Jerry Harvey, building his first ever monitor for Van Halen, founded one of the largest custom monitor manufacturer known today - Ultimate Ears. Years later, Jerry left Ultimate Ears and pursued into the area of custom aviation headsets, providing the highest fidelity headsets available from his new found company, JH Audio. Shortly after the establishment of JH Audio, Jerry once again, introduced his own line of custom monitors under the “Pro Series” line of JH Audio. Ranging from $399-$1149, today we have the mid-range triple driver model, consisting of a three-way crossover at the price of $799, the JH10X3PRO.


Specifications
Variation: $50 Charge-Any colour, Any artwork. (JH Audio logo/Flying Girl Logo is free of charge)
Transducers: Three Proprietary Balanced Armature Drivers
Configuration: Passive 3-Way crossover (Single High, Mid and Low)
Frequency Range: 20 Hz-17 kHz
Impedance: 18 ohm
Sensitivity (1mW): 119 dB SPL
Accessories: Replaceable braided cable, Water-Proof Polycarbonate Case, String tighten pouch, Cleaning Tool, Manuals
Price: $799 plus tax, shipping and ear impressions


Packaging and Accessories (7/10)

I received one of the earlier monitors. Before the change to the smaller, more useable carrying case, my monitors were received in a 4x12x3 inch Carbon fiber carrying case with a cleaning tool. The Carbon fiber case is then wrapped in bubble wrap, then placed in the typical UPS Priority shipment box. There were no fancy manuals, or the de-humidifier that are present with all other leading manufacturers’ custom monitors. It was rather disappointing seeing an $800 pair of custom monitors arrived bare naked in a large box with your name on it.



JH Audio has revised their packaging and carrying case. From the bland carbon fiber box alone, JH Audio has switched to using a clear water-proof, polycarbonate carrying case made by Otterbox, which is significantly smaller at 3.6x4.8x1.6 inches. The case is then fit into a stiff card sleeves along with the brand new manual that JH Audio includes with the “Pro Music” series custom monitors.



The accessories that are included with JH Audio’s custom monitors are rather the usual, and not of the spectacular. Despite the durable, and high quality plastic case that the monitors came in, other components and accessories included are the usual cleaning tool (which is shown how to use above), and a soft velvet pouch for easy storage --¬ but no protection.


Build (7/10)
Spending $800 on a pair of monitors is rather hesitant when the product you are receiving isn’t built to the $800 price tag; unfortunately ¬¬my specific pair is suffering from this problem. Despite being one of the most experienced custom monitor engineers, Jerry has chosen to go with the traditional hard acrylic shell which is durable, non-allergenic, and doesn’t change in colour. However, looking at my monitors and upon further examination, there are many air bubbles molded into the acrylic shell itself. Being a clear shell for our unit here, it is rather a cosmetic problem when people can see spots of blur or translucent parts rather than completely transparent. Along with the bubbles, it is clear that the engineer putting the electrical components into the monitor hasn’t kept the area clean or their hands free from grease. There are countless finger prints within the monitor, dulling the clear even more, making the monitor look consistently greasy.



JH Audio has chosen to mold longer canal tips for their clients as it allows for more isolation, and for the sound to be directed to your eardrums directly. However, if you prefer shorter canals, it is an option and will not add any extra costs to your total. JH Audio has chosen to use dual bore design, meaning dedicated drivers have their own specific sound tube for the output to pass through until it reaches your ear, this allows for better clarity, detail and prevents any sounds from mixing and causing muddiness.



Looking at the sound bores of JH Audio’s monitor, it is consistently lacking in craftsmanship. Unlike other custom monitors that I have experienced, the dual bores on the JH10X3 are rather disappointing. The termination where the bores join together at the end is sketchy and rough. The quality isn’t consistent throughout the left and right monitor. On the Left monitor, the tubes terminate and join evenly, with the perfect distribution of space, and are properly trimmed to the perfect height from the canal. On the right monitor however, the bore leading from the mid and low drivers is significantly longer than the bore leading from the high monitor. On top of the poor distribution of space, the tubes are also scratched and dull stretching from the canal tip to 4mm within.

Artwork wise, I am rather impressed. The white faceplate that I have asked for is cleanly assembled onto the body of the monitor, without any excess acrylic showing. JH Audio has chosen to print my artwork on to the faceplate, rather than the traditional laser engraving followed by hand painting and clear sealant. The printing is very precise, there’s no smudging and the colour is consistent throughout. Whether it is colour, like the red “X” on the left monitor or extremely fine black like the “3 PRO”, the printing is of superior quality.





Cables (9.5/10)



JH Audio has gone for the usual twisted cable that custom monitors come with. Unlike Westone, JH Audio has gone for an OEM cable which other manufacturers use like Earsonics. Despite being a cable shared with other manufacturers, the cable is durable and flexible with near to no Microphonics. The clear cable that I have tested is very similar to Westone's and Ultimate Ear's clear cable. The clear cable is extremely soft, with a reduced friction insulation compared to the black cable offered by JH Audio and other companies.



Clear cables tend to be softer, and less pront to tangling due to the nature that there is an extra layer of silvery fabric like coating on the wires, making the cable slightly thicker than the usual black and having less friction. Strain reliefs are very well done and shrunk to the cable, cable management is a little tube that works as well as the little bead offered on Westone’s ES cable. The cable’s microphonics are extremely low. Touching or the occasion of cable rubbing against clothing doesn’t surge a loud noise through the cable causing disturbance. Unfortunately, Clear cables tend to turn green due to oxidization, there is no way of stopping it however wiping down the clear cable will prolong the cable staying silvery clear.



Fit (9/10)

Despite having many bubbles and the foggy fingerprints in the shell, the impressions were rather well tapered and done. Molding of the shell was very precise, and the fit was no less than perfect. The monitors sit flush with the ear, which makes the monitors a lot more appealing when worn as it does not protrude from the ear. The only thing that I could complain about is that the canals are slightly longer than ideal. Occasional large smiles will cause the canal tip to irritate the inner canal a little causing discomfort. If you are worried on this part and are thinking of ordering JH Audio’s monitors, it is recommended that you notify Jerry, or any of their staff you would like the canal to be slight shorter. However, the shape and molding of the shell was precise, accurate, and provided the isolation needed.



Sound (8.5/10)

Being one of the most affordable high-end custom monitors housing three drivers on the market today, Jerry has still managed to house two of his custom made drivers from Knowles. Both specifically tuned to match the specification needs by Jerry, they specialize in the frequency they each reproduce. All put together with an integrated 3-way crossover, the combination offers the most mesmerizing sound experience.

High Frequencies (8/10)
Housing a specially designed driver by Jerry, the high frequency reproduction is crisp and detailed. Listening to classical music or orchestral with lots of high frequency instruments, the JH10X3 is one of the top performers I have heard. The highs are never crowded, instrumental separation in these frequency levels are not a problem for the 10X3. Detailed, clear, with a great sense of crispness are what the 10X3’s are able to accomplish. Presentation is more forward compared to the many competing monitors on the market today, it may have more of the “In your face” factor however it’s not forward to the point that you can be irritated or annoyed. The flaw with the highs in the 10X3 is that despite all the good qualities, if listening to something with a strong mid-range say pop, then on the occasion there are times that the strong mids of the 10X3 take the highs presence away and you wished you could get that little extra of the high frequencies.

Mid-Range Frequencies (9/10)
Jerry once again decided to use his in house proprietary driver for the mid-range frequencies. Jerry has stated that his mid-range driver is designed as one of the fastest drivers available, allowing the speed of reproduction needed in music that is more crowded without sounding muddy or mixed. After long listening period with the 10X3, the mids are undoubtedly one of the strongest presentations I have heard in any In-Ear Monitor, or Custom Monitor. Unlike many competing monitors, the mid-range is tuned to stay as neutral as possible, without that extra little bump in the range to put vocals more forward. This can be taken as a advantage as the neutrality keeps the mids accurate, on tone, and natural sounding. Listening to any sort of music genre, the 10X3 fails to disappoint every time. Whether it is the deep vocals or the warm violas of a piece, the 10X3 presents the piece with large amount of detail and depth. Speed wise, the 10X3 is performing at the speed of light, rarely does the 10X3 fall behind or is slow in reproducing a note or sound even at the most crowded parts of rock music. Overall, mid-range performance of the 10X3 is no short of "the top-performer" in its class.

Low Frequencies (9/10)
The JH10X3 uses one of the most significant drivers on the market today for the low frequencies, the Knowles CI. Upon arrival, and the first listen I have noticed that the lows are significantly more powerful and punch harder than many universal or custom monitor that I have tried. The lows, around 100Hz or so are bumped a few decibels to offer that punch and power that is presented. However, don’t be mistaken that despite being emphasized, the frequency range around the 100Hz point is still extremely controlled without sounding over powering, making the sound “muddy” or being too dark. Presentation of instruments like the Cello which requires a deep sound with great amount of depth is one of the strongest parts of the JH10X3. Among all the monitors that i have hard till now, the JH10X3 offers one of the deepest, and thickest sounding low-end. There is great amount of detail, so the transition of tones from bowed string instruments are smooth yet easily defined. Micro-detail reproduction is flawlessly produced, as the bow strives across the strings we get the feeling of realism that the instrument is played right in front of us. Decay for vocals and instruments are well portrayed, however, there are monitors that outperform the JH10X3 in this particular part.

Soundstage (8/10)
The soundstage of the JH10X3 is upon the most impressive for any triple driver monitor that I have heard to this day. Upon first listen with lossless orchestral, the enveloping sound came from all directions as if you were at the performance itself. Instruments and vocals sound very accurate. The soundstage travels anywhere,
from right next to you to extension of meters away from you, giving the rich, engaging sound experienced you get at live performances. The soundstage of the JH10X3 is rather wide, however it’s not the tallest or deepest from back to front, so watching movies with strong surround sound effect may not be the most exciting experience.


Detailed Score Breakdown:
Stereo Imaging - 8.5
Frequency Extension - 8
Transparency - 8.5
Decay - 8
Impact - 9
Speed - 9
Clarity - 8




Conclusion ( 8.5 /10)




The JH10X3, being the middle of the range from Jerry’s monitors, is priced perfectly at $799. A very competitive price to other triple driver, three-way crossover monitors on the market today. Jerry, being experienced in this field since 1995, stands as one of the most praised acoustical engineers till today. Adapting custom drivers and his perfect crossover split-points into the JH10X3, the monitor itself is an engaging iem to listen to for nearly all genres of music from rock to orchestral. The JH10X3 houses one of the most impressive low frequency reproduction abilities on the market along with other manufacturers and Jerry’s higher end models, including the JH11 and JH13. The speed of the mids are unrivaled by any monitor that I have ever tried, while the highs could be a bit more present. Overall, a very fun and natural sounding monitor. The area that might make buyers hesitant to buy the JH10X3 or any JH Monitors is the build quality and accessories. Jerry Harvey has a highly skilled staff, however, when the orders pile up on JH Audio, the quality control and the quality of the molding is decreased to an extent. Accessory wise, JH monitors offer the minimal, which include a cleaning tool and a case. As the monitors were first released, the buyer would receive a durable, and classy looking carbon fiber case with JH Audio and your name printed on the cover. However, when you buy JH Monitors today, you will receive a though durable, a rather low in cost custom Otterbox 1000. Nonetheless, you still get your name on the case, and in addition, you will receive an extra soft pouch to organize and keep your monitors.


This article was written by Felix Yau.

Every year, the Consumer Eletronics Show (CES) has its debut in Las Vegas, showcasing all the fantastic geeky innovations for the upcoming years. Although it's a bit late to talk about CES 2010 - more than a week after its closing - I feel compelled to make a statement about this year's CES. CES 2010 showcased nothing more than mediocre development.

In the world of portable audio, Etymotic displayed their new HF3 in-ear-monitors, which include a 3-button inline controller that adds playback and voice functionality as well as volume adjustment compatible with the iPhone. Although nothing is new to a company releasing "iphone-friendly" IEMs, such addition does show the effect and resonance Apple creates in the overall market. Early reviews of the HF3 report that contrary to the house signature of Etymotic IEMs, that being on the colder side, the HF3 boasts a warmer sound signature with a slight push on the bass and lower mids. The Etymotic HF3 are priced at $150.


Etymotic HF3 Ruby Red


Talking about audio and technology, perhaps the new QBD76 DAC from Chord Electronics best exemplifies the combination of computer and hi-fi audio. With amazing audio signal conversion and bluetooth receiving capability, you can now play your favourite music wirelessly and without any degrade in sound quality.


QBD76 External and Internal



When it comes to portable computing, the smaller the better. Today, it appears that even for stationed computing, the smaller the better. Zotac displayed their mini desktop series - the Zotac MAG ION Nettop. The MAG ION combines Intel Atom 330 with Nvidia ION platform to provide a great power-size balanced output. The best part is, the MAG has a MSRP of only $330. It is a perfect addition to the option for a HTPC.


Zotac Mag standalone and mounted


Intel had the largest booth at the event, and, in fact, it did have the most to show. In addition to the 6-core Intel Core i9 processor due to release in March of 2010, the company also showcased a giant 7 foot Infoscape HD Wall. The Wall is essentially a giant multi-touchscreen powered by the new Intel Core i7 with support by Intel HD graphics. The wall can simultaneously show multiple information while processing them through one interface. While this will definitely not become a consumer product any time soon, its uses for replacing tradtional paper and static based information outlets, such as tour booth, public transportation schedule, mall and store sales directory, seem viable.





Since the debut of Nvidia's 3D capable hardware in a consumer package last year (2009), the innovative trend seems to have been somewhat stalled. In fact, even the Best of Show Award went to Panasonic's 3D-capable HDTV TC-PVT25. This simply reminds us that consumer-friendly 3D technology is so last year.


Editorial by Cecil Lau, Editor in Chief.

Ultimate ears, a well known manufacturer of fine in-ear monitors is currently the top choice with over 75% of the world’s top musicians and artists as their clients. Found in 1994 by Jerry Harvey and Mindy Harvey as the result of the Jerry raftng his very first pair of custom in-ear monitor for his close friend, Alex Van Halen. Alex was suffering from hearing lost due to the immensively large sound pressure level outputs of on stage wedge speakers. Today we know Ultimate Ears as the largest manufacturer of custom and universal monitors range from a mere Metro.Fi 170 a $49.99 to a wallet emptying $1350 for the UE-18 Pro. Today we have the second oldest of the line, the UE11 Pro with us today.


Specifications
Variation: Any colour, Any Artwork. Low profile socket or recessed socket options
Transducers: Four Balanced Armature Drivers
Configuration: Passive 3-Way crossover (Single High, Single Mid, Dual Low)
Frequency Range: 10 Hz-16.5 kHz
Impedance: 18 ohm
Sensitivity (1mW): 119 dB SPL
Accessories: Replaceable braided cable, Engraved large aluminum carrying case, crush-proof small aluminum carrying case, Cleaning Tool
Price: $1150 plus shipping, and impressions


Packaging and Accessories (9/10)

Ultimate ears since 1994 has always put the top quality audio material and flawless craftsmanship into their products. But one thing that stands above all for Ultimate Ears are their relationships between with customers. Knowing that customers would like to keep their personalized in-ear monitors the way they received and expected them the very first day, accessories and packaging don’t fall short. The UE11 Pro being a part of the Ultimate Ears family has definitely inherited this very aspect.



Upon arrival, the UE11’s are presented in one of the most beautiful, sturdy packaging on the market today--that is of course after you open the Fedex shipping box…Ultimate Ears carefully packages the container that the monitors arrive in with a more than “safe” amount of bubble wrap to insure that the packaging is safe during travel.

As we remove the laminate and satin black sleeve that keeps the intimidating cardboard box dry, clean, and shut we are presented with the extremely high quality, and heavy personalized aluminum case that Ultimate Ears offers with their customized line of in-ear monitors (exception to UE-4 Pro). On the covering of the case is our very own name, along with Ultimate Ears “UE” logo embossed onto the cover of the glittering silver surface—stylish and high class. Within the case, we are given precisely cut foam inserts to hold the accessories that arrive with the UE11, and another smaller, crush-proof aluminum case. Unlike many other manufacturers, Ultimate Ears is the only company to offer two cases, which is a thoughtful addition to the party tray. Looking at the small case, coupled within the foam inserts, I can only resist so much to stop myself from opening the case. As the little lid pops-open, they are presented with their very own, exclusive custom fit in-ear monitors attached to their very own replaceable twist braided cable; however lets hold off of that for little bit. The inside of the case is soft and “fuzzy” to prevent any scratches and shock from arriving at the monitors for damage, once again a flawless addition and design.



The remains within the case are: a cleaning tool consisting of a wax loop and a brush to keep the top-tier custom monitors sparkling clean. Ultimate Ears stresses on keeping the monitors as clean as possible, which requires a process of wiping, brushing, scraping etc…which is all thoroughly explained and instructed within the manual that arrives with the UE11’s. The manuals that arrive with the UE11 goes through steps for support, warranty periods (60 days guaranteed fit, 1 year parts and labour), and other respective information.



Build Quality (10/10)

Ultimate Ears, being one of very first company to build custom monitors has improved it’s technique in the assembly and making of their custom monitors over the years—it really shows. Among many monitors that I have come across, the UE11’s are one of the best built monitors in terms of quality and aesthetics wise. Ultimate Ears has switched from their former soft vinyl material, to a much more durable, hypoallergenic, and user friendly hard acrylic material over the past 5 or 6 years. The material takes experienced technique and skill to produce a high quality, flawless in build and aesthetics outer shell for the monitors. After long inspection with the UE11’s, Ultimate Ears has without surprise has met the highest standard in the industry today.



The shells do not possess any sort of air bubbles, bumps, rough edges or debris that can degrade the quality and durability. The hands-on assembly of the UE11 is at the best to match. Closing of the monitor along the faceplate (flat face of the monitor) with liquid acrylic and UV light curing is done so well that to the visible eye, the faceplate where as though it was molded in one piece with the body of the shell. It would look as though the components had just magically appeared within the shell if anyone were to look without the knowledge of how the monitors are assembled—they are that superb.



Furthermore, as the UE11’s are custom monitors in terms of fit, they’ve got to be matched with custom artwork as well right? Ultimate Ears owns the most sophisticated machines and technology in their labs to achieve nearly any look, any texture, in any colour. From carbon fibre weaving patterns to titanium surfaces paired with a fire breathing dragon, Ultimate Ears is able to do it all. For my monitors I went with a simple design. “MaoDi”, my username and nickname on the left monitor, along with the “UE” logo on the right monitor. Looking at the detail and resolution the artwork is made, it is by far the finest on any monitor that I have come across. Ultimate Ear first applies the design to the shells through laser engraving, and then later applies the silver filling. The smoothness of the smallest lines and tips in the artwork is so fine. If one were to purchase monitors where artwork is a large part in decision, the first company that I suggest is Ultimate Ears. All the designs and artwork applied can be had for just $50 USD. If $50 is not an option, a change in shell colour is a nice touch at the price of nought.






Cables (9.5/10)



The twist braided cable used by Ultimate Ears for the UE-11 is extremely similar to that of Westone, one of the pioneers of in-ear monitors and JH Audio, which is in fact the current custom monitor company that Jerry Harvey founded and owns after his leave at Ultimate Ears. The differences that lie between the cables are the prongs of the connectors, shape of the connectors, and the length of memory wire (1 inch on JH Audio and Westone, 2 inch on Ultimate Ears). In terms of material, sound, flexibility, and ease of use all are identical to each other.

“The cables included with the Westone Elite Series monitors are a twisted type cable that is flexible yet durable. The cable has a memory wire in the first two inches of the monitor plugs, with a clear tubing surrounded to protect the wire, there’s strain reliefs that have been properly shrunk and glued at the right angle 3.5mm plug and the hard plastic y-split in the middle that utter mostly prolong the cables life and reliefs the joints from tight bends. Microphonics on the Elite Series cable is near to nothing, and there’s close to 0% noise when you touch the cables or rub them against your clothing. Material used on the outer coating of the ES cable is the big beneficial part of this fabulous sound-proof attribute. The material isn’t necessarily the most tangle-free material, but it’s definitely doing its job of durability and flexibility."

-Westone ES3X Review by Felix Yau

The prongs of the connectors by Ultimate Ears are slightly shorter in comparison that is due to the exclusive socket used within UE’s monitors. Unlike other manufactures sockets which have the connectors flush with the side of the monitor, Ultimate Ears socket puts the connection in a recessed position within the monitor. The recession allows not only the prongs to be within the monitor, but also the plastic part of the connectors to allow a large increase in stability of the connector. The recession prevents any sort of movement horizontally that could bend, and damage the connecting prongs rendering the cable unusable. However, the exclusive socket is extremely long compared to the more standard socket. Fortunately, UE also offers the more common and smaller flush socket for clients that have smaller ears that are unable to accommodate for the size of the exclusive socket.

Ultimate Ears offers two lengths of cable to choose from. There is a standard and shorter 48” along with an optional 64” for no extra charge. Luckily, if you never liked the black cables that you see around all the time, Ultimate Ears has once again taken this into their thoughts for their customers and offers a total of 4 additional colours: White, Clear, Beige, and Brown.



Fit (9/10)

Ultimate Ears uses two kinds of methods to create the outer shells needed for the custom monitors line. The first is the more traditional method. Ultimate Ears receives the impression of the client, first creating a full negative mold of the impressions with silicone which it will then be archived and saved for any future purchase from Ultimate ears. The impression then goes through a series of detailing, tapering, and shaping to create a comfortable fit for the client. The finished impressions are then dipped in wax, and a negative solid colloid mold is made to hold the acrylic resin where it will then be UV light cured to harden the acrylic. Ultimate Ears has a second method, which is the more advanced SLA process, or stereo lithography. This option is usually used when clients send in a pair of their currently owned custom monitors, where Ultimate Ears then puts this pair of custom monitor through the 3D laser scanner creating a ultra high resolution 3D digital impression. The SLA machine is then able to cure acrylic resin to the exact shape of the scanned monitor, to allow a absolute perfect fit. Unfortunately though, the SLA process will only cure and create clear shells. Meaning to use this the SLA machine to create colour, the scanned digital 3D impression is used to create a negative mold, where the traditional method could then be applied.


Left and Right Ear Fit

For this specific pair of UE11’s, I decided to send in one of m currently owned pair of custom monitors for the SLA scanning process, as I know then I will not be requiring a fit. Ultimate Ears can managed to not just create a perfect fit for me, but has also managed to make the monitors slightly more flush and comfortable while still retaining that necessary seal for deep, rich lows and crisp clear highs. Overall, the fit of the UE11 is fairly close to fantastic. I prefer, and think that a slightly tighter fit for both sides would be easier to use, as then you don’t have to get the monitors in that exact spot to have a perfect seal. Despite my opinions though, the monitors seal well and feel comfortable. That is all that matters in the end.



Sound (8/10)

Ultimate Ears has been crafting some of the finest monitors on the market today in 1994. Being professionals of absolute sound quality for 12 years, Ultimate Ears has spend countless hours designing a superior design when the UE11’s were first released in 2007. The UE11 was to be crowned the new flagship model replacing the UE10. At the time, it was to be the first monitor housing quadruple drivers, along with the first three-way crossover in a custom monitor. However, even till this day the sound of the two-year old UE11 housing exclusive proprietary drivers doesn’t disappoint, and still stands as one of the best custom monitors on the market today.


High frequencies (7/10)
Ultimate Ears has placed a single proprietary driver in the high frequency range to offer an accurate, detailed and crisp sound. Unlike the former UE10, the UE11 is tuned to offer a more “fun” feel throughout the whole frequency. The high frequencies response of the UE11 is actually rather laid back, and easy to handle considering it was design more for the audiophile listener rather than the recording studio engineers (that would be the UE10s). The presentation is not as bright as other monitors offered by Ultimate Ears; the sound is smooth and slightly warm. There’s a fair amount of detail, accuracy, and crispness however due to its slightly recessed presentation, and a strong low end from the dual woofers you lose critical amounts of micro-detail like breathing, or the striking of a triangle. The sound of the high frequencies is neither the most natural nor extended as some close competitors offer. Listening to simple violin notes, in the higher octaves the violins start to sound although they were made from plastic, and the notes sound “struggled” and “limited”. The most worth praising in the high frequency presentation of the UE11 is the decay. It’s a smooth, but quick transition so there’s no excessive ringing from a triangle or smaller cymbals. Overall, the high frequencies are only presented to a satisfying standard. The Unique Melody Mage would be a far more appropriate monitor if crystal clear high frequencies are what you are seeking for.


Mid-range frequencies (9/10)
As the UE11’s like mentioned are designed to be one of the most engaging monitors towards audiophiles on the market today. The mid-range frequencies of the UE11 receive a “bump” or emphasis to put all vocals more forward. This emphasis on the mid-range usually keeps the listener’s captured within the music, and the UE11’s do just that. The mid-range is buttery smooth, with a shocking amount of detail. On top, theirs is a great sense of realism. Singers and some instruments sound so real, so natural, so detailed…every pluck of the guitar is heard as long it’s recorded, every breath is heard, and every syllable is heard flawlessly. After a short listening period, I was convinced the band was literally playing right in front of me. Every genre that I had come across, the UE11 reproduces the mid-range in a heartwarming and glowing sense that packs the soul of music straight into your ears. The only little irritation that I have found after long periods of listening is the speed and tone performance drops a bit when the UE11 encounters deep, thick voices that sound vividly rich. Otherwise, the mid-range presentation for this set of grand custom monitors is near to absolute perfect. To listeners that are more familiar with brighter sound signatures, or reference/studio recording headphones, the sound signature of the UE11 may sound too dark, too warm, and too “coloured” for an enjoyable experience.


Low frequencies (7.5/10)
The low frequencies, the most important frequency band to the average listener. As the most common phrase of “It’s got good bass” is mentioned every time a consumer is planning to purchase headphones. Well the UE11 impressively houses dual low frequency drivers, meaning there are two speakers or subwoofers if anyone else would call them producing those straight on punches to the heart. Now, looking into the UE11, we wonder what those two little tiny drivers that don’t even add up to the size of the mid-range driver could produce…oh but we would be in for such a big surprise. These proprietary drivers to begin with will go as low as 10Hz, where the average balanced armature driver will only make it to around 20Hz and dramatically drop. I have also been told will do in excess of 120dB in the 200Hz-500Hz.(@1mW) That may not sound like anything to the average listener, however a 200Hz-500Hz is where all the punches in your music typically are. How much is 120dB you may ask…a jack hammer heard at 1m has the sound pressure level of 110dB. In fact, 120dB is so loud that a short period of 30-50 seconds could do permanent damage to any set of ears. These are impressive drivers to begin with as we can see.

As there are two speakers taking the low frequency spectrum, it greatly reduces any chance of distortion and increases the potential speed of the impact and response by a significant margin contrasting to a single driver design. Ultimate Ears has definitely taken their drivers to their fullest potential…possibly just a little too much. The low frequency presentation is impressive and enjoyable for any music listener. However for any vocalist, sound engineer, and studio monitoring the bad news comes. Tone, speed, and impact are all bang on, one of the best I have heard. When it comes to decay, and accuracy, the same story can’t be said. The decay is so slow at times, that it rides over into the other frequencies and sort of lays there without a use. That is why, mentioned earlier the high frequencies can be covered at times by the lows frequencies. It’s almost as if the low frequencies sound overly boomy, and muddy. What about accuracy? …sometimes listening to the UE11, the hopes that everything below 1Hz doesn’t hit so hard, a lot of the times a floor tom beat hits and sounds the same as a kick drum’s. Overall in the end though, the low end of the UE11 is immersive, and can take many hard genres like heavy metal, pop, rock, and trance without a problem.


Soundstage (8/10)
Ultimate Ears has kept its unique tuning of the soundstage on the UE11. The UE11 like the rest of the family has a more enclosed soundstage rather than the ultra-wide, airy sound that other monitors achieve. As the soundstage of the UE11 isn’t that wide, everything seems to be played right at the face without hesitation. Vocals are so close it’s that if we were to take a step forward while listening to music, we would swear that we bumped into the singer. Instruments are fairly close, but very well placed. The instruments sound like they are coming from an assembled band, rather than being just a guitar note or just a drum beat. The placement is precise, and realistic. A fill in on the drums would sound as if the drummer struck the drums from one side to the other, or each distinctive tom drum could be heard in their exact positions. This unique soundstage that the UE11 houses is perfect for several things, because the vocals are so close. Like mentioned earlier, it keeps the heads nodding and the hearts racing while music comes and for any drummer, and bass guitarist, these would be the perfect on-stage monitors for you.


Detailed Score Breakdown:
Stereo Imaging - 8.5
Frequency Extension - 9
Transparency - 8
Decay - 8
Impact - 9
Speed - 8
Clarity - 8




Conclusion ( 8 /10)


Priced at $1150, the UE11 is currently the second most expensive monitor that Ultimate Ears makes. Housing a quadruple balanced armature drivers divided with a 3-way crossover design, the UE11’s offers crisp highs, potent mid-ranges, and quaking lows with the feature of a closer soundstage. The UE11, housing one of the best sound reproduction on the market today, also owns one of the most impressive and beautiful builds on the market today. Bubble and debris free shells, assembled with the highest standards in craftsmanship makes not just the UE11, but any Ultimate Ears custom monitor as durable as it could be. Included are two, crush-proof protective cases that are very well designed. With a super emphasized sound signature, along with the free of charge 64” cable option makes the UE11’s the first of choice for drummers, bassists, and the audiophile music listeners. Despite all the impressive specifications, performance, and awesome build quality of the UE11, it’s hard to justify the $300 match up to leading competitors flagship models that perform as well. In the end, the UE11 loses some points due to its price mainly.


This article was written by Felix Yau.

Unique Melody, a custom in-ear-monitor company located in China, has been offering earphone remolding service, custom monitor products, and monitors exclusively made for a customer since 2003. Recently, Unique Melody opened more of their products to the North American markets, including their dual-driver monitors, Mini and UM4 and their triple-driver monitors, the Aero SH. During October 2009, Unique Melody announced their quadruple-driver, three-way crossover model - the “Mage.” Consisting of dual low-frequency drivers, and dedicated high frequency and mid-range drivers, the Mage is to offer one of the most impressive audio presentations on the market. Priced at 3750 RMB, or approximately $575 USD, the Mage is one of the cheapest quadruple-driver monitors on the market today.


Specifications
Variation: Any colour, limited artwork*
Transducers: Four Balanced Armature Drivers
Configuration: Passive 3-Way crossover (Single High, Single Mid, Dual Low)
Frequency Range: 20 Hz-18 kHz
Impedance: 21 ohm
Sensitivity (1mW): 114 dB SPL
Accessories: Replaceable braided cable, Stiff Board Magnet hard case, Leather Carrying Pouch, Cleaning Tool
Price: $575 plus shipping, and impressions

*Limited to simple laser designs temporarily until photo-quality printer for artwork arrives

Packaging and Accessories (7/10)

Prior to the release of the quadruple-driver Mage monitors from Unique Melody, the company offered a large aluminum carrying case with soft memory foam inserts, cleaning wipes, cleaning tool, and also a soft carrying case for any dual-driver or triple-driver monitors. However, with the Mage, Unique Melody has decided to use a brand new packaging for the new flagship model. Instead of the large aluminum case, the buyer now gets a high quality, stiff, laminated magnetic cardboard box with stiff foam inserts. The box closes and opens with the top working as a flap. The box is extremely stylish, with a unique grey wave design on it that is eye catching, and makes the container extra classy. Despite the stiff cardboard box may seem like a step down from previous aluminum container, the box is extremely well made as the material used is similar to what is used on yearbooks in school, but even stronger.



When we open the magnetic top, we are presented with the Mage resting in the foam waiting to be worn. Beneath the foam insert is a cleaning tool, which has semi-stiff bristles on one end and a wire loop on the other that will brush and remove debris in the sound bore of the monitors. We are also presented with a soft, silver leather carrying pouch. Unfortunately, Unique Melody does not provide a stiff carrying case that is offered by competitors such as Ultimate Ears, JH Audio, and Westone. The pouch is extremely soft on the inside, so there is no risk of scratching the monitors in any way. It would be nice if Unique Melody would include the stiff case they offer for their remolding service, but the silver pouch is useful for protecting the cosmetic parts of the monitors in a semi-safe envrionment. In addition to the well-explained manual, Unique Melody offers the common 30 day fit warranty for the Mage, where they will fix the fit within thirty days from shipment. The warranty for any defective on the external and internal components is 1 year from the day of shipment, where you will have to return-ship the monitor to Unique Melody at your own expense.



One really interesting thing about Unique Melody compared to other custom monitor companies is that Unique Melody provides a frequency response chart for your very own specific pair of monitors. Now, many buyers will probably have no use for the chart, but it’s nice to see the response test done on the monitors prior to shipment. Overall, the packaging of the Mage is very nice, as the white magnetic box is extremely attractive and really does protect the monitors. However, accessories are a bit lacking and you don’t get the nicest case or pouch with the Mage.


Build Quality (10/10)

Out of the many custom monitors that I’ve come across, the Mage are the best built. In terms of build and aesthetics, the Mage exceeds Ultimate Ears, JH Audio, and even the pioneer of custom monitors - Westone. Unique Melody has gone with the typical material that custom monitors are made from, which is acrylic. Like other manufacturers, Unique Melody casts a negative mold from the silicone impressions of your ears, where acrylic resin is poured and the filled mold is exposed to UV light. The excess liquid acrylic is poured out from the mold, and then the semi-solid shell is exposed to UV light once again for final curing. Unique Melody then makes the faceplate which is put on after the installation of the electrical components.



Looking at my pair of Mage, they are absolutely astonishing when compared side by side with other monitors that I have seen and owned, including monitors that cost twice as much. Shaping of the impressions prior to the negative mold was done extremely well. The shell is made flawlessly; the surface is extremely smooth, without a scratch or irregular bump. The faceplate is no exception with a perfect buff, and an extremely clean and glossy covering. The most impressive build quality characteristic from Unique Melody is the assembly of the faceplate onto the shell itself. As the faceplate and shell are two different pieces of the mold, they have to be joined together with acrylic to enclose all the electrical components. Unique Melody had done an exemplar job on this specific part of assembly as even with detailed examination, I was not able to tell that the faceplate had been put on after as the mold looks and feels as if it had been molded as one piece. Comparing to my other high-end monitors offered by other companies where the faceplate can be clearly seen as a separate piece, Unique Melody exceeds in the aesthetics category, offering a flawless build on the assembly of the faceplate.

Furthermore, I inquired about what kind of artwork Unique Melody was able to do. Now, I wanted the standard artwork that I apply on my monitors which are my user and nick name “MaoDi” on the left monitor, and the company’s logo, “UM” in this case, on the right monitor. Unique Melody explained that they currently do not have the photographic quality artwork machine that they are planning to buy in the future, and are limited to simple laser-engraved artwork for the time being. Despite this, Unique Melody has done a very good job on the artwork of my monitors with a beautiful silver confetti.


Cables (9/10)



Now to the cables, Unique Melody actually is rather unique and different in this category. There is no standard cable for the Mage. In fact, on the ordering form, the buyer can choose which sort of cable they would like and just simply pay the price of the cable. Now the price of $575 comes with the recommended cable, which is the twisted ES cable offered by Westone. This cable fits extremely tight and well with the sockets of the Mage. However, Unique Melody will change the socket depending on which cable you would like to order. Availability ranges from Ultimate Ears’ custom cable to some in-house DIY cables by Unique Melody. I received the recommended Westone ES cable with the Mage, I have mentioned the quality of the cable in my Westone ES3X review. Below is what I had to say

"The cable included with the Westone Elite Series monitors is a twisted type that is flexible yet durable. The cable has a memory wire in the first two inches of the monitor plugs, with a clear tubing surrounded to protect the wire. There are strain reliefs that have been properly shrunk and glued at the right angle 3.5mm plug and the hard plastic y-split in the middle that will prolong the cable's life and relieve the joints from tight bends. Microphonics on the Elite Series cable is near to nothing, and there’s close to 0% noise when you touch the cables or rub them against your clothing. Material used on the outer coating of the ES cable is the big beneficial part of this fabulous sound-proof attribute. The material isn’t necessarily the most tangle-free material, but it’s definitely doing its job of durability and flexibility."


Fit (8.5/10)

Like other companies, Unique Melody uses the process of creating a mold to make the shell. Prior to this step, the silicone impression must be tapered and adjusted prior to creating a mold. Unique Melody has done an exquisite job on my pair of impressions, as my monitors are extremely comfortable and form the seal needed for a proper audio reproduction of the monitors. The flushness of the custom monitors is also a concern for many, however it is very often that custom monitors do not fit as flush as the buyer wanted to. Even though the flushness of the monitor doesn’t affect the fit or the sound of the monitor, some people do complain and ask for refits in order to improve the looks. This aspect isn’t under the control of any manufacturer as they do not have a model of your ear. Luckily though, the flushness of my Mage is perfect along with its perfect fit and comfort.


Sound (9/10)

Unique Melody had spent a long period of time tuning the Mage. They reckon the Mage’s sound quality is no less than the level of Westone and Ultimate Ears flagship, which include the ES3X and the UE11. The Mage houses two extremely large drivers responsible for the low frequencies, and dual element driver which on one side is responsible for the mid-range frequencies and the other acts as a tweeter which is responsible for the high frequencies. Unique Melody has interestingly strayed away from the very common dual bore design. In fact, it has gone for a slightly different approach. The Mage houses a dual bore design, which merges together at 1cm in the canal. Unique Melody explained that it would offer a smoother sound for the Mage, as the Mage is tuned for a brighter sound signature.


High frequencies (8.5/10)
When we look at the frequency response chart that is provided with the Mage, we see that the Mage’s response on the high frequencies compared to other monitors is actually 3 or 4 decibels higher from 8 kHz and up. On paper, many may not know or think that it would make a big difference. However, listening to the Mage, the high frequencies really shine through. If one has had experience with the high frequencies of Etymotics, then they will have a sense of the detail and the crisp clear sound offered by the Mage. The high frequencies are extremely crisp, with a very clean sound to it. There is no presence of any excessive ringing that could cause irritation, or discomfort. Transparency is one of the key components in the high frequency reproduction of the Mage. Cymbals, piano’s, or that lovely toned vocal comes through with extreme detail and accuracy. Instrumental separation is strong in the high frequencies, where each distinct instrument is heard clearly. However, I think till this day of any monitors I have heard, the universal fit Phiaton PS200 still holds the position as the earphones with the best instrumental separation. Frequency extension and smoothness of the high frequencies are done very well, so instruments that go to a very high pitch doesn’t fade out or distort, and could be heard throughout the music. The high frequency presentation on the Mage has an extreme potential for classical and orchestral music where other monitors could fall out at. If you like and need the high frequency sound in your music, you might want to consider the Mage as a choice for your next pair of monitors.



Mid-range frequencies (9.5/10)
Listening to the Mage for the first time, I was instantly able to spot the mid-range frequency bump in the frequency response. The Mage are tuned to have the mid-range frequencies rather forward. In theory, such signature should be rather similar to a pair of Shure earphones. However, unlike the Shures, the Mage are much brighter, and provide a far greater amount of detail in the frequency range. Upon first listening, I was extremely impressed with the mid-range frequency presentation, as the first word was sung I was blown away by the realism and naturalism in the voice. Vocals sound so natural and realistic from the Mage that it was although the singer was sitting right beside you singing to you. Mid-range instrumental is also an engaging part of the Mage. For most of my music, especially pop and rock, instruments that fall between 3 kHz to 7 kHz, I can hear with more detail and a better sense of realism compared to other monitors that I have tried in the past. The most impressive part of the mid-range frequency presentation is actually an aspect that many monitors on the market today don’t do very well, and that is the decay performance. Decay is in simple terms the fade out of the sound after the source signal had been removed. The Mage is able to offer a extremely quick decay when needed. In the music that I listen, which is mainly classical and orchestral, but a large amount of pop is also included, the Mage doesn’t even struggle to provide the needed performance in decay. Overall, the mid-range frequencies are the strongest aspect of the Mage, and I am even confident to say that it could possibly be the best mid-range frequency presentation that I have heard on any custom monitor to this day.

Low frequencies (7.5/10)
Housing two extremely popular armature drivers used for low frequency applications on the market, the Mage offers extremely powerful low frequency response. However, the Mage doesn’t offer the high impact that many would expect. Despite housing two large low frequency drivers, the Mage is actually tuned to have the low frequencies dipped down 3-4dB of what the low drivers are able to offer. This means that the sense of impact and power are also reduced. Now you might be wondering, why has Unique Melody tuned the low frequency drivers to perform weaker than they can? The main reason is because Unique Melody wanted to keep the lows quick and accurate. Using two drivers already reduces the load on each driver, meaning the response time to change from one tone to another has been reduced already as each driver works at half the pressure than if they were to work by themselves. Also, reducing the amplitude of the impact, the diaphragms in the balanced armatures don’t need as much time to return to the neutral position for the next signal reaching them. The second reason is because Unique Melody simply wanted to make the mid-range frequencies the main part of the sound signature. Don’t be mistaken though, the impact of the lows are definitely not weak. They are more than adequate to provide an enveloping experience in rock and pop music. But it should be mentioned that if you really do like your low frequency punches, or you are a big fan of heavy metal music, then the Mage might not be for you.

Like mentioned, the low frequencies are very accurate, and are impressively quick. Trance, a music genre that many monitors fail to reproduce in the finest characteristic, the Mage doesn’t have a problem with. The quick, low beats of trance music is the largest struggle for many earphones and monitors, but because the Mage were tuned for some of the fastest low frequency punches on the market today, the Mage hits every beat, every time, with the perfect tone. The low frequency extension is vast; the deepest of the orchestra can be reproduced with the Mage along with the deepest voice you have come across. Overall, the low frequency presentation is very good. Nonetheless, while accuracy, speed and tone hit straight on the target, I do think the Mage would be a more superior monitor if the lows are tuned back up 3-4dB to offer that punch and impact that many seek for.

Soundstage (9/10)
Housing four drivers and a three-way crossover, the Mage is given one of the largest frequency responses on the market today for custom monitors. Frequency response plays a large role in the soundstage of a monitor, as a small frequency response could cause the sound to feel closed in, and less lively. In the Mage, the soundstage is among the widest that I have heard. The width gives a sense as though you are sitting in front of a concert, where there are speakers that extend far away from left to right. It provides an easy going and musical signature to the music. Depth is another strong part in the soundstage of the Mage; this is extremely easy to tell when watching movies with the Mage. For example, in the simple dining hall scene in Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix, as the hall was filled with students talking, you get that sensation and realism as if the students were actually walking past you talking. Their voices come closer and closer, then suddenly fade away and become quiet as they run down the hall. Frankly, the Mage’s immersive soundstage presentation is great; I would gladly recommend it for listening to music and watching movies.


Detailed Score Breakdown:
Stereo Imaging - 8.5
Frequency Extension - 9
Transparency - 8.5
Decay - 9.5
Impact - 8
Speed - 8.5
Clarity - 9



Conclusion ( 9 /10)


Priced at $575 including a Westone ES cable, or even more impressive at $525 if you already have a cable, the Mage stands as one of the most affordable high-end custom monitors on the market today. With the crisp and delicate high, rich enveloping mids, and deep, quick bass that the IEMs house, the Mage is able to match the quality of the best monitors from Westone and even Ultimate Ears. The only decision distinguishing the choice of which monitor to buy would be for which application you are looking to use the monitors for and what sound signature you prefer. Accessories may be another factor to your choice. Paired with a superb build quality, the Mage is a strong contender on the prosumer market as one of the best high-end monitors despite its relatively low MSRP. For my recommendation, the Mage would be a perfect monitor for vocalists and acoustic guitarists as the mid-range frequencies offer the greatest amount of detail and realism for them. Also, if you are a big fan of mid-range frequencies, I would strongly recommend the Mage. Overall, I am extremely impressed with the product. The only thing that I would say could do with improvement is the impact of the lows, and the variety of accessories included. A wiping cloth or a hard clam-shell case for the monitors would be a fantastic improvement as even at the relatively low MSRP of $575 , it’s not a small amount of money!


This article was written by Felix Yau and edited by Cecil L.

Westone, a pioneer of ear monitors since the 1960’s, has been leading the industry with their on- the-edge technology and friendly customer service to this day. Westone hit my reviewing schedule with their new flagship custom monitor - the ES3X - released earlier this year. A true 3-way crossover melded onto carefully chosen drivers to obtain the most neutral and balanced audio Westone has created yet. The ES3X is available in colours requested by the customer, and custom artwork is also available for a small price. Built to the highest quality standards of Westone monitors, the ES3X is available for $850USD plus shipping.





Specifications

Variation: Any colour, any artwork (must be on an opaque faceplate) Hard Acrylic Tips instead of Heat Sensitive tips on request
Transducers: Three Balanced Armature Drivers
Configuration: Passive 3-Way crossover (Single High, Mid and Low)
Frequency Range: 20 Hz-18 kHz
Impedance: 56 ohm
Sensitivity (1mW): 124 dB SPL
Accessories: Replaceable braided cable, Ear Lubricant (Oto-Ease), De-humidifier pod, Cloth, Cleaning Tool, Deluxe water-resistant carry case
Price: $849 plus tax, shipping and ear impressions


Packaging and Accessories

Westone ships their Elite Series monitors in the deluxe water resistant carrying case, which also holds the ear lubricant, cloth, and cleaning tool. The case is then bubble wrapped to be placed into a cardboard box which includes a T-shirt, manuals, accessory ordering form, and the receipt. Westone has taken their thoughts into packaging as everything falls into the cardboard box very nicely without leaving any gaps for movement and damage.

The accessories that come with the Elite Series monitors were carefully selected and decided by Westone. Upon inspection, every paper and tool that comes with the ES3X is useful. The ordering form includes accessories like the desiccant that keeps the humidity down, the cleaning tool, monitor saver (also a de-humidifier) and replaceable cables.

The Oto-Ease ear lubricant that came with the ES3X is very useful for new users of custom monitors or users who have trouble getting a seal with the monitors. Directions are to lightly coat the monitors with the lubricant before insertion - it’s as simple as that! The cloth, which is very similar to clothes used to wipe glasses, and the cleaning tool are handy when you need to clean your monitors. Westone recommends to wipe the monitors down after every use with the cloth as excessive build up of ear wax on the monitor could cause yellowing of the clear heat-sensitive tips. Westone also recommends, after the detailed cleaning, wiping of the exterior of the monitors with an alcohol-free anti-bacterial wipe to keep them clean and to prevent the vinyl heat-sensitive tips from yellowing.



The Westone deluxe carrying case made by Pelican comes in black with a laminated tag imprinted with the name of the owner, serial number and manufacturing date of the monitors. The case is water resistant with an automatic pressure purge built in, and a snap-to-lock design on it. First opening it, you will find the accessories included along with your monitors wrapped around a compartment where the Anti-humidifying desiccant rests. The desiccant when new is orange, and slowly turns green after a period of time depending on how humid the environment is. Westone states it needs to be reactivated when green for it to keep working; microwave for 10 second increments for reactivation. There are little compartments where your cleaning tool and your lubricant sits so you are able to take them along on travel without having to put them separately from the monitors themselves.


Build Quality (9/10)

When you spend $850 on a pair of professional high-end custom monitors, what you expect is aspects that hold up to its price tag. Build quality is one of the most important of them all, and there’s nothing less than superb from the ES3X. Even among custom monitors, Westone monitors are above the normal in build quality. The hand-made acrylic shell is of perfection, extremely smooth and is spotlessly clean. Molding is very precise and properly done. Molding the heat sensitive tip to the acrylic body is of top quality construction, as the transition from the heat sensitive vinyl to the hard acrylic is smooth and consistent. Faceplate of the monitor is sealed and flawlessly bound together with the acrylic body despite being completely done by hand. Artwork is printed on the faceplate of the ES3X by machine with extreme precision, and detail with supreme colour accuracy. Westone had troubles with the artwork I requested as the “tma” print is so small, they had some trouble lining it up completely straight on both sides, but I don’t blame them on it. Just note that if you are thinking of putting abnormally fine print, beware as it may not be consistent on both sides.






Cables (9/10)


The cable included with the Westone Elite Series monitors is a twisted type that is flexible yet durable. The cable has a memory wire in the first two inches of the monitor plugs, with a clear tubing surrounded to protect the wire. There are strain reliefs that have been properly shrunk and glued at the right angle 3.5mm plug and the hard plastic y-split in the middle that will prolong the cable's life and relieve the joints from tight bends. Microphonics on the Elite Series cable is near to nothing, and there’s close to 0% noise when you touch the cables or rub them against your clothing. Material used on the outer coating of the ES cable is the big beneficial part of this fabulous sound-proof attribute. The material isn’t necessarily the most tangle-free material, but it’s definitely doing its job of durability and flexibility.


Fit (8.5/10)

The detail and fit of the acrylic piece is close to perfection. After sending my silicone ear impressions to Westone, their adjustment to the impression before waxing and casting the mold was definitely professional work. One little complaint that I have with my set of monitors is that neither of my monitors fit completely flush, as the side with the plug tends to stick out 2-3mm from my ear which isn’t necessarily the most beautiful thing especially considering the inner part of the earpiece is a different colour to the faceplate. However, the fit is very snug, tight, and seal very well without being intrusive or irritating over time. The heat-sensitive vinyl tip put into the canal part of the monitor is an advantage over usual acrylic material during long period listening.



Sound (7.5/10)

Housing specifically selected triple armature drivers, Westone has integrated a 3-way crossover to split the frequencies each to a dedicated high, mid, and low range driver.

High Frequencies
The ES3X was designed to be as neutral as possible. Listening to the ES3X, the highs are rather laid back and easy to swallow. The reproduction of the high frequencies on the ES3X is no doubt detailed, with a very nice crisp sound to it. Despite this, it’s not always right in your face. Rather, it’s always there playing at the perfect tone of accuracy and position. It is neither too forward nor recessed, but right on spot. The transparency of the high frequencies is exceptional; micro details are heard without a flaw. Breathing and strung of the guitar are easily picked up. Decay is excellent, and the ringing of cymbals are never too long or too short giving cymbal representation another level of realism compared to other monitors that I have tried in the past. Extension wise, the ES3X on occasion struggles to reach the upper levels of treble. At around 16-17 kHz, the ES3X may roll off a tad if the highs and mids are busy.

Mid-Range Frequencies
Westone was always known for their magical mid-range, and the ES3X is no exception. In fact, of all the monitors in the line of Westone products that I have tried, including the top of the line universal UM3X, the ES3X is superior in mid-range reproduction by a large margin. The mids are slightly pushed forward, I would say around one or two decibels to put vocals closer. The response of the mid-range is smooth, the transition of low mid to high mids are extremely smooth without any cut-offs or sudden “jumps” in frequency reproduction. Details in terms of the mid-range are some of the best I have heard yet, enough to show the realism in vocals and instruments. Decay on the mid-range is rather stretched when compared to the decay of the high and deep-low frequencies. Mid-range can no doubt be described as extremely well-defined.

Low Frequencies
Some wonder that since the design of the ES3X is geared towards monitoring and neutrality, they would suffer from low-range representation. However, I am confident and glad to report that after my long period of listening to the ES3X, the lows are by no means inferior to other monitors that I have owned before. Despite having a very neutral and accurate response in the low reproduction; punch and speed of the lows are fantastically done. While power may not be the most dominant essential of the ES3X, accuracy, speed, and punch are qualities that stand out for the ES3X. The Es3X is enriching in depth, and has great extension to the very lowest frequencies without being muddy.

Soundstage
With the carefully selected drivers by Westone and years of experience of tuning drivers, the company has reached their best reproduction of soundstage in their current line of monitors with the ES3X. With no bump or enhancement in the frequency response, there are no notes that are put too close to your face during listening. Instrumental and vocal positioning are very accurate. Furthermore, with the rather mellow tone and neutral response, the ES3X brings “airy-ness” into the presentation of instruments. Instruments are able to be easily distinguished if they are far away from your reference point or right up close. The overall soundstage of the ES3X is fairly wide, with a great level of depth and height, allowing a very enjoyable listening experience despite being designed for on-stage monitoring.


Score Breakdown:

High - 7.5
Mid - 8.5
Low - 7.5
Soundstage - 8.5
Stereo Imaging - 8
Frequency Extension - 8.5
Transparency - 8.5
Decay - 8
Impact - 8
Speed - 8
Clarity - 7



Conclusion ( 8 /10)


Being Westone’s top-of-the-line custom monitor, the ES3X doesn’t disappoint. Despite housing the same drivers as its triple driver relatives of Westone like the universal Westone 3, and UM3X, the ES3X is a different monitor all together. In terms of build quality and fit, Westone’s craftsmanship is on the highest level. It’s hard to name manufacturers that offer a higher build and finish than Westone.

Highs, Mids and Lows come together in a mellow and easy-to-accept neutral presentation. Highs are not irritating, but with a rather crisp tone to it with a great amount of detail. However, as mentioned earlier, the highs could roll-off a little if the load of high frequency response builds up. An example would be in an orchestra where hundreds of soprano pitch sing while instruments are being played at the same time. Mids are smooth with great transparency. Together with the accurate, punchy, speedy lows and a delicate airy soundstage, the overall sound is mesmerizing. However, if you are someone that prefers a load of sparkles and details on the highs with the most roaring and thunderous bass response, the ES3X isn’t for you.

Despite loving the ES3X, and being one of the highest quality monitors that I have come across and heard, the minor flaws of high frequency roll-off and the misalignment of the artwork leaves me docking marks from the ES3X.


This article was written by Felix Yau.

Hisoundaudio, a manufacturer and specialist in the audio department for more than 20 years, has recently introduced their brand

new line of high fidelity audio players under the presented name of PDAA. PDAA stands

for “Portable, Digital, Acoustic, Amplifier, All-purposed, and Affordable.” During 2008, we were introduced to their first and most affordable model - the AMP3 PRO. The player was targeted towards headphone owners looking for a serious and enjoyable portable music source that offers sufficient

amplification and battery life at an affordable price. In October 2009, an updated version of the AMP3 under the label of "PRO2" came out. The redesign of the PRO2 improved on some of the disadvantages of the PRO while keeping the same affordable MSRP at $210.


Specifications

Variation: Black Metal, or Silver Metal housing
Amplifier: Class A Circuit
Frequency Range: 17 Hz-28 kHz
Power Handling: 100mW Peak
Screen: 1 inch OLED
Compatible Formats: MP3, WMA, WAV
Memory: Built in 4GB + expandable to 20GB via Micro SD/SDHC
Battery: 1800MA Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
Playback Time: >100 Hours (Level 8 Volume)
Accessories: USB to Mini USB Cable, Wall Charger, PAA-1 High Fidelity Earbuds
Dimensions (mm): 74.5 L X 40 W X 20 H
Weight: 100g
Price: $210 plus shipping


Packaging and Accessories (8/10)

Hisoundaudio has strayed away from the fancy packaging that many other manufacturers use. It is not covered in a ridiculous amount of material. Rather, Hisoundaudio has decided to go with a much simpler presentation. The PRO2 arrives in a square, black stiff cardboard box consisted of two pieces—the top and the bottom. The box is simply printed with “AMP3 Professional mp3 player” on it. As we reveal the player by removing the top cover, we see that it is securely stashed in a firm foam piece where it is protected from movement and scratches. As we remove the foam piece, we are presented with the stash of accessories that arrive with the PRO2.



As we take a quick look at the PRO2, we notice that it isn’t the most sophisticated set of accessories that would come with a player. We come across a USB to Mini USB cable, which is used to transfer music files onto the player while also acting as a cable for charging the PRO2. The cable could be directly plugged in to a computer via USB while being connected to the PRO2. Charging could take betwen 2-3 hours for the 1800Ma Lithium-Ion battery to completely fill up. The alternative and faster way to charge the PRO2 would be to charge it from an electrical outlet. Hisoundaudio provides the needed adapter or module for this. The USB side of the cable plugs into the connector that plugs into the outlet, while the mini USB side stays plugged in to the PRO2. The charging time is reduced to between 1.5 hours and 2 hours. Last but not least is the set of Hisoundaudio PAA-1 High Fidelity Earbuds. These earbuds house a fairly common driver technology, the moving-coil or dynamic. The PAA-1 earbuds are by far superior in sound quality to any other stock earbuds offered by other manufacturers; they offer a very immersive and musical audio experience when paired with the PRO2. In fact, Hisoundaudio claims that the earbuds are tuned for the PRO2 in harmony to allow the consumer to receive one of the best audio experience without having to buy separate, high quality earphones. There are no manuals included in the package of the PRO2. However, the manual and instructions for operating are easily accessible through HIsoundaudio’s website.


Build Quality (8/10)

Looking at the Amp3 Pro2, many may not be interested due to its less “modern” look. With the simple box shape player with a simple yes unique button layout, the player may look like it is a product from 10 years ago. Don’t let this fool you though; the build quality of the Pro2 far exceeds many players on the market today.



The Amp3 Pro2 has an enclosure made from high quality brushed aluminum that is also used to make aircrafts. The aluminum enclosure is nearly 4mm thick, providing an extremely rigid housing that can withstand devastating impacts and drops. The aluminum enclosure also acts as an EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) shield. When your mobile phone rings, there is no interference conducted through the player to create an extremely uncomfortable loud ringing or hissing noise in your music. The enclosure is consisted of three pieces, the top and bottom screwed on to the one-piece side enclosure. Hisoundaudio has chosen to use screws to put the player together to allow easy access to the player for repair, and it also allows a much more rigid construction compared to an adhesive. Adhesives deteriorate and harden over time, and when the player is dropped the parts could come apart. Hisoundaudio has put this into mind and the company claims that the player will offer a minimum of 10 years life span.



The OLED screen is recessed into the housing, with a thin layer of stiff plastic as a covering. Now, if there is any flaws with the build, it would be this thin plastic used to cover the screen. The plastic is not sealed on the edges, so dust tends to get in through the sides which could be irritating as there is no way to clean the inside without taking the player apart. The covering is also extremely fragile, it is easily bendable with a gentle push and would be easily damaged if excess pressure is put on. On the bright side, the surface is scratch proof, so need to worry about it being covered in scratches rendering the screen un-viewable.



Design and Usability (8.5/10)

HIsoundaudio had strongly pressed on the point of simplicity. The interface and buttons were designed so the user would be able to operate the system without having to look at the screen or take the player out of their pocket. Simple presses and holding of the button would easily guide you to another screen. The buttons on the main controls are volume increase, volume decrease, fast forward (next), Rewind (previous), and pause and play. There are just five buttons on the control that operate the whole system. Holding the pause and play button would bring the user to the menu, where then pressing forward or backward would move the selection to a different category ranging from FM Radio to Settings etc… Press and hold the pause and play button for 3 seconds will also turn on or off the unit.



The interface like mentioned is extremely simple. When the user selects to listen to the Stereo FM Radio that the PRO2 allows, all they have to do select FM Radio and it’s ready to start playing. Forward and backward buttons will change the frequency channel of the FM Radio listening to. The settings, such as sleep time of the player, language, storage space remaining, play mode etc. are all very straight forward to operate.

One of the unique characteristics of the PRO2 is that it has a line input where the user can use the Class-A amplifier in the PRO2 to amplify another source. Hisoundaudio is the first company to incorporate this design, as it has never been seen on the market today. Using the input and setting the player to play line-in is very easy. The user simply plugs the input that they would like to play and the AMP3 will register that there is a line in and will automatically switch to line in playing mode. To stop line in playing mode, simply hold the center button of play and pause which will then bring the user back to the menu where you can select the “Now Playing” button.

Overall, the unit is very easy to navigate and extremely easy to use just as what Hisoundaudio has promised.





Sound - always in price-to-sound ratio - (8.5/10)

The sound is one of the most distinct characteristics of the AMP3 PRO2. Like the PRO1, Hisoundaudio did not incorporate an audio equalizer. The company believes that an equalizer will put off their tuning and "degrade" the sound quality. During the redesign of the AMP3, Hisoundaudio has specifically focused on the connection from audio processing and amplification to the 3.5mm output. Hisoundaudio has said that the signal would degrade dramatically if the connection was not the best. According to a company representative, the connection has been improved and the audio performance should have increased by 10-15% in comparison to the previous AMP1. Has it really? Continue reading to find out.

High Frequencies
High frequencies is in my opinion the hardest frequency range to reproduce. Having the perfect combination of crisp sound with a good amount of detail, but without being fatiguing, is a large target to hit when designing the audio of the player. Hisoundaudio has nearly hit the point offering one of the most engaging audio experiences on the portable player market today. The PRO2 brings a very natural, yet crisp, sound to the highs. Vocals are the most dominant part in this category. Out of all the players that I've heard in the past, I have yet to hear such natural and rich high vocals. The PRO2 offers a very beautiful transition between notes giving a very smooth sound to the vocals. Instruments sound clear, and are separated very well from each other. There is never a part where the PRO2 fails to distinguish a piano to a violin. There is always that separation of the difference in tone as they never meet and mix with each other. All the higher frequency instruments are brought up from the music, and every little bit is heard.

Detail is not the biggest part of the PRO2. Hisoundaudio has claimed that they want to make the player as “musical” as possible as they refused to make the player sound “accurate” and overly detailed. In my opinion, the PRO2 offers an adequate amount of detail while maintaining that “musical” signature Hisoundaudio has designed the player to produce. Though, in my view there could just be a bit more detail in the high frequencies to allow that extra little engagement in classical and orchestral music.

Mid-Range Frequencies
Being an owner of the Sony X series, I have been presented before with one of the most musical sounding mid-range frequencies prior to hearing the PRO2. The PRO2 offers this once again to me, but on a whole new level. The X series was very warm, with a deep depth to the reproduction. The PRO2 on the other hand produces a brighter, more detailed mid-range frequency that has an even deeper depth and richness. Pairing this player to the Westone ES3X, the monitors quickly reveal the potential of the device. Vocals in the range sound as if the singer were right in front of you. The mids are extremely natural sounding. Instruments are also not a problem for the Pro2. Guitars, for example, sound enveloping and each pluck is easily heard as the tones are distinctly separated from each other. However, once again Hisoundaudio has held back on the extreme details as they say it would produce a less “musical” sounding experience. They also put the mid-range frequencies a bit more forward, to give vocals and such a bit more emphasis. For the mids, Hisoundaudio has seemed to hit the target on the “musical” reproduction they were striving for.

Low Frequencies
Low Frequencies…the most popular frequency range of all for any teenage listener. Ask any student or a youth of what good rock and heavy metal music is, most of them would probably say “good bass.” However, many listeners tend to not realize that the source they are using could be bloating of low frequencies, causing an overly boomy and distorted presentation. This is where the PRO2 steps in to fix the problem. Hisoundaudio focused on the bass on an extensive level. The PRO2 presents a natural, yet quick, accurate and deep, sound. Its presentation is among the best I have heard, including some simple home setups that I have had in the past. While the lows are not overly emphasized, the PRO2 offers a rather powerful, quick and clean punch. Pairing the JH Audio JH10X3 Pro with the AMP3 PRO2, the lower tone and energy presented are almost to the level of flawless musical experience. Without doubt, the AMP PRO2 offers one of the most impressive low frequency representations in a portable player today.

Soundstage
Soundstage wise, the AMP3 PRO2 may fall short. The width of the presentation is rather closed in. When compared to my simple Meelectronics Groove with the Little Dot MKI+ amplifier, the width and depth of the soundstage are margins. On the brighter side, the height of the soundstage is very well done as it extends beyond any player that I have heard before. Overall, the soundstage is a bit wider than an average portable media player. However, a larger soundstage would offer a much greater level of engagement in the music.


Score Breakdown:

High - 8
Mid - 8.5
Low - 8.5
Soundstage - 7
Stereo Imaging - 8
Frequency Extension - 8.5
Transparency - 8.5
Decay - 8.5
Impact - 9
Speed - 9
Clarity - 9


Conclusion ( 8 /10)


With the AMP3 PRO2, Hisoundaudio has strived to offer one of the most engaging and musical sounding audio reproductions on the market today. Being priced at an affordable $210, Hisoundaudio has hit a new level of bang-for-the-buck performance. Considering the audio properties of the AMP3 PRO2 and its phenomenal rock solid build quality, I would recommend the PRO2 to anyone looking for a simple portable music player without breaking the bank. With the provided high fidelity earphones that match some $100-$200 earphones that I have heard in the past, the AMP3 PRO2 is a true bargain for its features. The downside of the AMP3 PRO2 is that despite the audio performance of the PRO2, which is impressive for the size of the player, could be a slight problem for some as it is rather thick. As well, the corners of the player are a bit sharp and they tend to poke at the users' thighs when placed in a tighter pocket. The slightly smaller soundstage may be a turn-off for some buyers. Nonetheless, with the 150 hour battery life I managed to achieve on volume 4-5, the extremely rigid construction, affordable price, and the strong audio performance, the PRO2 is truly a bargain in its class.


AMP3 PRO2 Silver

This review was written and submitted by Felix Yau. Review and score rating edited by Cecil L.

Every year, Compudio Gadget Reviews puts out a holiday gift guide featuring the 10 hottest gadgets that no geeks can resist. This year is no exception. Check out what we think you should put on your holiday shopping list!


Ranking in no particular order.


Dell Inspiron Zino HD Desktop



What comes in a 8" by 8" cube with candy coloring? The new Dell Zino HD desktop comes in an exceptionally small package while delivering great power. It's perfect for small spaces in a fashionable world. Let's be honest, this is no PC for gamers, but it's excellent for those who just use their computers to check emails and surf the web. Price varies according to models.




Asus Xonar Essence STX Soundcard



No question, the Asus Xonar STX is the best sounding computer soundcard out there. The card was made targetting the audiophile market. Thanks to the Burr Brown DAC chip, the STX really delivers on its promise and brings exceptional sound to any unexceptional desktop. The Asus Xonar STX has a MSRP of $199.99 USD.




Palm Pre



This is the "iPhone" for geeks. In addition to its intuitive multi-touch interface, the Pre also features a slide-out keyboard, making texting much simpler. The Pre has pretty much anything that you can ask for from a smartphone, including a 3 megapixel camera and a GPS navigation system. Prices vary. The Pre is available from Bell for $99.95 CAD with a 3-year plan.




Sony X-series Walkman MP3 Player



The hype around the Sony X-series walkman players isn't exaggerated. The walkman is really that good! In fact, the X-series can be declared as one of the best sounding MP3 players out there. In addition, the noise-cancelling feature is great when you're on the plane or in the subway. Price varies according to models.




Garmin 1350T GPS



Garmin makes some of the best GPS units in the world. The Garmin 1350T is an upgrade from its predecessor 255W. The 1350T is loaded with features at just the right price. Including free life-time traffic report, lane assist, eco-friendly routes, and spoken turn-by-turn directions, the 1350T comes in a stylish and sleek enclosure. If Bluetooth hands-free calling is a must, take a step up and get the 1370T from Garmin. The Garmin 1350T has a MSRP of $269.99 USD.




Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard



Build, design, and feature wise, the Logitech G19 keyboard should be crowned the king of all keyboards. Gamers and non-gamers alike would love the full-color LCD info display, lit-up keys, and programmable function buttons. The only downside is the price is a bit steep. The Logitech G19 has a MSRP of $249.99 USD.




Phonak Audeo Perfect-Fit-Earphones (PFE)121 In-Ear-Monitors



We reviewed the Audeo PFE121 earlier. For commuters who use their phones as their portable music device, the 121 is truly an exceptional in-ear-monitors with an oustanding sound. The Audeo PFE 121 has a MSRP of $159 USD.




Toshiba NB200 NetBook



Toshiba makes good notebooks. Now, they make great netbooks. The new mini NB200 Netbook series combines true power and mobility in one tiny convenient package. While it may not be the sleekest looking netbooks out there, but it's definitely one of the most powerful with one of the longest-running battery life competitors. Price varies according to configuration.




Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones



Did you think that we wouldn't include a pair of headphones on our 2009 gift guide? What a great pair of closed-back headphones at an excellent price. Let's just say Shure's first attempt at full-size headphones did not disappoint. Treble, mids, and bass are all very richly portrayed in a great package. The SRH840 has a MSRP of $250 USD.




Audioengine A5 Powered Bookshelf Speakers





Bookshelf speakers are often underpowered in the lower end of the sound spectrum. The Audioengine A5 is an exception. The A5 delivers a very impressive sound, clean and articulate, with an exceptional bass response. The 5" Kevlar woofers give the speakers a tight and deep bass hit in combination with clean mids while the 0.8" silk tweeters adds the sparkling highs that make this set of speakers one of the best sounding bookshelf equipment under $400. The Audioengine A5 has a MSRP of $350 USD.

Recently, we had the opportunity to test out Phonak Audeo's Perfect Fit Earphones series. Although Phonak is a late competitor in the personal IEM market, the Swiss company has been a leading innovator and manufacturer of hearing-aids and communication systems for countless years. The model we received for our review is the white PFE121 with microphone model. The 121 is aimed at commuters who use their cell phones, mainly the iPhone, as their music players. The inline microphone allows mobile users to accept incoming calls while pausing the music simultaneously. Continue reading to find out what we think of the PFE121.

Please note: If you are planning to use the Audeo PFE for home/pure audio needs, get the original Audeo PFE (without mic) instead. The 121 may or may not work with your home stereo equipment that requires a 1/4" converter.


Specs:
- Sound pressure level: 107 dB SPL/mW, 1 kHz
- Impedance: 32 ohms, 1 kHz
- Frequency range: 5Hz - 17kHz
- Cable length: 3.6 ft/110 cm
- Weight: 0.6 oz/15 g
- Connection: Compatible with the iPhone™ and other mobile digital devices with a 3.5mm stereo jack


Build and Design (8/10)



Like most Swiss products, the 121 is beautifully made. The cable is made of soft rubber-plastic material with a matte texture. The material allows the cable to be flexible but not enough to get tangled. We find that the material would be perfect if it's a bit more bendable. The earpiece is made of standard glossy plastic. The earpiece forms an L shape similar to most in-ear-monitors. The small microphone is embedded onto the right-channel cable. The PFE 121 is an over-the-ear IEM. Wearing it any other ways often altered the overall sound. Phonak included 2 silicone ear guides that help you hook the cable behind your ears. During our testing session, however, we found that the ear guides actually gave us more trouble than not using them.

The PFE 121 also includes a filter switching system. Users are able to switch between a mids-emphasized (default) and a bass and treble boosted sound signature. In addition to the following accessories, Phonak also included a pair of soft foam tips. As in most instances with IEMs, we find the foam tips to be the best sounding.


PFE 121 Accessory Kit

Sound (9/10)

The default sound signature is similar to the sound of the Westone UM1, but with much more bass. Mids are portrayed outstandingly while retaining most of the upper bass and lower treble. While the lower-bass of the 121 seems to be a bit lacking in its overall sound signature, it is apparent in our extreme bass test that the 121 can, indeed, go rather low. Furthermore, the low notes hit pretty deep for a single-driver IEM this class. The bass puts in an excellent portion into the mix, giving the sound power, but not at an overwhelming portion. Due to its mids-emphasized nature, the 121 portrays vocals brilliantly. The 121 captures both the warmth and details of male and female vocals. Whether it's Josh Groban or Jason Mraz, the 121 truly brings out the intimacy and range of their vocals. In terms of high notes, the upper-treble seems to be missing, but that is not bad news for IEMs. The fact is, IEMs that have pronounced upper-treble tend to cause listening fatigue - a side-effect you absolutely do not want in extended period of listening. Nonetheless, if you think the 121 lacks treble, you are wrong. The lower-treble is fully evident, making female vocals sound as great as male vocals.

The soundstage of the 121 is exceptional. The width and especially the depth gives the phones a great 3 dimensional feel. Although the separation of instruments is not as clear as some full-size headphones, it is impressive nonetheless in comparison to many other IEMs in this class. In songs that were recorded in large spaces, the 121 successfully brought out the airiness and echoes of the original recording.

Phonak designed the PFE121 so that users are able to choose between a mids-emphasized sound signature (default) and a bass and treble boosted signature through changing two tiny filters. While the idea sounds great, we find that the earphones only sounded great with the default filter system. With the alternative filter, the earphones sounded too muddy for our liking.




Score Breakdown:

Treble: 8.5/10
Mids:9/10
Bass: 8/10
Soundstage: 9.5/10


Mic (8.5/10)

The inline microphone has a pretty good recording quality. It's also relatively free from wind noise. There's really nothing more to say about the mic; it works and the button serves its function at pausing the music and accepting incoming calls without distracting the overall appearance of the headset too much.


Conclusion ( 8.5 /10)






Although Phonak entered the personal IEM market late, the company certainly made a bang with its Audeo series. We were genuinely impressed with the Audeo PFE 121. If we were to describe the PFE 121 in one word, it would be "balance." The 121 excels across music genres as it offers a well-balanced portrayal of treble, mids, bass, and headroom. While the earphones have a mids-emphasized signature, all 3 categories (treble, mids, bass) are well represented in the sound. So yes, this may not be the best product for bass-heads, but for the rest of us looking for a well-balanced sound, this may very well be the product that you've been searching for. We have tried many different types of IEMs over the past few years, and we think the the PFE 121 is one of the most well-balanced earphones in its class. We look forward to the possible addition to the Audeo PFE line-up.

The Audeo PFE 121 has a MSRP of $159US.



This article was written by Cecil L. on December 1st, 2009.