How was your day today?
I’m ikuchan from WAKARAN ENGISH!

I’ve already talked about my favorite gadgets like my keyboard and camera, and today I’d like to introduce the audio devices I use everyday.
If you want to enjoy music with better sound quality, I hope this post will be help!

The first gear I want to introduce is the one I use at home.
I usually sit in front of my PC, wearing headphone while working or listening to music.
Sometime I spend 5 or 6 hours straight at my desk, so the most important things for me are the headphone’s breathability and light weight.

That’s why my go-to headphone is the audio-technica ATH-R70x!
It made with a carbon resin body and weight only 210g — incredibly light for studio-grade headphones!
It’s so light that I often forget I’m even wearing it and the 3-meter cable is also studio-spec, which means I can move freely around my desk without feeling restricted.

https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-R70x

As for the sound, since it’s designed for professional use, the stereo imaging and localization are excellent.
Whether I’m making music or just listening, I can easily tell where each sound is coming from — vocals in front, instruments in the back, and with double vocals, you can clearly hear each one’s position.
It really feels like a live performance right in front of you.

However, to drive this headphone properly, you’ll need a decent amplifier.
Without one, they might sound a bit underpowered.
I pair it with the iFi audio ZEN CAN, a compact headphone amp that just costs around ¥29,700 (about $192).

https://kakaku.com/item/K0001323232

Despite its size and price, it delivers roughly 50 times more output power than a typical 3.5mm PC audio jack.
Combining these two gives me the perfect setup to enjoy my daily music life to the fullest.

When I’m outside, I use a different pair of headphones also from audio-technica — the ATH-M50xBT2.

https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M50xBT2

This headphone is studio-grade as well, but it come with Bluetooth functionality, making it easy to enjoy high-quality sound even when I’m at a café or on the train.

Compared to the R70x I mentioned earlier, the M50xBT2 has a completely different character.
While the R70x captures the atmosphere of a live studio space, the M50xBT2 focuses on accurate and detailed sound reproduction.
Each note has clear definition — for example, if I want to focus on the bass, I can isolate it easily;
if I want to concentrate on the vocals, they come through with perfect clarity.
It really lets you experience the artist’s sound exactly as they intended.

Normally, I use them via Bluetooth, but when I connect them with a cable and add a small portable amp, I can enjoy sound quality almost as good as my home setup.
For that, I use a portable DAC called the TANCHJIM SPACE.

https://www.e-earphone.jp/products/329917

It enhances the vocal resolution beautifully, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take their portable listening experience to the next level.

I’ve introduced the headphones and audio gear I use in my daily life.
Did any of them catch your interest?
Of course, some of these items can be a bit pricey, so I know it’s not an easy decision to make when it comes to spending that much money.
But in Japanese, the word “music” is written as 「音楽（音を楽しむ）」— literally “enjoying sound”.
So if you treat yourself to a high-quality piece of audio equipment, I’m sure your music will become many times more enjoyable.

See you in next blog!