GR10 - GReen

When Grado released its original in-ear series, I were not too impressed on how they looks. iGi is too cheap looking for an $80 IEM while GR8 looks decent, just lacks creativity (they both use generic OEM design). I guess Grado does like its design "plain", which I guess is why both models never get popular. In contrast, Ortofon, which released e-Q7 on the same period of time as Grado, get sa lot more prise. The fact is, if you can't attract people's attention on the first look, less will be interested in buying, left alone listening to it. Well, a new flagship seems to be released soon and unfortunately, still features the same design as GR8, except it has a green housing. Hmm.

Westone's Answer: AC2

With stiff competitions from Ultimate Ears, JH Audio and various Chinese / foreign custom IEM makers with ever cheaper models tapping into the lower end of the market, even long-standing company like Westone begins to realize it is better late than never - Here comes the new Westone AC2 dual BA driver custom at only $399, launching this November.

[REVIEW] Radius HP-TWF11R – Double the Fun

Here is an IEM that carries many names. It is officially known as the HP-TWF11R, but also being called the ‘W Pro’ by its creator. To some of us, it is the ‘DDM’, short for Dual Diaphragm Matrix, the unique dual dynamic drivers’ technology behinds the IEM. But here are some mistakes people often associate with the DDM, there are: first, some refer DDM as the first dual dynamic driver earphone ever created, which actually is not totally correct. ‘Earphone’ includes earbuds as well as IEM, and the world first dual dynamic driver earbuds was invented by Panasonic over 20 years ago. So DDM is in fact, the world first dual dynamic driver ‘IEM’, but not earphone. Second, many believe Radius is a pure Japanese company, which is also not entirely correct. Radius started a long time ago (*at the dawn of ‘Personal Computer’ era) as an American company specializes in making graphic card for Apple computer. In later time, the company diversified its business and setup the Japanese division for making computer accessories. However, the parent company didn’t survive the market change at the end but the Japanese division continues to grow as an accessories maker and earns its own independency as well as becoming the Radius brand’s bearer. Now, putting the trivia and history aside, how good is DDM?

[REVIEW] JDS Labs' cMoyBB v2.02

I have had and certainly heard a few variation of cMoy before, but this is the first cMoy I have heard with a bass boost switch. cMoy is itself an fairly old design, first made and schematic published by the well respected Chu Moy @ Headwize.com. It is the portable headphone amp that invented the whole portable amp market, which is something we ought to thank Chu Moy for. The cMoy with Bass Boost v2.02 by JDS Labs that currently under review is however said to be the more advanced version of the original design. The obvious question is of course, how good can a cMoy be?


cMoyBB v2.02 comes in a mint tin, as most eBay's cMoys do.