The Audeze iSine 10 headphones are truly a revolution in sound and are ready to take the world by storm with its world’s first planar magnetic driver technology. In Singapore, Audeze is a brand that audiophiles are rapidly gaining ground on other more expensive, audiophile headphones. In fact, these headphones truly give the more expensive audiophile headphones in the same category a run for their money. Read our review below and find out if the Audeze iSine 10 headphones are the right ones for you.
Sound Quality
As an audiophile considering headphones, the most important feature of a pair of headphones is the sound quality that comes through. The open backed design on the Audeze iSine 10s means that these headphones are designed to let some outside noise in. This should be considered for those who may want to use these headphones outside, or anywhere else that intruding outside noise could be an issue. Ideally, these are best used at home rather than on the go. However, despite this very slight disadvantage, the sound quality in these headphones is truly incredible. The open back design, however, also provides a great benefit in one regard. Because these headphones are open backed, they do not simply trap the sound from your music in your ear, and instead the sound will envelop you completely for a more full and complete listening experience. Usually, this type of holistic sound experience can only be found on headphones that are much more expensive, so the fact that you can get the same sound out of the Audeze iSine 10s is a huge benefit in their favor.
The bass on the iSine 10s is excellent. Bass enthusiasts who want to crank the bass up on every song they listen to may not be completely satisfied, but the vast majority of listeners will be thrilled with the quality of bass here. The treble in these headphones also sounds incredible, and will make you feel like you are right there by the stage while your favourite singer or band plays your favorite song. Vocal quality, another key aspect of overall sound quality, is another high point for the Audeze iSine 10s. Vocals sound exactly as they are supposed to, without sounding strained or any other problems you might encounter with inferior quality headphones. The iSine 10s will truly give you a feeling of being at a live show, which makes for an unparalleled listening experience with these headphones.
Design
The thing that will really catch your eye about these headphones is their design. Featuring an in-ear design, these are the first headphones designed in that style to include planar magnetic drivers. These planar magnetic drivers are fit into just a 30 millimetre diameter, which can only really be best described as a marvel of engineering. Because of these planar magnetic drivers, the outside, bulk of the headphones is kind of big, so it may look strange when you see yourself wearing these. The outside part of the headphones should just about cover your ear, and the stem will reach into your ear just like other noise cancelling headphones. These should fit directly into your ear, similarly to other in ear designs. With your purchase of these futuristically designed headphones, you will also receive two different pairs of clips, which fit around the headphone so you can adjust it around your ear for the best possible fit. Most in ear headphones are noise cancelling, meaning that they completely block out the noise around you. Audeze, however, are not noise cancelling, like many of their competitors. Because the planar magnetic drivers inside them require space, there will be some space between your ear and the headphone that will allow outside noise to creep in. They come in all black and look extremely sleek and stylish, reminiscent of science fiction movies in terms of futuristic design. Also included with the headphones are two different cables, one regular cable and one Lightning cable for those users with an iPhone or iPad that they want to use these with. The design of the box even gives off a sleek vibe.
Planar Magnetic Drivers
The Audeze iSine 10 headphones are also the first in ear headphones to include planar magnetic drivers. What does this mean? Well, planar magnetic drivers have very thin magnetic conductors (basically tiny wires) all around the diaphragm of the headphone. Several magnets are then placed inside the diaphragm as well, allowing for it to react effectively when the electrical current passes through the conductors. Instantaneously as the current passes through the conductors, the diaphragm interacts with the magnets to vibrate and create sound. This makes for an overall better quality of sound.
Fit & Comfort
The only complaint that you might hear about these headphones is that they are a bit heavy to wear. When you first put them in you will notice that they feel very much like any other in ear headphones. Some users have reported that once you have worn them for a while they might start to feel a little bit heavy in and around your ear. The reason for this is mostly down to the planar magnetic drivers included in the design, a typically very heavy component that in this instance has been shrunk down to fit into a smaller area. The ear tips, the part of the headphone that actually fits inside your ear, is slightly large compared to a lot of other in ear headphones. Given that the ear tips are slightly larger than normal, it should not come as a surprise that it can feel a little uncomfortable for some people. However, to mitigate this issue, the package does come with three different sizes of ear tips so that you can pick the right sized tip for you. This variation in tip size will allow you to find one that feels the most comfortable for your particular ear. Overall, as far as comfort is concerned, these should be completely fine for you. While they are not necessarily the most comfortable headphones in the world, thankfully you are able to customize your experience to make them fit to your best preference. When compared with some of the competition in this area, the iSine 10 headphones are certainly a decent choice for comfort. Overall, they should be considered to be in the upper middle section of most comfortable headphones out there, not great, but not something you are really going to feel the need to complain about, either.
Our Verdict
As far as high-end headphones go, there are very few headphones out there that are going to get you the same sound quality and sleek design as the iSine 10s from Audeze. Whatever negatives there are with these headphones, are counteracted with excellent build and sound quality. While they might be considered slightly uncomfortable for some, given it’s weight, we feel that this can be somewhat fixed for most users as the package includes three different sizes of ear tips, enabling you as the user to choose the correct size and fit for you. Also, the potential downside of the open backed design allowing in outside noise is completely negated by the fact that this open backed design also allows for a more holistic and complete listening experience, by enveloping you fully in the sound. These headphones are incredibly unique, relatively comfortable, and, as previously mentioned have a corresponding positive point for every potential negative in their design and sound. So, should you buy the iSine 10 from Audeze? Absolutely, if you have the budget and inclination to get into the high-end headphone game, there is nothing that will provide you better sound quality and value for your money than these. While you may want to think twice before using them on your commute, at the office, or just on the go in general, these will provide a near perfect home listening experience for true audiophiles who want to jam out at home. Given the incredible design, literally a one of a kind headphone, overall sound quality, and pros that counteract and outweigh any cons, we’re confident you won’t go wrong with the Audeze iSine 10 headphones.