Headphones setups
PHONE 1
APPLE iPHONE 15
PRO MAX
The ultimate iPhone, the hot new 15 Pro Max does a lot right – its 48MP camera and 5x telephoto lens are truly impressive, its new action button provides a programmable shortcut and its aerospace-grade titanium build offers extra peace of mind. But for all of its many strengths, the Apple flagship doesn’t excel at audio. And this is where it could
do with a helping hand.
$2,199, apple.com/au DAC 2 $299, audioquest.com
AUDIOQUEST DRAGONFLY RED
The DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) and audio stage inside the iPhone – or any phone for that matter – can easily be bettered for sound quality by an external one like this all-time-favourite, the USBstick-shaped DragonFly. Connect
its USB-A endpoint to the Pro Max using Apple’s camera adapter, and you have a relatively discreet and fuss-free way to soup up your
phone audio.
HEADPHONES 3
AUSTRIAN AUDIO HI-X15
Naturally, the AudioQuest DAC can only fulfil its destiny as an audio-enhancing middleman if a pair of wired headphones is connected to its other, 3.5mmsocketed end. Our choice pick?
Austrian Audio’s affordable (and traditionally closed-back) over-ears, which can extract heaps of detail while keeping the soul of your music intact. And they manage to look damned
good doing it, too.
$199, austrian.audio STREAMING SERVICE 4
APPLE MUSIC
Apple Music changed the music
streaming landscape in 2021 when it started offering lossless and hi-res streaming for no extra cost over its standard subscription fee (and spurred Amazon to quickly follow suit!).
With excellent sound quality, nuanced curation and the bonus
of spatial audio to experiment with, Apple Music is undoubtedly the number one streaming service
for iOS loyals.
$12.99/month, apple.com/au
LAPTOP 5
APPLE MACBOOK AIR M2 The best Mac for most people,
the latest Air is a complete revelation with its revolutionary
redesign and reinvigorated performance. That new 13.6-inch screen is punchy and practical in size, its endurance is mightily impressive (hello, all-day battery life), and it’s nothing short of a powerhouse in use. Again, though, audio outputs on such everyday devices leave much to
be desired…
From $1,799, apple.com/au DAC 6
IFI ZEN DAC V2
It isn’t just phones that have relatively poor audio outputs; laptops also sound lacklustre compared to decent standalone
DACs/headphone amplifiers. This dinky device is an exemplary entry-level desktop DAC that can connect and handily draw power from an Air M2’s USB-C socket. Connections and file support
are generous, but its clear, expressive performance is the
unquestionable highlight.
$354, ifi-audio.com STREAMING SERVICE 7
TIDAL HIFI PLUS Tidal’s HiFi Plus music service is the best there is, offering high-quality lossless and hires streams, a comprehensive music library, an intuitive interface and really useful
discovery features. It’s significantly pricier than its hi-res rivals, Apple Music and Amazon Music HD, at $23.99 per month, but we think it’s worth it for the sweet-sounding streams that
emanate from it.
$23.99/month, tidal.com HEADPHONES 8
BEYERDYNAMIC
DT 700 PRO X Completing this desirable desktop audio system are these wired, closed-back cans. They’re not just the epitome of comfort, thanks to their velourcovered earpads and padded headband, but also deliver superb
performance thanks to their entertaining character. Too bulky for the streets maybe, but ideal
for sinking into a chair while listening to your favourite tracks.