The Audeze SINE Headphones Ditch the Audio Jack for a Lightning Connector
With rumors heavily suggesting that the next Apple iPhone family will arrive sans the standard 3.5-millimeter audio jack, headphone makers have been preparing for life without the ubiquitous connector. The high-end Audeze SINE on-ear headphones are among the first offerings to hit the shelves with the new connector as an option.
Based in California, Audeze is already a well known name in the audiophile community. The SINE headphones are the manufacturer's most "mainstream" product thanks to their sub-$500 price tag and mobile-centric design.
Bits You Need to Know
The Audeze SINE headphones feature planar magnetic audio drivers. Those are typically a fixture in ultra premium headphones, and feature in an on-ear headset for the first time. With a size of 80 by 70 millimeters, the drivers are also considerably larger than those found in other on-ear headphones.
The Lightning cable of the headphones features a three-button remote, as well as a built-in high-resolution AMP/DAC. The latter promises a significant improvement in the already excellent wired audio performance of the Apple iPhone or iPad it is connected to.
A cable with a standard audio jack is also included in the headset's retail package. It lacks a microphone and mobile device remote, yet it still expands its usability quite a bit. Buyers also have the option to order the SINE headphones sans Lightning cable for $50 less.
The headphones feature design by DesignWorks USA, which is part of BMW Group. Audeze designs and manufactures the headset in California.
Audeze has crafted the SINE headphones using metal and leather. Despite the premium materials used in its construction, the headset weighs a rather reasonable 230 grams.
Live Impressions
The SINE headphones look amazing in the metal. The DesignWorks team behind the headset has successfully combined both classic and modern motifs and materials, thus making Audeze's headset one of the best looking options in its class.
Build quality is unsurprisingly exceptional too. Both the metal and the genuine leather used in the making of the SINE headphones have both excellent finish and tactility.
Because of their closed back design, the SINE headphones deliver stellar noise isolation, especially considering their lack of active noise-canceling tech.
The headset's fit takes a bit of getting used to. Even though they are quite light for a metal/leather offering, the SINE headphones can clamp around the head a bit too hard for some users. Audeze has an excellent 30-day return policy, so everyone will have enough time to find out it the fit is right.
Sound Quality
Hardware-wise, the Audeze SINE headphones are among the best-equipped on-ear headphones around. Because of their massive planar magnetic audio drivers, the headset delivers superb audio quality regardless of the type of content we played on it.
The sonic experience delivered by the headset impressed on all occasions. From classical music and jazz, through rock and metal, all the way to today's top hits, there isn't a style that the SINE headphones couldn't deliver with levels of detail and authority that are not typical for on-ear headphones.
Verdict
The Audeze SINE headphones are handily among the best on-ear offerings available on the market. They seamlessly combine excellent yet understated design, solid build, and fantastic sound quality.
The Lightning cable, on the other hand, makes the headset a future-proof investment that will deliver audiophile-grade tunes long after the iPhone audio jack goes away. The bundled standard cable ensures that the headphones can work with non-Apple hardware.
At $499 ($449 with only a regular cable), the Audeze SINE headset is priced above what most consider to be premium already. However, we reckon that buyers on the market for top-notch on-ear headphones who have the budget to pick one up will enjoy everything the SINE headphones have to offer.
Photos by Stefan Vazharov
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