Here are the promised pics of the JVC Victor HP-AL1000.

JVC Victor HP-AL1000

I recently traded for a JVC / Victor HP-AL1000 clip on headphone. When they arrived I was extremely disappointed at the lack of bass or really any sort of aural presence other than piercing highs. I actually had them up for sale last night on head-fi for about twenty minutes.

And then... I tried them with my iBasso T2 amp. I've always kind of liked the T2 but I did not feel that it added much to my Etymotic ER4-P or Audio Technica ATH-CK7. However, with the AL1000 it is a completely different story. Suffice it to say: I now love these headphones. They just have a pure and beautiful sound that is now much more well rounded than it was before. The instrument separation is great, the soundstage is surprisingly wide, the bass has depth and impact, the highs are more restrained, etc. I have never used the T2's "bass mode" before but it fits the AL1000 perfectly .

I also like that these beautiful headphones are made in Taiwan.

All in all, they are prohibitively expensive for clip-ons at $79 from AC but if you like clip on headphones, use an amp, and want a definite step up from the Koss KSC75 these are a great option. If you do not have an amp I would suggest holding off on these since they did not sound very good out of my iRiver H120 or Meizu M6. However, if you do have a headphone amp, consider these highly recommended.

The housing is a fantastic brushed aluminum that looks really nifty. I'll get some of my own pictures up soon. These deserve better pics online than the bland results from google image search.

It Begins

Hey everyone! I've been meaning to set out on a headphone review blog for a while but I've always been too lazy to really get around to it. Until today (obviously). I am currently sitting in a two hour international law class and I lost my train of thought about an hour ago so I figured why not just finally get around to it?

Here's my background. I own or have owned about 40 pairs of headphones and all styles of in-ear phones over the past two years when my hobby/addiction started. They have ranged in price from $10-$200 dollars and suit many tastes and listening styles. Of all the headphones I've owned, I really find myself listening two pairs more than any of the others and I am really happy with them but I just keep on buying more.

I don't currently have anything fantastically expensive or elite but I guess I am simply looking for the ultimate cheap and portable setup. I have two DAPs (digital audio players) and two headphone amps as well. This blog will not be limited to headphone reviews - although that will definitely be the focus - but I will try to comment about all of the audio gear that passes through my life.

The reviews on this blog will be written for the common reader who likes to enjoy his or her music. Some "audiophile" terms will be used but they will be translated and explained. I'd like for this blog to be an enjoyable read for everyone from an audio newb to a seasoned listener.

I'd also like to point out that the upcoming reviews are nothing but opinions. My opinions. My very very smart and probably close to The Absolute Truth opinions. But they are still naught but opinions and I am sure many readers will disagree to some extent with my reviews and comments. So please use that comment button beneath my posts. Let me know you are out there and be heard by the multitude of readers in the blog-o-sphere. Think I'm a jerk and so wrong that I should lose my right to free speech? (You may have serious issues [these are HEADPHONE reviews we are talking about]) Post! Let the world know. Like what I have to say and want to give me a pat on the back or shower me with gifts? Then I definitely encourage you to post. Either way, please enjoy!