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Originally published on SoundStage! Xperience

Torque Audio t402v measurements can be found by clicking this link.

It’s a good thing most headphones are relatively inexpensive, because they’re the riskiest purchase an audio enthusiast can make. Headphones vary greatly in tonal quality -- more than speakers do, at least according to my ears and my measurement gear. Listeners’ opinions of headphones also seem to vary more than do their opinions of gear in other audio categories. Yet it’s rare to be able to listen to headphones before you buy. Sometimes you can check them out at a headphone meet or hi-fi show, but for the most part you have to rely on reviews written by people who may or may not share your taste in music and/or sound.

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Originally published on SoundStage! Xperience

Most headphones look similar to other headphones, but Polk Audio’s Hinge Wireless on-ear model ($199.95 USD) is subtly different. Add to its looks good sound and easy use (for some), and you have headphones that are not just for the fashion conscious. Still, the Hinge Wireless has some problems . . .

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Originally published on SoundStage! Xperience

Reviewers' ChoiceThis reviewer is never so happy as when he’s blown away by a real bargain. I expected little when I first put on Monoprice’s 10585 Bluetooth headphones ($89.50 USD). Then I began to gush. “Whaaattt!?” “Oh, my!” Other complimentary exclamations followed . . .

Unpacking and contents

The Monoprice 10585s come in an attractive, low-key, quality looking outer sleeve. Lift that off to reveal a sturdy, black, cigar-box-quality case with a hinged lid secured by a magnetic clasp. Flip this open to find the headphones and accessories, protected by a clear plastic cover. It’s all simple, neat, and attractive. Also included are a USB-to-USB Micro charging cable, a 3.5mm stereo audio cable, a quick-start instruction manual, and a drawstring storage pouch of black plastic.

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Originally published on SoundStage! Xperience

Oppo Digital PM-2 measurements can be found by clicking this link.

Reviewers' ChoiceLuxury has never much appealed to me. The word can mean an indulgence, something inessential. Both latter terms are anathema to me, which is probably why my audio-reviewing beat has largely been gear that scores highly on the scale of performance per dollar spent. S. Andrea Sundaram recently reviewed Oppo Digital’s PM-1 headphones ($1099 USD), and was so taken with them that they ended up being named a SoundStage! Product of the Year. Andrea not only has discerning ears; he’s a fastidious critic. When it was suggested that I review Oppo’s PM-2, a model for which nearly identical sound quality is claimed (provided the synthetic earpads are used for both models) for a price $400 lower ($699), I jumped.

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Originally published on SoundStage! Xperience

I purchased these off the shelf at Walmart and didn’t expect much from them. But the on-ear Transit headphones from Jam, a division of HMDX, turned out to be a good bargain at $49.99 USD. After using them for three weeks, and despite one serious flaw, I found a lot to like about them.

Latest Comments

Rob Stivers 11 hours ago What is the Soundtrack to Your Life?
Love this article.  And couldn't agree more about there being no "correct" way to listen ...
Rob Stivers 19 hours ago Traveling as an Audiophile
@Geoffrey MorrisonMany will, but Delta doesn't. If you're an audiophile who travels, maybe you want to ...
Rob Stivers 19 hours ago Traveling as an Audiophile
@Geoffrey MorrisonActually, in most countries (215 of them) there's unlimited data at 256kbps.  I never actually ...
Geoffrey Morrison 1 days ago Traveling as an Audiophile
@Rob StiversI had T-Mobile for years. Overall it's very good. In most countries it's also very ...
Geoffrey Morrison 1 days ago Traveling as an Audiophile
@Rob StiversThis isn't the case with all airlines. Many will block streaming.
Rob Stivers 1 days ago Traveling as an Audiophile
On that flight to Salt Lake, I streamed Qobuz at high-res on my Hiby R5 ...
Rob Stivers 1 days ago Traveling as an Audiophile
Also...  I just flew to Salt Lake City and back on Delta.  Free wifi to ...
Rob Stivers 1 days ago Traveling as an Audiophile
By the way... T-Mobile users get free data while traveling internationally.  No problems streaming when ...
@oratory1990Yeah, I can hardly imagine it's an issue -- most people don't even turn their ...
@Doug SchneiderI fly quite a bit for work, and it was never an issue.  
Bluetooth can ...