Reviews by asifur
SIMGOT - EA1000 Fermat: Great Value for the Money!
Summary:
Launched in Oct'2023, Simgot launched IEM EA1000 Fermat as an upgrade to their previous EA2000. The EA1000 comes with new hybrid 1DD+1PR architecture and interchangeable nozzle system. The EA1000 looks great and also provides a great musical performance. Coming at a price range $219.99, the EA1000 comes with steel shells which though heavy, are quite ergonomic and comfortable. The sound experience is just great for the price range which we will see from the details below.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The EA1000 features 1 Dual Magnetic Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver +1Passive radiator hybrid architecture. It comes with interchangeable nozzle system. The overall presentation is indeed praiseworthy.
The Simgot EA1000 is priced at $219.99.
Design & Build:
The shells are very premium looking and ergonomic and made of steel based material. The overall looks can compared to any higher range IEM. The shells are quite comfortable despite the hefty weight of steel. I have found them very comfortable throughout long listening sessions.
It is described as the following on the website:
Disclaimer: Simgot had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my own personal experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The EA1000 comes at $219.99 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea1000-fermat
The Interchangeable Nozzles:
The SIMGOT EA1000 Fermat comes with 3 different nozzles: 2 metal and 1 Bronze.
The key differentiating factor other than the material seemed to be the amount of sponge inserted into the nozzle.
1. The Default metal nozzle (RED ring): This has half of nozzle filled with sponge-like material. The Staging seems balanced. The mids seems very slightly thinner. Bass response is overall good. good details good depth.
2. The Black RING metal nozzle : This has full-nozzle filled with sponge-like material. The Staging seems a bit more distant. The mids seems thinner than the default. Treble becomes slightly more prominent.
3. The BRONZE nozzle : This has NO sponge-like material. The Staging seems a bit more intimate. The midrange seems significantly more textured and meaty. The Bass response is deeper and more detailed. Treble seems slightly less prominent but just enough.
I have used all of the 3 nozzles and found that the Bronze one suits my preferences better than the others.
Ear Tips:
I have tried many different ear-tips with the EA1000, starting from Spinfit W1, CP500, CP100+, JVC Spiral Dots+, Final Audio Black & Transparent ones.
But the best fit and isolation for my ears had been AZLA SednaFit ones. I have hence used them for majority of the review.
,
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @MOONDROP DAWN PRO
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N30LE, Astell & Kern SE300, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
EA1000 had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @MOONDROP DAWN PRO dongles. But, I have found that it pairs well with other dongles like @iFi audio Go Link, etc.
Portable Players:
Obviously the EA1000 had the best pairing with the Cayin N30LE, @Questyle QP2R & specially Astell & Kern SE300 since that comes with Class-A amplification! The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + Astell&Kern SE300 with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the EA1000 to the next level.
EA1000 Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of EA1000 is amazing specially with the brass nozzle. The Bass overall feels very enjoyable with good speed and muscle. The details of the sub-bass region can also be felt and is very enjoyable. The attack & decay were both very enjoyable. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the EA1000 with the brass nozzle is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. The midrange is quite textured and full-bodied. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. The transients were accurate & adequate and very very enjoyable. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite smooth and non-peaky on the EA1000 with brass nozzle. It has the right amount of details and energy and is in no way harsh or peaky. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the EA1000 is quite wide and balanced. The nozzles provide quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to staging. People can change based on their own preferences. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable with the brass nozzle.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the EA1000 is also quite good. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbre also feels very natural with the brass nozzle.
Comparisons:
I did not have any similar architecture IEM with me which I could compare the EA1000 with. I had the Moondrop Aria 2 with me which I have used for comparison in this case. The Aria 2 though much lower priced comes with single DD architecture.
Simgot EA1000 vs MOONDROP Aria 2:
Price: Prices of both IEMs are very different. The EA1000 comes at $219.99 while DMAGIC Solo comes at $89.99.
Build, Comfort & Features: The SIMGOT EA1000 comes with interchangeable nozzle system, while the Aria 2 comes with interchangeable connectors. I have found the nozzles more useful in a lot of scenarios throughout the duration of my use.
Bass: I felt despite being excellent for it's price range, the Aria 2 fell behind the Simgot EA1000 specially with the bronze nozzle. The punches were deeper, the sub-bass was more prominent.
Mids: This is amongst the key strength of the Aria 2 and the midrange in Aira 2 is great for the price range. The Simgot EA1000 could only match Aria 2 level midrange with the bronze nozzle. The other nozzles seemed to have made the midrange sound slightly thinner.
Treble: The treble experience on Aria 2 is good, but on the Simgot it is much better owing to the flexibility of the nozzles..
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: This is where the SIMGOT had a clear advantage and owing to the nozzle flexibility. With the Brass nozzle, the staging was slightly better than the Aria 2.
Conclusion:
The EA1000 experience is great and also feels effortless. the overall musical experience is very enjoyable. The interchangeable nozzle system brings variety and flexibility. I think it is a good value for the price.
Summary:
Launched in Oct'2023, Simgot launched IEM EA1000 Fermat as an upgrade to their previous EA2000. The EA1000 comes with new hybrid 1DD+1PR architecture and interchangeable nozzle system. The EA1000 looks great and also provides a great musical performance. Coming at a price range $219.99, the EA1000 comes with steel shells which though heavy, are quite ergonomic and comfortable. The sound experience is just great for the price range which we will see from the details below.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The EA1000 features 1 Dual Magnetic Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver +1Passive radiator hybrid architecture. It comes with interchangeable nozzle system. The overall presentation is indeed praiseworthy.
The Simgot EA1000 is priced at $219.99.
Design & Build:
The shells are very premium looking and ergonomic and made of steel based material. The overall looks can compared to any higher range IEM. The shells are quite comfortable despite the hefty weight of steel. I have found them very comfortable throughout long listening sessions.
It is described as the following on the website:
Disclaimer: Simgot had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my own personal experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The EA1000 comes at $219.99 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea1000-fermat
The Interchangeable Nozzles:
The SIMGOT EA1000 Fermat comes with 3 different nozzles: 2 metal and 1 Bronze.
The key differentiating factor other than the material seemed to be the amount of sponge inserted into the nozzle.
1. The Default metal nozzle (RED ring): This has half of nozzle filled with sponge-like material. The Staging seems balanced. The mids seems very slightly thinner. Bass response is overall good. good details good depth.
2. The Black RING metal nozzle : This has full-nozzle filled with sponge-like material. The Staging seems a bit more distant. The mids seems thinner than the default. Treble becomes slightly more prominent.
3. The BRONZE nozzle : This has NO sponge-like material. The Staging seems a bit more intimate. The midrange seems significantly more textured and meaty. The Bass response is deeper and more detailed. Treble seems slightly less prominent but just enough.
I have used all of the 3 nozzles and found that the Bronze one suits my preferences better than the others.
Ear Tips:
I have tried many different ear-tips with the EA1000, starting from Spinfit W1, CP500, CP100+, JVC Spiral Dots+, Final Audio Black & Transparent ones.
But the best fit and isolation for my ears had been AZLA SednaFit ones. I have hence used them for majority of the review.
,
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @MOONDROP DAWN PRO
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N30LE, Astell & Kern SE300, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
EA1000 had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @MOONDROP DAWN PRO dongles. But, I have found that it pairs well with other dongles like @iFi audio Go Link, etc.
Portable Players:
Obviously the EA1000 had the best pairing with the Cayin N30LE, @Questyle QP2R & specially Astell & Kern SE300 since that comes with Class-A amplification! The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + Astell&Kern SE300 with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the EA1000 to the next level.
EA1000 Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of EA1000 is amazing specially with the brass nozzle. The Bass overall feels very enjoyable with good speed and muscle. The details of the sub-bass region can also be felt and is very enjoyable. The attack & decay were both very enjoyable. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the EA1000 with the brass nozzle is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. The midrange is quite textured and full-bodied. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. The transients were accurate & adequate and very very enjoyable. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite smooth and non-peaky on the EA1000 with brass nozzle. It has the right amount of details and energy and is in no way harsh or peaky. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the EA1000 is quite wide and balanced. The nozzles provide quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to staging. People can change based on their own preferences. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable with the brass nozzle.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the EA1000 is also quite good. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbre also feels very natural with the brass nozzle.
Comparisons:
I did not have any similar architecture IEM with me which I could compare the EA1000 with. I had the Moondrop Aria 2 with me which I have used for comparison in this case. The Aria 2 though much lower priced comes with single DD architecture.
Simgot EA1000 vs MOONDROP Aria 2:
Price: Prices of both IEMs are very different. The EA1000 comes at $219.99 while DMAGIC Solo comes at $89.99.
Build, Comfort & Features: The SIMGOT EA1000 comes with interchangeable nozzle system, while the Aria 2 comes with interchangeable connectors. I have found the nozzles more useful in a lot of scenarios throughout the duration of my use.
Bass: I felt despite being excellent for it's price range, the Aria 2 fell behind the Simgot EA1000 specially with the bronze nozzle. The punches were deeper, the sub-bass was more prominent.
Mids: This is amongst the key strength of the Aria 2 and the midrange in Aira 2 is great for the price range. The Simgot EA1000 could only match Aria 2 level midrange with the bronze nozzle. The other nozzles seemed to have made the midrange sound slightly thinner.
Treble: The treble experience on Aria 2 is good, but on the Simgot it is much better owing to the flexibility of the nozzles..
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: This is where the SIMGOT had a clear advantage and owing to the nozzle flexibility. With the Brass nozzle, the staging was slightly better than the Aria 2.
Conclusion:
The EA1000 experience is great and also feels effortless. the overall musical experience is very enjoyable. The interchangeable nozzle system brings variety and flexibility. I think it is a good value for the price.
MOONDROP DAWN PRO: BEST IN THE PRICE RANGE
Summary & Objective:
The @MOONDROP DAWN PRO is the latest dongle release by MOONDROP and an upgrade of it's previous dongle DAWN. It promises great performance and comes with great build quality and both 4.4mm & 3.5mm outputs. It is powerful enough to drive most IEMs which makes it a great contender for the price bracket.
Introduction:
The MOONDROP DAWN PRO comes with great build and promises outstanding sound performance for the price bracket. It comes Dual CS43131 Flagship DAC chips and supports 32 bit/384kHz PCM decoding, DSD256 native decoding and comes with both 4.4mm & 3.5mm outputs and is quite powerful.
The MOONDROP DAWN PRO is priced at $42.49 on Spring Festival Offer($49.99 Regular price).
Disclaimer:
This unit was sent by @shenzhenaudio for the purpose of an honest review. Everything mentioned in this review are purely my own based on my experiences with the Dongle DAC/AMP.
Design, Build & Features:
I wouldn't want to make this a very long review by describing each feature but for people who want to know here are some extracts from the @MOONDROP website.
Specifications:
The MOONDROP DAWN comes with $49.99 ($42.49 on Spring Festival Offer) price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-dawn-pro-dual-cs43131-portable-usb-dac-amp
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
IEMs: Hifiman Svanar, Softears Twilight, @MOONDROP Aria 2, QoA Aviation, Simgot EA1000, Truthear Nova
Source : iPad Pro, ASUS ROG Laptop, iPad Pro
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
MOONDROP DAWN PRO Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The Bass sounds just great. has enough details and is able to produce enough attack in the mid base region as well. In tracks like : "Anna R. Chie (Remastered) - Konstantin Wecker" and "Dreams (2001 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac" you can feel the the deep attack of the different instruments with just enough details. The thumps and slams are very enjoyable.
The MIDS:
The Midrange is quite detailed and open. It is able to produce a textured midrange that is soothing to the ears while having enough details in it. The vocals are natural and both male and female vocals come with good amount of details. Instruments sounded natural. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy" and "Ruby Tuesday - Franco Battiato" while you will love the overall midrange specially transients of the guitars, violins etc... instruments and the vocals.
The TREBLE:
Though some implementations of Dual CS43131 DAC Chip had been found bright and peaky in some dongles, the DAWN PRO is amongst the BEST implementation of these DAC chip and seemed quite the neutral. Hence, the treble just sounded nice and full and without any unwanted peaky-ness.
STAGING & RESOLUTION:
The staging and resolution is just great and just the amount the track requires. Nothing artificial here. Tracks like: “ She Don't Know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound good & enjoyable. Resolution is amongst the best in the price bracket and better than few others above it's price bracket also.
Impedance & Amplification:
The smart impedance features seemed to work correctly in all cases that I've tested and the dongle was able to power all IEMs with the rare exception of the Tinhifi P2 plus which requires desktop grade amplification and power.
Pairing:
The best pairing experiences I have found are with slightly warmer or reference grade IEMs. Unlike some other Dual CS43131 implementations, this doesn't have the tendency to increase peaky-ness when paired with bright IEMs
Comparisons:
I had 4 dongles (@Questyle M15, @Cayin RU7, @iFi audio Go link, @MOONDROP Dawn PRO) at hand and I had compared with all of them. Having said that, the @iFi audio Go link is the most comparable in terms of price as it comes at $59 price range while the other dongles I have are $200++ range.
MOONDROP Dawn Pro vs iFi Audio Go Link:
Build quality: Both dongles are of extraordinary build quality and have lush premium looks.
Features & Amplification: The Go Link is missing out on the balanced 4.4mm output and also doesn't have the volume buttons. The DAWN PRO gets the advantage here. The Go Link has a Smart Balance feature while allows it to give enough power though.
Sound performance: While the Go Link is quite powerful, the DAWN PRO seemed more resolving, and has better micro dynamics overall. The separation and imaging seemed better on the DAWN PRO.
Resolution & Staging: both dongles have equally good staging performance but the Go Link lacked slightly to my ears compared to the DAWN PRO.
Conclusion :
The @MOONDROP DAWN PRO at the price range of below $50 can easily be crowned the king. It brings great quality sound at a very affordable price, with features unmatched by others given the price range. Hence, while the @Questyle M15 remains the undefeated champ of the dongle world (at least in terms of whatever dongles I have come across), it is beyond affordability of many people. But, when it comes to $50 & below range, the DAWN PRO remains unbeatable.
Summary & Objective:
The @MOONDROP DAWN PRO is the latest dongle release by MOONDROP and an upgrade of it's previous dongle DAWN. It promises great performance and comes with great build quality and both 4.4mm & 3.5mm outputs. It is powerful enough to drive most IEMs which makes it a great contender for the price bracket.
Introduction:
The MOONDROP DAWN PRO comes with great build and promises outstanding sound performance for the price bracket. It comes Dual CS43131 Flagship DAC chips and supports 32 bit/384kHz PCM decoding, DSD256 native decoding and comes with both 4.4mm & 3.5mm outputs and is quite powerful.
The MOONDROP DAWN PRO is priced at $42.49 on Spring Festival Offer($49.99 Regular price).
Disclaimer:
This unit was sent by @shenzhenaudio for the purpose of an honest review. Everything mentioned in this review are purely my own based on my experiences with the Dongle DAC/AMP.
Design, Build & Features:
I wouldn't want to make this a very long review by describing each feature but for people who want to know here are some extracts from the @MOONDROP website.
Specifications:
The MOONDROP DAWN comes with $49.99 ($42.49 on Spring Festival Offer) price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-dawn-pro-dual-cs43131-portable-usb-dac-amp
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
IEMs: Hifiman Svanar, Softears Twilight, @MOONDROP Aria 2, QoA Aviation, Simgot EA1000, Truthear Nova
Source : iPad Pro, ASUS ROG Laptop, iPad Pro
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
MOONDROP DAWN PRO Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The Bass sounds just great. has enough details and is able to produce enough attack in the mid base region as well. In tracks like : "Anna R. Chie (Remastered) - Konstantin Wecker" and "Dreams (2001 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac" you can feel the the deep attack of the different instruments with just enough details. The thumps and slams are very enjoyable.
The MIDS:
The Midrange is quite detailed and open. It is able to produce a textured midrange that is soothing to the ears while having enough details in it. The vocals are natural and both male and female vocals come with good amount of details. Instruments sounded natural. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy" and "Ruby Tuesday - Franco Battiato" while you will love the overall midrange specially transients of the guitars, violins etc... instruments and the vocals.
The TREBLE:
Though some implementations of Dual CS43131 DAC Chip had been found bright and peaky in some dongles, the DAWN PRO is amongst the BEST implementation of these DAC chip and seemed quite the neutral. Hence, the treble just sounded nice and full and without any unwanted peaky-ness.
STAGING & RESOLUTION:
The staging and resolution is just great and just the amount the track requires. Nothing artificial here. Tracks like: “ She Don't Know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound good & enjoyable. Resolution is amongst the best in the price bracket and better than few others above it's price bracket also.
Impedance & Amplification:
The smart impedance features seemed to work correctly in all cases that I've tested and the dongle was able to power all IEMs with the rare exception of the Tinhifi P2 plus which requires desktop grade amplification and power.
Pairing:
The best pairing experiences I have found are with slightly warmer or reference grade IEMs. Unlike some other Dual CS43131 implementations, this doesn't have the tendency to increase peaky-ness when paired with bright IEMs
Comparisons:
I had 4 dongles (@Questyle M15, @Cayin RU7, @iFi audio Go link, @MOONDROP Dawn PRO) at hand and I had compared with all of them. Having said that, the @iFi audio Go link is the most comparable in terms of price as it comes at $59 price range while the other dongles I have are $200++ range.
MOONDROP Dawn Pro vs iFi Audio Go Link:
Build quality: Both dongles are of extraordinary build quality and have lush premium looks.
Features & Amplification: The Go Link is missing out on the balanced 4.4mm output and also doesn't have the volume buttons. The DAWN PRO gets the advantage here. The Go Link has a Smart Balance feature while allows it to give enough power though.
Sound performance: While the Go Link is quite powerful, the DAWN PRO seemed more resolving, and has better micro dynamics overall. The separation and imaging seemed better on the DAWN PRO.
Resolution & Staging: both dongles have equally good staging performance but the Go Link lacked slightly to my ears compared to the DAWN PRO.
Conclusion :
The @MOONDROP DAWN PRO at the price range of below $50 can easily be crowned the king. It brings great quality sound at a very affordable price, with features unmatched by others given the price range. Hence, while the @Questyle M15 remains the undefeated champ of the dongle world (at least in terms of whatever dongles I have come across), it is beyond affordability of many people. But, when it comes to $50 & below range, the DAWN PRO remains unbeatable.
Queen Of Audio - AVIATION : Elevated Music Experience!
Summary:
Launched in Sep'2023, QoA launched their newest hybrid IEM which comes with 1DD+3BA architecture. The Aviation looks great and also provides a great musical performance. Coming at a price range $198, the AVIATION comes with resin shells which are very lightweight, ergonomic and comfortable. The sound experience is just great for the price range which we will see from the details below.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The AVIATION features 1 Dynamic Driver + 3 Knowles BAs. It comes with a great modular cable and a good case. The overall presentation is indeed praiseworthy.
The QoA AVIATION is priced at $198.
Design & Build:
The shells are very lightweight and ergonomic and made of some resin based material and is 3D printed. The paint & design is superb and can be easily compared with some $500 IEMs. The shells are quite light-weight and very comfortable. I have found them very comfortable throughout long listening sessions.
It is described as the following on the website:
Specifications:
The AVIATION comes at $198 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805743432769.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
The Cables:
Default:
AVIATION comes with a 2 Pin 0.78mm 5N OCC based cable with 3.5mm & 44mm interchangeable plugs. The cable looks good, the fit and weight is also the right amount and is just amazing for this price range!
.
Whiskey (Optional buy):
In the website, there is also option to buy with an optional cable named Whiskey. This cable follows Litz multi-stranded structure, with 4 core double parallel twisted 5N OCC with silver plated + alloy copper with silver plated copper. The cable comes with 126 strands/core, total 504 strands and 1.7mm/core.
Also, it comes with the 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable plug system. Switching from the default cable to Whiskey cable results in significantly scaled up performance from the IEM mainly owing to the better conductivity and higher thread count ensuring better power flow to the IEM. The price of this cable as a separate buy is $78. However, it can come as part of the bundle for extra $58 only ($257 total).
Ear Tips:
I have tried many different ear-tips with the AVIATION, starting from Spinfit W1, CP500, CP100+, JVC Spiral Dots+, Final Audio Black & Transparent ones.
But the best fit and isolation for my ears had been AZLA SednaFit ones. I have hence used them for majority of the review.
,
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @MOONDROP DAWN PRO
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, Astell & Kern SE300, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
AVIATION had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @MOONDROP DAWN PRO dongles. But, I have found that it pairs well with other dongles like @iFi audio Go Link, etc.
Portable Players:
Obviously the AVIATION had the best pairing with the Cayin N7, N30LE, @Questyle QP2R & specially Astell & Kern SE300 since that comes with Class-A amplification! The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + Astell&Kern SE300 with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the AVIATION to the next level.
AVIATION Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of AVIATION is amazing. The Bass overall feels very enjoyable with good speed and muscle. The details of the sub-bass region can also be felt and is very enjoyable. The attack & decay were both very enjoyable. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the AVIATION is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite textured and full-bodied. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. The transients were accurate & adequate and very very enjoyable. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite smooth and non-peaky on the AVIATION. It has the right amount of details and energy and is in no way harsh or peaky. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the AVIATION is quite wide and balanced. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the AVIATION is also great for the price range. The separation however feels quite average. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbrealso feels very natural.
Comparisons:
Please note that I have to make comparisons based on the similar price range. And hence I have compared the QoA AVIATION Hybrid IEM against QDC DMAGIC Solo which is a single DD. Point here being that a customer on a budget will always compare similar priced gears before making the purchase - and this comparison is aimed towards them.
QoA AVIATION vs QDC DMAGIC SOLO:
Price: Prices of both IEMs are very similar. The AVIATION comes at $198 while DMAGIC Solo comes at $186.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are identical form build & comfort perspective. AVIATION comes with a much better cable though while both cables support modular plug systems.
Bass: I felt that despite being a Single DD, the DMAGIC Solo bass was not as impactful and textured like the AVIATION.
Mids: The midrange DMAGIC solo is a bit recessed and sometimes feels a bit thin. The AVIATION slays here with superior details, texture and vocal performances.
Treble: The treble experience seemed similar on both.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: Staging wise AVIATION stage seemed a bit wider. DMAGIC Solo not lacking here though.
Conclusion:
The AVIATION experience is great and also feels effortless. the overall musical experience is very enjoyable and amazing and in a word feels elevated like in the air. This is an easy recommendation given the value it bring in for such a competitive price range.
Summary:
Launched in Sep'2023, QoA launched their newest hybrid IEM which comes with 1DD+3BA architecture. The Aviation looks great and also provides a great musical performance. Coming at a price range $198, the AVIATION comes with resin shells which are very lightweight, ergonomic and comfortable. The sound experience is just great for the price range which we will see from the details below.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The AVIATION features 1 Dynamic Driver + 3 Knowles BAs. It comes with a great modular cable and a good case. The overall presentation is indeed praiseworthy.
The QoA AVIATION is priced at $198.
Design & Build:
The shells are very lightweight and ergonomic and made of some resin based material and is 3D printed. The paint & design is superb and can be easily compared with some $500 IEMs. The shells are quite light-weight and very comfortable. I have found them very comfortable throughout long listening sessions.
It is described as the following on the website:
Specifications:
The AVIATION comes at $198 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805743432769.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
- AVIATION IEM
- Cable: 0.78mm 2pin, 3.5mm+4.4mm (interchangeable plug), 5N OCC cable X1
- Eartips: Balanced Eartips X3 (S/M/L), Vocal Eartips X3(S/M/L),
- Premium Storage Case X1
The Cables:
Default:
AVIATION comes with a 2 Pin 0.78mm 5N OCC based cable with 3.5mm & 44mm interchangeable plugs. The cable looks good, the fit and weight is also the right amount and is just amazing for this price range!
.
Whiskey (Optional buy):
In the website, there is also option to buy with an optional cable named Whiskey. This cable follows Litz multi-stranded structure, with 4 core double parallel twisted 5N OCC with silver plated + alloy copper with silver plated copper. The cable comes with 126 strands/core, total 504 strands and 1.7mm/core.
Also, it comes with the 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable plug system. Switching from the default cable to Whiskey cable results in significantly scaled up performance from the IEM mainly owing to the better conductivity and higher thread count ensuring better power flow to the IEM. The price of this cable as a separate buy is $78. However, it can come as part of the bundle for extra $58 only ($257 total).
Ear Tips:
I have tried many different ear-tips with the AVIATION, starting from Spinfit W1, CP500, CP100+, JVC Spiral Dots+, Final Audio Black & Transparent ones.
But the best fit and isolation for my ears had been AZLA SednaFit ones. I have hence used them for majority of the review.
,
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @MOONDROP DAWN PRO
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, Astell & Kern SE300, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
AVIATION had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @MOONDROP DAWN PRO dongles. But, I have found that it pairs well with other dongles like @iFi audio Go Link, etc.
Portable Players:
Obviously the AVIATION had the best pairing with the Cayin N7, N30LE, @Questyle QP2R & specially Astell & Kern SE300 since that comes with Class-A amplification! The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + Astell&Kern SE300 with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the AVIATION to the next level.
AVIATION Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of AVIATION is amazing. The Bass overall feels very enjoyable with good speed and muscle. The details of the sub-bass region can also be felt and is very enjoyable. The attack & decay were both very enjoyable. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the AVIATION is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite textured and full-bodied. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. The transients were accurate & adequate and very very enjoyable. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite smooth and non-peaky on the AVIATION. It has the right amount of details and energy and is in no way harsh or peaky. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the AVIATION is quite wide and balanced. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the AVIATION is also great for the price range. The separation however feels quite average. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbrealso feels very natural.
Comparisons:
Please note that I have to make comparisons based on the similar price range. And hence I have compared the QoA AVIATION Hybrid IEM against QDC DMAGIC Solo which is a single DD. Point here being that a customer on a budget will always compare similar priced gears before making the purchase - and this comparison is aimed towards them.
QoA AVIATION vs QDC DMAGIC SOLO:
Price: Prices of both IEMs are very similar. The AVIATION comes at $198 while DMAGIC Solo comes at $186.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are identical form build & comfort perspective. AVIATION comes with a much better cable though while both cables support modular plug systems.
Bass: I felt that despite being a Single DD, the DMAGIC Solo bass was not as impactful and textured like the AVIATION.
Mids: The midrange DMAGIC solo is a bit recessed and sometimes feels a bit thin. The AVIATION slays here with superior details, texture and vocal performances.
Treble: The treble experience seemed similar on both.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: Staging wise AVIATION stage seemed a bit wider. DMAGIC Solo not lacking here though.
Conclusion:
The AVIATION experience is great and also feels effortless. the overall musical experience is very enjoyable and amazing and in a word feels elevated like in the air. This is an easy recommendation given the value it bring in for such a competitive price range.
Attachments
Astell & Kern SE300 : Superb Analogue Experience - Redefining R2R Performance!
Summary & Objective:
The Astell & Kern SE300 is the first ever R2R DAP release by Astell & Kern in 2023. The SE300 combines the best of both worlds - R2R DAC ensuring analogue experience, while combining with Class A & AB amplification. This combination is unique and I have found this to be profoundly better than any of the other R2R implementations I had come across earlier.
Introduction:
The Astell & Kern SE300 comes with excellent build quality and superb sound performance - a unique combination of R2R with Class A & AB amplification makes a big difference in the music experience. The Analogue sound of R2R comes alive with the transparent amplification of class A & AB. Not to forget the superb build and the overall good software experience.
The Astell & Kern SE300 is priced at $1899.
Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Astell & Kern for the purpose of an honest review. Everything mentioned in this review are purely my own based on my experiences with the DAP.
Design, Build & Features:
I wouldn't want to make this a very long review by describing each feature but for people who want to know, here are some extracts from the Astell & Kern website.
Specifications:
The Astell & Kern SE300 comes with $1899 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.astellnkern.com/product/product_detail.jsp?productNo=146
Astell & Kern SE300 have used all of expertise and technology to build this unique R2R and class A amp combination.
Furthermore, it comes with a glossy silver build which looks very premium and luxurious.
Specifications are as follows:
Software & Connectivity:
I have seen many people complain about the really slow/bad software experience on some selective A&K DAPs and I myself had also faced some similar issues in the KANN Alpha.
However, the experience on the SE300 is very different. The software & keyboard experience is very fluid & smooth. The UI are much faster than typical android and I have not come across any random freeze or app not functioning cases which I have come across in many android based DAPs.
From a connectivity perspective - and by connectivity I mean scope of third party streaming apps like: Roon, Qobuz, Tidal, etc... is all present and available in the SE300. I have been using Qobuz mostly throughout the review duration and have not come across any bugs or glitches that hamper the overall experience.
Rather, the overall experience was much smoother than the typical android ones.
Unique Features:
The SE300 comes with quite a few nifty features that have a very positive impact on the overall user experience.
They are as follows:
R2R NOS vs OS: This is all about personal preference. Some people prefer the original analogue with no over sampling (NOS), while others may prefer over-sampled more detailed version with higher resolution that is closer to the regular digital output. Anyone can easily switch between the modes from the settings and also the scroll down menu. This makes it very easy for the users to switch between the modes for different tracks.
High Gain: The high gain allows a higher power and thereby accommodating power hungry IEMs and headphones to perform at their peak power.
Class A/AB switching: While both class A & AB modes provide superior transparency when compared to other modes of amplification, the AB mode enables wider staging and more concert-like experience, while the class A is for more vocal focused and up close experience. Preference may differ from person to person and from track to track. In the SE300, anyone can switch easily between the modes from the scroll down menu or the settings menu. it is very easily accessible and works instantly.
The above unique features is what gives the SE300 a big mileage over any other DAP in similar price range. These features amplify the overall user experience and gives the user much more flexibility.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
IEMs:
IEMs of different ranges:
below $300: QoA Aviation, Moondrop Aria 2
$500-1000: Softears Twilight
$1200 - 1700: @UniqueMelody MEST MKII
$2000 and above: @Vision Ears EXT, Hifiman SVANAR
Well these are the ones I have with me presently... and have used for the review.
Extrenal Amplifiers used: Cayin C9
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Pairing:
The SE300 pairs well with all IEMs that I have come across, but sometimes it is not powerful enough to support the peak performance of some power hungry IEMs and headphones. Hence, I had paired it with the Cayin C9 which also features discrete class A/AB amplification and is powerful enough to power any IEM and most headphones. I must say that the SE300 pairing with the C9 gives a superb sound experience that is quite mesmerizing and I was awestruck by the performance.
The Best performance I have had is with EXT/SVANAR + SE300 + C9.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
ASTELL & KERN SE300 Sound Impressions in Short:
Tonality:
The discrete R2R DAC delivers superb analogue sound with the right warmth and without any additional coloration & the sound is very transparent and natural through the Class A & AB amplification.
The BASS:
The Bass sounds just Superb. Bass has details in the sub-bass region and is thick and creamy with enough muscle in the mid-bass to make the instrument attacks sound very natural and realistic. In tracks like : "Anna R. Chie (Remastered) - Konstantin Wecker" and "Dreams (2001 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac" you can feel the the deep attack of the different instruments with just enough details. The thumps and slams are very enjoyable. The layering & separation is also superb and you can distinguish each instrument from the other one easily.
The MIDS:
The Midrange is excellent in terms of every single element. It is able to produce an good creamy smooth and textured midrange that is soothing to the ears while having enough details and layering in it. The vocals are natural and both male and female vocals come with good amount of details. Instruments sounded natural and can be identified easily from the other instruments owing to superb separation capabilities. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy" and "Ruby Tuesday - Franco Battiato" while you will love the overall midrange specially transients of the guitars, violins etc... instruments and the vocals.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is very natural with enough extension & air as the track commands. It seems very natural and organic and is very very enjoyable.
STAGING & RESOLUTION:
The staging and resolution is excellent and significantly better than many other DAPs that I have come across so far. Resolution is also better considering R2R and provides a very transparent representation while maintaining clarity and sense of direction. Tracks like: “ She Don't Know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound good & enjoyable. In this category this can rival many $500 - $800 DAPs easily.
Comparisons:
Based on many people's request, I had been able to compare the A&K SE300 with the Cayin N7, as both DAPs come in a similar price range, despite the differences in the architecture. The Cayin N7 features a 1-bit architecture which is different from the R2R, but also comes with class A & AB amplification and android OS supporting all streaming platforms.
Hence, it made more sense to compare these 2 DAPs - both being great performers in their own way.
I have loved using each of them and can vouch that both are great performers individually.
Given the similarity in features and price range this comparison has been amongst the most asked for in the facebook groups.
COMPARATIVE IMPRESSIONS:
Build & Features: Both of these DAPs come with solid build. The Cayin N7 being a aluminum & glass build while the SE300 feels a lot more luxurious and premium with the glossy silvery finish. Both DAPs support Class A/AB switching and high gain modes. The NOS/OS mode is unique to the SE300 being R2R whereas the N7 has a 1-bit dac architecture. The N7 however comes with a leather case out of the box, something that is missing in the SE300. While, the N7 features both 3.5mm & 4.4mm ports, the SE300 supports all 3 ports: 2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4.4mm thereby supporting a lot more audio gears out of the box.
Portability: The Cayin N7 is a hefty device and much heavier than the SE300. The SE300 seemed more portable from a size & weight perspective.
Software Performance: The N7 features android OS while the SE300 features their own very customized OS. Both DAPs support all streaming platforms. The SE300 I have found to be more stable software performances while the N7 in some rare occasions had some android based app freezes. I felt that both UI were fluid and user friendly. While N7 being android, was more flexible regarding the different apps to be used, it also came with some caveats such as Youtube Music has issues, etc.
Battery Performance: This is where things get very very interesting. The N7 comes with a bigger battery. having said that, the endurance and performance is not that great. The SE300 featuring a slimmer profile has a better battery performance and doesn't require as frequent charging like the N7. The N7 however fares much better than other android DAPs but falls short of the SE300 when it comes to longer music listening experience and battery endurance.
Overall Sound Performance: While both DAPs feature class A & AB amplification, it's fair to say that the N7 is the more powerful amongst the 2 DAPs and is able to power power hungry IEMs and headphones better. In order to separate out the amplification performance from the DAC, I had paired both with the Cayin C9.
As far as the DAC tonality and performance is concerned, both of the DACs are warm sounding but the R2R is obviously more analogue. However, the SE300 seems to have retained some finer details & nuances which I found missing on the N7. The N7 sound seems more fuller and meatier, but then again missing some of the finer details. The SE300 is in no way thin or lean sounding. it has just the right amount of details and sounds full and textured though not as meaty as the N7.
In my experience, the SE300+C9 was much more preferable to the N7+C9. Though the N7+C9 pairing experience is held high in the experiences of many other reviewers, in case of the SE300 - it seemed that the C9 combination yielded better results. The sound was clearer and more bold, the staging and imaging and separation had quite a bit improvements and this combination was able to power all the IEM combinations that I was able to try with.
In summary, both DAPs are superb performers in their own way. While the SE300 lacked a leather case out of the box, it made up for that and more with the sound experience, the battery life and the smooth software experience.
Conclusion :
It seems that Astell & Kern this time had come up with a solid performer and regardless of the price tag, the SE300 ticks more boxes in terms of better sound & user experience overall. This makes is an easy recommendation to people who can afford and are looking for an analogue sounding DAP or prefer warmer sound.
Summary & Objective:
The Astell & Kern SE300 is the first ever R2R DAP release by Astell & Kern in 2023. The SE300 combines the best of both worlds - R2R DAC ensuring analogue experience, while combining with Class A & AB amplification. This combination is unique and I have found this to be profoundly better than any of the other R2R implementations I had come across earlier.
Introduction:
The Astell & Kern SE300 comes with excellent build quality and superb sound performance - a unique combination of R2R with Class A & AB amplification makes a big difference in the music experience. The Analogue sound of R2R comes alive with the transparent amplification of class A & AB. Not to forget the superb build and the overall good software experience.
The Astell & Kern SE300 is priced at $1899.
Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Astell & Kern for the purpose of an honest review. Everything mentioned in this review are purely my own based on my experiences with the DAP.
Design, Build & Features:
I wouldn't want to make this a very long review by describing each feature but for people who want to know, here are some extracts from the Astell & Kern website.
Specifications:
The Astell & Kern SE300 comes with $1899 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.astellnkern.com/product/product_detail.jsp?productNo=146
Astell & Kern SE300 have used all of expertise and technology to build this unique R2R and class A amp combination.
Furthermore, it comes with a glossy silver build which looks very premium and luxurious.
Specifications are as follows:
- Fully Discrete 24 bit R-2R DAC
- Equipped with 96 ultra-precision 0.01% & TCR10 resistors
- New Dual AMP (Class A/AB) mode
- Option for OS / NOS modes
- Implemented self-developed and optimized FPGA technology
- New Crimson theme UI/UX
- Supports Bluetooth 5.0 and wireless Hi-Fi
Software & Connectivity:
I have seen many people complain about the really slow/bad software experience on some selective A&K DAPs and I myself had also faced some similar issues in the KANN Alpha.
However, the experience on the SE300 is very different. The software & keyboard experience is very fluid & smooth. The UI are much faster than typical android and I have not come across any random freeze or app not functioning cases which I have come across in many android based DAPs.
From a connectivity perspective - and by connectivity I mean scope of third party streaming apps like: Roon, Qobuz, Tidal, etc... is all present and available in the SE300. I have been using Qobuz mostly throughout the review duration and have not come across any bugs or glitches that hamper the overall experience.
Rather, the overall experience was much smoother than the typical android ones.
Unique Features:
The SE300 comes with quite a few nifty features that have a very positive impact on the overall user experience.
They are as follows:
R2R NOS vs OS: This is all about personal preference. Some people prefer the original analogue with no over sampling (NOS), while others may prefer over-sampled more detailed version with higher resolution that is closer to the regular digital output. Anyone can easily switch between the modes from the settings and also the scroll down menu. This makes it very easy for the users to switch between the modes for different tracks.
High Gain: The high gain allows a higher power and thereby accommodating power hungry IEMs and headphones to perform at their peak power.
Class A/AB switching: While both class A & AB modes provide superior transparency when compared to other modes of amplification, the AB mode enables wider staging and more concert-like experience, while the class A is for more vocal focused and up close experience. Preference may differ from person to person and from track to track. In the SE300, anyone can switch easily between the modes from the scroll down menu or the settings menu. it is very easily accessible and works instantly.
The above unique features is what gives the SE300 a big mileage over any other DAP in similar price range. These features amplify the overall user experience and gives the user much more flexibility.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
IEMs:
IEMs of different ranges:
below $300: QoA Aviation, Moondrop Aria 2
$500-1000: Softears Twilight
$1200 - 1700: @UniqueMelody MEST MKII
$2000 and above: @Vision Ears EXT, Hifiman SVANAR
Well these are the ones I have with me presently... and have used for the review.
Extrenal Amplifiers used: Cayin C9
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Pairing:
The SE300 pairs well with all IEMs that I have come across, but sometimes it is not powerful enough to support the peak performance of some power hungry IEMs and headphones. Hence, I had paired it with the Cayin C9 which also features discrete class A/AB amplification and is powerful enough to power any IEM and most headphones. I must say that the SE300 pairing with the C9 gives a superb sound experience that is quite mesmerizing and I was awestruck by the performance.
The Best performance I have had is with EXT/SVANAR + SE300 + C9.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
ASTELL & KERN SE300 Sound Impressions in Short:
Tonality:
The discrete R2R DAC delivers superb analogue sound with the right warmth and without any additional coloration & the sound is very transparent and natural through the Class A & AB amplification.
The BASS:
The Bass sounds just Superb. Bass has details in the sub-bass region and is thick and creamy with enough muscle in the mid-bass to make the instrument attacks sound very natural and realistic. In tracks like : "Anna R. Chie (Remastered) - Konstantin Wecker" and "Dreams (2001 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac" you can feel the the deep attack of the different instruments with just enough details. The thumps and slams are very enjoyable. The layering & separation is also superb and you can distinguish each instrument from the other one easily.
The MIDS:
The Midrange is excellent in terms of every single element. It is able to produce an good creamy smooth and textured midrange that is soothing to the ears while having enough details and layering in it. The vocals are natural and both male and female vocals come with good amount of details. Instruments sounded natural and can be identified easily from the other instruments owing to superb separation capabilities. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy" and "Ruby Tuesday - Franco Battiato" while you will love the overall midrange specially transients of the guitars, violins etc... instruments and the vocals.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is very natural with enough extension & air as the track commands. It seems very natural and organic and is very very enjoyable.
STAGING & RESOLUTION:
The staging and resolution is excellent and significantly better than many other DAPs that I have come across so far. Resolution is also better considering R2R and provides a very transparent representation while maintaining clarity and sense of direction. Tracks like: “ She Don't Know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound good & enjoyable. In this category this can rival many $500 - $800 DAPs easily.
Comparisons:
Based on many people's request, I had been able to compare the A&K SE300 with the Cayin N7, as both DAPs come in a similar price range, despite the differences in the architecture. The Cayin N7 features a 1-bit architecture which is different from the R2R, but also comes with class A & AB amplification and android OS supporting all streaming platforms.
Hence, it made more sense to compare these 2 DAPs - both being great performers in their own way.
I have loved using each of them and can vouch that both are great performers individually.
Given the similarity in features and price range this comparison has been amongst the most asked for in the facebook groups.
COMPARATIVE IMPRESSIONS:
Build & Features: Both of these DAPs come with solid build. The Cayin N7 being a aluminum & glass build while the SE300 feels a lot more luxurious and premium with the glossy silvery finish. Both DAPs support Class A/AB switching and high gain modes. The NOS/OS mode is unique to the SE300 being R2R whereas the N7 has a 1-bit dac architecture. The N7 however comes with a leather case out of the box, something that is missing in the SE300. While, the N7 features both 3.5mm & 4.4mm ports, the SE300 supports all 3 ports: 2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4.4mm thereby supporting a lot more audio gears out of the box.
Portability: The Cayin N7 is a hefty device and much heavier than the SE300. The SE300 seemed more portable from a size & weight perspective.
Software Performance: The N7 features android OS while the SE300 features their own very customized OS. Both DAPs support all streaming platforms. The SE300 I have found to be more stable software performances while the N7 in some rare occasions had some android based app freezes. I felt that both UI were fluid and user friendly. While N7 being android, was more flexible regarding the different apps to be used, it also came with some caveats such as Youtube Music has issues, etc.
Battery Performance: This is where things get very very interesting. The N7 comes with a bigger battery. having said that, the endurance and performance is not that great. The SE300 featuring a slimmer profile has a better battery performance and doesn't require as frequent charging like the N7. The N7 however fares much better than other android DAPs but falls short of the SE300 when it comes to longer music listening experience and battery endurance.
Overall Sound Performance: While both DAPs feature class A & AB amplification, it's fair to say that the N7 is the more powerful amongst the 2 DAPs and is able to power power hungry IEMs and headphones better. In order to separate out the amplification performance from the DAC, I had paired both with the Cayin C9.
As far as the DAC tonality and performance is concerned, both of the DACs are warm sounding but the R2R is obviously more analogue. However, the SE300 seems to have retained some finer details & nuances which I found missing on the N7. The N7 sound seems more fuller and meatier, but then again missing some of the finer details. The SE300 is in no way thin or lean sounding. it has just the right amount of details and sounds full and textured though not as meaty as the N7.
In my experience, the SE300+C9 was much more preferable to the N7+C9. Though the N7+C9 pairing experience is held high in the experiences of many other reviewers, in case of the SE300 - it seemed that the C9 combination yielded better results. The sound was clearer and more bold, the staging and imaging and separation had quite a bit improvements and this combination was able to power all the IEM combinations that I was able to try with.
In summary, both DAPs are superb performers in their own way. While the SE300 lacked a leather case out of the box, it made up for that and more with the sound experience, the battery life and the smooth software experience.
Conclusion :
It seems that Astell & Kern this time had come up with a solid performer and regardless of the price tag, the SE300 ticks more boxes in terms of better sound & user experience overall. This makes is an easy recommendation to people who can afford and are looking for an analogue sounding DAP or prefer warmer sound.
psklrdk
Very nice reading. I was missing this comparison of Daps!
Hifiman - SVANAR : Effortless Enjoyment Guaranteed!
Summary:
Launched in June'2023, Hifiman launched their newest flagship IEM with a new Single Dynamic Driver using their new Topology diaphragm architecture. The Svanar is a symbol of elegance and that is what we expect from it in terms of musical performance. Coming at a price range $1999, the SVANAR comes with Brass chamber with 24K Gold plating which according to Hifiman is important for better sound experience. The SVANAR is indeed an excellent performer, allowing users a effortless musical experience - just like the Swan swimming effortlessly in water.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The SVANAR features 1 topology diaphragm based Dynamic driver and brass chamber with 24k gold plating. The cable that it comes with is pretty ordinary and quite below par with what is found from IEMs of similar price range.
The SVANAR is priced at $1999.
Design & Build:
The shells is very ergonomic and the rear-half of the shell is made of aluminum covering the brass front chamber with 24K gold plating. The shells are quite light-weight and very comfortable. I have found them very comfortable throughout long listening sessions.
It is described as the following on the website:
Specifications:
The SVANAR comes at $1999 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/svanar.html
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
The Cable:
SVANAR comes with a 2 Pin 0.78mm to 3.5mm Cable with Silver-Coated Crystalline Copper Wire. It's quite thin and not as soft and flexible as one would expect. Also, it doesn't come with a 4.4mm balanced connector out of the box.
Hence, I have tried to pair it with some of the 3rd party cables that I owned. I have tried pairing with quite a few cables and found the best pairings with @EffectAudio CODE-23 and Cadmus 8W, both of which came with 4.4mm balanced termination.
With Kinera x Effect Audio ORLOG:
With Effect Audio CADMUS 8W:
With Effect Audio CODE-23:
In my experience, I have found the best sonic performance when paired with the CODE-23 cable and that combination has remained my favorite till date. Though the cable might be a bit thick and not as flexible, the music performance that the pairing yields is simply awesome!
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle & C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, N8ii, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
SVANAR had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles. But, I have found that it pairs well with other dongles like @MOONDROP DAWN PRO etc.
Portable Players:
Obviously the SVANAR had the best pairing with the @Questyle QP2R & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + N7 with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the SVANAR to the next level.
Ear Tips:
I have tried many different ear-tips with the SVANAR, starting from Spinfit W1, CP500, CP100+, JVC Spiral Dots+, Final Audio Black & Transparent ones.
But the best fit and isolation for my ears had been AZLA SednaFit Short Transparent ones. I have hence used them for majority of the review.
SVANAR Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of SVANAR is amazing. From the little nuances of the sub-bass to the rumble and slam of the mid-bass, everything seemed very balanced. The Bass experience came with enough muscle/body and power and the thump & slams were adequately felt. The attack & decay were both very enjoyable. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the SVANAR is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite textured and full-bodied. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. The transients were accurate & adequate and very very enjoyable. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic on the SVANAR though some may feel that it could be slightly more airy. It has the right amount of details and energy and is in no way harsh or peaky. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the SVANAR is superb and quite surprisingly great. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. It just proves the point that Hifiman had made the right implementation here.
Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the SVANAR is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbrealso feels very natural.
Comparisons:
Please note that I have to make comparisons from 2 different perspectives here. Firstly from a price perspective I have compared the SVANAR against the Audeze LCD-i4 priced at $2495 which is slightly above the SVANAR priced at $1999. Secondly, I have compared SVANAR against another Single DD IEM which is Softears Twilight which happened to be the best Single DD IEM in my possession before the SVANAR.
HIFIMAN SVANAR vs Audeze LCD-i4:
Though price ranges are similar, but the architecture of the IEMs are very different. While the Audeze LCD-i4 is a Planar Driver based IEM, the SVANAR is a Dynamic driver based IEM. Each architecture has it's strength & weaknesses, but here we will see what we get for the price paid.
Price: The SVANAR costs slightly lesser than the MCD-i4 and hence gets the edge here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Getting a good fit with the LCD-i4 is very difficult and it is not also very comfortable for longer sessions. The SVANAR on the other hand is very comfortable and it's easy to get a good fit with it.
Bass: Though the LCD-i4 has the best bass amongst any Planar IEM I have come across till date, it is not enough to beat the performance of the SVANAR. The Bass on the Svanar is much more refined.
Mids: Though the midrange on the SVANAR is great and there is really nothing to complain about, the midrange on the LCD-i4 is just on another level with better texture & muscle. Everything feels slightly fuller and more textured.
Treble: This is where the SVANAR really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. Note that the LCD-i4 is not lagging behind by a long way here. But the SVANAR is just more energetic.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on both SVANAR and LCD-i4 is equally amazing and class-leading. However, SVANAR has ever so slightly better separation.
HIFIMAN SVANAR vs Softears Twilight:
This is just the opposite case of the previous. Here both IEMs come with Single DD architecture but the prices are different. The Twilight comes at $930 while the SVANAR is priced at $1999 which is double the price of the Twilight.
Price: The Twilight and hence gets the edge here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are very lightweight and it is easy to get a good fit. both IEMs are very comfortable also. However, the SVANAR is slightly more ergonomic in terms of the curves in the shell. Also, the SVANAR comes with a bass chamber with 24K gold plating which is unique and the topology diaphragm is also unique to the SVANAR. The nozzle of the Twilight goes in deeper while the SVANAR nozzle is shallower.
Bass: Though both of these IEMs feature dynamic drivers, the bass experience on the SVANAR is more refined and detailed. The Twilight does great for its price though.
Mids: The midrange on both of these IEMs are just great, but the SVANAR provides a bit more refined experience with finer details and slight more texture and the transients feel better.
Treble: This is where I think both IEMs do well and there is nothing to complain.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on SVANAR is amazing and class-leading, while the Twilight staging is also great for it's price, the SVANAR just feels overall better.
Conclusion:
The SVANAR experience is great and also feels effortless. the overall musical experience is very enjoyable and amazing and beautiful like the swan that it represents.
I would recommend it to people who can afford it at this price range.
Summary:
Launched in June'2023, Hifiman launched their newest flagship IEM with a new Single Dynamic Driver using their new Topology diaphragm architecture. The Svanar is a symbol of elegance and that is what we expect from it in terms of musical performance. Coming at a price range $1999, the SVANAR comes with Brass chamber with 24K Gold plating which according to Hifiman is important for better sound experience. The SVANAR is indeed an excellent performer, allowing users a effortless musical experience - just like the Swan swimming effortlessly in water.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The SVANAR features 1 topology diaphragm based Dynamic driver and brass chamber with 24k gold plating. The cable that it comes with is pretty ordinary and quite below par with what is found from IEMs of similar price range.
The SVANAR is priced at $1999.
Design & Build:
The shells is very ergonomic and the rear-half of the shell is made of aluminum covering the brass front chamber with 24K gold plating. The shells are quite light-weight and very comfortable. I have found them very comfortable throughout long listening sessions.
It is described as the following on the website:
Specifications:
The SVANAR comes at $1999 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/svanar.html
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
- SVANAR IEM
- Hard Carrying Case
- 2 Pin 0.78mm to 3.5mm Cable with Silver-Coated Crystalline Copper Wire
- 4 Pairs of Ear-tips (2 Double Flanged, 2 Triple Flanged)
- Ear-hooks
- Owner's guide & warranty card
The Cable:
SVANAR comes with a 2 Pin 0.78mm to 3.5mm Cable with Silver-Coated Crystalline Copper Wire. It's quite thin and not as soft and flexible as one would expect. Also, it doesn't come with a 4.4mm balanced connector out of the box.
Hence, I have tried to pair it with some of the 3rd party cables that I owned. I have tried pairing with quite a few cables and found the best pairings with @EffectAudio CODE-23 and Cadmus 8W, both of which came with 4.4mm balanced termination.
With Kinera x Effect Audio ORLOG:
With Effect Audio CADMUS 8W:
With Effect Audio CODE-23:
In my experience, I have found the best sonic performance when paired with the CODE-23 cable and that combination has remained my favorite till date. Though the cable might be a bit thick and not as flexible, the music performance that the pairing yields is simply awesome!
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle & C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, N8ii, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
SVANAR had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles. But, I have found that it pairs well with other dongles like @MOONDROP DAWN PRO etc.
Portable Players:
Obviously the SVANAR had the best pairing with the @Questyle QP2R & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + N7 with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the SVANAR to the next level.
Ear Tips:
I have tried many different ear-tips with the SVANAR, starting from Spinfit W1, CP500, CP100+, JVC Spiral Dots+, Final Audio Black & Transparent ones.
But the best fit and isolation for my ears had been AZLA SednaFit Short Transparent ones. I have hence used them for majority of the review.
SVANAR Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of SVANAR is amazing. From the little nuances of the sub-bass to the rumble and slam of the mid-bass, everything seemed very balanced. The Bass experience came with enough muscle/body and power and the thump & slams were adequately felt. The attack & decay were both very enjoyable. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the SVANAR is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite textured and full-bodied. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. The transients were accurate & adequate and very very enjoyable. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic on the SVANAR though some may feel that it could be slightly more airy. It has the right amount of details and energy and is in no way harsh or peaky. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the SVANAR is superb and quite surprisingly great. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. It just proves the point that Hifiman had made the right implementation here.
Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the SVANAR is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbrealso feels very natural.
Comparisons:
Please note that I have to make comparisons from 2 different perspectives here. Firstly from a price perspective I have compared the SVANAR against the Audeze LCD-i4 priced at $2495 which is slightly above the SVANAR priced at $1999. Secondly, I have compared SVANAR against another Single DD IEM which is Softears Twilight which happened to be the best Single DD IEM in my possession before the SVANAR.
HIFIMAN SVANAR vs Audeze LCD-i4:
Though price ranges are similar, but the architecture of the IEMs are very different. While the Audeze LCD-i4 is a Planar Driver based IEM, the SVANAR is a Dynamic driver based IEM. Each architecture has it's strength & weaknesses, but here we will see what we get for the price paid.
Price: The SVANAR costs slightly lesser than the MCD-i4 and hence gets the edge here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Getting a good fit with the LCD-i4 is very difficult and it is not also very comfortable for longer sessions. The SVANAR on the other hand is very comfortable and it's easy to get a good fit with it.
Bass: Though the LCD-i4 has the best bass amongst any Planar IEM I have come across till date, it is not enough to beat the performance of the SVANAR. The Bass on the Svanar is much more refined.
Mids: Though the midrange on the SVANAR is great and there is really nothing to complain about, the midrange on the LCD-i4 is just on another level with better texture & muscle. Everything feels slightly fuller and more textured.
Treble: This is where the SVANAR really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. Note that the LCD-i4 is not lagging behind by a long way here. But the SVANAR is just more energetic.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on both SVANAR and LCD-i4 is equally amazing and class-leading. However, SVANAR has ever so slightly better separation.
HIFIMAN SVANAR vs Softears Twilight:
This is just the opposite case of the previous. Here both IEMs come with Single DD architecture but the prices are different. The Twilight comes at $930 while the SVANAR is priced at $1999 which is double the price of the Twilight.
Price: The Twilight and hence gets the edge here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are very lightweight and it is easy to get a good fit. both IEMs are very comfortable also. However, the SVANAR is slightly more ergonomic in terms of the curves in the shell. Also, the SVANAR comes with a bass chamber with 24K gold plating which is unique and the topology diaphragm is also unique to the SVANAR. The nozzle of the Twilight goes in deeper while the SVANAR nozzle is shallower.
Bass: Though both of these IEMs feature dynamic drivers, the bass experience on the SVANAR is more refined and detailed. The Twilight does great for its price though.
Mids: The midrange on both of these IEMs are just great, but the SVANAR provides a bit more refined experience with finer details and slight more texture and the transients feel better.
Treble: This is where I think both IEMs do well and there is nothing to complain.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on SVANAR is amazing and class-leading, while the Twilight staging is also great for it's price, the SVANAR just feels overall better.
Conclusion:
The SVANAR experience is great and also feels effortless. the overall musical experience is very enjoyable and amazing and beautiful like the swan that it represents.
I would recommend it to people who can afford it at this price range.
Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED: Good Bass & Tuning at Affordable Price!
Summary:
Launched in late May'23, Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED is latest release from the Truthear & Crinacle collaboration following the previous ZERO release. The 10mm +7.8mm Dual Dynamic Driver configuration is similar to the previous ZERO configuration but with better tuning and synchronization. it is priced slightly above the original ZERO at $48.39.
Introduction:
Without spending too much on introduction, let's quickly dive into what the Zero RED has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the ZERO RED comes with dual dynamic drivers: 10mm +7.8mm drivers.
The Truthear x Crinacle ZERO RED is priced at $48.39
Design & Build:
The ZERO RED comes with resin shells with a RED pattern on the faceplate. It is quite ergonomic and have comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. The nozzle however feels a bit too protruding.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The Truthear Zero RED comes at $48.39 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...ero-red-dual-dynamic-drivers-in-ear-headphone
Driver: 10mm+7.8mm Dynamic Driver
Diaphragm: Polyurethane Suspension LCP Liquid Crystal Composite Diaphragm
Impedance: 17.5Ω±15% @1kHz
Sensitivity: 117.5dB/Vrms @1kHz
THD: < 1%@1khz
Frequency Response Range: 20-40.5kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
Effective Frequency Response Range: 20-20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
What's in the box:
1. TRUTHEAR [ZERO:RED] * 1
2. Four Stands of High-quality Silver-plated Cable
3. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thick Diameter)
4. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thin Diameter)
5. Foam Ear-tips * 1pair (M)
6. 10Ω Impedance Adapter
7. Manual * 1
8. Warranty card * 1
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Truthear ZERO RED had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles, @Questyle QP2R & @Cayin N7 DAPs..
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips. But, I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT BLACK to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Truthear Zero RED Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of ZERO RED is great. The dual DD combination seems to be working well here. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. The mid-bass packs the right amount of punch & slam.
Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" feel quite immersive and you can enjoy all the details of the drums and the slam.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the ZERO RED is a bit recessed. That being said, there's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite detailed but lacks fullness or muscle a bit. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture. Instruments felt natural and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" the midrange feels quite enjoyable.
The TREBLE:
The Treble on the ZERO RED seemed quite laid-back and peak & fatigue-free. While it is enjoyable laid-back experience, it may not be as engaging for some.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the ZERO RED is above average. The depth in the stage is slightly better than many others in the price range. It comes with the right amount of height and width. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound enjoyable.
Imaging & Separation:
The Imaging performance on the ZERO RED is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The separation is good, but not above average.
Comparisons:
Comparison with the previous gen Truthear ZERO now becomes mandatory to understand the changes. Also, since prices of both IEMs are very close and architecture is the same, it becomes essential comparison for many audiophiles looking to make a purchase in this range.
Truthear Zero RED vs Truthear ZERO RED:
Price: Prices of both IEMs are very similar .
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are identical form build & comfort perspective. The RED comes with additional high impedance converter though.
Bass: This is where teh actual differences come out. Despite same architecture of both, the RED has more synergized sound specially in the sub-bass & mid-bass while the sub-bass on the original one may be a bit overwhelming at times.
Mids: The midrange on both IEMs are a bit recessed but the RED has better tuning and synergy and slightly more textured.
Treble: The treble experience on the RED seemed more engaging and enjoyable.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: Both IEMs are identical.
Conclusion:
The Truthear Zero RED is a great IEM specially for people who appreciate better tuning & detailed bass experience. At price range of $50 it delivers almost in all aspects to ensure a great musical experience.
Summary:
Launched in late May'23, Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED is latest release from the Truthear & Crinacle collaboration following the previous ZERO release. The 10mm +7.8mm Dual Dynamic Driver configuration is similar to the previous ZERO configuration but with better tuning and synchronization. it is priced slightly above the original ZERO at $48.39.
Introduction:
Without spending too much on introduction, let's quickly dive into what the Zero RED has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the ZERO RED comes with dual dynamic drivers: 10mm +7.8mm drivers.
The Truthear x Crinacle ZERO RED is priced at $48.39
Design & Build:
The ZERO RED comes with resin shells with a RED pattern on the faceplate. It is quite ergonomic and have comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. The nozzle however feels a bit too protruding.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The Truthear Zero RED comes at $48.39 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...ero-red-dual-dynamic-drivers-in-ear-headphone
Driver: 10mm+7.8mm Dynamic Driver
Diaphragm: Polyurethane Suspension LCP Liquid Crystal Composite Diaphragm
Impedance: 17.5Ω±15% @1kHz
Sensitivity: 117.5dB/Vrms @1kHz
THD: < 1%@1khz
Frequency Response Range: 20-40.5kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
Effective Frequency Response Range: 20-20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
What's in the box:
1. TRUTHEAR [ZERO:RED] * 1
2. Four Stands of High-quality Silver-plated Cable
3. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thick Diameter)
4. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thin Diameter)
5. Foam Ear-tips * 1pair (M)
6. 10Ω Impedance Adapter
7. Manual * 1
8. Warranty card * 1
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Truthear ZERO RED had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles, @Questyle QP2R & @Cayin N7 DAPs..
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips. But, I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT BLACK to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Truthear Zero RED Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of ZERO RED is great. The dual DD combination seems to be working well here. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. The mid-bass packs the right amount of punch & slam.
Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" feel quite immersive and you can enjoy all the details of the drums and the slam.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the ZERO RED is a bit recessed. That being said, there's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite detailed but lacks fullness or muscle a bit. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture. Instruments felt natural and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" the midrange feels quite enjoyable.
The TREBLE:
The Treble on the ZERO RED seemed quite laid-back and peak & fatigue-free. While it is enjoyable laid-back experience, it may not be as engaging for some.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the ZERO RED is above average. The depth in the stage is slightly better than many others in the price range. It comes with the right amount of height and width. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound enjoyable.
Imaging & Separation:
The Imaging performance on the ZERO RED is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The separation is good, but not above average.
Comparisons:
Comparison with the previous gen Truthear ZERO now becomes mandatory to understand the changes. Also, since prices of both IEMs are very close and architecture is the same, it becomes essential comparison for many audiophiles looking to make a purchase in this range.
Truthear Zero RED vs Truthear ZERO RED:
Price: Prices of both IEMs are very similar .
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are identical form build & comfort perspective. The RED comes with additional high impedance converter though.
Bass: This is where teh actual differences come out. Despite same architecture of both, the RED has more synergized sound specially in the sub-bass & mid-bass while the sub-bass on the original one may be a bit overwhelming at times.
Mids: The midrange on both IEMs are a bit recessed but the RED has better tuning and synergy and slightly more textured.
Treble: The treble experience on the RED seemed more engaging and enjoyable.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: Both IEMs are identical.
Conclusion:
The Truthear Zero RED is a great IEM specially for people who appreciate better tuning & detailed bass experience. At price range of $50 it delivers almost in all aspects to ensure a great musical experience.
Moondrop CHU 2 : Perfect for the budget!
Summary:
Launched in late July'23, Moondrop CHU 2 is the latest iteration of Single DD based IEM from Moondrop and a successor of their previously successful budget range CHU. It comes with a proprietary 10mm Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price below $20.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Moondrop CHU 2 has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the CHU 2 comes with new generation 10mm Single DD.
The CHU 2 is priced at $16.71
Design & Build:
The CHU 2 comes with a shell of metal alloy material - which is surprisingly comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across. Unlike Chu, Chu 2's nozzle consists of a separate brass CNC component.
The following features are mentioned on the website:
1. Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy Dome Composite Diaphragm, High-End Headphone Diaphragm Materials.
2. Alloy Casting Cavity, Ensuring Durability and High-Quality Texture.
3. The nozzle of the CHU II consists of a separate brass CNC component, offering higher precision and density.
4. CHU II incorporates a new generation of replaceable acoustic filters.
5. CHU II was tuned by senior acoustic engineers and audiophiles with rich knowledge and wide experience, and exhibits an excellent frequency response curve in line with the VDSF Target Response.
6. Ultra-low Nonlinear Distortion, Reproduction of Subtle Details.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The Moondrop CHU 2 comes at $16.71 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-chu-2-10mm-dynamic-in-ear-headphone
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
The CHU 2 had the great pairing with almost each and every dongle/DAC/DAP that I owned.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles, @Questyle QP2R & @Cayin N7 DAPs.
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be below par and ear-tips switching is necessary. I wish they inlcuded the SPRING ear-tips with this. Hence, I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Moondrop CHU 2 Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The CHU 2 comes with a good & detailed bass performance for the price. Coming with a new Dynamic driver, the bass indeed comes with better details in the sub0bass region and enough kick & rumble in the mid-bass. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass and very enjoyable slams from the mid-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with good clarity in the CHU 2 though a bit recessed. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good with the new DD. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The CHU 2 comes with enjoyable but non-fatiguing treble. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble is quite engaging and energetic for a budget IEM.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the CHU 2 is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the CHU 2. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation is also good for the price-range.
Comparisons:
I used TANGZU Princess Chang Le for the comparison. It seemed to be the perfect match for the CHU 2 coming at similar price range with Single-DD architecture.
Moondrop CHU 2 vs TANGZU Princess Chang Le:
Price: Moondrop CHU 2 costs $16.71 while the Chang LE is only $15. Chang Le gets the leverage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. But the Chang Le comes with fixed cable. Hence, CHU 2 gets leverage here.
Bass: While the Bass is better on the CHU 2, it packs far more details and muscle than the Chang Le.
Mids: Though both are bit recessed - the midrange on the CHU 2 seemed to have better texture better than the Chang Le.
Treble: The Chang Le treble seemed a bit peaky at times and the CHU 2 overall is significantly better.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: This is where the CHU 2 goes miles ahead of the Chang LE.
The CHU 2 is hence is better than the Change Le in terms of overall performance.
Conclusion:
The Moondrop CHU 2 is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. This time Moondrop seems to have hit the right spot.... almost perfect for the price.
Summary:
Launched in late July'23, Moondrop CHU 2 is the latest iteration of Single DD based IEM from Moondrop and a successor of their previously successful budget range CHU. It comes with a proprietary 10mm Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price below $20.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Moondrop CHU 2 has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the CHU 2 comes with new generation 10mm Single DD.
The CHU 2 is priced at $16.71
Design & Build:
The CHU 2 comes with a shell of metal alloy material - which is surprisingly comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across. Unlike Chu, Chu 2's nozzle consists of a separate brass CNC component.
The following features are mentioned on the website:
1. Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy Dome Composite Diaphragm, High-End Headphone Diaphragm Materials.
2. Alloy Casting Cavity, Ensuring Durability and High-Quality Texture.
3. The nozzle of the CHU II consists of a separate brass CNC component, offering higher precision and density.
4. CHU II incorporates a new generation of replaceable acoustic filters.
5. CHU II was tuned by senior acoustic engineers and audiophiles with rich knowledge and wide experience, and exhibits an excellent frequency response curve in line with the VDSF Target Response.
6. Ultra-low Nonlinear Distortion, Reproduction of Subtle Details.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The Moondrop CHU 2 comes at $16.71 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-chu-2-10mm-dynamic-in-ear-headphone
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N7, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
The CHU 2 had the great pairing with almost each and every dongle/DAC/DAP that I owned.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles, @Questyle QP2R & @Cayin N7 DAPs.
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be below par and ear-tips switching is necessary. I wish they inlcuded the SPRING ear-tips with this. Hence, I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Moondrop CHU 2 Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The CHU 2 comes with a good & detailed bass performance for the price. Coming with a new Dynamic driver, the bass indeed comes with better details in the sub0bass region and enough kick & rumble in the mid-bass. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass and very enjoyable slams from the mid-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with good clarity in the CHU 2 though a bit recessed. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good with the new DD. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The CHU 2 comes with enjoyable but non-fatiguing treble. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble is quite engaging and energetic for a budget IEM.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the CHU 2 is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the CHU 2. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation is also good for the price-range.
Comparisons:
I used TANGZU Princess Chang Le for the comparison. It seemed to be the perfect match for the CHU 2 coming at similar price range with Single-DD architecture.
Moondrop CHU 2 vs TANGZU Princess Chang Le:
Price: Moondrop CHU 2 costs $16.71 while the Chang LE is only $15. Chang Le gets the leverage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. But the Chang Le comes with fixed cable. Hence, CHU 2 gets leverage here.
Bass: While the Bass is better on the CHU 2, it packs far more details and muscle than the Chang Le.
Mids: Though both are bit recessed - the midrange on the CHU 2 seemed to have better texture better than the Chang Le.
Treble: The Chang Le treble seemed a bit peaky at times and the CHU 2 overall is significantly better.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: This is where the CHU 2 goes miles ahead of the Chang LE.
The CHU 2 is hence is better than the Change Le in terms of overall performance.
Conclusion:
The Moondrop CHU 2 is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. This time Moondrop seems to have hit the right spot.... almost perfect for the price.
Audeze LCD-i4: Best Planar IEM below $2500!
Summary:
Launched in 2017, LCD-i4 is the Flagship IEM release by Audeze. LCD-I4 is a semi open-back planar IEM with a 30mm Planar Magnetic Driver with Fluxor™ magnet array. Despite the bigger size of the LCD-i4 may not be ideal for all ears - the sound performance is absolutely amazing and is likely the "Best Planar IEM" by Audeze till date.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The LCD-I4 features 30mm Planar Magnetic Driver with Fluxor™ magnet array. It comes with a regular cable with 3.5mm termination and also a bluetooth cable enabling it to be used as wireless IEM.
The LCD-i4 is priced at $2495.
According to Audeze on their website:
The LCDi4 represents the pinnacle of both audio quality and technological innovation. This groundbreaking in-ear headphone features the same Nano-Scale Uniforce diaphragm found in our LCD-4 and 4z, paired with our powerful Fluxor magnet array to offer one of the most responsive, detailed, engaging, and immersive listening experiences in the world. The i4 will transform everything you thought you knew about in-ear headphones as you hear your favorite music as though for the first time.
Specifications:
The Audeze LCD-i4 comes at $2495 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-i4
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
Ear Tips:
It is very very difficult to get a good fit and isolation with the LCD-i4, given its larger shells and the size of the ear tubes. Only the proprietary ear-tips can fit those bigger ear tubes. However, I was able to get a good fit with the JVC Spiral Dots ++ and that is the ear-tips I have used mostly.
The Cable:
LCD-i4 comes comes with a premium cable with a 3.5mm connector by default. However, based on the specifications and power requirements, below is the minimum power requirement:
This essentially means that the LCD-i4 requires a lot of power which most DAPs or Dongles are unable to power through single-ended 3.5mm termination.
This has made the default cable useless in most cases - unless it is used with a very powerful source such as the @Cayin N8ii + C9 amplifier combo.
Hence, best to swap the cable with a balanced 4.4mm termination based cable for everyday use with other not-so-powerful sources.
In such cases, I have found @EffectAudio Code-23 & Cadmus 8W cables very useful. The LCD-i4 pairs & performs well with both.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii & N7, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
Most Dongles will not be able to power the LCD-i4 to it's full potential. Several will not be able to meet it's minimum power requirements of 50mW+.
Having said that, the @Questyle M15 dongle was able to power it quite decently, though not up to it's full potential even with a 4.4mm balanced connector.
Portable Players (DAPs):
Obviously the LCD-i4 had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii as those are TOTL level DAPs! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! While pairing with the Cayin N7 was also good - the BEST performance was found with the Cayin N7 + Cayin C9 combo. This combo was able to power the LCD-i4 to it's fullest potential and was an amazing musical experience.
LCD-i4 Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The LCD-I4 comes with a very detailed and engaging bass performance despite being a planar based IEM. The sub-bass comes with enough details and muscle, and the mid-bass comes with enough texture and power for the slams. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are found to be immensely immersive and enjoyable.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the LCD-i4 is just amazing! Coming from it's semi open-back structure, the midrange comes with ample amount of texture and details. The transients are very very enjoyable. Every instrument feels very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. Vocals of both males and females seem very real and life-like. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic & airy on the LCD-I4 and is very very enjoyable. It has the right amount of details and texture also and the overall treble performance is therefore very enjoyable. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the LCD-i4 is amongst the best i have come across till date. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the LCD-i4 is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbre also feels very real.
A Worthy Upgrade from the Euclid?
Needless to say, apart from the fit issue - the LCD i4 beats the Euclid handily in each and every aspect of sound. The Bass experience is richer, the midrange is more immersive, the staging & imaging are significantly better, the treble is more engaging. The overall musical experience is significantly improved on the LCD-i4.
Comparisons:
Audeze LCD-i4 vs Unique Melody MEST MK2:
Coming at $2495, the LCD-i4 needed a worthy opponent. The Unique Melody MEST MK2 was amongst my highest ranked IEMs and though the price-range was not comparable, the price-gap was much shorter than the Euclid. Hence, I had decided to compare the LCD-i4 against the MEST MK2.
Bass: Owing to the very balanced bass experience on the MEST MK2, the LCD-i4 felt equally great, but with a little more power and authoritative slams.
Mids: The midrange of the LCD-i4 is amongst it's key strengths, but having said that - it is the same for the MEST MK2 also. However, the LCD-i4 midrange felt a lot muscular and full and slightly more immersive. However, the instrument separation on the MEST MK2 was found slightly better.
Treble: This is where the LCD-I4 really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the SA6 is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the LCD-I4.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging & Imaging on MEST MK2 are amongst the best I have come across. Having said that, the LCD-i4 was equally good and maybe slightly better in terms of staging. Imaging was great on both. Separation was slightly better better on the MEST MK2
Overall, the LCD-i4 felt like a much better musical experience despite the excellent performance of the MEST MK2.
Conclusion:
The LCD-I4 is a great performer and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's amazing & ground-breaking what Audeze have done here.
If it fits well, it can be amongst the "Best Ever Planar IEMs" easily.
Summary:
Launched in 2017, LCD-i4 is the Flagship IEM release by Audeze. LCD-I4 is a semi open-back planar IEM with a 30mm Planar Magnetic Driver with Fluxor™ magnet array. Despite the bigger size of the LCD-i4 may not be ideal for all ears - the sound performance is absolutely amazing and is likely the "Best Planar IEM" by Audeze till date.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The LCD-I4 features 30mm Planar Magnetic Driver with Fluxor™ magnet array. It comes with a regular cable with 3.5mm termination and also a bluetooth cable enabling it to be used as wireless IEM.
The LCD-i4 is priced at $2495.
According to Audeze on their website:
The LCDi4 represents the pinnacle of both audio quality and technological innovation. This groundbreaking in-ear headphone features the same Nano-Scale Uniforce diaphragm found in our LCD-4 and 4z, paired with our powerful Fluxor magnet array to offer one of the most responsive, detailed, engaging, and immersive listening experiences in the world. The i4 will transform everything you thought you knew about in-ear headphones as you hear your favorite music as though for the first time.
Specifications:
The Audeze LCD-i4 comes at $2495 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-i4
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
- Audeze LCD-i4 IEM
- 1.2m OCC, premium braided cable
- Bluetooth cypher cable with charging cable
- Nylon travel case
- Selection of ear hooks and tips for a customized fit
- Certificate of authenticity card
Ear Tips:
It is very very difficult to get a good fit and isolation with the LCD-i4, given its larger shells and the size of the ear tubes. Only the proprietary ear-tips can fit those bigger ear tubes. However, I was able to get a good fit with the JVC Spiral Dots ++ and that is the ear-tips I have used mostly.
The Cable:
LCD-i4 comes comes with a premium cable with a 3.5mm connector by default. However, based on the specifications and power requirements, below is the minimum power requirement:
This essentially means that the LCD-i4 requires a lot of power which most DAPs or Dongles are unable to power through single-ended 3.5mm termination.
This has made the default cable useless in most cases - unless it is used with a very powerful source such as the @Cayin N8ii + C9 amplifier combo.
Hence, best to swap the cable with a balanced 4.4mm termination based cable for everyday use with other not-so-powerful sources.
In such cases, I have found @EffectAudio Code-23 & Cadmus 8W cables very useful. The LCD-i4 pairs & performs well with both.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii & N7, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
Most Dongles will not be able to power the LCD-i4 to it's full potential. Several will not be able to meet it's minimum power requirements of 50mW+.
Having said that, the @Questyle M15 dongle was able to power it quite decently, though not up to it's full potential even with a 4.4mm balanced connector.
Portable Players (DAPs):
Obviously the LCD-i4 had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii as those are TOTL level DAPs! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! While pairing with the Cayin N7 was also good - the BEST performance was found with the Cayin N7 + Cayin C9 combo. This combo was able to power the LCD-i4 to it's fullest potential and was an amazing musical experience.
LCD-i4 Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The LCD-I4 comes with a very detailed and engaging bass performance despite being a planar based IEM. The sub-bass comes with enough details and muscle, and the mid-bass comes with enough texture and power for the slams. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are found to be immensely immersive and enjoyable.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the LCD-i4 is just amazing! Coming from it's semi open-back structure, the midrange comes with ample amount of texture and details. The transients are very very enjoyable. Every instrument feels very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. Vocals of both males and females seem very real and life-like. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic & airy on the LCD-I4 and is very very enjoyable. It has the right amount of details and texture also and the overall treble performance is therefore very enjoyable. Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the LCD-i4 is amongst the best i have come across till date. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the LCD-i4 is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbre also feels very real.
A Worthy Upgrade from the Euclid?
Needless to say, apart from the fit issue - the LCD i4 beats the Euclid handily in each and every aspect of sound. The Bass experience is richer, the midrange is more immersive, the staging & imaging are significantly better, the treble is more engaging. The overall musical experience is significantly improved on the LCD-i4.
Comparisons:
Audeze LCD-i4 vs Unique Melody MEST MK2:
Coming at $2495, the LCD-i4 needed a worthy opponent. The Unique Melody MEST MK2 was amongst my highest ranked IEMs and though the price-range was not comparable, the price-gap was much shorter than the Euclid. Hence, I had decided to compare the LCD-i4 against the MEST MK2.
Bass: Owing to the very balanced bass experience on the MEST MK2, the LCD-i4 felt equally great, but with a little more power and authoritative slams.
Mids: The midrange of the LCD-i4 is amongst it's key strengths, but having said that - it is the same for the MEST MK2 also. However, the LCD-i4 midrange felt a lot muscular and full and slightly more immersive. However, the instrument separation on the MEST MK2 was found slightly better.
Treble: This is where the LCD-I4 really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the SA6 is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the LCD-I4.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging & Imaging on MEST MK2 are amongst the best I have come across. Having said that, the LCD-i4 was equally good and maybe slightly better in terms of staging. Imaging was great on both. Separation was slightly better better on the MEST MK2
Overall, the LCD-i4 felt like a much better musical experience despite the excellent performance of the MEST MK2.
Conclusion:
The LCD-I4 is a great performer and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's amazing & ground-breaking what Audeze have done here.
If it fits well, it can be amongst the "Best Ever Planar IEMs" easily.
PACSman
Nice write-up. I'm currently listening to a pair of LCD-i4's with a custom balanced cable and custom sleeves. My wife is next to me and visits occasionally. A baseball game is playing on the TV. Since it is an open earphone, I can hear everything but also listen to my music.
asifur
@Lépine I understand your scenario. I don't use EQs. I have used the LCD-i4 with Cayin N7+C9 combo which is very powerful with discrete Class-A amplification. and in that combination the LCD-i4 sounded great.... I believe it requires a lot of power to reach full potential which I have mentioned in the review also.
Lépine
It's a whole another world with proper eq which is complicated without Reveal+
Moondrop JIU : Perfect for Everyday Communication!
Summary:
Launched in late Apr'23, Moondrop JIU is the latest iteration of Single DD based IEM from Moondrop. It comes with a proprietary 10mm composite cavity Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price below $25.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Moondrop JIU has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the JIU comes with new generation 10mm composite cavity DD.
The JIU is priced at $24.99
Design & Build:
The JIU comes with a shell of metal alloy material - which is surprisingly comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across.
It is described as the following on the website:
The diaphragm utilizes PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technology, in which titanium metal is deposited on polymer film to form nanometer-sized crystals on its surface layer and then integrally molded.
Adopting the Aria's decentralized dynamic structure, the high-performance 10mm composite cavity with high-frequency phased waveguide leverages a N52 Nd magnet internal magnetic circuit and 0.035mm ultra-thin imported CCAW sound coil to obtain high energy conversion efficiency, and deliver outstanding performance with full dynamic range and rich details.
Specifications:
The Moondrop JIU comes at $24.99 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/collectio...igh-perfomance-dynamic-driver-in-ear-earphone
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N8ii, N7, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Ear Tips:
The JIU comes with Moondrop SPRING ear-tips and those can do a good job in terms of isolation for me. I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Moondrop JIU Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The JIU comes with good bass performance for the price range. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bassand you feel the thump & slams also.
The MIDS:
The midrange though recessed, but has ample clarity in the JIU. Midrange is amongst the weaker traits of the JIU.
There is average amount of muscle and texture and vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real.
In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The JIU comes with enjoyable but non-fatiguing treble. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble may not be as engaging as the pJIUar based IEMs but at this price-point, nothing to complain about.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the JIU is just average for price range. I feel this could be better given that it comes with DSP. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the JIU. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation is also average for the price-range.
Conclusion:
The Moondrop JIU is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. It is ideal as a daily driver for office communication also.
Summary:
Launched in late Apr'23, Moondrop JIU is the latest iteration of Single DD based IEM from Moondrop. It comes with a proprietary 10mm composite cavity Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price below $25.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Moondrop JIU has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the JIU comes with new generation 10mm composite cavity DD.
The JIU is priced at $24.99
Design & Build:
The JIU comes with a shell of metal alloy material - which is surprisingly comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across.
It is described as the following on the website:
The diaphragm utilizes PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technology, in which titanium metal is deposited on polymer film to form nanometer-sized crystals on its surface layer and then integrally molded.
Adopting the Aria's decentralized dynamic structure, the high-performance 10mm composite cavity with high-frequency phased waveguide leverages a N52 Nd magnet internal magnetic circuit and 0.035mm ultra-thin imported CCAW sound coil to obtain high energy conversion efficiency, and deliver outstanding performance with full dynamic range and rich details.
Specifications:
The Moondrop JIU comes at $24.99 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/collectio...igh-perfomance-dynamic-driver-in-ear-earphone
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N8ii, N7, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Ear Tips:
The JIU comes with Moondrop SPRING ear-tips and those can do a good job in terms of isolation for me. I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Moondrop JIU Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The JIU comes with good bass performance for the price range. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bassand you feel the thump & slams also.
The MIDS:
The midrange though recessed, but has ample clarity in the JIU. Midrange is amongst the weaker traits of the JIU.
There is average amount of muscle and texture and vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real.
In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The JIU comes with enjoyable but non-fatiguing treble. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble may not be as engaging as the pJIUar based IEMs but at this price-point, nothing to complain about.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the JIU is just average for price range. I feel this could be better given that it comes with DSP. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the JIU. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation is also average for the price-range.
Conclusion:
The Moondrop JIU is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. It is ideal as a daily driver for office communication also.
Moondrop LAN : Good All-round Performance!
Summary:
Launched in late Feb'23, Moondrop LAN is the latest iteration of Single DD based IEM from Moondrop. It comes with a proprietary 10mm Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price below $40.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Moondrop LAN has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the LAN comes with new generation 10mm Dual Cavity DD.
The LAN is priced at $39.99
Design & Build:
The LAN comes with a shell of stainless-steel material - which is surprisingly comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across.
It is described as the following on the website:
Moondrop has crafted the ear shells of the latest “LAN” using high-quality stainless steel material. It adopts MIM powder metallurgy process, the solid stainless steel housing is manufactured by high-temperature sintering through mold forming.This technology was first used in this universal product, promising [LAN] a high-end texture and superior quality.
Moondrop has got years of experience in designing high-performance in-ear monitors with customized driver units. For their latest “LAN” they have featured a new generation of large-size beryllium-plated dome composite diaphragm, high-efficiency internal magnetic driver structure with brass internal acoustic cavity.
Moondrop has designed the LAN using their years of knowledge and expertise with High-performance audio gears. The frequency response for the pair falls in line with the VDSF Target Response and provides ultra-low distortion in the output signal. The pair shows excellent resolution and a natural, reference-grade tone that treats the listeners with an open, lively, natural sound presentation. It complements different genres of music with its professional tuning and will be an ideal choice for most audiophiles.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The Moondrop LAN comes at $39.99 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-lan-earphone-10mm-dynamic-driver-in-ear-hifi-headphone
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N8ii, N7, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
The LAN had the great pairing with almost each and every dongle/DAC/DAP that I owned.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles, LPGT & Cayin N8ii DAPs.
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be below par and ear-tips switching is necessary. I wish they inlcuded the SPRING ear-tips with this. Hence, I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Moondrop LAN Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The LAN comes with a neutral-ish bass performance. Coming with a new-gen Dynamic driver - expectation was a bit more prominence in the bass department, but the reality is that the bass performance is neutral-ish. The sub-bass has details but the mid-bass lacks power and muscle slightly. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass but you feel like a bit more power in the mid-bass would be great.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the LAN. Midrange is amongst the stronger traits of the LAN.
There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good coming from the new DD. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The LAN comes with enjoyable but non-fatiguing treble. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble may not be as engaging as some other IEMs but at this price-point, nothing to complain about.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the LAN is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the LAN. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation is also good for the price-range.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used TANGZU Princess Chang Le for the comparison. It is priced at $15... which is half of that of the LAN.
Moondrop LAN vs TANGZU Princess Chang Le:
Price: Moondrop LAN costs $39.99 while the Chang LE is only $15. Chang Le gets the leverage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. But the Chang Le comes with fixed cable. Hence, LAN gets leverage here.
Bass: While the Bass is not prominent on the LAN, it packs far more details and muscle than the Chang Le.
Mids: The midrange on the LAN is miles better than the Chang Le.
Treble: The Chang Le treble seemed a bit peaky at times and the LAN overall is significantly better.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: This is where the LAN goes miles ahead of the Chang LE.
The LAN beats Chang LE easily, but then again - its a lot pricier also.
Meanwhile, I was able to try out the CHU 2 and LAN for a short period and I found the LAN to be significantly better than the CHU 2 also.
Conclusion:
The Moondrop LAN is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. Only thing you may long for is a bit more bass maybe. But, that varies based on personal preference.
Summary:
Launched in late Feb'23, Moondrop LAN is the latest iteration of Single DD based IEM from Moondrop. It comes with a proprietary 10mm Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price below $40.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Moondrop LAN has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the LAN comes with new generation 10mm Dual Cavity DD.
The LAN is priced at $39.99
Design & Build:
The LAN comes with a shell of stainless-steel material - which is surprisingly comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across.
It is described as the following on the website:
Moondrop has crafted the ear shells of the latest “LAN” using high-quality stainless steel material. It adopts MIM powder metallurgy process, the solid stainless steel housing is manufactured by high-temperature sintering through mold forming.This technology was first used in this universal product, promising [LAN] a high-end texture and superior quality.
Moondrop has got years of experience in designing high-performance in-ear monitors with customized driver units. For their latest “LAN” they have featured a new generation of large-size beryllium-plated dome composite diaphragm, high-efficiency internal magnetic driver structure with brass internal acoustic cavity.
Moondrop has designed the LAN using their years of knowledge and expertise with High-performance audio gears. The frequency response for the pair falls in line with the VDSF Target Response and provides ultra-low distortion in the output signal. The pair shows excellent resolution and a natural, reference-grade tone that treats the listeners with an open, lively, natural sound presentation. It complements different genres of music with its professional tuning and will be an ideal choice for most audiophiles.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me the review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Specifications:
The Moondrop LAN comes at $39.99 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-lan-earphone-10mm-dynamic-driver-in-ear-hifi-headphone
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7 Dongle, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N8ii, N7, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
The LAN had the great pairing with almost each and every dongle/DAC/DAP that I owned.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles, LPGT & Cayin N8ii DAPs.
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be below par and ear-tips switching is necessary. I wish they inlcuded the SPRING ear-tips with this. Hence, I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Moondrop LAN Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The LAN comes with a neutral-ish bass performance. Coming with a new-gen Dynamic driver - expectation was a bit more prominence in the bass department, but the reality is that the bass performance is neutral-ish. The sub-bass has details but the mid-bass lacks power and muscle slightly. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass but you feel like a bit more power in the mid-bass would be great.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the LAN. Midrange is amongst the stronger traits of the LAN.
There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good coming from the new DD. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The LAN comes with enjoyable but non-fatiguing treble. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble may not be as engaging as some other IEMs but at this price-point, nothing to complain about.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the LAN is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the LAN. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation is also good for the price-range.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used TANGZU Princess Chang Le for the comparison. It is priced at $15... which is half of that of the LAN.
Moondrop LAN vs TANGZU Princess Chang Le:
Price: Moondrop LAN costs $39.99 while the Chang LE is only $15. Chang Le gets the leverage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. But the Chang Le comes with fixed cable. Hence, LAN gets leverage here.
Bass: While the Bass is not prominent on the LAN, it packs far more details and muscle than the Chang Le.
Mids: The midrange on the LAN is miles better than the Chang Le.
Treble: The Chang Le treble seemed a bit peaky at times and the LAN overall is significantly better.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: This is where the LAN goes miles ahead of the Chang LE.
The LAN beats Chang LE easily, but then again - its a lot pricier also.
Meanwhile, I was able to try out the CHU 2 and LAN for a short period and I found the LAN to be significantly better than the CHU 2 also.
Conclusion:
The Moondrop LAN is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. Only thing you may long for is a bit more bass maybe. But, that varies based on personal preference.
Attachments
7HZ Legato: Engaging Bass!
Summary:
Launched in late Mar'23, Legato is latest release by 7Hz featuring dual Dynamic Drivers. The 12mm Woofer Driver+6mm Tweeter/Midrange Driver
configuration is supposed to yield more engaging sonic performance which Legato promises to deliver.
Disclaimer: Linsoul had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Without spending too much on introduction, let's quickly dive into what the Legato has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the LEGATO comes with dual dynamic drivers: 12mm Woofer Driver +6mm Tweeter/Midrange Driver.
The 7Hz LEGATO is priced at $109
Design & Build:
The LEGATO comes with aviation-grade aluminum shells with a threaded pattern on the faceplate. It is quite ergonomic and have comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
The 7HZ Legato is dual dynamic driver IEM that combines the benefits of a high fidelity sound with class-leading performance. The 12mm woofer driver adopts a customized multi-layer composite diaphragm and powerful N52 magnet for that bold, bodied and punchy bass with deep rumble. While the newly-developed 6mm tweeter/midrange driver adopts a double-cavity structure, a custom-made metal diaphragm with high-rigidity and low mass for exceptional treble performance. It is a powerful driver configuration as well as brilliant.
Driven by bringing better details, tonality and sound experience to users, the 7HZ Legato includes a unique crossover design along with 8 Japan-made audio-grade Tantalum capacitors to provide high precision stable performance. The unique crossover is specially-developed in accordance with the characteristics of the dynamic drivers. Combined with the advanced crossover technology and capacitors, the 7HZ Legato earphone surely delivers HiFi sound that is enjoyable to your ears...
Specifications:
The 7HZ Legato comes at $109 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/7hz-legato
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
7Hz LEGATO had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles.
Having said that, it is quite power hungry and requires higher volume levels on High Gain mode than many other IEMs in similar price range.
Hence, it is fair to say that it should not be paired with dongles with lower power outputs, as they will not be able to power it to it's full potential.
Portable Players:
Obviously the 7Hz LEGATO had the best pairing with the Cayin N8ii & Questyle QP2R, since they come with Class-A amplification and superior DAC performances. But, any DAP powerful enough to power it and not too bright signature should be OK with it.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips. But, I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT BLACK to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
7HZ Legato Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of LEGATO is great. The dual DD combination seems to be working well here. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. The mid-bass packs the right amount of punch & slam.
Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" feel quite immersive and you can enjoy all the details of the drums and the slam.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the LEGATO is a bit recessed. That being said, there's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite detailed but lacks fullness or muscle a bit. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture. Instruments felt natural and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" the midrange feels quite enjoyable but leaves you wanting for something more.
The TREBLE:
The Treble on the LEGATO seemed quite laid-back and peak & fatigue-free. While it is enjoyable laid-back experience, it may not be as engaging for some.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the LEGATO is above average. The depth in the stage is noticeably better than many others in the price range. It comes with the right amount of height and width. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound enjoyable.
Imaging & Separation:
The Imaging performance on the LEGATO is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The separation is good, but not above average.
Comparisons:
I was not able to find an IEM in my stock within same price range coming with a Dual DD architecture. Hence, I have compared it with the new Truthear Zero RED which falls into a lower price range at $55. It felt meaningful for customers who may have either of these IEMs in mind for a purchase.
7HZ Legato vs Truthear ZERO RED:
Price: The Truthear ZERO RED comes in significantly lower price of $55 compared to the $109 of Legato and hence gets advantage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The Legato feels far more premium comparing to the plastic shells of the ZERO RED.
Bass: This is likely the stronger traits of both the IEMs. The Legato felt like having better depth and details and layering than the ZERO RED. The LEGATO is clearly the one with more refined bass experience here.
Mids: The midrange on both IEMs are a bit recessed and the Legato feels like having a tad bit more texture & layering, while the ZERO RED seemed to have slightly better details and muscle.
Treble: This is where the LEGATO loses out as the ZERO RED comes with more engaging treble experience.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The Legato does better in each attribute.
Conclusion:
The 7HZ Legato is a great IEM specially for people who appreciate detailed & refined bass experience. At price range of $100 it delivers almost in all aspects to ensure a great musical experience.
Summary:
Launched in late Mar'23, Legato is latest release by 7Hz featuring dual Dynamic Drivers. The 12mm Woofer Driver+6mm Tweeter/Midrange Driver
configuration is supposed to yield more engaging sonic performance which Legato promises to deliver.
Disclaimer: Linsoul had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Without spending too much on introduction, let's quickly dive into what the Legato has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the LEGATO comes with dual dynamic drivers: 12mm Woofer Driver +6mm Tweeter/Midrange Driver.
The 7Hz LEGATO is priced at $109
Design & Build:
The LEGATO comes with aviation-grade aluminum shells with a threaded pattern on the faceplate. It is quite ergonomic and have comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
The 7HZ Legato is dual dynamic driver IEM that combines the benefits of a high fidelity sound with class-leading performance. The 12mm woofer driver adopts a customized multi-layer composite diaphragm and powerful N52 magnet for that bold, bodied and punchy bass with deep rumble. While the newly-developed 6mm tweeter/midrange driver adopts a double-cavity structure, a custom-made metal diaphragm with high-rigidity and low mass for exceptional treble performance. It is a powerful driver configuration as well as brilliant.
Driven by bringing better details, tonality and sound experience to users, the 7HZ Legato includes a unique crossover design along with 8 Japan-made audio-grade Tantalum capacitors to provide high precision stable performance. The unique crossover is specially-developed in accordance with the characteristics of the dynamic drivers. Combined with the advanced crossover technology and capacitors, the 7HZ Legato earphone surely delivers HiFi sound that is enjoyable to your ears...
Specifications:
The 7HZ Legato comes at $109 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/7hz-legato
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
7Hz LEGATO had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 & @Cayin RU7 dongles.
Having said that, it is quite power hungry and requires higher volume levels on High Gain mode than many other IEMs in similar price range.
Hence, it is fair to say that it should not be paired with dongles with lower power outputs, as they will not be able to power it to it's full potential.
Portable Players:
Obviously the 7Hz LEGATO had the best pairing with the Cayin N8ii & Questyle QP2R, since they come with Class-A amplification and superior DAC performances. But, any DAP powerful enough to power it and not too bright signature should be OK with it.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, @Cayin RU7, C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips. But, I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT BLACK to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
7HZ Legato Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of LEGATO is great. The dual DD combination seems to be working well here. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. The mid-bass packs the right amount of punch & slam.
Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" feel quite immersive and you can enjoy all the details of the drums and the slam.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the LEGATO is a bit recessed. That being said, there's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite detailed but lacks fullness or muscle a bit. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture. Instruments felt natural and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" the midrange feels quite enjoyable but leaves you wanting for something more.
The TREBLE:
The Treble on the LEGATO seemed quite laid-back and peak & fatigue-free. While it is enjoyable laid-back experience, it may not be as engaging for some.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the LEGATO is above average. The depth in the stage is noticeably better than many others in the price range. It comes with the right amount of height and width. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound enjoyable.
Imaging & Separation:
The Imaging performance on the LEGATO is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The separation is good, but not above average.
Comparisons:
I was not able to find an IEM in my stock within same price range coming with a Dual DD architecture. Hence, I have compared it with the new Truthear Zero RED which falls into a lower price range at $55. It felt meaningful for customers who may have either of these IEMs in mind for a purchase.
7HZ Legato vs Truthear ZERO RED:
Price: The Truthear ZERO RED comes in significantly lower price of $55 compared to the $109 of Legato and hence gets advantage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The Legato feels far more premium comparing to the plastic shells of the ZERO RED.
Bass: This is likely the stronger traits of both the IEMs. The Legato felt like having better depth and details and layering than the ZERO RED. The LEGATO is clearly the one with more refined bass experience here.
Mids: The midrange on both IEMs are a bit recessed and the Legato feels like having a tad bit more texture & layering, while the ZERO RED seemed to have slightly better details and muscle.
Treble: This is where the LEGATO loses out as the ZERO RED comes with more engaging treble experience.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The Legato does better in each attribute.
Conclusion:
The 7HZ Legato is a great IEM specially for people who appreciate detailed & refined bass experience. At price range of $100 it delivers almost in all aspects to ensure a great musical experience.
Attachments
BQEYZ Winter: Feel the music!
Summary:
Launched in late Sep'22, Winter is a proprietary . It comes with a proprietary 12mm Dynamic Driver & 11.6mm PZT Bone Conduction driver and comes at a great price to performance promise.
Disclaimer: BQEYZ had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Winter has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the WINTER comes with a proprietary 12mm Dynamic Driver & 11.6mm PZT Bone Conduction driver.
The WINTER is priced at $239
Design & Build:
The WINTER comes with CNC aluminum housings with black faceplates are very ergonomic and have comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
Winter hybrid earphone is composed of 12mm dynamic driver and 11.6mm PZT bone conduction. Dynamic driver is air conduction in charge of bass and middle frequency. The bone conduction unit is mainly used as a compensator for medium and high frequency and delivers sound in coordination with bone conduction bracket and earphone cavity.
The high frequency of ordinary earphone unit is directly transmitted to eardrum through air flow, and it is easy to have burrs when the high frequency boosts the volume sense. Winter is transmitted through bone conduction, and all the high frequency burrs are cancelled out in the conduction process. Therefore, Winter's middle and high frequency have good resolution without harsh.
Specifications:
The BQEYZ Winter comes at $239 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/bqeyz-winter?variant=43787741003993
The Cable:
The Winter comes with a grey, soft and durable cable, which can enhance the brightness and clarity of sound as per the website.
The Winter comes with a replaceable 0.06mm*7*7, 49 cores single crystal copper plated silver cable features a 0.78mm 2pin connector
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips. But, I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT BLACK to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
BQEYZ Winter Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of WINTER is great. The 12mm DDs seems to have very good performance. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. The mid-bass packs the right amount of punch & slam.
Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" feel quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the WINTER is a bit recessed. That being said, there's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" the midrange feels quite enjoyable.
The TREBLE:
The Treble coming from the Piezoelectric Bone Conduction driver of the WINTER seemed peak & fatigue-free. While it may not be as energetic in certain representations, it is certainly not lacking anything and very enjoyable.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the WINTER is above average. The depth in the stage is noticeably better than many others in the price range. It comes with the right amount of height, but the width might feel lacking a bit occasionally. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Imaging & Separation:
The Imaging performance on the WINTER is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The separation is good, but not above average.
Comparisons:
I was able to find an IEM in the same price range coming with a Single DD architecture. It is the much hyped NF Audio Sonic Memory SM2 which also happens to come at the same price of $239 like the WINTER. This now becomes very relevant comparison - specially for people who want to purchase from this price range.
BQEYZ Winter vs NF Audio Sonic Memory SM2:
Price: Since both IEMs come at the same price, there is no price advantage for either of them.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. I liked the more ergonomic shape of the Winter to the square shaped SM2.
Bass: This is likely the stronger traits of both the IEMs. The Winter felt like having better depth and layering while the SM2 may have slight more details. Both IEMs score great in Bass.
Mids: The midrange on both IEMs are a bit recessed and the Winter feels like having a tad bit more texture & layering, while the SM2 seemed to have slightly better details and slightly better reverbs.
Treble: This is where the Sm2 loses out due to it's peaky treble. The Winter treble performance seemed much balanced and enjoyable.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The SM2 has slightly wider stage while the Winter has slightly better depth. This is totally up to individual preference.
Conclusion:
The BQEYZ Winter is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and an easy recommendation. At price range of $200-250 it delivers almost in all aspects to ensure a great musical experience.
Summary:
Launched in late Sep'22, Winter is a proprietary . It comes with a proprietary 12mm Dynamic Driver & 11.6mm PZT Bone Conduction driver and comes at a great price to performance promise.
Disclaimer: BQEYZ had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Winter has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the WINTER comes with a proprietary 12mm Dynamic Driver & 11.6mm PZT Bone Conduction driver.
The WINTER is priced at $239
Design & Build:
The WINTER comes with CNC aluminum housings with black faceplates are very ergonomic and have comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
Winter hybrid earphone is composed of 12mm dynamic driver and 11.6mm PZT bone conduction. Dynamic driver is air conduction in charge of bass and middle frequency. The bone conduction unit is mainly used as a compensator for medium and high frequency and delivers sound in coordination with bone conduction bracket and earphone cavity.
The high frequency of ordinary earphone unit is directly transmitted to eardrum through air flow, and it is easy to have burrs when the high frequency boosts the volume sense. Winter is transmitted through bone conduction, and all the high frequency burrs are cancelled out in the conduction process. Therefore, Winter's middle and high frequency have good resolution without harsh.
Specifications:
The BQEYZ Winter comes at $239 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/bqeyz-winter?variant=43787741003993
The Cable:
The Winter comes with a grey, soft and durable cable, which can enhance the brightness and clarity of sound as per the website.
The Winter comes with a replaceable 0.06mm*7*7, 49 cores single crystal copper plated silver cable features a 0.78mm 2pin connector
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips. But, I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT BLACK to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
BQEYZ Winter Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of WINTER is great. The 12mm DDs seems to have very good performance. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. The mid-bass packs the right amount of punch & slam.
Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" feel quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the WINTER is a bit recessed. That being said, there's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" the midrange feels quite enjoyable.
The TREBLE:
The Treble coming from the Piezoelectric Bone Conduction driver of the WINTER seemed peak & fatigue-free. While it may not be as energetic in certain representations, it is certainly not lacking anything and very enjoyable.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the WINTER is above average. The depth in the stage is noticeably better than many others in the price range. It comes with the right amount of height, but the width might feel lacking a bit occasionally. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Imaging & Separation:
The Imaging performance on the WINTER is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The separation is good, but not above average.
Comparisons:
I was able to find an IEM in the same price range coming with a Single DD architecture. It is the much hyped NF Audio Sonic Memory SM2 which also happens to come at the same price of $239 like the WINTER. This now becomes very relevant comparison - specially for people who want to purchase from this price range.
BQEYZ Winter vs NF Audio Sonic Memory SM2:
Price: Since both IEMs come at the same price, there is no price advantage for either of them.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. I liked the more ergonomic shape of the Winter to the square shaped SM2.
Bass: This is likely the stronger traits of both the IEMs. The Winter felt like having better depth and layering while the SM2 may have slight more details. Both IEMs score great in Bass.
Mids: The midrange on both IEMs are a bit recessed and the Winter feels like having a tad bit more texture & layering, while the SM2 seemed to have slightly better details and slightly better reverbs.
Treble: This is where the Sm2 loses out due to it's peaky treble. The Winter treble performance seemed much balanced and enjoyable.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The SM2 has slightly wider stage while the Winter has slightly better depth. This is totally up to individual preference.
Conclusion:
The BQEYZ Winter is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and an easy recommendation. At price range of $200-250 it delivers almost in all aspects to ensure a great musical experience.
Attachments
Kinera Celest Pandamon : Almost Perfect!
Summary:
Launched in late Nov'22, Pandamon is the latest iteration of Planar driver-based IEM from Kinera. It comes with a proprietary 10mm SPD 2.0 Driver and comes at a very affordable price.
Disclaimer: Kinera had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Pandamon has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the PANDAMON comes with a proprietary 10mm SPD 2.0 Driver.
The PANDAMON is priced at $59
Design & Build:
The PANDAMON comes with a Resin shell and a steel faceplate which is surprisingly very comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across.
It is described as the following on the website:
Pandamon earphone shell adopts a new design, using a circular hollow faceplate with a unique sense of mechanical aesthetics. The hollow cavity has a strong sense of three-dimensionality visually, which is a perfect integration with inner mechanical artistry. Pandamon will use resin as shell material, the 3D cavity of pressed texture will be an iconic blend IEM design brilliance.
We have used an enhanced Kinera SPD 2.0™ on Pandamon, providing the following acoustic quality improvements. First overall frequency sensitivity enhanced by 3db to be an even mobile phone friendlier IEM. Second we coupled a BA driver on our first iteration of SPD™ to compliment treble delivery, but SPD 2.0™ is capable to deliver full frequency range, self-sufficient to provide a complete listening experience, eliminating any possible frequency interferences or unwanted acoustic effects. It’s rich texture and relaxed tonality is a perfect partner when you want to enjoy your beloved music during commute or after a long day’s work.
Excellent bass performance with immense texture but transient response, while keeping a certain level of extension and dispersion, providing long listening comfortability; vocals are kept at an optimal distance with enriching thickness, glittered with a velvety treble range. The tuning is finished with good control over sibilance. Overall tuned with a pyramid shaped frequency distribution providing a warm and roomy tonality, thanks to our SPD 2.0™.
Specifications:
The Kinera Celest PANDAMON comes at $59 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/celest-pandamon
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-pandamon
The Box & Accessories:
The Pandamon package includes…
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
The Pandamon had the great pairing with almost each and every dongle/DAC/DAP that I owned.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 dongle, LPGT & Cayin N8ii DAPs.
It even paired well with Audirect ATOM 3 Lightning adaptor dongle.
Kinera Celest Pandamon Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The Pandamon comes with great bass performance for the price range. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the Pandamon. Midrange is amongst the stronger traits of the Pandamon.
There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good for a planar. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The SPD2.0 has indeed come far from the initial version of the SPD found in the CELEST GUMIHO. The treble feels quite engaging without being fatiguing or offensive. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble had much more details than the previous Gumiho. However, it felt like there is still room to improve here.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the Pandamon is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the Pandamon. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation however could be better.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used a higher priced 7Hz Dioko also featuring 14.6mm Planar driver and priced at $99 for the comparison.
Kinera Celest Pandamon vs 7Hz Salnotes Dioko:
Price: Kinera Celest Pandamon costs $59 which is almost half of 7Hz DIOKO. Hence, the Pandamon gets advantage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The DIOKO comes with heavier shells. Also, the ergonomics of the Pandamon shell makes it a better fit and far more comfortable.
Bass: While the DIOKO has more prominent slam in the mid-bass, it clearly lacks the details of the sub-bass region that is found in the Pandamon. The Pandamon just has more details & clarity while the slam is not as prominent as DIOKO. Overall bass performance seems noticeably better on the Pandamon.
Mids: The midrange on the on both IEMs are just great. But the Dioko seemed a tad bit fuller and has more texture.
Treble: The Dioko had better details in the treble region than the Pandamon. But the difference is not big.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The Pandamon and Dioko are almost similar in all 3 aspects. the Dioko is a tad bit better in staging & separation. but this makes the Pandamon a great value for the money.
The Pandamon beats Dioko in terms of build & comfort, however when it comes to sound performance - the Dioko does better.
Point to be noted here is that the gap in sound performance is not as much as the price gap, which makes the Pandamon a better value for the money.
Conclusion:
The Kinera Celest Pandamon is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. At this price point you can't ask for more.
Summary:
Launched in late Nov'22, Pandamon is the latest iteration of Planar driver-based IEM from Kinera. It comes with a proprietary 10mm SPD 2.0 Driver and comes at a very affordable price.
Disclaimer: Kinera had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Pandamon has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the PANDAMON comes with a proprietary 10mm SPD 2.0 Driver.
The PANDAMON is priced at $59
Design & Build:
The PANDAMON comes with a Resin shell and a steel faceplate which is surprisingly very comfortable and a perfect fit for most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout. It is amongst the most comfortable IEMs in this price range that I have come across.
It is described as the following on the website:
Pandamon earphone shell adopts a new design, using a circular hollow faceplate with a unique sense of mechanical aesthetics. The hollow cavity has a strong sense of three-dimensionality visually, which is a perfect integration with inner mechanical artistry. Pandamon will use resin as shell material, the 3D cavity of pressed texture will be an iconic blend IEM design brilliance.
We have used an enhanced Kinera SPD 2.0™ on Pandamon, providing the following acoustic quality improvements. First overall frequency sensitivity enhanced by 3db to be an even mobile phone friendlier IEM. Second we coupled a BA driver on our first iteration of SPD™ to compliment treble delivery, but SPD 2.0™ is capable to deliver full frequency range, self-sufficient to provide a complete listening experience, eliminating any possible frequency interferences or unwanted acoustic effects. It’s rich texture and relaxed tonality is a perfect partner when you want to enjoy your beloved music during commute or after a long day’s work.
Excellent bass performance with immense texture but transient response, while keeping a certain level of extension and dispersion, providing long listening comfortability; vocals are kept at an optimal distance with enriching thickness, glittered with a velvety treble range. The tuning is finished with good control over sibilance. Overall tuned with a pyramid shaped frequency distribution providing a warm and roomy tonality, thanks to our SPD 2.0™.
Specifications:
The Kinera Celest PANDAMON comes at $59 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/celest-pandamon
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-pandamon
The Box & Accessories:
The Pandamon package includes…
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
The Pandamon had the great pairing with almost each and every dongle/DAC/DAP that I owned.
Best pairing was obviously with @Questyle M15 dongle, LPGT & Cayin N8ii DAPs.
It even paired well with Audirect ATOM 3 Lightning adaptor dongle.
Kinera Celest Pandamon Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The Pandamon comes with great bass performance for the price range. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the Pandamon. Midrange is amongst the stronger traits of the Pandamon.
There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good for a planar. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The SPD2.0 has indeed come far from the initial version of the SPD found in the CELEST GUMIHO. The treble feels quite engaging without being fatiguing or offensive. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. The treble had much more details than the previous Gumiho. However, it felt like there is still room to improve here.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the Pandamon is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the Pandamon. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. Separation however could be better.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used a higher priced 7Hz Dioko also featuring 14.6mm Planar driver and priced at $99 for the comparison.
Kinera Celest Pandamon vs 7Hz Salnotes Dioko:
Price: Kinera Celest Pandamon costs $59 which is almost half of 7Hz DIOKO. Hence, the Pandamon gets advantage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The DIOKO comes with heavier shells. Also, the ergonomics of the Pandamon shell makes it a better fit and far more comfortable.
Bass: While the DIOKO has more prominent slam in the mid-bass, it clearly lacks the details of the sub-bass region that is found in the Pandamon. The Pandamon just has more details & clarity while the slam is not as prominent as DIOKO. Overall bass performance seems noticeably better on the Pandamon.
Mids: The midrange on the on both IEMs are just great. But the Dioko seemed a tad bit fuller and has more texture.
Treble: The Dioko had better details in the treble region than the Pandamon. But the difference is not big.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The Pandamon and Dioko are almost similar in all 3 aspects. the Dioko is a tad bit better in staging & separation. but this makes the Pandamon a great value for the money.
The Pandamon beats Dioko in terms of build & comfort, however when it comes to sound performance - the Dioko does better.
Point to be noted here is that the gap in sound performance is not as much as the price gap, which makes the Pandamon a better value for the money.
Conclusion:
The Kinera Celest Pandamon is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and with almost perfect price to performance ratio which makes it easy recommendation. At this price point you can't ask for more.
Ceeluh7
Nice review man. I honestly think the Pandamon is one of the best under $100. The look is pretty polarizing but Kinera did a wonderful job in the tuning.
sofastreamer
nice review, but there must have been a revision or uncommunicated update, as i got mine three days ago and these have the most subbass i ever encountered in an iem. more subbass than even my Oriolus mk2, 64audio U8 and Audeze lcd-i30. it only shows up, when asked, so its not uncontrolled rumbling all the time, but when hearing Hans Zimmer The Dark Knight Why so serious from 3:05min where the subbass on many iems and specially overears besides planars pushes so much air, i never heard/felt it this way, its overwhelming and at times it is too much for me.
Kinera x Effect Audio - ORLOG: An Allrounder!
Summary:
Launched in Jan'2023, Kinera launched ORLOG their first high-end upgrade cable for IEMs, in collaboration with @EffectAudio. The Cable comes with interchangeable conX connectors and allows switching between 2 pin & MMCX. This is a great advantage coming at the price point of $699
Specifications:
The ORLOG comes at 2 different options of 4core and a Limited Edition 8 cores (400 pcs only) at price range of $699 - $999 and the specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/kinera-orlog
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
The ConX Advantage:
ConX is a proprietary connector swapping mechanism by Effect Audio. It allows users to swap between 0.78 (2 pin) and MMCX connectors while the cable & termination remains same. This enables a massive advantage to the users. The users will no longer need to have separate cables for 2 pin & MMCX and can use the same cable for both.
The way ConX works is that the connectors are connected with the cable through a screw-like mechanism and they can use the supplied tool to facilitate this connector change. Anyone can easily swap a 2 pin with a MMCX in a matter of minutes... and the same cable can be used across a variety of IEMs....
For example: the UM MEST MKII, Softears Twilight IEMs use 2 pin, whereas the Audeze Euclid & Sennheiser IE900 IEMs use MMCX. Ideally a person would require to have 2 separate cables... 1 with 2 pin connectors and another with MMCX connectors... but in this case the ORLOG enables users to use same cable for both cases through MMCX.
Pairing with Different IEMs:
Items Used for this Review:
Cable: Kinera x @EffectAudio ORLOG
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
IEMs: @UniqueMelody MEST MKII, @Audeze Euclid, SOFTEARS Twilight, Kinera URD, @Sennheiser IE900
@UniqueMelody MEST MKII:
The default cable that comes with MEST MKII is great and I have rarely found a better cable. The ORLOG is almost at par with the default cable which is already better than many other cables. I have found the volume to be slightly higher using the ORLOG. Other traits remain same as default cable.
SOFTEARS Twilight:
The default cable that comes with Twilight is just great and I have rarely found a better cable. The ORLOG seems to have better pairing than the default cable & I have found the volume to be slightly higher using the ORLOG. The ORLOG also seems to improve conductivity and the sound becomes slightly clearer.
@Audeze Euclid:
The ORLOG is clearly much better than the single ended 3.5mm cable that comes with the Euclid. ORLOG comes with balanced 4.4mm termination which boosts the overall performance of the Euclid. Also, ORLOG pairing with Euclid requires less power/volume than usual and becomes easier to drive from a DAP.
@Sennheiser IE900:
The default cable that comes with IE900 seems below par with the rigid ear hooks and overall rigid construction. The ORLOG provides much relief with it's better & flexible and much more comfortable ear hooks and also improves the overall volume quite a bit. Also, the improvement in conductivity is evident in the midrange which becomes clearer.
KINERA URD:
The default cable that comes with URD has interchangeable termination. Though the ORLOG comes with 4.4mm only, it is a clear upgrade over the URD default cable in every way. The ORLOG also seems to improve conductivity and there is an immediate hike in the volume. Also, it now requires less power/volume to drive now and becomes easier to drive with a DAP.
Conclusion:
The ORLOG comes with much looked for flexibility of switching between 2 pin and MMCX connections owing to the conX technology. The build & quality is also praiseworthy. I have found the performance significantly better than the other 3rd party upgrade cables I have tried. It is more like a single cable serves most IEMs and therefore becomes an easy recommendation for anyone using IEMs of $1000++ ranges.
Summary:
Launched in Jan'2023, Kinera launched ORLOG their first high-end upgrade cable for IEMs, in collaboration with @EffectAudio. The Cable comes with interchangeable conX connectors and allows switching between 2 pin & MMCX. This is a great advantage coming at the price point of $699
Specifications:
The ORLOG comes at 2 different options of 4core and a Limited Edition 8 cores (400 pcs only) at price range of $699 - $999 and the specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/kinera-orlog
- Material：UP-OCC
- Dual Material Hybrid Design:
- – Golden Ratio Composite Cable Core：Multi-strand gold plated copper & silver plated copper core mixture
- – Golden Ratio Composite Cable Core：Multi-strand pure copper core mixed with pure sterling silver core
- Braiding：4 core / 8 core three-dimensional braiding
- Cable Diameter：26AWG 4 core / 8 core
- Outer Layer：EA UltraFlexi™ ultra-soft insulation outer layer
- Interface：EA ConX™ 0.78 2pin, MMCX
- Plug：EA-P 4.4mm balanced
- Plug Material：Gold plated brass
- Plug Internal Connection：Threaded connection structure
- External Metal Part：Aluminum alloy
- Cable Length：1.2m
The Box & Accessories:
The following are found in the box:
- The Cable with 4.4mm termination
- ConX connectors: 2 pin & MMCX
- Leather case
The ConX Advantage:
ConX is a proprietary connector swapping mechanism by Effect Audio. It allows users to swap between 0.78 (2 pin) and MMCX connectors while the cable & termination remains same. This enables a massive advantage to the users. The users will no longer need to have separate cables for 2 pin & MMCX and can use the same cable for both.
The way ConX works is that the connectors are connected with the cable through a screw-like mechanism and they can use the supplied tool to facilitate this connector change. Anyone can easily swap a 2 pin with a MMCX in a matter of minutes... and the same cable can be used across a variety of IEMs....
For example: the UM MEST MKII, Softears Twilight IEMs use 2 pin, whereas the Audeze Euclid & Sennheiser IE900 IEMs use MMCX. Ideally a person would require to have 2 separate cables... 1 with 2 pin connectors and another with MMCX connectors... but in this case the ORLOG enables users to use same cable for both cases through MMCX.
Pairing with Different IEMs:
Items Used for this Review:
Cable: Kinera x @EffectAudio ORLOG
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
IEMs: @UniqueMelody MEST MKII, @Audeze Euclid, SOFTEARS Twilight, Kinera URD, @Sennheiser IE900
@UniqueMelody MEST MKII:
The default cable that comes with MEST MKII is great and I have rarely found a better cable. The ORLOG is almost at par with the default cable which is already better than many other cables. I have found the volume to be slightly higher using the ORLOG. Other traits remain same as default cable.
SOFTEARS Twilight:
The default cable that comes with Twilight is just great and I have rarely found a better cable. The ORLOG seems to have better pairing than the default cable & I have found the volume to be slightly higher using the ORLOG. The ORLOG also seems to improve conductivity and the sound becomes slightly clearer.
@Audeze Euclid:
The ORLOG is clearly much better than the single ended 3.5mm cable that comes with the Euclid. ORLOG comes with balanced 4.4mm termination which boosts the overall performance of the Euclid. Also, ORLOG pairing with Euclid requires less power/volume than usual and becomes easier to drive from a DAP.
@Sennheiser IE900:
The default cable that comes with IE900 seems below par with the rigid ear hooks and overall rigid construction. The ORLOG provides much relief with it's better & flexible and much more comfortable ear hooks and also improves the overall volume quite a bit. Also, the improvement in conductivity is evident in the midrange which becomes clearer.
KINERA URD:
The default cable that comes with URD has interchangeable termination. Though the ORLOG comes with 4.4mm only, it is a clear upgrade over the URD default cable in every way. The ORLOG also seems to improve conductivity and there is an immediate hike in the volume. Also, it now requires less power/volume to drive now and becomes easier to drive with a DAP.
Conclusion:
The ORLOG comes with much looked for flexibility of switching between 2 pin and MMCX connections owing to the conX technology. The build & quality is also praiseworthy. I have found the performance significantly better than the other 3rd party upgrade cables I have tried. It is more like a single cable serves most IEMs and therefore becomes an easy recommendation for anyone using IEMs of $1000++ ranges.
tjzurlaaa
Could you fit it on the Gaea?
Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic lab - GAEA: Almost Perfect!
Summary:
Launched in Dec'2022, GAEA is the latest IEM release by Effect Audio, this time in collaboration with much hyped Elysian Acoustic Labs. GAEA is a hybrid with 1DD + 4 BA configuration and comes with Effect Audio proprietary cable. GAEA looks just amazing and I have found it to be very enjoyable.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The GAEA features 1 Foster DD + 4 Sonion BAs and comes with custom cable by Effect Audio and also a proprietary pentaconn connector.
The GAEA is priced at $1299.
Design & Build:
The shells look very ergonomic & premium and ensure a good and comfortable fit. the face-plates are stabilized wood & resin and look awesome.
It is described as the following on the website:
The Gaea features 1 Foster Dynamic Driver and 4 Sonion Balanced Armatures. This has been awarded the gold medal by Foster for best implementation in an IEM. An unorthodox approach of implementing Sonion’s balanced armatures is on purpose to create a unique sound that is smoother and with a less metallic timbre. Both driver types work in tandem with each other to produce a gorgeous enveloping sound that is euphorically musical and yet detail focused.
This second generation of the DiVe Pass technology improves on the original that is utilized on the renowned Elysian Annihilator. DiVe Pass II introduces independent vents that now eliminates the reverberation of the back chamber and also provides optimal pressure relief in the front chamber. This reduces driver-flex issues from diaphragm compression. Full bass potential of the dynamic driver is unleashed due to better movement of the diaphragm.
All internal wiring for Gaea has been specially chosen and custom applied by Effect Audio to Gaea to further complement and enhance sonic quality. The result of a rigorous R&D process yields an outstanding cable that uses a bespoke mix of Copper and Silver-plated Copper materials. This ensures Gaea’s sound signature is achieved harmoniously with a sonic quality that exceeds expectations..
Specifications:
The GAEA comes at $1299 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.effectaudio.com/Earphones/gaea
The Box & Accessories:
Thr following are found in the box:
The Cable:
GAEA comes with custom pentaconn connectors by Effect Audio featuring the below specifications:
- Selected Premium UP-OCC Copper Litz
- Selected Premium UP-OCC Silver Plated Copper Litz
- Proprietary Dual Geometric Design
- EPO* 24 AWG 4 Wires
- EA Ultra Flexi™ Insulation
- ConX ™ Ready with Pentaconn Ear Interchangeable Connector
- Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
GAEA had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 dongle.
The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + LPGT with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the GAEA to the next level.
Portable Players:
Obviously the GAEA had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! But it performs well with other players also.
GAEA Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of GAEA is slightly above average. The much hyped Foster DDs have not been found as per expectations and could be much better. That being said, the bass is not lacking or anything - just that the expectations from such an IEM is much better. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the GAEA is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic & airy coming from the BAs of the GAEA but doesn't at any point feel piercing or uncomfortable. It has the right amount of details and texture also and the overall treble performance is therefore very enjoyable.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective. However, in some rare occasions - I have found the treble a bit hot, but nothing piercing.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the GAEA is surprisingly good. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the GAEA is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbre however feels plasticky at times.
Comparisons:
EAxEAL GAEA vs Audeze Euclid:
Please note that the only thing these 2 IEMs have in common is the price range being close. The GAEA is a hybrid whereas the Euclid is planar driver based IEM. Hence, there are some inherent differences owing to different architecture.
Bass: Owing to the dynamic driver based bass performance of the GAEA, it gets a very slight preference over the planar based Euclid. The Euclid not far away by any means though.
Mids: The midrange of the Euclid is amongst it's strengths, but having said that - the GAEA just sounds more resolving mainly owing to the better separation. The Euclid has better texture & muscle in the midrange while the GAEA has more details.
Treble: This is where the GAEA really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the SA6 is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the GAEA.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on the Euclid is just great and at par or better than the GAEA. However, the GAEA excels in terms of separation mainly owing to it's hybrid architecture.
While I had been doing the comparisons, I had shared the GAEA experiences with other people and fellow reviewers and most of them had the similar experience with GAEA like me.
Conclusion:
The GAEA is a great performer and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's amazing what Effect Audio & Elysian Acoustic Labs have done here.
Given the above facts, people looking to buy within the $1200 - 1300 range should definitely consider getting this and is quite recommendable.
Summary:
Launched in Dec'2022, GAEA is the latest IEM release by Effect Audio, this time in collaboration with much hyped Elysian Acoustic Labs. GAEA is a hybrid with 1DD + 4 BA configuration and comes with Effect Audio proprietary cable. GAEA looks just amazing and I have found it to be very enjoyable.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The GAEA features 1 Foster DD + 4 Sonion BAs and comes with custom cable by Effect Audio and also a proprietary pentaconn connector.
The GAEA is priced at $1299.
Design & Build:
The shells look very ergonomic & premium and ensure a good and comfortable fit. the face-plates are stabilized wood & resin and look awesome.
It is described as the following on the website:
The Gaea features 1 Foster Dynamic Driver and 4 Sonion Balanced Armatures. This has been awarded the gold medal by Foster for best implementation in an IEM. An unorthodox approach of implementing Sonion’s balanced armatures is on purpose to create a unique sound that is smoother and with a less metallic timbre. Both driver types work in tandem with each other to produce a gorgeous enveloping sound that is euphorically musical and yet detail focused.
This second generation of the DiVe Pass technology improves on the original that is utilized on the renowned Elysian Annihilator. DiVe Pass II introduces independent vents that now eliminates the reverberation of the back chamber and also provides optimal pressure relief in the front chamber. This reduces driver-flex issues from diaphragm compression. Full bass potential of the dynamic driver is unleashed due to better movement of the diaphragm.
All internal wiring for Gaea has been specially chosen and custom applied by Effect Audio to Gaea to further complement and enhance sonic quality. The result of a rigorous R&D process yields an outstanding cable that uses a bespoke mix of Copper and Silver-plated Copper materials. This ensures Gaea’s sound signature is achieved harmoniously with a sonic quality that exceeds expectations..
Specifications:
The GAEA comes at $1299 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.effectaudio.com/Earphones/gaea
The Box & Accessories:
Thr following are found in the box:
- GAEA IEM
- Custom cable with 4.4mm termination
- Microfiber Polyurethane case
- Spin fit W1 Medical Grade Silicone eartips (Multisize: S/M/L)
- Cleaning Tool and Cloth
The Cable:
GAEA comes with custom pentaconn connectors by Effect Audio featuring the below specifications:
- Selected Premium UP-OCC Copper Litz
- Selected Premium UP-OCC Silver Plated Copper Litz
- Proprietary Dual Geometric Design
- EPO* 24 AWG 4 Wires
- EA Ultra Flexi™ Insulation
- ConX ™ Ready with Pentaconn Ear Interchangeable Connector
- Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
GAEA had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 dongle.
The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + LPGT with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the GAEA to the next level.
Portable Players:
Obviously the GAEA had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! But it performs well with other players also.
GAEA Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The bass performance of GAEA is slightly above average. The much hyped Foster DDs have not been found as per expectations and could be much better. That being said, the bass is not lacking or anything - just that the expectations from such an IEM is much better. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" are quite immersive.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the GAEA is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic & airy coming from the BAs of the GAEA but doesn't at any point feel piercing or uncomfortable. It has the right amount of details and texture also and the overall treble performance is therefore very enjoyable.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective. However, in some rare occasions - I have found the treble a bit hot, but nothing piercing.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the GAEA is surprisingly good. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the GAEA is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. The Timbre however feels plasticky at times.
Comparisons:
EAxEAL GAEA vs Audeze Euclid:
Please note that the only thing these 2 IEMs have in common is the price range being close. The GAEA is a hybrid whereas the Euclid is planar driver based IEM. Hence, there are some inherent differences owing to different architecture.
Bass: Owing to the dynamic driver based bass performance of the GAEA, it gets a very slight preference over the planar based Euclid. The Euclid not far away by any means though.
Mids: The midrange of the Euclid is amongst it's strengths, but having said that - the GAEA just sounds more resolving mainly owing to the better separation. The Euclid has better texture & muscle in the midrange while the GAEA has more details.
Treble: This is where the GAEA really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the SA6 is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the GAEA.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on the Euclid is just great and at par or better than the GAEA. However, the GAEA excels in terms of separation mainly owing to it's hybrid architecture.
While I had been doing the comparisons, I had shared the GAEA experiences with other people and fellow reviewers and most of them had the similar experience with GAEA like me.
Conclusion:
The GAEA is a great performer and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's amazing what Effect Audio & Elysian Acoustic Labs have done here.
Given the above facts, people looking to buy within the $1200 - 1300 range should definitely consider getting this and is quite recommendable.
QoA Gimlet : Simply Great!
Summary:
Launched in late Dec'22, Gimlet is the latest Single DD IEM from QoA (Queen Of Audio). It comes with proprietary 10mm LCP Diaphragm Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price.
Disclaimer: Kinera had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Gimlet has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the GIMLET comes with a proprietary 10mm LCP Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
The GIMLET is priced at $59
Design & Build:
The GIMLET comes with a Resin shell which is surprisingly quite heavy but has a comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
Sound is relaxed and comfortable, sweet in the heart everywhere. We prefer to new sound character for Gimlet instead of intense and bright tuning styles. Every note flows naturally and lyric murmurs softly.
Specifications:
The QoA GIMLET comes at $59 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://qoa-audio.com/product/qoa-gimlet/
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-qoa-gimlet?variant=43657055928537
The Box & Accessories:
The Accessories:
The Gimlet package now includes…
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips.
I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
QoA Gimlet Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The Gimlet comes with good bass performance for the price range. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the Gimlet. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good for a planar. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The treble feels quite engaging without being fatiguing or offensive. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. However, in some very rare cases, you might find the treble slightly hot but not piercing.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the Gimlet is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the Gimlet. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used a higher priced DUNU KIMA also featuring single DD and priced at $109 for the comparison.
QoA Gimlet vs DUNU KIMA:
Price: QoA Gimlet costs $59 which is almost half of DUNU KIMA. Hence, the Gimlet gets advantage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The DUNU KIMA comes with aluminum shells but the shells are lighter than the Gimlet.
Bass: While the DUNU KIMA has more prominent Slam in the mid-bass, it clearly lacks the details of the sub-bass region that is found in the Gimlet. The Gimlet just has more details & clarity while the slam is not as prominent as KIMA. Overall bass performance seems noticeably better on the Gimlet.
Mids: The midrange on the Kima is quite recessed and lacks details. The Gimlet comes with significantly better and more textured midrange with better vocal performances.
Treble: The KIMA seemed a bit hot compared to the Gimlet. The Gimlet came with much more engaging and enjoyable experience.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The Gimlet is better in all 3 aspects.
Conclusion:
The QoA Gimlet is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and an easy recommendation. At this price point you can't ask for more.
Summary:
Launched in late Dec'22, Gimlet is the latest Single DD IEM from QoA (Queen Of Audio). It comes with proprietary 10mm LCP Diaphragm Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price.
Disclaimer: Kinera had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Gimlet has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the GIMLET comes with a proprietary 10mm LCP Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
The GIMLET is priced at $59
Design & Build:
The GIMLET comes with a Resin shell which is surprisingly quite heavy but has a comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
Sound is relaxed and comfortable, sweet in the heart everywhere. We prefer to new sound character for Gimlet instead of intense and bright tuning styles. Every note flows naturally and lyric murmurs softly.
Specifications:
The QoA GIMLET comes at $59 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://qoa-audio.com/product/qoa-gimlet/
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-qoa-gimlet?variant=43657055928537
The Box & Accessories:
The Accessories:
The Gimlet package now includes…
- One pair of QoA Gimlet In-ear monitors.
- One 4N 4-core OFC Silver Plated Cable.
- Six pairs Custom ear tips.
- PU Case with inner velvet protection.
- User Manual
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips.
I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
QoA Gimlet Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The Gimlet comes with good bass performance for the price range. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the Gimlet. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good for a planar. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The treble feels quite engaging without being fatiguing or offensive. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. However, in some very rare cases, you might find the treble slightly hot but not piercing.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the Gimlet is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the Gimlet. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used a higher priced DUNU KIMA also featuring single DD and priced at $109 for the comparison.
QoA Gimlet vs DUNU KIMA:
Price: QoA Gimlet costs $59 which is almost half of DUNU KIMA. Hence, the Gimlet gets advantage here.
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The DUNU KIMA comes with aluminum shells but the shells are lighter than the Gimlet.
Bass: While the DUNU KIMA has more prominent Slam in the mid-bass, it clearly lacks the details of the sub-bass region that is found in the Gimlet. The Gimlet just has more details & clarity while the slam is not as prominent as KIMA. Overall bass performance seems noticeably better on the Gimlet.
Mids: The midrange on the Kima is quite recessed and lacks details. The Gimlet comes with significantly better and more textured midrange with better vocal performances.
Treble: The KIMA seemed a bit hot compared to the Gimlet. The Gimlet came with much more engaging and enjoyable experience.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The Gimlet is better in all 3 aspects.
Conclusion:
The QoA Gimlet is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and an easy recommendation. At this price point you can't ask for more.
Attachments
Truthear Hexa : Great Performer!
Summary:
Launched in Nov'22, Truthear Hexa is the latest IEM launch by Truthear and 1st hybrid IEM by the brand. The Hexa is much hyped and claimed to be the Mini Blessing 2 by some. Let's see if it lives up to the expectations.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Truthear Hexa has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the HEXA is a hybrid featuring 1 LCP Dynamic Driver + 3 BAs. They promise great sound performance and we will dive into that shortly.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA is priced at $79.99
Design & Build:
The Tuthear HEXA comes with a Semi Transparent shell and a metal plate covering it. The shell is lightweight and comfortable. However, the fit may vary from person to person and for me it didn't fit well and felt uncomfortable during longer listening.
It is described as the following on the website:
HEXA is an in-ear headphone with one dynamic driver + three balanced armature drivers hybrid structure. The original intention of the design is to achieve the design goal via adopting a simple reasonable and efficient configuration and striving to bring users a mature hybrid earphone at acceptable price...
Specifications:
The TRUTHEAR HEXA comes at $79.99 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...hybird-earphones-with-0-78-2pin-cable-earbuds
The Box & Accessories:
The Accessories:
The TRUTHEAR HEXA package now includes…
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the CP500 to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
TRUTHEAR HEXA Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The HEXA comes with great bass performance for the price range which is mainly from it's Dynamic driver. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the HEXA. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are not as good however... owing mainly due to the quicker decay of the BAs. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample details, excellent vocals.
The TREBLE:
The treble feels quite engaging and on some occasions gets a bit peaky. The overall treble performance however was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the HEXA is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the HEXA. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. However, the separation is something you feel could be better.
Conclusion:
The TRUTHEAR HEXA is is indeed a mini Blessing 2 with all it's good and bad... It's a truly commendable performer and easily recommendable to people who don't mind a bit hot treble peak on rare occasions.
Summary:
Launched in Nov'22, Truthear Hexa is the latest IEM launch by Truthear and 1st hybrid IEM by the brand. The Hexa is much hyped and claimed to be the Mini Blessing 2 by some. Let's see if it lives up to the expectations.
Disclaimer: @shenzhenaudio had sent me review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Truthear Hexa has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the HEXA is a hybrid featuring 1 LCP Dynamic Driver + 3 BAs. They promise great sound performance and we will dive into that shortly.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA is priced at $79.99
Design & Build:
The Tuthear HEXA comes with a Semi Transparent shell and a metal plate covering it. The shell is lightweight and comfortable. However, the fit may vary from person to person and for me it didn't fit well and felt uncomfortable during longer listening.
It is described as the following on the website:
HEXA is an in-ear headphone with one dynamic driver + three balanced armature drivers hybrid structure. The original intention of the design is to achieve the design goal via adopting a simple reasonable and efficient configuration and striving to bring users a mature hybrid earphone at acceptable price...
Specifications:
The TRUTHEAR HEXA comes at $79.99 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...hybird-earphones-with-0-78-2pin-cable-earbuds
The Box & Accessories:
The Accessories:
The TRUTHEAR HEXA package now includes…
- One pair of TRUTHEAR HEXA In-ear monitors.
- 2 PIN cable.
- 7 pairs of ear-tips.
- Storage case.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the CP500 to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
TRUTHEAR HEXA Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The HEXA comes with great bass performance for the price range which is mainly from it's Dynamic driver. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the HEXA. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are not as good however... owing mainly due to the quicker decay of the BAs. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample details, excellent vocals.
The TREBLE:
The treble feels quite engaging and on some occasions gets a bit peaky. The overall treble performance however was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the HEXA is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the HEXA. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. However, the separation is something you feel could be better.
Conclusion:
The TRUTHEAR HEXA is is indeed a mini Blessing 2 with all it's good and bad... It's a truly commendable performer and easily recommendable to people who don't mind a bit hot treble peak on rare occasions.
Letshuoer S12 PRO: Going the Extra Mile!
Summary:
Launched in Oct'2022, Letshuoer S12 PRO is the newest & upgraded version of the already very successful S12 IEM. It promises better musical performance while doing away with the weaknesses of the S12. Based on our impressions, we can confidently say that they have achieved much of what they had promised and more.
Disclaimer: Letshuoer had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Without any delays, let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The Letshuoer S12 pro utilizes a custom 14.8mm large-diaphragm driver with great details retrieval, punchy bass and clear treble.
The Letshuoer S12 PRO is priced at $135.20.
Design & Build:
The shells look very ergonomic & premium and are made of machined aluminum nicely shaped out. The finishing is smooth to the touch thanks to the five-axis CNC machining process. It’s strong, touch and without sharp edges.
It is described as the following on the website:
LETSHUOER S12 PRO utilizes a custom 14.8mm large diaphragm driver with great details retrieval, punchy bass and clear trebles. 102db high sensitivity means
that it can be easily driven to volume, be it a cell phone or dongle DACs, LETSHUOER S1 PRO will sound optimal pairing with most source / amps.
The stock cable of LETSHUOER S12 PRO is constructed with silver-plated monocrystalline copper, and 4 x 98-strands cores are then weaved together. It is terminated in standard 0.78mm dual pin connectors, and the other end is a swappable jack with 2.5mm / 3.5mm /4.4mm jacks. This system will work with a great amount of source gears and IEMs.
Specifications:
The Letshuoer S12 PRO comes at $135.20 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...-ear-monitors-for-audiopiles-and-music-lovers
and
https://www.linsoul.com/products/letshuoer-s12-pro
The Box & Accessories:
LETSHUOER S12 PRO comes with these accessories:
•Memory foam, standard and transparent ear tips. Each set comes in three sizes.
•Stock cable with 2.5mm / 3.5mm / 4.4mm adapter
•Faux leather carrying case
•User manual
The Cable:
The stock cable of LETSHUOER S12 PRO is amongst the best I have seen in this price point with silver-plated monocrystalline copper, and 4 x 98-strands cores are then weaved together. It is terminated in standard 0.78mm dual pin connectors, and the other end is a swappable jack with 2.5mm / 3.5mm /4.4mm jacks. the jacks seem quite strong unlike the Z12.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cain C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Questyle QP2R, Cayin N8ii, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip W1, CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the Azla Sednafit Shorts to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
Letshuoer S12 PRO had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 and Cayin RU6 dongles.
The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + LPGT with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the S12 PRO to the next level.
Portable Players:
Obviously the Letshuoer S12 PRO had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! But it performs well with other players also.
Letshuoer S12 PRO Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The S12 PRO has a good overall bass performance. There's details coming from the sub-bass region and the mid-bass has good rumble and slam. In fact, it is amongst the best bass performances from a planar IEM of this price range. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" you will enjoy the punchy bass performance.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the S12 PRO is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is non-fatiguing and with the right amount of texture and details. The instruments sound great without sounding peaky or harsh.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the S12 PRO is above average and very good. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the S12 PRO is great and sense of location is good for the price. The Timbre also feels natural. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through.
Comparisons:
Letshuoer S12 PRO vs 7Hz Salnotes Dioko:
Both IEMs are planar based IEMs and come close to $100 price range. Hence the comparison becomes imminent from a customer's perspective.
Bass: The Dioko has much better details coming from the sub-bass while the S12 PRO has more punchy mid-bass. Really comes to personal preferences... I fell Dioko suits my preferences better.
Mids: The midrange of the Dioko is amongst it's strengths, but having said that - the S12 PRO just sounds more clear, textured and enjoyable mainly owing to the better resolution and vocal performances.
Treble: This is where the S12 PRO really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the Dioko is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the S12 PRO.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on the Dioko is quite wide and above average. The staging on the S12 PRO just felt the next level and clearly better.
Conclusion:
The S12 PRO is quite a performer both in terms of technical performance and also the musical experience. The cable and package makes it truly PRO grade within the price range. Given the above facts, it becomes an easy recommendation for people seeking a good planar IEM within $100-140 range.
Summary:
Launched in Oct'2022, Letshuoer S12 PRO is the newest & upgraded version of the already very successful S12 IEM. It promises better musical performance while doing away with the weaknesses of the S12. Based on our impressions, we can confidently say that they have achieved much of what they had promised and more.
Disclaimer: Letshuoer had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Without any delays, let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The Letshuoer S12 pro utilizes a custom 14.8mm large-diaphragm driver with great details retrieval, punchy bass and clear treble.
The Letshuoer S12 PRO is priced at $135.20.
Design & Build:
The shells look very ergonomic & premium and are made of machined aluminum nicely shaped out. The finishing is smooth to the touch thanks to the five-axis CNC machining process. It’s strong, touch and without sharp edges.
It is described as the following on the website:
LETSHUOER S12 PRO utilizes a custom 14.8mm large diaphragm driver with great details retrieval, punchy bass and clear trebles. 102db high sensitivity means
that it can be easily driven to volume, be it a cell phone or dongle DACs, LETSHUOER S1 PRO will sound optimal pairing with most source / amps.
The stock cable of LETSHUOER S12 PRO is constructed with silver-plated monocrystalline copper, and 4 x 98-strands cores are then weaved together. It is terminated in standard 0.78mm dual pin connectors, and the other end is a swappable jack with 2.5mm / 3.5mm /4.4mm jacks. This system will work with a great amount of source gears and IEMs.
Specifications:
The Letshuoer S12 PRO comes at $135.20 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...-ear-monitors-for-audiopiles-and-music-lovers
and
https://www.linsoul.com/products/letshuoer-s12-pro
The Box & Accessories:
LETSHUOER S12 PRO comes with these accessories:
•Memory foam, standard and transparent ear tips. Each set comes in three sizes.
•Stock cable with 2.5mm / 3.5mm / 4.4mm adapter
•Faux leather carrying case
•User manual
The Cable:
The stock cable of LETSHUOER S12 PRO is amongst the best I have seen in this price point with silver-plated monocrystalline copper, and 4 x 98-strands cores are then weaved together. It is terminated in standard 0.78mm dual pin connectors, and the other end is a swappable jack with 2.5mm / 3.5mm /4.4mm jacks. the jacks seem quite strong unlike the Z12.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cain C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Questyle QP2R, Cayin N8ii, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip W1, CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the Azla Sednafit Shorts to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
Letshuoer S12 PRO had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 and Cayin RU6 dongles.
The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + LPGT with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the S12 PRO to the next level.
Portable Players:
Obviously the Letshuoer S12 PRO had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! But it performs well with other players also.
Letshuoer S12 PRO Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The S12 PRO has a good overall bass performance. There's details coming from the sub-bass region and the mid-bass has good rumble and slam. In fact, it is amongst the best bass performances from a planar IEM of this price range. Tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" you will enjoy the punchy bass performance.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the S12 PRO is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is non-fatiguing and with the right amount of texture and details. The instruments sound great without sounding peaky or harsh.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the S12 PRO is above average and very good. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the S12 PRO is great and sense of location is good for the price. The Timbre also feels natural. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through.
Comparisons:
Letshuoer S12 PRO vs 7Hz Salnotes Dioko:
Both IEMs are planar based IEMs and come close to $100 price range. Hence the comparison becomes imminent from a customer's perspective.
Bass: The Dioko has much better details coming from the sub-bass while the S12 PRO has more punchy mid-bass. Really comes to personal preferences... I fell Dioko suits my preferences better.
Mids: The midrange of the Dioko is amongst it's strengths, but having said that - the S12 PRO just sounds more clear, textured and enjoyable mainly owing to the better resolution and vocal performances.
Treble: This is where the S12 PRO really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the Dioko is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the S12 PRO.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on the Dioko is quite wide and above average. The staging on the S12 PRO just felt the next level and clearly better.
Conclusion:
The S12 PRO is quite a performer both in terms of technical performance and also the musical experience. The cable and package makes it truly PRO grade within the price range. Given the above facts, it becomes an easy recommendation for people seeking a good planar IEM within $100-140 range.
Attachments
Kinera Celest Gumiho : Amazing Performance for the Price!
Summary:
Launched in late Aug'22, Celest Gumiho is the very 1st Planar IEM from Kinera. It comes with proprietary SPD Planar driver+1BA hybrid architecture and till date has been the most affordable Planar IEM.
Disclaimer: Kinera had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Celest Gumiho has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the GUMIHO is a hybrid featuring a newly developed 10mm SPD Planar driver + 1BA. The drivers allow to achieve better bass experience on a planar.
The CELEST GUMIHO is priced at $49
Design & Build:
The CELEST GUMIHO comes with a Plastic shell which is very light and has a comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
Gumiho has a 3D printing shell cavity. With the technique of 3D relief, finely engraved cloud patterns, depicting a lifelike scene of Gumiho stepping on the clouds and riding the wind. Black/silver cavity and high saturation color matching is the main tone. Pure white Gumiho texture as the starting point, golden auspicious cloud texture and red tail of Gumiho pattern are embellished, which fully reflect the Chinese color in the earphone cavity. Bright color matching and unique embossed patterns make the classic nine-tailed fox combine with modern aesthetics and trendy colors. The overall design strives to be simple and can reflect a sense of luxury.
It has unique cavity and smooth contour lines of the earphone shell. With the frosted process, it is carefully crafted, which can see the rigor of ingenuity.
It adopts Kinera new generation of 10*10mm Square Planar Driver for bass. After testing hundreds of driver materials, at last our own planar material & mechanical design was achieved. It breaks through in the low-frequency limit of dynamic driver. With excellent transient response, the low frequency maintains a sense of depth and volume.
Kinera Custom BA Driver is used for high frequency. The sound is delicate and elegant, comfortable and durable. Combination with the middle and low frequency is natural and harmonious.
..
Specifications:
The CELEST GUMIHO comes at $49 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/celest-gumiho
The Box & Accessories:
The Accessories:
The GUMIHO package now includes…
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Gaming via Gramr Cable:
The Kinera Gramr cable can be paired with the GUMIHO and that combination makes the IEM ideal for gaming with a boom microphone...
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
CELEST GUMIHO Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The GUMIHO comes with good bass performance for the price range and specially for a planar IEM. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the GUMIHO. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good for a planar. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The treble feels quite engaging without being fatiguing or offensive. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. However, there might be slight loss of details in certain cases - but I guess that is nit-picking.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the GUMIHO is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the GUMIHO. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. However, the separation is something you feel could be better.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used a slightly higher priced Meze 12 Classic IEM featuring single DD and priced at $65 for the comparison.
CELEST GUMIHO vs MEZE 12 Classic:
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The Meze comes with a mic but the GUMHO doesn't come by default.
Bass: While the Meze has more prominent Slam in the mid-bass, it clearly lacks the details of the sub-bass region that is found in the GUMIHO. The GUMIHO just has more details & clarity while the slam is not as prominent as Meze. Overall bass performance seems noticeably better on the GUMIHO.
Mids: The midrange on the Meze is quite recessed and lacks details. Vocals lack texture and instruments lack clarity. The GUMIHO comes with significantly better and more textured midrange with better vocal performances.
Treble: The Meze seemed too laid back while the GUMIHO came with much more engaging and enjoyable experience.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The GUMIHO is noticeably better in all 3 aspects.
Conclusion:
The CELEST GUMIHO is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and an easy recommendation. At this price point you can't ask for more.
Summary:
Launched in late Aug'22, Celest Gumiho is the very 1st Planar IEM from Kinera. It comes with proprietary SPD Planar driver+1BA hybrid architecture and till date has been the most affordable Planar IEM.
Disclaimer: Kinera had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into what the Celest Gumiho has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the GUMIHO is a hybrid featuring a newly developed 10mm SPD Planar driver + 1BA. The drivers allow to achieve better bass experience on a planar.
The CELEST GUMIHO is priced at $49
Design & Build:
The CELEST GUMIHO comes with a Plastic shell which is very light and has a comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions and it fared very well throughout.
It is described as the following on the website:
Gumiho has a 3D printing shell cavity. With the technique of 3D relief, finely engraved cloud patterns, depicting a lifelike scene of Gumiho stepping on the clouds and riding the wind. Black/silver cavity and high saturation color matching is the main tone. Pure white Gumiho texture as the starting point, golden auspicious cloud texture and red tail of Gumiho pattern are embellished, which fully reflect the Chinese color in the earphone cavity. Bright color matching and unique embossed patterns make the classic nine-tailed fox combine with modern aesthetics and trendy colors. The overall design strives to be simple and can reflect a sense of luxury.
It has unique cavity and smooth contour lines of the earphone shell. With the frosted process, it is carefully crafted, which can see the rigor of ingenuity.
It adopts Kinera new generation of 10*10mm Square Planar Driver for bass. After testing hundreds of driver materials, at last our own planar material & mechanical design was achieved. It breaks through in the low-frequency limit of dynamic driver. With excellent transient response, the low frequency maintains a sense of depth and volume.
Kinera Custom BA Driver is used for high frequency. The sound is delicate and elegant, comfortable and durable. Combination with the middle and low frequency is natural and harmonious.
..
Specifications:
The CELEST GUMIHO comes at $49 price tag and specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/celest-gumiho
The Box & Accessories:
The Accessories:
The GUMIHO package now includes…
- One pair of Celest Gumiho In-ear monitors.
- One 3.5mm Silver plated copper + Alloy pure copper cable.
- Six pairs ( 221 & 822 ) of Celest Custom ear tips.
- Storage Bag.
- Clean Brush.
- User Manual.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Gaming via Gramr Cable:
The Kinera Gramr cable can be paired with the GUMIHO and that combination makes the IEM ideal for gaming with a boom microphone...
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
CELEST GUMIHO Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The GUMIHO comes with good bass performance for the price range and specially for a planar IEM. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.
The MIDS:
The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the GUMIHO. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good for a planar. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The treble feels quite engaging without being fatiguing or offensive. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. However, there might be slight loss of details in certain cases - but I guess that is nit-picking.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the GUMIHO is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.
Separation & Imaging:
Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the GUMIHO. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through. However, the separation is something you feel could be better.
Comparisons:
I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used a slightly higher priced Meze 12 Classic IEM featuring single DD and priced at $65 for the comparison.
CELEST GUMIHO vs MEZE 12 Classic:
Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The Meze comes with a mic but the GUMHO doesn't come by default.
Bass: While the Meze has more prominent Slam in the mid-bass, it clearly lacks the details of the sub-bass region that is found in the GUMIHO. The GUMIHO just has more details & clarity while the slam is not as prominent as Meze. Overall bass performance seems noticeably better on the GUMIHO.
Mids: The midrange on the Meze is quite recessed and lacks details. Vocals lack texture and instruments lack clarity. The GUMIHO comes with significantly better and more textured midrange with better vocal performances.
Treble: The Meze seemed too laid back while the GUMIHO came with much more engaging and enjoyable experience.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The GUMIHO is noticeably better in all 3 aspects.
Conclusion:
The CELEST GUMIHO is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and an easy recommendation. At this price point you can't ask for more.
Kinera URD: Enjoyment Guaranteed!
Summary:
Launched in Mar'2022, URD is the latest hybrid IEM from Kinera. They are tri-brids with 2 Sonion EST + 1 Kinera Custom BA + 8mm Double Dynamic Drivers, and promises great musical performance. Based on our impressions, we can confidently say that they have achieved much of what they had promised and more.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The URD is a tri-brids with 2 Sonion EST + 1 Kinera Custom BA + 8mm Dual Dynamic Drivers with Titanium Crystal Diaphragm. They come with modular 6N OCC + OCC with Silver Plated + OCC with Gold Plated Cable and interchangeable plugs ( 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm).
The Kinera URD is priced at $650.
Design & Build:
The shells look very ergonomic & premium and are 3D printed based on their research to ensure a good and comfortable fit. the face-plates are hand-painted and look awesome.
It is described as the following on the website:
The faceplate is the surface of the lake, 3D printing is used to make a depression in the middle of the faceplate. It’s gradually rising to the edge of the faceplate, total 6 layers. By mixing special pigments of different shades, each layer of structure is separate cast and solidified. Finally present the water surface of the “Well of Urd” that nourishes the World Tree. It goes deep from shallow to deep, becoming deeper and deeper.
The shell is a scene under the calm water: the sun is shining, the lake reflects the looming golden light, the deep water and the floating bubbles make Urd Spring look unpredictable. There is silt in the bottom of the lake, which is the sediment of history. If there is no silt, it will not be able to highlight the clarity of the lake.
URD bass uses titanium crystal diaphragm coaxial double dynamic, through careful tuning, the characteristics of deep diving and fast transient response of this unit are brought into play. The high frequency adopts the Sonion new generation EST65DB01 composite double electrostatic unit to make the treble possess stronger ductility. The mid-range is connected by the BA driver 11021 customized by Kinera.
Specifications:
The Kinera URD comes at $650 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/kinera-imperial-urd
and
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-urd
The Box & Accessories:
GRAMR cable can be used for Gaming:
Now in addition to the default cable, Gamers can use the Kinera GRAMR cable ($49) which comes with a boom mic and is ideal for gaming. It has the following properties:
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cain C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Questyle QP2R, Cayin N8ii, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip W1, CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the Spinfit W1 to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
Kinera URD had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 and Cayin RU6 dongles.
The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + LPGT with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the URD to the next level.
Portable Players:
Obviously the URD had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! But it performs well with other players also.
URD Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The URD has a good overall bass performance. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. In fact, I'm quite surprised at the refined bass experience this has been able to pull off with the dual dynamic drivers. Just the right amount of bass that the track requires. tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" you will likely get immersed into the bass finesse.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the URD is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic & airy coming from the ESTs of the URD but doesn't at any point feel peaky or uncomfortable. It has the right amount of details and texture also and the overall treble performance is therefore very enjoyable.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the URD is surprisingly good. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the URD is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. The Timbre also feels very life-like and real. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through.
Comparisons:
KINERA URD vs DUNU SA6:
Please note that the only thing these 2 IEMs have in common is the price range being close. The URD is a Tri-brid whereas the SA6 is BA driver based IEM. Hence, there are some inherent differences owing to different architecture.
Bass: Owing to the dual dynamic driver based refined bass performance of the URD, it gets the preference as the SA6 felt a bit mid-bass centric and also did not have the transients as good as the URD.
Mids: The midrange of the SA6 is amongst it's strengths, but having said that - the URD just sounds more clear and enjoyable mainly owing to the better separation and more more textured midrange.
Treble: This is where the URD really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the SA6 is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the URD.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on the SA6 is quite wide and above average. The staging on the URD just felt the next level and clearly superior in all aspects.
While I had been doing the comparisons, I had shared the URD experiences with other people and fellow reviewers and most of them had the similar experience with URD like me.
Conclusion:
The URD is quite a performer and I was delighted by the level of refined sound performance this has been able to pull off. A BIG surprise coming from the house of Kinera, and this URD goes far beyond any Kinera performance I had come across earlier.
Given the above facts, people looking to buy within the $600 - 700 range should definitely consider getting this as this hits way beyond it's price and becomes an easy recommendation therefore.
Summary:
Launched in Mar'2022, URD is the latest hybrid IEM from Kinera. They are tri-brids with 2 Sonion EST + 1 Kinera Custom BA + 8mm Double Dynamic Drivers, and promises great musical performance. Based on our impressions, we can confidently say that they have achieved much of what they had promised and more.
Introduction:
Let's quickly dive into the details without making the introduction very lengthy. The URD is a tri-brids with 2 Sonion EST + 1 Kinera Custom BA + 8mm Dual Dynamic Drivers with Titanium Crystal Diaphragm. They come with modular 6N OCC + OCC with Silver Plated + OCC with Gold Plated Cable and interchangeable plugs ( 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm).
The Kinera URD is priced at $650.
Design & Build:
The shells look very ergonomic & premium and are 3D printed based on their research to ensure a good and comfortable fit. the face-plates are hand-painted and look awesome.
It is described as the following on the website:
The faceplate is the surface of the lake, 3D printing is used to make a depression in the middle of the faceplate. It’s gradually rising to the edge of the faceplate, total 6 layers. By mixing special pigments of different shades, each layer of structure is separate cast and solidified. Finally present the water surface of the “Well of Urd” that nourishes the World Tree. It goes deep from shallow to deep, becoming deeper and deeper.
The shell is a scene under the calm water: the sun is shining, the lake reflects the looming golden light, the deep water and the floating bubbles make Urd Spring look unpredictable. There is silt in the bottom of the lake, which is the sediment of history. If there is no silt, it will not be able to highlight the clarity of the lake.
URD bass uses titanium crystal diaphragm coaxial double dynamic, through careful tuning, the characteristics of deep diving and fast transient response of this unit are brought into play. The high frequency adopts the Sonion new generation EST65DB01 composite double electrostatic unit to make the treble possess stronger ductility. The mid-range is connected by the BA driver 11021 customized by Kinera.
Specifications:
The Kinera URD comes at $650 price tag and the specifications are as below:
https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/kinera-imperial-urd
and
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-urd
The Box & Accessories:
GRAMR cable can be used for Gaming:
Now in addition to the default cable, Gamers can use the Kinera GRAMR cable ($49) which comes with a boom mic and is ideal for gaming. It has the following properties:
- Material: OFC silver plated
- Braid way: 2 core twist
- Diameter: 2.0mm/core
- Strands: 95 strands of 0.05mm OFC with silver plated + 250D nylon
- Cable skin material: PVC
- Interface: 0.78 2pin / mmcx
- Plug: 4 pin detachable 4.4mm balanced plug / 5 pin detachable 3.5mm CTIA plug
- Plug material: Copper with gold plated
- External metal part: Aluminum alloy anode
- Cable length: 150cm±2cm
- Boom Mic length: 12.7cm
- Microphone patterns: Omnidirectional
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....
Items Used for this Review:
DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cain C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : @Questyle QP2R, Cayin N8ii, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, A&K SP1000M
Streaming Source: QOBUZ
Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip W1, CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the Spinfit W1 to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.
Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...
Pairing Performance with different sources:
Dongle DAC/AMPs:
Kinera URD had the best pairing with @Questyle M15 and Cayin RU6 dongles.
The BEST pairing however came with Cayin C9 + LPGT with Class-A amplification enabled. That just took the performance of the URD to the next level.
Portable Players:
Obviously the URD had the best pairing with the LPGT & specially Cayin N8ii since that comes with Class-A amplification and a new DAC which is super resolving and not to forget the Nutubes! But those are $3500+ range also and out of reach for most people! But it performs well with other players also.
URD Sound Impressions in Short:
The BASS:
The URD has a good overall bass performance. The little nuances and details of the sub-bass region is clearly audible and the mid-bass comes with good amount of body & texture. In fact, I'm quite surprised at the refined bass experience this has been able to pull off with the dual dynamic drivers. Just the right amount of bass that the track requires. tracks like: "Hotel California (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles" and "Fluid - Yosi Horikawa" you will likely get immersed into the bass finesse.
The MIDS:
The midrange of the URD is quite open and clear with ample amount of texture and details. There's no bass bleed and the midrange is quite muscular and full. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with good texture and feel very real. Instruments felt very natural and real with high accuracy and the separation between them is also great. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.
The TREBLE:
The Treble is quite energetic & airy coming from the ESTs of the URD but doesn't at any point feel peaky or uncomfortable. It has the right amount of details and texture also and the overall treble performance is therefore very enjoyable.
Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel very immersive and enjoyable from the treble perspective.
The SOUNDSTAGE:
The Staging capabilities of the URD is surprisingly good. In fact, it might be amongst the best in the price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable. This is amongst the strongest trait of this IEM.
Imaging & Timbre:
The Imaging & instrument separation performance on the URD is stellar and sense of location is spot on with high accuracy. The Timbre also feels very life-like and real. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through.
Comparisons:
KINERA URD vs DUNU SA6:
Please note that the only thing these 2 IEMs have in common is the price range being close. The URD is a Tri-brid whereas the SA6 is BA driver based IEM. Hence, there are some inherent differences owing to different architecture.
Bass: Owing to the dual dynamic driver based refined bass performance of the URD, it gets the preference as the SA6 felt a bit mid-bass centric and also did not have the transients as good as the URD.
Mids: The midrange of the SA6 is amongst it's strengths, but having said that - the URD just sounds more clear and enjoyable mainly owing to the better separation and more more textured midrange.
Treble: This is where the URD really excels and the overall experience is very enjoyable. mind it that the SA6 is also not lacking behind in treble performance, but just not as good as the URD.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The staging on the SA6 is quite wide and above average. The staging on the URD just felt the next level and clearly superior in all aspects.
While I had been doing the comparisons, I had shared the URD experiences with other people and fellow reviewers and most of them had the similar experience with URD like me.
Conclusion:
The URD is quite a performer and I was delighted by the level of refined sound performance this has been able to pull off. A BIG surprise coming from the house of Kinera, and this URD goes far beyond any Kinera performance I had come across earlier.
Given the above facts, people looking to buy within the $600 - 700 range should definitely consider getting this as this hits way beyond it's price and becomes an easy recommendation therefore.
