Trying out BEAM 4 with the WESTONE AUDIO's new flagship MACH 80, which is positioned for professional monitoring. The MACH 80, equipped with three-way 8 balanced armature drivers, boasts excellent sound quality and detail retrieval capabilities. However, with an impedance of 66Ω and sensitivity of 104dB, it demands a certain level of output capability from the source. It's not straightforward for conventional portable DACs to drive the MACH 80 effectively.

There's a common belief in the market that direct Lightning output with non-battery DACs/amps limits the dynamic range of sound. However, this phenomenon is not observed when connecting the BEAM 4. Stability, dynamic range sensation, and solidness are the prominent advantages of BEAM 4 over regular portable DACs, making it able to handle the often challenging MACH 80 with good control, even at moderate gain levels. With the more direct feedback of the MACH 80, one can hear that the BEAM 4 sound is neutral with moderate thickness, offering good speed and balance without deliberate pleasing or stimulating tonality.

Another noteworthy aspect is BEAM 4's ability to portray soundstage. It not only maintains accurate proportions but also provides a decent sense of spaciousness and background quietness. The density of sound images is also guaranteed, offering a further separation compared to regular portable DACs. BEAM 4's satisfactory spatial and sound layering abilities make it suitable for a wide range of musical genres and complex live recordings. This DAC serves as a vivid illustration of the practical effects of power and digital circuit optimization that we often discuss.


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