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Nano – Senior Writer
As 2024 comes to an end, I can’t help but reflect on how much smoother this year has been compared to the challenges of 2023—though it wasn’t without its difficulties. On a personal level, I’ve found more balance, but the year still demanded resilience and focus.
From a Headfonia perspective, I wrote fewer articles this year, but the products I reviewed left a stronger impression overall. The audio world seemed to double down on quality, delivering gear that truly stood out. Take the FiiO KA17, for example—a true Swiss Army knife of a DAC/amp, blending power, portability, and versatility in a single, compact device. Or the Shanling HW600, Shanling’s first planar headphone, which stunned me with its soundquality and craftsmanship.
On the more affordable side, the FiiO FT1 was undoubtedly the biggest surprise in entry-level headphones, offering exceptional value and performance. Yet, it’s the Audeze Maxwell that ultimately claimed the title of my personal favorite this year, blending innovative design with sound quality that exceeded my expectations.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m eager to see what new innovations and breakthroughs the audio world has in store. Until then, thank you for being part of this journey, and here’s to another year of discovery and great sound!
Editor’s Choice
Audeze Maxwell
From the review:
Once again, Audeze amazed me with a wondrous device, exceeding all my expectations, at a price that sounds almost too good to be true – for an Audeze.
If the Mobius was already great, the new Audeze Maxwell is nothing short of amazing, packing everything that the brand ever developed, in better, sturdier package, while maintaining a level of sonic refinement I didn’t think possible in this category before.
Build quality is excellent, I/O is amazing, and either as a pure stereo headphone or a Dolby Atmos endpoint, the headphone was just flawless. Sure, there are better sounding, traditional, headphones available, at the same price, but none pack as many features as the Maxwell and none gave me this sensation that we are, finally, venturing into the whelm of successful spatial audio.
Full review:
Best IEM – Universal:
Best DAP:
FiiO M23
From the review:
Once again, FiiO did what they do best: take a good player and enhance every part of it to re-establish their leadership position.
While not cheap, the FiiO M23 easily overthrows much more expensive DAPs and, for me, even surpasses the M15S on many occasions. It’s by no means a revolution – you get the same screen, CPU, RAM, etc. – but if you focus solely on sound, it’s a massive improvement on every level.
A new DAP that will appeal to audiophiles like me who want high-end performance but don’t want to pay the TOTL toll. UI is fast, sound is amazing, and the only real flaw will be the average battery life, that will force you to charge your player quite often. So if you’ve been holding to your “old” M11, and were considering the M15S too expensive, and the M11 Plus not potent enough, the new M23 finally is the replacement you waited for.
Full review:
Best DAC/AMP – Portable:
Shanling H2
From the review:
For $169, the Shanling H2 is – surprise surprise – a no-brainer: powerful, versatile, perfectly built, this DAC/AMP is a perfect addition to the brand’s line-up. A shoehorned version of the H5, lighter, shorter and, quite honestly, one that push the design to its upper limit, becoming my favorite DAC/Amp, visually speaking.
Pair it with a good set of headphones (Meze or Beyer) or some nice IEMs (like the FiiO FF5 or the lovely S12 Pro) and you’ll be set up for years! A no-brainer, outperforming almost every DAC/Amp available in the sub-$200 at the time of writing, giving you the perfect setup on a go!
So yes, this DAC/AMP goes directly in our recommendation list, and if you’re out for a high-end amp, for mid-end prices, you should definitely try this one first, or at least add it to your list.
Full review:
Best DAC/AMP – Desktop:
SMSL DO400
From the review:
Once again, SMSL amazed me with a wondrous device, exceeding all my expectations, at a price that sounds almost too low to be true.
If the DO200MKII was already great, the new SMSL DO400 is nothing short of exceptional, packing enough power to drive all my headphones, while maintaining a level of sonic refinement I didn’t think possible in this price range before.
Build quality is excellent, I/O is amazing, and either as a pure DAC or a DAC + preamplifier, the device is just flawless – especially now that SMSL fixed the lousy scroll wheel. Sure, you may find better, but for less than $500, or even $1000? I don’t think so.
Full review:
Best DAC/AMP – Dongle:
FiiO KA17
From the review:
Let’s be simple: the FiiO KA17 is the best dongle-sized DAC/Amp that the brand has to offer nowadays.
Sound-wise, it’s better on every level, polishing the previous formula with various enhancements like tougher lows, a wider soundstage, and a desktop mode that unlocks a level of power usually found on… desktop devices. And if the sound prowess were not enough already, you can top that with praise-worthy build quality, an Oled screen that truly works, and a conception design that makes it the perfect companion for any of your digital sources – my Steam deck loves it.
Full review:
Best Headphone – Orthodynamic:
Shanling HW600
From the review:
To put it in a nutshell, the Shanling HW600 is a true bang for your buck: an over-ear, planar headphone, standing out as one of the best options in its category. Sure, $1000 remains a hefty sum, even more for a brand that isn’t known for its headphones, but I still consider the new HW600 one of the most potent and versatile options on the market today, combining exceptional value, great comfort, premium material and incredible scalability with higher end sources.
Sound-wise, it might appear a bit too soft for some planar lover, but as far as I’m concerned, I’d say that Shanling nailed the sound signature of the HW600, offering the right balance between fun, and accuracy. I Love it!
Full review:
Best Universal IEM
FiiO FA19
From the review:
At $999 the FiiO FA19 can’t be considered affordable anymore. But, for this price, I do think they are one of, if not the best IEM you could get nowadays.
Think high-end chi-fi, or affordable luxury, but whatever the way you want to call it, they are a bang-for-a-buck, outpacing A LOT of similarly priced IEM, and even much pricier models. Paired with a good source, or even a moderate one like the FiiO Q15 – in case you blew away your budget in those IEM – the result is nothing short of breathtaking, giving you a precise, balanced, sound signature, with lively mids and deep bass, at every given volume.
Pack that in a super comfy 3D printed shell, and the FA19 sign the revival of FiiO as one of the most interesting brand, in the IEM world. So to the questions : should I put this much money on a set of ears? And, will I be gifted with true high-end sound? Personally, I’d say yes. A big yes.
Full review:
Best IEM – Wireless:
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
From the review:
For €299, it’s hard not to love the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4.
Pushing even further, with a powerful sound, exceptionally long-standing battery life, great comfort and extensive controls, the MTW4 stands as one the best Bluetooth in-ears I tried, in recent years. Keeping almost all of what made the MTW3 great, with improved performances and extended specifications this new model feels like the best option, for anyone seeking an all-rounding TWS, with true audiophile performances.
ANC is better, only marred by the transparency mode, but I’m pretty sure that the next version will have that fixed – or so I hope! Keep it on Senn/Sonova!
Full review:
And now on to the personal awards of Felix on the next page! CLICK HERE.
