Introduction
Audiosense is the company Chinese company, a lot of people are familiar with the t800, which is their flagship 8BA IEM, but today I am taking the look at AQ3, this is their first hybrid model, the driver configuration is 1DD+2BA, price of it is $190USD.
Disclaimer
I purchased it from their official website myself for retail price, and the review will be based on my honest opinion through the music I listen to.
Package & Accessories
The packages is simple design, it come with the black cardboard box, with the brand name and model name at front, the box is flip to open design, after opened the box, there is the big transparent storage case, the IEM and other accessories come inside it.
Accessories list:
1 pair x Audiosense AQ3
1 pcs x 8 core MMCX detachable cable
1 pcs x waterproof storage case
1 pair x silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
1 pair x form tips (S, M, L)
1 pcs x cleaning tool
The accessories it come with is simple but useful. The case it come with is on the large side, it can easily fit in two IEM, the case is IPX5 waterproof, it seal well thanks to the pressure release design, inside of storage case there is rubber pad to give additional protection. The case is overall solid build with transparent design.
The AQ3 come with both of silicone tips and foam tips, also include the cleaning tool.
The cable is 8 strands 19 core silver plated copper cable, it has 90 degree 3.5mm plastic connector, it feature MMCX detachable design, there are the the blue and red indicator on both side of MMCX male connector to show left and right, while the y splitter and cable slider are both in metal shell, it is overall solid cable finish in silver color.
Design & Build & Comfort
The design of AQ3 are small and compacts, the shell curve are smooth and well rounded, the shell are printed by 3D printer, and fully filled in with resin. It come with smoky color, with slightly transparent design. It is using carbon fiber as materials of faceplate, with the golden front brand name on left earpiece, while the model name on right earpiece. There are the vent on top of the IEM.
The build on it is solid, the shell is well rounded on the edge, the AQ3 has resin fulled filled in in its shell, the wire inside are not really neatly organized. The driver in the IEM are perfect placed thank to plastic driver holder, and there is the tube for each of the driver, with total three sound bore. It uses metal nozzle with metal filter to make sure noting get inside the IEM, also promote the durability. The Mmcx female connector do not have sign of wear and tear after I swapped few times of cable.
Even as I mentioned it is small and compacts, but it is still at the thick side, compare to the OH500, which is already on the thick side, but thanks to the ergonomic design, it fit OK for me, the AQ3 is not that ergonomic, but doesn’t mean it cannot fit good, thanks to the slightly angle and long nozzle, it fit well for me. The isolation is slightly above the average by using the spinfit CP100.
Technical specifications
Driver: 2 custom Knowles BA drivers and 10mm dynamic driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 22 KHz
Impedance: 18 ohms
SPL: 102 +/- 3dB
Sound
Paring
I do not use the stock silicone tips for this review, because it doesn’t fit well for me, I use Spinfit CP100 as ear tips for review, I find out the overall clarity are better on the Spinfit, there are more treble energy as well.
Overall tonality
It is the U shape sounding, with natural, smooth and relax tonality.
Bass
The bass is on the natural side, with good amount of sub bass for most of music I listen to, the sub bass has less than average extend and decay speed. The bass give average impact, rumble and punch, the bass has average detail while the speed is quite slow, it is overall laid-back tonality bass.
Mids
The mids is feel like every notes in the music have been rounded, but it also affect the overall clarity (or someone may say it is lack detail, because it also rounded some important part of the music). The lower mids has good amount of bodies with moderate depth presented in slightly lush and smooth manner, the upper mid do not have sharpness, it presented in soft and natural manner. There are slightly less than average of airy and transparency. It is overall slightly warm, natural, and well balanced mids.
Treble
The treble is laid back, and also lack on a lot of elements, let’s go through it. The treble has average extended presented in harshness and smooth manner. The treble has average detail, while it is too laid back, the treble is lack in airiness, sparkle, brightness, energy, and also overall clarity (when I said lack, I mean this is way much more below the average).
Soundstage and imaging
It has less than average depth and width.
It lack on imaging and separation.
Comparison
NF audio NA2+ ($169USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and slightly more mid bass on the AQ3. The bass has warmer and fuller tone in AQ3, where the NA2+ has clearer and relatively cleaner tone. There are clear sense of punchy and slam on the NA2+, while the AQ3 sound life less in comparison. The NA2+ provide better sense of control and has tighter presentation, where the AQ3 has heavier weight and sound thicker. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on NA2+
Mids
The midrange on both has fairly neutral tone, but the NA2+ has brighter tonality. The lower midrange sound fuller and warmer on the AQ3, where the NA2+ sound leaner and clearer. The upper midrange sound smooth and relatively more laid back on AQ3, where the NA2+ sound more vividly and lively. The detail retrieval and is better on NA2+.
Treble
The treble has brighter tonality with better sense of extension on the NA2+. The lower treble has more energy and sound brighter but edgier on NA2+, while the AQ3 sound smoother and laid back-ier. The upper treble has more airiness and sparkle on the NA2+, where the AQ3 is rolling off and sound bit life less. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on NA2+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider and deeper on he NA2+.
The imaging is better on NA2+.
IKKO OH10($189USD)
Bass
The OH10 has more sub bas quality and quantity than AQ3, the bass on OH10 feel more weight, punch, impact and rumble compare to AQ3, the bass detail and speed are better on OH10 as well. The bass can extended further on the OH10.
Mids
The mids on OH10 are more recessed than AQ3, cause by more V shape sounding, the OH10 has less bodies and depth on lower mids compare to AQ3, but it sound more clean with good level of clarity, the upper midrange on OH10 are more forward and emphasizes, it show high level of transparency, clarity and detail, while the AQ3 present in more natural and relax tonality without any sharpness.
Treble
The treble on OH10 are more bright compare to more laid back AQ3, the OH10 did better job on treble extension. The treble has more energy and transparency on OH10, whereas the AQ3 has more relax and fatiguing free tonality. The detail and airiness are better on OH10.
Soundstage & Imaging
Soundstage and separation on OH10 are better.
Imagining is better on OH10 as well.
Akoustyx R-220 ($199USD)
Bass
The sub bass and bass are less on R-220, presented in flat and fairly neutral amber. The bass are slightly warmer on AQ3, where the R-220 are cleaner. The bass has fast speed and decay on the R-220, while the AQ3 has more punch and rumble. The R220 offer the faster impact, whereas the AQ3 are relatively slower. The bass has more clarity and detail on R-220.
Mids
The midrange are fairly neutral and owning the relatively thin timbre on R-220, while the AQ3 has more natural and fuller presentation. The lower midrange has more bodies on AQ3, while the R220 are cleaner in this section. The upper midrange are more forward on the R-220, and sound more lively, where the AQ3 has more soothing and natural tonality. The clarity, detail and transparency are better on R-220.
Treble
The treble are brighter and extended further on R-220, while the treble are more laid back on the AQ3. The R-220 has more sparkle on the top end and feel more open, while the AQ3 has more smooth upper treble in comparison. The R-220 has more airiness in the treble, while the AQ3 is slightly less energy. The clarity and detail are better on the R-220.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage are more open on the R-220.
The imaging are tad better on R-220, but the layering are a lot better on R-220.
Conclusion
First point I want to mention, I do like it sometime, is good for listen while I enjoy my afternoon, it is overall really easy to enjoy and well balanced sound presented in laid back manner. But, not a lot of people like to purchase the IEM, that is lack in detail, clarity, imaging, separation and treble energy, airy and transparency, and cost $190USD, while you have a lot of good IEM to choose around this price range. I am looking forward for AQ7, which is the 1DD+7BA hybrid IEM. Thank you for reading, Happy Listening!
Audiosense official website: https://www.audiosense.cn
AQ3 product page: https://www.audiosense.cn/product-page/audiosense-aq3
Audiosense is the company Chinese company, a lot of people are familiar with the t800, which is their flagship 8BA IEM, but today I am taking the look at AQ3, this is their first hybrid model, the driver configuration is 1DD+2BA, price of it is $190USD.
Disclaimer
I purchased it from their official website myself for retail price, and the review will be based on my honest opinion through the music I listen to.
Package & Accessories
The packages is simple design, it come with the black cardboard box, with the brand name and model name at front, the box is flip to open design, after opened the box, there is the big transparent storage case, the IEM and other accessories come inside it.
Accessories list:
1 pair x Audiosense AQ3
1 pcs x 8 core MMCX detachable cable
1 pcs x waterproof storage case
1 pair x silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
1 pair x form tips (S, M, L)
1 pcs x cleaning tool
The accessories it come with is simple but useful. The case it come with is on the large side, it can easily fit in two IEM, the case is IPX5 waterproof, it seal well thanks to the pressure release design, inside of storage case there is rubber pad to give additional protection. The case is overall solid build with transparent design.
The AQ3 come with both of silicone tips and foam tips, also include the cleaning tool.
The cable is 8 strands 19 core silver plated copper cable, it has 90 degree 3.5mm plastic connector, it feature MMCX detachable design, there are the the blue and red indicator on both side of MMCX male connector to show left and right, while the y splitter and cable slider are both in metal shell, it is overall solid cable finish in silver color.
Design & Build & Comfort
The design of AQ3 are small and compacts, the shell curve are smooth and well rounded, the shell are printed by 3D printer, and fully filled in with resin. It come with smoky color, with slightly transparent design. It is using carbon fiber as materials of faceplate, with the golden front brand name on left earpiece, while the model name on right earpiece. There are the vent on top of the IEM.
The build on it is solid, the shell is well rounded on the edge, the AQ3 has resin fulled filled in in its shell, the wire inside are not really neatly organized. The driver in the IEM are perfect placed thank to plastic driver holder, and there is the tube for each of the driver, with total three sound bore. It uses metal nozzle with metal filter to make sure noting get inside the IEM, also promote the durability. The Mmcx female connector do not have sign of wear and tear after I swapped few times of cable.
Even as I mentioned it is small and compacts, but it is still at the thick side, compare to the OH500, which is already on the thick side, but thanks to the ergonomic design, it fit OK for me, the AQ3 is not that ergonomic, but doesn’t mean it cannot fit good, thanks to the slightly angle and long nozzle, it fit well for me. The isolation is slightly above the average by using the spinfit CP100.
Technical specifications
Driver: 2 custom Knowles BA drivers and 10mm dynamic driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 22 KHz
Impedance: 18 ohms
SPL: 102 +/- 3dB
Sound
Paring
I do not use the stock silicone tips for this review, because it doesn’t fit well for me, I use Spinfit CP100 as ear tips for review, I find out the overall clarity are better on the Spinfit, there are more treble energy as well.
Overall tonality
It is the U shape sounding, with natural, smooth and relax tonality.
Bass
The bass is on the natural side, with good amount of sub bass for most of music I listen to, the sub bass has less than average extend and decay speed. The bass give average impact, rumble and punch, the bass has average detail while the speed is quite slow, it is overall laid-back tonality bass.
Mids
The mids is feel like every notes in the music have been rounded, but it also affect the overall clarity (or someone may say it is lack detail, because it also rounded some important part of the music). The lower mids has good amount of bodies with moderate depth presented in slightly lush and smooth manner, the upper mid do not have sharpness, it presented in soft and natural manner. There are slightly less than average of airy and transparency. It is overall slightly warm, natural, and well balanced mids.
Treble
The treble is laid back, and also lack on a lot of elements, let’s go through it. The treble has average extended presented in harshness and smooth manner. The treble has average detail, while it is too laid back, the treble is lack in airiness, sparkle, brightness, energy, and also overall clarity (when I said lack, I mean this is way much more below the average).
Soundstage and imaging
It has less than average depth and width.
It lack on imaging and separation.
Comparison
NF audio NA2+ ($169USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and slightly more mid bass on the AQ3. The bass has warmer and fuller tone in AQ3, where the NA2+ has clearer and relatively cleaner tone. There are clear sense of punchy and slam on the NA2+, while the AQ3 sound life less in comparison. The NA2+ provide better sense of control and has tighter presentation, where the AQ3 has heavier weight and sound thicker. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on NA2+
Mids
The midrange on both has fairly neutral tone, but the NA2+ has brighter tonality. The lower midrange sound fuller and warmer on the AQ3, where the NA2+ sound leaner and clearer. The upper midrange sound smooth and relatively more laid back on AQ3, where the NA2+ sound more vividly and lively. The detail retrieval and is better on NA2+.
Treble
The treble has brighter tonality with better sense of extension on the NA2+. The lower treble has more energy and sound brighter but edgier on NA2+, while the AQ3 sound smoother and laid back-ier. The upper treble has more airiness and sparkle on the NA2+, where the AQ3 is rolling off and sound bit life less. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on NA2+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider and deeper on he NA2+.
The imaging is better on NA2+.
IKKO OH10($189USD)
Bass
The OH10 has more sub bas quality and quantity than AQ3, the bass on OH10 feel more weight, punch, impact and rumble compare to AQ3, the bass detail and speed are better on OH10 as well. The bass can extended further on the OH10.
Mids
The mids on OH10 are more recessed than AQ3, cause by more V shape sounding, the OH10 has less bodies and depth on lower mids compare to AQ3, but it sound more clean with good level of clarity, the upper midrange on OH10 are more forward and emphasizes, it show high level of transparency, clarity and detail, while the AQ3 present in more natural and relax tonality without any sharpness.
Treble
The treble on OH10 are more bright compare to more laid back AQ3, the OH10 did better job on treble extension. The treble has more energy and transparency on OH10, whereas the AQ3 has more relax and fatiguing free tonality. The detail and airiness are better on OH10.
Soundstage & Imaging
Soundstage and separation on OH10 are better.
Imagining is better on OH10 as well.
Akoustyx R-220 ($199USD)
Bass
The sub bass and bass are less on R-220, presented in flat and fairly neutral amber. The bass are slightly warmer on AQ3, where the R-220 are cleaner. The bass has fast speed and decay on the R-220, while the AQ3 has more punch and rumble. The R220 offer the faster impact, whereas the AQ3 are relatively slower. The bass has more clarity and detail on R-220.
Mids
The midrange are fairly neutral and owning the relatively thin timbre on R-220, while the AQ3 has more natural and fuller presentation. The lower midrange has more bodies on AQ3, while the R220 are cleaner in this section. The upper midrange are more forward on the R-220, and sound more lively, where the AQ3 has more soothing and natural tonality. The clarity, detail and transparency are better on R-220.
Treble
The treble are brighter and extended further on R-220, while the treble are more laid back on the AQ3. The R-220 has more sparkle on the top end and feel more open, while the AQ3 has more smooth upper treble in comparison. The R-220 has more airiness in the treble, while the AQ3 is slightly less energy. The clarity and detail are better on the R-220.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage are more open on the R-220.
The imaging are tad better on R-220, but the layering are a lot better on R-220.
Compare to my relatively more objective Head-fi star ranking, this ranking will be more subjective based on my personal preference and it doesn’t take price into my consideration.
Scoring system:
4/10 and below: Waste of money
5/10: Average
6/10: Above average
7/10: Good
8/10: Great
9/10: Excellent
10/10: OMG
Audiosense AQ3:
Overall tonality: 8/10
Bass: 4/10
Mids: 8/10
Treble: 6/10
Overall: 6.5/10
Scoring system:
4/10 and below: Waste of money
5/10: Average
6/10: Above average
7/10: Good
8/10: Great
9/10: Excellent
10/10: OMG
Audiosense AQ3:
Overall tonality: 8/10
Bass: 4/10
Mids: 8/10
Treble: 6/10
Overall: 6.5/10
Conclusion
First point I want to mention, I do like it sometime, is good for listen while I enjoy my afternoon, it is overall really easy to enjoy and well balanced sound presented in laid back manner. But, not a lot of people like to purchase the IEM, that is lack in detail, clarity, imaging, separation and treble energy, airy and transparency, and cost $190USD, while you have a lot of good IEM to choose around this price range. I am looking forward for AQ7, which is the 1DD+7BA hybrid IEM. Thank you for reading, Happy Listening!
Audiosense official website: https://www.audiosense.cn
AQ3 product page: https://www.audiosense.cn/product-page/audiosense-aq3