text:
Servicios Personalizados
- Citado por SciELO
- Accesos
Links relacionados
- Citado por Google
- Similares en SciELO
- Similares en Google
Ciencia e investigación agraria
versión On-line ISSN 0718-1620
Cienc. Inv. Agr. vol.39 no.1 Santiago abr. 2012
Cien. Inv. Agr. 39(1):137-145. 2012
Effect of the inoculum size on the axenic in vitro production of Steinernema carpocapsae
Efecto del tamaño de inóculo en la producción axénica in vitro de Steinernema carpocapasae
Juan Suárez-Sánchez1, Raquel Alatorre-Rosas2, Héctor M. Poggi-Varaldo1, and Josefina Barrera-Cortés1
1Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV)-Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco CP 07360, México DF, México.
2Entomología y Acarología, Fitosanidad. Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo. Km 36.5 Carretera México Texcoco. CP 56240, Edo. México.
The effect of inoculum size on the axenic in vitro production of Steinernema carpocapsae, using a transparent medium with hemoglobin and cholesterol, was studied. Axenic cultivation was performed with fertile eggs ofS. carpocapsae (hatching of eggs: 89 ± 4%), which were obtained by lyses of female nematodes and subsequent incubation. Two important aspects of this work include the use of a completely transparent medium enriched with hemoglobin and cholesterol and the high multiplication factor of the population (MFIP) of 87, which is considered high for in vitro axenic cultures of nematodes. In vivo methods have the advantage of high MFIP, but they also have the disadvantage of the high number and complexity of the operations involved for the purposes of harvesting axenic nematodes. It is assumed that the availability of a high number of nematodes in a transparent medium will further encourage the characterization of new native strains of nematodes.
Key words: Axenic culture, hemoglobin, in vitro culture; Steinernema carpocapsae, transparent medium.
Se estudió el efecto del tamaño de inoculo en la producción axénica in vitro de Steinernema carpocapsae, utilizando un medio de cultivo transparente enriquecido con hemoglobina y colesterol. El cultivo axénico se llevó a cabo con huevos fértiles de S. carpocapsae (incubación de los huevos: 89 ± 3%) obtenidos por lisis de nematodos hembras y su subsecuente incubación en medio de cultivo adicionado con antibióticos. Dos aspectos importantes a destacar son el uso de un medio de cultivo totalmente transparente enriquecido con la hemoglobina y colesterol, y el alto factor de multiplicación de la población (MFIP) de 87, que se considera alto para cultivos axénicos in vitro. Los métodos in vivo tienen la ventaja de su alta MFIP, pero también tienen la desventaja del elevado número y complejidad de las operaciones involucradas en el proceso de cosecha de nematodos. Se considera que la disponibilidad de un alto número de nematodos en un medio de cultivo transparente favorecerá la caracterización de cepas nativas nuevas de nematodos.
Palabras clave: Cultivo axenico, cultivo in vitro, hemoglobina, medio de cultivo transparente, Steinernema carpocapsae.
The use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) for the control of agricultural pests in their larval stage has been considered an environmentally safe alternative to chemical insecticides (Ehlers, 1996). EPN usefulness lies in its toxic activity, as it targets specific insects within a wide range of genera. Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are genera that contain the highest number of EPN species and are characterized by living in bacterial symbiosis withXenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp., respectively (Forst and Nealson, 1996).
Successful market penetration of nematode-based products requires efficient in vitro production on a large scale; however, processes with these characteristics can only be implemented if the biochemical and nutritional needs of EPN are available. The axenic culture (pure culture) of EPN has been proposed as a method for gaining a deeper insight into these parameters (Krusberg and Sandanelli, 1984; Stoll, 1959). At the present time, in vivo and in vitro axenization methods are known (Lunau et al, 1993; Kikuta et al, 2008), but the scarcity of information on the specific nutritional requirements of nematode species has delayed the characterization and study of newly discovered strains.
The life cycle of EPNs is divided into three major phases of development that culminate in a resistance stage known as infective juvenile (IJ); that is, free-living soil nematodes that can be in contact with more than one soil microorganism. According to Bonifassi (1999), in in vitro culture, the removal of those microorganisms (sanitization) allows for the increase of both EPN yield and the percentage of transformation ofjuveniles into IJ. Nematode sanitization is accomplished through repeated washing using either distilled water or solutions prepared with chemical compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide, glutaraldehyde, antibiotics (penicillin, streptomycin and ampicillin) or antiseptics (sodium hypochlorite or merthiolate; Woodring and Kaya, 1988; Lunau et al., 1993). Sanitization does not ensure that a culture will be completely free of contaminant microorganisms, which is performed through axenic propagation.
An axenic culture of EPN is obtained using nematode eggs isolated by hydrolysis of gravid females or hermaphrodites (Ehlers and Strauch, 1994; Heungens et al., 1996). Nematode eggs produced using this method are called axenic eggs. Some specific applications of axenic cultures include the following: (i) inocula standardization in in vitro or large scale production processes (Lunau et al, 1993); (ii) studying substrate effects on nematode transformation and reproduction processes (Wrigth and Perry, 2002); (iii) elucidation of nematode-bacterium interactions among Xenorhabdus and Steinernema found in nature (Sicard et al, 2005); and (iv) elimination of sex differentiation interference in nematode identification and characterization by molecular methods.
Because of the wide range of applications for axenic cultures, an improved in vitro axenic production of S. carpocapsae in liquid culture is presented here. Major features of our method are the complete in vitro characteristics and the use of a clean and transparent culture based on a highly soluble protein medium enriched with hemoglobin and cholesterol, which, in addition to the observation of the complete life cycle of S. carpocapsae, allows the precise assessment of reproductive capacity, growth and development timing of nematodes in a liquid culture.
Materials and methods
Biological specimens
Infective juveniles (IJ) of S. carpocapsae and its bacterial symbiont Xenorhabdus nematophila (X nematophila) were donated by Raquel Ala-torre Rosas from the Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico. IJ were propagated in the last instar of Galleria mellonella for 7 days (Woodring and Kaya, 1988). The resulting IJ were kept at 3 °C in sterile water containing Triton X-100 at 0.01% (v/v). X. nematophila was isolated from a drop of the insect hemolymph, which was streaked by extension on nutrient agar plates with colorants added (NBTA medium; Akhurst, 1980) and incubated at 27 °C. The resulting X. nematophila Phase I was preserved in glycerol solution (25% v/v) at -80 °C.
Production of S. carpocapsae adult stages
Aliquots of 1 mL of X. nematophila phase I (109 cell mL-1), previously propagated on a basal medium for nematode production (BAM medium: tripticasein soy broth, 4% (w/v); yeast extract, 3% (w/v)) for 48 h at 28 °C and 120 rpm, were spread onto nutrient agar with pig fat added (NAG agar: 2.3% (w/v) nutrient agar and 0.26% (w/v) pig fat) and contained in 8.5-cm diameter Petri dishes. The plates were incubated in the dark at 28 °C until a homogeneous and dense lawn of X. nematophila was observed (approximately 24 h) Woust (1981). Petri dishes were inoculated with IJ, previously sanitized with merthiolate solution (0.2% w/v). The first generation of adult-stage nematodes was recovered through repeated washing (three times) of the resulting nematodes with sterile distilled water. The adequate number of IJ to be inoculated on the X. nematophila lawn was determined by IJ dosification at initial concentrations of 100, 500, 1000, 1500 or 3000 IJs per plate (CV ≤ 12%), which corresponded to treatments A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. Viable counting, sex differentiation, and length measurement of nematodes were determined for each test.
First-generation axenic juveniles J1
The first generation of adult S. carpocapsae produced from the monoxenic culture was deposited in 50-mL sterile conical tubes for egg release with 0.25 mL of a solution for nematode digestion (LYSOL: NaOH, 1.6% (v/v); Cloralex bleach™ 8%(v/v), Alen Mexico: active compound NaClO at 5.25-5.5% (v/v)) per 100 adult nematodes. The tubes were placed into an orbital shaker at 100 rpm for 10 min, and the eggs were separated by two washes with 0.3 mL of phosphate solution (PBS: KH 2PO, 0.6%(w/v); Na2HPO4, 1.2%(w/v); MgSO/7H 2O, 0.05%(w/v); NaCl, 1.0%(w/v)). Washing involved agitation (vortex), centrifugation (5000 rpm for 3 min) and supernatant decanting.
Isolated eggs were resuspended in 10 mL of a sanitizing solution (PHYSA solution: NaCl, 0.85% (w/v); ampicillin, 0.1% (w/v); streptomycin, 0.1°% (w/v)). The eggs were then placed in Petri dishes for static incubation at 28 °C. PHYSA solution samples were used for the analysis of egg and juvenile J1 counts. The purity of isolated eggs was verified using 200 μL aliquots incubated in 0.8% (w/v) nutritive broth (NB) and yeast extract/ salt (YS) culture media (Dye, 1968) at 30 °C and 120 rpm over 25 days.
Axenic liquid culture of S. carpocapsae
Cylindrical bottles (5.5 cm in diameter) containing 10 mL of basal medium supplemented with hemoglobin at 1% (Lunau et al, 1993) and Tween 80 at 0.4% (w/v) (BAMHIN) were inoculated with 1 mL of axenic J1 (1000 J1 mL-1) and further incubated at 25 °C at 100 rpm in an orbital shaker. Viable counting, sex differentiation, and length measurement of nematodes were analyzed. Analysis was performed using culture samples diluted in the range of 10-1 - 10 -3.
Viable counting of nematodes was determined under microscopic observations (Olympus CH30 microscope) of diluted culture samples using a McMaster chamber.
Biomass was determined by dry weight from 5-mL culture aliquots filtered through 0.45-μm nitrocellulose membranes, previously set at a constant weight by drying at 80 °C and vacuum pressure. Biomass quantification of nematodes of the first and second generations was performed by previously separating the nematodes using 50-μm polyester membranes.
Differential accounting of developmental stages was determined by microscopic observation based on the characteristic morphology of culture age and the apparent length of nematode stages. Analysis was performed with culture samples cooled to 3 °C for 30 min. Developmental stages were registered using a digital camera coupled to an Olympus CH30 microscope.
The nematode length was determined using quantitative image analysis. The length reported is the average of 20 nematodes.
Results and discussion
Axenic eggs producedfrom IJ monoxenic cultures
Symbiont X. nematophila cells grown on NAG medium favored a high recovery (100%) of nematode IJ. The latter showed a rapid transformation to juvenile J4 stage (after 24 h) and young adults (Y) after 48 h. The reproductive maturity of female nematodes was observed at 72 h. Transformation percentage of IJ in first-generation females was 51 ± 9%, with a length of 4,932 ± 308 μm; male nematode length was 1,814 ± 81 μm These measurements are consistent with those reported by Shishiniova et al. (1998).
The effect of inoculum size on fecundity and fertility of female nematodes is shown in Table 1. The female nematode fecundity and fertility remain similar for tests A and B (100 and 500 IJ, respectively), even when the X. nematophila dose was reduced fivefold. Concerning treatments C, D and E, where IJ inoculums were added at concentrations of 1000, 1500 and 3000, respectively, fecundity and fertility fell in the range 21-40%. Even when nematode production decreased by more than 1000 IJ, an inoculum size of 3000 IJ is recommended because for each 3000 initial IJ, 432000 IJ are produced; only 19300 IJ were produced from the test with 100 IJ added.
Published methodologies about axenic cultures of EPN differ from each other, primarily in the culture media composition (natural or artificial) but also in the chemical compounds used for nematode tissue lyses. Lunau et al. (1993) grew one mature female in nutrient agar plates supplemented with rat liver and reported a fecundity of 1,024±682 after 3 days of nematode cultivation. Han and Ehlers (2000) counted 528 ± 656 nematodes per IJ hosted by Galleria mellonella over three weeks. When testing EPN in cultured insect cells under axenic conditions, Kikuta et al. (2008) obtained 47 nematodes per S. carpocapse axenic egg inoculated in microplates containing Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9 cells) as culture medium. Although the results were promising, the complexity of the experimental manipulations in in vivo procedures or for the pretreatment when organic substrates are involved (rat liver) increases complexity and production cost. The substrates used in our work allowed a simpler and more affordable procedure, as well as non-degradability of substances when the medium was sterilized with moist heat. Furthermore, axenic eggs remained free of bacterial or fungal contaminants during the 25-day trial when they were incubated in NB and YS media (purity controls in section 'First-generation axenic juveniles J1').
Both the use of a previously sanitized inoculum with the capacity to be transformed into adults in an in vitro culture and the use of LYSOL for adult digestion, as proposed in this work, facilitated axenic nematode production with two principal advantages: first, the simplification of the axenic egg recuperation process to a simple washing process in triplicate; and second, the higher percentage of eggs hatching to juveniles J1 (Table 1).
S. carpocapsae growth in axenic liquid culture
Axenic S. carpocapsae growth on liquid medium lasted 25 days during which the lag, exponential, and stationary phases of its life cycle were well identified (Figure 1).
During the lag phase, which lasted 5 days, juveniles one (J1) were transformed approximately every 24 h, into juveniles J2, J3 and J4 of 96±17%, 91±10% and 83±8%, respectively (Table 2). Young adults were observed on the 5th day, but their reproduction began on the 6th day, when the nematode population was composed of 36 ± 5% of females and 47 ± 2% males. Because of the low decrease of the above juvenile transformation percentages (<9%), a synchronic culture was assumed, which was corroborated in Figure 1 by rapid growth in the exponential stage, that was registered as a straight segment with high slope due to the log axis in Figure 1. According to Patel and McFadden (1978), a synchronous culture favors the multiplication factor of the initial nematode population (MFIP=Nmax /N0; Nmax, number of nematodes at the end of the axenic liquid production; N0, number of nematodes at the beginning of the axenic liquid production). In this test, the MFIP was 87.
Nematode culture synchronization has been obtained through the inocula standardization on the size and density of eggs (Patel and McFadden, 1978). In our work, culture synchronization was ascribed to hatching of axenic eggs in a low-concentration (0.85%) saline solution free of nutrients (PHYSA solution). This prevailing state of starvation prevented the development ofjuve-niles J1 to juveniles J2 and consequently, allowed for the production of an inoculum of nematodes in a predominant single stage of development.
Figure 2 shows the nematode stage evolution when nematodes were immersed in the transparent BAMHIN medium. In culture media, where hemoglobin is one of the components, hemoglobin aggregates are commonly formed, producing some interference with the analysis of nematode morphology as well as biomass quantification by dry weight. Such interferences were eliminated by the solubilization of the hemoglobin with Tween 80 added at 4% to the culture medium. It is important to state that the transparency of the BAMHIN medium allowed some morphological details of nematode life cycle to be appreciated, as shown in Figure 2.
The exponential growth phase began at day 6 and lasted for 4 days, during which the mating and ovipositation processes were clearly observed (Figure 2). The reproduction process gave rise to a culture where first-generation adult nema-todes and second-generation juvenile nematodes coexisted. A maximum nematode concentration (Nmax) occurred at day 10 with 87,000 ± 2,200 nematodes mL-1, where 99 ± 5% were second-generation juveniles (Table 2).
The MFIP of first-generation axenic nematodes was 87 (N0 = 1000 nematodes mL-1) at day 10, which was considered among the highest MFIP reported in the literature for this type of procedure. Lunau et al. (1993) reported an MFIP of 65 for axenic cultures of S. carpocapsae in a liquid substrate. Kikuta et al. (2008), who reproduced S. carpocapsae on the Sf9 cell line, determined an MFIP of 45 at day 10 (N0=50 juveniles J1 and Nmax = 7,500 nematodes mL 1־); however, this value dropped to 25 by day 30. This latter MFIP value was probably due to a poor diet due to insect cell degradation. Such problems did not occur in our in vitro cultures, where the cultures remained stable with no apparent degradation after the population reached its maximum.
The stationary phase began on day 11, with a juvenile concentration of 91 ± 9% that remained stable until day 25, when nematode cultivation was finished. Transformation of juveniles to second-generation IJ was detected at day 15. This transformation was gradual and its low ef־ ficiency of IJ production was low to moderate, 35 ± 2% (NIJ = 28,900 ± 1,900 IJ mL1), as observed in Table 2. The second nematode generation was not significantly transformed and retained characteristics that corresponded to the J3 stage.
Length and biomass of S. carpocapsae
Figure 3 shows the evolution of length and biomass of S. carpocapsae at different stages of development: juveniles J2, J3, J4, young adults (Y) and adults (Ad). The length λf and λm for female and male nematodes was 3,487 ± 420 and 1,502 ± 264 μm, respectively. Nematode lengths were calculated by measuring the length of nematodes at the end of the lag phase and at the beginning of the stationary phase. Male length was consis־ tent with results reported by Shishiniova et al. (1998), who worked with in vivo cultures of S. carpocapsae. Female length in our work was, in fact, shorter than those observed by Shishiniova et al. (1998), which could be due to the absence of the symbiotic bacteria in our work, whose cells have been considered an essential nutritional fac־ tor for optimal development of S. carpocapsae in a monoxenic liquid culture (Friedman, 1990).
Total biomass and male nematode length of S. carpocapsae results adequately fit the sigmoidal model of Chapman-Richards of three parameters (Sigma plot V7.0, Systat Software Inc.), which coincided with the observations made by Schiemer (1982) when studying Caenorhabditis briggsae. Female nematode length of S. carpocapsae was better adjusted to a simple sigmoid 3 parameter model. For all fittings, the correlation coefficients were > 0.96.
In conclusion, it was found that the use of LYSOL for nematode lysis and the subsequent egg incubation in PHYSA is an attractive and inexpensive procedure for isolating large quantities of fertile S. carpocapsae eggs without affecting the life cycle of nematodes. An MFIP of 87 is among the highest values reported in the literature for in vitro proce־ dures. In addition to the high MFIP, the transparent culture medium played an important role because it made the microscopic observations of nematode life cycle clearer; consequently, the precision of biomass analysis could be improved. It is well known that in vivo methods have the advantage of high yield; however, in vitro methods also offer the advantage of reducing the number and complexity of opera־ tions involved in in vivo methods.
The authors wish to thank to Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV)-Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) for supporting this project.
Akhurst, R.J. 1980. Morphological and functional dimorphism in Xenorhabdus spp., bacteria symbiotically associated with the insect pathogenic nematodes Neoaplectana and Heterorhabditis. J. Gen. Microbiol. 121: 303-309. [ Links ]
Bonifassi, E., M. Fischer-Le Saux, N. Boemare, A. Lanois, C. Laumond, and G. Smart. 1999. Gnotobiological Study of infective juveniles and symbionts of Steinernema scapterisci: A model to clarify the concept of the natural occurrence of monoxenic associations in entomopathogenic nematodes. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 74(2): 164-172. [ Links ]
Dye, D.W. 1968. A taxonomic study of the genus Ewinia. I. The 'amylovora' group. New Zealand Journal of Science 11: 590-607. [ Links ]
Ehlers, R.U. 1996, Current and Future Use of Nematodes in Biocontrol: Practice and Commercial Aspects with Regard to Regulatory Policy Issues, Biocontrol. Sci. Techn. 6: 303-316. [ Links ]
Ehlers, R.U., and O. Strauch. 1994. Establishment of axenic and monoxenic cultures summary of a practical workshop session. In: Burnell. A.M., Ehlers, R.U., and Masson, J. P. (eds.). Genetics of entomopathogenic nematode-bacterium complex. European commission directorate-general XII, science, research and development environment research program, Luxemburg, 204 pp. [ Links ]
Forst, S., and K. Nealson. 1996. Molecular biology of the symbiotic-pathogenic bacteria Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp. Microbiological Reviews 60(1): 21-43. [ Links ]
Friedman, M.J. 1990. Commercial production and development. In: R. Gaugler, and H.K. Kaya (eds.). Entomopathogenic nematodes in biological control. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. 139 pp. [ Links ]
Han, R., and R.U. Ehlers. 2000. Pathogenicity, development and reproduction of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae under axenic in vivo conditions. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 75: 55-58. [ Links ]
Heungens, K., D. Mugniéry, M. Van Montagu, G. Gheysen, and A. Niebel. 1996. A method to obtain disinfected Globodera infective juveniles directly from cyst. Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 19: 91-93. [ Links ]
Kikuta, S., T. Kiuchi, F. Aoki, and N. Masao. 2008. Development of an entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, in cultured insect cells under axenic conditions. Nematology 10: 845-851. [ Links ]
Krusberg, L.R., and S. Sardanelli. 1984. Technique for axenizing nematodes. J. Nematol. 16(3): 348. [ Links ]
Lunau, S., S. Stoessel, A.J. Schmidt-Peisker, R.U. Ehlers. 1993. Establishment on monoxenic inocula for scaling up in vitro cultures of the ento־ mopathogenic nematodes Steinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis spp. Nematologica 39: 385-399. [ Links ]
Patel, T.R., and B.A. McFadden. 1978. Axenic and synchronous cultures of Caenorhabditis elegans. Nematologica 24: 51-62. [ Links ]
Schiemer, F. 1982. Food dependence and energetic of free living nematodes. I. Respiration, growth and reproduction of Caenorhanditis briggsae (nematoda) at different levels of food supply. Oecologia 54: 108-121. [ Links ]
Shishiniova, M., L. Budurova, and D. Gradirarov. 1998. Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser, 1955) (Nematoda: Rhabditida) - new species for entomopathogenic fauna of Bulgaria. Experimental Pathology and Parasitology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 1: 30-35. [ Links ]
Sicard, T.J., N.E. Boemare, O. Thaler, and C. Moulia. 2005. Effect of phenotypic variation Xenorhabdus nematophila on its mutualistic relationship with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Parasitology 131: 687-694. [ Links ]
Stoll, N.R. 1959. Conditions favoring the axenic culture of Neaoplectana glaseri, a nematode parasite of certain insect grubs. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 77 special issue (Axenic Culture of Invertebrate Metazoa: A Goal):126-136. [ Links ]
Wright, D.J., and R.N. Perry. 2002. Physiology and Biochemistry. In: Gaugler. R. (ed.). Entomopathogenic Nematology. CAB International Wallinford, UK. 145 pp. [ Links ]
Woodring, J.L., and H.K. Kaya. 1988. Steinernematid and Heterorhabditid Nematodes: A Handbook of Biology and Techniques, South. Coop. Ser. Bull. 331, Arkansas Agric. Exp. Stat. [ Links ]
Woust, W.M. 1981. Mass Production of the Entomogenous Nematode Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) on Artificial Media. J. Nematol. 13: 467-469. [ Links ]
Received January 21, 2011. Accepted November 1, 2011.
Corresponding author: email@example.com


text:
Scarlett Johansson deserves $66,000 from the email hacker who leaked nude pictures of her in 2011, federal prosecutors said in a court filing this week.
Christopher Chaney, 35, has pleaded guilty to reseting Johansson's password after correctly answering her security question with public information, The Los Angeles Times reported. After gaining access to her account, he discovered the actress's nude photos sent to her then husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Johansson was not Chaney's only victim. Chaney has pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court to nine counts of computer hacking from 2010 to 2012, during which he hacked 50 email accounts in the entertainment industry.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
Federal prosecutors asked the judge in the case to sentence the Floridian hacker to 71 months in prison and to pay $150,000 in compensation to all of his victims, according to the Times. Prosecutors also want Chaney to pay Christina Aguilera $7,500 and Renee Olstead almost $77,000 for leaking their nude pictures, the paper reported.
Selected Reading: The Los Angeles Times, US Weekly

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I just finished playing a frustrating best of five match. I won {4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(9), 6-3}. The first three sets I was using an almost brand new Head Liquidmetal Radical that's only three weeks old. After double faulting away both the first and second set for my opponent, I decided I needed to take some heat off my first serve. It kind of worked as I took the third set, but I swear my first serve probably averaged 50-60 mph! By the fourth set, I really felt like either I forgot how to play tennis, or something was wrong with this racquet. I could hear the strings moving everytime I served.. that had to be the problem. Before the tie-break began in the fourth set, I pulled out my newly strung racquet of the same make and model. I won the fourth and went on the win the fifth thankfully. Now I'm blaming my horrible start on my equipment, particularly the strings. Take a look at the pictures of both the three week old racquet and the newly strung racquet. The only reason I think it may just be psychological is cause the racquet is only three weeks old! Should the strings really be moving around like that?
This is the three week old racquet. Do strings really go bad that quickly? It comes prestrung, so maybe it was just sitting around for too long..?
Here's the newly strung racquet, I used to close the set out.


text:
Digital Production
The Gnomon Workshop offers the most comprehensive set of Digital Production tutorials anywhere. The broad scope of the tutorials contained in this section range from foundational understanding of the software tools all the way to the professional application of these tools and concepts used by artists working in the film and game industries.
Entertainment Design
The Gnomon Workshop is widely regarded as the global leader in training tutorials for the designer working in the entertainment industry. With tutorials ranging from foundational drawing and design concepts to process tutorials from some of the top concept and character designers in the world, there is surely something here to inspire.
As the tattoo industry has seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years, the need training in this field has also grown. In these video tutorials, some of the top tattoo artists in the world share their techniques and their take on the art of tattoo. The tutorials range from absolute beginner level to advanced color and blending techniques used by some of the world's best.
The Gnomon Workshop offers professional training on most of the software applications used in today's digital pipelines. There are foundational titles to introduce users to the software and tools, as well as advanced production titles that discuss application tools and processes vital to the production of digital assets and media.
Professional Training for Artists
The Gnomon Workshop seeks out the most highly-regarded traditional and digital artists and technicians currently working in the entertainment and design industries. Our instructors have shared their practices working at such top studios as Pixar, ILM, Blizzard, and many more.Instructor GalleriesInstructor Interviews
Gary Meyer has served as an instructor at Art Center College of Design for 23 years. He has served as Professor and Master of the College and was the recipient of the first Faculty Award (elected by the faculty of Art Center). Gary has also been awarded seventeen Great Teacher Awards (elected by the graduating classes). His teaching experience includes Advanced Illustration, Advanced Sketching, Advanced Sketching for Illustration, Perspective, Intro to Head Painting, Head Drawing, Entertainment Design, Visual Communication 3, Visual Communication 5, Communication Sketching, Portraiture, Architectural Design 1 and 2, Matte Painting, Composition and Painting. Gary has also taught at Otis College of Art and Design, Universal Studios Design and Development and the Animation Institute of Los Angeles. His commercial clients include all major aircraft companies, all major motion picture studios, Reader's Digest, Random House, Six Flags Parks, Levis, CBS Records, Electra Asylum Records, New West Magazine, Warner Books and many others.
Try a Class on Campus
Gnomon specializes in computer graphics education for careers in the entertainment industry.


text:
Angel Tree registration underway at Salvation Army
Annual program kicks off next month
The Salvation Army has started taking applications for its Angel Tree program.
Each year more than 5,000 people receive necessary items during the Christmas season through the program. Hundreds of people have already begun the registration process, Salvation Army officials said.
"We have no doubt that this year will be just the same as it's been in years past," said Capt. Ken Chapman of the Salvation Army. "Volunteers, come and help us. We'll need those. We'll put a call out for that later as the toy shop opens for distribution, and for the preparation of that. We are so grateful for the community that we live in and for the generosity."
Registration continues next week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Salvation Army at 110 Presto Lane in Jackson. The first 100 people will be admitted in the morning session and the next 100 people will be admitted for the afternoon session.
Applicants need to show proof of income, expenses, address and birth certificates for each child being registered for the program. Those registering for the Senior Angel program must be older than 60 and will be required to show picture ID, along with proof of address and income.
Click here for a full list of requirements.
The Angel Trees will go up at business around the Jackson metro area next month.


text: Christmas time is the one Star Trading directs, all the year round, its attention to. The brand is conceived for and specialised in the creation of decorations for parties and, in particular, led lights. The Star Trading designers' aim is that of making the perfect lights to produce a unique and personal festive atmosphere.


text:
Retractable blade box cutter pen knife with small hole for attaching to keyrings and lanyards.
Hoost cutter knife. Cutter knife with automatic retractable blade. Plastic.
Stainless steel slim blade box cutter pen knife. Built in clip on the reverse.
Oscar 5 function pocket knife. Pocket tool with knife, spring loaded scissors, tweezers, toothpick, nail file and mini metal split keyring. ABS plastic.
Stainless steel seven function pocket knife includes corkscrew, Philips head screwdriver, bottle opener, scissors, knife, file and a can opener.
Stainless steel pocket knife with eleven functions. Includes a bottle opener, can opener/flat head screwdriver, corkscrew, Philips screwdriver, two saws, pair of scissors, two small knives, a large knife and a wire bender.
Stainless steel and aluminium retractable blade box cutter pen knife. Ribbed for easy grip. Built in hole for attaching to keyrings and lanyards.
The cookie settings on this website are set to 'All Cookies' so that you have the best online experience possible from our site. Without changing this setting you consent to this. If you wish to opt out click on the 'change cookie settings' link.


text:
Into the world of iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy 3 S smartphones steps a familiar face: Research in Motion, which will unveil its next-generation BlackBerry devices on Jan. 30.
The launch will happen worldwide, with two new handheld devices as well as the new BlackBerry 10 operating system to be launched at once, according to reports.
U.S. & World
Research in Motion has steadily lost ground to Apple and Android devices, according to Reuters.
The company did not say when the new phones would be available in stores. However, the new phones did win security approval from Canadian and American government agencies, Reuters reported.
Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media


text:
Let's have a look at some Venice Film Festival fashion!
I really had no other witty/fitting headline or intro sentence for this post *womp womp* (That's how you know I'm rusty. Please bare with me, this is my first post in over a year!).
In all seriousness though, TIFF is right around the corner (t-2 days)! In preparation for the amazing red carpet looks we are going to see, here are some of my favourite looks from the 73rd Venice Film Festival, which wraps up this Friday.
Photo credits: The Telegraph, Harper's Bazaar Australia, Observer.


text:
Car Hire at Lanzarote Airport
Search and compare deals on economy, luxury, 7-9 seater cars and more
Enter your email address and we will send your reference number to this address.
Your booking reference has been emailed to you.
We have been unable to locate a current booking using this email address. Please Contact Us using this link
Search and compare deals on economy, luxury, 7-9 seater cars and more
|24 Hours
|24 Hours
|24 Hours
|24 Hours
|24 Hours
|24 Hours
For anything else
Sign in to manage your account and bookings.
Working with over 900 companies in 160 countries, we can find the right car in the right place, at the right price.
We ask each of our customers to rate the company that provided their car. Check the scores - and make the right choice.
Small, practical and easy to park, economy cars are ideal for driving through busy city streets. Check out these examples and compare prices:
Opel Corsa
Fiat 500
Ford Focus
Ford Fiesta
Travelling with a large group? We offer a wide range of 7, 9 and 12-seat people carriers and minivans. Here are some examples:
Opel Zafira
Citroen Berlingo
Volkswagen Touran
Ford C-Max
Estate cars have plenty of room for both people and luggage. Perfect for family holidays. Check out these examples and compare prices:
Ford Focus Estate
Renault Clio Estate
Skoda Octavia Estate
Peugeot 308 Estate
Going off the beaten track? Enjoy your adventure in a rugged 4x4 or SUV. Check out these examples and compare prices:
Opel Mokka
Hyundai ix35
Nissan Juke
Nissan Qashqai
Standard cars are big and comfortable – perfect for family holidays and long-distance driving. Check out these examples and compare prices:
Opel Insignia
Peugeot 3008
BMW 1-Series
Audi A3
Find the ideal convertible car for you - get a great car at a great price. Here are some examples:
Fiat 500 Cabrio
Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio
Renault Megane Cabrio
Audi A3 Cabrio
Arrive at your destination in comfort and luxury – in a classy executive car. Here are some examples:
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Audi A4
BMW 3-Series
Arrecife Ciudad, s/n, 35500 Arrecife, Las Palmas, SpainShow on Map
We work with all the leading car hire companies at Lanzarote Airport (ACE), including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, InterRent, Keddy By Europcar, La Palma 24, Orlando, Rhodium, Sixt, Thrifty, TopCar. Whatever you're looking for, we can get you the very best price.


text:
When you need a Plumber Herston, call Fallon Solutions. For over 50 years, we have been fulfilling plumbing needs to Brisbane and Herston. With a team of qualified Plumbers, we can have an experienced Herston Plumber to your door, in a fully stocked service vehicle, ready to fix any plumbing problem, big or small.
If you need an Plumber in Herston, give us a call on 1300 762 260 or fill in a Plumber Booking Form.
202 Reviews
Mention WEB40 when you make your booking and we'll take $40 off your next job.
There are many benefits to using Fallon Solutions for all your Trade Solutions. Below are just a few of them:
We value your time, so will do all we can to be at your home when we say we will. We'll also call when we are on our way so you know to expect us. If we're late, we'll pay you up to $50 for the inconvenience.
Before we do anything we'll give you an upfront pricing that will be the same as any other customer. This ensures no surprises or hidden costs and no price gouging.
All of our workmanship is 100% guaranteed in writing. This gives you peace of mind; knowing that if your job hasn't been completed to industry standard we will re-do it for no cost.
Our staff will wear protective clothing with shoe covers, use work mats, clean up after themselves and take away any old fittings and parts. In other words, we'll leave your home the same way we found it; except of course the problem will be fixed.
Our staff will then turn up with a Fallon Solutions uniform and ID, so you will know exactly who you are dealing with.
Our technicians are all fully qualified and licenced. We also have all required insurances. So whilst we might not be the cheapest trade company around, you will know that we are doing the job right and you are fully protected.
This means we are there when you need us the most. We understand that businesses don't all trade the same time. We also know that if you have an emergency; you need it fixed fast.
Having so many qualified trades people out there means that we can respond quicker to emergency and high priority jobs. Don't let an unforseen emergency impact your business.
We cover most of the trades you will need, including plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, carpentry and more. Don't waste time dealing with multiple companies when you can just deal with one.
We have been trading for over 50 years (with the current owner since 2005). This means you can trust that we will be around when you need us and to honour our work guarantees.
All of our Trades People are fully qualified and licenced as per their industry requirements. Furthermore, they undertake regular training to ensure they are always up with the latest industry trends and best practice.
This ensures that when you deal with us we know the history of your property and any work that has been carried out there. Don't waste time explaining every time you need something completed.
Some of our videos showing you handy hints on plumbing problems and more.see all videos
Winter is that season of the year where most people get surprisingly creative when it comes to keeping warm in their home. There's the choice of putting on as many layers of clothes as possible, warming up the bed with a hair dryer or there's the good old hot water bottle. But none ..read more
When a pipe bursts, the hot water system breaks down or the power goes out, things have to happen fast, so these issues can be fixed as soon as possible. Due to the current pandemic, it doesn't come as a big surprise that some trade service companies are having a hard time trying to source c ..read more
Save on the installation of a new air conditioner or upgrading your old model by purchasing a Daikin single, multi-split system or ducted air conditioning unit with Fallon Solutions between 1 August 2020 and 30 September 2020 and you could be eligible to receive a Free Gift Card up to the value ..read more


text:
Not really much more to be said other than ENJOY!
That's it...I'm Out
Well, it's happened quicker than even I thought it would: I'm retiring. This will be my last post.
First, this has nothing to do with the current change in ownership. In fact, I kinda feel bad about the timing. This all happened rather quickly for me, and it ended up colliding with the change in ownership. Sorry about that, it made a complex situation even more trying, I'm sure.
My Retirement Plans
I've been working on my retirement plan for 3 years, which is to build a tiny home into a FedEx step van and live life as an adventuring nomad. I had initially expected to retire at 66 in 2022 for full Social Security benefits figuring it would take me 7 years to build the truck. A big dream would certainly take a while to achieve. I'd have to learn about solar panels, composting toilets, and all manner of things.
Well, it turns out dreams really aren't that big and challenging when you only have 88 square feet to fill. The job may be best compared to a somewhat more complicated than normal bathroom remodel job. In two and a half years, it's done.
But finishing up Putt isn't the only reason to retire.
1) My ears are going. They are pretty good for a 60 year old...well, my left ear anyway. But hearing tests have shown the trend. It's just not good enough any more, IMHO, and getting worse. Your brain can compensate for a long time, but at some point it starts getting really hard to do the job of evaluating sound.
2) I've been writing about headphones for 25 years. Brochure copy, ads, retail web site, and now journalistic reviews. Writing poetry about tractors for 25 years is now painful. It may have been good training for becoming a writer because of the discipline and deep dive into a subject, but I'm burned out. I want to write about something else for myself. Time in the woods in my truck would be perfect. Wasn't it Steinbeck who had the pick-up truck camper?
3) What with kids and career, I never had the time to really focus on playing my ukulele. Or maybe it was laziness and ADD...I can never remember which. At any rate, again, time in the woods in my truck would be perfect.
4) My career in the world of headphones has an arc...and a good one. My singular goal since 1992 has been to influence headphone sound quality for the better. I think I've done that. I've also played a strong role in the growth of the headphone enthusiast community. I think the direction and quality of growth in the high-performance headphone market and enthusiast community is strong and healthy, and now is so powerful that my influence is less relevant. My parents were in show business (ballet/musicals dancers; mom danced for the Metropolitan Opera, dad danced for American Ballet Theater), the old saying is to go out on top and be remembered well. That time is now.
5) Living in Putt is cheap. I can take my early Social Security retirement (and lock myself in because who knows what's going to happen there), my savings and home sale proceeds, and live very comfortably on the road. Tacos at a Baja beach stands are cheap; mortgages are expensive.
6) And maybe most important: I'm an adventurer to the bone. I've always had wanderlust, and I loved adventure motorcycling. I've even done a couple of review series on a motorcycle adventure (here and here). I want to go explore before I can't do it anymore. Waiting four more years for full Social Security retirement to do it seemed like an eternity. It's time for me to retire and go play while I can.
Some comments seem to be in order:
Thank you InnerFidelity Readers
I'm credited with giving birth to the headphone enthusiast activity. There's a good deal of truth to that; no need to go into detail. What's more important is that I didn't really set out to be the father of a movement. I simply set out to be as productive as I could be towards getting better sounding headphones. Wether it was whooping up a froth co-founding with Aaron the first CanJam (though it wasn't called that back then) or writing critical copy on HeadRoom's website of product manufacturers made us cary, but sucked, it was all because I just wanted headphone makers to make better sounding headphones. I rose to a voice of authority on InnerFidelity simply on the strength of that.
Here's the important bit: None of that would have happened if there weren't people similarly interested. I am so grateful to know that many likeminded enthusiasts are simply interested in my mission and musings. I have a following not because I'm a leader, but because I've remained as true as I could to my mission, and I tried to bring you along in an entertaining way...and you've paid me back tenfold by reading along and giving me a livelihood. Thank you!
You've also directly contributed to InnerFidelity content with your comments here. You may have noticed I don't comment in the comment section much. It's partly because I always have to be on to the next thing, but it's also because I felt I got my say in the article; readers should have free ground to comment on the subject without any back talk from me. I think this has actually made the InnerFidelity comments sections terrifically dense. A lot of signal, very little noise. Thank you so much for your comments! It's one of the strengths you brought directly to the table.
Thank You Editorial Contributors
What a cast of characters! Bob Katz, John Grandberg, lJokerl, Steve Guttenberg, Nate Maher, Tyler Schrank, Dinny Fitzpatrick, and numerous others have contributed their thoughts. I'm always tickled pink to read and edit what Bob's furious mind has whipped up to think about. And John Grandberg's reviews consistently strike me as straight-up competent. My all-time favorite post on InnerFidelity was Steve Guttenberg's piece "John Lennon's 1965 Portable KB Discomatic Jukebox", the fascinating story of one of the first portable personal audio devices and it's effect on the famous Beatle. Thank you all for your contributions! One mistake I've made is not pushing harder to bring in more voices like these.
My message to manufacturers.
No, you're not getting a thank you in the title, but you are going to get a big thank you for making better sounding headphones, which you have. And you did it in a time when Dr. Dre fired a cannon to start a race nobody knew they were in. So thanks for sticking it out in tumultuous times and making better sounding headphones none the less.
It is your job, though.
And I'm here to point a finger right at you and say you can make better sounding headphones than you do now. I know all the bells and whistles are temptingmandatroy, really, if you want to surviveand I know sexy looking headphones dangling around the necks of bedazzled celebrities moves iron, but please, keep your eye on the ball. Good sound quality, comfort, solid build, and simple good looks will get you the long term prize of being a great headphone maker.
And keep the damned price reasonable!
The Next InnerFidelity Editor
I'm going to let him introduce himself. Frankly I was surprised, and pleased, with the choice. He's certainly got journalism chopsmaybe you'll finally get articles without miss-spelled wordsand he's got audio experience. We did have a very good conversation about InnerFidelity and it's readership, and I came away feeling he's got as good a shot at it as anyone else I could think of.
Just don't compare him to me. There can be only one dude that was there right at the beginning of the headphone enthusiast movement, and it was mefor better or worse. That can't be duplicated. And in some ways I'm a one-trick pony reviewing headphone after headphone. A more capable editor would/could have gathered more voices around himself. I look forward to seeing his future efforts.
The Big Question
The Wall of Fame is packed up and ready to go to its new home. That leaves me with just a couple of junker headphone left overs that just won't do in the long run. It's time for me to buy some new headphones for life on the road. Which headphones do I most miss? What headphones will I buy?
For sure I'll be buying some Bose Quiet Comfort 35 wireless, over-ear headphones. It's LOUD driving around in Putt. So loud that hearing damage is quite possible after long exposure. Good noise canceling headphones are a must, and the Bose QC35 is the best I'm aware of.
For phone calls, general iPad movie watching, and casual listening the Beats Solo 3 Wireless is sweet. Good sound, comfort, build quality, and maybe most important unbelievable Bluetooth range, you just can't beat the Solo 3.
Bottom line, as one enthusiast said in a private place where my intentions are known: "That just goes to show that for all the hoopla we squawk about regarding sound quality, the function of the headphone matters just as much." It's true. While I think good sound quality is the most important headphone characteristic, the functional aspects of headphones can be almost as important, and can certainly warrant compromises in sound quality in order for them to be most useful in your particular application.
Will I take a pair of high end headphones with me? Not super high-end...I just don't have the room or energy budget (being solar powered) for a high end rig on the road. But I will take my Astell & Kern AK240, my CEntrance M8, and a pair of Aeon Flow open and closed headphones along.
Mic Drop
Okie dokie, that's it for me. Feel free to wave good-bye in the comments below, I am looking forward to your farewells. I will miss all you quirky headphone geeks. I'll try to make it to a meet here and there. Wouldn't that be fun?
All my best! Happy trails! Enjoy your music!
And sorry about your wallet. :)
Hello Tyll,
Any way to do one last review of new model Stax SR-009S?
Is this the best sounding headphone in the world?It's supposed to be
new and improved.Your experience and knowledge will be missed.
Thanks for many years of insight.What is best sounding headphone in the world?Best Amp Blue Hawaii?Happy Trails.-D
Tyll was not too surprised since you told me you were going to finish the Fedex and go on road. If your on the East Coast we down in a seasonal site in historic Cape May NJ. I wish you much success and really learn much from your writing through the years and will miss seeing you at shows and CanJams. Looking forward to our paths crossing again and safe travel and enjoy!n Thank you for all the great memories regarding headphones through all the years.
What an unexpected, somewhat frightening, but lovely twist. I'm 27. I've been reading innerfidelity since it began, when I was a teenager. I rarely comment. I rarely participate on forums. I rarely buy headphones (I'm perpetually broke and have an obsession with reef aquariums, as well.) But, I have valued and enjoyed everything you've written since you began this site. Thank you.
Part of me is yearning for a similar adventure. One day, I'll give into the wanderlust... If you're ever in Iowa or Illinois (I'm on the border in Moline, IL), look me up (Eli Inskeep) and I'll play my ukulele with you and find some good food. (:
Thank you for being a part of my journey. You've been a positive influence.
Wow this is great news ( for you )!
Congratulations on a well-earned early retirement Tyll.
Putt project looks perfect.
Enjoy the open skies.
Such a sad day....
Thank you for being such a charismatic figure in this community. How it flourished! :)
Thank you for being such a charismatic figure in this community. How it flourished!!
Registered just to say thanks :) I'm a reader all the way in Hong Kong!
Can't remember when I first started reading this, sometime several years ago in high school. Your reviews certainly were informative!
Thank you for always posting, and all the best!
This news has hit me surprisingly hard. We've never met but you've made substantial impact on my life the past several years as ive come to embrace and love the world of headphones. I trust your advice and experience above all other input. That trust has been well served as i am VERY happy with my wall-o-fame purchases (and oh brother there are many).
So..as hard as it is to imagine that i wont see your byline any further during my very regular visits to this site, I appreciate what you are doing and your choice to do it now. Wanderlust is a wonderful thing. There's a great big world out there and too many of us are lost in our phones and tvs to give it much of a shot.
So my friend...all the best to you!! Go out there and explore, adventure, look, listen, learn, and most of all live. I have three favorite quotes which i call upon now and again...for the first time i think they are ALL appropriate to one person..you....
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" -tzu
"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams" - wonka
"Changes in attitudes, changes in lattitudes, nothing remains quite the same. With all of our running and all of our cunning, if we couldnt laugh, we'd all go insane" -Buffet
Go get em Tyll!
Peace .n. Have Putt will Travel!
your friend Three Toes of Fury
Best of lucks mate. Have a great time!
Hey Ultra ... any chance yur sayin' adios soon? ... come on pardner ... it's beerthirty.
I've been lurking around here for years, but I always found your content fascinating. It will be interesting to meet your successor. Or successors.
It's a lot of work, what you do, YouTube videos and all. Maybe the technical side of the job can be done by another person, a technical editor of sorts. Those measurements are a big part of what makes this site special. And there are still some unfinished projects, e.g., redoing the database of measurements so that the reader can view the data using different compensation curves. Ideally, the person who will be inheriting the measurement gear will have solid engineering chops.
(If you absolutely can't find anyone, send it over to me and our engineering department! Just kidding.)
Anyway, whoever will be building or your work, he, she, or they will have big shoes to fill.
Best wishes on your future adventures, Tyll. We're looking forward to the occasional guest appearance.
I also have to thank you, yuriv, for your suggestion to Tyll way back when https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelity-call-contributions - that's what first led me to hop on board at InnerFidelity. It's been a fun ride.
Has it been that long? Oh wow. Time flies, and now here we are, at the end of an era.
Best luck Tyll!
If your trip brings you to Argentina, just contact!
Hey Tyll,
Nice wiring job on Putt. Very neat.
May you have many years of safe travel and excellent health ahead of you. Appreciate what you have brought to the table....I'm not too far behind you....will be 59 in a couple of weeks.
I'll not lie, it's kind of sad to see you go, but it's also cool and inspiring to see you achieving your dreams. It takes courage to do so.
Best of luck, enjoy!
If one has insatiable wanderlust, best act upon it while one can. Lived out of van conversion for some years though eventually tired of it. Met many interesting people with all kinds of rigs. We are approximately same age and while my hearing has declined, it is my eyesight which finally made road travel more chore than pleasure.
If was fifteen years younger, single and financially capable, would love Tesla or other electric truck pulling small trailer heavy on the solar panels. Less repairs concerns. With your rig would consider small pullout awning that gave privacy on all sides and use gravity tank for shower. It's easy enough to heat shower water for the colder days.
Thank you, Tyll for every great article and for your insight. The open road is waiting. Godspeed and good luck!
I love tiny homes. I hope you have lots of fun, I wish you the best!
And what's going to happen with your dog? Will you take him with you?
...but based the glimpses of you (and, more specifically, your hobbies outside of your job) that we readers have been given from time-to-time, this retirement plan strikes me as very "you." :P
I've only been interested in this hobby for half a decade or so, but it's been a real pleasure to read your reviews. (The fact that you were one of the few reviewers whose preferences consistently lined up with my own didn't hurt, of course.) I hope you have fun with this next adventure! :)
PS. Is the incoming editor a newcomer or someone who already is known within the community? I couldn't tell for sure whether you were hinting at the latter...
You've had a huge influence on fostering my love of headphones and audio in general. I bought my first pair of "nice" headphones, and my first headphone amp, from HeadRoom, and you've played at least some role in every purchase decision I've made since. I'm going to miss reading your takes on new headphones.
Good luck with your retirement! It sounds like you're going to be living your dream, and I hope you have a great time of it.
I learned an awful lot from reading your posts and reviews. You'll be missed. Best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement!
If you come to South America, just drop a message. Each event in life has pros and cons. I am sure we are going to miss your valuable evaluations, but I am sure your scout and artistic adventures will bring other great values. I would love to read and watch your channel about your adventures. Enjoy your life as an adventuring nomad! Cheers.
After 20+ years of lurking/reading/listening and making purchases based on your recommendations, I created a login just so I can say Thank You for everything you have done for the community.
Enjoy your retirement... hopefully I will be able to do the same in another 10 yrs or so. I am very jealous, and wish you the very best.
Good news for you but sad news for the rest of us. Enjoy your retirement, Tyll, you've earned it.
I recently retired at 61 and am loving every day. You have an excellent plan on how to fill your days which is key.
My number one rule is no TV during the day. I am sure that is not even applicable for you with all your upcoming travelling.
Thanks for all your expert writings and best wishes.
The David Attenborough of Headphones and audio equipment!!
A rest well deserved! Enjoy!!!
You had a big influence on my listening and music enjoyment. Thank you for all your work, helping building the headphone community.
The very best wishes from Belgium!!
Tyll, you're a class act.
Best wishes.
Thank you for your work on headphones, that I love since I'm 7.
As a musician you helped me choose my listening tools and in fact saving money by choosing the good ones !
Driving these landscapes with autonomous home should be good for the mind :)
Have a nice retirement,
Florian from France
Big loss for the community IMO but a well deserved retirement for an invaluable and widely respected part of it. Tyll is too humble IMO, he wasn't just there from the start but he was an integral part of making sure stuff was judged both objectively and subjectively, by doing it darn well and explaining why at the same time.
...just got back from few days away and the news is all over my feeds. You're retiring... Oh well Tyll I wish you a great and long ride with Putt ! You've been a dear friend to me, fulfilling countless hours of my life with knowledge, fun and humility. You'll be missed. Please never forget you've got friends all around the globe waiting to share a cold beer with you ! My best,
Thanks for all Tyll. In 2011 I started this hobby and discover your amazing website. It was like a goldmine. I always loved your videos and the majestic wall of fame. Your objective approach to review was almost scientific and not biased, this is unique.
This is a big loss for the headphone dom.
Hope to read you somewhere again in the future. Enjoy your life! You're the best.
Please come back!
Tyll.com is available!
Still using your Max Headroom amp!
Thanks so much for providing what may have been the emotionally healthiest personal platform in audio journalism, and a constantly inspiring and useful voice. A job well done.
Thanks for your contributions, I've been reading them for years and have loved/appreciated your articles. Best of luck mate, I'll miss them. Please consider making a blog or something so we can go with you on your adventure and so someday I can buy you a beer in Baja.
It's been a long since I last posted a comment at IF. I've been following your career ever since the HeadRoom days, reading the reviews of headphone on HR's site. Then there was Head-Fi, then InnerFidelity. The importance of your headphone measurements and reviews and general attitude and influence in the headphone world cannot be overstated--you have helped shaped the trajectory of the headphone industry, and for many of us, shaped our view and relationship with headphones. Whenever I have discussion with others about headphones, InnerFidelity's articles and measurements and Wall of Fame is what I point them, and tell them there's no better resource about headphones than IF.
I was one of people who very early on started EQ'ing headphones, and everyone chided me for it, but now many are doing it. I actually used your ideal frequency response curve as my standard for EQ'ing and I still use it now (although updated a bit with Harman Target Response Curve). Although I'm not nearly as involved with headphones these days (and rarely use them), I have fond memories of being part of that community.
I have come to the same conclusion you did. After having auditioned, bought, and sold many thousands of dollars worth of headphone gear, I settled on modestly priced ones that do a great job at functionality and sound, even though I could have stayed on the upgrade treadmill of high-end headphones. This is especially true once I can create EQ curves for any headphones I own and vastly improve their frequency response.
As for your retirement adventure, I actually have a similar dream/fantasy of one day just selling everything and get a camper and just drive around the country while writing novels. But I'm not sure if I'm cut out for it since the Mrs. and I love creature comforts and are total homebodies. I'm 45 now, so I guess we'll have to see.
Anyway, enjoy your retirement adventure. You've given a lot and now it's time to just live for yourself--you've certainly earned it. We'll miss you.
Tyll, I am a reader from Hong Kong, tbh you are the one that affected my choice of headphones a lot! I first go into the hobby with an Onkyo soundcard and a shure srh 940 phones (only heard of shure back then when the. Se530 and 535 were all the fame) then subsequently found your review with shootout of Hifiman he500, he6, sennheiser hd800 etc. And your review made my purchase the he500 which I use till now, very satisfied as a home reference.
Good to hear you got a new plan and wish you all the best
This came totally unexpected, wasn't thinking it came this suddenly.
I want to thank you for all the hard work you've put into this hobby, especially bringing a more objective standpoint to headphone reviewing which can be used as baseline of some sort. I had a lot of use especially from your measurements and I hope this way of reviewing doesn't come to an end just because you're leaving as I really found it helpful and welcomed.
I cannot think of a person with a more influence in how the market has shaped for the better thanks to your persistent work and input, very grateful for that!
Hope you have a great time with Putt!
How does it feel to know that you've impacted the entire future of the headphone industry? Personal audio will have a greater focus on audio quality for generations henceforth because of your influence. That's a rather significant impact on the human condition!
Thank you for the impact you've had, and I hope you enjoy life as an adventurer!
Through your combination of subjective analysis and objective measurements you've helped me find my perfect headphones. Through the years and dozens of cans I was finally able to narrow down my sound and the frequency response that was most likely to delivered it, without you that would never have been possible, so a personal thank you Tyll!
P.S. The headphones are the ol wired B&W P7, (with Senn HD25 foam circles behind the earpads which tame that slightly lively treble ;).)
Good luck in retirement, Tyll. I very much enjoyed your reviews and the honesty you brought with them. We all learned much from you and appreciate the influence you had on manufacturers to improve the listening experience.
Enjoy your travels as Easy Rider in Putt. You definitely weren't born to follow.
Here's to making many more happy memories for yourself and the others you influence!
... I hope to see you popping up again and again.
I met you and Steve Gutenberg by mistake, I'd been absent from Consumer Audio since I closed down "All" my Audio Businesses and returned to the Transportation Industry ( 1985 ), In 2011 I happened upon RMAF and only had time for One Seminar - yours! I felt then ( and still feel ) that you and Steve G. were Giants of Journalistic Integrity, that day was a "Lucky Day", I discovered a treasure.
Was that only 8 years ago ? seems like 2 or 3 Decades. Phew !
You gave the World "Big Sound" and for me, DAC realizations. Brilliant Stuff.
Hearing loss is the hard part, made easier by equalized headphones and outfits that are migrating to Digital Signal Processing in their Product Lines. This is where we need you and will continue to need you. Along with Portable Quality Music Solutions like that LG V30 Phone that Mr. JVS just reviewed. The World needs an established, hearing challenged, portable music system "Long Term Evaluator" ! One that has pleeeeeeeeenty of time to write up insightful commentaries from Fascinating Exotic Locations. Egads: Tyll, reporting from the Everglades ! And, outfits like Phonak offer music capability in their products and nooooooooobody is reporting anything about it in any of the Audio Journals. That would be a natural for "our man on the road", wouldn't it?
So, "Travels with Tyll" Monthly feature Article for Stereophile. ( I'm ripping-off "Travels with Charlie" by John Steinbeck, of course )
You could also do Guest Appearances at any Audio Show for nearly any Company and boost their visitor count by x4. Everyone would want to meet you, for gods sake.
I think giving your 62 year old's Life Adventure a fresh start is a darn good idea, you'll have another solid 20 years to slow down enough to settle into that final Lazyboy. Plus, you can join us cozy civilians sitting around the Campfire tak'n our turn to speak-up about things and to poke the fire (a bit). Getting away from Snow & Ice is a wonderful (quality of life) enhancement ( I'm quoting Bob Katz here ).
I can also imagine your DXpedition Mobile Location hopping. I'm kinda anxious to hear about the rig. I'm W8FDS from the 1950s era., never did mobile but would like to consider a Base Station in Florida doing QSLs and a small single VFR Cessna for Cross Country Adventuring to Far-off Places like the Wood Boat Shows in Port Townsend and Lake Huron, Michigan.
Career people doing a change to Adventure Writing : John Steinbeck, Tristan Jones ( a must read ), the Brits: "Journey with Jono" & "Cruising the Cut" on YouTube and now...
... Tyll Herstens !
Ohhhhh dam, I'm gonna miss you, this is already starting to hurt,
Bon Voyage
Tony in Michigan
ps. when you turn 65, catch up on Medicare by getting a full top to bottom Cancer Search ( everything search ) so that you can arrest what ever is trying to creep in and snuff you out.
ps. I'm having a hard time, trying to force myself to hit "Save" for the very "LAST" time!
ps 3). That's it... I'm Out! :-(
nice shirt, sooooo sad
The new ownership should've offered you a big raise not you to leave. You were the most trusted reviewer in the headphone community. I don't know who I have to trust from now on. It's such a loss to our community.
As I said over on YouTube, enjoy and godspeed. Thank you for all of the great reviews and opinions on the headphone portion of audiophilia. :-)
Hope to hear about your adventures in in the van somewhere along the line
I've enjoyed your work Tyll and learnt a lot from it over the years. Enjoy your retirement and the adventures that lie ahead.
Happy Trails!
Been lurking all the while. I know I had to register and thank you for your contributions and wishing you farewell. This is your best post. Chasing your dreams and bowing out while on top, inspirational.
Sharing Putt with us. I can see the effort and love you put in into Putt. Love it.
Message to manufacturers, golden.
Choice of gears, best advise ever!
Thank you and happy for you. May you be blessed with good health and a safe journey ahead.
Beats us how you arrived at this decision. Shure, Gradolly building the Putt makes Senns. It doesn't Koss the world to live on the road. Just Focal work - workis NAD good when you are getting old. Please Xiaomi us the way to our own retirement and have 1More on us. You will always remain our Hifiman.
Beats us how you arrived at this decision. Shure, Gradolly building the Putt makes Senns. It doesn't Koss the world to live on the road. Just Focal work - work is NAD good when you are getting old. Please Xiaomi the way to my own retirement and have 1More on us. You will always remain our Hifiman.
Is anyone else a little bothered that hes going to take noise canceling headphones because his van will be loud? So he's going to drive around with noise canceling headphones on?
Thanks for all your reviews, you will be missed.
He'll spend far more time on bluffs, beaches and forests where the only sound will be the wind and the waves where he can listen to his aons and hi-fi ukulele.
no one beats Tyll in history except himself
So glad I was a good husband and endured some HGTV with my gal - because now I know what a tiny house is, and why you would want one. Even happier to say you've given me several valuable ways to understand and assess headphones, turning my vague distaste with earlier choices into a hobby I feel I can appreciate and participate in. Thank you!
I've read you're articles, and watched your videos since you started doing this. I've always been a headphone, speaker,audio,...MUSIC enthusiast, and have appreciated your honesty and clarity in your assessments of all things audio. Thank You Tyll.
I too retired at 62, and am now 66, with hearing still serving me very well, but not entirely the same in the last octave as it once did..(what else is new?).
Good choice with the AEON Flows! I hope Putt doesn't try to talk to you while you are cancelling sound while driving. Oh...about Putt...It looks very generic outside with the white paint. Have you considered making advertising panels for the sides in case you want to sell ice cream or tacos from it, to buy gas for the road trips? How about a traveling headphone sales van?
Seriously, I bet Montana will be your home ground, and man is there a LOT of it! I was just through Bozeman a couple days ago, and thought it would be fun to stop in on you there, something I haven't done since Headroom started on Peach Street, but I had to get back to drum circles I lead here, and the band I play with, so I pushed on through. Busy having fun..and I think you will enjoy writing...I write poetry a lot now and really love it...
Best wishes Tyll..take care, and many many thanks again.
Dear Tyll,
Hats off not only for what you have achieved over the past decades and how especially your measurements have influenced my choice of gear, but also for that you know when it is time to stop. That requires a well-balanced mind and a strong character! Too often, I see reviews and manufacturer advertising; where "old" guys talk about how good something sounds with no reference to any [repeatable] measurements and once they start chanting about how brilliantly and bla-bla-bla the high frequencies are presented, I already know that piece of transducer must be tuned way too bright. ;D
You (and Bob Katz) have brought me to the point where now I measure my headphones individually with a 'miniDSP EARS' and thereafter apply the correction for every channel through my 'RME ADI-2 Pro'. How cool is that!
All the best! ...and please do not disappear completely - you seem to be a nice person and your community will miss you...
PS: What is your solution for a shower on Putt going to be?
Kind regards from Germany!
That's sad for us headphones lovers that follows you since well... it seems forever! But your adventurous life plan is exciting. Enjoy!! And thanks for the headphone adventure!
I am 30 years old and I was passionate of good sounding stuff...and from the day I got Internet in my home (at 12-13 years or so) you got me into headphones really bad... and I thank you for that! :)
The next editor has big shoes to fill.
Enjoy your retirement!
Tyll, it would be selfish to ask you to stay onboard, you've been doing more great to the hobby than any other key player in my mind and it's time for you to enjoy yourself.
I wasn't on headcase and got started on headphone circa end of 90s through headroom. I enjoyed nerding a bit helping you with post-processing of measurements, and simply checking this site out now and then, always enjoying your posts and videos.
It's a bit of a sad day cause I am not sure the integrity you had abounds around or can easily be preserved, we'll see. Regardless, to all the good you've done, it's only natural to wish you a lot of fun to come in this new adventure.
Thank you again,
Leaving behind years of adventures in headphoneland, here Mr. Tyll comes to explore other worlds. The community of headphoneland wishes you would have enjoyable and satisfying trips. Sometimes the road, the place or the people will be neutral, sometimes they will be bright, hot, chill, relaxed or dark out there. Whatever they are, I hope you will have fun and things will have reasonable price ;).
Good choice on the Aeons: good sound comes with good durability.
P/S: Hope you will still check out news in headphoneland and comment here and there sometimes.
All the best. And thx so much for all these years of dedication and passionate work. You have been an important part of my enjoyment of these mad and great hobby. All the best. And, if you feel like it, let us know how life with Putt is going along. Gracias por todo y muy buena suerte.
As in WELL DONE!
From the very start, to this end.
Some folks have a wide ranging impact on others, many of which they may never know anything about.
You on the other hand have a sense of just how deep and wide and the degree of impact your efforts have had upon not just this 'hobby' but in other areas of interest as well.
There are many folks who we share our interests and proclivities with, as we do what is before us, as we live our lives.
And there are those who truly make their mark and leave a lasting impression, as I call it, they have 'stick'.
And there are those precious few who do all of the above and share their wisdom and enthusiasm and joie de vivre for the betterment of all who they have interacted, and shared time with, in this adventure.
Those in this last group are a rare and treasured group, by any measure.
You know that you have friends all over this planet, which if you think about it, is tribute enough,
but you've done so in multiple ways, which is all the more remarkable.
And have finished Putt just in time for the big event!
Now's the time to begin to more fully explore those aspects of interest, we often needed to put off, for one reason or another, (I'm not even sure I can spell ukillaeie, er ukeillayligh, er 'The Uke').
And some of those aspects can run very deep and broad, which can be rather delightful.
And now soon enough you will have the time to find yourself so busy that you will wonder why the days are shrinking.
But the days and the times will be yours, which can become it's own reward.
Enjoy the new adventures, the times ahead, and most especially have some fun!
That's the best part about this retirement stuff, having fun, and from what I know, you are really good at that.
WELL DONE Indeed!
wow, didn't see that one coming.
Your work is one of the few reviews I still enjoy reading because of the at least partly scientific approach and the more technical mindset. (I consider almost everything that is written in Hifiland worthless, nowadays).
Your work is a rare exception from the usual mumbojumbo. Hopefully the new editor will keep this spirit alive.
Enjoy all the adventures and thanks a lot. *raises the tankard*
Well - you should never stop people with Wanderlust - so enjoy your journey to the max!! I am sure you will. Your reviews and recommendations have brought me a lot of pleasure and made my purchasing decisions easier. Thank you so much for that - the less time I spent researching - the more I was able to enjoy the music.
Your contribution to the industry really needs to be highlighted. You did influence it in the right way and I am pretty happy to have had someone like you on my side during my journey through the personal audio world.
THANK YOU!! Have the greatest time, all the best!
I am sad and a bit angry at you for leaving us but more than that I am really grateful for your articles. You helped me spend much more money that I would have ever spent on headphones, and every time I was very happy to fallow your advice.
You educated me about sound and headphones. This is probably the thing I will miss the most! Things like the harman response curve, the Golden Ears, the recent 3d sound thing done by the scotts, the big rigs and introducing Bob Katz.
I hope you left a door open and maybe once in a while you might be able to slip in a few words from time to time with your adventures but also some interesting stuff from the audio world. (you might be travelling but I doubt you will stay away from this world)
Good luck, have fun and wave at us from time to time!
Thank you for all of those years, sad hearing that you are leaving our side in our journey into good sound, but happy for your future journey and travels !
The world is your yard and you don't have to do the yard work. Enjoy the road. I would make an oceanside trip first and enjoy some fish tacos while hanging at the beach listening to good tunes. Thanks for the great articles and for sharing your passion and curiosity with us. Eric
Hey Tyll! - Thanks for everything over the years - I use headphones, amps and dacs for work, and for fun. Thanks for making my job easier and helping me enjoy music when I'm relaxing and traveling. Speaking of which, enjoy retirement!
Thanks for teaching me how to be a good human. I'm going to really miss seeing you around. Hope to catch up some day down the road. Peace out!
I extend to you that time honored Navy traditional best wishes.
First I think you're making the right move. I'm a septuagenarian now but managed to punch out at 59 1/2 myself debt free. :) My wishes are for your health to remain good to allow you to enjoy your wanderlust.
Second, my entry into quality headphone systems started with my placing an order for your original Headroom Supreme amp plus Sennheiser HD580s in December 1993 after reading the Stereophile review article. I've never looked back since.
Thank you for being who you are and sharing so much over the years.
All the best!
Tyll, this is sad news. But I'm happy for you.
I've always valued your reviews and will miss them severely. I've always appreciated your unique voice in the headphone-review-o-sphere.
I review headphones for Audioholics.com and have silently counted you as a mentor for years in how to summarize both objective and subjective opinions about material.
Thank you
Wayde Robson
Though we have never met, you have been an important part of a significant aspect of my life - Audio. Your reviews and observations have played a huge role in my decisions and thus my experience and enjoyment. As such you are a friend, albeit a friend I have never met or spoken with.
Parting from a friend is sad and hard. But when you know it is the best for them, and you see how happy they are, one can only clasp their hand and say - "Happy trails, my friend!"
As someone far more eloquent once said, "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, And the rains fall soft upon your fields."
I can do nothing but wish you all the best in your future journeys, Tyll. It has been a blessing to have had you in this hobby/culture/niche for as long as we have. Frankly, we didn't deserve you. Drop a line when your arc swings east.
Enjoy the open road Tyll....we will miss you. Given how much you like Senn, I would take the HD800S and get yourself the Sony NW-ZX300 with you. The ZX300 is able to drive the HD800 well enough and I think you will be happy with it :)
I registered just to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have enjoyed this site and your opinions silently for many years. You have educated me and helped me make purchase decisions and for that I will be eternally grateful. Enjoy your retirement and be safe out there.
Sun Lakes Arizona
Your words and thoughts have been a regular part of my life for the past 7 years or so. I will miss them -- at least until you publish again (as you say, likely not on headphones). Have a fantastic retirement!
Your contributions won't be forgotten. Thank you Tyll for all you did.
Enjoy the journey.
Tyll! Really enjoyed watching your videos!
Thanks to you I bought a pair of Amperiors back in 2012 which I still use today, best purchase ever. As well as the HD650 that I adore, much thanks to you! Would be awesome to have updates from your journey, when you feel like it! All the best and good luck with the ukulele and your journey!
Sorry to see ya go, Tyll, but glad you'll be doing what you want to do.
I bought a pair of Entymotics from your store in 1993 or so - my first foray into hifi headphone listening, and have followed your reviews for a number of years. They have been both informative and entertaining, and you've become a favorite audio writer of mine over the years, right up there with J Gordon Holt and Sam Telling.
Have fun on your journeys, and don't forget the bear spray!
I just wanted to pop in to say thanks for everything, Tyll, especially your friend-to-all and stranger-to-none dynamic, entertaining and sometimes downright disgustingly hilarious personality. You're truly one of a kind and have made a huge impact on the headphone community and have touched on the lives of tons of people who have great respect for every aspect of the work you've taken on for 25 years -- but above all, for your headphone enthusiasm. But don't kid yourself with that compost toilet. Your shyte does actually stink! Love ya, brother. Take good care and hope to see you somewhere down the road...
Tyll, congratulations and absolute best on the next chapter in your life and adventures in Putt! Very few may lay claim to single handily changing an industry, as you can with headphones and personal audio. From my Airhead Amp and Grado SR60's to my Focal Clears, I've appreciated your sage advice.
All the Best,
Although not a true headphone geek, I, like most music lovers today need a decent sounding pair of headphone for travel or other times when I want to listen to music without disturbing others. I have always found your reviews to be straightforward, honest and pretty much on the mark. As a former audio reviewer myself, I truly enjoyed your writing as well as your video coverage of headphone events. I will never forget the time we "almost" met at RMAF five or six years ago. You were in your motorcycle helmet and jacket and going into your room as I was checking into mine. By the time I figured out it was you, you were in your room and I missed my chance. Best wishes, Tyll, on your retirement and I wish you many happy miles and great adventures. Since I too am retired (although some years your senior), I hope we run into each other "down the road". Thanks for all your great writing with integrity and good humor. We will miss you.
It would be great if you could keep a blog about your adventure. Take care and have a nice time.
Whom do we refer our loyal customers ti for the BEST and most entertaining headphone reviews in the galaxy now?
Enjoy your time on the road, Tyll.
Your insightful and utmost fair input will be deeply missed by thousands of people.
We feel sad for us (pitiful bastards we are ;-) ) and utmost happy for you.
You earned it by always doing an outstanding job!
Cheers from Munich and all the very best for whatever rocks your boat.
Hey Tyll,
This is my first comment on Innerfidelity, as I feel the need to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your entertaining, informative and always passionate reviews & posts! Those who don't know you should just scroll through any headphone forum to see what an influential figure you have been to the community.
As for me, you were virtually the only reviewer / headphone "expert" whose advice I trusted. Thanks to your guidance, I expanded my modest headphone collection (Sennheiser HD650, Momentum & HD569, Fidelios X1/X2, Oppo PM3, Bose QC35), Sony MDR1A, among others), much to the delight of my ears.
So THANK YOU for helping me, and all of us really, enjoy our music with the best headphone-companions we could afford and make the best of ever-expanding market offerings.
Although we never met but you were part of my little universe as you were indeed a central figure in the "headphone aficionados" community.
Thanks again and enjoy your exploration of the outdoors! Post some videos of you playing that Ukelele in some improbable landscape!
Salute from Paris!
I will miss you. My purchases based on your reviews were all great. Putt DOES look like a boat. I helped my father build his dream boat and Putt Brings back memories! I know you'll miss us, but not as much as you enjoy your new adventure. Thank you for so much.
Very sad to hear of your departure Tyll, and also envious of your future unencumbered life.
Your reviews have been of immense help in my search for a headphone 'keeper'.
Stay safe on your travels, and if you ever get to the UK, I'll buy you a pint... or several.
All the very best, Pat.
Very few people I trust as far as reviews of audio equipment is concerned and you are certainly #1 in the credibility department. Stay healthy and happy.
Tyll, I wanna congratulate you for you retirement. You help me so much in my headphone journey. It's sad to see you go but I'm truly happy for you. Just one more thing, please don't stop posting and keep in touch? I found your personal Youtube channel the other day by accident. Please upload videos of your adventure, maybe some thoughts on new headphones and stuff. I know all of us will love it.
I first started following you about 12-14 years ago. I spent so much time reading the reviews on Headroom and hoping that one day I can get those headphones and amplifiers in India. I couldn't import any at that time and the market for them were so small that hardly anyone sold headphones in India. So much has changed in the last 10+ years. Without headroom, I'd have never discovered other websites but also my passion for sound and headphones. Thank you for all your contributions and for being honest and passionate in your reviews. Hope you have a great time on the never-ending road. Be happy.
Always a pleasure to hear what you have to say about headphones. Enjoy the next phase of your life. Happy retirement!
I sold many my headphones which Tyll didnt like, and keep my headphones which Tyll really like.
Tyll saved my money a lot. We will miss you so much.
Please enjoy your retierment! Tyll!
I have been an avid reader of your articles. Thank you for your informative articles, sometimes a bit to technical for me to grasp but I read through them nevertheless as your writing style made them easier to read. Amongst all the audio writers that I read, I respected your opinion the most. I did not agree with you sometimes but I always understood your point of view.
You saved the best shirt for your last post.
Thank you from a lurker engineer who valued your reviews as much as your ability to take complex audio engineering and explain them simply to a wider audience.
Please have a healthy and happy retirement. You sincerely deserve it for all that you've done at headphone.com and Innerfidelity over the years.
It's amazing how far ahead of everyone you were with your ideas, so we all owe you a debt of gratitude for what you created. I have been using a pair of your desktop speaker/headphone stands for some years now. Still nobody has created anything like them that I am aware of.
Safe travels!
You will be missed, Tyll. Thank you so much for all the energy and knowledge you brought to the table. The Meze Audio team wishes you sunny days and safe trips!
dynamat is another way to cancel some of the noise inside Putt
I too am looking forward to retirement. I wish you the best of luck with your travels and may you enjoy every moment of it.
I will miss your posts. I looked forward to your information and good humor. Most of all I looked forward to the information I used in selecting my headphones and headphone amps. It was very valuable and I would not be enjoying my headphone listening as much as I do without your input.
Adios and may you find may interesting places and people,
Sorry to see you go, and thanks for the reviews. They were one of the few trustworthy sources in headphone land.
No AKG K7XX variant made into the wall of the fame by Tyll.
Hey Tyll, wish you all the best man. You will be missed! Really enjoyed watching your various videos and reading your content.
I still have a Headroom Ultra Stack (BUDA, UDAC, PSU), i use it as a reference to review headphones to this day. :D
Thanks for all your great contributions to our hobby and for helping to get us to this point. Enjoy your retirement :)
Tyll's cheery and congenial personality has contributed as much to this hobby as his very professional reviews. Kudos!
Long time lurker, first time poster. I've been enjoying your work for several years. I'm going to miss it. Nice job on the van. Enjoy your retirement.
Thanks for all your amazing contributions to the community you helped pioneer through the years! I'll never forget the first time I saw an ad for a crazy thing called a "headphone amp" back in Speaker Builder magazine, decades ago. I thought "who would need THAT?"
And if your travels bring you to San Diego in pursuit of the perfect beach bar, call any time!
Thank you, Tyll. Years ago, I was intimidated to meet someone so famous in the headphone community. Your insightful perspective will be missed.
Enjoy the road!
Hi! just registered to say thank you! I read this site for years and helped me and my friends to learn and choose better headphones! I wish an adventurous life to you and great happiness!
Tyll, I feel surprised by my sadness at the news of your retirement. That speaks volumes about what you and your work have come to mean to me, and I'm sure very many others. However, your reasons for going now are solid and understandable. Going out whilst you're still at the top!
All the very best for the future and have a thoroughly enjoyable retirement! You will be missed!
I understand.
I got burned out after 3 intense years of Importing, Manufacturing and Retailing Audiophile Gear.
The Summer of 1985 I shut everything down, selling off every piece of Audio Industry related gear I owned. Phew!!!
Geez, Tyll had a darn good 3 Decade Run, he always seemed comfortable carrying around a 5 Star Reputation and will be an exciting Draw at any Audio Show Venue as Guest Speaker, Keynote Speaker, Seminar participant and Adviser on all things Portable Audio, etc.. he can write his own ticket.
I don't think Tyll is gone, I think that he's a Audio Industry "Family" member that is taking some time off, becoming a "Wandering Albatross" like all my peers and I hope to become while morphing into the "New" Tyll. One of my Psychiatrists thinks that we humans change-over into entirely new people every 10 years or so.
I see a YouTube channel :: "Travels with Tyll" where a large percentage of regular Innerfidelty readership will end up following along and I see a Patreon Subscription providing me ( and a few hundred others ) the opportunity to pay and support.
Good things are happening now, all our lives are getting exciting.
Tyll Herstens made more sense of Audio things and concepts than anyone I ever encountered, I can see him being an Advocate Vlog for Phonak and being an inspiration to all us "Vintage" Audiophiles.
Ole Tyll, the Audiophile Cowboy riding into the Sunset on trusty Put, play'n songs, sitt'n roun the campfire.
We need a Tyll Shirt
Tony in Michigan
Wow Tyll! Thanks SO much for everything you've done to enhance this great hobby! I've valued your editorial opinion since your HeadRoom days, and I've explored the world of headphones in a much more enlightened manner thanks to your presence. Your Innerfideltiy reviews and videos have been informative and, often, highly entertaining. All the best to you in your retirement! Putt looks amazing, and I envy your journey (I'm 60 as well). Peace! May you find all that you seek, and may the road always rise up to meet you! Take good care!
In 7yrs I plan to have the same "shit eatin'" grin I see on your face! Wanderlust is strong in some of us -
Tyll, I and many other headphone users, hobbyists, and professionals will always be grateful to you for your honest and competent advice. You will be missed! Marco
Best of luck to you, Tyll. Thank you for all you've contributed. Enjoy your adventures with Putt! Peace!
Good call. Hope the herd won't succumb to the wolves, without its shepherd. Huge void to be filled, but I'm sure all the true head hi-fi enthusiasts, that you inspired with your work, will make sure that the herd stays healthy! Big, huge, respect, for setting a great example. And now, it's Adventure Time!
It's sad to hear that you're leaving. However, I know that it'll be a lot of fun time ahead of you. Whenever you have a chance to come to Bangkok, Thailand, please make sure that you let me know. It'll be my honor to show you some good times here.
Haven't had a chance to check out the video yet, but just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for the hobby Tyll! It was a pleasure to meet you at the early Head-Fi National Meets, and I remember making my first purchases from HeadRoom back when you were there running things. I'll admit I'm disappointed that you won't be covering the hobby anymore, I always looked forward to your endless passion & enthusiasm here on IF.
I'd always wanted to visit you up there in Bozeman but unfortunately just never got a chance for that, but I hope to run into you again someday!
Best wishes and I know you'll have a great time out there on the road!
- Steve
Hope to cross paths with you somewhere along the way. Have a great adventure!
Wait, wait. where are you going ? You were supposed to review Audio Technica ADX5000. I can't believe it ! Here we have what seems to be the best electrodynamic headphones and you are quitting before reviewing them.
Wait, wait, where are you going ? You were supposed to review Audio Technica ADX5000. I can't believe it ! Here we have what seems to be the best electrodynamic headphones and you are quitting before reviewing them.
Well deserved. Thanks for all your work and everything you brought to the community of headphones enthusiasts. A grand legacy and big shoes to fill for the successor. Leaving a large empty space. I was glad to finally meat you at CanJam LA, and chat to you about my little Bluewave Get, among other interesting stuff including this news of retirement. Best of adventures to you, it should be a lot of fun.
My headphone journey started with an Airhead and an ER-4S. Absolutely blew my mind. Those babies were permanently installed in my ears for years. And I'm still at it today! Thank you!!
That was my first portable rig too! I was so bummed because I left it on a plane from LAX to JFK a long time ago. I'm sure someone picked that up and could not figure out what it was... :)
I will thank you again when you pass away. You were such an ass.
One article that stands out to me is one you did on earplugs. I roared with laughter about stuffing your ears with toilet paper, until I had to try it and it works! I did buy the Comply "Sonic Filters" that a friend dubbed "Frankenstein Ears", ever so slightly better than TP. Best of luck and enjoy the road.
Hi Tyll,
I've literally been following your career since I was a kid (I'm 37 now). I got my first pair of HD 600's when I was 17 not long after they came out because of your reviews and I've had a headphone hobby ever since. I owned your first portable amps too.
I'm bummed I didn't comment on the site often, but I was an avid reader/watcher and while I'm sad to see you ride off in to the sunset I'm very happy for you to get to go off. Your impact on the community has been impressive to say the least. Enjoy your time on the road. Awesome van by the way. :)
All the best,
Los Angeles, CA
Thanks Tyll, your comments and reviews have been very useful and informative and have helped me compare and evaluate stuff for myself and to make some good choices. I really appreciate the combination of factual nitty gritty and well informed opinion - I think it's what was known as good judgement before the www turned us all into experts/monomaniacs/raving loons (choose two).
Congratulations on putting a great idea into practice, it's a fantastic retirement plan!
Your reviews and content were what made me interested in headphones and will be a life long hobby for me. Thank you for all your hard work and influencing the industry like you did. We will miss you! Enjoy your well earned retirement!