The LCD-5, together with the CRBN, forms Audeze's flagship series. With both models, Audeze enters new territory in terms of tonality. While the older LCD models are known for their very smooth and warm tuning, the new flagships sound a lot more neutral, especially in the upper midrange. I will describe how exactly the two differ in the following. The scope of delivery includes an aluminum carrying case, a warranty card with serial number and production date, and a high-quality connection cable. My tested model is a production from the end of 2022...

The Fourté Blanc is a limited edition IEM of 500 pieces, which is based on the Fourté technology. As you would expect from such a limited and exclusive IEM, the packaging comes across as very luxurious. This green fabric box design perfectly matches the design of the IEM. Inside you will find a leather case for storing the Blanc, a 3.5mm connection cable, a cleaning brush, a clip and tips in 3 different sizes. The tips are foam, silicone and a version of the CP155 from SpinFit. In an additional box is a beautiful silver cable with 4.4mm connector...

The Audeze MM-500 is Audeze's first headphone from the new MM Series, designed for mixing in the recording studio. During development, no less a master than 11-time Grammy winner Manny Marroquin was on hand to offer advice and support. And he says about the MM-500: "With the MM-500 I feel confident to deliver the best mix". With the introduction of the LCD-5, Audeze pursues a new concept in design and comfort, which also finds its application here. The shape, design and size of the MM-500 is very reminiscent of the LCD-5. The weight is also less...

The company RAAL requisite has been developing headphones with ribbon drivers for several years. The SR-1b is the new flagship model from RAAL requisite. This was only slightly adapted compared to the predecessor SR-1a. Besides a different looking grill and an internal silver wiring nothing has changed, as David Lauterbach from RAAL confirmed to me. Both sound absolutely identical. Ribbon drivers are an absolute rarity in the headphone field. However, the RAAL company has brought this to the sonic pinnacle in recent years, and what exactly is...

The Audeze Euclid is an IEM with an 18 mm orthodynamic driver patented by Audeze. In the IEM field, dynamic and BA drivers are certainly more common. How then an IEM with orthodynamic driver sounds I want to describe in the following once. To the scope of supply of the 1499 € expensive Euclid belongs a transparent Pelican case, 3 cables (unbalanced, 4.4mm balanced, Bluetooth Cipher Module), 3 Eartips (Audeze silicone, SpinFits, Complies), a cloth bag, brush as well as a warranty card. I find the delivery with balanced and unbalanced cables good...

This review is about the latest revision of the Sundara (the so-called Stealth Version 2020). The Sundara comes in a storage box, which is bedded in cloth and provides an ideal way to store the headphones for extended periods of time. Additionally included is a 3.5 mm connection cable with 6.35 mm adapter. A description and warranty card are also included. When you hold the Sundara in your hands, you may hardly believe that these are headphones that cost (only) 350 €. It is very solidly constructed and the finish is also very good. The connection...

My current reference among the IEMs is the U12T from 64 Audio. I was all the more curious to see how the Tia Trio compares to the U12T. The scope of delivery of the Trio is identical to that of the U12T with the difference of a rectangular transport box in contrast to the round leather case (but the newest Trio models comes also with the leather case!). I don't find the rectangular box as elegant, but more practical as there is simply more space available. I did not use the silicone and foam tips for the review. For the most part, I used the JVC...

The workmanship of the headphone is really absolute top class. You immediately have the feeling that you are holding a high-priced object in your hand. It cost 4500 USD. The CRBN is light as a feather and very comfortable to wear, although the contact pressure could be minimally lower. Even then, it would still sit perfectly on the head. The leather pads have a very high-quality finish and are velvety soft, so they contribute to a pleasant wearing comfort. The pads have very wide edges. Nevertheless, there is still enough space for the ears due to...

The Audeze LCD-XC is now available in a new 2021 version. Here Audeze has made some improvements. Not only the drivers and the tuning has been refined, but also the weight has been significantly reduced. To further improve the comfort, the pads have also been further developed. It is interesting how all these improvements are ultimately reflected in the sound as well as the comfort. I used an LCD-XC Bubinga from 2014 as a comparison, which was available to me for comparison purposes. In recent years, I have also owned a 2016 LCD-XC Bubinga, whose...

The Erlkönig marks the absolute reference class of the German manufacturer Vision Ears from Cologne. Unfortunately, it is currently no longer produced. A limited variant that appeared last was sold out within 3 hours. Who knows, maybe there will be something else at some point? The used prices are around 3000€ and more. Fortunately, Amin Karimpour from Vision Ears provided me with his personal model of the Erlkönig for a review. It is a black version with a leather top, which was never sold like this. Supposedly the first black model that was...

The Elysium belongs to the Premium Line of the German IEM manufacturer Visions Ears from Cologne. The packaging is the first eye-catcher right after unpacking. As soon as you open the box, the middle part rises. I have not seen so yet. Reminds me a bit of the tubes in the HE1 - well, not quite as spectacular. But it is a good idea. The package includes CP145 SpinFits and HornTips as well as an 8 wire silver coated balanced cable with 2.5mm plug. Plus a leather storage box, description and a set of some self-adhesive guards to protect the Nozzle...