Our Headphone Review Gear & Review Process

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each reviewer—Resolve, GoldenSound and Listener—uses for headphone and source evaluation, and the reasoning behind each setup.

Resolve

Core Chain

• DAC: Matrix X-Sabre Pro
• Amp: Violectric HPA V550
• Tube Amp: ampsandsound Kenzie (for output-impedance testing)
• Measurement Rigs: B&K 5128, GRAS 43AG (KB5000 pinna + RA0402 coupler)

Headphone References

• Neutral Reference: HEDD Audio D1
• Gaming Headset Reference: Audeze Maxwell
• ANC Reference: Sennheiser HDB 630

Method Notes

• Chooses gear with high power and low output impedance to drive a wide range of products.
• Uses tube amp or impedance adapters to test how headphones behave with higher source impedance.
• Measures after listening to confirm consistency and spot fit/positioning issues.

GoldenSound

Core Chain

• DAC: Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition
• EQ/Utility: Zähl EQ1
• Amp: Zähl HM1
• Measurement Tools: Audio Precision APX555 + Neurochrome dummy load
• Software: Roon (multi-endpoint source)

Headphone References

• Hifiman Susvara (sometimes—but not always—EQ’d with a bass shelf)

Method Notes for testing DACs

• HM1 allows instant A/B testing between DACs with built-in volume matching.
• Uses Roon for synchronized playback across multiple DACs and systems.
• Listens before measuring for source gear to avoid bias from small measurable differences.
• Uses speakers as a secondary reference point for source evaluation.

Listener

Core Chain

• Reference Headphone: Sennheiser HD 800 (with personalized and extremely neutral EQ preset)
• Reference IEM: Truthear PURE
• Source: MacBook Pro M3 Max + multiple dongles
• Comparison Setup: Multiple dongles, routed via Audio Hijack (Rogue Amoeba) for individual volume setting based on appropriate level for each headphone to be matched.

Method Notes

• Anchors evaluations to a personally tuned HD 800 that serves as a neutral baseline.
• Prioritizes transducer behavior over DAC/amps because the latter barely (if ever) makes a difference.
• Uses Audio Hijack to split signals and level-match multiple headphones for comparison.

Conclusion

• Resolve focuses on broad drive capability and subjective listening with measurement cross-checks.
• GoldenSound emphasizes transparent DAC switching and precise A/B testing.
• Listener centers around a single neutral reference and controlled comparisons.

We all do things differently—different chains, different biases—but the goal’s the same: reliable, repeatable impressions that help people find the gear that makes their music sound its best.