Accutone Lyra

DallaPo

New Head-Fier
Pros: natural, balanced sound
suitable for everyday use
wearing comfort
Cons: somewhat expensive in comparison
slightly warm
Intro
The Accutone Lyra is the first of three in-ears of the company I received for review and also the cheapest (35 €) of the trio (Pavo - 70 € | Studio S1 - 175 €).
So it is one of the entry-level models of the company.
Now it remains to be found out whether the relatively expensive entry with 35 € also meets the expectations connected with it, because there are also far more inexpensive models with more exciting configuration, or in the same price range already 5-driver models (CCA C10, KZ ZS7 - in the Flash Sale).

Handling
The Lyra is a typical in-ear that can be worn straight down. The design is very pretty, but not unusual. What stands out positively is the lightweight metal construction. The Lyra is a flyweight and fits through its size in every ear. It is also very comfortable to wear.

The cable is not removable, the sheathing feels soft and is also quite flexible, which I prefer to the rigid, though robust looking cables, because you hardly ever get them smooth. Unfortunately it's a bit thin, but we're a bit spoiled about the new releases of KZ, CCA or the Tin Audio T3.

The remote has three buttons and serves its purpose. Some cable noise is present, but it's bearable.

Due to the closed construction, not much outside noise penetrates inside, as well as outside.

Sound
Lyra uses a single-dynamic driver to cover the entire frequency spectrum. The package displays a balanced sound, which can indeed be confirmed, even if we rather have a slight V-signature. The sound can be described as warm and soft.

The bass operates at a moderate speed. It's not particularly tight, but it doesn't seem to be worn out and therefore booming, as it withdraws sufficiently quickly.
It is quite balanced as far as the sub-bass and the mid-bass are concerned, which makes it suitable for almost every genre. Hardcore-Bassheads might lack some kick, but for me it fulfills the criteria more than enough.

The mids fit well into the warm sound signature. Voices are pushed into the foreground, which helps the mids with the separation, as they are always clearly and independently in focus, without getting lost in space. I am very satisfied with the mid-range over long distances in terms of three-dimensionality, naturalness and weighting. Only very overloaded tracks get a bit spongy and inaccurate.

The highs are also convincing, which makes the Lyra really round and well balanced in-ears. They have a pleasant presence, without ever becoming sharp, or strongly emphasizing the sibilants. Like the rest, they sound quite natural, with no effort at all. This makes them very pleasant even over long periods of listening. But you don't have to compromise on details and clarity. Even with drums, the cymbals don't sound clinking or tiring. You shouldn't expect miracles here when it comes to resolution and expansion, but the highs have a fair share in the lively, natural and tidy sound and always manage to make the music more interesting.

The stage won't knock any audiophiles out of their mountain pines, but it's on a good average and partly goes beyond the width and height of the head. For daily use on the go, more than sufficient, but certainly not suitable for critical listening sessions.

Outro
With their entry-level model, Accutone certainly doesn't do much wrong, but much right. However, I would rather classify it around 20 € than at the current price. Then the Lyra would be for me a great companion for the everyday life, which can win some fans by its good tuning and the comfort surely!

https://www.audio.accutone.com/lyra

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crabdog

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Lightweight and comfortable, price, great treble
Cons: Bundled silicone tips, L & R markers
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Accutone is a company that specializes in hands-free communications solutions but they've taken their experience and expertise and used it to create a series of consumer earphones. From their website: "Accutone Audio is about music, and our love of music has pushed us to build products that remove the barriers between the musicians and their audience. Continuing our corporate motto of "Clearer Communication Brings People Closer", our audio products are able to do just that by delivering exceptionally accurate audio output, just as our beloved artists envisioned."
 
Today I'll be looking at one of Accutone's entry level solutions from their "Standard Line" the Lyra.
 
Disclaimer:
 
This product was sent to me for the purpose of my honest review. I'm not affiliated with the company and all opinions and observations here are my own, based on my experience with the product. I'd like to thank Angus from Accutone for the opportunity to test the Lyra.
 
Accutone website: http://www.accutone.com/
 
Lyra product page: http://www.audio.accutone.com/product-page/e9a53b0e-e08c-93a1-76b3-bda907a524d2
 
Packaging and accessories:
 
The Lyra comes in three colors: Space Gray, Gold and Rose Gold. I have the Space Gray version. They come in a nice, compact box with an image of the IEMs on the front. Inside you'll find:
 
  1. earphones
  2. 3 pairs of silicone tips
  3. pleather carry case
 
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The carry case is made from black pleather and is a nice addition. It has a magnetic flap on the front with Accutone branding that snaps into place when you close it. I find these more convenient than zippered style cases but this one could benefit from just a touch more depth as the earphones can be a little difficult to get in and out.
The provided silicone tips aren't the best quality and were all too small for my ears so yet again I drew some extra large ones from my personal stockpile.
 
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Build:
 
The cable on the Lyra is really nice for a budget IEM. It feels strong, looks good is supple without kinks/memory and doesn't feel sticky like some other budget cables. It has very good strain reliefs at the housing, Y-splitter and plug. The cable terminates in a right-angled 3.5 mm plug. There are Left and Right markers on the strain reliefs where the cable connects to the housing but they are near impossible to see, even in sunlight.
 
There's also a 3 button inline control and microphone between the Y-splitter and housing. The controls worked perfectly on my Android phone and also on my FiiO DAP.
The housings are nicely crafted metal with an excellent, smooth finish. I find the Lyra to be very comfortable although with a good seal you may want to reposition them occasionally as there are no vents present. They're very lightweight, adding to their comfort and there are no sharp edges to be found. I can wear these all day without a problem.
 
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Sound:
 
Sources:
 
FiiO X1ii
NiNTAUS X10
MusicBee > Micca OriGen+
 
The Lyra is easy to drive and works well with all sources including smartphones and budget DAPs.
The overall sound signature of the Lyra is warm and smooth, slightly V-shaped but still fairly balanced. It's a non-fatiguing sound that can be comfortably listened to for long music sessions.
 
While not the most etched bass, these still have good impact and tone. Kick drums sound a little loose but not boomy as they decay pretty quickly, adding some weight and fullness to the sound. Sub-bass has a little boost which fits my preference although on occasion it rolls off a bit early. There's still enough grunt behind it to be satisfying and push the music along. These are not for bass-heads but for those who like a bit of thump these will do the trick.
 
Midrange contributes the overall warmth of the Lyra, being a little recessed but bringing vocals to the forefront. They're not the clearest mids but tonality is natural sounding. Male vocals are smooth and rich as are accoustic and string instruments but things can get a bit congested in busy tracks. Female vocals come across more clearly than their male counterparts sounding vibrant yet smooth and are my favorite part of the middling frequencies.
 
The Lyra has amazing treble for its price. Everything is beautifully clear and the timbre of percussion in the highs is absolutely wonderful. It's relaxed but crystal clear and outdo the treble on many more expensive IEMs. Crash cymbals, high hats, chimes and bells sound really amazing on the Lyra and often make me stop whatever I'm doing and marvel at the sound. There's a bit of sparkle there but no sign of sibilance. The highs are airy and convey some really impressive detail, making them my favorite aspect of the Lyra.
 
Soundstage is average, being neither particularly wide or narrow but still able to portray sound beyond the width of your ears. Imaging likewise is respectable but not spectacular, certainly not bad for this price range though.
 
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Comparisons:
 
vs Fischer Audio Paco (38 USD)
 
The Paco has a more textured and punchy bass. The midrange of the Paco is less forward but has more clarity in the lower mids and lacks the superb treble extension and timbre of the Lyra. While the Lyra is very comfortable the Paco is even more so due to its tiny size and tapered rear housings. The Paco comes with a small carry pouch while the Lyra is accompanied by Accutone's excellent case but the ear-tips provided with the Paco are far superior in quality. Lastly the Paco has very clear Left and Right markers while the ones on the Lyra are practically pointless as they're so hard to see.
 
vs Brainwavz Jive (28 USD)
 
The Jive has a thinner or cooler signature than the Lyra. The lower mids and male vocals are more clear on the Jive but also more recessed. The Lyra keeps its tenacious hold on the treble prize, being more extended and vibrant. The bass on the Jive is more etched and punchy and has a little more reach in sub-bass. Comfort wise the Jive comes out ahead for the same reasons as the Paco - tapered rear housing, smaller size and silky smooth finish. Brainwavz' Jive is a more complete package with better ear-tips and bulkier but more versatile carry case. For overall sound I prefer Accutone's offering but for the entire package the Jive is still hard to beat.
 ​
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From left to right: Accutone Lyra, Fischer Audio Paco, Brainwavz Jive
 
Conclusion:
 
Accutone have a great entry level IEM with the Lyra. It's well built, lightweight and comfortable. The sound is slightly mid-forward with a rich, warm nature that's balanced by one of, if not the best trebles I've heard in a sub $50 IEM. If the lower mids were a little clearer this would be an absolute killer earphone but as it stands is a very competent performer. My only criticisms would be the sub-par supplied ear-tips and poor Left and Right markers. Apart from that its a strong offering at a low price with a musical presentation, solid build and definitely worth taking a look at.
 
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mgunin
mgunin
Thanks a lot for pointing to this model. I own Shozy Zero from your list - do you think they are more or less in the same league?

B9Scrambler

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Detailed, clear sound - Great cable with good strain relief
Cons: Design choices that may hinder fit for some - Poor choice of stock tips
Greetings Head-fi!
 
Today we are looking at the Lyra, a single dynamic driver earphone from Accutone.
 
The Lyra is another earphone from Accutone's 'Standard Line'. They're advertised as having a balanced presentation which is somewhat unusual when it comes to budget earphones. At this price point manufacturers seem to be laser focused on bass presentation and how monstrous it can be, so Accutone's take on the Lyra is a refreshing change of pace.
 
Disclaimer:
 
I would like to thank Angus with Accutone for providing the Lyra in exchange for a fair and impartial review. I am not receiving any financial compensation for this review and all comments and views within are my honest opinions. They are not representative of Accutone or any other entity.
 
The Lyra currently retails for 29.00 USD: http://www.audio.accutone.com/lyra
 
Follow Accutone on Facebook!
 
A Little About Me:
 
Over the last couple years I decided to dive head first into the world of portable audio. After reading pretty much the entirety of IjokerI's multi-earphone review thread and being greatly inspired, I took a chance and started writing my own reviews. Fast forward a couple years and I've had the opportunity to write about some great products for wonderful companies like RHA, Havi, FiiO, NarMoo, Brainwavz, and Meze. I don't do it for money or free stuff, but because I enjoy it. If my reviews can help guide someone to an earphone that makes them happy, I'll consider that a job well done.
 
The gear I use for testing is pretty basic composing of an HTC One M8 cellphone, Topping NX1 portable amplifier, and my aging Asus G73 gaming laptop paired with a Plantronics Rig USB amp. An XDuoo X3 has recently been added to the crew and was used for the majority of my testing. I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. When it comes to signature preference I tend to lean towards aggressive and energetic, but I try not to limit myself to one signature only. I also tend to listen at lower than average volumes.
 
Enough preamble. Let us dive into the good stuff shall we?
 

 
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Packaging and Accessories:
 
The Lyra uses a similar packaging setup as the Pavo, their dual-driver model. The outer sheath contains an image of the product on the front. The statement "Audio-balanced noise-isolating headphone with microphone" is printed on either side. On the back is a brief paragraph explaining the product and it's purpose; to "offer excellent audio balance, with smooth and round transition of trebles and bass". The Lyra's package did not contain the sheet of paper protecting the housing as was found with the Pavo, or as in shown in @Cinder's review. A small inconsistency but not one that really matters much, if at all.
 
While this style of packaging worked fine with the Pavo, I'm not quite sold on it with the Lyra. The distance between the earphone housing and the remote on the Lyra is quite short. Due to the way the remote is displayed with the cable wrapped tightly around a small cardboard slit, some extreme bends were forced near the remote's strain relief. If left like this long-term, it seems like there would have been some potential for damage to the cable.
 
Included with the Lyra were three sets of silicone tips; two pairs of white single flange tips in small and large sizes, and a completely different style of black medium silicone tips that come with a number of KZ earphones. Another odd little inconsistency, but again is one that doesn't really effect anything. I must comment that the small and medium tips chosen seem like a poor match. The nozzle is very stubby and as a result the tips press into the housing causing them to deform. This prevented me from getting a consistent seal. The large tips work just fine because they are large enough to pass over the housing.
 
The Lyra pairs exceptionally well with Comply foam tips and the unique set included with the Pavo and Taurus. If they stopped including silicone tips entirely and instead gave you two sets of foams, either Complys or their own unique set, I would be entirely content. Either that or go with something similae tothe tips included with Huawei's Honor AN12 earphones. That earphone features a similarly short nozzle but include tips that fit it perfectly.
 
Finally, the included carrying case is quite nice and the same found on Accutone's higher end offerings from the Pavo to the Gemini HD, to their flagship the Pisces BA. It looks to be made of pleather, but has a nice leathery smell to it. It is very similar in design to the case that came with my Sony XBA-2, but is thinner and stiffer offering better protection. It seals with a satisfying magnetic "snap!".
 
Overall the packaging and accessories are quite nice, but not devoid of a few missteps.
 

 
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Build, Design, Comfort, Isolation:
 
The Lyra's housings are made of aluminum and feels very nice in the hand. They're light and robust with a minimal design that has a few curves thrown in to add dimension. I generallybuy my equipment and gear in black, grey, or gunmetal, but the shade of Rose Gold Accutone chose is very subtle and quite attractive. Mid-way down each housing is a colored ring. Accutone missed a good opportunity to use these rings to tell left from right channels as both rings are red. Instead, they've relied solely on tiny L and R letters printed on the strain reliefs.
 
While the housings are wonderfully crafted there was one area that caused problems for me, that being the extra short nozzles. Combined with a somewhat broad housing, it was exceptionally difficult for me to get a consistent seal with the majority of silicone tips tested and I ended up spending more time adjusting the earphones than listening to music. I know there are many out there that will have no issues with this, but it's worth mentioning for those that tend to run into fitment issues with this particular ergonomic choice. With Comply foam eartips it was easy to get a seal and comfort was outstanding. Your mileage may vary when it comes to comfort.
 
The cable is pretty great, especially for a budget product. It looks fantastic with a clear sheath that allows you to view the winding cable within. It has absolutely no memory and is very flexible and compliant. Microphonics (cable noise) are a little intrusive, but wearing them cable over-ear remedies that issue. Strain relief is also pretty good, present everywhere but at the top half of the y-split leading up to the housings. There is no chin cinch which would have helped with microphonics when wearing the cable down.
 
While I found the inline remote to be built to a higher standard than any other in Accutone's lineup, using solid plastics and featuring well-defined buttons with a very tactile feels, microphone performance failed to impress. My voice came across muffled and unclear to my callers, something I was able to duplicate in recordings. I also seemed exceptionally quiet in my recordings, though callers never made this observation.
 
I was expecting more from the Lyra here because the housing is fully sealed, but isolation is only about average for a dynamic, maybe slightly average below. I'm going to blame this on the shallow fit. Even with music playing you'll hear some outside noise bleeding in. On the plus side, the remote worked perfectly with my HTC One M8, and functioned fine with all your standard behaviours; starting/stopping music, answering/hanging up calls, etc.
 
Driver flex was very intrusive out of the box, but it seemed to clean itself up nicely after many hours of play. With silicone tips it is still present, but has reduced to light crinkling instead of the loud popping it started as. With foam tips you hear no flex at all whatsoever.
 
Overall the Lyra's housings are very comfortable with the right tips, quite light, and they feel well-built. The cable was smartly chosen and is backed by good strain relief from top to bottom. Microphone performance is underwhelming but the remote works really well.
 

 
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Sound:
 
Tips: I've already gone over that the stock tips didn't work for me. After trying a variety of options, I found that the Huawei Honor AM12 tips paired very well, as did my ancient Skullcandy mushroom-like single-flange tips. Both of these are wide bore options that let the Lyra's treble shine. I really liked how Comply's sport ear tips paired with the Lyra. They showed off just how smooth yet detailed the Lyra can be. This was my preferred pairing because the two complemented each other so well. Outstanding comfort AND sound quality.
 
Amping: Mmmmmm. Yup. Amping is glorious with the Lyra. They already have pretty tight and snappy bass, or 'firm' as Accutone puts it but with an amp it gets even better. Treble also seems to tighten up further and loses the edginess displayed when played straight from a smartphone.
 
My first impressions of the Lyra were admittedly pretty poor. First it was the cable being bent so sharply in the package, then it was the tips not fitting properlyand poor sound being dumped into my ears as a result. This got me thinking that the Lyra might be somewhat disappointing. Luckily, once I finally had the chance to really sit down and spend some time with them by tip rolling, source matching, and listening critically with my favorite songs, I realized this was a hidden gem in Accutone's lineup.
 
Bass on the Lyra suffers from early roll off, but that's the only negative I can pitch at them and it's really no worse than what I experienced with the Pavo. That means it still digs deep enough to mostly satisfy my preference for boosted sub-bass with dialed back mid-bass. It's fairly quick and nimble, though it could stand to be more punchy and impactful. Bass kicks start off well but fade just before the real meat of the hit takes hold. As a result of this lack of "oomph" you hear some bloom at high volumes, lessened by amping. The Lyra will also distort if you start eq'ing in some extra low end, so leave it as-is for the best experience.
 
The Lyra's midrange takes an aggressive step forward and in my opinion is the star of show. It's got weight, presence, and a surprising amount of texture for a budget earphone. Vocals are intimate, natural, and guitars are aggressive and crunchy. They work equally well for hip-hop and EDM as they do for rock and metal. DJ Shadow's "Nobody Speak" feat. Run The Jewels does a solid job of showing this off with a fun combination of lyrics by EL-P and Killer Mike with DJ Shadow's funky guitar, brass, and bass driven beats.
 
Their treble presentation continues to impress with a satisfying mix of detail, texture, extension, and aggression. It also comes across as a little more realistic than similarly tuned earphones, like the Brainwavz Jive. It tilts slightly towards the bright, thin side (but is neither bright nor thin), and should be quite pleasant for all but those who are sensitive to more forward treble.
 
The Lyra's soundstage is about average, extending just outside of your ears. The slightly boosted treble counteracts for forward midrange nicely, taking maximum advantage of the soundstage. Imaging is well done with clear transitions between left and right, and everything in between. Separation is also pretty good, managing to handle convoluted speed metal tracks pretty well. I think metal-heads looking for a decent budget earphone would enjoy these quite a bit. They're not as good as JVC's HA-FXH30 with this genre, but they certainly hold their own.
 
Overall the Lyra features a nicely refined, mid-forward signature backed by slightly aggressive treble and snappy bass that would benefit from some extra kick.
 

 
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Select Comparisons:
 
Brainwavz Jive (28.00 USD): The Lyra and the Jive have similar signatures, though the Lyra surprisingly ups the Jive in a number of areas. It has better resolution, quicker and less mid-bass presence, though the Jive extends into sub-bass regions with more authority. The Lyra has leaner, cleaner, and more accurate treble with and a significantly smoother midrange. The Jive almost comes across veiled in direct comparison, something I never thought I would say about them.
 
The Jive does present itself as the more refined product when you take into account the entire experience. Better packaging, higher quality and more accessories, and similar features with the addition of a chin cinch. If sound quality was your primary concern, the Lyra would be my recommendation as it is the better sounding earphone. If you don't have a ton of spare tips lying around, I would recommend the Jive because it's a complete package and works perfectly as-is.
 
Accutone Pavo (51.00 USD): Sorry Pavo, but I think Accutone's sweetheart in the lineup may be the Lyra. Performance between the two is quite similar with the Pavo just barely earning it's keep. I think it's the more technically competent of the two, though I can see the added warmth of the Lyra drawing in more fans.
 
The Pavo pulls ahead in clarity and speed. It's bass also has the punch the Lyra is missing. Mid-range presence between the two is quite similar, but the Pavo's more boosted treble takes it out of the spotlight. The Pavo's dialed down mid-bass presence and warmth allows it to show off it's more impressive detailing but also makes it more fatiguing.
 
The Pavo comes with the same carrying case and a complete set of ear tips that fit properly. They also include a pair of foam tips. The Pavo also fits properly into its packaging so there was no worry of the cable being damaged upon unboxing.
 
Suggestions for Improvement:
 
Find more suitable stock tips - The stock tips just don't jive (no pun intended) with the Lyra. They fit that stubby nozzle too poorly and make it unnecessarily difficult to get a good seal. Maybe try to find something with a longer core that extends past the flange. It would also be nice to see a pair of foam tips included as they pair so well with this earphone.
 
Longer nozzle - This would go a long way towards making the Lyra easier to use. It would open it up to compatibility with a ton of additional tip options and for those with ear canals that essentially force deep insertion, would improve comfort greatly.
 
Overall:
 
The Lyra is a fantastic sounding earphone. It's fun to listen to, but also surprisingly technically adept and versatile across a number of genres. The only real fault I have with their sound is in their sub-bass extension and punch. When dipping into the low end they fall off too early, and lack the kick that would give their bass that extra bit of addictive energy. Still, this is a minor complaint and as is there isn't much that can go head-to-head with them in this price range and clearly come out on top.
 
When it comes down to it, they are one of the better earphones I've heard at this price. As long as you can deal with somewhat useless stock tips and limited accessories, I would have no issues recommending these as an excellent alternative to the Brainwavz Jive.
 
Thanks for reading!
 
- B9Scrambler
 
***** ***** ***** ***** *****​
 
Test Albums
 
BT - This Binary Universe
Gramatik - The Age of Reason
Incubus - Movement of the Odyssey Parts 2/3/4
Infected Mushroom - The Legend of the Black Shawarma
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Skindred - Roots Rock Riot
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
The Crystal Method - Tweekend
Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy
Culprate - Deliverance
"Nobody Speak" feat. Run The Jewels - DJ Shadow
Havok - Time is Up
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Cinder

Formerly known as Res-Reviews
Pros: Solid metal build, attractive cable, universal controls, decent sound for the price
Cons: Sub-bass roll-off, case quality control, few extra eartips

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-Introduction-​

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]I’m familiar with how Accutone does things now, both in their budget and flagship IEMs. It’s nice to see that they make a conscious effort to expand their product lines and fix their flaws. The Lyra is a testament to that, as it patches up many of the holes in the Accutone design philosophy that I’ve pointed out in the past. While it’s not perfect, the Lyra is still worth your attention.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]You can buy the Lyra from Accutone’s offical website here, for $29.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Disclaimer: This review is based upon a sample unit provided to me by a manufacturer or distributor in exchange for my honest opinion and un-edited words. I do not profit in any way from the writing of the review. I would like to thank Angus and Ada for sending me this review unit[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Preference and Bias: Before reading a review, it is worth mentioning that there is no way for a reviewer to objectively pass judgment on the enjoy-ability of a product: such a thing is inherently subjective. Therefore, I find it necessary for you to read and understand what I take a natural liking to and how that might affect my rating of a product.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, bass. The mids should be slightly less pronounced than the treble, but still ahead of the bass. I prefer a more bright upper range.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Source: The Lyra was powered like so:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]PC optical out-> HifiMe SPDIF 9018 DAC 3.5mm out-> earphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]All music was served as MP3 @320Kbps or as FLAC.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]
-Sound Signature-
[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Initial Impressions:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Lyra places vocals in control of the song. Mids are slightly recessed, while I find treble to be slightly boosted. Bass however, is not greatly emphasized. Based on limited listening of random tracks, the bass does sound slightly muffled and unnatural. Bass is of a reasonable speed, but more on the slow side.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Treble: Songs used: White FlagMidnight CityOutlands[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Treble certainly isn’t sparkly. In fact, it’s rather smooth and effortless. Surprisingly, throughout White Flag and Midnight City, the treble was able to break through the rest of the song without any trouble, leaving behind a good sense of clarity and a decent amount of transparency. Outlands, however did get a little shirked by the relaxed and tame nature of the treble. Violins that normally have a grand and epic presentation fell into a sort of dull lull, reducing the expansive nature of the song as a whole.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Mids: Songs used: Flagpole SittaJacked UpI Am The HighwayGood Life[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Mids are presented decently well, with solid articulation. It’s not going to wow you or blow your socks off (unless you are still running Apple Earpods), but still manages to surprise me. The Lyra somehow manages to articulate parts of the mids that many IEMs more expensive than it end up missing. Flagpole Sitta’s rich guitar detail is a good example of this, as is Jacked Up’s background guitar and piano.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Lyra, like I mentioned earlier, does place the vocals in the front, which really helps bring out the life in songs like the I Am The Highway and Good Life. While they did suffer from some minor distortion in the upper treble at higher volumes, I was impressed with how well the vocals remained separated from the rest of the song.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Bass: Songs used: LightsGold Dust99 Problems (Hugo Cover)Leave Me[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Bass took a little time to adjust to. While I first thought it sounded unnatural and muffled, my brain has burned in enough to vastly reduce the amount of trouble I was having with them. In fact, they now sound almost completely natural, albeit slightly pushed back. Songs like Lights and 99 Problems don’t falter too much, since a moderate amount of mid and sub-bass is enough to lend them a working sense of depth. But bass-heavy songs like Leave Me and Gold Dust are left out in the cold. While there is a decent quantity of mid-bass, the quantity of sub-bass is a little too low. However, it still maintains a great level of extension, reaching almost as far down as the Accutone Gemini HD with the red filters. Bassheads should look elsewhere for their daily dose of bone-shattering techno-drops.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Clarity: Songs used: ThroneMap of The ProblimatiqueI’m Not Alright[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]For the majority of songs, the Lyra is perfectly clear, and has minimal distortion. However, with songs such as Throne and I’m Not Alright, the weakness of the Lyra will start to show as its budget-grade dynamic drivers begin to reach their limits.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Sound Stage[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Sounds staging is pretty meh. It’s got a slight amount of width, with a slight amount of depth. Imaging is OK, but again, not great. Separation is decent, and better than I would expect from a $29 pair or earphones, so no complaints there. If you are looking for a symphonic experience, you should definitely save up some extra cash to get an IEM from a a higher price-bracket, as you will be hard-pressed to find a good performer at this low-end of the spectrum.[/color]

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-Packaging / Unboxing-
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Packaging is pretty meh as well. The box is structurally identical to the Pavo’s box. Customs really screwed with my Lyra, and ripped it. Sorry about that.[/color]
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-Build-
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Construction Quality[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]This is where the Lyra truly shines. Accutone has checked every box on my list, both aesthetically, and structurally. The Lyra is available in three metallic colors, Space Grey, Gold, and Rose Gold. Here, I have the Space Grey version.[/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The driver housings are made from aluminum with a soft-touch matte finish. A pliable, but secure stress-relief system protrudes from the driver housings, protecting the premium-feeling cable from any haphazard forces that would be applied to it.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Speaking of the cable, take a look at this thing! It doesn’t look at all like something you would find of a $29 IEM.[/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]It appears to be made from copper, and is coated in a clear plastic layer. The cable feels sturdy and has a good thickness to it, but doesn’t have any memory to it. It is also smooth, so it doesn’t catch on random surfaces. Microphonics are present, but not as bad as some other IEMs I’ve tested. The cable terminates in a nice right-angled 3.5mm jack.[/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Controls[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Lyra comes equipped a “dual-os” microphone. While it sounds fancy, all it really means is that it works on both iOS and Android devices, which is still pretty cool. I’ve tested the controls on an HTC One M8, Nexus 6P, and iPhone 6+, and the Lyra had full functionality on all of them.[/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Comfort[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]While it’s not the best fit in the world, the Lyra is comfortable during extended listening sessions for me, and I don’t experience any driver flex. Unfortunately, no Comply is included in the box, so I don’t get the “disappearing” effect that they usually have on IEMs of this shape and weight.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Accessories[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Lyra is stocked with about what I would expect from a budget IEM: a standard Accutone pleather case, and two extra sets of generic eartips. The case is decent, but nothing special. Mine has some creases and bubbles on it that show themselves when I open up the magnetic flap, which is visually unattractive.[/color]

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-Summary-
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Lyra is a solid budget offering from Accutone that boasts good overall construction, an attractive cable, and versatile sound signature. While the case’s quality control could use some work, and additional eartips couldn’t hurt, I think the Lyra is an excellent choice for a budget-conscious audiophile looking for a visually attractive IEM.[/color]
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