The Evolution of Smart Home Technology: What’s Next?
Smart home technology has evolved dramatically over the last decade, transforming how we interact with our living spaces. Initially, home automation was seen as a luxury—an area for early adopters. The first wave included simple systems like programmable thermostats and lighting controls. These basic innovations were designed to increase convenience, save energy, and offer greater control over household environments. But today, the landscape of Top Smart Home Devices has expanded far beyond those humble beginnings. The rise of voice-activated assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri helped fuel the revolution. These devices became the central hub for an entire ecosystem of interconnected gadgets, enabling homeowners to control everything from lights and thermostats to security systems and home entertainment with simple voice commands. The ease of integration between devices has made smart homes more accessible and user-friendly, marking a...
Feb 11, 2025
A recap from my previous TH-X00 review:“Headband covering is pleather. The headband is not uncomfortable, but could perhaps use more foam padding. It allows for graded adjustment through metal sliders. The pads are pleather. The opening of these stock pads are on the smaller end – those with extra large ears may feel somewhat squished, but most people won't have a problem. Fairly good quality cable as far as stock cables go, but the fabric covering is somewhat stiff. Poor isolation as a closed-back headphone. Will leak sound, in and out. I wouldn't bring it with me to the library or on public transport. Easy to drive. Proper amping will contribute to better bass management.Overall, it shares a similar build to the Foster TH series & the Denon AH-D series headphones. Nice & solid, slightly heavier than average. Relatively comfortable provided you don't have freaky-big ears, and may be used for a few hours at a time. Having said that, I did not like the cable – too stiff, does not handle well. I'll be looking at re-cabling at some point.”
I eventually re-cabled my X00 through Brian at BTG-Audio. Yes, the stock Fostex cable is stiff, kinks easily, and is generally a little annoying - the same problem is present here on the E-mu. Overall, very nicely built headphones, fairly comfortable even during an extended session.
Sound Clean and euphoric sound.Very well balanced, no strong emphases with good extension on both ends.The tuning is very nicely done.May be described as somewhat warm in sound, but not as much as the X00. Minor cup resonance detectable, less than the X00. The soundstage is superior to the X00, beating its sibling in both depth and width – one of the best I've heard in a closed can. As with the X00, left-right separation is great, with instruments nicely distributed along the coronal plane. Separation and imaging was great – better than the X00 by a small amount. Nice bass...this goes without saying, as the E-mu, X00 and it's other Fostex siblings all have superb bass. The E-mu does not hit as hard as the TH-900, and does not have as much mid-bass as the X00, but it does hit cleanly, tightly & deeply. As with the X00 (and in contrast to the other Fostex cans), the mids are not recessed. In fact, on the E-mu, the vocals are lush & sweet. Very smooth & life-like listening.Less intimate compared with the X00, but more detailed. The treble was of good quantity and quality, with no significant rolling-off at the top.Lots of presence, very airy for a closed can (kinda unexpected really), but not shrill.I did not find the E-mu fatiguing, even during extended 3 to 4 hour sessions. In retrospect, if the X00 had a weakness, it was the detail and maybe the extension of the treble...these E-mu cans don't have the same problem.
Direct Comparison with X00: Cups - nicer wood, increased cup volume. Bass – less mid bass, similar extension, somewhat tighter, less resonant. Mids – more definition, slightly less intimate.Treble - more quantity & presence, slightly better quality, less roll-off.Sound stage - Wider & deeper.
Why should you buy it?
Why shouldn't you buy it?