This short review is actually a part of a much larger review, thread and poll on the entire Altone series. Here is a link to the thread:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/774084/t-peos-altone-series-thread#post_11751591
 

 
 
The Baguette is an attached cable IEM with a HPS single dynamic 10mm driver. The cable is made of the same material as the rest of the recently released Altone line. The cable seems very durable and has a considerable amount of spring and memory to it. There is an inline universal remote with a single button function. The housings are made of what looks to be a combination of metal and heavy duty plastic. All in all the Baguette is a tough built and stylish looking monitor.
 
The Baguette caught me off guard with their sound. I was expecting them to sound similar to the warm and smooth T-peos, but to my surprise they were very balanced and probably the most neutral sounding IEMs of all the Altone earphones.
 
PRT was pretty decent. I was catching myself playing the hand drums on my desk a number of times with these. Their signature worked well with all genres, and with more popular genres the sub bass extension was impressive. All in all they had a tuning that was maybe just a touch midrange forward with a very faint roll-off in the higher frequencies. The only thing I could really identify as weaknesses in their sound was a sense of the driver getting overwhelmed during complex passages, and separation of sounds was not on par with more elite and higher priced gear. Other than that, these were a very fun sound that won’t leave anyone feeling cheated of their hard earned dollars.

At the time this review was written, the Soundmagic E50 was on sale for $44.99 USD on Micca Store’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review:

http://www.miccastore.com/soundmagic-e50-noise-isolating-inear-headphones-p-136.html
 
Introduction
There’s no denying that in-ear monitor technology is advancing. There are hundreds of options when you’re in the market for a pair in the $10 to $150 range. Companies range in size from a couple people with a distinct vision, to technology giants like Sony and Philips. Somewhere in between both sides of the spectrum lies companies like Soundmagic.
 
Soundmagic’s vision is simple, to make the best possible portable audio products at a great price, and make them available to as many people as possible throughout the world. Those who have experienced their products know that they hold true to this commitment and seldom if ever disappoint their customers.
 
The recent release of the Soundmagic E80 and E50 really has blown the hinges of the door when it comes to what type of sound quality can be achieved for around fifty bucks. Today I will be reviewing the E50.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to sample their product in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Soundmagic.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
The package was the same as the rest of Soundmagic’s “Reference Series” of earphones. It was a simple white and black box that had a picture of the housings and brief description of the product and features on the front. The back of the box featured a listing of the product’s accessories in several different languages, along with a cellophane cutout that displayed the E50 Housings and cable jack.
 

 
 
 
Specifications:
*Transducers: 10mm dynamic drivers, Neodymium magnets
*Frequency Range: 15Hz~22KHz
*DC Resistance: 51+-10%Ohms
*Sensitivity: 102+-dB
*Maximum input power: 20mW
*Cable Length: 1.2m
*Connector: Stereo 3.5mm, L-style sixty degree angled plug, Gold plated
*Weight: 13g

 
Accessories:
*3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S,M,L)
*3 pairs of  wide bore silicone tips (S,M,L)
*1 pair of double flange silicone tips (M)
*1 pair of Comply foam tips (M)
*1 cable clip
*1 zipper carrying hardcase

There are plenty of tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal.
 
Housings
The E50 housing design is very similar to their E10 model in terms of shape and weight. Cosmetically they slightly different. The E50 is constructed of a combination of very lightweight metal (I assume it is aluminum) and plastic. They are lightweight and sturdy. The nozzle is made of plastic and is short and fairly wide for an IEM. All in all it is well built, and ready for everyday use.

 

 

 

 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs
The cable is the same material as the rest of the “Reference Series” of Soundmagic’s in-ear monitors. Although very rugged for a budget IEM, it  is a slightly rubbery cable that has a considerable amount of spring and memory. Just like the others, the built in chin slider provides ample relief from the spring and memory hindering their fitment.
 
The strain relief at the housing is short, but seems to be flexible and forgiving enough to be adequate for daily use. The  Y-split is a combination of a rubber strain relief and lightweight metal jacket. It features the Soundmagic logo and a specific serial number. It is well done and seems very durable.
 
The new and improved cable jack is a continuation from the rest of the earphone’s build. It is a sixty degree angled plug that has a rubber strain relief and lightweight metal housing. The jack itself is gold plated.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
The fit of the E50 is identical to the E10 series. It can be worn comfortably under or over the ear. The provided chin slider allows the user to snug everything into place. The ergonomics are great, and follows the philosophy of “if it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it.”
 
Wear them under the ear and you will have noticable microphonics. Wear them over the ear and snug them into place with the chin slider and you will have pretty much eliminated cable noise.
 
The E50 has slightly better than average isolation. Make sure to get a good sealing tip for best isolation and sound quality.
 
Functionality
There is no microphone or remote on my demo pair. I assume this will be a feature coming up. It is simply a plug and play earphone.
 
Sound Review & Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier for lower impedance products. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs/DACs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
The E50 is a very high resolution V-signature IEM. They take a popular tuning and add a very high level of clarity to set itself apart from the E10, and many other earphones in it’s respective price range. Their tuning works great with all genres of music. I noticed a lift in mid bass and upper mids, giving it a high energy feel to its sound.  
 
Note: Tip selection plays a big part in how the E50 perceived. My personal favorite tip for them was the silicone wide bore tips, which rendered best results. I will be using them for the sound review. With a more narrow bore silicone tip, the E50 had an even more V-shape to their sound and bass was slightly boomy. With comply foam tips the E50 was most balanced but rendered a slight mid bass bleed and more tamed highs.
 
Bass
Soundmagic has labeled these as the “bass champ” of the reference series. It was very tight and punchy, with average sub bass extension and incredible speed in terms of attack and decay. Matter of fact, the bass was so fast in attack and decay that I will confidently say that it trumps most of my higher end IEMs in this department.
 
During test sweeps bass tones sounded relatively even from 20Hz to to 130Hz, then elevated upwards of 200Hz. It was forward in the mix and wasn’t overdone to my ears. Mid bass was a bit forward in the mix but very high resolution. I didn’t detect any bleed from bass to midrange.
 
Midrange
With the E50, most vocals seemed to take a back seat to the lifted mid bass and upper mids. To my ears vocals had a slightly distant, yet very high resolution feel to them. The best way I could describe it is that it is similar to the Xiaomi Piston 2.0 but WITHOUT the mid bass bleed. Those who really enjoyed the Piston 2.0 but couldn’t get over the mid bass bleed will absolutely adore the E50 for this accomplishment. Vocals, guitars, pianos and many other midrange sounds had excellent clarity. They could have possibly had a little more timbre and musicality for my preference, but this is to be expected from a V-signature.
 
Treble
Treble on the E50 is crisp and with good separation and detail. it is about as forward in the mix as the bass tones, and I heard a boost in the upper mids/lower treble as compared to the upper treble tones. The pronunciation of the letters S and T was forward without being piercing. Cymbal crashes were very well done. Long story short, the treble popped and didn’t get overwhelming to my ears.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The E50 creates a good sense of space because of its high resolution. Its sub bass extension is about average, bringing me to the conclusion that depth is average. The treble response is crisp and it’s forward upper mids doesn’t yield a significant sense of height, leading me to say that it is also average in this sense.
 
Imaging puts a unique placement of sounds due to its tuning, putting vocals behind the bass and treble frequencies. I would say imaging is about average for its price range as well.
 
Comparisons
 
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($20 to $40 USD on many sites)
The Xiaomi Piston 2.0 was a monumental in-ear monitor that was award winning and became a staple for entry level audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts. It was my “gateway drug” into in-ear monitors. I still have my Pistons and use them often as a reference when evaluating and comparing them to new gear. Although it is still a very solid V-signature and formidable performer, I feel it is outclassed by the E50. The E50 has a similar tuning, but its speed, resolution, and superior imaging sets it apart. For anyone who liked the Piston 2.0 and is looking for an upgrade in resolution and a remedy for their mid bass bleed, you have it right here!
 
I prefer the cloth coating and less spring and memory of the Piston’s cable, but holding them side by side the Soundmagic cable seems more durable. I give an edge in terms of accessories to the E50. Their zipper case if more functional and easier to use, and they have a better tip selection.
 
The Piston 2.0 has the edge in terms of functionality because of the three button remote, especially for Android users (the remote and microphone is designed for android). I assume Soundmagic will release a microphone and remote for the E50. When this is done it will most likely be a draw.
 
Soundmagic E80 ($51.99 USD on Micca Store’s website)
Note: I received both the E50 and E80 at the same time and have a Head-Fi review posted on the E80. Here is a link to this review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/soundmagic-e80-in-ear-monitor-headphone/reviews/13331#comments-title
 
First thing I will say is that the E80 tuning is more up my alley, and because of that it is one of my favorite IEMs I’ve ever heard and scored a five star review. I will also say that your mileage may vary. Both the E50 and E80 comes down to application and preference.
 
The E80 offers a tuning that is much different than the E50. The E80 is a more midrange forward tuning with bass that has a looser and more sub bass focused approach. Treble is less forward as well. For me, this tuning is right up my alley. I personally prefer this style over the E50. Please, don’t let that deter you from considering the E50 and feel free to ask questions at the bottom of the review if you need clarification on any aspects of either tuning.
 
The E50 has a tighter bass response, and slightly higher resolution all around. The bass has attack and decay that is tighter than the E80. This comes at the expense of less sub focus and layering. The treble on the E50 is crisper and more airy. This is why I fell some will actually feel that the E50 outperforms the E80.
 
I find the E80 more musical and engaging because of the forward vocals and extended sub bass layer. The E80 carries more timbre and musicality from what I hear. The E50 is a “sharper” and “tighter” sounding earphone that will appeal to those who prefer V-signatures.
 
Please take everything I’ve noted into consideration when picking between the two. It really does come down to preference and I totally understand why Soundmagic released both models at the same time, because they cater to both preferences and they both sound great.
 
A slight edge in accessories goes to the E80 because they offer a few extra pairs of tips. Other than that they are identical in what they offer for extras. Build quality is a draw, as both of them offer similar designs, the same type of cable, jacks, Y-splits, and strain reliefs.
 
Conclusion
The E50 is a consumer friendly signature that is sure to impress. They are very high resolution and make just about any genre of music sound exciting. It is definitely on of the best V-signature in-ears I’ve heard at this price. If you are in the market for a earphone with this type of tunings, you really can’t go wrong with the E50 earphone from Soundmagic.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Soundmagic E80 in-ear monitor was on sale for $51.99 USD on Micca Store’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review:

http://www.miccastore.com/soundmagic-e80-noise-isolating-inear-headphones-p-138.html
 
Introduction
Reviewing headphones is a labor of love. To be completely honest, the better an earphone is, the easier it is to write a review. While many earphones fit into their respective price point in terms of build and sound quality, I am occasionally blessed with an opportunity to cover an earphone that reminds me of why I still live in the “budget-fi” world. Simply put, there are earphones that come in under the hundred dollar mark that set themselves apart from their competition, and give products that cost much more a run for their money. Today I have the opportunity to cover a real gem in the “budget-fi” realm, the Soundmagic E80 in-ear monitor.
 
A few years back, Soundmagic raised the bar on the market for in-ears. They released the E10, an in-ear monitor that put many much higher priced earphones to shame with their ergonomic design and phenomenal sound. Several other models were released, including one of my all time favorites, the E30 (still one of my favorites to date). Other notable products are their full size headphones (HP100, HP150, HP200), as well as the PL and ES series of IEMs. Here is a link to their official website:
 
http://www.soundmagic.com.cn/en/home/Default.html
 
When Soundmagic reached out to me to review their new E50 and E80 earphones, I was ecstatic. Not only was I curious to try a new earphone from them, I was already a fan having owned several of their products.
 
It is my pleasure today to present the new flagship of their Reference Series, the Soundmagic E80 in-ear monitor. It is an extraordinary earphone at a price that is almost too good to be true.
 
Note: I also reviewed the Soundmagic E50 in-ear monitor. Here is a link to the review for them:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/soundmagic-e50-e50s/reviews/13363

Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to cover the E80 and E50 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Soundmagic.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
The Package came in a black and white box much similar to their previous reference series models. The front of the box had a picture of the housings and the product name along with a few brief notes describing them. The back of the box had a clear cellophane coated cutout showing the actual housings, along with a list of the accessories in eight different languages.


Specifications:
*Transducers:    10mm dynamic with neodymium magnet
*Frequency Range: 15Hz~22KHz
*DC resistance: 64+-10%Ohms
*Maximum input power: 20mW
*Cable Length: 1.2m
*Connector: 3.5mm Stereo, 60 degree L-style plug, gold plated
*Weight: 13g

Accessories:
*3 pairs silicone narrow bore tips (S,M,L)
*3 pairs silicone wide bore tips (S,M,L)   
*1 pair silicone double flange tips (M)
*3 pairs Comply foam tips (S,M,L)
*Cable clip
*Semi hard zipper carrying case                                                             

There are plenty of tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal.
 
Housings
The E80 is a barrel shaped housing consisting of mostly metal. It has a short and slightly wider than normal nozzle. There is a venting hole on the bottom where the nozzle meets the housing. The back of the housing has a unique connection, using a rigid rubber backing that operates as the strain relief and leads to the cable. Everything is well built and very smartly designed. I have no complaints and find the design to be sleek and solid.

 

 

 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs
The cable is a shiny rubber coated wire that is the same material as the reference series cables of the later runs of the E10 and E30. One thing I wasn’t fond of was the amount of spring and memory of the cable. Its saving grace was a very useful chin slider that allowed me to negate the spring of the cable by snugging the cable into place under my chin or behind my neck. The Y-split had a rubber strain relief with a metal exterior that matched the rest of the cable and had the Soundmagic logo along with a specific serial number. The cable Jack was a sixty degree angled plug that is constructed of metal and gold plating and has a black rubber strain relief. The outside of the cable jack sported the E80 logo. Aside from the spring and memory of the cable (which is controlled by using the chin slider) everything is really well done.

 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
The E80 has a great fit. With the large selection of tips that come in the package it was easy to find a tip that seals well. The included chin slider made it easy to wear them under or over the ear. They were very comfortable and I had no issues wearing them for extended periods of time. They are one of the better fitting IEMs I’ve experienced.
 
 
Functionality
My pair of E80 didn’t come a microphone or remote. I assume there will be a model that will feature this coming up.
 
Sound Review & Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier for lower impedance products. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs/DACs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
 
Sound Signature
This quickly became a personal favorite in terms of sound. It is one of the most impressive midrange presentations I’ve heard in any earphone, whether it be full size cans or in-ear monitors. The sound is organic and lush, and you won’t feel like anything is missing. There are no outrageous spikes or dips. They play every genre or music well. They are easy to listen to for extended periods of time. It is truly a complete package in terms of sonic presentation.
 
Note: The E80 will work with a device like a cell phone and sound great, but they do call for more power than the average in-ear monitor. Its power requirements are somewhere along the lines of the Havi B3 Pro 1, maybe a touch less. I found a portable amplifier helped to get the best sound quality out of them. They sounded especially great with my Soundmagic A10 amplifier. However, most amplifiers should suffice.
 
Note: Tip selection plays a considerable part in how they sound. Narrow bore tips brings the bass and treble a little more forward as compared to the wider bore tips. Comply foam tips seemed to render the most balanced sound from bass to midrange, and smoothed out the treble a bit. Wide bore tips rendered a very lush midrange with plenty of bass response and treble presence and was my preferred tip, with Comply foam coming in a close second. I will report my impressions based on using the wide bore silicone tips in my sound review.
 
Bass
The bass on the E80 has no limit in terms of extension. It goes as low as you can hear and then some. It isn’t necessarily the tightest bass, but it has very nice presence and hits every note with ease. It does take a very small step back from the midrange, but not in a bad way by any means. It has punch that could be tighter, but it works really well and supports an astonishingly good midrange. I think the best way to describe it would be powerful, smooth, and not overbearing in any way. It works well with every genre of music.
 
Midrange
I absolutely adore the midrange of the E80. It is lush with plenty of timbre and fabulous resolution. It is relatively balanced with a warm tilt. Vocals sound BEAUTIFUL with these! Male and female vocals sounded warm and natural. Midrange instruments could be felt as well as heard. I think the thing about them that is so special is their organic and sound that was able to also have an incredible amount of timbre at the same time. Separation of sounds is top notch. These sound very high end to my ears, and I don’t know if there will be anyone who can find any fault in the midrange of the E80.
 
Treble
Treble is universally well done so that anyone can enjoy it. It is as crisp as it can be without being harsh. There is great separation and detail. It is one of the better treble earphones I’ve heard at any price range. While many high end earphones have a spike to give listeners a sense of top end extension, the E80 takes a different approach. I think it is perfectly positioned so those who are sensitive to harsh treble can appreciate it, and those who are not will not find it lacking whatsoever.
 
Sound Stage and Imaging
The low end extension is awesome, giving it great sound stage depth. forward mid range and plenty of timbre and resolution, giving the listener a great sense of space. Treble is very natural and engaging, but doesn’t spike. Because of this a select few might find the top end to not be as extended as other earphones. Imaging is far better than average for a single dynamic driver earphone, but not as good as some other much higher priced IEMs I’ve heard. For its price point it is definitely one of, if not the best I’ve heard.
 
Comparisons
Dunu Titan ($100 to $130 USD on Many Sites)
“How does it compare to the Titan?” seems to be the big question these days. There’s no denying the Titan is great.
 
Both earphones have bass responses that could be a bit tighter. I personally prefer the bass tuning of the E80 because it is more extended into sub bass regions, and its extension is limitless. Doing an A-B comparison, the Titan mid bass really seems to jump out in front and make them seem a hair more unnatural to my ears. Midrange on the E80 has a more natural and organic presentation with more timbre. I prefer the midrange on the E80 over the Titan by a considerable margin. Let that be a testament to how good the E80 midrange is, because anyone who has heard the midrange of the Titan knows it is excellent. I give a slight edge to the Titan in terms of treble response thanks to its top end shimmer and detail, but it can also be sibilant and fatiguing with some genres of music. On a whole, I prefer the sound of the E80.
 
Build quality goes to the Titan. Their cloth covered cable is more flexible and has less spring and memory. Under the ear fit goes to the Titan, but over the ear fit goes to the E80, as swapping channels to accomplish this isn’t necessary. I consider the Accessories to be a tie. Both offer a very nice carrying case and great selections of tips.
 
Would I take the E80 over the Titan? I guess it comes down to preference. The more natural presentation and timbre makes the E80 a more enjoyable listen to my ears. Although the under ear fit of the Titan is superior, the fit of the E80 is more universal (I can go over the ear without swapping channels). The case is not as solid, but it is also less prone to scratches. Your mileage may vary, but if I had to choose between the two,I would pick the E80. However, both are fantastic and you can’t go wrong with either.
 
Did I mention the E80 are fifty to eighty dollars cheaper?
 
Soundmagic E50 ($45 USD on Micca Store)
The E50 is the other model released in the reference series. It is more V-shaped. Both offer similar resolution. This one is a matter of preference. If forward midrange isn’t your cup of tea and you listen to mostly modern genres like Pop or Rock music, and you aren’t sensitive to treble, the E50 might be a better tuning for your preference.
 
Accessories are almost identical between them, with the only exception being the two extra pairs of Comply foam tips included with the E80. The housing shapes are slightly different, but fitment was pretty much identical for me.
 
For my music preference, and two extra pairs of comply foam tips, I would spring the extra cash and get the E80. Better yet, you could buy both and still be at a price lower than the Titan, just saying...
 
Conclusion
The E80 was an epic listening experience, and ranks extremely high on my list of IEMs, ahead of the likes of the VSONIC GR07BE and Dunu DN1000. Their price to performance ratio is legendary, and their timbre rich midrange presentation is world class. If you want to experience some of the best “bang for your buck” earphones on the planet, I would hope that these are on the top of that list.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Fidue A73 in ear monitor  was on sale for $149.00 USD on Penon Audio’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review.

 
http://penonaudio.com/FIDUE-A73
 
Introduction
The highlight of my short tenure of writing reviews was covering the Fidue A83. It was my first time experiencing a Fidue in-ear monitor and after using the A83, I knew it wasn’t going to be my last. When the A73 was released I purchased it on the spot, and with absolutely no regrets. The A73 is an in-ear monitor that took the success of the A83 (I gave it five stars) and customer feedback (small issues regarding the fit and sound) and tweaked their tuning, ergonomics and PRICE. They made what is my favorite in-ear monitor to date. Please read more to find out why!
 
Disclaimer
The A73 was purchased from Penon Audio. I am in no way affiliated with Fidue or Penon Audio.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
 
The Package

 
 
 
The A73 was one of those packages that I had to make sure I checked the tracking on my phone several times each day, for no other reason than sheer anticipation. When they arrived, I was greeted with a sharp black and green box much similar to the A83. There was a description of the product and key features, along with a nice picture image of the IEM. The back of the box had specifications in three languages.
 
Specifications:

1. Driver: Φ10mm Exclusive Dynamic & Balanced Armature Drivers Frequency
   
2. Frenquency Range: 13-27,000 Hz

   
3. Sensitivity: 107dB

   
4. Max Input Power: 20mW

   
5. Distortion: <1%

   
6. Plug: 3.5mm stereo, gold-plated (MP3, iPod, iPhone & iPad Supported)

   
7. Cable: 1.3 m
   
8. Sensitivity of Mic: -42+-3db
   
9. S/N Ratio of Mic: ＞55db
   
   

 
Accessories:

1. Silicone eartips (S/M/L)

   
2. Double flange silicone eartips
   
3. shirt clip
   
4. High quality Leather Carrry case
   
   

 
Housings
The housings are a combination of metal and plastic similar to the A83, but with a more ergonomic shape that better fits my ears. The outside of the housings appears to be metal with a brushed nickel or aluminum finish. The inside of the housing is a transparent crimson/wine colored plastic that reveals the innards of the A73. I find the housings to be very nicely built and very good looking. The hozzle angles out of the inside of the housing and is designed for over the ear fit. All in all its sharp looking, has a sturdy build, an ergonomic design and a great fit.

 

 

 

I think they checked all the boxes on this one...
 
Cable, Y-split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs
The cable is a rubbery transparent gray cable that shows traces of the inside cable cores. It has very little memory and a small amount of spring. It's nowhere near as solid or heavy duty as the A83 cable but it is sleek, discreet and ready for daily use.
 
The Y-split is a Crimson rubber material coated in a aluminum tubing that displays the Fidue logo. The build is sleek and solid.
 
The cable jack is a straight plug that uses the same materials as the Y-split. It's a straight plug and seems to be well built and able to withstand the test of time.
 
Strain Reliefs are a rubber material that is a similar transparent crimson color to the housing. I find the material to be spot on and perfect for strain relief. I don’t see this cable shorting out any time soon.

Boxes for all criteria were checked for this section.
 
Functionality
The A73 has a single button remote and microphone that works for both Iphone and Android (very smart) and is located just above the Y-split on the right side. When talking to friends and family, most reported my voice clarity to be at a four on a scale from one to five.
 
It checks boxes in terms of being just right for features I need, and nothing I don’t.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
The over the ear fit is perfect in my opinion. I had no problem getting them to fit. Once situated in my ear, I almost never had to adjust them. Your mileage may vary, and tip selection plays a big part in this, but for me they are one of the best fitting IEMs I’ve ever worn. They aren’t designed to be worn under the ear but it can be done without a problem. However it looks kind of awkward.

 
Note: The cable didn’t have a chin slider. Although, not necessary, I feel that this is one feature that would have improved the product’s fit.
 
Sound Review & Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier for lower impedance products. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs/DACs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
I’ll be the first to say that I’ve been a huge fan of hybrid earphones because of their ability to have the bass of a dynamic driver in combination with the details of a balanced armature. As time goes by, this design keeps getting better and better. The A73 is incredible tuning that adds an ever so slight bass lift, warm midrange and treble response that is extended, detailed, crisp and pretty smooth all at the same time. Nothing seems to be over or under done from what I hear. It is a nice combination of power and finesse. It plays all genres of music well. They were especially spectacular for band genres due to their world class separation, timbre and detail. Jazz, Metal, Rock, Classic Rock, and Symphony all sound especially beautiful with these IEMs. I spent a long time listening to both these and the A83 and although the A83 is a more dynamic and entertaining sound, I caught myself reaching for the A73 more often. At the moment I prefer their slightly more linear tuning. Allow me to explain why as I break them down.
 
Bass
The A73 bass is slightly boosted, beautifully balanced, fast in attack and not intrusive whatsoever. Bass tones were heard/felt as low as 10Hz and rolled upwards to 130Hz before it topped off. There was no significant drop offs and all tones were relatively close. During music playback it seems very balanced to my ears. There is no part of the bass response that seems to jump out in front of the rest of the tuning.
 
The bass is forward, present and lush, playing along with the music in good balance, hitting every note pretty flawlessly. When called upon by the track to bring some thump it can also do so just as easily. It is a very versatile bass response. During Daft Punk’s “Doin it Right,” the lowest of low bass notes were perfect in tone and not boomy at all (which is usually the case with most IEMs). During Tei Shi’s “Bassically,” there was a level of depth and speed playing the bass lines that yielded a great sense of space and energy. You get punch, you get rumble, you get speed. No, it’s not fast armature bass but in my opinion it's better. It’s more linear and balanced than most bass forward dynamics and more dynamic and weighted than balanced armatures. I hope that makes sense.
 
Bass quality, Check...
 
Midrange
Midrange is an epic combination of warmth and resolution. I get a sense of forwardness in ranges just above midbass that make vocals pop. I really like how this is done. To my ears, the vocals take center stage on most tracks and that’s how it should be. Voices sounded very natural and forward at the same time. Pianos had great timbre and speed.
 
The midrange is somewhat similar to the tuning of the Dunu Titan in the sense that they go from very warm and rich in lower midrange to very crisp and slightly dry upper midrange. The word that comes to mind is “shimmer.” They have a certain amount of upper midrange detail and shimmer that nicely compliments that rich lower mid presence. They are never shouty, and you catch every single micro detail with great resolution and accuracy. The balanced armature inside of these are gems. During Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing,” I got lost in picking apart all of the guitars and bass guitars playing at the same time. I think the level of separation on the A73 is world class.
 
Midrange, Check...
 
Treble
Treble is my favorite aspect of the A73 in terms of its sound. Often times when higher end IEMs are released, they have a tweaked treble response with a bump somewhere in the upper mids or treble area. This is done to yield a good sense of top end extension and improve soundstage. This is done at the expense of some listeners not being able to tolerate the spike, or get the impression that the earphone is mild to considerably sibilant. The A73 is unique in the sense that it carries the same amount of extension and detail as higher end stuff, but isn’t forward enough to be harsh. It has very clean and crisp sound and feel. There were no harshly pronunciations of the letter S, and cymbal crashes were crystal clear and on the more mellow side of harsh.  I could listen to this type of treble tuning for hours without it ever getting fatiguing or feeling like it is lacking in any way. It sounds good at any volume. Dare I say it is some of the best treble I’ve ever heard in an IEM? I did, and with no shame!
 
Treble response, check...
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The A73 sounds very open and airy. The beefy sound from the dynamic driver and very detailed and extended sound of the armature driver creates a huge soundstage for an IEM. Imaging is awesome because of the top notch level of detail and accuracy. Simply put, pop them in your ears, play your favorite tracks, sit back, relax, close your eyes, and you will be whisked away to your favorite songs being performed live just for you. The dynamic and armature driver playing in unison really makes the presentation sound multidimensional.
 
Soundstage? Imaging? Check...
 
Comparisons
 
Fidue A83 ($275 to $325 USD on many sites)
If the Fidue A83 is the Shaquille O’neal version of in-ear monitors, the A73 is Kobe Bryant model. While the A83 brings power and an aggressive tuning that impresses me every time I listen to it, the A73 has traits that sets it apart from it’s older teammate, making it equally as effective despite the differences in its game plan and approach.
 
The A83 is more aggressive and forward in just about every auditory aspect. The bass is more robust and has more rumble. The A73 bass is more linear and with more speed. The upper midrange of the A83 is more forward and shouty in comparison to the A73 softer presentation. The treble of this A83 is more up front and some have said it is sibilant. While I don’t think this is the case, they are forward in comparison to the more relaxed and tolerable treble of the A73.
 
A83 is up front and aggressive, the A73 is more laid back and relaxed, delivering all the details and balance needed for audiophiles to really appreciate it.
 
The A83 is the entertainer, the A73 is the professor. A83 is the Incredible Hulk, the A73 is Bruce Banner. A83 is Superman, the A73 is Clark Kent. To make this review more fun, please post more analogies in the comment section below! Just keep it clean guys!
 
So, while the A83 is in the paint throwing elbows, pulling down rebounds and dunking on people, the A73 is weaving in and out of traffic, picking the opposition's pockets and nailing twenty foot fade away jumpers.
 
If I want to play an action flick with lots of music and explosions, or I’m listening to my favorite Daft Punk album, I’m going A83. This A83 also isn’t leaving the house because of the high price tag!
 
If I’m going to listen to some AFI or Pink Floyd, or decide to play some acoustic artists, I’m going A73.  I prefer the A73 for long listening sessions, one thing I haven’t touched on is the that the A73 has a much better and more ergonomic fit than the A83. If I’m leaving the house I’m taking these over the A83 because they are sleeker, and half the price (so half the risk) of the A83. Yes, for me the A73 is good enough to reach for instead of the A83 more times than not.
 
In terms of accessories, A83 takes the prize with its pelican case, airline adapter, ¼ inch plug, and detachable cable. The A73 accessory package is formidable and not lacking in any way, but not on the same level as the A83.
 
Dunu Titan ($90 to $125 USD on many sites)
The Titan caught a lot of people off guard with their solid build, and phenomenal resolution and aggressive tuning, turning many people’s attention towards the titanium single driver dynamic.
 
Simply put, I feel the Titan is outclassed by the A73 at this point, which is saying a lot because I had the Titan ranked second at the time of writing this review (now third out of all of the IEMs I have). The A73 is more extended into sub bass regions and more linear at the same time, making the Titan seem more mid-bass forward and lacking sub-bass extension and soundstage depth. Vocals sound great with the Titan but separation in the midrange was not as good to my ears as the A73. While I preferred the upper midrange of the Titan, overall smoothness, extension and resolution of the A73 treble was more enjoyable to me.
 
A-B comparisons, I can confidently say that the A73 is more detailed, higher resolution, more sub bass (and more bass overall) and has a bigger soundstage and better imaging. Now, all of you who have the Titan pop them in right now, give them a listen, and apply what I just said. Now, grab your wallets and go to the link at the top of the page and get these A73! HAHA! JKJK...kind of...not really...muahahaha...
 
Dunu offers a slightly better accessories package. Their case is very nice and Sony like hybrid tips sealed the deal for me.
 
Titan has a better under the ear fit. The fact that I can go over the ear with the A73 without swapping channels gives them the edge.  
 
Conclusion
The A73 checked just about every single box for me. It was a chin slider short of being perfect in my opinion. They took feedback from it’s reviewers and made another epic in-ear monitor. Fidue is quickly becoming my favorite maker of in-ear monitors. They make improvements based off of reviews and customer feedback. That is huge and a big reason why I have already made up my mind to invest in more of their premium products moving forward.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Huaham E701 Silence Dreamer in-ear monitor was on sale for $26.99 USD on Amazon’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review.

 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NB45HTQ/
 
Introduction
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to budget in-ear monitors, that trying to pick just one is a daunting task that will leave your head spinning. For me, I want to try them all, but for most people in the market, they will shop the local Best Buy, or jump on Amazon and pick the coolest looking one they can find. Others will read Amazon reviews which are only helpful to a certain extent.
 
Many smaller products will fly under the radar because bigger operations sell larger volumes of stuff, giving them opportunities for more marketing and discounted pricing. With all this going on, there’s a lot of companies that are making really good budget IEMs and not getting the exposure of companies like Panasonic, Sony, and Philips. This is the reason why I like the budget-fi world; there’s tons of really good stuff to be had for really low prices that are flying under the radar.
 
I want smaller companies that believe in their product to reach out to me, so I can give Head-Fi and it’s readers insight to good quality products. Budget, Mid, and Hi-Fi markets have “champions” at their respective weight class, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a contender lurking that can give the best a run for it’s money! Today I will be reviewing one of these prospects in the Huaham E701.
 
Disclaimer
I was given the opportunity to sample the Huaham E701 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Huaham in any way.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
The E701 came in a black and green square box. To be honest I wasn’t sure what I was looking at because the Huaham name wasn’t anywhere on the box. There was the E701 “Silence dreamer” title, and a series of numbers displayed along with a cutout picture of the housing. The back of the box displayed some simple features about the product and was in both English and Chinese.

 

 
Specifications:
I was unable  to access product specifications via the internet or it’s product sites. I will continue to try and get these, and report back to you when I obtain them.

 
Accessories:
The E701 comes with a very nice rectangular clamshell case, and one pair of memory foam tips.
 
Note: When I saw that the E701 came with only one set of tips (that didn’t fit my ears) I contacted them suggesting that they should provide a set of silicone tips in three sizes to come with the E701. I was quickly replied to and told that the next batch of E701 earphones will come with a set of silicone tips (S,M,L). Well done Huaham! Great customer service!
 
Note: Because I was not able to get a seal with the stock tips, I used silicone hybrid tips from Sony for the review. I found acoustics with the E701 were better with the Sony silicone tips than my large comply foam tips. Your mileage may vary.
 
Housings
The  Huaham product has a black sphered theme that carries throughout the entire design. The housings of the E701 are made of a shiny black plastic. I find the size, shape and weight of the housings to be great when trying to get a good fit and seal. I had no problems with the housing design when using this earphone whatsoever.

 

 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs
The cable is an all black semi flat cable that reminds me of the premium Sony cables used in the likes of the XBA series. It is very flexible and has very little memory. There is a lot of space from the earphone to the Y-split, and a good amount of cable length for portable use.

 
The Y-split follows along in the black sphere them and is made of a forgiving rubber material. It is rugged, clever, and well done.
 
The cable jack is yet again another rubber black half sphere, and finishes off the cable well.
 
There isn’t anything in terms of strain reliefs where the cable meets the housing. The rubber build of the Y-split and cable jack looks to offer adequate relief from strains and short circuits.
 
Note: I really like the earphone design. They really thought outside of the box and made something that is not only unique and very cool, but also had great ergonomics and ease of use. I give this IEM 5 stars for product design.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
I have no problem getting a great fit. They can be worn under or over the ear. The housing shape promotes a comfortable fit and consistent seal that I didn’t have to readjust regularly. Wear them under the ear, and you will get less microphonics than most IEMs, wear them over the ear and microphonics are eliminated.
 
Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier for lower impedance products. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs/DACs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
Functionality
The right side of the cable features a three button microphone and remote. This remote is designed to operate with Iphone, and I confirmed functionality with my wife’s Iphone 6 plus. With my Android phone, only the center button worked. When using the E701 with phone calls, friends and family reported my voice coming through at a four on a scale from one to five.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
In stock form, the sound signature is bass in your face, with a warm midrange textured midrange and relaxed treble. While this signature usually amounts to a distorted and congested sound, the Huaham makes itself an exception to this stereotype and maintains a fairly high level of resolution through all frequencies thanks to the very extended low end. The stock tuning seems to work best with Hip Hop, EDM, and I especially enjoyed these with Dubstep music.
 
Note:Something I have to add in this review is that I personally feel that the stock tuning doesn’t maximize the sonic capabilities of this IEM. By simply raising the treble regions, and dropping the bass regions of your source’s EQ, you will get a much more balanced and detailed response that works with every genre and really presents sound in a way that is competitive with much higher priced in-ear monitors. I really enjoyed these with an EQ adjustment. So much so, I have been using them exclusively as my commuter pair of earphones. Their price to performance value is phenomenal when considering the build, fit, and sound with the EQ tweak. The stock tuning isn’t necessarily bad, but an EQ adjustment takes them to another level.
 
Bass
Bass is very forward, and balanced. If anything, during playback the sub bass seems to jump out in front of the mix. It can be boomy and overdone with some tracks. The bass is not the cheap run of the muck mid bass forward stuff. It is sub focused, and extends very low while maintaining good tone and texture. Kick drums will kick like a mule. Sub bass lines go low as they need to. I don’t hear mid bass bleed, but more the sub bass just being too much for what’s playing sometimes. An EQ adjust fixes this as noted.
 
Note: The E701 will play any bass line you throw at it, and do it with authority. If you enjoy “basshead” IEMs, these are really great in stock form.
 
Midrange
The E701 is a tricky one, because the stock tuning takes away from what is really high quality, and nicely textured mids. The bass is so forward that is shadows (while not distorting) the midrange, and takes away from what is a very good presentation. It’s adequate and works great with more popular music genres. Take away the forward bass with an EQ adjustment and you will hear some really good midrange.
 
Treble
High frequency response takes the back seat in stock form. It doesn’t extend very far, is fatigue free, and reasonably clear. after an EQ adjustment, the treble balances out with the sound and goes from good to great.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
Sub bass extension is prominent and shadows over the midrange and treble regions, making it not seem as airy as open as it possibly could be. Still, all in all it is pretty well done for the price. After an EQ adjustment like mine, you will be left with a balanced, textured, and well presented IEM in terms of soundstage and imaging.
 
Comparisons
 
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($25 to $35 USD on many sites)
The Piston is a hall of famer with a V-signature. Many Head-Fiers either have a pair or have heard them.
 
The Piston is brighter and more extended in treble regions and carries more of a V-signature. The upper midrange to treble details are great for the price. The midbass tends to bleed into the other frequencies. The Huaham extends more into sub bass regions and in comparison makes the Piston seem like all mid bass. The E701 is warmer and less fatiguing.
 
For accessories the edge goes to the piston with a clever case and several tips to pick from, as well as a shirt clip.

 
KZ ED-8 ($X10 to $30 USD on many sites)
Many Head-Fiers really like the ED8 for it’s price to performance ratio. In stock form, the ED8 carries plenty of timbre. Their midbass presence and a slightly wooly low end can seem boomy.
 
The Huaham is a better sounding IEM in stock form, and even better when trying to maximize sound quality from each IEM. Either way the E701 is more extended into sub bass regions, making more room for the midrange to breath. The sound on the E701 is flat out more enjoyable to listen to from what I hear.
 
Both models offer minimal accessories. Edge goes to the E701 with their clamshell case for storage.

 
Conclusion
The Huaham E701 Silence dreamer earphone performed very well, and is worth every penny of their asking price. If you are looking for a well built and stylish in-ear monitor for your Iphone, and you enjoy lots of high quality bass, the E701 is right up your alley.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the MKLL M-1 was on sale for $79.00 USD on Penon Audio’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review:

http://penonaudio.com/MKLL-M-1
 
Introduction
With all of the options out there, it can become a crapshoot trying to find the perfect earphone. Often times new companies will release earphones, and buyers will be hesitant to take the plunge. With limited exposure, and little or no reviews or impressions, it's a risk to drop hard earned money on something we know almost nothing about. Purchasing new brands with minimal information can be a bust, but it can also be a very refreshing and rewarding experience. Today I will review a success in the MKLL M-1.
 
Disclaimer
My pair of MKLL M-1 was purchased on Penon Audio after getting a recommendation from one of their associates. I am not affiliated with MKLL or Penon Audio in any way.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to tinker with. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
 
The Package came in a Black box with their brand’s logo, a picture of the IEM, and the model. It doesn’t get much simpler. The back of the box displayed some basic specifications.



 
 
 
On the bottom of the box there is a website URL that when searched showed  MKLL is an side brand of a commercial cable manufacturer. Here is the link: www.mkllwp.com
 
Specifications:

1. Driver：10mm
   
2. Impedance: 16ohm
   
3. Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 kHz
   
4. Sensitivity: 98db=-3db
   
5. Rated power: 2mw
   
6. Power capability; 10mw
   
7. Cable length: 1.2m
   
8. Plug: 3.5mm gold painted
   
   

 
Accessories:

1. MKLL M-1 earphone
   
2. 6 pairs of eartips
   
   

    ~Three sets of red/gray silicone tips (S,M,L)
    ~Three sets of gray silicone tips (S,M,L)
 
Note: I also received two sets of silicone triple flange tips (M,L), and a pair of silicone double flange tips (M). I assume this is a bonus gift from Penon. If you aren’t familiar with Penon Audio, they are a fantastic seller that aims to please their customers with extras like this.

There are plenty of tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal.
 
Housings
The Housings appear to be made of a gold polished metal and plastic, and are in a bullet shape. Everything seems well built and very sharp looking. There are venting holes on the top of each housing. The MKLL logo is on the outside of the shell, with left and right markings on the inside.

 

 

 
Cable, Y-Split & Strain Reliefs, Cable Jack
The cable is made of silver coated oxygen free copper and is covered in a slightly rubbery and springy black and gold coating that is similar to the VSONIC GR07 series. It has very nice strain reliefs where the cable meets the housing. The Y split is a combination of rubber for strain relief and a metal  tube casing. The cable jack is a straight plug, made of the same metal as the housings and Y split. The strain relief at the jack is short and doesn’t seem to be the most durable plug I’ve seen. There is no chin slider.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
The hozzle of the M-1 angles inward from the housing shape, helping to create an ergonomic fit. They can be worn with the cable down or over the ear. They are very comfortable to wear and once seated in my ears there were no issues with maintaining a good fit and seal. If you go cable down, you will get microphonics. If you wear them over the ear, microphonics is pretty much eliminated.
 
Note: I did get a considerable amount of driver flex in the left ear of the M-1. After finding this, I am now careful when inserting them. By lifting my ear with the opposite side hand, and then inserting them, I don’t have driver flex issues anymore.
 
Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier for lower impedance products. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs/DACs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
The M-1 is a pretty impressive sounding IEM. The tuning is bass forward with a thick note presentation, all while maintaining great resolution and detail across the entire sound spectrum. The M-1 has a high resolution and textured sound that is very pleasing to the ear. They work well with every genre of music.
 
Bass
Bass on the M-1 is great. During test sweeps I could sense the frequency as low as 10Hz. They were really balanced from 20-200Hz. It has a bouncy and fast feel and sound, and extends really low. Tone was decent, and although the bass could have been tighter and more controlled, there wasn’t any bass tones that the M-1 couldn’t handle. During Daft Punk’s “Doin it right” the bass was flat out awesome, and played the lowest of lows with authority. Because of the bouncy nature, it can get ever so slightly boomy depending on what you’re listening to. Although it is very forward in the mix, I never found it to be over the top and to the point that I was turned away from it. Mid bass was very controlled and bass guitars sound really good and carry a good tone. If you liked the bass presentation of the DN-1000 or Fidue A83, you probably will like the bass of the M-1 as well.
 
Midrange
The M-1 midrange is warm, textured and with solid resolution. I wouldn’t say that it has mid bass bleed, but more like the sub bass of the M-1 is capable of jumping out in front of the mix. Deeper male vocals can carry a bit too much weight to sound natural, but all other vocals sound very organic and natural. Guitar plucks could be felt as well as heard. It is a very enjoyable sound that is engaging and energetic. Bass and mid range tuning works together to create really powerful sound.
 
Treble
The M-1 has fantastic treble. It is very high resolution and with great separation. You get almost all of the micro details the track presents. It achieves that sweet spot where it sounds very crisp without being sibilant. Cymbal crashes sound really good. I caught myself toe tapping and drumming on my desk while listening to them on several occasions. The treble energy is spot on and makes this IEM a real treat to listen to.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
Bass extension gives the M-1 superb soundstage depth. The textured mids and nicely tuned treble makes the sound big to my ears. Imaging is better than average, but the forward bass gets in the way of getting a good sense of instrument placement. An equalizer adjustment to lower the bass helps with this and makes them sound more airy and open.
 
Comparisons
 
Dunu Titan ($X90 to $125 USD on many sites)
The Dunu Titan is a leaner and more aggressive sound. The M-1 has more sub bass extension and less mid bass than the Titan. M-1 has better textured mid range and thicker note presentation. Titan has better resolution and separation on a whole. Treble on the Titan has more extension and shimmer. I actually prefer the smoother sounding treble of the M-1. It’s really a toss up as far as what is “better” and it comes down to signature preference.
 
I prefer the build quality and accessories of the Titan. The lack of a clamshell case leaves more to be desired for the M-1. The Sony like hybrid tips that come with the Titan are also a big plus.
 
TTPOD T1E ($30 to $50 USD on many sites)
The TTPOD bass is less forward and less bouncy compared to the M-1. I prefer the T1E bass, but the buck stops there. The rich, warm and energetic midrange and crisp treble puts the M-1 out in front in terms of sound quality. Resolution from midrange to treble is superior on the M-1
 
Build quality of the IEM is about equal in my opinion. The T1E offers a few more tips and a velvet pouch.
 
Conclusion
The M-1 is in that sweet spot for tuning. Bassheads and audiophiles will both have something to appreciate in this offering. It is a powerful and high resolution sound that works with just about every genre. If you are looking for an IEM that can bring a great combination of power, finesse and refinement to your music collection, the MKLL M-1 might be the one for you.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Ausdom M06 was on sale for $52.99 USD on Amazon. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review.
 
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Headphones-Technology-Microphone-Hands-free/dp/B00UA9XYLI
 
Introduction
When I was contacted to review the M06 bluetooth headphone, the first thing that came to mind was questioning if they were a Meelectronics knockoff. After doing some homework, I realized that this wasn’t the case, and despite the striking resemblance of not one but several products, the Ausdom product was legitimate. They are a headphone manufacturer that uses the same factory made shell, but installs their own internal components (drivers, diaphragms, circuitry).
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to sample the M06 bluetooth headphone in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with the manufacturer.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will can discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to tinker with. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
 
 
The Ausdom M06 comes in a black box with a picture of the product and brief description of the headphone model and features. The back of the box displays specifications in several languages.
 
The M06 bluetooth headphone is a pretty sweet package that has great functionality and sharp looks. I really like the brushed metal black finish. The pads are made of a nice synthetic protein based material that isn’t as uncomfortable as many fake leather pads. Holding them in my hand, they seem lightweight, and well  built for their asking price.
 
 
The package included the headphones, a flimsy 3.5 mm cable and a micro USB charging cable. There is no case for the headphones, and no USB plug for them. They charge via a USB wall plug (not included) or a laptop USB port (obviously also not included LOL). The headphone has ports for both cables. The 3.5mm cable jack allows them to be used in wired mode, and is a nice feature that helps to conserve battery, or allow them to be used when the battery is dead. I found the 3.5mm cable to be functional, but it is very flimsy and I would prefer to use an aftermarket 3.5 cable as a more durable application.
 
Charging time from a dead battery is around two hours. The package claims that these are capable of 20 hours of music playback. While I wasn’t able to confirm the exact time, I will say that the M06 has plenty of battery to get you through a day, and most likely two or three days (depending on usage) before they need to be charged. When the device is charging you will see a red light on the headphone light up. When charging is completed the red light shuts off.
 
They fit nicely with an over the ear fit. People with larger ears might have some issues with the pads not making it all the way around their entire ear. Even if this is the case, the pads are very supple and this shouldn’t affect the sound too much. For a closed cup design they keep your ears from getting too hot. Still, I wouldn’t want to wear these things on a hot summer day (or any full sized cans for that matter).
 
 
The M06 has controls that allow you to use your device with a phone and not need to pull your phone out of your pocket for the most part. Once you learn the button layout on the headphone, you can easily use the controls without needing to take them off.
 
The device powers on by holding the power button. Continuing to hold the power button after it has turned on will put the headphone into pairing mode. Find the headphone in the bluetooth settings of your source and connect. I had no issues linking this up to any laptop, phone, or tablet. Hold the power when the M06 is on, and this will turn the power off.
 
The M06 also sports play/pause, forward, backward, and volume buttons. All buttons seemed to work fine and with no hiccups.
 
The left side of the cup has a microphone built in. When using it for phone calls, family and friends reported that my voice came through at a two or three out of five stars. Many of the two ratings were reported when using them in noisy environments. I assume the microphone placement plays a part in this.
 
 
Sound Review Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware. I also used my Toshiba chromebook and also tested connectivity and playback with an Ipad and Kindle Fire. All testing for the review was done using bluetooth (no 3.5mm auxiliary cable). I used Google Music, Amazon Music, and Itunes downloaded or steamed in its highest download quality. I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
The M06 is a formidable bluetooth headphone that offers a signature that is decent and very listenable. It’s not going to wow you with amazing clarity and fidelity, but the tuning is easy to listen to, packs a nice punch, and some nice sparkle up top. Midrange is lacking in resolution and separation to be an elite sounding headphone. All in all, the tuning is nicer than many of the very bass forward bluetooth headphones available now days.
 
Bass
I really liked the bass tuning of this headphone. It was a touch forward and soft in it’s attack. It had very nice tone and didn’t seem sluggish to my ears.
 
Midrange
The M06 midrange was a bit of a sore spot for me. The placement was right, as it wasn’t too forward or far back in the mix. There were no noticeable peaks, and a slight dip in the upper midrange. The downfall was a noticeable lack of resolution and refinement that didn’t keep up with a very nice bass and treble response. Please don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t awful by any means, but it didn’t have the separation and clarity needed for me to be able to rave about them. All in all , the midrange seemed to have a slightly closed in and lifeless feeling to them.
 
Treble
Ausdom tuned the treble to be fatigue free and with a nice response. They don’t extend to the point of being sibilant. They have nice separation from what I hear, and I was able to make out all treble sounds without hearing the driver getting overwhelmed and smearing the sound. The treble was pleasant, polite, and with a nice shimmer to not feel like it was lacking.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The bass and treble are set up nicely for me to say that the soundstage is really good, but the flat sound of the midrange takes away the overall energy and realism. Soundstage is average for a bluetooth headphone. The imaging is decent in bass and treble regions but pretty flat in the mid range.
 
Comparisons
 
Meelectonics Matrix2 ($89.99 USD on many sites)
The Matrix2 is virtually the same shell as the Ausdom model with some tweaks and different internals. The Matrix2 has a soft padded carbon fiber looking material on the cups and headband, so this comes down to preference. I personally like the look Ausdom’s brushed metal finish.
 
Both models have the same 3.5mm auxiliary and micro USB charging cable. The Matrix2 sets itself apart, offering a matching carbon fiber finish case that is really cool.
 
The Ausdom is bluetooth 3.0, while the Matrix2 is 4.0 with aptx. Advantage Matrix2
 
In terms of sound, the Matrix 2 offers a better midrange that has better resolution and imaging. The Matrix2 is more neutral and natural sounding to my ears.  Ausdom features a more forward bass response. The treble on the Ausdom is a little more crisp and extended. Choosing the one for you is a matter of what your signature preferences are.
 
Overall you have to give an edge to the Matrix2, but this comes at almost a $40 increase in price. If you are getting a bluetooth headphone and your budget is under $75, from the things I’ve tried this is one of the better deals out there, especially at a price of $53. If you can make the leap in price, the Matrix2 is definitely worth checking out. If not, the Ausdom is a great deal I have no problem recommending. They are basically the same earphone but with a bit less refinement.
 
Conclusion
I was happy to give this one a try. They have a great design that is lightweight and of solid build quality. They are very sharp looking with the brushed metal finish, and they sound really decent. If you want to experience a set of bluetooth cans with controls for your bluetooth source, and don't want to break the bank, you have a great product here in the M06.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the T-Peos Amadeus dual hybrid earphone was on sale for $79.00 USD on CTC Audio’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review:

 
http://www.ctcaudio.com/products/t-peos-amadeus-earphones
 
Introduction
When I was contacted to review the T-Peos Atone 150, I was happy to do it. Also, I figured that as long as I was in contact with the T-Peos distributer, I could ask him about a couple earphones that they had and I was curious about, and see if we could get a review up on Head-Fi. The two products were the Amadeus, and Opera. They are two dual hybrid IEMs that seemed to fly under the radar. They were brought up on Head-Fi threads a couple times but never really discussed or reviewed very much. Today I will be covering the Amadeus, and I’m glad I did.
 
Disclaimer
I am in no way affiliated with T-Peos. I was given an opportunity to sample their earphones in exchange for an honest opinion and review on them.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will can discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to tinker with. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
~REVIEW~
 
The Package
The Amadeus came in a very simple white box with a clear cutout that displayed the housings. The Amadeus isn’t a stunner in terms of looks.
 
 

 
Specifications:
Type: In-Ear Monitor (IEM)
Driver: Balanced Armature (Knowles), One 8mm Dynamic
SPL: 102dB
Impedance: 30Ω
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
Max Power Input: 20mW
Plug: 3.5mm Gold-Plated, L-Type
Cable: 1.2m, flat w/ mic
Weight: 20g
Warranty: 1-year Manufacturer
 
Accessories:

3 - Pairs of silicone wide-channel ear tips
1 - Pair of foam ear tips
1 - Soft carrying pouch
1 - Shirt clip
 
Note: There are enough tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal.
 
Housings
Amadeus is constructed from a chrome thin metal backing where the housing meets cable and connects to a black plastic housing and hozzle. The hozzle diameter is right between medium and wide, and is a bit short. Tip rolling is possible, as many tips fit this IEM. They are marked with a T-Peos logo etched on the metal backing.

 

 

 
Cable, Y-Split & Strain Reliefs, Cable Jack

 
Amadeus features a semi-flat two/toned black and white cable. It reminds me of the high end Sony wire used with their H-3. Strain reliefs at the housing aren’t the best, but adequate for daily use. There are no strain reliefs at the Metal Y-split, and a very nice ninety degree angled gold plated plug with a very nice strain relief. All in all I am very happy with the cable design and if handled responsibly, customers should have no issues with durability.
 
Ergonomics, Fit & Microphonics

 

Amadeus fits like most straight barrel IEMs. I had no problem going over or under the ear. The ninety degree cable and small strain relief allows the earphone to fit well wearing them either way. Wear them down and you will get considerable microphonics. Loop them over the ear and microphonics are for the most part eliminated.
 
Functionality
Amadeus comes with a single button mic/remote that works for Android and Iphone, and works in standard with most single button remotes. When asking friends and family my voice clarity on the phone, most reported either three or four on a scale from one to five.
 
Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier for lower impedance products. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs/DACs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
My favorite IEM for a long time was the Sidy DGS100. While many weren’t as impressed with them as I was, I don’t think anyone could deny that the DGS100 had an incredible amount of detail behind the boosted mid-bass which sometimes turned people away from them. I really liked the DGS100 signature because I often times feel that the mid bass bleed of many single dynamic driver IEMs would distort the midrange details, but with the DGS100 I could hear the textures and details better with the dual hybrid design. To that point I hadn’t heard that much warmth and detail at the same time. The T-Peos is a strikingly similar earphone in terms of sound quality, design, and comfort. I really enjoy this tuning. The best way I could describe it is to say that it has a very full sound and a midrange that sounds large and forward in the mix. Vocals, guitars, bass guitar riffs, pianos, and most lower midrange instruments have a lot of weight and presence, and you will get a lot of detail at the same time from the armature driver.
 
Note: I must include that while tip rolling for the best seal and sound, I found that a wide bore tip to work best for me. I used an aftermarket wide bore tip that works well for my ear shape. The wider bore seemed to balance out the sound and make the music sound more spacious as compared to a narrower one.

 
Bass
Amadeus has a bass response some will love, and some will not. I’m usually not a fan of forward mid-bass, However, in a dual hybrid configuration I think this tuning works well. Bass tones can be heard as low as 20Hz and slowly climbs and peaks upwards of 200Hz. The sub bass on the Amadeus is rolled off and mid and upper bass forward. You will hear and sense the mid bass impact out in front of the every other frequency played through these. While often times that will overwhelm the rest of the sound, the fact that frequencies are split between the two configurations of drivers help improve bass to midrange resolution significantly my ears.
 
Midrange
Midrange take a slight step back from the mix, but is really nicely textured and very detailed. I really enjoyed the mids on these. The bassy dynamic provides weight, and the armature driver adds element of detail and tone that makes listening very enjoyable. I feel like the combination of a dynamic driver and a single armature make for a airy sounding earphone. Female vocals sounded natural, while male vocals could sometimes carry too much weight. Overall it is very well done, never gets shouty, and is fun to listen to.
 
Treble
Treble is smooth, very crisp, and doesn’t extend to the point of being sibilant. The armature driver doesn’t make cymbals sound as natural as many dynamic drivers, but still plays is well and matches the signature.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
Despite the forward midbass signature, the Amadeus retains a sound that is large for an IEM, with  an open sound and great resolution. Imaging is better than the average earphone to my ears, and gives a good sense of space.
 
Comparisons
 
Sidy DGS100 ($85 USD on Penon Audio) *discontinued*
The DGS100 actually packs a little more midbass weight, and less sub-bass. The armature driver of the DG100 has a drop off in the upper midrange that can create an illusion of things being more airy and open sounding. Sidy offers a nice metal box, clamshell case, ear guides, and several tips. The DGS100 has a production run, giving each one a specific serial number.
 
The Amadeus is a more neutral phone with less mid bass presence, and more upper mids. I think the people who didn’t care for the DGS100 because of the tuning should give this one a try, as I’m confident they will probably prefer the Amadeus sound. Amadeus comes with a velvet pouch, and less eartips than the DGS100.
 
Astrotec AX35 ($65 to $85 USD on many sites)
The AX35 is V-signature hybrid that has a sound that is more flat and less textured. I was never overly impressed with the way the dynamic and armature drivers gelled on the Astrotec offering. I alway felt like there was something just not right about their tuning/timing. The Amadeus is a great blend of dynamic and armature drivers that gives a more textured, detailed, and cohesive sound. Astrotec gets a slight edge in terms of accessories with the tin storage case.
 
Conclusion
A lot of times things on Head-Fi aren’t discussed simply because they aren’t that good. This isn’t the case with the Amadeus. It has flown under the radar and has been pleasing the ears of customers who bought it. If this type of hybrid tuning is something you would like to experience, the Amadeus is a great earphone for you. I’m glad I gave this one a shot, and rank it as a solid buy in the $75 to $100 range, and a great first hybrid earphone.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Altone 150 was on sale for $89.00 USD on CTC Audio’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review:

 
http://www.ctcaudio.com/products/t-peos-altone150
 
Introduction
Reviewing headphones for me is becoming more and more fun, and has also opened doors to experience new and exciting products. With the success of the last few reviews I’ve written, I’ve had some companies reach out to me to cover a new product. Today I will be covering the Altone 150.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to demo the Altone 150 in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I am in no way affiliated with their company or brand.
 
My Background
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a fan of products that give the buyer their money’s worth and more. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, hoping that I can discover models that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap, to hundreds of dollars. I’m on a mission to find gear with a great price to performance ratio, and reporting these findings back to the Head-Fi community and those looking for their next piece of audio gear.
 
I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and their sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have and use.
 
With this hobby we often times pay a lot of for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality. While everyone’s tastes are different, I hope to share a depiction of what to expect in the items I own and review.
Review
 
The Package

 
The Altone 150 came in a black and yellow box. The front of the box had a nice picture of the monitors. The Altone motto was written in small print on the top right, stating “Altone, wake up your ears”. The bottom right indicated the driver type, with this one being an 8.6mm HPS Dynamic unit.

 
The back of the box had a drawn diagram of the housings and internal set-up, along with the device specifications.

 
 
Specifications:
~Type: In-Ear Monitor (IEM)
~Driver: Single Exclusive 8.6mm Dynamic Unit (HPS Technology)
~SPL: 96dB / 1kHz
~Impedance: 32Ω
~Frequency Response: 20Hz~20KHz
~Max Power Input: 100mW
~Plug: 3.5mm 24k Gold-Plated, L-Type
~Cable: 1.2m Tri-Twisted detachable cable with DC connectors
~Weight: 6g
~Warranty: 1-year Manufacturer
 
Accesories:

 
    ~1X mesh zipper pouch
    ~3X pair of red silicone tips (S,M,L)
    ~3X pair of gray silicone tips (S,M,L)
    ~1X pair of comply foam TX200 tips (M)
    ~1X pair of rubber ear guides
    ~1x shirt clip
 
Housings
I thought the housings were very cool. They are constructed of a durable plastic material. They are a gun metal gray color and each channel has different accent colors (Gray/Red on the right, Gray/Black on the left). The housings are detachable, and are plugged into the cable via T-Peos’ unique plug adapters. Because of this plug design, I can see someone accidently putting too much pressure on the cable to housing connection and causing complications. If you take care of your stuff, you shouldn’t have a problem with them.

 

 

 
 
Cable, Y-split & Strain Reliefs, Cable Jack

 
The cable is a slightly rubbery and stiff, and seems very durable. It does have a a good amount of spring to it. The Y split is pretty low on the cable and is made of metal and rubber. Throughout the design, there doesn’t seem to be  much in terms of strain reliefs. This shouldn’t be a problem considering how solidly constructed the cable is. The cable jack is a ninety degree plug that works great and seems solid. I would describe it as being heavy duty and durable for an IEM. I assume this cable can be used with the other models in the Altone series.
 
NOTE: I will be demoing the Altone 250 and 350 in the next month or so. I will confirm this cable compatibility and report back once this function is confirmed, as well as provide comparisons.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
The Altone 150 fits great wearing them with the cable down. I did get a normal amount of microphonics wearing them this way. These can fit over the ear, but with this type of detachable cable it can get finicky. I found the ear guides to be more of a hindrance in my ability to get a good fit rather than just going over the ear without them. I usually try to go over the ear, but with these I choose under. Going over the ear is too much hassle for me to get a consistent fit and seal.

 

 
NOTE: I did get some amount of driver flex when inserting or adjusting them in my ear. I make sure to lift my ear canal and insert them, and haven’t had any problems with flex since doing this.
 
Functionality
The cable has a single button remote/microphone  that works for both Android and IOS. It has normal controls for answering and hanging up phone calls as well as play/pause/skip options for music playback. The single button remote worked fine and when asking people what quality my voice came through on calls, most rated it a three on a scale from one to five.

 
Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual listening gears. For portable use I sampled the product with my LG-G3 smartphone with the latest firmware, and also my Sony Walkman F806 and Cayin C5 amplifier. Other DAPs and portable stacks were also used. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite laptop with a HifimeDIY Sabre DAC/AMP and Bravo Audio Ocean tube amplifier, or Fiio E18 DAC/AMP. I also used my Toshiba Chromebook and Fiio E17K DAC/AMP. I played MP3 and FLAC files. Google Music was downloaded in its highest quality (320 KBPS), and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that anything I demo I have had enough time with to feel confident in my impressions and opinions.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
When I heard I was going to reviewing these, and having the Altone 200, I thought these were going to have tight and punchy bass and bright highs. I couldn’t have been more wrong in my assumption. These Altone 150 are a warm, rich and smooth sound that doesn’t get fatiguing. Their tuning seems to be geared for modern genres of music. There is not a lot of extension on either end, and a boost in upper bass and lower midrange. I would consider them musical, rich and smooth.
 
Bass
Bass tones seemed to top out right at around 180Hz and rolled off evenly down to 20Hz. It has decent tone but made the upper bass registers and lower midrange stick out in front of the mix, giving a sense of being very warm and thick in this range.
 
Midrange
The lower midrange boost gave the Altone 150 weighted vocals. I noticed a veil  in male vocalists like Ed Sheeran, and Sam Smith. Upper midrange tones were present but polite, and far back of the boosted frequencies. Guitars had a lot of weight to their sound.
 
Treble
The warm midrange continues into the treble regions. The Altone 150 upper registers are rolled off and smooth. Cymbal crashes and hi hats sound distant. Treble and sibilant sensitive ears will really enjoy this. Those looking for the crisp T-Peos treble we have heard in previous products, you’re not going find it here.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
There’s really not much to mention about the Altone 150 that you can’t say isn’t impacted by the forward lower mid range. This tuning doesn’t set up to be something you can really get a large sense of space or imaging. The punch and energy is there, but without sub bass extension to match the 180Hz range, you lose the sub layer in the mix. Smooth and slightly relaxed treble makes the overall presentation seem upfront and a little bit narrow.
 
Comparisons
 
Brainwavz S0 ($49.50 USD on MP4Nation)
The Brainwavz offers a very similar tuning that has a touch more treble energy and upper mid range tones. Both of them sound almost the same from sub bass to mid range from what I can hear. For my personal preferences, I give a slight edge in sound to the Brainwavz S0.
 
For fit, I give the edge to the Altone 150. I prefer the Altone 150 cable over any flat cable. The microphone and single button remote is something the S0 doesn’t have, advantage Altone 150. Oh yeah, the Altone 150 has detachable cables, another point for them. Ergonomics is dominated by the T-Peos.
 
Accessories is even, as both have a lot of accessories and tips.

 
Sidy DM3 ($60-$100 USD on many sites)
Sidy is another one that has a very similar signature from bass through mid range. Upper mids are more forward on the DM3 and it has a little more of a V-signature. Although more forward, the DM3 treble seems flat, while the T-Peos has a little more shimmer. I give it a tie in sound quality.
 
For Ergonomics, T-Peos checks all the boxes in terms of cable quality, microphone/remote, and removable cables. The DM3 is the loser in this matchup, not being able to match the T-Peos.
 
The Altone 150 has a better accessories package, offering what I consider slightly higher quality accessories.
 
 
Conclusion
I had fun testing these. The “baby” of the new Altone line is a nice little earphone that would make a good gift for anyone who likes high tech gear. A rugged removable cable with mic/remote and stylish housings makes this a nice package at their current price range.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the gold edition Luxury and Precision LP5 was on sale on Penon Audio’s website for $1090.00. Here is a link to the product:

 
http://penonaudio.com/Luxury-Precision-LP5
 
Before I begin, I want to send a very special thank you to Ronnie (@rontant) for the referral, and to John (@JohnYang) for setting up the opportunity to sample such a fine piece of audio equipment. Last but certainly not least, thank you to the mastermind of this product, Mr. Wan. Thank you for reaching out to have this unit tested and reviewed in North America.
 
I was given an opportunity to demo this product in exchange for a formal review. I am not affiliated with Luxury and Precision in any way.
 
Head-Fi has taken me on quite a journey into the world of personal audio. To be completely honest, there have been countless times that I’ve obtained an earphone or amplifier, or digital audio player that I feel like “this is it, I’ve found what I’ve been looking for, I’m content with the audio gear I have and this might be my end game piece of equipment”. That lasts for a little while, then something comes along that blows my recent purchase out of the water. I don’t know how deep the rabbit hole of personal audiophile equipment gets, but anyone who participates in this hobby knows exactly what I’m talking about. The rabbit hole just gets deeper, and deeper, and deeper…
 
Normally when I write a review I try to break the unit down into specific criteria, but for the Luxury and Precision LP5, I don’t feel I would be doing this device any justice. I’m going to start by saying that there’s a lot of things this digital audio player can’t do that most of it’s competition can. Upon first using the product some might feel that this device is technologically inferior in today’s market. However, once you have loaded your favorite music into the LP5, and plugged in your best pair of cans, you will see that there are a few special things about the LP5 that many competitors simply can’t do! I’ll explain in a bit, but first let me tell you about myself so you can get a better understanding of my observations.
 
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a fan of products that give the buyer their money’s worth and more. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, hoping that I can discover models that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap, to hundreds of dollars. I’m on a mission to find gear with a great price to performance ratio, and reporting these findings back to the Head-Fi community and those looking for their next piece of audio gear.
 
I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and their sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have and use.
 
With this hobby we often times pay a lot of for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality. While everyone’s tastes are different, I hope to share a depiction of what to expect in the items I own and review.
 
The Review
Over the course of this review I will note what I saw as shortcomings of the product. They will be noted with stars (*). I post these in good faith that it will aid in the development of the product. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW IN ORDER TO COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE FEATURES OF THIS PRODUCT. There is a light at the end of the tunnel… Promise!
 
The package arrived in a plain brown box. Inside there were two more boxes, a larger white box with the Luxury and Precision logo, and a smaller black box. Opening the white box revealed the DAP. The smaller black box held a very nice micro USB cable and a gold plated ¼ inch adapter.


 
 
Pulling the device out of the box, I really appreciated the awesome finishes of the LP5. The back of the unit is made of real rosewood, and had some really cool branding of the product logo. The front of the unit was what seemed to be a milled aluminum. I was underwhelmed by the choice of plastic for the screen.
 
    *The screen is made of what seems to be a low grade clear plastic. I got a few small scratches on the unit from transporting it in my laptop bag with some pens that had metal tabs on them. The device is simply too high of quality to have such a cheap material for a screen.
 
Here are some specifications copied from the Penon Audio website in regards to the gold version LP5:
 


 
 
 

 

Specifications

1. True 32BIT player
   
2. 24BIT 192KHZ USB native soundcard
   
3. THD is 0.0015% when driving 32 ohm headphones
   
4. DAC: AK4414, sound reduction particularly accurate, digital flavor is not strong, 4414 was a wonderful work ，it’s a four-channel DAC, but the SNR (stereo when 123 dB) THD 107DB is a DAC which is the highest in overall performance in AKM
   
5. The world's lowest internal resistance ADI ADP1614 power chip resistance 50 mOhm within
   
6. 6 layer 3U Immersion Gold PCB
   
7. ALPS PRO AUDIO series potentiometer
   
8. 1812 A single crown amp chip
   
9. Digital part Murata X7R MLCC
   
10. Digital part Taiyo Yuden ultrahigh current fully enclosed magnetic inductor
    
11. 6.3 3U Immersion Gold headset seat
    
12. 3.5 3U Immersion Gold closed headphone seat LINE OUT
    
13. Power filtering section Murata X7S 100UF MLCC can be over 6 to 8A current ESR is  about 2 milliohms
    
14. Pure brass electromagnetic shield
    
15. ALPS 50 million times long life touching button
    
    

 
Package Contents

1. LP5 music player
   
2. USB cable
   
3. 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter
   
   

 

 
When I got the device I gave it a good 12 hour charge, and waited in anticipation. Once charged I was greeted with a bunch of Chinese text on the screen, and had no idea how to change it to English. After about forty-five minutes of button mashing and guessing, and I was able to find and change the language settings.
 
After the initial charge, and giving it a little extra time just to make sure the first operation was on a completely full charge, I found that the LP5 plays about 12 hours of music before the battery depletes, and charges back up in a couple hours.
 
*There was no owner’s manual in English to figure the device out.
 
Once I got the language part figured out, it was time to play with the device to figure out the user interface and controls. The unit operates with a very simple set of buttons (up, down, left, right, center) and once you play with it for about an hour, you’ve pretty much figured how to navigate through the device entirely. The device powers on by holding down the center button, and opens to a menu of three or four options. This happens VERY quickly (device is ready to use in about four seconds). The LP5 also shuts off by holding down the center button.
 
The four menu options are:
    ~Internal Memory
    ~TF Card (only if you have inserted a micro SD card, not included)
    ~Resume Play
    ~System Settings
 
From this menu you can access your music libraries on either the 64GB internal hard drive, or from the inserted SD card.
 
Resume play goes to the last song played and continues from where you left off.
 
The settings menu gives you access to the following:
    ~Play Mode (repeat, sequence, repeat all, shuffle)
    ~Audio output settings (HP Output, SPDIF, DoP SPDIF, Digital Filter Setup)
    ~Advanced Settings (Display Settings, Language, Auto Shutdown, Sleep Timer,
Default Settings, System info)
 
And there you have it, pretty much all the LP5 offers in terms of user interface. To be honest it is borderline primitive functions given today’s technology. While the tech buffs will be shaking their heads wondering where the rest of the features are, the minimalists who appreciate simplicity will applaud it. After using the device for some time, I am somewhere in the middle on this.
 
Here are some commonly found things on most devices that the LP5 didn’t have:
 
    *There is no WiFi
    *There is no bluetooth
    *There is no equalizer
    *There is no way to change the file order once songs are loaded into the device
    
 
All settings are displayed on a small circular digital display that uses minimal graphics and all menu options are in yellow lettering. Scrolling the menus is done with the up and down keys. Navigation forward or backward is done with the left, right, or center buttons. My favorite part of the LP5 controls was the analog volume pot located on top of the unit. It works great and is a good ergonomic design and application for controlling volume.
 
 

 
    *There is no “home button” (everything is accessed by entering into the folder or backing out of it to the desired menu screen).
 
As for the display, the LP5 again uses a minimalist approach:
 
    *There is no album artwork displayed. It is file names only
    *The sound output meter is very laggy and can only be considered cosmetic

 
To transfer music onto the LP5, simply plug your device into your laptop, find your device, and drag and drop music files from your computer to the unit. I was very pleased to see how easy this was, and there was no special drivers needed. I was able to easily transfer files and choose between the 64GB internal storage and my installed 32GB Fat32 microSD card. I am not sure if the device stores more than this as my 64GB card was not supported.
 
    *The LP5 did not support my Samsung class 10 64GB microSDXC card. My computer could identify the card and I was able to transfer music onto it, but once the computer was disconnected and the device was accessed, the card was not identified.
 
I downloaded as many formats as possible, with the most notable being DSD, FLAC, WAV, and MP3. The only format that I tried and didn’t work was M4A format
 
    *No support of M4A format
 
So with all of this being said, you might be thinking that the negatives outweigh the positives so far, right? Well, the problem with drawing a quick conclusion is that we haven’t talked about how darn good this thing sounds. Simply put, it’s the best sounding, and most powerful portable DAP that I've ever had the pleasure of listening to when used with neutral cans (in high impedance mode) and sounds pretty decent with IEMs (in low impedance setting). The AK4414 chip sounds stellar, and the Double Crown opamp drives everything I have with ease. I couldn’t turn the volume beyond ¾ with my 300 ohm Sennheiser HD600 (in high impedance mode). Speaking of the HD600, the pairing of the LP5 and this set of cans is an epic combination, and is probably my favorite one-two punch at the time of writing this.
 
The sound of the LP5 is warm, smooth, detailed, and doesn’t render any sense of a digital signal. There is a beefy low end that gave me a sense of more soundstage depth than any of my other rigs. To my ears, there was simply another layer of low end oomph that I didn’t hear with other gears. The added depth wasn't intrusive, and actually improved to depth of the tracks I was listening to for the most part.
 
I had the pleasure of bringing the LP5 to the Chicago Axpona Audiocon. I turned a lot of heads with this thing. Many of the people who were running their booths were asking me questions about the LP5, and some asked for a quick listen. Many agreed that the user interface left something to be desired, but nobody could say that it didn’t sound rich, detailed, and downright awesome. While at the Axpona show, I was able to A-B compare the LP5 with the likes of the AK240, and Calyx M. While there’s no denying that the two mentioned had a FAR superior user interface, and sounded more balanced and just as detailed, neither had the robust low end and still maintained the level of resolution of the LP5. This LP5 is an impressive signature sound, that’s for sure! If I were going off of sound quality alone and using neutral full size cans, I will go as far as saying that I would reach for the LP5 over the other previously mentioned gadgets.  
 
All things considered, there are some phones that didn’t sound all that good with the LP5. Bass heavy cans could sound a bit too boomy with some music. The same could be said with Bass forward IEMs. Simply put, save your LP5 for your best set of neutral earphones, and hear them transform into something amazing when being driven by this thing.
 
    *The LP5 makes bass heavy earphones sound a bit boomy, and there are no audio adjustments to balance this out.
 
Soundstage is there, details are there, imaging is there, layering and texture is top notch. The “luxury & precision” comes out when you have the LP5 humming high quality recordings through your best set of full size cans. It even makes my MP3s sound better.
 
As for outputs, the LP5 has a digital coax output, and a 3.5mm fixed line out. All earphone usage must be done via the ¼ inch jack with or without the combination of the jack adapter.

    *The 3.5mm jack is a fixed line out that seldom gets used, and the ¼ inch adapter is required for headphone use. I would have rather had a 3.5mm jack for low impedance, and the ¼ inch jack for high impedance.
 
While sampling the product, I was informed that I should be expecting a firmware update that will allow the LP5 to be used as a USB/DAC that can be connected to another device and utilize the awesome AK4414 chip and Double Crown opamp. This firmware update has yet to take place. Once this is done and confirmed to work I will definitely raise the star rating of my review.
 
    *The only way to utilize the quality chipset is through playback from the internal or SD storage. There is no USB/DAC functionality.
 
To summarize, in my honest opinion the LP5 has $1500/$2000 sound, and a $50 user interface.  I understand that limiting the amount of gizmos and gadgets allows the developers to focus on high quality parts and world class sound quality. However, the LP5 simply won’t appeal to the masses in it’s price range until it can balance itself out in terms of functionality, user interface, and sound quality.
 
I anticipate the day that Luxury and Precision finds that happy medium of sound quality and functionality. After experiencing the LP5, I know that it’s probably not a matter of if, but more when!
 
One thing's for sure, If I am going to meet up with someone who wants to know how good a pair of headphones and portable DAP can sound, I’m bringing my HD600, and playing some DSD tracks through my Luxury and Precision LP5. Simply put, that is the best combination I currently have.


 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Ubsound Fighter earphone was on sale for $69.90 USD on the Ubsound shopping website. Here is a links to their product at the time of the review:

 
 
http://www.ubsoundshop.com/en/
http://www.ubsound.com/fighter-earphones.htm
 
Note: In working with Ubsound, I found the customer service to be top notch. If you have any questions, or need customer service, here is a link to their official website:
 
www.ubsound.com
 
Introduction
While hanging out on Head-Fi, I stumbled across a Ubsound advertisement on the side of the page. A couple things jumped out at me while browsing their site. Not only did their page seem to market their phones rather well, the “Fighter” earphones had a very cool look and had very little coverage on Head-Fi. I was curious to cover this earphone, and contacted them to see if they had any interest in getting some Head-Fi exposure. I’m happy to say that today I’ll be covering their earphone titled “Fighter”.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to demo the Ubsound Fighter earphone in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I am in no way affiliated with their company or brand.
 
My Background
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a fan of products that give the buyer their money’s worth and more. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, hoping that I can discover models that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap, to hundreds of dollars. I’m on a mission to find gear with a great price to performance ratio, and reporting these findings back to the Head-Fi community and those looking for their next piece of audio gear.
 
I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and their sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have and use.
 
With this hobby we often times pay a lot of for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality. While everyone’s tastes are different, I hope to share a depiction of what to expect in the items I own and review.
 
~Review~
 
The Package
The Ubsound fighter comes in your choice of four different colors (red, blue, white, black) and are packed in a very slim black box large enough to hold the earphones and accessories only. The pair I received are white, and at first glimpse my wife said “those would look really good with my Iphone” and justifiably so. They are very slick looking IEMs. The front of the box displays their logo and motto, along with a picture and title for their earphones. The back of the box has a description of their product and it’s specs.
 
 

 
Specifications:
    ~Driver: 8mm dymanic
    ~Sensitivity: 92dB
    ~Frequency Response: 20-20.000Hz
    ~Maximum Distortion: <0,5%

 
The product came with the following accessories:
    ~3X silicone tips
    ~Velvet-like drawstring pouch
    ~Product Sticker
    ~Owner’s manual (in several European languages, and in English)
 
Housings
The Ubsound Fighter features a pretty sturdy housing build with what appears to be a painted metal enclosure with some plastics used as well. Strain reliefs seem adequate for daily use. They are light and have a wide hozzle that is closed with a metal mesh filter to prevent dirt and particles from getting at the 8mm driver. I really liked the three sets of wide bore tips. They worked well and created a good seal on my hard to fit ears. Tip rolling is also possible with tips that fit a wide hozzle.

 

 
Cable, Y-split & Strain Reliefs, Cable Jack
I am usually not a fan of flat cables, but Ubsound set itself apart from the others by offering one that is sturdy, doesn’t tangle and has very little memory, along with great ergonomics. For a flat cable, it is one of my favorites. The cable features a single button remote and microphone for use with both Android and IOS.  The Y-split is pretty far down on the cable so you will have no problem using it over or under your ears, even if you have a head the size of a walrus. There is no cable cinch. The 3.5 cable jack is straight and has a nice rubbery strain relief that leads to the cable. All in all I’m very pleased with the build of the Ubsound Fighter.

 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
When I first opened the package I was concerned with how these would fit with their lightweight housings that were a bit on the large side, and the somewhat heavier flat cable. To my surprise they fit really well both under and over the ear. As with most earphones wearing them under the ear yields noticeable and notable microphonics, and over the ear significantly reduces this.

 

 
Functionality
The single button Mic/Remote works for both major smartphone platforms (Android and IOS) and seems sturdy. I didn’t notice any flaws or glitches when using it. When using the Fighter earphone for phone calls, people on the other end reported my voice’s clarity coming in at a three on a scale from one to five.

Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual listening gears. For portable use I sampled the product with my LG-G3 smartphone with the latest firmware, and also my Sony Walkman F806 and Cayin C5 amplifier. Other DAPs and portable stacks were also used. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite laptop with a HifimeDIY Sabre DAC/AMP and Bravo Audio Ocean tube amplifier, or Fiio E18 DAC/AMP. I also used my Toshiba Chromebook and Fiio E17K DAC/AMP. I played MP3 and FLAC files. Google Music was downloaded in its highest quality (320 KBPS), and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that anything I demo I have had enough time with to feel confident in my impressions and opinions.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
I would consider the Ubsound Fighter to be a consumer friendly signature that works well with genres of music like Hip Hop, Pop, Dubstep and EDM. The tuning has considerable peaks and valleys that I will discuss when breaking it down into frequencies.
 
Bass
Bass tones seemed to top off at around 150Hz, and rolled off down to as low as 20Hz. The Fighter is a mid-bass forward IEM that brings plenty of punch, and emphasises lower midrange sounds. The Fighter does suffer from a considerable amount of mid-bass bleed, and when the bass hits hard, it will at times distort midrange frequencies depending on what you are listening to and the volume used.
 
Midrange
The earphone has a recessed midrange that seems distant in comparison to bass registers. I would consider the midrange to be somewhat enclosed and lacked clarity needed to be an elite sounding earphone. They didn’t have a sense of being open or airy. While this works well with electronic and synthesized music, it can struggle with rock, alternative, and most band genres. The upper mids seem to be somewhat sucked out of the tuning. Although it is audible, the upper mids are probably the farthest back in the mix.
 
Treble
Treble is pleasant and non fatiguing. Its presence does come up a bit from the considerably lower presence of the upper midrange. Treble is not overly extended and cymbals have a nice attack and decay. Of all sound traits the Fighter has, the treble response was my personal favorite. It was enough treble to not feel lacking, and not so much that it could be fatiguing. It had enough presence and clarity to really enjoy it with most genres.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The sucked out midrange and lack of overall clarity really hinders the Fighter’s ability to give a solid sense of imaging. Bass tuning does give a slightly better than average soundstage depth.
 
Comparisons
 
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($25 USD on many sites)
Both models feature a similar tuning, with the Piston having slightly more extended treble response, and a little better separation and detail in it’s midrange, and a little more sub bass extension. Both models have the same amount of mid-bass bleed. In terms of sound they are very similar, with the Piston seeming slightly more refined and giving it a slight edge.
 
As far as build, the piston offers more in terms of accessories, and comes with an awesome storage case. However, the build quality of the Ubsound Fighter is better in my opinion. Holding both of them in my hand, it seems as though the Fighter would be able to stand the test of time and use.
 
Steelseries Flux ($45-$55 USD on many sites)
The Flux IEM is world class in terms of tuning, and checks the mark in many aspects of sound for many audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts. Given the fact that the Flux fidelity is competitive against models in a much higher price bracket, the edge of course goes to the Flux in term of all around sound quality. The one part that I feel the Fighter IEM competes is when playing modern genres like Hip Hop, Pop, EDM, and Dubstep. Its almost as though the Fighter was designed for these genres. As compared to the steelseries Flux, the Ubsound offering was more relaxed sounding and easier to listen to these genres for extended periods and at louder volumes.
 
As far as build and accessories is concerned, both models have basically the same accessories. Build quality on the Fighter is superior, with a much sturdier cable, better strain reliefs, and more solid housings.

 
Conclusion
The Fighter is a fun sounding IEM that seems well built and very stylish. The four color options are great, and allow the customer to pick a color that matches their lifestyle. Although the tuning isn’t geared for the audiophile community, many who listen to today’s most popular music genres will enjoy the Fighter in terms of both build and sound.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Brainwavz BLU-100 was on a pre-order sale for $34.50 USD on MP4Nation. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review.
 

 
 
 
http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-blu-100-bluetooth-4-0-aptx-earphones
 
 
Introduction
 
The opportunity to review the Brainwavz SO IEM was a great experience. I ended the review by contacting their product rep, stating that I would like to work with them again and that if they were happy with my review to please contact me for future opportunities. Tonight I have the privilege of covering Brainwavz’ first bluetooth headphone, the BLU-100.
 
 
Disclaimer
 
I was given an opportunity to demo the Brainwavs BLU-100 in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I am in no way directly affiliated with their company or brand.
 
 
My Background
 
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely. Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a fan of products that give the buyer their money’s worth and more. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, hoping that I can discover models that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap, to hundreds of dollars. I’m on a mission to find gear with a great price to performance ratio, report these findings back to the Head-Fi community, and also help those looking for their next piece of audio gear.
 
With this hobby we often times pay a lot of for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality. While everyone’s tastes are different, I hope to share a depiction of what to expect.
 
I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and their sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have and use.
 
 
The Package
 
NOTE: Because this is a demo unit, the BLU-100 did not come in any retail packaging. I do not have any specific information on what to expect for packaging.
 
 
The BLU-100 came in their customary black and red rectangular clamshell zipper case. The material is a firm molded mesh fabric. The case is exquisite. No complaints in this area.
 
 

 
Here are the official specs:
 

1. Transducers/Drivers: Dynamic, 8mm
   
2. Rated Impedance: 30ohms Closed Dynamic
   
3. Sensitivity: 110dB at 1mW
   
4. Frequency range: 20 ~ 20000Hz
   
5. Bluetooth 4.0 (CSRBC8645) with aptX
   
6. Operation max distance: 30ft (10m)
   
7. Battery: 60mAh - 4hrs playtime, 100hrs standby, 2hrs for full charge (Micro USB charging)
   
8. CVC echo and noise cancellation
   
9. Supports voice prompt for MMI: Power on - Paring - Connecting - Battery low - Power off
   
10. Supports HFP, HSP and A2DP
    
11. Supports pairing with two devices at the same time
    
12. 3 button remote, works with Apple iOS products, Android & Windows phones & PC
    
13. 1 year warranty
    
    

 
 

 
The demo unit came with the following accessories:
 

1. 1 x Comply foam tips
   
2. 3 x Pairs of ear tips (S/M/L)
   
3. 1 x Silicone ear clip
   
4. 1 x Micro USB cable for charging
   
5. 1 x Hard carrying case
   
   

 
Housings
 
The housings of the BLU-100 are made of a painted metal material and silicone/rubber. The housings are on the larger side, but not overly heavy, and I did get a good seal.
 

 
 
 
Cable & Strain Reliefs
 
The cable is flat and approximately 18 inches long. On the right side about 5 inches down from the right channel is a three button remote. The cable is made of a smooth rubber coating and seems plenty durable. Strain reliefs seem adequate for daily use.
 

 
 
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
 
The fit on these are a mixed bag in my opinion. I had no problem getting them to fit initially, but due to the large housings I had trouble keeping a seal while moving around. The silicone fins helped secure the housing into place, but even then the silicone would get uncomfortable for me. I also found the cable to be a little bit too long for a wireless device.
 

 

 

 
 
NOTE: I was able to get them fit securly by using aftermarket ear guides (not included in the package). Using these gave me a great seal and secure fit,  that allowed me to use them while moving around and exercising. The guides counterbalanced the size and clunkiness of the BLU-100 housing.
 
 
Functionality
 
This device works effectively and efficiently. There were no major hiccups or bugs to report while using it.
 
The unit charges via USB. It has a tab on the right housing that opens up to the charging port. The provided USB charging cable plugs into any computer USB port, or be plugged into a USB wall charger. Normal charging time was around 1 1/2 to 2 hours. When testing, the battery on the BLU-100 died after a little over 4 hours of continuous streaming music. The charging indicator is a single white light that emits from the inline remote. It will shine while charging, and shut off when charging is complete.
 
The device powers on when holding the center button on the inline remote. Continuing to hold the button after the device powers on will put the device in pairing mode. The connection is made by finding it in the settings menu of bluetooth device you are going to use as a source. Holding the center button after the power has been turned on will turn the power off. Double tapping the center button while connected to my LG-G3 phone, they would call the last number on my phone log. I wasn’t a fan of this and accidently called people a few times when I thought I was turning the earphones off. When using it with music applications I could play and pause tracks by single clicking the center button.
 
The “+” and “-” buttons controlled volume in both phone and music mode. In music mode, I could skip tracks by holding the “+” button and restart a track by holding the “-” button. The buttons responded great and without any glitches.
 
NOTE: All buttons and functions are acknowledged with audio that is either a spoken command or audio tone (beeping noise) that plays through the earphones themselves. Wearing them while using the remote makes the earphones easier and more enjoyable to
use.
 
The range on these for me were apporximately 25 feet from the souce. After that distance the headset began to break up. The microphone worked well, and people I asked in conversation said that they initially couldn’t tell I was on a headset when we were chatting, and on a scale from 1-5 in terms of how clear I sounded on the phone, most gave it a 4 rating. Pretty good for a bluetooth headset!
 
 
Sound Review & Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my LG-G3 smartphone with the latest firmware. For desktop use I used my Toshiba chromebook. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that anything I demo I have had enough time with to feel confident in my impressions and opinions.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
 
Sound Signature
 
The BLU-100 sounded very good to my ears for the most part. The sound would be neutral to my ear if not for what appeared to be a mid-bass hump that made things sound a bit unnatural in male vocals, bass guitars, and some electric and acoustic guitars. I really enjoy them with female vocals, pop, acoustic, hip-hop and EDM, Theu seem to struggle with rock and alternative music. I got a slight hiss when playing music, and the occasional digital hiccup also occurred.

 
Bass
 
Bass on these peaks at around 200Hz to my ears, and rolls off to around 20Hz. It does work well with the earphone’s overall signature. I would like a little more sub layer and less mid-bass, but with the tuning as it is, I find it tolerable and enjoyable.
 
 
Midrange
 
Lower midrange takes the center stage on the BLU-100. It has nice texture at this range, at the expense of things sounding slightly unnatural to my ears. The upper mids seem polite and I really like the air between sounds in upper midrange frequencies. This probably the part of the sound I like the best. They are really well done here, and has a lot to do with why I like them with female vocals.
 
 
Treble
 
Treble is not extended and what is there is crisp. During complex musical passages the driver did begin to smear sounds in treble frequencies. With acoustic music, hip hop, pop, and EDM the treble response was pretty spot on for these genres.
 
 
Soundstage and Imaging
 
The soundstage takes a hit from the mid-bump and rolled off sub-bass. It does display adequate depth with bassy tracks, but tracks without a large amount of bass sound like they could use a low end bump. I would say though for a bluetooth IEM they are really good on a whole! At the price they are selling for, this has got to be about as good of an IEM as you can get at the current asking price.
 
 
Comparisons
 
Meelectronics Sport-Fi X7 ($80 to $100 USD on many sites)
 
The Sport-Fi X7 was one of the best fitting IEMs I have ever had, so they get an advantage over the BLU-100 in this aspect. I will say, the aftermarket ear guides application really improved initial fit issues I experienced. Please also note that the X7 is nearly twice as expensive.
 
Both models had about the same battery life. Charge times were also similar. The mic on the BLU-100 seemed to work better based on my testing.
 
Both models basically operated the same in terms of the remote.
 
Sound wise, the bass response was the opposite on these. The X7 had a very boosted sub bass layer that could get “boomy” sounding with some tracks. However, vocals sounded more natural all around. Male vocals were better with the X7, while female vocals sounded better and more holographic on the BLU-100. Bass heavy tracks suffered from too much boom with the X7, and just the opposite the BLU-100 sounded slightly thin with bass light stuff. It really is a toss up with these in term of what one you would like more, and comes down to signature preference. I prefer the X7 in terms of ergonomics and sound signature, but when you weigh in the price into it you can’t go wrong with these. They are definitely a better deal in terms of price.
 
 
Conclusion
 
The BLU-100 is a great first bluetooth earphone from Brainwavs that offers a phenomenal amount of technology at an extraordinary price. Nobody who buys these will feel like they didn’t get their money’s worth that’s for sure! The BLU-100 takes the budget-fi world to another level with a package that will turn heads, and not empty your wallets.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Meelectronics Sprot-Fi X7  was on sale for $79.99 USD on Meelectronic’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review:
 
http://www.meelec.com/Sport_Fi_X7_Wireless_Sports_In_Ear_Headphones_p/ep-x7-bk-mee.htm
 
Introduction
 
I honestly haven’t been much of a fan of bluetooth audio until recently, with the main reasons being functionality and sound quality. In preparation for a recent trip to Florida I purchased a pair of Meelctronics AF62 bluetooth headphones. I was hoping to get a pair of bluetooth headphones that would make traveling more convenient. Although the AF62 didn’t isolate quite as well as I would have hoped, I was really impressed with the functionality, and most of all the sound coming out of them. This was the first time I felt like I could confidently say that a pair of bluetooth headphones could hang with many wired cans. I contacted Mike at Meelectronics to share my positive experience and asked him if he had any other bluetooth models (primarily in-ear monitors) that had sound quality on par with the AF62. Within minutes I got a response regarding the earphones I will be discussing in this review.
 
Disclaimer
 
I was given an opportunity to sample this product in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Meelectronics.
 
My Background
 
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a budget-fi guy. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will can discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased many, and I mean MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap to hundreds of dollars higher end products. For me, its more about getting great price to performance ratio, and hearing a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound. With this hobby we tend to often times pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have tested and reviewed.
 
The Package
 
The X7 came in a very sharp white and black box. The front of the box had a nice picture of the product with a brief description. The front of the box had a flap that opened up to display the product with a clear plastic display, and on the left there was a diagram explaining the several features that this model packed. I will admit, I was very impressed with the packaging and display.
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
The back of the box had a little more information, along with info in several different languages. It honestly wasn’t anything more than what was displayed on the front and inside flap.
 

 
 
The sides of the box had some technical information on one side, and accessories information on the other.
 

 

 
 
Specs
 
Driver: 6mm micro dynamic driver
Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
Bluetooth version: 4.0
Talk/Music/Playback Time: 4 hours
Standby Time: 180 hours
Operating Range: up to 30 feet
Bluetooth Profiles supported: A2DP, HSP, HFP, AVRCP
 
 
Extra Accessories
 
The X7 comes with a shortened usb cable for charging, and a clamshell case.
 

 
 
 
The X7 comes with 3 sets of specialized tips:
 
1X pair of gray silicone tips (small)
1X pair of gray silicone tips (medium)
1X pair of gray silicone tips (large)
 
These tips are very supple silicone that creates a great seal. One thing to note about these tips is that they are specially designed to fit the X7 hozzle. Because of this design, tip rolling is almost impossible. The good news is that the supplied tips are so well designed it was easy for me (and I assume for most people) easy to get a vacuum seal. These are some of the best sealing and isolating tips and monitors I’ve ever used.

 
Housings
 
The housings are quite large for an in-ear monitor, but are designed in a way that they fit in my ears perfectly. To put this into perspective, I have issues wearing the Monoprice 9927 IEMs, but these I have no problems having them fit comfortably for hours. The right housing holds a red/blue light that indicates the products functions. Solid red means it is charging, solid blue means it is turned on and connected to a device, flashing blue means it is in pairing mode.
 

 

 
 
Cable
 
This is an epically designed cable. The memory wire (which I’m usually not fond of) works perfectly with this design. It is a supple rubber material that bends into place with ease and really makes them fit wonderfully with the behind the head cable cinch. The cable is thick, durable, and has a three button remote built into the right side of the cable.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
 
The fit on these are fantastic. I honestly can’t think of anything that would make these fit any better than they do. They seal well, the memory wire works great, and the cable cinch in back finishes off any slack in the cable. I can imagine these working for any physical activity without the need to fidget with them whatsoever. I will increase my rating on these because of their fitment. They are that good in this area.
 

 

 
 
Pairing
 
These connect like many other bluetooth headsets. There is no NFC support (no biggie IMHO). After an initial charge (approximately 90 minutes), press and hold the center button on the remote. Continue to hold the button after you hear the headset say “power on”. A few seconds more of holding that button you will hear “pairing”. Once this is done, simply go to the bluetooth settings on your device (assuming you already have this turned on) and look for the Sport-Fi X7. Connect and you are all set. I had no problem connecting. There is an instruction booklet that comes in the package incase you have any problems connecting.
 
Three button remote
 
The three button remote has a center button, and up and down button. It has many different options for controlling your cell phone in both music playback and phone mode. I will cover the basics for my LG G3 in this review.
 

 
 
Music Functions: The center button operates as a play/pause button. The + button controls volume with a single click, and long pressing it changes the track. Just the opposite, the - button lowers volume with a single click, and starts the track over with a long press.
 
Phone Functions: The center button answers and hangs up calls. The volume is contolled by the +/- buttons. Double pressing the center button calls the last logged call on your  phone’s log. I wasn’t a fan of this feature. NOTE: the microphone worked, but because of the headset design and mic placement it wasn’t ideal and some friends and family said I sounded muffled or distant.
 
Battery life and range
 
Usually a pair of bluetooth monitors will exaggerate their range and battery life. I can confirm that is not the case with the X7. If anything I got more than four hours of playback time, and my range was exactly at around thirty feet and started to break up after going beyond thirty feet.
 
Review Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my LG G3 Phone via bluetooth. I also used my Toshiba Chromebook via bluetooth. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I test has a minimum of 30 hours of playtime before writing any type of review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
 
These utilize a 6mm micro dynamic driver. While many might think that this would impact the bass response and their ability to extend into sub bass regions, it is actually the opposite. The X7 is a “Basshead Audiophile” tuning that I really enjoy. The sub bass extends down to the center of the earth without affecting the overall tuning too much, and my overall impression is that these sound big. The vocals sound natural and mid bass is very controlled and not overwhelming. The treble response is detailed and not harsh at all. To be honest I wouldn’t want a sports earphone to sound any different than what the X7 offers. A good comparison would be a warmer, beefier and tamed treble version of the Sony MH1, or a tuning somewhat similar to the Yamaha EPH-100.
 
Bass
 
I already touched on it but the X7 has sub bass for days. Its very forward in it’s lower bass tones, but it doesn’t carry into the midrange. Midbass is very controlled, and lower midrange makes male vocals sound very natural to my ears. The bass is boomy because of the boosted sub level, but the inner basshead in me really enjoys it alot, especially for commuting and working out. Yes, the bass slam can impact the overall tuning to a certain extent but not in the same sense that a forward midbass tuned IEM would. For commuting and working out, the bass helps these isolate even better than their fantastic fit and seal already does. For sitting at home and listening to music for enjoyment purposes the X7 bass can get overwhelming and slightly fatiguing depending on what you’re listening to.
 
Midrange
 
Midrange is very natural to my ears and slightly warmer in tone. It has slightly warmer tuning and has nice texture and resolution. When the bass hits hard on a track it can overwhelm the midrange at times. On a whole though, I really like it. With as much sub bass as these have, I almost wondered if these had two drivers before looking at the specs. There’s an incredible amount of sub bass slam, but the midrange and treble controls itself very well despite this and with pretty good separation. This is a unique and pleasant aspect about them.
 
Treble
 
Treble is detailed, but also very tamed. It is the type of treble that will never get fatiguing. You will find the bass to be fatiguing before the treble is, trust me on this.

Soundstage and Imaging
 
Sub bass extension and depth makes these sound big on a whole there is a nice sense of separation for the most part. imaging is better than average in my opinion.
 
Comparisons
 
Meelectronics AF62 ($80 to $100 USD on many sites)
 
I think this comparison is important despite one is a IEM and another is a full size headphone. The AF62 has a more balanced tuning, but midrange and treble on both models I found to be very similar. The AF62 is a more audiophile sound, and the X7 is a more consumer friendly tuning. If I had to pick one over the other I couldn't, because I would buy both and use the X7 for commuting and outside the house, and the AF62 for when I want to use bluetooth at home, and isolation isn’t as big of a deal.
 
Brainwavz BLU100 ($44.50 USD proposed price)
 
The first bluetooth offering from Brainwavz is solid in it’s tuning. It’s relatively more balanced than the X7 to my ears. However, the Brainwavs BLU100 does put a little more emphasis on the lower midrange that can put a little too much weight on male vocals and lower midrange frequencies, making it sound slightly unnatural to my ears. Albeit, the sound is very good and specs are similar in terms of range and battery life to the X7. The X7 offers much better ergonomics and fit as compared to the large barrel housing of the BLU100. I could go for a run with the X7, and couldn’t with the BLU100. If a fit that stays in place is important to you, the X7 is the way to go in my opinion. If you are looking for a great sounding bluetooth IEM, and price is a key factor and fitment isn’t at the top of the list, the BLU100 might be the answer. Having both of them and considering the applications I’m aiming to use bluetooth earphones for, I slightly lean more towards the X7 at the moment.
 
Conclusion
 
The Sport-Fi X7 is a great workout IEM that fits perfectly and isolates very well. It has really good sound quality and tuning that is geared towards making your afternoon run sound great. Their functionality is great, and forward sub bass works for almost all genres. Whether it be a at the gym or commuting, you will feel well equipped with the new and easily affordable Sport-Fi X7 bluetooth headset from Meelectronics.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Meelectronics M6 Pro was on sale for $49.99 USD on the Meelectronics website. Here is a link to the listing of their product at the time of the review.
 
http://www.meelec.com/M6_PRO_Musician_s_In_Ear_Monitors_p/ep-m6pro-cl-mee.htm
 
Introduction
 
I’ve recently done two reviews for Mike over at Meelectronics. The first was the M9, then the A151P 2nd Generation. Both were excellent, and performed beyond their price point. To be honest, from the get go I had my eyes on the M6 Pro. Owning the original M6 (which is a great workout IEM with a fun V-signature), I was curious to see what improvements they made with this release.
 
Not only did the original M6 work great as an In-ear workout monitor, it also caught the attention of musicians who would use them as budget stage monitors. Now, along comes the M6 Pro, and upgraded M6 geared for both on and off the stage. The M6 Pro tweaks an already popular design, and once again offers the consumer a package that punches well above its price range, offering the consumer a deal almost too good to be true.
 
Disclaimer
 
I was given an opportunity to sample this product in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am not affiliated with Meelectronics in any way.
 
By Background
 
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a budget-fi guy. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will can discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased many, and I mean MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap to hundreds of dollars higher end products. For me, its more about getting great price to performance ratio, and hearing a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound. With this hobby we tend to often times pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have tested and reviewed.
 
The Package
 
The Meelectronics M6 Pro came in a white and black box. The front of the box had a very nice snapshot of the monitors, and had a brief description of the product.
 

 
 
The back of the box had another snapshot of the housing detached from the cable, along with more information about the product’s features.
 

 
 
The side of the box had a clear portion displaying the actual housings. This was very sharp looking and caught my eye immediately upon receiving the package.
 

 
 
Specs

Driver:             10mm dynamic driver
Frequency Range:      20Hz-20kHz
Impedance:         16 Ohms @ 1K
Sensitivity:         100+3 dB (1mW @ 1KHZ)
Plug:             2X 3.5mm gold plated angled plug
Cable:             2X 130cm cables (material unspecified)


 
The M6 Pro comes with 7 sets of tips:
 
1X M Comply foam tips
1X M/L triple flange silicone tips
1X S/M triple flange silicone tips
1X Medium double flange tips
1X Small single flange tips
1X Medium single flange tips
1X Large single flange tips
 
There are plenty of tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal.
 
Housings
 
The housings are clear plastic, and display all of the internal workings. They are very sharp looking. Everything seems solid and the housings are very light weight.
 


 
 
Cable, Y-Split & Strain Reliefs
 
The M6 has two detachable cables. Both of them sport a very user friendly memory wire. The cables connect with a unique plug style jack and clip into place. The plug looks similar to the T-Peos models but are not the same size and are not interchangeable.
 

 
 

 
 
The white cable is designed for when the IEM is used as a stage monitor. It has no added features beyond a chin slider and shirt clip.
 
The silver cable has a very high quality single button microphone, and a well done analog volume slider. The microphone worked incredibly well, along with the single button phone control. With my LG G3 Android phone I could play/pause, and switch tracks with music apps. I could answer and hang up calls with the single button control, and holding the button activated the google voice command. All of this combined with the analog volume control left me very impressed with the functionality.
 

 
 
Y splits seem durable on both cables. Chin sliders work well. Strain reliefs seem sturdy enough to withstand the test of time.
 

 
Cable Jack
 
The cable jacks are both gold plated and are 90 degree angled.
 
Extra Accessories
 
The M6 Pro comes with a HUGE clamshell case that is capable of holding your IEMs and a DAP, or a phone. Its made of a neoprene-like semi rigid material. I really like this case. Also provided with the package is a very nice gold plated ¼ inch adapter, which is a really nice touch for the musician considering these for purchase, and the audiophile who needs this to listen through a stereo or amplifier with the larger plug.
 

 
 
Ergonomics, Fit, Isolation and Microphonics
 
I’m usually not a fan of memory wire, but with the provided chin sliders on both cables, and rubbery coating on the memory wire I was able to easily get a secure and comfortable fit. The have better than average isolation when used with a proper fitting tip. There are virtually no microphonics because of the over the ear design.
 

 
 
Review Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I test has a minimum of 30 hours of play time before writing any type of review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
 
When I first got the M6 Pro I thought the signature was balanced with a midrange boost, but after burn in I now hear an aggressive tuning with a slight V-signature, somewhat along the lines of the M9. Bass performance is really good on a whole. Midrange is relatively flat and could use a touch more texture. Upper midrange and treble can get a touch shouty and sibilant at loud volumes. But on a whole its an a nice sounding monitor that many will enjoy.
 
NOTE: This IEM is intended to also be used as a musician stage monitor. Although I may dissect the tuning of these please don’t forget that the M6 Pro was intended for stage use as well, meaning that it will be tuned for this use. I did borrow this IEM to a friend who plays in a band (guitarist). After using them for a week and using them on stage, he asked me how much they cost. When I told him the price he wanted me to order him a pair on the spot! So if you are wondering, they passed the “musician approval test” with flying colors.
 
Bass
 
Bass was the star of the show. During James Blake’s “Limit to your Love” the M6 Pro handled the complex bass passages with ease, and kept up at every throbbing frequencies. Bass did at times seem “one tone” and a touch wooly at the sub level. During test sweeps I got a pretty even signal from 20Hz all the way up to 200Hz without anything jumping out or dropping off. There is very little if any mid bass bleed from what I can hear. On a whole the bass response is well done, flows nicely from bass to midrange frequencies, and makes it sound effortless.
 
Midrange
 
Midrange is a mixed bag. Right out of the box the midrange seemed a touch forward and lush. After burn in, the lower midrange is just a touch “underdone” at lower frequencies to my ears. I wish there was just a touch more mid bass presence to accentuate male vocals and guitar notes. However, the midrange retains better than average clarity. Moving to the upper midrange, things got just a bit “shouty” to my ears. When tuning a IEM to have the sharpness of the M6 Pro, to pull it off the resolution has to be great. The M6 Pro is good, but doesn’t have the resolution and clarity at this frequency range to keep from being a bit over the top at this range, especially during complex rock passages. All in all, I would say that the midrange is good enough to compete at this price range.
 
Treble
 
Treble response picks up from where the upper midrange leaves off. It can be a bit peaky with the right music playing and can be fatiguing at higher volumes. It is very crisp and works really well with blues, acoustic, and vocal music.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
 
The soundstage is very good with Pop, R&B, and Acoustic Music. During complex music passages like Metallica’s “One” things got a little stuffy. I think in order for the soundstage to be its best, you have to give it tracks that it can handle.
 
Comparisons
 
Meelectonic M6 (original)  ($12 to $20 USD on many sites)
 
The original Meelectonics M6 is a stripped down package in comparison and boasts a slightly beefier bass response with a more textured lower midrange. The upper mids and treble are softer which is easier on the ears, but on a whole makes the M6 (original) seem to be more wooly and less resolving. If you are treble sensitive, this might be the better pick. However, the package on the M6 Pro more than makes up for the price difference with the ¼ inch adapter, pair of cables and the genius mic/single button control/analog volume control, not to mention the awesome oversized clamshell case. If I had to pick between the two, I would definitely pick the M6 Pro because of the features, and if the treble were bothersome it’s a simple EQ adjustment.
 
TTPOD T2 ($89 to $130 USD on many sites)
 
There’s no denying the T2 has really good clarity and better midrange, but it doesn’t have anywhere near the same amount of extension on either end compared to the M6 Pro. The M6 Pro sounds livelier and has a better accessories package.
 
Hisoundaudio HSA E212 ($49 USD on Penon Audio)
 
The HSA E212 is a very nicely tuned V-signature IEM that sports a better midrange texture and clarity at higher frequencies IMHO. However, there is a noticeable slight mid bass bleed that takes away from the overall listening experience on them that the M6 Pro doesn’t have. Bass on the M6 pro is tighter and more responsive. This is a close one, but the accessories package on the M6 pro is far superior and versatile. I would probably go with the M6 Pro.
 
Conclusion
 
The M6 Pro took the original M6 design and took it a step further, making it a universal monitor that can be used both on and off the stage and all for around $50 USD. Meelectronics doesn’t disappoint, and very few manufacturers can match their price to performance ratio. All in all this is another product that is geared to give a musician their best return for their dollar.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Dunu Titan 1  was on sale for $115.00 USD on Penon Audio . Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review:
 
http://penonaudio.com/DUNU-TITAN1
 
Introduction
 
The Titan 1 is already making waves on Head-Fi at the time I am writing this. I became interested in it  when some of my respected Head-Fi friends could not stop raving about them. After hearing the endless praise they were receiving, I knew I had to get my hands (and ears) on a pair and experience them for myself. They did not disappoint!
 
Disclaimer
 
My pair were purchased online from a group purchasing site. I am providing a review for the sole purpose of giving this terrific IEM the exposure it deserves.
 
My Background
 
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a budget-fi guy. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will can discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased many, and I mean MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap to hundreds of dollars higher end products. For me, its more about getting great price to performance ratio, and hearing a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound. With this hobby we tend to often times pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have tested and reviewed.
 
The Package
 
The Titan one came in a very simple medium sized black box with white and gray lettering and a close up of the monitors on the front.
 

 
 
The back of the box had some nice information about the product, as well as pictures and descriptions of the accessories. The sides of the box had the item’s specifications.
 

 
Opening the box revealed information about the product’s technological advancements and the benefits of it’s nano class diaphragm, as well as a graph showing the difference between itself and a conventional driver. A second flap had information about Max Barsky and his accomplishments as a musician.
 

 
 
Opening the second flap revealed the IEMs, three sets of tips, and the carrying case.
 

 
 
Specs
 
Driver:          Titanium 13 mm dynamic
Frequency Range:     20Hz~30Khz
Impedance:         16 Ohm
Sensitivity:         90 +- 2dB
Rated Input Power:    Not Listed
Plug:             3.5mm gold plated (right angled plug)
Cable:             1.2 meter cable
Weight:         18 grams
 
Extra Accessories
 
The accessories package was very nice, offering everything you would need and nothing you don’t. There was a large selection of tips, including my personal favorite Sony-esque hybrids. The rubber and hard plastic container that had a nice locking mechanism and release button. It is very solid and a great home for the Titan when not in use. The only issue I can see with the case is that if you take off the “screen protector” material on the top of the case it is prone to scratches (not a big deal). You also get a ¼ adapter that is of the utmost quality.
 

 
 
The Titan 1 comes with 9 pairs of tips:
 
3x Sony Hybrid-like silicone tips (sizes S,M,L)
3X black silicone tips with a wider bore and flat end (sizes S,M,L)
3X black/red silicone tips with a rounded end (sizes S,M,L)
 

 
There are plenty of tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal.
 
Housings
 
The housings are very impressively built out of polished metal (looks to be stainless steel). There isn’t a single piece of plastic on the housing. Even the screen/port at the end of the hozzle is a part of the housing, with 7 drilled holes for sound to come through. This is unique, and a very cool approach in my opinion. The housings each have a colored ring to indicate which channel is which (red/right, blue/left). There are several vent holes drilled in the inside of the housing where it rests in your ear. DUNU logos can be seen both on the inner and outer part of the shell.
 


 
 
 
Cable, Y-Split & Strain Reliefs
 
From the housing to the Y-split, the cable is typical rubber material used with most earphones at this price point. Strain reliefs from the housing are perfect in my opinion, with enough strength to keep everything in tact, and enough flex to prevent shorts in the wire.
 
The Y-split is made of the same polished metal as the housing, and just above it is a cable cinch of the same metal material. The cable cinch has a notch milled so it can fit right into the Y-split when not in use.
 

 
 
From the Y-split to the cable jack, the cable has been covered in a kevlar or kevlar-like material. The cable in it’s entirety is very flexible and with little to no memory. Also, a nice bonus is the rubber cable tie that is attached to the cable. It make winding these things up a breeze. It is a very nice touch.
 
Cable Jack
 
The cable jack is the same polished metal used in the housing and Y-split. The Titan 1 sports a ninety degree angled, and gold plated 3.5mm plug. the strain relief at the jack is one of the most well done strain reliefs I’ve seen. I don’t see anything shorting out here, or anywhere on the cable for that manner (if handled correctly).
 

 
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
 
Think of a earbud with a angled hozzle coming out of it to make it an in-ear monitor. That is exactly what the Titan 1 is. That is really clever if you ask me, because you are using the whole ear to support the fit, making it not only very comfortable, but also a very secure under the ear fit. Well done DUNU! I normally am not a fan of in-ears that are designed to be worn cable down, but they really hit a home run with this concept! The Titan 1 can also be worn over the ear by swapping channels. If you don’t mind swapping channels it works extremely well.
 
Worn cable down, you do get some microphonics. When worn over the ear, microphonics is reduced significantly.
 

 
                                                                      
Isolation
 
Because of the venting design the Titan does not isolate very well, and leaks sound more than your average in-ear monitor.
 
Review Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I test has a minimum of 30 hours of play time before writing any type of review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
 
Ahhhhhhh, now we get to the good part! These are great! It’s an aggressive, up front and in your face sound that is really addictive. Right out of the box they seemed a bit hot up top. Whether it be burn-in or time to adjust, I now find the treble to be just right and in accordance with the rest of the spectrum of sound. With the Titan 1, you get a slight V-signature with some of the best resolution and separation you can get in an IEM. The sound quality of these competes with everything I have, and will give many in-ear monitors at a much higher price range a run for their money.
 
Bass
 
The bass is forward on these. When running test sweeps I noticed a slight roll-off at sub-bass regions, especially from 10 Hz to about 40-50 Hz, but from there it takes off. The mid bass region definitely does jump out in front, but it is done with NO noticeable bleed. Trust me, you will get plenty of bass response, and mid bass and lower mids will have plenty of weight and punch. It really sets itself apart in how it handles midbass frequencies. To have that forward presentation and still be very resolving is seldom executed with in-ear monitors.
 
Mid Range
 
Mid range is something that is a mixed bag with the Titan, and something that makes this pair special. It takes a small step back from the bass and treble. Starting from the lower midrange, you will hear a very thick note presentation with a good amount of warmth and texture. However, as you listen and span across you will notice it going from very warm and lush lower midrange frequencies, and progressively get a little cooler and crisper sounding moving up to the upper mids and treble area. It is a smooth transition, and all the while it maintains a sense of clarity and separation that is world class.
 
Treble
 
It is crisp and very clear. If the Titan 1 didn’t have the awesome resolution it does, I would say the treble can be harsh, but because you can make out every high hat and cymbal crash with incredible accuracy, it is a joy to listen to. I enjoy the Titan 1 at medium listening levels. listening to them at loud volumes for too long leads to fatigue for me. All in all it’s a very high resolution monitor that has a beautiful shimmer and sparkle in it’s upper registers.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
 
This is a hard one to draw a conclusion on. In one sense, they sound “big”, but at the same time the forward mid bass can make you feel like they are not as open or airy as other in-ears. The best way I can explain is that it’s a “front row at the show” type of sound.
 
Music Recommendations
 
I think these are great for all genres, but will sound best with live performances, acoustic and rock music.
 
Comparisons
 
GR07BE ($125 to $150 USD on many sites)
 
Bass extension and response on the GR07BE is superior, and for an in-ear monitor it still amazes me to this day. But, the buck stops here for the VSONIC. Titan 1 has more energy to it’s tuning, and their amazing resolution, texture and detail in both mids and treble regions makes the GR07BE seem dull and lifeless in comparison. All in all, the GR07BE is outclassed by the Titan 1. That is saying a lot!
 
T-PEOS Altone 200 ($175 to $200 USD on many sites)
 
The Altone 200 can hang with the Titan 1 in terms of clarity, but the highs are harsher and more fatiguing. Titan is smoother, and has a more textured and open feeling to it’s sound, making the T-PEOS offering seem slightly congested in comparison. Both are good, but in my opinion the Titan sounds just as good, if not better at half the price.
 
Ostry KC06A ($55 to $85 USD on many sites)
 
The KC06A packs a great package with plenty of sub bass rumble and a nice treble response, but the Titan mid range outclasses the Ostry. In this comparison the trade off between the two is sub bass (advantage Ostry) and crystal clear midrange (Titan 1). I give the advantage to the Titan 1 because the quality mid range makes the sound more cohesive.
 
Conclusion
 
The Titan 1 is a perfect example that you don’t need several drivers packed into a custom shell and at the cost of a mortgage payment in order to create world class sound. These are a refreshing approach that brings something unique to the table, both in terms of build and sound quality. Upon concluding this review, I rank this earphone second in my in-ear collection, just barely behind the Fidue A83. Dunu did a stellar job with this one, and at a price that is almost too good to be true. I highly recommend them!
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Brainwavz S0 earphone was on sale for $49.50 USD on MP4NATION. Here is their listing of this product at the time of review:
 
http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-s0-iem-earphones-free-fedex-2-day-to-select-destination
 
Introduction
 
This Head-Fi journey has led me to try many different models and brands. However, I have only heard bits and pieces on Head-Fi about Brainwavz and their product line. Aside from the HM5 headphone pads, I hadn’t purchased any of their gear because I was unsure of what to expect. When Audrey at Brainwavz contacted me to try their products, I was excited to try a sample of their earphones.
 
Disclaimer
 
First and foremost, a HUGE thank you to Audry at Brainwavz for the opportunity to try the S0 earphone. I am in no way affiliated with Brainwavz, and was given an opportunity to sample this product in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
 
My Background
 
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a budget-fi guy. I buy the $5 to $400 headphone or IEM that looks promising, in hopes that I can find that one new gem that can perform above its price range, and compete with the big boys of this industry. If you look at my profile and inventory you will see I have purchased many, and I mean MANY different headphones ranging from $5 all the way up to $400. For me, it’s been more about getting great price to performance ratio, and hearing a variety of different gears with diverse signatures. With this hobby, we often times pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT always indicate good sound and build quality.
 
 I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me that “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different signatures as long as they are presented in a way that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experience with audio products, and make recommendations based on what I have heard.
 
The Package
 

 
 
The Brainwavz S0 came in a black box featuring a simple and stylish display of their name, the model, a brief description of their product’s features, and a glossy “cut out” image of the product.
The back of the package had a description of their product, stating that it had a balanced signature, and that their earphone would play any genre of music well. It also gave a listing of their contents and accessories, and a listing of the device specifications.
 

 
 
Driver:                                 Dynamic 9mm
Frequency Range:             18Hz ~ 18kHz
Impedance:                        16 Ohm
Sensitivity:                          100dB at 1 mW
Rated Input Power:            10mW
Plug:                                   3.5mm, gold plated
Cable:                                 1.2 m Y-Cord, Copper
 
Flipping open the front flap of the display, there was a nicely layed out statement from the company and their commitment to sound quality, and detailed schematics of their design on the left. On the right is a teaser of the IEM, and the AWESOME red and black zipper case. It is very sharp how they did this.
 

 
 
Opening the package, there was a clear plastic mold holding everything in place.
 

 
 
The zipper case is of semi rigid and high quality mesh material. It is a slightly larger than normal clamshell cases that is easily capable of holding the earphone and all of the accessories, or you could opt for storing the earphone and something like a Sansa Clip Zip, or a small mp3 player along those lines. This was a really nice touch.
 

 
 
The S0 comes with 9 sets of tips.
 
1X High quality comply foam premium tips (Medium size)
1X Medium/Large dual flange silicone tips
1X Medium/Large triple flange silicone tips
2X Small single flange silicone tips (1X Sony Hybrid-ish style, and 1X Gray/Red wider bore)
2X Medium single flange silicone tips (1X Sony Hybrid-ish style, and 1X Gray/Red wider bore)
2X Large single fange silicone tips (1X Sony Hybrid-ish style, and 1X Gray/Red wider bore)
 
Note: The Sony Hybrid-ish type of tips are the same shape and size as the authentic Sony version, but they are more rigid and less supple then the original. Because of that expect a slightly different fit as compared to the ones that come with Sony earphones. There are plenty of tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal.
 
The build on these are solid. Starting at the housing, they have a black metal exterior. Everything seems of high quality and it doesn’t look like anything will break any time soon. The red strain reliefs seem tough and work well in the transition from the housing to the flat cable.
 

 
 
The cable is flat and of high quality. I have to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of flat cables because my preferred method of wearing IEMs is over the ear. Although I am capable of wearing the S0 over the ear, I have to be mindful of not twisting the cables leading from the Y-split to the housing too much to prevent creating tension and tugging from the cable. I also find myself losing a seal from time to time, and more often so than when using a round cable with the same housing design (your mileage may vary). Some will like the flat cable and others won’t. Please note I speak from my own opinion. There is no chin slider to snug the cable in place.
 

 
 
The Y-split is made of tough plastic, and has rubber strain reliefs on each side. It’s well built and leaves me with no concerns. The cable jack is made of the same plastic and rubber as the Y split. It is a straight cable and seems sturdy. I sense that there could possible and eventually be a short where the flat cable meets the strain relief at the plug IF handled roughly for a long period of time.
 
Fit & Microphonics
 
I touched on over the ear use while describing the cable, but these work great being worn straight down. The housing sits comfortably in the valley of my ear canal. You will get considerable microponics when wearing them down. When wearing the over the ears microphonics is reduced significantly.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Review Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my LG G3 phone, and with my portable rig, a Samsung Galaxy S (Wolfson chip) with Topping NX1 amplifier. I also used my Fiio E17 DAC/AMP at 24 bit, 96000 Hz out of my laptop setup. I also tested them with other portable DAPs and amplifiers, and didn’t notice any significant changes with different sources. I used Google music downloaded in its highest quality download setting (320 kbps), and streamed flac via Tidal streaming service. I made sure to have approximately 30 hours of burn-in by playing them at loud volumes with different varieties of music.
 
 I used my usual same songs for testing this gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“One” by Metallica
“Madness” by Muse
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some Nights” by Fun
“The Soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten Thousand Fists” by Disturbed
 
Sound
 
These are described as balanced on the box, but I definitely wouldn’t consider that to be case. I won’t say its false advertising, but if you are an audiophile looking for a flat tuning, you aren’t going to find it with these. These are a mid bass forward earphone that can play many genres very well. The midrange is full bodied and the treble is decent and not harsh to my ears. I didn’t necessarily care for how much the mid bass effected the overall resolution and soundstage in their stock configuration. Making adjustments with an EQ rendered a much more pleasing sound to my ears. The good news is that these are very capable of quality sound reproduction and respond well to an EQ adjustment. I really enjoy them with the mid bass turned down.
 
Bass
 
I find the bass to be punchy and mid bass forward. The sub layer is decent, but it gets over shadowed by the large amount of mid bass. At loud volumes the amount of mid bass gets slightly fatiguing to my ears. The good thing is that turning the mid bass down with an EQ adjustment, they can be a very balanced sound that is really fun to listen to.
 
Midrange
 
Midrange is full bodied and smooth. Before an EQ adjustment the mid basses resonate and impact the clarity of the midrange. With an EQ adjustment they have an above average response. Male vocals carry a lot of weight and some will considered it to be veiled.
 
Treble
 
It is smooth and in balance with the midrange. Cymbals have a nice smooth attack and decay. I really enjoy the treble response as it is easy on the ears and not lacking IMHO.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
 
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but the mid bass impacts the soundstage. When anything from mid bass regions through upper mids takes the front of the stage, it makes it very hard to say that they are extended or airy.
 
Imaging is average for an IEM with a signature like this. It’s not bad, but not great.
 
Comparisons
 
Hisoundaudio ES212 ($40 to $55 USD on many sites)
 
The ES212 has more sub extension, giving it a sense of more depth to it’s sound. Bass is more mid bass forward on the S0, putting more weight on the midrange at the expense of some resolution. The ES212 has more of a V-signature. The treble on these two are very similar, with just a hair more crispness in the Hisoundaudio model.  
 
Build quality is about equal, but in terms of accessories the S0 destroys the ES212. The case and tip selection is far superior on the S0
 
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($20 to $30 USD on many sites)
 
The Pistons bass is more extended into sub regions, but mid basses are very similar on both models. Mid bass on both impacts the midrange. The midrange is more full on the SO, with the Pistons midrange being more recessed. Treble on the S0 is a touch smoother than the Pistons.
 
The Pistons offer a three button control for android which is a plus, and a very clever case that holds all of the accessories. The tip selection is much better on the Brainwavz model.
 
Soundmagic E10 ($25 to $40 USD on many sites)
 
The Soundmagic E10 is a more balanced sound than the S0, and with a boosted sub layer. These are actually quite similar in terms of tuning, but where the E10 is boosted in sub bass, the S0 has that boost in it’s mid bass layer.
 
The build on each is equal, but I slightly prefer the E10 because of the over the ear fitment. The S0 has a better accessories package.
 
 
Conclusion
 
For a younger crowd looking for a bass forward tuning that puts plenty of weight on male vocals and with treble that is not fatiguing at all, the tuning will be right up their alley. They are a solid package with great build quality and lots of accessories. While there are models at this price range that offer a better tuning in my opinion, all things considered this is a great offering from Brainwavz.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Fidue A83 hybrid earphone was on sale for $279.99 USD on a major distribution/selling site (not to be named), and on Penonaudio.com for $339 USD. The Penon model comes with an extra MMCX cable with a microphone. Here is a link to Fidue’s product page, and to Penon Audio’s listing of this product:
 
http://www.fidue.com/index_en.asp
http://penonaudio.com/Fidue-A83
 
Introduction
 
When Michael at Fidue contacted me to possibly review products, I was excited at the opportunity. I had never tried any of their products and was looking forward to it. The A83 had a lot of hype at the time, and was the talk of many Head-fi threads. To be honest, I was expecting to get an entry level model as a feel out process to see where we would go after that. I was floored when I realized that I was going to get their flagship A83 right off the bat.
 
Disclaimer
 
First and foremost, a HUGE thank you to Michael over at Fidue for the opportunity to try this world class earphone. I am in no way affiliated with Fidue, and was given an opportunity to sample this product in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
 
My Background
 
To start this review, please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a budget-fi guy. I buy the $5 to $400 headphone or IEM that looks promising, in hopes that I can find that one new gem that can perform above its price range, and compete with the big boys of this industry. If you look at my profile and inventory you will see I have purchased many, and I mean MANY different headphones ranging from $5 all the way up to $400. For me, it’s been more about getting great price to performance ratio, and hearing a variety of different gears with diverse signatures. With this hobby, we often times pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT always indicate good sound and build quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me that “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different signatures as long as they are presented in a way that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experience with audio products, and make recommendations based on what I have heard.
 
The Package
 
The Fidue A83 came in a slightly larger than normal black box featuring a minimalistic display that featured their name, the model, a brief description of their product’s features, and a glossy “cut out” image of the product.
 

 
The back of the package had a nice statement from the company explaining their 20-years of Hi-Fi audio experience and commitment to audio excellence. It also displayed their technical specifications for the A83 in three different languages.
 
Driver Type:                          10mm Exclusive Dynamic & Dual-Balanced Armature drivers
Frequency Range:                 9-31000 Hz
Impedance:                           11 Ohm
Sensitivity:                             104dB
Max Input Power:                  30mW
Distortion:                              <1%
Plug:                                      3.5mm stereo, gold plated
 

 
Opening the package revealed a baggie with accessories and tips. Being the gear junkie I am, I skipped that for the time being to go straight for the earphones. They came in a Pelican-like case that was made of very rugged plastic. The case was the type I’ve seen only come with custom earphones for the most part.
 

 
Opening the case, the earphones were wrapped up in a foam that held the earphones in place, and had a cord winder around the perimeter. It was something along the lines of the Pistons earphone concept, but with foam instead of silicone. I have to admit, I was smiling the whole time. This thing reeks of high class audio. It’s a beautiful package that won’t disappoint. There’s not a single thing that would make you feel like you aren’t getting your money’s worth.
 

 
The A83 comes with a ¼ inch adapter and an airline adapter. Both are gold plated and of very nice quality. There are six pairs of tips:
 
1X High quality comply foam tips (appear to be Medium/Large size)
1X Medium/Large dual flange silicone tips
1X Small/Medium dual flange silicone tips
1X Small single flange silicone tips
1X Medium single flange silicone tips
1X Large single fange silicone tips
 

There are plenty of tips for just about everyone to get a secure fit and seal. 
 
The build on these are fantastic. Starting at the housing, they have a metal exterior on the outside. The inside portion of the earphone housing is a solid and translucent blue (left) and red (right) plastic that reveals the innards of the A83. It is a very clever and cool design which not only indicates the left and right channels with, taking a close look at them under light I could see the detail and technology these things have. The housings are solidly built and light weight.
 

 
The A83 has a unique MMCX connector that has a special metal tab on each phone that prevents the connection from rotating. I really like this feature, as it assists in getting a more solid and consistent fit. And, another positive with this design is that other MMCX cables without the metal tab will fit on the A83, but they will rotate. The Fidue cable can’t be used on other models because the tab will get in the way.
 

 
Starting with the Cable jack, we have a straight version that is made of metal and seems very durable. The strain relief is made of a rubbery material and is really well done. I don’t see having any problem with the jack holding up to the test of time and use.The cable is beautiful, period. It’s made of silver plated oxygen free copper and is a heavy duty dull silver/lead colored with a shimmery finish and braided all the way up to the Y-splitter. You will seldom if ever see a cable this thick and nice in a universal IEM.The Y-splitter is made of the same metal as the jack, and displays the A83 model name. It’s well built and leaves me with no complaints at all. Rubbery strain reliefs are at the Y-splitter to keep the cord from getting any kinks. Once you get above the Y-splitter, it gets pretty interesting. The cable now becomes a twist cable (same dull silver/lead with shimmer) and appears to be wrapped with clear heat shrink tubing all the way up to the housing. If I had to guess, it was done in an effort to further prevent microphonics. There is no chin slider. The A83 uses memory wire to go over and around the ear to hold things in place.
 

 
Fit & Microphonics
 
The one thing on the cable I didn’t care for was the memory wire leading from the final 3-4 inches of cable to the housing. I don’t mean to be picky, but I find memory wire to be very finicky and hinders my ability to get a solid and consistent fit unless I tediously manipulate the wire to conform to my ear each and every time. There have been some comments on Head-fi about these having a “shallow fit” and people having a tough time getting a solid fit and seal. I’m guessing that some/much of this has to do with the memory wire. Don’t get me wrong, I got a good fit, but I would rather not deal with memory wire and opt for a cable that leads all the way up and over the ear, and snug things up with a chin slider. As for microphonics there is little if any. If I do get any microphonics it’s from the memory wire brushing my ear. Like all in-ear monitors, finding the right tip that is the right size and seals well is essential in getting the best sound quality you can achieve from your earphone. For me, I prefer the large single bore silicone tips
.

 
One thing I noticed while tip rolling is that tip selection plays a big part in how these sound. Smaller bore tips bring the bass and treble forward from what I heard, and a wider bore tip seemed to yield a more balanced presentation. Your mileage may vary, just be sure to experiment with tips to see what works best for you.
 
Review Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my LG G3 phone, and with my portable rig, a Samsung Galaxy S (Wolfson chip) with Topping NX1 amplifier. I also used my Fiio E17 DAC/AMP at 24 bit, 96000 Hz out of my laptop setup. I also tested them with other portable DAPs and amplifiers, and didn’t notice any significant changes with different sources. I used Google music downloaded in its highest quality download setting (320 kbps), and streamed flac via Tidal streaming service. I made sure to have approximately 30 hours of burn-in by playing them at loud volumes with different varieties of music.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing this gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“One” by Metallica
“Madness” by Muse
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some Nights” by Fun
“The Soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten Thousand Fists” by Disturbed
 
Sound
 
Its amazeballs, period. There are times when people pop IEMs and headphones on, press play, and feel like they are hearing their favorite songs for the first time all over again. The Fidue A83 did that for me. They are the best IEM I have at the time of writing this review. I feel blessed to have a pair. It is a combination of power and finesse. Its musical and articulate. Its Batman and Robin. Its peanut butter and jelly. Do I need to keep going to prove my point? Nah…
 
Bass
 
The bass on these are great. Out of the box, I thought that maybe it would be their downfall, as the bass response seemed sluggish and just a micro fraction slower than the rest of the sound, but even that is no more after burn in. It has beautiful punchy bass that rumbles as low as it needs to go. Is it as fast as balanced armature bass? The answer is no, and to be honest I don’t want it that way. There’s a reason why hybrids use the dynamic driver for the bass frequencies, and it’s because some audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts understand and crave the type of dynamic bass that the Fidue A83 brings to the table. Its perfect attack and decay that lingers long enough make you jones for the next note. It’s bass has weight, rumble, punch and bounce. It makes kick drums sound the way they should. It makes that hip hop bass line make you want to bob your head to the beat. During low frequency test sweeps my ears heard/felt the bass all the way down to 10Hz. It put on a clinic during James Blake’s “Limit to your love”. It never intruded into the midrange, nor did it overwhelm male or female vocals in any song I listened to. There is no mid bass bleed from what I hear. There is enough mid bass to give it a natural and pleasant texture and nothing beyond that. It’s basshead-audiophile in my opinion. The bass is forward, kick butt, and awesome.
 
Midrange
 
Midrange is high resolution, and with great separation and balance. I wouldn’t say that it takes a back seat to the bass but it’s just a hair back of the bass presence. It’s more noticeable with Hip Hop, Pop, and EDM music, but with acoustic it’s hardly noticeable at all. I consider this a good thing because those genres call for more bass anyways. Female vocals and guitars sounded especially good. In case anyone was wondering, I didn’t sense there being any kind of problems with this hybrid seeming disjointed in its sound. The balance and transition in frequencies from the dynamic driver into the armatures was seamless and perfectly executed. There’s not a single thing I played that left me thinking the A83 didn’t put on a clinic in how it should sound.
 
Treble
 
The A83 treble is crisp without being harsh. The armature driver is very natural sounding to my ears, and plays cymbals much better than many other armature drivers I’ve heard. I know some of you reading this know what I’m talking about when I say there’s some armatures that make cymbals sound unnatural and harsh. The A83 doesn’t suffer from that at all. The upper frequencies can extend pretty high, but the resolution is so good and natural sounding that it isn’t bothersome. A really good song to test to see if the sound is distorting is with “Ten Thousand Fists” by Disturbed. The A83 played every cymbal perfectly, even at the most complex passages of that song, and I NEVER got a sense that the sound was pasting together. That really impressed me because usually there’s at least one point when that happens with even my most expensive other gears. While I think some people who are extremely treble sensitive will think they are a touch hot up top, most others will fall in love with the crisp and accurate treble response these have.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
 
Soundstage width is good with depth and height. They don’t hang with the best of the best full size cans, but for IEMs they are world class and I can’t think of anything that’s particularly better.
Imaging is great. One of my favorite listening sessions with these was listening to the album “Sessions from the 17^th Ward” by Amber Rubarth. I could close my eyes and envision the band playing in front of me. The great texture and separation puts space between instruments. The sound is open and airy for an IEM. Their Hi-Fi tuning also helps promote a great sense of imaging.
 
Comparisons
 
Sony H3 ($250-$350 USD on many sites)
 
The clinic that the A83 puts on with its top end resolution and balance from bass to midrange makes the Sony H3 seemed veiled in comparison. The H3 has considerably more mid bass that puts more weight on most male, and some female vocals. The separation and texture on both are great, with a slight edge going to the A83. The H3 has more relaxed and less fatiguing treble that some will prefer. While I have found the bass on the H3 to be fatiguing at times, I don’t get that from the A83 bass.
 
As far as build is concerned, I’m split between the two. The A83 has an awesome case and a beautiful cable, but the H3, comes with two stock cables (one with a microphone and one without) that features much easier to use memory wire that is coated with a soft rubber exterior. I love the hybrid sony tips, and the bonus foam filled hybrid tips that come with the H3 are epic. The H3 also comes with a very nice leather zip up case.
 
VSONIC GR07 Bass Edition ($125-$175 USD on many sites)
 
This was a close one. The Fidue destroys the GR07BE in build and accessories (although the GR07BE does come with A LOT of tips to choose from). In terms of sound, it is really hard to say that anything bests the bass quality of the GR07BE, but the Fidue A83 gives it a run for it’s money by coming close. GR07BE wins in bass response by a hair. The A83 has a more articulate and defined midrange with better separation, but the GR07BE is more musical and slightly (very slightly) fuller sounding to my ears. I consider it a tie for midrange. Treble extension is similar in both models, but the A83 plays treble more accurately and with better resolution.
 
Dunu DN1000 ($200-$250 USD on many sites)
 
I give a tie in terms of build quality and accessories. Where one company got something wrong, the other company got it right, and vice versa. Bass response goes to the A83 and it seems to be just a touch leaner and faster in its response. Midrange is a draw, as they are both world class in both imaging and resolution. Treble is also a draw. These two were actually very similarly tuned with the exception of the beefier and slightly more sluggish low end of the DN1000.
 
Conclusion
 
The A83 takes hybrid technology to a new level. I own several hybrids, and seldom does one take the “best of both worlds” in dynamic and armature technology, and combine it flawlessly. I don’t hear anything I would consider a shortcoming in their sound signature. NOTHING. You will be hard pressed to find an IEM that bests these. I often times ask myself “If I broke these would I spend the money to replace these?” Even at the higher asking price, the answer is ABSOLUTELY! Until I hear something better, the A83 is the current king of the hybrid market in my opinion.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Meelectronics A151P 2nd Generation was on sale for $49.99 USD. Here is a link to their product site:
 
http://www.meelec.com/A151P_Balanced_Armature_In_Ear_Headphone_2nd_Gene_p/ep-a151p-bk-mee.htm
 
Let’s just skip the mumbo jumbo and cut straight to the chase. These impressed me from the beginning. So much so, I couldn’t help myself and started posting positive impressions the first day I got them in. I hope my review will give you a clear picture of what they sound like, and inspire some to give them a shot.
 
Disclaimer
 
First and foremost, a great big thank you to Mike at Meelectronics for supplying me with a sample to use for review purposes. I am in no way affiliated with Meelectronics, and was given an opportunity to sample this product in exchange for an honest review
 
My Background
 
To start this review, please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a budget-fi guy. I buy the $5 to $400 headphone or IEM that looks promising, in hopes that I can find that one new gem that can perform above its price range, and compete with the big boys of this industry. If you look at my profile and inventory you will see I have purchased many, and I mean MANY different headphones ranging from $5 all the way up to $400. For me, it’s been more about getting great price to performance ratio, and hearing a variety of different gears with diverse signatures. With this hobby, we often times pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT always indicate good sound and build quality.
 
 I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me that “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different signatures as long as they are presented in a way that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experience with audio products, and make recommendations based on what I have heard.
 
Introduction
 
About a year ago, I received my Meelectronics A161P in the mail. Having already purchased several of their products, and liking every single one, for the first time I felt inspired to comment to their company about something I didn’t necessarily care for. Although the sound was very good, the cable on the A161P was VERY thin and seemed frail. I didn’t see how these would withstand the test of time, so I emailed the company to basically ask them to please never use that cable again. I stated that I liked the build quality of the original A151P, and the sound of the A161P, and that the shortcomings of each of them were offset from having what I would consider “the complete package”. I thought that would be the end of it, but what I got was a very thoughtful response from Mike over at Meelectronics. We emailed back and forth for a while, and I will say that he is the perfect man for his job. I could sense his enthusiasm about earphone design and sound, and he was very genuine about it as well. I consider Mike a friend, and with our conversations I’m now eating crow because my A161P to this day are still intact.
 
The Package

 
The Meelectronics A151P 2^nd Generation comes in a small, and very sharp looking white and black box. Every section of the box was utilized to print very useful information about the earphones, especially the back of the box which displayed a frequency graph, a nice description of their sound signature and a small picture and description of the supplied accessories and owner’s manual. The sides of the box displays simple specs and a description of the model’s build features. The bottom of the box displays their one year warranty. Yes, a one year warranty on a sub one hundred dollar USD earphone. Awesome!

 
Opening the box, a clear plastic shell holds the earphone in place and displays the housings and cable beautifully. A semi-solid mesh clamshell case with the Meelectronics logo is mounted underneath the earphones, holding the cable slack and accessories.

Inside the case there are four sets of tips to add to the pre-installed (medium size) tips that are on the IEM already. There are five sets total: S-M-L single flange silicone tips, a medium-ish set of dual flange tips, and a medium-ish set of triple flanges. All are of good quality. One thing to note is that the bore on these are pretty small, due to the small hozzle that the A151P 2^nd Generation possesses. This might make tip rolling a challenge if none of the stock tips work. For my ears the large single flange tips work perfectly.

 
The Meelectronics A151P 2^nd Generation is almost identical to the original in both looks and build quality, with the only noticeable exception being the new and improved L shaped plug. They feature a braided black cable that is very pliable and with virtually no memory. It honestly reminds me of cables from much more expensive headphones. Another nice thing about the cable is that it is noticeably longer than most headphones, which I consider a nice touch.

 
They have a cable cinch that is heavy duty and goes very low on the cable (to about my lower chest naval area), so if you have a head the size of a walrus you still won’t have any problems with the cable reaching your ears. There is a chin slider, but I consider it more of a chest and neck slider because you won’t get it up to your chin due to the microphone placement. I like it because it snugs things up without it becoming a choker collar. The inline single button remote is on the left side leading up right around my collar bone and blends in well with the cable and seems very sturdy. 
The housings are built of what appears to be a very sturdy and nicely finished plastic. Their design is clever and very ergonomic. I really like the material use for the strain reliefs because it has a nice “give” to it. It’s a beautiful combination of black and chrome, and over the course of wearing them I got a lot of compliments on how sharp they look.

 
 
 
Fit and Microphonics
 
This model is designed to go over the ear, so microphonics are not a problem. They can also be worn under the ear easily, but you will notice slight microphonics if you do. Like all in-ear monitors, finding the right tip that is the right size and seals well is essential in getting the best sound quality you can achieve from your earphone.
 
Review Materials
 
I primarily did my demo with my LG G3 phone, and with my portable rig, a Samsung Galaxy S (Wolfson chip) with Topping NX1 amplifier. I also used my Fiio E17 DAC/AMP at 24 bit, 96000 Hz out of my laptop setup. I also tested them with other portable DAPs and amplifiers, and didn’t notice any significant changes with different sources. I used Google music downloaded in its highest quality download setting (320 kbps), and streamed flac via Tidal streaming service. I made sure to have approximately 30 hours of burn-in by playing them at loud volumes with different varieties of music.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing this gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“One” by Metallica
“Madness” by Muse
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some Nights” by Fun
“The Soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits
 
Sound
 
These were great right out of the box. I definitely had a “WOW” moment at first listen because owning the original A151P, I was expecting a slight upgrade. The improvement in sound quality is huge in comparison. This is honestly what I was hoping for the first time and didn’t get plus a whole lot more. Simply put, it’s the best single armature I’ve ever heard. The Knowles SR-31843 balanced armature drivers these have are great.
 
Bass
 
Anyone who knows me on Head-fi knows I’m partial to a bass forward presentation. Punch and rumble are almost a requirement to get a thumbs up from me. With these guys, their bass tuning is linear and complimentary, but I really like it because it works so well with the rest of their signature. While doing lower frequency test sweeps, I notices a slight roll of from about 70Hz down to 20Hz, and didn’t detect any rumble underneath that. From about that point on everything seemed to evenly work its way over to 200Hz. One thing I will say is that because of the bass tuning, I wouldn’t recommend them for noisy environments or commuting. These are more of a “sit down and enjoy the music” earphone. You will get a sense of just about every bass note that is played, but just not with the same rumble as some bass cannon phones. Most bassheads won’t like it, while purists and audiophiles looking for flat tuning will love it. With hip hop, the lowest of earth quaking lows won’t rattle your skull, and with rock music you will hear the kick drums, but you won’t feel them. However, bass guitars sound beautiful, and for the most part every bassline makes its presence felt and can be appreciated without feeling like these are thin sounding for the most part. I hope that description makes sense. The only other way to give you a picture of what the bass will sound like I would say is to try to imagine the bass response of a high quality pair of semi open full size cans, but in an in ear monitor form. Mid bass is not something to concern about because what’s there is linear, slightly warm and beautiful, and doesn’t bleed or distort anything at all.
 
Midrange
 
This is where I’m blown away by these. Dare I say it’s some of the best in ear monitors I’ve ever heard for vocals? I just did, and with no shame! It’s flat tuning with just the slightest bit of tilt towards warm and mid-centric. I didn’t get veil from any male vocals I listened to, and women’s vocals were spectacular. Acoustic guitars were outstanding, as I could make out the vibration of the strings, not just the note that they were playing. When multiple vocals were playing at the same time there was beautiful separation and texture. It was enough warmth to make it fun to listen to and without feeling like anything was out in front of anything else. These phones shine with acoustic, vocal, rock, classic rock and metal music. There were times during my review I would close my eyes to try and picture just how “real” these sounded. Words that came to my mind were “balanced”, “smooth” and “accurate”. Is there anything about it in terms of what I would improve? Maybe a multi balanced armature driver set up might tweak things to be even more resolving and textured, but for a single armature I’m blown away.
 
Treble
Another thumbs up from me in regards to this area. The treble is crisp without any harshness. Cymbals sound natural and balanced. There were no sibilantly pronounced letter S from what I heard. Resolution is fantastic and I never sensed the sound getting pasted together. I did detect a very slight roll off going into the highest upper frequencies somewhat along the lines of the bass response but on the opposite side of the spectrum. I heard EVERYTHING, but just like how I didn’t “feel” the lower bass notes, I didn’t get any harshness on the very top end. I hope those of you who are reading this are getting a sense of how fun and easy to listen to these are without getting overwhelmed by bass or harsh treble, yet you still get every note. It’s genius tuning in my honest opinion.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
 
Some will say the soundstage is narrow because of the minimal roll off in both directions, but I still wouldn’t say that this earphone is just midrange and nothing else, because that’s not the case at all. Yes the midrange takes the center stage and is complemented by the bass and treble, but the buck doesn’t stop there. A little more sub bass extension would make the depth better, and a little more crispness would give these more height, but I am glad that’s not the case with these. They are pleasant sounding, and the resolution and fast response from top to bottom in combination with that fantastic midrange gives these a quality that puts these in my group of favorite IEMs easily.
 
Imaging is spectacular for this make and price. Like I said earlier in the review, there were times listening to them I had to close my eyes and just appreciate how “real” they sounded. I say that in all seriousness. You get a sense of space and balance in the tuning that’s just right. While it doesn't seem as open and airy as the likes of the Havi B3 Pro 1, it makes you want to just kick back and enjoy them.
 
Comparisons
 
Meelectronics A151p (original first generation) ($40-$60 USD on many sites)
The original version seemed to have a beefier bass response, especially in the mid-bass range, which I don’t consider a good thing. The midrange was warmer and less resolving. Treble was more rolled off in the older offering. The original didn’t necessarily sound bad, but the 2^nd Generation bests the original in all areas, and make the original seem stuffy, congested and sloppy in comparison. The 2^nd Generation is faster in attack and decay and resolution is twice as good from what I hear. Honestly, after hearing the new model I have no use for the original aside from comparison purposes.
 
Sony XBA-1 ($25-$50 USD on many sites)
The A151P 2^nd Generation boast a better build in comparison to the Sony offering. I prefer the braided Meelectronics cable as compared to the funky J-cord of the Sony offering. The Sony boasts a beefier low end that is more satisfying for EDM, Pop, and Hip Hop genres, and works better for commuting. The more linear bass of the A151P is faster in its response, and from the midbass all the way up through the treble frequencies it is more crisp and resolving. On the road and for use in noisy environments I’ll give it to the Sony, but for critical listening and acoustic and band music, it’s A151P 2^nd Generation all the way.
 
Zero Audio Carbo-Tenore ($45-$60 on many sites)
The Tenore boast the sub rumble that the A151P 2^nd Generation doesn’t, which gives it an edge with songs that call for it. I find the midbass on the Meelec model to be superior, due to it being leaner and faster yet still present. Those who know the tenore understand how balanced it is, but with that said there is such excellent resolution from top to bottom with the A151P 2^nd Generation that it makes even the tenore appear to have a bleed in the mid bass region and even seem slightly sluggish from top to bottom on some tracks. Matter of fact, I find overall resolution, imaging, and seperation to be better on the Meelec. I also prefer the build quality on the A151P 2^nd Generation by far. The Meelec offering also offers a touch more treble energy without being harsh.
 
Conclusion
The Meelectronics A151P is the best single balanced armature I have heard at the time of writing this review. It’s a high resolution sound with a warm tilt and crisp upper frequencies that never get too harsh. They work for all genres of music, but especially for rock, acoustic music, and vocals. If you want balanced audiophile sound and don’t want to break the bank, I highly recommend these.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

Meelectronics M9 Classic
 
At the time this review was written, the M9 classic is listed on sale for $9.99 USD. I honestly don't know how the price on these could be this low. Here is a link to their site:
 
http://www.meelec.com/M9_Classic_In_Ear_Headphones_p/ep-m9-bk-ff.htm
 
Meelectronics is known for their “bang for your buck” personal audio gear. Over the past few years I’ve purchased several different of their budget models. One thing that has always struck me with their products is that they consistently and routinely offer a level of build and sound quality that surpasses their asking price.
 
Disclaimer
 
First and foremost, a great big thank you to Mike at Meelectronics for supplying me with a sample to use for review purposes. I am in no way affiliated with Meelectronics, and was given an opportunity to sample this product in exchange for an honest review.
 
My Background
 
To start this review, please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a budget-fi guy. I buy the $5 to $400 headphone or IEM that looks promising, in hopes that I can find that one new gem that can perform above its price range, and compete with the big boys of this industry. If you look at my profile and inventory you will see I have purchased many, and I mean MANY different headphones ranging from $5 all the way up to $400. For me, it’s been more about getting great price to performance ratio, and hearing a variety of different gears with diverse signatures. With this hobby, we often times pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT always indicate good sound and build quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me that “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different signatures as long as they are presented in a way that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experience with audio products, and make recommendations based on what I have heard.

Introduction

The Meelectronics M9 has been around for a while now. I first stumbled upon them on Amazon and EBay over a year and a half ago. The product description at the time boasted some bold claims, stating that they could compete against many much higher priced models. Having already purchased the M6 at the time (which by the way is an epic in ear monitor that I still own as use to this day), I purchased them in hopes that they would live up to their claim. They held a place in my collection for a long time, and yes they were very good. The only reason I don’t still have that same pair is because I gave them to a relative who seemed to love them more than I did, so I gave him “the gift of Head-fi”.
 
When Mike asked me if I wanted to review the new M9 classic, I was excited because I had an idea of what I was getting into having heard the M9 a while back. He explained that this was a bare bones package focused on giving the consumer a Hi-Fi budget monitor that focuses on build and sound quality, and didn’t waste resources on packaging and needless accessories. I’m happy to say the M9 classic is just that.
 

The Package

Open box displaying the specifications and one year warranty

 
The M9 classic comes in a very generic looking brown flip top box that is held shut with a branded and barcoded sticker and a “certified frustration free packaging” logo. Opening the box revealed some simple specs about their product, and information about a one year warranty, which is something you seldom if ever see in an earphone priced this low. The M9 comes in a plastic zip-lock baggie with dual flanged silicone tips (which are some of the best tips you can get in my opinion) and a shirt clip attacked. Underneath one of the cardboard flaps is a selection of three single bore tips, sizes S-M-L
 

Supplied tips

 
Holding the M9 classic in my hand, my first impression is that these have a build quality beyond their asking price. Having tried many earphones, I can tell the craftsmanship that went into these were in an effort to check all of the boxes in terms of what is required for someone to approve of their build quality.
 

Cable Jack and Housings
 

Chin Slider, Cable cinch, Shirt Clip
 
The M9 classic has a sturdy L shaped plastic plug with an adequate rubber/plastic-ish strain relief that transitions nicely into a very nice clear/black cable. I am really impressed with the cable. It is pliable and has very little memory to it. It doesn’t seem to be the type of cable that would be prone to tangling. Honestly, it is really well done. The cable cinch is sturdy plastic that seems to be the same material as the plug, and it comes with a chin slider that does its job and works very well. The supplied shirt clip is pretty standard plastic. The housings seem to be a black painted thin metal material that isn’t too heavy or bulky, and seems to be very sturdy. The strain reliefs leading to the housing seem very sturdy rubber/plastic that is almost too rugged in my opinion. I say this because I could imagine the possibility of some crimping of the cable going on where the cable meets the strain relief if someone were too rough with them. I would like to have seen the same strain relief on the housings as the plug. Honestly though, if that’s the one thing to worry about, we are doing pretty darn well. PS, don’t forget about the ONE YEAR WARRANTY. Did I mention they have a one year warranty? (When purchased from authorized retailers).
 
Review Materials
 
Considering that these would probably be used with portable devices in most cases, I primarily did my demo with my LG G3 phone, and with my portable rig, a Samsung Galaxy S (Wolfson chip) with Topping NX1. I also used my Fiio E17 DAC/AMP at 24 bit, 96000 Hz out of my laptop setup. I used Google music downloaded in its highest quality download setting (320 kbps), and streamed flac via Tidal streaming service. I gave the m9 classic approximately 30 hours of burn-in by playing them at loud volumes with different varieties of music.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing this gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“One” by Metallica
“Madness” by Muse
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some Nights” by Fun
“The Soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Basically” by Tei Shi
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits
 
 
Sound
 
My initial impression before burn-in was that these were overly bright and didn’t have very good resolution. This changed after burn-in. Please do not judge these right out of the box, as you will not be experiencing these at their full potential. Also, like all in-ear monitors, finding the right tip that is the right size and seals well is essential in getting the best sound quality you can achieve from your earphone.
 
Bass
 
The bass on these were without a doubt my favorite aspect to their frequency response. The M9 classic boasts punch and rumble with good extension and speed. James Blake’s “Limit to your love” was played with no problem, and the dynamic driver maintained the speed needed to keep up with the throbbing bass tones without distorting any other frequency. With all other tracks, bass tones were spot on. I didn’t find much in terms mid bass bleed with these in comparison to many other budget models, in fact they were quite good for any price range. Kick drums had nice impact without being overdone. Bass extended very low during test sweeps, as I could hear rumbling at 10Hz extending evenly all the way up into the midrange. One final thing to add is that not only does the M9 classic have good bass, its quantity is perfect in the sense that both bassheads and audiophiles will be able to enjoy them.
 
Midrange
 
The M9 Classic has a V shaped signature. Bass and treble are out in front of the midrange, but it is not severe to the point that it sounds disjointed. Usually the problem with budget models that have strong bass impact is that it is usually followed up with a bleed that makes the midrange seem distorted or lacking in resolution, especially with a V signature. That is not the case with these. If anything, a little more warmth to the lower midrange wouldn’t have hurt, and would help give the midrange a little more texture. Usually any Sam Smith song will reveal a veil in his voice. I didn’t find that with the M9 classic. There was a nice sense of separation for the most part, and it was with only the most complex music passages that the single dynamic even hinted at having trouble keeping up. Moving up to the upper midrange, things progressively got crisper and slightly drier. There is a certain shimmer in the higher midrange and treble area that gives this tuning a sense of high energy. I enjoyed them at a lower to medium listening volumes. At higher volumes, the upper midrange and treble did reveal some sibilance in certain singer’s pronunciation of the letter S, and I got a sense of graininess and sizzle on some cymbal crashes. Please note that I can sometimes be a bit sensitive to treble, and this was when listening at what I consider to be unhealthy listening levels.
 
Treble
 
I touched on it in the upper midrange, but these have a treble response that is crisp, giving these an energetic feel to the signature. It works well with the rest of the tuning. I did notice the driver getting slightly overwhelmed during complex treble passages, but the same could be said for some much more expensive earphones. I really enjoyed these during Dire Straits’ “Sultans of swing”. The treble response played the cymbals and high hats beautifully. Also, these play EDM, Pop, Dub Step, and Hip Hop extremely well, and their treble almost seems geared for these genres. While those who are very sensitive to elevated and energetic treble might have an issue with these, others will like them for the same reason.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
 
With bass that extends all the way down to 10Hz, and an elevated treble response, the M9 Classic soundstage is wide, with good depth because of their fabulous bass response. The midrange could have used a little more texture to round out the sound, but all in all I am VERY impressed with what Meelectronics accomplished for such a low asking price. Think about it, they are pretty much selling a great sounding IEM that performs way over their asking price, along with a one year warranty, all for the price of a one year warranty on just about any other product! Crazy!
 
Comfort and Microphonics
 
The M9 classic has a very simple and ergonomic design.  They are designed to be worn up and into the ear and not over the ear. The angle of the strain relief does not promote ergonomics conducive to wearing them over the ear. With that, microphonics are an issue. Fortunately, the supplied chin slider and shirt clip definitely helps with this.
 
Comparisons
 
To put the M9 classic more into perspective I will compare it to similarly priced, and similarly tuned models.
 
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($25 on many sites)
 
The Xiaomi Piston offers a better accessories package with a world class case that is super clever and still to this day blows my mind. Their three button remote is a plus for all smartphone (especially android) users. However, I personally prefer the sound quality of the M9 classic. With a faster bass response and minimal bass bloat, it makes the Piston 2.0 bass seem sluggish, bloated and sloppy in comparison. While the upper midrange and treble on the Piston can be more relaxed and better for loud volumes, I prefer the crisp delivery of the M9 classic, especially at lower to medium volumes.
 
JVC HA-FX40 ($18-$30 on many sites)
 
The JVC HA-FX40 carries a little more weight in their lower midrange, giving a bit more texture which I prefer. I give a slight edge to the M9 classic’s bass. Both models have occasional treble peaks that can be harsh. Build quality I will give a slight edge to the M9 classic because of the L shaped plug versus the straight plug of the HA-FX40, and the strain reliefs at the housings of the Meelectronics model in comparison to the HA-FX40 offering nothing in terms of strain reliefs at their housings.
 
Philips SHE3590 ($9-$20 on many sites)
 
The SHE-3590 is a budget legend in terms of sound quality. Still, I will give the M9 classic the edge in terms of bass response. The M9 classic has faster bass speed and response from what I hear. With a more textured midrange and treble that is crisp and not harsh whatsoever, I prefer the Philips model in these areas. The SHE3590 works better for rock music and band genres. I prefer the M9 classic for EDM, Pop, and Dubstep. As far as build quality is concerned, M9 classic is hands down the better of the two in all aspects from top to bottom.
 
Awei ES900 ($8-$20 on many sites)
 
I thought this would be a good comparison, but long story short the M9 classic is just flat out better. Resolution is superior, and it outperforms the ES900 in Bass, Midrange, Treble, Soundstage and Imaging.  Also the cable is much more ergonomically easy to handle and use as compare to the flat cable of the ES900.
 
Conclusion
 
If you are looking for a high energy sound, and something with great build quality, with a warranty to boot, and all for around twenty dollars or less, look no further than the Meelectronic M9 classic. You won’t be disappointed!
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!