Christopher Coke

Elysian Acoustics is finally pushing into the mid-range with the announcement of its Pilgrim pair of in-ear monitors. While it is best known for its Diva and Annihilator earphones, $1,599 and $2,999 respectively, the Pilgrim comes to market at $399 while retaining the company’s signature detailed sound and beautiful design. It features a hybrid, triple--driver design, and is available at HiFiGo now.

iFi Audio is one of the biggest names in the audiophile space. Its products routinely make best-of lists and push the limits on sound quality, features, and power for their size. We’ve put its latest product, the iFi GO Bar Kensei through its paces, seeing just what it has to offer over the original GO Bar. It’s a tiny, very pocketable DAC/amp that puts out a surprising amount of power — enough for most over-ear headphones, let alone in-ear monitors (IEMs) — and supports advanced features like sound customization with filters and its own X-Bass and X-Space enhancements, as well as JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD upscaling tech. It exists on the high end of the dongle DAC price spectrum, but if you want an audiophile experience on the go, it delivers.

Over the last couple of years, ASUS has really stepped up its game when it comes to its gaming keyboards. Since last year, it has released two veritable bangers: the ROG Azoth and the ROG Strix Scope II 96. Both dramatically exceeded expectations, expertly walking the line between enthusiast keyboards and gaming keyboards. The ROG Falchion RX is a different beast, embracing a compact form factor and a low-profile design. But despite its differences, it also embraces the same enthusiasts and excellent performance that made those other keyboards so appealing. At $170, it's definitely on the expensive side and won’t be for everyone, but if you’re a fan of compact keys or are already in the ROG ecosystem, it’s worth a closer look. 

In May of last year, I reviewed the Lofree Flow and concluded that it was one of, if not the very best, low profile keyboard you could buy in sound and feel. That still stands today, nearly a year later, but a new challenger has entered: the Lofree Edge. 

Last year, we took a look at the Flexispot Odin, a four-legged standing desk, and were impressed by its excellent stability. That desk was quite expensive at $900, however, and was out of many people’s price range. Flexispot is back with an answer: the Flexispot E7 Plus. Like the Odin, it features a four-legged design and an impressive 540 pounds of lifting power. It also offers more customization options to help ensure it matches your space and surface area needs. At $629, it’s reasonably priced and overall good pick for your pricey computer components. 

I\O Audio is a new brand aiming to launch with a bang. Its first product, the I\O Audio Volare is certainly impressive. At $599, it features a tribrid design consisting of one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers.  This type of configuration is found in some of the highest-end IEMs on the market and usually starts north of $700 and extends into the multiple thousands. Certainly Golden Ears territory, it still manages to feel like a good value in the category it’s competing in. If you’re looking for a grat balance of punchy bass and sparkly treble, this is a great set to consider. 

The original Moondrop Blessing 2: DUSK came about before we began reviewing audio gear in earnest, but it’s no stretch to say that it has attained legendary status in the audio community. Whether you’re an audiophile or gamer, it was one of the most frequent recommendations and absolutely trend-setting for the era of influencer collaborations we find ourselves in today. Its successor has been a long time coming but the wait is finally over. 

The IQUNIX SUPER line-up has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the world of custom mechanical keyboards over the last year. We’ve reviewed three so far — the 1+1, the ZONEX75, and the Tilly60 — and each has taken a unique approach to its layout and design, making them some of the most unique custom mechanical keyboards you can buy outside of the group buy model. They also come mostly pre-built and tuned for sound and feel, so you don’t need to be an experienced builder to assemble them.

Two years in the making, the Swiftpoint Z2 is finally here. A successor to one of the most customizable gaming mice ever, the Z2 is a powerful tool for gaming, productivity, and creativity alike. With 13 inputs, pressure sensitive buttons, a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, haptic feedback, onboard memory, customizable speed, and top-tier specs, this is far more than a gaming mouse. It’s in a league all its own. 

Letshuoer has been on a roll the last couple of years, releasing multiple popular IEMs for different types of listeners. Most recently, we took a look at its S15 planar magnetic IEMs and found it to be one of the hands-down best planars you can buy under $500. Before that, it was the S12 and the Tape Pro. Today, we have its latest release, the Cadenza 4.

The Xebec Snap is both innovative and impressive, providing a versatile dual or tri-screen laptop solution. Its magic lies in how easy it is to set up and even change to meet your needs. Its bright 13.3-inch magnetic screens can flip and tilt to match your workspace and getting up and running is, well… a snap. It’s the easiest multi-screen laptop solution we’ve tested but comes with a price tag to match. 

Hall Effect: it’s the burgeoning trend of 2024 in the world of gaming keyboards and isn’t going anywhere soon. Today, we’re looking at the Melgeek CYBER01, a keyboard that offers one of the best typing and gaming experiences of any magnetic gaming keyboard we’ve tried yet. While it won’t top the likes of the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog in ease of programming, its mix of price and performance are a winning combination. 

One of our absolute favorite portable DAC/amps just got an update. The Questyle M15i brings the same great sound with improved specs, higher resolution audio, and Apple MFi certification for compatibility with Mac and iOS devices. It’s a refresh rather than a whole new release but that doesn’t stop it from offering superior sound for its $249 cost of entry.

Awekeys, makers of recycled metal keycaps, just unveiled its latest set, the Copper Eagle. Made in collaboration with fan and designer, Daniel Mitchell, this set is plated in real copper and is downright gorgeous. With coverage for many layouts, including Alice and Tsangan with their respective add-on kits, this is a set that provides a unique, and uniquely pretty, upgrade to your mechanical keyboard. It’s also a one-stop-shop for instant thock, so if sound enhancement is what you’re after, look no further.

Angry Miao has existed at the intersection of art and mechanical keyboards since its inception. Its hallmark product is the Cyberboard and it has gone through multiple iterations over the years. In fact, we’ve reviewed it here in the past and were impressed at its uniqueness and innovation. 

Earfun has developed a reputation for delivering solid earbuds for affordable prices. The Earfun Free Pro 3 is its latest swing at a budget-friendly flagship, offering powerful ANC, good battery life, and a customizable sound. At $79.99, they’re a good value and a solid pick that won’t strain your wallet.

Xiaomi is one of the biggest smartphone brands in the world and its Ultra series of smartphones have existed in the cutting edge. Over the last few years, its placed a heavy emphasis on content creation with impressive camera systems and top-tier specs. This year’s model is its most impressive yet, featuring 8K video capability, four 50MP cameras with some smart tweaks and AI enhancements and Sony’s latest 1-inch mobile camera sensor and Leica optics. It also has the latest and greatest specs for exceptional performance. Starting at $999, it competes with the best smartphones available today and is surprisingly affordable in comparison.

Welcome back to another edition of Exploring Linsoul IEMs, where we present a selection of IEMs in quick-hit review format, getting you the information you need to know quickly, courtesy of Linsoul. Today, we’re looking at two budget sets, one mid-range set, and another from the upper mid-range: the Simgot EA500LM, Kiwi Ears Forteza, Shozy P20, and the Yanyin Canon II. If you’re looking for the brass tacks of what’s worth your audio upgrade dollars, look no further. You’ve come to the right place. 

Logitech’s MX series is known for delivering high-quality peripherals with features for creatives and professionals. Its Brio line has officially joined with MX bringing us, for the first time, the Logitech MX Brio. It offers a crisp 4K resolution, exceptional, DSLR-like image controls, beamforming microphones, and great low-light performance. The best part? It’s also one of the most affordable webcams of its kind. 

When it comes to seating, few names are as widely known and respected as Steelcase. It has been in business for more than 100 years and has released iconic pieces of furniture, such as the Steelcase Leap, a staple recommendation for chair shoppers and a staple ergonomic chair in offices around the world. Today, we’re looking at the company’s flagship, the Steelcase Gesture. It’s an ergonomic chair that’s perfect for long hours at the PC and one of the best gaming chairs — nay, chairs in general — we’ve ever experienced. It’s expensive but worth every penny.

The Keysme Mars 03 is one of the most unique mechanical keyboards I’ve ever seen. Themed after space exploration, its appearance is equal parts spaceship and custom mechanical keyboard. With a fully aluminum chassis and some of the best attention to detail I’ve encountered, there’s nothing else like it. It also offers a great typing and gaming experience thanks to its smart design, pre-lubed switches, and tri-mode wireless connectivity. At $330, it’s middle of the road for custom keyboard pricing but is more than a little original. 

At only $89, the Celest Plutus Beast offers a lot for the money. It uses a unique tribrid design consisting of an unlikely trio: one balanced armature, one bone conduction driver, and full-range square planar driver.  We would expect these drivers at a higher price point, but the Plutus Beast seems designed to act as a gateway drug to the IEM hobby and Celeste/Kinera’s wider line-up. It’s a good value and a better listen for music and gaming alike. 

It’s a week of unique keyboards here at MMORPG and we have another for you today! The Epomaker Brick 87 allows you to build on it with LEGOs to make it truly unique. It also offers hot-swappable switches, smooth switches, and tri-mode wireless connectivity for an enhanced typing and gaming experience. It has some areas for improvement but is a decent option for LEGO fans.

Corsair just launched its latest gaming mouse, the M75 Wireless. It’s ambidextrous in the truest sense, features swappable side buttons, high-speed wireless with a 2,000Hz polling rate, and an ergonomic shape tailored for speed. It’s a heavier take on the M75 Air Wireless which launched earlier this year, a gaming mouse for gamers not sold on the ultralight craze. At $129.99, it’s expensive but its performance is hard to argue with.

Sennheiser is what many would consider to be a legendary audio brand. It has been in the business for decades making some of the most popular and highly acclaimed headphones you can buy today. We’ve loved its true wireless offerings going all the way back to the original Momentum True Wireless in 2020 and most recently with the Momentum True Wireless 3 in 2022. 

Over the years, we’ve explored many different audio brands in this column. They’ve come from all around the world, including many from China where the personal audio market is exploding. But one place we haven’t yet examined closely is right here at home in the United States. That’s changing this year with our proverbial home-town hero: Campfire Audio.

The Cooler Master MK770 is the first keyboard we’ve reviewed in some time from the brand and it seems that it has something to prove. Like Razer, Corsair, and ASUS, the MK770 is Cooler Master’s custom-inspired gaming keyboard, complete with sound dampening silicone, gasket mounting, and pre-lubing. It easily offers the best out-of-the-box typing experience of any Cooler Master keyboard to date, and is competitively priced at only $119.99, but misses the mark in a number of ways.

Welcome back to Golden Ears, our semi-regular column exploring the world of high-end audio. Apart from highlighting neat and interesting products you might not otherwise know about, our goal here is simple: to discover exactly what makes these headphones worth their high entry price. Today, we’re looking at the HIFIMAN HE-1000se, a $2,000 pair of headphones that have been out for several years and are widely regarded as some of the best money can buy. 

Questyle is a brand we’ve visited before here at MMO with one of our favorite portable DACs/amps (soundcards) ever, the Questyle M15. It just released its latest set of in-ear monitors, the NHB15. Complete with a built-in hi-res DAC and amplifier, these earphones come ready to connect directly to your smartphone or laptop thanks to its modular USB Type-C cable. At $349 MSRP (and $299 as of this writing from Bloom Audio), these earphones don’t come cheap, but they’ll surprise you with how good they sound.

Epomaker is no stranger to partnerships, and the Epomaker x Feker Galaxy 80 may just its best yet. Even more than that, it may wind up being the best budget tenkeyless mechanical keyboard of the year — and it’s not even March yet. With a fully aluminum design, tri-mode wireless connectivity, a custom keyboard sound and feel, and a crazily cheap $105.99 price tag, it’s hard to imagine how it could really be much better. 

Founded in 2020, Mavix introduced the world to its line of ergonomic gaming chairs. These chairs blend the best of gaming and ergonomic worlds, delivering a chair that is quite unique in the current market. I've spent the last few weeks with the Mavix M9, its flagship model, and have been impressed. It's not perfect, but it is a chair that's more comfortable than your average ergonomic chair and more supportive than your average gaming chair, Which makes it a compelling choice when you don't want to sacrifice good looks for good support.

Campfire Audio is one of the leading audio brands in the United States, best known for its mega-hits like the Andromeda. Today, we’re looking at one of the newest members of the company’s Chromatic series, the Cascara. Driven by a single dynamic driver (DD), it delivers a rich, fun, bass-forward sound that makes for the perfect entry-point into the world of high-end, high-res audio. At $499, it’s one of the most affordable in-ear monitors (IEMs) in the company’s line-up and blew us away at every turn — even for gaming. If you like bass, this is a set you don’t want to miss.

HIFIMAN is best known for its line of high-end headphones, but today we’re looking at its premiere desktop sound system: the HIFIMAN Serenade. Featuring its acclaimed Himalaya PRO R2R DAC and enough power for the most demanding headphones or even full-size speakers. It’s a sound system in a desktop-sized box and has a lot to offer, but you’ll already need a great pair of headphones to make the most of it.

Arbiter Studios is a new company but aims to land with a splash with its new magnetic keyboard the Polar 65. This keyboard uses a compact layout designed to maximize mouse space  while offering magnetic switches for enhanced responsiveness and rapid trigger capability.  At $150, it is relatively expensive compared to other 65% keyboards, but is well built, well tuned, and performs quite well.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has just been refreshed for 2024 and includes Intel’s new AI-enhanced Core Ultra processors for enhanced performance. Weighing in at only 2.65 pounds with a bright, color-rich 2K OLED display, and Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 155H processor (16C/22T), it’s a fantastic little machine that’s competitively priced at $1,299. 

The mechanical keyboard market is more competitive by the day, but we’ve found what may just be the best value pick under $100. The WOBKEY Rainy 75 offers a fully aluminum case, gasket mounting, Foams, and other features usually reserved for much more expensive keyboards. It sounds and feels far better than a $99 has a right to and is one of the best values in keyboards right now. Read on to find out just what makes it so special. 

The Epomaker x Leobog Hi75 is a color compact keyboard aimed at improving your gaming experience. It comes in at less than $100 ($99 with an instant $10 off coupon as of this writing) and features a full aluminum case, doubleshot keycaps, name brand switches, and masses of pre-applied mods. It tries hard but does it pull everything together to deliver a top-tier gaming experience? Find out in this review!

The Nori Spring Rider is the definition of a team effort. It’s the culmination of influential custom keyboard designers, keycap artisans, and a major manufacturer coming together to deliver a pre-built mechanical keyboard that challenges value for the dollar. 

iFi has been one of the major players in the enthusiast audio world for years, and its Diablo series quickly became one of its most exciting products after its launch in 2021. Its successor is upon us, and the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 promises mega power in a portable form factor, allowing it to become a mobile audiophile setup — or to replace your current DAC/amp stack. In this edition of Golden Ears, we’ll be taking a close look to see what exactly it offers and how it justifies its premium $1,299 tag. 

Following quickly after the release of the AFUL MagicOne, AFUL is back with a portable and affordable DAC/amp that promises to “revolutionize” your listening experience anywhere you may be listening (including PC and console). It’s exceptionally pocketable, comes packed with high-performance components, and a stylish design, and has a surprising amount of power for its tiny size. At $110, it’s definitely worth considering, no matter where you may be listening. 

Thieaudio has come out swinging with its latest line of in-ear monitors. Aptly titled “hype” (hybrid-performance), it began the new series with the Hype 2, followed by the Hype 4, and each were met with wide acclaim. Today, we complete the trifecta with the Hype 10, an absolutely premium pair of in-ear monitors packing a whopping 12 drivers in each side. These earphones are the most expensive Hype yet, coming in at $899, placing them deep in Golden Ears territory. Let’s take a closer look and see exactly what they have to offer over their predecessors. 

Nearly a year ago, we took a look at the Odinlake Ergo Plus 743, an impressive chair from a company we hadn’t yet heard of. It didn’t take long for us to see that the company was up to something special with how well-considered and well-built the chair was. Today, we finally have its successor, the Odinlake Ergo Butterfly 753. It has one of the most unique designs we’ve seen in an ergonomic chair and an array of upgrades that make it a substantial improvement over the original. At $999, it doesn’t come cheap, but its quality and comfort fit its price.

Looking for an interesting upgrade to our mechanical keyboard? Cerakey is back with its second round of ceramic custom keycaps, this time with silicone inserts for easier installation. They’re more than a little unique but are they worth the $126 cost of entry?

While wireless earbuds are more popular than ever, the wired earphone market is thriving. There are more, better earphones than at any other point and both innovation and sound quality are at peak. But… there’s something to be said for being free from a wire. Until recently, you were forced to use dongle DAC/amps or bulky standalone units, but the iFi GO Pod aims to change that. 

If you’re looking to improve the quality of your content, improving your lighting is one of the best steps you can take. Great lighting will not only make your photos and videos look more professional, it can also add visual interest and open new doors for your creativity. The FIVERAY M20C is the latest RGB video light from ZHIYUN, a company that has been producing some of the best gimbals you can buy for years, and has made a splash with its new lighting products. 

Aftermarket keycaps are one of the best and easiest ways to customize your mechanical keyboard, but there’s a problem: though there are lots of sets to choose from, when you’re buying low-cost keycaps on Amazon, quality issues run rampant. Warped space bars; funky, oddly spaced legends, colors that look ever-so-slightly and maddeningly off. Every purchase feels like a roll of the dice: you might get a good set but you may be stuck returning it with days of wasted time behind you.

Meletrix has made some of the best pre-built and affordable custom keyboards of the last two years, and it’s back with its first magnetic Hall Effect release with the BOOG75. Based on the outstanding Meletrix Zoom75, it’s the best magnetic switch mechanical keyboard so far this year and is poised to be the best overall. At $219.99, it’s a steal.