Custom Art FIBAE Black

INTRO:-

Flat Impedance Balanced Armature Earphone, Fibae. This is what Fibae Stands for.

I don’t think there is anyone in this world of audiophiles who are not aware of the Polish giant Custom Art's Fibae series of earphones. Known for their level of precision with BA based earphone, they make some of the most evolved and refined sounding earphones in the industry. Their earphones range from single BA Fibae 1 at $350 to 8 BA Harmony 8.2 for $1250.

In their pursuit to achieve most out of minimal resources they came up with the magnificent Fibae Black. Even though the Fibae Black has a single BA driver to work around. This single BA based earphone utilizes pressure optimizing design with their flat impedance design to extract the best out of the limited resources and man!! does it succeeds..

The Fibae Black has a starting price of at around $510 or 450 Euros, it comes in both custom and universal trim. the universal trim comes with only black color option.

I would like to thank Custom Art for this review unit.

You can place your order here, in both universal and custom trims.

https://thecustomart.com/shop/acrylic-products/fibae-black/

ACCESSORIES & PACKAGING:-

It has the exactly same set of accessories as the Fibae 3.

The Fibae Black comes in a gift box style Box with two carry cases inside it. One is a hard sided zipper case to keep the earphone when not on the move, the other one, a Pelican 1010 case, meant for travel use which will keep the earphone safe under unfavorable circumstances.

There are 3 pair of tips inside a small tips case in S/M/L sizes and a pair of double flange tip. Dehumidifier, wax pick tool and the welcome document sums up the list of things out of the box.





BUILD QUALITY:-

The Fibae Black has 3D printed acrylic shell.

Just like every other Custom art earphone, the build quality of the Fibae black is outstanding, it has a slightly bigger body compared to the Fibae 3 and it feels a bit more stable in the ear too.

There are many customization options available, some are with extra cost, you can chose different cables and one with Mic too. There is option to have the Fibae Black with MMCX connectors too, in case you don’t like the more secure feeling of the 2pin design. The Acrylic shell is very sturdy, the back plate fusion is flawless and unless you decide to drop the earpieces on solid floor (deliberately trying to break them). There is only one bore in side.

There is no vent in the shell, a BA don’t need one at all. The nozzle has nice depth to it and its very easy to change tips.




CABLE:-

Finally the cable has changed, finally. In one of my videos on YouTube I had pointed out that 3 brands, one from china and two from Poland (one is custom art) use the exactly same cable, which can be bought for $20 max. I am not saying that cable was bad, but for a premium looking earphone a not so attractive cable doesn’t do much justice.

Talking about the new cable, it looks very good, the clear layer of rubber looks more premium compared to older one. Yes the new cable is marginally more bouncy, slightly less supple and a bit more microphonics but it looks more premium and up to the class. The crystal clear Y splitter and cable slider give the Fibae Black more character.

To be honest, this new cable is supple enough, it doesn’t have much memory either and tangling is only induced by the metal inserted cable guides.

You can opt for cable with Mic if you want to use it with mobile devices, I am not sure what type of cable that is.



COMFORT, ERGONOMICS AND SEAL :-

All of their custom earphones have very good fitment with plenty of customization. Their universal earphones, like the one I am reviewing too have a very comfortable feel to them.

It is exceptionally comfortable for a $500 earphone, many other earphone in this price range have bigger footprint. The smaller size, and ergonomically design makes it a very comfortable earphone for everyone. Another thing which helps is the weight, which is very light thanks to light weight shell material.

the Fibae Black has an aptly deep nozzle making it more stable and secure. Fibae Black fits like a dream inside my ears. One of the most comfortable earphone in this price range. No bothering edges at all.

CAUTION:- don’t use earphones where you have to be aware of your surroundings like driving and walking on the road, stay home and enjoy your music or at gym.

SOUND QUALITY:-

The Fibae Black is tuned for the both sides of the audiophile world. An audio enthusiast, a stage artist and a mastering artist will admire the Fibae Black equally. It delivers delicacies of music without going too hard at them, without peaks or sibilance of any type, with a soothing approach delivering a very clear and true to the nature tonality.

In their words the Fibae Black is:-

"Designed as a statement, breaking rules and going against the current. With only single Balanced Armature FIBAE Black produces sound unmatched by any IEM within its class and above. Pressure Optimizing Design allows for extremely precise control of frequency response, improving soundstage and separation capabilities, without issues arising from crossovers or multi-driver constructions.

Natural smooth sound with fast-paced deep bass, forward mids and smooth extended highs. Tuned for correct tone and enjoyment without sacrificing extension on both ends. It’s one of our most versatile IEM yet combining musicality and precision. FIBAE Black is the perfect choice for daily use."

There is little to no coloration and the signature is very neutral, just like the Fibae 3, but the notes have slightly better weight and depth to them making it more enjoyable. It has a very flat spectrum too, more even compared to the Fibae 3.

the Fibae Black is properly burned for 120hrs I am using stock tips, Plenue R and Plenue D for this review.











TECHNICALITY AND MATCHABILITY:-

The Fibae Black is very easy to drive out of any portable device without much problem, even when using some capable mobile phones, you will still be able to get most out of it, but a dedicated dap will always bring out the best of it. 108.5db sensitivity means it can get very loud too. Amping is not necessary but if you have one, you can use one and you will find a bit more energy up top.

Given that the 5.2ohm impedance value, its prescribed to use a low output impedance source.

BASS:-

The Fibae Black relies on its only BA driver to do the heavy lifting, and it delivers without any problems. It doesn’t have a typical BA type bass one can experience with earphones like the ER-4P and Q-jay. The body and impact size is very good, far more respectable when compared to the flatter ones. It definitely is not in the line with the bassier ones like the EE bravado, Black's bass has slightly smaller body than the Shozy Pentacle I reviewed very recently.

If the Fibae 3 was riding on the sub-bass power, the Fibae black rides on a more fuller and full bodied bass size. The Fibae Black has bigger bass size from every perspective compared to the Fibae 3. It deliver equally good sub-bass impact and extension but has bigger slam and moves more air. If a single BA can do this.. Why was the Fibae was unable to do this, maybe because of the different tech implementation. Be informed that the Fibaes I am talking about here are some of the best earphone when it comes to sub-bass extension. The Fibae black has better sub-bass extension when compared to the 64audio U3, Nocturnal Avalon and even slightly better than the Pola.

It goes as deep as 20hz, it delivers better sub-bass compared to most in this price. The Decay is fast, marginally slower than the ER-4P or the q-jays, slightly slower decay gives notes a bit more weight and authority as they make their presence felt. It has better precipitation compared to the flatter ones.

The Amount of control and composure shown by the Fibae Black is class leading. It has one of the most polished and matured bass presentation I have seen. There is no jitteriness to it. And the amount of details and precision shown by this single BA based earphone is praise worthy. The Fibae 3 has slightly slower decay, the Black has rectified that with a better decay speed, it feels more accurate now.

Mid bass is as fast as the sub-bass, it maintains very good tempo, it has equally good depth, it make its present felt with good amount of air, the upper bass to maintains good amount of energy exhibiting good control.

There is no sacrifices made when it comes to the balance between presence of bass and the level of details it delivers. The level of accuracy, resolution and amount of resolving details is up to class. The amount of balance exhibited across the bass spectrum by the Black is admirable.

MID RANGE:-

the upper bass nicely blends into the lower mid range. There is very good amount of energy there. It is one of the most mature transaction even for $500. Earphones tend to get shaky there, custom art has been very good in this region. It sounds more forward and a bit fuller when compared to the Fibae 3. The whole mid range has very good smoothness and presentation to it. It doesn’t have any type of discomfort to it, in fact the Fibae black is one of the most pleasant sounding earphone when it comes to mid range. Notes have a slightly warm feel to them thanks to the thicker and marginally slower decay, they give the Fibae black's mid range plenty of body.

The vocals are as musical as they get, they have exceptional texture to them, it sounds very much like a dynamic driver, notes have fantastic body, they sound very detailed and male vocals excels with a very throaty and textured feel to them. One of the richest vocal notes with a very polished notes finishing to them. Female vocals sound equally impressive, they have very good amount of detail to them, it's just sublime.

The instruments too have very good amount of details to them, but guess what.. this is where the Fibae Black lacks a bit of bite, it just want to pamper you with its lovable tonality and presentation. Others with more drivers does better with super fine details and transparency. Something like the NOC Avalon churns out more details in expense of tonality and smoothness. Upper mid lacks a bit or energy compared to the vocal region. It still has very good amount of energy with the instruments.

The level of layering, instrument accuracy and separation is up to the class but I have seen better, it can be more cleaner. The Fibae Black has more rounded stage size compared to the Fibae 3, the fibae 3 has a conical feel to it, the Fibae Black equally complimenting width depth and height, it still is slightly deeper than wider or taller but its more even. the stage size is very good, in the ballpark of 64audi U3.

HIGHS:-

The transaction from upper mid to lower treble is smooth with no spike of any type. There is good amount of energy there which holds true for the mid treble region too. There is good amount of spark and energy to them. From there the problem of having a single driver starts to show. The treble extension is above average but it starts losing energy after around 11k. It doesn’t feel as endless as the Fibae 3. It still is very good, just not Fibae 3 good.

Treble is the weakest point of the Fibae Black, no doubt there, but it still has very good layering and separation. Instrument placing is very good with good amount of air in between. With the bigger than average stage size, the presentation is delightful and fatigue free. The resolution and imaging is up to the class too.

The spectrum wide width to notes thickness catches up to treble too, the thickness results in to hair slower decay. That thickness does wonders for bass and mid range but it doesn’t work wonders for treble region as it makes the notes slightly blunt. They don’t feel as sharp or as transparent as most earphones in this price range. By doing this they definitely have got rid of any type of sibilance though.

There is very good amount of details but it lacks some super fine details.

COMPARISION:-

VS Shozy Pentacle :-

The pentacle has similar sound signature but the notes are slightly shallower and lack a bit of sharpness. Both have similar bass body and air but the Black feels more involving. Mid range is slightly less attacking and is not as cohesive as the black. Treble of the Pentacle has slightly better extension and energy. Stage size is slightly smaller but is decent.

The Fibae Black feels more engaging and Technically better.


VS Fibae 3 and Eternal Melody EM-5H:-









CONCLUSION:-

Magnificent, yes that is the word for the Fibae Black, there are no two ways about it, it is one of the most versatile and efficient earphone I have ever come across. What it delivers is just outstanding, nothing is really comparable to the Fibae Black except the other Fibaes like the Fibae 3.

The Tonality and timber is just exceptional, it is very light still heavy, it doesnt bite still the impression is not easy to forget. The bass notes are fantastic, mid range has very good amount of details, vocals are one of the best, treble is slightly lacking, but when you look at the whole picture, the lack of treble extension is dwarfed in front the strong points.

The Fibae Black is a one of its kind earphone.

You can't buy the Fibae Black for the sheer amount of details, it is not a studio tool, it is more tuned for enjoying the music. It still have very good amount of details and clarity though.

If you want to enjoy your music without being very critical about it, go for the Fibae Black, you will not regret a bit.

That’s it here, enjoy your music. Cheers.

The FIBAE Black is a custom earphone powered by a single balanced armature pushed to its very limits. Polish boutique company Custom Art shows the way to a beautiful, enchanting tuning that puts musicality above all else.

Enjoyment is immeasurable. I can’t tell you how much I like something, I just do, case closed. Some hobbies , however, have an element of snobbery in them, especially when subjectivity comes into play. People will claim all kinds of things to lord over you. They can detect the crisp pineapple notes in their coffee, smell all 3 layers of a perfume, and have such developed hearing, they can hear a fly sneeze.

Pish tosh. For the life of me, I can’t tell you if Swiss watches tell a more accurate time, nor if free-range eggs taste better, because I’m dense lol. Same goes for audio. People will go to unjustifiable lengths to justify their extravagance, but at the end of it, just because you spent thousands on gear doesn’t mean your enjoyment is 100 units whereas another bloke’s is 23.

In the midst of the unending game of one-upmanship, there’s a yearning to go back to basics and just appreciate the music, first and foremost. Meet Piotr Granicki. He started off like you and me, collecting and enthusing about portable gear, modding and reviewing them. Later on, he tinkered with more than he should; and the best possible outcome he could hope for, happened.

In 2012 he founded Custom Art and launched his own series of in-ear monitors (IEMs). I wish I was that talented. The company tagline is “made with passion”, with the aim of delivering the best products possible at affordable prices. Custom Art grew steadily and today, boasts a full roster of IEMs from entry-level to top-of-the-line (TOTL) for the discerning consumer, earning numerous accolades along the way.




Come on feel the emotion. I’m trying to dictate your mood.



Today we look at one of the entry-level options in Custom Art, The FIBAE Black. So named because it was launched on Black Friday 2018, the Black features Custom Art’s patented FIBAE (Flat Impedance Balanced Armature Earphone) technology, which promises a flat impedance and phase (or in English, a consistent sound signature) no matter what audio player you use, from the lowly cellphone to a mega-expensive copper brick.

The humble Black (not humblebrag lol) consists of a single balanced armature (BA) driver, albeit a heavily researched and modified one. Tasked with covering the full sound spectrum, this modified BA has Pressure Optimizing Design (P.O.D.), which is a complex implementation of a Heimholtz resonator that shapes and controls the frequency response according to the exacting needs of the maker.

So what does the thingamajig do again? On paper, the result is a smooth, natural sound with soundstage and imaging capability surpassing what a conventional BA can do. A supercharged driver if you will. The Black retails for €450.00 (~USD500) and is available in custom or universal fit via their official website. I would like to thank Piotr and Kamil for the review sample and the patient back-and-forth emails.

This review was originally featured in Headphonesty.




This chameleon is just trying to blend in.



Equipment Used:

DAP

1. Sony NW-WM1A “K” Modded, FW 2.0

IEMs

1. Custom Art FIBAE Black
2. Fearless Audio S8 Freedom
3. Acoustune HS1650CU

Albums

1. Aaron Neville – Warm Your Heart
2. Adele – 25
3. Amber Rubarth – Scribbled Folk Symphonies
4. Art Pepper – Modern Jazz Classics
5. Diana Krall – Quiet Nights
6. Fleetwood Mac – Tango In The Night
7. Linkin Park – One More Light
8. Macy Gray – Stripped
9. Meiko – Playing Favorites
10. Various – Jazz At The Pawnshop

I keep all my toys in shoeboxes so the kids won’t know.



Packaging and Accessories

Years ago in college, a lecturer who was a fan of concise, bullet-point presentations asked us what KISS stood for. I stood up and yelled, “Keep It Simple, Stupid”. It wasn’t the answer she wanted, much to my dismay. Apparently, it was the more genial “Keep It Short and Sweet”. I sat back down, defeated.

Custom Art’s packaging is as KISSy as it gets, but loaded with charm. Packed in what looks like a kid’s shoebox, you get the essentials. Standard with all custom fit IEMs are the Plastics One 3.5mm cable, wax cleaning tool (because we dirty) and drying pellet. You get two modes of storage, a fabric zippered case, or the absolute gold standard in IEM cases, the Pelican 1010.

The black Pelican 1010 is well-documented to be as good as it gets when it comes to uncompromised protection for your little IEM darlings. They are watertight, crushproof and dustproof. They are dang near waterproof too, able to be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes, for whenever you might want to take the Blacks swimming (don’t).




Floating in mid-air, defying gravity. Is this Black magic?



Design and Build Quality

Every budding artist has a start. Some like redesigning the wheel, others go for artsy IEMs. For the design of custom IEMs, the only limit is the wildness of your imagination. If you can dream it up, Custom Art will be up to the task. The order page is home to an interactive IEM designer tool that allows you to see your creation in real-timeLike a T-shirt maker but more expensive.

The Black only has one condition. The shell/body must be in solid black, which makes sense because it’d be thematically awkward otherwise. You can customize the faceplate and logos, but if you want something more personal, Custom Art is always an e-mail away. If, like me, you have stunted creativity, Custom Art’s Instagram page provides much-needed inspiration, and for plagiarizing purposes. Their body of work is breathtaking.

The build quality is impeccable and as good as can be for acrylic IEMs. Shells feel solid and the integration between faceplate and body is seamless, the handiwork of an artisan so skilled in his craft. I’d still advise you to take good care of them though, since they aren’t indestructible. Avoid drops, water, children, and hungry pets. Keep them in the Pelican case and they will outlive you.



Fit, Isolation and Comfort

I’ll let you in on a secret. I’ve had more Custom Art IEMs (4) than girlfriends, which is a testament to their enduring quality or my pitiful social life. And every single one of my Custom Art creations have had a perfect, flawless fit. The Black continues the grand tradition, fitting into my ear canals snugly right before the second bend (beyond which would be intrusive and uncomfortable), thus providing a perfect seal.

And what does a perfect seal provide? Not just a kiss from a rose, but uncompromised sound isolation. Holy heck, Black keeps the background so quiet – blocking out up to 90% of outside noise – that I could use them as earplugs to ward off noisy neighbors and annoying salesmen. Summing up the equation, like Spiderman would say, with great fit comes great comfort. The Black melts into my ears, offering easy listening comfort for hours. Make no mistake, Custom Art is the gold standard when it comes to providing a consistent and excellent fit.




These colorful little snails are escargots for the ears.



Sound Quality

I know what you’re thinking. A single BA driver couldn’t possibly cover the entire sound spectrum without some compromises, yes? Well, the proof is in the hearing. Piotr selected 10 reviewers to blind test the Black before its launch, without providing any information other than “try it out”. The response was largely positive (see the middle of this page), with minds blown when the Black’s driver count was finally revealed. It’s our turn to dive in.



Overall Sound Signature

The sound characteristics of the Black can be described as a mellow, yellow potato. I won’t get away that easily, so allow me to elaborate. The Black has a gentle, laid-back tuning (mellow) with emphasis on euphony and musicality rather than details and neutrality. The mids are the focus of the Black, sounding sweet and colored (yellow), with a natural timbre and organic tinge.

The bass is warm and full, while the treble is relaxed, but the sound spectrum shares a common trait that is the full, rounded notation (potato), totally free of grain. Of course, the consequence of this potato signature is the relative lack of clarity and middling transparency. If you want the Detail Extractor 3000 I’m afraid this is not the IEM for you.

What is it though, is the sonic equivalent of soaking in a warm tub while sipping a latte, as someone massages your shoulders. Blissful, serene, warm mid-centric magic. For a long listening session that is fatigue-free, the Black leads the way.



Listening Conditions

Critical listening was done after 50 hours of burn-in. While waiting for the hours to complete I just sat there admiring the gorgeous faceplates. Burn-in did not produce any significant sound changes, but I believe the Black has finally warmed up to me. The main review rig is Sony’s NW-WM1A Walkman modded by Project K, and using the stock cable.




Fame is fleeting, so enjoy the spotlight while you can.



Bass

Lennon said guns, Charles Schultz said puppies, but I believe happiness is a warm buzz. A bass buzz, specifically. Like the elation you feel after a drink or two, before descending into a night of drunken regret and retrograde amnesia, the bass of the Black is carefully measured. The midbass is tastefully elevated, lending warmth to the signature and dictating the overall tone.

The bass isn’t fast nor punchy, but majestically rounded in a way that soothes and caresses as it attacks, and blooms beautifully with butterfly-like resonance. The bass has just the right amount of thickness for you to savor the beauty of each note, and fades away in an airy flutter that keeps the presentation neat without any smudging.

Sub-bass extension is scarce, however, with barely any rumble felt or heard in the lowest registers. However, the exquisite tone atones for it. This organic, teddy-bear-fuzzy bass is predictably welcome in slow, emotive tracks, but lacks the depth, slam and layering ability that is demanded of more aggressive tracks. You’ll be perplexed when listening to hard rock or EDM with these, it’s like asking a ballerina to breakdance.




In retrospect, I should’ve used more orange slices.



Mids

Like Edward Scissorhands furiously making ice sculptures of Winona Ryder (pre-kleptomania) with his bladed hands, each note in the mids are exquisitely, intricately, and gorgeously shaped. Welcome to the brilliant highlight of the Black. The mids are the heart and bleeding, aching soul of the signature, brimming with so much emotion, the cup runneth over.

This is not your neutral, reference-oriented mids tuning, no. It is quite colored, with a sweet, even nostalgic tuning, designed to capture emotion and make you feel. Notes are lush, alluring and irresistibly bewitching, flowing into one another with seamless ease and buttery smoothness. The texture is like fine silk, with the tone and timbre sounding natural as ever.

The mids are placed slightly forward, because the star takes center stage. Male vocals carry weight and gravitas, while guitars, pianos, and strings sound effortlessly grand and sweeping. And female vocals, oh wow, what an emotional wallop! From Adele to Celine Dion, each power-packed performance is so alluring and enchanting, my fidelity would be questioned.

The mids fall short of perfection, as the upper mids are shelved and slightly muted. Notes lack some air and crunch, and tend to be too relaxed sometimes. That is to say, detail levels and transparency are not the best. Taking the Black’s greatest strength into consideration, however, you will be moved by the tidal wave of emotion the Black provides, with front row seats, no less.




How about a fresh bouquet of sophisticated European IEMs to start your day?



Treble

When I was much younger and poorer, I’ve once climbed to the top of a modest hill, expecting a cool breeze. But it being the height of a heatwave, I was greeted by a gush of warm air instead. That peculiar experience is replicated in the Black’s treble, where I expected airy, crispy notes balanced with shimmery flair, but received the opposite.

Don’t get me wrong, treble comes in many flavors and colors, but the Black’s treble is as chill as they come. Notes are smooth and relaxed, if a bit muted. Cymbals and hi-hats have a good tone and natural timbre, but clearly yearning for air and urgency. Shining a positive light to this, Black’s treble is utterly free of sibilance and harshness.

If you are a fan of long listening sessions with no untoward surprises, Black will fit right in. For my tastes though, ever since age caught up and my biggest thrills come from treble-heavy signatures and really spicy food, Black’s treble is simply too laid-back and rounded.




I apologize for the fingerprints, but I swear I couldn’t get my hands off them!



Soundstage and Imaging

When you desire enchantment and seduction via intimate vocals of the female sort, you wouldn’t want them to be too far off. Instead, you’d want her to be as close to you as possible, preferably inside your head, or lip-to-lip if that’s even allowed (I won’t judge). So it comes as no surprise that the Black’s soundstage is pretty compact. Stage depth edges out width just slightly, but both are frankly small potatoes.

The lush, smooth and overall relaxed nature of the signature means that imaging capability is average at best. It’s easy to pick out spatial cues in simple, woman-in-front-of-piano arrangements. But in complicated tracks, the lines are blurred and instrument separation takes a hit. Notes tend to meld into one another, not helped by the intimate soundstage either.




A new health craze meant every Tom, Dick and Black is trying out rock-climbing.



Comparisons

Fearless Audio S8 Freedom

I’m sorry I don’t have another single-BA to compare the Black with, but how about something similarly priced? If you had about $500 to splurge, would you go for a custom IEM from a boutique European company, or the current shining star of Chi-fi? The answer is... not as simple as I thought.

The Fearless S8 Freedom (S8F) sounds as far apart from the FIBAE Black as humanly possible. Where the Black soothes and caresses, the S8F pounds and pummels with an aggressive, in-your-face V-shaped signature, with a bountifully bold bass and heightened treble response.

S8F attacks hard and fast, with a much speedier transient response, and airiness and crunch to the notes that I missed in the Black. It’s highly-transparent as well, with every iota of detail mined and presented to the listener, like a housecat presenting its latest kill. Its downfall though, is the overbearing, over-eager sound that gets fatiguing after awhile.

The Black’s weaknesses are made more apparent after a short session with the S8F. The subbass is barely there, the treble sounds too muted and the signature lacks air and snappiness. But it outlasts the S8F where it might matter most, the mids. Black makes S8F sound artificial and uninvolved, and wins me over with sheer musicality and accurate tone.

So what we have are two IEMs that are complementary to each other. S8F is made for the feet, while Black is for the heart. If pressed for an answer, S8F is the better all-rounder and fits more genres, but you’d be missing out on the purity of sound and emotion that the Black so effortlessly delivers.




Meet the Mel Gibson of IEMs.



Acoustune HS1650

Single-driver IEMs have their inherent charms. Simple, direct, without added complications (a good word in the watch world by the way) like crossovers or phasing to worry about, in general, they sound more uniform and coherent even to the untrained ear. The HS1650CU is one of my best-loved tunings at any price, and despite newer releases by Acoustune, still stands as my firm favorite in their lineup.

So what is the 1650’s special sauce? A perfect blend of detail and musicality, of emotion and dynamism. With a neutral-warm signature, it’s suited for almost all genres without being too picky. Against the Black, 1650 has a more visceral and swift bass, hitting cleaner with more jarring impact and intricate detail. The Black sounds one-note in comparison.

The 1650 lower mids take a dip, and this is where Black shines once more. Fully-formed male vocals realistic enough to make your hairs stand, the instrument timbre so moving it’s just magical. Moving up it’s more evenly-matched, with the 1650 more technically proficient with better detail and layering ability, but sounding grainier and less natural than the Black.

In the upper mids and treble, 1650 floats away with more air, transparency, and excitement, showcasing without a doubt that it is technically superior. Black’s treble is shelved, but the excellent tone remains its sole saving grace. For me, 1650 does more things correct, but if your music library very specifically consists of vocalists with sparse arrangements, Black will do you good.




Hit the road, Black!



Final Words

The IEM world is awash with people forever chasing the latest and greatest, from the newest drivers to the latest tubeless designs, among others. The tech specs read like a laundry list of gung-ho, made-up names to sound impressive. While FIBAE Black boasts a few funny acronyms too, the aim of it is to bring back the love for the music, and not the equipment.

The Black, in its purest form, presents an exuberant expression of music, thanks to its achingly beautiful and intricate tone. It renders music with conviction, purity, and sweetness, but alas, doesn’t do so with all genres. For just about any modern genre, the tone and tempo sounds out of place and lacks energy.

Feed the Black slow-paced music, however, and be prepared to reap its generous rewards. Black’s unwavering dedication to present music in its most charming and emotional form, means you will be moved by intimate vocals and rich, organic instrumentation over and over again.

With the Black, I rediscovered my parents’ music collection and savored each track as if with new ears. Wave after wave of nostalgia washed over me as I closed my eyes and reminisced about years long past. While the Black is not without its weaknesses, once you find the sweet spot like I did, there is no turning back.

Show off a new design - the world glimpses; include fancy accessories - the world still glimpses. But create new technology and the world will watch, such is what Custom Art did. To audiophiles spanning the globe, the introduction of new of a design and the inclusion of fancy accessories in audio gear is a common sight, but the development and introduction of exclusive and singular technology always stirs not only the mind but also the curiosity of hobbyists who are eager to either verify or vilify something new.

Custom Art is one of the many members in the high-end CIEM/UIEM pool of sharks which if you happen to lack the chomps will surely shatter your dreams of making it big or if lucky, relegate you to the calmer seas where as it implies, calm, but dull. Custom Art was founded in May 2012 by Piotr Granicki in Warsaw, Poland and oddly enough, also a reviewer of portable audio equipment while also being a DIYer which eventually took hold of him to create his own series of earphones.

I was sent a choice of either a CIEM or UIEM review unit for the FIBAE Black and as my area has minimal Custom Art presence, I opted to go for the UIEM version in exchange for an honest review with no monetary involvement which the Custom Art Overseer is quite familiar with.

The FIBAE Black is one of the new models from Custom Art which was released on the Black Friday of 2018. The FIBAE Black as the name implies highlights Custom Art’s FIBAE technology which stands for Flat Impedance Balanced Armature Earphone, a design which provides the Black model with a flat impedance and phase that provides an assurance of being driven easily by various sources. The FIBAE Black currently retails for 450 EUR and you can check their official Custom Art and FIBAE Black website for more product offerings and details.

Custom Art FIBAE Black spec sheet:
I’m not certain if the FIBAE Black’s packaging is the standard Custom Art packaging for all its products but if it is, it is one of the brands biggest areas of improvement. The FIBAE Blacks’ came in a plain rectangular matte black box with no tags or identification that it hailed from Custom Art and at both a consumer and reviewer standpoint, it’s a lost marketing opportunity. The minimalist approach also has its appeal and would please some though.
Inside the box is where things starts to take off, starting with a nice black elliptical leather case. Right next to this leather case is the FIBAE Black’s Iron curtain, Maginot line and Great Wall; call it whatever you like but this one is the Pelican 1010 Micro case. I’d trade the fancy packaging all day every day for this specific case to accompany and secure a CIEM/UIEM designed to provide the best possible sound. Since the Pelican 1010 Micro case is transparent up top, Custom Art chose to add their trademark brick-colored manual disguised as a greeting card with a sole “Hi” statement upfront and since I have the UIEM version, it came with a set of black silicon ear tips (S, M and L) with one double-flange black silicon ear tips in the medium size. A drying pellet and wax pick cleaning tool is also included in the FIBAE Black package.
The FIBAE Black’s overall shell and faceplate is made of 3D printed acrylic which is standard on the UIEM/CIEM market now. There were no cosmetic issues on my review unit and the entire surface came out smooth and polished, do note that the FIBAE Black only comes in a solid black color for the shell and only the faceplate design, internal wiring color combo and serial number colors can be customized. Feel free to contact Custom Art directly for any specific requests that you have to get that ultimate customized experience.
All the default configurations for the FIBAE Black was used on my review unit except for the added Audio Realviews logo and the clear faceplate for the left ear piece along with the Custom Art logo which looked great for showing off the internal wiring. The 2-pin sockets are flushed and secures the connection excellently. The FIBAE Blacks’ nozzle has a single bore which is linked directly to the lone BA driver’s tubing, there is also a nozzle lip available for the UIEM version which worked flawlessly when I tried several 3rd party ear tips.
The FIBAE Black’s stock cable features an SPC cable with clear plastic insulation that allows for a more detailed look on the cables internals. There is also great strain relief on all joints and utilizes a right-angled, gold-plated 3.5mm plug along with a .78mm 2-pin at the other end which has an over-ear memory ear guide reinforced with a thin strip of metal.

Convenience has always been one of the aspect of a gadget that is often swept under the rug and only comes up when actual day to day usage are factored in after that honeymoon phase where a consumer gets over the excitement of owning what they used to covet. The Custom Art FIBAE Black is currently one of the best products with regards to convenience that I’ve ever tried in this audiophile hobby. This is my 1st experience with Custom Art’s FIBAE tech and so far it has delivered its actual promise being an acutely versatile, it has yet to encounter any impedance issues resulting to any annoying hiss that makes usage of the FIBAE Black to be relegated for storage.

Black is often associated with being filthy but with the FIBAE Black, this outlook takes a complete 360 turn. The FIBAE Black is indeed black with its ability to create a black background from the get go with the subsequent occurrence of sound frequencies to still be controlled well. Isolation is great as well and does an excellent blocking out noise while still being comfortable, pairing it with your desired ear tips would only improve the result. The FIBAE Black is carelessly a warm sounding set with strong emphasis on clarity. The Sony CAS-1 desktop setup off an MSI GF 62 8RE laptop via Foobar2000 v1.4 and the Sony A46HN DAP along with stock medium ear tips was used for the whole duration of the realview.

The FIBAE Black’s low frequency performance was tested with a collection of Marshall Mather’s greatest hits along with Foster the People’s Lotus Eater all in 16/44 FLAC. The Black’s bass is rendered in a lean yet robust presentation with great body and soft approach. It delivers not the fastest attack resulting in an enjoyable lingering feel. The Lotus Eater track showcased the FIBAE Black’s strength in the low end. There is sufficient rumble in the sub bass as well and just the right amount of thump, not the most powerful but not weak in the long run too. Not being a bass lover myself, this sits well with my preferred bass performance.

Jason Mraz finally debuts in Audio Realviews for the FIBAE Black’s midrange performance test. The Black’s midrange is close to reference sounding with a slightly forward take on the lower midrange which made the overall midrange sound fuller especially the male vocals which in turn renders accurate vocal tones that are far from being off timbre. The distinctly clear instrumental tones coordinates well with the lower midrange. The upper midrange is easy to the ears while still being able to handle with controlled attack on various instrumental tones. A totally engaging and lively approach on the midrange is the FIBAE Black’s mantra.

Conservative and always stays close to home is the game for the FIBAE Black’s high frequency performance. Although there’s load of clarity and articulation to be observed, the evident lack of added oomph and kick for that sweet treble bite that tickles an audiophile would have been great, for me personally that is. If you are after that distinct high frequency delivery without the risk of fatigue then the FIBAE Black is a nice companion for your listening sessions.

The FIBAE Black’s soundstage is all about intimacy. It provides a great deal of separation performance in a black background that results in another great performance for the imaging. Although depth gets more of the favored son treatment with how Custom Art tuned the Black, the width still performs well, just not at the level that you’d die for. There is great panning and detail retrieval to be observed as well. This gets a thumbs a double thumbs up for me.

The FIBAE Black does all the things a great set of IEM should, from sounding accurate to being right on point with tonal timbre. It’s a sound that I would enjoy for the most part of the day and the week except when that treble head of mine comes up. It does lack the treble extension and bite that I personally prefer but that doesn’t mean it’s a weakness, it’s just a matter of handling the higher frequencies properly at a signature that borderlines to being massively mainstream. The one thing that I will definitely take sides with for the FIBAE Black is its inherent versatility and comfort, I’ve had a great time carrying it around and pairing it with various sources and still be free of impedance issues, that’s FIBAE for y’all. This will definitely stay on my desk for actual use rather than being on that Pelican case.