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Price: 119 USD
Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver

Intro

As we all know, the Chinese audio industry is now pretty stacked with numerous competitors with several hits and misses when it comes to delivering that "all-in-one-wonder" product. Of course, competition is great and it motivates companies to improve and deliver superb value to its customers and from what I can observe this time, TForce did a pretty neat job with their debut "Yuan Li". It is a single dynamic driver that seems polished and mature given the good amount of time in the OEM industry TForce came from. In this review, we shall assess its value proposition and most importantly sound, how it compares and what it does well.

Packaging

The packaging box has this modern oriental theme where everything is black and gold. the overall unboxing experience is rather fancy, as it really does feel very premium from top to bottom. It comes with an alligator-print leather carrying case, 3 sets of tips, balanced bass enhancing, and foam tips which should suffice for most consumers. The included cable is a braided copper cable, it reminds me of the Tin T4s in terms of the material used in their cables which is a kinda rubbery kind of sleeving that I feel may go "sticky" as time passes.

Build and Fit

The Yuan Li has an all-metal build, feels robust and premium to the touch and looks durable to knocks and dents as well. However, it is chromed and finished which means it is going to be a fingerprint magnet similar to the kanas pro and KXXs but that should be the least of your worries. Fit wise, it feels really comfortable sitting in my ears and I don't experience much weight discomfort over a period of an hour. Good job to TForce Audio for nailing these essential aspects of what makes an IEM great as compared to others.

Sound

In general, the Yuan Li sounds rather warm with a laid back theme. higher notes, upper mid-range glares are less present, highs are rather tamed with less aggression. It performs in presenting that big lush warm sound that fills the entire stage without much fatigue.

Songs I listened to

- Aladdin OST
- Halo OST
- Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1
- One Republic Native Album
- Keane Everybody's Changing
- Green Day American Idiot
- Post-Modern Jukebox Pokerface (Kelley Jakle)
- Scary Pockets (I Will Survive)
- Zee Avi Dream a little dream of me


Bass

In the bass department, it is quite emphasised. Sub-bass rumbles with authority while steering clear of making the entire presentation muddy. Midbass punches well and does not bleed as much as I had expected. A good point to note here is that for the price, bass notes are really textured here, which will surely put a smile on mid-bass lovers or people who appreciate warmth throughout their tracks. I feel the Yuan Li stuck a pretty good balance between quantity and quality which is uncommon and on top of that, it has decent dexterity and an okay-ish level of detail/separation given its tuning philosophy.

Mids

Mid-range vocals are relatively placed behind in terms of presentation. Many times I find the track instrumentals to be equally on-par with the lead which some may not like but it does give a different feel to their entire song. It is not bad per se, but it just creates a different perspective on how we appreciate our tunes. Ballads and solos still sound accurate and gorgeous but do expect less intimacy. There aren't many upper midrange peak issues which are great as I am quite sensitive towards that region. Overall, the mid-range presents a more spaced out kind of stage, with less intimacy but a wider scene for its listeners.

Treble

No peaks or sharp sibilances that drive me crazy but rather tamed and conservative take in the treble parts. Not to say that they are taken over, the treble parts are still very noticeable. Sparkles and shimmers still find their way to stand out but similar to the mids, they are staged relatively behind so it is not really in your face which again falls back to your preference. Personally, I find the detail retrieval here isn't stellar or spectacular with average technical separation capabilities. What it does well here is that it completes the picture for the Yuan Li, a warm fatigue-free experience.

Conclusion

The Yuan Li is filled with warmth with decent spacing/staging. It belongs to the group of IEMs that gives you that meaty lower end with not-so-aggressive highs that won't induce much fatigue but just enough to keep that upper-end clarity and energy there. Soundstage is somewhat decent, however, I would like to see more attention to separation and technicalities for my own preference. For my readers, I do find that in value, 119 USD seems really good as the entire package (build/fit/packaging/accessories/materials) is just very well thought out. Sound-wise, go for it if you are looking for a quality warm laid-back option in your arsenal or if you are looking for something safe and versatile.

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Driver Setup:1 balanced armature for high frequency,
2 piezoelectric ceramic for ultra-high frequency,
7mm graphene diaphragm dynamic, and
8mm dome titanium diaphragm dynamic

Price: US$47.90

Intro​

Disclaimer: This review set was graciously lent to me by a friend from his personal collection and the review is written of my own accord. This set was purchased by him from Penon Audio at full price.

At first sight, many will misread the name Geek Wold as “World” which I too made the same mistake. Geek Wold is one of the many relatively obscure Chi-Fi brands out there that are up and coming. The GK10 is a 5 driver hybrid consisting of 2x Piezoelectric, 1x Balanced Armature, and 2x Dynamic Drivers which is uncommon to see in this price range but certainly the trend in the upper echelons of the IEM world.

Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 7.0/10)​

For a budget option, the GK10 comes with minimal accessories as I would expect given the stacked driver design and usage. It comes with 2 sets of silicone tips, a carrying pouch and a pretty decent braided cable.


For US$47.90, I do not have any qualms in terms of value here and besides that, the quality of the cable is certainly much better than the likes of some other budget options.

Build quality-wise, the shells are smoothed out with no rough and pointy edges, a heart-shaped faceplate design which I am not a fan of but that depends on your preferences as well. The materials used feel like plastic to me but at least it feels sturdy handling it.

Fit (Score: 7.0/10)​

Fit wise, the heart-shaped design feels relatively odd as it does not sit into my ears as well as some others do. It is relatively small as compared to some offerings that stack drivers as the GK10 do which helps with comfort in longer listening sessions. Nozzle size is pretty average, no comfort issues there but hoped that it could be slightly elongated to have more seal.

Sound (Score: 7.5/10)​

Sources used:

• Ibasso DX120
• Atom DAC and AMP

Music I listened to:

• Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside
• Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
• Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
• Chainsmokers – Sickboy
• Cigarettes After Sex – Cry
• The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
• One Republic – Human
• Keane – Fears and Hopes
• Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
• Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra – 2016 all Japan Band competition
• Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
• ARTY – Rebound
• ACDC – Highway to hell

Bass

The GK10 is tuned rather warm and meaty which some may enjoy this enormous warmth bass that engulfs the listener. On my end, I felt that it made the entire presentation here rather sluggish for my taste and took some marks away in technicalities. I would have liked it more if there were lesser bass bleeds and more emphasis on separation here which could really make it a superb experience.

On the upside, the GK10 does have good thumps and punches which again appeals to the majority of having an energetic bass response that is overly boomy to the listening ear.

Mids

There is some slight recession in its mid-range at around 1khz and an uplift in its upper mids to create that sense of clarity and energy. I do notice that vocals on the GK10 sound rather thin and it is lacking some sort of “depth” that makes it sound “full and weighty”. Think of it as a painting, it has the right colours but with weaker strokes. There isn’t much upper-mids spike here so we are all good on that fatigue bar over time.

Treble

Now I would like to say that the GK10 does have pretty gorgeous treble tuning here. It is very smooth and sparkles like a star when the time comes for it to shine. It does not sound sibilant even with some spikes in that region. The extension is great on the GK10 which is another plus point that I did not expect in this price bracket. I am guessing it is due to the 2 piezos it has and it is definitely working wonders in there.

Details, speed, attack, decay, and tuning/tonality were pretty much spot on here for the GK10 which I really enjoyed and dig. What a great surprise here!

Overall


The imaging and soundstage of the GK10 are definitely above average in this price bracket but I felt that tonality wise, it is slightly skewed. It did well in striking a good balance with that mild V-shaped tuning where it does not sound wonky and off.

I do enjoy the mid to treble regions a lot but with a slight letdown with its mid-bass hump which makes it lose out in terms of quality and shy away from a super-competitive triple threat driver pick.

Conclusion​

In conclusion, the GK10 is wonderful at what it is good at, has superb treble performance and good staging/imaging capabilities that ensure great value for you people out there. However, it does have some shortcomings in terms of technicalities in its bass regions. For the price, I feel that the tradeoff is decent and furthermore, individual preferences will differ and who knows, if you like that warm tone with great sparkles, this might be a good budget pick and a good introduction to those piezoelectric drivers.

Overall Grade: B​

Click HERE for our grading list for earphones

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Driver Setup: 1x High magnetic circuit metal composite Dynamic Driver

Price: $79.99

Intro


Disclaimer: The Whizzer HE-01 was provided to us at no charge by Whizzer, however thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Whizzer Audio is a company that has been around for some years now and some may remember their pioneer releases such as the A15 and A15 Pro and most would have heard about the Whizzer HE03 that was a hit some time back. Based on the pricing and positioning, it seems like the HE01 serves as a more affordable option for the HE03 while maintaining the strengths of its older brother.

Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 8.5/10)​

To be honest, the packaging and overall looks of the HE01 feels really prestigious and fancy which I was not expecting at this price point. During unboxing, it really felt as if I was unboxing a jewellery box due to the matte black design as well as the perfectly machined cutouts. The cable and the shell of the HE01 seem really polished, premium and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes which is a good sign and a pretty solid plus point here.

Moving on to the accessories, the HE01 comes with 2 sets of ear tips, a nice matte black carrying case that matches the rose gold colourway of the HE01 really well. Accessories wise, I think they got the usuals covered nicely but with a touch of finesse in almost everything in the package and that is really nice to see in this price bracket.

Fit (Score: 6.5/10)​

Now the fit is quite tricky, the HE01 just can't seem to fit in my ears nicely which perry did not encounter and that lead me to conclude that it might just be my ear shape. Aside from that, the corners are nicely smoothed out, there are no sharp edges that could prick your tender ears and also, it follows the contours of your ear relatively comfortably. I'm not saying that it has a bad fit, but it might just be me instead of the IEM itself as I also checked other reviews that did not report any obvious design flaws regarding its fit.

Sound (Score: 7.5/10)​

Frequency Response of Whizzer HE01

Sources used:

• Ibasso DX120
• Atom DAC and AMP

Music and Albums, I listened to:

• Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside
• Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
• Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
• Chainsmokers – Sickboy
• Cigarettes After Sex – Cry
• The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
• One Republic – Human
• Keane – Fears and Hopes
• Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
• Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra – 2016 all Japan Band competition
• Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
• ARTY – Rebound
• ACDC – Highway to hell

Bass (Score: 7.0/10)

Like most dynamic driver transducers, the bass response has depth, good punches, and great impact. It is slightly emphasised but at the same time not overly done such that it becomes sluggish and filled with bloat. The level of clarity and definition displayed here is somewhat okay for something at this price range with hints of bleeding accompanied by its size. Last but not the least, its sub-bass response fills up the empty gap below while steering clear from the extreme mud pools of bass flops. A good balance, but I do wish that the HE01 could handle the bass definition and separation here a little better.

Mids (Score: 8.0/10)

The mids sound broad with a good feel of space and clarity in its overall presentation which I enjoyed greatly. As per many other IEMs, there are some upper mid-range boosts, making it more forward and peaky with the female vocals than the counterparts that sound comparatively recessed. Not really a negative but more of a more female vocal-centric piece that takes the limelight of the stage as compared to the entire piece.

Treble (Score: 7.0/10)

The HE01 is free from any sibilance but comes up short regarding extension and technicalities. It does not sound splashy or undefined but takes a relatively laid-back approach compared to its mid-range and bass. In some tracks, while I could follow the high-hats and ornaments, they are presented relatively backwards as compared to their vocals. While I wished that the treble could have been more extended and balanced out, its treble response may appeal to those looking for a less-treble set to suit their moods.

Overall

The HE01 is a warm-sounding unit with a slight edge to its vocal presentation and bass presence. It also does have a slightly enhanced soundstage which is good but loses some points on detail retrieval. Tuning wise, I think the HE01 can handle most genres with ease except for very bass-heavy tracks it may sound bloaty and it is not doing any favours to the overall presentation being already warm.

Comparison​

VS QoA Vesper Review here


The HE01 is the warmer set with some boosts to its mid-bass and upper-midrange whereas the Vesper has its focus on its sub-bass and upper-midrange. To me, the Vesper sounds more balanced and has a better detail retrieval ability whereas the HE01 shines more with its soundstage and a pleasant warm presentation of soundtracks. The Vesper in this case will be able to handle more genres as compared to the HE01 where it might sound bloaty depending on the track. Fit/Build/Package wise, I felt the Vesper has a better fit but the HE01 nails the others better with its fancy packaging and a certain kind of aesthetic appeal.

At the end of the day, I lean towards the Vesper given its versatility and superior fit as compared to the HE01 which had given me problems whenever I try to attain that seal every time I listened to it.

Conclusion


Whizzer did a good job in creating something that is somewhat affordable with a great value proposition when considering the entire package itself. It is tricky to come up with a warm-sounding IEM as it has to not sound too bloaty or muddy and I am certain that the HE01 is a good example when it comes to tuning these warm-sounding sets. All in all, it is still a very competent performer with loads of aesthetic appeal to buyers out there who are looking for something fancy and well-tuned.

Overall Grade: B​

For more reviews, check us out at: www.perrivanaudio.com
Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 Balanced Armature
Price: 33 USD

Intro ​

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: This review set was graciously lent to me by a friend and the review is written of my own accord.

While most of you might know, Kinera Audio launched QoA in December 2020 and we managed to get our hands on the Vesper, which was the last hybrid set we reviewed. Now with Kinera themselves launching a new hybrid model that was priced at a much more competitive point, how will the BD005 Pro perform? Let us take a look!

Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 5.5/10)​

The Kinera BD005 Pro comes in a hexagonal box and the package comes with a set of ear tips, the IEM itself, a carrying case, and a detachable mic cable. Although nothing fancy, they covered all the necessities for a decent package. I do feel that the ear tips were not what I would expect, it is rather small like what you see with most TWS earphones. It is nothing big, but based on my experience with the BD005 Pro, I would prefer a more conventional design of the ear tips. The cable design is very common in the world of chi-fi as if they are all using the same OEM manufacturer with minor tunings in design to brand themselves.

Fit (Score: 8.0/10)​

Fit wise, the BD005 Pro excels and it was really comfortable when wearing them over longer periods and I did not felt that my ears were stretched out or tired. The relatively ergonomic design did smooth out most of the contact points with my ears which is probably why I felt really comfortable with them attached to my ears. Seal wise, I felt that the ear tips had something to do with it where I couldn't get that perfect seal sometimes but I guess it is due to the ear tips being smaller.

Sound (Overall Score: 7/10)​

I would describe the sound to be rather warm with less aggressive highs as compared to other conventional V-shaped offerings. We were unable to graph the frequency response of the BD005 Pro, my apologies.

Sources used

• Ibasso DX120
• iPhone XR
• Atom DAC and AMP

Music and Albums listened with

• Alan Walker
• Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
• Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
• Cigarettes After Sex
• One Republic – Dreaming Out Loud
• Keane – Fears and Hopes
• Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
• Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
• ARTY
• Halo 1 & 2 OST
• Czardas
• Lauv
• Scary Pockets
• Hans Zimmer
• Aladdin OST

Bass (Score: 8.0/10)
The midbass has a good punch to it as well as being impactful when listening to modern pop works. Similarly, its sub-bass lines are clear and steer clear from being muddy or mashed up while providing good meaty response and that is the best part about the BD005 Pro in my opinion. Although the overall response is quite authoritative with some texture and depth, its separation and layering are not as defined as what one would describe as perfect bass.
It is definitely one of those IEMs that have above-average bass qualities in the price bracket where it is quite emphasised but in a positive way that satisfies most listeners and put them in delight.

Mids (Score: 6.0/10)
I find the lower mids to be taking a somewhat backstage here which makes male voices underpowered when compared to its bass response. However, its upper mids have that boost to give that sense of energy and clarity but it causes female vocals to sometimes get shouty which isn’t a huge bummer to me but felt that it could be tamed a little more. I felt that the mids on this unit was rather boring but it still manages to tiptoe along the thin line of sounding wonky and off which is a good sign and something that any make and model should achieve.

Treble (Score: 6.5/10)
The treble on the BD005 Pro sounds rather rolled-off with cymbals and percussive sparkles dimmed. It also does not have much "airiness" which is part and parcel of the overall tuning stance with the BD005 Pro. Although sometimes it sounds slightly unrefined and splashy which is hard to avoid as seen in many budget offerings, it does not cause any fatigue at all. A very good track to showcase that trait was me listening to percussive heavy intros such as "Friend like me" from Aladdin which I do not experience fatigue at all.
Although the experience was rather okay, do not expect a resolving and shimmery response with the BD005 Pro but on the other hand, the unit is fatigue-free which might be suitable for those sensitive to treble.

Overall
Its layering and separation capabilities are somewhat average with its soundstage sounding rather closed. Its imaging is decent as I was able to discern between instruments and placements rather easily. Its overall tuning was set to be rather warm with less aggressive highs which may appeal to the typical consumer but not for those who are looking for that sparkle and energy. I just want to conclude its sound with the point that technical abilities aren't the BD005 Pro's forte but its tuning should be its main selling point.

Conclusion​

The BD005 Pro is a good bassy and non-aggressive budget hybrid pick that has my attention due to its fit and design. It has a pretty sick value proposition which includes nice design choice, fit, and a safe-yet-fun tuning that can give you that bass boost that satisfies your cravings. To conclude this review, I can describe the BD005 Pro as "tastefully emphasised bass with fatigue-free experience that you can relax with".

LARK | Overall Score: 7.3/10

More reviews at: www.perrivanaudio.com

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 Balanced Armature


Price: 26.49 USD

Intro ​

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: This review set was graciously lent to me by a friend and the review is written of my own accord.




(The LARK with a NICEHCK third-party cable)


Previously, KBEAR managed to deliver a superb value proposition with the KS2 that puts a smile upon the budget audiophiles. Although the KS2 wasn’t phenomenal for the price, it certainly served as a good reference when it comes to value. With this new release of the LARK, we are excited to see what KBEAR has in store for us.

Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 6.0/10)​

The LARK comes in a KBEAR themed box which is common to see in their product line ups. Inside the box, you will see the earpiece themselves as the centrepiece and 2 boxes that are specifically designed to fill the spaces. Moving to accessories, the package comes with 2 sets of ear tips (black and white), a nice carrying case as well as a silver-coloured 2-pin cable. It is not really super quality stuff you see in those higher-end offerings, KBEAR covered all grounds here while keeping it affordable, kudos to them.


Moving on to the build of LARK, it seems polished and feels sturdy to my hands. In my opinion, the back-metal plating design was a fashionable choice and appeals to my inner bias of these designs. In general, the LARK’s robust exterior will be able to handle your daily knocks and scruffles well and not fail.


The included cable was not as impressive though, it tangles relatively easily and isn’t that well made. No serious qualms or gripes here given the relatively low MSRP that they are asking for. The cable works but it is one of those common stock cables you get from most budget offerings.

Fit (Score: 9.0/10)​

I have to say that the LARK fit my ear really well and I didn’t face any major discomfort when putting them on. On top of that, I was able to use a significant amount of time when I was focusing on other tasks. Perhaps my only gripe was that the tips provided aren’t the best as compared to the likes of final tips, but they do provide enough seal in stock so well done KBEAR!

Sound (Overall Score: 7/10)​

​

In general, I find the LARK to be warm and V-shaped. It also has a good sense of detail and soundstage.





Frequency Response Graph of the KBEAR LARK


Sources used

- Ibasso DX120

- iPhone XR

- Atom DAC and AMP


Music and Albums listened with

- Alan Walker

- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

- Cigarettes After Sex

- One Republic – Dreaming Out Loud

- Keane – Fears and Hopes

- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST

- Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic

- ARTY

- Halo 2 OST

- Halo 1 OST

- Czardas

- Lauv

- Scary Pockets

- Hans Zimmer

- Aladdin OST


Bass (Score: 8.5/10)


The LARK’s bass has a strong and authoritative response but not so overpowering as the typical V-shaped offerings we expect to hear. It actually provides a rather satisfying experience when listening to modern pop songs and their sub-bass focused mix that allows the listening to fully immerse themselves in. The dexterity of its bass is pretty good as well, it sounds clean and its separation abilities are quite good. In general, there isn’t much to a critic here but just some slight bass bleed but checks most boxes for a budget IEM contender. Good job KBEAR!


Mids (Score: 6.5/10)


Mid-range sounds less emphasised but not to the extent of it sounding wonky and unpleasant. It is the staging here that I have gripes with where the vocals aren’t really in the “middle” but somewhat pushed back. The upper midrange sounds decent here actually without that overcompensating “detail boost” that many offerings turn to (not saying that it doesn’t have, but not too much). I definitely have mixed feelings with regards to the mid-range response of the LARK but I guess it is still within the realms of acceptance and that it still maintains that “detail-oriented” idea revolving around the tuning here.


Treble (Score: 6.0/10)


Now, the weakest link of the LARK. The treble here is definitely overemphasised and that it becomes rather aggressive. I detected quite a bit of sibilance across the tracks I listened to which isn’t pleasant and felt that it was quite a wasted opportunity for the LARK to be a contender on all fronts. Despite its focus on detail retrieval, separation and clarity, such tuning isn’t going to do well when reviewing them. All in all, it is definitely capable in terms of technicalities, but the overly aggressive stance is not going gather support for it.


Overall


Something I liked about the LARK is that it does have a good mix of soundstage, layering, separation, and detail retrieval which is a pretty good spec sheet to look at, but it does suffer from some quirks in tonality. Sometimes, I do notice that the upper midrange sounds off especially when it comes to trumpets and trombones in orchestras where it sounds thin and unpleasant.


Comparisons KBEAR KS2





Although the LARK does have some weak points, I can confidently say that it is a general improvement over the KS2 and felt that KBEAR took the right step in the right direction in delivering that nice price-to-performance product to the budget audiophile group. The LARK here has more detail, a nicer bass response, a somewhat similar mid-range, and a much more exposed treble.

Conclusion​

​

In conclusion for 26.49 USD, there isn’t much to fault them for and the LARK’s stat sheet seems really beefy and tough to beat for the price. If you are looking for a detail-oriented budget offering, the LARK is actually a decent contender if you are not so treble sensitive like me. It does have a really good value proposition and maintained its reputation for it which I guess gives every budget audiophile more options to consider and be happy about them.

Tanchjim Blues | Overall Score: 7.0/10​

For more reviews, do check us out at www.perrivanaudio.com!
Driver Setup: single dynamic driver
Price: US$ 80

Intro​

Disclaimer: This review set is a demo set graciously lent to me by Daniel at Oardio and the review is written of my own accord and all thoughts are my own. The Tanchjim Blues is available for purchase from Oardio through their website should you find yourself interested in a pair.
In recent years, many would have heard of Tanchjim's reputable offerings such as the renown Oxygen as well as the Hana. But, it might not be the same for their younger sibling, the Tanchjim Blues. Although not as popular, we are still curious to see what Tanchjim is offering with the Blues given their good track record in product releases. In this review, we will express our thoughts and impressions of the Blues and see how it fares against today's budget offerings.

Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 5.0/10)​

Starting off with its packing, it comes in a rather aesthetic blue-white box with a jazz concept in its design which also has a unique aesthetic appeal to me. Moving on, its extra contents are nicely packed in a smaller box tucked at the bottom and side of the case with the Blues taking centre stage when you open the box. You get a set of tips, ear guides and a carrying pouch. Pretty good so far.




The build quality leaves more to be desired as the Blues is made out of plastic and it comes with an attached cable! Usually, I am pretty cool with attached cables (although many will find it triggering as there aren't any advantages to it as compared to the likes of MMCX/2pin) but the quality of the cable is just horrendous! I used to gripe about how Sony EX800ST's stock cable is just a downright annoyance but the Tanchjim Blues tops it by being non-replaceable! The cable is weird as the natural orientation goes against the orientation when you place them in your ears, resulting in wearing issues such as the cable swirling out of your ears and you have to pull up that chin strap to keep that cable hugged around your ears. As a side note, the ear guides do help also but it doesn't solve the problem entirely and sometimes, the cables fall out of the ear hook too.
Quite disappointing in terms of meeting the basic needs of comfort and design which is not unheard of with Tanchjim's physical design of their products. I really want to give them a nicer score but the horrendous cable design and build is just a big minus here.

Fit (Score: 5.5/10)​

Continuing the lines of poor cable design, it's fit isn't fantastic to compensate for its flaws. Although there are no significant problems with the Blues' fit, it is negatively affected by the poor cable design that causes me to experience loss of seal. I would also like to point out that due to the shorter nozzle and design, it is relatively harder to achieve a good seal which eventually leads to a lower score in this region.

Sound (Score: 7.2/10)​

Frequency Response graph for the Tanchjim Blues

In general, it is genre picky, but a surprisingly strong contender for what it does well.
Sources Used

• iBasso DX120
• JDS Atom Stack

Albums and Tracks tested with

• Halo Saga OST
• Bleach OST
• André Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra – The Blue Danube
• Aladdin OST – Friend Like Me
• Cigarettes After Sex – K
• Keane – Hopes and Dreams
• BØRNS – Sweet Dreams
• ARTY – Rain
• Penny Tai – 你要的愛
• Rebecca Pigeon – Spanish Harlem
• Eurythmics

Bass (Score: 7.0/10)
Bass response is relatively weaker to what I perceive as neutral, however, it is still adequate in terms of presence. You are going to realise that the blues ain't gonna be suitable for every genre as you will find its performance in this region sub-par and not satisfying. On the flip side, it has an agile response, good decay and separation while retaining some DD driver bass qualities such as timbre, weight, and fullness.
On top of the relatively weakened bass response, if you do not achieve a good seal on the blues, you are going to experience a weaker bass response which I struggled with initially and had a rather negative first impression but that is due to a sub-optimal insertion and seal.
If inserted properly, the bass response of the blues is actually pretty decent and clean such as listening to "sweet dreams" by Eurythmics. The blues do present its bass response adequately such that the tracks do not sound too lean and not something is missing. Do not expect a colossal bass impact or what you might expect a typical chi-fi IEM’s bass response. Sub-bass is relatively weaker and may give you the impression of leanness and an unbalanced sounding signature. For specific genres, I would say the blues performed as advertised.
Mids (Score: 7.5/10)
The mids on the blues are relatively detailed, male and female vocals shine through the blues with no hollowness and wonky traits that put me off badly. The soundstage presentation was done tastefully on the blues and while listening to indie tracks, such as Lumineers, the male lead’s voice doesn’t sound too intimate and closed in. A good trait to have in this price bracket!
Female voices do exhibit similar characteristics but I find the upper mid-range boost a tad too much which can be highlighted in duets where male vocals can sound significantly weaker than females and boosting volumes just introduces fatigue from that spike.
Instruments such as violins come across as delicate and a delight to listen to on the blues. Guitars strum and plucks are really pronounced and clear with blue genres such as those guitar scratches within tracks.
Treble (Score: 7.0/10)
I would say treble isn’t too forward, with good plus points such as sibilance free. However, I find treble to be slightly splashy and unpolished or grainy occasionally and especially on brighter tracks such as pop genres. However, on Aladdin's friend like me, the cymbals and high hats does shine through with decent clarity and resolution but nothing impressive here as I do feel they are rather recessed with respects to its mid-range performance.

Overall




The Tanchjim Blues does perform decently with regards to its sonic performance but there are still gaps that Tanchjim needs to work on such as that upper-midrange spike and treble oddities. It does have decent technicalities such as imaging and good separation allows it to have an edge against some of the current day offerings at the time of this review.

Conclusion​

The Tanchjim Blues does offer some value when it comes to specific genres that it excels in but it is hindered by its difficulty to achieve seal for any listening sessions. The wire could do better and fit is just quite sub-par as compared to many other offerings. Ear guides and chin strap had to be used to achieve those conditions. In general a good contender for specific genres such as vocal focused mandopop, blues, indie, acoustics and some instrumental pieces but I don’t recommend it for bass-oriented tracks, trance, EDM or pop band tracks.

For more reviews, check us out at: https://www.perrivanaudio.com/

Driver Setup: 10mm Dynamic Driver + 4 Balanced Armatures (Knowles SWFK + Softears Custom)

Price: US$319.99

Intro



Disclaimer: This review set is a demo set graciously lent to me by Daniel at Oardio and the review is written of my own accord and all thoughts are my own. The Tanchjim Oxygen is available for purchase from Oardio through their website should you find yourself interested in a pair.

The Blessing 2 is Moondrop's hybrid lineup and it took the audiophile community by storm with the release of its predecessor, the Moondrop Blessing. Although highly praised by the community, The Blessing 2 is also criticised for several issues such as its notorious over-emphasized upper-midrange. In this review, we will take a closer at this matter and how The Blessing 2 fares in my opinion.

Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 7.5/10)



The Blessing 2 comes in a typical Moondrop Audio marketing philosophy, its Moondrop trademark and a cover of an anime character. In the box, it contains a set of ear tips, a pretty nice looking copper cable, a leather zip case and the Blessing 2 itself. It is pretty much the basics but I kind of expected more at this price point but I would like to point out that the zip case and the cable seems and feels to be really well built in my hands.




The Blessing 2 itself is well built as well, made out of a 3D resin shell that does not have any rough edges or neither easily scratched. I do want to point out that there reports that people experienced the printing on the metal back on the IEM tends to fade away after some time. In summary, well-supplemented package but nothing too out-of-this-world.

Fit (Score: 9/10)



The Blessing 2 fits my ear really well! I do have slightly larger ears as compared to my peers and I figured that the Blessing 2 might be "too much" for smaller ears. My experience with the Blessing 2 is just awesome! No rough edges, it fills up my ear and isolates really well from the outside world. Kudos to Moondrop and their 3D printing design!

Sound (Score: 8.8/10)
I would describe the Blessing 2 to be slightly brighter than neutral with a slightly emphasized bass to keep things balanced.




Frequency Response of the Blessing 2

Sources Used

• iBasso DX120
• JDS Atom Stack

Albums and Tracks tested with

• Halo Saga OST
• Bleach OST
• André Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra – The Blue Danube
• Aladdin OST – Friend Like Me
• Cigarettes After Sex – K
• Keane – Hopes and Dreams
• BØRNS – Sweet Dreams
• ARTY – Rain
• Penny Tai – 你要的愛
• Rebecca Pigeon – Spanish Harlem

Bass (Score: 8.7/10)

Really nice sub-bass, pretty good rumble with an adequate punch in the mid-bass. Definitely not lacking presence but I would not call it strong either. There isn’t any mid-bass bleed detected. Really good separation and detail in this region. Slightly emphasised but only at its sub-bass region. Sounds really good, rounded and full (Aladdin's OST "Friend in Me", bass drum kicks and low ends aren’t overpowering other parts but it gives that solid presence that makes the track sound full and complete).

There isn’t much to say about it anymore, It is just very well-tuned topping it off with good technical capability.

Mids (Score: 9/10)

Male voices feel relatively weaker as compared to female voices, I do find that some other parts of the tracks I listen to compete for the centre stage of the male lead. It has a significant boost in its upper mid-range but it is still acceptable in my books but could appreciate it if it cuts that back by like 3-4 dB, good detail! Tonality and timbre of instruments still maintain that realism and not boosted to the ends of the world. Female vocals definitely shine through Rebecca's "Spanish Harlem" crystal clear playback although its pretty much a 2 line track but that boost to upper midrange just made it more addictive and energetic.

Do not be mistaken, it is definitely not neutral on the blessing, it has that pinna gain but it presents tracks with more energy and energy that appeals to me sometimes depending on my mood. I do agree that this "glare" affected me negatively sometimes as well so it boils down to preference and the type of IEM you are looking for.

The Blessing 2 does excel in certain things that I really do appreciate and love, its layering, separation, detail retrieval and soundstage. Especially in this context, The Blessing 2 is able to provide superb details and vocal/instrumental layering to the extent that it sets itself apart from the rest of its competition in this price range.

Treble (Score: 8.5/10)

Great thing is that there isn’t any sibilance to my ears I really liked listening to Keane's hopes and fears on this as the ornaments (percussive instruments) just shines through and the detail is just impeccable to my ears. Of course, it doesn’t have the best treble of all the other offerings but I do appreciate it retaining a lot of detail despite being rolled-off at higher frequencies. I would appreciate more treble extension but with that upper mid-range boost, it might just be too much. In short, The Blessing 2 provides an airy treble with no sibilance, it doesn’t sound splashy or unrefined, and also, its attention to detail.

Overall

I do notice that the Blessing 2 received quite a lot of hype but I am giving credit where credit is due. The Blessing 2 does sound pretty stacked in terms of technicalities as well as pretty decent frequency response, although, I do have some gripes regarding that overly-enhanced upper mid-range which many picked up as well, it is still a very very solid pick in this price range. With great soundstage, good sense of space and width, great layering and separation, good tonality and timbre, it is a technical giant in this price bracket that will hold its ground against other promising offerings even above its league.

Conclusion



Given the Blessing 2's value proposition, it is tough to deny its accomplishments in this price bracket. It allows people to have a glimpse of what TOTL offerings can be like at a mid-fi price bracket and between them, a humongous price gap up to thousands. I do accept the flaws of the Blessing 2 but at the end of the day, it beats many in terms of absolute performance and for experienced listeners, its fatal flaw can be fixed with EQ on your DAP or software. I stay true to my findings and experience, The Blessing 2 is a competent performer with superb sonic capabilities.

More Reviews at www.perrivanaudio.com!

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver, 2 Balanced Armatures

Price: US$169

Intro





Disclaimer: This review set is a demo set graciously lent to me by Daniel at Oardio and the review is written of my own accord and all thoughts are my own. The See Audio Anou/Yume is available for purchase from Oardio through their website should you find yourself interested in a pair.

This is a review for the See Audio Anou/Yume. See Audio is a relatively new company originating from China that started from constructing CIEMs. The Anou/Yume is their entry-level IEM that sports a hybrid design and they do have premium offerings such as the Kaguya and the Neo that caters to those that are looking out for new TOTL offerings in the market right now. With regards to the naming convention, the IEM has 2 names, "Anou" being used within Japan and "Yume" for rest of the world and this review, I will be using "Anou" as the unit that I reviewed was the Japan release version but they are essentially the same thing. You can know more about See Audio on their Facebook Page.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 9.5/10)



For this review, only the IEM and case was given to me without the box so I could not comment or review with regards to the accessories and the overall package itself. Moving on the build, the Anou is well made and the material seems to be some acrylic resin which is the norm for most CIEMs. The colourway and design is another stroke of brilliance where there are multiple colours depending on the level of exposure to light and the angle it hits the IEM. The Anou comes with a copper cable that is soft and well built with no obvious weaknesses in its construction and connections. Kudos to See Audio!





As for the fit, I have to say that it is superb! Everything just fits my ear perfectly and there are absolutely no discomfort or quirks when wearing it for longer listening sessions. I would expect that most people should have zero complaints with regards to the fit as it is as one of those designs that feel as if it is a CIEM. Great job See Audio!

Sound (Score: 8.7/10)



As we can see here, a very Harman-neutral type of tuning which we can expect most to find little to no fault to it when listening to the Anou.

Sources used

• Ibasso DX120
• iPhone XR
• Atom DAC and AMP

Music and Albums, I listened to

• Alan Walker
• Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
• Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
• Cigarettes After Sex
• One Republic – Dreaming Out Loud
• Kodaline
• Keane – Fears and Hopes
• Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
• Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
• ARTY
• Halo OST
• Czardas
• Lauv
• Scary Pockets
• Hans Zimmer
• Aladdin OST
• McFly

Bass (Score: 8.5/10)

The Anou's bass sounds authoritative in general with sub-bass as its lead. The Anou's sub-bass provides good rumble and body to tracks and it helps the mid-bass thumps and punches by giving the sense of a full-bodied attack that can satisfy most listeners. It has very little to none mid-bass bleed which aids in clarity and separation, also a respectable sub-bass extension which is an awesome combination for enjoyment!

Mids (Score: 8/10)

Vocals do not sound too recessed and they still can take over the centre stage whenever needed. Male vocals are clear and distinct without being overpowered by its basslines, female vocals do sound relatively forward in comparison but by a little to give off that energy to listeners. My take is that it is still within my own threshold but I would expect some people to be bothered by the upper-midrange gain that the Anou has and may find it relatively too forward for their tastes.

Instruments sound natural most of the time but I do find that trumpets in "Halo OST" sounds too forward and may sound too glaring when it comes to tracks that have huge dynamic ranges. Layering capabilities are good but I felt that it can be improved on which I noticed when comparing to other offerings which I will touch on later.

Treble (Score: 8/10)

The Anou has a detailed, spacious and sparkly presentation in its treble region and although the graph shows a huge spike within that sibilance region, it is not that devastating to my ears in reality. I do pick up some sibilance and fatigue over time and depending on your sensitive regions (7kHz to 10kHz), you may or may not be more vulnerable to that spike.
With all of that, I have to say I really enjoyed the high hats and cymbals when listening to Aladdin's "Friend Like Me" which really showcases the energy the Anou is capable of. On "1812 Overture", Flutes do stand out with that smooth shining tone that can soothe anyone listening to them.

Overall

With a close resemblance to the Harman Curve, it should please most listeners as it is a tried and tested tuning preference. I would consider the Anou to be a decent all-rounder performer that houses a relatively fun-sounding signature and at the same time having technical abilities such as soundstage, layering, detail retrieval, timbre and tonality.

Comparisons

Moondrop Blessing 2


The Blessing 2 do sound more immersive and possess a higher technical capability ceiling that outperforms the Anou but it loses out with regards to extension, and a more pleasant upper-midrange that many find the blessing 2 to be too aggressive. My take is that I do prefer the blessing 2 as it has a much larger soundstage, midrange layering, and detail/separation and I could fix its flaw with EQ when needed which cannot be applied to the Anou. Nevertheless, Anou holds a better value as it is about half of the Blessing 2's price.

Thieaudio Legacy 3


The Legacy 3 (L3) sounds warmer and musical which loses out on detail and separation that the Anou can produce. the Anou on this end gives more attention to layering, separation and articulation which made it sound cleaner in its bass and mids. They are stage somewhat similar but with female vocals standing out more in the Anou and male vocals in the L3. I would say the Anou edges the L3 in terms of treble performance which I find the L3 to be lacking on but it eventually boils down to taste and preference. For example, I will prefer the L3's midrange and vocal qualities depending on tracks you listen to as well as mood. Similarly for the Anou, I prefer the Anou when it comes to clarity, energy and for that good old Harman flavour!

Conclusion





The Anou has already convinced me as being one of the top contenders under the $200 price bracket with its brilliance in design, build, fit and sonic performance. I am happy to say that I will recommend the Anou to anyone that is looking for a great all-rounder pick that does most genres well with a good mix of attributes that resembles higher-priced, premium offerings.

More reviews at www.perrivanaudio.com


Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver


Price: 280 USD


Intro






Disclaimer: This review set is a demo set graciously lent to me by Daniel at Oardio and the review is written of my own accord and all thoughts are my own. The Tanchjim Oxygen is available for purchase from Oardio through their website should you find yourself interested in a pair.


This is a review for the Tanchjim Oxygen the older brother of the Hana, the "yin" of the "yang" that we reviewed previously. The Oxygen was Tanchjim’s earliest flagship model and established a name for itself with its tuning and sonic performance. With the Hana, we shall see how the former fares against the new kid in the block as well.


Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 9/10)









Very similar to the Hana except for the colourway, the Oxygen also comes in a cube-shaped box which also follows the concept of the Oxygen itself that lies within. The overall unboxing experience felt rather premium but slightly less fancy than the Hana which I do not really fault it as it was an earlier model. It comes with a nice leather case, 2 sets of ear tips and 2 sets of cables which I appreciate a lot as they really do feel like a complete package and everything you might need.


Build wise, the IEM itself is made out of metal and definitely capable in terms of durability and toughness when it comes to knocks and bumps but however, it is quite susceptible to scratches which may affect its aesthetics but in terms of quality, tanky-ness, and quality checks, the Oxygen scores!


Fit (Score: 7/10)

As per majority of the people that had the Oxygen, I too have some fit issues and that is primarily due to the physical shape and design of the IEM itself. Its housing gets in the way of my Tragus (a physical part of the ear) which was my main source of discomfort, followed by the relatively shorter nozzle which can be solved by tip rolling. Although it is not a deal breaker, it certainly took off some points in this region and of course, shorter listening sessions due to how my ears gets physically tired from wearing these for longer periods. I would even classify this issue as the infamous achilles heel of the Tanchjim Oxygen which you willl see in many other reviews as well.


Sound (Overall Score: 8.5/10)

I find the Oxygen to be one of the better tuned IEMs that is somewhat harman-ish, having a natural presentation, an above average soundstage as well as accurate imaging capabilities really impressed me whenever I listen to them.





Sources used

- Ibasso DX120

- IPhone XR

- Atom DAC and AMP


Music and Albums, I listened to

- Alan Walker

- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

- Cigarettes After Sex

- One Republic – Dreaming Out Loud

- Kodaline

- Keane – Fears and Hopes

- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST

- Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic

- ARTY

- Halo 2 OST

- Halo 1 OST

- Czardas

- Lauv

- Scary Pockets

- Hans Zimmer

- Aladdin OST


Bass (Score: 8.5/10)


You can really feel the sub bass rumbling away on the Oxygen, giving that deep baseline that creates that feeling of being “filled” and not lacking in any way. Mid bass is also well articulated, punches and hits are impactful and agile at the same time. Listening to “Halo 2 OST”, drums are bass guitars really shine on the Oxygen where there aren’t any bass bleed, good punch and rumble that goes well with epic wartime genres. The Oxygen’s bass performance (details and separation) is impeccable, and I really enjoyed listening to it! Good job Tanchjim!


Mids (Score: 8.0/10)


The mids on the Oxygen doesn’t sound recessed or whatsoever, vocals still sound natural and spacious in the sense that they don’t sound distant but having that panorama effect. I would like to point out the Oxygen’s attention to detail here which might make it sound slightly sterile. Another plus point that really made the Oxygen an absolute joy to listen to is partly due to a relatively balanced upper-midrange gain which unlike many other offerings, does not have an overly emphasised pinna gain that makes it overly shouty. Again, it is a matter of preference, but it is one of the traits I appreciate on the Oxygen.


Treble (Score: 8.5/10)


Treble performance is applaudable as well as it possesses great extension, well refined as well as an airy presentation. I did not detect any sibilance nor harshness in this region, but I do feel that its attention to detail tires me out after an hour or so. Not really a con but just my thoughts to you readers that may help you understanding more about the Oxygen. I would classify its treble as energetic, detailed and refined that will satisfy most audiophiles’ cravings for treble.


Overall







The Oxygen nailed most areas right and on top of that, they have an impressive soundstage and imaging capabilities that you can find in higher priced offerings. Tonality and balance wise they do sound balanced and doesn’t sound too skewed to either ends. Timbre wise I do feel that brass instruments especially trumpets may sound too forward sometimes and hence unnatural when listening to “The Godfather OST”. To sum it up, it is one of the best single dynamic driver IEMs that I heard so far.


Comparisons

Vs Tanchjim Hana






Although the Hana resembles much like the Oxygen, it does sound brighter in its upper midrange and hence more likely to cause fatigue after longer listening periods. Although the Hana is significantly more affordable, I would prefer the Oxygen purely due to sonic preferences and a more robust tuning. The Hana is no slouch here in terms of other sonic attributes, but I do prefer a less fatiguing upper midrange which the Oxygen has which explains my choice here.


Vs Sony MDR EX800ST






Against one of my favourites, the EX800ST does have a much better fit, causing much lesser discomfort as compared to the Oxygen. The lows are not as refined on the EX800STs, but they are very competent in terms of tonality and linearity as compared to the Oxygen. The mids of the EX800ST are relatively more forward and sounds more accurate and detailed in its midrange/vocal’s capabilities as compared to the Oxygen. The Oxygen does beat the Sonys by a mile in its treble, having more extension and sounds way more refined/less grainy as compared to the EX800ST.


I find myself stuck in deciding where do I lean towards between the Oxygen and the EX800ST as I much prefer the flat tuning of the EX800ST but at the same time an adoration for the treble of the Oxygen. To summarise, I would prefer the EX800ST due to fit issues but at the same time, I would disagree with myself because of how well the Oxygen sounds.


Conclusion





In conclusion, although much pricier as compared to the Hana, the “YIN” manages to hold its ground and maintain its status of equals in terms of price to performance with the Oxygen being better tuned as compared to the Hana. The Tanchjim Oxygen was truly an enjoyable experience with good sonic capabilities and versatility that can satisfy most critical listeners and handle most genres but only to a fault in its fit issues where it causes some discomfort. If you can overcome the fitting problem, you might be looking at a winner here with great packaging, build and sound which sets many other IEM makers to shame.

D02 | Overall Score: 7.5/10

More reviews at: www.perrivanaudio.com

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver

Price: 80 USD

Intro



Disclaimer: This review set was graciously lent to me by a friend and the review is written of my own accord.

ISN had been around for quite some time with its acclaimed hybrid model – H40 which impressed many and managed to attract numerous followers. Today we will be taking a closer look at its cheaper offering the ISN D02 which is a single dynamic driver IEM which we will see if they are able to re-create their success with the D02!

Accessories (Score: 7.0/10)






The package itself is small and compact, with just a carrying case with the IEM itself, tips and cable all packed into the carrying case. Of course I don’t expect it to be as “grand” and fancy as compared to the likes of moondrop’s idea of package and accessories but I guess these will suffice as they covered all the important accessories that I feel any IEM should have.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 6.5/10)





The shell feels good in the hand and the fit is above average as it has a relatively longer nozzle (deeper fit) as well as a very ergonomic design. Isolation (no leakages post insertion however it is vented so isolation takes a hit) is good with the right tips and the cable quality looks well built and rather fancy in my opinion. All is well here except the driver flex issue. I understand that there are some units that do not experience this issue but unfortunately this is just my experience with the unit. To overcome that, there are many solutions posted elsewhere in the web, but the general rule of thumb would be slow insertion and slow removal to minimise “pops” from the driver.

Sound (Overall Score: 7.5/10)

This unit sounds like a borderline V/U shaped IEM to me, but it manages to steer clear of that honky mid-range trait which many other V-shaped IEMs suffer from. In general, I enjoyed the sound of the ISN D02 and it being one of the few V-shaped IEMs that I consider to be “unique” due to its vented design. This review was done with the switches being set “up” which is its default setting, flipping the switches reduces its high frequencies which may serve you well if you want something less aggressive.










Sources used

- Ibasso DX120
- IPhone XR
- Atom DAC and AMP

Music/Albums/Artists, I listened to
- Alan Walker
- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
- Cigarettes After Sex
- One Republic – Dreaming Out Loud
- Kodaline
- Keane – Fears and Hopes
- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
- Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
- ARTY – Rebound
- Halo 2 OST
- Halo 1 OST
- Czardas
- Lauv
- Aladdin OST

Bass (Score: 8.0/10)

Bass is tasteful here as it does have that rumble as well as a impactful punch. For example, when listening to the Halo 2 OSTs, bass drums as well as bass guitars sound deep and huge which really helps to translate that "epic-warzone" vibes. Its sub-bass is relatively less emphasised here than mid-bass, but it does not overshadow them. the decay might be a tad too long which makes the presentation slightly sluggish or muddy when moving through fast passages but in general still an acceptable trade-off between impact/presence and agility.
I would say that the bass on the ISN D02 can satisfy most casual and semi-critical listeners although bass heads should take note that although the frequency response graph measured in this review shows an emphasised sub-bass response, I do suggest otherwise based on my experiences with this unit.

Mids (Score: 7.0/10)

Mid-range sounds less emphasised but not too much such that it feels honky or absent. Male vocals still manage to shine through the accompanying tracks in Keane's "Everybody Changing" however I do sometimes feel that the keyboard tracks and bass lines are constantly competing against the main vocalists for the spotlight. I do pick up some glaring midrange spikes that made the keyboards, pads and synthesisers sounding relatively much more forward than the rest. I would say that male vocals on the ISN D02 sounds more laid back/less intimate as compared to female voices. I do find the upper mid-range peaks and low treble to be peaky which I find myself toning down the volume as it can get slightly tiring to listen to.

Treble (Score: 7.0/10)

The treble doesn’t sound splashy nor sibilant, but there are some spikes in this region as OSTs with violins and synths sounds relatively way too forward and present as compared to other parts of the track. For most of the time, it sounds balanced or relatively on par with other emphasised frequency bands and occasionally giving that sparkle to spice things up. For example, when listening to “I will survive” cover by Scary Pockets, the combination between its bass guitar line, cymbals and high hats shimmer made it super lively and chill at the same time.
The ISN D02’s treble really brings some energy to the table but on the flip side, it might induce fatigue as time passes. For sure, there are going to be tracks that exposes its uneven/peaky treble but for most tracks, you can expect that airy but non-sibilant energy that you soak your ears in.

Overall

On top all the frequency response and how it is tuned throughout, soundstage is one of its unique points and one of the first quality that I noticed when I plugged in and play. Its vented design seems to be giving it that technical edge in this area and I am just very pleased with what ISN had done here. Imaging is decent-above average from binaural recordings and tonality wise I would prefer a more present lower-mids to keep things more balanced.

Comparison


QoA Vesper





I think it is a pretty close match up here but I will lean towards the QoA vesper partly due to its completeness as a package, build quality (no dr iver flexes picked up) as well as sonic performance. The vesper's upper-midrange and lower treble has more control and does not have that uneven peaks as per the D02. Although the ISN has a better soundstage, the Vesper compensates with its overall presentation and the ability to suit more genres!

The D02 is no slouch either but it innately posseses more quirks that appears right in my face which cannot be avoided

Conclusion

In conclusion, I felt that for 80 USD the ISN D02 checks most boxes that I look out for when looking for a sub 100 pick. It was tuned well, along with that awesome soundstage that is tough to see in sub 100 choices. Although, driver flex was a huge issue that I encountered with this unit which I felt is one of the greatest weaknesses that it has. Other than that, I am fully confident of its sonic performance at this price range, a fearsome contender to all the other sub 100USD V/U shaped IEMs out there.

More reviews at: www.perrivanaudio.com

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver

Price: 5 USD

Intro



Disclaimer: This review set was graciously lent to me by a friend and the review is written of my own accord.


Knowledge Zenith! One of the Chi-Fi pioneers when it comes to affordable multi driver setups in the audio industry. They came a long way since then and they are still going strong when it comes to expanding their product line with new releases every now and then. With the EDX, it really tries to get into that super budget portion of audio whereby skipping a meal, you can afford an in-ear monitor for everyday use! Let’s see if the EDX can establish itself as a cutthroat contender in this remarkably low price point.

Accessories (Score: 5.0/10)


As usual, let’s get the packaging out of the way. The EDX comes in a white box where both L and R placed in a cut-out placeholder with the label “Customized Heavy Bass Earphones” (trust me it is as advertised). Along with it, a classic KZ cable which I really disliked a lot according to my experience with past KZ offerings which they seem to be still using. Nothing much to talk about here other than the barebones necessity of a set of tips and poor cable. The EDX also came with a 4-pole mic cable which annoyed me whenever I am using my DX120 as I cannot insert the 3.5mm jack fully but finding that sweet spot. For the price I have no qualms but objectively? Not great.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 6.5/10)


I had a hard time trying to find that seal and fit on my ears which I eventually still couldn’t despite several tip rolling and eventually settled on using larger final tips which still doesn’t really sit well in my ears. The shell is made from plastic entirely which I am not surprised given its price point, but it felt as if it can take some beating but might not survive for long after a few knocks. Quality wise, the package isn’t made for it hence not a fair fight for the EDX given its price point and what the manufacturer can do.







Sound (Overall Score: 6.3/10)

The EDX has a rather emphasised V-Shaped tuning where there is a significant boost to its bass as well as its upper-midrange/lower-treble region. Although I am not a fan of it, it does perform well against genres that it is made for such as synths, EDM, hip-hop.






Sources used

- Ibasso DX120
- IPhone XR
- Atom DAC and AMP

Music and Albums, I listened to

- Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside
- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
- Cigarettes After Sex
- The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
- One Republic – Human
- Keane – Fears and Hopes
- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
- Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
- ARTY – Rebound
- ACDC
- Godfather OST
- Aladdin OST

Bass (Score: 6.5/10)

The sub-bass on this unit is strong once you get that seal and it also has a relatively punchy mid-bass attack that really gives that slam when needed. Billie Eilish’s album was my go-to when it comes to modern pop bass rumbles and yes, it does what it was advertised for, heavy bass earphones. Attention to detail and quality took a blow as each note sounds slightly muddy due to that ground-shaking bass. Although it was advertised as a bassy earphone, I do hope that KZ pays more attention to hitting that balance between quantity and quality.

Mids (Score: 6.5/10)

I was rather surprised at its mid-range as it doesn’t sound too sucked out which usually V-shaped IEMs behave but it does sound slightly metallic and overly harsh on its upper mid-range which luckily can be solved using EQ. Instruments, for the most part, sounds natural and timbre doesn’t really take a huge hit here but it lacks that detail and intimacy when it comes to listening to acoustic recordings from One Republic. On the flip side, that additional lift in the upper mid-range made trance and synths in EDM gives it an extra boost in terms of energy and intensity. Overall, not too bad for a V-shaped IEM!

Treble (Score: 6.0/10)

I find the treble of the EDX to be unrefined and relatively messy. Cymbals on Aladdin’s OST “friend like me” sounds splashy and the decay just ends up smudging up its separation capabilities which are average at best. I do notice that they adjusted the sibilance region such that it doesn’t outright tear your ears apart but it’s kind of borderline sounds sibilant to me which I will give it a pass on that. It does have that airy feeling, but it comes with quirks and unpleasant technical characteristics which prevents me from giving this a good grade.

Overall

The soundstage on the EDX is average at best and a not-so-good tonality given its tuning which I kind of expected it to exhibit. It does sound balanced which suits several specific genres such as hip-hop dance and EDM.

Comparisons

VS CVJ CSA




Although the CVJ CSA follows a hybrid setup and being slightly more expensive, both are competing under the relatively budget-friendly section in the audio world. Now, although the CSA has better bass and lower mid-range quality wise, its treble region sounds sharp and overly sibilant as compared to the EDX which in my opinion a deal-breaker for me.

Although the EDX loses out on the technical front, it has a better tuned treble region which firstly doesn’t sound too sibilant as well as tonally more balanced. Fit wise I do prefer the CSA over EDX, but I would expect this to be an end-user issue which may differ depending on your ear size.

Conclusion

In conclusion, KZ did manage to churn out a super budget-friendly bass-head IEM and at such a low price point which just made me ponder how much does it cost to make an IEM right now in the market? If you enjoy V-shaped sound signatures and have enough money for a MacDonald meal, I suggest you give this a shot as a daily driver that you can bring around, weathering all sorts of usage at a very low cost. I am truly astonished by the value that the EDX has and I can safely say that “no harm getting the EDX, it is just too cheap!” Hence the reason for the bonus points for its superb price to performance ratio.

More Reviews at: www.Perrivanaudio.com!

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 Balanced Armature


Price: $89 SGD


Intro




Disclaimer: This review set was graciously lent to me by a friend and the review is written of my own accord.


Some background information on QoA. QoA is an abbreviation for “Queen of Audio” which is a brand formed under Kinera Audio and what makes them unique is that their products were designed with ladies in mind which is not surprising as the creators are ladies too. QoA was founded by 2 sisters in 2018 and the Vesper is the entry tier of the 3 models that they released so far. In this review, we will take a closer look at the Vesper and see how it fare against present day offerings.


Accessories (Score: 7.5/10)







Right off the bat, the box caught my attention with that yellow font and black background and inside it were 2 black cards that provided more information about the Vesper and the IEM sitting in the brown leather-ish case which felt really premium (like the Tin T4). The Vesper comes with a set of tips for you to choose around and a pretty neat cable (below) which I find it to be relatively soft and premium feeling (kudos QoA!).






Relatively well thought out for an IEM in this price range, good cable and carrying case really establishes itself as one of the better products out there.


Build Quality and Fit (Score: 8.0/10)






The Vesper was made to fit smaller ears for the ladies and surprisingly it fit well in mine as well! The ergonomic design and attention on details on its shell really made it super comfortable to wear over longer listening periods (it probably stands at the top 25% percentile in terms of comfort of all the IEMs that I wore so far). I have a slightly larger than average ear so takes that into consideration as to why I felt the Vesper was comfortable to me. The shell itself seems to be durable although I am unsure if it was made of acrylic or plastic, but it felt towards the latter as I spend more time with it.


The Vesper is nailing all the conditions for a superb IEM but it now boils down to the sonic characters and its technical abilities to establish itself as one of the best at its class so lets move on the “Sound”.




Sound (Overall Score: 8.0/10)

Overall tuning of the vesper can be described as somewhat U-shaped with a balanced presentation. I have to say that it is a very well-tuned frequency response wise and I really enjoyed the extra energy that it gives.






Sources used


- Ibasso DX120

- IPhone XR

- Atom DAC and AMP


Music and Albums, I listened to


- Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside

- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

- Cigarettes After Sex

- The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

- One Republic – Human

- Keane – Fears and Hopes

- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST

- Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic

- ARTY – Rebound

- ACDC

- Godfather OST

- Aladdin OST


Bass (Score: 8.0/10)


The Vesper is tuned such that it has a relatively stronger sub-bass as compared to its mid-bass which gives you that solid rumble and body in most tracks. However, I do notice that it has a lower impact and punch when it comes to kick bass and beats which does not bother me at all but however some might feel “lacking” due to a relatively weaker attack (I will explain later on why this might be helpful to the overall presentation of the Vesper). As much as I enjoy the tuning in this region, there are some technical flaws such as dexterity and separation in its sub-bass regions as I move on to bass intensive tracks such as Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy.


In general, the bass region was pleasantly tuned and enjoyable to my ears, but I had to deduct some points off for its technical capabilities.


Mids (Score: 8.0/10)


To my surprise, despite being tuned this way, the midrange of the Vesper does not sound hollow nor overpowered at all. Vocals still sounds rather natural without that odd tonality which is very common in many other offerings. Another trait that took me by surprise was that its lower midrange wasn’t affected by its emphasis on bass. This presentation is rather well thought out by levelling its mid bass attack and lower midrange voices to avoid any overpowering in presentation. The upper midrange here although slightly emphasised doesn’t blow things out of proportion in terms of balance, they do provide that little extra energy, but it doesn’t steal the entire stage from its basslines and lower midrange.


A little nit-pick here, the presentation becomes marred when it comes to details and separation with regards to vocals when listening to orchestral choir works such as Godfather’s OST. But in overall, great work QoA!


Treble (Score: 7.5/10)


The Vesper’s treble doesn’t sound sibilant nor harsh at all, they are still able to give you that shiny shimmery feel in its high hats and cymbals when listening to Aladdin’s “Friend Like Me”. My only concern is that it lacks that “airy-ness and space” as it does have a rather quick roll-off after 10khz. Other than its lack of extended upper treble, I am pleased with what QoA has done so far with the Vesper.


Overall


The Vesper possesses a pretty decent soundstage as well as above average layering capabilities which I find to be a surprise given its price point. It sounds balanced without obvious/huge quirks to its tonality and timbre of instruments. The Vesper remains competitive in today’s offerings by being able to do so many things decently well. A lethal package indeed!


Conclusion






The QoA Vesper is truly a complete package for any budding audiophile looking for a budget option that can check the most boxes in their minds. Although it might not be touted for its technical ability, it compensates that by having such a well-tuned frequency response as well as having impressive build quality and fit. For $109 I am happy to recommend this set to anyone in the near $100 range for a relatively clean balanced signature that is fun to listen to.

S1 | Overall: 3.5/5 Stars

More Reviews at : www.perrivanaudio.com

Price: 29 SGD

Intro



Disclaimer: I received the KB EAR S1 from **** free of charge in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts here are all my own and are in no way being influenced by them.

This is a review of the KB EAR S1, a budget Bluetooth IEM cable developed by KB EAR that minimises the need for full wired connection especially with the on-going trend with mobile devices going wireless. So, without further ado, lets move on to the specs of the KB EAR S1.

Specifications

Bluetooth 5.0 wireless cable
Weight: 14g+3g
Cable length: 95cm+3cm
Bluetooth: V5.0
Plug type: MMCX/2PIN/TFZ
Battery capacity: 120mAh
Running time: 10+ hours
Charging time: about 1 hour
Qualcomm QCC3034 chip
Bluetooth 5.0+ APTX-HD technology
IPX5 waterproof certification

Build, Accessories and Design







Let’s get the packaging out of the way first since it seems to be really basic. The unit comes in a white square box and in it, the cable itself as well as a micro USB cable that you use to charge it. Not much to harp on as they covered the 2 most important areas which I care about so all is good.







Moving on to the design and build, the S1 is worn over-ear and it is designed to have a wire running behind and over your neck with the Bluetooth module hanging right below your ear which I do find it annoying sometimes as it feels as if there is something dangling around your ear as you move (MICROPHONICS!!!!!). Personally when it comes to the design, I would still prefer minimal wire runs which may or may not over complicate the product but I couldn’t find much fault with the overall comfort with the KS1 other than the stiff ear guides that runs around my ear but I think it will loosen up as I wear it more often so no major issues here.

In general, I do appreciate the overall package and design of the product despite its quirks. But, I have yet to test its longevity/durability when it comes to prolonged usage, wear/tear and other use cases so I am unable to testify these points in this review.

Functionality and Performance


The S1 I owned was terminated 2 pin-recessed which goes hand in hand with the KS2 by KB EAR. I managed to test its advertised play time and I managed to get around 9 hours ++ before the battery flats out. Pretty close to its advertised specs and of course do expect some variation given that some IEMs require more power etc. I like to point out that although simple, it was well thought out and brought a lot of convenience when it comes to pairing and button controls which I am glad as they nailed that perfectly. Connection range was good as well, I was able to move around my house without any obvious disruption in connection strength.

Moving to sound, I do notice some hiss on my relatively sensitive IEMs such as the TSMR 3 when no music is playing but not so obvious on the KS2 (still audible) which may or may not be applicable to you but just to point out that you might experience some hiss if you intend to pair it with a relatively sensitive set of IEMs. On the bright side of things, I am happy to report that it didn’t have much colouration in my subjective AB testing with the KS2 which has the potential to pair it with most IEMs without changing what you like about them besides the sensitivity issue as I mentioned above.






Conclusion

Now, the verdict. The S1 exceeded my expectations with its connectivity capabilities, non-colouration trait as well as its simple and straight forward implementation. Although its physical design leaves more to be desired, you get a pretty good trade off with the S1 for the element of convenience and functionality. Yes, it lacks LDAC and you only get aptX HD but from a subjective point a view, the quality of the source files dominates when it comes to listening experience. In overall, I am happy to give this product a thumbs up as it is something that provides real value to its intended audience.

Super Spaceship Reference | Overall Score: 8.5/10

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver (Beryllium-plated Dome with a PU Suspension Ring diaphragm)

Price: $45+/- (SGD)

Check out more reviews at: www.perrivanaudio.com

Intro


Disclaimer: This review set was graciously lent to me by a friend for review and the review is written of my own accord.





This is a review on the Moondrop Super Spaceship Reference earphones, or more commonly known as simply "SSR". Moondrop has been one of the audio companies that I felt has been the most consistent in the realm of Chi-Fi and despite its minor slip-up in the first batch of SSRs, I am glad that they are back in the market stronger than ever. Without further ado, let's to take a look at Moondrop’s attempt at conquering the budget market.

Accessories (Score: 6.5/10)

The unit comes in an anime-themed box (typical of Moondrop) and it comes with the IEM itself and cables rolled up in a box below. It also comes with a set of ear tips which I find it sub-par and I had to resort my usual final audio ear tips again to achieve that seal. As usual, this sections typically highlights unmet expectations which for $40 I am not going to nit pick much given its great price-to-performance ratio.





Build Quality and Fit: (Score: 8.0/10)

The unit is quite small and in sits in nicely into my ears which I find a huge plus. The shell is made from metal and it does feel as though it's built like a tank in my hands. Its barebones design may leave some disappointed, but Moondrop has you covered with an array of colour schemes available. However, I must say I am quite a fan of the minimalistic design. Its cable is built well especially at this price range, not much weak spots and is of significantly higher quality as compared to typical budget IEM 2pin cable.





Sound: (Score: 8.0/10)





Frequency Response for the Moondrop SSR

The SSR does sound like a reference IEM with and somewhat diffuse-field tuned frequency response but with a more aggressive take on what we usually coin as “neutral”. Overall sound presentation is slightly skewed to the right with the upper parts to be more prominent but still maintaining a good balance with its lows and midrange.

Sources used

• Ibasso DX120
• iPhone XR
• Atom DAC and AMP

Music and Albums, I listened to
- Alan Walker
- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
- Chainsmokers
- Cigarettes After Sex
- The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
- One Republic
- Keane – Fears and Hopes
- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
- Kygo
- Studio Ghibli
- ACDC – Highway to hell
- Turin Brakes
- Amber Rubath

Bass (Score: 8.0/10)

Basslines on this unit displays some agility and it sounds quite linear without much boosting detected in this region. The sub-bass extends pretty okay but not deep down such that you can enjoy that rumble that many other bass centric IEM possesses. What surprises me is that bass notes still hit hard, and notes are generally well textured despite not having much frequency boosting in this region. I am quite pleased with the bass performance of the SSR at this price point but I do notice that although separation is decent enough, it sounds to me that the decay is relatively longer and may result to muddiness as the response hits lower.

Mids (Score: 7.5/10)

This is a tricky portion to review as it has slight jump in its upper mid-range which can potentially border on being glaring or shouty. Now, it boils down to preferences with regards to energetic vocals that keeps the overall presentation vocal centric and its center of attraction or being overly dominating which drowns out other lines. Its lower mids sounds uncoloured and tuned to be neutral which really helps boost that idea of having forward mid to upper midrange which I am leaning more towards satisfactory than otherwise. Instruments wise, violins and trumpets tend to suffer from that glare which is very apparent in pieces that are played loud and those that have huge dynamic ranges.

In general, I admit that the mid-range on this IEM is spectacular and I do enjoy it most of the time other than its overly present upper midrange which is really uncommon in this price bracket.

Treble (Score: 8.0/10)

I find the treble region to be tuned well as it does not sound sibilant. The SSRs are airy and cymbal shimmers are delightful and not overly splashy. You can have such clarity without being overly boosted and this unit may be one of the better tuned units where there is clarity and speed which can be found on pricier units. The treble on this to be slightly forward as compared to typical neutral-touted monitors which I do appreciate that energetic uplift sometimes, but it may lead to some fatigue over longer listening sessions.

Overall

I really do enjoy Moondrop’s take on this new budget reference IEM which is a direct competitor to Tin Audio’s T2 in the sub-$50 range where the SSR was tuned to be more forward and energetic in its upper mid-range to satisfy some form of sonic cravings which I really appreciate. Its timbre is accurate enough, nothing sounds too artificial to me, imaging is above average, soundstage is wide and spacious and lastly, its tonality is just my only gripe with the unit with it being slightly skewed to being hollow.

Conclusion





I wouldn’t call the SSR a neutral or a $40 reference IEM pick but more of a slightly coloured IEM that carries certain traits of a neutral set. The SSR does have lots to offer, its packaging and design exceeded my expectations and I am able to experience this sonic signature under $50! I sincerely recommend the unit if you are looking for something that is slightly north of neutral and something that does not cost much, the SSR is unique enough and technical enough to be one of my long term rotations in the future.

T2 Galaxy | Overall Score: 8.0/10

For more reviews, do check out our website for more! : https://www.perrivanaudio.com/

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver (12mm Double magnetic circuit Graphene driver)


Price: $74 (SGD)


Intro


Disclaimer: The TFZ T2 Galaxy was graciously lent to us by mistereden from Carousell Singapore for review purposes. It currently retails at $74.00(SGD).


After the S2 Pro that we reviewed last week, we managed to get our hands at the T2 Galaxy which is priced a tier higher than the S2 Pros. They do look stunning right out of the box and I was immediately hopeful for how they sound!





Accessories (Score: 5.0/10)

The unit comes in a white box which consists of the T2 Galaxy earbuds, a recessed 0.78mm detachable 2 pin cable, 6 pairs of silicone tips, a carrying pouch as well as a shirt clip. All bases are about covered here, meeting the basic needs of every user with no fancy gimmicks to add on to its cost.






Build Quality and Fit: (Score: 7.5/10)

Fit wise, the T2 Galaxy really sits well in my ears with very smoothed out and rounded edges which allow longer periods of listening when I am on the move. A point to note that I only managed to achieve seal and isolation by swapping tips to Final Audio’s tips. The detachable cable does have a rubbery feel which may irritate some of you but surprisingly, the unit is built really well and seem to be able to withstand daily usages without giving way.


Sound: (Overall Score: 7.3/10)

The T2 Galaxy also like the S2 Pro, both have a V-shaped sound signature but with an improved mid-range and slightly more forward lower treble.





Frequency Response of the T2 Galaxy


Sources used


- Ibasso DX120

- IPhone XR

- Atom DAC and AMP


Music and Albums, I listened to


- Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside

- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

- Chainsmokers – Sickboy

- Cigarettes After Sex – Cry

- The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

- One Republic – Human

- Keane – Fears and Hopes

- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST

- Kygo

- Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic

- ARTY – Rebound

- ACDC – Highway to hell


Bass (Score: 7.5/10)


To be honest, I find the sub-bass extension nicely done here and it is one of its main selling points which gives that deep rumbling body to tracks. However, mid-bass does take a more relaxed stance by cutting back some impact and punch which I still find acceptable despite sub-bass being more forward. I do wish it has slightly more impact as well as having more detail and separation but given at this price point and set up, it is tough to achieve excellence in all areas.


Mids (Score: 7.0/10)


The mid-range in general sounds recessed but it doesn’t sound as thin as I expected which is surprising for many V-shaped IEMs. Many IEMs that sports such tunings usually suffer from weird tone from its mid-range which I find it acceptable on the T2 Galaxy given its tuning directions. Kudos to TFZ as they have proven that they are able to achieve such tuning without sacrificing too much of its mid-range tonality and timbre.


Treble (Score: 7.0/10)


The T2 Galaxy has a very forward lower treble which makes it sounds slightly metallic but then again, it is after all tuned as a V-shaped IEM. Fortunately, it is not sibilant at all despite the slight boost in the 8Khz region which seems to be a trait common to many TFZ IEMs (The S2 pro is one such example).


I do feel that the highs aren’t very refined, nor does it provide huge amounts of detail. What the T2 galaxy did provide was an emphasised lower treble to give that sense of air in its presentation, metallic trait which goes well with EDMs and trance, and a fatigue-free treble experience for listeners.



Overall:


I do feel that the T2 galaxy sounds more intimate rather than having a spacious soundstage. However, it does possess some plus points in its tonality and balance which is a pretty good characteristic under the $100 mark. It is definitely one of the better sounding V-shaped tuning IEM that I have heard at this price point.


Conclusion:

Despite not being a fan of V-shaped signatures, I am surprised to find myself enjoying it more than I expected. It is uncommon to see these around and I am quite impressed with its build and overall value that it brings to consumers. For its sonic performance, it might not be perfect, and it comes with some quirks such as the rolled off and conservative tuned treble but, it is one of the better-tuned sub $100 budget IEMs out there.

CSA | Overall Score: 6.2/10

More Reviews at: https://www.perrivanaudio.com/

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 Balanced Armature

Price: $27

Intro






Disclaimer: This review is done of my own accord and this set is purchased at full price from Aliexpress.

The CSA is the younger brother of CSN (5BA+ 1DD) and it also follows a hybrid set up consisting of 1 dynamic driver and 1 balanced armature. We will take a closer look at the CSA in this review and lay out its pros and cons for you.

Accessories (Score: 7.5/10)


It comes in a wooden “treasure-chest” like box which opens to reveal the IEMs and the silicone tips. Presentation is impressive at this price point. Removing the top layer of sponge reveals a cable tie and a felt pouch, which is a really thoughtful inclusion.






Build Quality and Fit: (Score: 7.0/10)


The CSA fits my ear well and its ergonomic-ish design isolates well enough so kudos to them. Despite the all plastic construction, it feels light on the ears and no discomfort was experienced during long listening sessions. The cable is as good as you will get in this price range and feels sturdy and durable enough.

Sound: (Score: 5.8/10)


The CSA is a bright sounding IEM with relatively flat bass and lower mids combined with emphasised highs. This double whammy does the CSA a huge disservice and is where the CSA comes up short in its tuning. (Look at that 7-10K death)





Frequency Response of the CVJ CSA

Sources used

• Ibasso DX120
• IPhone XR
• Atom DAC and AMP

Music and albums listened to

• Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside
• Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
• Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
• Chainsmokers – Sickboy
• Cigarettes After Sex – Cry
• The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
• One Republic – Human
• Keane – Fears and Hopes
• Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
• Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra – 2016 all Japan Band competition
• Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
• ARTY – Rebound
• ACDC – Highway to hell

Bass (Score: 6.0/10)

Bass here is kind of a supporting role as they are not distinct in the overall presentation, but is just enough such that you do not feel that the track sounds off. There is extension into sub bass regions, overall it just feels lacking. (Basically, it’s Bass without the B). The bass response is not the worst and manages to achieve a nice flat deep extension. However, in terms of quantity it provides the bare minimum and penalises the CSA in its tonality and overall sound signature.

Mids (Score: 6.5/10)

Mids on the CSA are more forward as compared to bass regions especially its upper mid range which feels really glaring at times. Lower mids are fine but as soon as female vocals enter the picture, it just feels that they are overpowering male vocals which makes the overall presentation skewed. In general, lower mids are in line with its lows but there is just that upper mid range peak that tilts the balance of the entire presentation, making many tracks hard to enjoy.

Treble (Score: 4.5/10)

The treble on the CVJ CSA is just painful and distasteful. I do not know why they are tuning it like this, there is so much sibilance hitting my ears up down left and right. Even on tracks that don’t usually sound sibilant, they still exhibit slight hints of sharpness which I am really sensitive to. This is a huge deal breaker personally. Most of the time, the treble simply sounds splashy and grainy, cymbals and high hats are so emphasised, and it gets really tiring to listen to for longer sessions and I would worry of getting Tinnitus.

Overall

I do not think that this unit possesses good tonality or timbre (to those who prioritises these), sound stage sounds artificially wide as a result of its treble tuning, and imaging is not really that great as many will say it to be. To sum up on how it sounds, a bright sounding set with unimpressive bass, skewed mid range and a dangerous treble tuning that may not be suitable for everyone.

Comparison



CVJ CSA vs KBEAR KS2





The KBEAR KS2 comes to mind as a good point for comparison as they cost about the same and have similar driver configurations. In terms of aesthetics and accessories, I would think the CSAs have a slight edge of looking slightly more polished.

The 2 IEMs have drastically different tuning, with the KS2 going for a sharper V-shape sound signature. I foresee the KS2s being the crowd favourite in this match up due to its more mainstream tuning and safer signature. It's also much easier to enjoy the KS2s on long sessions on the train or moving about, without having to worry about eardrum fatigue. However, detail retrieval is much better on the CSA and the mids to lows sound more natural and less coloured on the CSA.

Both IEMs have their limitations given their price point but I personally would pick the KS2 over the CSA for casual listening any day. (which is what IEMs in this price range are good for basically).

Conclusion


I do respect the value that the CSA puts out in the budget category, bringing in that bright-neutral signature into this largely V-shaped populated segment. It manages to do some things right, such as achieving pretty decent detail retrieval and clarity. However, it is not suitable for everyone and I must caution those that are sensitive to treble even in the slightest. Although the CSA does perform decently as compared to its competitors, it carries that “deal breaker” trait in its tuning which I foresee to be highly divisive, making it hard for us to recommend this IEM.

S2 Pro | Overall Score: 6.8/10

More Reviews at: https://www.perrivanaudio.com/!

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver

Price: $45 (SGD)

Intro


Disclaimer: I borrowed the TFZ S2 Pro from mistereden on Carousell Singapore for review purposes. It currently retails at $45.00 (SGD).

The Fragrant Zither (TFZ) has been around for a few years now and they have several successful launches such as the TFZ King a few years back, and other offerings such as The Secret Garden and the No.3. The S2 Pro is one of its entry-level offerings that possesses the TFZ “V-shaped house sound”.






Accessories (Score: 5.0/10)


The unit comes with a set of tips, a carrying pouch as well as a recessed 2-pin detachable cable. As usual, these are the basic set of accessories that comes in most of the offerings now, so it pretty much covered the necessities with no extra gimmicks or so. In my opinion, they probably channeled most of the cost to the IEM itself so for the price, I have no qualms at all.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 7.5/10)


I do have some trouble with the tips they provided which affected my initial experience with them, but I managed to overcome it by swapping it out with Final Audio’s tips which solved most of the problems. (I will not deduct any marks here as I know of people fitting well into the stock tips but just a probability that this might happen to you) The shell is well designed and comfortable, with no pointy edges that will poke or annoy your ears. The design of the IEM (white one) looks really good in my opinion which goes really well with that transparent cable that it comes with.

The cable however feels unique and aesthetically pleasing (I do not know how to describe it, perhaps plasticky yet smooth and malleable?) however, there isn’t any chin slider or choker which I feel should be included in almost all offerings but oh well.






In general, for under $50, it's pretty impressive that they are able to produce quality feeling builds.

Sound (Overall Score: 6.6/10)


The S2 pro carries a generic V-Shaped signature which is also prominent in many of their other offerings.





Frequency Response of the S2 Pro

Sources used

• Ibasso DX120
• iPhone XR
• Atom DAC and AMP

Music and Albums, I listened to

• Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside
• Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
• Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
• Chainsmokers – Sickboy
• Cigarettes After Sex – Cry
• The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
• One Republic – Human
• Keane – Fears and Hopes
• Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
• Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra – 2016 all Japan Band competition
• Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
• ARTY – Rebound
• ACDC – Highway to hell

Bass (Score: 7.0/10)

The S2 Pro does have a stronger sub-bass emphasis as compared to its mid-bass which leads to me picking up more rumble in tracks but less slam and impact in its mid-bass. Bass resolution is somewhat average, and it can get muddy as well as boomy sometimes depending on the track/genre.

In general, the bass performance here is nothing impressive but it is good enough that it can stand on its own ground, flaunting the badge of an emphasised bass response that V-shaped IEMs so proudly wear.

Mids (Score: 6.0/10)

The lower mids on the S2 Pro sounds recessed which made male vocals sound less forward as compared to its upper mids which gives female vocals more presence in the overall presentation of the tracks. Its overall tonality sounds slightly off as per many V-shaped IEM. Vocals sound a bit thin but it is still acceptable in my opinion. It's not too bad for what the tuning is but it certainly lacks some meat here as far as vocals are concerned. In general, the overall vocal presentation felt slightly skewed and unbalanced which I feel can be improved on.

Treble (Score: 6.5/10)

Treble here isn’t sibilant at all. Although it has some boosts in the 8khz region, it does roll off quickly after 10khz. However, lower treble was tuned a bit too aggressively resulting in a “glare” which can be grainy and unpleasant to listen to especially when it comes to synths in EDMs and Trumpets in pieces. To sum it up, the overall resolution isn’t spectacular nor does it excel in detail. Its safe tuning in the sibilant region was undone by the unwelcome boost in the lower treble, making it hard to enjoy at times.

Overall

The soundstage is average and tonality sounds slightly skewed towards the right along with that slight plasticky timbre. However, it does have its merits in the likes of safe treble tuning for V-shaped lovers without the sibilance, a decently good bass response that gives off good rumble and body in tracks, and a mid-range that doesn’t sound hollow and wonky. A good set of trade-offs for the price in my opinion.

Conclusion


The TFZ S2 Pro not only looks aesthetically pleasing, but I am also confident with its build and materials used that can endure our daily activities without giving way. Although its sound has much room for improvement, it is still a competently tuned V-shaped IEM that checks many boxes at this price point of $45.

In the next review, I will have a go with the T2 Galaxy and see how the S2 Pro fairs against its more expensive sibling.

KBEAR KS2 Review

KS2 | Overall Score: 6.7/10

More Reviews at: https://www.perrivanaudio.com/

Driver Setup: 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 Balanced Armature

Price: $23.99 (USD) to $24.99 (USD) (discount link at the bottom)

Intro
Disclaimer: The KBEAR KS2 was provided at no charge by KBEAR, however thoughts and opinion on this product are entirely my own.

This is a review of the KBEAR KS2, I will cover its build quality, accessories and sonic qualities and provide my thoughts and opinions in relative to current market offerings. I was given a $3 discount link for my viewers if you are interested in getting one for yourself or as a gift and I will include the link at the end of this review.



This unit costs about 24 USD and houses a hybrid set up which is very common in the market right now and we shall see if the KS2 is able to rise amongst the homogenous pool of IEMs under this price bracket.

Accessories (Score: 5.0/10)

The unit only comes with a pretty usual chi-fi cable and a set of ear tips which is acceptable at this asking price. However, it could do better by providing a carrying case/pouch, which is reasonably common in IEM packaging and accessories. I will give it a pass given its low asking price but come on, every new guy in this hobby requires a case for their IEMs.

Build Quality and Fit: (Score: 8.0/10)

The KS2 shell is made from plastic which makes it very light. For the price, I did not expect the finish to be this good but and It gave me the impression that it can take a decent amount of abuse from daily use. Fit wise, the KS2s are comfortable and I was able to wear them for hours while working from home throughout the day. Cable seem to be one of those generic cables you get from most Chifi products so nothing much to talk about here other than its tendency to tangle up.
You may need tip rolling as the stock tips did not provide my ears enough seal. I used the Final silicone tips which helped me solve that issue.




Score: (Overall Score: 6.5/10)

The KS2 is a V-Shaped IEM that emphasises its Bass and Treble regions which makes tracks sounds very energetic. It has an impactful low end and airy presentation to keep things engaging for the listener. Sometimes I do feel that this unit clearly appeals to many bass heads given its quantity and rumble it provides.

Sources used:

- Ibasso DX120
- IPhone XR
- Atom DAC and AMP

Music and Albums, I listened to

- Alan Walker – Alone/Faded/Darkside
- Billie Eilish – When we all fall asleep, where do we go?
- Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
- Chainsmokers – Sickboy
- Cigarettes After Sex – Cry
- The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
- One Republic – Human
- Keane – Fears and Hopes
- Nino Rota – The Godfather OST
- Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra – 2016 all Japan Band competition
- Fedde Le Grand – Cinematic
- ARTY – Rebound
- ACDC – Highway to hell

Bass (Score: 8.0/10)

This unit has a huge boost in its sub-bass regions and that rumble can be clearly picked up in most of the tracks which may or may not undermine its overall presentation depending on your signature preferences. The bass rumble hits hard in bassy tracks such as “bad guy” by Billie Eilish which is kind of satisfying at times as it is not sluggish nor muddy. Mid bass region is not as strong as its sub-bass, but it still has that impact and punch when situation calls for it. I also do notice that it suffers from slight mid bass bleed, but I can accept that given how the unit is tuned.

In general, I do agree with the tuning of the bass of this unit given that it is catered to v-shaped and bass enthusiasts, more accurate mid bass with emphasised sub bass to give that rumble and body to satisfy listeners.

Mids (Score: 5.5/10)

The mids on the KS2 is average at best and it depends on the tracks that you listen to. In general, the mids is its weakest link as most tracks sound as if the vocals are sucked out and especially for male vocals, they do not have that body to them, and the result just feels artificial.
While it is expected to experience a less emphasised mid-range, it just makes the unit more genre picky since they do not do justice to vocal heavy tracks at all, while favouring bass beats and sparkling synths.

Treble (Score: 6.5/10)

KS2’s treble is a bit splashy and sibilant at times, but it does give the overall presentation energy and lift to keep the experience engaging. There is some emphasis in the lower treble and mid treble region, and it checks out with the frequency response curve so heads up if you are very sensitive to treble.
In general, the treble does provide a lot of uplift and energy to the tracks especially EDM and Dance genres, but they really do not go well with vocal heavy tracks or tracks with a lot of cymbal-like crashes that makes it hard for me to love.

Overall

In my opinion, the soundstage and imaging capabilities of the KBEAR KS2 is pretty good, not super impressive but it is there and at this asking price, it has got to be one of its strengths as compared ot other offerings in this price range!

It is one of the better tuned V-shaped signatures at this price range and it offers a good sub bass rumble as one of its selling points. Although treble did get harsh at times, I did enjoy many tracks on it as well due to its energy and ability to keep things exciting.

Conclusion

At the price of $24 USD, the KBEAR KS2 does provide quite a bit of value to the consumers. Despite the absence of a carrying case, they do possess their own niche and carry it well. In the current cutthroat chi-fi market where many similar tuning IEMs are being churned out like a sweat shop (with KBEAR being no exception), it's good for IEMs to have an area they excel im rather being generic sounding with no effort put into tuning. If you are considering the KBEAR KS2, do take note that they are catered to certain genres but other than that, it's a pretty decent entry choice for beginners or a good wildcard IEM that experiences players switch things up and get a feel of that bassss while listening to genres where they shine. I would like to point out that I am not a fan of its signature, but they do impress me in certain songs and genres such as EDM, Dance and Trance

Product Link and Discount Code

New product link:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001209302741.html?spm=2114.12010611.8148356.5.2e331640NMi8ft

Place order without paying and enter the Discount code below:
NEWKBEARKS2

View more reviews at: https://www.perrivanaudio.com/

Driver Setup: Dual Knowles BA, one high BA, one middle and low BA high BA, one middle and low BA

Price: $202 (SGD)

Intro

Disclaimer: I borrowed the Audiosense DT200 from mistereden on Carousell Singapore for review purposes. It currently retails at $202(SGD)

Audiosense is an audio company originating from china and they rose to fame when they released their flagship T800 (8BA) which was relatively well-received from the public and thus generated a huge following in the audiophile community. They seem to also have a competitive edge for its 3D-printing in its IEM offerings which explains why the DT200 felt so comfortable in my ears while maintaining a very good seal.



Packaging and accessories (Score: 7.5/10)

The DT200 comes with a very nice pelican-like case with 2 sets of ear tips, foam and silicone which I really appreciate. They also come with a very good-looking copper cable which I find it very aesthetically pleasing.
In general, the case is great, considerate with the tips, and a very nice cable to go along with it. They checked all my requirements and met my expectations for something in this price range. Kudos!


Build quality and fit (Score: 8/10)

The 3D printed shells were printed nicely, and they are very comfortable in my ears. They isolate well (and I am comparing them to Shures) to a point that they might be even better than Shures. These do not feel heavy at all and I wore them for 2 hours straight! Their braided cable feels softer than I expected which felt great and durable. As a whole, the DT200 build gave me the confidence and impression that they can last for quite some time without failing.

Sound (Overall Score: 7.5/10)

I consider the DT200 as bright sounding with a slight sub bass boost which gives it some body.



Frequency response graph of the Audiosense DT200 courtesy of Crinacle
Sources used

• JDS ATOM DAC AND ATOM DAC
• Ibasso DX120
• IPhone XR

Music tracks listened to

• Everybody Changes (Keane: Hopes and Fears)
• Secrets (One Republic: Dreaming Out Loud)
• Salute D’amour (YoYoMa)
• Jay Chou/JJ Lin/Lala Hsu/Eric Chou etc
• Cry (Cigarette After Sex: Cry)
• HALO MCC OST
• Violin concerto in D major allegro
• 1812 Overture
• Magnum O Mysterium (Choir)
• Ophelia (The Lumineers)
• Hello (Adele)

Bass: (Score: 7/10)

Sub-bass is slightly boosted but it is done tastefully, mid bass wise it still has that punch and impact although it is done by a BA. Do expect a different kind of bass as compared to Dynamic driver units as the DT200’s bass is clean, quick, fast decay, and agile which might not suit everyone. Mid bass bleed here is minimal and does not mar its technicalities in its mids.

Mids (Score: 7.5/10)

The first thing that I noticed in the DT200 is its emphasis on upper-mid range aka female vocals, violins and synths which clearly stands out in the tuning of this IEM. They can be quite glaring sometimes depending on what type of tracks you are listening to, but I sometimes do have to turn down the volume because some female voices just become too aggressive and piercing. In most cases it brings that extra punch to the female vocals (depending on your preference) but such tuning do have it cons and if you are very sensitive to female vocals and instruments in this region, watch out. Male vocals on the other hand sounds calmer and not boosted in comparison, however sometimes it just leaves me wanting more bite and depth with its male voices after being exposed to a very dominant upper-mid range.

Treble (Score: 7.5/10)

Now this part is tricky as I do like the clarity and airiness of this unit, however sometimes I do find it sibilant and it might be due to some boosts in the 7-8khz region (my sensitive region) which makes it borderline unpleasant but mostly it flies right under that region, so no worries for like 90% of the time. The treble here is quite resolving, it is also quite well extended and exceeded my expectations for the price.

Overall:

In general, I would say that it is mids and treble focused, bassline is present but not overpowering, some may consider this as bright-neutral or mid-forward. Treble heads should give this unit a shot if you are looking for something within this price range with pretty decent treble and not poorly done. Technicalities wise I feel the sound staging is decent and average. Imaging here I felt that it is not very good. Sometimes I just feel that several instruments are just coming from the same place, its just not very competent in this area. Tonality wise I find it coherent, very nimble throughout, no red flags here.

Conclusion:

Audiosense here went for a slightly bolder tuning with a more forward upper-mid range and extended treble which made the overall listen slightly bright and forward but at the same time with a decent average bass response. If you are exploring BA timbre and tonality options in this price range, I think the DT200 is a very decent choice if you are a treble-head or if you love crisp and energetic female voicing which are very common in mandopop. Furthermore, the package that comes with the set is actually quite commendable in terms of value.

View more reviews at: https://www.perrivanaudio.com/


Driver Setup: Single 10mm Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Dynamic Driver



Price: SG$125



Intro


Disclaimer: I borrowed the Tin Hifi T4 from mistereden on Carousell Singapore for review purposes. It currently retails at $125.00 (SGD)



Tin Hifi (Chinese audio company) took the community by storm with the affordable Tin T2 which was praised for its sound quality given its price. Today, we will take a look at the Tin T4 which is currently the latest model in Tin Hifi’s Tx series, the oldest brother of the siblings (T2, T2pro, T3).








Packaging and Accessories (Score: 7.5/10)



The packaging is simple and elegant. It comes in a black box branded Tin Hifi with a set of ear tips, a good pleather case, and the IEMs themselves. Pretty standard nowadays but the light brown pleather hard case, which I found pretty aesthetic, was a nice inclusion.







Build quality and Fit (Score: 8/10)



Alright let’s start with the good things first. The build material of the earbud is stainless steel which seems to be chromed and polished until it shines which I felt was quite fancy. The cable seems to also be designed to match well with the earpieces. The materials used are pretty nice and ear earpieces are well-made. However, I've only used these for a short period of time so I am unable to tell if they will stand the test of time or if there would be any MMCX connection issues.



Now for the not so good stuff. I felt that the unique design of the shell is uncomfortable for longer listening sessions. It might differ from person to person depending of your ear shape and size but, for shorter sessions I am fine with it.







Sound (Overall Score: 7/10)





Frequency response graph of the T4 courtesy of Crinacle




Sources used

• Topping D10 > JDS ATOM
• Ibasso DX120
• IPhone XR

Music tracks listened to

• Everybody Changes (Keane: Hopes and Fears)
• Secrets (One Republic: Dreaming Out Loud)
• Salute D’amour (YoYoMa)
• New Light (John Meyer)
• Cry (Cigarette After Sex: Cry)
• HALO MCC OST
• Violin concerto in D major allegro
• 1812 Overture
• Magnum O Mysterium (Choir)
• Ophelia (The Lumineers)
• Hello (Adele)

Bass (Score: 7.5/10)



Sub-bass is rather good here, you can really feel the rumble and that deep oomph (coming from modern pop genres). Mid bass is textured enough and the overall the bass performance is decent. In general, bass hits are clean and impactful but not overpowering other parts, a good reference point for anyone that is looking for neutral signatures with slight bass boost to keep that energy going.



Mids (Score: 6.5/10)



Lower mids are clear and very detailed, and have a very pleasing presentation. It's less emphasized than the sub bass but I would feel that its natural or “normal” here, sounds pretty leveled with the bass so no complains here at all, well done. Upper midrange just sounds a bit more emphasized and sometimes I feel that there is a “glare” or feels shouty in this region? I felt tired after longer listening periods and its part of the reason why it sounds bright-neutral. Female vocals, trumpets and violins are really forward (some synths too) and it just gets tiring after a while. However, it does detail pretty well in general so... Some quirks here and there but generally good.



Treble (Score: 7/10)



There are some spikes that may cause some sibilance but might just be me with the s sounds since I’m quite sensitive to that region. There is some airiness to this unit and generally its very detailed and clean with very little or some parts that may sound splashy depending on the tracks you listening to. In general, It is pretty good except for some peaks that make it sound quite bright which is prominent in the T2, T2 pro and T3).



Overall Sound and Comparison to the Tin T2s



Sound stage and imaging wise I would say it fares slightly above average in my opinion so minimally, you can expect some form of staging here so not entirely null in that area. Tonality wise its rather balanced and clean which is quite like the T2s but slightly better. Overall, I would say this is a decent step up from the T2 if you enjoy its signature but it costs twice as much hence some may argue that the T2 has more value. The T4 definitely holds its ground against other offerings as one that is cleaner and more sterile. This is relatively unique in its class right now so if you want something that is balanced, detail-oriented and somewhat neutral, go for the T4s.



Comparison of TinT4 vs Moondrop Starfield






Full review of the Moondrop Starfield here.



The Moondrop Starfield also uses a Carbon Nanotube Dynamic driver and they both lie within the same price range, hence, a comparison is definitely warranted. Despite the similar driver configuration, the two earphones were tuned with a completely different tuning in mind. The Moondrop Starfield is definitely much smoother and musical in its presentation whereas the Tin T4 aims for a colder and more analytical sound.



If you find yourself deciding between the two, it would become a matter of preference. I find myself leaning towards the Starfield due to it being more "fun" sounding as compared to the T4s. The T4s do have their strengths over the Starfields which are their ability to handle more complicated tracks without muddiness in the bass. This sometimes happens on the Starfields due to the slow decay of the bass on the Starfields.



Vocals (especially female) sound a little too forward and aggressive at times for me on the T4s and I prefer the presentation of vocals on the Starfield. People who enjoy a greater emphasis in the treble instead of a softer and more relaxed one would prefer the T4 for that matter.



Conclusion



The T4s do perform well with their more mature and refined tuning as compared to the T2s. One of the main weaknesses of the T2s was its bass extension and this was greatly improved in the T4s which was a really nice touch. This would make the T4s a much more easy listen formost people as compare to the T2s. However, it is becoming hard to rec the T4s today with the release of so many great earphones and IEMs in the $100 - $200 range. This is especially so when the T4 struggles with fit and doesn't really stand out in any area in terms of sound. This is not to say the T4s are bad but it just loses the value card that worked so well for the Tin T2s.