AAW ASH
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Introduction:
Advanced AcousticWerkes aka AAW, is a Singapore-based HiFi IEM brand. AAW has a rich catalog of exquisite IEMs. The latest entry in its collection is much awaited Ash.
The IEM has a stunning look with a fiery faceplate and name ASH etched in fire. Deep red in the IEM body is highlighted with shimmering golden flakes. The name Ash seems apt for an IEM that looks like burning in fire and exuding the brilliance contained in it. The earpieces are bulky but lightweight. They have a degree of panache that will make you look twice.
These come along with a braided-copper stock cable that ends with a 2 pin connector and 3.5 mm jack and adorns a metallic Y-splitter . The set also has a stylish blue carry case which is quiet spacious and premium looking. Other than that the usual items one would expect from an IEM this range are all part of the set including eartips, adapter etc.
Sources:
For this review the unit has been paired to A&K SE100 (ES9038 Pro), Shanling M6 (AK4495EQ) and Cayin n5ii without any other amplification on portable setup.
Disclaimer:
I have received as part of review circle sent from Goldfinch acoustics in exchange of honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my own listening and my sources and is based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range.
Highs:
Talking about the highs of AAW Ash I would say they have definitely a sense of emphasis to them. The overall treble response is boosted but not at any point it feels sibilant, harsh or fatiguing.
The lower treble is very intense and can be little harsh for vocal oriented music but on the other had if one has a darker source then this part will shine out exceptionally. In classical music its very pleasing to listen to AAW ash as it brings out the complex signatures and characters of cymbals and strings. Cymbals sound bit louder and closer but on the other hand sweet and non-fatiguing.
The separation is very good in the treble region. Air on the other hand bit lags here but not to the point where one starts missing it.
Mids:
Now coming towards the mid-range, the lower part of mid and middle part of mid frequency range feels fuller and very coherent. The high mids are I would say feel bit energetic and have quite emphasis as a result of which the instruments such as electric guitars/piano feel very rich and brings forward the attack.
Mozart - Symphony No. 9, the high mid emphasis and very good separation brings out the this very realistic and aesthetic character to it. I would say this IEM performs exceptionally well for jazz and classical music.
Vocals tends to sound bit closer and bit louder and have a good weight to them. The overall tonality and presentation is very much intimate and can take jazz to next level.
Lows:
Lows are very well tuned and have a sense of naturalness to them. Although the bass hits deep and fuller but overall low frequency range doesn’t give any impression of being boosted. The entire focus somehow seems to be on the mid bass, as a result the sub bass feels shy at various occasions. There is no bleed of bass in mid-range and overall feels quite coherent and natural.
Teriyaki Boyz - Tokyo Drift (Dj Kantik Remix) sounded very pleasing, well it's not something one can bang one's head onto but very much relaxing. All the beats and drops have proper extensions and not at any point of time felt overly boosted or mellow.
Technicalities:
AAW Ash has very good separation which brings things forward. Very good at capturing complexity of different instruments. But this suffers a bit when given very complex tracks but not to the point where it will spoil the certain experience. An easy example of it would be Aadat track of Nescafe basement season 5.
The soundstage width has been done nicely with a very good sense of depth. Hight is also good given nice extension to high and low frequencies. The tonality and the coherence is best I have seen in this price range. I enjoyed listening to Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (2007 Berlin live session) on it very much.
Final Verdict:
In a nutshell, AAW Ash has a very good natural and musical sound. The overall frequency spectrum is coherent with good extension in highs and lows. The tonality is extremely good, with weighted vocals and soothing high and mid range. The bass response is fuller, It is like best for relaxing not banging your head, I mean after a very hectic day of work or travel this is exactly what one wants to listen to. The soundstage and separation are also very nicely done. It is indeed a great option for those who are into jazz and classical music, and given a darker source brings out the best in them.
Advanced AcousticWerkes aka AAW, is a Singapore-based HiFi IEM brand. AAW has a rich catalog of exquisite IEMs. The latest entry in its collection is much awaited Ash.
The IEM has a stunning look with a fiery faceplate and name ASH etched in fire. Deep red in the IEM body is highlighted with shimmering golden flakes. The name Ash seems apt for an IEM that looks like burning in fire and exuding the brilliance contained in it. The earpieces are bulky but lightweight. They have a degree of panache that will make you look twice.
These come along with a braided-copper stock cable that ends with a 2 pin connector and 3.5 mm jack and adorns a metallic Y-splitter . The set also has a stylish blue carry case which is quiet spacious and premium looking. Other than that the usual items one would expect from an IEM this range are all part of the set including eartips, adapter etc.
Sources:
For this review the unit has been paired to A&K SE100 (ES9038 Pro), Shanling M6 (AK4495EQ) and Cayin n5ii without any other amplification on portable setup.
Disclaimer:
I have received as part of review circle sent from Goldfinch acoustics in exchange of honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my own listening and my sources and is based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range.
Highs:
Talking about the highs of AAW Ash I would say they have definitely a sense of emphasis to them. The overall treble response is boosted but not at any point it feels sibilant, harsh or fatiguing.
The lower treble is very intense and can be little harsh for vocal oriented music but on the other had if one has a darker source then this part will shine out exceptionally. In classical music its very pleasing to listen to AAW ash as it brings out the complex signatures and characters of cymbals and strings. Cymbals sound bit louder and closer but on the other hand sweet and non-fatiguing.
The separation is very good in the treble region. Air on the other hand bit lags here but not to the point where one starts missing it.
Mids:
Now coming towards the mid-range, the lower part of mid and middle part of mid frequency range feels fuller and very coherent. The high mids are I would say feel bit energetic and have quite emphasis as a result of which the instruments such as electric guitars/piano feel very rich and brings forward the attack.
Mozart - Symphony No. 9, the high mid emphasis and very good separation brings out the this very realistic and aesthetic character to it. I would say this IEM performs exceptionally well for jazz and classical music.
Vocals tends to sound bit closer and bit louder and have a good weight to them. The overall tonality and presentation is very much intimate and can take jazz to next level.
Lows:
Lows are very well tuned and have a sense of naturalness to them. Although the bass hits deep and fuller but overall low frequency range doesn’t give any impression of being boosted. The entire focus somehow seems to be on the mid bass, as a result the sub bass feels shy at various occasions. There is no bleed of bass in mid-range and overall feels quite coherent and natural.
Teriyaki Boyz - Tokyo Drift (Dj Kantik Remix) sounded very pleasing, well it's not something one can bang one's head onto but very much relaxing. All the beats and drops have proper extensions and not at any point of time felt overly boosted or mellow.
Technicalities:
AAW Ash has very good separation which brings things forward. Very good at capturing complexity of different instruments. But this suffers a bit when given very complex tracks but not to the point where it will spoil the certain experience. An easy example of it would be Aadat track of Nescafe basement season 5.
The soundstage width has been done nicely with a very good sense of depth. Hight is also good given nice extension to high and low frequencies. The tonality and the coherence is best I have seen in this price range. I enjoyed listening to Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (2007 Berlin live session) on it very much.
Final Verdict:
In a nutshell, AAW Ash has a very good natural and musical sound. The overall frequency spectrum is coherent with good extension in highs and lows. The tonality is extremely good, with weighted vocals and soothing high and mid range. The bass response is fuller, It is like best for relaxing not banging your head, I mean after a very hectic day of work or travel this is exactly what one wants to listen to. The soundstage and separation are also very nicely done. It is indeed a great option for those who are into jazz and classical music, and given a darker source brings out the best in them.
abheybir
@Ace Bee : Thank you!!
gadgetgod
@Buckeyedentite I have had a few hours with Canary at a meet. It isn't my taste to be honest. They sound dull to my taste. As per my sources tried with it were M3X.
But the resolution and clarity of Canary are outstanding.
But the resolution and clarity of Canary are outstanding.
AAW Ash here was provided to me for about a week as a part of a review tour organized by Goldfinch acoustics here in my country. The pair is priced at around 1099 SGD or 799 USD. All impressions in this blog are completely my own free from any interference from anyone. Hope you enjoy the read.
Design, Build, Look, & Feel:-
Ash has a rich design and feel to it. The earpieces here have quite a bulky shape but they are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing in terms of fit. They are complemented in looks by designer faceplates that have a combination of shiny gold flakes on one half and a beautiful wooden finish on the other half. The inner cavity is transparent but has a dark grey color, so the internal arrangement is only visible when the pair is lit properly. AAW has bundled an amazing cable with the pair. It is soft, sturdy, and well-finished with metallic connector casings and Y-Splitter.
About look and design I find no complaints here. But fit might be troublesome for people with small ears as the shell size is quite on the bigger side. Personally, I have medium-sized ears and find them comfortable with an above-average level of noise isolation.
Powering Up AAW ASH:-
Ash is not a demanding set. It can be powered easily straight off smartphones without any trouble. Though I find the pair sounding better with better amplification such as with Shanling M3X or xDuoo XD05 Balanced. Most of my critical listening is done with Shanling M3X + xDuoo XD05 Bal. The pair shows brilliant dynamics with this stack. It can be powered straight off the M3X too, never had to go above 50/100 volume on low gain. But the thing with the M3X is that the Bass is not as punchy as it is with XD05 Bal as an amp in the chain. This M3X+XD05 Bal has become my permanent stack nowadays.
Sound Impressions:-
Ash has a balanced and natural presentation. It is a highly transparent and detailed set. There is no coloration, no particular frequency emphasized with the ASH, you just get a pure musical sound with a balanced tonality and excellent detail retrieval. The overall presentation is kind of laid back and smooth, there is no fatigue or harshness even at loud volume levels. AAW has tuned the Treble to be well-detailed and extended while not sound harsh or sibilant. The pair produces true-to-life natural vocals, both the Male and Female vocals have a beautiful texture. They sound simply amazing with the Ash(example, Male vocals in Miracle Sister by Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi, and Female Vocals in I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, Nightcall by London Grammar).
Another thing to praise here is the brilliant instrument separation with the pair. Each instrument can be heard separately even in complex tracks such as Billie Jean by MJ, Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons, and Hate me by Blue October.
Bass & Sub-Bass(Lower End):-
Ash features a large 13mm graphene diaphragm dynamic driver for the lower end. It produces a refined, well-textured lower-end response. The punch in mid-bass is definitely excellent with good texture to every single drum kick in “Hate Me by Blue October”. This excellent mid-bass response is complemented by a clean sub-bass rumble. The lower end complements the other frequencies with its quick precise response, though an extra bit of depth could’ve made it punchier and add more energy to the pair. Not the deepest bass I would say at this price point.
Vocals & Acoustic Instruments(Mids):-
Mids have a slightly recessed presentation. The pair maintains amazing clarity throughout the frequency range presenting the users with outstanding details in instruments and vocals. Vocals as I stated earlier have a well-textured response with excellent clarity and detail. Listening to acoustic music, vocal music is a blissful experience with the Ash. Favorite tracks here are Cannonball by Damien Rice, Hotel California by Eagles(Hell Freezes Over), Private Lawns by Angus & Julia Stone, and the list goes on and on.
The Higher End(Treble):-
AAW has played safe with the treble frequencies. They have a laid-back presentation with amazing clarity and detail. The pair complements complex tracks and presents them in a kind of tore-down version where you can experience every single beat being played separately. There is no noticeable sibilance or harshness with the Ash even at loud, uncomfortable listening volume levels. This laid-back presentation grants a smooth, non-fatiguing signature to the pair but at the same time, It kind of lacks some energy in the high frequencies.
Soundstage and Imaging:-
AAW Ash has more of a depth to the stage than Width. No, the pair isn’t intimate at all rather has a good 3D presentation with a decently wide and deep stage that has an average height. Imaging is excellent with excellent instrument separation.
Comparison Time!!!
AAW Ash Vs Unique Melody Mirage:-
Mirage is my personal pair that I own for about two months now. It is priced quite similar to the Ash(Ash is 1000 SGD, Mirage is 1000 USD). Yeah, there’s a bit of price difference but this is the closest in my possession right now.
>Mirage has a punchy, engaging signature, Ash has a laid-back relaxing signature.
>Mirage has more quantity in the lower end delivering a punchier presentation. Though the lower end of Ash feels more refined in comparison.
>Mids has a richer, forward presentation with the Mirage.
>Treble refinement, detail retrieval in Ash is exceptionally better.
>Treble energy is better in Mirage.
I would say Ash and Mirage both kind of complete each other. While the bass depths are about to reach hell with the Mirage, the refinement of treble is outstanding with the Ash. But then again I like the energy of Mirage over the smooth laid-back presentation of the Ash.
AAW Ash vs CA Andromeda:-
I had the Andromeda for about 8-10 days a few months back. I still have my memories intact of my time with the almighty Andros. Here’s my comparison between Andros and Ash.
>Ash has a more natural tonality while Andromeda has a leaner tonality in comparison.
>Vocal presentation of Ash is excellent in comparison to Andros(I find them getting very close to shouty in minutes with Andros).
>Andromeda has one of the best soundstage presentations I have listened to date.
>Treble refinement and energy of Andros is simply amazing. Though the Ash competes well in terms of detail retrieval it lacks in energy level.
>Ash is more immersive, Andros has better punch in the lower end.
I would say Ash is my pick among these two here.
Final Words:-
AAW ASH stands tall in the 1000$ price segment with its rich tonality and detailed presentation. Simply said, the smooth laid-back signature, the powerful sub-bass rumble, crisp vocals, and class instrument separation make the Ash a worthy set in its category. The takeaway here would be, its smooth laid back signature might be too smooth for some, including me. Other than that, no complaints with the pair.
Design, Build, Look, & Feel:-
Ash has a rich design and feel to it. The earpieces here have quite a bulky shape but they are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing in terms of fit. They are complemented in looks by designer faceplates that have a combination of shiny gold flakes on one half and a beautiful wooden finish on the other half. The inner cavity is transparent but has a dark grey color, so the internal arrangement is only visible when the pair is lit properly. AAW has bundled an amazing cable with the pair. It is soft, sturdy, and well-finished with metallic connector casings and Y-Splitter.
About look and design I find no complaints here. But fit might be troublesome for people with small ears as the shell size is quite on the bigger side. Personally, I have medium-sized ears and find them comfortable with an above-average level of noise isolation.
Powering Up AAW ASH:-
Ash is not a demanding set. It can be powered easily straight off smartphones without any trouble. Though I find the pair sounding better with better amplification such as with Shanling M3X or xDuoo XD05 Balanced. Most of my critical listening is done with Shanling M3X + xDuoo XD05 Bal. The pair shows brilliant dynamics with this stack. It can be powered straight off the M3X too, never had to go above 50/100 volume on low gain. But the thing with the M3X is that the Bass is not as punchy as it is with XD05 Bal as an amp in the chain. This M3X+XD05 Bal has become my permanent stack nowadays.
Sound Impressions:-
Ash has a balanced and natural presentation. It is a highly transparent and detailed set. There is no coloration, no particular frequency emphasized with the ASH, you just get a pure musical sound with a balanced tonality and excellent detail retrieval. The overall presentation is kind of laid back and smooth, there is no fatigue or harshness even at loud volume levels. AAW has tuned the Treble to be well-detailed and extended while not sound harsh or sibilant. The pair produces true-to-life natural vocals, both the Male and Female vocals have a beautiful texture. They sound simply amazing with the Ash(example, Male vocals in Miracle Sister by Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi, and Female Vocals in I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, Nightcall by London Grammar).
Another thing to praise here is the brilliant instrument separation with the pair. Each instrument can be heard separately even in complex tracks such as Billie Jean by MJ, Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons, and Hate me by Blue October.
Bass & Sub-Bass(Lower End):-
Ash features a large 13mm graphene diaphragm dynamic driver for the lower end. It produces a refined, well-textured lower-end response. The punch in mid-bass is definitely excellent with good texture to every single drum kick in “Hate Me by Blue October”. This excellent mid-bass response is complemented by a clean sub-bass rumble. The lower end complements the other frequencies with its quick precise response, though an extra bit of depth could’ve made it punchier and add more energy to the pair. Not the deepest bass I would say at this price point.
Vocals & Acoustic Instruments(Mids):-
Mids have a slightly recessed presentation. The pair maintains amazing clarity throughout the frequency range presenting the users with outstanding details in instruments and vocals. Vocals as I stated earlier have a well-textured response with excellent clarity and detail. Listening to acoustic music, vocal music is a blissful experience with the Ash. Favorite tracks here are Cannonball by Damien Rice, Hotel California by Eagles(Hell Freezes Over), Private Lawns by Angus & Julia Stone, and the list goes on and on.
The Higher End(Treble):-
AAW has played safe with the treble frequencies. They have a laid-back presentation with amazing clarity and detail. The pair complements complex tracks and presents them in a kind of tore-down version where you can experience every single beat being played separately. There is no noticeable sibilance or harshness with the Ash even at loud, uncomfortable listening volume levels. This laid-back presentation grants a smooth, non-fatiguing signature to the pair but at the same time, It kind of lacks some energy in the high frequencies.
Soundstage and Imaging:-
AAW Ash has more of a depth to the stage than Width. No, the pair isn’t intimate at all rather has a good 3D presentation with a decently wide and deep stage that has an average height. Imaging is excellent with excellent instrument separation.
Comparison Time!!!
AAW Ash Vs Unique Melody Mirage:-
Mirage is my personal pair that I own for about two months now. It is priced quite similar to the Ash(Ash is 1000 SGD, Mirage is 1000 USD). Yeah, there’s a bit of price difference but this is the closest in my possession right now.
>Mirage has a punchy, engaging signature, Ash has a laid-back relaxing signature.
>Mirage has more quantity in the lower end delivering a punchier presentation. Though the lower end of Ash feels more refined in comparison.
>Mids has a richer, forward presentation with the Mirage.
>Treble refinement, detail retrieval in Ash is exceptionally better.
>Treble energy is better in Mirage.
I would say Ash and Mirage both kind of complete each other. While the bass depths are about to reach hell with the Mirage, the refinement of treble is outstanding with the Ash. But then again I like the energy of Mirage over the smooth laid-back presentation of the Ash.
AAW Ash vs CA Andromeda:-
I had the Andromeda for about 8-10 days a few months back. I still have my memories intact of my time with the almighty Andros. Here’s my comparison between Andros and Ash.
>Ash has a more natural tonality while Andromeda has a leaner tonality in comparison.
>Vocal presentation of Ash is excellent in comparison to Andros(I find them getting very close to shouty in minutes with Andros).
>Andromeda has one of the best soundstage presentations I have listened to date.
>Treble refinement and energy of Andros is simply amazing. Though the Ash competes well in terms of detail retrieval it lacks in energy level.
>Ash is more immersive, Andros has better punch in the lower end.
I would say Ash is my pick among these two here.
Final Words:-
AAW ASH stands tall in the 1000$ price segment with its rich tonality and detailed presentation. Simply said, the smooth laid-back signature, the powerful sub-bass rumble, crisp vocals, and class instrument separation make the Ash a worthy set in its category. The takeaway here would be, its smooth laid back signature might be too smooth for some, including me. Other than that, no complaints with the pair.
gadgetgod
@Buckeyedentite ,
Hello friend,
Sorry I don't have much experience with Hybrids in this segment. But I surely had a few weeks with EST112 tribrid that is priced about half of its cost. I would say Bass and midrange are better in Ash in comparison to EST112, while EST112 has better energy in the treble region(Some might find it bright too).
Hello friend,
Sorry I don't have much experience with Hybrids in this segment. But I surely had a few weeks with EST112 tribrid that is priced about half of its cost. I would say Bass and midrange are better in Ash in comparison to EST112, while EST112 has better energy in the treble region(Some might find it bright too).
Disclaimer:
This unit came to me as a part of the AAW ASH review tour organized by Goldfinch Acoustics
The review is, in no way, sponsored by Them nor I have been asked to tweaks my wording. Whatever little experience that I have gathered using different gears over the years, I have used them to subjectively, create an honest enough impression for the would-be new users.
Specifications:
Unboxing experience:
Pretty much nada, as I only received the IEM and the cable.
Build quality:
There is slang from where I come from” Chaukas”, which basically means excellent. The build quality is excellent and the shells are painted in beautiful looking Red-Gold Combo which enhances the bling factor.
The nozzle is metal built and that has a solid feel as well. The stock cable is one from Null audio and looks delicious. The overall presentation for a new user would always be great with ASH.
Fit:
The fit was excellent for me and I assume for an average user, the ASH will not present any problems. I used JVC spiral dots Tips.
Sound Impressions:
Bass:
Few Test Tracks used:
Mids:
Few Test Tracks used:
However, if you move from laidback ghazals to a complex arrangement like Aadat, then it struggles a bit but still, it performs better than others that are present in the same price bracket.
Highs:
Few Test Tracks used:
Closing thoughts:
I compared it with Campfire Andromeda (2019) and found that Andros has the widest stage that I can think of. ASH presents you with a stage that is more on the intimate side. Andros molds the sound as per the source whereas ASH, though, shows a different side, but not much. That been said, ASH is an excellent choice for people who love vocals or Mids with lush treble performance. Buy these and you will not be disappointed.
This unit came to me as a part of the AAW ASH review tour organized by Goldfinch Acoustics
The review is, in no way, sponsored by Them nor I have been asked to tweaks my wording. Whatever little experience that I have gathered using different gears over the years, I have used them to subjectively, create an honest enough impression for the would-be new users.
Specifications:
- 7 Driver Hybrid IEM.
- 13mm Graphene Driver + 6x Balanced Armature Drivers
- 4 Way TruXross Crossover
- THD < 0.5% @ 1mW @1khz
- Impedance 30ohms@1khz
- Sensitivity 108db @ 1khz
- Frequency Range 10Hz to 40 KHz
- F.Audio FA2 DAP
- Fiio X1.
- Ifi Audio Nano BL.
- Nobsound TDA1387
- Bravo Ocean.
- Sony Discman (Yes, I still use one)
Unboxing experience:
Pretty much nada, as I only received the IEM and the cable.
Build quality:
There is slang from where I come from” Chaukas”, which basically means excellent. The build quality is excellent and the shells are painted in beautiful looking Red-Gold Combo which enhances the bling factor.
The nozzle is metal built and that has a solid feel as well. The stock cable is one from Null audio and looks delicious. The overall presentation for a new user would always be great with ASH.
Fit:
The fit was excellent for me and I assume for an average user, the ASH will not present any problems. I used JVC spiral dots Tips.
Sound Impressions:
Bass:
Few Test Tracks used:
- Raavan By Amit Trivedi
- Bad Guy by Billie Eilish
- Contact By Daft Punk.
- What’s love got to do with it by Tina Turner
- Ho Jaata Hai kaise Pyar (Remix) by DJ Suketu
Mids:
Few Test Tracks used:
- Tere Liye By Vital signs:
- Unki Aankhon me Jab Nami dekhi By Jagjit Singh
- Aap Jinke Kareeb hote hain by Pankaj Udhas.
- Pyar Zinda Rahe by Bhupinder and Mitali
- Aadat By Nescafe Basement.
However, if you move from laidback ghazals to a complex arrangement like Aadat, then it struggles a bit but still, it performs better than others that are present in the same price bracket.
Highs:
Few Test Tracks used:
- Take it easy by The Eagles
- Free Fallin by Tom Petty
- In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
Closing thoughts:
I compared it with Campfire Andromeda (2019) and found that Andros has the widest stage that I can think of. ASH presents you with a stage that is more on the intimate side. Andros molds the sound as per the source whereas ASH, though, shows a different side, but not much. That been said, ASH is an excellent choice for people who love vocals or Mids with lush treble performance. Buy these and you will not be disappointed.
Attachments
Disclaimer:
This unit came to me as a part of the AAW ASH review tour in my region conducted by Goldfinch Acoustics (official dealer for AAW IEMs in India). These have been sent forward to the next reviewer and will eventually go back to the dealer. I have no personal interest nor any association with AAW or Goldfinch Acoustics and certainly no freebies. This was sent to me to share my personal opinion, good or bad, and I have in no way been asked to post or say anything otherwise. The impressions shared here are purely based on my experience over the years with various audio gears and set ups and hence your mileage may vary and it may or may not align to what your experience has been or will be.
About Me:
The average guy next door that loves music and chases all forums to listen to people and their experiences. I have been here for some time, I do not post much, only when I feel I can contribute. My passion started with car audio, which I am still into. Gradually I moved to potable and desktop set ups (IEMs, headphones, DAPs and desktop stacks). My first IEM bought with my money was a Bose back in 2002-03, when I didn't know much and that name was all I had heard of. Still learning about home audio, that is a territory I am not much familiar with yet. I am no where near the experts that I have seen and heard share their experience and knowledge, nor do I intend to be, I simply want to learn and try the gears that are out there to understand what makes people love something and what my preferences are.
Specifications (as shared on the AAW official website):
7 Driver Hybrid IEM
13mm Graphene Driver + 6x Balanced Armature Drivers
4 Way TruXross Crossover
THD < 0.5% @ 1mW @1khz
Impedance 30ohms@1khz
Sensitivity 108db @ 1khz
Frequency Range 10Hz to 40 KHz
Sources Used:
Sony WM1A with Midnight FW – Single ended, I did not have a 2 pin cable with 4.4mm
Topping D90+A90 – Single ended
Songs that were used to test these (All in FLAC or SACD):
The War on Drugs – Thinking of a Place, Under the pressure
Eagles – Hotel California
Peter Gabriel – Red Rain, Sledge Hammer, Don’t Give up
Creedence Clearwater Revival - I Put A Spell On You, Suzie Q
Boston – More than a feeling
Elton John – Tiny Dancer, Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Candle in the Wind
Toto – Rosanna
Jeff Wayne – War of the Worlds OST
Pink Floyd – Poles Apart, Lost for Words, Keep Talking and a few more
Guns N’ Roses – November Rain, Sweet Child O’ Mine
Bassnectar & Levitate – Chasing Heaven
Submotion Orchestra – Kites
Massive Attack – Angel, Dissolved Girl, Future Proof
The list has gotten long so I’ll sum it up, I ran through a lot of others such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Depeche Mode, Roger Waters, Alice in Chains, B B King, Cream, Lane 8, Thievery Corporation, Tool, etc.
First Impressions: There is no unboxing experience with these tours as such. It came just packed in a random box so I cannot tell what the experience will be like for the retail customer. The two things I can tell, the shells look nice with the gold + red combo going and the stock cable is lovely as well in copper finish 4 wire by null Audio with solid looking connectors. The IEM nozzles are made of metal so that feels good as well.
The Fit: These should fit well for the average user as the shells are not too large and the nozzle not too wide or deep. Now, for users like me, who are not average, I was struggling with the fit. The nozzle is not long enough for a deep fit, I prefer a deeper fit. I tried it with the various tips I have in silicone (spin fit, generic, Sony), and none of them seemed to want to agree with me. I then had to finally switch to foam tips, that helped with the seal and improved the passive noise cancellation. Your experience may vary, everyone’s ears are built differently, I prefer Sony Z1R and Hidition Viento long nozzles with deep fit. Yes, I am that guy who can easily put on a Sony IER-Z1R and listen for hours without any discomfort.
The Sound(that’s what we are here for): Let me get to the point, these are good for people who prefer the mid range and treble upfront and center. Bass lovers or sub bass fanatics, look elsewhere. Considering that the bass is pretty flat with just a little presence of mid bass the mid range and treble start to take over the music presentation. The sub bass from what I can tell, and I have no graphs, I just listen to see what I hear and feel, is less emphasized vis-a-vis the mid bass. Layering and separation are just fine, and so is the imaging, not exceptional by any means but they do just about fine.
Bass: It is there, like a little sprinkle of salt and honestly some people prefer that. Especially for songs that are more vocal oriented. It is not going to make you go wow, nor is it going to leave you in the woods searching for it. The songs above in the list, aka, from artists such as Massive Attack, Bassnectar, Submotion Orchestra, Enigma and so on had no impact on my soul. Unlike the Sony Z1Rs that make the soul rise above my body with that ethereal sub bass, this pair left me wanting. I am not a bass head as such, however I do like to hear what the artist intended in the bass region presentation. The WM1A didn’t help much with the single ended output either to drive the 13mm Graphene driver that is supposed to do the duty for bass. You could raise the volume to max and feel these are not doing what they have to do. The A90 worked a charm, however the result in the bass region were not very different. The mid bass has more of a presence on these, and I did not feel the bass bleed into the mid range. The speed is not much to write home about either, but then that is the character of the driver. The Viento is a master at that, the speed and precision that it displays is brilliant. Then again that belongs to a higher pay grade, so not an apt comparison.
Midrange: This is what I feel these have been tuned for. The vocals are the power horse in these and they do have some weight to them. The presentation is intimate and you can hear the vocals take these to the next level. Is it as good as a Viento, no, to me the Viento is the best I have heard for vocals in the IEM world, though a little thinner but they do it so well. The tonality and the coherence that they show are just excellent. These are tuned to show their prowess in these regions and at this price point, I feel they have done a justifiable job. The tonality is on point, could be better, especially for male vocals. At times, during the heavy throaty vocals I could feel the IEM losing a bit of its composure. Same was the scenario where the song had complex passages, you could feel the separation struggle a bit and so did the imaging. It kind of felt like everything was getting a bit mixed and mashed. Not to the extent that it ruined your experience, however I could feel it and hear it. At the price point these are however, I feel these do a great job at what they have been tuned for.
Treble: Does a good job here as well. These are a bit elevated in the region however not to the point that you will find them sibilant or harsh. The frequencies are presented well to let you hear the treble and the accompanying details. Does it shimmer and shine, like the Z1R, no it does not. Though it does a great job by presenting you with the information you need in the song, albeit at a lack of air and width. Dare I say, at times I felt these were a bit shouty on certain songs. However, given the right music this is a good pick if you want to have a relaxed listening session with some smooth jazz or vocal oriented music. Too much information in the treble region can become fatiguing at times and distracts you from simply enjoying the music, again this is purely my opinion, I know at times even I like to hear all the details, but that is when I sit and analyze music, not for an evening of fun listening and relaxation.
Verdict and some confessions: Some of the comparisons have not been apple to apple, the IEMs that I have experience with are just not in the price grade that these are at. Hence please pardon me for bringing those comparisons up at times. However, once you have heard what the best have to offer, these comparisons seem to come up now and then, and I do make a conscious effort to keep them minimal and just evaluate the gear based on its own merits, price range and target audience. Considering all these things, I think this sits in the perfect price range and offers pretty much what you pay for, maybe a little bit more if I feel adventurous. Guitar sounds like it, it catches the rifts, the string pull, the tonality well. Saxophone and piano sounds great. The challenge is where things start to go more grunge, heavy, complex and multiple instruments encompass the music all at once, this is where I feel the separation struggles and the mix of instruments becomes a little difficult to tell apart. They do need a powerful source though to bring out the best in them. Sure you can drive them single ended, they do not struggle per say, however, If not anything at least put them on a balanced connection, this is based on my experience with the 3.5mm on the WM1A Vs the A90 (which really makes them shine more).
This unit came to me as a part of the AAW ASH review tour in my region conducted by Goldfinch Acoustics (official dealer for AAW IEMs in India). These have been sent forward to the next reviewer and will eventually go back to the dealer. I have no personal interest nor any association with AAW or Goldfinch Acoustics and certainly no freebies. This was sent to me to share my personal opinion, good or bad, and I have in no way been asked to post or say anything otherwise. The impressions shared here are purely based on my experience over the years with various audio gears and set ups and hence your mileage may vary and it may or may not align to what your experience has been or will be.
About Me:
The average guy next door that loves music and chases all forums to listen to people and their experiences. I have been here for some time, I do not post much, only when I feel I can contribute. My passion started with car audio, which I am still into. Gradually I moved to potable and desktop set ups (IEMs, headphones, DAPs and desktop stacks). My first IEM bought with my money was a Bose back in 2002-03, when I didn't know much and that name was all I had heard of. Still learning about home audio, that is a territory I am not much familiar with yet. I am no where near the experts that I have seen and heard share their experience and knowledge, nor do I intend to be, I simply want to learn and try the gears that are out there to understand what makes people love something and what my preferences are.
Specifications (as shared on the AAW official website):
7 Driver Hybrid IEM
13mm Graphene Driver + 6x Balanced Armature Drivers
4 Way TruXross Crossover
THD < 0.5% @ 1mW @1khz
Impedance 30ohms@1khz
Sensitivity 108db @ 1khz
Frequency Range 10Hz to 40 KHz
Sources Used:
Sony WM1A with Midnight FW – Single ended, I did not have a 2 pin cable with 4.4mm
Topping D90+A90 – Single ended
Songs that were used to test these (All in FLAC or SACD):
The War on Drugs – Thinking of a Place, Under the pressure
Eagles – Hotel California
Peter Gabriel – Red Rain, Sledge Hammer, Don’t Give up
Creedence Clearwater Revival - I Put A Spell On You, Suzie Q
Boston – More than a feeling
Elton John – Tiny Dancer, Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Candle in the Wind
Toto – Rosanna
Jeff Wayne – War of the Worlds OST
Pink Floyd – Poles Apart, Lost for Words, Keep Talking and a few more
Guns N’ Roses – November Rain, Sweet Child O’ Mine
Bassnectar & Levitate – Chasing Heaven
Submotion Orchestra – Kites
Massive Attack – Angel, Dissolved Girl, Future Proof
The list has gotten long so I’ll sum it up, I ran through a lot of others such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Depeche Mode, Roger Waters, Alice in Chains, B B King, Cream, Lane 8, Thievery Corporation, Tool, etc.
First Impressions: There is no unboxing experience with these tours as such. It came just packed in a random box so I cannot tell what the experience will be like for the retail customer. The two things I can tell, the shells look nice with the gold + red combo going and the stock cable is lovely as well in copper finish 4 wire by null Audio with solid looking connectors. The IEM nozzles are made of metal so that feels good as well.
The Fit: These should fit well for the average user as the shells are not too large and the nozzle not too wide or deep. Now, for users like me, who are not average, I was struggling with the fit. The nozzle is not long enough for a deep fit, I prefer a deeper fit. I tried it with the various tips I have in silicone (spin fit, generic, Sony), and none of them seemed to want to agree with me. I then had to finally switch to foam tips, that helped with the seal and improved the passive noise cancellation. Your experience may vary, everyone’s ears are built differently, I prefer Sony Z1R and Hidition Viento long nozzles with deep fit. Yes, I am that guy who can easily put on a Sony IER-Z1R and listen for hours without any discomfort.
The Sound(that’s what we are here for): Let me get to the point, these are good for people who prefer the mid range and treble upfront and center. Bass lovers or sub bass fanatics, look elsewhere. Considering that the bass is pretty flat with just a little presence of mid bass the mid range and treble start to take over the music presentation. The sub bass from what I can tell, and I have no graphs, I just listen to see what I hear and feel, is less emphasized vis-a-vis the mid bass. Layering and separation are just fine, and so is the imaging, not exceptional by any means but they do just about fine.
Bass: It is there, like a little sprinkle of salt and honestly some people prefer that. Especially for songs that are more vocal oriented. It is not going to make you go wow, nor is it going to leave you in the woods searching for it. The songs above in the list, aka, from artists such as Massive Attack, Bassnectar, Submotion Orchestra, Enigma and so on had no impact on my soul. Unlike the Sony Z1Rs that make the soul rise above my body with that ethereal sub bass, this pair left me wanting. I am not a bass head as such, however I do like to hear what the artist intended in the bass region presentation. The WM1A didn’t help much with the single ended output either to drive the 13mm Graphene driver that is supposed to do the duty for bass. You could raise the volume to max and feel these are not doing what they have to do. The A90 worked a charm, however the result in the bass region were not very different. The mid bass has more of a presence on these, and I did not feel the bass bleed into the mid range. The speed is not much to write home about either, but then that is the character of the driver. The Viento is a master at that, the speed and precision that it displays is brilliant. Then again that belongs to a higher pay grade, so not an apt comparison.
Midrange: This is what I feel these have been tuned for. The vocals are the power horse in these and they do have some weight to them. The presentation is intimate and you can hear the vocals take these to the next level. Is it as good as a Viento, no, to me the Viento is the best I have heard for vocals in the IEM world, though a little thinner but they do it so well. The tonality and the coherence that they show are just excellent. These are tuned to show their prowess in these regions and at this price point, I feel they have done a justifiable job. The tonality is on point, could be better, especially for male vocals. At times, during the heavy throaty vocals I could feel the IEM losing a bit of its composure. Same was the scenario where the song had complex passages, you could feel the separation struggle a bit and so did the imaging. It kind of felt like everything was getting a bit mixed and mashed. Not to the extent that it ruined your experience, however I could feel it and hear it. At the price point these are however, I feel these do a great job at what they have been tuned for.
Treble: Does a good job here as well. These are a bit elevated in the region however not to the point that you will find them sibilant or harsh. The frequencies are presented well to let you hear the treble and the accompanying details. Does it shimmer and shine, like the Z1R, no it does not. Though it does a great job by presenting you with the information you need in the song, albeit at a lack of air and width. Dare I say, at times I felt these were a bit shouty on certain songs. However, given the right music this is a good pick if you want to have a relaxed listening session with some smooth jazz or vocal oriented music. Too much information in the treble region can become fatiguing at times and distracts you from simply enjoying the music, again this is purely my opinion, I know at times even I like to hear all the details, but that is when I sit and analyze music, not for an evening of fun listening and relaxation.
Verdict and some confessions: Some of the comparisons have not been apple to apple, the IEMs that I have experience with are just not in the price grade that these are at. Hence please pardon me for bringing those comparisons up at times. However, once you have heard what the best have to offer, these comparisons seem to come up now and then, and I do make a conscious effort to keep them minimal and just evaluate the gear based on its own merits, price range and target audience. Considering all these things, I think this sits in the perfect price range and offers pretty much what you pay for, maybe a little bit more if I feel adventurous. Guitar sounds like it, it catches the rifts, the string pull, the tonality well. Saxophone and piano sounds great. The challenge is where things start to go more grunge, heavy, complex and multiple instruments encompass the music all at once, this is where I feel the separation struggles and the mix of instruments becomes a little difficult to tell apart. They do need a powerful source though to bring out the best in them. Sure you can drive them single ended, they do not struggle per say, however, If not anything at least put them on a balanced connection, this is based on my experience with the 3.5mm on the WM1A Vs the A90 (which really makes them shine more).
Disclaimer:
I have received this unit of AAW ASH as part of a review tour by Goldfinch Acoustics (which is the official dealer of AAW IEMs in India), in return of an honest review with no commercial or special interest on either side. I will be sending the unit to next person in the circle and it will eventually return to the dealer once the circle is over. I am in no way affiliated with them or anyone else, nor am I under any influence or obligation to say anything positive or negative. All the following impressions and opinions are my own based on my accompanying gear and limited listening experience.
Introduction & Specs:
Advanced AcousticWerkes (AAW) is a Singapore based company making handcrafted IEMs and ASH is their offering with 7 driver hybrid offering featuring a 13mm Graphene Diaphragm Single Dynamic & 6x Balanced Armature drivers.
- 7 Driver Hybrid IEM
- 13mm Graphene Driver
- 6X Balanced Armature Driver
- 4 way TrueXross crossover
- Impedance 30ohms@1khz
- THD < 0.5% @ 1mW @1khz
- Sensitivity 108db @ 1khz
- Frequency Range 10Hz to 40 KHz
The shells are beautiful and premium looking and while they appear big in size they are very light weight and comfortable to wear, i found no fitting issues with ASH. It comes with a very well built & premium 2-pin Symphonym Tiburon Cable by Null Audio that uses very good quality wires and connectors alongwith a nice carrying case, assorted ear tips, flight adapter, 1/4" adapter, cleaning cloth. For the purpose of this review, I received only the drivers and cables.
Sound:
This is the first AAW product I am trying and I am already impressed with their craft. ASH is probably one of the most natural sounding IEMs without over-emphasizing anything. It is filled with details right from Lows, Mids & Highs and has good amount of air between notes that makes it very pleasant sounding. ASH to me sounds more detailed than perhaps any other IEM I may have tried at the price point around $800. Overall sounds of ASH is clean and energetic without being harsh or bright, in fact it maintains the natural sound across frequencies.
With an impedance of 30 ohms and sensitivity @ 108dB ASH can be driven well out of a mobile handheld or a decent DAP however being a Multi BA pair it does benefit from better AMPing.
The bass on ASH is very clean, detailed and well extended. It may not be as punchy as a DD but is well balanced and separated from the mid range.
Mid Range is where ASH really shines in my opinion. The mid section is clean The vocals are forward and crisp sounding while maintaining an overall neutrality.
Overall the highs are fun and again very well detailed. There's enough sparkle up top without making it harsh or fatiguing. The treble on ASH is quite unique in my experience- where the upper treble sounds slightly elevated at times however the overall sound remains smooth and laid back with fatigue free long sessions.
Soundstage on the ASH is not very wide and rather intimate however it never comes across as congested or dark. The impeccable imaging and separation between instruments makes it sound very spacious.
In a nutshell: The AAW ASH is a wonderful IEM that not only looks premium but sounds awesome too. I believe this IEM will appeal to everyone right from Bass enthusiasts to Treble lovers. For people who prefer Vocals and/or look for all possible details in their music, the ASH is certainly a delightful treat. It is a jack of all trades and suits a wide range of genres. At this price point it has almost everything going for it than against. Not only the ASH performs beyond it's ask price but it also stares right into the eyes of some of the famous and well established IEMs in the same or slightly higher price range. If you are someone who needs lots of chest-thumping bass or super wide soundstage you may want to look elsewhere, but if you are looking for an IEM that does (almost) everything right without over-emphasizing on one part of the spectrum, you can certainly consider ASH as an option.
I have received this unit of AAW ASH as part of a review tour by Goldfinch Acoustics (which is the official dealer of AAW IEMs in India), in return of an honest review with no commercial or special interest on either side. I will be sending the unit to next person in the circle and it will eventually return to the dealer once the circle is over. I am in no way affiliated with them or anyone else, nor am I under any influence or obligation to say anything positive or negative. All the following impressions and opinions are my own based on my accompanying gear and limited listening experience.
Introduction & Specs:
Advanced AcousticWerkes (AAW) is a Singapore based company making handcrafted IEMs and ASH is their offering with 7 driver hybrid offering featuring a 13mm Graphene Diaphragm Single Dynamic & 6x Balanced Armature drivers.
- 7 Driver Hybrid IEM
- 13mm Graphene Driver
- 6X Balanced Armature Driver
- 4 way TrueXross crossover
- Impedance 30ohms@1khz
- THD < 0.5% @ 1mW @1khz
- Sensitivity 108db @ 1khz
- Frequency Range 10Hz to 40 KHz
The shells are beautiful and premium looking and while they appear big in size they are very light weight and comfortable to wear, i found no fitting issues with ASH. It comes with a very well built & premium 2-pin Symphonym Tiburon Cable by Null Audio that uses very good quality wires and connectors alongwith a nice carrying case, assorted ear tips, flight adapter, 1/4" adapter, cleaning cloth. For the purpose of this review, I received only the drivers and cables.
Sound:
This is the first AAW product I am trying and I am already impressed with their craft. ASH is probably one of the most natural sounding IEMs without over-emphasizing anything. It is filled with details right from Lows, Mids & Highs and has good amount of air between notes that makes it very pleasant sounding. ASH to me sounds more detailed than perhaps any other IEM I may have tried at the price point around $800. Overall sounds of ASH is clean and energetic without being harsh or bright, in fact it maintains the natural sound across frequencies.
With an impedance of 30 ohms and sensitivity @ 108dB ASH can be driven well out of a mobile handheld or a decent DAP however being a Multi BA pair it does benefit from better AMPing.
The bass on ASH is very clean, detailed and well extended. It may not be as punchy as a DD but is well balanced and separated from the mid range.
Mid Range is where ASH really shines in my opinion. The mid section is clean The vocals are forward and crisp sounding while maintaining an overall neutrality.
Overall the highs are fun and again very well detailed. There's enough sparkle up top without making it harsh or fatiguing. The treble on ASH is quite unique in my experience- where the upper treble sounds slightly elevated at times however the overall sound remains smooth and laid back with fatigue free long sessions.
Soundstage on the ASH is not very wide and rather intimate however it never comes across as congested or dark. The impeccable imaging and separation between instruments makes it sound very spacious.
In a nutshell: The AAW ASH is a wonderful IEM that not only looks premium but sounds awesome too. I believe this IEM will appeal to everyone right from Bass enthusiasts to Treble lovers. For people who prefer Vocals and/or look for all possible details in their music, the ASH is certainly a delightful treat. It is a jack of all trades and suits a wide range of genres. At this price point it has almost everything going for it than against. Not only the ASH performs beyond it's ask price but it also stares right into the eyes of some of the famous and well established IEMs in the same or slightly higher price range. If you are someone who needs lots of chest-thumping bass or super wide soundstage you may want to look elsewhere, but if you are looking for an IEM that does (almost) everything right without over-emphasizing on one part of the spectrum, you can certainly consider ASH as an option.
