ADV. Model 3 BA2
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First off, I would like to give my thanks to Marlowe Cruz for giving the Philippine circle of reviewers a tour of ADV products. Special mention to a co-reviewer who made this tour possible also, Adrian Yambao. I was lucky to be the first one on the list and there are 3 more lined up ADV iems after this so stay tuned. For more details on this product, please visit this link
https://www.adv-sound.com/products/model-3-ba2?_pos=1&_psq=ba2&_ss=e&_v=1.0
DISCLAIMER:
I did not buy this product. It was provided as a review unit for the Philippines reviewer circle tour. Manage your expectations as what works for me, might not work for you. We all have different perception when it comes to sound.
INTRO
ADV claims this product to be designed for musicians. I can testify that indeed, it is. Being a gigging musician myself, I have tested this product on studying and dissecting harmonies for my band’s repertoire, on our live streams and stage performances. And it did deliver its purpose.
Now let’s get down to business… off to SOUND domain.
TREBLE
The moment I plugged these, I noticed immediately the treble roll off. Coming from a mid centric iem (the BQEYZ KC2) I find little adjustment for my ears. Treble heads might crave for more sparkle and air on top. I must admit occasionally I look for it too. But the details here compensate for the roll off. Every track we listen to is mixed differently. Some tracks can be very sibilant while others not. If you’re treble sensitive, you’re on the safe zone here. Even sibilant tracks don’t leave a sour face on me.
BASS
Right off the bat, I noticed the neutral bass presentation. And honestly, I was left hanging for the first few hours of listening. But I must say, the bass presentation grew on me. As a musician who also mixes my own backing tracks, a neutral bass presentation is an essential tool. I tried to listen to “Daft Punk” with heavy synth sounds on the low end, and some “Billie Eilish” tracks. The sub bass is there, but laid back. You might look for the “umph” on your drum kicks on this one. Specially on rock tracks. You drum kicks might be placed more on the low midrange. IF you love your boomy kicks, this might not be for you. Bass heavy tracks will still give you a punchy bass, but minimal rumbles. Even my bassist sound was short of low end when I used these on our live streams. But the mid emphasis, allowed me to hear his mistakes. Lol
MIDS
I mentioned above that this is a neutral sound signature iem, emphasis on mid. The claim of ADV stays true. As a keyboard player, this is Shangri-la paradise for me. Pianos, Rhodes, brasses, strings, organs, percussions, horns, guitars are presented exceptionally. This is the reason why I said that this iem is more on the analytical side. All the harmonies I needed to hear to dissect chordal harmonies was a breeze.
VOCALS
Be it female or male vocals, Model 3 BA2 will give you intimate vocals. It stopped me on my tracks when I played “Diana Krall’s East of the Sun”. It is safe to say that singers/vocalist will appreciate this one specially if you are a band doing covers who analyzes how a song needs to be sang. The human voice is a natural instrument. And thus, full of emotions. And the BA2 delivers. I’m listening to Dua Lipa as I’m typing now, and I just can’t help but pause to appreciate the vocals.
FITTING
I used the stock tips, M size. Didn’t try the foam tips though. They’re just not for me. Designed for monitoring, I can safely say this will offer you a snug fit. Just choose your tip sizes. The isolation is quite decent. Muffing the noise of my band just right. Never fell of my ears on performances. And mind you, we can be very active on our performances, the fit never failed me. The isolation was so good, I have to pluck it out of my ears when they are telling me the next song. lol
MONITORING
I never used an iem as good as this for monitoring. My band consist of 4 rhythm section, (bass, drums, guitar, and me on keys) and 3 vocals. With the right mixing and balancing from the guy on the mixing board, BA2 is a very capable monitoring iem. You will hear clearly what you band mates are playing, and your singers too. BA2 never was congested even when on the point of crazy jamming.
PACKAGE
The bundle is complete with the essentials and more. Foam and silicon tips in S, M, L sizes. Comes with a ¼ adapter for plugging in to instruments. A nifty hard case to protect your iem. Gigging can be quite a prone for accidents. The case, comes with a neck strap so you wouldn’t lose it, just like Frodo in LOTR. Lol
Here are some TRACKS that I used for reference for this review.
SOURCES AND GEARS
VERDICT
BA2 grew on me. Its lack on the low ends is to be expected for it was designed for something. For musicians who needs to study our harmonies, solos, and chords. For singers to study articulations and dictions.
The casual listener can appreciate this one as well, as long he/she is not a bass head. Anyone who is into vocals will definitely love this one. I can’t keep track how many times I stopped what I was doing, just to listen to the emotions of vocals.
This one is an essential tool for a gigging musician/vocalist. Be it in the studio, or on the stage. ADV claimed this one for drummers too. I think it is because the lack of bass gives way to instruments and vocals which a drummer, as the clock keeper, needs to be in timing with the whole band. Its clean, neutral, and detailed presentation is a must for every artist out there. As for fun listening, it is safe to say this one is more on the analytical side. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one on both purposes.
https://www.adv-sound.com/products/model-3-ba2?_pos=1&_psq=ba2&_ss=e&_v=1.0
DISCLAIMER:
I did not buy this product. It was provided as a review unit for the Philippines reviewer circle tour. Manage your expectations as what works for me, might not work for you. We all have different perception when it comes to sound.
INTRO
ADV claims this product to be designed for musicians. I can testify that indeed, it is. Being a gigging musician myself, I have tested this product on studying and dissecting harmonies for my band’s repertoire, on our live streams and stage performances. And it did deliver its purpose.
Now let’s get down to business… off to SOUND domain.
TREBLE
The moment I plugged these, I noticed immediately the treble roll off. Coming from a mid centric iem (the BQEYZ KC2) I find little adjustment for my ears. Treble heads might crave for more sparkle and air on top. I must admit occasionally I look for it too. But the details here compensate for the roll off. Every track we listen to is mixed differently. Some tracks can be very sibilant while others not. If you’re treble sensitive, you’re on the safe zone here. Even sibilant tracks don’t leave a sour face on me.
BASS
Right off the bat, I noticed the neutral bass presentation. And honestly, I was left hanging for the first few hours of listening. But I must say, the bass presentation grew on me. As a musician who also mixes my own backing tracks, a neutral bass presentation is an essential tool. I tried to listen to “Daft Punk” with heavy synth sounds on the low end, and some “Billie Eilish” tracks. The sub bass is there, but laid back. You might look for the “umph” on your drum kicks on this one. Specially on rock tracks. You drum kicks might be placed more on the low midrange. IF you love your boomy kicks, this might not be for you. Bass heavy tracks will still give you a punchy bass, but minimal rumbles. Even my bassist sound was short of low end when I used these on our live streams. But the mid emphasis, allowed me to hear his mistakes. Lol
MIDS
I mentioned above that this is a neutral sound signature iem, emphasis on mid. The claim of ADV stays true. As a keyboard player, this is Shangri-la paradise for me. Pianos, Rhodes, brasses, strings, organs, percussions, horns, guitars are presented exceptionally. This is the reason why I said that this iem is more on the analytical side. All the harmonies I needed to hear to dissect chordal harmonies was a breeze.
VOCALS
Be it female or male vocals, Model 3 BA2 will give you intimate vocals. It stopped me on my tracks when I played “Diana Krall’s East of the Sun”. It is safe to say that singers/vocalist will appreciate this one specially if you are a band doing covers who analyzes how a song needs to be sang. The human voice is a natural instrument. And thus, full of emotions. And the BA2 delivers. I’m listening to Dua Lipa as I’m typing now, and I just can’t help but pause to appreciate the vocals.
FITTING
I used the stock tips, M size. Didn’t try the foam tips though. They’re just not for me. Designed for monitoring, I can safely say this will offer you a snug fit. Just choose your tip sizes. The isolation is quite decent. Muffing the noise of my band just right. Never fell of my ears on performances. And mind you, we can be very active on our performances, the fit never failed me. The isolation was so good, I have to pluck it out of my ears when they are telling me the next song. lol
MONITORING
I never used an iem as good as this for monitoring. My band consist of 4 rhythm section, (bass, drums, guitar, and me on keys) and 3 vocals. With the right mixing and balancing from the guy on the mixing board, BA2 is a very capable monitoring iem. You will hear clearly what you band mates are playing, and your singers too. BA2 never was congested even when on the point of crazy jamming.
PACKAGE
The bundle is complete with the essentials and more. Foam and silicon tips in S, M, L sizes. Comes with a ¼ adapter for plugging in to instruments. A nifty hard case to protect your iem. Gigging can be quite a prone for accidents. The case, comes with a neck strap so you wouldn’t lose it, just like Frodo in LOTR. Lol
Here are some TRACKS that I used for reference for this review.
- Giogio by Moroder – Daft Punk – offline FLAC 24bit
- Killing in the Name – Rage Against the Machine – offline FLAC 24 bit
- Day of Celebration – Santana – offline FLAC 16 bit
- Summer Romance – Incubus – Apple lossless 16 bit ALAC
- Line by Line – Cory Wong – Apple lossless 16 bit ALAC
- East of the Sun – Diana Krall – Apple lossless 24 bit
SOURCES AND GEARS
- iphone 7 plus with apple dongle
- offline flacs played via VOX app
- Apple lossless
- Deezer Hi-fi
VERDICT
BA2 grew on me. Its lack on the low ends is to be expected for it was designed for something. For musicians who needs to study our harmonies, solos, and chords. For singers to study articulations and dictions.
The casual listener can appreciate this one as well, as long he/she is not a bass head. Anyone who is into vocals will definitely love this one. I can’t keep track how many times I stopped what I was doing, just to listen to the emotions of vocals.
This one is an essential tool for a gigging musician/vocalist. Be it in the studio, or on the stage. ADV claimed this one for drummers too. I think it is because the lack of bass gives way to instruments and vocals which a drummer, as the clock keeper, needs to be in timing with the whole band. Its clean, neutral, and detailed presentation is a must for every artist out there. As for fun listening, it is safe to say this one is more on the analytical side. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one on both purposes.
