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INDEX(Clickable):

1. Specifications
2. Packaging and Accessories Build and Comfort
3. Sound
4. Comparisons
5. Conclusion
6. Some subjective drivel
7. Useful Links

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Head-fi is rife with hype. There’s the “OMGthissupersmasheseverything!”kind and the “thissoundsignatureexecutionissuperbfortheprice” kind. Time, however, is the true test. Rarely does an IEM truly weather the hype storm; new-toy phase, influx of new products and yet, establish itself as one of the benchmarks in its price bracket.
Group IEMs according to their price range and you will notice a rough trend in the sound signatures. Budget IEMs tend to be variations of a U/V/L shaped signature while higher end IEMs are usually variations of a more neutral/balanced signature. But this pattern seems to be evolving lately with more capable /neutral balanced IEMs featuring in the budget segment.
I’ve spent around six months listening to the Havi B3 Pro 1 in order to properly grasp its signature and rid myself of any new-toy bias. And boy am I impressed with what 60$ can get you nowadays.
Disclaimer : I'd like to thank Havi for sending me a pair for review well over 6 months ago.
 
 
 
Packaging, Accessories, Build and Comfort
 
The packaging is a classy in a subdued way. I love the matte-finish, magnetic clasp and the sturdy feel. I currently use it to carry my DAP, 3 IEMs and extra tips when I travel. The semi-hard case is decent. Not as good as the Brainwavz/DUNU case, but not as mediocre as the Hifiman case. Havi has bundled a generous assortment of tips(9 pairs silicone and 1 pair foam), and ear guides that will definitely come in handy, as getting the right fit is very important (especially for the B3Pro1). The cleaning cloth is not really required unless you want the glass back of the IEMs looking shiny and pristine. The Velcro comes in handy during storage, but I do prefer the DUNU tag-system.
The polished face, angular strain relief, asymmetric pentagon shape do make for a very pretty looking IEM. It is designed to be worn over-ear, and isn’t very comfortable when switched.
The cable is thin but inspires confidence, and really works for over ear wear. The wires run parallel to each other beyond the Y split(separate L/R ground I think), all the way to the jack. I do not know the benefits of this. Perhaps it makes it easier to go balanced (re-termination). Microphonics is nearly non-existent due to over-ear wear and the earpieces are very very light.
The shape of the housing results in a shallow fit, which is a bit tricky(especially for me). The small silicon tips fit me well but took too much time to get right every time. I finally resorted to just using the foam tips just to get a “quicker” fit. I did find the Havi to be tip sensitive so my advice would be to relentlessly tip roll until you find the right balance of sound characteristics with the best fit.
 
 
Note on build : I have observed cracks near the strain relief. There is a screw that holds the front and rear halves together and the cracks emanate from this region. I have two pairs at hand and both exhibit these cracks. These cracks are only cosmetic so far. I will update this Note if it behind to affect the audio/comfort
 
Sound
 
Overall sound : Mildly coloured fairly neutral signature with good sense of space.
Primarily used my Geek Out 450. My LG G2 and Sansa clip were able to drive them to acceptable levels. For this review, I stuck to the GO450 as I felt it was a smidgen better at bass control and presentation.
 
I ran a frequency sweep after my review was completed, and annotated the review with my observations.
General FR observations: Sharp sub-bass roll off begins around 50Hz and I am able to hear the tone only until 27 Hz. There is a gradual rise into the mid bass that continues into the lower half of the midrange before a mild drop beyond 1K. This drop is short lived, bottoming out at 1.5K before rising again into a peak at ~4K. Drop again before rising again into a tiny peak at ~7.2K and a further peak at ~12K.
 
Soundstage : Let’s talk about this first. The soundstage is impressively wide for a conventionally closed IEM. Depth is above average (for IEMs). For every component of audio, for example - vocals, I felt like a part of it emanated from somewhere close to me and a part plays from further away. This defines the edges of the space clearly and my brain fills in the rest. This way the image is not stretched or exaggerated and sounds natural. There must some clever dual driver orientation/design to get such an effect from a fairly sealed IEM. More on soundstage and imaging in the Titan1 comparison.
 
Bass: The B3P1 has the out-of-nowhere type of Bass, but it doesn’t boom out-of-nowhere like the Titan 1 does. It is simply there to complement and complete the instruments, vocals and make them sound natural (although I feel a little more rumble is sometimes in order). The bass doesn’t grab your attention but makes sure you enjoy the music as a whole. It manages to convey a good amount of detail during fast sections and feels unrestricted due to airiness in the sound space. Sub-bass quantity is relatively lower than mid-bass, doesn’t really rumble and sounds damped. As a result, the lowest reaches of certain instruments such as the kick drum, bass guitar do not sound perfectly natural.  This (Sub-bass) is a potential area for improvement.
Response to EQ: My experiments with bumping the sub-bass did not go as well as I’d hoped. The tonal balance survived a slight 4dB bump at 40Hz, but would sound increasingly distorted, the more I pushed. I tried compensating the bump with a pre-amp cut but this did not help.
 
Midrange: Vocal intelligibility is excellent; detailing is not exaggerated and is well behaved. Compared to the RE400 I find the depth and weight a little lacking particularly in male vocals. Female vocals have a slight emphasis but only at certain notes (I suspect from the 4K peak). This lent an engaging feel to my music (especially for Jazz). Trumpets and violins, complemented by the Bass and treble, sound natural except for the lowest reaches (where a little more rumble would complete the picture).
 
Treble: Just like the bass, the highs ae there to complement and complete each component and lend an engaging feel to your music (probably via a well-placed peak or two that’s not too drastic). It steers clear of sibilance, and isn’t attention grabbing (unlike the Titan 1). Don’t take this to mean that it doesn’t extend well, or is laid back. It simply “does its part” in the grand scheme. Cymbals do not sound splashy. Some may prefer a little more presence but it is certainly not south of what I would consider “neutral”. And yet, they are quite forgiving, especially compared to the Titan 1 and RE272.
 
And that’s why I like the Havi. No part of the FR is trying to outperform the other. It’s a shared limelight, where they work together to deliver a package and not an individual performance.
 
Comparisons
 
RE400 : The Havi is more similar to the RE400 than not. They are both fairly neutral, both slightly warmish, both feel like they roll off in the subbass. However, the RE400 is more laid back in the lower treble, is more mid forward(relatively) and has flatter bass. Vocals have more presence on the RE400(particularly male vocals), are layered better and portray better depth to the vocals. The Havi have slightly more midbass and subbass weight (before the apparent roll-off) which helps with versatility, features a more spacious sonic space and soundstage making the RE400 sound relatively congested. The tiny RE400 makes for an easier/more-comfy fit and is easier to drive, but has iffy build quality. As a result, both the Havi and RE400 are non-ideal for use on-the-go.
 
DUNU Titan 1: This comparison, despite the signature differences, makes sense because both are capable of projecting a realistically spacious sonic space. The Titan, helped by its slight V shaped sig, is airier than the Havi with its relatively forward midrange. The size of the space however is similar and this is doubly impressive given the Havi is a closed IEM. The Titan 1 features heavier bass but due to its out-of-nowhere nature, it is not intrusive and yet, will grab a part of your attention (unlike the Havi). The detail levels through the midrange are similar, but the Titan has more presence in the upper midrange and, as a result, appears to sound more detailed (during casual listening). The Titan 1 extends further in the treble and sounds more detailed (though this time, it is not only due to more presence). The biggest difference is in the presentation: the Titan 1 is “attention grabbing yet capable”, while the Havi is “more relaxed yet capable”.
 
Conclusion:
 
The Havi B3Pro 1 is, in my opinion, worthy of its high status around the 60$ point for a fairly neutral sound signature. A star off since there is some room for improvement: smidgen more sub-bass for some natural rumble, depth to male vocals, ergonomics, source versatility, build improvements.
 
 
 
Some subjective drivel:
There’s this feeling when you really like something but it has niggles that makes you click your tongue and wonder “why?” with a wry expression. I love this not-so-little IEM. I love the sound signature. It reminds me of my beloved RE400 with some more bass presence, more sparkle and relatively uncongested. These are good enough reasons for me to pick the Havi over the RE400 3 out of 5 times. But it takes too long to get a good fit, I find myself wanting a bit more in the sub-bass at times, I don’t like running it off my phone/Sansa clip and the midrange isn’t as perfect as my RE400(this I can overlook).
I am often interrupted when I listen to music and, IEMs like the RE400, Titan 1 and more recently the q-jays are a breeze to pop-in-and-out. The best environment for the Havi is when I’m at my desk with my GO450 and when I don’t have to spend 30 seconds (every 20 minutes) refitting the IEM. As a result I may end up using the Havi lesser and lesser. And yet, I’ve put in over 150 hours because I really like the sound. It is definitely a keeper and for now has replaced my RE400(which has begun showing signs of wear). I think the hype is justified. This sound quality (well executed neutral sig) with unique sound characteristics (stage), at this price point(~60$) is a fantastic deal.
 
Useful Links:
Havi B3 Pro 1 Thread 1
Havi B3 Pro 1 Thread 2
Penonaudio, LMUE, Amazon
Head-fi reviews
 

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INDEX(Clickable):

1. Specifications
2. Enter the Matrix
3. Packaging and Accessories
4. Build and Comfort
5. Sound
6. Comparisons
7. Conclusion and Value
8. Some subjective drivel
9. Useful Links

 

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Enter the Matrix
 
I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember. But, my fascination with how good my music-on-the-go could sound was only born a few years ago. My Sony E818 earbuds (subsequently MDR-EX35LP) and trusty Aiwa Walkman gave me musical bliss for many years before I discovered the rabbit hole that was the world of high-fidelity “personal” audio. And that is where Jays comes in. Sometime in ’08, out of curiosity, I decided to search for reviews of my MDR-35LP to see what others thought of it. One search led to another and I saw this cool tiny black IEM, and then noticed the phrase “dual armature”. Dual?? They couldn’t possibly mean two speakers per earpiece?! And even if they did, how can it be that tiny. “Must be expensive”, was my third thought. 200$!! My EX35LP only cost me 22$ and I had to save my pocket money for months to buy it and a few new cassettes. Someday…I thought….I’ll get to listen to the q-JAYS and then I’ll have heard the pinnacle. Just the thought made me tingly all over.
I subsequently discovered Head-fi and found out that “the rabbit hole” was a bottomless chasm! The q-JAYS was filed under the “maybe someday” section and I set out on my budget journey.
 
Almost 7 years and many IEMs later, I saw a post on Inearmatters announcing the new q-JAYS, and it all came rushing back to me. In a rush of nostalgia, I felt a sudden urge to buy it, just to honour my wish from 8 years ago. If priced similarly (~200$), it was definitely within reach. I felt tingly again and looked for more details, and then saw the price….. 400$. Well… at least I got to relive that sinking feeling too. I reluctantly re-filed it under the “maybe someday” section and went back to regular programming.
 
India is barren wasteland when it comes to portable gear. So, I had no hopes of wrangling an audition or finding someone who owned it. Recently however, the scene in India has been improving with stores like Hifinage, Proaudiohome and Headphonezone reaching out to the small audio-enthusiast community. Headphonezone has taken it a step further with their “Headphone Connect” meets at multiple locations across the country. Thanks to the meets, I’ve had the opportunity to meet other enthusiasts and audition all kinds of sweet gear.
Imagine my glee when I found out the new q-JAYS would be making an appearance at the Dec 2015 meet!
 
Raghav (CEO - Headphonezone) has very graciously allowed me to test drive the q-JAYS for two months, and fulfil one of my earliest dreams (in this hobby).
I’m glad I've had two months to listen to the q-JAYS, since I came in with a heaped helping of expectation bias and that could’ve skewed my impressions early-on.
 
Packaging and Accessories: 
I only received the hard carry case and one set of tips for my review, so I cannot comment on this section. The other reviews show an impressive array of accessories. The hard case is sleek and keeps the overall all-black tone. I would’ve preferred a clamshell design with a bit more depth. Because, unless the IEM is laid flat and the cables are well away from the rim, it may take an attempt or two to close it properly.
 
Build and Comfort: 
 
 
Simply put, these are the best built and most comfortable IEMs I have ever had the pleasure of using. The tiny RE400 comes close to the level of comfort but falls short in build quality. The Titan 1 is superbly built but is not as comfortable.
The attention to detail in the build is simply astonishing. The IEM is draped in black from end to end and never breaks character. The strain reliefs at the L jack, Y split and SSMCX end are minimalistic but very sturdy. The SSMCX thread has a tiny washer at the base to ensure a tight fit once screwed on and also has a small indicator to help differentiate left from right. The Kevlar reinforced TPE coated OFC cable is on the thinner side, but feels very sturdy, retains very little memory, and keeps microphonics relatively low (compared to other Rubber/plastic cables). Isolation is very good and I’ve used it on public transport without getting distracted.
The slightly curved IEM body is incredibly tiny and is very light with just enough heft to give it that high-end feel. There is a tiny screw on (and therefore easy to clean) protection filter on the nozzle with laser cut holes that do not alter the sound signature. I spotted a tiny vent on the ventral side of the body near the cable which I did not expect to see on a BA IEM. Removable cables and the tiny chin-slider means it’s a breeze to wear over ear.
 
The light weight, tiny form factor and slightly curved body make for a very comfortable fit and is incredibly easy to pop in-n-out. I’ve worn it for 5 hours at a stretch and didn’t feel any strain. If I absolutely had to complain, I could say that the cable feels a little grabby/sticky which can be inconvenient if you fidget often.
The q-JAYS are my new comfort benchmark and are almost my new build benchmark (if it wasn’t for the slightly sticky cable).
 
 
Sound:
 
The most drastic turn in my audio journey was undoubtedly the RE400. I remember U-head-me popping in the much hyped RE400 and feeling neutral (pun somewhat intended) about the sound. Over the next few weeks I slowly fell in love with the midrange, the smooth treble, fast bass (and grumbled about the lack of sub-bass attack and rumble).
So when I wasn’t wowed by the q-JAYS at first listen, I took it as a good thing. The more time I spent with this IEM (while not thinking about “reviewing” it) the more sense it made.
 
 

1. Bass: I’ve heard accounts on the differences between DD bass and BA bass. My first experience with BA bass was the NuForce Primo 8, which hit really hard but sounded unrealistic due to the lightning fast attack and decay. The Titan 1 could hit hard and fast out of nowhere but sounded organic at the same time. The q-JAYS really surprised me with tight bass with quick attack but with realistic decay (There’s some venting voodoo in play here). Quantity wise it is slightly north of neutral, just enough to make it sound engaging, particularly in the mid-bass (if I consider the RE272/RE400 as neutral). It does have the out of nowhere bass, but it doesn’t boom or roar out nowhere like the Titan 1. Make no mistake, the sub-bass does extend down to 30 hz(gentle roll off starting at 50Hz before rolling off sharply at 30Hz) but the good part is that the roll off doesn’t significantly cut out the “rumble”(unlike the RE400/RE272 and Havi). Kick drums and bass guitars sound more realistic compared to the Havi/RE400/RE272. Lower sub-bass is mostly seen in “Artificially generated” music like electronic/trap/dubstep etc. While the q-JAYS do not “excel” at these genres, I do not feel inclined to skip these tracks. With the RE400/RE272 I would automatically skip these tracks, but they were bearable with the q-JAYS. The bass complements the lower midrange very well, imparting the right of warmth to male vocals without any bleed.

 

1. Midrange: The transition from the bass into the midrange is excellent.  Male vocals sound full and with sufficient body, as do violins and cellos. Layering and texture in the vocals rivals the RE400/RE272 and that is saying a lot. Vocals feel smooth, intimate, uncoloured, and benefits from the excellent imaging. It is very easy to pick out details in female vocals and is particularly impressive because of the effortless delivery. The midrange is really hard to fault. Some may wish it was “more engaging’ but I don’t know how that would be possible without colouring it.

 

1. Treble: The treble is well behaved for the most part and doesn’t sound artificial or metallic. There definitely is a region of added presence (a sine sweep done after the review showed me a narrow peak at ~6K.). This emphasis is not apparent on every track.  Cymbal shimmer is not harsh except on poorly recorded tracks. The peak is more apparent on instruments like snares and trumpets but only at certain notes. The treble is more well behaved on either side of the peak. The treble doesn’t extend linearly and effortlessly like my RE272 but I don’t feel like I’m missing out on details or presence in the region.

 
Stage and Imaging:
The stage is around average width for a (mostly) closed IEM. Imaging is exceptional and contributes to the realistic soundstage. The separation and layering of instruments is also remarkable and put together, makes for a natural sonic space (Natural, not in terms of size but in terms of our position and perception of elements in that space).
 
Comparisons: I’ve littered parts of my review with comparisons. So, I’ll not get into too much detail below:
 

1. DUNU Titan 1: The Titan 1 is a semi-open half in ear large single driver IEM, which is the opposite of the closed, fully in-ear dual BA q-JAYS. The Titan 1 has more bass quantity across the range with more rumble, the sonic space is larger, imaging is on-par, and midrange is relatively recessed (especially in lower midrange). Both are brighter than what I would consider neutral. While the Titans are bright across treble range, the q-JAYS seem bright due to certain peaks and is well behaved otherwise. The q-JAYS are predictably better at isolation and are more comfortable.
2. HiFiMAN RE400: Tiny, metal body, easy to drive, excellent midrange, fast bass. Hmm.. could be talking about either IEM at this point. More in common here than with the Titan 1. The biggest difference lies in the treble presentation and build. The RE400 is way more laid back in the upper reaches which results in unlimited fatigue free listening. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the q-JAYS boasts more bass quantity and rumble. Midrange clarity is comparable with the RE400 taking the edge in layering but the q-JAYS sound less dry and more engaging thanks to the warmer tone and non-laid-back nature of the upper midrange.
3. HiFiMAN RE272: Ah. My treble benchmark. The subtle clarity king. Since this is a long discontinued IEM, I’ll keep it subjective. I have heard IEMs that rival the clarity and detail levels offered by the RE272, but am yet to hear an IEM that can present it in a sublime, effortless and unforced way like the RE272. The q-JAYS may have clarity to match but it sounds sharper in comparison. The bass is more linear on the RE272 and doesn’t manage to bring out emotion in the bass. But that is made up by the beautiful midrange and treble presentation. The q-JAYS are definitely the better all-rounder but the RE272 is a unique IEM that is still the best at something(treble) while being less versatile.

 
Conclusion and value: 
 
Neutral signature with some special mojo, in the most ergonomic and well-built package. What’s not to love? ….I’ve been side stepping this throughout the review.  There’s no way to soften the blow, so I’ll come straight out with it. The q-JAYS retail for 400USD (470USD for the mic version). While the q-JAYS are probably not poor value, I can’t say it is good value (with my level of experience, which isn’t much). Yes, Jays has poured everything they have into the q-JAYS to deliver a complete package and it shows. Custom dual BAs; metal injection moulded, tiny tiny CNC machined body (2cm long & 0.8cm wide), with a physical vapour finish; detachable Kevlar SSMCX threaded cables; laser cut protective filters. I can’t name another IEM that sounds great AND can boast of such unique/consequential features around that price. Beyond the excellent sound signature, these reasons may justify the price for some. That is a personal call.
 
 
Some subjective drivel:
 
I wish I could afford these discreet drops of awesome audio. Not only for to the excellent sonics, but also because, they feel so very comfortable (I could wear it for hours without any strain), they feel so well built (I feel confident enough to carry it wherever I go) and my phone can drive them well too (not as well as my GO450 though). I kept getting lost in the midrange during my critical-listening sessions, which is why this review was so difficult to complete. I’m sad that I have to send them back, but am glad I have a new reference point, and was able to refine what I need in my next IEM. Is the signature perfect for my tastes? Um.. I do wish it had some more sub-bass presence and rumble. And I wish the 6K peak was present but less drastic. Everything else (including non-sonic features) is absolutely perfect for my preferences.
Goodbye for now, tiny q-JAYS. My journey started (in a way) with you, and has reached this new high thanks to you.
 
 
Useful links:

1. Impression threads : 1; 2; 3

1. jays Product page: Link
2. Official reseller (India) product link : Headphonezone
3. Other Head-fi reviews : Link

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I first heard of Fidue when they released the mid-forward-done-right A63 and the lavish titanium composite A81. As the A63 garnered some attention they released the basshead-fix A71, and the triple driver hybrid A83(replacing the flagship A81). Their budget offerings, the A33 and ultra-comfy A31 come in at the 30$ mark. The new A65(perhaps a replacement for the A63) sits at the 65$ point. 
Following the success of their triple driver hybrid, Fidue have released the one way hybrid A73(150$), which I will be discussing in this piece.
 
Build:
 
 
The half metal(?) half plastic housing maintains the same aesthetic as its bigger brother, with the terraced face, seashell shape, over ear design and angled nozzles. They’re deceptively light, carry L/R markings on the inside and small vents on either side of the DD. Visible through the translucent housing is the balanced armature driver mounted (ahead of the DD) in the sound tube leading to the nozzle.
 
The strain relief exiting the housing isn’t beefy but does not look fragile either. Since durability is a long term concern, I will not be able to comment on it. But I can say that this particular review unit changed hands thrice and still looks untouched.
 
The rubberized cable is on the thicker side, feels strong to the touch but can get grabby(term stolen from @DJScope ’s review because it is so apt) due to the texture. The Y split and in-line mic are discreet and meld well with the colour scheme. The single button mic can perform all the usual single button functionalities that I am familiar with on Android (Play/Pause/Double to change/Answer/Call). Mic quality is about on par with bundled headsets so no complaints there. The I shaped 3.5mm Jack is phone-case friendly, but doesn’t have a proper strain relief which I find worrying.
 
Fit and Comfort:
 
The light shells, angled nozzles and short strain relief should make for a comfortable experience in general. But, I did find it difficult to get a comfortable fit. The thicker-than-usual grabby cable plus the lack of a cable cinch or ear guides meant that regular movement would displace the cable from over my ear quite easily. This was aggravated by the fact that the angle of the nozzles was not right for my earcanals, so the housings would stick out a little extra(instead of sitting flush). The last cable-over IEM I reviewed was the Vsonic VSD1S. The swivel nozzles, thin cable and included ear guides ensured a good and effortless fit that I just couldn’t get with the A73. But, the extent is extremely subjective and does not generally apply.
But, I strongly feel that Fidue should consider including a cable cinch or ear guides to help achieve a secure fit.
The ear tip selection consists of the basic S/M/L silicone tips and one small-medium bi-flange pair. The basic tips are identical as the narrow bore tips that you get with the Ostry KC06. For this review I used the small size tips as these gave me the best seal (when I wasn’t moving).
On the whole, I love the look. The colour scheme doesn’t make it look gaudy but is pleasantly eye catching at the same time. The build doesn’t seed doubt and while the fit was tricky for me, it may not be the case for others. The lack of a cable cinch/ear-guides is an oversight and it wouldn’t hurt to include a few more ear-tips at the asking price(maybe even foam, to help with the fit).
 
Isolation:
 
Isolation is above average with a tight seal. The vents do result in some ambient noise getting through but nothing that can really distract you once you have music playing. Cable noise is minimal due to the over ear design (This is with small motion as I couldn't maintain a good fit on the move).
 
Sound :
 
So, how does it sound? The A73(149$) sits just outside the bustling 100$ bracket and must put on quite a show to justify its place over the lower bracket while causing some restlessness in the upper bracket.
 
Source: Listening was primarily done using my Geek Out 450. The A73 was easily driven to ear splitting volumes by my LG G2, Sansa Clip and Laptop Out. In the 7 days that I had the A73, I was unfortunately not able to pen my thoughts on differences between sources. I did notice a slight difference in the highs b/w the GO450 and Sansa Clip. The impressions that follow are with the GO450. A list of the primary music used for critical listening can be found here.
 
The A73 seemed well extended at both ends, to these ears. Elevated bass that slowly rises beyond 30Hz but with mid-bass hump that is not too distinct. Following a slight bump at ~400Hz the midrange is mostly level except for peaks at ~4.3 and 6.3kHz. Apart from a peak at ~9kHz I found the highs to be well behaved.
 
Bass: Bass quantity is definitely above what I would consider neutral and carries a some weight. This sort of bass is of the ever-present kind but thankfully not in an annoying way. There is a fair bit of rumble and punch, and is on the teetering edge of what I would consider natural decay. I have not detected any bleed into the lower midrange and this adds to its versatility. The quantity coupled with the decay results in a dip in perceived bass detail (especially in busy tracks) when compared to the Titan-1/RE400(more on this in comparisons). The amount of detail is commendable nonetheless, but is not as apparent if you do not know of nuances beforehand (through other IEMs).
 
Midrange: I feel this is the strong suite of the A73. They feel forward but not outrightly prominent. The warmth lent to the lower mids results in the upper midrange and treble sounding clearer and airier than the rest of the spectrum. The texture of male and female vocals feels different with the former sounding weighty, smooth and rounded, but the latter sounds airier, and can have sharp edges at times. This is probably from the 4.6 and 6.3kHz peak. This is rare but does get distracting at times and takes away from the natural feel. Details level is excellent and is very engaging. On the whole, the slightly forward midrange has good presence and is mostly linear, with the male and female vocals holding level except for the aforementioned texture difference and occasional edginess to the female vocals.
 
Highs: “Crisp but slightly laid back or relaxed”, is what comes to mind. In some ways it reminds me of the RE400(more on this in the comparisons). The transition from the upper midrange to highs is smooth. I haven’t detected any irritating sibilance up top. I do not know how much of the occasional edginess in the female vocals comes from this region and whether the 9kHz peak contributes (Female vocal sibilance usually manifests in the 4k-9k range). Detail levels is once again excellent and not in your face, which can get fatiguing otherwise.
 
Stage, Imaging, layering and sonic space:
The A73 presents good width in the soundstage and average depth. Imaging is highly track dependent. Positioning is easier to comprehend on airier, bass-light tracks but melds a bit on bass heavy tracks. The layering in the midrange is commendable (Not as effortless as the RE400). The sonic space seems limited, with the bass feeling confined at times.
 
Comparisons:
 
 
 
Some subjective drivel
 
The last time I heard a Balanced Armature IEM I remember thinking how unnatural the bass sounded with the hard punch followed by ultra-uber-fast decay. The detail levels were off the charts though. Being my first hybrid experience, I was quite excited to see the amalgamation of the DD and BA worlds. At first listen I really couldn’t separate the benefits of a hybrid. The bass sounded just like what a DD would produce, the midrange sounded just like what a good DD would produce, the highs definitely sounded like a DD. The occasional edginess to the female vocals is probably my only clue that there was a BA in the mix, but I’ve heard DDs do that too. Given my lack of other hybrid IEM experiences, the only conclusion I can make is that Fidue done a fabulous job of crafting an IEM where driver count or technology is not their key selling point. Is it perfect for me? Maybe not. The tricky fit is debilitating, I prefer the bass of the Titan 1, the mids of the RE400 and treble of the RE272. I do like the overall versatility and engaging nature of the sound, the inline mic while I used a lot during my loan period and the look of the thing. I think Fidue can do wonders with this basic design and create a very good reference IEM that can co-exist with the A73, by slightly tweaking the sig. The A73 has me doubly interested in the A83 and I hope to audition them in the future.
 
Conclusion:
 
If you are looking for a warm IEM (with an extra touch of warmth) that isn’t V shaped or too bright, which is not a common or easy to pull off signature, the Fidue A73 should feature very high on your list. The performance justifies the price but Fidue should throw in a few extra accessories (tips/ear-guides/cinch) to help with the fit. There is room for refinement in the signature and with Fidue’s track record I’m sure they will keep improving.
 
Disclaimers: This review is a part of the ongoing tour of the Fidue A73 organized by HiFiNAGE, one of the few Indian distributors of Head-fi friendly portable audio gear. It’s really nice to see this kind of initiative to reach out to the greater Indian community that holds music in high regard but hasn’t given much thought the different and better ways it can be experienced.
I have only done a couple of reviews so far (5) and am constantly looking to improve my review style. Please let me know if you feel I’ve missed something or if something wasn’t covered properly.
 
Links:
More reviews of the Fidue A73
Impressions and discussion thread
Hifinage product page

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DUNU has been around for quite a while now (earlier as an OEM) and have managed to have a recommended IEM or two in the budget price brackets. Their higher offerings, the DN1000 and DN2000 triple hybrids, wowed Head-fi and cemented DUNU as a force to be reckoned in the 200-400$ bracket. The Titan-1($115) comes barging into a very crowded and competitive price segment, that has seem a few gems prevail the hype storm. Will the Titan 1 be one of those gems we will still talk about a few years down the line?
 
Packaging Accessories and Build
 
 
 
At 115$, the packing is pure class. The thick double flap (magnetic) cardboard box, layout, and accessory list makes for a pleasing experience before the first listen.
The accessory list is extensive and I was able to find a secure fit for my narrow ear canals in no time (small Sony-hybrid like tips). I do feel that double/tri flange tips should also be included, for a shallow fit IEM like this. Quite a few people on the Titan 1 thread have found the sweet spot with multi-flange tips (For ex. See earfonia’s review)
 
The cable is half cloth half rubber. The cloth half isn’t prone to kink like the RE400 and does a pretty good job in suppressing microphonics. However, the same cannot be said for the rubber half which easily picks up mechanical noise. The best solution for this is to wear them cable-up, but this is not possible unless the channels are swapped. The 3.5mm jack is beefy and the strain relief seems sturdy enough to do the job. Time will tell if the Y spilt holds up. The strain reliefs exiting the housing are relatively thinner and inflexible. In the first month of use, I took extremely good care of them, and decided to put them to the test throughout the second month “for the greater good” (no case, buried in bags, stuffed in pockets, used as a bungee cord etc etc.. you know… the usual stuff). Happy to report that, other than a few scuff marks on the outer face, everything looks as good as new. “Excellent build” is the two month verdict.
 
Special mentions:
 
 

1. The carry case is classy. All black, very sturdy, rubber padded inside, Anti slip base, nice click to close, maybe a touch shallower than I hoped.
2. The Rubber belt-like clasp on the lower cable is a very nifty. I do not know of other IEMs that have this feature. If you do know of one, you know what I’m talking about. Quick storage and retrieval is a breeze. I think DUNU has patented this design, but I hope to see this on all IEMs.

 
Comfort and isolation
 
 
The colour coded metal housings are the half in-ear type. This design allows a large diaphragm to be placed nearly perpendicular to your ear canal and also allow some interesting vent designs. The Titan 1 housings are almost 1.5 cm in diameter and the angled nozzles are 0.5cm to 0.75cm in length. They fit just perfectly in my concha and anti-tragus, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a few complained of discomfort. The vents are positioned in a unique way. 11 small circular vents on the inside face of the housing and one vent on the outside face just under the stem.
 
As you can imagine the isolation, with this level of venting, should be poor. I found that the isolation wasn’t as poor as proper open back IEMs like the Signature Acoustics O16. The Ostry KC06(which isn’t an open IEM) also offers similar levels of isolation. The Titan-1’s are not ideal or advisable for use on the go, unless you need poor isolation of course (to aid spatial awareness).
 
Efficiency and perceived frequency response
 
The Titan-1 is pretty efficient and was easily driven by my Sansa Clip, LG G2 and Geek Out 450. The Geek Out 450 sounded better rounded than the other two (not by much though), and has been used for the Sound section below.
 
The sub-bass rolls off below 25Hz (quiet setting). The climb from the sub-bass to mid bass feels like a gradual curve. This gradual climb only seems to dip a tiny bit around 600Hz and 1300Hz. There are slight bumps around 2200Hz and 4800Hz before I notice a small dip at 8600Hz. There is a growing emphasis through and beyond the transition from the upper mids into the treble. Except for a peak at around 12.8KHz, the treble was well behaved before it dropped off at 17.6KHz. On the whole, I was impressed at how controlled and smooth the sweep sounded compared to my other sets. Onto the real-world tests now:
 
Sound
Primary list of music used
 
Bass: The Titan 1 has the come-only-when-called-upon type of bass. This description is reserved for IEMs that deliver are able to maintain a very clean background and deliver a surprising bass kick out of no-where. This capability gets slightly weaker as we climb into the Titan 1’s midbass.
The overall decay is fast but lingers a tiny bit beyond “fast”. I suspect the housing-design/sense-of-space also has something to do with this. What this does is, deliver a dash of warmth that contributes to the organic experience. The detail retrieval is very impressive (This is something you will read over and over throughout this review). The gradual mid-bass hump could do with a little more refinement (more about this in the RE400 comparison). This is also more apparent because of the transparency throughout the rest of the range.
 
Mids: There has been a mix of opinions on the extent of midrange recession. I would classify the signature as a mild V shape that is not blatantly obvious in a majority of my music. The U is quite apparent when switching from a neutral/mid-forward IEM or on tracks with some inherent midrange recession (that gets exaggerated). After two weeks of using the Titan 1, I never felt like I was missing out on detail in the midrange and only on occasion (15%) wished for more midrange emphasis. Female vocals have better presence compared to the male vocals(extend will vary depending on the recording)
 
Highs: The detail retrieval is astonishingly good. I have read a few reports of slight harshness/sibilance. I’ve probably lucked out with the tips, because I haven’t heard the treble cross the line. There is undoubtedly a slight treble emphasis but it only gets jarring at very high volumes. This lack of harshness contributes to the organic signature. However on the whole, it lacks some delicacy and finesse (see RE272 comparison). The treble can be considered edgy depending on the recording and listening volume, but I did not find it fatiguing.
 
Stage, space and imaging
 
The sense of space/stage is attention grabbing in the beginning (early listening) and then settles into a very natural enveloping stage that is starkly discernible when A/Bing with other IEMs. The L/R extension is above average, but that is not the (most) impressive bit. With most IEMs the sound cues start to fill your head, and after a certain virtual distance, start to feel confined. This is different from the positioning of individual cues ion the stage. The former has more to do with the “space” the cues occupy. On the Titan 1 the sound cues begin to fill your head and then radiate beyond. This feature in particular is very impressive and sounds very natural. The lesser than average isolation is a trade-off for the excellent sense of space that the Titan 1 offers.
 
Comparisons: The Titanium Trifecta
 
HIFIMAN RE400: The RE400 needs no introduction to the Head-fi scene. This 100$ titanium pellet has a warm neutral/slightly mid-forward signature with smooth treble. The Titan 1 is bassier, slightly V shaped with more emphasised treble. Not an obvious comparison here. The Titan 1 has the edge in sub-bass presence and as a result, presents similar levels of detail in a more noticeable/obvious manner and is is more enjoyable. The story is not the same when we climb into the mid-bass. Head-to head, the Titan 1 mid-bass seems woollier and less refined in comparison. The RE400 also edges the Titan 1 in mid-bass details retrieval and presentation. Both may not sound ideal(mid-bass response), but I find the RE400 to be more natural in this regard. The midrange is more linear on the RE400 and is more forward compared to the Titan 1 whilch has relatively recessed lower mids but more prominent upper mids. The level of detail is at similar levels, with the RE400 sounding relatively drier. The smooth treble is a contrast from the Titan 1 which is sounds edgier and more in-your-face, in comparison. Perceived detail retrieval is higher on the Titan 1 but I think the RE400 does remarkably well(but is not as upfront about it). The soundstage and space presented by the Titan 1 is more natural and enveloping that the more conventional RE400(in this regards).
On the whole, I feel they are both technically adept and cater to slightly different audiences. I would recommend the Titan 1 over the RE400 as a transition IEM for someone wanting to venture into neutral waters(before diving head-first).
 
HIFIMAN RE272: This legendary, now discontinued titanium micro-driver beauty is my absolute benchmark for treble detail-retrieval and presentation. The Titan 1 reminded me of the detail retrieval and nuances the RE272 brought out in my music. They differ mainly in presentation of that detail. Both, I will say, have emphasized highs (more so on the Titan 1). Both stay clear of sibilance or harshness(at normal listening volumes). Both have similar levels of detail(RE272 is slightly ahead). The similarities however end here. The RE272 manages to serve up this detail on a smooth black granite platter, while the Titan 1 chooses an ornamental shiny platinum platter. It is very easy to get lost in all the RE272 detail. The Titan 1 however, makes you take notice of every detail but not in an annoying way. 
 
Conclusion:
 
The pleasing all-rounder signature, excellent build, accessory list, and extremely competitive price is a winning formula when competing in a crowded price segment.
 
What DUNU has done is take a neutralish/detail-oriented IEM and add just the right amount of pizazz. While there is room for some tweaking and refinement, I think the Titan 1 will weather the hype and gain a place in the top recommendation lists for all-rounder IEMs ~100$. I am definitely looking forward to the next iteration.
 
Bonus: Some subjective drivel:
I am sensitive to sharp/peaky treble and cannot stand a recessed midrange(but I always try to make sure I stay as objective as possible in my review). That said, I didn’t find myself frowning with the Titan 1 singing in my ears. Yes, the midrange is slightly recessed and the treble is a little emphasized, but they never cross the line. Some expert tuning right there. I still break out the RE400 for that beautiful midrange and the Ostry KC06 when I need to be pumped up. The RE272 is the special one. It is undoubtedly my detail and treble presentation benchmark.
I don’t particularly enjoy the Titan 1 at very low listening volumes(before sleep/studying etc.). The midrange slips just beyond my threshold and distracts me. I have the relatively midforward RE400 for that.
 
I would like to thank Vivian (DUNU) for giving me the opportunity to share my honest opinion on the Titan 1. I would also like to apologize for the delay. I just wanted to get it right, so I spent as much time as possible carefully internalizing the signature.
 

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Thanks for reading. Do let me know if you have any thoughts on where I can improve my reviewing style(For ex: Not descriptive enough in XXX section).
Always remember that each reviewer will have a slightly different take on the sound. It is important to go through as many reviews as possible and build a consensus of what the IEM will sound like. You could also pick a reviewer a two who you feel has similar tastes/perception as you (from reference reviews).
Other reviews of the Titan 1 can be viewed at this link. Let us know if you have any questions regarding the Titan 1 over at the main thread. Tomscy2000 has organized the impressions and review links in the OP so that will be the best place to start.
It goes without saying that auditioning something is the best way to go. Every other option is a distant 2^nd, 3^rd and so on, but we need to work with what is possible.

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This review is a part of the review tour organised by Hifinage in India. I'd like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to be on the tour. And more importantly, for keeping a close watch on the Head-fi scene to bring the best bang for our rupee.
 
Packaging, Specifications and Build
 
The xDuoo X2 packaging and accessory list makes a simple yet strong statement. The un-apologetic no frills approach lets you know that all that matters is the matte black, metal, shiny-aviator sporting powerhouse that lies within. 
 
The metal bodied X2 is deceptively light and fits into my palm quite comfortably. The sleek rectangular housing is held together by four torx screws and houses 6 buttons, a microsd slot, micro USB connector, the 1 inch reflective screen cover and a 3.5 mm jack. The 3.5mm output jack is extremely well built (the best I’ve seen) and offers a very secure and tight fit. So secure that it ripped the jack housing off my Ostry KC06(which is the Ostry’s fault).
 
This is the kind of confidence inspiring build quality I want to see on all portable equipment. 
 
 
 
But: If I had one qualm regarding the build, it would be the slightly more than usual pressure required to register a click on the X2. And at times, the extra hard click would not register which can be a bummer. Also, the screen has a mirror finish which means it's glare-galore when used outside.
 
 
 
Sound:
 
Big disclaimer before the “Sound” section. I tested the X2 with the following IEMs. And I’m sure you will notice that they are all fairly easy to drive IEMs that barely challenge any portable players when it comes to volume levels.
 

1. RE400
2. Ostry KC06
3. Vsonic VSD1S
4. Signature Acoustics O16
5. LG Quadbeat 2
6. RE 272

 
With all the listed IEMs, the average listening volume was below the 20/40 mark, which goes to show how much more headroom is available for those power hungry portables.
So volume aside, what mojo did it bring to the feather weight IEMs.
 
Across all the tested IEMs:
The IEMs sounded very comfortable in the extra power. An improvement in separation was evident (more so on some), which was very welcome as it really ups boosts the immersive quality in your music. I also noticed a modest increase in the level of detail (some did not show this improvement).
The improvement in separation and the slight detail boost translates to a very enjoyable music experience (irrespective of genre) that ensures a smile is plastered on your face every time you plug in.
The hyper efficient Ostry, which I am sure is using some kind of superconductor material, barely exhibited any difference in sonic quality.
The fairly efficient RE400 experienced a boost in separation, but lost some of the extra tight control in the mid-bass.
I expected the RE272 to lap up the extra power and serve up a different experience. But the overall change was similar to the others.
 
Overall I sensed no extra rolloffs/peaks/dips at all. Extremely clean sounding. 
 
Enter, The Mighty Clip.
Three generations of the biggest bang for your buck audio player that was instantly catapulted into legendary status by Rockbox. Can the xDuoo X2 dethrone the clip? I’ll supply the facts, you decide. 
 
 

1. Power and sound: I can only comment on performance with normal IEMs. You are pretty much covered by the clip for normal IEMs. The X2 may riverdance all over the clip when it comes to power hungry portables. A peek into the X2 thread should give you a fair idea. The “improvements” that I mention in the main sound section are when compared to the Clip plus/zip

 

1. Build and buttons: The clip feels plasticky and cheap next to the sturdy X2. However, the years of abuse suffered by the clip shows that the feel does not reflect reliability. The buttons are more pliable on the clip and a lot more clicky on the X2. The dedicated volume buttons on the clip work anywhere in the UI unlike the X2(only on mow playing screen). The build of the 3.5mm output pin on the X2 is clearly superior and plugging in your headphones/IEMs is Headfi-gasmic (Please refer to Jude’s expression at in this video(at 18:21) for a demonstration of the feeling https://youtu.be/6nYrUjIa61w?t=18m21s) Overall, upon first impression, the X2 wins handily in the build department. Long term reliability is yet to be ascertained.

 

1. UI: The X2 offers up a fairly usable UI that does cover the basic basics in a non-frustrating fashion(Folder view, EQ presets only, Backlight, Standby timer, fairly detailed ‘now playing’ screen, save last play location, quick start up time, multiple repeat options, almost no scan time, drag n drop etc). In @H20Fidelity’s opinion and experience, all this is a big ask from Chinese audiophile DAPs. It would be ridiculously unfair to compare Rockbox to the X2 UI. But it can be compared to the stock Sansa offering. The Sansa UI is more feature rich and contains small details that make it a more intuitive and easy experience. It is easy to get going with the X2 as the basic features it offers are not more than one click away. The lack of custom EQ is a sore point. For ex: I tend to bump the sub-bass on my RE400/RE272, and no EQ preset can cut it. I hope it will be added in later FW updates. The volume buttons only function on the now-playing screen and do not serve any purpose in the rest of the UI. I believe this has now been fixed in the new FW(which I haven’t tried)

 

1. Wishlist?: ROCKBOX!!!

 

1. Realistic immediate wishlist for the next FW?: Custom EQ, Accelerated scrolling/fwd/rev, downsample hires files, button lock, volume buttons work universally,  

 
The only major bug I faced was the hit and miss compatibility with my FLAC library. It would freeze or play with two second skips. At first I thought these were probably 24/96 albums (which the X2 doesn’t support). But this wasn’t the case. The feedback on the X2 thread seems to indicate that this is related to the metadata tags. But this is something that should and could be rectified with a new FW update (unless it is already?).
 
Battery Life:
I used the player for around 4 days and had to charge it twice. I’d estimate the battery time to be somewhere in the 12-17 hour range. I did notice that the last few battery bars drained a lot quicker.
 
Wrap Up:
Keep in mind that I haven’t tested the X2 with more power-hungry sources so my conclusion is based on the average IEM available today. On sheer sound quality alone, the X2 slightly edges (not necessarily in all cases) the Sansa Clip ZIP. On build quality alone, the X2 is definitely ahead of the Clip range. The Clip wins when it comes to UI, ease of operation. However the X2 UI is not a deal breaker an offers the basics.
For the average IEM I would pick the Clip over the X2. On the go, I use inexpensive travel IEMs and I’d pick a friendly UI over a slight improvement in presentation.
So, it hasn’t dethroned the clip, but given the reports on the driving power, it is more versatile. If your regular-use portables are power hungry, the X2 seems to be(from reports) a no-brainer for the price.
 
I’ve somehow not mentioned the price! At 55$ it bats right next to the Clip and well in the “Extreme Value” bracket.
 
Conclusion:
In short, Rockbox this beast and the clip doesn’t stand a chance.
 
Please let me know if you have any comments, questions or suggestions. Thanks for reading. Quoting the X2 :
 
PS: The xDuoo X2 thread has a lot of impressions, troubleshooting tips and pictures. I'd made a mini-catalog a while back. You could check it out here

 

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VSONIC VSD1S: Kaboom for your buck: The all-rounder prodigy.

This review is delayed, but only because they were a gift to someone. Only recently have I had given them an extended listen. Extended indeed.​

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Vsonic needs no introduction as they have, year upon year, released bang for buck IEMs that turn into instant recommendations. That is until they up the ante again.​

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This is my first Vsonic IEM and was excited to try it after going through the all favourable reviews on Head-fi and Vsonic’s proclamation: “Baby brother of the famed GR07 series”.​

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I(unfortunately) have not tried the legendary GR07, which even today, over 3 years after its release, is still widely recommended for its sound and value. I was torn between the HiFiMAN RE400 and the GR07, and decided to give Dr. Fang a chance. A decision that transformed my journey, though I do have a feeling I would have loved the GR07 too. The GR07 has recently been given a boost with the release of the GR07 classic, which is basically identical to the GR07 but at the magic 99$ mark. So, the 99$ market is well catered to. The 50$ bracket had a few players at the time in the form of the Steelseries Flux, Vsonic's own GR02 silver, Sony MH1C, etc.​

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Enter Vsonic; VSD1 and VSD1S in tow: 90% of the GR07 at 50$. Hype ensued, sustained and bang-for-buck status attained.​

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There are quite a few reviews that describe in detail, the build, accessories and comfort. I will briefly describe this section and move on to the Sound.​

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Build, accessories and comfort:​

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The plastic housing is light and has a good feel to it, although the comic sans lettering is far from classy. The metal swivel nozzles ooze quality and the cable looks like it can take a beating. I must point out that despite their over-ear appearance, the VSD1/S is equally comfortable worn up/down. The light housing and swivel nozzles contribute hugely. Plus, they include ear-guides for those tricky situations.​

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A decent number of tips are included with the VSD1S, that will tip roll you into a good fit. I particularly like the Vsonic foam tips. They are denser than comply memory foam tips, but very comfortable. And unlike comply, they do not alter the sound(for me at least). One important thing to note is that the nozzle is thinner that most earphones, ruling out tip swapping from other earphones (unless they have a slim nozzle too)​

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Microphonics:cable down is below average and non-existent when worn cable up. I observed no driver flex whatsoever.​

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Sound:​

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Source: LG G2, Sansa Clip Zip, Asus Ultrabook. The VSD1S is easily driven to ear splitting volumes and respond well to EQ. All tracks were >256kbps.​

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The overall signature​

is V shaped. But the V is not drastic and therefore plays well with all genres.​

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The bass​

is bumped over neutral with good presence. Not very linear though, with a gradual boost up to the midbass before dropping in the lower mids. The sub-bass is felt at average listening volumes, has a natural decay and is of better quality (read: control) than the mid-bass. The midbass keeps things lively. However the drop in upper mids is more evident as a result.​

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The mids​

are not strictly recessed. They sit a row behind the ensemble and are sufficiently accurate and clear. The upper mids are gradually more emphasized (a trend which continues into the treble range). Female vocals are more intelligible than male vocals. In tracks that do not have much midbass presence, the mids really shine through and show how capable the VSD1S midrange is.​

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Having read reports of sibilance on the GR07, I was pleasantly surprised to note that this wasn't a major issue on the VSD1S and was forgiving enough. Yes,​

the treble​

is emphasized, and on occasion does overstep the line, but only when the recording contains stressed ttt’s or shhhh’s. In short, the VSD1S treble is not a deal breaker. On the contrary, it made the IEM more enjoyable.​

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The soundstage​

does not leave you wanting, with average depth and above average width. Stereo imaging is convincing and is helped further by high bitrate audio.​

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This must give you a picture of what makes the VSD1S a great IEM. It is versatile. It has a V shaped sig that has been flattened out a bit, allowing it to handle anything thrown at it with aplomb.
It truly is amazing considering the price-point, and sometimes makes you forget that it only costs < 50$.​

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Now for some subjective drivel:​

 
 

I am a self-diagnosed mid-head. Blame HiFiMAN. Also I am slightly treble sensitive, meaning that I am less tolerant to sibilance. I was weary of Vsonic’s trademark sound and wondered if the VSD1S was right for me. But this was meant to be gifted, and who wouldn’t want 90% of the GR07 at 50$. I barely got to listen to them for a few minutes before I had to gift-wrap it. My mind, expecting a V shaped sound with sibilance thrown in was pleasantly surprised. I was intrigued, but sadly they were out of my hands soon thereafter. And over the next months all I heard was “Thank you so much! They sound amazing”. And over the past month I see where that came from and have grown attached to the VSD1S. Rest assured I have stolen it back and replaced the gift with my MH1C.​

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Am I satisfied? Not entirely (who is though?). The mids irritate me on certain tracks. I usually use the mids to volume match and therefore end up with a volume setting that makes my head sound like a club. If I had to 'fix' the VSD1S, I'd like to pull the midbass back a bit, a very very slight controlled boost in the sub bass, work in some depth to the soundstage.​

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My RE400 is not allowed to leave the house (build concerns), and this is excellent on the move. They isolate well, are light, and sound spectacular with all my “fun” music. I actually prefer it over the RE400 for certain genres.​

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Product link: Here
A big thank you to Hifinage for binging Vsonic to India. Shipping was super-fast, decent pricing and pre and post purchase customer care is top notch.​

                                        

Packaging and build: 
The packaging is minimal and exquisitely so. The extra tips filters and manual are behind the felt coated foam holding the earphones. As I gingerly dislodged them from the grooves, I was struck by how tiny they are. I always try to avoid gripping the strain relief as a precaution, but it was difficult considering the size. The shiny bead blasted aluminium back goes well with the brushed aluminium housing. Which brings me to the build. This is the most common qualm people have reported. The plug is beefy, the y split seems sturdy enough. However, I noticed that some free movement of the cable is possible at the entry point of the strain relief. As long as the cable is secured properly within the main housing this shouldn't be an issue. (I was tempted to add a dab of glue at the strain relief end to restrict that free movement).
The half and half cable is… okay. The cloth half is a little kinky (pun not intended). The sticky half is thin and flexible making it very comfortable when worn over ear. Apparently, the hybrid design serves to reduce weight among other benefits.
 
Accessories, Comfort and Isolation:
Tips galore but an odd assortment. Anyway, I have very narrow ear canals and the smaller tips gave me a good seal. The pseudo-double bump tips gave me pressure problems, so I settled for the bar-tips. The complys are good, but the foam overhangs (ahead of the rubber tube) get scrunched. (I have modified them by cutting off the overhangs) Cable noise is more than present when worn cable-down. Almost disappears when worn over-ear. Can hardly feel then in my ears after a while. It is evident that the HiFiman team has paid a lot of attention to ergonomics. Other accessories include a shirt clip, 5 pairs of stock filters. I have dry wax so I won’t be changing them out anytime soon. Perhaps I could use them to hard EQ them (doubling the filters, felt mod etc.) Maybe later.
Isolation is average, even with a good fit. But maybe that’s about as good as it gets for vented earphones. The vent is placed ventrally and only the deepest fit might shield it partially.
 
Sound:
A short intro/disclaimer My experience when it comes to iems is very limited. The RE400 is my first foray into audiophile territory. I’ve been in a V/U-shaped bassy world thus far. 
Chronologically....Sony MDR-E818LP>Sony MDR-EX35LP>Creative EP-630>Xears TD4 Ebony Blackwood>Brainwavz R1>HiFiman RE-400
I’ve loved and hated every set. So I set my sights higher and decided to bravely plunge into a neutral world just to see if that was the right direction for me.
Doing an A:B comparison doesn't make much sense with iems that differ this widely.
My impressions may seem overblown to some. But such a drastic change in direction can do that. Back to the review I expected to be disappointed by the RE-400 in the bass department. I like a little rumble and feel in my bass. But given my inexperience, I was very curious about bass quality vs quantity.
 
Fast forward to my impressions… I initially thought of describing it by music genre. But after a week with them, I’ve decided to go ahead with the classic break-up.
 
Treble:
I’ve always found sharp treble to be off-putting. There is a (false?) sense of enhanced clarity that comes with sparkly treble. But for me, the overall enjoyability dips. I’m absolutely amazed by how smooth the treble is on the RE-400. Some may like a little more sparkle, its sooo perfectly where I want it to be. It may lack some bite with fast electronic music. I found no nasty peaks or dips. To me, the detail and clarity was eye widening (considering my experience or lack thereof).
 
Mids: 
I was expecting to be impressed. But not blindsided like this. It felt like I had suddenly switched from 192kbps to a vinyl track. The first thing that struck me was how much more life-like it felt. The vocals had a certain texture. Simply put, if that texture was absent, the vocals wouldn't be as immersive. A striking feature was the depth to the vocals (not necessarily to the soundstage). It sounded “wholesome”(male and female alike). I’m finding this very hard to describe but I must persist, because it’s that important. I am able to gauge how much breath and effort the singer is taking. Apart from the core vocals I hear a lot of nuances and details that contribute to that sense of “completion”. This particular feature impressed me the most in this iem. Another thing I noticed is how untouched and unaffected the mids are. No matter how busy rest of the spectrum gets, the mids always come through unadulterated. Like I had a separate pair of ears for the mids. And it seemed like the bass and highs complemented it nicely. Like they were all on the same plane of preference.
 
Bass: 
I will have to divide this segment into two. Initial impressions and Brain-burnt–in impressions.
Initial: Sub-bass felt non-existent. Some tracks need that sub-bass to sound right. It adds to the ‘natural, warm’ feeling. Sub-bass is more ‘feeling’ than ‘hearing’. Tracks that had a strong mid-bass component were handled beautifully. I couldn’t believe the detail and how fast it sounded. But I would have liked some more punch. Sadly the mids keep grabbing the spotlight therefore I didn’t get to try many bass heavy tracks.
Brain-burnt in: Sub-bass still felt weak. I do see they measure near flat through the bass, but they could do with more presence in the sub-bass. I did find out at higher listening volumes, that the RE-400 extends pretty deep. I feel the punch in the mid-bass now(I think it feels more apparent when you get accustomed to the signature). I find the quantity sufficient(not lacking) now. Surprisingly enough, I’m actually enjoying them immensely. I love the attack speed and the detail, even when it gets busy. I want to say “resolving” but I’m not sure if it is the correct term. I’m quite stunned to find myself enjoying this “type” of bass. The initial disappointment only surfaces when I find the sub-bass lacking. ljokerl advised me to try a “narrow” lift of a few dB in the sub-bass. This improves presence without affecting the mid-bass or the mids. The RE-400 is a very capable iem in this respect. The overall tonality has warmed and I’m not disappointed as often. I still find myself wanting a bit more presence but I don’t think EQing it in is the answer. (Perhaps a vent redesign, dampers coupled with a sub-bass lift). Drums sound very natural (except the deepest reaching ones). It’s easy to differentiate between the types of drums. The bass conveys that much detail.
Bottom line: Bass enjoyment is very track subjective. EQing helps because the drivers are capable
Extra tip: The EQ in Poweramp for Android (with the DVC audio setting enabled) is very effective in boosting the sub-bass without "upsetting the tonal balance"
Other miscellaneous rambling:
The soundstage isn't the widest. The Brainwavz R1 has spoiled me in this regard. But it isn’t congested either. It conveys a good sense of space. Vocals can be very very intimate. And orchestras can be sufficiently spacious. No complaints there. All the music components are clearly positioned and layered without any interference. I believe that is good “imaging”?
 
Like I mentioned before, I sense an overall “completion” in the music. Vocals will have a ‘bass’ component and a ‘lower highs’ component in addition to the core “mid” component. The RE-400 delivers all of it in equal measure (just a tad more in the mids). I have observed that they sound even better at higher volumes (+1/2 dB above normal listening volume).
 
I am curious to as to how the RE-400 will perform when powered by a better source. That will have to wait as I don’t have the resources
 
Some have reported good results by using dampers to add a little warmth and presence (even going as far to comparing it to the 400$ RE-600). I will try these mods later on.
 
Conclusion: This iem was meant to be a test, an experiment. My first foray into neutral audiophile territory. And they have surprised me. They have made me second guess my sound sig preference. I know what I want now (until the next revelation). But what I want now is so different from what I wanted, I doubt I’ll ever have such a drastic change of heart.
I expected it to fit a small segment of my music but I’m shocked at the versatility and satisfaction it has given me in most of my music.
 
I have a very non-technical way of knowing when music sounds really good to me. It has nothing to do with genre, mood or content. It depends solely on raw music quality. This happens to me with “certain tracks” that span a wide genre(Examples: Imogen Heap- Let go, Jasmine Thompson - Home, Mick MCauley & Winifred Horan - A Daisy in December, Eminem- Sing for the moment etc). Well….. My eyes well up. Not related to feelings of sadness, happiness etc. My eyes simply leak a lot of tears without warning(freaked me out the first time). Let’s just say, I can’t see through the haze of tears when I have the RE-400 on. It’s only happened with the Fidelio L1, some active speaker I can’t remember, rarely with the Brainwavz R1.
 
The RE-400s have set the bar very high for me. If these had a more sub-bass presence I would have absolutely nothing to complain about. I think finding something much better will be very difficult unless I burn my wallet, so I will now look for an iem to complement (not beat) the RE-400.
 
Credits:
@esantosh for all the advice he’s given me. And for replying to my monotonous PMs.
@modulor, @Tom22 for their detailed and comforting words from a very understanding POV.
Big ups to HiFinage for bringing HiFiman to India.
 
Edit: I have rephrased by impressions of the sub-bass. It is my first review, and a year and a lot more experience later, I do feel my wording was not an accurate representation of what I felt regarding the sub-bass.
HiFiMAN has now reduced the price to 79$. The 100$ market is very competitive and the new price gives it even better value.