The Fox and The Bear
The Spark and the Breath: A Fireside Talk on Amps
Three forest creatures. One question. And a fourth, with answers. The Clearing The fire had been burning for a while now—slow, steady, soft enough to hear the rustle of leaves above it. Around it sat three figures: the Bear, old and mellow; the Moose, tall and carved from silence; and the Boar, stout with practical…
The Weight of Sound: A Bear’s Reflections with the FiiO K11
I didn’t go looking for the FiiO K11. It found me—tucked between a stack of jazz records and a half-finished mug of tea. I’d grown tired of chasing specs and firmware updates. What I wanted was something that didn’t ask questions. Something that just worked. The K11, with its brushed silver face and softly glowing…
The Honest Interface: Notes from a Fox with a Scarlett Solo
I didn’t buy the Scarlett Solo because I needed it. I bought it because I heard it might finally understand me. My old audio setup—some rudimentary DAC tethered to the motherboard’s clumsy whispers—was functional, but uninspired. Then came this crimson brick of possibility. Sleek, silent, and distinctly un-bearlike, the Solo didn’t promise magic. It promised…
For the Ears or the Airwaves? A Fox-and-Bear Guide to PC Audio
The two friends – the fox and the bear – who were earlier trying to understand the finer points about impedance have moved to the city. It’s a good thing, they share a neighborhood. They get together quite often. Today, they are discussing what to get for their personal needs. Both are looking to enhance…
The Impedance Equation: When Amps Treat Headphones Like Speakers—And Why It Doesn’t Always Work
Speakers and headphones both crave music, but they don’t eat from the same plate. The trouble starts when your amp forgets that. What follows is a point-by-point, concise discussion of each aspect of impedance in relation to amps. Further down, you will find a video explaining the technicalities of connecting an amp with a headphone.…
The Impedance Equation: More Ohms, More Problems? Why High-Impedance Doesn’t Always Mean Better Sound
1. The Seductive Numbers GameIn the world of audiophilia, numbers can become gospel. Impedance, measured in ohms, is one such figure that often gets misinterpreted. The assumption? That higher impedance headphones—250Ω, 600Ω—are inherently superior in fidelity and build. But this view strips away context. While those figures look impressive in spec sheets, they don’t account…
The Impedance Equation: Why Ohms Matter in Your Headphone Choice
I am looking at that image and thinking: “Those headphones don’t really cover the ears of the fox and the bear. Not so easy to design headphones for our friends in the wild!” Anyway… Ever wondered why two headphones with the same price tag can sound worlds apart on your phone? It often comes down…
