REVIEW HEADRUSH “FRFR GO” POWERED SPEAKER: Rechargeable battery too

Headrush is a relatively new player in powered speakers. The acronym FRFR was previously described here on High on Technology, Headrush has borrowed it and put it into the name of today’s review product. The Headrush “FRFR GO” is a small, inexpensive, portable speaker system with an emphasis on musical instrument applications — think guitar modelers, digital drum and synth use, jamming with loops, listening to tunes and so much more. But is it good?

SECRETS OF GREAT SOUNDING GEAR - Essential Ingredients and more

What is “Great Sounding Gear”? This typically refers to high-quality audio equipment designed to deliver superior sound performance. The term “Great Sounding Gear” is often used in audio enthusiast communities to describe gear that prioritizes sound quality, durability, and design. There are three essential ingredients in Great Sound, do you know what they are?

WHAT IS FRFR? Why you need Full Range Flat Response

In the world of audio, FRFR stands for Full Range Flat Response. It refers to audio equipment, typically speakers or monitors, designed to reproduce sound across the entire audible frequency range (roughly 20 Hz to 20 kHz) with a flat frequency response. This means the system doesn't emphasize or attenuate any particular frequency, aiming to deliver sound as accurately and neutrally as possible, without coloration or distortion.

REVIEW TC LEVEL PILOT X: Balanced Desktop Volume Fader

This is one of those products that was not initially clear why I needed it. After giving it a try I can’t live without it. 

REVIEW D’ADDARIO HEADPHONE TRS COUPLER: Will it be Reliable?

I was a dealer for D’Addario guitar strings throughout the 1980s and I’ve used them even longer. The company has a history of innovating in accessories and it’s allowed them to grow in marketshare.  There’s basically NEVER been a reliable, quality, TRS-to-TRS connector made by anyone (but me) so I was anxious to give this little molded jack-connector from D’Addario a try. Will the plugs fit right? Will the connections be solid? Is it worth $9 or more?

REVIEW HEADPHONE WRAPUP: Why and where to spend your money

Six different headphone models, from five important manufacturers, with prices ranging all over the place. There were some fun results from all this researching, comparing and testing. You don’t need to drop $400-$2,000 on a a set of headphones to get world class performance. One of the lowest priced models offers linear performance that is up there with one of the BEST priced hundreds more. Ready to see how they stack up against each other?

REVIEW AKG K240 MKII STEREO HEADPHONES: Classic Design and Style

I bought a brand new set of K240 MK II for this review. I received no accommodation, deal or special discount. I've been exposed to this model for over 45+ years and wanted an opportunity to carefully review them here on H.o.T. As always, it's my own opinion about these headphones, this time, in 2025. Should you buy them?

WHAT DOES THE TERM "SOUNDSTAGE" MEAN IN HEADPHONE REVIEWS?

In headphone reviews, soundstage refers to the perceived spatial environment or "stage" where the sound appears to originate when listening to audio through headphones. It describes how well headphones can create a sense of width, depth, and height in the sound, making it feel like the music is happening around you rather than just inside your head.

REVIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M50X STEREO HEADPHONES: Almost Classics?

I bought my first two sets of ATH-M50 back in 2010 at Guitar Center in LA. I had a recording session that afternoon and needed “two of something” that matched. This was the only model of any brand for which they had two units in stock. I was completely unfamiliar with Audio-Technica headphone offerings but I had many years of experience with their microphones so I took a chance. Fortunately, they sounded good to me after some breaking in and they’ve been a regular in our studio operations ever since. So what’s this new X model all about? 

REVIEW BEYERDYNAMIC DT 770 PRO STEREO HEADPHONES: Still Studio Favorites?

For decades, Beyerdynamic has been a trusted name in professional audio, and the DT 770 PRO headphones continue to carry on that legacy. Designed for studio professionals, these closed-back headphones have earned a reputation for delivering precise, reliable sound in demanding environments. Whether you're a music producer, sound engineer, or audiophile seeking critical listening gear, the DT 770 PRO promises a blend of comfort, durability, and exceptional audio fidelity.  What makes these headphones a staple in studios worldwide? Do they live up to the hype in 2025?

REVIEW SONY MDR-7506 STEREO HEADPHONES: Still Awesome After All These Years?

 

Slipping on the Sony MDR-7506 feels like greeting an old friend. Since 1991, these closed-back headphones have been heroes in studios worldwide, delivering no-nonsense sound that’s reliable. Are they still worthy of your consideration?

REVIEW SENNHEISER HD 650 STEREO HEADPHONES: Don’t Do What I Did

If the HD 600, which I reviewed earlier, is the analytical scholar of headphones—precise and uncolored—the HD 650 is its soulful sibling. These look like an upgrade at first glance but don’t press that buy button without reading this.

REVIEW SENNHEISER HD 600 STEREO HEADPHONES: Sonic Truth Revealed for a Price

These headphones hit the market way back in 1997, when music was about purity, not processing. In a world obsessed with wireless convenience and pulsating bass, the HD 600 offers a rare gift: sound, exactly as the artist intended, unvarnished and alive. Nothing wireless to see here, you must plug them in, and you better have an amp that can handle their 300Ω input impedance along with some deep pockets to fund the rest of the journey - but the sound - WoW!

WHAT IS FLAT FREQUENCY RESPONSE: The Key to Accurate Audio

In the world of audio engineering and consumer electronics, terms like "frequency response" get thrown around a lot, especially when discussing headphones, speakers, or microphones. But what exactly does a "flat frequency response" mean, and why should you care? Whether you're a music producer fine-tuning tracks in the studio or an everyday listener streaming podcasts on your commute, grasping this concept can help you make better decisions about your gear. In this article, we'll break it down step by step, exploring its technical foundations and real-world implications.

REVIEW AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M50xSTS: A Pro Headphone and Microphone Combination?

I have several sets of the Audio-Technica ATH-50 headphones and they’ve been a favorite here in the studio, for reasons like good isolation, big bass sound, clear highs and good mix translation on rock music production. I’ve also owned and had experience with the AT-2020 microphone, a budget priced, electret microphone which is styled like a side-address, studio vocal microphone. I was very excited to discover AT had integrated these two products into a reasonably priced, headset-mic combination, is it good?

REVIEW LITTLE LABS MONOTOR HEADPHONE AMP: The Audio Grail, Sound Purity, for a price

The Little Labs Monotor was not on my radar, my Sweetwater Sales Engineer (Jim S.) put me on to this boutique jewel, made in California. I have Sennheiser HD600 and HD650 headphones in my collection, I typically prefer the HD600 for their clarity but the impedance and load presented by either of these headphones can be challenging for many pieces of gear. In a rare fit of acceptance I said YES and ordered the Monotor without even thinking about the price. Ouch, this little box is not inexpensive but is it worth the price?

REVIEW PRESONUS ERIS SUB 8 COMPACT STUDIO SUBWOOFER

Eris 8 Subwoofer - click to enlarge

Need to put a little boom in your room? This little subwoofer is up to the task so long as you don't need to play too loud.

REVIEW PRESONUS ERIS 3.5 POWERED STUDIO MONITORS, ARE THEY GOOD?

Are you tired of mixing on headphones?

DOES YOUR STUDIO NEED SOME GOOD SPEAKERS, CHEAP?

Presonus offers a small set of powered speakers which sell for $99 almost everywhere, are they any good?

REVIEW JBL 308P AND 305P III SERIES MK II POWERED STUDIO MONITORS

Does your DAW setup need some new speakers?

JBL III SERIES, GREAT SPEAKERS, BARGAIN PRICES

The III Series Mk II powered studio monitors prove that you don't need to spend a small fortune to get great sounding speakers for mixing music. 

In my control room I run five different monitor speaker pairs and use a Coleman speaker switcher to direct which pair is active. In late 2022 when one of my trusty Mackie HR824 (purchased new in 1998) finally died I replaced both with a new pair of JBL 305P. What an improvement!

REVIEW THE APOGEE GROOVE, BUY IT!

THE APOGEE GROOVE IS WORTH IT

The Apogee Groove is a USB headphone amplifier. It connects to any USB 2 (or above) connection. You select the Groove as the output in your preferences and magic happens when you listen with headphones. I'm using it on a new MacBook Pro 13" laptop. Comparing the laptop headphone output to the Groove headphone output is like comparing a 1966 Volkswagon Beatle to a modern Ferrari, it's that big of a difference!

Who needs a USB headphone amplifier?