What’s Good!? – 2017 Edition

Allen Edmonds B-Stock “Factory Seconds”

This midwest-based shoe company is known for its high quality shoes, but even premium products like the ones that AE produces can found for a bargain once and a while. Their factory seconds sell with a $25 restocking fee, so there is a small risk involved – but once you have your size nailed down most of this company’s offerings run fairly true-to-size. The best news is that even the B-Stock here hits a sale price a few times a year (like right now) so it might behove you to click around to see if they have any one-offs waiting in your size. Both the boots and oxfords are solid options for a foot covering that is going to last for years to come.

MrSpeakers AEON

Now available in both open and closed options, MrSpeakers new compact design AEON is the follow up for the popular Ether Flow series. Both versions also come to market with a much lower cost of $800, allowing more headphone fans access to the company’s clean and balanced signature sound. Even with the smaller design the new headphone is still capable of big, glorious high fidelity playback.

AudioQuest Niagara 1000

The power strip to end all power strips. Even though the 1000 is the baby of the Niagara power conditioning line, its no slouch at a cool $1k. Pair that with one of the matching power cable like the Thunder and you have yourself a AC connection of audiophile proportions. Small budget? Speakers first, then components. But, if your already in the business of a high end system, proper conditioning and cabling only makes sense to keep you investments safe and running clean.

ZMF Auteur

The new bio cellulose creation from ZMF launched just last month, but it was definitely making waves when we saw it on the audio show circuit this year. Available in Teak or limited edition Blackwood, the unique stylings and driver material help this guy stand out in the somewhat crowded field of $1.5k-ish headphones currently on the market. The punched out grill design even kind of resembles a scene of Mickey Mouse standing over a field of coffins, talk about unique.