First Contact Archives

Effect Audio King Arthur – First Contact

November 16, 2019

$1000+, Balanced Armature, First Contact, IEM & Earphones

The Effect Audio King Arthur is a collaborative TOTL 16-driver monitor complete with a unique high-end 24AWG hybrid "Caliburn" cable. It retails for $6999. Disclaimer: The Effect Audio King Arthur sent to us i...

HiBy R3 Pro – First Contact

Marcus

November 15, 2019

$201-300, DAP's, Sources

The HiBy R3 Pro is the company's second-generation mid-fi touch-capable portable media player installed with HiBy OS. It is priced at $199. Disclaimer: The HiBy R3 Pro was sent to us a sample in exchange for o...

Empire Ears Wraith – First Contact

Marcus

November 8, 2019

$1000+, First Contact, Hybrid Universal, IEM & Earphones

The Empire Ears Wraith is the company’s flagship EP Series quad-electrostatic 11-driver universal monitor featuring their proprietary EIVEC technology. It is priced at $3499. Disclaimer: The Empire Ears Wraith...

Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 – First Contact

Marcus

November 2, 2019

$501-1000, First Contact, Headphones, Planar

The Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 is a new foldable upgraded design on the original AEON closed-back planar magnetic headphones. It is priced at $899. Disclaimer: The Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 sent to us is a sample in ...

Empire Ears Valkyrie – First Contact

Marcus

November 1, 2019

$1000+, Custom Monitors, First Contact, IEM & Earphones

The Empire Ears Valkyrie is the company's co-debut triple-driver hybrid electrostatic monitor featuring their proprietary EIVEC technology. It is priced from $1599. Disclaimer: The Empire Ears Valkyrie was s...

XI Audio Broadway – First Contact

Marcus

October 26, 2019

$1000+, Amplifiers, First Contact, Solid State

The Xi Audio Broadway is a transportable balanced/single-ended Class A headphone amplifier with both AC and battery power supply. It is priced at $2,299. Disclaimer: The Xi Audio Broadway sent to us for the pu...

Monoprice Monolith Liquid Platinum – First Contact

Marcus

October 25, 2019

$501-1000, Amplifiers, First Contact, Tubes

The Monprice Monolith Liquid Platinum Headphone Amplifier by Alex Cavalli is a balanced version of the highly regarded Cavalli Audio Liquid Crimson amplifier. It is priced at $799.99 Disclaimer: The Monprice M...

oBravo HAMT-3 MKII – First Contact

Marcus

October 19, 2019

$501-1000, Closed, Full-Size, Headphones

The oBravo HAMT-3 MKII is the company's next-gen hybrid dynamic driver and AMT tweeter closed-back full-size headphones. It is priced at around £795. Disclaimer: The oBravo HAMT-3 MKII sent to us is a sample i...

oBravo HAMT-1 Signature – First Contact

Marcus

October 18, 2019

$1000+, Full-Size, Headphones, Open

The oBravo HAMT-1 Signature is the company's flagship hybrid dynamic driver and AMT tweeter closed-back full-size headphones. It is priced at around £5899. Disclaimer: The oBravo HAMT-1 Signature sent to us is...

Meze Rai Penta – First Contact

Marcus

October 12, 2019

$1000+, First Contact, Hybrid Universal, IEM & Earphones

The Meze Rai Penta is the company's flagship Penta-hybrid universal monitor featuring a single dynamic driver and a quad BA driver design. It is priced at $1099. Disclaimer: The Meze Rai Penta sent to us for...

iBasso DX160 – First Contact

Marcus

October 11, 2019

$301-400, DAP's, First Contact

The iBasso DX160 is the company's new mid-range compact digital media player featuring Android Oreo, a 1080p screen, and dual CS 43198 DAC implementation. It is priced at $399. Disclaimer: The iBasso DX160 w...

Shozy & AAW POLA39 – First Contact

Marcus

October 5, 2019

$501-1000, First Contact, Hybrid Universal, IEM & Earphones

The Shozy & AAW POLA39 is a re-tuned version of the electrostatic hybrid POLA monitor with more of a midrange and treble focus than the original presentation. It is priced at $950. Disclaimer: The Shozy &a...

Hifiman R2R2000 Red & Black – First Contact

Marcus

September 28, 2019

$1000+, $501-1000, DAC's, First Contact, Sources, Streaming

The Hifiman R2R2000 Red & Black Editions are the company's newest Hi-Res Bluetooth receivers using dual PCM1704K R2R, (Black) and PCM1702 R2R, (Red) DACs. They are priced at $2500 for the Black and $999 for...

Dethonray DTR1 Prelude – First Contact

Marcus

September 27, 2019

$501-1000, DAP's, First Contact, Sources

The Dethonray DTR1 Prelude is a boutique digital media player with a strong focus on a high-end audio performance. It retails for around $550 depending on location. Disclaimer: The Dethonray DTR1 sent to us ...

WAVAYA Octa – First Contact

Marcus

September 21, 2019

$1000+, Custom Monitors, First Contact, IEM & Earphones

The WAVAYA Octa is the company's flagship porcelain custom monitor featuring a double electrostatic array and a triple BA driver hybrid configuration. It is priced from €1,590. Disclaimer: The WAVAYA Octa sent...

DUNU DK-3001 Pro – First Contact

Marcus

September 7, 2019

$401-500, First Contact, Hybrid Universal, IEM & Earphones

The DUNU DK-3001 Pro is a complete revision of the original DK-3001 and benefits from the technology first introduced on the flagship DK-4001. It is priced at $469. Disclaimer: The DUNU DK-3001 Pro sent to us ...

Rupert Neve Designs RNHP – First Contact

Marcus

August 31, 2019

$401-500, Amplifiers, First Contact, Solid State

The Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Precision Headphone Amplifier is the debut launch of the company's first-ever dedicated desktop headphone amplifier. It is priced at $499. Disclaimer: The Rupert Neve Designs RNHP ...

Custom Art FIBAE 7 – First Contact

Marcus

August 24, 2019

$1000+, Custom Monitors, First Contact, IEM & Earphones

The Custom Art FIBAE 7 is the newest flagship custom monitor design featuring the company's innovative FIBAE technology. Featuring 7 balanced armature drivers the FIBAE 7 starts at €1,100. Disclaimer: The Cust...

Astrotec Lyra Nature – First Contact

Marcus

August 17, 2019

$101-200, Dynamic, First Contact, IEM & Earphones

The Astrotec Lyra Nature is the companies latest series of earbuds with a 16mm dynamic driver and detachable MMCX connectors. It is priced at $169. Disclaimer: The Astrotec Lyra Nature sent to us is a sample...

HiBy R5 – First Contact

Marcus

August 16, 2019

$301-400, DAP's, First Contact, Sources

The HiBy R5 is the company's new mid-range digital audio player featuring a dual CS43198 DAC implementation, Android Oreo, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor. It is priced at a competitive $399. Disclaime...

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