Happy Holidays

 

It is that time of the year again. It would seen every year has became shorter than the previous one and I am getting busier and busier living the real life outside of the Internet. While my last new year resolution was to scale down (which I think I have done quite well, if not a bit too well), I think my 2014's new year resolution is just to have enough time to keep the hobby up and have the time to really enjoy some great music. We have seen some amazing audio gear in 2013 and I suspect we will see even more in 2014. Life is good for an audiophiles these days, and hopefully we will have as much fun as we can in the upcoming year. Cheer.

October Fest

Just when I was enjoying my oversea vacation a week ago, Maxell quietly released a new hybrid flagship to the Japanese market. It is the MXH-DBA900, featuring the same one dynamic + one BA configuration as their previous DBA700 but come with over-double the price tag (~US$205). The DBA700, which is priced under US$100, is well worth the price but not particularly a giant killer in any way. With Maxell confidently prices the new DBA-900 much higher than DBA-700, hopefully we can see it finally competing with the big boys head-on.

CHX series

On other hand, Audio-Technica is doing its thing by releasing way too many new models again. This time they have two new series (*worth noting, there are actually more models being released), the CHX series (2 models: CHX5 and CHX7) which is really more earbuds than IEM and the IM series which composed of dual dynamic (IM50, IM70) to multi-BA configuration (one BA for IM01, two for IM02, three for IM03, four for IM04). Price go from as cheap as US$60 (IM50) to as much as $600 (IM04). The good news is that isn't any dreadful MMCX connector insight even though AT goes for removable cable on all models.

One question remains: would the new IM04 spells the end of the CK100 Pro as flagship? Though I do have to say the new IM04 does look too dull for the price tag.

[Impression] Lear C2 custom IEM cable

Early in the year, I reviewed the Lear LCM-5. Though it is excellent sounding, the stock cable does look a little dull. At the time, Lear already announced they will release an upgrade cable for those who want to complete the whole package of sound and look. It has been released a few months ago and it is called the C2. Oh, it is actually quite affordable too.

[Impression] FireStone Audio Fireye Mini+

I have reviewed the Fireye Mini from FireStone Audio a while ago and now an updated version has come out. The Mini+ keeps to the ultra-portable size while adding in a few more very useful features and mending some of its predecessor’s shortcomings.