Auglamour RT-1

Introduction

Auglamour is a Chinese company that produces in-ear monitors, earbuds and amplifiers. They started out with the AG-R1S and AG-R8. Recently, Auglamour has released a new iem in the RT-1. I would like to thank Auglamour and Penon Audio for the review unit of RT-1. At the moment, you can purchase the RT-1 from https://penonaudio.com/auglamour-rt-1.html .



Specifications

• Driver: 1 Dynamic Driver (10 mm) + 1 Balanced Armature Driver
  
• Impedance: 60 ohm
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz -20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 105DB ± 3DB

Unboxing & Accessories

The RT-1 comes in a black package with a transparent cover. After removing the cover, there is the iem. Below the iem, there are 3 packages and instruction manual. The big package contains a rubber carrying pouch while the 2 small packages contain cable wrap, headphone adapter, shirt clip, cleaning tool and tips.





IEM Build & Design

The RT-1 is made of plastic and there is a smooth surface. On the faceplate, there is a geometric design with different colors. The shell has a matte grey color and it is light weight. The nozzle is slightly angled with 2 bores. The iem utilizes 2 pins connectors. There is an ergonomic design which helps to ensure a good fit. The RT-1 has an unique faceplate with good build quality.







Cable Build & Design

The cable is quite ordinary and on each of the connector, there is a L & R marking on the left and right respectively. The connectors have a black housing with grip. There is a memory wire area section. There is no chin slider and the y-splitter is small with brand logo printed on it. It is black in color. Lastly, the jack is straight 3.5mm gold plated with strain relief. The jack has a nice design to its housing.



Sound Analysis

Lows

The RT-1 has a moderate amount of sub-bass quantity with a nice extension but it is not very deep. The rumble is fairly quick to add impact. The mid-bass has good quantity and it contributes to the slam to have a weighted feel. The bass decay is moderate and each bass note is presented with a control. Bass texture is smooth. There is warmth to the bass presentation. It does not have the most authority but the execution is smooth.

Mids

The midrange on the RT-1 is slightly recessed. The lower mids does not have much quantity and the lack of body prevents male vocals from being expressed in a thick manner. It is presented in a laid-back manner. Moving on to the upper mids, it has a slight forwardness to it. The definition is decent. Details retrieval has a moderate standard to it. There is a good control on the upper mids and female vocals are not shouty. The midrange is presented politely.

Highs

The treble is extended moderately and there is no sibilance and harshness. The amount of air rendered is moderate and the presentation does not have a very dense feel to it. There is a lack of sparkle. The treble has a moderate definition.

Soundstage

The RT-1 has a decent soundstage. There is a natural expansion to it but the width does not have a great magnitude. The depth has an average amount of space rendered. It tends to get congested for busier tracks.



Comparisons

Auglamour RT-1 vs Shozy Hibiki

The RT-1 has more sub-bass quantity but the Hibiki has the extra extension. The Hibiki is able to showcase its bass definition. The decay on the Hibiki is quicker and each bass note is delivered with engagement. Rumble on the RT-1 is slightly slower. Bass texture on the RT-1 is smoother with soothingness. The mid-bass on the RT-1 has slightly more quantity and the slam improves the dynamics. The bass presentation on the RT-1 takes on a matured approach. The lower mids on the RT-1 has extra body than the Hibiki and male vocals are expressed rather well. The upper mids on the Hibiki is more forward and it helps to present female vocals with crisp. The definition on the Hibiki is slightly better. However, RT-1 is able to showcase a good control on the female vocals. Moving on to the treble section, the Hibiki has more energy than the RT-1 while the RT-1 operates in a smooth approach. The amount of air rendered on the Hibiki has a greater amount. The details retrieval on both is similar. For the soundstage, RT-1 has a more natural expansion. Hibiki has edge for the width and the depth on both is very similar. Positioning of vocals and instruments is slightly more accurate on the Hibiki. The RT-1 is presented with a smooth musicality to it while the Hibiki operates with extra technicality.

Auglamour RT-1 vs Advanced M4

The RT-1 has more sub-bass quantity than the M4 but the M4 extends its sub-bass greater than the RT-1. There is more punch from the M4. The mid-bass on the RT-1 has more body and this allows the slam to be more weighted. The M4 excels in its agility with a quicker bass decay. Bass texture on the RT-1 is smoother and it is relaxing. The lower mids on the RT-1 has more body and it sounds fuller than the M4. This improves male vocals. The upper mids on the M4 has extra forwardness and clarity. The RT-1 has more body which helps to maintain female vocals. This showcases a good finesse and prevents it from being shouty. The M4 demonstrates its crisp and definition. The RT-1 has a more organic performance than the M4 with intimacy. The details retrieval is very similar on both iems but M4 has the slight edge with a more accurate representation. Next, in the treble section, the M4 has more extension than the RT-1 with a greater amount of air rendered. The RT-1 has stronger mastery in its treble. The M4 is prone to sibilance and harshness. Treble on the RT-1 is much smoother with extra body. Lastly, the RT-1 has a more realistic feel to its stage expansion and M4 excels in the width magnitude. The depth on the RT-1 is better.

Auglamour RT-1 vs Earnine EN120

The RT-1 has more sub-bass quantity than the EN120 with a better extension. The RT-1 is capable of its sub-bass reproduction. The mid-bass on the RT-1 is fuller and the extra body gives the slam a weighted feel. It is able to create a more dynamic performance. Bass decay on the RT-1 is similar while the bass texture on the RT-1 is smoother. There is more liveliness on the RT-1. The dynamic driver on the RT-1 helps in the bass reproduction. The lower mids on the RT-1 has more body than the EN120 and male vocals benefit. For the upper mids section, RT-1 has similar forwardness with a tighter control. Female vocals are presented in a more organic manner than the EN120. There is a good expression of it. The midrange on the RT-1 is cleaner with better transparency. Next, in the treble section, the RT-1 has more extension with a smoothness. The treble articulation on both is pretty accurate. Lastly, for the soundstage, the RT-1 has a more natural expansion with better width and similar depth.

Conclusion

The RT-1 is an unique iem that is able to present its bass in a warm and smooth manner. The midrange is laid-back and coupled with the controlled treble, there is a nice calming effect. In addition, the RT-1 has an unique design with good fit. The accessories are not lacking at all. The Auglamour RT-1 is a nice hybrid iem to listen to.

For more reviews, visit https://audio123blog.wordpress.com/ .

Greetings,

Today we're checking out the Auglamour RT-1, a stylish and respectably priced 1+1 hybrid.

Given I'm someone that enjoys an interesting design nearly as much as good sound, Auglamour is a brand that has always been on my radar. They tend to release great looking products made from durable materials, and yet they manage to keep prices surprisingly reasonable.

The RT-1 continues this tradition with a unique exterior design that seems inspired by stained glass, all crafted from durable ABS plastics and aluminum. At only 55.00 USD, they certainly undercut the cost of my other similarly equipped hybrids and single dynamic earphones, yet they aren't cutting features like removable cables to do so.

Let's take a closer look at the RT-1 and see how Auglamour's first hybrid outing fares.

Disclaimer:

Everyone's favorite section! Yes, these were provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The thoughts within this review are my own. They don't represent anyone but myself, nor was I provided financial incentive to give them a positive review. Thanks to Penon Audio and Auglamour for the opportunity to check these out.

At the time of this review they retailed for 55 USD, and could be picked up here; https://penonaudio.com/auglamour-rt-1.html

Source:

For at home use the RT-1 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, HiFi E.T. MA8, F.Audio S1, or Shanling M1. Despite the relatively high impedance, all of these devices brought it up to listening volume without any struggle.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, MacaW GT600s, and thinksound On2 offer examples of signatures I enjoy.

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 105dB / mW ± 3DB
• Impedance: 60 ohm
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz

Packaging and Accessories:

Call me petty, but the RT-1's packaging is something I would put up on display. It is clearly designed to show off Auglamour's artistic chops and for good reason. The RT-1 is a cool looking earphone and it's on full display through the transparent plastic lid. One of the neatest trinkets included with the RT-1 is also on full display under the earphone; a solid metal cutout of the Auglamour logo. Maybe they're expecting you to clip it to your key chain? Either way, neat inclusion.

Inside the accessories are separated and stored within three separate cardboard boxes. Also inside you find 6 cue cards which cover a lot of information; instructions, introduction, accessories, fit and the correct way to plug in the cables, an introduction to the TR-1 itself, specifications, safety instructions, exchange and refund info, scannable codes for more info, company mottoes. It seems Auglamour has really taken steps to do things differently and give their buyers a fairly unique experience. In all you get a pretty extensive kit, especially given the price;

• RT-1 earphones
• 2-pin removable cable
• Silicone carrying case
• 4 pairs of single-flange silica eartips (s/m x 2/l)
• 1 pair of yellow foam eartips
• Steel, multifunction tip holder/tool
• 1/4” adapter
• Cleaning tool
• Shirt clip
• Velcro cable tie

The case is quite different, made from the same sort of silicone material used for cellphone cases. It doesn't fully close so you just kinda stuff the RT-1 in there, but it retains a low profile and is slightly slick. I found it to work quite well, and found it pretty comfortable in the pocket. The multi-tool holding the tips is another first for me. It's got a bottle opener, small ruler, a dull as heck saw, and of course hold 4 pairs of tips within. There's a handy little cutout in the top right hand corner to clip it to your keyring or something else, but I can see your spare tips disappearing pretty quickly if used in that manner.

The tips of great quality, the cleaning tool will be useful for clearing out the individual sound ports (!) of wax and other intruders, and the case, while odd at first, works pretty well.The packaging is also darn impressive to look at, and there is some enjoyment to get out of digging through to find everything. This is how you package and accessorise a 55 USD earphone.


Build, Ergonomics, and Isolation:

The ABS plastics used for the RT-1 felt remarkably familiar the first time I picked it up. Pulling out the Havi B3 Pro I, I could see why. Outside of the Havi being darker, they felt nearly the same with a similar metallic shimmer. Unlike the Havi, the RT-1's shells are glued together so I don't think users are going to have to worry about them cracking and falling apart, as happened to many of unfortunate B3 Pro I owners, myself included. The aluminum faceplate with the geometric cutout was crafted using metal injection molding techniques, while the colorful, stained glass looking material behind it is ABS silica. Most impressive about the build quality is the dual nozzle ports, one for the dynamic driver (DD), and one for the balanced armature (BA). Even more impressive, unlike every other budget hybrid I've seen, the BA has a proper tuning damper over it and doesn't simply blast sound unimpeded into your ear. Cool! About the only part of the build that feels out of place is the ABS insert in the nozzle which is uncolored and looks unfinished. Outside of that, fit and finish is quite good with no mis-matched sections or sharp edges.

One oversight is a lack of ventilation anywhere in the housing which leads to crippling driver flex. I use the word crippling with purpose. If you insert the RT-1 too quickly, i.e. normally, the drivers flex enough to significantly degrade sound quality. While I got used to this in time and learned to insert them slowly, almost comically so, prior to that it was really annoying having to fiddle around with them until the drivers popped back into position.

The cable is definitely a weird one. According to one of the included cue cards, it uses “tinned silver” which sounds like a good thing. The exterior PVC sheath is where things go awry. It is fairly thick and kinks easily, especially above the y-split where it retains that thickness but loses half the material within. This leaves it hollow and unsupported. Where it enters the y-split and plugs for the pins it kinks slightly leading to possible failure points. The memory wire is seamlessly tucked within the sheath too, meaning those that like to cut off said wire can't. You'll need to get a new cable entirely. The only area with any strain relief is the tiny little straight jack, though it's so flexible it doesn't really support the cable at all. At least the jack and y-split are metal, and look nice with the Auglamour logo molded into them and a thick coat of black paint covering it all. The cable looks cool and is certainly different from any others I've seen, but that doesn't make it better.

Auglamour apparently put a lot of work into ergonomics, testing 100 engineering models across more than 10,000 subjects. The end result is a fairly standard looking, low-profile, jellybean shaped earphone with a few extra curves that make it one of the more comfortable earphones I've worn. It's too bad the memory wire gets in the way and makes settling them into the right position more difficult than it should be. I really wish manufacturers would move away from memory wire and just go with either nothing, or preformed guides like Brainwavz did with the B100 and B150.

If you're looking for an in-ear to block out external noise, the RT-1 isolates like a champ. According to the product page over on Penon Audio, the RT-1 isolates anywhere from 35dB to 40dB. I'm sure that variance is due to the use of silicone or memory foam tips. While I can't test that claim, which admittedly seems exceptionally high, I can verify they isolate nearly as well as some of the ANC earphones I've tested recently, such as the OVC H15 and ADVANCED 747, with their ANC features turned on. It's pretty impressive actually.


Sound:

Tips: The RT-1 seems pretty sensitive to tip rolling with both treble and bass being affected quite significantly. KZ Starlines make the treble quite harsh, as do the opaque wide bore Audbos/Magaosi K3 tips. The stock shallow HiFiMan bi-flange tips that come on the RE series earphones sound amazing and were my preferred pick, addressing the mid-bass issues I outline below. Upper mids are still recessed, but seem less so. Spitfits wouldn't stay on and kept getting stuck in my ears, so those were a no go. Sony Hybrids made the mid-bass much too prominent and made the driver flex unbearable so stay away from those. For the purposes of this review, the stock tips were used, though I recommend tip-rolling if you have the option available to you.

Cable: I tried swapping cables to find one that I liked more than the stock option. All but the cables from Rose Electronics (Masya and Mojito models) made the RT-1 sound hollow, so be wary when purchasing a replacement if you choose to do so.

The RT-1 is a solid sounding earphone for Auglamour, though not without some qualms. The RT-1's treble is well extended and free of any particularly fatiguing peaks. It is controlled with a smooth transition down into the upper mid-range. Clarity and detail are good, though not quite as impressive as TFZ's single-dynamic Exclusive lineup. I found slight details like the trailing shimmer of a cymbal lost or smoothed over in many instances.

The mid-range is well separated with emphasis on the lower mid-range. This leads to a perceived dip in the upper mids making female vocals a little less prominent and more quiet at times than they should be. This was noticeable with many of the liquid drum and bass tracks I listen to on the regular which prominently feature female vocals. On Zenzman's “Open Page” featuring Riya, her vocals are set too far back in the mix. She still sounds beautiful, but isn't nearly as much of a primary focus as she should be. On the other hand, there are no peaks causing strident or shouty vocals. Guitars are well weighted with a nice amount of heft and crunch. Male vocals carry some authority, with lower swinging notes coming across adequately gruff.

Bass has a distinct mid-bass focus which is punchy and energetic with acceptable extension into sub-bass regions as shown through James Blake's “Limit to Your Love”. Unfortunately, it comes across a touch bloated and overly bloomy on tracks that are already quite mid-bassy. This is especially apparent with heavy rock or metal, such as Skindred's “Game Over” which ends up sounding quite muddy. In general, speed is good, though not quite as snappy as the TFZ Series 2 or Exclusive models in the same price range.

I didn't find the RT-1's presentation particularly open or spacious. It makes up for this with above average layering and separation, handling King Crimson's “Starless and Bible Black” with ease. That said, dial in the bass and separation takes a bit of a hit. In general, this earphone does a good job of moving sound around accurately and on various levels giving tracks an appropriately layered feel to them.

Overall I enjoyed listening to the RT-1, though the high hopes I had for them as a result of some early hype didn't quite translate to my listening experiences. Regardless, the RT-1 is a smooth and fairly refined experience, and quite comfortable over long term listening sessions. The mid-bass emphasis is also great for traveling as it helps drown out external noise that happens to get past the already quite good isolation. It's performance is right in line with, or maybe slightly better than what I would have expected from something that places so much emphasis on style. Good but not great.


Select Comparisons:

TFZ Series 2 (45.00 USD): Overall fit and shape is similar to that of the Series 2, and as a result I find them about equally comfortable, though the Series 2 requires a bit less fiddling to get in place. The RT-1 isolates significantly better as a result of a deeper insertion and ventless design but unlike the Series 2, it suffers from debilitating driver flex. The RT-1 feels like a more expensive product with more dense plastics and aluminum being used on the backplate. The Series 2's cable is significantly better. It is more flexible, uses preformed guides instead of memory wire, and is properly relieved. Cable noise is less too.

Both use graphene coated diaphragms on their dynamic drivers, though the RT-1's is smaller at 10mm and is accompanied by a balanced armature to round out the signature. The RT-1's bass presence is about as prominent as the Series 2's however it's mid-range and treble and notable dialed back. As a result the RT-1 comes across much darker and bassier, with it's mid-bass hump being much more noticeable. The Series 2's more energetic lively treble and slightly thinner presentation support it's larger, more airy sound stage. Detail and clarity is similarly good, though less noticeable on the RT-1 until you up the volume to counter the low end. I personally think they perform on a similar level, though I lean towards the Series 2's presentation which comes across more balanced at lower volumes. You won't be struggling to pick up micro-details whereas on the RT-1, without sufficient volume the low end is a bit overpowering.

BGVP DM5 (65.00 USD): Like the RT-1, the DM5 is a hybrid, though it uses 2 BAs and 2 DD per side to output sound. The DM5 is colder, brighter, and with better end-to-end extension, especially in the low end. Where the RT-1 puts it's emphasis in the mid-bass, the DM5 dials that down in favor of some of the best sub-bass I've heard from an in-ear. It makes for a much more physical experience. I prefer the RT-1's thicker, warmer mids though neither is particularly good there. DM5 has recessed mids all-round while the RT-1 has recessed upper mids. The DM5's treble isn't quite as tight as the RT-1's but it is more detailed and I find the extra shimmer a bit more realistic and entertaining. The DM5 also sounds larger and more open, though mine has some odd imaging quirks that seem to be unique to this individual unit.

The RT-1 is to my eyes the looker of the two. The DM5's housing is shared with a few other products, with only a vented faceplate giving it character. That said, I find it the better built product with metal shells and two quality cables, three if you splurged for the upgraded one. Both I find quite comfortable and ergonomic, though in my ears the DM5 is more tip dependent and takes a touch more effort to get a good fit. Overall both a good products, though not without faults. I appreciate the DM5's additional detail and clarity, and especially that ridiculous sub-bass, though I feel the RT-1's warmer sound and less energetic top end would make it the more liked of the two with others.

Final Thoughts:

The RT-1 is unquestionably an interesting product. I love the unique design that is unlike pretty much anything else on the market I've come across. It is certainly eye-catching and for someone that values style in their earphones, Auglamour definitely has you covered here. The price is also quite attractive since you're getting things not really found in this price range, like dual sound chambers and properly damped BAs.

That said, as good as the RT-1 sounds the mid-bass hump is a bit extreme and the recessed uppers hinder some versatility across songs and genres. The driver flex is also way too extreme. I'd be happy sacrificing some isolation if it meant the housing was vented and driver flex eliminated, or at least significantly reduced. It really is that intrusive. Lastly, the cable feels delicate and subject to failure and the memory wire hinders fitment. I'd be replacing the stock cable asap if this were my only earphone.

If you were thinking of getting the RT-1, go for it. It's a good product that with a couple modifications would be great. As is, it is well worth the cost of entry, just don't go in expecting a “giant killer”.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Some Other Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)

King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Auglamour RT-1: The Imperfect Gem.

Introduction:

I’m a man that’s pursuing the Ultimate Sound. In a form that’s portable. A journey that’s paved by endless hard work and great commitment. The pursuit of Ultimate Sound isn’t just experiencing it. It’s also understanding it. So I thought it’s good to start at the basics. The foundation of Ultimate Sound usually begins from Consumer sound signatures. Basically V-Shaped sound (elevated Bass, recessed mid-range and elevated treble).


What led me to the RT-1?

Just curiosity. To see what type of Ultimate Sound the RT-1 possesses under $100.


Let’s start with what the RT-1 has.


Packaging:

The RT-1 has very premium packaging for Under $100. The box shell was made out of a thick plastic. It has a carrying case, A removable cable, 4 pairs of silicone eartips, and yellow foam tips. There’s also a cleaning brush to keep the top canals of the RT-1 clean. Along with a metal Auglamour charm and a metal eartip holder. I don’t know if it’s a charm. It seems like one. That eartip holder seems very convenient, but a bit sharp. So do not hold it out in public. It seems almost “knife-like”.















Specs:

• Product Type: dynamic driver and balanced armature hybrid in-ear earphone
• Product Material: MIM Zinc Alloy & ABS & PC
• Driver: ¢ 10MM dynamic driver & customized balanced armature driver
• Divider impedance: 60ohm
• Frequency response range: 20HZ-20KHZ
• Input impedance: 32ohm
• Passive noise reduction: -35 ~ 40DB
• Sensitivity: 105DB ± 3DB
• Cable length: 1.2M
• Plug: 3.5MM Gold-Plated
• Wire: PVC + oxygen-free copper

On paper. The RT-1 seems to be a bit power hungry. Yet it really isn't true. I only needed moderate gain and moderate volume.


Build:

Before I go on. I should mention that the cable used in these pics are an upgrade cable that I had sitting around. The RT-1 is pretty sturdy. It’s made out of a hard ABS plastic and molded very well for under $100. The shell has a triangular There’s a shiny multi colored reflective plastic that makes it dazzle with the surrounding lighting. It reminds me of the stainless glass church windows that I see downtown.



The cable is thick and sturdy. Yet I feel that a better job could have been done for the cable. It’s too springy and it doesn’t even have a chin slider. So that makes it difficult to walk around with. Thankfully the cables are replaceable. So I used a 0.75mm 2 pin Upgrade Cable. It fits very well. I didn’t even force it. Fits like a glove.












Isolation and Fit:

I find this part a bit conflicting. The isolation is great. Despite the shallow fit. The seal can be good, but for my ears. I would need elongated silicone eartips. Foam tips can work. It will need to be the perfect size. It might be due to the nozzle angle. Which is making the fit a bit annoying. I used the eartips I got from the Hidizs EP3 and was near a perfect fit. Still not ideal but it’s getting there. I’ll get proper aftermarket eartips soon. Otherwise, Comply Foam tips are perfect for the RT-1. It eliminates the fit and minor driver flex problem.

Now finally the sound.

Source:

OPUS #1 (MIDDLE GAIN W/NO EQ) (MODERATE VOLUME)

AUNE M1S (MP FILTER AND MIDDLE GAIN) (MODERATE VOLUME)


Rage Against The Machines – Wake Up

Andy Hauck – Are You There

Coins – Drums Drums Drums

Celldweller – Pulse Injector

Stratovarius – Papillon

Fall With Glory – Fight With Honor

Galneryus - Stardust



After long listening, I found the RT-1 to warm and smooth. With a sense of relaxation. The whole presentation is very relaxed. It reminds me of my Final Audio Design F7200. Although I feel that only the ambience of the entire spectrum is comparable.

Bass:

This part of the frequency spectrum is handled pretty well. It’s very balanced and carries a bit of warmth. The bass from the RT-1 can reach to subterranean levels and it’s quite audible down to 30 Hz. The slam has moderate impact. The quantity is also moderate. Making this ideal for Most Electronic music. The texture of the bass is pretty smooth and almost elastic. Which can make the tone transitions easy to achieve. The mid bass seems to be even with the RT-1. Maybe slightly elevated in bass heavy tracks.

Mids:

The next part of the spectrum for the RT-1 takes a slight back seat to the bass and treble. I would consider the lower mid-range the most recessed part of the frequency. It’s known because of the male vocals. I find the male vocals very relaxed and dulled. Just average in presentation. In fast tracks, the male vocals can get a bit lost in the mix. Pretty surprising because of the Soundstage size. Now moving on to the upper mids. The presence of this part is not in your face or behind the scenes. It’s generally inbetween. The female vocals do better. Unfortunately it’s not significantly better. The best aspect of the mid-range is the instruments. Mainly the percussion section. Now as for the strings. It seems to be smooth in general. That all changes when there's more energy into the strings. It starts to sound a bit coarse. That's not my cup of tea, but that may be good for others. I'm just basing this solely on personal preference. The drums perform well on non-metal tracks. The way the drummer taps on the drum gives a sense of nuance. As for treble heavy tracks, like Metal. It’s too splashy and bright. I usually end up equalizing it for a softer impact. Generally the mids are smooth and balanced. Unless if electric guitars are involved.

Treble:

This part is bit tricky. The lower treble is elevated. Although, not tremendously so. It’s just slightly elevated for non-Metal tracks. This part of the frequency seems slightly energetic, yet tamed. It might get a bit out of hand. Depending on the mastery of the track and the genre of the track. Although it's not hot or piercing with most of the tracks I tested them out with. The details seem to be above average for the lower treble. As for the upper treble. It takes a slight tumble in both detail and decibels.

Soundstage:

This part is interesting. The dynamics and accuracy played a huge part in determining the size of the soundstage. I used Stardust by Galneryus to determine the size of the soundstage. It's above average for under $100. It can keep up with the Havi B3 Pro I overall. Yet still falls short in dynamics and size. In terms of accuracy. It's decent. The instruments can stay clear and distinct in moderate and fast tracks. Although once again. It depends on the mastery of the track. Well mastered tracks will fare well with the RT-1.

Conclusion:

This IEM is very unique. The sound it has is a bit complex and looks gorgeous. I feel that it's a great competitor for under $100 and can perform very well with most soundtracks. The sound it has is unique and it's not entirely bad. It's not your typical consumer sound. So this may make a good IEM for startup Audiophiles. If you are into a relaxed sound with a bit of top end shimmer. Then these IEMs are for you. Bassheads definitely won't like the RT-1. It's more treble heavy than the usual basshead IEM. If you can't stand driver flex. Then this isn't for you either.

Auglamour RT-1 Review: Unapologetically Different

Ever since I saw the Auglamour R8, the company’s first mainstream IEM, I was captivated by their design language. A seamless blend of organic curves and hard edges made me wonder why I’d never heard of them before. The R8 kept it simple with a metal shell and a single dynamic driver. This formula worked well and I really enjoyed the R8. However, Auglamour wasn’t satisfied with just that. They’ve aspired to larger and greater things and have now come to us with the RT-1, an IEM with a radical design language that takes courage. Not Apple-style courage, real courage. I gotta say though, it damn well paid off.

You can find the RT-1 for sale here, on Penon Audio, for $55.

Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Auglamour beyond this review. These words reflect my true, unaltered, opinion about the product.

Preference and Bias: Before reading a review, it is worth mentioning that there is no way for a reviewer to objectively pass judgment on the enjoy-ability of a product: such a thing is inherently subjective. Therefore, I find it necessary for you to read and understand what I take a natural liking to and how that might affect my rating of a product.

My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, mid-bass. The mids should be slightly less pronounced than the treble, but still ahead of the bass. I prefer a more bright upper range.

Source: The RT-1 was powered like so:

HTC U11 -> USB-C adapter -> earphones

or

Hidizs AP100 3.5mm out -> FiiO A5 3.5mm out -> earphones

or

HiFiMAN SuperMini -> earphones

or

PC optical out -> HiFiMe SPDIF 9018 Sabre DAC 3.5mm out -> earphones

All music was served as MP3 @320Kbps or as FLAC.

Sound Signature
Initial Impressions:

The RT-1 has a relaxed V-shaped sound signature. It doesn’t have aggressive treble and has a pronounced, though lax, bass. The mids are prominent enough and don’t feel recessed, though it isn’t too hard to notice the treble and bass edging out in front of them.

Treble: Songs used: In One Ear, Midnight City, Outlands, Satisfy

Treble is my only real sticking point with the RT-1. While it is a dual-driver hybrid IEM, it could certainly use more upper-treble emphasis. In its present state, I’ve caught myself thinking that an instrument sounds a bit too soft more than a couple times, though this may be an auditory artifact from the poor mastering of those songs / a result of me spending too much time with TOTL IEMs.

One of the reasons I feel so conflicted about the upper-treble on the RT-1 is, in the Cage The Elephant’s song, In One Ear you can hear some amp-buzzing in the left channel, something that my earphones seldom have enough resolution pick up. The RT-1 continued to perform admirably for the rest of the song, giving me a pretty solid timbre for the cymbals and high-hats in the song.

The RT-1 does a good job mitigating sibilance and did not cause my ears any pain or discomfort, even on my worst-mastered songs.

Mids: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, Dreams

The mids are quite good and have some pretty excellent instrumental separation at this price point. In fact, the quality of the sound staging of the mid-bound instruments took me by surprise. At $50 I don’t think I’ve heard anything better.

Jacked Up was a thoroughly enjoyable listening everything from the two pianos to the guitars and vocals sounded well weighted and full. Though this song did feel noticeably more relaxed than it did on, say, KZ ZST.

The guitars on all my test songs sounded pretty damn good, with no exception. As a result, I am considering updating my “IEM for Rock music under $50” recommendation to the RT-1.

Male and female vocals were well-weighted, though the RT-1 does prefer males.

Bass: Songs used: Moth, Gold Dust, In For The Kill (Skream Remix), War Pigs (Celldweller Remix)

The RT-1 was not designed for bass drops, but that doesn’t stop its dynamic driver from trying really hard to eek out every last rumble from your filthiest playlists. DJ Fresh’s song, Gold Dust, sounded fresh. We’re talking “farmers-market” level fresh.

Auglamour bestowed unto the RT-1 a top-notch bass signature. While it doesn’t have the extension I’d look for in my personal bass-cannon earphones, it does well for its price point. But more on the subject of bass signatures: the RT-1 sounds similar to my full-sized sub-woofer at home and has pretty good bass manipulation. Bass is neither too hard nor too soft, something that aligns well with my personal preferences for bass.

Packaging / Unboxing






Build
Construction Quality



The driver-housings are made of a light and tough plastic, though it has a smooth matte finish that makes it hard to tell. I really like the visuals Auglamour went with on the RT-1. The face-plate is also made of a plastic, though it has a reflective finish. Underneath is another highly-reflective layer of plastic that, at least on my model, has a rainbow finish. This is a highly unique design that is really eye-catching. Auglamour’s designers seem to effortlessly blend aggressively-lined geometry and organic curves.



The nozzle is of average length and has two separate holes in it, one for the dynamic driver’s acoustic chamber and the other for the balanced armature driver’s acoustic chamber. It has a well-sized lip that keeps ear-tips secured onto it snugly.



The cable is removable and follows the 2-pin 0.75mm standard. It is slightly recessed (on the male side). The cable also features memory-wire close to the connectors and is effective at holding the RT-1 in place. My only complaint is that it tangles easily and has some notable microphonics.



The cable is terminated with a metal-encased 3.5mm jack. It’s sturdy and has a good amount of stress relief.



Comfort

Keep in mind that the following impressions are all subjective and are a result of my unique ear anatomy. Your mileage will vary.

I was able to get a good, albeit shallow, seal with the RT-1. I never once had discomfort while wearing them and I found that their light construction combined with their very capable memory-wire ear-hooks lend them an effortless feeling.

Accessories


The RT-1 comes well stocked with accessories. Inside the box you will find:

• 1x soft rubber carrying case
• 1x 6.3mm jack adapter
• 1x shirt clip
• 1x cable wrapper
• 1x pair of foam eartips
• 3x pairs of extra silicone eartips
• 1x cleaning tool

What can I say? The eartips are comfortable and provide a good seal. The adapter works, as do the cable wrapper and shirt clip. However the case is a bit odd — it’s not something I’ve seen before. I guess the decision to include it is an outcropping of Auglamour’s habit of deviating from the norm. I do think that such a different type of case does indeed have practical uses, however. It provides the RT-1 with a shock resistant layer of protection that is inherently water-resistant. Furthermore, it fits well in tight spaces, and the case itself is bendable.

Summary
The RT-1 is an impressive package from Auglamour. Had it not come with any real accessories I think I would still recommend it on sound alone. While I can’t say it’s my favorite IEM overall, it certainly does stand out to me from the crowd. If you care as much about the way your IEM looks as you care about the way it sounds, while still trying to not break the bank, the RT-1 is the IEM for you. Auglamour has courage. Real courage.

In case you're having trouble viewing my images, you can find full, uncompressed versions here: