In headphone news: miniature electrostatic headphone drivers, MOG is morphing, Bloomberg tells the kids to quiet down, some Apple musing, headphone connectors at Furutec, and more.

The recent introduction of the Meridian Explorer has caused quite a stir in the headphone world. The headphone output impedance was measured at around 48 Ohms...way to high for a headphone jack. Meridian has executed an in-line run change and the product now has about 5 Ohms output impedance. Much better!

I thought it would be a great moment to compare the two versions and explain why a low output impedance is important for good headphone fidelity.

Arguably the most important audiophile headphones of the last two decades, the Sennheiser HD 580/600/650 family of headphones have a history of being both revered and maligned by headphone enthusiasts. I must admit to falling in and out of love with them numerous times.

What a long, strange trip it's been.

Icon Audio is a self-professed "small company" based Leicester UK. Since 1999 they have been in the business of making tube-based audio gear, chiefly amplifiers and preamps but also CD players and even tube-friendly speakers. I examine their HP8 MKII headphone amplifier to see what Icon is all about.