Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • Quad diaphragm per side
  • 8mm dynamic driver with dual diaphragm BA vented midrange, single BA super tweeter
  • Tubeless, damperless, open nozzle design
  • Nootka Wood shells/faces
  • Spalted Tamarind custom case
  • CNC machined from solid wood 
  • Handcrafted by Simon Fisk with signature case

The Blonde Nootkas are one-of-a-kind, premium IEMs handcrafted by Simon Fisk, featuring a quad diaphragm driver system for pristine, balanced sound.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

Unity Dynamic IEM

  • Position: A cost-effective IEM that brings dynamic driver technology into Plunge Audio's lineup.
  • Description: Features a proprietary tuning method with a dynamic driver that delivers deep bass, balanced mids, and extended highs through a tubeless, damper-less design. Compared to the Unity Stage IEM and the Signature Series, it prioritizes affordability and studio-suitable clarity for users with limited budgets and straightforward functionality needs.

Unity IEM

  • Position: A mid-range IEM offering a universal, custom-like fit with advanced quad-driver performance.
  • Description: Uses a patented shell design and quad-driver tubeless, damper-less construction to create an expansive and natural soundstage with precise imaging. In contrast to the more budget-friendly Dynamic model and the exclusive Signature Series, it provides enhanced sonic detail and a well-balanced sound.

Signature Series

  • Position: An ultra-premium, one-of-a-kind series crafted by Simon Fisk for the most discerning users.
  • Description: These IEMs merge artisanal design with expert sonic tuning, using premium materials like stainless steel or exotic wood and bespoke adjustments that are unique to each creation. Compared to both Unity models, the Signature Series offers a tailored listening experience with exclusive aesthetics and functionality.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
846
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
5
Founding Year
2005

Our take on the brand

Plunge Audio is a hifi headphone brand that rejects driver count marketing in favor of tubeless, damper-less acoustic paths designed to create a distinct "on-stage" spatial perspective that positions listeners within the band rather than in the audience.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

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From our interview with
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Brand Page

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Plunge Audio

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What if you spend more?

Product image
Bowers & Wilkins
Px8
699
699
/
64
Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
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Product Strengths

  • Premium build quality and materials with luxurious Nappa leather detailing and a cast aluminum yoke
  • Comfortable for long listening sessions with soft earcups and a headband that provides even pressure distribution
  • Excellent sound quality with 40mm carbon cone drivers delivering ultra-fast response, low distortion, and a clean, smooth sound signature
  • Effective active noise cancellation (ANC) reduces low-frequency sounds and midrange chatter, with the Nappa leather providing a tighter seal
  • Realistic soundstage scale with tight, well-defined imaging, with the sound feeling more live and in front of the listener

Product Considerations

  • Multipoint pairing is not always seamless, and there might be occasional wind noise from the earcup due to software glitches, with wear detection being inconsistent and inaccurate
  • Limited app customization with only bass and treble adjustments, lacking a fully customizable EQ
  • Microphone pickup is good in quiet environments, but can be affected by heavy noise gating in noisy conditions, causing voice fade-in/out
  • Some emphasis on bass response, which may not appeal to everyone
  • There is concern about the Nappa leather being easily scratched

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the PX7 S2, the PX8 offers better sound quality with greater instrument separation and realism due to the carbon fiber drivers, and also features more premium materials
  • While the PX8 active noise cancelling does well, Sony still has better mic pickup
  • The PX8 provides a good alternative to the Airpods Max
  • The PX8 stacks up among some of the best wireless headphones along with the Focal Bathys

Takeaway: The Px8 is a premium wireless headphone with outstanding build quality and sound performance, which is perfect for audiophiles seeking a luxurious listening experience. It combines comfort, effective noise cancellation, and detailed audio reproduction, making it a worthwhile investment for those prioritizing sound quality and high-end materials.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Mark Levinson
№ 5909
999
999
/
36
Reviews

Lose yourself in your music with the first-ever headphones from Mark Levinson, a pioneer in high-fidelity audio for the past 50 years. Reference-quality sound meets luxurious comfort in a lightweight and durable set of headphones featuring Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that’s perfect for travel. Reveal the hidden details in your music – at home, on the go, or anywhere you find a moment to listen.

Well-known in hifi for decades, Mark Levinson produces high-end solid-state amplifiers that rank among the best. They pioneered high-end audio with their LNP-2 preamplifier, proving that solid-state circuits could outperform tube electronics, and their ML-2 monaural power amplifier became a reference standard for its unparalleled sound quality.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Excellent sound quality with a balanced and refined signature, detailed mids, and smooth treble
  • Effective active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient aware mode
  • Premium build quality with high-quality materials such as leather, anodized aluminum, and metallic paint
  • Comfortable for long listening sessions due to soft leather ear cushions and a well-designed headband
  • Comprehensive codec support (LDAC, aptX Adaptive, AAC) for high-resolution wireless audio

Product Considerations

  • High price point, making them inaccessible for many consumers
  • App is lacking in some features, such as fully customizable EQ and customizable ANC modes
  • On-cup controls are described as basic and not very intuitive to use
  • Some reviewers feel the design does not fully convey a sense of luxury for the price
  • Occasional reports of issues with the 'on-head detection' feature—causing connection problems

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Focal Bathys: The Mark Levinson 5909 offers a cleaner and more natural tonality with a smoother, more consistent, and detailed treble response than the Focal Bathys
  • Vs Apple AirPods Max: The Mark Levinson 5909 offers better sound quality, particularly in the bass frequencies, and is more comfortable than the AirPods Max
  • Vs Bowers & Wilkins PX8: The Mark Levinson 5909 measures better in audio quality

Takeaway: The Mark Levinson № 5909 headphones offer excellent sound, comfort, and noise cancellation, making them a top-tier choice for those seeking a premium listening experience. With their high-end sound quality and comprehensive feature set, these headphones are a great option for audiophiles wanting the best wireless experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Well-known in hifi for decades, Mark Levinson produces high-end solid-state amplifiers that rank among the best. They pioneered high-end audio with their LNP-2 preamplifier, proving that solid-state circuits could outperform tube electronics, and their ML-2 monaural power amplifier became a reference standard for its unparalleled sound quality.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Focal
Hadenys
754
754
/
13
Reviews
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Beautiful design and build quality with premium materials, like a magnesium yoke and genuine leather headband
  • Good comfort with memory foam earpads and breathable cloth, though some find the pads shallow
  • Well-rounded tonal balance with surprisingly strong bass for an open-back headphone
  • Easy to drive and forgiving with different audio sources
  • Clear and spacious sound presentation, with accurate imaging

Product Considerations

  • The price point may be higher than some consumers want to pay
  • The relatively small size might not fit all head shapes comfortably
  • Stock cable is reported to have memory and be unwieldy
  • Sound staging isn't the widest

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Focal Azurys: Some prefer the sound of the Azurys for some songs and use cases
  • Vs Sennheiser HD600: Hadenys has improvements in the bass and treble response, and there's more oomph and weight in the bass
  • Vs Focal Clear MG: Hadenys manages to provide a remarkable amount of Clear MG for a lower price
  • Vs Focal Elex: dynamics are not on par with the Focal Elex
  • Vs Sennheiser HD 660S2: The Focal manages to feel as solid, while looking better, wearing better and sounding better

Takeaway: The Hadenys offers a stylish design, comfortable fit, and well-rounded sound, making it a versatile headphone for enjoying music at home. Its solid construction and easy-to-drive nature make it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a premium listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Dali
Dali IO-8
900
900
/
13
Reviews

Premium DALI IO-8 wireless Hi-Fi headphones with custom DALI driver technology bring you genuine Hi-Fi performance, while advanced audiophile active noise cancellation technology lets you enjoy the same genuine sound, wherever your are.True Hi-Fi PerformanceDALI IO-8 headphones are designed and engineered using the same sound principles as our full-size loudspeakers – they're true Hi-Fi speakers for your head.Audiophile Active Noise CancellationSilence the outside world with unique active noise cancellation technology tuned carefully by DALI to strip away the distractions without impairing the sound.35-Hour Battery LifeEnjoy up to 35 hours of peerless noise-cancelling playback.Dual Sound ModesTailor the performance to your own style with 'Hi-Fi' and 'Bass' sound modes.

DALI is a speaker brand known for its unique hybrid tweeter module that combines a soft dome and planar ribbon tweeter, along with proprietary Soft Magnetic Compound technology that reduces distortion. Their speakers feature distinctive wood fiber cones and are designed to be used without toe-in, which creates a broader, more even spread of sound across the listening area.
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Product Strengths

  • Positive, detailed, and convincing sound makes music enjoyable, rather than academic
  • Exceptional build quality with premium materials, including brushed metal and tactile fabric, gives them an understatedly good look and feel
  • Can function as hard-wired passive headphones without battery power, offering flexibility and continuous use
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC) effectively reduces external noise without significantly impacting the sonic characteristics of the headphones
  • Balanced frequency response with smooth transitions and ample detail throughout the range

Product Considerations

  • The lack of a control app limits user customization options
  • The use of real leather in the earpads may not appeal to vegan customers
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC) is decent, but not class-leading compared to brands like Bose
  • The midrange can be a bit too relaxed for some users

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to Bowers & Wilkins PX8, the Dali IO-8 offers distinct sound
  • Compared to Sennheiser Momentum 4, the Dali IO-8 is heavier
  • Compared to Focal Bathys, the Dali IO-8 is lighter

Takeaway: The Dali IO-8 is a premium headphone that delivers high-quality sound with a focus on musicality and build quality. It's a great choice for listeners who value a balanced sound signature, comfortable design, and the flexibility of wired and wireless use.

Video review

Our take on the brand

DALI is a speaker brand known for its unique hybrid tweeter module that combines a soft dome and planar ribbon tweeter, along with proprietary Soft Magnetic Compound technology that reduces distortion. Their speakers feature distinctive wood fiber cones and are designed to be used without toe-in, which creates a broader, more even spread of sound across the listening area.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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