Author: Sword of Damocles
Hifi Fair 2025
Headphone Corner made its way again this year with one man to Helsinki's Hifi Fair to check out the headphone offerings of Finnish importers and retailers. Unlike last year, this time I also had to sharpen up my writing for the travel story, as after two fair days, in addition to chatting with others, there was quite a bit to report. First, thanks to all the fair organizers, exhibitors, and chat companions!
The Hifi Fair 2025 felt slightly smaller than before, as there were fewer exhibitors and visitors. Most concretely, this was evident in the fact that some of the rooms belonging to the fair area remained unfilled, and the lobby was also relatively quiet. I would attribute the reasons to, among other things, the uncertain economic situation, the current space offerings of the fair, and another fair held earlier this year in Vuosaari. Smaller retailers may not have the resources to participate in both fairs. Despite everything, there were plenty of different speakers to listen to in the usual sweaty and packed rooms. Good sound was certainly present, even if listening to the same fair songs year after year is already a bit amusing.
Saturday's confirmed visitor count ~2100
On Sunday ~1400
This year, there were also fewer different headphone brands on display than before, but the selection ultimately felt quite sufficient in my opinion, when talking about the most common hifi brands in our region, such as Focal, Hifiman, and Meze Audio. Bowers & Wilkins noise-cancelling headphones and older wooden Denons were also included. I was also pleased to see Fiio's entire headphone selection (6 models) and Fosi Audio's new headphones. However, the greatest novelty value for me, in addition to Hifiman's three new headphones (Ananda Unveiled, Edition XV & HE600), was Yamaha's two prototype headphones, which are estimated to go on sale in December 2025.
Yamaha
I can't claim to have been particularly fond of Yamaha's YH-5000SE, but the manufacturer seems to have listened to feedback, as the new YH-4000 already sounded more balanced and thus, as it were, more universally applicable. It also costs less than half of the YH-5000SE, at 2500 euros. Similarly, the YH-C3000, implemented with a closed design, seemed quite interesting at first glance, because its bass-heavy nature formed a surprisingly effective combination with airy and soft-sounding treble. The tuning was somewhat safe, but it still managed to captivate. I haven't heard completely similar sound in competitors' products, and I don't consider the 1800 euro price entirely impossible, considering that many other manufacturers might price their closed flagship headphones significantly higher. So, initially, I am cautiously optimistic about both new products, especially since they were still prototypes.
Both Yamaha headphones could be tested inside the soundproof booth, meaning this experiment I had longed for was finally seen at the fair. The headphones could also be conveniently connected to the same amplifier, so they could be listened to in the booth with a friend. I ended up popping in there with both Kuulokehemmo and Mareksound's headphone-Janne (a nickname I gave myself). It would be nice to see such booth solutions in the future, especially for slightly more unique high-end headphones.
Tur-Pex / Hifiman
Hifiman's new products arrived on the market just in time for the Hifi Fair, and it was also possible to listen to them in a reasonably quiet environment. The Edition XV, currently on my test bench, was already familiar to me, but Ananda Unveiled and HE600 also sounded more balanced in their treble than previous models by the manufacturer's standards. All three are good headphones and, in my opinion, quite reasonably priced, as the Edition XV costs 409 euros, the Ananda Unveiled 589 euros, and the HE600 829 euros. All of these also feature a new type of headband, which improves both fit and wearing comfort, depending on whether it is compared to, for example, the Sundara model's headband or the Edition XS's headband. I predict at least the two more affordable models will be somewhat successful sales-wise.
Edition XV's review is known in Kuulokenurkka in late September, after which I aim to review two more new Hifimania in 2025.
IDEAALI / Fiio and Fosi
From Fiio's headphone selection, I had not heard the JT1 and the closed FT1, whereas I have tested the FT1 Pro, FT3, FT5, and FT7 at home. The manufacturer has burst onto the over-ear headphone market, and the rapid pace seems to continue. Soon, the FT13 will be released for sale, which is likely a slightly improved version of the FT1, which I also thought sounded really good. The powerful bass made the presentation a bit dark, but on the other hand, it sounded fun without being actually too much. The high frequencies also reproduced quite balanced for a price under 200 euros, so the FT1 would be easy to recommend to those looking for an affordable and good closed headphone even after a quick listen. For example, in all noise-cancelling headphones, I think there should be exactly this amount of bass, which would please both more casual listeners and a slightly more critical audience.
It was also nice to get to hear Fosi Audio's i5 planar headphones, as I had intended to buy them during the Kickstarter campaign. At that time, however, the strange frequency response scared others besides myself, but based on that, the manufacturer eventually made small adjustments to the headphones before they ended up in consumers' hands. The current improved version sounded quite good, or at least not as mediocre as some have said. A rich and relaxed planar sound was the order of the day. The i5's ear pads were also exceptionally thick and comfortable, so they somehow enhance a pleasant and cozy feeling.
Audio Forum
Headphones from Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Focal, and Meze Audio were located on the same long counter along a corridor. On the exhibition map, the stand was marked as if it were a small table, so I was a bit concerned beforehand about the breadth of the selection. However, it was comprehensive, although the corridor was quite narrow for a larger crowd.
Although I had already heard almost all the headphones before, Meze Audio 105 Silva (a 100 euro more expensive sister model to the 105 AER) and POET (a 2000 euro planar with tuning similar to Empyrean 1) were included, which I got to listen to for the first time. It was a bit difficult to make sense of the Silva amidst the noise, but the POET seemed promising for a longer test. Robust low frequencies and relaxed high frequencies worked well together in a quick trial, and despite a certain rough edginess, the treble was not quite as peculiar as in the Liric 2 or 105 Silva. Still, exhibition experiences should be taken with a grain of salt. Personally, among the 105/109 series models, I find the most affordable 105 AER to be the most balanced overall, while the 105 Silva and 109 Pro play more with treble emphases that don't quite align with my own hearing.
Focal Utopia must be listened to every time because it always impresses with its dynamics and soundstage depth. If the headphones cost a couple of thousand less, I believe they would have the potential to dominate the high-end headphone market. More precisely, there is quite a gap in Focal's open-back headphone selection between the Utopia and the Clear MG, as the former costs 5000 euros and the latter 1500 euros. For comparison, Meze Audio now offers headphones at 1000 euro intervals.
A quick visit to Habitare's side
This time I also visited the Habitare interior design fair, because Kaiku Acoustics from Kuopio presented its new 400-euro Wave noise-cancelling headphones there, or more precisely, its current development version. A few more changes will be made to the headphones before they are estimated to go on sale in just over a month. Therefore, I will not comment further on the sound aspect other than to state that the current version offered a rather bass-heavy ”consumer-type” sound. I look forward with interest to see what position the final tuning will settle into, as for example, the ear pads will still change to be slightly different.
In terms of appearance and construction, I think the Wave is a clear step forward compared to the Tone model, as the cups can now be turned horizontally, the cable between the elements runs hidden, and the rounded design looks stylish. Metal and wood are still used as materials. I already found the noise-cancelling function and other technology to be working, and based on a short test, there were no problems with user comfort either.
Kaiku Acoustics has evolved along the way into a more serious headphone manufacturer, as its owner now dedicates their full working time to it. At the fair, another person from Kuopio was presenting the headphones, forming an effective duo with the owner. Thanks again to both for the dinner company and pleasant conversations! I hope Kuopio makes some noise!
My fair equipment
I've made it a habit to bring a small mobile amplifier to fairs, with which I can easily test the headphones on display with my own song selections. In recent years, the Qudelix 5K served this purpose, but this time I switched to the Snowsky Retro Nano because it includes a 4.4 millimeter balanced headphone jack. Thanks to this, I no longer needed to carry a 4.4mm–2.5mm adapter cable for the Qudelix, but managed with just a 6.35mm–3.5mm adapter. Like the Qudelix, the Retro Nano also supports the LDAC Bluetooth codec and is capable of playing basic headphones quite sufficiently. The device's fun cassette player-like appearance also served as a good conversation starter in some situations.
On train journeys between Joensuu and Pasila, I used Valco's new NL25 noise-cancelling earbuds, about which I had already written a review. I also had the Focal Bathys MG with me, but I intentionally lent it to Kuulokehemmo.
How does it feel now?
From my perspective, Hifimessut 2025 was a success, which was certainly partly influenced by my two-day visit and a more relaxed pace. When traveling all the way from Joensuu, the first day is inevitably long, as one has to board the train as early as six in the morning. Time also passes surprisingly quickly at fairs for some reason, so perhaps I am, so to speak, in the right field and with the right hobby.
It's nice that such events are organized in Finland, even if their offerings and visitor numbers are slightly declining. Hopefully, Hifimessut leaves people with pleasant memories. I myself have noticed enjoying it more when I avoid approaching product listening tests critically. The conditions, of course, do not match the peace of one's own home, but why evaluate everything with a furrowed brow? On the other hand, a similar product selection would not be as easy to explore anywhere else than at fairs, so there's always something to gain from them. The hobby circle is also quite small, so at fairs, it's primarily possible to meet like-minded people. So, let's see again next year.
Finally, I'll also bring up the need for some kind of renewal for Hifimessut, if they threaten to shrink further from their current size. Somehow, the appeal of the topic needs to be increased, but I myself am poor at brainstorming such events, so unfortunately, I cannot offer good suggestions. Perhaps exhibitors would have some?
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