Simgot EN700 Pro

EN700 Pro
http://www.simgot.com/en
http://www.simgot.com/en/products/detail/8.html#!/detail
www.facebook.com/simgotaudio
https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/simgot/products/simgot-en700-pro-in-ear-headphone
https://www.amazon.com/SIMGOT-EN700-PRO-Headphone-Black/dp/B076RY64JQ



A Little Technical Stuff:

· Transducer unit　
N50 high magnetic composite moving-coil driver
· Diaphragm　
Polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm
· Frequency response
15Hz-40kHz
· Sensitivity　
≥101dB（at 1000Hz）
· Impedance　
16Ω
· Distortion　
<1% 101dB（20μpa）
· Channel imbalance　
<1.5dB（at 1000Hz）
· Rated power　
10mW
· Cable　
Hybrid 8 cores of single-crystal copper and silver-plated wires



Simgot EN700 Pro
-MRSP: Universal fit $150

“SIMGOT, means "Simple and elegant". “We trust only finest product and perfect service, only the fusion of old-school rules and fashion creativity”.

I want to thank Sabrina from Simgot as she contacted me and asked if I was interested in doing a review of their product and obviously I said yes. She provided me with the EN700 Pro in exchange for my review. Links to the Simgot website are above as well as their Facebook page and links to Musicteck who is a Simgot distributor in the USA.

“Budget” level IEM’s can be difficult to review after having a focus on so many TOTL options. Limiting yourself to only the TOTL gear makes you realize that you could quite possibly be ignoring some very good options that are fairly priced and more palatable for the masses. It is very important to understand that what is a budget IEM to one man may not be to another. Memories of when I first started down this rabbit hole of a hobby, cause me to flash back to the intense amount of buyer’s remorse I had when I purchased the Klipsch S4 for something like $70, this upgrading me from stock ear buds. However, since it was a “upgrade” purchase by price point and in sound quality I settled in with my purchase and grew to appreciate the Klipsch.



At this point, I am having a senior moment and can’t recall exactly when I moved on to my next remorseful purchase but I do remember it was the Rock-It Sounds R-50 based on a Knowles TWFK driver. The R-50 caused me to break the $100 mark and also made me question what the hell am I doing? The R-50 was priced at $120 and from that point forward the price has grown astronomically to a point where I have plunked down between 2K-3K without wincing near as much as I did with the $100 something purchases, go figure. The Simgot EN700 Pro brings me back to an IEM that is priced at $149 and I can attest that the sound quality as well as the overall quality of today’s $100 something IEM’s has really surpassed the similarly priced products of old, at least that is the case of the EN700 Pro. It is so refreshing to know companies like Simgot have broken into the game with a focus on quality as well as price.

I was grateful when I was asked to review the EN700 Pro because I have seen so many positive comments regarding the Simgot line and it has been a long time since hearing a IEM at this price point. This is the third iteration in the EN700 line. The original EN700, EN700 Bass and finally the EN700 Pro. I have not reviewed any of the other options but after reading thread comments it appears that the tuning is similar between the Bass and Pro, with one of the major non-sound related differences being an upgraded, detachable cable, but having never heard the others I can’t truly attest to any differences in sound. On the back of the included carry case the quote “Salute to Art and Science” is emblazoned. It appears to be the Simgot slogan or maybe a mission statement of sorts. The level of thought, detail and attention that went into this IEM from it’s packaging, accessories, build quality, handsome looks, and balanced, fun sound make this an incredibly worthy buy. Honestly, I wish that all companies touting TOTL would make such an all-inclusive, classy package.



As I pen my reviews I make it a point to listen to the gear I am reviewing. I have a genre diverse playlist that I utilize for evaluating head gear and I will say that when listening to the EN700 Pro that I have yet to find one genre that does not sound great. I would say that is a testament to how well balanced the tone from these is. We will discuss the intricacies of it’s sound later in the review but it is certainly noteworthy that each genre is represented well with the EN700 Pro.

When you begin to listen to an IEM, for evaluation or enjoyment, the first thing to generally strike you is any glaring faults you may hear. If there aren’t any obvious imperfections in the sound quality you settle in to listen to the nuances in which the product excels. Let me say that I was trying hard to find any glaring faults and there just weren’t any glaring weaknesses in the quality of the sound. It is just a pleasant listening experience.

A Little Marketing Hype:

Final chapter of EN700 SERIES
With its acoustic design and unique appearance, EN700 PRO delivers a great performance in auditory and visual.



WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

Earphone, eartips, faux leather storage case, information manual, global warranty & VIP card, brush



Review Setup:

My review was written utilizing four sources, Opus #2 and LG V30(quad DAC) and Shanling M2s and Shanling M3s. I utilized the stock cable SE(3.5mm connection) and Eartip 1.

SIMGOT supplies two different types of eartips with the EN700 PRO, labeled Eartip 1 and Eartip 2. Both 1 and 2 are comprised of 3 sets total, 1 small, 1 medium and 1 large. They are silicone tips and are placed in cardboard trays (credit card size) with the explanation of what effect you can expect from each tip, see the photo below. My EN700 Pro monitors are black and my eartips color coordinate with the monitor color with clear caps and black stems. For example, the EN700 Pro is also available in blue and red monitors, blue being the left monitor and red being the right. The eartips on that version color coordinate with ear monitor and use a clear cap with either a red or blue stem. This may not be a big deal to some folks but I thought it was a cool touch.



Where the 1 and 2 tips differ is in the diameter of the opening with Eartip 1 having the larger opening of the two and larger cap width. Eartip 1 with it’s wider bore will increase the higher frequencies and create a more balanced signature. Eartip 2, with its narrower bore opening, is designed create a bassier signature. I have a weird size earhole and I could not receive a seal with Eartip 2 because it’s cap size is narrower so my entire review is written using Eartip 1. I found that there was adequate bass when using Eartip 1. Isolation is average and is fine for a morning walk but I am not sure I would use them for flights or noisy environments.

Build and Quality:

The EN700 Pro is made from a single piece of Series 7 aviation aluminum resulting in an entirely metal body. Looking closely at the EN700 Pro revealed zero imperfections and with the only seam being where the faceplate is attached. I found the EN700 Pro to be a handsome design with a golden color outlining the black grill work face plate (vented looking). It is kind of egg shaped in design and those familiar with the EN700 Bass will not see any difference in the shape of this IEM. Being all metal in design does not mean they are the lightest IEM I have had in my ears but they never felt heavy or uncomfortable in my ears. I must applaud Simgot for placing a lip around the nozzle so that the eartips stay on the monitor when removing them from your ear. The nozzle itself is really a perfect length and in the opening of the nozzle is a screen to trap the dreaded earwax. The connectors were without fault and were slightly recessed into the housing, no problem using any after-market cables if you so choose.

One very positive accessory note I would like to touch on the is the included cable. Great job Simgot. I have a few after-market cables in my possession but with the stock cable being so good I never felt the need to use of any of them for extended listening sessions. The cable is a 2-pin removable type, which is my favorite type of connection as opposed to MMCX.



The cable is a top 6N single-crystal copper and silver-plated braided variety. The braid was tight and the 400D Dupont Kevlar fiber did not create any microphonics. The ergonomics of this cable are really incredible. Very soft, pliable and not easily tangled. Another positive design attribute is the fact that there is no memory wire, it is more of a heat shrink tubing that goes around the ear. The only negative I have found with regards to the cable is the clear plastic 2-pin connector housings. They are marked L & R but it is without any color, bumps or marking to identify and it is very difficult to see clear on clear.

I tested the EN700 Pro with my Ares II cable but only found a slight elevation the bass and was equally as happy, if not more so, just staying with the stock cable. I found it to deliver the most balanced and transparent sound out of my cables. If you do not have aftermarket cables feel confident that you do not need to purchase any with theEN700 Pro, which makes it value pricing that much more appealing.

Let’s dive into the sound….

I completed roughly 100 hours of physical burn-in and many hours more while in ear. I didn’t really notice a massive change, if any it would be in the lower regions. There may have been a slight bit more of an awakening in the bass. It could be attributed to brain burn-in as well, YMMV.

The overall sound and tone of the EN700 Pro is just a little south of neutral, causing a slightly warmish tone. I would not classify this as an overly, warm IEM. It is fairly balanced across the spectrum but the dynamic bass give a nice warmth. I was a little surprised at how much volume it took to drive the EN700 Pro. From all of my sources I found myself pushing up the volume to maximize my enjoyment of the music. It is just a little more difficult than average to drive.



Presentation

This is a fun, musical yet detailed, not analytical or micro-detailed IEM. The DD bass is very evident in the sub bass rumble and the mid bass also has a smooth, bloat free, fantastic color to it. Overall, it is smooth, but the sound is very natural with clarity and smooth tone to compliment the signature.

The separation is about average with good transparency and average layering. These are not negatives just not necessarily strong points. The soundstage has an average width, with a bit more depth and an average height. Sometimes a stage of this type can create congestion, but the EN700 Pro is not a congested sounding IEM. I wish the stage was a bit wider to help to create some more air and allow the listener to hear pinpoint accuracy of where each instrument is placed. The stage sounds and instruments sound closer together. This is not to say they are muddy, or incoherent, only close.

Simgot has done a great job in creating an IEM to use with all genres of music. I did not find one genre that was not completely enjoyable while listening with the EN700 Pro.

Bass

As I have briefly touched upon the bass has a nice sub depth rumble and the mid bass is clear and not negatively interfering with the clarity of the mids, there is only a slight bleed, very slight, and I do not find myself thinking bloat. Keep in mind it is a dynamic driver and this IEM shows off the positive characteristics of a DD, not to the level of say a Dita Dream, which is my high watermark for bass, but again it is not a fair comparison based on the disparity in price between the two. To my ears, the bass is just part of the overall sound, not one of the strongest points, but also not it’s weakest. Recently, I find myself migrating more towards a DD bass, as it checks a lot of boxes for me. The EN700 Pro bass is not the fastest and the rumble sometimes lingers a touch too long. I find the lower bass and mid bass to be the strongest aspect of the bass as opposed to it’s sub bass. I do feel if the speed of the DD was faster it would eliminate any appearance of thickness. It overall provides the warmth and natural, smooth notes that are so easy to enjoy for long periods. For example, when listening to Stanley Clarke’s Silly Putty, the bass lines are clear, resolving and had an average amount of texturing. The overall tone of the bass really is smooth and cohesive with the signature of the IEM.

Mids

When describing the mids the first two thoughts I have are tone and balance. The tone of instruments throughout the mid-range is very natural. When listening to Hiromi the piano notes leave her fingers and are delivered to the listener in a natural tone that does not appear to have coloration. Both male and female vocals sound strong and clear with a fantastic tone, with male vocals delivering the best performance. There is a lushness to the overall mid frequencies that adds emotion and grabs the listener. I would not call the mids recessed, however it is clearly the treble that reveal the crispness and details to the overall signature, not the mids. I feel the treble is slightly in front of the mids in the signature but that is not to say the mids are recessed. Great tone, smooth and lush best describes the Simgot mids.

Treble

The treble adds the details and crispness to the EN700 Pro. It is the finishing touch, that creates the overall balance that I have been referencing throughout the review. It is a crisp and accurate treble, for the most part. When hearing cymbals crash and other musical notes on the upper end of the scale they sound distinct and accurate. The notes linger just long enough, not giving the illusion of being slow as I noted with the bass. The treble extends well with a shimmer and sparkle that rounds out the complete signature. That said, I have never detected any harsh or sibilant tones in any of my music while listening to these. I have music that I use to test for stridency and when I listen to those files with the EN700 Pro the harshness is not exacerbated. The treble extension is very good and I fight the urge to say, as I have through the entire review, for the money. Again, in my experience, it is not often that you find such a jack of all trades at this price point.



Shanling M2s – expanded balanced sound, punchy bass with a little less sub-bass rumble, but the mid-bass stays tight and punchy, upper mids are a little more revealing, and lower treble has more sparkle and crunch.

Shanling M3s - well balanced sound, kicks up the bass punch a notch. Details shine with very clean mids through-out mid ranges, but primarily in the upper sections treble. A favorite pairing.

Opus #2 – sublime pairing, balanced sound, tight punchy bass with a great sub-bass rumble, overall neutral through the mids with great transparency.



In Closing

Fair price, balance across the frequencies, smooth tone, great accessories and a high-quality cable are what you can expect from the Simgot EN700 Pro. The build quality is exemplary and I think it is handsome to look at or better yet to have others see in your ears. At this price point I am struggling to find fault with the EN700 Pro. Yes, there are things it could do a bit better and yes it isn’t the analytical detail king, but that is not the idea behind this IEM. It is very engaging and smooth which make for quality time with you and your music files. I think you will find the listen to be engaging and never fatiguing. The great thing about this price point is that the EN700 Pro can reach the masses. I feel that if someone was trying to upgrade the current earbuds that they would quickly be spoiled by the overall package that is the EN700 Pro. Having many TOTL offerings in my stable I never once felt I had to struggle to give these ear time. To me it is a testament that in this third and final offering in the EN700 line that SImgot achieved what they were hoping to achieve.

Shanling M2s

*The product was provided to me by Andrew at MusicTeck for an honest review

M2s

Purchase Here: MusicTeck
Manufacturer Website: Shanling

A Little Technical Stuff:


Shanling M2s

-MRSP: $199; (can be found for less currently @ $149.00)

The M2s is the first Shanling product that I have had the pleasure to listen to and obviously it is the first time I have reviewed one as well. I have been overall impressed by the M2s, it’s tiny size, the amount of power it delivers and the slightly warmish signature and the UI. The standard for which I hold most DAP’s to would be the A&K UI and the M2s UI is very feature rich and user friendly. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect when you purchase the Shanling M2s.



Unboxing and Accessories:

Anyone that has followed any of my reviews knows that I don’t like to spend a lot of time talking about boxes and accessories. I will include a few photos and give a brief description. The box is a rather plain black box. The front of the box has a drawn outline of the M2s unit. The outline is the actual size of the DAP that is located inside the box. The back of the box has a very brief list of the features of the player and not much else worth mentioning.

Upon opening the box lid, you will see the M2s nestled in a foam cutout and laying on top of a ribbon for easy removal. If you remove the foam cutout insert you will see a cardboard envelope(box) which holds all of the accessories.



The included accessories are a couple of sets of screen protectors, a microSD card reader, a pin to reset the device, USB-C charging cable, warranty, manual and quick start card. While this is a budget friendly DAP it still must be mentioned the obvious omission was a case. I always feel a case is a nice addition, even a silicone cheapo case, to prevent the DAP from scratching when placing it down on a table. Cases for the M2s can be purchased for around $19 and it is probably a worthwhile investment considering the back of the DAP appears to be glass. You can see the M2s case in photos throughout the review. While the case adds a little protection, especially for the back as it is softly lined, it also adds a little frustration because it makes it impossible to grab the scrolling wheel between your fingers to turn it you must roll it from the front with one finger.




Design and Build:

The M2s is a very small device. It is the most pocketable I have ever encountered since my SanDisk Clip Zip days. The small frame is really appreciated if you exercise or regularly engage in activities like long walks. Aside from the small dimensions it is also very lightweight, 100g. The DAP that I am reviewing is black but it is also available in blue or red. Despite its tiny size the build quality feels very solid and sturdy to the touch. Even though it is sturdy feeling I wouldn’t want to tempt fate and use the DAP naked as it is tiny and slippery.



The upper right side of the DAP has the power button. To turn the M2s on, press and hold (long press). The power button is also used to wake up the device, with only a brief press, when the screen turns itself off.



The right side of the unit has the scroll wheel and below the scroll wheel is a button to return you to a previous menu screen. I want to talk about the scroll wheel a little as I have mentioned in other reviews that scroll wheels can really mean the difference between a good consumer experience or a frustrating experience. The scroll wheel on the M2s is wheel built, without any looseness or play. For the most part the scroll wheel is precise. In my experience, I have found that when controlling the volume, it appears to be difficult to perform a single volume click often resulting in jumping up multiple volume notches. It loses some of its preciseness when controlling the volume. Since this is the only M2s I have used I can’t say if this is a characteristic of this specific unit or the M2s on a whole. I must also mention I am using firmware version 3.0. The scroll wheel becomes very important when you realize the screen of the M2s is not a touchscreen so you depend on the scroll wheel to cycle through and select your options, pushing the scroll wheel “enters” the selection. After using the Opus#2 for so long I have become accustomed to touching the screen to control the device and because of that I felt kind of dumb because it took me a while to adapt to the scroll wheel type of control of the M2s over the touchscreen control of the Opus#2.



The left side of the device has a reset hole a play/pause button as well as a back and forward button used to advance to the next or previous music track. Further down the left size is where you can find the microSD slot. I used a 256gb card and found the device read the card flawlessly and quickly, which is a very good thing considering there is no internal memory in the M2s. It doesn’t bother me that there is no on-board storage as I usually keep all of my music on some type of removable storage, but it certainly needs to be mentioned.

The bottom of the M2s has a USB-C slot to be used for charging as well as data transfer and a 3.5mm headphone jack which also works a line out when selected from the software settings, sorry no 2.5mm balanced output on the M2s.

I find the M2s aesthetically pleasing. It’s small size, metal frame, glass front and back all add to the appeal. Black is a sexy color but it is also a fingerprint magnet, which I guess is another great reason to buy a case.



Connectivity:

The unit has Bluetooth and allows the user to connect headphones and cellphones without any stress. It works flawlessly and with ease in finding a Bluetooth connection and maintaining a connection. I connected the V-Moda Crossfade 2 wireless headphone, LG V30 and V-Moda Remix portable speaker. All connected easily, quickly and without issue. All connections were solid and stable and allowed for good distance for a Bluetooth device.

The cellphone pairing allows the listener to stream their favorite streaming app, from the cellphone, while keeping your wired headphones plugged in to the M2s.

One feature I would like to touch on is the HibyLink feature. To utilize HibyLink you will need to download the Hiby app to your cellphone. Once you pair the Hiby app to the to the M2s it gives you control of the M2s from your cellphone. In other words, you can keep your M2s in your pocket and use the cellphone as a sort of “remote control” for the DAP. I enjoy the fact that I can use my big touchscreen to control the M2s as opposed to the scroll wheel.

The M2s plays most of your favorite file formats including Native DSD. I put it through its paces listening to a varied selection of musical files and never had a hitch, stutter or lag while playing music, including gapless. For a lengthy rundown of the file formats the M2s plays look up in the technical section near the top of this review.

The M2s can also be used as a USB DAC. I found it had the ability to drive anything I threw at it, unfortunately my HD650 is on loan and I wasn’t able to test it.



UI:

I am not going to take an incredibly deep dive into the GUI. As I have said in previous reviews it requires too much detail and is boring for the reviewer and maybe the reader as well. For the most part I use folders to select my music. I will say the GUI provides a good consumer experience and if you have used Hiby software in the past you will feel at home. I am very simple in my wishes for a DAP, I like good control ie. awesome scroll wheel or touch screen, great sound quality and ability to drive all of my headphones and IEM’s, while exhibiting killer battery life. The M2s check all of the boxes confidently with the added bonus of a tiny footprint in your pocket, what’s not to like? For those of you that utilize an EQ it does include a 10 band EQ, personally the EQ didn't do much for me. There are also low and high gain settings and I found low gain to be powerful enough for most of the IEM’s I connected. One other aspect to discuss is the low pass filter mode. The options available in this area are sharp, slow, short delay sharp and short delay slow. I found the short delay slow setting to be my preference. To get an idea of how the menus function please look closely at my photos embedded in the review.

Moving on to the sound:

Writing about a DAP and how it sounds can be a tricky proposition because of the many different sets of headphones and IEM’s used for testing and the large amount of A/B testing with those headphones and IEM’s and as well as how they sound in comparison with other DAP’s in my possession. It requires a lot of time and testing as well as critical listening. I also want to mention that this is the least expensive DAP I have so it really isn’t fair to compare it to the likes of an Opus#2 which is my reference DAP. Some of the other sources I have are the LG V30(quad dac), and the big brother of the M2s, the M3s.

I would say that the overall tone is slightly warm but with good clarity and resolution. It is not the most detailed sound and not the clearest, it is smoother and easier listening than it is detailed. It has a musical quality that is incredibly enjoyable. I found it to deliver well in the bass department and especially in the mid bass notes.



The treble extends nicely in relation to the signature and provides enough extension so that the slight warmth in its tonality does not overshadow the rest of the sound across the spectrum, it is not a bright player and the treble extension is not incredible but it works in relation to the overall experience. Without any treble i the top end end the characteristic of this player would change to a much more warm signature.

To my ears, the M2s does not feel congested or narrow, it is not the broadest stage or separation I have ever heard but it certainly is adequate and does not detract from the entire package. I also want to note that I have not heard hiss in any of my headphones or IEM’s making for a black sound floor.

To compare it to the M3s ($279) I would say that the overall tone is similar, very similar to the M2s, which is a good thing. It could be that they are from the same family tree. The M3s distances itself from the M2s extensively in its stage. It is noticeably deeper and wider than the M2s. Overall, the M2s is smoother in signature and the M3s is clearer with a broader stage. Also, the M3s has a balanced output which I prefer to utilize.

The LGV30 ($800, price I paid) is a cellphone but with a quad dac, Sabre ES9218P, it is one of the finest sounding cellphones I have heard. In comparison to the M2s it is brighter and has an increased clarity and a wider stage. Again, there is a massive price difference and not a fair comparison like the Opus#2.

Just because I can’t provide a description of the HD650, doesn't mean I don't have plenty of other fine gear to assist me in providing sound descriptions.

Meze 99 Neo - The Neo has a strong bass presence yet the mids, treble and detail are quite good, with a smooth, non-peaky signature. When pairing with the M2s, I felt the m2s exacerbated the already strong bass on some recordings. The details were present and the stage was wide but in some tracks the bass was a bit over powering. I did not expect this as the M2s is only slightly warm.

EarSonics EM10 - is a sublime paring with the M2s. It appears this is a match made in heaven. The M2s tends to bring out the weaknesses in this CIEM. The sub bass rumbles to go along with a tight mid bass. Wide stage, crisp air up top and I felt it upgraded the EM10.

Custom Art FIBAE 2 - is another sublime paring. Tight, punchy bass with a polite sub bass rumble. The mids are detailed and transparent. The treble extends well and the stereo separation and stage is wide and incredible.

64 Audio U18 - I felt when pairing with the M2s I lost some the musicality that the U18 generally provides. The treble seemed spikey, and bright. It would have thought the smooth signature would have paired well. I am not sure why but the smoothness of the M2s did not provide me with the best U18 experience. Not bad, just not optimal.



Keep in mind, there are so many variables and combinations of cables and eartips, as well as custom vs. universal that can alter your experience. So, your mileage may vary and probably will compared to my comparisons.

In Closing:

This is my first experience with a Shanling product. It is also the first entry level DAP I have ever reviewed, Shanling or otherwise. While I have owned other budget minded DAP’s, Fiio X3 and X5 for example I wasn’t reviewing at that time. I have to say I came away impressed with the Shanling M2s. From its long walk and exercise friendly form factor to its ability to drive all of my IEM’s and headphones and its intuitive, feature laden UI it certainly should be a consideration for a budget minded, on the go individual.

It has sexy, good looks and is well built and well designed. I do wish Shanling would have included some protection for the sexy body of the M2s but cases are available for an additional purchase, an accessory I would highly recommend.

Shanling has a winner on its hands and has certainly set the bar in the budget DAP sector. For competition’s sake I hope the other manufacturers take note. I look forward to future Shanling offerings….stay tuned…more to come.

CUSTOM ART FIBAE 2

https://thecustomart.com/fibae-2/
https://thecustomart.com/shop/acrylic-products/fibae-2-acrylic/
https://thecustomart.com/shop/silicone-products/fibae-2-silicone/

A Little Technical Stuff:

Single Low/Mid, Single proprietary High

113dB @1kHz @0.1V

7.1 Ohm @1kHz (+-0.5 Ohm 10Hz-20kHz)

10Hz-16500Hz (+-10dB into IEC 60318-4 coupler)

Silicone or Hollow Acrylic body


Custom Art FIBAE 2
-MRSP: Custom fit $475 EUR /At the time of writing it equates to $560 dollars


I want to thank Piotr from Custom Art he provided me with a demo of the FIBAE 2 to review. Piotr answered all of my questions quickly and was very pleasant to communicate with. After reading comments from his longtime customers, it is clear that my opinion of Piotr and how he conducts business is as positive and aligns with the majorities sentiments. Thanks Piotr, Great Job!



My interest was piqued with Custom Art(CA) and I wanted to hear the Harmony 8.2 but I thought what the hell I will reach out to Piotr and ask him what product he developed that he was proud of but wasn’t receiving the attention it deserved. Fingers crossed and hoping for CA’s TOTL, the Harmony 8.2, his prompt reply was the FIBAE 2(F2). In that same breath he said I have demos of them readily available unlike the Harmony 8.2 demos, which would require a little wait on my part. I quickly replied with a hearty “Send them on man I will give them a shot”, and a deal was done. Being a dual BA driver, I was curious, yet skeptical (sorry for my doubt), about spending any real quality time with the F2 after all I am the upper middle-class of the audiophile world and accustomed to a gazillion drivers and half of a gazillion crossovers per monitor, the audio aristocracy (insert nose in the air meme). More drivers are better, right? It was only normal that my reviewer’s ego and fragile sensitivities would take a swift kick in the ever lovin’ family jewels, right? After all, I wasn’t offered his top dog, but again I asked him what he wanted me to give a listen too, and he was right on.


All joking aside, I truly appreciate the opportunity to review any quality products and there is some serious mojo in these IEM’s. So many times, the audiophile focus is on higher priced, higher driver count IEM’s and I guess I am not immune to that mindset as I was not expecting all of the goodness that I was about to hear from the F2. The sound is rich, full has some incredible stereo separation, with an impressive amount of sub bass but yet allows the details to shine through.

As you read the review remember that these are universal demo units and not CIEM’s. I know if you asked Piotr he would gladly sell you a universal pair of F2’s but my gut is that they pride themselves as a custom house, it is the “ART” part of their company name.


I unpackaged the FIBAE 2 and included in the demo package was a Pelican 1010 case, a black stock cable and the F2 and a few eartips. To me it is important to review with the stock cable because not all consumers believe in cable upgrades nor do they want to feel obligated to spend more money after they just made a large purchase in order to possibly receive marginal returns on their investment in sound quality. It is worth the mention that I am going to deviate slightly from my prescribed review format and talk about upgraded cables and the incredibly positive impact they have on this IEM, more about that later. To my ears, with the F2 the upgrade is not about marginal returns.



Curiosity had me looking for some reviews, or any press on the F2 for that matter and I found very little, one non-English review that I probably wouldn’t have found it if it wasn’t mentioned on a CA thread. During the writing of this review there has since been another F2 review written, I haven’t read it yet, but I will after I write mine. It is always fun to see how thoughts align. I am excited about the opportunity to write this review. I will say right now, spoiler alert, I love the signature of this IEM. I wholeheartedly agree with Piotr, these deserve attention. Not only do they deserve attention, they deserve praise, great job! They honestly haven’t left my ears, not only because I am writing this review and need to listen to the product but even in my leisure listening time because I enjoy the sound signature so much along with the quality I hear from any source I try. It will be a sad day when Piotr sends the return label for the F2.

Let’s delve into why I enjoy them and what can be expected when you purchase the F2. Tuned for enjoyment with an abundance of musicality thrown in and yet the F2 is fairly detailed, and can be enjoyed with any source.

A Little Marketing Hype:

FIBAE 2 is a dual-driver mid-level IEM utilizing the world’s first, patent pending, Flat Impedance design. Featuring single low-mid and single proprietary high frequency drivers for bold, powerful, yet smooth sound.

What is the FIBAE technology all about? Below is from the Custom Art website and will explain it better than I can.

FIBAE TECHNOLOGY

Flat Impedance Balanced Armature Earphone (FIBAE™) technology is world’s first, revolutionary, In-Ear Monitor design providing flat impedance and phase. By changing Balanced Armature driver character from inductive to resistive we solved one of the oldest problem in the industry – dependence on output impedance of sound source for correct earphone output. With FIBAE™ technology your earphones will always perform best from any DAP. Single and multi-driver configurations available.

FIBAE 2 comes as an evolution of Custom Art’s sound, merging energetic and full-bodied bass of Ei.3 with high resolution and detail retrieval of Music Two. As a result, you get an incredibly versatile monitor with big, immersive, yet open soundstage, powerful lows, smooth, thick, engaging mids and detailed top end that is never harsh. Tuned for enjoyment and fun without sacrificing details. A great choice for both audiophiles and stage-performing artists.

Let me touch on this a second. Many times, you read marketing hype from the manufacturer’s website and shrug it off as only hype. I tried three sources and the sound signature was consistent and unchanged with all of the sources. I did notice an upgrade to the quality of sound with different sources and different cables. The F2 scaled masterfully allowing for an expanded soundstage and improved separation and an exact imaging. I am trying to make a big distinction here between the sound signature and sound quality. Knowing the FIBAE technology was developed to maintain consistency with an array of sources I would say they succeeded in their goal, in a big way. It is the real deal!




WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

· Carton box
· Peli 1010 case
· Zipper case
· Wax pick tool
· Drying pellet
· Warranty card

The above items are what you would receive if you place an order from CA. As mentioned mine was a demo only so I don’t have a retail package to show you.

Review Setup:

My review was written utilizing two sources, Opus #2 and LG G6 and Shanling M2s. Obviously, the demo F2 being a universal IEM I had to experiment with a variety of tips. Piotr recommended a dual flange eartip but those have never worked for me and I found the JVC Spiral Dot tips and their wide bore gave me the best seal and sound. I started listening using the stock cable for the review but found myself quickly spoiled by the quality achieved when cable rolling. I love the Ares II cable with the F2 and when I was pleasure listening it was my cable of choice, partly because of ergonomics. Opus#2 and the balanced 2.5mm Ares II was a match made in heaven and once I completed writing this review and my critical listening with the stock cable, I never returned to the stock cable.



Build and Quality:

The F2 demo was the acrylic variety. I looked closely at the F2 to see if I could spot any imperfections. I did not notice any glaring blemishes, no bubbles, no seams. The area where the faceplate attaches to the main shell was free of issues as they should be. I did not notice any problems with the connectors being raised on inadvertently recessed. I really like how the tubes seamlessly become part of the canal as you can see a defined outline around each tube. I need to say although there were not any real build issues I still felt that these were not built to the same level of quality as my Zeus or EarSonics EM10 for that matter. I wish I could better verbalize why I felt so, but it is what it is. My perception is my reality. For a universal demo I think the quality is fine and my perception should not be a deal breaker. Who knows, my perception may be based on the demo design, color etc… I want to say that the F2 has a real small footprint as they rest in your ear and I never had any comfort issues, the fact there only two drivers could contribute to the footprint but in a large part I feel it is due to design. I have fallen asleep with them in my ears and I didn’t wake up in pain. Very comfortable for me which of course is a major plus.



At the start of the review I provided links for you to design your IEM’s. With CA there are actually two options of shell material and thus two links above. One is the acrylic model, I am reviewing, and the other is a silicone model which I would love to try but did not have opportunity to do so. From comments I have read from people that own silicone shells, the pros of silicone are an incredible seal and comfort. The cons are maintenance and durability for the long haul. I cannot personally attest to either the pros or the cons. Within the design pages you can choose either shell option and then start to design your IEM. I played with the acrylic design section and found plenty of options for shell, face plates, canals and logos. Anyone should be able to personalize a design that they will be proud of.

Moving on to the sound section….

I touched on the FIBAE technology above so I don’t feel the need to revisit it. It is worthy to mention again that the F2 truly scale well to level of source that you use. If you upgrade your cables and use a quality source, such as the Opus #2 you will be rewarded with a truly wonderful sound quality. I don’t want you to think that you need something other than the stock cable but if you have another aftermarket cable or are on the fence about purchasing one, this would be the IEM in which you would reap the benefit of your upgrade purchase.

As I was joking earlier in the review about these being two drivers, I will say that it is simply amazing what companies such as CA are doing with less drivers. The Dita Dream being a single DD, the F2 with its two drivers and even the DUNU DK-3001 with its quad hybrid setup clearly show that a super quality signature can be achieved with less. I do own or have owned IEM’s with 10 – 14 drivers so when a two driver monitor sounds as good as the F2 it deserves kudos.



If you asked me about my initial impression and what immediately stands out, my answer would be easy. One of the first things I would mention would be the stereo separation. The level of stereo imaging you can expect from the F2 is really wide and distinct, the stereo image is that good. The second thing I would mention is its musicality and its level of dynamic energy. The F2 are simply a joy to listen to with all of your tunes, any genre.


Presentation

This is a fun, musical yet detailed IEM. Custom Art has done a great job in presenting the consumer an IEM that if great to use with all genres of music. The bass has a nice sub presence and extends north throughout the bass regions with ease. There is never any harshness or any offending bite in the treble. The overall impression you are left with is a sound that is full in its body and rich to your ears. The level of detail is just right and it reveals itself with decent clarity. I never heard any graininess or veil in the mids but it lacks the absolute clarity of say, the Dita Dream, but then again the Dream excels at clarity.

I am hesitant to mention comparisons of IEM’s that cost at least four times what the F2 cost but as a reference point the F2 doesn’t reach the level of detail and resolution of the EE Zeus, but it does have a degree of openness and air that surpasses the EarSonics EM10. I only mention this as a reference point and not as much a comparison. To that point, I have just mentioned three TOTL IEM’s, with the least priced being the Dream at $1800, in a mid tier IEM review. Custom Art has their TOTL Harmony 8.2 but I am mentioning other manufacturers TOTL options as reference and I think that speaks highly as to the level of quality that the F2 produces. This is a difficult monitor to place in the hierarchy of IEM’s, it is obvious it is not CA’s TOTL and I don’t think it was developed to compete with TOTL offerings but it does so many things well.

The musical notes have a great decay and linger just as they should. The F2 are after all BA’s and while there are faster IEM’s and IEM’s with more snap when the drumstick strikes the skins the F2 hold their own.There is a spaciousness to the sound. The stereo imaging I have previously mentioned helps to create the width and spaciousness. It is not the type of stage that creates a holographic illusion but the type of stage that has width. For example, music such as The Beatles reveals so much activity to the far left and far right and the stereo imaging is so noticeable. The height and depth of the stage is only average. To summarize, the F2 are rich, energetic, moderately detailed and never congested.

I must touch on using an aftermarket cable. All of the positive attributes of the F2 I have mentioned are “clearly” accentuated with upgraded cables. I have used the Effect Audio Ares II, Dita Truth Copper and Whiplash SPC and the RSD Golden mk3, and all of the cables brought out the best of the FIBAE technology. My favorite pairing was the Truth Copper unfortunately the ergonomics of that cable in my opinion are best suited for stationary listening and not portable use such as exercise or walking the dog. I chose the Ares II for my portable listening and because I do not like to continually switch cables it was my go to. The clarity of the F2 was a touch better with both cables but all other aspects were noticeably enhanced, including the soundstage. If you don’t believe in cables bringing out the best in an IEM then that is your opinion and I respect that, but with the FIBAE 2 it is a clear sonic difference and we can just agree to disagree.

Bass

As I have briefly touched upon the bass has a nice sub depth when you have a great seal and the right tips, of course this would not be a worry with a proper custom fit. While there is a solid rumble it doesn’t compete with the rumble of a 64 Audio U12. The rumble in the F2 is there and is really just the right amount as to not leak into the other frequencies. The bass isn’t the DD type of bass that has a snap and depth of layers but it reaches low and creates a presence, it is a quality bass. I have heard more detail in bass notes with other IEM’s as well as better bass layering but overall it is a very enjoyable experience. The quantity of bass is what helps to provide the foot tapping musicality that engulfs you. After all, enjoyment is what this is all about. When hit with some power or volume you really can hear how well the bass is delivered to the listener and then you can truly feel the rumble. The mid bass is a bit difficult for me to distinguish from the lower mids, not really a criticism but the tone is so close. Plug in some early Police and listen to the bass it gives you goose bumps. Nuff said!

Mids

It really is a pleasure to hear these mids. The voices are placed between the middle and front of the stage and male and female vocals have a great tone alike. The warm, rich mids do not sound veiled but there is not so much detail that the listener ever feels fatigued, the clarity is a bit above average. The musicality doesn’t obviously stop with the bass as the mids carry on the signatures tradition. I feel that the tuning of these two drivers is just perfect. Warm, rich, musical and non-fatiguing. I really appreciate an IEM that delivers a sweet mid-range as it is so important to the overall experience.


Treble

The treble has a very smooth character. It doesn’t extend as well as some I have heard but it provides a tame energy. It may be a bit reserved for some that prefer a brighter signature. I am not one of those people I will take warm and smooth treble over anything even close to shrill. It holds its own place in the signature and doesn’t take the spotlight but rounds out the finishing touches. I tried some of my “harsh” tracks and it handled them respectfully and never gave me the biting on tin foil with dental fillings feeling when something is shrill. I don’t want to give any impression that the treble rolls off or is a weak link, on the contrary, it knows its place. Effortless, subtle and yet dynamic… When a track features cymbal crashes and high guitar notes it wakes up and delivers front and center.

In Closing

This was a difficult review for me to write. It should have been easy, two drivers, no knobs or switches, no modules but I felt that the Custom Art FIBAE 2 performed so well for being only a two driver IEM. I enjoyed my time with the F2 so much. It delivers an outstanding performance on all fronts. I found myself wanting to draw comparisons to much higher priced IEM’s. This is one of those fine examples where less is more. It is so rich and full in its signature and the fact that the signature remained unchanged from source to source was quite impressive. The F2 also scaled up so nicely and the quality of the sound clearly improved with a quality source and the addition of upgraded cables. I can easily and safely recommend these if you are in the market for a warm, rich, never fatiguing IEM. This one doesn’t break the bank relative to so many higher driver configuration IEM’s. Value for the money is very difficult to discuss because of the subjectivity, but I found myself throughout the review making references to higher priced IEM’s. It is unfortunate that I don’t have any other mid-tier IEM’s in my stable to compare. I do feel the comparisons are a testament to the F2 and the quality of sound they deliver.

I see no reason the FIBAE 2 shouldn’t be on your short list to purchase or at least try to demo.

EarSonics EM10

EM10



http://www.earsonics.com/in-ear-monitors/en/em10/

A Little Technical Stuff:

· Sensitivity: 119 dB/mW

· Frequency response: 10 Hz -20 kHz

· DCR: 26,6 ohms

· Driver: 10 balanced armature drivers, HQ 3-way passive crossover with impedance corrector.

EarSonics EM10
-MRSP: Custom fit $2000 EUR
I want to thank Max from EarSonics he provided me the EM10 in exchange for my honest thoughts. Thank you to Max, and EarSonics.

There was a lot of excitement on my part to have the opportunity to review the EarSonics EM10. EarSonics SM64 was one of the first IEM’s, when I was becoming immersed in this hobby, that really made me realize there was a whole new realm of sound available in an in-ear. Having dabbled with a couple of Westone models first, and then purchasing the SM64, I found the sound really agreed with my musical tastes and the SM64 was one of the few IEM’s I have regretted selling. My second experience was with the EarSonics Velvet, different from the SM64, but there were some similarities in the signature and I found the ability to adjust the sound via switch a welcome addition.

Given the opportunity to review the EM10 I was looking forward to a reunion with an old friend. Quite a bit of time and new releases have passed since owning an EarSonics. I would read the reviews, especially S-EM9, and ponder purchasing them. I even went as far as having them in my basket for checkout but never pulled the trigger. I was curious if this new flagship model would have the same house sound I had grown to enjoy from EarSonics or if it would deviate and deliver a totally fresh sound. Once listening, there was a realization that the EM10 was more of a fresh sound from ES, a sound that was focused in delivering an all-around smooth tone for the individual wanting to immerse themselves in music, this would truly satisfy your audiophile cravings. The sound is clearly designed for the critical listener and would veer from a stage monitor utilized by musician’s. The guru’s at EarSonics have fabricated an IEM that stands as their TOTL custom offering and the audiophile is the benefactor of their hard work.

A Little Marketing Hype:

3 WAY / 10 DRIVERS

After waiting two years, we finally offer you a custom model deriving from our fantastic S-EM9.
This time allowed us to let this project go, which was to build the world best custom in ear monitors available.

HERITAGE

The EM10 is the fruit of all our partnership and experience acquired in recent years with audio professional actors as well as the audiophile technical culmination of the s-em9.

INNOVATION

More than a simple concentration of our knowledge, the EM10 goes further with the development of new 100% proprietary drivers as well as the exclusive use of our 3-channel asymmetrical output channel profile, always with the aim of improving sound quality and musicality through an ever more realistic sound scene.

SIGNATURE

The EM10 is defined in term of sound rendering by two important adjectives in the eyes of passionate audiophiles, that are musicality and stamps respect. Light motiv of EarSonics since its creation.

EXCELLENCY

The EM10 becomes the ultimate monitors of our knowledge and passion manufacturing custom high end products with the best musicality experience.
If your are looking for the best, the EM10 is your tool.



WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

· EM10 with is detachable cable

· Comes in a luxury ES packaging

· 1 cleaning tool

· Carrying Case

· 3.5mm jack adapter

· Manual



The packaging is different today than of EarSonics in the past. I have always found the EarSonics to not focus on packaging and accessories but more on their monitors. This time their redesign of packaging is definitely noticed and welcomed. The top of the box flips open to reveal the monitors through two small windows and to access the monitors you would need to slide out a drawer, the type of drawer found on a drawered jewelry box. The EM10 is a custom earphone and so you will not find many accessories, kind of the standard ES fare, an included 6.3 mm adapter, a cleaning tool, and the black ES carrying case. Their cable is the same black cable that ES always packs-in and is a 2-pin type of connector that terminates into 3.5mm, anyone owning ES products will find familiarity.






My review was written utilizing two sources, Opus #2 and LG G6. Obviously, being a CIEM no ear tip rolling was necessary and I solely listened using the stock cable for review purposes, but since it is a standard 2-pin connector cable swapping would be simple. Since I am finished with the review I will begin to try some of the different cables I have so that I can utilize a balanced setup. I will be happy to respond to comments on various cable pairings.





Build and Quality:

The EM10 comes in one color, black. It is a piano black, glossy shell with the ES on one ear and 10. on the other ear. There is no intense design page on the EarSonics webpage and your customs will come as described above. The look is understated, discreet yet classy to me. Not being a flashy person, the subtle look is exactly what I was looking for. Those wanting the more nouveau design of the S-EM9 will be disappointed.

The quality of the build is perfectly smooth and without flaws, as I searched to find even the slightest of imperfection. The nozzle ends with three bores, one larger and two smaller and the overall fit of the customs was comfortable.



Let us review the sound, shall we?


Presentation:

This is one smooth, easy listening IEM. The sound veers from the house sound I may have remembered from ES but there may be some slight similarities, but from recollection it is mostly new, fresh. A summary of characteristics would be, the overall tone is warm, never spikey or peaky, never fatiguing with a wonderful smooth tone. The bass is not boomy in the sub regions but yet it is smoothly abundant in the mid bass region. The treble is never harsh, yet always evident in the mid treble range. It is a warm, yet clear sound that can be enjoyed when just chilling and relaxing. The warmth of the tone never casts a shadow over the entire signature but fills the sound with a full bodied smooth richness. The sound appears subdued at both edges of the spectrum while adding to the range in the mid bass and mid treble frequencies.

The stage it presents is not the largest I have encountered but I would say it is a "broad square" as opposed to a rectangle. It provides equal height, depth and broadness but it is not congested, thus describing it as a broader square. Its stage is narrower than the Dream by Dita and probably closer to the Vision Ears VE-8 in width but without the incoherent layout. The instruments are not easily placed with distinct borders but it all flows effortlessly with its coherent layers.

Bass

The bass provides an overall warmth, that is north of neutral, which makes the signature engaging and musical. The bass is not the punchy dynamic driver type of bass such as displayed in the Dream(Dita) or even the DK-3001, and the sub bass does not really wallop you with the deep boom. The bass is delivered in the mid bass frequency and supplies the listener with a polite yet aware coloration. The overall tone of the bass would be showcased here. It is mature and polite, yet very present in its presentation. I think that it complements the overall smoothness of the signature. If the bass was boomy and strong it would create an inharmonious balance with the smooth treble. Engaging, musical and fun.

Mids

The midrange of the EM10 provides a special tone as well. It is a very smooth listen that I wouldn’t describe as pushed forward or recessed. The signature of the mids would be classified as warm and smooth without any sharp, bright harshness. It is not the most detailed or clean sound but it is not muddy either. Instruments in the midrange sound smooth and present a fairly accurate tone for having an overall warmth. The listener will not ever feel fatigue and can enjoy long listening sessions. With this type of midrange delivery, you are allowed to just sit back and enjoy the harmony, kind of a scotch and cigar type of listen. Refined and mature thanks to the frequencies being boosted in all of the right areas. To my ears it is more coherent than the Vision Ears VE-8 but your mileage may vary…and probably will. Female vocal lovers will rejoice when listening to Norah Jones, Sade or Diana Krall.


Treble

The treble follows the trend of the EM10 and provides a wonderful smooth tone minus any hint of shrill. There is a blending among all of the frequencies of the EM10 and the treble folds in with the signature on the whole. The cymbals, such as found in Rush YYZ, have a perfect chhh sound, precise yet reserved. Because the treble blends so well with the rest of the frequencies it might lead you to believe that it has a stale or boring sound. Not true! It just blends in so well to create a wonderful harmony. Never sharp or shrill, it is best described as warm, clear and harmonious. I think this type of treble makes music such as Foreplay or The Rippingtons sound their best. Jazz has an overall smooth, silky ambiance when the treble is presented as it is in the EM10.

In Closing

Would I recommend the EM10…without hesitation…YES, even in a crowded market! I am so pleased I had the opportunity to review and revisit an old love affair with a company that has helped develop my listening skills along the way. I loved the Velvet and the SM64. I love the EM10, albeit different, with only a hint of house sound remaining. The sound is artistically beautiful, smooth, rich and easy to listen to. If you are looking for teeth rattling sub bass or extreme brightness, look in another direction. If you want a smooth presentation that requires zero effort to enjoy, look at the EM10. I have other IEM’s/CIEM’s that excel in certain areas more so than the EM10 but they also don’t provide me the flowing, effortless smoothness that the EM10 is capable of. Mature…with a smooth, piquant bouquet.

DUNU DK-3001

http://www.dunu-topsound.com/

http://www.dunu-topsound.com/DK-3001.html



A Little Technical Stuff:

· Drivers Dynamic(13mm) *1

Balanced Armature *3

· Frequency range 5 Hz-40 KHz

· Impedance 13Ω

· Sensitivity 110±2dB

· Connections 3.5mm Gold-plated

· Cable 1.2m

· Weight 31g


DUNU DK-3001
-MRSP: Universal fit $499, at the time of the review they can be found on Amazon for $470

I want to thank Vivian from DUNU as her quick responses and communication was top notch. She provided me the DK-3001 in exchange for my honest review. I call them like I see them or hear them in this case, be it good, bad, or ugly. Thank you, Vivian, and DUNU.


DUNU = Delicate Sensation
Unique Design
&
Utmost Quality


I have had the privilege, over the past five or six years, to own and listen to so much quality portable gear. It has been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because it is a fantastic hobby that I enjoy immensely and a curse because it is a black hole for my spare time as well as my spare money. Anyone that has gone down this rabbit hole will concur that their wallet and the contents inside don’t have as much quality time together as they once did. While I have enjoyed writing, and sharing my reviews it is very time consuming. I continue to hone my style and format with each review I pen, hopefully one day it will become second nature. The general style and format of my reviews is “down to earth”. In other words, not as much science and more of what you are going to experience when you have them on or in your ears, what would I want to know if I was trying to decide on a purchase. The overall experience that you can expect when you decide to part with your hard-earned dollars.


I think it is important to realize that there is no “best” gear, no end game. The end game is only when you decide to tap out of this hobby. People rarely agree on the “best” features, “best” accessories, “best” comfort or “best” sound signatures because it is a very subjective hobby. Reviews should aid you in your search and decision to purchase. Many times, it appears that a product checks many of your personal boxes, on paper, but you never really know until you have firsthand experience, but that firsthand experience is not always easy to obtain because there aren’t a lot of high end audio shops in which you can demo these items. Thus, the reviews do help a wide range of people. Don’t focus on the scores or ratings in reviews, focus on the content, the common threads, the patterns within the many different reviews you read before making a decision.


Onward and Upward…

On the rarest of occasions, a piece of gear will come into my possession and I have no pre-conceived notions regarding a specific piece of gear. An item in which you think meh, okay, I will give it a listen but it isn’t really exciting you. I don’t read a lot of reviews prior to receiving a review sample, as I don’t want to jade my thoughts. However, when I am going to make a purchase I always read reviews. When I read reviews, I begin to find the commonality or pattern from review to review, ie. the bass rumbles or it has good transparency or it doesn’t color the music in the case of a DAP. I can then formulate a pretty good idea of what to expect from the sound, the build, the overall experience based on common trends in reviews.



The DUNU DK-3001 is one of those products that was sent to me without having any real expectations of the product, except for a few positive comments about sound and a couple of negative comments about comfort that I had read online. I will concur, the sound is “all that” and the comfort is the DK-3001’s gorilla in the room. To say I was surprised and impressed by the sound of DUNU’s DK-3001 would be an understatement. On first listen I had one of those “Holy screw” moments, but in a good way, as I didn’t see this coming. The sound really caught me off guard, I apologize to DUNU but I just didn’t expect this level of quality sound. I rarely try to use statements referencing price, because what is expensive to one person is not always expensive to another. In this instance, it is very evident that the DK-3001 packs a punch that can compete with other IEM’s at close to twice their price, one example would be the Fidue A91, another hybrid, which I used to own. I had only briefly listened to one other DUNU product and to be honest it was way too bright for me and I sold it the same day I received it, the DN-2000j. I am very sensitive to bright or harsh treble and the DN-200j in my opinion was a great deal too harsh for me. The DK-3001 is just a fantastic offering and the sound quality is so surprisingly good and enjoyable, this IEM is truly plug n play. No worry about burn-in, no sound signature that has to grow on you, no fatigue, just an easy product to listen too. It is not all rainbows and unicorns with the DK-3001 as I have some niggles with isolation, comfort and obtaining a good seal, but the sound is easy like Sunday morning. I will touch on the negatives of this IEM later but I am excited to see what DUNU comes to the table with in the future once the “comfort” issues are addressed.


A Little Marketing Hype:

DK-3001 Premium Hybrid 4way in-ear headphone

The MMCX detachable plug and socket design on the cable offers endless choice of replacement and upgrade.

Premium triple balanced armature drivers produce perfect transient response while retain a nature yet energetic sound, to recreate a impressive life-like experience.

Premium delicate metal craft, high precision engineering designed S316 stainless housing decrease harmonic resonance to ensure the high definition sound and durability.

Features:

Dynamic Driver (13mm)

Triple Balanced Armature

316L Stainless Steel

Hi-Res AUDIO

Join us and witness the growth of DUNU ….


WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

· DUNU DK-3001

· Protective case

· 1x 3.5mm single-ended cable

· 1x 2.5mm balanced cable

· Wide array of ear tips Spinfit, Comply and stock tips

· 3.5mm Female to 6.5mm Male Adapter

· Aircraft adapter

· Shirt-clip

I have included some photos of the packaging and the box, but I really don’t think there is any reason to talk about a box unless it is something super special.





I used three sources, A&K Kann, Opus #2 and LG G6 when casually and critically listening in preparation for the review. After intensive listening I would say the Opus #2 is my favorite overall pairing. This is becoming redundant in most of my reviews as the Opus #2 is my reference player. Honestly, I haven’t really found a bad pairing with the Opus #2, unless it requires and incredible amount of power to drive it and then I recommend the Kann. The LG G6 drives the DK-3001 quite well and was capable of driving the DUNU to an adequate level. I did not have the opportunity to test any other cable options because I do not have any aftermarket MMCX cables.



Build and Quality:

The DUNU DK-3001 is incredibly well built and finished with a modern, yet plain look, kinda like the girl next door as opposed to the cheerleader type. I like the look, even the acrylic IEM’s I have are plain and understated, I am just not a real flashy dude. The outer shell is made from stainless steel and in DUNU’s camp they feel this provides adequate resonance without creating negative harmonics and excessive resonance. The stainless housing would bode well for owning these well into the future from a durability standpoint. It is an MMCX connector, which I mentioned above, and while I greatly prefer a 2-pin style it appears to be a solid connection in this instance. The right MMCX connector is labeled with a red ring for the right side. The shell is not large, and folks with small ears can rejoice. It has an angled nozzle, albeit a little on the short side and each monitor is labeled (R) and (L), as if the fit wouldn’t be hint enough.

I guess it is as good of time as any to mention my biggest problem with this IEM. There is a “ridge” on the inside of each IEM, the part touching the inside of your ear. I will affectionately from this point forward refer to it as the “ridge”. The “ridge” is most certainly one of those things that was designed to make you scratch your head and ask why. Why would put a “ridge” on a surface that will make contact with human flesh. Maybe they tested these only on Asian ears but I really can’t expect Asian ears to be any different than the non-Asian variety from a fleshy standpoint. I love this IEM, but I don’t love the “ridge”. It certainly creates the largest hurdle when trying to find absolute comfort as it rubs the inside of your ear. This is obviously my opinion and how I am affected so YMMV. I have found that twisting the DK-3001 so that the cable connector is bent towards my head and sliding the Spinfit ear tip close to the sound end of the nozzle it keeps the “ridge” from making solid contact with my inner ear.

I generally prefer JVC Spiral Dots with the wide bore, but I found the JVC tips would stay in my ear when I removed the IEM from my ear so that was obviously not going to work. I honestly hate when companies don’t include a lip that assists in holding the ear tip on the IEM. I wish more companies would include a lip, similar to Dita the Dream as it certainly makes tip rolling easier. That said, the included Spinfit were the best ear tip I found when using the DK-3001, for sound and comfort. Some of the others I tried include the Final Audio, Symbio and stock ear tips.


Hallelujah! With the ear wire/cable connector and Spinfit adjustment, I can now listen for semi-extended listening sessions and have even dozed off with them in my ear(not a good idea), with an almost acceptable amount of comfort, but never bliss.

The cables are rubbery, smooth and supple. At the MMCX connector end they are thicker as to safeguard the stress point. The cables have an integrated cable strap and a right-angled plug that will plug into the source of your choice. One other thing I must mention is the cables have ear guides and boy are they some ear guides, some long as hell ear guides. These are not your conventional, uncomfortable ear guides but they are soft rubber and can be formed easily and without causing duress to your upper ear or behind your ear. I am not a fan of ear guides but if you must use them these are fine and one of the better ear guides I have used, albeit they are excessively long, long for no apparent reason. I think it is pretty awesome that DUNU includes both cables 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm in the package so the consumer can pick their poison.



Let us review the sound, shall we?


Presentation:

Overall, this is one enjoyable, easy to listen too, no fuss, no muss IEM. It does what it should and that is it allows you to enjoy the music, and it is musical as hell. The bass of the DD unfolds and creates the warmth to the overall signature. It is a 4way and all of the drivers work well together to create a pleasant tone and signature. It is an excellent all-arounder that I found to compliment all genres of music. It delivers its presentation quite well in balanced or a SE output, but I found the 2.5mm balanced to yield slightly better results. I used the DUNU mostly as my everyday portable IEM on my morning walks. I found it to pair really well with the 3.5mm headphone jack of my LG G6 and together it made my morning walk incredibly enjoyable. The overall sound has body and is full and richly alive.

Isolation is not a strong suit of the DK-3001. The shallow fit does not allow for a totally isolated environment. I would think the shell size is not the culprit here but the fact that the shorter nozzle impedes the depth of insertion. Although I found the isolation to be adequate on my morning walks as total isolation is not always safe around traffic or any of the other unpredictable hazards my dog stumbles onto during our walk.

The clarity is top notch when listening to all of my recordings, as an example, Dire Straits Sultans of Swing was presented with all parts being delicately and clearly unveiled and I found myself wanting to bump up the volume to baptize myself in the song. The cymbals, and guitar work were exceptionally clear and without a hint of bleed over into the mids from the bass of the dynamic driver. The decay of the cymbal crashes is totally natural and displayed a superior realism.

The soundstage is not the largest I have heard but it does have a nice width, a moderate depth and an above average height. I found its stage to be perfectly aligned with the overall sound signature. You can easily hear the placement of the instruments on the stage in an organized and coherent fashion. With regards to the detail, I will say there are more detailed and analytical TOTL IEM’s in the market. However, the midrange and treble do a great job of supplying enough detail to satisfy the listener and blend the details in with the overall musicality of its presentation. If I didn’t have IEM’s at three and four times the price I would never even question the amount of detail I am hearing and would be perfectly satisfied with the DUNU, I would not consider the overall detail to be lacking. The air around the notes is ever present and better than average as you can clearly hear air between each note. I also am impressed to hear the air around the entire range of bass notes, one has to love a well-tuned dynamic driver. Again, I feel it is important to mention that the DUNU are the least expensive IEM in my possession and they do a fine job with overall presentation when compared to my other IEM’s but I certainly don’t think it is fair to compare them with the Zeus, Dream or the EM10.

Bass

In the low-end region, you get a sub-bass that goes deep and rumbles with natural decay. The snappy bass can also hit hard when called upon. I found the speed of the bass to be reasonably fast for a dynamic driver, as I never heard any appreciable lag. The speed is truly impressive considering the fact that the bass is capable of being very articulate and full sounding at the same time. The DK-3001 actually is one of the better bass deliveries I have heard, but the Dita Dream holds the top honor. Still, it is quite impressive that I mention the DUNU and Dita in the same sentence.

A dynamic driver once again delivers the goods in the DUNU as it is refined, clean, articulate and packs one hell of a punch while deliciously serving you a healthy offering of sub bass. Fortunately, with all of its fullness the mid bass stays where it belongs and does not bleed into the midrange causing any muddiness or negative impact on clarity. Impressive bass overall!

Mids

The mids are crafted to provide the listener with a detailed and full sound experience. Vocals have a full, rich tone. Listening to vocals is when I detect a slight warmth to the midrange. I would not say the kind of warmth that interferes with the detail or air in the mids, but there is a warm presence. There is great clarity in all areas of the midrange and nothing interferes with any of the nuances in the music you are listening too. I never detected anything in mids that made the sound appear cramped or congested. Sometimes when an IEM has a full sound it can also create some congestion but not the DK-3001. What you need to imagine with the DUNU is a sound that has clarity and detail in its midrange but with enough warmth to fill in the gaps to create an overall fullness in the sound. I hope I articulated this clearly enough to understand.

Treble

The highs have sparkle and detail without harshness, sibilance or any sharpness that is undesirable to someone sensitive to harshness in treble. The clarity and extension are ever present and not rolled off. The treble extends with a resolving sheen but unlike the earlier DUNU I tried, it’s highs do not make my back teeth hurt as if I bit into aluminum foil in an amalgam filled tooth. There is not as much air in the high range as there is in the other ranges, but there is a good linear quality and texturing thrown in for good measure. Cymbals have a realistic chhh sound as opposed to an unnatural shhh sound. My fear of DUNU treble has been met head on and conquered with the DK-3001.

In Closing

I smiled at first listen. The DUNU DK-3001 was one pleasant surprise. The sound is truly a pleasure and effortless. Straight from the box I fell in love with the sound without even trying. I hope DUNU focuses on improving comfort and isolation in future models. In my opinion, once you fiddle with the IEM to find the comfort sweet spot, the DK-3001 will provide you with a real pleasant listening experience, at least in moderate doses. DUNU DK-3001 gives the customer so much for their money, many accessories, two cables, incredible sound that challenges much higher priced competition. In a day when the prices for TOTL IEM’s just keep rising it is really refreshing to know that you can receive TOTL sound quality for less than $500.

Zeus XR

http://www.empireears.com/product/mto-universal-zeus-xr/



A Little Technical Stuff:

· FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 20Khz

· IMPEDANCE: 21Ω @ 1 kHz

· INPUT SENSITIVITY: 119dB @ 1mw

· NOISE ISOLATION: -28 dB +/- 2

· INPUT CONNECTOR: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) Gold Plated Jack

· WARRANTY: 2-years

· 14 Drivers | 8 Way Crossover | 4 Sound Bores


Empire Ears Zeus XR
-MRSP: Universal fit $2399



I want to thank Jack for his incredible customer service. I have noticed a trend with Empire Ears and that is you never see bad comments about their customer service. Jack has been responsive and helpful and I want to say THANKS! I also want to thank Dean. When I inquired about a re-shell for the Zeus XRA I let Jack know it is designer’s choice of what shell design they want to use. My sexy, clear design was selected and personally built by Dean. As a bonus, it was the first released with the new shell design which is said to be more durable and for certain is slimmer in its profile, great job dude, thank you!



I purchased my Zeus XRA second hand from a fellow Head-FI’er as the price of the Zeus can be a little shocking. The Zeus XR-Adel starts at $2799. I was familiar with Adel technology from my time with the 64 Audio U12. I really enjoyed and appreciated the Adel techonolgy and then later the Apex technology with the 64 Audio U12. I have always preferred a warmer signature and the 64 Audio U12 certainly scratches that itch.


Early in my quest for excellence of in-ear monitors I was actually more into analytical sound and with time my tastes have changed. I grew to find the warm, yet detailed sound with a huge stage to be more to my liking. Today I find tone and quality of delivery to be paramount. With that said I obviously knew I wasn’t purchasing a bass monster or even a warm signature, by any stretch of the imagination, in the Zeus. I continued to read reviews and my curiosity and desire grew in the Zeus, I wanted to hear it, more like I wanted to own it. I was about reacquaint myself with my wallet again, I have no freaking willpower sometimes. My curiosity has a bit more of a conscience and frugality than I do so I went shopping on the Head-FI used boards for an almost new Zeus XRA as opposed to purchasing new. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED PayPal sent and buyer’s remorse started to set in, feeling guilty, but excited all the same. I found a Zeus XRA that only had a few hours on it, less than 20, and a simple design, things important to me in my purchase.


Pre re-assignment surgery


Post-Op re-assignment

My initial thoughts were that these XRA were huge, not Frankenstein bolt huge like the Layla for example, but big. I didn’t find them uncomfortable but they didn’t provide the most comfort I have encountered in an IEM either. My sound impressions were for the most part positive but I didn’t have the WOW moment I was expecting. I started to experiment with tip rolling and cable swapping as well as different sources. I was having a little problem trying to achieve a great seal and with the Zeus a good seal is IMPERATIVE especially with the Adel version. I generally prefer JVC Spiral Dots with the wide bore but I found the wide bore to not glimmers of the excellence when the seal was good with the Spinfit. When I would yawn, open my mouth wide or even smile the seal would go until my face relaxed again, certainly not ideal. Anyone with any experience with Adel knows that the Adel modules impact isolation, creating less isolation. Add the less than perfect isolation to the less than perfect seal and at times the unnatural chhh sound of the cymbals would make me a bit crazy. There was sibilance and I am more of a smooth treble fan and very opposed to a strident sound. I tried the Final Audio narrow bore ear tips and ah yes, a bit more controlled and focused than wide bore ear tips, and another box checked on the roadmap to perfection.



I wasn’t ready to give up on the Zeus, after all I had bartered quite a few coconuts for them. I found that the stock Whiplash TWspc cable was a nice well-built stock cable but I felt that copper would possibly add some body and enhance the bass a little. The Dita Truth Copper cable was a definite upgrade in sound quality over the Whiplash although it isn’t a pure copper cable. It added body and smoothed out some of the harsher edges. My final test cable was the one I still use, the Effect Audio Ares II. It gives a nice clear detailed sound but doesn’t really add any additional body to the sound, which the Truth cable did slightly. I really prefer the ergonomics of the Ares II over the Truth cable so ergonomics wins in this case.


I used three sources, A&K Kann, Opus #2 and LG G6. After intensive listening I would say the Opus #2 is the best overall pairing based on the quality of the sound alone as it is quite the reference player. The Kann was also very good but the fact is that the Zeus doesn’t need the Kann’s power to drive it to perfection. The LG G6 can actually drive the XR quite well. These are one easy to drive IEM and that is a big advantage when going portable.



Lastly, I began swapping Adel and Apex modules. The S1 was not a great paring, kind of dampened the best attributes of the Zeus, the B1 accented what the Zeus already excelled at so I didn’t care for it either. I then tried the Apex modules and thought the M15 module was a good pairing but after trying the M20 Apex module I realized the M20 provided a little more body in the lower end and was as good as I was going to get, so the M20 became my preferred module.


Zeus XRA, Ares II balanced, M20 Apex module, Final Audio narrow tips and Opus #2. VOILA now I was getting somewhere in my quest.

After so much trial and error and continued reading I decided I need to shift gears. I realized I wanted to hear the Zeus as it was meant to be heard without the addition of the Adel module. There were a couple of options such as the carrot module or the MAM fully closed but I opted for a re-shell sans Adel which finally brings us to the review at hand…Welcome to the Zeus XR!

Since I did not purchase these as a new retail item I am not going into an unboxing or accessory list but the Empire Ears site says your purchase includes the following:

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

We offer a variety of items included at no additional charge in each order:

· In-Ear Monitor

· Empire Aegis case

· Empire dust bag

· Empire IEM pouch

· Empire cleaning cloth

· Cleaning tool

· Quick Start User Guide

I can tell you that mine did include all of the above.





Let us review the sound, shall we?

The Zeus XR gives you the best of both worlds between the Zeus-R and the Zeus XIV. There is a switch located on the shell. In the up position, it is the Zeus R and in the down position it is the Zeus XIV. Simply put it is like a 2 for 1, a Happy Hour for my ears.

For the review, I paired the XR with the A&K Kann, Opus #2 and the LG G6(American). The XR doesn’t really need a lot of power to shine but certainly will provide you a better experience when utilizing higher quality DAC. The Opus #2, using the 2.5mm balanced output would be my DAP of choice for the XR. I used the Ares II cable as well as briefly testing the Truth Copper cable. I switch between the Final Audio narrow bore and Symbio Mandarin as my preferred eartips.

I find Zeus-R to be near neutral but an incredibly revealing and detailed signature. It could be considered close to reference sounding and it is more reference sounding that it’s XIV brother in the down switch. The overall tone is natural and effortless. The sibilance I heard in the Adel version is all but gone in the XR version. It is important to realize and remember this IEM has a massive number of drivers at 14. Not that the number of drivers in and of itself is impressive but how seamless they work together; their synergy is so impressive. I will discuss more the R setting and in the body of the description when the XIV goes in another direction I will mention it. My preference in settings is without a doubt the XIV but the baseline setup of the two is similar so that is why I will compare the XIV to the R. One note about the switch and how obvious the sound difference is. When using a better source, the difference between R and XIV is quite obvious but when using my cellphone, you can barely hear a difference. The balanced output of either the Opus #2 or the Kann allowed the difference to be very evident as well as the SE output.


Bass

In the low-end region, you get a sub-bass that goes deep. This not the incredible sounding BA bass of the 64 Audio U12 as the Zeus bass but stays close to neutral in quantity. The Zeus bass is not in the least about quantity and instead focuses on the quality of bass it delivers to the listener. Overall all frequencies of bass are fast, snappy but neutral for the most part. I don’t want to characterize this a boring emotionless bass as it comes with plenty of feeling, just not rumbly bass that bleeds into the mids. The bass delivery is flawless except I feel it is a touch one dimensional except that it is detailed and layers so well. More sub-bass would alleviate any illusion of being one dimensional. When listening to the bass it is very easy to differentiate which instrument is creating the bass, ie. drum or guitar. Fast bass with realistic decay, overall some of the most natural decay I have heard. Certainly not a DD in its punch but so very detailed and layered.

In the XIV the bass is brought more forward and is more present in its delivery, again not in quantity. The bass is more present and out front when compared to the R. Quality is not negatively impacted in the XIV setting.

Mids

The lower mids create a harmony and balance with the upper bass range. The mids are detailed, open and not the least bit veiled or hazy. The mids aren’t necessarily airy or sparkly but the transitions in layers and details are top notch, the best I have heard. With the right source the micro details with all instruments, foreground and background are showcased. Overall there is a big sense of clarity and resolution. I hear no sibilance or harshness in the mids and vocals have a natural and upfront sound.

In the XIV the mids are another area that is more upfront and present. There is not a loss of detail or clarity in either of the XR settings, the mids just sound more present and upfront. In my opinion, for the most part, the bass and mids are being brought to the foreground. That is major differences between the signature in the two settings. The overall sound is served on a Platinum platter for the listener to consume in the XIV.



Treble

If there is any air in the sound of Zeus you will find it in the treble regions. This is also the region in which you will find the most details and clarity. While the treble is so clear I still don’t find it fatiguing. As stated earlier make sure you have a great seal. Resolute and detailed without fatigue are the characteristics. I find the warmer IEM’s have me foot tapping a bit more but I have struggled to bring out the details in some of the warmer IEM’s. With the Zeus, you certainly don’t have to search for details they are there for the taking, but also these are not warm in their signature. The treble delivery needs to be heard as it extends and takes you to the brink but avoids harshness while delivering transparency.

Overall the soundstage is very wide and it stretches out far left to right. There is some depth but it is not the deepest I have heard but there is excellent height in the stage, certainly never cramped or congested in any aspect of the stage.

In Closing

The Zeus holds a prominent spot in my IEM collection. The new shell design has a slimmer more comfortable profile. The clear shell Dean used when re-shelling mine is super sexy. The Zeus XR is pricey but this appears to be the trend in IEM’s as long as folks keep paying it. I am super impressed and hope I can talk Jack out of one of the new prototypes they have on the work bench. The XR would be one IEM I would have as a CIEM, strong praise from someone that doesn’t own a CIEM and up until last week didn’t even have ear impressions. I am so glad I kept the XR when I had them re-shelled, as I thought about only going XIV. I do like to have the option of switching form R to XIV. I prefer the XIV setting overall as I like how it is more lively and musical, both settings are TOTL and YMMV. In this reviewer's opinion, you will have a hard time finding an IEM that does everything as well as the Zeus XR. Truly difficult to find better.

Dita Audio Dream



http://www.ditaaudio.com/index.php/

http://www.ditaaudio.com/index.php/products/dream.html

A Little Technical Stuff:

· DRIVERS: 1 Newly-Developed Ultra-wide Bandwidth 10mm Transducer
· SENSITIVITY: 102dB
· IMPEDANCE: 16 Ohm
· FIT: Universal

Dita Audio Dream
-MRSP: Universal fit $1800

I want to thank Desmond for all of his patience in answering all of my questions. My experience with Dita Audio has been exceptional. They are proud of their product, rightfully so, and quickly respond to your needs. I also want to thank Desmond for allowing me to hear the Truth Copper cable as well. The guy even responded to me when he was on vacation…unnecessary but first class all of the way!





I try to open with a brief opening statement about my experience and this review is no different. The Dream is only available in universal which works great for me, I am not the CIEM guy yet. The shells are small, titanium and black. I love the look of the Dream and I love the sound, these are truly TOTL.

Whether you believe that burn-in has any effect on sound is up to you to decide. I will say that Dita recommends at least 200 hours of burn-in and I know each time I finished listening to them I left them running with pink noise. All told I have between 400-450 hours burn-in presently.

The price of admission for the Dream is high but let’s get into this thing and take a look at what you receive. Not an unboxing, this segment is more designed to discuss the one major addition to the Dream package and that is the stock SPC cable that you receive. To my knowledge, this is one of the more premium stock cables included with an IEM package. The cable is manufactured by Van den Hul a Dutch company established in 1980. You can learn more about the company below. Also, the second link is about the Dita cable. It is a premium cable that retails for 499.00, great job Dita for providing such an awesome stock cable. The cable is well built and sturdy. The sound it delivers when used with the Dream is airy, detailed, precise and creates an incredible separation and gives you the aura of a 3-D stage. Sounds are precise and almost surgical in delivery. The tones are not sharp but very clear and the SPC cable helps to create the overall signature. Very clean indeed!



The Truth Copper seems to smooth things out ever so slightly while still maintaining the positive attributes of the Dream’s signature such as clarity, stage and separation. I really enjoy the Truth Copper cable, especially when paired with the Dream. I have tried it with other TOTL IEM’s and my overall impression is positive. The only negative with the Truth SPC and Truth Copper are the ergonomics. They are stiff and uncooperative at times. Well built, very sturdy, but very stiff.

http://www.vandenhul.com/

http://www.ditaaudio.com/index.php/technology/cables.html


The Dream includes:

· 3 Pairs Small Bore Tips S/M/L (sweeter highs)

· 3 Pairs Medium Bore Tips S/M/L (reference tuning)

· 3 Pairs Large Bore Tips S/M/L (airier highs)

· 1 Custom Flight Adapter

· 1 Premium Leather Pouch


Also included is a card with a serial number and the additional connectors for the cable (2.5mm and 3.5mm). When using the cable, you have the ability to switch connectors from 2.5mm to 3.5mm and 4.4mm (available). It is a cool design allowing you to switch sources without disconnecting the cable from the IEM shell. Only unscrew, snap on the connector you wish to use, and screw it tight again. They coin this design the Awesome Plug. I felt the entire retail package I received was appropriate for the price and first rate.

http://www.ditaaudio.com/index.php/products/truth-replacement-cable.html




A little of the marketing hype from the Dita Audio website:

“The latest and flagship model, Dream. A new custom dynamic driver powers the Dream with a smoother mid-band and bass that reaches even lower with greater control. Dream is also equipped with the Awesome Plug for a multitude of new features.”

“Dream, the latest and flagship model of Dita's 3-model lineup.

The Titanium Black Dream is made in Japan and is equipped with cables sourced from the venerable Dutch cable company, Van Den Hul. A new custom dynamic driver powers the Dream with a smoother mid-band and bass that reaches even lower with greater control. Dream is also equipped with the Awesome Plug for a multitude of new features.”



The build quality of the Dream is great. They feel durable as well they should as they are a cast Titanium, unique to say the least. They are lightweight and feel as they will be durable over the long haul which would characterize the properties of Titanium. The overall comfort allows the listener to have long listening sessions without pain or annoyance. The nozzles are angled and a little short which can make for a shallow insertion. The nozzles are notched so the tips stay on the nozzle and not in your ear when you remove them. Due to the shallow insertion, you may want to use one size larger on the tips. I used my favorite JVC Spiral Dot tips and my new favorite narrow bore Final Audio ear tips. It is tossup which I use more, I enjoy the sound of the Dream with both.



Let us review the sound, shall we?

For the review, I paired the Dream with the A&K Kann, Opus #2 and the LG G6(American). The Dream really enjoy some power or they can sound a bit thin and anemic, therefore the Kann would be my DAP of choice for the Dream. I used the stock SPC cable as well as briefly testing the Truth Copper cable.



I already highlighted a little of what you could expect from the sound above but let just a take a little deeper dive and discuss the joy my ears have had over the past few weeks of listening. Reference tilted IEM’s without being analytical and stale. I am not sure what that classification conjures up in your mind but the Dream has energy and allows the listener to hear many of the nuances in your music. Classical and Jazz lovers will appreciate this. It is important to remember that these are Dynamic Drivers and have some of the finest bass available. The reason I mention that now is with all of this talk of airy, clear and detailed you may have the impressions these are a bright IEM, they are not bright but clear in delivery. It is important to remember the DD bass really fills in the body. I would characterize the stage as very broad and very deep. As mentioned earlier, it is a 3D holographic stage. The various instruments come at you from the fringes of the soundstage. Notes sound separated by air and instrument placement is very obvious. Overall the stage and separation are excellent, a notch above.

Bass

The Dream’s bass is not bloomy or obtrusive it is only a bit right of neutral with ample sub bass. You can feel the low rumble of the bass. It never takes center stage but the bass knows it’s place in the spectrum. The sub rumbles and the mid bass is punchy and has an excellent overall tone providing an excellent bass synergy. To my ears it is the finest bass I have heard. It may not stack up to the speed of say BA bass but it doesn’t detract from the overall experience in the least. As mentioned it is never bloomy and never bleeds into the other ranges. It actually fills in the gaps in the other ranges with the addition of controlled body. Controlled, rich and punchy and deep. Awesome bass!

The bass likes a little power so a bright, underpowered source might not be the best choice for these. Kann does a wonderful job with driving these through its powerful balanced output. The Opus #2 delivers an exceptional sound experience from the quality perspective and it is a sublime pairing. However, I think the Kann drives them with the authority needed. Lg G6 was okay but it required max volume and they sounded a little thin. For comparison, the Dream certainly doesn’t have the quantity of bass as say a 64 Audio U12 but it has a better quality of bass.

Mids

The midrange of the Dream is delivered to you with a high level of detail and clarity. The overall impression of the midrange is revealing and clear. The midrange does not have warmth or any darkness in its tone, it relies on the ample bass quality for that. Again, I feel I am being redundant but the sound is very clean without being bright. The notes are separated by air and there is a certain quality of attack in the midrange. At times, I find the midrange a little forward, not in a negative way but in a way that might be what you might hear from a home stereo system with the speakers facing you. You may actually think the upper mids might touch their toe over the line toward edginess, or harshness but it never happens. This is why these are great for stringed instruments, Classical and Jazz. Reference sound offering nice detail. In keeping with the trend, vocals tend to be clear and forward. Crisp female vocals and smooth male vocals.

Treble

The treble description is probably the most difficult to articulate with words for me. The treble is certainly in the mix and is to be saluted for the large part it plays in the detail and clarity. The treble notes aren’t sharp, harsh or sibilant. The treble tones follow suit in the clarity game of the midrange. There is some treble twinkle but it isn’t overly bright, again I would avoid an overly bright source. I think the treble blends in nicely with the rest of the spectrum. There is a fair amount of extension in the treble but the fact that it meshes so nicely with the midrange rounds out this wonderful package.



In Closing

The sexy design, excellent Titanium shell, incredible stock cable and overall fantastic sound. There really aren’t many negatives that pop out at me. I would say the price could cause pause to some and the ergonomics of the cable could be better. It is not the most expensive IEM I own but for a single driver, in this age of more is better, it is expensive. To Classical and Jazz listeners it could be end game which could factor into your decision to purchase. I actually enjoyed these with EDM also, that genre made good use of the DD bass. I think the overall tone of this review, my apologies for the redundancy, is the clarity. These are a fantastic reference IEM with a detailed presentation. The soundstage needs to be heard to be appreciated, it is incredible. The air cradling the notes and width of the stage to go along with the holographic qualities make for a WOW listening experience that appears to mature with burn-in, in my opinion. Achieving a good seal is critical and a using a neutral or mildly warm source would be the best pairing.

I have posted some of my correspondence from Desmond of Dita:

"The Dream casing is made from 100% cast Titanium, after that is is machined down and finally finished by hand. It’s a crazy time consuming process that makes it impossible to mass produce, therefore we will only do a very small run of it. Actually we are almost sold out already, we are now just fulfilling back orders to distributors. Hopefully those lucky few that have them will see an appreciation in prices in the future."

Next sit back, take in the experience and don’t forget to occasionally pinch yourself as this all may be a Dream. With Dita Dream your dream can become a reality.

Vision Ears VE8

https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/visionears/products/vision-ears-ciem-ve8

http://vision-ears.de/product/ve-8

https://www.facebook.com/MusicTeckStore/

I want to extend a big thanks to Andrew at MusicTeck for providing me this demo of the Vision Ears VE8. All VE8 customizations can be made on the MusicTeck website. MusicTeck store can also be found online on Facebook. MusicTeck appears on the Vision Ears resellers map as the only reseller in the USA.


A Little Technical Stuff:

· DRIVERS: Three-way-system with eight drivers

· CONFIG: 2 x Bass – 2 x Mid – 4 x High

· SENSITIVITY: 120dB SPL at 1 mW

· IMPEDANCE: 22 Ohms (at 1 kHz)



Vision Ears VE8
-MRSP: Custom fit from $2589


German engineering once again proves its superiority. At $2589 for starters, no one could argue that the VE8 is not expensive, but based on the sound and build quality in this demo as well as the photos I have seen of their custom work I would say you would not be disappointed with your investment. If you go to the Vision Ears website and browse the photos of their CIEM final products it is difficult to deny the beauty and craftsmanship.

The VE8 has presents itself with great layering, depth and broad extension. The bass gets real and shows its depth, mids are rich and balanced and the treble extends with a fantastic energy but never gets harsh. This is a fun and engaging IEM one that deserves a deeper dive…Shall we?

Vison Ears has been at this CIEM game for quite some time. They have produced many iterations of the VE series ranging from the VE2-VE8. The notable exception to the lineup is the missing VE7, not as if they need a VE7, but they do skip right to 8. The VE6 can be purchased in an X1 and X2 configuration as well as the VE6X control. The latter has a switch that you can switch between the X1 and X2 configurations, similar to the Zeus XR. Vision Ears most recent and TOTL IEM is the VE8 and that is the one I am going to introduce you to in this review.



The marketing hype from their website is below:

Harmony at its best

The new flagship of the VE Custom In-Ear series convinces with a perfect symbiosis:
Powerful sound with overwhelming precision and clarity

· Extremely tight and precise bass

· Crystal clear and smooth highs

· Brilliant harmonic mid-structure

All of that is blended in a superior open stereo image giving you outstanding precision and harmony.

This is one of the few times my thoughts align with the marketing hype.


On with the show:

The unit I was asked to review was a demo version of the VE8. Vision Ears only crafts custom IEM’s they don’t do universal. I would like to note that the demo I have is one of the most comfortable, isolating universals I have owned or listened to. They fit as if they were formed with my ear in mind. I wonder how much coaxing it would take for Vision Ears to produce a universal as well. Anyway, one can hope!

The demo arrived in a purple round container containing a couple pairs of SpinFit tips, the VE8 and a stock cable. The stock cable reminds me of the black 64 Audio cable, only in my opinion the VE8 is a little better built at the connectors. The cable, a 2-pin style, is lightweight, and has great ergonomics. It is a 4-strand twist and does not have a memory wire, yeah! It is very flexible and comfortable especially when engaged in physical activity and it is low noise when it rubs against your clothing. It is maybe not a cable of the same quality as say the Truth by Dita cable but the comfort and ergonomics sure are better than the stiff, rigid types of cables. The cable can be ordered in either black or transparent.


I want to say I kind of think the funky purple shell and faceplate of the VE8 is cool. It is an available option when designing your CIEM online. The VE online designer is incredibly top notch and MusicTeck also has a designer on their website for easy configuration, check it out.



Obviously since they are a custom company you would need ear impressions to fulfill your order. Judging by the demo, VE’s attention to detail of the shells and face plates is top notch. I observed no bubbles or rough seams on the IEM’s, they really are a work of art. I feel that level of perfection should be expected for the price of admission of the VE8.



The complete package you will receive with your VE8 purchase is listed below and shown in the photo:

- a personalized aluminum case (rectangular)

- the VE custom In Ear

- VE pouch

- cleaning spray

- cleaning pen

- dry caps

- jack adaptor

- user manual

- some merch /stickers

All is wrapped up in a nice satin-paper…woohoo!



My sound impressions:


As I alluded to in my introduction I was enthralled and enamored with the VE8 at first listen. It was once I started to do some critical listening that I realized these were more than just a fun presentation. Yes, it has energy but it also is so very detailed. It surrounds you in a natural and lush presentation that is incredibly addictive. It is easily driven and could be driven to ear bleed levels with my Opus #2 or uncomfortable levels from my LG G6, very easy to drive with any source. In comparison, the LG G6 cannot effectively drive my Dream by Dita, with full volume it still sounds thin and doesn't do the DD justice.


The VE8 bass is detailed and has more than adequate speed. It is a tight bass, not loose or bloomy, and doesn’t bleed or interfere with the mids in any way. The bass goes very low and deep but it displays distinct layering and body as it unfolds its warmth and fullness. At first, I thought it was going to be a bit bass heavy but I was mistaken as it balances wonderfully. When using my Opus #2 as my main source the bass is perfect, from my LG G6 it is not quite as controlled. Male voices sound full and clear using any source I tested. This quantity of bass is the bass I wish the Zeus XRA could deliver.


I love the mids in the VE8 but there is something I can’t quite put my finger on with their signature or at least I couldn’t put my finger on at first. The separation is really incredible as is the soundstage. If I can find one area to criticize slightly it would be the stage. It sometimes seems to come at me from many directions. It is not incoherent but at times I felt it lost focus, maybe it is a bit more holographic than I am accustomed too. Once I had logged some time with the VE8 I really began to appreciate the soundstage and in fact there is much depth and width to support all of the details. There really are some fantastic harmonics happening in the mid-range.


The treble is really a strength in the VE8 that ties the entire package together and creates the synergy throughout the other frequencies. In my view the treble solidifies the entire package. The treble is fast, detailed and airy and extends quite well. There are no sharp peaks or recesses, it is a smooth listen. All in all an overall harmonious delivery. There is not any part of this IEM's presentation that is fatiguing and it can be enjoyed for long listening sessions.




Closing thoughts:

I have always been a universal IEM guy, for more reasons than I care to bore you with. I would say that if there were any imperfections in the sound there are zero imperfections that a custom fit wouldn’t solve with the VE8. This would be one of the first IEM's I would consider having impressions made for, consider being the operative word. I would rather beg VE to release the universal version of the VE8, but that is only a preference of mine. You CIEM folks should not hesitate to make this your CIEM. From the website, it appears your design options are never ending, only your imagination and wallet may limit you. The summary of what I hear with the VE8 is overall a very detailed, engaging fun sound. Details across all ranges and an incredible separation in the instruments. There is a great weight to the notes but never a thickness that impedes the air around the notes. I adjusted to the soundstage and realized it is just revealed differently than my other IEM’s. Remember, different doesn’t signify bad, it only means different. This is overall one of the most enjoyable IEM experiences I have ever had, one of my favorite IEM's. Build your pair of the Vison Ears VE8 and enjoy the experience that is German engineering.

64 Audio supplied me with these modules for my opinion. I want to thank them for their patience as they have been waiting quite a while for my thoughts. Thank you 64 Audio for your great customer service, quality products and patience.


Apex Modules
-MRSP: M15 $99 a set / M20 $99 a set


https://www.64audio.com/store/accessories



I truly love my 64 Audio U12 it is a kick ass IEM. I can tell you it wasn’t love at first listen. It has taken a lot of brain burn-in, cable swapping and trial and error including Apex or Adel. This review is primarily about the Apex module as it is the latest technology utilized by 64 Audio. I wrote a review of the 64 Audio U12(see below) and at that time the review was done with the S1/B1 Adel modules, I didn’t have the Apex at that time. During the review the Adel B1 module was my favorite choice because it opened up the sound a lot more than the S1, which is the one that came with the U12 I purchased. I will say that the M15 Apex has replaced the B1 as my go to module because it opens up the sound that much more than the B1. 64 Audio utilized Adel in collaboration with Asius Technologies and as is the case with many a relationship it ended in divorce so 64 Audio developed their own module…The Apex.

https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/64-audio-u12-universal-in-ear-monitor.21832/reviews#review-17865

All of this talk of the S1, B1, M15 and M20 I know it sounds rather confusing, it makes me sound like a Quarterback calling signals behind center. Allow me to simplify it for you and for me as well. We will talk about the M15 and the M20 Apex modules and the effect they have on the sound of my U12. I am not the most scientific guy, you won’t find me discussing the technology behind all of these modules but I will include a link (see below) to the information behind the technology. In a nutshell, it is technology designed to relieve trapped air pressure inside your ears when you are listening to IEM’s. The pressure and vibrations can cause hearing loss, ear fatigue and really screw with US folks that have tinnitus.

http://www.64audio.com/technology



ADEL = Ambrose Diaphonic Ear Lens (B1- S1)

APEX = Air Pressure Exchange (M15 – M20)

If you can notice from the above picture the S1/B1 modules use a tiny hole in the end of the module and the M15/M20 utilize a vent port. The Adel has an internal membrane that kind of represents a second eardrum and the Apex has the vent port. Two different approaches, both designed to relieve the inner ear pressure. I encourage you to do your own search to gather any and all scientific data and knowledge you can regarding Adel and Apex. Again, I stress I am not stating an opinion of the scientific side of either technology I can only tell you my experience with the Apex modules.





My specific tinnitus manifests itself in a low-grade almost constant static that if agitated becomes a louder more annoying static. I am not sure when my tinnitus started but I noticed it, at first, in the still of the night. It was similar to the sound of outdoors late at night where you may hear a slight ambiance as opposed to complete silence. I regularly tolerate a persistent white noise in my ears that I feared would ultimately impede my audiophile hobby. I have learned to concentrate and listen past the static to hear a silent noise floor in a DAP or if hiss exists when connecting an IEM to any given source, anyway, enough about my condition. I will say that I have two different IEM’s that utilize this technology, the 64 Audio U12 and the Zeus XRA. I have become a fan of the Apex/ Adel signature and yes it does give me some relief. It is not a cure but it simply does not aggravate or cause the tinnitus to flare up. I cannot in good faith say that you will have the same results so I would rather stick to the audio benefits of the modules and what you can expect to hear. After all, I consider myself an audiophile or at least someone that enjoys great sounding music.

The sound benefits, shall we?

The sound will ultimately come down to a matter of taste and what strikes your fancy. I will be giving my comparison using the 64 Audio U12. The U12 is a warm, bass powerhouse. I have swapped cables and sources and modules until I found a sound signature that is difficult to match at the TOTL IEM level. My U12 setup of choice is the U12 w/ M15 module and the Ref. 8 cable while using the Opus #2 DAP. It is a SUBLIME setup. It is so different from the U12 I first heard when I opened the box, it has been an incredible transformation.

The apex-m20 module has been made to provide -20dB of noise isolation, the ultimate choice for those seeking the highest level of isolation. The apex-m15 module features a combination of dual ambient ports (that are larger than the single hole in the m20) and modified internals to achieve -15dB isolation.

The M20 is a basshead wet dream. To my ears, it is a really fun and incredible sound. Unfortunately, it is a short-lived experience for me. Paired with the already bassy and warm U12 it is a bass overload to me rendering extended listening sessions difficult. I find it narrows the stage and doesn’t allow the details or clarity shine through. Fun yes, but not my cup of tea. I could see where it would be perfect for the person that is the consummate basshead.



The M15 is the module I use as my daily driver. It has aided in making the U12 the awesome IEM experience I enjoy. The M15 creates an air, a spaciousness if you will and allows the details to shine through with a confidence I didn’t know the U12 possessed. The M15 presents itself with a crispness and bite and I like what it does for the U12.



In closing, there is only so much I can say relative to sound since I am only speaking of a module and not a complete IEM package. Do your research if you are interested in the science involved here. If you are looking for Apex technology and want a bassy signature the M20 will more than satisfy you. If you want more airy openness choose the M15, it truly is a personal decision. I am happy with the fact that there are IEM companies that are trying to deal with the issue of hearing loss, and fatigue. I know my tinnitus and I both appreciate it.

I want to extend a big thanks to Andrew at MusicTeck for loaning me the Unique Melody Mentor V2. It has been my experience that Andrew wants to do everything he can to make his customers happy. Thanks again!

https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-mentor-universal-carbon-fiber-faceplate-um-logo-v2

A Little Technical Stuff:

· DRIVERS: TEN BA; CROSSOVER: 4-WAY

· CONFIG: 2x HIGH, 2x MID-HIGH, 2x MID, 4x LOW

· RANGE: 20 Hz - 20 kHz

· SENSITIVITY: 111 dB SPL

· IMPEDANCE: 27.8 ohm



Unique Melody Mentor V2
-MRSP: Custom fit $1599 / Universal $1299

Let me make this opening statement and put it right out there. These are a smooth and satisfying IEM. The Mentor V2 is one of the smoothest operators I have heard, in fact I am sure the Sade song is totally written about this IEM. The Mentor V2 could epitomize the love at first sight analogy except my sight is not the sense I am using, it is hearing and it was love at first listen.



I generally don’t make a big deal about packaging and accessories and I am not going to start with the Mentor V2 but I want to applaud UM for including two quality cables. Great job! That certainly provides the consumer options and makes them feel they scored a good deal. Both cables are quality and I can’t criticize either for their sound or build. One is a hybrid copper/silver plated cable, the other is all silver plated. The cables are certainly worth the mention, so there you have it. The accessories have been duly noted and can be seen below. I always see if my beloved (go to) JVC Spiral Dots eartips fit and they thankfully do. I very rarely find myself testing the included eartips.




The build quality feels they are well made and sturdy. They are solid yet smooth in all of the right places which make for a comfortable, yet solid, universal experience. These are not small housings by any stretch but they are one of the more comfortable 10 Driver IEM’s I have inserted in my ears. I have listened to prolonged sessions without any discomfort.



They are rather largish so your comfort mileage may vary with this. If you have small ear canals I am not sure you would achieve the same level of comfort. The universals are offered in Carbon Fiber and Non-Carbon Fiber(Black) so choose your poison. If I was purchasing this IEM I would be happy with either design option. I would like to note it is nearly impossible to notice a seam where the faceplate is secured to the housing, great job.






Let us move on to the sound, shall we?

If you asked me to use the fewest words possible to describe the Mentor V2 I could do it with three words. Warm, smooth and balanced. Okay thanks for reading I hope you liked the review………



Anyway, I will throw out a couple of comparisons to describe the sound, not to say one IEM is better than another, but for the familiarity of it all, a mention is good. The Mentor V2 are able to sound smooth without sounding thick and slow. They have a warm sound signature and in contrast the 64 Audio U12, also WARM, took some adjustment to how the frequencies were presented. The Mentor V2 just sounded great out of the box without any strategic listening.

The bass rumbles low in a deep and extended manner. It does not bleed into the mids, knowing its rightful position and staying there while being lively and engaging. My suggestion would be to pop on some Alice in Chains, Would? I love the fact that the bass is not one dimensional.

The mids have a proper placement in the spectrum as well. They are, for lack of better description, more forward than recessed, but not overbearingly forward, just right. They have a phenomenal tone and are clear and detailed. The bass doesn’t create any interference with the mids as they are perfectly aligned and live harmoniously. Let me say, for a warmish signature the amount of detail squeezed out of the mids is awesome. I am not saying that these are the king of micro details or are analytical because they aren’t. It is just an impressive amount of details without much listening effort.



I am treble sensitive and these seemingly bring you to the brink, particularly with lower quality MP3’s, but are never harsh or strident. There is a satisfying extension and glimmer in the upper scale. It can be bright but never harsh. I was hesitant to say bright, because it may turn off some interested parties, but it is not a negative fatiguing brightness. The treble really round out the entire balancing act that is the Mentor V2. The Zeus XRA is a brighter IEM thsn the Mentor V2 and that is all I will say for a comparison except that the Zeus is also quite a bit costlier so I won’t compare. I will say that the Zeus won’t satisfy a basshead.

Overall, for the in a nutshell sound wrapup. This is one musical ass IEM. So enjoyable, so FUN. It crosses over the stereotype of a warm onlysounding IEM by providing details and a terrific harmony among the 10 Drivers, all 10 play so nicely together. Color me impressed with this IEM.



Let’s bring the review to an end. I said earlier if I was asked to describe the Mentor V2 in a few words what would they be and I said three words. Warm, smooth and balanced. I think I would like to ask your permission for just one more word…FUN. This is a great overall package providing, two quality cables, a well built, attractive shell. A kick ass balanced musical presentation. As is the case with the multi-driver offerings they are a bit costly. To me, cost is one of the few negatives I can mention. These would be a nice compliment to my collection it may be time for me to have one of hose heart to heart conversations with my wallet again.

V-MODA has a pretty diverse following that has grown over the past few years and their offerings have progressed along the way, positive progression in my opinion. V-MODA is one of the few brands that bridges the gap from commercial appeal to audiophiles.

I really enjoyed the sound of the V-MODA XS but there were some things that I didn’t like, the isolation was poor. Granted it was an on-ear but to me it was even poor by on-ear standards. The second issue was that I couldn’t wear them to the gym because with any quick movement they would shift on my head and I would be staring into an earcup.

The M-100 has been one of their most popular headphones. The M-100 bass has been its long suit but to me it’s loose, uncontrolled bass can become overpowering fast. I really enjoy a warm overall sound and V-MODA has always delivered on that, but I was left wishing for more detail in my listening to go with all that warmth.

I will say, up to this point, the majority of audiophiles that own a V-MODA own them as their fun, non-critical music listening headphone and it is sometimes nice to throw on a pair of headphones without worrying about critical listening for layering, bass extension and rolled off treble. However, I consider myself a critical listener and was never satisfied with that aspect.

I have been hoping for a V-MODA offering that will offer fun, yet controlled bass and give the sound buff in me some satisfaction. Could the latest V-MODA be the one? In a word…YES!

Let’s take a closer look at the best all around headphone, in my opinion, in the V-MODA stable. I am especially curious to hear the first headphone release since Roland has owned a major stake in V-MODA. I introduce you to the V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless.




V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless
-MRSP: $349 Rose Gold apt-X

-MRSP: $329 Matte Black/Matte White

http://v-moda.com/crossfade2-wireless/

https://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Wireless-Over-Ear-Headphone/dp/B06XX1SR33


I want to thank Luca at V-MODA for providing me the opportunity to review the Crossfade 2 Wireless. Thumbs up!

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Type - Over-Ear Circumaural Bluetooth

Drivers - 50mm Dual-Diaphragm (patent pending)

Frequency Response Wired - 5 - 40,000Hz

Headphone Sensitivity - 100 dB @ 1kHz 1mW

Micropphone Sensitivity - 42dB @ 1kHz

Impedance - 32 Ω

Weight - 309g (with standard aluminum shields)

Battery Capacity - 430mAh (up to 14+ hours music playback)

Cable - 1-Button Reinforced SpeakEasy™ Microphone 3.5mm cable


To me, the name of the product, Crossfade 2 Wireless holds the key to this new offering from V-MODA. They are called the Crossfade 2 Wireless and not the Crossfade Wireless 2. In my opinion the company was trying to produce an excellent wired headphone with the addition of Bluetooth instead of vice versa. To my ears this is one of the first Bluetooth wireless headphones that sound almost equal wired vs.wireless, great job for a Bluetooth headphone.


Below is what you receive for the price of admission when you purchase the Crossfade 2 Wireless. I always enjoy opening a box of headphones from V-MODA, cutting the ribbon makes you feel like the Mayor doing a ribbon cutting at a new Public Recreation Center or something along those lines anyway.




The exoskeleton case is the usual V-MODA fare. Inside they provide strapping for cable storage and the headphones fold to create a small footprint and fit just perfectly in the case. One thing I thought was nice about this case is that there are vents to allow air into the case to assist in drying from sweating, particularly nice for DJ's and workout buffs. There is also a Carbiner clip attached to the case, another nice touch.




The styling hasn’t changed much from some of the previous V-MODA styles and these are very distinctly V-MODA. All of the usual customizations are available as well through the V-MODA site including the 3D printed shields. I want to add that owning a “Rose Gold” color did not appeal to me at first. Once I saw them, my opinion changed as it would be what I would describe as a deep copper color. I really like it. They also have the CliqFold hinge of the models past to create a small footprint for storage.



The build quality of the headphones and the cables are very good and sturdy and as usual the V-MODA’s are built like a tank. They are a touch heavy at 309g and also sit a bit heavy on the head. Included is a micro VAMP that functions when the headphone is in wireless mode. I am certain that ads a bit to the weight. Let me say that these are a very comfortable headphone, weight aside. The headband comfort has benefited from the five years of comfort research as well as the earpads being exceptionally conforming and comfortable. I easily wear them for my one hour walk in the morning and never feel the need to adjust them. I live in Florida and I do not notice these making my ears sweat any more than any other earpads, it is Florida and it is hot and humid so it is very difficult to not sweat. They are a cushiony memory foam that conforms very well to my ears and I would think to anyone's ears.



These are not ANC headphones so aside from the isolation inherent in the headphone there is not active noise cancelling to create an artificial buffer. The buffer against outside noise is created by the more than adequate isolation and the solid bass when listening to music. To some it might have been a nice addition but if active noise cancelling is not done right it can change the sound signature of the headphone. The positive here is there is nothing to negatively alter the impressive sound signature. These are Certified Hi-Res Audio (wired mode) but we are seeing that designation more and more.




They say you can expect 14+ hours of battery life. I am not seeing that quite that long, but I do utilize the volume on highest setting and use my cellphone or source to control the listening volume. I also play a lot of FLAC files when utilizing my Opus #2. If you are using the V-MODA REMIX, which I reviewed earlier https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/review/18392, it is fully compatible with their, VAMP, internal amp in the REMIX.



I want to address the buttons on the headphones that control the Volume UP, Volume DOWN and Multi - Function button for pausing, answering calls etc. I am in favor of actual push buttons as opposed to touch controls on an earcup as I have found touch controls to be a little inconsistent. However, I am not a big fan of the feel or placement of these buttons. I find them a little difficult to push and to know which button you are pushing when you are feeling blindly above the earcup, with more Bluetooth listening time I am sure I could get used to the function. The function control of say the Sennheiser Momentum 2 is easier to get the hang of.

With regard to the Bluetooth functionality, these paired easily with everything I attempted to pair them with. The Bluetooth functions phenomenally and I have found I can go the 30ft. as advertised without a drop. In fact I cannot recall any drop outs or disruption in sound when using them wirelessly. I have found when talking on the phone while using the Bluetooth, along with the built-in mic, people say they are noisy. Traffic or wind makes it frustrating for the other party. However, with the enclosed cable they are fine for conversation.



Let’s move on to the sound, shall we?

I want to address a couple things from the Head-Fi Crossfade 2 thread. There is a bit of discussion about codecs in the Crossfade 2 Wireless thread. As can be seen from the photos I have a pair of Rose Gold/Black headphones. The Rose Gold/Black offering utilizes apt-X and that is about all I can tell you regarding any other codecs utilized. AAC is the gorilla in the room with some folks and they feel there needs to be more clarification as to its existence. I would say if there isn’t any mention of a specific codec on the box or on the company website, it doesn’t exist in this offering. The only question I have regarding codecs is why all of the color models don’t offer at least apt-X, only the Rose Gold? With apt-X I hear a wee bit more clarity and a little added spaciousness but it really isn’t earth shattering. It is nice to listen using apt-X if your equipment takes advantage of it and I feel it is a nice addition to offer the consumer.



In my opening I briefly said the Crossfade 2 Wireless checked a lot of the sound boxes I have been waiting for from V-MODA. I think we need to discuss the basic V-MODA house sound. V-MODA’s are generally warm, bass tilted, fun headphones. The bass quality is generally impactful but a bit loose and bloomy bleeding into the mids. That said I would take the V-MODA house sound over MOST of the Beats models if I needed a bass fix. I have always thought of the M-100 as a formidable basshead headphone, although it is a little tiring for me at times. There are many reviews out in the wild on those so I am not going to dwell on the M-100.



The overall basic first listen to the CF2W (CF2W for short, because I am tired as hell writing it out), is warm, and has a bass tilt as well, very reminiscent of their house sound. It is with time that you start to realize the nuances between these and other V-MODA offerings. They do have that V-MODA signature house bass, and that is okay, because as you listen the more you realize there is also a refined treble and midrange that is aptly apparent. As mentioned, the M-100 model the bass is so strong and overpowering that it bleeds into the lower midrange and then some. I am not being overly critical I am merely saying the M-100 have a place in fun music listening or if you are DJ, but not the best for detailed, critical listening. The CF2W is the most balanced offering yet from V-MODA. The bass is sculpted differently than in other models and provides bass detail and solid warmth and does not impede the other frequencies. I use these a lot outdoors and the bass is perfect to cover outside noise.

The midrange on CF2W are a little more forward than on previous V-MODA’s and the treble is ever present. The treble is never sharp or harsh and it has great tone and quality. Combine the treble with a more forward upper midrange the overall sensation is that of balance and detail. Given the fact that there is just a slight difference in extension between wired and wireless feel free to cut the cord without loss of sound quality. I do not want to only compare these to prior V-MODA's, but in general these are an enjoyable listen and best so many other offerings available in the same price range.


In closing, I was pleasantly surprised with the CF2W. I had been a loyal Sennheiser Momentum 2 wireless guy since their release, recall and re-release. I never really cared to venture into the wireless realm with any seriousness. I will say that the CF2W has changed that and I have a new daily go to for my wireless listening.

neo-
ˈnēˌō/
combining form

1.
new.
"neonate"

2.
a new or revived form of.
"neo-Georgian"


https://www.mezeaudio.com/collections/all/products/99-neo


Meze 99 Neo - Preorder
-MRSP: $249


SPECS

· Transducer size: 40mm

· Frequency response: 15Hz - 25KHz

· Sensitivity: 103dB at 1KHz, 1mW

· Impedance: 26 Ohm

· Rated input power: 30mW

· Maximum input power: 50mW

· Detachable Kevlar OFC cable

· Plug: 3.5mm gold plated

· Weight: 260 gr (9.2 ounces) without cables

· Ear-cups: ABS Plastic



I want to thank the Meze Team for supplying me with the 99 Neo. Lorand was communicative and an overall great guy to deal with. I have found their customer service to be top notch.


Anyone that has been on Head-Fi for the past year knows that a company named Meze made quite a splash in the Head-Fi world. With the release of their 99 Classics they received people’s attention and review accolades.

Anyone that has followed any of my reviews knows that I swing towards the portable side of things. While the 99 Classics checked many of the boxes it needed, to be considered a true portable device there were a couple of my own personal boxes that they didn’t check.

1) That entire headband contraption 2) They were a little too ritzy, gaudy looking for me, golden adornments and all.

I ordered the 99 Classics when they were first released and honestly, they didn’t stay long in my collection. I couldn’t get past the ornate gold accent look, it was okay, I would only wear them around my house. Certainly, not out exercising or walking my dog around the neighborhood for our daily hour long walks. Also, I live in Florida and we have a lot of lightning strikes and the whole lightning rod on top of my head just doesn’t cut it. That said I do have closed back headphones that aren’t portable and never leave the house, I will place the Meze on that same non-portable shelf. If you don’t mind the styling of the Meze they could be considered portable and are well driven from a portable device. If I worked in an office I would clearly use these as my work headphones, that said I can’t use headphones at work.

The other thing I didn’t like was that the pads were thin, shallow and too uncomfortable for longer listening sessions. So, I returned them and checked the Meze off of my list. Been there and done that.

Thankfully, as I generally do, I was scanning Head-Fi for something new to check out and I ventured into the Meze thread. They mentioned new styling and the fact that they were shipping with a new larger pad. I took the plunge for a second time on a Black Friday offering and ordered a silver trimmed pair also making sure they had the new pads. WOW it is now one of my favorite headphone purchases. They truly do perform above their price range and are a terrific closed back headphone, especially at $309.

This review however is about their new younger brother, the 99 Neo.










I won’t do a boring unboxing but I wanted to show you the packaging as I like their marketing. It is plain, yet modernly, hip and kind of says “Buy Me”. At the end of the day it is a freakin’ box…move along nothing to see here.





The case is nice, the outside is nylon covered, unlike the 99 Classics, and inside has space for the 99 Neo (without cable attached, kinda sucks) and a round storage thingie for your cables and the included adapters. The case is slightly different than their previous case but there was no reason for a major redesign. I appreciate the inclusion of a case with my purchase and do like it’s styling. Great job!

Other noteworthy things to discuss are the fact that the cable has been slightly modified, compared to the original 99 Classics release. My Black Friday model 99 Classics have the new cable so the change is not new to me but it could be to you. The difference between the old and new cables is that the old cable had a cloth covering the entire cable and now above the Y-split it is rubber. I guess it is an attempt to cut out cable microfonics. The lower portion, beneath the Y-split is still cloth wrapped.






The basic external design is the same sans the beautiful wooden cups. The cups have been replaced by ABS plastic. It is a black cup with some pebbling texture. I like the Neo styling more than the 99 Classics as they adorned the new cup with silver accents. To my eyes, a little less gaudy and flashy and more utilitarian and muted than the 99 Classics. I also noticed that there appears to be a new ear pad used on the 99 Neo even though the “new” one for the 99 Classics haven’t been around all that long. Hmm… I was a little curious about this change especially after Tyll was not to kind to say the least regarding the new pads and the effect on the Neo’s sound signature. New plastic cups and a different pad I need to hear this for myself and compare it to its older brother.



Let’s get right to it…SOUND

OH SNAP!!! To hell with tact …these freaking things have bass. Not just bass, a warm hot mess of bass. Bass splashing its bassy color all through my head. Bassgasm! Did I mention they are bassy?

I know I have painted a picture that might have described Beats, pre Apple, but not so fast there mister, patience.

When the 99 Neo were sent to me I was asked to do a proper burn-in of 48 hours of pink noise, being the compliant dude that I am I proceeded to set my DAP and pink noise file on repeat and left it alone to do its thing. The 99 Classics also benefited from a proper burn-in period so what the hell, I'm game.





After the burn-in period I returned to a wonderfully warm, thick enjoyable sound signature. I enjoy a warmish tone to my headphones but the initial listen caught me by surprise. Since I did not write a proper review of the Meze 99 Classics I will throw out a couple of thoughts to give you a bit of a comparison to the 99 Neo. The 99 Classics have a warm tone, with a slight bass focus but the details show through with a nice treble extension, never harsh or sharp. The treble in the 99 Classics provides a bit more air around the notes.

With patience waht can you expect from the 99 Neo compared to the 99 Classics? The sound of the Neo is warm, thick and bassy. After burn-in the treble shines through and provides more top end sparkle. They are not as detailed as the 99 Classics and I don’t feel the soundstage is quite on the same level as the Classics but really, surprisingly, it isn’t that far off. There is some nice layering in the overall sound and vocals have a force that is warm and soothing. I am not sure how Meze has done this. In my experience a sound this full and thick is usually a jumbled ball of mess appearing in the middle. The 99 Neo truly shatters that pre-conceived notion.

If I could sum up my feelings about the 99 Neo in a sentence it would be the sound presents itself as if the ear cup is cavernous, deep, and never ending, and I LIKE IT. It truly is a badass, powerful can.

I used both the Samsung S8+ and the Opus #2 for a comparison of sound and both were capable of driving the 99 Neo with authority. It probably goes without saying that the Opus #2 was my favorite pairing because of its pleasant sonics. but the S8+ and Poweramp beta utilizing 24-bit output sounds damn good as well.



With the differences between both of the Meze headphone offerings came some questions. I asked the Meze Team what their thoughts were behind the 99 Neo and Lorand from the Meze Team was kind enough to sum it up.

The dialogue is below:

“As I prepare to begin to write my review would you mind giving me Meze’s thoughts on the tuning vs. 99 Classics. There are some real differences, was it purposeful or is the difference in plastic cups or what?”

Lorand’s response;

“There is no difference in the tuning between the 99 Classics and 99 Neo, the drivers are the same. The difference in sound comes from the ear cup chamber and because of the materials used. We expected the change and experimented with the material.”

Not earth shattering but it is clear this is the sound they were seeking and are satisfied with the final product.



Conclusion:

An enjoyable experience. Meze has delivered two products that perform above their respective price points. At $249 I feel you would be hard pressed to find any other product that delivers an experience equal to the 99 Neo. The 99 Classics are listed at $309 so Meze offers you a couple of terrific options with aggressive pricing. Those of you that already the 99 Classics will enjoy a different sound signature. Those of you that have no Meze products have a choice to make. You will be happy with either one. I wanted to leave this review with a final sentence regarding my preference between the two. I know the question is “If you could choose only one which one would it be?” Fortunately, I have both and don’t have to answer the question. Insert mic drop meme here.

Okay I know what you are thinking, Why in the hell do we need another wireless speaker? There are many pricing levels among wireless Bluetooth speakers and equally as many sound signatures. Honestly, only a handful of these speakers have much "meat" or substance to the sound. The REMIX from V-Moda has all of the fullness and thickness to the sound that is desired in a wireless speaker. V-Moda really doesn't need an introduction with the audiophile group or the consumer electronics market. They have had a successful run with some recognized products such as the M-100 headphone.This is V-Moda's first foray into the wireless speaker market so let's take a closer look at the REMIX. 
 
http://v-moda.com/remix-bluetooth-speaker/
 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XP1JGCT/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_14_w
 
https://youtu.be/XyhV08k59pY
 
 
V-MODA REMIX wireless Bluetooth speaker
     -MRSP: $300
 
 

 
 
For starters, anyone aware of V-Moda knows that personalizing or customizing your product, whether it is shields on headphones or whatnot, is part of the experience that is V-Moda. The REMIX also has the option to customize. Call me boring or a baby boomer but the idea of having a wireless speaker adorned like the Ark Of The Covenant or a chest from the Ming Dynasty doesn't appeal to me. I ordered the Black, plain ole' flat Black. That said I like it, it has the appeal of a stack of monitors to me as if it should say Marshall or Fender across the top. There is also a silver model available.
 
Some of the selling points from the V-Moda website are as follows:
 
REMIX is the culmination of three years of R&D involving dozens of engineers and over 50 prototypes. The result is portable Hi-Fi world-class sound that projects precise, vibrant and lifelike sound at all listening levels.
 
83mW x 2 Pure Power - Multiple times ordinary smartphone and computer outputs optimizes the power delivery to your high-end or high-impedance headphones
Unrivaled Value - Comparable to standalone headphone amplifiers worth $200 or more
​Easy Pairing - Press PAIR to easily connect your Bluetooth device

Simultaneous Device Connection - ​

Multitasking users can "multipoint" connect REMIX with two devices at a time, such as smartphone and laptop or smartphone and smartwatch​

USB-C Charging - ​

Future-proof and safer charging via included USB-A to USB-C Cable​

Long Life Battery - ​

Up to 10+ hours of music​

Quick Access Control - ​

Top-panel buttons to control volume and playback of your music​

Built-In Mic for Calls and Voice Assistant - ​

Use the built-in microphone for calls, Skype or summoning voice assistants like Apple Siri or OK Google - but with far superior music quality​

 ​

 

 

 

 

1.  ​
2. What's Included?
   1. REMIX Speaker
   2. Elegant USB-A to USB-C charging cable (79", 2m)
   3. Daisy Chain audio cable with 45° 24k gold plated plugs (55", 1.4m)
   4. 4x REMIXRings (1 pair pre-installed on the speaker)
   5. Six-Star Service
   6. 1-Year Premier Warranty
   7. 50% Immortal Life Program Replacement
3. Dimensions (L x W x H) - 8.1 x 2.5 x 2.5 (in) / 205 x 65 x 68 (mm)
4. Weight - 1.9 lb/850g (Aluminum); 1.6 lb/710g (Vegan Leather)
5. Frequency Response - 20 - 20,000 Hz
6. Wireless Range - 33ft (10m)
7. Battery Capacity - 3400mAh (up to 10+ hours music playback)
8. Speaker Sensitivity - 79 dB ± 3dB @ 1kHz
9. Microphone Sensitivity (Omni-directional) - -42dB ± 3dB @ 1kHz
10. Speaker Wattage - 10W x 2
11. Driver Impedance - 4Ω
12. Headphone Amplifier Wattage - 83mW x 2
13. Headphone Amplifier Impedance - 12.8Ω

 ​

 ​

 

 ​

Enough of the hype train...Let's talk about the unit. The first thing you notice after the design is when you pick it up it is heavy, and it is at 1.6lb. It is a substantial and well built wireless speaker. The REMIX has many of the same features as most wireless speakers the ability to answer phone calls, the ability to sync with any Bluetooth items you may have from T.V.'s to headphones and so on.
The REMIX performed all of the basic wireless speaker functions admirably and as to be expected and paired seamlessly with everything I attempted to pair. I really don't feel there is much need to discuss features common to most wireless speakers, however if there was an issue with the basic features I would highlight that issue and none existed. The battery life is listed at 10 hours, and I will say I didn't exactly time it but I felt I was somewhere in that ballpark. 
 
 

                                   Top of REMIX
 
 
I think would like to mention the VAMP. The VAMP is a built in amplifier that you could use to power your headphones. When I used the VAMP I was like okay this nice, particularly if you have no headphone amp and wish to use one, it is very convenient to have the speaker next to your bed and be able to plug your headphones into your amp. I applaud V-Moda for implementing this feature and it does work quite well. The impedance is 12.8 ohms and this could be a sticking point to some.
 

 
Let's talk sound! There are a few names that swirl around as a quality wireless speaker. I have tested a unit by Riva, Turbo X, which had awesome sound. I am going to say that the sound of the REMIX to my ears was more even and satisfying. As goes V-Moda as goes the bass. It is the best I have heard in a wireless speaker. The bass level is strong but blends with the other frequencies. The treble is never harsh and the midrange does allow for details. I have noticed that the placement of the speaker relative to where you are sitting matters for the great tonal balance. Obviously, you more than likely won't be tethered as you listen and that is fine, there is plenty of power and it maintains a reasonable sound quality as you wander away, at least up to 30ft. I noticed that the bass of this unit was better if it wasn't against a wall or corner, I placed it on my nightstand, T.V. stand and PC desk all with great results. Other wireless speakers depend on reflection to aid in bass details and the REMIX would actually sound a bit distorted with a lot of reflection. I really hate to preface it this way but "for a wireless speaker" it renders tones real well. Good job V-Moda! I will say, to put this in perspective, I have never really needed a wireless speaker because I am usually entrenched in my headphones or IEM's and have PC desktop monitors, but I enjoy keeping this next the bed and I am impressed overall. 
 
 
 

                             Size Matters!
 
 
 
If you have been pondering a Bluetooth wireless speaker I truly feel you need to put this on your short list to check out. It is a little pricey at $300 but look at the other's available and consider the VAMP headphone amplifier that is built-in along with the 1-Year Premier Warranty and customer service of V-Moda. The V-Moda REMIX does not disappoint.
 
 
 

Drumroll please…
 
So, I did it. I broke down and purchased another high dollar DAP, high dollar to me anyway. I was smitten with the AK100ii/AK120ii line and I have become jaded. I actually flirted with a mid-priced DAP but I couldn’t forget the slightly warmish, clear, detailed sound of the AK. I have raised my bar with the AK and satisfaction has since been a distant remembrance as I no longer own it.
 
A new-found love entered my life and it is the Opus#2 by a company called theBit. I have had the Opus#2 for about three weeks now and I have been appreciating it more and more. There were a couple of others that have caught my eye, but the iBasso DX200 and Fiio X5lll have not been released long enough for me to want to take the plunge, but we will see with time.
 
I need to give props to Andrew at MusicTeck. He is so responsive and always willing to answer questions. He has a great lineup of equipment and is always looking to expand that lineup. Andrew is responsible for hooking me up with my new DAP, for a discount, for my honest opinion and review, below is that review.
 
https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/opus
 
 
Opus #2
-MRSP: $1599; (can be found for less currently 1499.00)
 
 
 
I was greeted by a rather plain yet elegant white box. When I saw the box something said you are in for a surprise, it was a feeling, my Spidey sense was tingling. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I opened the initial box to be welcomed by…. another box! Not too different from what we used to call Russian Nesting Dolls (Google it).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seriously, I was impressed with the packaging and its simple understated elegance. Once you opened the final box, inside, protected in a foam cutout was an Opus#2. I must admit I was not struck by its sexiness, on the contrary, it had a certain utilitarian, get down to work look to me.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underneath the Opus#2 you will find all accessories including a leather case and USB cable.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You can see the goodies included and aside from what you see there is an installed screen protector. I think adding a nice quality leather case is a great touch but it should be included in the cost of admission for the price paid. As a bonus, the fit of the case is as premium as the case itself. It is snug and fits like a glove.
 
 
 
 
 
I baby my gear but I will always use a case on my devices, be it a cellphone or DAP, to protect them from scratches as I lay it on the table. While the Opus #2 is a substantial device in your hand it is not scratch proof.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The DAP is hefty and heavy and it feels solid in your palm. It has a nice 4” size touch screen. If you have read my thoughts on the Cayin i5 you would know I had a love affair with the volume knob, it’s size and design was top notch. The Opus #2 does not have the same quality of volume knob but it performs its function and gives me no issue, however it is nothing special. I am just not a fan of feeling a lot of “play” in the volume knob and the Opus #2 has that “play” but it clicks nicely at volume change.
 
On the opposite side of the Opus #2 are the Next and Prev buttons and Play/Pause button. With the case on it is awkward to click the correct buttons without looking. On the bottom of the DAP there is a MicroUSB port and a microSD slot, which worked fine with my 256gb card although the slot is spec’d at 200gb. Internally it has 128gb of space built in. I did not test the OTG USB DAC connection but I have read other reviews that state it works. I had no problems connecting it to Windows 10 and using MTP to transfer files.
 
On the top side, there is the power button and a 3.5mm output and a 2.5mm TRRS balanced output. The 3.5mm output is also used as a Line Out when turned on inside the software. However, the 2.5mm output does not have to be turned on from the software as it is always on.
 
The unit has WiFi and Bluetooth and in the existing software configuration the WiFi’s main function as it sits is to update the firmware. While there is an Android base, it has been heavily modified, so there is no Google Play Store, which means you cannot  install third party apps including your favorite streaming apps, thus no Spotify, Tidal or Deezer etc. theBit has stated that they will allow streaming in the future I can only hope it is well executed. I actually like the fact that the DAP takes full advantage of what a DAP should do and that is focus on excellent sound quality. At this point it is a master at its craft and not a Jack-of-all trades.
 
The Opus #2 plays most of your favorite file formats including Native DSD. I put it through its paces listening to a varied selection of musical files and never had a hitch, stutter or lag while playing music, including Gapless.
 
 
 
 
I am not going to take you on an in-depth tour of the GUI. That is too much detail and I get bored writing it as much as you do reading it. For the most part I use folders to select my music. I will say the GUI provides for a good consumer experience.
 
There are a couple things I would like to touch on. This is one of those devices that scans for music each time you turn it off and on. I despise that for obvious reasons the biggest being the time it takes, a real First World problem. The great thing about the Opus #2 is the fact that it has an awesome sleep mode. You can stop your music and shut your screen off and it just trickles your battery so it is not necessary to turn off the device to conserve battery thus it solves the annoying search for music at each restart since you don't need to restart. Another noteworthy feature is if you are a person that likes to EQ the Opus#2 has a 10 band that works very well.
 
 
 
 
 
Let’s get to the good part…Sound:
 
Generally, reviewers will use descriptors such as warm, neutral, detail, spacious, transparent and dynamic range. I will tell you what I hear and what I feel pairs well and the types of sound signatures I feel match the best. Unfortunately, my Rhapsodio Solar are in Hong Kong being reshelled at the time of writing so I can’t write about that experience. I can, on the other hand write about the 64 Audio U12 and the Meze 99 Classics and how they pair with the Opus #2. I will say that so far, in my opinion the only DAP that has done the HD650 justice has been the Cayin i5 and it has the power of a bully. Nuff said!
 
I used my U12 with the B1 module and a OCC Silver Litz cable with a 3.5mm and a 2.5mm balanced output. If you know anything about the 64 Audio U12 it is a warm, bassy IEM. Stellar sound with some persistence. It takes patience and tweaking to hear the U12 in all of its finest splendor. Along with my cable and proper impedance the crowning touch would be the Opus #2 which because of its neutrality doesn't increase the warmth of the IEM. I have found that when there is a balanced output is available I use balanced. I will say with the Opus #2 the sonics are great with either output but with the U12 I used the balanced output because I have a balanced cable. With the Meze 99 Classics I use 3.5mm.
 
 
 
 
The Opus#2 delivers! It is neutral but doesn’t lack in body. It is obviously capable of making details pop because I have never heard my U12 sound as detailed as it does being powered by the Opus #2. There is a 32bit setting inside the DAP and I would recommend using it as it appears to offer a sharper, more crisp sound. The Opus #2 would not be classified as warm but it is smooth because of its tonality and body.  I think the clarity and detail retrieval in this DAP should not be confused with bright and clinical. The Meze pair equally as well but I have found that 99 Classics pair so well with many sources. The Opus #2 has the ability to pair and create a good synergy, in my opinion, with many types of headphones but excels with a warm, thick sound signature such as the U12 as it helps provide some clarity without adding to the coloration. The separation using this DAP is really good and wide. The noise floor is silent and I detected no hiss using either output.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bdee Bdee That’s All Folks……
 
The Opus#2 is an awesome DAP. It has a little brother the Opus #1 which has been recognized for its sonic ability and lower price point. They also have a metal version of the Opus #1 which uses high end opamps and is said its sonics to be difficult to distinguish from the Opus #2. I cannot verify any of the above statements regarding the other’s in the Opus line as I jumped right in with both feet and bought the Opus#2.
 
I know that I have been harsh reviewing some DAP’s in the past and I gush about the AK’s but if I was asked if I could only have one DAP would I wish for my old, trusty AK120ii or the Opus #2? I can say without doubt the Opus#2 has set the new bar. Goodbye AK120ii. Hello Opus #2! 

Introduction:
 
From the company that brought you the N5 and N6 sources comes the Cayin i5. The i5 is their entry into the very competitve mid priced DAP market. Cayin also has other lines of audio equipment and is no stranger to the members of HeadFi. The focus of the review is the Cayin i5 DAP in conjunction with the HIBy music player.
 
 
Cayin i5
-MRSP: $499 
 
https://www.amazon.com/Cayin-i5-Portable-Audio-Player/dp/B01I50QDZW/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487850263&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=cayin+i5+dap
 
 

 
 
My unit was purchased from MusicTeck. I would whole heartedly recommend reaching out to MusicTeck. Andrew is a great guy and so easy to deal with. He has a line of quality products and is expanding his line so be on the look out.
 
I am not going to write an extensively long detailed review or a series of unboxing photos. There are plenty of unboxing's out there just do a search if you want that. There are also some very comprehensive reviews available currently on HeadFi I would encourage you to read them. I think this device is a mixed bag of joy and frustration and  I would rather highlight my real world, daily use experience with the device rather than make this a science project review. 
 
 
I will begin by saying that my experience with a variety of sources has not been as extensive as my headphone list. The standard I hold all DAP's to is the AK120ii. For me, owning the Pono player and using that in balanced mode was the bar that all DAP's needed to raise. Upon first listen, the AK100ii player was an instant upgrade in sound quality and GUI, a great DAP experience compared to the PONO. If I had a criticism of the incredible AK player it would be the power always left me wanting for more. If you want quality you have to pay for it, but anyone on HeadFi knows there are those occasional jewels that you find that perform at a higher level than their price, an example that comes to mind are the Meze 99 Classics. AK players aren't cheap but they do deliver a nice user experience.
 
Some of the other sources I have owned include;
 
FiiO X3 
FiiO X5 
PONO 
Clip Zip+ 
Astell&Kern AK100ii 
Astell&Kern AK120ii 
 
I reached a point where I was going to stop purchasing more equipment and utilize what ever cellphone I had for streaming. I was ready to stop my endless search for the Holy Grail of sound nirvana. If I was only going to stream I certainly wouldn't need a DAP so I sold my AK120ii in a momentary lapse of reason, to this day I don't know what I was thinking. I started to use my Pixel XL as my source streaming Amazon Music and Tidal. Those that have followed my thread posts or reviews know I am not into the desktop gear and being tethered to a chair does not appeal to me, I need portability. While portability does provide some power challenges when driving a headphone such as the HD650, it can be accomplished. Streaming using only my cellphone as my sole source left me feeling unsatisfied, not to mention I have a 256GB micro sd card stocked with some prime FLAC music just sitting here idle and I couldn't power my HD650. I wasn’t ready to buy another DAP at the top tier price point yet so I was looking for a mid price point DAP($500 or less) that seemed to check a lot of boxes and was reviewed to have good sound quality. The Cayin i5 had received many accolades in 2016 so I figured I would give it a test drive. 
 
http://headfonics.com/2016/10/the-i5-dap-by-cayin/
 
 

 
 
Inside the box there is a cable and an included micro to USB-C adapter (edit). There are front and back screen protectors, the i5 unit and an owner’s manual. There is no protective case, most of the reviewers were part of a tour and they were sent a case along with the unit so if you see a case in most of the reviews that is why.
 
I will say that upon first glance of the unit you can immediately see that the unit is a well built and sexy design. From it’s large volume knob to it’s screen size it is well thought out. Once you hold it in your hand you realize this thing is built like a tank and it is heavy, very substantial. I think the feel in the hand is really a plus as you never feel it is the least bit fragile. Let’s discuss the volume knob for a second. It may sound strange but it is an awesome volume knob. It is the volume knob that all other volume knob's should aspire to be when they grow up. It has great control and you actually have to want to turn knob, no accidental turning, one volume step at a time with no additional play in the knob. One of the things that some did complain about with the AK 120ii player was too much play in the volume control. Volume knob = a 10 on the volume knob scale. 
 
The following IEM's and Headphones were used during this review:
 
 
64 Audio U12 Adel w/B1 module/ Rhapsodio Silver Litz cable
Meze 99 Classics
Sennheiser HD650
 
 
I think the best way to give the consumer the information on this player from the good, the bad and the ugly perspective is to use bullet points to highlight why it is worthy to consider and what will annoy the hell out of you.
 
 
 

 
 
 
The Good:
 
Volume Knob – Perfect 
 
Power – It actually powered my HD650 with authority and bass presence; I am so impressed with the power of this unit. The most powerful DAP I have used and in a good way.
 
Build Quality/Looks – Solid, well thought out, not fragile and I think the design is sexy, beautiful
 
Non Fatiguing – This is one smooth player that is never harsh or sibilant and you can listen to it for hours
 
Sound Quality – You will see this in The Good and the Bad. It takes brain burn–in to actually get past it’s warm delivery. Once you devote some time the details start to shine through it’s initial thick delivery. I enjoyed it after I spent the time with this DAP it deserves. Good size sound stage.
 
Streaming – TIDAL streams on this unit. It is a plus you can stream TIDAL but everything else about the TIDAL experience on the i5 is part of The Ugly.
 
USB DAC – The unit can be used as a USB DAC
 
Firmware 2.0 – A great step in the right direction(upon writing this it appears 2.2 was released)
 
GUI – Fairly simple to learn and navigate, and it had all of the options I wanted, but it has it's quirks and frustrations
 
Hardware Buttons - Right side play/pause and skip track buttons and it doesn’t require the screen to be on.
 
 
The Bad and Ugly:
 
Sound Quality - The warm initial listen. The initial listen may turn some off. The warmth is definitely how the majority of reviewers will describe the Cayin i5 and rightfully so. I am just not sure the majority spent enough time to appreciate the sound quality. Warm compared to an AK 100ii or 120ii.
 
Storage Space – Only one micro SD slot and only 32 GB on board. If you are going to only put enough internal space for the OS and a few files then offer two storage slots.
 
Features – I think the unit tries to offer too many features from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth and infinity. It is fine to have features but make sure the basics are delivered first. Ie… more storage, newer version of Android, OTA update that works.
 
Streaming – If you are going to advertise the unit with Google Play store and downloading and streaming apps make sure they work huh! TIDAL is a complete joke on this unit. Whether it is the fact that the app on the Play Store is designed for a newer version of Android or the i5 just doesn’t have the processing power to stream TIDAL seamlessly, whatever the reason it skips, stutters and just isn’t enjoyable.
 
Battery Drain – The i5 has a tendency to drain the battery while in sleep mode. This really needs to be fixed because it isn’t a trickle it is a drain.
 
No Balanced Output – No balanced output
 
USB DAC – The audio/video timing don't sync correctly so streaming videos or movies isn't good. There were also occasional lock ups.
 
 
 

 
 
 
Thoughts on the Sound:
 
The sound is thick, warm and like a friendly blanket in the winter, it covers you with a comfy sense of peace. It truly is an amazing sound. Soundstage is wide and the music lays out in front of you with a smooth ease. When using the 64 Audio U12 the initial sound was too warm but as I had more time with the unit it really became organic and natural sounding with the U12. The power to drive the HD650 is very impressive as it drove them with force and bass presence. Treble was never sibilant or harsh with the HD650 or any headphone I used. I found a friend with this DAP and it’s inviting sound signature. Details will shine through but the details are infused into the smoothness of the signature of the i5, another reason it provides an effortless listening experience. Anyone with the Meze 99 Classics needs to pay close attention. Even though the Meze have a warm tilt to their sound signature the pairing with the Cayin i5 is incredible they truly pair as if they we made for one another. The sound conjures dreams of listening  to some Sade with a fine Scotch and a Cohiba accompaniment.
 
 

 
 
Conclusion:
 
Now that it appears I totally trashed this DAP and left you wondering why you would ever want to buy an i5 let me be fair. The sound quality is really worth every penny. I was disappointed that the Cayin i5 had many niggles in it's software and functions, most I feel all can be fixed with firmware updates. In my experience it appears many of the DAP’s released today release with some issues, uh oh I feel a rant coming on. I wish the i5 would have focused more on what should be the price of admission in the DAP market today. Check all of the boxes needed to differentiate a DAP and it's features from the features that consumers have readily available from their cellphones and deliver a musical experience with plenty of storage, internal or external, seamless GUI. There are really good audio cellphones available today, the HTC10 and LG V20 come to mind, which are convenient for the individual only wishing to carry one device. Stop releasing half baked equipment and test it fully and be diligent in monitoring your customer's feedback for that device and stop worrying about your next release. The rush to get items to market is frustrating to consumers. We are willing to spend our hard earned cash but we want what we pay for and don't want to feel as we are the beta testers for your equipment. 
 
Even the larger companies, Samsung comes to mind, are guilty of inadequate testing. The Note 7 is a fine example of this. It had every feature possible in a cellphone and it was a wonderful piece of technology but at the end of the day no one wants to carry a fire hazard in their pocket,(end rant).
 
If I didn’t have the Opus #2 I would be happy with the i5 from the pure musicality of the device. It’s sound stands above many others in this cluttered mid tier lineup of DAP’s. If someone is looking for a smooth non-fatiguing, powerful well built DAP this could be the one to get. I would strongly encourage you to visit the Cayin i5 thread to see if the annoyances are being ironed out. With all of the little issues I would still recommend this DAP based on the primary reason we purchase a DAP in the first place...it's sound.

 


Introduction:
 
I love music and I love good quality sound and this is my hobby. I prefer to find the best portable setups available as I do not like to be stationary. I do not want to be tethered to a desk with an amp, and for that reason I have never bought a desktop rig. If I want to walk away, and make a drink, I want to pick up and go while still listening to music. In other words, enjoy excellent sound whether I am walking the dog, going to the gym or hanging out at the pc. I don't rely on graphs or charts, when I listen to music my ears tell me what I like, not my eyes. 
 
 
64 Audio U12/Adel-S1/B1 Module
-MRSP (Universal): $1599 w/S1 module
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
They say idle hands are the devil's workshop, and I must say that phrase has my name written all over it! I actually was at a point where I was quite satisfied with my stash of gear at the time and my go to IEM was the Rhapsodio Solar. I reached a conscious decision to finally settle in and sell of some gear and fade into head gear and HeadFi obscurity. I have reached end game NIRVANA no more buyer's remorse no more splurging, no more floating credit .  I have no will power and had to take the first step in curing my problem and I admitted I had a problem so I bought another iem and succumbed to my demon. That demon iem is the 64 Audio U12.
 
I must thank a fellow HeadFi'er who was willing to feed my habit and I purchased an excellent condition, low hours U12, with the S1 module. Thanks Jozzur!
 
Honestly, I am not sure why this IEM was on my radar, but it was. There are many options in the $1000.00 - $1500.00 used range. I mean folks love the 64 Audio U6, the Andromeda, Empire Ears and so on. I already had the Solar with 10 drivers and I loved them...addiction is a bitch!  What really drew me to the U12 was the fact that I am sure my hobby has contributed to the fact that I have tinnitus and here's hoping that the Adel modules will help with that and more drivers has to be better...right?
 
 
 

 
 
After we made the deal I began to do more research, which I know is the reverse of what normal thinking people do. The purchase came with everything stock including the S1 module and in my research the S1 was not the module of choice, the S1 appears to create a veil and a bassy signature. I searched the sale threads for a B1 which appeared to be the module of choice for the U12. But alas no one had one for sale. 64 Audio has also made the choice to switch from Adel to Apex so I was becoming more confused and frustrated, and then you throw the MAM module into the mix and this was becoming more than just a plug and play decision.
 
THANKS TO  This is the company that created the ADEL modules. Rather than waste more effort I ordered the B1 module retail direct from these guys which many think is the preferred module for the U12 creating a more balanced, airy and open sound. The order was immediately shipped and I actually had it before my U12's arrived. Thanks for the quick service!
I would still like to hear the MAM module and if I have the opportunity I will edit the review to include that module.
 
 
When the U12 arrived I was excited to take in all of the glory that was the U12. WOW, a rather small, unimpressive package, with a sinking feeling I opened the 64 Audio box to ONLY be equally underwhelmed at the hard case that I was looking at! I opened the hard case and I saw a plain black acrylic shell with a thin black cable. The first thought that came in my head was there is always the For Sale thread and to chalk it up as another life experience, shame on me why did I spend so damn much. I was expecting that face melting Indiana Jones, Holy Grail experience.
 
There are plenty of unboxing videos and photos of the 64 Audio products so you won't find that in this review, accessories are the basics to get you by and the packaging is minimal, enough said. 
 
 
On to the show:
 
Comfort is really good. Considering there are 12 drivers it is pretty amazing how comfortable these are. There were two things that made me sell the Layla, ergonomics and seal. The Layla were like Frankenstein bolts and fortunately the U12 are not. They are well designed, comfortable and I can use them for hours without discomfort.
 
The stock cable is thin, light, and flexible and feels very average overall. The review I am writing is not using that cable, I have a couple of Rhapsodio cables and after a brief listening session with the stock cable I switched to a Silver Litz 4 braid cable. I also have the SPC Pandora by Rhapsodio but I have not tried it as the Silver Litz is more comfortable than the stiff copper one. I am not a big believer in a cable changing a sound signature as opposed to impedance changing the sound. However, I do like more comfortable cables so I used the Silver Litz option I had.
 
 

 
 
I have tried many eartips in my time with this hobby, but when fit permits, I always seem to prefer the JVC Spiral Dot tips and it's large bore and with the U12 it is no exception. I will say I am fortunate to use large tips with this IEM because they have a very long nozzle and any size but large will leave nozzle exposed, and lord only knows we can't have our nozzles exposed. I am using the Spiral Dots for this review.
 
I have used two sources during this review and they are my Google Pixel Xl and a Cayin i5. The Pixel is pretty standard listening but really not bad and the Cayin i5 which has been characterized as a warm, but clear sounding dap. The review is not about the dap but I will say the sound signature of the i5 has changed with time for the better and this dap is powerful enough to drive the HD650 so the more time I spend the more impressed with the sound I become. The detail and openness of the i5 are starting to become more apparent.
 
 

 
 
When I started to write this review I poured a Barbancourt 8 year and Diet Coke and put the U12 in my ears with some Metallica as motivation. At this point I am on my second beverage and have passed Metallica and Praxis(Transmutation Mutatis Mutandis) and am on to some Red Hot Chili Peppers,The Getaway. 
 
 
Sound:
 
Upon first listen with the stock cable and the S1 module I could not believe what I was hearing. This was the most polarizing, confusing sound I have ever heard in an IEM. The frequencies seemed jumbled and the high end was weirdly mixed into the sound and they were a warm, thick sound. I went back to my comfort zone and put the Solar in my ears...ahhh relief. I prefer a musical, slightly warm sound for my headphones and IEM's but this was an entirely new level of warmth. I never crave treble and loathe anything that can be strident or harsh but I found myself wishing for treble.
 
The 64 Audio U12 contains a dozen Balanced Armature Drivers in each ear, four bass, four mids, and four highs. With the ADEL S1 Module, the U12 is surprising how warm an IEM can be. A switch to the B1 module and there is air and a wide soundstage. The details shine through with a tonality and smoothness that creates a relaxing smooth listening experience. Thank God for the B1 module. I would be curious now that I am accustomed to the sound if the S1 is still off sounding to me maybe one day I will try them again.
 
The Silver Litz cable and B1 module have been the setup I have stuck with. For the review I am using the Cayin i5 with the U12, Spiral Dots and Silver Litz cable. 
 
I gave the U12 a lot of time before writing this review and now I must say I am a believer.....what a great sound!
 
 

 
 
Bass:
 
The bass on U12 is deep in the sub level and detailed with layers in the mid bass range. The overall sound signature is warm but the tone of the bass and layering of the bass range is awesome, one of the best I have heard... bar none. As a comparison the Angie's level of bass could be increased but can't reach the detail levels of the U12. The Solar has excellent bass detail but is still bested by the U12. The Heir 8.0 has a bass presence throughout the signature, however the quality is not on par. There are layers and textures in the U12 that extend deeper than many over ear headphones I have heard. Color me warmly impressed!
 
 
Midrange:
 
The mids are clear and incredibly detailed but you will not realize this when you first listen to the U12, they appear to have a bit of a veil. With brain burn-in you realize there is not a veil at all it is how the frequencies are served up. The tone of all vocals shine and with male vocal sounding strong and females sounding sexy. The soundstage is good and the imaging was providing me with some occasional nice effect. The U12, have a warm, smooth, sound while creating space with the B1 module. In comparison the Solar are a bit cleaner and a bit more detailed sound out of the box. The U12 requires some getting used to in order to appreciate just what all is going on. If you dedicate the time you WILL be rewarded handsomely!
 
 
Treble:
 
Treble is delivered differently than any other IEM I have heard. It is certainly not the focus. It is restrained and included as part of the rest of the mix. It extends and is not lacking and not rolled off. It is just blended into the mix which creates an illusion that the treble is neutered. This one aspect has taken me the longest to grow accustomed to. It is a bit of a strange sound signature that had to grow on me longer than any IEM I have heard. They are so smooth, warm and never fatiguing. Never any sibilance or harshness. I can listen not fatigued for hours. In comparison I feel the Solar offers a more balanced sound and is clearly more sparkly than the U12. If you need a more sparkly treble I would say the Solar would be more to your liking.
 
 
 
Summary:

I have spent quite a few hours of listening to the U12 in a short time already. After the initial listen and growing accustomed to them the U12 has really become an incredible sounding IEM. They are a very musical with a great tonality. The sub bass rumbles as well as is clear and defined in the other ranges. The mids offer a great deal of clarity and are very detailed while the treble is skillfully blended in the mix.

I have listened to many genres of music with them, from Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, Alternative. Streaming on the Pixel or listening to HQ quality on the Cayin i5 the quality is excellent.

Overall a warm(good warm), detailed presentation. It delivers an experience that you can listen to for hours without fatigue.

On a final note...You will be rewarded if you have the patience and allow your brain to adapt to the presentation. These are incredible sounding and have become my go to IEM. Will this IEM cure my addiction to this hobby and allow me to say end game achieved, maybe, but what would I do with my time or money?
 
Buy Them!!!!
 
 
EDIT:  Since the review I have purchased an OPUS #2 and the fact that the DAP is more neutral and has a balanced output has taken these IEM's to a sublime level. The majority of the congestion is gone and more details are shining through. These really shine with a DAP with a more neutral signature.

Introduction:
I do not consider myself an audiophile. I love music and I love good sound and that is why this is my hobby. I prefer to find the best portable setups available. I do not want to be tethered to a desk with an amp. I enjoy finding the best possible pairings I can, something I can enjoy anytime, anywhere. I don't read graphs or charts, when I listen to music my ears tell me what I like, not my eyes. If this hobby becomes work as opposed to my getaway I will find another hobby. I have had many iem's at all levels of price with a variety of driver types and number of drivers. One thing I have learned is price, or the number of drivers is not indicative of a pleasing sound signature. 
 
Enter Rhapsodio Solar...http://www.rhapsodio.com/
 
The Solar:
-MRSP (Universal): $1450
-10 balanced armature drivers (2 bass, 4 mid, 2 high and 2 tweeters)
 
My quest started by reaching out to Sammy and discussing options. I will say that Sammy is a quick communicator. There are many design options and ultimately I gave the reigns to Sammy and told him to design the face plate & base combination that he liked, and he did. I must say it was a sexy choice.
 
Sammy responded to my questions via mails quickly and then we switched to Hangouts so communication went smooth all the way... I love this guy Sammy!
 
I have never seen such shipping speed from Hong Kong. I received my Solar two days after it was shipped. WOW!  

 
Packaging/Contents:
When the Solar arrived, it was in a postal envelope and inside was a plastic, latched, branded Rhapsodio box. I also ordered an additional cable which was included in a blue Rhapsodio drawstring bag. Six pair of eartips was included, three pair of Wind tips and three pair of Spinfit tips. The Wind tips have a wide bore and the Spinfit tips have a more narrow opening. There is an included leather strap to help keep the cable wound. Nice touches, but I still felt there was no choirs of angels singing once I saw the opened the package. I am not sure I could offer any suggestions but these are TOTL iems and packaging and accessories could create more of a wow factor.
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

             WIND TIPS(WIDE BORE) & SPINFITS
 
 
Design & Build Quality:
Sammy chose a Wood faceplate with smoke transparent bases for my universal fit Solars. I think it a classy and sexy design. Actually it is the same design I have in another iem, the Heir 8.0 universal.
 
 

      SOLAR WITH STOCK PANDORA SPC CABLE
 
The build quality is great. I examined the Solar for any flaws and I could not find any, which is impressive coming from a small custom iem boutique in Hong Kong. The cables as well are built to last with quality in mind, you could almost rock climb with these cables. The nozzles have waxguards installed.
 

               RSD SILVER LITZ 4-BRAID CABLE
 
 

      SOLAR DESIGN WOOD WITH SMOKY BASE
 
 

               SOLAR IN ALL OF IT'S SEXINESS
 
 

                 IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRIVERS
 
 
Comfort:
The Solars are slightly bigger than my Heir 8.0 universals. I would say the Heir is the most comfortable of the two, however the Solar is not uncomfortable. The Solar is larger but I do not fight with comfort issues as I have with the JH Angie or Layla. The Wind tips are comfortable as well as the Spinfit. I also use the JVC Spiral Dot tips(Wide Bore).The JVC seal well but provide the least comfortable fit. The isolation is good and when music is playing it covers up for many external noises.
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Sources:
I used a Nexus 6p streaming Tidal and an AK120ii for testing and review purposes. The Solar are driven easily by both of these sources.
 
Sound:
For review purpose, I used the largest Wind tips and large JVC Spiral Dot tips. The JVC sealed the best and the Wind tips are the most comfortable, so you can choose your poison, however I will say that it is very important to use a wide bore tip to achieve the soundstage that the Solar is capable of achieving. I tried a deep insertion and shallow, I found a deep insertion offered the best sound quality.
 
Upon first listen I was like meh, okay these sound a bit thin. I experimented with tips and listened to what provided the best seal. After about an hour the smile started to wash over my face and the smile hasn't left yet, in fact it has become Cheshire cat like after around 25 hours of listening time. These iem's have really started to open up. I am not going to start a debate about burn-in. Believe it or not, these are improving and Sammy said they will be at their peak in 200 hours.
 
 I look for a balanced sound with an emphasis on details and tone of instruments. I actually prefer an IEM that is slightly colored, a fun, lively, detailed sound is my favorite signature, something very musical. That said, the Solar confidently checks all of those boxes. The level of detail and clarity combined with the sub bass and mid bass layering, a balanced mid range with sparkly, lively treble and no bleed over into the various ranges from any other range. HOLY SMOKES this is one balanced TOTL iem. Balance, balance, balance.
 
Bass:
The bass on Solar is deep in the sub levels and detailed and layered in the mid bass range. One of the finest blends I have heard. The iem has a sound signature that is colored but again, never bleeds into the other ranges. The tone of the bass in the mid bass range is awesome, clear and detailed. As a comparison the Angie could have the same level of bass if you cranked the inline bass control above 1:00. The Solar has more detail in the bass as compared to the Angie. The Heir 8.0 has more of a bass presence throughout the signature, however the quality is not on par with the Solar. Is this a basshead iem? I would say it would please the basshead. As I have said I prefer a slightly colored signature and the bass in the Solar is very satisfying, although I don't consider myself a true basshead.
 
Midrange:
The mids of Solar are crisp, clear and incredibly detailed. The tone of female vocals shine and male vocal sound strong. The mids are not in the least veiled and could be considered some of the most blended and balanced I have ever heard in an iem. The soundstage is wide and when listening to some Radiohead the imaging was providing me with a spatial eargasm. There was some 3D stuff going on there. 
 
Treble:
The treble of the Solar is ever present. At no time is it strident or sibilant. It is sparkly and this helps to create the incredible soundstage that the Solar proudly shows. Overall the treble produces a sparkly life to these iem's in contrast to the opposite bass spectrum that thumps when called upon the balance between all ranges continues to impress.
 
 
Presentation:
The Solar presents itself in an airiness with nice resolution. It would be considered a slight V shape, however the mids do not sound distant. The entire frequency spectrum is represented and the speed is never thick of lagging throughout the entire signature providing a fine iem. The tuning is superb and the it is well engineered.
 
 
Summary:
I have around 25 hours already of listening time already. After the initial hour the Solar really started to open up. They have a very balanced sound, very musical and fun. That is not to say that they are not true to representing the sound and tone of instruments, believe me the sound is quite realistic. The sub bass rumbles as well the bass is clear and defined in the lower mids. There is no bleed over in the mids to muddy the sound. The mids offer a great deal of clarity and are very detailed while the treble is a little forward but not harsh.

I have listened to many genres of music with them. From jazz, blues, classic rock, alternative, classical and finally some edm. Radiohead, which generally to me don't represent well in headphones, and the spatial feel was terrific. The imaging was providing me a wild ride. I did receive a 3d sense to this.

Wide bore tips create a bigger soundstage and the soundstage can be quite wide at times. With some high quality Jazz FLAC files, ie... Jazz at the Pawnshop the details and crispness made me feel I was in the audience, front and center.

Crunching guitar sounds from AC/DC are awesome. Female vocals, such as Sade or Norah Jones sound great as well, and this surprised me a little.

Overall a very balanced, detailed presentation. The little "enhancements" and peaks in parts of the spectrum are all in the correct spots. 

On a final note...I have only dedicated my review time to the stock SPC cable. For me switching from iem to different iem confuses my thoughts and I never truly get to appreciate or loathe a specific iem. Upon completion of this review I will listen to the SIlver Litz and include my thoughts. The pairing of the SPC cable has never made me want for more.
 
These are TOTL iem's period. Once you reach this level it is not a matter of "better", it is a matter of finding a sound signature which satisfies and agrees with you.This iem checks all of the boxes with a balanced confidence not heard in many other iem's.
 
A must have!!!!