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Huge thanks to Aurem Fidelitatem for the iem that we’ll be reading about today, the Advanced M4. You can buy them at their facebook page at fb.com/auremfidelitatem or at the Advanced Sound Group official website at https://www.adv-sound.com/.
A few of you may have noticed that the ADV M4 that I have received came in a different packaging. Advanced confirmed that it was only the packaging they have changed. There is no version 2 of the ADV M4 (yet).
Disclaimer:
I am not affiliated with Advanced Sound in any manner. I do not receive any cash incentives, rewards, or anything from them. This review is my non-biased comprehension and appreciation of the said earbud.
The product we’ll be reading about today is one of the most prominent in the audiophile community, the ADV M4. The M4 is known to deliver amazingly detailed and transparent sound for the itsy bitsy price tag of 40$. Though most consumers will find the sound signature of the M4 as boring or lacking in terms of bass or whatever they are accustomed to listening to, audiophiles and musicians alike enjoy how balanced the tuning of the M4 is, considering its price to performance ratio.
I, personally, have owned the ADV M4 a year ago. It was sad news that I had to sell them for an upgrade. Thankfully, Aurem Fidelitatem had new ones sent to me late December, and I had a chance to have them back in my sweet arms again. If you ever decide to purchase this gem, do not – I repeat – DO NOT let go of this. The tuning is unique to the iem, though it is very far to be said as a collector’s material.
I’m getting too carried away here blabbing about. Let’s dive right in to my non-biased take at the ADV M4.
Personal Preferences:
Advanced ditched their old packaging which came in a much larger, slightly bulky, black box. They instead went for a simple, stout white box. At the front of the package is a picture of the actual iem, with the Advanced logo on the top left. At the bottom left of the picture, it says “M4 Naturally Balanced In-Ear Monitors”, and at the bottom right, “With in-line remote/mic”.
The M4 is clearly advertised as “naturally balanced”, with the tuning “designed for musicians”, as Advanced said in their packaging. The front of the box also says that it includes Comply tips, rather a generous accessory in the 40$ price range.
Whoever wrote what is at the right side of the box deserves a pat in the back. The right side of the box reads as follows:
At the left side of the box is a picture showing the in-line remote/mic which “control music playback” and can be used to “answer/end phone calls”. The in-line remote is also compatible with both iOS and Android devices, so the buyer is rest assured that there will be no compatibility issues, whatsoever.
The back side of the box contains hefty information about the product, including a seemingly piece-by-piece dissection of the driver unit of the iem, a frequency response graph, a list of what is inside the package, the unit’s specifications, Advanced Sound’s contact information, all of it in English and Japanese writing.
As well as containing lots of eye candy through simplistic packaging, Advanced also advertised their product as “ideal for studio monitoring”, meaning that the ADV M4 is implied to produce a relatively flat or linear response, and that it does not give emphasis or de-emphasis to any particular part of the sound spectrum. It is advertised to accurately produce what is being recorded in the studio; surely a tough claim for a 40$ price tag, but nevertheless a successful claim at that (more on sound later).
Aside from changing their packaging, Advanced also upgraded the included case in the ADV M4. They ditched the small form factored circular case and went for a larger, rectangular carrying case. Though there is no change in material, the added space makes it so that you can carry the M4 and, presumably, another iem or some set of tips and still have good enough breathing room. Unzipping the case, the buyer is greeted with the iem itself and three set of tips; three sizes of black silicone tips, three sizes of white silicone tips, and three sizes of biflange tips. The ADV M4 comes standard with Comply tips (Isolation T-400). Here’s a little something about the included Comply tips that has been extracted directly from their website:
“Comply™ Foam’s Isolation 400 foam tips are tailored toward those who seek the solitude of noise isolation. From everyday listener to musician to athlete, these earphone tips are specifically designed to let you hear more of what you want—not what you don’t. Isolation Series foam tips are engineered to create a custom ear canal seal. The flexible core of the earbud allows for the tips to conform even better to your unique ear canal.”
I, personally, do not prefer using the Comply tips. Don’t get me wrong, they work as advertised; dynamic custom fit and noise isolation that cannot be beaten by silicone tips. It’s just that I prefer using the biflanges as it gives the best experience, for me.
In total, the buyer receives the following:
Build:
The M4 doesn’t feature a detachable cable design, but they compensated with a thick, fully braided cable that screams premium all over. On the down side, there is a lot of microphonics going on when I move around. Thankfully, this issue is resolved by tucking the cables under the shirt, or using the included shirt clip. The in-line mic/remote is located at the left channel, which seems unconventional because I am used to having the mic at the right side. This doesn’t really bother me but I would just like to put it out here for the information of the masses.
Continuing down the cable, the y-split has strain reliefs in both channels, as well as at the bottom. The thick, uniform braid continues down to a gold-plated l-plug that bears the ADV branding.
Advanced spared no costs in making and producing the M4. The build quality is top notch, and these iems will probably last the user a long time.
Comfort:
These are bullet type iems, so they can be worn down the ear notch or over the ear, whichever is more comfortable. The housing does tend to extend longer than I am used to. The drivers actually barely touch the ear, with the nozzle going way up in the ear canal. The stem doesn’t touch the ear notch, which might be a little bit uncomfortable for some.
Comfort will mostly rely on the tips. The included Comply tips are very comfortable and block out most sound.
Isolation:
Isolation will primarily depend on tips that are being used. The stock Comply tips offer the best isolation, but all the silicone and biflange tips fit very well too, considering the different sizes they came with.
Sound:
Tips of choice: I tried using the Comply tips for a little bit but rolled them for the medium biflanges as they have the best detail retrieval there was in the set of tips. I chose not to use aftermarket tips since the tips that are included are already enough. However, I do suggest using Symbio Wide Bores, Acoustune AET08’s, or JVC Spiral Dots if you feel that you lack bass but do not want to sacrifice detail retrieval.
The tuning of the ADV M4 is indeed balanced with a slight bias towards the brighter side of the spectrum. It has an airy sound signature, with accurate imaging, even though the soundstage is not that wide. They are indeed very transparent, and much of the mids and highs are more upfront while the bass remains calm and behaved.
Bass –
There is nothing outstanding about the bass performance, other than that it is well controlled. Upper bass performance does not dig that deep, but is presented in a high-quality manner with natural tones, rather than being drowned by mid-bass and sub bass. There is a slight bump in the mid-bass, just enough to give the user the innate sounding timbre. Like I have said, the bass is well behaved. Actually, it is too behaved. It wouldn’t hurt if they added more sub-bass impact.
In terms of the lows, Advanced prioritized quality over quantity. The bass is not aggressive, rather, relaxed and well tamed, which gives the ADV M4 an airy, natural feel.
Mids –
The mids are easily the star of the show here. Everything is well done in this part of the spectrum, considering how natural the presentation of both the vocals and instruments are. Vocals are a little more upfront than the instruments. Both male and female vocal presentation is not exaggerated, but they are carefully placed in the right spot in front of the instruments. The vocals do not sound too thin, or too lush to the ear.
There is no sibilance in the upper mids where most of the instrument dwindle; only smooth and innate presentation awaits the listener. For a sub-50$ iem, layering of everything in the mids section is outstanding, the vocals and instruments sound very distinct from each other.
Highs –
The splash of cymbals doesn’t sound overlapped on busy tracks and decays very well. On calm and smooth tracks, the M4 produces distinct hits from stick to cymbal with outstanding accuracy. Electric guitar licks are natural and well placed. Overall, instruments in this region do not peak, yet they are felt just enough. They are humble yet well textured. The iem could also do with a little more detail retrieval because there is a noticeable sharp decline in the upper highs where several details might be left out.
Soundstage –
M4 has narrow sound stage, though there is adequate space between the instruments, which gives off an airy and all natural sound. There is medium depth and width. Imaging is fairly accurate with nothing special to note about.
Comparisons:
VS Tin Audio T2
I don’t have that much iems in my collection, and this is the iem that I know can immediately compete with the ADV M4’s tuning along the 50$ price range. Though the T2 has a little more price to it, it does feature removable cables, and a choice of wide bore and normal bore tips. Tin Audio also generously included blue foam tips, though they are not from Comply.
About the sound, T2 is warmer, with more laidback bass and highs. Both iems are great beaters in the 50$ range, with both being balanced tuned and has amazing, crisp details for the budget friendly audiophile. Its just a matter of compromise for the buyer, whether to choose between leaning to warm or leaning to the bright side.
Conclusion:
Advanced marketed the ADV M4 as “designed for musicians”. From build quality, accessories, and sound, Advanced did not fail in delivering an excellent product at the doorsteps of many. The ADV M4 may sound boring and unenthusiastic, but the sound it produces is organic and natural. While it may not appeal to the likes of most consumers, the other purists, musicians, and audiophiles in a very tight budget can always rely on the ADV M4 for their satisfaction.
The ADV M4 indeed punches way above its bracket. Since its release, it is still well known in the audiophile community. It stands its own ground against the continuing evolution of portable audio.
Huge thanks to Aurem Fidelitatem for the iem that we’ll be reading about today, the Advanced M4. You can buy them at their facebook page at fb.com/auremfidelitatem or at the Advanced Sound Group official website at https://www.adv-sound.com/.
A few of you may have noticed that the ADV M4 that I have received came in a different packaging. Advanced confirmed that it was only the packaging they have changed. There is no version 2 of the ADV M4 (yet).
Disclaimer:
I am not affiliated with Advanced Sound in any manner. I do not receive any cash incentives, rewards, or anything from them. This review is my non-biased comprehension and appreciation of the said earbud.
The product we’ll be reading about today is one of the most prominent in the audiophile community, the ADV M4. The M4 is known to deliver amazingly detailed and transparent sound for the itsy bitsy price tag of 40$. Though most consumers will find the sound signature of the M4 as boring or lacking in terms of bass or whatever they are accustomed to listening to, audiophiles and musicians alike enjoy how balanced the tuning of the M4 is, considering its price to performance ratio.
I, personally, have owned the ADV M4 a year ago. It was sad news that I had to sell them for an upgrade. Thankfully, Aurem Fidelitatem had new ones sent to me late December, and I had a chance to have them back in my sweet arms again. If you ever decide to purchase this gem, do not – I repeat – DO NOT let go of this. The tuning is unique to the iem, though it is very far to be said as a collector’s material.
I’m getting too carried away here blabbing about. Let’s dive right in to my non-biased take at the ADV M4.
Personal Preferences:
- Packaging is important. First impressions can last a long time.
- I do not have a specific genre that I listen to. The songs I listen to differ greatly from billboard tops to old classics, pop, rock, edm, acoustics, alternatives, metal, and all of its sub-genres. I incline listening to metal music, specifically to power metal, death metal, and the likes.
- I enjoy variety of sound signatures, ranging from bright analytical, balanced with only a slight dip in mids, neutral warm, and neutral bright. I generally lean to neutral-bright sound signature, with a certain degree of analytical sound. I dislike over powering bass, as it is the least enjoyable, for me, in my experience listening to music.
- I prefer iems over earbuds, earbuds over headphones.
- Shanling M3s as DAC (PC)
- Shanling M3s as DAP
- Zishan Z1 + OPA1692 as DAC (PC and my phone) and dap
- Zishan Z1 + Muses02 as DAC (PC and my phone) and dap
- Sony NW-A45
- Divers: Titanium coated 8.5mm dynamic drivers
- Driver Unit: Custom-tuned Single Dynamic Drivers
- Impedance: 16 Ohm+/-15%
- Sensitivity: 92dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Rated Power Input: 1mW
- Max. Input Power: 5mW
- Cord length: 1.36M
- Plug 3.5mm: Gold Plated
Advanced ditched their old packaging which came in a much larger, slightly bulky, black box. They instead went for a simple, stout white box. At the front of the package is a picture of the actual iem, with the Advanced logo on the top left. At the bottom left of the picture, it says “M4 Naturally Balanced In-Ear Monitors”, and at the bottom right, “With in-line remote/mic”.
The M4 is clearly advertised as “naturally balanced”, with the tuning “designed for musicians”, as Advanced said in their packaging. The front of the box also says that it includes Comply tips, rather a generous accessory in the 40$ price range.
Whoever wrote what is at the right side of the box deserves a pat in the back. The right side of the box reads as follows:
At the left side of the box is a picture showing the in-line remote/mic which “control
The back side of the box contains hefty information about the product, including a seemingly piece-by-piece dissection of the driver unit of the iem, a frequency response graph, a list of what is inside the package, the unit’s specifications, Advanced Sound’s contact information, all of it in English and Japanese writing.
As well as containing lots of eye candy through simplistic packaging, Advanced also advertised their product as “ideal for studio monitoring”, meaning that the ADV M4 is implied to produce a relatively flat or linear response, and that it does not give emphasis or de-emphasis to any particular part of the sound spectrum. It is advertised to accurately produce what is being recorded in the studio; surely a tough claim for a 40$ price tag, but nevertheless a successful claim at that (more on sound later).
Aside from changing their packaging, Advanced also upgraded the included case in the ADV M4. They ditched the small form factored circular case and went for a larger, rectangular carrying case. Though there is no change in material, the added space makes it so that you can carry the M4 and, presumably, another iem or some set of tips and still have good enough breathing room. Unzipping the case, the buyer is greeted with the iem itself and three set of tips; three sizes of black silicone tips, three sizes of white silicone tips, and three sizes of biflange tips. The ADV M4 comes standard with Comply tips (Isolation T-400). Here’s a little something about the included Comply tips that has been extracted directly from their website:
“Comply™ Foam’s Isolation 400 foam tips are tailored toward those who seek the solitude of noise isolation. From everyday listener to musician to athlete, these earphone tips are specifically designed to let you hear more of what you want—not what you don’t. Isolation Series foam tips are engineered to create a custom ear canal seal. The flexible core of the earbud allows for the tips to conform even better to your unique ear canal.”
I, personally, do not prefer using the Comply tips. Don’t get me wrong, they work as advertised; dynamic custom fit and noise isolation that cannot be beaten by silicone tips. It’s just that I prefer using the biflanges as it gives the best experience, for me.
In total, the buyer receives the following:
- ADV M4 Iem with Comply tips
- 3 pairs of white silicone tips (s/m/l)
- 3 pairs of black silicone tips (s/m/l)
- 3 pairs of biflange tips (s/m/l)
- Carrying case
- Shirt Clip
Build:
The M4 doesn’t feature a detachable cable design, but they compensated with a thick, fully braided cable that screams premium all over. On the down side, there is a lot of microphonics going on when I move around. Thankfully, this issue is resolved by tucking the cables under the shirt, or using the included shirt clip. The in-line mic/remote is located at the left channel, which seems unconventional because I am used to having the mic at the right side. This doesn’t really bother me but I would just like to put it out here for the information of the masses.
Continuing down the cable, the y-split has strain reliefs in both channels, as well as at the bottom. The thick, uniform braid continues down to a gold-plated l-plug that bears the ADV branding.
Advanced spared no costs in making and producing the M4. The build quality is top notch, and these iems will probably last the user a long time.
Comfort:
These are bullet type iems, so they can be worn down the ear notch or over the ear, whichever is more comfortable. The housing does tend to extend longer than I am used to. The drivers actually barely touch the ear, with the nozzle going way up in the ear canal. The stem doesn’t touch the ear notch, which might be a little bit uncomfortable for some.
Comfort will mostly rely on the tips. The included Comply tips are very comfortable and block out most sound.
Isolation:
Isolation will primarily depend on tips that are being used. The stock Comply tips offer the best isolation, but all the silicone and biflange tips fit very well too, considering the different sizes they came with.
Sound:
Tips of choice: I tried using the Comply tips for a little bit but rolled them for the medium biflanges as they have the best detail retrieval there was in the set of tips. I chose not to use aftermarket tips since the tips that are included are already enough. However, I do suggest using Symbio Wide Bores, Acoustune AET08’s, or JVC Spiral Dots if you feel that you lack bass but do not want to sacrifice detail retrieval.
The tuning of the ADV M4 is indeed balanced with a slight bias towards the brighter side of the spectrum. It has an airy sound signature, with accurate imaging, even though the soundstage is not that wide. They are indeed very transparent, and much of the mids and highs are more upfront while the bass remains calm and behaved.
Bass –
There is nothing outstanding about the bass performance, other than that it is well controlled. Upper bass performance does not dig that deep, but is presented in a high-quality manner with natural tones, rather than being drowned by mid-bass and sub bass. There is a slight bump in the mid-bass, just enough to give the user the innate sounding timbre. Like I have said, the bass is well behaved. Actually, it is too behaved. It wouldn’t hurt if they added more sub-bass impact.
In terms of the lows, Advanced prioritized quality over quantity. The bass is not aggressive, rather, relaxed and well tamed, which gives the ADV M4 an airy, natural feel.
Mids –
The mids are easily the star of the show here. Everything is well done in this part of the spectrum, considering how natural the presentation of both the vocals and instruments are. Vocals are a little more upfront than the instruments. Both male and female vocal presentation is not exaggerated, but they are carefully placed in the right spot in front of the instruments. The vocals do not sound too thin, or too lush to the ear.
There is no sibilance in the upper mids where most of the instrument dwindle; only smooth and innate presentation awaits the listener. For a sub-50$ iem, layering of everything in the mids section is outstanding, the vocals and instruments sound very distinct from each other.
Highs –
The splash of cymbals doesn’t sound overlapped on busy tracks and decays very well. On calm and smooth tracks, the M4 produces distinct hits from stick to cymbal with outstanding accuracy. Electric guitar licks are natural and well placed. Overall, instruments in this region do not peak, yet they are felt just enough. They are humble yet well textured. The iem could also do with a little more detail retrieval because there is a noticeable sharp decline in the upper highs where several details might be left out.
Soundstage –
M4 has narrow sound stage, though there is adequate space between the instruments, which gives off an airy and all natural sound. There is medium depth and width. Imaging is fairly accurate with nothing special to note about.
Comparisons:
VS Tin Audio T2
I don’t have that much iems in my collection, and this is the iem that I know can immediately compete with the ADV M4’s tuning along the 50$ price range. Though the T2 has a little more price to it, it does feature removable cables, and a choice of wide bore and normal bore tips. Tin Audio also generously included blue foam tips, though they are not from Comply.
About the sound, T2 is warmer, with more laidback bass and highs. Both iems are great beaters in the 50$ range, with both being balanced tuned and has amazing, crisp details for the budget friendly audiophile. Its just a matter of compromise for the buyer, whether to choose between leaning to warm or leaning to the bright side.
Conclusion:
Advanced marketed the ADV M4 as “designed for musicians”. From build quality, accessories, and sound, Advanced did not fail in delivering an excellent product at the doorsteps of many. The ADV M4 may sound boring and unenthusiastic, but the sound it produces is organic and natural. While it may not appeal to the likes of most consumers, the other purists, musicians, and audiophiles in a very tight budget can always rely on the ADV M4 for their satisfaction.
The ADV M4 indeed punches way above its bracket. Since its release, it is still well known in the audiophile community. It stands its own ground against the continuing evolution of portable audio.
Yes, I'd consider the M4 as an upgrade from the HDS1, however a rather small one. That both have quite different tonalities should be taken into consideration as well, as the M4 is quite a lot brighter than the HDS1.