ROG Launches the World’s Most Powerful 14-Inch Gaming Notebook

ROG Launches the World’s Most Powerful 14-Inch Gaming Notebook The Zephyrus G14 brings premium innovations to a wider audience Fremont, CA (March 30, 2020) — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) launched today the new Zephyrus G14 gaming notebook that brings unprecedented power to an ultra-slim 14-inch form factor. ROG engineers continue to redefine what’s possible in the ultra-slim gaming category, providing powerful processors in a compact chassis that's portable enough to go anywhere and affordable enough to bring gaming to an even wider audience. Despite a chassis under 20mm thin, the Zephyrus G14 has carefully customized cooling that brings out the best of its exclusive 4th generation AMD® Ryzen™ CPUs and up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 GPU. Users can optimize for gaming or creative pursuits with a choice between high refresh and high resolution displays, both with Pantone® Validated colors and AMD FreeSync™ technology. More than 10 hours of battery life and the ability to charge from compatible Type-C power packs makes the G14 extra portable. Subtle styling in Moonlight White or Eclipse Gray are clean and professional, accentuating a versatile design filled with premium features that enhance everyday use. The optional AniMe Matrix™ display deepens personalization, enabling users to show custom graphics, animations, and other effects across over a thousand mini LEDs embedded in the lid. Small size with big impact Packed into a much smaller footprint than 15-inch alternatives, the G14 easily slips into conventional laptop bags and backpacks. The system is only 1.79cm thin and 3.53 lb without the custom LED matrix. To keep the notebook light and strong, honeycomb reinforcements beneath the palm rest add strength with minimal extra material. The Magnesium-aluminum alloy deck is precisely machined and fingerprint resistant for a professional polish. High strength and low weight make aluminum ideal for the lid, whose distinctive dot matrix design is produced by a CNC milling process that puts 6,536 precise perforations in the exterior panel. Innovative LED personalization The ROG splash across the lid comes to life with the AniMe Matrix display available on select models. This display uses 1,215 mini LEDs to give gamers a new medium to express their individuality. Each LED emits a white glow with 256 levels of brightness control. Users can import animated GIFs and other graphics, build custom animations frame by frame, and type text messages with different fonts. Visualizations react to music and other audio, creating a unique platform for DJs and other artists. Additional features that will be added at the end of Q1 include system functions that show new email notifications, as well as the date, time, and battery level. Perfecting the AniMe Matrix display was a significant milestone in the G14 project. It took 15 iterations alone to create the mask that evenly distributes light from each LED. The alignment of this diffusing layer has to be perfect to get the ideal effect, especially since the individual lights are rectangular rather than square. ROG engineers were also careful to balance the number of mini LEDs to minimize heat, controller hardware, and power requirements. Immersive gaming visuals The Zephyrus G14 comes with up to a GeForce RTX 2060 augmented by ROG Boost up to 1298MHz at 65W. The discrete GPU is based on the latest NVIDIA Turing architecture, which melds dedicated cores for programmable shading, real-time ray tracing, and artificial intelligence. This combination enables improved lighting, shadows, and other in-game effects, and it also offers a diverse array of compute resources for accelerating demanding workloads like content creation, 3D modeling, and deep learning. Turing’s dedicated video encoder is largely responsible for the G14’s ability to game and stream simultaneously. The specialized hardware allows higher stream quality with minimal performance impact, and it’s compatible with Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), a popular capture tool among burgeoning creators and aspiring Twitch streamers. High refresh or high resolution The G14 offers a choice between two premium panels tailored for different needs. Users can select a faster Full HD display that goes up to 120Hz or opt for a higher WQHD resolution. Smaller laptop screens aren’t usually available with higher refresh rates, but ROG worked closely with panel providers to create new 14-inch displays capable of keeping up. The 120Hz panel doubles the speed of typical laptop displays for smoother, high-intensity action. AMD FreeSync™ technology adds another level of smoothness by coordinating frame delivery between the GPU and display. Game performance tends to vary based on the demands of the title and scenario. Most displays refresh at a consistent rate, which creates problems when new frames aren’t ready at the right time. FreeSync synchronizes the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the GPU to eliminate visual tearing that can ruin immersion, and also minimize stuttering and input lag. Although FreeSync has existed for years, it enters a new era with 4th Gen AMD Ryzen processors. Their integrated Radeon graphics allow the technology to work with discrete GeForce GPUs for the first time. FreeSync support extends to the WQHD display, and it can be even more effective at the lower FPS associated with the higher resolution. The extra pixels are primed for creators who want to see more detail in their work, but they also appeal to gamers who prefer taking in their surroundings at a slower pace. Thanks to smaller dimensions, the WQHD panel has a higher pixel density than typical 4K desktop monitors. Even the Full HD panel matches the PPI of a 28-inch Ultra HD display. Both displays are factory calibrated and Pantone Validated to ensure creators get the color accuracy they crave. The IPS-type panels have wide viewing angles and cover 100% of the sRGB range. They’re framed by exceptionally thin bezels, creating an expansive 85% screen-to-body ratio. Nonstop speed Last year, ROG collaborated with AMD to bring previous-gen Ryzen processors to the 15-inch Zephyrus G GA502. This device was the single best-selling slim gaming laptop at Best Buy USA last year. For the G14, ROG and AMD teamed up again to create an exclusive series tuned specifically for the smaller chassis. The fastest 4th Gen Ryzen Mobile CPUs have a 45W power envelope that is too high for this particular form factor, so the Zephyrus G14 uses special 35W variations based on the same silicon. The chips retain up to 8 cores and 16 threads to blast through demanding workloads, but dial back the clocks slightly to make thermals more manageable. There’s still ample power for demanding applications like video editing and 3D rendering, and for heavy multitasking like mixing gaming with streaming, recording, and chats. Cutting-edge 7nm fabrication technology helps condense so much power into such a small and efficient package. As a result, the Zephyrus G14 gives users greater freedom to work longer off-charge. With up to 32GB of fast DDR4-3200 RAM across dual channels, there’s enough enough headroom for bigger projects too. Ultra-fast storage is supplied by an NVMe SSD with up to 1TB of capacity, meaning minimal load times for a huge library of games and apps. One-of-a-kind cool Ultraslim chassis leave little room for airflow, and a smaller footprint makes the G14 even harder to keep cool. The thermal engineers at ROG developed an exclusive feature that dynamically adjusts the power available to the CPU based on the GPU temperatures. It can make changes every second to react to spikes in GPU utilization, ensuring optimal gaming performance for the conditions. This is the first ROG laptop to feature an ErgoLift hinge that tilts the keyboard at a more comfortable angle, giving the vents in the base more room to breathe. The design hides part of the lower bezel, too, but in doing so it can impede airflow out the rear exhaust ports. To compensate, vents have been cut into the bezel and the distance to rear heatsinks has been widened. Since that larger gap increases the depth of the chassis and makes the hinge more susceptible to downward pressure, a stiffer spring is used for added strength. The rear exhausts and heatsink fins are shaped to direct air both up, away from the bezel, and down, towards the vents cut into it. Two more outlets line the flanks, and all four of them are filled with ultra-thin copper fins as slim as 0.15mm. The slender profile allows both higher density and lower air resistance than typical fins that are twice as thick. There are 209 heatsink fins totaling 68,868mm2 of surface area. They’re fed thermal energy by a network of five heatpipes that cover the CPU, GPU, and VRM responsible for powering them. Dust and other particles inevitably get sucked into laptop fans, but self-cleaning cooling helps to avoid accumulation that can compromise performance and stability over time. It uses anti-dust tunnels to catch particles and direct them out the back of the chassis. Since full-sized tunnels take space away from the fan, the G14 features shortened tunnels that make room for the same size of fan used in the 15-inch Zephyrus models. This custom design offers higher airflow while retaining good dust ejection, striking a better balance for this size of machine. Even the n-Blade fans are tweaked to optimize acoustics in the super small chassis. They’re made of a special liquid crystal polymer that lets these ultra-thin blades hold their shape at high RPMs. Instead of using 83 identical blades, n-blade fans in the Zephyrus G14 use 81 blades that are between 50mm and 51.2mm long. The uneven outer edge reduces noise caused by turbulence without adversely affecting airflow, and helps the G14 keep noise under 45dB in Turbo mode. Fan speeds are controlled by an intelligent algorithm that responds automatically to temperature changes. Three expertly tuned operating modes let users quickly adapt to different scenarios using a convenient keyboard shortcut, while Scenario Profiles seamlessly switch between modes based on user-defined preferences for individual games and applications. With the highest fan speed and frequencies, Turbo mode is the best for maximum performance. Performance mode strikes a better balance for gaming, while Silent mode goes further to reduce acoustics for lighter work and entertainment. Top off with Type-C charging ROG created the first gaming laptop capable of being powered by DC or USB-C input, and the technology is a perfect fit for the mobile Zephyrus G14. With support for USB Power Delivery, it can handle lighter work powered by up to a 65W Type-C adapter that’s much smaller than the 180W unit required to unleash the discrete GPU. If the battery runs low, Type-C charging allows users to extend their life on the go and work longer anywhere. While the Zephyrus G14 is plugged in for a full recharge, USB power flows in the opposite direction as well, offering fast-charging support capable of supplying up to 3A to compatible smartphones and other devices. Flexible options on the go The Type-C port with USB Power Delivery is also capable of driving an external monitor via DisplayPort 1.4. The HDMI 2.0b port makes it easy to game or watch movies on 4K monitors and TVs. There’s plenty of connectivity for external devices through a secondary Type-C port focused on USB functionality, plus two Type-A ports for additional gear. No dongles needed. The Zephyrus G14 amps up wireless networking with Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) connectivity, also known as 802.11ax. When paired with a compatible router, Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) boosts peak interface bandwidth up to 2.4Gbps, and improves efficiency for crowded spaces. It also reduces latency, meaning less lag for sensitive activities like online gaming, and expands upstream capacity, which provides more bandwidth for live-streaming. The G14 is the first ROG laptop to integrate fingerprint login into the power button. A single press wakes the machine and briefly caches a user’s fingerprint, saving it to authenticate when Windows is ready to log in. On machines with multiple users, the OS automatically detects the right account. Despite smaller chassis dimensions, the keyboard takes cues from larger Zephyrus gaming laptops. Key switches with ROG Overstroke technology actuate earlier in the stroke for quicker, more responsive input, while N-key rollover ensures that every press registers, even when entering multiple keys at once. Spaced keys minimic desktop layouts to let users fire off function commands more intuitively, and access essentials like volume and mic mute instantly with dedicated hotkeys. Dolby Atmos Sound In the Zephyrus G14, Dolby Atmos technology enhances spatial immersion with virtual surround sound for both headphones and speakers. The Dolby algorithms are also optimized to maximize loudness and fidelity for the G14’s integrated speakers. Two tweeters positioned above the keyboard fire high-frequency sounds directly toward the user, while two woofers beneath them offer deep bass amplified by the ErgoLift design. This quad-speaker setup delivers perfectly balanced audio across the spectrum. With this technology, users can pump up the volume on movies, music, and games without losing clarity or detail.   ### AVAILABILITY & PRICING ASUS Zephyrus G14 (GA401IV-BR9N6) will be available at MSRP $1449.99 in Q2 2020 from BestBuy.com. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information. SPECIFICATIONS[1] Processor Up to AMD R9 4900HS GPU Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 6GB GDDR6 VRAM   Operating system Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro - ASUS recommends Windows 10 Pro Display 14-inch Full HD (1920x1080) IPS-level panel, up to 120Hz, 100% sRGB, Pantone® Validated, AMD® FreeSync™ Audio 2x 2.5W speakers with Smart AMP technology 2x 0.7W tweeter, Array Microphone With Dolby Atmos technology ,km Keyboard Backlit Chiclet Keyboard, N-key support, 1.7mm travel distance, 4 Hot keys, Golden Curve, Power key with Fingerprint Cameras  External Camera (1080p@60FPS), optional   Memory & storage DDR4 3200MHz SDRAM up to 32GB M.2 NVMe PCIE 3.0 up to 1TB SSD Wireless Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.0 *Bluetooth version may vary as the OS upgrades Connectivity 1 x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C™ with DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery 1 x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C™ 2x USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1x HDMI 2.0b 1x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack 1x Kensington Lock Battery 180W Power Adaptor Plug Type :ø6.0 (mm)  Output: 20V DC, 9A, 180W  Input: 100~240V AC, 50/60Hz universal Colors Moonlight White / Eclipse Grey Size 32.4 (W) x 22.2 (D) x 1.79 (H) cm Weight 3.53 lb [1] Specifications, content and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors. Full specifications are available at http://www.asus.com     About ROG Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, audio equipment, routers and peripherals. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. Learn more about the choice of champions at http://rog.asus.com.

2020 Annual Headphone Shootout Over The Ear Models

Everyone has their attention on the Coronavirus. It’s pretty crazy all over effecting everyone.  It even  cancelled March Madness!  This is the time of the year we also do our annual Headphone Shootout.  And while March Madness got cancelled, we are continuing with our annual Headphone Shootout. As typical, we have some great products from some excellent manufacturers. And the push this year is on wireless.

We have a dozen models this year, and have them divided between in the ear and over the ear. First up we will do the over the ear models. The price points range from $140 for $700. They are the Creative SXFI Air, Pioneer S9, Cleer Flow II, Drop THX Panda, Master and Dynamic MW65, and Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper. To test, we’ve chosen songs that are a mix of old school and newer school, with Earth, Wind and Fire: September, Journey: Don’t Stop Believing, Lady Gaga: Starstuck. And in honor of the new Mulan movie coming out, Reflection, from the original soundtrack.

First up is the Creative SXFI Air. It’s over the ear wireless headphones with some cool creative technology with their Super X-F:i processor. After a head and ear mapping, you get personalized sound just for you. It even provides simulated surround sound. MSRP is a bargain at $139.

Features and specs:

Specifications

Interface: USB, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm Stereo Input, microSD Card: up to 32GB, FAT32 file system

Weight: 338g (11.9 oz)

Color: Black, White

Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz

Driver: 50 mm (1.97 inches) Neodymium magnet

Battery Type and Life: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery , Up to 10 hours battery life

Connector Type: Bluetooth 4.2

Audio Codec: SBC

Operating Range: Up to 10m / 33 ft

Wearing Style: Over-ear

Microphone: Frequency Response: 100–8,000 Hz

Controls: Touch controls (Volume and Playback controls), Power on/off, Source, Super X-Fi

RGB Ear-Cup Rings: Choose from 16 million colors

System Requirements

Windows® OS:

Intel® Core™i3 or AMD® equivalent processor

Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard

Microsoft® Windows 10 32 / 64-bit

1 GB RAM

>600 MB of free hard disk space

USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

Mac® OS

Mac OS X® 10.13 or higher

1 GB RAM

USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

PS4

Firmware Ver 5.0 or later

Available USB port

Xbox One

Xbox OS Ver 10.0 or later

Available 3.5mm port on controller

Nintendo Switch

Switch OS 5.0 or later

Available 3.5mm headphone port on console

Available USB port (in docking mode)

Voice communications supported when connected via 3.5mm port and with Bluetooth to Android and iOS Nintendo Switch Online app or VOIP client

The creative SXFI Air came in a nice looking color printed box, with photos and specs of the headphones. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic, soft leatherette earcups and memory foam. Quality of materials as well as the fit and finish was good. Also included were analog cable and charging cable, as well as owners manual.

I like the design of the creative SXFI Air. The Super X-Fi is a game changer. I attended creative’s demo at CES the last 2 years showing off the technology. Call it goblins, elves, witchcraft, or some form of magic, it does seem to work. The simulated surround sound does work, and provide a big soundstage. The built-in mic and use of optional boom mic make it great for gaming. But if gaming isn’t your thing, pair it to your phone through Bluetooth to listen to your tunes. It even has a built-in micro SD card slot, so your phone isn’t even needed. Load up some tunes on a card and you’re good to go. The gesture control is great, and the color LED adds a cool touch. Now lets see how they sound.

Mulan: Reflections: strings were very smooth. Flute was also smooth with very good air and nice harmonics. Vocals had very good harmonics, texture and timbre. Bass had nice depth and authority. Great dynamics. Keyboard sounded natural.

Earth Wind & Fire: September- shaker and cow bell were crisp and clean. Cymbals were dynamic. Trumpets were smooth and not too brassy. Vocals were smooth with good harmonics, timber and texture.

Journey: Don’t Stop Believing – Piano sounded natural. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Kick drums had nice depth and authority. Percussion was very dynamic. Vocals were very natural with nice texture. Soundstage was bigger than expected.

Lady Gaga: Starstruck – The snaps were crisp and clean and really dynamic. Bass is deep, and plays with good authority. Vocals sound natural with good resolution.

Next up is the Pioneer S9. Pioneer has a long history of providing great electronics. The Pioneer S9 wireless headphones appear to continue with it’s trend. They also provide great technology at a great bang for the buck with an MSRP of only $199.

Features and specs:

Headphone Type: Wireless closed-back stereo headphones

Frequency Response: 5 Hz–22,000 Hz (with Bluetooth connection), 5 Hz–40,000 Hz (with wired connection)

Driver Units Diameter: 40 mm (1 9/16˝) dynamic driver

Weight: 300 g (10.6 oz.)

Included Accessories: Supplied with detachable headphone cable, micro USB charging cable, and carrying pouch

The Pioneer S9 came in a nice looking color printed box with photos of the headphones and it’s features. Opening the box revealed a well protected product held in place in custom molded plastic. Materials used in the construction was actually mostly metal, with soft leatherette earcups and headband. Quality of construction as well as fit and finish was very good. Also included were the audio and charging cables, carry bag, and owner’s manual.

I really appreciate the design of the Pioneer S9 headphones. The gold color gives it an elegant look. The metal construction provides quality that should last for years of use. Having google assistant built-in provides a lot of convenience and for connectivity there’s Bluetooth as well as NFC. It’s also fully designed for Hi-Res Audio, not only through the corded audio cable, but wirelessly as well, thanks for the inclusion of Apt X-HD. There’s also the Pioneer Headphone App, where you can control the active noise cancelling play control, equalizer and bass boost. It seems to be designed for high quality sound, so let’s see how it sounds.

Mulan: Reflections – crisp, clean and smooth strings, nice low end extension of the bass with great authority. Flute was smooth with very good air. Piano sounded natural. Vocals had very good harmonics with great timber and texture.

Earth Wind & Fire: September- Shaker and cow bell were crisp and clean, guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were very dynamic. Trumpets were smooth and not too brassy. Vocals were smooth with good harmonics and resolution of the timbre and texture.

Journey: Don’t Stop Believing – Piano sounded very natural. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean, kick drum had very good depth and authority. Percussion was very dynamic. Vocals were smooth, very natural sounding, with very good resolution of the texture and timbre. Soundstage was large.

Lady Gaga: Starstruck – The snaps are crisp and clean and very dynamic. Bass was deep and played with monstrous authority. So much so that my earlobes were vibrating. Vocals were very natural sounding with good resolution.

Clear Audio is a fair recent newcomer, having started in 2012. But based on their quality products are gaining traction in brand recognition. Up for review today is their Flow II. It is their premium over the ear wireless hybrid noise cancelling headphone. It’s loaded with features and has an MSRP of $280.

Features and specs:

Innovative, Ironless audio driver technology delivers bold and articulate playback via high-excursion with optimized control and exceptionally low distortion

Google Assistant Voice Interface

Powerful Best in-class hybrid noise cancelling

Hi-Res Audio certified with supplied 3.5mm cable

Up-to 20 hours playback with noise cancelling enabled

The Cleer Flow II came in a nice looking color printed box with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well protected product held in place by custom molded paper holder. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with some metal. Quality of materials used is as well as the fit and finish are very good. Also included were audio and charging cable, owner’s manual, a nice hard zipper case, and airline adapter.

Cleer uses a clean, elegant looking design. I like the way the earcups fold into itself for portability. The leatherette earcups are soft with comfortable memory foam. Gesture motions on the earcup are used to control your music. You pair it with your phone using Bluetooth and NFC. It’s designed for HI-Res Audio and delivers it wirelessly with either AptX-HD or LDAC codes. Google Assistant also adds convenience. Now let’s hear how they sound.

Mulan: Reflections – crisp and clean strings that were very smooth.  Also very good resolution, sufficient to pick up the bow coming access the string. The bass had good depth and authority. Flute was very smooth with very good air. Piano sounded natural. Vocals were very smooth with very good harmonics, dynamics and texture.

Earth Wind & Fire: September- Shaker and cow bell had good resolution and depth and were crisp and clean. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean and very dynamic. Trumpets were smooth and not too brassy. Vocals were very natural with good harmonics and good resolution of the timbre and texture.

Journey: Don’t Stop Believing – Piano sounded very natural, guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean, trick drum had very good low end extension and authority. Percussion was very dynamic. Vocals were smooth, very natural sounding, with very good resolution of the timbre and texture. Soundstage was large.

Lady Gaga: Starstruck – The snaps are crisp and clean and very dynamic. Bass had really good low end extension, and played with a ton of authority and it played cleanly. Vocals were also very natural sounding with good resolution.

Now it’s time for the Drop THX Panda. This model is a joint effort between Drop and THX. And thanks to its aggressive $400 MSRP its features, audiophiles on a tight budget will take notice. The primary feature is it’s use of ribbon planar magnetic driver, and built-in THX amp.

Features and spec:

World’s first wireless audiophile system

World’s first headphone with Drop planar-ribbon drivers (derived from Oppo Digital's PM Series)

World’s first headphone with THX AAA™ amplifier technology

World’s first headphone with LDAC + Qualcomm QCC5125

World’s first headphone with matching FR +THD measurements in passive and active mode

Headphone type: Closed, planar magnetic

Bluetooth wireless technology: 5.0

Effective range: Line of sight, approximately 10 m (30 ft)

Battery life: 30+ hours

Impedance: 26 ohms

Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1kHz / 1mW

Isolation: -40 dB

THD: 94 dB SPL @ 300Hz < 0.1%

THX-AAA-0™ Amplifier: -130 dB THD, 2.6 uV A-wt noise, and 10 mW power consumption

Frequency response: 10–50,000 Hz

Driver unit: 55mm, ribbon planar magnetic

Microphones: Dual

Weight: 13.2 oz (375 g)

The Drop THX Panda came in a standard brown box. Opening the box revealed a nice looking hard zipper case. Opening the case showed a well protected headphones, and a small compartment to hold the cables. Materials used in the construction was mostly plastic with some metal. Quality of materials used as well as fit and finish, was very good. The earpads were made of protein leather with what feels like memory foam. Also included was audio and charging cable, and owner’s manual.

I love the design of the Drop THX Panda. They are designed from the ground up to be an audiophile wireless headphone. It all starts with the ribbon planar magnetic drivers, which provides cleaner sound than a standard dynamic driver. They do require more power than a dynamic driver, so an internal THX-AAA amp is also included in the design. Lastly you also need a quality clean signal to provide the music from your device to the headphones. To get the high bandwidth signal they employ Bluetooth and various codecs: LDAC, AptX-HD, AptX-Adaptive, AAC and SBC.

These three pieces of the equation for delivering your music: speaker, camp and signal, is what they call the 3P signal path. The ribbon planar drivers are super responsive and highly resistant to distortion. The THX-AAA amplifier provide currently the world’s lowest levels of distortion in a headphone, no matter how loud you listen to them. And for the last part of the equation, they employ the latest Qualcomm QCC5125 chipset that allows the use of several coders to get to your music to the headphones, including a couple codes like AptX-HD and LDAC that can handle Hi-Res Audio. So it sounds like the Drop THX Panda has all the pieces to provide stellar sound. Let’s see how they sound.

Mulan: Reflections – strings were not only crisp and clean, but also silky smooth with excellent resolution to hear the bow across the strings. Flute was very smooth with great air. Bass had nice depth and authority. Piano was very natural. Vocals were silky smooth with excellent timber and texture that revealed layers of resolution.

Earth Wind & Fire: September- shaker and cow bell were crisp and clean with excellent resolution and depth. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were very dynamic and crisp and clean. Trumpets were silky smooth and not brassy. Vocals were extremely natural sounding with silky smooth harmonics and excellent resolution of the texture and timbre. Soundstage was wide and deep.

Journey: Don’t Stop Believing – Piano sounded extremely natural. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Kick drum had very good depth and authority. Percussion was very dynamic. Vocals were silky smooth with excellent resolution of the texture and timbre. Soundstage was large with good depth.

Lady Gaga: Starstruck – The snaps were really crisp, clean and very dynamic. Bass had good low end extension, and played with excellent authority. And it played cleanly. Vocals sounded extremely natural and had a ton of resolution.

Next up is the Master and Dynamic MW65. Master and Dynamic is fairly new to the headphone scene, having started in 2014. But thanks to their premium products, their name is gaining traction in the industry. The MW65 is their top of the line wireless ANC headphone, and it shows. With an MSRP of $499, it’s not cheap, but you do get what you pay for.

Features and specs:

Active Noise-Cancelling: Feed-forward and feed-back (hybrid) active noise-cancelling technology

Materials: Leather, Anodized Aluminum

Dimensions: 165mm x 190mm x 66mm

Cables: 1.5m Standard 3.5mm Audio Cable, USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable (with USB-A Adapter)

Headphone Connection: Optional 3.5mm Passive Audio Input, Two-Prong Flight Adapter

Microphone Type: Beamforming Noise Reduction Mic Array

Voice Assistant: Optimized for the Google Assistant. Voice Assistant Enabled

Drivers: 40mm Beryllium

Weight: 245g

Ear Coupling: Over-Ear

Impedance: 32 Ohms

Ear Pads: Replaceable Lambskin-Wrapped Memory Foam

Bluetooth Profile: Bluetooth 4.2 Supporting AptX and SBC

The Master and Dynamic came in a great looking color printed box with photos of the headphones along with its specs. Opening the box showed a product held in place in custom molded cardboard. Materials used in the construction was metal and genuine leather. Quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish was excellent. Also included were high quality cloth braded audio and charging cable, cloth carry bag and owner’s manual.

I love they high quality design of the MW65. Master and Dynamic has used only premium high quality materials to provide a headphone that should last for years. The earcups and headband are made with genuine soft lambskin. The rest of the earpads and headband are made with metal.

Master and Dynamic did not stop there. They also included premium features. These include ANC, Android Assistant, Hi-Res audio and the use of AptX-HD to be able to listen to your Hi-Res Audio tracks wirelessly. The left earcup provides the power/mode button to select wireless or corded playback, the ANC mode button, as well as the audio cord connector. The right earcup houses the android assistant, +:- buttons, as well as charging port. Both earcups also house a microphone for handsfree calls and using the android Assistant, Now lets hear how they sound.

Mulan: Reflections – strings were silky smooth with excellent resolution, to hear the bow across the strings. Flute has excellent air and also silky smooth. Bass had very good depth and authority. Piano sounded extremely natural. Vocals were silky smooth with excellent harmonics and excellent resolution for texture of the timbre.

Earth Wind & Fire: September- shaker and cow bell were crisp and clean with good resolution and depth. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean with excellent dynamics. Trumpets were very smooth without being brassy. Vocals were extremely natural. Sounding with very smooth harmonics and excellent resolution of the texture and timbre. Soundstage was wide and fairly deep.

Journey: Don’t Stop Believing – Piano sounded extremely natural. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Kick drum had very good depth and authority. Percussion was extremely dynamic. Vocals were silky smooth with excellent resolution.

Lady Gaga: Starstruck – The snaps were extremely crisp, clean and dynamic. Bass had really deep low end extension and played cleanly with a ton of authority. Vocals were also really natural sounding with a ton of resolution.

Last but not least it’s time for the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper. Beyerdynamic is a great manufacturer and provides some excellent headphones. They employed their highly awarded Tesla driver, and is made in Germany. It also incorporates their sound customization software. MSRP is $699.

Features and specs:

Circumaural headphones with optimum sound quality (Qualcomm® aptX™ HD und AAC - plus aptX™ LL)

Elegant copper elements: decorative rings made of solid copper

MOSAYC sound personalization thanks to beyerdynamic MIY app

Touchpad control and more than 30 hours battery life

Made in Germany

Operating principle: Closed

Transmission Type: Wireless via Bluetooth®

Remote: Without Remote

Nominal impedance headphones: 32 ohms

weight headphones without cable : 400 g

battery runtime: More than 30 hours

Headphone frequency response: 5-40,000 Hz

Nominal sound pressure level: 100 dB

Supported Bluetooth profiles: HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, GAVDP

Codecs: aptX™, aptX™ LL, aptX™ HD, AAC, SBC

The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper came in a nice color printed box with photos of the headphones, along with it’s features. Opening the box revealed a hard zipper case. Opening the zipper case revealed a well protected headphone. Materials used in the construction was metal, plastic, cloth and foam. The headband and earpads have foam covered with a soft microfiber. The back of the earcups are plastic with copper styling. Quality of materials used as well as the fit and finish is excellent. Also included was the audio and charging cable, and owner’s manual.

The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper have a stellar design. The copper highlights are stylish. The soft Alcantara headband and soft earpads are extremely comfortable, for long listening periods. Controls on the headphones are minimal. All of the controls are found on the right earcup, for charging port, audio cable port, LED button, microphone, as well as the touch pad for gesture control.



The last part of the design is one that I really love! It’s the MIY app. We all don’t hear the same, and as we get older, we tend to lose part of our hearing. The MIY app through our smartphone, guides us through setting up a unique personal sound profile. It does this by basically taking us through a hearing test. It can then adjust the sound output based on your hearing profile. Then the app is a true game changer! Now, let’s see how they sound.

Mulan: Reflections – excellent resolution of the plucking of the strings, and hearing the bow across the strings. Strings were also as smooth as honey. Bass had very good depth and played with authority. Flute was also very smooth with lots of air. Piano sounded extremely natural. Vocals had layers of resolution with excellent harmonics, timbre and texture and dynamics.

Earth, Wind, & Fire: September- shaker and cow bell were crisp and clean with excellent resolution and depth. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were extremely dynamic and crisp and clean. Trumpets were silky smooth without being brassy. Vocals were extremely natural with silky smooth harmonics and excellent resolution of the texture and timbre. Soundstage was wide and deep. Imaging also spot on.

Journey: Don’t Stop Believing – Piano sounded extremely natural. Guitar was nice and raw. Cymbals were crisp and clean. Kick drum had very good depth and played with a ton of authority. Percussion was extremely dynamic. Vocals were extremely natural sounding and were silky smooth with excellent resolution of the timbre and texture, with excellent harmonics. Soundstage was large both wide and deep.

Lady Gaga: Starstruck – The snaps were extremely crisp, clean and dynamic. Bass was extremely deep with a ton of low end extension. It also played really clean while playing with a ton of authority, so much that it got my ear lobes vibrating. Vocals were also extremely natural sounding with a ton of resolution.

 

There weren’t a lot of surprises in this years contesters.  Starting with the Creative SXFI Air, they were sufficiently well made, just not as durable as some of the other models. But they provided a ton of features with the X-Fi and built-in mp3 player, and they also sounded better than expected at their price point with a more neutral sound.  The Pioneer S9 also provided a huge bang for the buck.  They are mostly metal in construction and appear very durable, and at their price point provide a huge bank for the buck with HD Audio supported wirelessly with AptX-HD and ANC, including an app for your phone.  The sound is also great with a more neutral sound profile.  The Cleer Flow II was also built well, but just not quite as well as some of the other metal headphone models.  I did like the elegant looking design and comfortable memory foam, and they sounded great with a sound signature that was just a tad on the bright side.  The Drop THX Panda was a huge bang for the buck.  It’s not as built like a tank like some others, and does not have extra features like ANC and app for your smartphone, but it is designed from the ground up for audiophile sound.  The sound is stellar, and sound signature just a hair on the warm side.  The Master & Dynamic MW65 is built like a tank with premium products being made of all metal and real leather and sheepskin.  The sound was also premium quality, with great resolution and a sound signature that was a little on the bright side.  And lastly the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper was a premium design with made in Germany quality.  And the sound personalization software takes its top of the line sound to the next level, just they way you need it, customized to your hearing.

We also tested the wireless performance, as well as ANC performance for those models that had ANC.  The Creative SXFI performed better than spec’d, good for at least 35 feet indoors.  It did not do as well going between floors, but interior walls were not a problem. Outside it worked up to 200ft! The Pioneer S9 performed even better indoors, and was able to be paired with my LG V40 phone in the basement, as I went up to the main floor, and even to the 2^nd floor.  Outside it was good to over 200ft with just the occasional hiccup.  ANC also worked well, good for about 85% reduction.  The Cleer Flow II also performed much better than spec’d.  There was the occasional hiccup on my way from the basement to the 2^nd floor, but it reached the 2^nd floor.  Outside it was good for over 200ft, which was as far as I took it.  The ANC also worked very well, with a perceived reduction of around 85%.  The Drop THX Panda also performed excellently with only a couple hiccups but worked up to the 2^nd floor, and over 200ft outside.  The Master & Dynamic MW65 performed with no hiccups at all between 3 floors, and over 200ft outside! And I liked the 2 levels of ANC, working with a perceived reduction of around 50% on low, 85% on high.  Lastly the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper was a little disappointing on the Bluetooth.  It definitely did not like going between floors with multiple hiccups, and while it reached 200ft outside, it also had some hiccups doing so.

When it comes to headphones, there are a lot of different options and price points to choose from.  You tend to get what you pay for.  And that often tends to include build quality at lower price points.  But you still get great value like the X-Fi processing and mp3 player in the Creative SXFI Air, and ANC for the Cleer Flow II.  And some like the Pioneer S9 give you more than expected at the price point with durable metal construction, ANC, and phone app.  Based on their design, features, qualify, and performance, the Creative SFXI Air, Cleer Flow II, and Pioneer S9 have earned our Highly Recommended Award, and the Drop THX Panda, Master & Dynamic MW65, and Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper have earned our Editor’s Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their websites at www.us.creative.com, www.pioneerlectronics.com, www.cleeraudio.com, www.drop.com, www.masterdynamic.com, www.beyerdynamic.com.