Skip to main content

Precision and power shrink to fit inside Audiofly’s new AF180 in-ear monitors

precision power shrink size audioflys new af180 audioflyaf180stoneblue
Image used with permission by copyright holder
There’s nothing like a great pair of over-ear headphones to completely envelop you in your favorite tunes. But those looking for a more low-key way to roll may want to swap out those bulky cans for the sleek and elegant fit of an in-ear monitor, such as Audiofly’s gorgeous new AF180. Packing radiant detail, rich and woody bass, and a comfortable fit that cuts out the outside world, the AF180 are the modern way to take music with you wherever you roam.

You may not have heard of Audiofly yet, but the up-and-coming Australian headphone maker has quickly made a name for itself by cultivating a music-first philosophy — along with some impressive in-ear offerings along the way. Designed for stage musicians, the company’s AF180 don’t just wedge into your ears like standard earbuds, their wrap around design keeps them snug, while the surprisingly light earpieces fill your entire ear canal to block out ambient noise.

Related: Add premium performance to your commute with the Nuforce Primo 8

And while the stone-blue buds aren’t hard on the eyes, it’s what’s inside that makes these headphones worth their salt. Like others in their class, such as the Westone W40, or the Nuforce Primo 8, the AF180 pack four miniaturized balanced-armature drivers, known for their unrelenting accuracy. Banded together to cover the full frequency spectrum, the drivers combine for a commanding display of power and precision.

But what really makes the AF180 special is their ability to dig up smooth and taut bass, especially prevalent in woody stringed instruments like guitar, and string bass, which makes them sound much more like a pair of full-sized cans than their slight form would suggest. Pairing that with vivid accuracy up top, and a smooth flush of midrange warmth, the AF180 are hard to put down.

Accessories include three sets of ear tips, including two silicone designs, and one set of Comply foam tips, gold-plated quarter-inch and airplane adaptors, a cleaning tool, and a rustic leather case to wrap it all inside.

Of course, all their spoils don’t come cheap. At $550, these headphones beg for better source material than what’s offered from your standard smartphone loaded with low-grade MP3s. However, thanks to a growing selection of high-resolution portable devices from the likes of Astell & Kern, Sony, and Neil Young’s PonoPlayer, it’s a good time to start thinking big when going small. We also caution their thin cabling at the top, which demands a delicate touch on the road.

That said, if you’re looking for uncompromising sound in a diminutive design — and you don’t mind paying for it — Audiofly’s new AF180 are a tempting new addition to the audio landscape.

Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is an audio engineer, musician, composer, and all-around lover of all things tech, audio, and cinema. Hailing…
Everything points to Apple TV+ making a change you’re not going to like
Is an ad-supported tier coming to Apple TV+?
The Apple TV Plus Logo

It turns out that TV worked pretty well under its old model. According to a new report from Business Insider, Apple TV+ may be the latest streaming service that's set to introduce an ad-supported tier and charge those who don't stream with ads a premium fee to access their great shows and movies.

At this point, the report is still speculation, but Apple has made several recent hires in the advertising space that seem to suggest the direction they're planning to take. The company recently hired former NBCUniversal ad executive Joseph Cady to serve as executive vice president of advanced advertising and partnerships, a move that comes following the company's hiring of another former NBCUniversal executive, Jason Frum, who joined Apple's video ad sales team.

Read more
From Gilda Radner to Ali Wong, these are the best female comedians of all time
These women from all generations will make you laugh out loud
Ai Wong comedian 2017 Moontower comedy festival

Hot take: I don’t care for straight male comedians. It’s not that they’re not funny, they’re just … I don’t know, boring? Maybe that’s reductive of me, but I never seem to leave a straight male comedian’s set feeling particularly inspired. And though some may argue that it’s not important for a set to "inspire" its audience, I’d actually argue that the opposite is true. For me, I want to see a comedian use humor to address real issues and say real things about the world, even if they do it in a completely goofy way.

Therefore, I tend to prefer female and female-identified comedians. They’re sharp, tough, and have often seen shit that makes their comedy feel raw and true. Undoubtedly there are male comedians who do this, too, but to a much lesser degree, in my very humble and very personal opinion.

Read more
12 classic sci-fi books everyone should read
If you love science fiction and reading, these classic sci-fi novels are a must
Man reading a book and drinking coffee

It may feel like we were recently living in a science-fiction dystopia life -- and in some ways, we were -- but that doesn't mean that we should simply avoid an entire genre of writing. Hardly. In fact, this is probably the perfect time to explore classic sci-fi books, to see what the masters have written, and maybe even see if someone predicted anything like this. Many, though, simply ignore sci-fi wholly and completely because of an association with robots, aliens, and the like.

Long story short, if you think you don't like sci-fi, you have never read great books from the genre. But indeed, many such books abound, including a number that has delighted generations of readers going back well over 150 years. In fact, one of the best things about so many sci-fi books is their very timelessness. As by definition, this type of fiction breaks away from the norms of the everyday world -- whether slightly twisting things or taking place on entire other worlds -- the stories often feel as fresh and relevant today as when they were published decades ago.

Read more