Headphones

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Written by: Matt Bonaccio

Created: 01 November 2025

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The English language seems to hold an unfair prejudice against the middle state. Many of the numerous English words and phrases that denote being in-between—mediocre, middle-of-the-road, middle of nowhere, midlife, and middle child, for example—carry negative connotations. In my view, the middle state is not necessarily a bad thing. It can sometimes be quite favorable. Case in point: the latest open-back headphones from Meze Audio, the 105 Silvas.

Read more: Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones

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Written by: Killain Jones

Created: 15 October 2025

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I believe headphones are a gateway to serious hi‑fi—and an extension of it. In-ear monitors let you listen just about anywhere, without the bulk or expense of a traditional loudspeaker setup. While I love my main hi‑fi rig, my preferred method for critical listening is the over-the-ear headphone setup in my home office, partly because of how much time I spend in that space. Most importantly, a good headphone setup can be assembled much less expensively than a similarly performing loudspeaker setup. The icing on the cake is isolation from the outside world.

Read more: Stax SRS-X1000 Electrostatic Headphone System

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Written by: Geoffrey Morrison

Created: 01 October 2025

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For a while now, I’ve wanted to check out more gaming headsets for SoundStage! Solo. Playing games online with friends is a big part of the modern social experience, one that I enjoy a few times a week. A good headset can make a huge difference, not just for your own enjoyment but also for the bonus of your friends and teammates being able to understand you.

Read more: Audeze Maxwell Gaming Headset

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Written by: Geoffrey Morrison

Created: 15 September 2025

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You’ve got to give FiiO credit—the FT1 headphones look high end. With their wood earcups, soft leathery earpads, and brushed metal frame, they look like they could cost several hundred dollars. To be honest, they look better than some actually expensive headphones I’ve reviewed. Impressively, they aren’t. Expensive that is. Prices vary, but the FT1s were selling for around US$165, CA$229, £139, and €169 in early September. Given how great they look, that’s impressively inexpensive. I bought the FT1s, since FiiO is one of the only audio companies that has never returned any of the emails I’ve sent over the last decade. Was it something I said? Probably.

Read more: FiiO FT1 Headphones

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Written by: AJ Wykes

Created: 01 September 2025

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I’m generally skeptical of headphones with four-figure price tags. Meze Audio’s open-back Poet headphones cost US$2000, CA$2799, £1899, or €2000, but it’s a well-established fact that sound quality does not correlate with price. And no matter how fancy the appearance of a pair of headphones, you can’t actually see them in use, unless you plan to listen in front of a mirror! But then again, you don’t get to appreciate the exterior styling of a sports car while you’re driving it, either.

Read more: Meze Audio Poet Headphones