There's a special and much sought after sound signature I'd describe as "glamorous". The Sennheiser IE800 has it, the JH Audio Layla has it and -- at a much lower price point -- the Fidue A83 has it. I'm talking about that out of your head sparkly sound where the treble is the most prominent feature, but it's all nicely balanced and the bass is punchy and liquid too, with plenty of oomph below. A sound like chandeliers hanging above a black lake. Personally, I adore that signature and I'm happy to report the Fidue A83 does an admirable job of bringing it to you at a mortal's price.
Essentially, this is an IEM in the price point and ability range of the Shure 535: a notch below the 500+ range. As such it doesn't have ambitions of being your end game IEM. The A83 doesn't go against the greats but it will -- to some ears -- knock out the Shure 535. While the A83 doesn't have anything as special going for it as the 535 has in the mids, the general presentation of music is just very pretty. (Chandeliers, black lake, yeah you got it.) Much prettier than the 535, for example. At about 220 dollars (the going price on Amazon -- I got them for 150 from a head fi member) I suggest these to anyone looking for a good entry into IEM's or even a callous old IEM junkie looking for a nice addition.
The best thing about these? No sibilance! Although the highs are very pretty and prominent, they're not fatiguing. (As is usually the case with this type of sound signature.)
The mids? Nice but unnoteworthy. The A83s are not detail monsters but there's just about enough microdetail to sound hi fi. The treble and bass don't extend too impressively. The highs cut off and so do the lows. This means the Fidues rarely truly wow you with unbelievable reach, which I'd say is their "weakness". Their rounded nature. The soundstage is good but not uncanny like the end game IEMs can get.
And they look nice. I have a personal weakness for Fidue's adventurous art deco inspired design and for Asian manufacturers who go for wild designs in general. The Fidues look great next to (and sound wonderful out of) a Cayin C5 champagne coloured amp. Why am I mentioning this? Because to me their look adds to their sound. Sound is all about subtle psychological cues and if you find the A83s pretty the characteristic design will very likely enhance your perception of their sound. (As it does for me.) Their look just suits them well.
The design does come with some fit issues, however. Don't expect a godsend for all ears, like Shure's IEM's. I'd say the fit is "normal". Nothing too fidgety, nothing too solid. The tips fit shallow, as has been suggested by many. Not far enough into the ear canal. The word around the community is that JVC Spiral Dots tips will take care of it. Let's see.
One last note. This all means very interesting things for the new Fidue end game contender, the A91 Sirius as they look the same only better, and people are saying the same thing about the sound.
Sail on Fidue!
Essentially, this is an IEM in the price point and ability range of the Shure 535: a notch below the 500+ range. As such it doesn't have ambitions of being your end game IEM. The A83 doesn't go against the greats but it will -- to some ears -- knock out the Shure 535. While the A83 doesn't have anything as special going for it as the 535 has in the mids, the general presentation of music is just very pretty. (Chandeliers, black lake, yeah you got it.) Much prettier than the 535, for example. At about 220 dollars (the going price on Amazon -- I got them for 150 from a head fi member) I suggest these to anyone looking for a good entry into IEM's or even a callous old IEM junkie looking for a nice addition.
The best thing about these? No sibilance! Although the highs are very pretty and prominent, they're not fatiguing. (As is usually the case with this type of sound signature.)
The mids? Nice but unnoteworthy. The A83s are not detail monsters but there's just about enough microdetail to sound hi fi. The treble and bass don't extend too impressively. The highs cut off and so do the lows. This means the Fidues rarely truly wow you with unbelievable reach, which I'd say is their "weakness". Their rounded nature. The soundstage is good but not uncanny like the end game IEMs can get.
And they look nice. I have a personal weakness for Fidue's adventurous art deco inspired design and for Asian manufacturers who go for wild designs in general. The Fidues look great next to (and sound wonderful out of) a Cayin C5 champagne coloured amp. Why am I mentioning this? Because to me their look adds to their sound. Sound is all about subtle psychological cues and if you find the A83s pretty the characteristic design will very likely enhance your perception of their sound. (As it does for me.) Their look just suits them well.
The design does come with some fit issues, however. Don't expect a godsend for all ears, like Shure's IEM's. I'd say the fit is "normal". Nothing too fidgety, nothing too solid. The tips fit shallow, as has been suggested by many. Not far enough into the ear canal. The word around the community is that JVC Spiral Dots tips will take care of it. Let's see.
One last note. This all means very interesting things for the new Fidue end game contender, the A91 Sirius as they look the same only better, and people are saying the same thing about the sound.
Sail on Fidue!
