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Felix – Senior Writer
2024 for me was quite an exciting year, even if I haven’t published too much content myself, especially in the first half of the year. We have seen some great new products rise to the market. New brands popping up and introducing themselves and established ones showing their muscles.
This year I started going deep into the two-channel scene, and I admit, it is more fun than I thought it would be.
Without further ado. Let’s check out my Best of 2024 units together!
Writer’s Choice:
Eversolo DMP-A8
If a product deserves to be named my personal choice of this year, it certainly is the Eversolo DMP-A8. Nothing has created such a lasting impression on me and the way I use audio gear like the Eversolo DMP-A8.The DMP-A8 delivers flawless software, excellent design and wonderful sound in a compact package. It transformed the way music is enjoyed in my apartment. Therefore the Eversolo DMP-A8 fully deserves my pick of the year!
Full review:
Best IEM – Large Pockets:
Vision Ears Ext MK II
I have always been a big fan of Vision Ears designs, and to me the EXT MK2 is a truly exceptional monitor that captures the beauty of music effortlessly. Vision Ears’ midrange tuning is by far the best in the industry to me, but with the EXT MK2 they showed that they can get their bass tuning to similar levels.
The EXT MK2 puts a lot of joy in my face and truly deserves to be named Best IEM of 2024!
Full review:
If the EXT MK2 is out of your budget range, maybe consider our other Best IEM award winner.
Best IEM – Smaller Pockets:
64 Audio Solo
The Solo is 64 Audio’s latest addition to their fully tubeless lineup. It, however, is their first IEM using a single planar magnetic driver. To realize their desired sound, 64 Audio thought outside the box and implemented two Helmholtz resonators to shape the signature.
Solo has a beautifully rich and neutral signature with a slight emphasis on the midrange. It delivers good warmth and superb texture with the technical abilities we love from planar drivers. Top quality sound and excellent build (that design!) for 1,399 USD.
Full review:
Best Headphone – Wireless:
DALI IO-8
DALI introduced the IO-8 as a wireless headphone with the tuning philosophy of their impeccable speakers. The IO-8 delivers a full and fun sound that’s easy to love and enjoy. On top of it’s wonderful tuning, it also delivers seemingly endless power for days and days. And then there’s the excellent build quality, as we are used to from their crafts in the past.
What’s not to love?
Full review:
Best Cable:
Toxic Cables Black Widow XL
This year has brought me my first (but not last) Toxic Cables review, and what an introduction to the brand that was! The Black Widow XL is a hefty pure copper cable, but with exceptional sound. Available for both IEMs and headphones, it has become my go-to choice for both. It produces a warm, detailed and organic sound with perfect technicalities, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get one!
Full review:
Best Speaker:
KEF R3 Meta
2024 has seen Headfonia take a dive into the speakers market. A hand full of reviews have already been published and there are still more to come. The speaker that has convinced me the most in terms of price to performance and overall sound is the KEF R3 Meta. My personal pair of bookshelf speakers. I truly admire the transparent midrange and the impactful and dynamic bass. And so do my neighbors (I think)!
The R3 Meta is a wonderful example of how far the market has come. Great quality sound, top build and all at just 2,200€! I couldn’t ask for more.
Full review:
Best Amplifier:
HoloAudio Serene KTE
The Serene KTE sounds like distilled water tastes. I borrowed this quote from Rudolfs, our new writer. But it fully captures my sentiments towards the Holo. Built around an R2R amplification stage, the Serene KTE produces purity. It doesn’t color the sound at all, but rather lets you enjoy all there is to love about your equipment. The build quality is as good as its sound, but if there’d be one thing I would change, it would be the fact that I can’t turn it off from my listening spot.
Full review:
Best Accessory:
AudioQuest PowerQuest 707
I am a big fan of AudioQuest’s cables – the Black Beauty connects all my gear. But this year I reviewed the PowerQuest 707 power conditioner, and it is awesome. First and foremost, it protects my gear from unexpected power surges, making sure I don’t have to send in any of my equipment. But on top of that it also enhances the performance of my chain noticeably. It darkens the background, enables better imaging and higher resolution and removes all the smudges around the music.
To me, it brings music to life, while also protecting it. Well done!
Full review:
-> That’s it for this year’s writers awards! Next Sunday we will reveal the “Reader Voted Best Gear Award”, so keep your eyes open for that article!
Part one of the awards can be found here: https://www.headfonia.com/headfonia-best-of-year-2024-awards-pt-1
