Welcome to this list of easy recommendations
This will eventually be a list of things I recommend as a quick reference point. For now here’s some things I really like with some quick-fire summaries.
Everything on this list is objectively very good however keep in mind it may not be your flavour so I encourage to demo beforehand.
TLDR recommended list list:
TWS – Oppo Enco X2 with Enco X Classic Preset / Airpod Pro 2’s
Budget TWS – Soundpeats Mini Pro – for the money, great value and tiny.
Open Back – Sennheiser HD560s / HD400pro – whichever is on offer, basically the same.
Budget Open Back – KOSS KSC75/porta pros
ANC Headphone – Final Audio UX3000 – a steal at £120.
Desktop Amps – Loxjie A30 / Topping MX5 depending on budget or if you want a sub/better headphone amp.
Gaming Amps – Creative G3 / G6.
Desktop Speakers – Emotiva B1+ – there are so many great options for a desk but this is what I use.
Open Back Headphones:
KOSS KSC75/porta pros – no audiophile list would be complete without these. Cheap as chips, be rude not to try it. Lack bass by design but sound incredible. Deserve all their praise.
Sennheiser 560s/hd400 pro – neutral/bright open back reference dynamic driver headphone, does everything well – exceptional for gaming, pair it with an 2.5mm inline boom mic off amazon and you have an elite tier gaming headset.
Hifiman Sundara – neutral to bright open back planar magnetic open back headphone, a level above the 560s for technical ability, bigger with planar dynamics and with EQ is unbeatable at its price point.
DACS & Amps:
The Apple USB C Dongle (USA version) – The eu version has half the power, the USA version has a super clean 120db SNR dac for like 10 bucks, it’s stupidly good value and everyone should have one! Does it sound as good as beefier options? Probably not know, but it sounds better than what 99% of people probably listen too, it’s an incredible feat of engineering.
Creative G6 headphone amp – a “gaming amp” but it’s generally a very excellent DAC and you’re getting a decent class d amp with loads of power, sidetone and a 10 band EQ. It also takes a 4pin mic in or a standalone 3.5mm mic in addition to optical/line-ins. As a general headphone amp it’s all around excellent, as a gaming focused amp its fantastic.
Creative G3 – the little brother that could, a baby g6 with bluetooth app control , not as beefy as a headphone amp however. G6 is much better for music, but this is under £30 and probably the better option for most people getting started. Also has 10 band EQ!
Topping MX5 – for desktop headphone/speaker amp – excellent all around, no sub out.
Qudilex Q5 – amazing portable amp for IEMS/headphones, work great as a gaming dac/amp too due to good sidetone implementation. Parametric EQ for all your phones. Incredibly versatile.
IEMS:
7hz Zero – $20 IEM – sensational value and amazing performance per dollar.
Raptgo Hook X – Exceptional planar IEMS, tuning may not be for everyone, with EQ they become even more special – work amazingly well for music, movies, gaming & all the other good stuff.
7hz Timeless – The modern legend for an IEM, soundstage and imaging are a bit average but the price to performance of this IEM is largely unmatched. It looks cool too. It cost a touch more but I prefer the raptgo for it’s more open sound & 2-pin connectors.
Sennheiser ie600 – Impossibly small, incredibly well isolating – a perfect closed IEM with a great neutral tuning, a slight U shape but nothing that takes away from the flawless midrange. I love these as an alternative to ANC headphones, the isolation is good enough for the city. I’d still use ANC on a plane, even better, put some Final UX3000 over the top and double up on isolation.
Fiio FD7 – One of my personal favourite IEMS, beryllium brilliance, some people may be put off by the price but they are still the cheapest pure beryllium driver available by quite some margin. Excellent stock tuning, even better with EQ. Soundstage is wide & holographic due to the design. I do with it was 2-pin and not MMCX. I also love the style. Some people may find them a little heavy over long periods.
True Wireless Earbuds – TWS:
Apple AirPod Pros – Above average sounding, good if you’re an apple user as it just works. Not for me but if you’re an apple user its just easy.
Oppo Enco X2 – The current TWS king for me. Will update this later but the best tuning and decent LDAC implementation, much
4K Gaming monitor:
LG27950G – if 27″ and 4k with hdmi 2.1 is your thing – this is probably the best price to performance gaming monitor going. Excellent all rounder, mine suffers from some unfortunate backlight bleed but I can be bothered to exchange it, it could always be worse such is the panel. lottery.
Gaming Mouse:
Razer Orichi V2 – What I currently use, 2.4ghz RF & bluetooth make this a great lifestyle & gaming mouse for home and on the go.
Logitech G305 – What I used to use, excellent value for money, often had for £35 or so – it’s an exceptional wireless gaming mouse at it’s price point.
That will conclude my current quick fire recommendations, will update this when I feel like it and add stuff here as and when I think it’s “best in class”.