The company Radius, widely known among Japanese audiophiles, is not massively represented on the world market. Like many developers oriented to the market of the Land of the Rising Sun, they are not soaring with exports, which makes the task of getting to know their products very nontrivial. Recently, I got a new development of this company - model TWF-41.
The design of these headphones is very interesting, they use two drivers. Dynamic is responsible for bass and midrange frequencies, and for a high-frequency circuit a piezo-radiator is intended. They are placed both coaxially, a similar decision in Radius consider their discovery and are proud of it. The new line is represented by two models, except 41 there is also a younger one, 31, standing at $ 100 cheaper.
As I wrote above, to purchase these headphones outside of Japan is a difficult task, but, like many other similar cases, to help , both Radius models are presented for them, for the senior they ask 420 dollars.
Specifications
- Emitters: 13 mm dynamic + 12 mm piezo
- Sensitivity: 108 ± 3 dB / mW
- Frequency range: 10 Hz to 45 kHz
- Maximum power: 20 mW
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Cable: interchangeable with MMCX connectors, 1.2 meters
- Plug: gold-plated, 3.5 mm TRS
- Weight with wire: 18 g
Packing and delivery kit
According to the tradition typical for the Japanese, the packaging is given a lot of attention. The outer box is made of a thin cardboard maroon, this "dust jacket" prints a ton of information, but almost all of it is in Japanese and without translation. Inside, the main black box is hidden, it is thicker and more solid. Directly under the cover are beautifully located headphones and cable connectors, exposed for show. Other accessories are hidden under the top panel. In addition to TWF-41, you will also receive: 3 pairs of silicone attachments of different sizes (the fourth pair is worn on the headphones), a pair of foam nozzles, a stylish round case reminding the company logo and a cloth for wiping your charm.
In general, everything you need to use headphones is included, but for their price, the bundle of supplies might be richer.
Design and comfort
The performance of the headphones leaves a double impression. On the one hand, they look very interesting, the traditional Japanese model with an interesting combination of red, black and golden colors, and the red is also beautifully poured. An unusual shape that attracts attention, well thought-out ergonomics, allowing you to carry headphones and cable down and zaushno. But on the other hand, the body of the model is made of ordinary glossy plastic, and glued from two halves. Taking into account the price category, you expect to see at least aluminum.
If we look at it from a different angle again, the plastic made it possible to make the headphones light enough that, in combination with well-designed sound guides, gives a very comfortable fit. The model is equipped with special nozzles designed specifically for these headphones, they provide a truly comfortable wearing with good isolation of the auditory canal. Despite the open design, the noise insulation of the model is at an average level, roughly corresponding to the typical IEM. The depth of putting the tips on the sound guide can be changed, this allows a little ottyuningovat sound and landing.
The wire that comes in the kit is quite good. MMCX connectors are very tight, so it snaps into place and for a long time. The cable has a cloth insulation, due to this it is sufficiently reliable and does not harden in the cold, but has a microphone effect (noise from friction against clothing). To combat this, you can use a breech landing or the slider of the splitter block.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, Fiio X7 and Luxury & Precission L5Pro as portable players
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 96 hours, this is the case when the headphones need a long warm-up.
In the sound, the developers also decided to go their own way, and made for this model a very soft darkened sound with a bias in the bass.
The bass of the TWF-41 is strong, deep, but not dry, like a reinforcing headset, without trying to spread everything into separate layers. LFs are fed slightly together, with the energy inherent in dynamic radiators. Drawing textures is not prohibitive, but at a very good level.
Middle frequencies are the most controversial part of the sound of this model. MFs are fed very closely and softly, which leads to loss of detail. I think this is partly due to the coaxial arrangement of the drivers, since the RF emitter is in front of the speaker and "drowns" it. Or it can be an intentional course of developers, which is also possible. For some styles, this sounds interesting (jazz, some kinds of vocal music), for some (like rock and metal), it's critical. Plus it all depends on personal preferences, I do not have enough permission from Radius, but a few acquaintances were very enthusiastic about such a presentation. The imaginary scene is below average, an intimate pitch is generally characteristic of dark headphones.
The upper frequency range in this model was very successful. The piezo-radiator used in the TWF-41 sounds very balanced, offering excellent speed, damping and a very good balance of their number. I hope that the idea of such emitters will find its application in other models.
Compatibility
Since headphones have their own feed, they can be used with simple sources such as mobile phones. Nevertheless, for a full-fledged disclosure of the model, they are recommended a quality player with a light and technical presentation. In my role, Questyle QP1R did it best.
Because of the dyed sound, the headphones are not universal. In some styles (jazz, chamber music, vocals), their warm and intimate presentation can benefit the material, giving it convincing thoroughness. For some styles (heavy metal, rock), headphones are not suitable at all. Although everything ultimately rests on personal preferences, and I know people who listen with pleasure in this model, for example, Nightwish.
As usual, a few tracks in the role of examples.
Niechec - Mojry. Do you like experimental jazz, how do I love it? If so, you definitely can not pass by the albums of these talented Poles. A wonderful mixture of everything and everything, cheerful, incendiary and dynamic. And if you like a warm vintage pitch - you will be provided with TWF-41.
Miles Davis - Sanctuary. And a little more jazz, this time the most that neither is classic. One of the best albums in the history of this style in the headphones Radius sounds a bit unusual, but very vivid.
Yello - Limbo. Classics of electronic music have proved once again that it is very early to write them off. They continue to sound, on the one hand, familiar, on the other hand - fresh. And, of course, they win from the powerful bass of the heroes of today's review.
conclusions
In general, we can say that the TWF-41 turned out to be typically Japanese headphones. The catchy appearance is combined with the same unusual sound, so this model, of course, is not universal. Connoisseurs of such a presentation will find the TWF-41 unique, fans of unpainted sound should look at other models.
The article is based on materials .
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