Heco is a brand that specializes in high-fidelity audio equipment.

Heco

Aleva 500


There's a new spot in town that's got audiophiles and music lovers talking: The Ibis HiFi Cocktail & Coffee Bar. Tucked away in the Soda Pop District, this place is doing something different – it's blending the vibes of a coffee shop with the buzz of a cocktail bar, and it's all about the sound.

**Coffee by Day, Cocktails by Night**: What's cool about The Ibis is how it switches gears. You can grab a coffee in the morning in a chill environment, and then come evening, it transforms into this laid-back bar with a great selection of drinks.

**A Nod to Japanese Listening Bars**: The Ibis has taken a page out of Japan’s book, focusing on top-notch sound quality. It's not just background music here; the sound is a major part of the experience, something any music enthusiast will appreciate.

**Sound System That Hits the Right Notes**: Partnering with Gravity Records, The Ibis has set up a sound system that’s a dream for audiophiles. We're talking tube amps, vintage speakers, and turntables that are a cut above what you'd find in a typical bar or café.

**Music That Matters**: The playlist at The Ibis isn’t just thrown together – it's a thoughtfully crafted mix, thanks to DJ RizzyBeats. Each night, the music takes you on a different journey, making it a fresh experience every time you drop by.

**Local at Heart**: The Ibis keeps it close to home. They’ve got their own coffee blend from Casa Blanca, and the snacks are from local spots. It’s a nice touch that adds to the whole local community vibe.

**Drinks with a Twist**: Sure, you can get a classic martini here, but there's more. The cocktails have a bit of creativity to them, and there are some solid non-alcoholic options too.

**Sit Back and Relax**: The place is set up for comfort. Whether you're booking a spot for your group or just walking in, they’ve made sure it’s a space where you can really settle in and enjoy the tunes.

So, for anyone in Wilmington who loves good music and a good drink, The Ibis HiFi is a spot worth checking out. It's more than just a bar or a café; it's a place where the sound is just as important as the taste and the atmosphere. In a city with plenty of spots to choose from, The Ibis stands out as a haven for audiophiles and anyone who wants to enjoy their drink with a side of quality sound.

[The Ibis HiFi](https://www.instagram.com/theibisbar/?hl=en)

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Japanese Inspired Ambiance at The Ibis HiFi in Wilmington

Experience the blend of coffee culture and cocktail artistry at The Ibis HiFi, inspired by Japanese listening bars


Audiophiles and audio engineers often invest a considerable amount of money in high-fidelity equipment, seeking the utmost clarity, detail, and realism in sound reproduction. However, an often-underestimated aspect that plays a crucial role in both recording and playback is room acoustics. No matter how sophisticated the equipment, the physical properties of the room can either uplift or undermine sound quality. This article delves into the science of room acoustics, its impact on sound quality, and why it is pivotal in both recording studios and playback rooms.

## What is Room Acoustics?

Room acoustics refers to the behavior of sound in an enclosed space. The study of this phenomenon aims to understand how sound waves interact with room surfaces and how these interactions affect what we hear. Acoustic properties of a room, such as reflections, diffractions, absorption, and resonances, significantly influence the perceived sound quality. These properties can be managed through room treatments like bass traps, diffusers, and absorptive materials.

## The Physics of Sound and Room Interactions

When sound emanates from a speaker or an instrument, it travels as pressure waves. These waves interact with surfaces—walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and even air. Based on the properties of these surfaces, sound waves can be:

1.  **Absorbed**: Materials like foam panels and thick curtains can absorb sound waves, reducing reverberation.
2.  **Reflected**: Hard surfaces like concrete walls will reflect sound waves. This reflection can create echo and reverb.
3.  **Diffracted**: When sound waves encounter edges or obstacles, they bend around them, affecting the sound's clarity and direction.
4.  **Transmitted**: In some instances, sound waves pass through materials, a phenomenon more common in walls that are not soundproof.

These interactions cumulatively contribute to the room's sonic signature, which can color the sound in ways that might be undesirable.

## Importance in Recording Studios

### Reflection Points and Phase Issues

In a recording studio, poor acoustics can be detrimental. For example, sound reflections can collide with direct sound from instruments, creating phase issues that muddy the recording. Phase issues occur when two sound waves of the same frequency are out of alignment, resulting in either a boost or cut in that frequency.

### Isolation and Leakage

Sound isolation is another critical consideration. Without proper room treatment, sound can leak into or out of the recording area, contaminating recordings with unwanted noise. High-density materials and specially-designed walls can help isolate sound within the room.

### Room Modes and Frequency Response

Room modes, or standing waves, occur at specific frequencies where the dimensions of the room cause the sound waves to reinforce or cancel each other out. This phenomenon can lead to "boomy" or "dead" spots in the room, affecting the accuracy and flatness of the frequency response.

## Importance in Playback Rooms

### Imaging and Soundstage

In playback scenarios, room acoustics affect the precision of imaging and the expansiveness of the soundstage. Poor room acoustics can cause sound waves to arrive at the listener's ears at different times, smearing details and ruining the stereo or multi-channel imaging.

### Low-End Control

Acoustic treatments like bass traps can help control low-frequency resonances, which are usually more challenging to manage due to their longer wavelengths. Untamed low frequencies can result in a boomy or muddy sound, detracting from playback quality.

### Listener Fatigue

A room with poor acoustics can also contribute to listener fatigue. When our ears and brain have to work harder to make sense of a poorly-defined auditory image, it can quickly become exhausting.

## How to Improve Room Acoustics

1.  **Room Analysis**: Use tools like Real-Time Analyzer (RTA) to measure the room's frequency response.
2.  **Bass Traps**: Place bass traps in room corners to control low-frequency resonances.
3.  **Diffusers**: Install diffusers on the rear wall to scatter reflected sound and improve imaging.
4.  **Absorption Panels**: Use these to control mid and high-frequency reflections, usually placed at first reflection points.
5.  **Room Calibration Software**: Some advanced HiFi systems come with room calibration software that adjusts the output based on room acoustics.

## Conclusion

While high-quality recording and playback equipment are essential for optimal sound reproduction, they can only perform to their full potential in a well-treated room. Understanding and addressing room acoustics can elevate your listening experience from ordinary to extraordinary and can make the difference between a good recording and a great one.

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The Importance of Room Acoustics in Recording and Playback

Explore the critical role of room acoustics in shaping sound quality for both recording and playback. Learn about the physics of sound interactions, the challenges posed by poor acoustics, and effective solutions for achieving optimal sound performance.

Recently, we got a unique product to test. Currently, there are only two models of keyboards with a built-in DAC and headphone amplifier in the world, and one of them is the Fiio KB3. We will talk about it today.

This keyboard has several unique features, and we want to figure out who it is for, how it sounds, and whether it is worth the money. Given its uniqueness, let's start with an analysis of the features and sound.

## Feature Overview

It is important to define the methodology for comparison and identification of key points for Fiio KB3, given its niche. Let's start with the fact that two Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs and two SGM8262 operational amplifiers are installed inside the device.

The Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs in the Fiio KB3 are known for their ability to provide clear and detailed sound, which is especially important when listening to high-resolution music. These DACs, typically used in high-end portable audio devices, are used here to improve sound quality directly at your workplace. And the SGM8262 operational amplifiers help to minimize distortion and noise, providing a richer and more emotional sound, making each listened composition more alive and realistic.

## Sound Analysis

The starting point in our comparison will be a quick test of the MacBook Pro, which already has a decent built-in DAC. Headphones worth about 2,000 euros were chosen as headphones to avoid sound limitations and at the same time to check the efficiency of the amplifier.

We created [a playlist on Qobuz](https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/19379861) that includes tracks that we believe are suitable for testing this keyboard. The playlist features various genres, but we consciously did not focus on jazz and classical music, as we assume that KB3 is aimed at a slightly different audience.

During a quick test of the MacBook Pro DAC with the tracks "Blinding Lights" and "Crew Love", it was noticed that, despite the good bass in "Blinding Lights", the sound seems a bit closed. "Crew Love" demonstrates the purity of the sound, but there is a lack of spaciousness and resolution. In general, the sound through the MacBook Pro is clear, but not as detailed and rich as we would like.

Now we move on to the most exciting stage: we connect the headphones to the 3.5mm jack of the Fiio KB3. Conveniently, no additional drivers are required. We listened to the same and other tracks:

- **The Dark Knight, Hans Zimmer**: There is a noticeable improvement in resolution, although the bass seems a bit restrained.
- **Hotel California, Eagles**: The sound becomes more natural and full, with good transmission of nuances.
- **Blinding Lights, The Weeknd**: The bass has improved significantly. Even at maximum volume, the sound is not tiring, maintaining its dynamics and development.
- **Crew Love, Drake**: Good clarity and nuance, great separation of voices.
- **Enter Sandman, Metallica**: Excellent drums that create a sense of closeness.
- **Moth to a Flame, Swedish House Mafia**: While listening, we unknowingly turned up the volume to maximum - the sound is captivating, without any complaints.

The use of two Cirrus Logic CS43131 DACs in the Fiio KB3 keyboard significantly improves the soundstage, making it more spacious and detailed. This is especially noticeable when listening to complex musical compositions, where each instrument and voice sounds clear and separate. Thanks to this, the use of the Fiio KB3 keyboard turns ordinary listening to music into a deeper and more immersive experience.

The amplifier in the Fiio KB3 really proved to be powerful and effective, doing an excellent job of maintaining sound quality even at maximum volume. This is an important aspect for any audio device, especially when it comes to listening to music through high-end headphones.

## Functionality

Sound control on the Fiio KB3 is significantly more convenient and enjoyable than the standard volume control on the keyboard. This is ensured by the built-in volume knob, which allows you to accurately and easily adjust the volume level. Additionally, the keyboard is equipped with two USB ports, which expands its functionality, allowing you to connect additional devices, such as a mouse or flash drive, directly to the keyboard, which is convenient and practical, especially with a limited number of free ports on the computer.

In addition, the Fiio KB3 is equipped with mechanical keys with Gateron G Pro 3.0 yellow switches, providing pleasant tactile sensations when typing. RGB backlighting adds aesthetic appeal and provides customization options, which will be valuable for users who want to give their workspace a personal touch. And the compact 75% design makes the keyboard ideal for saving space on your desktop.

## Appearance and Packaging

The outer packaging of the Fiio KB3 looks presentable and modern, decorated with the company's slogan "Born for Music". The keyboard comes with a long enough USB cable for connection, as well as a simple instruction manual. It is worth noting the absence of a specialized cable for connecting to Mac devices, which will require the use of an adapter. However, overall, the first impression of the keyboard was very positive, and there was an immediate desire to connect it and evaluate its sound.

## Verdict

The Fiio KB3 is an excellent purchase at an affordable price. For 110+ euros, you get not only a gaming keyboard, but also a built-in DAC and headphone amplifier. This is a great offer for those looking for a solution to improve sound quality without adding external devices. The Fiio KB3 is ideal for optimizing your workspace and reducing the number of cables, while it is not only attractive for audiophiles, but also enriches the gaming experience for gamers, improving the sound of dialogues and special effects.

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Fiio KB3 Review: The Keyboard That Makes Your Music and Games Come Alive

FiiO is a company that specializes in the design and production of audio products.

Aleva 500

by Heco

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