Westone MACH 80 Review – Old Wisdom
Though lacking the pizzaz of competitors, the MACH 80 masterfully combines a diffuse-field neutral-inspired tuning with all-day listenability and comfort making it an appealing all-around package.
Though lacking the pizzaz of competitors, the MACH 80 masterfully combines a diffuse-field neutral-inspired tuning with all-day listenability and comfort making it an appealing all-around package.
The loss of separation and balance do mire an otherwise impressive and capable platform meaning the Emerald Sea appeals more to bass lovers also wanting superb resolving power rather than fans of the original models.
The OH700VB is a prime instance where we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, providing a super engaging, thumping sub-bass that has been meticulously tuned not to encroach upon the Harman-inspired midrange and treble.
The Avant offers sensational bass performance and a vibrant, engaging and toe-tapping sound that still upholds excellent balance with a functional tuning switch on top.
The OD200 is an interesting IEM that has notably more niche appeal than most, focusing on responsiveness, richness and outstanding long-term listenability.
If you’re looking for a handsome DAC/AMP with a few handy extras and offers a smooth yet detailed sound, the Navigator is a winner.
The Aria 2 brings the experience closer to the brand’s pricier DD models at the same price whilst improving upon build and accessories.
The Blessing 3 offers performance that was once only available in the kilo-buck price range now but is now well within the reach of the average audiophile.
The P50 receives limited recommendation for those preferring a smooth and relaxed sound with standout bass texturing and treble crispness.
The ORA is a beautifully streamlined, versatile and powerful compact speaker that provides a refined experience at what remains an attainable price point.
The OD100 delivers a sound technical performance with an appealing tonality augmented by near class-leading build quality, compactness and ergonomics.
This cable suits those wanting to extract every iota of potential from their high-end IEM whilst staying true to its core intended character.
While The T-100 would benefit from easier tuning via filters or tips, there is a charm in a tuning that is so focused on delivering on one particular measure where modern earphones assume more of a jack-of-all-trades approach.
Turbulent Labs’ headband will uphold a great user experience for many years to come and at what I consider to be a very reasonable price for a high-end headphone part.
The Purgatorio is a masterful creation that rightfully earns its flagship moniker in every sense.
While the Stellaris’ efficiency and sound ergonomics seem to appeal to broad consumers, its polarising tuning means it inevitably comes across as more of a proof of concept rather than a versatile daily driver.