The PA10 features the Teraton Alpha sound processing and power management chip, which is also used in AK’s audio players.

What is the PA10?

The PA10 is a headphone amplifier that does not have a built-in DAC. It is designed to be used with DAPs or smartphones that have low driving power. The signal is sent from the source to the PA10 to provide sufficient driving power for power-hungry headphones. The PA10 is designed as a Class A amplifier, delivering clean and high-powered sound with low distortion for clear and natural audio reproduction.

Exterior Design

The AK design concept for the PA10 is called “SLOPE,” which gives it a beautiful and luxurious appearance. The chassis is made of aluminum and silicone to support the DAP or smartphone and prevent scratches or color transfer from the devices.

Teraton ALPHA

AK has equipped the PA10 with the Teraton ALPHA chip, the same chip used in their audio players. It helps enhance power management, reduce noise, and unwanted interference, resulting in a Class A amplifier that is energy-efficient, highly efficient, and produces a quiet background according to AK’s sound tuning philosophy.

True Balanced Circuit Design

Typically, portable amplifiers convert unbalanced signals to balanced signals, which may result in some quality loss during the conversion process. AK chose to separate the signal channels to ensure complete and unaltered sound quality. Therefore, if you want to use the balanced input, you need to use headphones with a balanced connection to achieve the desired sound quality.

Additional Options

On the side of the device, you can adjust three main settings:

1. Gain adjustment with two levels: Low Gain (Unbalanced 2.1Vrms / Balanced 4.2Vrms) and High Gain (Unbalanced 3.1Vrms / Balanced 6.2Vrms).
2. Current adjustment with three levels: Low (default), Mid (+50mA), and High (+100mA).
3. Crossfeed mode helps reduce listener fatigue during extended listening sessions and provides a soundstage that resembles listening through speakers. This differs from regular headphones, which separate the left and right channels and can cause ear fatigue during prolonged use.

Sound Review

The PA10 acts as an amplifier to enhance the continuity and smoothness of the sound, providing a seamless listening experience. The tonal balance is warm, delivering both soft and detailed textures. The bass is moderate, impactful, tight, and well-controlled without any bloated or muffled qualities.

The midrange is thick, lush, and clean, allowing different musical instruments to be heard clearly. The imaging of vocals is excellent, revealing more details in the singing. The high frequencies are crisp, lively, and well-extended, without sibilance or harshness, even at higher volumes.

The PA10 excels in creating a well-defined soundstage, with instruments well-positioned according to the size of the stage. This adds a sense of realism to the music.

Interesting Specifications

• Analog Input: Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm
• Headphone Output: Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm
• Weight: Approximately 325g
• USB-C charging (can listen while charging)
• Maximum continuous usage time: 12 hours
• LED indicator for battery status (White: 70% or more, Yellow: 69%-30%, Red: 30% or less)
• LED indicator for charging status (Blue lights flashing: charging, Blue lights solid: charging completed)

The post Review: Astell&Kern PA10 Portable Class A Amplifier appeared first on Headphone-Review.

Hello! Today, I’d like to introduce another headphone model, which is an upgrade from the previous model I mentioned earlier. It’s called Aroma Audio Neo. This model, known as Aroma Audio Jam, still provides a monitor-style sound that is suitable for both listening to music and working comfortably. It features a 2-pin 0.78mm detachable cable, 2 BA drivers + 1 DD 9.2mm driver (specially designed by the brand), and a 3-way crossover for a complete sound experience as intended by the brand. The logo of this model is prominently displayed in a beautiful gold color. Aroma Audio Jam comes with an easy-to-drive 4.4mm jack, eliminating the need for an additional amplifier. In terms of sound characteristics, it shares similarities with Aroma Neo, but the bass of Aroma Jam is more pronounced in the upper bass region, with tight and clear bass notes. The vocals are rounder and smoother than Neo, while the treble has a clean and wide soundstage. The wide soundstage allows for clear separation of the singer’s position from the musical instruments. Overall, Aroma Audio Jam is a great headphone for both work and music listening. If you’re looking for a beautiful and easy-to-drive headphone, don’t forget about Aroma Audio Jam.

2.Oppo Enco Air 3

Today, I’d like to introduce a new pair of headphones from Oppo, which is the Oppo Enco Air 3. It follows the concept of being small and fitting well for people with small ear canals. The Oppo Enco Air 3 is an in-ear style headphone that is compact, lightweight, easy to wear, and comfortable. The transparent case allows you to see the headphones inside. It comes with Bluetooth version 5.3 and weighs only 3.7 grams, making it highly portable. It features touch controls that are easy to use, and it is compatible with the Hey Melody app. It has an IP54 water resistance rating, allowing it to be used during workouts. The battery life is up to 25 hours, and it utilizes DNN Noise Cancellation technology for clear conversations. With all these features, if you don’t like this headphone, I don’t know which one you’ll like. It meets all the requirements – convenient for travel, lightweight, smooth for conversations, suitable for workouts, excellent sound quality, and can be used all day. Plus, it comes at a reasonable price.

3.Dac/Amp Astell&Kern AK HC3

For this month, I have to say that the “Astell&Kern AK HC3” Dac/Amp has captured my attention completely. Whether it’s the sleek and beautiful design, the aluminum construction, or the USB Type-C connection, this device stands out. It features Dual DACs that deliver an incredibly enjoyable listening experience. The bass response is clear and well-defined, with controlled extension and solid impact. The vocals are clear and transparent, and the imaging of the performers is outstanding. The midrange is detailed and precise, especially in terms of instrument separation. The treble is extended and detailed without being harsh or fatiguing. The soundstage is significantly wider, allowing for precise placement of instruments. There is no overlap or congestion in the sound presentation. If you enjoy a variety of music genres such as pop, rock, metal, or even slower-paced genres like R&B, soul, or jazz, the “Astell&Kern AK HC3” is an excellent choice that meets all my expectations.

4.Soul S-Fit

Hello everyone! I’m here again with the STAFF CHOICE for the month of March. This time, I would like to introduce the versatile Soul S-Fit, a True Wireless earphone that is perfect for various activities in your daily life, including workouts. You can use it worry-free during exercise sessions as it is IP67 waterproof certified (but not suitable for swimming). The compact charging case is convenient for carrying around, and the earbuds have a snug and secure fit. It comes with interchangeable ear tips and Wing-Shaped ear hooks for an even tighter fit. In terms of connectivity, it features Bluetooth V.5 for fast and stable connections. The S-Fit also has an Audio Transparency mode, allowing you to hear external sounds while using the earphones for added safety. The battery life of the S-Fit earbuds is up to 6 hours, and when combined with the charging case, it extends to 33 hours. Now, let’s talk about the sound quality. The S-Fit emphasizes easy listening with impactful bass, immersive rhythms, clear vocals, and comfortable treble that doesn’t strain your ears. The soundstage is moderately spacious, providing an enjoyable listening experience. Whether you’re looking for earphones for workouts or daily use, I highly recommend considering the Soul S-Fit as an option.

5.Sony Walkman NW-A306

Hello everyone! Today, I would like to introduce the latest portable music player from Sony, the Walkman NW-A306. Despite its small and compact size, this device is packed with impressive specifications. Let’s start with the external design and the headphone jack. The body of the device is small and similar to previous models, but compared to the A105, it is slightly thicker. It also comes with the Android 12 operating system. In terms of connectivity, it features Bluetooth 5.0, which supports various audio codecs such as SBC, AAC, APTX, APTX HD, and LDAC. The device uses a USB-C port (version 3.2 GEN1) for connection. The battery life of the Walkman NW-A306 is up to 10 hours on a single charge. In summary, this model is suitable for those who are looking for a high-quality, portable music player. If you want a small and convenient device with excellent sound quality, I highly recommend considering the SONY Walkman NW-306. It’s an all-in-one device that meets all your needs.

6.Adidas FWD-02

We meet again this March. Last time, I recommended the JBL Under Armour headphones for exercise. This time, I’ll introduce another sports headphone brand, the Adidas FWD-02. One of the features that I really like about this model is its compact and easy-to-carry design. Additionally, its charging case is also water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, so you don’t have to worry about water when you’re working out or engaging in activities.

As for the sound, it is finely tuned to cater specifically to EDM and Hip-Hop enthusiasts. It delivers a powerful and tight bass, which is great for mainstream music as well. The overall sound quality is impressive. It’s worth noting that the Adidas FWD-02 doesn’t have active noise cancellation, but it does offer an awareness mode that allows you to hear the sounds around you. The microphone performs adequately in noisy environments, making it suitable for places with high levels of ambient noise. All in all, the Adidas FWD-02 is another great sports headphone option that’s worth considering.

So, how does it sound to you? I hope you all like the product I’ve recommended this month. Stay tuned for what we have in store next month. I look forward to sharing more exciting products with you all.

The post Here are the 6 beloved products for the month of March 2023. appeared first on Headphone-Review.

Luxurious design

The SR35 exudes luxury with its Aluminum CNC material, now available in “Charcoal Gray.” It maintains a convenient portable size, just like its predecessors.

New UI/UX Crimson Theme

The user interface has been redesigned for easier and more beautiful operation, similar to the SP3000 model.

Selectable Quad-DAC Mode

Featuring four CS43198 sound chips from Cirrus Logic, users can adjust the matching with headphones and music genres according to their preferences. Whether you prefer a fun listening experience or a more serious approach, the Quad-DAC mode can be easily switched.

Roon Ready

For the first time in the Astell&Kern A&Norma Series, it supports the Roon Ready system, which can be used as an End-Point or Bridge with other external devices. This enhances the capabilities of the entry-level SR35 beyond what was previously possible.

Low & High Gain

The SR35 allows convenient selection of the appropriate driving power for the headphones used. It offers both Low Gain and High Gain modes with the following power levels:

Low Gain: Unbalanced 2.1 Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms
High Gain: Unbalanced 3.1 Vrms / Balanced 6Vrms

Various Inputs and Outputs

It supports USB-C input for use as a DAC/AMP with PCs and Macs, as well as Bluetooth input for wireless DAC/AMP functionality, supporting up to the “LDAC” codec. On the output side, there are three headphone outputs: 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm, which can be used as analog line outputs for connecting to amplifiers or active speakers, or as digital outputs via USB-C for external DAC/AMP usage.

Storage Capacity and Battery

The device has an internal capacity of 64GB and supports the addition of a micro SD card with a maximum capacity of 1TB. The battery can provide continuous playback for up to approximately 20 hours under the following conditions: * (Standard: FLAC, 16-bit, 44.1kHz, Normal Gain, Unbalanced, Volume 50, LCD Off, Dual DAC Mode)*

Taking the series to another level in terms of sound quality

The overall sound signature of the SR35 in this iteration is more premium and refined compared to the SR25 MKII. Especially for those who already own the SR25 MKII, if they have the opportunity to listen to the SR35, they will immediately notice the clear difference.

However, in this version, two additional sound chips have been added, making a total of four. This opportunity provided by AK allows us to choose whether we want to use the Dual-DAC or Quad-DAC mode. In Dual-DAC mode, the advantage lies in a more enjoyable listening experience with a greater dynamic range. When listening to rock music that emphasizes rhythm and the mood of the song, it becomes even more enjoyable.

On the other hand, for those who want to switch to music that focuses on details or requires better instrument separation, using the Quad-DAC mode will result in a more detailed and layered sound. The soundstage becomes wider, and the dimensional depth, especially in the lower frequencies, is excellent.

The post Review: Astell&Kern A&Norma SR35 – Taking it to the Next Level from its Predecessor appeared first on Headphone-Review.

Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000 is a brand that focuses on home aesthetics, designed to meet a wide range of applications.

This time is a continuation of the DAC/Amp that the brand used to produce and sell like the ACRO L1000, which at that time would only act as a Dac/Amp and would not be able to use it as a music player like this ACRO CA1000. Today, I’m going to introduce you to the ACRO CA1000, what is interesting and what you can do?

What is ACRO CA1000 ?

As for the ACRO CA1000, this AK is placed in the home Audio category, making it larger than a portable DAP.

DAP is restricted by the matter of portability that the size and weight must not be too much. The circuit board and the internal power system can not be designed to be large enough for various devices in the home. Which this ACRO CA1000 is a model that will come out to act in the house instead of DAP, many of you may be wondering if it’s a high-powered player or an amp with a built-in player?

The answer is that both are correct, just that we can use it in any way because it can be used as a player only or can be used as a headphone amp alone as well. So no matter what you call it, it’s not wrong.

The most unique design

The AK’s body has always been acclaimed for its aesthetics and premium feel, and the ACRO CA1000 doesn’t disappoint, as the brand has designed it beautifully as always.

The body is made of Aluminum CNC, using a body design inspired by the Rover Truck. In addition, the Volume Wheel has a large size, beautiful shape, can rotate smoothly and adjust the volume very finely.

The ACRO CA1000’s screen comes in a 4.1-inch 720×1280 vertical with touch. It can also raise the screen to adjust the viewing angle to suit the use of up to 60 degrees.

Various Applications

ACRO CA1000 is designed to be very versatile in use, which can be divided into 5 types as follows:

DAC : ACRO CA1000 can be used as a DAC for headphone amplifier and active speaker with 3 digital inputs USB-C, Optical and Coaxial, with Analog Output option to output signal in the form of RCA Line Out.

Headphone Amplifier : With high power and a complete headphone jack, the ACRO CA1000 can be used as a headphone amp, with an RCA input for taking analog signals from other DACs. ACRO CA1000 and has a choice of power amplification from Low, Mid, High to Super High, with a maximum output power in the Unbalanced channel at 8Vrms and 15Vrms in the Balanced channel.

DAC/AMP : If you want to use the CA1000 as a DAC/AMP for headphones, it can be done as well by connecting via digital inputs including USB-C, Optical and Coaxial and then connecting headphones to the headphone output port on the front of the device, they can be used immediately.

Bluetooth DAC/AMP : If you want to use it via Bluetooth, turn on the Bluetooth Receiver system (or what AK calls the BT SINK system), then bring the smartphone to connect the CA1000 and send music via Bluetooth, it can support both AAC, Aptx-HD and LDAC codecs.

Roon Ready : ACRO CA1000 supports playback through Roon Ready systems. If you’re already using Roon, you can listen to Hi-Res music wirelessly. Improved sound quality with Roon’s RAAT transmission system, the sound quality is not compromised even when playing wirelessly. The system can also enable the ACRO CA1000 to act as a bridge by receiving a signal from Roon Ready and then outputting it to the RCA output for direct input to Active Speakers or an external amplifier.

There are all kinds of headphone jacks.

The headphone jack that AK provides with the ACRO CA1000 is available in both Balanced 2.5 mm / 4.4 mm and Unbalanced 3.5 mm / 6.3 mm. It can be said that it can be used with any type of headphones with any type of jack head, no need to find a adaptor to use anymore.

The power of sound

Powering in the ACRO CA1000 is the ES9068AS Quad DAC and Teraton Alpha, designed by AK to deliver unique sound quality. Although using the same audio chip, Teraton Alpha also eliminates excess noise in the amplifier circuit, resulting in a clearer sound.

It also comes with a Crossfeed system that helps adjust the sound to have a dimension like listening to music through a speaker, making the sound dimension look more enveloping and has a good center stage, the singer’s voice is in the middle. It can reduces ear fatigue from listening continuously for a long time.

Sound

The sound of the CA1000 is tuned in bright tones. The details of the musical pieces are not dull. In the low sound area, the bass holds up well, not too slow or too fast, giving the impact of the bass and percussion clear.

Keep the details of the vocals intact. The voice is clean and clear, and the positioning is slightly ahead of the surrounding music. The sound of string instruments fluttering with clear notes. The sound dimensions are both deep and wide. The sound position is balanced with the size of the stage, so there is no feeling of cramped space.

High range delivers rich, detailed sound, but not overpowering it. The sound at the tip of the treble will not be clouded in the slightest and can float up to the end, not close to the mid-range, thus giving the atmosphere of the high-pitched sound area that is comfortable and not crowded.

However, if we activate the Crossfeed system, it will make the tone warmer with a slight decrease in brightness, the position of the singer’s voice is right in the middle and the wide of soundstage move closer but add more depth to it instead. Considered to provide different sound genres, can listen to music in a variety of genres even more.

Conclusion

Astell&Kern is constantly developing new products to fill the gaps in everyday use and the ACRO CA1000 bridges the gap for those who want high-quality equipment that can be easily used in their homes. It can be compatible with more audio devices in the house.

The post Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000 music player Review appeared first on Headphone-Review.

Specification and Features

Appearance

The AK UW100 is designed in a pentagon shape, the faceplate retains the concept of “Spread of Light” just like the brand’s music players. The earphones are medium sized. The sound pipe is designed to easily tilt into the ear canal.

The case of the AK UW100 has a beautiful design that is as premium as the earbuds. The top is also a Spread of Light design and the touch surface is easy to touch, not sticky.

Sound

If you have used AK’s DAP before, It should be known that the AK has a unique sound tuning feature for a long time. That has been taken to the brand’s first wireless earbuds, the AK UW100 as well.

Background : The first highlight that I can feel is the quiet background, which makes every piece of music reveal itself outstandingly.

Sound stage and dimensions: The AK UW100 has a moderately wide inner stage size. The depth of sound is good, giving a feeling of being enclosed in moderation.

It looks like a Crossfeed system that simulates the atmosphere and sound direction as if listening from a speaker. The advantage is that it has a great center stage position and also reduces hearing fatigue from listening to music for long periods of time.

Lows: The low tones of the AK UW100 are responsive to the genre of music. The bass is a large ball that spreads well with a deep bass with a real Guitar Bass feel, not Electronics Bass. The Bass Drum sound give a clear impact, the collision is tight and the vibration is quite good.

Singer voice: The singer’s voice is natural. The thick, soft texture conveys the details of the vocals perfectly. The sound position is centered and has a clear focus. Therefore, the image of the vocals appears to be complete, full of sound, without any ambiguity.

High tone: In the high-tone area, it produces fine details, both sparkling sound and clarity. It gives a feeling of harmony with the overall tone very well, so it doesn’t make you feel that the highs are too high or too low.

Overall: The overall tone is considered Rich & Smooth that provides sound characteristics similar to the original brand’s players. The voice is meticulous. It is clean and does not feel cloudy or blurry. It reveals the details of each piece of music perfectly. It cans listen to a variety of genres such as Pop, Pop Rock, Jazz, Vocal. Howevery, If anyone is a Metal line who wants to be aggressive, this AK UW100 is probably not an option.

Application

Astell&Kern has made an application to support this model as well, named “AK TWS” which available to download for both iOS and Android.

The appearance of this application is considered quite well designed because it is simple and uncomplicated.

Ambient Level Control : Ambient Mode can be adjusted to 4 levels which at the 4th level is likely to be liked by office who want to listen to their colleagues’ voices because they can draw the conversations of people around them closer to ears and are quite clear. It can be said that the 4th level is extremely brutal, like having a mic eavesdropping on gossip, haha.

Equalizer : The AK has a mode to adjust the sound in all 5 types but unable to choose custom. The five types are as follows.

Default Mode > default

Bass Emphasis Mode > bass emphasis

High Emphasis Mode > Emphasize the highs and the transparency of the mids.

Vocal Emphasis Mode > Emphasis on vocals and soften other sounds

Game Mode > Provides a more enveloping sound dimension, emphasizes direction and reduces delay.

Tap Setting : You can change the touch settings as well. But in the current version there are still not much options to adjust. We have to wait and see if the new firmware AK will open up options for us to customize more or not.

Update : Of course, we can update the firmware through the AK TWS application. When there is an update to add more features or develop in other parts, it’s convenient to press update.

General use

Wearing : The body of the AK UW100 is quite large. At this point, many of you who have small ears, the earbuds will protrude on the outside, suggest that you have to test yourself before making a purchase.

But if you can wear it, you’ll find that the earbuds are easy to put on and extremely snug. It can block external sound very decisively, even if it doesn’t have ANC system. You can hardly hear any sounds coming from outside. And as for the Shell inside, there is no sharp part to cut the ears, making it quite comfortable to wear. There is no sharp part to cut the ears in shell inside, making it quite comfortable to wear.

Test delay : After testing the sound, then turn to try some general use. For example, trying to watch various video content, whether it’s YouTube, Netflix or playing games.

For receiving streaming content, it can pass the exam comfortably without worry, the sound that comes out with the image that is viewed with the eye is exactly the same, very satisfying. As for the gameplay, it has been tested with common basic games like PUBG Mobile and AOV with the iPhone 12 Mini, there is almost no sound delay to be seen at all.

Controls: The touch system is very responsive and works fast. Each side will be able to control various functions as follows.

Right side

• Play/Pause > Tap 1 time
• Receive/End a call > Tap 1 time
• Decline a call > Double tap
• Next Song > Tap twice.
• Previous Song > Tap 3 times
• Volume Up > touch and hold

Left side

• Ambient Mode On/Off > Tap 1 time
• Ambient Level > Double tap
• Voice Assistant > Tap 3 times
• Volume Down > touch and hold

Single-sided use : AK UW100 can be used independently of both sides, so you can use it on the left or right as you wish. But there is one point that I think the AK cares a lot about this.

When we use only one left earphone. The system will change the touch to be like the right side immediately. Allows us to tap to play-pause music and answer-end calls without having to go to settings in the application.

Connect 2 smartphones at the same time: If anyone wants to connect to two smartphones at the same time, the AK UW100 can do the following.

1. Connect Bluetooth to the first device first. Then turn off Bluetooth on the first device.
2. Then go to connect to the second device.
3. Once connected to the second device, turn on Bluetooth on the first device and tap on the name AK UW100.

Conclusion

The AK UW100 is considered another True Wireless earbuds in the industry that can provide excellent sound details. In terms of shape and design, it is as beautiful as the AK has always been.

So, if you like listening to music with fine detail, delicate tones, mids and outstanding vocals, then this AK UW100 is just for you.

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