Planes, Trains, and Audiophiles: The Best HiFi Gear for Travel
The Best Audio Gear for the Traveling Audiophile
Ah. Summertime is finally here. Time to pack for the beach. Let’s see… Towels, sunscreen, beach chairs, Meze Audio Elite Headphones, dCS Bartok APEX, and all the Dragon Cables. That should do it, right?
Believe it or not, but these days you can be an audiophile OUTSIDE of the house too – due to technological advancements in our modern-day society, we now have the power to listen to high-fidelity music in all its glory no matter where we are. Welcome to the future! So here you are. You’re finding yourself at a crossroads. Do I continue listening to crappy mp3’s on my low-resolution music service from my phone and AirPod knockoffs or….am I ready to jump into a larger world of better sound and see how far the rabbit hole goes?
Closed-Back Headphones: Great for Keeping Your Music to Yourself
Admit it. A little bit of you dies inside when you’re on the plane or subway and you can hear the music screaming from the headphones of the person sitting or standing next to you. Your first instinct is to ask if this person has any consideration for the people around them. The second is a concern for their hearing if they have to listen to their music this loud. Don’t be that person.
When it comes to listening outdoors, it’s a good idea to have some closed-back headphones due to the noise isolation. You don’t want to necessarily have a clear window to the world around you, because that noise – whether it be the train, plane, traffic, or people talking – will diminish the quality of your audio. The term “closed-back” refers to the fact that the headphone cups are fully sealed, in that they have no opening or venting like “open-back” headphones which are more susceptible to outside noise. The closed-back design of the ear cups helps to keep the music in and the noise out.
The Closed Back Headphone Style: Just the right fit for music listening that’s intimately detailed, especially on the go. The most “intimate” headphone style for detail-oriented music fans. This is the headphone style for fans wanting to feel the most connected with music made by their favorite artists.
Closed-back headphones are certainly the style of choice for going out and keeping your head in the music. There are many variations and features including over-ear or full-size, on-ear, wired, wireless, noise-canceling, and IEMs. The fit and comfort is just as important too – so it is important to tailor your portable gear based on how and where you like to listen to music outside of your home. If you’re pressed for space, IEMs are a great option as they take up hardly any room. On-ear headphones are also smaller than full-size or over-ear headphones. Wireless headphones are a great convenience, but you also sacrifice some sound quality over wired options. Your headphone is just as unique as you are, so make sure you spend the time finding the right pairing and your music will thank you.
Meze Audio 99 Classics Headphones
The 99 Classics from Meze Audio are a great price for entry-level audiophile-grade headphones. Their comfort and design are timeless and will entertain many long listening sessions on the road. The 99 Classics are a relatively portable size for full-size headphones, but they really stand out when it comes to the sound quality for this price point. They provide a good amount of warmth and depth to your music while maintaining a pristine amount of detail and clarity too. Even the Meze soundstage is present, though less so than their higher-grade headphones. The materials for the headphone are stunning, and the wood grain of the ear cup is certainly an eye-catching design. The 99 Classics will sound especially great with classical, jazz, rock, alternative, and even pop music. Of course, if this is your first step up from something like AirPods or beats, then pretty much everything is going to sound better. Meze Audio makes premium products, and they do a great job of bringing that premium quality and sound to all price points.
Denon AH-D9200 Headphones
The Denon AH-D9200 Headphones are great reference-sounding cans without the exorbitant price point. The build quality and overall comfort level fall in line with the standard for a flagship-level headphone, and we’re big fans of the classic-yet-touch-of-modern aesthetic. Along with the premium materials you also get a premium sound: balanced and detailed. The low end is extremely natural yet precise. The mids are energetic and the highs extensive, lending to a sound that will accurately reproduce the music just the way the artist and engineer intended. The Denon AH-D9200 Headphones don't get the credit they deserve for such an excellent sound. Priced at $1,599, it ain't cheap. But considering the price points for other flagship model headphones out there, it's a downright steal.
We like to pair the Denon AH-D9200 with a Premium Black Dragon Cable for additional musicality and bottom-end presence.
Meze Audio Liric II Planar Magnetic Headphones
The Meze Audio Liric II Headphones are refined and balanced-sounding, perfect for everyday casual listening. With a spacious soundstage and amazing imaging, you'll experience an airiness to your music that makes acoustic melodies shine. As the replacement for the OG Liric Headphones, the Liric II retains the wonderful detail and energy of the first generation with some added bass and a well-rounded midrange. You get a full-bodied low-end and sharp, detailed attacks that emphasize the plucking, picking, and strumming of string instruments. Instruments and vocals are evenly balanced for a crisp, yet musical sound that sings to your ears. As a planar magnetic headphone, we recommend pairing the Liric II with a headphone amp, DAC, or DAP to drive them efficiently.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable
Wireless and Noise-Canceling Headphones
Wireless and noise-cancellation are a convenience when it comes to portable music listening. Period. We’re not here to argue if it’s audiophile-grade, and how the ANC actually adds noise into the signal, blah, blah. Anyone who does a lot of travel for work or pleasure knows that listening to music through tiny little earbuds on a plane is 1) next to impossible and 2) really harmful to your hearing since you'll have to turn the volume up to compromise for the ambient noise including the plane engines. The technology has come a long way since its inception in the 1950s. It was designed specifically for the field of aviation, where noise-canceling systems were created to reduce the noise for the pilots in the cockpit area, help make their communications easier, and protect their hearing. Today, they are designed with the consumer in mind, the frequent flyer, or someone who just wants to block the world out from time to time.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
The top of our list of ANC options is probably the best in this category: the XM5. Sony has really led the pack lately when it comes to noise-canceling technology, easily surpassing Bose and Sennheiser. Of course, there are many other full-size ANC headphones on the market, but Sony does it best. Wireless audio is not perfect, but the Sony XM5 makes you think it’s achievable, if not almost there.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 incorporates the best ideas from the competition as well, so you can be assured you're getting everything you possibly can for this price point. An amazing 30-hour battery with ANC, combined with LDAC compatibility, and a Dragon Cable, and you have a headphone that can literally do it all; the Swiss-army knife of headphones if you will. The XM5 makes enough quality-of-life updates from the previous generation to make it a worthwhile upgrade. It’s a headphone that learns to integrate into your day-to-day, and it's smart enough not to get in the way.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Bronze Dragon Portable Headphone Cable
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earphones
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earphones are the Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbud's biggest rival. The Momentum 4 Wireless Earphones deliver an exceptional listening experience and its effortless portability makes them great for all-day, everyday use. Whether you're on the go, at the gym, or simply enjoying your favorite tunes at home, these earphones deliver ultra-crystal-clear sound and uncompromising comfort. Just like the Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones, the earphones are equipped with active noise cancellation that isolates you from the outside world. Within the Sennheiser App, you can adjust the EQ settings of the Momentum 4 with an option to enhance the bass even more and a preset for audiobooks and spoken word listening. They are great for so many genres, bringing out some nuanced clarity and expressive midrange in your music. Bluetooth and hi-res codecs sound great, comfort is even better than the last generation (which was phenomenal), and gesture and touch controls make navigating your music as simple as swiping a finger. What more could you want?
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds
The Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds are the ultimate in sonic convenience. They're not $1K IEMs or earphones, so don't expect a miracle here, but Sony does a great job in providing affordable earbuds that sound great and provide more features than you'll probably use. It's a device that's so well integrated into your day-to-day, that you don't have to think about it. The biggest takeaway for me was how well they sounded compared to their big brother, the full-size WH-1000XM5 headphones. If I'm going on a trip and I had to decide between full-size headphones or earbuds with minimal difference in sound quality, I'm definitely picking the earbuds due to space and weight. It also worked great as a headset for phone calls, seamlessly transitioning from music and media when calls were received.
Sony still leads the class in ANC technology as well, being some of the most effective at noise-canceling for a device of this size. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is the perfect solution for those looking for premium consumer-priced earbuds with above-average sound quality. What are the best earbuds? Well for under $300 you can't get any better than these.
IEMs: Small, but Mighty Sound in the Palm of Your Hand
In-ear monitors or IEMs are one of the best options for portable due to their great sound and small form factor. Technically, the term "in-ear monitor" refers to an earphone that is meant to be used as -- and in fact was created to be -- a tool for performing artists and recording engineers. The earpieces that singers wear on stage are called 'in-ear monitors.’ They provide the singer with a direct source of sound and allow them to customize their stage mix. They also allow the singer to listen to backing tracks. IEMs have slowly replaced traditional stage monitors. But earphones and IEMs are also very much enjoyed by audiophiles and music enthusiasts who enjoy the convenience and increasingly high-fidelity sound provided by this headphone type.
Both earphones and IEMs have an inherent convenience factor that traditional full-size headphones can lack, and that is portability due to their compact size. Noise isolation is another benefit. The ear pieces on IEMs and earphones go past your concha and extend into your ear canal, thanks to silicone tips attached to the nozzles. This design creates optimal noise isolation, allowing you to enjoy your music more clearly and at a lower volume. It also makes your earphones less likely to fall out of your ears. Plus, most earphone packages offer different size tips to ensure you get the best, most comfortable fit possible.
For starters, earphones and in-ear monitors are the most portable headphone type. Small enough to fit in your pocket and discreet enough to wear without advertising that you're using them, IEMs are easy to wear while shopping, exercising, traveling, and more. Another advantage is that IEMs can easily be worn during exercise, even high-impact activities like running. Because they sit snugly in the ear canal, you can be assured they will stay in place during a good amount of movement and jostling.
Meze Audio ALBA Dynamic Driver IEMs
Meze Audio's newest IEM the Alba is perfect for everyday listening in any scenario. The Alba vividly emphasizes every aspect of your favorite songs with a neutral, warm-leaning sound signature. Built with daily listening in mind, the Alba is extremely comfortable with an ergonomic shape that nestles comfortably in your ear and provides excellent noise isolation. As a single dynamic driver IEM, the Alba is easy to use and can be driven by your smartphone using the 3.5mm to USB-C adapter cable. This specially-made adapter features a built-in DAC/Amp combo to ensure an immersive listening experience. The adapter also features an LED indicator that turns on when properly connected. Designed for those who dance to their own beat, for the curious and the free-spirited, the Alba IEM comprises a perfectly accessible and qualitative introduction into the world of elevated audio enjoyment.
64 Audio Solo In-Ear Monitors
64 Audio's first single-driver universal IEM, the 64 Audio Solo IEM delivers a detailed sound with great musicality. Staying true to the tech-savvy legacy of the Fourté, Trio, and Duo IEMs, 64 Audio looked to the past for innovative solutions to the modern challenge of tuning a single driver. In addition to a traditional electronic filter that subtly shifts the tonal balance, 64 Audio deployed a dual Helmholtz Resonator for precise tonal adjustments. The 14.2mm planar driver’s acoustic chamber integrates two Helmholtz resonators, meticulously tuned to acoustically sculpt its frequency response. This combined with the patented LID technology, delivers a sound that's quintessentially 64 Audio–accurate, musical, and balanced.
DAPs: The Traveling Audiophile's All-In-One
“Why do you need a DAP when your phone can do the exact same thing?”
Your phone can’t do the same thing. DAP stands for Digital Audio Player. You can call them portable music players too. Think of the iPod, now throw that thought away, and a DAP can do pretty much everything better. A DAP is usually a smart device like a phone without the calling feature. It has a mobile OS like Android, has a high-end DAC, or digital to analog converter, and includes an amplifier for headphones – and wifi for streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify. They also include Bluetooth for wireless listening via high-resolution codecs. DAPs are also play ready with a bunch of different file types and sizes and come with ANALOG I/O for headphones. Yes. Headphone jacks. Crazy, right? So, they are all these things wrapped up into one portable high-fidelity package.
While it may be more convenient to just have your phone and some AirPods, you’re just not going to get any kind of high resolution or high fidelity audio. And for those of us who don’t want to sacrifice our sound quality in the name of portability, the DAP is the perfect answer. The tough thing is that there are DAPs of all shapes, sizes, DACs, amps, I/O, and price points out there, so it’s tough to know where to start if you don’t already have one.
If you have questions about how some music players sound – be sure to check out our Best DAPs of 2022 Buying Guide. It’s a great overview of just some of the amazing DAPs out there. For now, we’ll just go over a couple of options.
Astell&Kern SP3000M DAP Music Player
One of Astell&Kern's most portable DAPs yet, the A&ultima SP3000M Music Player delivers exceptional playback and performance in a lightweight, compact form factor. As the predecessor to the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 DAP, the SP3000M retains many of the high-quality features like the Snapdragon 6125 Octa-Core processor, Digital Audio Remaster Technology (DAR), and TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution. With 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs and support for many audio formats, like LDAC, WAV, and FLAC, the SP3000M is a highly versatile digital audio player capable of Native DSD 512, and 32-bit/768kHz PCM, driving your favorite IEMs and headphones of various impedances. Equipped with Astell&Kern's flagship DAC chip AK4499EX from AKM, you'll enjoy a detailed, dynamic, and balanced sound quality with incredible imaging, layering, and a soundstage fit for an audiophile's discerning ears.
Who is the SP3000M for? The SP3000M is for the audiophile and music lover who never compromises on sound quality. If you loved the SP3000 and SP3000T, but the form factor turned you away–Meet the SP3000M. It's got an incredible form factor for everyday on-the-go listening, with a body made of lightweight aluminum, 10 hours of playback, and an included leather case. Meet your perfect portable audio companion and start enjoying some higher fidelity with the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000M DAP.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable
Shanling M9 Plus Music Player DAP
Based on the same Android platform as the original M9 DAP, the Shanling M9 Plus DAP features many improvements including the new flagship AKM DAC system, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, and improved power supply. The M9 Plus DAP features Shanling's Quad DAC design squeezing four AKM AK4499EX DACs into the player, getting access to an 8-channel audio design for an independent balanced circuit. The quad DAC design offers an increased current output and overall improved dynamics, better SNR, and lower background noise, with all four DACs being active for the balanced output.
The overall construction of the M9 Plus DAP follows the high standards set by the M9, with an expertly crafted CNC aluminum body made of a single piece of aluminum, this time shortened by 0.5cm, for a bit more compact dimensions. Users will enjoy a beautiful 6-inch 2k touchscreen with a speedy Snapdragon 665 octa-core CPU running open Android 10 system, packing 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking, generous 256GB internal memory for all your apps, and a MicroSD card with support up to 2TB.
With three independent XC9519 converters integrated into the DAC and headphone circuit, the M9 Plus boasts the most stable power supply among all Shanling portable players, ensuring optimal working conditions for all its audio components. Listeners can enjoy 18 hours of playback using the single-ended output, 11 hours using the balanced output, and 83 hours via a Bluetooth connection.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable
DACs: Easy Gains
DACs are one of the easiest ways to drastically improve the quality of your music. We like to call them the Google Translate of your audio system, and as such, not all translators are equal. They come in a plethora of shapes, sizes, chips, price points, and more. DAC stands for digital to analog converter, and essentially what it does is take the data from the original sound, and convert this digital data back to an analog signal. To do this, it converts the bits of data from the stored files into an analog electrical signal at thousands of set times per second, called samples. The DAC outputs these samples into a wave that intersects at all the sample points. The more samples or data in general, the more accurate the original wave will be and therefore better sound quality as a result.
There’s no need to make it super complicated. The bottom line is that consumer-level devices all have built-in factory DAC chips. The quality of the converter chip most companies use for their devices is just not that great. Most external DACs are far superior because they have one job: to convert digital signals to analog (and to do it well). That’s it. That’s all they do. Of course, there are differences from DAC to DAC, but the one thing they all have in common is what they were designed to do: to convert digital signals to analog. The audio output from a standalone digital to analog converter is going to be drastically better than your built-in source device like a phone.
Chord Electronics Mojo 2 DAC Headphone Amp
There's a reason why no other DAC sold as well once the original Mojo was released. It was that good. It brought unparalleled sound to your mobile setup. Audiophile-grade audio with fidelity and power unmatched. The reigning king of portable DACs. Only to be overthrown by itself, the new Mojo 2. The sonic upgrades are there - don't be fooled by some of the specs being identical. Sound doesn't just lie in new chips. Chord has a design process where they assess what really needs to be improved, and the Mojo 2 is a refinement in that art. Better transparency, more depth, improved bass response, larger battery - it's all there. But the new features steal the show by giving the listener more control over their music. Low/High gain options, better color-coded indicators (will take some time to learn), new menu filters, intelligent desktop mode, EQ, and much more. It’s one of the most popular options on the market to greatly improve the quality of your sound.
Clarus CODA USB Headphone Amplifier DAC
You shouldn’t leave home without a USB DAC in my opinion. The Clarus CODA is one of the best portable USB DACs at/under $300 on the market. Its signature SABRE sound is proven and popular, and the construction is durable. What puts the CODA above the competition however are the features and functionality, giving you way more control over your music than a simple plug-and-play device (despite being just as easy to install and use). Manual volume control, filters, great construction, and sound - Don't be fooled by the small size, because it packs a lot of punch and can drive most portable full-size headphones or IEMs you throw at it. The CODA is a solid recommendation for those wanting big, clean sound while being small enough to throw in your bag for everyday use.
iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon Headphone Amp DAC
New this year to Moon Audio is iFi. The Gryphon adds a few more features that a portable DAC like the Mojo 2 doesn’t have. Including Bluetooth and balanced port selections, the Gryphon should be a serious contender if you’re looking for something in this form factor. The device has a great selection of I/O, a great-looking design, and a display screen that is configured to not add any additional noise to the circuitry.
The DAC includes both a 3.5mm unbalanced headphone port and a 4.4 balanced port. The Gryphon includes separate Bluetooth, DAC, and Amp stages for additional noise isolation and to maximize performance. Digital sources also include USB and S/PDIF as well. The Gryphon has additional tonal options called XSpace and XBass II that tailor the music according to your listening preferences if you want to add more low-end presence and/or upper midrange frequencies. It’s a more than capable DAC and headphone amp and it gets our recommendation for one of the top portable gear you should have in your audiophile arsenal.
Dragon Cables
Your gear is only as good as the weakest link, and that in most cases is your OEM cable. When you're on the move, bending and plugging cables in and out all the time, guess what's the first thing to usually fail?
We recommend upgrading your cables to high-quality Dragon Cables made with premium materials to make sure nothing is bottlenecking your high-resolution audio from getting to your ears. Silver and Black Dragon headphone and USB cables are our most popular products, giving you a variety of headphone connections and usb connection types. You want it, we can make it. We can create custom solutions for your portable setup - just contact us and we'll be more than happy to help you!
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