Gadgets: Great sound for anyone

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At first glance, Fosi Audio’s ZH3 desktop HiFi DAC/headphone amp/preamp seems built for advanced users. To an extent, it is. Still, you don’t have to be an audiophile to want great sound. The ZH3 is designed to make premium listening accessible to all. It lets everyday listeners use advanced sound features without the usual complexity.

The compact AC-powered unit features a digital-to-analog converter and a headphone amplifier, and it functions as a preamp for speakers and amplifiers. Whatever you choose, the ZH3 delivers as advertised and integrates seamlessly with headphones, speakers and gaming consoles.

It features almost every input possible with ports on the front and back. They include coaxial, USB-C, optical and RCU. Outputs include 4.4 mm, 6.35 mm, RCA and XLR. There's also a plug to connect the included DC 12-volt AC power adapter. The ZH3 incorporates several advanced processors to deliver high-resolution audio and support additional functions, so users must choose which features to enable.

This can include simple tasks such as sending audio from a source like your smartphone to individual speakers, or just improving the sound from your headphones. Once you choose your task, the rest is straightforward.

Before setting it up to achieve both better audio with Fosi Audio i5 Planar Magnetic headphones (more on the headphones below) and then sending audio to RCA-connected speakers, I watched a video on the Fosi Audio site. One thing that stuck with me was when they referred to the ZN3 as a device that is a little different but will take care of my audio issues. And it absolutely did that.

The ZH3 has a black body and a small footprint (9.45 x 11.81 x 2.76 inches). The front features an orange multi-function button and a small display for easy menu control. There is also a remote control that duplicates most of the multi-function button functions.

I’m far from being an advanced audio expert, but I do know a lot more than the average person. With that in mind, I set up the ZN3, knowing most users would consider it an advanced unit. While it is, I can say that you don’t have to be an advanced user to set it up and get advanced audio.

In a few minutes, the ZH3 gave me a dramatically different sound in my headphones, more suited to my listening style. You can easily adjust bass, treble, UAC (User Account Control) and choose from 6 digital filters.

As for the Fosi Audio i5 Planar Magnetic headphones, WOW!

Before doing anything with the Fosi Audio ZH3, I had the i5 Planar Magnetic headphones playing. It's hard to say they are the best set of headphones I’ve ever tested in my nearly three decades of testing products, but if not the best, it's in my top three. I haven’t tested many high-end hi-fi headphones like these, so that may be part of it.

Either way, the clarity and detail from any playlist I put to the test is second to none at any volume, coming from 97mm drivers. They also have an attractive look with a handcrafted walnut wood chamber to house the drivers and extreme craftsmanship throughout, including durable cables. The open back, adjustable high-strength memory metal headband is adjustable and flexible to a comfortable fit. The earcups feature soft memory foam for all-day comfort, and each side rotates in multiple directions to fit securely on any head size or shape.

The studio-grade audio adapted well to any adjustment. I prefer a strong bass, which, in other headphones, causes clarity to break down. This wasn’t the case at any volume level. The clarity remained consistent at any adjustment and volume, including head-banging settings.

The i5 Planar Magnetic headphones have it all: first-class sound, comfort, and a solid, durable design. and attractive appearance. Audiophiles will love these.

https://fosiaudio.com/products/zh3-dac-headphone-amp-preamp $199.99, $549.99 for the i5 Planar Magnetic headphones