DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank HIFIGO for providing this review unit. The MUSE ME1 can be obtained here:
https://hifigo.com/products/muse-hifi-me1 (no affliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 10 mm DLC dynamic driver + Knowles balanced armature driver
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 40000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 108 dB (no units provided)
- Cable: 2 pin, 0.78 mm 6N high-purity single-crystal copper + silver-plated single-crystal copper Litz braided cable
- Plug: modular options for 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations
- Tested at $199 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
- 3 pairs of balanced silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
- 1 pair of double-flange ear tips
- Carrying case
- Modular plugs for 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations
- Cable
For a $100ish USD set, the accessories are pretty generous and they are serviceable.
A myriad of ear tips are provided, which compensates for the lack of foam tips. The wide-bore ones boost treble and increase soundstage, whereas the narrow-bore ones increase bass, though at the expense of soundstage. The balanced ones are a mid-point between the two.
There are also double-flanged ear tips provided, which gives the deepest insertion and best isolation, though they might be uncomfortable.
The tips come in a pair of small plastic boxes, which is a nice touch. Do explore tip-rolling and see what suits you in terms of fit, isolation, comfort and sonic fidelity, as we all have different ear anatomies.
The stock cable is a 6N high-purity single-crystal copper and silver-plated single-crystal copper Litz braided cable. It is thick, well braided, and tangle-free, with no microphonics. There's a chin cinch to give added stability during usage.
Weighing in at 22g, it is very light, and features a 2 pin connector, which should theoretically be more robust than MMCX connectors, when it comes to frequent cable changes.
The selling point, is of course the modular plugs at the distal end, which allow the ME1 to be paired with various balanced and single-ended sources. The proximal ends of each cable also has a L and R lettering and blue and red bands to delineate the left and right sides respectively.
A grey semi-rigid leatherette case is provided. It is quite spacious internally, and is lined with a velvety material on the innards. Functionality meets elegance?
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock narrow-bore tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
Fashioned via 5 axis CNC machining, the housings are made of metal. They sport a unique shark-grill venting design on the faceplate, which converts this IEM to a semi open-back set. MUSE says this special design helps compensate for air pressure between the acoustic cavity and the user's ears, thus giving better sound and comfort.
Even though the ME1's shells are on the larger side, the ergonomics are good, and I did not have any discomfort during hour long listening sessions. They are also deceptively light, and the build is top-notch. There's an added concha protrusion to give grip during usage too.
A blue and red dot on the inner aspect of the housing identifies the left and right sides of the ME1, as per usual convention.
I didn't find any driver flex on my set, so it seems the venting design works as advertised, but of course this is partially dependent on ear anatomy and type of tips used.
ISOLATION
Being heavily vented - in addition to the shark-grill open back design - the ME1 has below average isolation. This design is a double-edged sword though, as it does contribute to an expansive soundstage, as we will read below.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the MUSE ME1 with:
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Apple dongle
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Tempotec Sonata HD Pro dongle (BHD firmware)
- Smartphone
The ME1 is easy to drive. Amplification is not truly compulsory, but this set will scale somewhat when amplified, in terms of increased dynamics, improved soundstage and a tighter bass.
As the ME1 has a thin note weight, it pairs best with analoguish or warmer sources.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The ME1 is neutralish. Note weight is on the thinner side as alluded to, and the ME1 comes across as sterile and analytical, so it can be rightly described as a cold neutral set.
Graph of the MUSE ME1 using a IEC711 compliant coupler.
The
bass is just marginally north of neutral, and mostly focused in the mid-bass. The sub-bass has only a small rumble and isn't the most extended. Bassheads might want greater bass kicks (no pun intended), and best be looking elsewhere.
In terms of quality, the bass is speedy, texturing is good and there is no mid-bass bleed. On my test track for bass speed - Sting's Englishman in New York - the ME1 passes with flying colours on the complex and fast bass interlude.
The lower
midrange is a slightly recessed. The midrange is transparent, in view of a lack of mid-bass bleed impinging into this area, coupled with the thin note weight.
The upper mids are a bit contentious though. It can be shouty at higher volumes (Fletcher Munson curve), but this region can be mitigated somewhat by using the ME1 at lower/moderate volumes, or with the narrow-bore stock tips (the other tips may make the upper mids too prominent for my tastes). Upper midrange perception is also influenced by hearing health and ear anatomy (pinna gain), so YMMV.
The
treble extends well, and the ME1 is quite sparkly and airy. There are unfortunately instances of sibilance, and high-hats and cymbals can come across as splashy and over-emphasized. Nevertheless, this gives great clarity and fine nuances, and micro-details are easily picked out, though treble-sensitive folk might find the tuning choice a bit fatiguing.
The ME1 falls short at
timbre. BA timbre is present when brasses and woodwinds come out to play, and vocals sound nasal due to a boosted upper midrange.
In
technicalities, the ME1 redeems itself, and by a very long shot. Indeed, the ME1 is one of the better hybrids at the $100ish region in this department, and beats most other competitors here.
Micro-detailing, imaging, layering, instrument separation and transients are a highlight, aided by the tuning choice of boosted upper frequencies and thin note weight, to give exceptional clarity. The previously mentioned open-back design via shark-grills gives an expansive soundstage in all 3 directions.
COMPARISONS
The ME1 will be compared against other similarly priced hybrids. Pure BA, single DD and planars are not in the conversation, as the different driver types have their own pros and cons.
Sony XBA N3
The N3 is L-shaped with bigger bass on tap, and a much tamer treble/upper midrange. The bass on the N3 is however, less tight, with marked mid-bass bleed and less texturing, and it can smear with complex bass movements.
The N3 has a thicker note weight and is sibilant-free, with a very smooth experience during listening.
The N3 has weaker technicalities, losing to the ME1 in soundstage, imaging, micro-details, clarity and instrument separation. The N3 is more natural in timbral accuracy.
The N3 does not have a modular cable.
TRI Starsea
The Starsea has 4 potential tuning options, via tuning switches, so it can be tuned along a spectrum from V-shaped to U-shaped to neutralish, and is hence more flexible than the ME1.
The Starsea is a hair weaker in technicalities, with a slightly smaller soundstage, and weaker imaging, micro-detailing and instrument separation. The Starsea has marginally better timbre.
The Starsea has driver flex and a pressure sensation in the ears, which may be a deal-breaker for some. In terms of accessories, both sets are well accessorized, though the Starsea does not have a modular cable.
AFUL Performer 5
The Performer 5 has more sub-bass extension and quantity, though the bass isn't as tight. The Performer 5 has less treble extension/quantity, but is smoother and less fatiguing than the ME1.
The Performer 5 is a shade less technical, and also has a more intimate soundstage. Timbre is a bit better on the Performer 5.
Both sets are well fitting, but the Performer 5 is more comfortable, though it does not have a modular cable.
CONCLUSIONS
The ME1 sports a neutral tuning with excellent technicalities. Soundstage and transients are a highlight, and indeed, the ME1 arguably beats most other similarly priced hybrids in technical chops. The ME1 is well accessorized, and has good build and ergonomics, with a modular cable being the icing on top of the cake, allowing the ME1 to be paired with various single-ended and balanced sources. Additionally, is very easy to drive.
Unfortunately, the ME1 loses marks for me due to timbral and tonal flaws - the timbre is not too natural for vocals and acoustic instruments, and the upper mids and lower treble may be shouty/spicy for treble-sensitive listeners. Having said that, there are ways to mitigate this frequency band, via ear tip rolling, warmer sources, lower volume (Fletcher Munson curve) and even EQ. Though at this price bracket, I think most users would like to just get something usable out of the box, without tinkering with mods.
The ME1 does come across as a possible one-trick pony, due to the class-leading technicalities seemingly being inconsistent with some timbral/tonal issues, but the ME1 is a technical behemoth that out-classes similarly-priced rivals in technical performance. For treble-sensitive brethren, perhaps the ME1 may be a bit too intense, but for trebleheads, detail freaks and folks looking for an analytical set, the ME1 is definitely a unique pair for what it brings to the table.
I do hope that perhaps MUSE could release a "Pro" version, with a slightly tamer upper midrange, ah this might be the bee's knees!
