The godfather of headphone reviews is living his best life.
When Tyll Hertsens announced his retirement on May 12, 2018, the audiophile world collectively held its breath.
The founder of InnerFidelity, revered for his meticulous headphone measurements and reviews, put away his Hawaiian shirts and stepped back from the mic. And, for many of us, it felt like the end of an era.
It’s no surprise that his departure left a void. Even now, when we at Headphonesty talk about new reviewers, people still bring up his name, six years after he quit.
So here’s what everyone wants to know: what’s next for Tyll and where is he now?
Hertsens’ Contributions to the Audio World
To truly appreciate Tyll’s impact, we need to rewind the tape a bit.
In the early ’90s, when portable audio meant a Walkman and whatever cheap earbuds came with it, Tyll was thinking bigger.
Tired of the lack of good choices, he started HeadRoom (now Headphones.com) – a company that would lead the way in headphone amps.
HeadRoom wasn’t just ahead of the game; they were making the rules for everyone else.
They created the first portable headphone amp, the first USB headphone amp, and even ventured into balanced and transistor-based home amps. All of this before the iPod revolution, mind you.
Tyll and his team were the audio prophets, preaching the gospel of great sound on the go.
But Tyll’s real masterpiece was InnerFidelity.
Here, he didn’t just review headphones – he changed how we evaluate them. Using a Head and Torso Simulator (HATS) and always aiming for accuracy, Tyll brought in standard testing methods that set a new bar for the industry.
What made Tyll’s approach special was his ability to bridge the gap between objective measurements and subjective experience.
His reviews weren’t just a bunch of stats and charts (though those were there for us data nerds). Instead, he wove together tech talk with real-world listening impressions, often giving both written and video content to show us the whole picture.
And let’s not forget the famous “Wall of Fame” – a picked list of top headphones that became that guided thousands of audiophiles
Rumor has it, even manufacturers took notice, often tweaking their designs based on Tyll’s ideas.
In a very real sense, he was shaping the headphones we all enjoy today.
Beyond his writing, Tyll was the community’s favorite uncle.
Often called the “godfather” or “grandfather” of the headphone community, he brought together us audio geeks, turning a solitary hobby into a lively group. He’s the guy who’d been around since the early days of audio forums and helped set up headphone meetups.
The Retirement Announcement
When Tyll dropped his retirement video, it was bittersweet.
Always one for putting on a show (those Hawaiian shirts weren’t just for comfort), Tyll explained why he decided to retire at the top of his game.
One of the main reasons was that, at 62, his hearing wasn’t as good as before. So, as a professional, he didn’t want to mess up the quality of his reviews.
But there was more to it.
After 25 years of taking apart drivers and looking at audio, Tyll was ready for something new.
With his usual humor, he said he wanted to “write poetry instead of always writing about headphones.”
It reminded us that even our audio heroes have dreams beyond frequency response charts.
In the same video, Hertsens also showed his retirement plan: a custom-built “tiny home” in a FedEx truck, which he named “Putt.” This wasn’t just downsizing. It was a bold move into a new way of life, one that promised campfire music sessions and open-road freedom.
Life After InnerFidelity: The Nomadic Adventure
Fast forward to June 17, 2022, and we got a peek into Tyll’s new life courtesy of the Tiny Home Tours YouTube channel.
“Putt,” it turns out, is more than just a vehicle – it’s an 88-square-foot wonder of smart design and personality.
True to form, Tyll’s eye for detail shows in every part of his mobile home. From the splash of purple curtains (the man always did have style) to the clever storage solutions, it’s clear that the same brain that changed headphone reviews has now turned to making small spaces work better.
The technical side of Tyll is still very much alive in Putt’s systems.
A fancy solar setup with four golf cart batteries and 606 watts of solar panels keeps him powered up. And, a 60-gallon water tank lets him live off-grid for long periods
Plus, in a nod to eco-consciousness, he’s also rocking a composting toilet. (Who said audiophiles can’t be green?)
But why did he make such a huge lifestyle shift?
In Tyll’s own words: “I do not like working. I really don’t like working. I like goofing off…”
“I’m just ready to go. I have a mission in terms of an adventure. I guess if you want to put it on paper, it would be to find every beach taco stand from Tijuana to Tierra del Fuego.”
Don’t think for a second that Tyll has totally left his audio roots, though.
He still carries a high-end portable setup – an Astell&Kern AK240 player paired with MrSpeakers headphones. Once an audiophile, always an audiophile, right?
Yet, these days, Tyll’s focus has moved from testing headphones to building connections in the nomad community.
He runs the Nomad Center Camp Facebook group, setting up events that mix his love for audio with his new lifestyle.
Think open mic nights and concerts under the stars. It’s like a never-ending audio meetup, but with more fresh air and fewer debates about frequency response.
Hertsens’ Lasting Impact on the Audiophile Community
Though Tyll has swapped his measurement gear for a steering wheel, his effect on our community is still strong.
Many still consider the standards he set at InnerFidelity as the benchmark for evaluating headphones across the industry. And, his way of mixing hard numbers with real listening has become the gold standard, pushing both reviewers and brands to do better.
Tyll didn’t just review headphones; he educated a generation of audio fans.
His skill at explaining tricky ideas in easy terms opened up high-end audio to more people. In doing so, he created a smarter, more discerning group of listeners – and that’s something that keeps shaping the industry today.
Just look at any modern audio review, especially on YouTube, and you’ll see traces of Tyll’s influence.
From the methodical approach to measurements to the engaging, conversational tone, his DNA is all over the current generation of reviewers. It’s the “Tyll effect,” ensuring that his impact continues to resonate through our community.
Of course, the change wasn’t without its rough spots.
When InnerFidelity changed hands, some in the community weren’t happy with its new direction. The possible loss of Tyll’s huge measurement database when the original website was taken down also showed just how valuable his work had been to all of us.
So, as we think about Tyll’s journey from audio guru to nomad adventurer, it’s clear that his impact goes far beyond the world of headphones.
He taught us to listen carefully, to value both hard data and personal experience, and most importantly, to never lose our sense of adventure – whether that’s in trying a new pair of headphones or hitting the open road.