FiiO's SNOWSKY Nature is a 50 mm closed-back headphone for about $44
The SNOWSKY sub-brand's first full-size wired headphone weighs 280 g, takes a detachable cable that can be run balanced, and lands at roughly $44.
SNOWSKY, FiiO's budget sub-brand, has released the Nature, a closed-back over-ear headphone at around $44. It uses 50 mm dynamic drivers with carbon-black diaphragms, weighs 280 g, is rated at 24 ohms, and takes a detachable dual-entry cable that can be run single-ended or balanced. Ear pads twist off for replacement, and the finish is a faux wood grain.
A dual-entry cable and replaceable pads on a $44 headphone are worth noting on their own, because they are the two things that decide whether a cheap headphone is still usable in three years. Pads in particular are not cosmetic: as foam compresses, the seal changes, and the bass response goes with it.
Announcement sources
More new Dynamic Drivers
beyerdynamic launches the DT 275 PRO for location and broadcast work
A compact closed-back aimed at professionals working outside a studio, sold on high passive isolation, a neutral tuning and all-day comfort rather than on a new driver.
Viking Audioforge takes the Draupnir to production at £1,799
A year after the prototype won an innovation award, the dual glass-diaphragm open-back is on pre-order at £1,799, with shipping estimated at around three months.
Final opens pre-orders for the DX10000 CL, a diamond-diaphragm flagship at $8,499
Final's closed-back flagship uses a 40 mm diaphragm grown from CVD diamond rather than coated with it, at $8,499, or $8,999 for the first 150 units.
This is an announcement, not a verdict. Specifications come from the manufacturer and nothing here is measured until a unit reaches the rig. For tested dynamic drivers, see Dynamic Drivers reviews. Back to all new releases.