Review: 1MORE Dual Driver LTNG ANC In-Ear Headphones
Before I start the review, I would like to give thanks to 1MORE for providing the complementary earphone.
The review thread is also here, for easier and more effective discussion: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/review-1more-dual-driver-ltng-anc-in-ear-headphones.859512/
1MORE is a company that is committed to excellence, with available products that allow more of the public to be introduced to gear that punches above their price points, and sounding very good in the process. One of these newly introduced products is the Dual Driver LTNG (Lightning) ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) In-Ear Headphones that first debuted at this year's San Francisco Head-Fi meet, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Burlingame, California. Let's find out a bit more about the Dual Driver LTNG!
An avid wrestler, coach, teacher, father and mentor, I like to immerse music lovers in headphones, earphones and sources that do nothing but make the listeners smile.
Ringing in my ears? Oh, tinnitus? I get that about 2 times a year, for about 10 seconds each time. Other than that, I’m currently good to go with regards to my hearing. Even if my hearing is perfect or not so perfect, what I hear may or may not match what you hear, for a multitude of reasons (genetic, physical, psychological, age, etcetera).
My music preferences are anything that has a great beat to it, not too vulgar in nature and anything that can induce head-bobbing, toe-tapping and maybe even dancing if the mood is right. I normally listen to (alphabetically): Alternative, Classical, Hip-Hop, Indie, Popular/Top Hits, Rock, and R&B/Soul. I will even from time to time listen to Blues, Jazz, Modern Electronic, Retro/Classics, and World.
Measurements - I measure headphone output dB with my decibel measure app that anyone can download, replicate and have an instant reference with what I use to test. Frequency spectrum measurements are seldom posted, as the manufacturer’s measurements are usually the best guidelines to go by. Why? They use them to tune their equipment, and the measurements are from their own specific parameters. I agree with Ken Ball from ALO’s overall statement/post when it comes to frequency response measurements (verbatim):
“…I thought it might be good to post some frequency response measurements first before we see a lot of variations posted by people. Without going into a long drawn out thesis / debate on measurements I just want to say that I have not seen any reviewers measurements that are accurate and it can be difficult to interpret a freq measurement. I don't use HRTF compensation curve on my measurements because I am familiar with the raw freq curve so when I see a curve I know what it sounds like and am comfortable with what I am seeing. So to state my measurement so I can be happy that this is the official freq I am posting it here now. I do not really want to get into any debates on what the freq means or read into it too much as a freq measurement is only a very small part of the over all picture of the product. I would MUCH rather listen to the IEM than read a freq.
In addition, I dont want to sound like I dont welcome people to also have fun and measure, but just want to say that taking a accurate measurement is tricky, also tricky to read into the measurement. I spent over $15,000 on on measurement system and it took me almost a year with professional help to calibrate and set it up 100%. So in doing so it is expensive and can be difficult to set up and calibrate. I know my set up is accurate because I send my IEMs to independent labs to double check everything.”
I also had the chance to talk with Dan Wiggins from perodic audio at various audio events and has been very enlightening to talk audio with him. Here are Mr. Wiggins’ thoughts on measurements (verbatim):
“Hi all,
Wanted to toss my $0.02 into the mix...
For those that know who I am, then you know I have a bit of a reputation in the industry (good). For those that don't, I can guarantee you've heard my work if you've ever listened to live or recorded music. From recording microphones to studio monitors to PA systems to consumer systems, I've designed audio systems and transducers for pretty much all the big players - and done so many, many times (not to mention lots of headphones and IEMs along the way).
In my experience, measurement correlation between systems is hard to first establish and even more difficult to maintain. Datasets within a measurement system/location/team can be fairly consistent over time as long as the equipment is rigorously maintained, processes are slavishly followed, and the team cares greatly about consistency. Otherwise - all bets are off.
In production of audio systems, we use "golden samples" - we use a very small number of selected reference units that are deemed as "ideal". A day's production usually starts with the online production test systems measuring the golden sample, then tolerances are set accordingly to that measurement. All production must pass within the tolerance window, and the few (typically one or two a week) that essentially have no deviation from the golden sample are culled out and reserved as future, replacement "golden samples" (the tolerance can be discussed later, but suffice to say it is probably an order of magnitude larger than most HeadFi'ers would expect).
In other words, we use physical representations to calibrate against, rather than abstract numbers and concepts. It all comes down to how measurements can change from not just system to system or operator to operator but day to day. Temperature and humidity can affect measurements in significant manners. Environmental noise can - and definitely will! - corrupt measurements. Different mountings of DUTs (Device Under Test) by operators will affect measurements.
In essence, after installing literally hundreds (perhaps over a thousand) acoustic test systems, at dozens of factories in dozens of countries, I can confidently say that expecting consistency between two or more systems is a fool's errand. Won't happen.
Measurements are a great way to confirm you are getting what you expect, and to document where you are. And they are relevant within the same local world (equipment, team, environment). They can be used to guide design of product by a team, a team that is familiar and experienced with what measurement X really means in terms of what they are designing.
So with that, measurement correlation between different teams is never really expected, nor should it be. In fact, I start to get nervous if things line up too well! Great consistency tells me either the wrong settings are being used (we're not looking at a fine enough level of detail - we're oversmoothing/over-interpolating), or some fudging is going on to make things look closer than they really are.
All that said - don't expect measurements from one person to closely track that of another. Look at how products vary inside each measurement set, and assume the variances are at least relative - that is much more instructive. If one system is hot or cold in the treble, it will be consistently hot or cold, and you'll see that as you compare larger datasets between different systems. That is what we should pay attention to, rather than a few cherry-picked comparisons.”
Measurements are possibly valid to obtain a glimpse or gist of what we are hearing, but measurements are not the end all be all. Various manufacturers have told me privately that even though it may measure flat, it may not sound flat. Also, measurement devices do not equal our brain and cannot measure with absolute 100 percent certainty with regards to what we hear and feel. I listen with my ears, and write based on my interpretations of the music that is being presented to me.
A wise man once told me: "Music is the only thing that doesn't have war, pestilence, garbage, crap - music is so general, it's such a beautiful canopy of peace."
Ringing in my ears? Oh, tinnitus? I get that about 2 times a year, for about 10 seconds each time. Other than that, I’m currently good to go with regards to my hearing. Even if my hearing is perfect or not so perfect, what I hear may or may not match what you hear, for a multitude of reasons (genetic, physical, psychological, age, etcetera).
My music preferences are anything that has a great beat to it, not too vulgar in nature and anything that can induce head-bobbing, toe-tapping and maybe even dancing if the mood is right. I normally listen to (alphabetically): Alternative, Classical, Hip-Hop, Indie, Popular/Top Hits, Rock, and R&B/Soul. I will even from time to time listen to Blues, Jazz, Modern Electronic, Retro/Classics, and World.
Measurements - I measure headphone output dB with my decibel measure app that anyone can download, replicate and have an instant reference with what I use to test. Frequency spectrum measurements are seldom posted, as the manufacturer’s measurements are usually the best guidelines to go by. Why? They use them to tune their equipment, and the measurements are from their own specific parameters. I agree with Ken Ball from ALO’s overall statement/post when it comes to frequency response measurements (verbatim):
“…I thought it might be good to post some frequency response measurements first before we see a lot of variations posted by people. Without going into a long drawn out thesis / debate on measurements I just want to say that I have not seen any reviewers measurements that are accurate and it can be difficult to interpret a freq measurement. I don't use HRTF compensation curve on my measurements because I am familiar with the raw freq curve so when I see a curve I know what it sounds like and am comfortable with what I am seeing. So to state my measurement so I can be happy that this is the official freq I am posting it here now. I do not really want to get into any debates on what the freq means or read into it too much as a freq measurement is only a very small part of the over all picture of the product. I would MUCH rather listen to the IEM than read a freq.
In addition, I dont want to sound like I dont welcome people to also have fun and measure, but just want to say that taking a accurate measurement is tricky, also tricky to read into the measurement. I spent over $15,000 on on measurement system and it took me almost a year with professional help to calibrate and set it up 100%. So in doing so it is expensive and can be difficult to set up and calibrate. I know my set up is accurate because I send my IEMs to independent labs to double check everything.”
I also had the chance to talk with Dan Wiggins from perodic audio at various audio events and has been very enlightening to talk audio with him. Here are Mr. Wiggins’ thoughts on measurements (verbatim):
“Hi all,
Wanted to toss my $0.02 into the mix...
For those that know who I am, then you know I have a bit of a reputation in the industry (good). For those that don't, I can guarantee you've heard my work if you've ever listened to live or recorded music. From recording microphones to studio monitors to PA systems to consumer systems, I've designed audio systems and transducers for pretty much all the big players - and done so many, many times (not to mention lots of headphones and IEMs along the way).
In my experience, measurement correlation between systems is hard to first establish and even more difficult to maintain. Datasets within a measurement system/location/team can be fairly consistent over time as long as the equipment is rigorously maintained, processes are slavishly followed, and the team cares greatly about consistency. Otherwise - all bets are off.
In production of audio systems, we use "golden samples" - we use a very small number of selected reference units that are deemed as "ideal". A day's production usually starts with the online production test systems measuring the golden sample, then tolerances are set accordingly to that measurement. All production must pass within the tolerance window, and the few (typically one or two a week) that essentially have no deviation from the golden sample are culled out and reserved as future, replacement "golden samples" (the tolerance can be discussed later, but suffice to say it is probably an order of magnitude larger than most HeadFi'ers would expect).
In other words, we use physical representations to calibrate against, rather than abstract numbers and concepts. It all comes down to how measurements can change from not just system to system or operator to operator but day to day. Temperature and humidity can affect measurements in significant manners. Environmental noise can - and definitely will! - corrupt measurements. Different mountings of DUTs (Device Under Test) by operators will affect measurements.
In essence, after installing literally hundreds (perhaps over a thousand) acoustic test systems, at dozens of factories in dozens of countries, I can confidently say that expecting consistency between two or more systems is a fool's errand. Won't happen.
Measurements are a great way to confirm you are getting what you expect, and to document where you are. And they are relevant within the same local world (equipment, team, environment). They can be used to guide design of product by a team, a team that is familiar and experienced with what measurement X really means in terms of what they are designing.
So with that, measurement correlation between different teams is never really expected, nor should it be. In fact, I start to get nervous if things line up too well! Great consistency tells me either the wrong settings are being used (we're not looking at a fine enough level of detail - we're oversmoothing/over-interpolating), or some fudging is going on to make things look closer than they really are.
All that said - don't expect measurements from one person to closely track that of another. Look at how products vary inside each measurement set, and assume the variances are at least relative - that is much more instructive. If one system is hot or cold in the treble, it will be consistently hot or cold, and you'll see that as you compare larger datasets between different systems. That is what we should pay attention to, rather than a few cherry-picked comparisons.”
Measurements are possibly valid to obtain a glimpse or gist of what we are hearing, but measurements are not the end all be all. Various manufacturers have told me privately that even though it may measure flat, it may not sound flat. Also, measurement devices do not equal our brain and cannot measure with absolute 100 percent certainty with regards to what we hear and feel. I listen with my ears, and write based on my interpretations of the music that is being presented to me.
A wise man once told me: "Music is the only thing that doesn't have war, pestilence, garbage, crap - music is so general, it's such a beautiful canopy of peace."
Inside of the impeccable packaging, you'll receive:
Four different sizes of silicone tips (XS, S, M, L)
Four different sizes of “Ear Secure” sleeves (XS, S, M, L). These act a lot like add-on earhooks, which focus on anchoring the concha, but instead, the Secure Tips focus on anchoring the cavum, as the tips are like a soft and comfortable extension of the Dual Driver LTNG circular housing. What is great about these sleeves is that they may also fit other earphones as well such as more traditional earbud housings. I currently use the Ear Secure sleeves with the stock silicone eartips.
Magnetic flip-top stitched leather case. This is one of the nicer slim leather cases that I own. Rugged, yet civilized at the same time.
The build of the earphone is all business, as the 45-degree shape with the curved, ribbed, bell-shaped housing helps gives the earphone an understatedly classy look. There is even a backing for what I would presume the microphones to work its ANC magic. The housings are marked on the inside with a 3D etching of the cursive “L” and “R”, to denote left and right earphones. The kevlar core cable is rubberized before the y-connect, which is the world’s first 5-in-1 controller, and is weaved cloth with brown accents until the Lightning connector.
The 5-in-1 controller houses not only the volume, track, call, play/pause functions, but it also houses an internal DAC, and the ANC switch. When using the phone’s internal DAC, there can be background noise, possible signal interference, but the most important in my opinion is that the performance is limited by the phone itself, as opposed to the DAC inside of the Dual Driver LTNG’s control box, which means there is claimed zero background noise, signal loss, or signal interference. I personally haven't experienced background noise, or interference of any sort when using the Dual Driver LTNG.
I experienced just about the same iPhone 6 battery drain from the Dual Driver LTNG as I was using a traditional 3.5mm plug earphone. In order to use the Dual Driver LTNG without running out of battery, I use the Belkin 2-port Lightning Splitter, with great success. I plug in the earphone on one side, and the charging cable on the other side.
The volume seems to be limited, as full volume is plenty loud for just about anyone, but is not supremely loud to where it will immediately damage your hearing. 14 out of 16 volume is when the Dual Driver LTNG starts to hear very loud to my ears.
The ANC functionality of the Dual Driver LTNG is one of the best that I’ve used or own compared to other ANC earphones. It is claimed to have 50-2000 Hz ANC (more than other brands), and a 20 dB reduction in noise cancellation. I would say the ANC does a good job with drowning out midrange noise (like talking) and background noise as well.
You can get better ANC the better your seal is. I would say the Dual Driver LTNG is comparable to using full, deep ear canal customs with no ANC - meaning, you can get a good seal, but don’t necessarily need a deep ear canal type of seal, to obtain better noise cancellation, because that’s being taken care of with ANC control box. Remember, the better the seal, the better the ANC.
I leave the ANC on the entire time, so I can have the quietest background that I could have, and especially since I do not detect any degradation of sound by using it, compared to not having ANC activated.
The sound of the Dual Driver LTNG is quite warm, with smoothness and just a bit of body in the midbass. The treble isn’t very extended, but is such that you can listen to the earphone all day and not get fatigued. The midrange is creamy smooth, most notably in the lower midrange, as this area, coupled with the bass, are where the earphone shines. The bass is full, pinpoint in overall amount of bass notes, but there is depth where the bass notes do hit. The midbass is enthralling, especially when you are using ANC to get away from the outside world or want a boost when working out. The Dual Driver LTNG is best sounding with online videos and especially movies. Action movies sound very good, because it seems like the earphone is tuned specially with a movie EQ setting built-in! You know how it is when you are in a movie, and the ambiance is around, above and below you. Well, the Dual Driver LTNG feels that way! With certain types of music the earphone may not be the best fit because of the midbass emphasis, but put on some harder-hitting music or movies, and you’ve got an iPhone compatible earphone that should satisfy your sweet-tooth, no scratch that, bass-ear.
Compared to the original Dual Driver, the Dual Driver LTNG is smoother in the midrange and bass areas, and has less of a balanced sound. The Dual Driver has more extended highs – is still bassy, but is more of an overall dynamic sound, when directly compared to the LTNG version. The sound of the LTNG is more forward, with more emphasis in the midbass compared to the lower bass and treble of the Dual Driver, which forms that V-shape of the Dual Driver.
The Triple Driver LTNG has a brighter and more V-shaped sound than that of the Dual Driver LTNG. It is also a lot more sensitive than the Dual Driver LTNG, meaning it doesn’t take many volume clicks for the Triple Driver LTNG to be very loud in comparison. The Triple Driver is more detailed and resolute than the Dual Driver LTNG, however, the Dual Driver is such a fantastic performer in not only isolation and cancellation of noise, but in the lower midrange plus midbass areas. Overall bass of the Dual Driver LTNG is lusher, but the overall bass and treble is more pronounced with the Triple Driver LTNG. Soundstage and dynamics favor the Triple Driver LTNG - richness and lower-range texture favors the Dual Driver LTNG.
The Triple Driver’s sound signature is less bright and less forward than that of the Triple Driver LTNG, which leads to a more nuanced earphone comparatively. The Triple Driver’s sound signature is more like the Dual Driver LTNG than the Triple Driver LTNG’s sound signature is to the Dual Driver LTNG. The Dual Driver LTNG has the midbass emphasis. The Triple Driver has the boost in upper midrange and treble. The Triple Driver LTNG takes the sound signature a bit further with more forwardness, and a brighter, liquid sound.
If you are looking for an active noise cancelling in-ear headphone that is good for tuning out the outside and inside world, working out, and stellar for bassier songs and movies, then the 1MORE Dual Driver LTNG In-Ear Headphones are worth checking out!
Be one...with 1MORE.
Specifications
1MORE Dual Driver ANC Lightning In-Ear
Headphones type: In-Ear
Color: Gray
Connection length: 1.25 m
Driver configuration: 1 aalanced armature, 1 triple layer dynamic driver
Wire control function: 5-in-1 Controller
Wire: Enamelled copper wire
Plug type: Lightning (Mfi)
Frequency response range: 20-20,000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Rated power: 5 mW