AFUL Cantor

General Information

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High-Precision 3D Printed Acoustic Tube Structure​

The first technology is the acoustic crossover tube. It uses physical frequency division to adjust the sound frequency response of the pair. It has been fine-tuned and optimized to harmonize the sound waves from different tubes. This eliminates the peaks caused by the resonance of the unit under traditional frequency division technology.

RLC Network Frequency Division Correction Technology​

It can directly act on the sound frequency response of the pair and helps in overcoming peaks caused by the resonance of the unit under traditional frequency division technology. It also gives the balanced armature drivers a smooth treble frequency response that rivals an EST unit.

High-Damping Air-Pressure Balance System​

The third technology is the Air pressure Relief. It balances the air pressure in the ear canal. This reduces the fatigue and discomfort that can occur after prolonged listening. The air pressure balance technology also enhances the low-frequency texture, depth, and elasticity.

Technical & Acoustic Features:-​

Ultra-Low Frequency Enhance Acoustic Module​

Two composite driver units are used, one unit extracts an ultra-low frequency region of 10-100 Hz through an ultra-thin and ultra-long sound tube, and the other is used as a bass unit. The entire low-frequency characteristics have undergone a fundamental change, with greatly improved elasticity, and bass depth has reached an excellent level.

The lower-end response of Balanced Armature drivers can be thick and atmospheric, but it always seems to lack the smooth and elastic feel of dynamic drivers. just like the study committee members in the class, working hard, but lacking a sense of agility, while dynamic The low frequency is like the literary and art committee members in the class. It is smart and textured, and the overall advantage is, but it is not better than the low frequency of the balanced armature driver in all ways. In contrast, it is slightly lacking in thickness and stability.

Lossless High-Frequency Vibration Suppression Technology​

AFUL Cantor adopts a specially developed acoustic structure. It uses a special structure to install high-frequency units that can reduce structural resonance peaks. It has been designed through special shape design, sound channels, and precise calculations to further reduce the resonance. The high-frequency damper can achieve a smooth high-frequency response, and the extremely high-frequency extension is not attenuated, and the overall treble quality reaches the level of electrostatic headphones.

Latest reviews

domq422

500+ Head-Fier
The Leader of The Choir
Pros: Simple, but effective unboxing
Included accessories are more than acceptable for the price range
A choice of 2 stunning color options
Very solid bass performance with impressive impact (for Balanced Armature)
Mids that are well placed in the mix with fantastic resolution and texture
Stand out treble response. Genuinely one of the best I've heard
Once seated, the fit isn't as bad as it would seem - quite comfortable for me
Resolution and detail retrieval kings in the under $1000 price bracket
Stage depth is a standout
Cons: Limited selection of ear tips that can be used due to the unusually long nozzle
Very deep fitting
Some may find the design over the top
Bass can lack texture and details in some cases
Mids can be a touch too forward and glaring depending on the song
Slight BA timbre can be heard at first
Do you want an IEM that pulls out every last detail of your music?

Do you want an IEM with more drivers packed in a smaller space than the starting line at an F1 Race?
Do you want an IEM that almost literally fits so deeply that it gently brushes your eardrum with sweet whispers of Audiophile bliss?

Introducing; Aful’s flagship set, the Cantor.
Do I really need to say anything more about this IEM? The hype train was run-away last year with almost everything Aful came out with, and for good reason don’t get me wrong. The issue for me, and this is me being for real right now, the Cantor had so much hype and excitement surrounding the release and then subsequently post-release, that I didn’t even want to hear them in the beginning. I felt it was being so overblown. People were excited and people are still excited about this set…. And I can see why now. I get it. It’s good, maybe even great depending on what you’re looking for. But, it isn’t perfect, far from it. Let me explain…

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As I said in my P5+2 review… This set and the P5+2 have been provided by HiFiGo for a full evaluation + some beauty shots. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own and I can promise they always will be!
There are so many cool technologies being used inside the Cantor, I highly recommend following this link to HiFiGo's landing page to read more about it and possibly pick up the Cantor if you're interested!

Non-affiliated link;
https://hifigo.com/products/aful-ca...1hlrnoEvvQ-DG-Et0iHkBDe3LCgpYWIxR7mlqyIRiT7CQ


Test tracks
- Give Life Back to Music - daft punk - Overall clarity
- Infinity Repeating - daft punk - Lower mids control
- Voyager - daft punk - Bass line clarity/busy track layering
- Overnight - Parcels - mid bass punch
- Tieduprightnow - Parcels - bass line/sibilance test
- Justice - Neverender - Sub bass rumble and mid bass impact with treble sparkle balance
- Daytime - Lunar Vacation - Staging/female vocals w/ heavy bass
- Days - No Vacation - Vibe test/treble energy
- Fruiting Body - Goon - Sub bass
- Wavy Maze - Goon - Mid bass
- Together - Maggie Rodgers - Female Vocals
- Slide Tackle - Japanese Breakfast - Sibilance test/consonants harshness
- Decode - Paramore - Vibe test/stage depth
- Vinta - Crumb - Stage depth/layering
- Kim’s Caravan - Courtney Barnett - Female Vocals/resolution test
- Small Poppies - Courtney Barnett - Distorted Guitar
- Lifelong Song - Men I Trust - Sub/mid bass texture
- One and Only - Adele - Female Vocals/consonants harshness test
- Waves - Wild Painting - Overall Enjoyment and stage depth/width/Bass guitar speed
- Not the One - Highnoon - Female Vocals
- Cowboy Killer - Varsity - Layering
- Alone in My Principles - Varsity - Distorted female vocals
- Summer Madness - Kool & The Gang - Treble Harshness
- They Are Growing - Renata Zeiguer - Mid bass impact


Listen along with me!

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My IEM Playlist

Sources
- Apple Music Streaming Hi-Res Lossless when available -> SMSL MDA1 RAW -> SMSL SH-9 or Schiit Midgard
- iPhone 16 Pro Max wired or BT -> FiiO BTR17 (No PEQ)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max wired -> Fosi DS2

The unboxing experience and included accessories are nice! I love cloth cables and this set has a nice one. Plush, soft, and well-behaved with just a hint of microphonics but honestly, that’s to be expected with cloth cables. This one is not bad at all and due to the very soft shielding, microphonics are kept to a minimum. It’s not to the softness of the Hakugei Lucky Voice if you’re familiar with that cable, but it’s far from the cheap NiceHCK RedAg level of stiffness. The included tips seem nice but I didn’t want to use them considering this is a tour unit. They feel similar to KBear/Symphonium included tips with different colored bores. They have a matte finish on the flange with a smaller size bore. Because they seemed similar enough, I used my own tips of the same style and they worked really well.

I had some issues with fit in the beginning, but once I found the right tips and got them on the nozzle properly, (I remember all the talk surrounding this topic when the IEM first came out so I didn’t have to fiddle too much), my fit was totally fine. I will mention though that these are pretty deep-fitting IEMs. They go as deep as I can go in my ear canal. I have no issues with this as I much prefer it when IEMs are deep-fitting. But if you’re a person who can’t stand this style of fit, keep that in mind. These need to go deep in order to get the proper response, especially in the treble and the bass.

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Bass

Alright, let’s rip the band-aid off, this has BA bass. End of story - is it good BA bass? Yeah, I’d say so. Yes, I’ve heard better, but I’ve also heard a lot worse and I will admit that the bass here on the Cantor is somewhere above average. I do enjoy the speed, I feel like bass elements that have momentum and liquid within them like a bass guitar in those lower notes, sound great. Very articulated and well-defined with an easy-to-follow progression. Mid-bass kicks have surprisingly some decent authority behind them, which is a pleasant surprise. There is some air being pushed here and I can literally feel that, especially with songs like Give Life Back to Music by the Robots. The snap from that drum kick comes through so nicely and that bass line in the background, while a little buried in the mix, can be heard and picked out for the most part. Where it can fall apart just a little is when the passages start entering into busy territory - The bass guitar can get lost and sometimes just sound like that dreaded droning low bass note that can sometimes plague BA bass. The Cantor, while it does pretty well here, simply doesn’t have the texturing in between the plucks and releases to allow a clearer image of the bass guitar specifically.

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The same can be said for Infinity Repeating - the intro is mastered incredibly warm on purpose here and while the speed of the drivers allows the mix to sound relatively clean compared to other presentations I've heard, eventually once the percussion comes in, that bass line gets a little lost. Now, let me be fair, this isn’t a finished song so the mastering isn’t up to the same standard as the fully released album.

I think the Sub-bass is not as untextured as I originally thought though… Doin’ It Right sounds well presented here. The song is literally Sub bass, sub-bass, and more sub-bass with a side of vocals and rim shots… no joke. So, to get this song right, you have to have the ability to go way down low in the bass region and the IEM cannot fumble the bag when it comes to texture. The Cantor… passes the test. Quite impressively, I must say. The 3rd bar of rumble sounds nicely present and perfectly placed in the mix with good authority, never overpowering the mix and never falling behind. Impressive stuff for an all-BA set. And while this isn't the best bounce or character I've heard, it's by no means bad. It isn't hollow, weak or shallow in it's presentation.

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Overnight by The Parcels is toe-tapping. I really love the way these render this song. It’s a healthy amount of warmth, with plenty of rumbly presence on that initial bass kick, it has this lingering effect to it that’s really addictive. It’s a small touch, but it really allows the song to have a flow to it. These do it well.

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The final bass boss time, Fruiting Body by Goon is… good. Healthy Sub-bass rumble and presence for sure, however, the texture is somewhat lost. As I re-listen to the song now whilst I type this, I’m presuming it’s due to the way the song is mastered. The vocals and the rest of the instrumentation take a front seat here so while the bass is present, the texturing and individual character of the wubs (is that even a word? I don’t know how to explain it…) get a bit lost in the mix. Still, I think it’s more than acceptable.

To summarize, the bass presentation of the Cantors is definitely above average here when it comes to the way of the BA. There’s plenty of presence with rumbles and thumps to provide a more than sufficient bass experience. I enjoy the warmth and speed of the bass quite a bit. Even I, being a known “basshead/bass lover” am more than happy with this presentation. This entire section is me being pretty damn nitpicky to get down to the nitty-gritty on what I enjoy and what I don’t enjoy. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that 90% of Audio geeks out there will be pleasantly surprised. I don’t think bass is this IEMs speciality. I think, and this is just a theory here, that because the bass is not the star of the show, Aful was going for an impactful and present enough bass response to support the rest of the FR and I think they succeeded.

Mids

I genuinely don’t have much to offer about the mids. They sound natural in terms of timbre and tone, with ample resolution and separation. But I will add some notes and explore this a little more while I listen…

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Daytime by Lunar Vacation comes off as spacious and well-defined. The plucky guitar in the right channel is nicely defined, it never sounds overly thin or overly warm. It’s nicely done. Vocals, again sound correct - I wouldn’t say they’re angelic or ethereal in presentation, but vocals have lovely texture and effectiveness.

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Waves by Wild Painting have a similar presentation - Vocals almost seem to be a touch recessed in some ways but don’t take that as they’re buried in the mix, that’s not the case. In the sea of IEMs with an 8, 9, or even 10 dB pinna area to make sure the vocals stand out in front, probably due to poor layering and technicalities, the Cantor doesn’t need to rely on overly boosted upper mids. The layering is so top-notch that the rest of the band can play in their respective bubbles just fine being front and center in terms of volume level whilst the vocals can sit a little deeper in the stage and still come through with texture and details.

I wouldn’t call the Cantors the epitome of mid-range magic, but I must reiterate that they are undoubtedly very effective in their presentation. Resolute and well placed in the mix. Highly enjoyable and rarely harsh. The only time I ever had to lower the volume a bit was on Together by Maggie Rogers - those high notes, man. They get the best of most IEMs and the Cantors are no different here.

But, that’s it, really. Good stuff. Above average for sure. But that’s when the average stops…

Treble

Alright. Let’s go. Foot on the gas. Where’s the magic? It’s in the treble.
There it is…

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Days by No Vacation sounds literally ethereal. The space in between notes, the atmosphere, the height of the stage, the depth of the stage… it’s all there. That crunch percussion hit throughout the song is just brain-ticklingly satisfying. Then, the bell hits on the ride cymbal comes in during the chorus, and oh man… I am finally in heaven. I had a longer trip for work today and as I was heading there this song came on and I literally got lost in the music. Seriously. Time melted away and it felt like I was on this ride with the band in finding this song all over again. It was like the first time I heard it. The ghostly mastering and production of the vocals during the chorus coupled with the bell hits on the ride then the last 2 minutes of the song with just the instrumentation and the vocal sample with the reverb… THEN, the final boss of treble mastery, the violin comes in with the percussionist turning up the intensity with the big SPLASH on the crash cymbal… It’s magic. Genuinely magic. Tone and timbre is maybe a touch, just a touch, on the thin side but I think it really does work here.

The combination of all of these things I just mentioned with the impressive layering and resolution is incredible. It’s a ride for the auditory senses. You can just close your eyes and enjoy discovering all of the nuances baked in music.

I don’t even feel the need to cite any more examples from my playlist, really.

There were a few instances where the vocals/upper mids/lower treble got a bit hot like on Together by Maggie Rogers and Slide Tackle by Japanese Breakfast but those two songs are mastered hot to begin with. I almost expect most IEMs to stumble with both of these songs, but to what extent are they stumbling? Are they an instant skip? A big turn of the volume dial? Or a small turn on the volume dial? The Cantors were a small turn. That’s passing to me ;)

To summarize, yes, the treble on the Cantors is my favorite part of the entire IEM. I believe it’s masterfully executed. One of my favorite treble responses I’ve heard up to this point. It just has to go in my top 5… I don’t give grades or scores but this would be a 9.5/10 all things considered. With that being said, I need to remember that these weren’t made for only me… the treble is on the forward side. I’m not sensing any fatiguing components for my ears, but I can 100% respect that a lot of others will. Be aware that the treble on the Cantors is not safe by any means. It’s brash, it’s big and it’s bold in more ways than one. It’s dynamic and it demands your attention. If you’re a person who enjoys a more laid-back presentation for the treble, you best either stay away or demo these first before dropping the coin.

It might cause headaches for others, but it brought me immense joy and bliss ;)

Techs


I don’t think I need to elaborate here, do I? I mean, they’re all top-notch really. Layering, resolution, detail retrieval, stage depth, width and height, dynamics… all fantastic and there’s really no need to say anything more.

Is the treble a little on the sizzly side? Yes, but I do enjoy it quite a bit. It makes the sound fun, incredibly fun really. It brings details to the forefront and allows the music to breathe quite a bit.

Keep in mind that these are most likely not for relaxing on the couch after a long day at work where you’d rather melt into the cushions and allow the music to play in the background. These are engaging technicalities for really enjoying your music. I’ll put it this way, the Cantors let you listen to the music and not just hear it.

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TLDR; The Cantors are a wonderful pair of IEMs. I really did enjoy my time with them - they’re dynamic, fun and incredibly detailed with a treble response that gets the magical stamp of approval by me as being special. The bass is tuned in a healthy way to support the rest of the sound and quite frankly, I think it’ll satisfy most audiophiles. The mids are detailed and natural sounding with plenty of resolution to enjoy your favorite vocalist. The techs are probably top notch under $1000 without sacrificing timbre or ‘fun’ in the music. They’re both analytical and musical at the same time, depending on your definition of the term musical.

I was anticipating being disappointed by the Cantors. The hype surrounding this set almost had an adverse effect on me; it made me shy away from them and almost made me not want to give them a shot in the event they didn’t live up to their reputation.

I was wrong. The Cantors are impressive. I quite enjoy them. And now, after I take the pictures and get them edited, I have to box them up and send them on their way which makes me sad.
But hey, I won’t be sad it ended, I’ll be happy it happened!

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Thanks so much for reading another article by me, I really do appreciate all of the support! Till next time.
o0genesis0o
o0genesis0o
domq422
domq422
@Kundi that is the Muse M4, sir.
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domq422
domq422
@o0genesis0o LOL

I have been getting really lucky with front page features… that’s 2 in a row for me 😅

FreeWheelinAudioLuv2

Headphoneus Supremus
$800 IEM that's AFULLY close to kilobuck perfect!
Pros: Beautiful art for shells that are comfortable
Incisiveness and balance from the bass to the midrange to the treble
TOTL imaging, layering, and detail retrieval
Reference and technical, but slight warmth keeps it from being analytical
Clean, clear and transparent midrange
Above average width and depth of stage and field
Despite BA bass, presentation has heft, punch, note incisiveness, snap, speed, and decent rumble
Easy to drive
Cons: Not for bassheads. Lacks the impact, mid bass meatiness and sub bass shelf to satisfy this sector
Lacks a tad bit of stage height, so wouldn't consider the scene orbital
Not much else, as these are both nitpicks and quibble cons.
AFUL CANTOR

Let's get started. Firstly, I'd like to thank @Jaytiss for sending me this loaner set for review. I am so very appreciative for the opportunity, as I've wanted to try these for myself since the day they were released. At $800.00, they are not cheap. We're talking upper levels of mid-fi, and very close to kilobuck, so out of the reach of many, unless we're afforded an opportunity like this one. The Cantor built quite the anticipation for over a year, and when they finally got released, it seems they lived up to their billing right from the start. The beautiful faceplate art is based off the art of Dutch painter Van Gogh and the leg based off A Christmas Story. LOL j/k! Kinda. This would be the 4th AFUL set I've had the chance to listen to, following the AFUL Performer 5+2, AFUL Explorer, and AFUL MagicOne. I'm a huge fan of the P7 and the Explorer. The MagicOne didn't really gel with me personally, but for vocal lovers and those who consider themselves mids lovers, I can see why the M1 has such a devoted following. The AFUL Cantor fits right in with those others as a high quality, high performing IEM. Ok now, so buckle your seatbelts and prepare for a 100% unbiased impression with heartfelt observations and thoughts. Now on to the fun stuff.

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The Unboxing was non-existent, as I was sent the stock protective case, along with a leather strap, 3 boxes of select eartips, a cleaning brush, a nice high quality 4.4mm fabric stock cable (you can count on AFUL providing a very high quality cable), and the IEMs themselves. Now, let's move on...

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So now that we have the "unboxing" experience out of the way, let's move on to the sound? That's what you're all here for anyways!! It's time to get it on!!...but first, let me share with all of you some information about the IEMs themselves. Internals, specs, and a graph? Fun times indeed!

THE SPECS :

AFUL Cantor :

TECHNICAL INFORMATION :

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Frequency Response graph provided courtesy of HiFiGo & AFUL

PRICE : $799.00

Available for purchase at this location.

The Gear :

What did I use for my listening sessions for my review??

All the gear pictured here in various tethered and untethered forms. Cayin N3 Ultra, FiiO JM21, Sony NW-A55, Sony NW-A25, Hiby R3 II, iBasso DC Elite, and iFi Go Link Max + Sony NW-A306.

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Music used for the review and all my reviews in general?

Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching
Robert Glasper - Canvas
Alfa Mist - Antiphon
Mareike Wiening - Reveal
Avishai Cohen - Brightlight
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Survival
Rob Van Bavel Trio - Dutch Weather
Kaisa's Machine - Taking Shape
Junior Kelly, Bounty Killer, and Capleton - The Good, The Bad, and the Blazin'
Dominik Eulberg - Avichrom
Abysmal Dawn - Phylogenesis
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Drive By Jehu - Self Titled
Cognizance - Phantazein
Crownshift - Crownshift
In Aphelion - Reaperdawn
Cradle of Filth - Nymphetamine
Shuffled Classic Rock and 80's Pop Music playlist

SOUND IMPRESSIONS
:

Dynamics : 4.5
Resolution : 5
Details : 5
Instrument separation : 4.5
Imaging : 5
Low End Impact : 3.5
Sibilance : 2 (Negligible sibilance)
Soundstage : 4

Overall score : 4.5/5

BASS/MIDRANGE/TREBLE :

The AFUL Cantor is a supreme contender for reference, balanced, incisive, transparent TOTL sonics. This is the epitome of detailed, technical, but with enough warmth to keep it from being analytical or dry. There's enough weight and warmth from the transition from the upper bass to the lower mids to provide a natural, weighty tonality for keys, cellos, and kicks. There's a high degree of snap and elasticity in the mid bass, with note incisiveness and resolution, to present an exciting low end, that doesn't get boring, sloggish, or one noted, but lacks some low end dynamics, impact, and energy that keeps this from being an IEM you would recommend to a basshead or bass craving connoisseur. Does that mean the bass notes are thin or lacks punch? Nope. The bass will be presented in a referential, honest manner. If it's there then it will be presented to you with a good degree of snap, weight, punch and resolve, with rumble present when needed. It's actually capable of digging deep, just not with DD like impact and dynamics, so the lowest of lows will not reach your ears, nor does the bass have that visceral energy, but unless you're craving that, looking for it, or wanting that impactfrom the most bass focused playlists (hip hop, bass n drums, or urban beats), you won't notice anything lacking, and for the most part, I was quite satisfied with the bass response listening to reggae, pop, acid jazz, and metal. Especially with metal, the bass was so responsive, it handles the lo-fi, rapid fire kick drums, and busy tracks of extreme metal (In Aphelion, Cradle of Filth) with ease, and with a high degree of clarity with absolutely no smear.

The midrange is clean, clear, transparent, incisive, and with TOTL imaging and layering. With that, detail retrieval and spatial cues are brilliantly present and spit out with high degree of clarity. you will not miss any notes, information, or instrumentation. From the hush of a whisper to the resonance of a trumpet blow, you don't miss a thing. It's all presented with a bit of warmth, so the midrange is devoid of any dryness or relative thinness or BA sheen. It's all very natural and reference, with a high degree of technicalities. I would say it's just south of musical, but not too far south, and in some ways, there is a musicality, but just not a lush musicality, but a reference musicality. Male and female voices have huskiness, emotiveness, tenderness, and in metal, gutteral weight. Detailed and present, with some warmth, so nothing is distant, tonally off, or thin. Separation is above average, and the stage is wide and has depth, but isn't the most full or orbital, as this might be due to having less height than width or depth. This is most definitely a quibble, because the imaging and layering of the instruments within the stage scene is so accurate and precise that you don't notice anything intimate, and musically, the Cantor can be an immersive experience.

The treble is special, in that it's shimmery, airy, and textured, without exhibiting any stridency, crispiness, or screech, It's also not thin or metallic, like found in many a BA top end. No, this is as natural sounding and controlled as you'll find in an IEM of it's price range, and driver type. Now, it does reign in the openness at bit, so spatial cues in the treble region aren't the widest, so this also contributes to the fullness of the stage not being the largest (i.e Pula Anvil 114, Softears Volume S, ISN EBC80), but once again, this is a quibble, as the treble is beautifully presented and tonally accurate and natural. Especially when played through the DCE, the treble is the definition of controlled, incisive, and textured. Jazz drummers are a delight. Metal drummers come in clearly and precisely, without cymbal crash info getting lost in the mix.

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CONCLUSION :

The AFUL Cantor is an $800 IEM that legitimately performs like any number of IEMs in the kilobuck territory, and is just as capable as the $700 ISN EBC80 or the $500.00 Dunu Brain Dance. While eschewing the impact and energy of the EBC80's DD bass or the full and expansive BCD stage, the midrange performs as good or better, while being a superior listen in terms of imaging, natural spatial cues, and detail retrieval. The EBC80 does exhibit more warmth and lushness, but falls short in treble extension and air. So it's a shoot. A tie. Equals. Next to the Letshuoer Cadenza 4, the Cantor has more incisive treble, with more bitey upper mids and midrange, and more note resolution in the low end, while only falling short in stage orbitalness and fullness, where the C4 has a more impressive dimension of width, depth and height, with a warmer, lusher, and more tonally natural tonality. but when taken as a whole, and you look at balance, technicalities, incisiveness, treble air, shimmer, and extension, the Cantor takes the cake and eats it too! What the Cantor can't do is provide rae musicality and a blanket of warmth like the Cadenza 4, wrapped in a colored and natural timbre, but overall, it's a win for the Cantor for all it can do, and do it accurately, referentially, technically, and incisively, still with a high degree of musical chops. Plus the shells are such a work of art and sinuous, that I caught myself staring at them on more than one occasion, thinking how AFUL did such an amazing job at designing and building these, and packing so much tech into the shells. If you can find it in your budget, I highly recommend this IEM as an insta-add into your rotation, and I'm fairly confident it will ascend near the top or to the very top of your favorites list. If you're a metalhead, I couldn't give these a stronger must-buy recommend, as they are pinnacle for that genre, and will present the most pleasing, precise, and powerful presentation to your metal playlists. It's been a true pleasure getting to audition this set, and I'm fairly positive it will find it's way into my collection at some point in the future. If you got a more freewheelin' budget, then I advise not hesitating, as this IEM takes you into top of the line/end game/pause game territory, and the pinnacle to any audiophile's rotation (and so easy to drive, you can run it from your phone or soft dongle dac. no amps or extra juice needed).

RECOMMENDATION LEVEL : MEGA MID-FI BOSS LEVEL - HIGHEST 9/10.

Thank you so much for reading and remember to be water with your audio luv! When you do...AUDITORY ZEN UNLOCKED!
BLOODCYCLE
BLOODCYCLE
Good review! I appreciate the comparison with EBC80 😊 Cantor is arriving start of next week to meet it's complementary siblings Origin and EBC80. The latter was love at first sight which deepened only more with some proper burn in ❤️
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FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
I get my EBC80 back from a tour loaner next week, and I'm looking forward to putting it through the paces with my newly acquired Nunchaku and the new cable I got for it. tbh, I preferred the EBC80 to the Cantor just from the bass impact and soundstage aspect, and that technicalities, they were too far behind, so at the end of the day, though the Cantor is indeed more resolving and pinpoint with imaging, I'm not compelled to run out and buy it since I already have the EBC80, though I enjoyed my time with it thoroughly!
BLOODCYCLE
BLOODCYCLE
I mean I already owned just the right amount of basshead-level through the Origin with this godly stage and quite impressive technicalities (as was SHOCK - RIP died after 20 m freefall at work :cry:) .
H60 has this vocal presentation to die for (not literally this time :joy: )
Adding to that we've got EBC80 with a tuning that just makes me loose myself listening to music, not as much bass impact (still good rumble when called for) and this Sonion BCD stage magic (like SHOCK had 😂).
The only thing I was still longing for is this little bit of extra (micro-)detail and layering
-> Cantor + a "little" goodie that might help all my IEMs with it as well^^ -> ibasso DX260 :grin: (arriving on monday and looking forward to compare it to DC elite)

atechreviews

100+ Head-Fier
AFUL Cantor: A 14 BA Flagship with Stunning Technicalities
Pros: Premium build quality and accessories
Comfortable fit for long sessions
Good isolation
Exceptional bass texture
Balanced, natural, and transparent mid-range
Airy, extended treble with great clarity
Top tier resolution
Outstanding detail retrieval and separation
Cons: Neutral bass is not for bassheads
Modular cable
Unboxing Experience

AFUL has crafted a premium unboxing experience that reflects the flagship nature of the Cantor. Inside the box, you'll find:
  • Earpieces (one of two faceplate design options)
  • Zipper carrying case: Leather-like exterior, soft orange interior
  • Premium cable: 3.5mm or 4.4mm, cloth-covered, and high-quality
  • Silicone ear tips: Light-colored, gray, and black (S/M/L)
  • Cleaning brush and cable clasp strap
  • The accessories are practical and thoughtfully designed, making the unboxing a satisfying experience
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Design and Build
The build quality is excellent and the Marine Echo faceplates are visually stunning. The earpieces feel durable yet lightweight, with slender nozzles that provide a refined aesthetic. The cable is excellent, exuding a sense of luxury, and the leather-like carrying case adds a touch of elegance. The overall build quality and presentation are top-notch, as expected in this price range. The case is equally premium, with a soft interior that keeps everything protected in style.

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Fit and Comfort
The slender nozzle requires deep insertion for optimal sound, but once fitted, the Cantor feels secure and surprisingly comfortable. The small nozzle diameter pairs well with the provided ear tips, ensuring a snug fit. Long listening sessions were free of discomfort as I could wear these for hours without discomfort. Tip: make sure the ear tips sit flush with the nozzle’s metal tube for the best seal and sound quality.

Sound Signature
The Cantor delivers a neutral, dynamic, and reference-like sound signature with incredible detail. It excels in clarity, precision, and technicalities, making it a fantastic choice for critical listening.

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Bass
The Cantor’s bass is outstanding. Sub-bass-focused, it delivers impressive rumble and texture, with a snappy, fast response. The Cantor has an outstanding bass texture. While it doesn’t overwhelm, it adds fullness to the lower mid-range, ensuring a full and natural sound. Bassheads may crave more quantity, but the quality is second to none.

Mid-Range
The mid-range is a highlight, offering exceptional clarity, transparency, and detail. Vocals—both male and female—sound lifelike, airy, and extended. The balance ensures zero bass bleed, and the tuning avoids shoutiness, maintaining an engaging yet natural presentation.

Treble
The treble is well-extended, detailed, and airy, with a hint of sparkle that adds excitement without harshness. It complements the rest of the frequency range beautifully.

Detail, Separation, and Soundstage
The Cantor’s technical prowess is remarkable. Its resolution rivals top-tier IEMs like the QDC Anole VX, dissecting music with precision while avoiding an analytical character. Instrument separation is stellar, with a wide and deep soundstage that allows each element to occupy its distinct space.

Comparisons
AFUL Performer 8
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While the Performer 8 shares a similar tuning, the Cantor has significantly better sub-bass, texture, detail, and separation. The P8 is easier to drive and has a flatter soundstage. If you’re upgrading, the Cantor feels like a natural step up.

AFUL Explorer
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The Explorer has a more fun-oriented tuning with greater bass quantity, but the Cantor wins on bass quality, texture, and technical performance. The Explorer shines at higher volumes, while the Cantor excels at moderate listening levels with its balanced presentation.

Softears RS10
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The RS10 offers a smooth sound signature with an emphasis on mid-range vocals, making it a great choice for those who prioritize vocals and instruments. However, the Cantor surpasses it in detail retrieval, sub-bass texture, and treble extension. Both are non-fatiguing and cater to different preferences: the RS10 highlights the mid-range, while the Cantor delivers a more neutral and balanced tuning that still brings vocals to the forefront.

Unique Melody MEST MK III CF
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The MEST MK III CF stands out for its holographic soundstage and immersive presentation, but the Cantor stands out with its textured bass, neutral tuning and superior detail.

Conclusion

The AFUL Cantor is an IEM that doesn’t just deliver, it exceeds expectations. Its technical abilities, reference-level tuning, and premium build quality make it a true flagship. While the bass might leave bassheads wanting more, its texture and quality are outstanding. If you’re looking for an IEM that’s as comfortable with critical listening as it is with casual enjoyment, the Cantor is a fantastic choice.

The Cantor is a great value for those who prioritize neutrality, detail, clarity, and precision.
Last edited:
atechreviews
J
JamoBroGuy
Male vocals being lean, etc.
atechreviews
atechreviews
@JamoBroGuy Yeah, that went away once I switched back to the stock ear tips and used a deep fit.

Comments

ToneDeafMonk

Previously known as TheDeafMonk
AFUL suggests that the stock tips be used and installed this way with the end of the eartips flush with nozzle, I can confirm this is massively important as the tuning is radically different doing it the conventional way.
 

ToneDeafMonk

Previously known as TheDeafMonk

My nozzle hack for a more comfortable and usefull tip to be able to use any eartips on the CANTOR

OMG with the Penon Laquer eartips and a good seal. Ummmmmmmm
 
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