I review a lot of headphones, and a number of them make my ears hurt. Not at first, but after 15 minutes or more some do because they put too much pressure on my ears — and in the summer they make my ears sweat. Before we go any further, I have to admit predicting …

The Oswalds Mill Imperia speakers, in Brooklyn. Steve Guttenberg/CNET Listening loud produces a physical experience you feel through your entire body — it’s something that more sensible volume can never match. Loud is also more “correct”: even unamplified live music can get really loud, so listening to recorded music at a more moderate volume forfeits too much of the energy …

First impression: the Aurender Flow looks and feels like a high-end component. The impeccably finished solid aluminum case, big volume control knob, and all-metal control buttons let you know this is the real deal. As for sound quality, it’s spectacular! The Aurender Flow Aurender Connectivity is limited to just one USB 3 port and an optical digital input, plus a …

Deep listening David King When you’re listening to speakers the sound comes from “over there,” but with headphones where is the sound? A lot depends on the recording and the headphones. With mono recordings the sound is centered inside your head, with stereo the sound picture is more complicated. Vocals, or any sound mixed to appear centered between the left …

Audeze LCD-X headphones with the Cowon Plenue 1 music player Steve Guttenberg/CNET High-resolution music players have gotten a lot of press over the last year or two, but they aren’t new. Hifiman started selling high-res portable music players 5 years ago, and then Astell & Kern, Cowon, FiiO, Sony — and just recently Pono piled on. I’ve tested or heard …

Onkyo CP-1050 Steve Guttenberg/CNET Onkyo must have noticed vinyl’s continuing upward sales numbers, the highest since 1997, so the company’s started selling turntables. Voila, we now have the direct-drive Onkyo CP-1050, and it’s a honey! First things first, I love the understated design; the CP-1050 isn’t retro or trying to look like a British record player. Build quality is solid, …

Dynaudio Focus 160 speakers Dynaudio You might think now that most of us don’t have books, that would free up a lot of space on our shelves for all kinds of stuff, including bookshelf speakers! That’s why I first have to reveal a dirty little secret about bookshelf speakers: they don’t sound best on bookshelves! Most competently designed bookshelf speakers …

This audiogram shows what excellent hearing looks like, up to 20,000 hertz! Dr. Julie Glick I recently visited audiologist Dr. Julie Glick’s Manhattan office to get the low-down on how hearing tests work. Dr. Glick has 18 years of experience working with musicians, music industry professionals, audiophiles and anyone who wants to have their hearing checked. She, like your local …

David Haines on the job. David Moncrieff II David Haines is a front-of-house mix engineer for the Black Eyed Peas. Regular concertgoers are quick to spot the engineers in the barricaded “island” working the mixing board. Back there Haines is in a direct feedback loop between the band and the audience. It’s the mixer’s job to make sure the show’s …

Wired Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers Pioneer Electronics You can’t beat them for convenience and ease of use, but does anyone really listen to their multiroom music system? Streaming music around your apartment or home may be pleasant, but can a multiroom system really draw you into the music? Does the sound of your Sonos speakers reach out and grab you? Do …