General Information

About Tripowin​

At Tripowin, we use the latest and most advanced driver technologies in order to deliver incredible audio performance at a budget price. By focusing on uncompromising driver quality and engineering experience, we have created numerous audio solutions that have garnered international praise. Partnering closely with the audiophile community, we are always striving to create the best that sound beyond their price. It’s great audio that doesn't cost an arm.

Singularity in Sound​

Multi-driver earphones are often disadvantaged by an inconsistent texture and timbre. The Cencibel utilizes a single dynamic driver to achieve a uniform sound across the entire frequency spectrum. Using a newly developed first generation 9.8mm NCG (nano-carbon graphene) diaphragm, the cencibel is able to produce an incredible dynamic range that is detailed and powerful from the sub-bass all the way to the ultra-treble frequencies. The coherency in the sound is apparent from its tonal balance as well as the richness in every note played back from your music.

Balanced Tonal Signature​

The sound of the Cencibel can be described as powerful and detailed. The Cencibel has a powerful sub-bass impact that is well extended even below the 20Hz audible range for a rumble that can be felt by your ear. The mids are lush to accentuate the texture of stringed instruments and vocals. The treble has been tuned to match the tonal perception of the human ear canal, so the Cencibel will sound detailed, but still completely natural.

3D Designed and Constructed​

Almost every aspect of the Cencibel has been software engineered and 3D printed to achieve perfect channel matching and reduce unit variations. The acoustic cavity of the Cencibel has been constructed around the dynamic driver itself, completely eliminating imbalances amongst earphone units. Furthermore, the chamber has been designed with micro grooves along the lining of the driver chamber, fine-tuning the low frequencies. The shell design was achieved through both software and physical mold casting to achieve an incredibly comfortable and ergonomic shape. The shell is created through high-precision 3D printing using medical-grade resin.

Detachable Cable​

The Cencibel features a detachable 2-pin cable that terminates to a 3.5mm plug. The detachable cable allows pairing with other cables to extend the longevity of the Cencibel, as well as to meet the cable plug needs of different audio devices.

Latest reviews

SenyorC

100+ Head-Fier
Not for me, sorry...
Pros: Price, comfort, included case...
Cons: Tuning and overall sound
DSC_5386.JPG


The Tripowin Cencibel were sent to me by Linsoul for me to try them out and publish this review. Linsoul have not requested anything specific and I will try to remain as unbiased as possible in this review, although it is good to remember that these IEMs were sent to me free of charge.

You can find the Cencibel on the Linsoul website by visiting the version of this review published on my blog.

(as always, it is a non-affiliate link)

DSC_5358.JPG


Intro…

I am going to start out by being honest and straight to the point.

Not long ago I reviewed the Tripowin Rhombus which were sent to me at the same time as the Cencibel that I am reviewing today. In case you didn’t read that review, basically I didn’t enjoy them. After finishing the Rhombus review, I moved on to the Cencibel, which I hadn’t yet listened to.

Upon first listen, I immediately discovered some parts of the tuning that resembled the Rhombus, which I have to say was not the best way to start off. As I said in my Rhombus review, I would much rather review items that I like. The reason is that I spend at least 4 or 5 days using each set almost exclusively and I would much rather spend that time listening to a set that I enjoy rather than something I don’t.

I am saying this because I really didn’t feel like spending another week listening to something I didn’t enjoy, so I moved on to something else and didn’t come back to the Cencibel until this week. So at least I was starting with a reset attitude, rather than coming at it in a negative way. I think that is fair both to the brand and to my ears.

DSC_5383.JPG


Presentation…

The external presentation of the Cencibel is similar to that of the Rhombus, although a little smaller. A simple black box in a sleeve with nothing but the Tripowin logo on the cover and the only mention of the model being on the sticker of the bar code.

However, upon opening the box, we find a large case that is the size of the box. The storage/transport case is of the semirigid style, big enough to store the IEMs and plenty of accessories (although there aren’t many included) with the Tripowin name also on the cover. I have no idea why the Cencibel gets a nice case for 50€ where the 80€ Rhombus only gets a drawstring bag but I am not complaining.

Inside the case we find the exact same contents that were included in the case of the Rhombus. That is: the IEMs, the cable, 6 sets of silicone tips (of two different types) and the user manual.

I didn’t complain about the contents of the previous Tripowin model so I certainly can’t complain here as we get a nice case thrown in for 30€ less.

DSC_5396.JPG


Build and aesthetics…

In this case, the Cencibel are constructed of resin with a more simplistic shape. The faceplates sport a kind of marble effect in silver and grey over the black background of the sheels, with Tripowin written on the left IEM also in silver.

The shells are relatively small an of a generic shape that should work well for most people, myself included. They don’t cause any discomfort over longer sessions and are generally pretty comfortable.

The included cable is exactly the same as the one included with the Rhombus, as are the tips, which is a simple black cable with black metal hardware that is nothing fancy but does the job.

In general the aesthetics are fine, as is the build and comfort of these IEMs.

DSC_5348.JPG


Sound…

So, I said that these IEMs had some aspects that reminded me of the Rhombus, so here is the graph comparing the two models against my usual preference curve.

graph(73).png


You can clearly see that, while not identical, there are a lot of similarities. Unfortunately the changes are not necessarily for the best.

Starting with the lower notes, the subbass is also very reminiscent of the subbass on the Rhombus, quite a way above my usual target. Once again, I get a similar feeling with this as I did in my previous Tripowin review, the subbass is there and is a decent performer, when the subbass is not accompanied by other frequencies in the higher mids range.

Again, with “Chameleon”, in parts of the track where the subbass is dominant, the Cencibel does a decent job of providing rumble while still keeping it relatively clean. However, once the track gets busier in other areas, the subbass seems to fade away.

The sensation is that it suffers in exactly the same way that the previous set I reviewed did, and in this case, the higher mids (which I will get to) are even more dominant. One positive thing is that this is a single dynamic driver set, which avoids the sound being taken hostage by the BA on the Rhombus.

The midbass is again a similar affair. It is a long way from providing what I would say is a “nice low end” on things like acoustic guitars. The guitars still have a bit of a hollow sensation and are missing body in their presentation.

In the mids, we find that scoop again, which is even more pronounced on this set although the differences are minimal. It is dipped enough to make the mids suffer. This again makes female vocals, such as Alison Kraus in “Down To The River To Pray”, sound fragile and lacking smoothness to her lower notes.

As we get into the upper mids, we have a peak at around 2.5kHz which is around 3dB more than on the Rhombus, and then another peak just below 5kHz, which is just as exaggerated.

We need to remember that I am quite sensitive to the 5kHz region, it is where the peaks most annoy me and the Cencibel manages to boost the frequency (by a lot) almost dead on the mark. This is obviously something that is going to irritate me much more than someone who does not suffer from the same allergy to this mark, so take that into consideration.

By this I mean that I am (almost) always going to find tunings that have a big peak in this range to be uncomfortable. There are some sets that have quite a bit of presence in the 5kHz region but are surrounded by more presence in the adjacent regions, which seems to smooth the sound over a little for me. I’m afraid that the Cencibel doesn’t do that, it is just a big peak right in the uncomfort zone.

Now, I do understand that this will not affect other people in the same way, as I have said many times before, listening to music is such a subjective experience that there are as many “tastes” as there are “flavours”. However, just take into consideration that the difference between the 700Hz mark and the 5kHz mark (or even the 2.5kHz mark) is around 16dB. That is a rather big difference.

Up in the higher ranges, we have even more of the same story, with extension that isn’t bad but is not too smooth, creating what I feel is a false sensation of detail and air. I would say that the details on the Cencibel are not as good as they are on the Rhombus (speaking strictly of detail retrieval and not how the details sound), but they are acceptable.

Sound stage is around average, with image placement about the same. You can appreciate binaural recording such as “La Luna” but it is not an easy task to isolate and follow the sounds of a Yosi Horikawa recording such as “Bubbles”.

graph(75).png


Finally, isolation is also similar to the Rhombus. Its not the best but is is on the higher side of average.

DSC_5339.JPG


Conclusion…

I guess I won’t be reviewing any more Tripowin models in the near future 😉

Seriously though, I really expected a lot more from these two Tripowin models. The Leá was something that was not spectacular but was enjoyable (at lower volumes) yet the Cencibel and the Rhombus just seem to hit almost every frequency that I find irritating.

I will say the same thing about these as I did in my closing words of the Rhombus, I am sure there are people out there that will enjoy this sound signature, unfortunately I am not one of them.

All I can say is that I am extremely grateful to Linsoul for not getting upset when I post my negative opinions on something they sent me, at least they haven’t done so far…

As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on
achoreviews.squig.link/isolation
T
tubbymuc
Thanks for the honesty. Straight to point 🤣
ToneDeafMonk
ToneDeafMonk
Whatever you do don't listen to the Hidizs MS5 the worst case of 5-8 makes this one tame.
passie42
passie42
I enjoy the Hidisz mermaid ms2. Never heard the ms5 so opinion about them but I guess they have similarities.

Redcarmoose

Headphoneus Supremus
The 9.8mm (Single-Driver-Graphene) Unsensible Phenomenon
Pros: Well balanced, (somewhat) complete and smooth
Small/lightweight and fits wonderful
Comes with a giant storage case
Comes with a usable/complete set of 6 pairs of ear-tips
Amazingly revealing of source and file quality
Pretty
Easy to drive from a single phone
Comfortable
Fast
Strong sub-bass over mid-bass and upper-bass focus, yet lacks presence
A bright jumpy midrange that does acoustic guitars well, but lacks body
Cons: Slightly peaky with some files and/or sources
Strong sub-bass over mid-bass and upper bass focus, yet lacks presence
A bright jumpy midrange, that does acoustic guitars well, but lacks body
Lacks total authority
Lacks note weight
Poor timbre quality for a single DD, worse (at times) than BA drivers off timbre
Boring
Missing soundstage expansion at times
Cluttered
Brings nothing new to the table
DSC_0098.jpegqwr.jpeg


TRIPOWIN
In December of 2020 I received an IEM……….it came via airmail in a small unassuming box. I didn’t know how it was made or how it sounded…………..I knew absolutely nothing. No one knew the name TRIPOWIN then, I was one of the vary first to receive such samples, no prior reviews, zero hype. This was the first TRIPOWIN model to come to life……….it was simple, as simple as any IEM could be, yet it had a sound, a glorious sound. The TRIPOWIN TC-10 put some new listeners off with the name and how it was spelled. Such attitudes of jaded speculation come easy when a product has zero history, combined with the fact that the name was in giant letters, showboating a style of livid confidence for all to (not help) but see. But that was then, and this is now. TRIPOWIN has gone on to make a number of successful IEMs and cables.

I kinda can see where this is going. New Chinese audio manufacturers in the future!
Loop-O-Plane
Disk'O
Rock-O-Plane
Roll-O-Plane
Tilt-A-Whirl

What Tripowin has currently in-production:
Tripowin Danube Cable $59.99
Tripowin Perles Cable $59.99
Tripowin X HBB Olina SE IEM $99.00
Tripowin Cencibel IEM $49.00
Tripowin Rhombus $79.00
Tripowin Zoe Cable $19.99
Tripowin Grace Cable $15.00
Tripowin Petrichor Cable $49.00
Tripowin X HBB Olina IEM $99.00
Tripowin Leá IEM $25.99
Tripowin Noire Cable $39.00
Tripowin H1 Full-size $189.00
Tripowin GrandVia Cable $49.00
Tripowin Altea Cable $39.00
Tripowin X HBB Mele IEM $85.98
Tripowin Jelly Cable $35.99
Tripowin TC-01 IEM $49.00
Tripowin Nucool Cable $49.00
Tripowin Zonie Cable $17.99
Tripowin TP10 IEM $59.99

………..and finally the Tripowin C8 Cable $39.99

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tripowin-tc-01.24878/reviews#review-25056
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tripowin-leá.25709/reviews#review-28220
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tr...sal-in-ear-monitor.26098/reviews#review-29342

Cencibel Universal IEM
For $49.00 you get an "OK" IEM. Now remember if this was 8 years back in time, much more would be forgiven due to price vs sound quality. But today there is so much more in the market place! I could bore you will a multitude of side-by-side tests and comparisons, but why? Your time is important and you would rather be reading about something other than a mediocre IEM, right? While there are actually some cool aspects to the Tripowin
Cencibel, we always have to ask ourselves if anything is special. Special really for the money, or are there other choices which are a heck of a lot more for the same money or less. $49.00 is a lot of money and while the Tripowin Company has provided some nice extras with the Cencibel, you know as well as I do, that if the sound could be better none of the extras matter that much. Meaning the fit is really nice, The way they are small and just go into your ears. The included ear-tips are wonderful and actually would be something you could really use. The presentation, how it comes in a huge box, which then shows (inside) a fairly large storage case. Inside that case the IEMs are already attached to the cable and behind a strap which protects them form moving. The case even offers a separate area for the ear-tips and a hand strap. The IEMs themselves show well being resin and two piece which have been formed into a single finished IEM. The faceplates are hand pained, all and all it is a beautiful example of a modern day IEM build. The 0.78 two-pin mount is flush to the side of the IEM........and everything works exactly as planned.

desk top.jpeg

case case.jpeg

inside case.jpeg
more.jpeg

DSC_0055.jpeg Tripowin.jpeg


The cable provided is the regular Tripowin affair, which works as intended and is fully ergonomic.

qaswedc.jpeg
f inally.jpeg

side side.jpeg


Probably my favorite part Cencibel is just how they are made. To me they are beautiful, fit great and feel incredible next to your skin. Such handcrafted work shows attention to detail, plus they are finished to gain a premium look! They have a a correct nozzle length which gives you multitudes of freedom to choose a wide range of ear-tips. In fact I was able to check the sound response though testing 6 different pairs of ear-tips. Each time fit was optimal surprisingly!

qweret.jpeg
DSC_0098.jpegqwr.jpeg
ewfgrewtr.jpeg


Response to source:
After about eight days of burn-in I tried the Cencibel from both a phone and the Sony Walkman WM1A. Surprisingly it was way above average at showing variations of source. This proved to also be the case with file quality, also. Meaning an audiophile level of playback was achieved with modern great sounding "audiophile" quality material. Such progress does not always become the case........so I will give the Cencibel credit for fully jumping up to the plate if given better material or higher quality DAP playback. This actually proved to generate way more questions than it answered. Meaning, am I dealing with a finicky IEM that only gets good when you feed it correctly? I found the mid-centric Sony WM1A to be displayed as mid-centric and clear. Yet there was a loss of synergy due to the Cencibel mid-boost. So I broke-out the Shanling UA3 Dongle and attempted to try and find gold. Where the UA3 attempts to smooth out the response and is in ways laid-back, to bring a level of forgiveness along with a fairly large stage with most IEMs.

Soundstage:
Interestingly enough there just wasn't enough soundstage to make life interesting. Yep, this is an issue once in a while, where other cheaper IEMs seem to do way better with how they just go along and have a natural ability to provide space.
An example would be the 7Hz Salnotes Zero, truly the Zero has a smoother sound, bigger stage and more accessible FR. It's $19.99 too, which really makes your eyes light up! And........when I am talking about the stage, it's not just the spaciousness or lack there of, but how instruments end-up falling right-on-top of each other with the Cencibel. Meaning I have done my footwork to learn all I can about this IEM, in fact putting wide-bore tips doesn't seem to make that big of a change, due to this compression of imaging maybe beginning with the driver. Now don't get me wrong, there are times when this playback starts to be fun, it's just not consistently special at separation or layering. Just like I said in the beginning of this review, if the Cencibel would have come out 8 years ago it would have been competitive.

DSC_0068.jpegTOP copy.jpegtpo.jpeg


Now.........this is the part of the review that gets good! This is a classic time, where less money makes way better sound in the end!


Truly, even though my preference for Hybrids is way more, than my preference for single DD full-range playback, I would argue with anyone, that the KZ ZS10 PRO X is miles better!

For a split second you could guess these were put together just because they both arrived at the same time. They are priced near each other and compete for the same dollar. And while that's true, there is something way more important than that! The KZ ZS10 PRO X shows us exactly what's wrong with the Cencibel!


Laughingly I'm going to save you time and reading calories and put it into one single word!

Excitement, more KZ excitement!

The KZ ZS10 PRO X is fun and the Cencibel isn't. Now for those that want to know why, I will go into further detail..........but really no such talk is needed.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/the-new-kz-zs10-pro-x-universal-iem.26128/reviews#review-29430


https://www.linsoul.com/products/kz-zs10-pro-x?variant=43295301566681

KZ ZS10 PRO X $39.00 USD
Upgraded 1DD+4BA Hybrid Driver HiFi IEM

  • 10mm Dynamic Driver+4 Custom Balanced Armatures
  • Classic Alloy Faceplate+Resin Shell
  • Enhanced Detachable 0.75mm 2Pin Connector
  • Ergonomic Shape, Wide Compatibility

Everything the KZ ZS10 PRO X does is involving, not only that but it's real sounding and competent. While it's true the Cencibel offers a coherency that the KZ ZS10 PRO X lacks......still! Also surprisingly they both go to show how a better 4.4mm balanced amplifier can widen the stage and grab more authority. Both widen out with balanced and wide-bore ear-tips...........yet where they go is by far two different places. The KZ goes from strength to even greater strength, where the Cencibel goes from mediocre to mediocre. It's just.....well..........read my review to get the whole low-down on the KZ, I'm not going to go as detailed and as descriptive to try and explain the KZ here..........


It's just that the lower bass in KZ replay has an exciting dimension and space, it's fun and includes pace and bounce. It's just bigger all the way around. The stage is bigger, the imaging is bigger. The midrange allows for more textures of instruments and realism. Guitars come alive and even harsh distorted guitars in Heavy Metal get itemized and fully accentuated/seperated into the stage. Way far from the bass and drums, allowing for interaction to take place........involvement........because you actually have a window into playback that demands involvement. Where the Cencibel is plain...........and not just due to soundstage......but there is less contrast between elements........those same elements in the KZ are fleshed out and brought to life......where with the Cencibel they lay flat..........lifeless and still. Even when we do all we can to add note weight to the Cencibel through different desktops it rebels. It just doesn't want to be a performer for you. And this talk is not subjective, it's too drastic to be objective! Anyone in their right mind would experience such comparisons and would arrive at the same conclusion, with the same amount of effort spent.


The KZ ZS10 PRO X is $39.00. And in fact it wins out on a bunch of comparisons, so don't feel bad for the Cencibel. The TRN ST5 was more money and bettered by the KZ, the Tripowin Rhombus again is more money, and came out with the Cencibel as a sister product, and that's not as great as the KZ. Even KZ's own $56.00 8BA a side, KZ AS16 PRO is not as good as this ZS10 PRO X. Why............refer to the first word.

Excitement!

Lol, except there are reasons too, like a smooth forgiving treble, the KZ ZS10 PRO X does that is better than the forward TRN ST5. The treble is not really that even with the Cencibel. There are blaring examples of timbre issues with the Cencibel............it just doesn't sound totally realistic! The single full-range 9.8mm (Single-Driver-Graphene) Cencibel DD has BA timbre, a steeliness in accordance with shinning off-timbre! And......there are no BAs to be found......Lol

So?At least you get my point here.

Conclusion:
The Cencibel is an attempt at something that has merit. The Cencibel MK2 should look to dial this driver further into a more musical and rewarding experience. They have the shape and construction down, they just need to work on involvement with musicality. The management who let this one out into the wild maybe didn't realize the issues at hand? There is a section of music which really does sound great, and in ways the Cencibel scales to better places with better gear, yet it only goes so far. And while there really is some playback that's not bad, especially some electronic game soundtracks where the notes are synthetic and the pace is great........still that overall timbre is always there. The detail is great in many areas, though again when it comes time for the peddle to hit the metal, the authority is lacking.........in comparison to equally priced competitors. I'm always looking for a way in, a way to make a review realistic by at least finding what is good about an IEM. And while I was able to get agreeable playback the issues (already talked about) kept the magic from becoming real. The crazy part is even IEMs that have (this same) comparable style of abilities, follow through with emotional bass that saves the day..........where here, we don't even have that!


$49.00 USD

https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-cencibel

TRIPOWIN
Tripowin Cencibel

High-resolution dynamic driver IEM
Singularity in Sound
Balanced Tonal Signature

3D Designed and Constructed
Detachable Cable

Sensitivity(1KHz) 107dBSPL/mW
Audio interface 3.5MM
Frequency range 20Hz-20KHz
Earphone cable length 1.2M
Impedance(1KHz) 30Ω
Driver 9.8MM NCG (nano-carbon graphene) diaphragm


Free shipping and one year warranty when you order from Linsoul
Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C

Disclaimer:
I want to thank Kareena of Linsoul for the love and the Cencibel Universal IEM review sample.

Disclaimer:

These are one persons ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:

Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
UA3 Dongle DAC/Amplifier 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Samsung Android smartphone 3.5mm


special .jpeg
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Carpet
C
Carpet
Good review, as usual. Nothing to see here then? KZ ZS10 Pro X still looking cheaper and more promising.
Redcarmoose
Redcarmoose
@https://www.head-fi.org/members/carpet.558380/

I have a lot of IEMs and I choose the KZ ZS10 Pro X in 4.4mm because it’s simply fun. The way it has action and forgiveness is astonishing! You would love it, I think?
  • Like
Reactions: Carpet

NymPHONOmaniac

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: -Above average soundstage
-decent layering capacity
-decent macro resolution
-nice male vocal
-deep bass extension
-nice oversized carrying case
Cons: -sloppy mid bass that lack punch
-blunted micro resolution
-unbalanced treble
-thin dry mids
-light note weight
-lot of instruments sound off tone (poor timbral balance)
-lack of bite and snap
-uninspired and uninspiring tuning
309703941_842509113767800_87662106831664784_n.jpg


TONALITY: 7.5
TECHNICALITIES: 7.5/10
CONSTRUCTION: 7.5
SOUND VALUE: 7.5/10


TRIPOWIN is a chinese earphones company that gain popularity with their tuning collab with BGGA (Bad boy Good Audio review). The Mele and Olina were their best seller. As well, before these, the TC-01 dynamic driver IEM gain good praise and recognition. Personally, I've just try 3 IEM from this company, the TP10 (5BA's which was plain horrifious), the LEA (great for 20$), and the Olina (excellent for 100$).
After the overwhelming Olina success, let say the expectation are high for this new budget IEM.
The Cencibel is priced 50$, its a single dynamic driver with graphene diaphragm promising high resolution sound with singular musicality.
Let's see if these IEM could stand out is most overcrowded IEM market ever, the sub-100$ offerings.

CONSTRUCTION
306927919_509237554382757_363958912363646582_n.jpg

312025463_405663725112209_4612192191183904313_n.jpg



Basic plastic construction with beautifull sparkly back plate. Light and comfortable with short and big nozzle. Not impressive nor disapointing. 2pinc connection is secure.

309349042_1549452115493283_7299326954846352397_n.jpg


Cable is of basic quality but not that bad. Surely basic copper 4 cores cable.

311912276_411191544368855_5156583205689056439_n.jpg


Packaging is a bit rough....its a cheap box with a very BIG carrying case, which is a plus I guess since you can fit alot of gear in this. It doesn't feel of prime quality, yet it's OK and nice addition. Their only 6 pairs of silicone eartips, which i test and feel it doesnt offer best result.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS

312613421_1337810460359097_4632741407093589120_n.jpg


Overall TONALITY is what i would call smoothly brigth balanced U shape to vivid L shape neutral. It's one of those tonal balance that is both safe and energic, with nothing that stand apart yet have a focus on upper mids and mid range presence. Here most part of dynamic energy come from pina gain and low and upper mids range, but bass too have thick resonant slam and treble, while understated, have energic crunch and dry sparkle to it.


The bass is hit or miss depending of music style, it benefit sub bass line, rumble and sens of slam over proper fully rounded and well define punch, the bass is just a hint slopper, it try to embrace dry mids but tend to veil it a bit instead. This do benefit male vocal which they present in full bodied way. It's not a very gast or tigh bass, texture is a bit dry-grainy and it doesnt wow by both quantity or quality, its there when needed too as we say. Extension dig deep and deliver good bass line articulation, should it be acoustic or electric bass, it's well textured and have this vibrant extension to it with the lead grip of instrument playing. This make the Cencibel rather decent for rock and jazz.

The mids are quite lean, thin in body but bright in presence they are clear enough but dry and not very natural in timbre. Male vocal as said, are less recessed than female vocal, they are well restitute but nothing lush or particularly appealing to my ears. Lower treble being more softed to avoid sibilance, the female vocal tend to feel overly tamed in dynamic, lack openess and full pitch. These make overal mid range sound a bit fuzzy, bordely shouty in amplitude imbalance for some vocals or instrument, so this is the type of IEM that have mids that can make me lower or down the volume in certain music passage. It's not very good sign imo. It have something to do with mid treble imbalance. Saxophone for example can go shouty easily and lack density and air in body, so shouty dry here, while piano have blunted edge in definition, lack of fowardness and note weight, feeling more recessed than both bass and percussions sometime. Violin too will sound scooped in lead attack and definition edge. So, let say this isn't very versatile mid range and more appropriate to pop music in wide sens of the word.


Now, the treble too is both safe and dualistic in it's approach, some zone being darker than other it will tend to highlight presence of some instruments to the detriments of other.Percussions, acoustic and electric guitar tend to be favorites instrument of the Cencibel, while not perfect, they tend to have more crunchy and abrasive attack and fuller presence than violin, saxophone or clavichord. Snare too have energy and snap. Here we have hint of brilliance too, that can add exciting micro details or percusions emphasis, yet doesn't produce natural resonance or sparkle which seem scooped to avoid splashyness of cymbals crash etc. Yet, safe as said, but this do affect tone correctness of numerous instruments, all acoustic ''strangely''. So, this isn't a harsh treble even if smoothness can have it's shouty moments. Its not clean nor airy nor perfectly resolved since in fact micro resolution is darker than macro resolutionb which restitue a simplified version of you music with extra fake resolution trick to it.

SOUNDSTAGE is quite wide and open, yet lack deepness. Imaging feel a bit blurry and lacking in precision as well as proper clean separation. Layering is a bit better.



COMPARISONS

309622657_1097946497751208_3304371093212630713_n.jpg


VS MOONDROP CHU

Cencibel is more V shape, have more recessed mid range and less clean and detailed resolution. CHU bass is notably more rolled off in sub bass and less punchy in dynamic, but cleaner and more textured as well as less prompt to slight mids veil. Cencibel bass have more slam, rumble etc but less edgy definition. Mids are darker with the Cencibel, its more lean and recessed, timbre is a bit warmer and less dry than CHU. Treble is more detailed and clean and full with the CHU, its better balanced too but not as sparkly and resonant, it feel a bit overly softed in edge while more lively with the Cencibel. Lower treble gain is higher with Cencibel, and more prompt to timbral or tonal imbalance and shoutyness. Soundstage is notably wider with the Cencibel, while way deeper with CHU. Imaging is superior with the CHU since it doesnt scoop as much part of sound info, yet, layering feel a bit more compressed and less holographic and open.

All in all, the CHu sound more refined, mature, neutral and technical but less dynamic and fun than Cencible. Performance wise, it's hard to applause the Cencibel here since both resolution and attack control (especially bass) is inferior compared to a 20$ IEM.


VS REECHO SG-01 OVA

These 2 are rather similar, but OVA is warmer and more laid back V shape, smoother in upper mids and more balanced in treble. So, Cencibel feel a bit more W shape in dynamic with more boosted sub bass making the punch a bit less well rounded than OVA. Cencibel sound cleaner and more open, while OVA is thicker as a whole. Bass is more textured with OVA, more punchy too and better define in kick drum-mid bass impact but less resonant and rumbly. Mids are a bit fuller and thicker with OVA, they have more note weight and sens of density, they are less dry in timbre and female vocal are notably less recessed. Treble is crisper and sparklier with the Cencibel, their more air on top and sens of openess as well as greater amount of details. Soundstage is both wider and deeper with Cencibel. Imaging while on part for static instrument positioning is better in layering with Cencibel.

All in all, this time the Cencibel is the technical performance champ yet not as cohesive in warm balance than OVA.

CONCLUSION

After my positive reviews of both Tripowin Lea and Olina, the bar was high for the Cencibel, too high in fact and I can't say they impress me in any way.

Its one of this IEM that seek too much compromise yet want to deliver an exciting sound nonetheless.
The Cencibel seem to hesitate to be warm, dry or bright, U or V or W shape in balance, edgy or smooth in attack, to the cost of a fully cohesive tuning that will offer versatility and sens of fullness in musicality.
Its a jack of all trades, master of none without any glory to it since it's not neutral.
Both Olina and Lea being better than the Cencibel, it'S hard for me to suggest it since im certain it will get lost for good into immense sub-100$ IEM ocean.

Seem like Tripowin throw a bottle in the sea with this one, perhaps it will appeal to somebody other than me.

-------
PS: I want to thanks Linsoul for sending me this review unit. I'm not affiliated or compensated for writing this review. As always, i'm 100% unbiased with no adds, no affiliated link, no $ involve including on my official website.

You can order the Tripowin Cencibel for 50$ here:https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-cencibel


For more unbiased, sponsors-free, non-affiliated, adds-free audio reviews, you can give a read to my No Borders Audiophile website HERE.
Last edited:
NymPHONOmaniac
NymPHONOmaniac
@Carpet I have Rhombus sound impression complete...they are better imo but its no Olina either. whats the 4 IEM coming to you?
C
Carpet
IKKO OH1 & OH2, Tiandirenhe TD02 & TD10. The IKKO ones were from their clearance shop (IKKO LOT Store) and only cost me $65 for both (the grey OH2 must be really unpopular, since it was about half price of other colours, which were already about 25% off). I would have prefered the white one since it almost has a Star Wars vibe. The Tiandirenhe models, one was a completely blind buy with an interesting looking stabilized wood faceplate. I'd read some recommendations for their basic models, so bought the TD02 too. I have one or two spare cables lying around (more like nine or ten and actually bursting out of the bag where I hide them!). I liked the option to buy them cheaper without cables and the fact that they came with a decent case. They'll all get a listen and some will end up as Xmas gifts. It's considerate to burn in gifts so they sound better OOTB, right? :thinking::rolling_eyes:
NymPHONOmaniac
NymPHONOmaniac
@Carpet 65$ for both? woooooow....thats a crazy deal...even just for OH1 it would be a great deal. OH1 is 99% similar to OH10. more comfy since lighter too. curious to know your impressions of TD02-01 mate
  • Like
Reactions: Carpet

Comments

There are no comments to display.
Back
Top