Almost Thumbs Up Archives • Music For The Masses

November 27, 2020 Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir (Munich, Germany)

HIFIMan Ananda BT Review – Identity Crisis

The Hifiman Ananda BT is the best wireless headphone out there, but a number of quirks, both tonal and technical, leaves it short of perfection.

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

November 14, 2020 Baskingshark (Singapore)

Moondrop SSR Review (2) – Shouting At The Moon

This review is a shout out to the werewolves who howl at the moon.

Almost Thumbs Up Earphones Mid Price Review

October 8, 2020 Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

NiceHCK NX7 MK3 Review (1) – Bring On The Dancing Horses

I don’t hear the NiceHCK NX7 MK3 as an evolutionary leap from the original version, which is cheaper and has the same basic character, but better-tuned bass and more overall coherence.

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

August 28, 2020 Baskingshark (Singapore)

Urbanfun YBF-ISS014 Review – Urban Legends: Life Is Like A Box Of Urbanfuns

My Mom Always Said Life Was Like A Box Of Urbanfuns. You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get.

Almost Thumbs Up DAC/AMP Mid Price Review

August 6, 2020 Durwood (Chicago, USA)

Cozoy Takt-C Dac/Amp (USB-C Version) Review II – Second Look

I understand the need for a good DAC, but it is typically the sum of all parts that determine the quality…

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

July 11, 2020 Baskingshark (Singapore)

KBEAR KS2 Review (2) – Bear Necessities vs Barely Necessary?

The KBEAR KS2 is a budget bassy V shaped set with good soundstage/imaging for the price, though it lacks in timbre/tonality.

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

June 18, 2020 Baskingshark (Singapore)

BLON BL-05 MKI Review (1) – Do You Belief In Letting Music Burn?

The BLON BL-05 is quite different in tonality from the hypetrain BL-03, sporting a clean, bright V shaped tuning which is easily drivable, with above average technicalities and a good fit.

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earbuds Review

April 17, 2020 Baskingshark (Singapore)

FAAEAL Datura Pro Review – Mid Centric Gem

Great for chill, non fatiguing listening sessions especially for jazz and vocals. It’s a keeper set for me, but the tuning may not be for everyone.

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

April 12, 2020 Durwood (Chicago, USA)

TRN BA5 Review- (1) Pity the Fool

Holy-graphic!

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

February 27, 2020 Anonymous

A Third KB Ear Diamond Review (3) – Aggressive V-Shape

The Diamond is a well machined, very pleasing to wear IEM which unfortunately was tuned too aggressively on the V side to allow what single dynamic drivers usually excel at, timbre, to shine in direct comparison to some of its competition

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

December 7, 2019 Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

TRN BA5 Review (3) – Because You Can’t Have Enough IEMs

If you find more accurate but less frenetic players like the T2 or the BL03 underwhelming, you’ll enjoy these.

Almost Thumbs Up Budget Earphones Review

May 22, 2019 Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

KZ ZS10 Pro Review – Another Step Forward

Not groundbreaking or perfect, but the Pro represents a positive step towards a more refined signature.