Reviews by aaDee

**iBasso DX180 Review:**
I recently had the opportunity to test the iBasso DX180, a tour unit received through the Audio Geek Brotherhood group of India. My sincere thanks to Sandeep Agarwal for arranging tours for the Indian audiophile community.

I was very excited to receive a dap after a long long gap. My last dap was Shanling M2s which I sold almost 5 years back. Since then I have used LG G7 and am currently using Aful Snowynight on Realme GT2 Pro. Also never tried a dap in the $500 category. Plus the earlier daps I used had their proprietary UI system. So a lot of things were different this time.

**Design & Build:**
The DX180 has a modern and sleek design. It has that industrial look that many will adore. The back has a lovely matt finish with a color shifting effect. The chassis has a brushed metal texture which gives a premium look overall.
The edges of DX180 are really very sharp. It can be uncomfortable without a cover. Luckily iBasso has provided a silicon case. I personally like using mobile devices without the covers especially when not travelling. But that's just my preference,it may not be troubling to other users.

- **User Interface:**
Coming from Poweramp & USB Player Pro, the **Mango player** isn’t very user-friendly and takes time to get used to. For example simple tasks like finding songs can be difficult.
It doesn’t show song lengths in the list, which could be inconvenient especially if you have similar named songs.
You need to manually scan the memory card once inserted for files to appear in the player. Somehow the file explorer also didn't show the files from the sd card.
There’s no fade in/fade out option between tracks. You pause a song and play again, it will blast your ears if you are on a high volume.
There's a graphic equaliser and parametric equaliser. When you turn on the graphic equaliser the sound suddenly becomes lifeless even if you are on flat preset. I didn't try much of parametric equaliser as I don't have expertise to modify it.

- **Connectivity:**
The WiFi connectivity was really weak on the device I received as confirmed with fellow reviewers. Many others mentioned they never faced any problem with WiFi connectivity.

- **Performance:**
The DX180 is fast and responsive for a digital audio player. As mentioned earlier none of my daps in the past were Android based. So the experience on DX180 was pleasing compared to all daps that I have tried.

- **Sound Quality:**
The DX180 delivers excellent sound overall.
Deep bass that’s rich and full. It has the punch and doesn't sound slow.
Mids are clear, they stand distinctly separate from rest of the frequencies. Although they can sometimes feel a bit overly tuned and slightly thinner compared to the Aful Snowynight.
The highs are very crisp,detailed and sharp.
The imaging is holographic,it creates a strong sense of depth and space.
The space between instruments is perfectly silent. This was very evident coming from Snowynight.
The soundstage is wider & taller than the cheaper options.
The filters make a noticeable difference in sound, offering customization for different iems. Although my impressions are based on no filter setting.

To conclude DX180 is a fantastic sounding dap, I can recommend this to anyone who is looking for dynamic & musical sounding dap in $500 range.

Effect Audio Signature series Ares S II IEM Upgrade Cable:

I recently had the opportunity to test the Effect Audio Ares S II upgrade cable(4.4mm), a tour unit received through the Audio Geek Brotherhood group of India. I extend my sincere thanks to Sandeep for arranging this tour for the Indian audiophile community.
Please note that this is my first time reviewing an upgrade cable. I personally have not spent more than $30-$40 on a cable. Reviewing a cable can be a challenging task. Changing the cable immediately from one to another takes time, and the fit of an IEM can change every time we insert it into our ears. However, I have tried my best to maintain consistency and remember the sound of the cable every time I changed it, as the sound difference is not huge, unlike changing an IEM.

*Build Quality* :-
The cable looks and feels premium, with a stylish gold ring towards the connection that adds a classy touch.Although I have a gripe about the 4.4mm plug. It's not gold plated. I mean at this price point there should not be any excuse for not having it gold plated.

*Design* :-
The design is sleek and elegant, giving it a high-end feel. It has a nice shine to it, making it look like a quality product. It's a well-crafted cable that looks great with most IEMs. However, it's surprising that the model name isn't mentioned anywhere on the cable. I also feel that the 2-pin connectors should be thicker for a more stable connection. For example, my Sound Rhyme SR5 kept slipping during long use, whereas the stock cable has a better connection. But that's a general scenario with most of my other cables.

*Comfort & Fit* :-
The cable is comfortable to use and doesn't get in the way during listening sessions. It fits well and feels durable.

*Sound Improvements* :-
Please note that all these changes in sound are marginal but noticeable. Someone expecting night-and-day differences might feel disappointed.

*Bass* :-
The bass becomes slightly boxy, which adds depth but might feel a little off for some reason.

*Mids / Vocals* :-
Vocals sound slightly pushed back, making them less upfront. This could be good if you prefer a relaxed sound, but not ideal if you like prominent vocals.

*Treble* :-
The treble has more detail and resolution, but it can feel a bit rough or sharp at times, which may bother those who prefer smoother highs.

*Soundstage & Imaging* :-
The soundstage feels more holographic, with added height. It's not very wide, but the added height creates a more immersive feel.

*Reverb* :-
This point could be controversial, but I'm writing what I could hear. There's a slight increase in reverb, which gives the sound a richer, more atmospheric quality.

*Price to performance ratio* :-
As mentioned before, this was my first time reviewing any cable, let alone an expensive one. The Ares S II cable offers good value with its premium looks and noticeable sound changes.

*Conclusion* :-
The Ares S II Upgrade Cable is a beautiful, high-quality cable that changes the sound in noticeable ways. However, the slightly boxy bass and sharp treble might not work for everyone. It's best for those who already own their preferred IEM and are looking to change its flavor for fun.

*NF Audio RA15 IEM Review*

I recently had the opportunity to test the NF Audio RA15, a tour unit received through the Audio Geek Brotherhood group of India. My sincere thanks to Sandeep for arranging this tour for the Indian audiophile community.

I received the RA15 in unboxed condition along with NF Audio Kazoo 1. Honestly speaking I had no idea what this thing was. Apparently it's a musical instrument.After reading about it online, I tried playing it but didn't like the sound of kazoo. Or let's say I couldn't play it well . RA15 comes with 2 tuning nozzles. Out of the box it was equipped with silver ones and they sounded very flat to my taste. I changed them to the Gold nozzles and my further impressions are based on the same.

*Price:* $89

*Build Quality:*
The RA15 is well-made iem with a premium feel. It's small, solid, and looks great, giving the impression of a high-quality product.

*Fit:*
Fit can be tricky with the RA15. The short nozzle makes it hard to get a comfortable fit, especially for those with bigger ears. The stock tips don’t help much, the largest tip also looked smaller to me. The shape of the earhook makes things more difficult. I changed the cable to Faaeal Hibiscus 4.4 balanced cable for better comfort and for the obvious advantages of balanced output for the further impressions.

*Sound signature:*
The overall sound signature is neutral bright.

*Bass:*
The bass is fast and precise, fitting well with its neutral sound. Subbass is more prominent than the midbass when you get the proper fit. Again the tips play a major part. Stock tips were too small, giving a flat sound to my ears. I tried Penon lacquer orange tips but those also didn't help much. Finally I used a decade old Hifiman's soft silicone tips which gave the best fit and ultimately complete bass. However, it lacks the strong impact that some might want.

*Mids/Vocals:*
The mids and vocals sound natural and clear for most of the part but leaning towards bright and occasionally gave a metallic feel. I personally feel that the overall sound lacks note weight.

*Treble:*
The treble is detailed and sharp, adding clarity to the music. It has very good resolution in the highs for the price category.

*Imaging & Soundstage:*
The RA15 offers a wide soundstage, making the music feel spacious. Although it lacks the height.The imaging is clear, with instruments well-separated, which works well for complex songs.

*Conclusion :*
The NF Audio RA15 has a premium build and offers detailed sound with fast bass and clear vocals. If you pass the fit test, you'll experience a technically superior sound.

I recently had the opportunity to test the ISN Audio H60, a tour unit received through the Audio Geek Brotherhood group of India. My sincere thanks to Sandeep for arranging this tour for the Indian audiophile community.

_Source used:-_
iBasso DX180, Realme GT2 Pro + Aful Snowynight

*Price:-* $349/-

*Build Quality:-*

The ISN H60 feels solid and well-constructed.

*Design:-*

The design of the H60 is straightforward and simple, nothing fancy happening here. The shell is in clear blue color and the back plate is in purplish blue. The back plate design could be better I feel but that's subjective to every individual.

*Fit:-*

The fit is decent, with a snug and secure seal. It provides good isolation, but the comfort could vary depending on the eartips used. I completed my review with the green colored tips that came with the unit.

*Bass:-*

The bass quantity is more than adequate for most genres, providing enough depth and warmth to enjoy music. Subbass is good however, slightly more midbass could have elevated the overall experience. Changing the tips to the narrow bore helps but impacts the vocals. Despite this, it manages to maintain clarity.

*Mids / Vocals:-*

The mids are not forward but ever so slightly recessed. The upper mids are thin sounding ,this results in vocals sometimes sounding almost nasal, which can be noticeable on certain tracks. However, for instrumental music or tracks with less emphasis on vocals, this might not be as apparent.

*Treble:-*

Treble performance is a highlight of the ISN H60. It sparkles with good airiness and detail, adding a sense of liveliness to the music. While it doesn’t get harsh, listeners who are sensitive to high frequencies may find it a touch bright, especially with narrow bore eartips.

*Imaging:-*

Imaging on the H60 is impressive, providing a good 3D experience. Instruments are placed accurately in the soundstage, making the overall listening experience enjoyable and immersive. I feel ISN knows how to have great imaging very well for most of their iems.

*Soundstage:-*

The soundstage is reasonably wide, but not the widest. The soundstage has decent height as well. It gives a decent sense of space and separation.

*Conclusion:-*

The ISN H60 offers a balanced U-shaped sound signature with fantastic 3D like imaging that you can enjoy for long listening sessions.

I recently had the opportunity to test the Dita Project M, a tour unit received through the Audio Geek Brotherhood group of India. My sincere thanks to Sandeep for arranging this tour for the Indian audiophile community.

*Source used for review:* iBasso DX180, Realme GT2 Pro, Aful Snowynight

*Build Quality & Design:* The Dita Project M boasts a stunning shell with a premium feel. It's honestly the most beautiful IEM I've seen. The craftsmanship is truly exceptional. Its unique carrying case adds to the luxury, making it a collector's item.

*Fit:* Project M fits well, with a shape and size that's just about right. The provided tips are grippy and soft. Although I personally prefer wide-bore eartips for their sound quality.

*Bass:* While the focus isn't heavily on bass, it leans towards a neutral side. It's present when needed but never overpowers other frequencies. The provided tips are soft and dense enough to ensure a proper fit and quality bass.

*Mids / Vocals:* Vocals are super crisp and natural, though they can sound slightly thin if not paired with the right tips. With the stock tips, vocals sound thin and sharp. I wish there was better separation between mids and treble.

*Treble:* The treble is incredibly detailed, bordering on sharp, but wide-bore tips help balance the sound. A treat for detail lovers, as it reveals the finest nuances in music.

*Imaging:* Imaging is fantastic, delivering accurate placement of instruments across a wide soundstage. It immerses you in the music, giving a sense of space and dimension.

*Soundstage & Depth:* The soundstage is impressively wide, but the depth is good, not the best for the price.

*Conclusion:* The Dita Project M is highly addictive, offering superb detail and clarity, especially for treble enthusiasts. It pairs best with warmer DAPs/DACs and requires a bit more power to truly shine. It's a sound you'll want to hear again and again. As a child, I always thought better quality is equal to more details, and Project M delivers exactly that. It's a treat for those who crave details.

**BGVP PHANTOM IEM Review**

I recently had the opportunity to test the BGVP Phantom, a tour unit received through the Audio Geek Brotherhood group of India. My sincere thanks to Anand Subramanian for arranging this tour for the Indian audiophile community.

**Package:**
The BGVP PHANTOM IEM comes with a premium looking, beautifully designed carrying case though it might be slightly impractical for everyday use due to its elongated shape size.

**Design:**
The design of the PHANTOM is visually appealing with a subtle green marble pattern. The nozzle is a unibody resin material. I would suggest to go with the newly introduced metal nozzle for better grip to the tips. The included cable is not only beautiful but also well-crafted, adding to the overall premium look of the IEMs.

**Fit:**
BGVP provides plenty of ear tips for different sound signatures (Balanced, Bass & Vocal). The PHANTOM fits perfectly in my ears. They are not overly big like other multi-driver iems.

**Bass:**
The bass is impactful, with a satisfying thump in every beat. It's a quality bass you don't have to tune it further. It doesn't bleed in the other frequencies.

**Mids / Vocals:**
Vocals are crisp and clear, positioned prominently at the center of the stage. However, there is a slight whistling sound in the vocals that may be noticeable during certain tracks.

**Treble:**
The treble is clean and detailed, contributing to the overall clarity without being harsh or fatiguing. The micro details are impressive and pronounced well in the mix.

**Imaging:**
Imaging is one of the standout features of the PHANTOM. It is precise and spot-on, allowing for an immersive sound and well-defined instrument positioning.

**Soundstage & Depth:**
The PHANTOM excels in creating a 3D atmospheric experience, with a wide soundstage and impressive depth. The space between instruments is really addictive. It really felt like someone had turned the 3D switch on. I was enjoying my regular songs with the added depth once again.

**Conclusion:**
The BGVP PHANTOM IEM is a solid performer with a beautiful design. It delivers a detailed and immersive audio experience with impressive imaging and soundstage. While the slight whistling in the vocals might be a minor flaw, the overall performance makes the PHANTOM a great choice for those seeking a well-rounded matured sounding IEM.

I recently had the opportunity to test the BGVP DMA, a tour unit received through the Audio Geek Brotherhood group of India. My sincere thanks to Anand Subramanian Subramanian for arranging this tour for the Indian audiophile community.

Source used for review:-
iBasso DX180, Realme GT2 Pro+ Aful Snowynight

**1. Build Quality:**
- The build looks good. The resin looks sturdy,the metal faceplate gives the feeling of solid construction.

**2. Design:**
- The design is very modern, kind of industrial. I loved the mixture of blue colored metal back & transparent shell.

**3. Fit:**
- The very wide nozzle may affect the fit for some users, especially those with smaller ear canals. It came with wide open tips.

**4. Bass:**
- DMA has good sub-bass presence but lacks mid-bass punch, which might reduce impact in some tracks. Later when I changed the tips to the yellow coloured one which has a slightly narrower opening, the sound changed drastically. The bass was very balanced & complete.My further impressions are with the yellow tips.

**5. Mids / Vocals:**
- Crisp mids with good clarity, but the vocals feel slightly recessed for taste. Vocals sound wide,it has more headspace. It was prominent when I listened to BGVP PHANTOM. Phantom has its vocals right in the center of the mix.

**6. Treble:**
- Excellent detailing in the highs, adding a level of crispness and clarity without being sibilant or shouty. Although I would have loved more sparkle. My daily driver is Sound Rhyme SR5, so you understand where I'm coming from. SR5 is a vocal forward, bright iem.

**7. Imaging:**
- Imaging is excellent, with well-defined instrument placement.

**8. Soundstage & Depth:**
- DMA delivers an atmospheric sound with an expansive soundstage. Live performances sound really well on DMA.

**9. Conclusion:**
- The BGVP DMA offers an engaging, balanced sound with an atmospheric soundstage.

In the ultimate search for budget earbuds I had read hell lot of reviews about so many Chinese manufacturers & DIY products. I was never convinced about so many over-hyped earbuds as they all had mixed reviews. So I decided to go for the one that looks better and had the least number of opinions. I thank god I came across these gems in true sense.
Searched through Aliexpress.com for the cheapest option available(Also received discount for ordering through Android app). I received them after almost 15-18 days(long wait for an impatient person like me). And what a disappointment...there was channel imbalance, scratches on the body. Left speaker was rattling and had low volume. I reported immediately to the seller with the pictures. And without waiting much he promised me to send new product without sending the original back(shipping charges are more than the product value in India). And after a long long wait(almost 40 days) I finally received them with new packaging, this time rebranded as "Mrice Earbell E100"
 
Build quality:-
They look fabulous for an earbud. Clean white, shiny surface gives you an impression of high quality material. The triangular wire is the best thing I found about these. Its super flexible, very very light weight and still you feel its gonna last long. I wish every headphone manufacturer should use similar material for cabling.
 
Fit & comfort:-
Fit is good but not perfect. You need to angle them inside to get the perfect sound. And adjusting them is not easy as there is nothing to hold on its body but the nose of the earbell. It took me time to get the better fit. But the major drawback is that there is no clip to it. Also you cannot use any other clip on it because of the triangular shape of the wire.
 
Lows:-
Bass is just awesome and of very high quality. It goes deep but never rumbles. It never sounds muddy or bloated. Its present there all over the sound spectrum with right amount. They are not bass heavy but what I hear is never heard in any of my headphones till date. Lows are quite sweet to my ears. They have their own room, its spacious and huge.
 
Mids:-
Vocals sound so natural to my ears. E100 are definitely mid centric earbuds. Vocals are clear, thick, airy and still sound so sweet just what you expect from a song.
 
Highs:-
Highs are clear as well. They have round edged to them. It literally feels like tickle in your ears. They are soft and sweet. They never sound harsh or sibilant on any track. These are the most non-fatiguing earphones I came across. I just wish that they had more room to them. They sound quite close to your head. They sound a tad tiny compared to lows and mids.Though its not a complaint. E100 may not be the most detailed but they are very very musical earbuds indeed.
 
Soundstage:-
The soundstage is good but not very wide. Especially if your ears are tuned for bigger soundstage(like me having RE262) you start comparing obviously. But it would be too much to ask from a $15 earbud. No I'm not under estimating them but being practical.
 
Conclusion:-
To conclude E100 are superbly balanced and very natural sounding earbuds out there. Bass is big enough to please any genre of music. Mids sound so real, thick and clear, I can hear the singer's breath at times. Highs are very clear, non-sibilant and never fatiguing. It has to be the most satisfying purchase ever. Its a must have earbud to all the head-fiers. Highly recommended.
 

 

 

 

I was looking for some headphones under $50, went through hell lot of reviews here n got confused about everything. Then somehow the browser showed few auto suggestions n I found these gems.
I read in almost every review that these are the cheapest n best earclips in the market. Well they are best but not that cheap in India especially when the exchange rates are so high. I got them for $25-$26 shipped to India through ebay.
Packaging:- The packaging was good, simple, nothing much to talk about.
Build:- They look flimsy n build quality is questionable. The cable is so thin n so ordinary, I have to be very careful while wearing them.
Comfort:- When I first wore the , I felt they are loose on my ears, so I tried to adjust the clips by slightly bending them. It takes time to adjust them in the beginning but after a while you get used to it.
Sound:-
Bass:- When I first listened to them I found the bass bit muddier. After burning them for 20-25 hours they opened a bit. I would say the bass is soft n punchy at the same time. You cannot listened to them on high volume as they start to rattle. I think these are made for soft listening levels.
Mids:- Some say they are recessed but I don't completely agree to it. Its true that they don't have forward mids but they are not recessed for sure. Mids are very clear, airy n pleasant for my choice.
Treble:- Highs are the most beautiful things on KSC75. Yes they are grainy but in a positive way. They are crisp,clear n I'm loving them. Highs have got nice extension.There is no sibilance whatsoever. In fact after listening to them I started feeling my Soundmagic E30 are bit sibilant too.
Isolation:- KSC75 are open back earpads, so you cant expect isolation from them. They are nice to wear at home or at gym but certainly not for wearing them on the streets if you live in noisy places like Mumbai. I tried wearing them in trains but i was completely disappointed (Don't compare trains in Europe with Mumbai local trains)
Conclusion:- KSC75 are the best deal out there for the price for sure. Sometimes I prefer them over my RE262 just for the love how energetic they sound even at low volume.(RE262 lovers please don't kill me for that, I love my RE262 a lot too, and quality cannot be compared)But it's just the characteristic of KSC75 that you fall in love with them. They look funny on the street. I look like a character from 1970's science fiction film. But I don't care about it as long as I'm enjoying the sound of it. As almost everyone said earlier, they are must have headphones and everyone should own these at least once in your life.
 

 
 
My simple tiny set-up-Cowon C2 + Fiio E6 + Koss KSC75:-