Product Strengths

• Improved bass reproduction compared to the original Crosszone CZ-8A, which balances the overall sound better.
• Wide and holographic soundstage, with extreme precision in soundstage positioning.
• Robust build with a premium finish and excellent manufacturing quality.
• Comfortable to wear, with thick padding and well-distributed weight.
• Creates an out-of-the-head, speaker-like experience by reinterpreting tracks in a unique but natural-sounding manner.

Product Considerations

• Quite picky with the source, needing a high-end source to drive them properly.
• Vocals may sound slightly recessed.
• The earpads can be fiddly to properly place.
• Limited extension on the stock cable.
• The tuning is strongly source and fit dependent.

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Compared to the HIFIMAN Audivina, the Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced has much more bass, while the Audivina has less bass but a slightly hollow sounding midrange.
• Compared to the original Crosszone CZ-8A, the Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced has a much deeper, thicker bass, more impact, and better sub-bass extension, with a wider and deeper soundstage, while the original sounds lighter and the midrange comes through as slightly more natural.
• Compared to the Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced, the Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced offers more detail while allowing the signature to breathe, and the CZ-10 Enhanced leans more towards emotive responses.
• Compared to the Audeze MM-500, the MM-500 goes for neutrality, a full but controlled bass, tight and precision, instead of the romantic, wide and wooly sound that the Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced has.
• Compared to the HIFIMAN Audivina, both have a similar bump in the midrange boosting right the center of the midrange and bringing forward voices, with a slightly open, slightly cuppy sound, but the treble of Audivina is much sharper at all volumes, while the Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced has a much heavier, deeper, stronger and more dominant bass.
• Compared to the Spirit Torino Super Leggera, the sub-bass extends more with the Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced, while the Super Leggera rolls off at around 40 Hz, producing a shallower bass.

Takeaway: The Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced is a well-built headphone with unique technology that gives music a wide and immersive sound. It is great for people who want to hear their music in a new and exciting way.

Product Strengths

• Gorgeous design and fantastic build quality with premium materials, like titanium, aluminum, lambskin leather, and cowhide leather
• Extremely comfortable and lightweight (around 323-333 grams), with oval-shaped earcups suitable for larger ears for long listening periods
• Intuitive controls, including a mix of touch and physical controls, like responsive touchpads and tactile dials for precise volume and ANC adjustments
• Sound quality is well-balanced and versatile, making them suitable for various music genres, with particularly good performance for classical music, podcasts, and rock
• Amazing noise cancellation performance, effectively blocking out mid- and treble-range noises

Product Considerations

• Very high retail price
• Earcups are not very deep
• Not very portable due to a bulky design
• A heavier side, which can develop a little bit of strain on the back of the neck
• The Bang & Olufsen app does not work well, spending a long time trying to connect to the H95 most of the time

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Focal Bathys: The Focal Bathys is cheaper and better in sound quality
• Vs Bose QC45s: The Bose QC45s are a little bit more effective in cancelling the high end of mid-range frequencies that you would get from a busy cafe
• Vs AirPods Max: The H95 manages to separate all the layers very beautifully, the AirPods Max is not on par
• Vs Bowers & Wilkins PX8: The PX8 is more muffled
• Vs Cambridge Audio P100: The P100 has more clarity and crisp sound to that treble without having that sibilance

Takeaway: If you want a luxurious pair of headphones with amazing build quality and very good noise cancellation, the Beoplay H95 could be a good option. The sound quality is great, and they are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions.

Product Strengths

• Wide soundstage, unusually large for a closed-back headphone
• Good mid-bass impact and punch
• Comfortable design, similar to the HE1000 series, despite being heavier
• Detailed sound, especially in the midrange
• Good imaging and separation of instruments

Product Considerations

• Isolation is not strong, described as not much better than an open-back
• Frequency response can be erratic, with peaks and dips, leading to a potentially wonky sound
• Some reviewers noted a shouty, honky, or hollow timbre in the midrange
• Treble can be crisp but potentially harsh or sibilant for some listeners
• Weight can become a comfort issue over longer listening sessions for some

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Versus Dan Clark Audio Stealth, the Audivina has a bigger soundstage
• Versus ZMF Atrium Closed, the Atrium Closed has a thicker, richer sound and better bass extension, while the Audivina has a larger soundstage; the Atrium Closed has a more natural midrange
• Versus HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth, the Audivina has better midrange detail, but the HE1000 Stealth has a warmer and richer sound
• Versus HIFIMAN Arya, the Audivina is more balanced with a fuller midrange, and the Arya has a wider soundstage and is brighter
• Versus Meze Lyric, the Audivina has a wider soundstage, while the Lyric has stronger sub-bass performance

Takeaway: The Audivina is a unique closed-back headphone with a spacious soundstage and detailed sound, which makes for a great listening experience. If looking for something different from a traditional closed-back, this could be a good choice.

Product Strengths

• Exceptional build quality and durability with high-quality materials like Japanese cherry birch wood and metal components
• Comfortable to wear for extended periods due to well-distributed weight, and plush, well-padded leather earcups and headband
• Strong and capable bass response, delivering both sub-bass extension and textured mid-bass impact, without bleeding into the midrange
• Produces a large soundstage for a closed-back headphone, with strong imaging qualities
• Excellent quality cable with good flexibility

Product Considerations

• The headband design may fray over time with prolonged use
• Some reviewers found the treble to be 'spicy' or piercing, potentially harsh on certain recordings
• The sound signature is V-shaped, with a scooped midrange that may not be ideal for genres requiring a flat mid-range response like classical, or jazz
• The cable is not detachable in some models

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Audeze LCD-XC: The TH900mk2(BP) offers stronger low-end texture and deeper visceral kick, while the LCD-XC has better-controlled bass at all times
• Vs Mr. Speakers Ether C: Ether C has a more uniform top-to-bottom balance, non-fatiguing sound, and polished upper treble smoothness, the TH900mk2(BP) is more lively and upfront
• Vs beyerdynamic T5p: The TH900mk2(BP) offers a grander soundstage with more life in the low end and is smoother overall, while the T5p has a sharper edge and potentially more detail
• Vs Sennheiser HD800S/HD820: HD800S and HD820 have better mid-centric performance

Takeaway: The Fostex TH900mk2(BP) is a beautifully crafted and comfortable headphone that delivers powerful bass and a dynamic sound signature, making it an enjoyable listening experience. Its build quality ensures long-term use and enjoyment for those who appreciate a closed-back design with a wide soundstage.

Product Strengths

• Incredible level of craftsmanship that blends premium materials and exotic woods in a visually striking, heirloom-quality headphone
• Comfort is nearly the best experienced in a headphone, feeling light, and the headband's comfort strap, in combination with the pads, distributes the weight perfectly
• Characterized by fast, snappy transients and natural decay
• Very good balance, and the Vérité Closed is a marvelous design feat that shows the true potential of closed-back headphones
• Soundstage is very spacious and open-sounding

Product Considerations

• The tonality and presentation will change drastically depending on the pads used
• A little bit forward by maybe 2-3dB, which adds just a little bit of sibilance in the lower treble

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Compared to Stellia, the reviewer keeps only the Vérité Closed
• Compared to the Focal Utopia, the Vérité Closed beats it in terms of tonality, timbre, staging, and imaging
• Compared to the HD800, the reviewer prefers the Vérité Closed, and most would agree

Takeaway: The Vérité Closed is a well-built headphone with a unique and versatile sound, superb comfort, and sturdy build—a marvelous design feat that shows the true potential of closed-back headphones. Its excellent sound isolation and enjoyable sound signature make it great for office, desk use, or musical enjoyment at home.