Periodic Audio Titanium (Ti)

General Information

Specifications
Frequency Response
16 Hz to 30 kHz
Impedance
32 Ohms nominal
Sensitivity
96 dB SPL at 1mW in ear
Power Handling
20 mW continuous
THD
Less that 1% THD at 1mW
Material Properties
Melting Point
1941 Kelvin
Speed of Sound
5090 meters per second
Young's Modulus
116 Gigapascals
Brinell Hardness
2770 Megapascals

Latest reviews

B9Scrambler

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Technically adept v-shaped signature - Shockingly good isolation
Cons: Thin, noisy, delicate feeling fixed cable
Greetings,

Today we're checking out the middle child in Periodic Audio's iem lineup, the Titanium (Ti).

Periodic Audio are relative newcomers to the industry, having been formed in 2016. Their staff certainly aren't newcomers, however, with more than 140 years of combined experience between them. With the Ti, Periodic Audio is taking a very straightforward approach in advising who these are intended for. Let's see if you can figure it out from this statement:

“The sonic signature of the Ti IEM is very aggressive, with enhanced bass and treble response. It tends to be preferred by those who listen to electronica, dance, and bass-heavy music. Not our most objectively accurate IEM, it is a lot of fun to listen to, especially pop, rap, and world music.”

And that statement is exactly why I chose to review the Ti. As of late I've been reviewing lots of products that were tuned to follow the Harmon Curve. That gets pretty boring after a while. Why not review something that was designed with a fun, v-shaped signature, tailor-made for a number of my preferred genres?

Let's take a closer look at the Ti to see if Period Audio made a quality v-shaped earphone, or if your average Beats clone would do the job just a well.

Disclaimer:

A big thanks to Dan at Periodic Audio for arranging a sample of the Ti for the purposes of this review. Note that the sample sent is a b-stock unit. It sounds as it should but may have visual blemishes you won't get on a regular retail unit. The thoughts within this review are my own subjective opinions based on just over a month of listening. They do not represent Periodic Audio or any other entity. At the time of writing the Ti retailed for 199.00 USD. You can check it out here: https://periodicaudio.com/product/ti/

Source:

For at home listening the Ti was paired up with my TEAC HA-501 desktop amp, damping set to mid, with a ZiShan DSD or HiFi E.T. MA8 providing source duty. For mobile use it was paired with the ZiShan DSD or a Shanling M0/Periodic Audio Nickel amp combo. The Ti is slightly less sensitive, and has a slightly higher impedance, than most earphones. While a basic cellphone or DAP will get it up to volume easily enough, the extra power afforded by an amp seems to tighten up the low end even more than it already is, making the Ti feel a bit more nimble. Amping isn't needed, but I recommend trying it to see if you hear any benefits.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. My preferences for earphone tuning are quite relaxed and as such their is no one signature I look for. The HiFiMAN RE800 Silver, Brainwavz B400, and Massdrop x MeeAudio Planamic are examples of earphones with wildly varied signatures that are enjoyable for different reasons. I generally listen at very low volumes, so keep this in mind when perusing my thoughts on how an earphone sounds.

Specifications:
  • Driver: 10mm titanium diaphragm dynamic driver
  • Frequency Response: 16Hz - 30Hz
  • Sensitivity: 96dB SPL @ 1mW
  • Impedance: 32ohms
  • Power Handling: 200mW continuous
  • THD: Less than 0.8% @ 1 mW
  • Peak SPL: 119dB
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Packaging and Accessories:

Periodic Audio ships their products in environmentally friendly cardboard packaging. The front flap contains a wire-frame style image breaking down the component parts that make up the construction of the Ti, along with the usual branding and model info. Lifting the flap reveals frequency response and CLIO measurements along with product specifications and a product description. Also neat are some facts about the material properties of the element Titanium. Flipping to the back you find some blurbs about their design philosophy, safely using the Ti, and info about the packaging itself. Peeling open the flaps on the left side you find another cardboard box holding the Ti and all accessories. In all you get;
  • Ti earphones
  • Screw top carry tin
  • Airplane adapter
  • 1/4” adapter
  • Single flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
  • Dual flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
  • Foam tips (s/m/l)
Overall this is a nice unboxing experience. As someone that likes to keep and display nice packaging, it's a bummer the strong adhesive makes opening the packaging without damaging it unlikely. Not something that will affect most buyers. The accessory kit provided is extensive and useful with high quality tips that seal well and are appropriately matched to the product. I especially like that in addition to the variety (three tips styles), they include them all in three sizes. There is no need to replace the tips out of the box since you are sure to find something that will work for your particular ears. The airplane adapter probably wasn't necessary though and could be replaced with something more useful, like a shirt clip.

Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

The Ti's polycarbonate shells are lightweight and durable. They seem to be quite scratch resistant too, sliding down an 8ft or so skate ramp made of rough concrete without a mark to be found. The rubber strain relief sticking out the bottom is quite long but unfortunately stiffer than I would prefer. The cable flattens and deforms well before the relief starts to give and as such I don't see it offering much protection from bends, though it will hold up to be crushed quite well. The stainless steel back plate embossed with the Periodic Audio logo is glued on straight with a minimal gap between it and the main body of the earphone. Out the top is a fairly spacious vent, also lined with what looks to be steel. The nozzles have a prominent lip in place to hold the tips on, and is a little wider than what I consider the industry average; 5mm. As such it is great for tip rolling since you can install a wide variety of options, but those with smaller ear canals might have issues with fit. The steel nozzle filters are installed neatly with little risk of accidental removal, and feature a neat design; a series of circular cutouts that shrink in size until they meet in the centre. Overall the build of the earpieces is excellent. My only concern with the build is the left and right indicators. Instead of more traditional queues like L/R letting, a raised bump on the strain relief, or coloured pieces of plastic somewhere on the body, the nozzle filters themselves are coloured red for right, black for left. This is cool and clever, but in the dark you can't see it. And the difference in colour isn't particular vibrant either. I didn't even notice the filters were different colours until I started writing this review, thinking that the lack of L/R indicators was probably why my review unit was b-stock.

The fixed cable is not particularly confidence inspiring, in direct contrast to the rest of the build. As mentioned above, strain relief at the earpieces is stiff and not particularly effective. It is completely missing everywhere else. If this were a thick, braided cable as you'll find on competing products, I wouldn't mind so much. The Ti is not equipped with such a cable though. Instead, it has a fairly thin, microphonic, somewhat sticky, rubber-sheathed cable not unlike what you would find on your average 30 USD earphone from a mainstream brand. On the plus side, the straight jack is extremely tiny and I can't see it interfering with any cellphone or DAP case. The cable is also very light and behaves fairly well, in that it does not retain memory for bends or kinks. And despite being somewhat sticky and thin it does a good job of not tangling. Still, such a cable on a nearly 200 USD earphone is a disappointment, especially being that it is also fixed in place. If it were removable, I'd be more accepting. As it is, it's a bit of a bummer that such a durable housing is affixed to such a fragile feeling cable. Make sure you use the included tin to keep it safe when not in use.

There's not much to say here. Comfort is excellent. The plastic housings are on the larger side for such a design but the front is well rounded and they weigh very little. The traditional barrel shape means you can pop them in with little to no hassle and wear them cable up or down just as easily. They never quite disappear in the ear, but I didn't have to constantly fiddle with them to retain a good seal or address hot spots. None of that is an issue. You wear them and listen to your music. Just as it should be.

Isolation is well above average for a ventilated dynamic driver-based earphone, and that's with the single flange silicones. Toss on the dual flange or foams and it gets even better. With no music playing, the noise of the busy main street outside my window is dulled to a steady murmur. If using them while typing, the clacking of the keyboard is reduced only to the highest pitched part of each keystroke. Bring music into the equation and the outside world nearly disappears. How Periodic Audio managed to pull this much isolation out of this design is impressive and defies my past experiences. I'd have no issues recommending these to someone that needs an earphone for noisy commutes, especially if they want something in this style versus the low profile, over-ear wear designs that usually dominate when it comes to offering high isolation.

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Sound:

Other earphones with titanium coated drivers I've used in the past had a certain edginess to their treble, such as the Dunu Titan 1. The Ti is also marketed as having elevated treble and bass, being well suited to electronic, dance, and other bass-heavy genres. To say I went into this review with certain expectations would be accurate. I was surprised to learn that while v-shaped and high energy, edgy is not a term I'd apply to the Ti. It falls more into the “relaxing bass cannon” category.

That's because the low end is thunderous with good extension into sub-bass regions, though roll off seems quite rapid once it starts to decline. A prominent mid-bass hump also works it's way into the signature, and you know what, it doesn't ruin it. Normally mid-bass humps kill an earphone for me which is why I like them to be skewed towards sub-bass, but here it works. The low end presentation actually reminds me quite a bit of one of my old favorites, the JVC FX3X. Lots of texture, not super quick but fast enough to keep from tripping up on speedy, complicated bass lines. It's bassy without going overboard, at least compared to some other earphones tuned this way. Someone that likes a neutral signature will be well out of their element here.

The lower mid-range is recessed slightly with a peak showing up around 3k. I know some out there have a conniption fit with 3k peaks, so if you're sensitive to that region, be advised. Me, I don't find it detrimental. It's raised enough to give vocals and other mid-range instruments some presence, but not so much as to be aggressive and cause listening fatigue over short periods. This is a great example of a 3k peak done right. Aesop Rock and the RTJ boys kill it on their respective tracks feeling right at home through the Ti. This thing is killer for hip hop with the way it expertly blends the beats and vocals. That's not to say it slacks on other genres. I can still enjoy the entirety of Supertramp's 'Crime of the Century' with the bass feeling intrusive of cymbals and horns being too invasive. It works pretty well with classic rock in general, giving lower tones more body and heft resulting in some tracks being more impactful that they are through other earphones. It's a good midrange with a warn, sweet, woody timbre that is truly pleasing to the ears.

Pleasing to the ears extends to the treble which is clear and detailed with a slightly elevated state thanks to a 5k peak. Like the treble peak, this one is smartly introduced. It finds a good balance by providing clarity without crossing the line into harshness. For my tastes, they could have added a couple more dB, but I think as is it'll be just right for a lot of listeners. Since the treble tapers off after 5k with another mild peak at 11k, treble effects have just the right amount of shimmer. It gives the presentation some space and air between notes that keeps instruments distinct and clean.

The Ti's sound stage is a standout in my opinion, pretty easily overshadowing the similarly priced 5-driver BGVP DM6 I recently reviewed. It feels wide and deep giving instruments tons of room to play within. Bass notes in particular have a habit of stretching and lingering off into the distance. I love me a bassy earphone with a large sound stage and the Ti is just that. Imaging is sharp too with clear channel transitions and well defined layers applied to tracks. It's pretty easy to pick out a specific instrument or effect with the Ti which is always an appreciated quality.

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Select Comparisons:

JVC FX3X (69.00 USD): The FX3X, despite it's age, is still a staple earphone in my “basshead” collection, even if I use it nowhere as often as I'd like. The FX3X has slightly more bass emphasis than the Ti. It's low end extends further which makes it a more visceral experience. What the Ti gives up in depth it makes up for in mid-bass impact and texture, as well as overall control. The Ti's mid-range is similar in emphasis with a similarly excellent timbre, though it provides a touch more clarity. The FX3X is slightly more treble heavy and while to my ears is a smooth, non-fatiguing experience, it's not quite as smooth as the Ti. The biggest difference between the two is sound stage. The FX3X's massive bass port helps give it a good stage, but up against the Ti it is noticeably less spacious sounding, especially when it comes to vocals. Imaging is tighter and more accurate through the Ti while both offer similar layering and separation performance. If you're still using an FX3X and want to upgrade to something similar but more technically competent, the Ti is worth checking out.

In terms of build the FX3X comes out on top. Mine is quite old being an earphone I picked up early on when I first started getting serious about the hobby. It's shells are a mix of plastic and aluminum with dense rubber bumpers for additional protection. The plastic feels just as dense as the Ti's, but as a result of being semi-glossy are more susceptible to showing scratches. That said, after all these years it shows barely any wear. JVC's thick, red, rubber sheathed cable looks and feels like it did the day I got it. In addition to being more robust than the Ti's cable, it is better relieved at the jack and y-split, though is similarly lacking any relief at the y-split. Fit is very similar with the edge going to the Ti. They both have beefy, barrel shaped housings, but the FX3X's nozzle protrudes at an angle which makes getting an ideal slightly more tricky for me.

TFZ Secret Garden HD (199.00 USD): While the TFZ's low end offers better extension, it is notably less bassy in terms of quantity, especially in the mid-bass. TFZ skews towards sub-bass. Ti's bass is smoother and more impactful, but lacks the texture and detail of the TFZ. It's also not quite as quick. The TFZ's mid-range is notably more forward and detailed which makes vocals clearer and more prominent, though it's timbre is dry leaning and not as natural. It also shows off some mild sibilance not present in the Ti. Treble on the Ti isn't as emphasized as on the TFZ and is much less revealing of track imperfections. The TFZ's treble isn't as evenly balanced between brilliance and presence regions and as such as a somewhat clinical, sterile feel compared to the Ti's upper ranges which are more organic. Sound stage is similarly good on both with the Ti feeling slightly wider and the TFZ slightly deeper. TFZ is slightly ahead in terms of imaging accuracy and layering, though they both seem to separate elements of busy tracks equally well.

The TFZ Secret Garden has a very boutique feel to it's build thanks to the design of the bass port and nozzle. It almost looks hand-built. While I think the TFZ is more attractive and looks a lot more expensive, it doesn't feel as solid and durable. While I'm not a fan of the twisted cable TFZ provides with the Secret Garden, it is thicker and better relieved but also quite rubbery and springy. Like the Ti's cable, it is also somewhat sticky. The clincher for TFZ is that the cable is removable with a common 0.78mm 2-pin connector. In terms of comfort, Ti all the way. The TFZ's shape is quite familiar and similar to very comfortable iems like the Kinera IDUN, but it's not the same. Its size is exceptionally large considering it houses only a single dynamic, and the ergonomics are just a little off. It requires a fair bit of fiddling and the right tips to get a perfect fit, unlike the Ti which requires little to no effort.

Campfire Audio Comet (199.00 USD): The Comet's single armature lacks the depth and impact of the Ti's dynamic in the bass regions, but provides more texture and better control. The Comet's mid-range is more forward with a similarly quality of timbre but it's not quite as smooth and no more detailed. The Comet's lower treble is slightly more prominent giving it a duller presentation but also helping it out with detail. Clarity is better on the Comet but it's treble is a touch less controlled and nearly comes across as splashy with cymbals. The Ti's sound stage is larger and more rounded. Imaging quality is similar with the Ti coming out ahead in terms of layering and instrument separation.

The Comet definitely takes the build crown with it's hand polished, stainless steel housings that are comparable in quality to the 1,299 USD Campfire Audio Atlas. The twisted cable is also much nicer thanks to the dense sheath, solid strain relief, and use of MMCX connectors. It is stiffer than the Ti's cable though, and doesn't hold up quite as well in cooler weather where it loses all flexibility. Comfort goes to the Ti. Despite a similar length and broader face, it is a lot lighter which makes those qualities a non-issue. The combination of weight and length with the Comet mean that when wearing it cable down, it falls out of place often enough to make cable up wear near mandatory.

Final Thoughts:

I'm glad Periodic Audio is clear and forward with their product descriptions. When I was asked which model I wanted to cover, the Ti was the one that called to me. Something pretty much tailor made for EDM and hip hop? Yes please! As I said in the intro, I wanted to review something fun this time around, not just another Harmon curve biased earphone.

The Ti gave me pretty much exactly what I was expecting and is another great example of a v-shaped tune done right. Some may scoff at a company asking 199 USD for an earphone with this signature, but pitting it against other offerings with more “audiophile oriented” signatures in the price range shows that on a technical level, the Ti is just as capable. While I would like to see Periodic Audio improve the cable quality, or at the very least make it removable, the Ti provides listeners with a competitive and competent listening experience that just so happens to have a focus on the low end. This is one that I would happily recommend to anyone that listens to a lot of electronic and/or bass-heavy genres.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)

King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

SomeTechNoob

500+ Head-Fier
Pros: Superb Bass
Accurate Imaging
Great Sound Stage
Great Build
Cons: Questionable Accessories
Lacking Midrange
Attached Cable
First of all, many thanks to Periodic Audio for sending the Be, Ti, and Mg IEMs to demo and give away at the most recent SF South Bay Meet! I did end up taking home the Titaniums as you might have guessed.

Just a heads up - this is my third review here on Head-Fi and my first one of an IEM at that. As usual, feel free to criticize anything I say, because I'll also tell you exactly how I feel about a product.

IEMs sit in an awkward spot for me. I've always respected their sound-producing ability, having demoed ones like the Campfire Andromeda and such. The issue is that investing hundreds into a portable audio solution which will inevitably get beat up more than full size cans is daunting. Is the investment worth the risk? Let's find out.

STN's Periodic Audio Ti Review.

Unboxing

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The Periodic Audio Ti comes in a simple, clean, and maybe a little cheap feeling cardboard box.

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I appreciate the graphs inside, especially the frequency response one. I skimmed over both the graphs and the description when I first demoed the set, but now that I'm reading it I find PA's description quite accurate.

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Opened up! Not a whole lot to see. I'll note that outer box sleeve isn't resealable. To be honest, the inner cardboard feels like the same stuff that I get from generic Chinese products. At least the packaging is going to be recyclable.

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Inside the metal container are some eartips, a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter as well as an airplane adapter. I honestly don't remember the last time I actually used an airplane adapter. The majority of airlines I've taken over the past few years just use a single TRS port now.

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Here are the accessories unpacked. You get 3 types of ear tips in 3 sizes. Rubber tips in both single and double flange types and some foam tips. The single flange medium rubber tip is pre-installed on the IEM. Foam tips are definitely a nice touch, especially if you've never tried them before. I'll also mention that the included 1/4" adapter is pretty low quality. It produces super tinny sound unless you apply pressure to the 3.5mm plug. So the only good accessories are the eartips, basically.

Exterior

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What's really clever are the Left and Right indicators. Perhaps too clever for me since I couldn't figure out left/right until someone at the meet showed me this. The inside mesh is colored, with the standard of red being right and black being left.

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The build of the buds themselves is mostly plastic and rubber with the end caps being metal. They seem quite sturdy and durable without flashing fancy quality like some other IEMs with CNC'd aluminum. The strain relief is there, but I do wish there was a detachable cable for such a pricey IEM. There's a bass port up top(not pictured) as well.

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The split is miniscule and hasn't given me any issues. I was surprised to see "periodic audio" on the split since it's so small. The wire is also quite thin without feeling cheap. It's 1.5mm in diameter on the head side and 2mm on the connector side.

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The connector is terminated in a small, straight connector which is great. I do prefer a right angle connector since my phone is so big, but for most users this will be fine. On the very left is the included adapter and in the middle is the adapter of my preferred choice, branded by UGREEN. Highly recommend the UGREEN adapters since they're inexpensive, work on TRRS(android) headphones, and don't have intermittent issues like other cheap adapters such as the one included with the Ti.

Sound

With minimal packaging and slightly disappointing accessories, the Ti didn't leave that good of a first impression on me. I started sound testing, hoping that the cost of this IEM mostly went to the R&D of the earphones themselves. I've hooked up the Periodic Audio Ti to my Fulla 2, Magni 2(Fulla 2 as DAC), and my Samsung Galaxy Note 9 for testing. The default medium silicone tips were used for testing as I found those fit my ears the best.

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Sound Signature

I started with the best I had: a Magni 2 with a Fulla 2 as its DAC. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. The bass of the Ti is stunning. On other IEMs I've tried, I've found that they either had more punchy midbass than subbass rumble or vice versa. Not with the Titaniums. The Ti had bass which both rumbled and punched my eardrums. Really good job here.

On the other hand, midrange takes a back seat on these IEMs. They're fairly good for sure, but vocals have a slight artificial hint and don't come to life like what I'm used to on my HD 6XX. Passable, but not remarkable. It's probably good to keep in mind that I am very picky with my midrange, and even prefer "shoutier" midrange headphones.

Highs are crisp and clear. There's no grain of any sort. No issues here for me. I'm not that great at judging treble, but the high notes produced by the Ti never made listening unbearable in any way.

The sound signature of the Ti is the definition of a V shape. Periodic Audio's description of the Ti is therefore quite accurate in my opinion and I agree with them 100%. Electronic and Pop sound great, but other genres like classical don't wow me quite as much.

Imaging

Imaging is spectacular on the Ti. In fact, I found imaging better than my HD 6XX and M1060C. I hopped into a game of CS:GO with these in and the accuracy of footsteps was uncanny. Can't think of anything more to put here. It's great.

Sound Stage & Sound Separation

Sound stage on the Ti is what I would consider medium-large for an IEM. I would describe it as having the stage slightly outside your head but not too much farther.

Sound separation is fairly good as well. I define sound separation as the IEM's ability to produce distinct sources of sound. I find that multi-driver IEMs like the KZ ZS5 do this spectacularly well, likely due to their hybrid design. However, the Ti provides results which are better than the majority of single-driver IEMs that I've heard.

Comfort & Isolation

Just as a preface, I define "isolation" differently than "seal". Just because you have a good physical seal on your IEMs doesn't mean you get good sound isolation. This section will of course vary depending on the person's ear shape. So take it with a grain of salt.

I found comfort to be just okay. The medium silicone tips sealed my ears extremely well, creating what feels like an airtight seal without any sort of driver flex. However, the exterior housing isn't angled, so the plastic head does end up contacting some cartilage on my outer ear. Nevertheless, I've worn these IEMs without too much trouble for sessions of up to 4 hours.

Despite the excellent seal, the sound isolation is pretty standard with most other IEMs. It's good enough for a bus ride, but I don't expect any miracles on an airplane.

Power & Efficiency

Like most IEMs, these are quite efficient and are easily powered to a listening volume level. I had no issues powering them off my Samsung Galaxy Note 9. However, there's a noticeable difference in detail and sound quality when moving between sources. I was actually surprised how much these IEMs scaled on equipment. They'll sound satisfactory on a phone, but give them a proper headphone output and they'll shine even further.

Conclusion

I think that's about it. Overall, the Periodic Audio Ti is a surprisingly good V-shaped IEM that I feel is indicative of the price. The build quality feels solid enough, even though I wish that the cable was detachable and replaceable. The metal case tin is a nice touch, but the airplane adapter can be scrapped and the 1/4" adapter that's included needs to be of better quality. Overall, it's a keeper for me as none of the cons are what I would consider deal-breakers - just small shortcomings. Only time will tell when it comes to how the build holds up.

Got thoughts? Leave a comment, as usual. I'll be back to read over this again for grammar and spelling mistakes, but until then, thanks for reading!

tl;dr? Great V-Shaped IEM, but don't expect many accessories.

Dobrescu George

Reviewer: AudiophileHeaven
Pros: - Clean and Clear Sound
- Excellent detail for the price
- Good aesthetics
- Pretty comfortable
- Good bass and treble extension
- Good all-rounder
Cons: - Cable is not detachable
Periodic Audio Titanium and Beryllium - Musical Brothers

We reviewed the Magnesium IEM from Periodic Audio, and now it is time to also review the Titanium and Beryllium from the same lovely company, trying to figure if they have their place in this really rich and varied audio world.






Introduction

Periodic Audio has became well-known since the last review we wrote on their products, and we couldn't be more happy, as their products are a statement to research and development in the audio world. We have only good words to tell about their customer support and interaction, and we've seen customers happy with the solutions periodic audio had whenever there was need for a service process. The company has an interesting idea behind their products, where their first three products were made to look and be built pretty much the same, with the biggest difference in the drivers, which resulted in differences in the sonics of each of those IEMs. We're going to be comparing Ti and Be variants of their IEMs, as well as comparing them with other IEMs in similar price brackets.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Periodic Audio, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Periodic Audio or anyone else. I'd like to thank Periodic Audio for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Periodic Audio's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Periodic Audio Be and Ti. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Periodic Audio Be and Ti find their next music companion.



About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html




Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:


















The package for Be and Ti is the same as it was with the Mg we reviewed before, and as we said before, we like the concept, and we like the fact that Periodic Audio includes a lot of technical data with their IEMs, including technical data about the materials used for the drivers.

We are fans of the golden carrying case included with both, as it is a thick metal case, which should offer a good amount of protection to both IEMs, and we are fans of the number of tips and accessories included with the IEMs.

Once opened, the boxes are not sealable anymore, so you should keep this in mind if you plan on having them exposed on a shelf.

All in all, the packaging is great, nothing too fancy, but not lacking in any way.



What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html




Technical Specifications

Ti







Be









Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The build quality, aesthetics, fit, comfort, and isolation are exactly the same as those found on Periodic Audio Mg, which we reviewed before:

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.com/2018/08/periodic-audio-magnesium-warm-delight.html


To freshen up a bit, we should mention that the IEMs are barrel-type, they have a silicone tip with one of the most usual types of locking mechanism, they are well made, and you shouldn't have any issues wearing them portably. They isolate fairly well, and they o well with comfort.











The cable is not detachable, but it is of a good quality.

The L and R markings on the IEMs are very different from other IEMs, Periodic Audio using red and blue wax grilles to determine which is the right and the left IEM.

There is a difference in the color of the cap at the back of the IEM body, but that's pretty much the only difference we could find between different Periodic Audio IEMs, aesthetics and build quality wise.

All Periodic Audio IEMs are vented, so there's no driver flex.


All in all, the Aesthetics, Build Quality and Comfort are also great, and we couldn't find any faults with Periodic Audio IEMs, except for the fact that the cables are not detachable, but since they've been released, there've been no reports of the cables breaking, so we feel Periodic Audio has done a great job with the included cables.



Sound Quality


Ti

Starting with the Ti, it has a thick and bassy sound, with a really nice instrument separation, good soundstage, a sweet presentation of the female vocals, and with a rather great treble extension, but with a smoother presentation of the upper treble. The ADSR/PRaT is on the smoother side all-around, so textures are not overly enhanced, and the sound is overly smooth, musical, fun and laid-back.



The bass of Ti is really deep and impressive, drums in metal are timed properly, and although their PRaT is on the smoother side, Ti can still keep up with metal and even death metal. Reach of the bass is as low as you could desire, although we'd like to note that it does thicken the midrange, and it is pretty warm all-around. The word "tactile" describes the bass very well.

The midrange is sweet and smooth, a musicality euphoria status, where you're always surrounded by a melody of love and pleasure, and although this may sound like they are fuzzy, the instrument separation is actually quite good, and although the midrange is pushed back compared to the bass, it doesn't feel underpowered, being rather as most music lovers like it.

The treble is actually something of an acquired taste, a smooth, relaxing and fun presentation, although well extended one. You're going to hear the higher octaves, but they won't be rough nor harsh, rather, they'll be relaxing and smooth, further enhancing the thicc bass and midrange. Treble is presented in line with the midrange, with the bass being the most forward element of the whole sound.

A few things that impressed us with Ti, are that they keep being utterly clear even at crazy-loud volumes. Also, the value of Ti, compared to other IEMs we heard, makes them as detailed / clear as most ~350 USD IEMs, while their price tag is roughly 200 USD, so we're quite happy that Periodic Audio is pushing the Audio Industry to better prices.



Be


Now, about Be, this is the flagship of Periodic Audio's lineup, at the moment of writing this review. It is the best sounding of their offerings as well, a rather energetic and upbeat performer, with a V-shaped sound, with a good amount of warmth and thiccness, a more relaxed and musical midrange, and with a sparkly and fun-sounding treble.



The bass of Be is deep and powerful, although the focus is more centered around 100 Hz, rather than in the sub-bass, making be warm and emotional, working really well with rock, acoustic music, and with older music, rather than electronic. The bass can be a bit over enhanced on an overall level, but not because it distorts, as it is clear as the clearest day we've seen, but rather because it crosses a bit in the basshead territory, giving music a truly warm and friendly sound.

The midrange is sweet and juicy, Be presenting music musically and fun, with a spot-on tone for both male and female vocals. There's a slight tilt towards a musical presentation, with a bit of a more happy tone to things than absolutely neutral, so music tends to sound a bit happier on Be than on a more neutrally-tuned IEM. The warmth of the bass also tilts the midrange a bit, giving some of that analogue-taste to the midrange as well.

The treble of Be is incredibly well extended, with a good amount of sparkle, but without a lot of grain, being smooth and enjoyable to listen to for long periods of time. The extended treble gives them a really airy overall sound, with a really good instrument separation, and with a good amount of soundstage in both width and depth.


All in all, the Be sounds like a great value for its 300 USD Price, they are the flagship of Periodic Audio's lineup, and just like Ti, they can go really loud without distortion, and they can be named one of the most organic-sounding IEMs we tested to date.



Soundstage

All Periodic Audio IEMs have a good amount of soundstage, but we could say that Be has a much larger soundstage in both width and depth, compared to Ti, and they are the biggest-sounding of all Periodic Audio's IEMs. The soundstage of Be becaiscally extends as good as you can wish for it to do for a IEM in this price range, it has a happy and fun presentation, while the soundstage of Ti is good, but it doesn't have the width that Be has.

The instrument separation is quite great on both, and we couldn't complain about either, Be being slightly better in this aspect than Ti, but both having great instrument separation.



ADSR / PRaT


The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is slow to natural with Ti, and quicker on Be. This means that with Ti, most textured instruments will be smoot, making most music musical, without an analytical edge, while Be has a more natural overall PRaT, meaning that they are more textury, but again, their presentation is not overly analytical either, leading to a sound that is clear, organic and natural.



Portable Usage

The ortable usage is excellent for both IEMs, neither doesn't require any special care for picking their source, as they are easily driveable from a smartphone, and both are pretty resistant to hiss, and neither doesn't have any hiss from something like Hiby R6.





It is possible to walk and jog while wearing both Be and Ti, and it is possible to enjoy a long walk wearing both, but we surely would recommend taking care when inserting the IEMs, because they have small vent holes at the top, and if those vents are covered, it could lead to some driver flex.

On this page, Periodic Audio IEMs have no driver flex, and they are all a pleasure to sue for long periods of time.

The cables on both are similar, they are supple and flexible, but the cable aren't quite that interesting-looking on either, making them a great IEM to wear if you don't want to get too much attention, like say, while walking in a not-too-friendly place.


Noise isolation is quite good, and you can walk on a busy street while wearing them, without minding the noise too much, and they don't leak very much, but they are not very isolating in either way, being fit for isolation in most environments, but not being a library dead-silent IEM, nor sealing you away from noise quite like an Etymotic IEM.

Due to their easy-to-drive nature, and their fun sound with most sources, good isolation, and no driver flex, we consider that both reach our golden standards for portability and portable usage.



Comparisons


We'll try comparing both Be and Ti with a few IEMs close in terms of price and performance.





Periodic Audio Ti vs Dunu Falcon-C - This comparison is interesting because Falcon-C is priced almost the same as Periodic Audio Ti, but it has quite a different sound. Starting with the package, Falcon-C has a great package, just like Ti, but Falcon-C has detachable cables, based on the MMCX standard, while Ti has no detachable cables. Going forward to the comfort, Falcon-C can only be worn over-the-ear, while Ti can be worn both straight-down and over-the-ear. Falcon-C is a bit more open than Ti, so it leaks more and isolates a bit less than Ti. The sound is much more V-shaped on Falcon-C, with more treble emphasis, less bass emphasis, a less tactile bass, and a more balanced overall presentation. In this sense, Falcon-C works better for metal music, and for electronic music, although Ti's tactile bass makes them quite a good fit for electronic music as well. Now, Ti has a much thiccer bass, a much warmer and smoother sound, and if you want the sweetest midrange, but with a thicc bass, then Ti will surely give that to you, along with the option of wearing them straight-down as well if you desire to.

Periodic Audio Be vs Oriveti New Primacy - This is a great example of even pricing between items, although here, ONP and Be are a little clsoer to each other than Ti and Falcon-C were. ONP is a natural and even-sounding IEM, with a nice amount of texture. Starting with the package, ONP has a similarly great package, but it has a detachable cable, compared to Be, which does not. ONP can mainly be worn over-the-ear, while Be can be worn both over-the-ear and straight-down. The comfort is not better with ONP, as they suffer a bit from Driver Flex, while Be does not. In terms of sound, Be is much warmer, with a much more sparkly treble, and a more impressive overall sound, although if you're looking for a flatter, more honest presentation of music, ONP surely achieves that well. If you're looking to be impressed by a thicc, warm, sparkly, and fun sound, Be is a safe bet, while if you're looking for a more even, more natural presentation, ONP is still a great choice, provided you don't mind a bit of driver flex.

Periodic Audio Be vs FiiO FH5 - This is an elephant in the room we couldn't ignore, FiiO FH5 is priced close enough to Be, or rather even lower than Be, so we need to do this comparison most of you asked us to do. Starting with the package, FiiO clearly has an advantage in terms of tips, and FH5 comes with a much more solid-looking cable, they are made of metal, while the shells of Be is made of plastic, and FH5 is an over-the-ear only IEM, while Be is both over-the-ear and straight-down. Now, the comfort isn't necessarily better with FH5, as they have a somewhat shallow insertion depth, so it is easier to lose seal with them, especially considering that Be makes a great seal, but we'd say that both are fairly great in terms of comfort. The sound is quite different actually, with FH5 being similarly thicc as Be is, but with more emphasis and focus on the midrange, with Be having the midrange pulled back, and its treble enhanced. This means that if you prefer a more thicc, but mid-forward presentation, the FH5 makes one heck of a choice, while if you prefer a more V-shaped presentation, with a nice treble sparkle, then Be makes a great choice. The soundstage is also much more airy and wider on Be, while on FH5, it is more intimate, making this a matter of taste.



Recommended Pairings

Both be and Ti are fairly easy to drive and both scale a little with a better source.



Periodic Audio Be + Shanling M0 - Shanling M0 is a really inexpensive Ultraportable that will drive Be close to its maximum potential, and should provide a really amazing overall price/performance ratio. They can get M0 incredibly loud, and still clear, textured, and with their original signature, as M0 doesn't have much of a tuning of its own, making it an ideal player for those on-the-go, looking for a nice, inexpensive DAP.

Periodic Audio Be + HIDIZS AP80 - HIDIZS AP80 is another great option for those looking for an ultra-portable that is inexpensive, but which provides a great performance. It has a similar overall sound when compared to M0, but while it doesn't have the same great volume wheel, and while it has more corners, its screen is a little better suited for touch usage, and it has forward / backward buttons, making it a great overall portable DAP as well.

Periodic Audio Be + iBasso DX120 - iBasso DX20 is a great little DAP, with a lot going on for it, including the price, which is very acceptable for a device of its power. It has two microSD slots, it has a lot of power, and even a balanced output, making it a pretty future-proof option, and pairing it with Be results in an even better overall texture when compared to ultraportables pairings, DX120 also has a larger display, making it more suited for those with large hands, and for managing large music libraries.



Value and Conclusion


We've been writing about two IEMs from different price brackets, but we enjoyed writing about them together either way, as they are built to look, feel, and wear the same, but they sound quite a little different from each other. We find amazing what Periodic Audio has shown to us, by using exactly the same housing with their IEMs, basically highlighting how much of a difference the driver alone can make for a IEM.





From the overly smooth and bassy sound of Ti, to the textury V-shaped, organic and natural sound of Be, we feel that both IEMs are quite exceptional in terms of sonic performance and clarity.

Starting with the package, it is similar for both IEMs, and it is a rather basic package in its nature, but Periodic Audio have been nice enough to include a lot of useful data with their IEMs, for example technical data about the exotic material embedded in their driver. There is a good number of tips and accessories, and all Periodic Audio IEMs come with a beautiful metallic carrying case.

Starting with the build quality and aesthetics, both IEMs are well built and they feel solid in hand, they have a basic-looking but effective cable, which is not microphonic at all, and although we wish they had a removable cable, we're happy that they included a high-quality cable for their IEMs. The exceptional customer service of Periodic Audio is a good part in purchasing their products, and a good reason why you can trust their build quality and non-detachable cable.





The wearing comfort is great, as is the isolation and the ease of pairing them with anything you already have, making both great portable IEMs.

If you're looking for a smooth, thicc, musical and laid-back sound with a tactile bass, a great instrument separation and with a really sweet and juicy midrange, then Periodic Audio Ti should be at the top of your searching list, especially if you want something that does much more than its price point would indicate. For 200 USD, Ti is one deal you don't want to miss, especially if you plan on using both straight-down and over-the-ear wearing styles and if you don't mind being a little careful about the cable, as it is not detachable.



If you want to hear the best Periodic Audio has to offer, then Be is your best choice, and they are indeed one amazing IEM. Their sound is in line with other Be based headphones and IEMs, with a really nice warm bass, with a juicy and fun midrange, and with a good amount of sparkle in the treble. The soundstage tends to extend quite a lot, in both the width and the depth, with an airy, and well separated sound. Periodic Audio Be should totally be in your list if you're looking for a warm, thicc, moderately V-shaped, airy, and organic-natural sounding IEM.



Playlist used for this review


While we listened to considerably more songs than those named in this playlist, those are excellent for identifying certain aspects of the sound, like PRaT, Texturization, Detail, Resolution, Dynamics, Impact, and overall tonality. We recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you're searching for new most, most of them being rather catchy.

Bats - Gamma Ray Burst: Second Date
Eskimo Callboy - Frances
Incubus - Summer Romance
Electric Six - Dager! High Voltage
Kishida Cult - High School Of The Dead
Dimmu Borgir - Dimmu Borgir

Breaking Benjamin - I Will Not Bow
Manafest - Impossible
Thousand Foot Krutch - The Flame In All Of Us
Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
Infected Mushroom - Song Pong
Docor P - Bulletproof
Maximum The Hormone - Rock n Roll Chainsaw
Rob Zombie - Werewolf, Baby!
SOAD - Chop Suey
Ken Ashcorp - Absolute Territory
Machinae Supremacy - Need For Steve
Ozzy Osbourne - I Don't Wanna Stop
Crow'sclaw - Loudness War
Eminem - RapGod
Stromae - Humain À L'eau
Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back
Metallica - Fuel
Veil Of Maya - Unbreakable
Masa Works - Golden Japang
REOL - Luvoratorrrrry

Korn - Word Up!
Papa Roach - ... To be Loved
Fever The Ghost - Source
Fall Out Boy - Immortals
Green Day - Know The Enemy
Mindless Self Indulgence - London Bridge
A static Lullaby - Toxic
Royal Republic - Tommy Gun
Astronautalis - The River, The Woods
Skillet - What I Believe




I hope my review is helpful to you, and I hope you have a good evening in there!!









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