Audiofly AF1120 MK2

Intro

The AF1120 MKII is my first foray into AudioFly’s products. I’ve read about the Australian brand a few times here and there, but I’ve never had the chance to try their products until now. As you can see with the name, this is the 2nd generation of their flagship AF1120. I, unfortunately, haven’t heard the OG AF1120 but I’m sure the 2nd gen is the better of the two. The OG had a keyed MMCX connector, making it hard to use 3rd party cable offerings. But thankfully, the new lineup has normal MMCX connectors.

First of all, I would like to thank AudioFly for sending me their flagship IEM for review. Secondly, I would like to apologize for taking so long to finish writing this review. I’ve just gotten busy with other things. However, I’m finally getting around to clearing my review backlog, so watch out for my upcoming reviews soon!


Package


AudioFly didn’t shy away from providing the AF1120 MKII with a generous amount of accessories in the package. You get a pelican type hard case with a soft velvet interior, a very nice white braided single-ended cable, a black balanced cable (I do wish they could’ve gone with the same material as the single-ended cable, as this cable is extremely tangle-prone), an assortment of different types of ear tips including both Dekoni and Comply foam tips, Airplane and 6.3mm adapters, and cleaning tools. Everything you need to get started is included. Kudos to AudioFly for such a complete package!


Build and Design


The design is reminiscent of what Shure and Westone have pioneered. They’re quite small considering they pack 6 BA drivers inside. My Shure SE846 only has 4 BA drivers (They do have a bit more complex design tho) but they’re just ever so slightly thicker. If I may nitpick on the design though, it would be the shell colour. I wish they could’ve gone with a different translucent colour instead of the off-white one they used. It honestly looks quite cheap in comparison to even the cheaper-end Shures out there. Not to mention, the AudioFly branding on it just wears off a little too fast. In less than a week into my testing, the logo on the right earpiece is already half gone. Not a great look for the price, unfortunately. On the build side of things, it could be better too. It’s just two plastic shells joined together and while the Shures are like that too, the joint section feels more seamless compared to the AF1120 MKII. The AF1120 MKII’s build does make it easier to repair, but it just looks somewhat cheap.


Fit


The fit is similar to the Shure and Westone style IEMs I’ve mentioned previously. They just fit a larger variety of ear sizes compared to the bigger “semi-custom” shells other competitors are releasing nowadays. To my ears tho, I’ve never had any problems with bigger shelled IEMs. In regards to comfort, the AF1120 MKII is so comfortable that it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing them at all. And hey, if you’re the type that listens to music to fall asleep, these are flat enough to be worn even when you turn on your sides. A definite plus in my books.


Sound


The AF1120 MKII’s overall sound falls in the reference category with a bias in the midrange. This IEM is great for vocalists and string performers. I’ll go into further detail about each range in the next section. Detail retrieval is one of its great strengths along with that excellent midrange performance. Now let’s head over to the next section to see how each range sounds like on the AF1120 MKII.

Bass: On the bass, the AF1120 MKII has a dead-on flat response with a slight bump in the mid-bass. The extension is there, but I do wish it had just a bit more presence in the sub-bass region. I would even say that to my ears, the Empire Ears Zeus XR-ADEL has a touch more bass presence than the AF1120 MKII. I’ll be using the Zeus as a big reference here as it’s the most similar to the AF1120 MKII in terms of sound. Take the AF1120 MKII as a baby Zeus. With that said, if you’re after a flat bass response while keeping good texture and extension, the AF1120 MKII brings that to the table.

Mids: Okay, the mids… well, it’s just darn amazing. The AF1120 MKII’s midrange is just engaging. It has an even reference flavour but with a touch more emotion than the more analytical Empire Ears ESR MKII that I just reviewed recently. The midrange of the AF1120 MKII does remind me a lot of the emotive Zeus. It may not have the spacious and encapsulating presentation, but the core is there. Vocals are just more front and centre for the AF1120 MKII. I can see vocalists having a great time using these for the stage. If you’re a vocal lover, be sure to have a listen to these lovely IEMs.

Treble: So going back to the Zeus as a reference, take the more energetic treble of the Zeus and dial it down then add some butter. The AF1120 MKII’s have a smoother and tamer treble response. Although sparkle was present, it seemed to have a softer and faster decay than what I like. But to sensitive listeners, this would be really great. The treble never got fatiguing on my daily commutes when I used the AF1120 MKII as a daily driver for the duration of my evaluation. If what I mentioned ticks your preferences, do have a go with the AF1120 MKII.

Staging/Imaging: Stage width and depth are pretty decent. It does present frontal depth better though. But with that said, it’s still more on the intimate side. And for stage use, I say that’s more than good enough. Imaging is as accurate as any IEM in this price bracket. No complaints there. That was easy, but I just don’t find any faults in this section with the AF1120 MKII.

So there you have it, that’s pretty much everything I have to say in the sound section. I do wish I could’ve gotten a vocalist friend to try them out when performing, but unfortunately with the state we’re in, live gigs wouldn’t see the light of day for quite a bit longer. So you’ll just have to take my word for the vocal presentation of the AF1120 MKII coming from a dude that is obsessed with vocals lol

Perhaps when things get better, I’ll get a chance to ask a friend to try them out to perform.

Next up on the review is gonna be the comparisons!


Comparisons



Vs JH Audio Layla

For this review, I went ahead and set the Layla to 1 o’clock as this setting presents a more monitoring/mastering tonality and is closer to the 1120’s tonality.

Bass: Even with this “flatter” setting, the Layla still shines in the bass department. It presents itself with more warmth and a punchier bass response. It’s also a tad bit more detailed. Bass hits and drops had better texture. The power of the Layla’s bass dial is tempting as you can go even flatter to match the 1120, but this is the lowest I’d preferably go for the Layla. But the Layla can go way higher and could present itself with an almost DD-like texture and decay when dialled up to 2 O’clock or even MAX setting. Then again, the 1120 is way smaller and way cheaper.

Mids: In the mids section, specifically in the lower mids, they’re quite similar but I’d say the Layla presents male vocals with quite a bit more thickness, while the 1120 gives the male vocals a bit more edge and air. On the female side of things, I’d give it to the 1120, while I do love the thickness and body the Layla gives to the vocals, it lacks edge and air. The 1120 has that while still sounding sweet and intimate.

Treble: This is the same in the treble section. The Layla has thicker notes but does leave you desiring a bit more air and sparkle up top. However, I do have to say that the Layla is quite a bit more detailed even though the 1120 sounds a bit more treble forward. Even after 5 years, the Layla is still my go-to when I need a monitoring/mastering IEM. Nonetheless, I can confidently recommend the 1120 as a substitute as it does indeed come close to the performance of an IEM that has double the amount of BA drivers. Plus, it’s cheaper and more comfortable too.


Vs Empire Ears Zeus XR-ADEL


While listening to the 1120, it reminded me of the Zeus quite a bit. Hence, I decided to include it in the comparisons. This comparison is done in the “R” mode with the M20 APEX module.

Bass: While both have a more neutral bass rendering, the Zeus has a bit more punch and warmth to it. The Zeus also edges the 1120 in bass clarity and texture, although they are both using dual BA for the bass. It might be due to EE using larger BA drivers for the bass that makes the Zeus that much better. The 1120 is no slouch, however. It’s just that the Zeus has a more pleasing bass presentation to me.

Mids: The mids share the same warmth in the lower mids, while the brighter Zeus takes the upper mids to my preferred signature. This upper mid elevation makes female vocals shine for me. The Zeus gives female vocals just enough body to not sound “nasally” but adds an insane amount of air without it ever sounding thin. The Zeus just might win me over my favourite female vocal IEM, the TG334.

Highs: There is no competition here. The Zeus is glimmering with detail, clarity, and sparkle. It has everything that I look for in treble. But if you’re highly sensitive in this area, the 1120 will do a better job of delivering detailed highs without the harshness that may come with the Zeus’ treble response.

With all that said, the 1120 still performs quite superbly even compared to the mighty Zeus, so I can say that if you like the Zeus tonality, without the insane size of the IEM, price, and the “brighter” treble response, look no further than the 1120.



Vs Empire Ears ESR MKII

I have just recently finished doing my written review of the ESR MKII, and it is my new reference monitor. I wanted to see how AudioFly’s offering compares to a new 5 driver EST+BA hybrid setup.

Bass: I consider both to be on the “flatter” side of things when it comes to bass response. But the ESR MKII does have a bit more warmth to it, giving the bass some needed punch, while keeping it even and cohesive with the rest of the frequency range. It never feels out of place. On the other hand, the AF1120 MKII gives a deeper hit when called for but it does seem more isolated at times. It somehow feels disconnected from the rest of the range. Nonetheless, both still lack the kick and slam I love in terms of my enjoyment preferences in the bass. But for reference monitoring, both are respectable. However, I do have to give it to the ESR MKII for giving just a touch more warmth to the bass while staying cohesive with the rest of the frequency range.

Mids: This is where I find more enjoyment with the AF1120 MKII. Its mid-forward presentation just gives more emotion to the vocals. Meanwhile, the ESR MKII gives you a more detailed approach to the midrange. It doesn’t give the emotive vocals the AF1120 MKII can give you, but in exchange, it gives you a more resolving presentation with any instruments in this range. The ESR MKII doesn’t favour a single instrument, so everything is even across the board. I can tell one is tuned for vocalists in mind and the other is for sound engineers. If you’re after an intimate and forward vocal presentation, the AF1120 MKII would suit your needs better. But if you know you’re gonna be mixing or if you’re the type that just prefers to have details in a track thrown at you effortlessly, the ESR MKII would be the sauce for you.

Highs: The AF1120 MKII has a softer approach to the treble. It gives instruments just enough sparkle to be engaging, while the ESR MKII just gives you more bite and edge to the instruments, creating a truly engaging listen. The ESR MKII is also better at effortlessly presenting microdetails. So if you’re not overly sensitive with the more energetic treble presentation of the ESR MKII, and you could afford to shell out a bit more money, the ESK MKII is the better choice in my opinion. However, if you’re after a softer approach on the treble, the AF1120 MKII takes the cake.


Vs Shure SE846

The SE846 has been around for quite a long time now, and I’m sure it was and is still a lot of people’s first introduction to the more “high-end” side of earphones. I’ve had the SE846 since the beginning of 2015, and it isn’t going anywhere. So how does the newer AF1120 MKII compare against such a classic? Well, read down below to find out.

Bass: In the bass region, this is where the SE846 shines and reminds me why I picked it up in the first place. It has a deeper reaching bass, and that rumble is honestly still mind-blowing until now. It’s crazy to think it’s coming out of a BA driver. The SE846 just has a boosted bass tuning compared to the flatter tuned bass of the AF1120 MKII. To my ears, there’s no doubt I prefer the SE846’s overall bass performance between the two. But if you like a flatter response, the AF1120 MKII definitely delivers well-extended and well-textured bass. The AF1120 MKII still does give a decent punch, just not as hard-hitting as the SE846.

Mids: Moving on to the mids, the lower mids have a meatier tone on the SE846. This gives quite a bit more thickness on the Male vocals. The AF1120 MKII does have a full-bodied lower mids but it’s more on the neutral side. On the upper mids, I feel that the AF1120 MKII has the thicker tonality this time around while the SE846 gives an edgier and sharper presentation. This edge seems to create harsher “S’s”. So if you’re sensitive to that, either change the filters to the black ones or use foam tips. It doesn’t bother me, but I’m sure it can bother those who are sensitive to sibilance. With that said, the AF1120 MKII’s midrange is overall a bit more pleasing to my ears, especially for female vocals. They just have a thicker overall tone while keeping an airy presentation.

Highs: The AF1120 MKII has a softer treble presence but retains pleasing sparkle. On the other hand, the SE846 has more bite and an overall energetic treble, but still nothing that bothers my ears. They both have good treble extension. You’ll just have to pick whether you prefer a softer presentation or an energetic one.


Vs Sony XBA-H3


The H3 has been with me since 2014, and it’s been my go-to daily IEMs.

Bass: In the bass section, the H3 rumbles deeper and is just way more elevated in its sound signature in comparison to the 1120’s neutral close to flat bass response. The 1120’s bass does extend well and gives a warm rumble when called upon. Another thing to note is that while the H3’s bass is fun, it is quite uncontrolled. It can bleed into the mids to a degree, while the 1120’s are cleaner and don’t muddy anything.

Mids: The H3’s mids, while sounding warm and full, just sound farther away in the mix than the 1120’s sweeter and more intimate rendering; this is especially the case when it comes to vocals. The 1120 just presents the vocals with more air and a touch more clarity. Instruments that fall into the midrange spectrum sound clearer and have more bite to them.

Highs: In the highs, even though both IEMs give enough presence and sparkle to the treble, the H3 presents itself with thinner notes while 1120 paints the treble section with more body and clarity. These two have more of a laid-back sound up top, but the H3 does seem to have a darker tonality overall while the 1120 has a more neutral approach. This does make sense as the 1120 is a monitoring device.


Conclusion


We’re finally at the conclusion, dear readers. Thankfully, it’s not as long as my ESR MKII review but I still had a lot of fun reviewing the AF1120 MKII. Aside from its somewhat cheap-looking exterior and ever so tangle-prone cables (the latter can be mitigated by switching to a third-party cable), the sound that comes out of the AF1120 MKII is deserving to be heard. If you are into a reference tuned IEM with a touch more forward vocal presentation and an easy to listen to treble, the AF1120 MKII should be in your “to hear list”.

I hope my review helped you guys in your search for your next IEM.

If you have any more questions, just leave a comment below or PM me on Head-Fi or a DM over on IG @melstonaudio

Until the next review!


-Matz

Price & Specifications
Price: AUD$849.99 / USD$649.99
Audiofly AU
Audiofly Amazon

Driver type: Six Balanced armature drivers with 3-way crossover
Driver arrangement: Dual bass, dual mid, dual high
Frequency range: 15-25kHz
Crossover: Passive 3-way electronic crossover with Butterworth filter
Acoustic tuning: Physical 3-way frequency divider
Impedance: 11Ω
Sensitivity: 109dB at 1kHz
Cable length: 1.2m / 47”
Plug type: 3.5mm gold plated, right angle format


Introduction
Audiofly has been around since 2012 and they create bluetooth products for the casual listener under the name of Audiofly Headphones, and IEMs for audiophiles, musicians and sound engineers under Audiofly Pro. In their lineup of "Pro" IEMs, the 1120s were tuned to be neutral for audio professionals who require an accurate playback.

I'd like to thank Michelle from Audiofly for arranging to have these IEMs loaned out to me for a full review. I greatly appreciate Audiofly's kindness and generosity.

Accessories

• Protective hard case
• 2.5mm balanced cable
• 3 sets of dome silicone tips
• 1 set of Comply tips
• 3 sets of foam Flytips
• 3 sets of Dekoni Audio Bulletz
• 3.5mm to 1/4" adaptor
• Airline adaptor
• Cleaning tool
• Cable tidy

Comments on accessories
Unlike other brands which have been progressively moving toward compact round carrying cases, Audiofly has chosen a pelican-style hard carrying case for the 1120s which tends to be more space consuming. Nevertheless, it will protect the IEMs just the same.

The cable may not seem fancy like what boutique cable manufacturers offer these days but I've grown to like its ergonomics. The fabric makes the cable more pliable and I can see it remaining so, unlike PVC based cables which tend to get stiff over time with exposure to sweat and UV light, which is normal.

It has also been reinforced by CORDURA fabric for better durability. It's not something audiophiles who listen at the desk and on their daily commute will strictly need but rather, this is something that stage musicians might better appreciate. The thin 2-wire braid above the Y-split is light which is also something stage musicians will find reliable to work with when wearing the IEMs from behind. I've read of people who found the stock cable lackluster but I'm alright with it as I prefer thin and ergonomic cables.

If there's anything I would change about the cable, it's that the Y-split is too big for my liking and the plastic used for the Y-split and 3.5mm connector feels relatively cheap for a premium priced product.

It's a nice thought to have the 2.5mm balanced cable included for those who have a balanced output on their source. But it should be noted that the balanced cable feels stiffer and cheaper when compared with the stock cable. The discrepancy in build quality is significant and I would have preferred to see the same implementation of the CORDURA fabric on the balanced cable.

Additionally, the balanced cable may not be necessary unless your source's balanced output has a low noise floor. The 1120s are very efficient and when connected to my ZX300's balanced output, electronic hiss was very much audible. This is why all testing was done with the stock cable on my Sony ZX300.

Sound
Here is the raw graph provided by Audiofly.

The 1120s have a warm-neutral sound signature. They feature a very broad bass lift by about 2dB which does more to lend the music a sense of warmth than to emphasize either the sub or mid-bass. Despite the bass boost being broad, the boost itself is mild hence the 1120s leave no room for any muddines or boominess, just enough to lend warmth.

The 1120s have minimal content in the sub-bass, which is only mildly audible in hip-hop rumble drops.【1】 Consequently, it's more difficult to track bass guitars when they are adjusted to be heard in the sub-bass.【2】 It can certainly be heard in all its definition because the 1120s are very resolving but it's just softer than what I'm used to. I might not have noticed the growl of the basslines on first listen if I wasn’t looking out for it in my music.

The mid-bass retains the same reserved quality as the sub-bass, which makes kick drums and synthetic bass beats sound tight.【3】

The upper midrange rises at 2kHz and peaks at 3.5kHz at 4dB. I feel that this doesn't balance out the wideband bass boost enough, causing music which prioritises instruments over vocals to sound slightly veiled.【4】 There is more transparency with music where vocals are at the forefront of the mix.【5】 The 1120s will certainly be welcome by lovers of smooth, tube-like presentations out of the box. I have to add that the 1120s top this off nicely with its midrange tone which is almost spot-on.

There is also a pronounced scoop in the lower treble following the 3.5kHz peak which may be a potential dealbreaker for some. The lack of energy past 4kHz reduces presence of vocals and instruments, causing the 1120s to be a very laidback set of monitors. This isn't a problem for me as the midrange is still tonally acceptable and it has the added bonus of being non-fatiguing. It's just that such an aggressive lower treble dip may not provide the energy and aggression that some audiophiles crave.

While cymbals and hi-hats are primarily driven by the mid-treble from 8-9kHz, the dip in the lower treble reduces the intensity of their attack. Cymbal crashes and hi-hat patterns are heard at the volume the audio engineer intended for them to be heard in the mix, nothing more, nothing less.【6】 There is neither any bite nor sparkle, or a feeling haziness - dead neutral.

The 1120s are by no means detail monsters from its laidback treble but it doesn't fall short in terms of note definition. To me, the biggest selling point of the 1120s lie in their technical ability. It has outstanding instrument separation and resolution which sit well above average. For instance, tracking background electric guitars which often get masked by lead vocals is a breeze and busy metalcore mixes never sound congested.【7】 It images well within its modestly sized soundstage.

Comparison with M7 & M9
I felt that it is only appropriate to compare these with my favourite sets of warm-neutral IEMs which are none other than the Sony IER M7 and M9. I'd like to thank Addicted To Audio for allowing my friend and I to audition and take pictures of the IEMs in their beautiful showroom here in Perth. We appreciate the staff's kindness in assisting us.


I will speak about the M7 and M9 broadly as a whole as they sound very similar to me, with the exception of the M9 having a superior treble response over the darker M7, due to its magnesium super tweeter.

In terms of tuning, the M7 and M9 have more sub-bass relative to the 1120s, causing them to have much more impact when the mix calls for it. The M7 and M9 have more energy in their upper midrange relative to their low end. To me, this makes the M7 and M9 more transparent than the 1120s.

In the grand scheme of things, both the M7 and M9 are pretty laidback IEMs due to their well-controlled lower treble presence. Similarly, the 1120s are also laidback but to a much greater extent.

In terms of resolution, 1120s = M7 < M9. The 1120s sit on par with the similarly priced M7 and the M9 edges out both these IEMs marginally. It should also be noted that the M9 costs almost twice as much as the other two.

Another possible reason why a potential buyer may choose the M7 or M9 lies in their superior soundstage over the 1120s. This could be because the semi-tubeless design employed in the M7 and M9 gives the impression of expansive width and depth to complement their extremely precise imaging.

To sum up the differences, I am certain that many consumers will find the tuning of the M7 and M9 more appealing, being musically-inclined whilst retaining the excellent technicalities befitting of a studio monitor. The combination of the spacious staging qualities, high level of transparency and tonal accuracy makes for an organic listen. Their ambience is just a whole lot more immersive which is why I'd pick them for personal enjoyment, especially so for listening to playback of live performances.

In contrast, the 1120s are much more clinical in nature. They adopt a flat neutral approach and a clear focus on precision, which allows the listener to hear exactly what the audio engineer envisioned when adjusting the volumes of different instruments in the song - their excellent dynamic range accomplishes this with ease. It clearly achieves what Audiofly set out to do with the 1120s' neutral tuning direction as it doesn't emphasise any frequency.

All in all, the 1120s are a highly technically competent workhorse. Their warm and flat neutral signature makes them an all-rounder for studio mixing and non-fatiguing stage monitoring. Audiofly also offers CIEMs but the program is on hold for the time being due to COVID-19. I feel that a perfect fit from having a CIEM version of the 1120s may increase perception of its clean sub-bass response. Additionally, its non-fatiguing signature is likely to work well with a CIEM firing past the 2nd bend in the ear canal for long audiophile listening or music mixing sessions in the studio.

This is it for my Audiofly AF1120 MK2 review. All photographs were taken by my good friend @teriyakeith.

Thanks for reading! You may find more reviews on my Head-fi thread.

These are some of the notable tracks used to come to my conclusions for those who're interested (not exhaustive).
Sample tracks for reference: Artiste 1 – Song 1, Song 2. Artiste 2 – Song 1…
1. Falling in Reverse - Popular Monster, Losing My Mind.
2. MY FIRST STORY - With You.
3. Coldrain - REVOLUTION. Josie Dunne - Old School.
4. Coldrain - COEXIST, THE SIDE EFFECTS.
5. The xx - Angels. Machine Gun Kelly - I Think I'm OKAY
6. ONE OK ROCK - Yes I am (mixed louder), Taking Off (mixed softer).
7. Bring Me The Horizon - Antivist. Crystal Lake - Watch Me Burn.

The manufacture says:
"The neutral-focused AF1120 is for audio professionals who thrive on impeccable accuracy and astounding clarity.
Nothing short of perfection. With six finely-tuned balanced armature drivers arranged in a dual low, mid and high configuration in a unique hybrid 3-way electronic/acoustic crossover, the neutral-focused AF1120 is for audio professionals who thrive on impeccable accuracy and astounding clarity."

LETS SEE....OR SHOULD I SAY HEAR....
the price for AF1120Mk2 is $649.99 USD

VS
(This Graph is from Audiofly Web site and the other is from another reviewer (fit issue on right? do you see the difference? Who is right and who is wrong? I do not know...)

I think like all IEMs - proper fit is key and deep insertion is a must for best sound. I use Etymotic ER4P/S and am used to getting a perfect fit but Etymotics take some getting used to on how far they go into the canal of the ear- where these Audioflys are much easier to get perfect fit and seal- they are always comfortable and no getting used to is required since they provide so many ear tips to choose from including the Dekoni (the ones I chose as best for me).

AF1120Mk2 are not clinical and are not a musical masterpiece but a well balanced sound that will please anyone who appreciates good engineering. Engineering? Yes! When it comes to matching multiple drivers- where even more expensive headphones into the $899 and over range can't get right - this $649 USD IEM manages to get the music right. They are toe tapping good- always musical no matter the source- be it MP3 or FLAC or from a CD- the AF1120Mk2 is a friendly headphone that will not offend anyone- it sounds balanced and pleasurable. It will sound fine with a phone, but will sound much better with a portable DAC/AMP and even best with a Class A Amp like my PASS WHAMMY with OPA 627 upgrades, Gilmore Lite Mk2- or the Topping A90- a truly amazing amp worthy of 5 times the price... any how... short answer here- If I needed a pair of good IEMs that are under $700 I would certainly put these on top of my list.




PENON ORBs ($259) are simply gorgeous in and out - I LOVE MINE! but don't have a balanced sound signature like the AF1120Mk2- but if I didn't have the $649 for the AF1120Mk2- I would settle for the Penon ORBS and not look back they are that good for their price range. My ORBs punch way above $500 IEMs out there- but they can't compete against the AF1120Mk2 for overall texture and layering and over all balance. The ORBS are more bass fun and I like that for certain music. The AF1120Mk2 always seem to do well on any music- so a safe bet; female vocals, male vocals and piano strings etc- they are just musical and satisfy.



ABOVE: The $29 cable you can buy from just about anywhere vs AF1120Mk2 included 3.5mm wire... plan on trying out other cables if you can't stand the included cables a) looks b) tangles beyond reason c) like to cable roll d) Like more bling with your IEMs

Compared to many other IEMs, I would say the Etymotic ER4p/s are closest to the AF1120Mk2- BUT the Audiofly seem more musical and have a better sound stage. They aren't as perfect as Etymotic in all frequencies which makes them a tad bit more musical and fun to listen to- again very balanced and pleasing.

I will say the AF1120Mk2 sound best with their included black balanced 2.5mm jack seen in middle lower bottom- but what a terrible cable - so cheap for this price range.
Audiofly- I read many other reviews of your IEMs and everyone says the same thing about your cables- they are no frills cheap feeling cable- oh but maybe its like a under cover agent blending in their environment so not to be noticed- the cable is plain Jane, the shells of the AF1120Mk2 are plain Jane- ah BUT maybe that was intentional.



Well- maybe some people like to travel unnoticed without fancy bling- I get it... maybe now I get it... but honestly people spending north of $600 want a nice complimentary cable included- and the shells these days seem so SHURE clam shell style like from the early 2000's. BUT they work and work well they do... but these IEMs just won't impress your friends with BLING here- the bragging isn't in the looks but the performance. And they do perform. Anyone giving these a less than stellar review I would argue they are influenced by the cheap cable feel or the shell design as cheap feeling- all true- but IF THEY ARE FITTED PROPERLY IN YOUR EAR- the Audiofly's AF1120Mk2 do what they are suppose to do- sound darn good and demand a try out at they very least. They are solid performers.

These are strongly recommended IEMs for those looking for performance and not frills.

NOTE: The AF1120Mk2 were sent to me for review- I receive no benefit from the review and sadly have to return them back to Audiofly... may they find a new home once they refurbish them or do what ever they do- someone somewhere will be very happy with the low key looks and nearly stellar performance in this price range. I DO HOPE AUDIOFLY upgrades the cable still... -JM