My review process

I believe that an audio product for home or professional use should be well engineered. Which means that besides it’s audio properties, it should be comfortable, durable and functional. That’s why during my review process I pay close attention to product build materials, design, ergonomics, layout, fit, and usability.

I think that audio sources matter. But, their impact on the sound in many scenarios is minor, unless you are dealing with a situation when your source doesn’t have enough power to drive your headphones or speakers or has problems delivering a clean audio signal.

I don’t believe in burn-in and that it significantly influences headphones, IEM or speaker sound, so I attribute any perceived changes in sound to my brain and ears adapting to the new sound and getting familiar with it.

I don’t believe that cables influence sound. However, I believe that the well-built cables can improve ergonomics and improve the comfort and usability.

My listening methodology

I usually spend around 10 hours with a new audio product to make my initial impressions. During this period, besides the sound, I also pay attention to product design, build, accessories, usability, functionality, fit and comfort. Then I go anywhere between 20 to 40 additional hours of testing and evaluating the product.

I also make sure to use the stock accessories when possible. In the case of IEMs, if I can’t achieve a proper fit & seal with stock ear tips, I’m using replacement silicon ear tips from Spinfit, Final, JVC and DUNU.

To conduct my listening sessions, I use FLAC and DSD files with Roon, Foobar2000 and HQPlayer and lossless streaming with Tidal and Apple Music.

Portable sources:

  • FiiO X7 MK2 DAP (with AM3A amplifier module)
  • iBasso DX170 DAP
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max with FiiO KA17 (wired)
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max with Qudelix 5K / iFi Go Blu (Bluetooth)

Desktop sources:

  • MOTU M2 Audio Interface
  • Lexicon FW810 Audio interface
  • Native Instruments A6 Audio interface
  • Burson Audio Playmate 3 desktop DAC/AMP
  • S.M.S.L. RAW-MDA1 desktop DAC/AMP
  • S.M.S.L. SU8s desktop DAC + SMSL SH8s desktop AMP
  • Topping E50 desktop DAC + Topping L50 desktop AMP
  • Schiit Modi 3 desktop DAC + Magni Heresy desktop AMP

I also avoid listening at very high volumes, rarely going above 85-88 dB, so keep that in mind if you prefer listening louder. When possible, I also do direct A/B comparisons between different audio products that I have at hand.

Last but not least, my musical tastes are very diverse. I’m listening to a lot of genres of music, from jazz, classical, and acoustic to EDM, rock, and metal.

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