--
I give you the
ColaRad C01:
- All photos in this review were taken by me -
*Introduction*
A brief description of how the
ColaRad C01 fits into its family of earbuds.
Seahf,
TY Hi-Z,
HE (Hi-Fi End) and
ColaRad are produced from the same factory. Anyang Su, is the man that is in charge of these brands.
While all are related, they are by no means the same earbud. Each is tuned and crafted to stand on its own. There are many types of Seahf and Hi-Z products, though at the time of this review, there is only one version of the HE and ColaRad earbuds.
For reference, you can find my MEGA review of most TY Hi-Z earbuds here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/831374/introduction-to-ty-hi-z-earbud-family-mega-review
You can find my review of the HE 150 here:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/he-150ohm-hifi-earbud/reviews/17601
**Disclaimer, the ColaRad C01 Earbud was provided for my honest review with the help of Penon Audio**
[
Product Page]:
http://penonaudio.com/Earphones/earbuds/Colarad-C01
[
Current Price]:
$11.90
*Specifications*
- Impedance: 32ohm
- Sensitivity: 115+-5 db
- Frequency response range: 16-23000Hz
- Plug: 3.5mm L-shaped
- Cable: 1.2M
- Wire: Copper and silver mixed woven
*Packaging*
The ColaRad C01 comes in what I would call, a “cute little box” made of cardboard, which is sealed for freshness.
*Content*
- Wire and Paper Flower
- ColaRad C01 Earbud
- Four Pairs of Foam Covers (3 Normal and 1 Donut)
- Leather Cable Management Clip.
The included flower does set the ColaRad apart from any other accessory I have ever seen with an earbud; it is a nice little touch.
The leather clip works well and is a nice addition to the C01.
The only thing missing, as you may have noticed is a case, though the box it comes in can be easily used for storing the earbud.
*Build/Design*
Red and lots of it. I remember seeing photos of the ColaRad C01 online and slightly cringing at the mismatched red hue of the cable to the housings. I do not have anything against red, I just wish they had maybe made the cable black. Speaking of the cable, while it is thick and tough, it is also quite curtly and springs like a pig’s tale. This is also the exact same red cable that is on the TY Hi-Z 32s, more of this comparison to come later.
I did touch upon the build quality, which is typically top notch for any earbud in its four brand family. The red housings are smartly painted, shiny well in the light. The for mentioned cable is securely in place and shows no signs of any microphonics. Strain relief at the 3.5mm plug is about as durable as one can get.
*Sound*
Lows – The first thing my ears noticed was the bass. The ColaRad C01 likes to thump and it thumps well. This earbud gives a hint of sub-bass with a slight mix of mid-bass thrown in for good measure. While I would not call these bass heavy, the lows do play a good part of the overall sound signature.
Mids – The ColaRad C01 is not overly concerned with mids. There is a bit of a recession in vocals, though that should not be taken in a negative tone. Instead, these earbuds give way to smoother, less aggressive mid-section, which in return gives the user more details to be found in the upper and lower regions.
Highs – Yes, these could be called a tad bright. Most definitely the tip of the V shaped signature. Fatigue could happen in a short amount of time if you play these at too high of a volume. Though, for a genre like classical guitar, the ColaRad C01 with take it on with ease. There is plenty of structure to be found in these highs.
Soundstage – Width and separation seem about normal for this type of earbud. You will not feel closed in at all when using the ColaRad C01, rather you will be greeted with nice distance from each sound element.
*Comparison*
ColaRad C01 vs. TY Hi-Z 32s: This was a no-brainer. I HAD to test these two earbuds together. On paper these earbuds have identical; Impedance, Sensitivity, Frequency Response Range, Price and a duplicate Cable. I spent a LOT of time listening to these two earbuds back to back. I’ll be honest; I really could not hear much of a difference. Not to say that just because two earbuds that share so many of the same technical aspects should have the same sound signature, as each could be tuned differently. But to my ears, I just could not tell any distinction between these earbuds. If anyone knows of any divergence of sound of the ColaRad C01 and the TY Hi-Z 32s, please let me know. If you are deciding which one to buy, they are both $11.90, so you can pick which color scheme you like best, or if you want the little wire/paper flower.
*Driving/Pairing*
At 32ohm, the ColaRad C01 is easy enough to power. As such, finding a good device pairing is simpler as anything can drive this earbud. I will note that I found the best sound to be when the C01 is paired with a slightly warmer source. For me, I really enjoyed the using the ColaRad with the FiiO M3. The two played very nice together, allowing the bass to dip a bit further and the treble to roll off a little sooner, giving to a smoother, more enjoyable sound.
*Final Thoughts*
The ColaRad C01 does stand out with its “unique” choice of reds throughout the build. It also has what I would call a whimsical unboxing experience with the handmade cardboard package and wire/paper flower inside. It makes you feel like it is special from the moment you start to unwrap the plastic seal.
Sound wise; the ColaRad C01 does embrace the V shaped signature that is shares with the TY Hi-Z 32s.
Overall, the ColaRad C01 is a memorable earbud, which likes to play with both function and form. It is a welcomed addition to any earbud collection and will be getting plenty of playing time from me, far into the future.
**You can see more of my photography and follow me at:**
www.facebook.com/JustinMinerPhotography/
www.instagram.com/justinminerphotography/
twitter.com/BloodyPenguin
I've also started a Facebook Group for earbud fans:
Earbuds Anonymous:
www.facebook.com/groups/EarbudsAnonymous/
--