe the sound is ‘transparent,’ and they help the SINE deliver the goods for any music genre.”
Sound & Vision's Review of the SINE Headphone
Product: SINE & Cipher Cable
To put it mildly, I was impressed. Acoustic guitar and string instruments truly shine on the Sine. There is a clarity and smoothness to the mids and highs that I honestly didn’t expect. There is no rattle or distortion in the very low (10-20 Hz) range, and although the overall sonic profile leans slightly toward the upper frequencies, there is still a solid foundation in the lower range to keep the Sine from feeling top-heavy.
Though Cipher, the Sine’s low frequencies are robust and tuneful. In fact, I may go so far as to say they are the best lows I have heard in headphones under $1000. There’s a refinement to the bass, especially on already bass-heavy songs that is nimble in both attack and decay. Truly, the Sine’s separation and dexterity across all frequency ranges is enhanced through Cipher. While there is still that slight peak in the high highs, through the Cipher it really reads as sparkle and crispness rather than intensity.
Overall, the Sine are fantastic, especially with Cipher. If you are an audio fan who wants a high quality listening experience on the go without the bulk of an amp, you can’t go wrong with this dynamic duo.
Read More: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/audezes-small-mighty-sine-and-cipher#FqFa32yFDxq1mzpo.97
Sound & Vision Review of the EL-8 Headphone
Product: EL-8
“Upping the ante, the EL-8 has brought out their lightest, most comfortable, best looking, easiest to drive, most affordable, made-in-the-U.S. headphone, and maintained Audeze’s signature sound. Well done!”
Read More: (insert link)
Robb Report Review of the Deckard and EL-8 Headphone