Reviews by avishifi
Hello everyone! I am happy to see you in this review. Today I am going to review the TANCHJIM Zero Ultima DSP. A single DD IEM for around 16$. Without any further ado, let's begin!
Disclaimer
I received the Zero Ultima from TANCHJIM in exchange for my honest review, but still – my opinions about the IEMs are personal and written based on my own experience with them, and I was not paid for this review.
What's in the box?
In the box you will find:
To be honest, at this price point I did not expect to receive a carrying pouch. But you get one here, and a good one that doesn't feel cheap at all. It helps to store the IEMs and it is pocket friendly.
The silicon ear tips are also good, with a nice selection of them. One type is wide bore, and the second type is regular. Both fit me very well, I ended up using the wide one.
The cable attached to the IEMs is decent, it may seem cheap, but it doesn't feel like that. Yeah, it is not detachable, but it is still a good cable. You just need to take that into account and take good care of it. It has a mic and a button to play/pause the music. I have not tested the mic, but the button is clicky and working well. You also got a working chin slide that I enjoyed using.
The IEM is made of plastic, and yeah you feel it while using. But hey, it is not like we are talking here about an expensive IEM, so this is something to expect. The fit is shallow, the nozzle is large so you cannot get a deep fit, what makes this IEM sort of half IEM and half flat earphone. To be honest, it took me quite a while to get to this type of fit, but when I did, it was ok. You do need to do some tip rolling to get a good fit with them, as the nozzle could bother you if you don't. My advice is to start with the smaller ear tips and then go up until you get comfortable fit.
That's all I can say about the non-audio stuff, but now let's move on to the more interesting part: how do they sound?
The graph can be found at this following link.
The tuning of the DSP version IEM is leaning towards the bright side, you get a lot of upper midrange/treble, but there is a nice emphasis on the bass. I personally enjoyed this tuning, as I am comfortable with bright tuning, but if you are sensitive to treble, then it might be an issue for you.
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.
The sub bass of this IEM is very interesting, it is light, you don't get tons of rumble, but at the same time it was enough to satisfy me. For reference, I am a person who loves sub bass, and even this IEM might not have the rumble I love, it was enough to satisfy me along with the other frequencies. But take in account that you have an app and you can boost the bass. So, I did it, and it was wonderful, I really liked the result. That said, even without EQ, I really liked the sub bass presentation here, it blends well with the other frequencies.
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.
The mid bass of this IEM has nice punch, kick drums and male vocals sounds good; the mid bass sounds clean, it doesn't bleed into the midrange and overall has a nice presentation. That said, the tuning leans more on the bright side, so don't expect to get a lot or mid bass, but there is just enough to satisfy.
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.
Alright, here is where all the fun happens. The midrange presentation is very leaning toward to clean-bright side, it presents vocals and instruments separately from the bass and it sounds good. I have to say, I couldn't pull them out of my ears when I started playing instrumental music. Yeah, these are bright, but they sounded so sweet, lively, musical. The work of the bass department and the midrange combined gives here a fun and engaging experience.
Music that has mainly vocals sounded especially good; the vocals are well presented with a lot of upper midrange details. For example, when listening to Billie Eilish's new album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, the vocals were well separated, located very well and had room to breathe, you can hear a lot of vocal details. The instrument blend well with the vocals, and the overall presentation turned out to be enjoyable and musical.
And again, my lovely album Tales Weaver Exceed by Vanilla Mood, which mainly has instrumental music, felt so lively and musical. I can go on and continue my excitement… But I think you got my point.
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.
The treble on this IEM is well presented, you cannot ignore it. When I was listening to electronic music such as Snail's house music, synth and high tones sounded especially well. Hi-Hats are also well presented and blend beautifully into the mix, well done. That said, the treble region is a tricky part; some of us really love treble, and some of us cannot handle it and it may be "harsh". Let me be honest with you here, there are tons of treble details here, and while I really like it and can handle it, if you are sensitive to treble, you might not, so please consider that first. Anyway, where was I? Ah! I have enjoyed the treble in the Zero Ultima! The combination with the rest of the frequencies is done tastefully, and let's the treble shine and sparkle.
To be honest, usually with budget IEMs this is the department where they fall, but not in this IEM, and don't let their small size fool you. The soundstage on this IEM feels wide and open, even better than some more expensive sets. I think this might be the case because as I have mentioned in the beginning, the fit of this IEM is not deep, it feels like half IEM and half flat earphones, something in between. But anyway, it helps the stage feel wide, open, very natural to my taste. The imaging of this IEM is also decent, I did not expect that, but yeah, you get here a quite impressive stage & imaging. The layering here is also good, but not the best, so yeah, here is a department where they do fall a little bit. Is that concerning? Yeah, it might concern you in very busy tracks. But most of the time, it was fine, and didn't bother me too much.
The TANCHJIM Zero Ultima is doing school for IEMs around its price range. Yes, the cable is not detachable and to me it is its biggest con. But other than that, you get here rich packaging, and an app that works great and smoothly, good quality DSP chip that will drive your IEM loud enough, without needing to crank up the volume, and I personally didn't hear any noise or hiss. Do we need to talk about the sound again? It is great! The technical performance is also excellent.
You know what is interesting to me? I sometimes chose to listen to the TANCHJIM Zero Ultima instead of my other sets. I really think that it is good. And for 16$?
So yeah, I think the TANCHJIM Zero Ultima is a great set, and whether you are new to this hobby, or already own many sets, this IEM might be a great addition to your collection, and who knows, it might surprise you as much as it has surprised me. The TANCHJIM Zero Ultima earns my recommendation!
I hope you have enjoyed my review and hope to see you in my next review!
Disclaimer
I received the Zero Ultima from TANCHJIM in exchange for my honest review, but still – my opinions about the IEMs are personal and written based on my own experience with them, and I was not paid for this review.
What's in the box?
In the box you will find:
- Carrying pouch.
- 2 types of silicon ear tips.
- The IEMs themselves.
- User manual (with link for downloading the TANCHJIM app)
To be honest, at this price point I did not expect to receive a carrying pouch. But you get one here, and a good one that doesn't feel cheap at all. It helps to store the IEMs and it is pocket friendly.
The silicon ear tips are also good, with a nice selection of them. One type is wide bore, and the second type is regular. Both fit me very well, I ended up using the wide one.
The cable attached to the IEMs is decent, it may seem cheap, but it doesn't feel like that. Yeah, it is not detachable, but it is still a good cable. You just need to take that into account and take good care of it. It has a mic and a button to play/pause the music. I have not tested the mic, but the button is clicky and working well. You also got a working chin slide that I enjoyed using.
Build Quality & Fit and Comfort
The IEM is made of plastic, and yeah you feel it while using. But hey, it is not like we are talking here about an expensive IEM, so this is something to expect. The fit is shallow, the nozzle is large so you cannot get a deep fit, what makes this IEM sort of half IEM and half flat earphone. To be honest, it took me quite a while to get to this type of fit, but when I did, it was ok. You do need to do some tip rolling to get a good fit with them, as the nozzle could bother you if you don't. My advice is to start with the smaller ear tips and then go up until you get comfortable fit.
That's all I can say about the non-audio stuff, but now let's move on to the more interesting part: how do they sound?
In Terms of Sound
The graph can be found at this following link.
The tuning of the DSP version IEM is leaning towards the bright side, you get a lot of upper midrange/treble, but there is a nice emphasis on the bass. I personally enjoyed this tuning, as I am comfortable with bright tuning, but if you are sensitive to treble, then it might be an issue for you.
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.
The sub bass of this IEM is very interesting, it is light, you don't get tons of rumble, but at the same time it was enough to satisfy me. For reference, I am a person who loves sub bass, and even this IEM might not have the rumble I love, it was enough to satisfy me along with the other frequencies. But take in account that you have an app and you can boost the bass. So, I did it, and it was wonderful, I really liked the result. That said, even without EQ, I really liked the sub bass presentation here, it blends well with the other frequencies.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.
The mid bass of this IEM has nice punch, kick drums and male vocals sounds good; the mid bass sounds clean, it doesn't bleed into the midrange and overall has a nice presentation. That said, the tuning leans more on the bright side, so don't expect to get a lot or mid bass, but there is just enough to satisfy.
Mids
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.
Alright, here is where all the fun happens. The midrange presentation is very leaning toward to clean-bright side, it presents vocals and instruments separately from the bass and it sounds good. I have to say, I couldn't pull them out of my ears when I started playing instrumental music. Yeah, these are bright, but they sounded so sweet, lively, musical. The work of the bass department and the midrange combined gives here a fun and engaging experience.
Music that has mainly vocals sounded especially good; the vocals are well presented with a lot of upper midrange details. For example, when listening to Billie Eilish's new album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, the vocals were well separated, located very well and had room to breathe, you can hear a lot of vocal details. The instrument blend well with the vocals, and the overall presentation turned out to be enjoyable and musical.
And again, my lovely album Tales Weaver Exceed by Vanilla Mood, which mainly has instrumental music, felt so lively and musical. I can go on and continue my excitement… But I think you got my point.
Treble
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.
The treble on this IEM is well presented, you cannot ignore it. When I was listening to electronic music such as Snail's house music, synth and high tones sounded especially well. Hi-Hats are also well presented and blend beautifully into the mix, well done. That said, the treble region is a tricky part; some of us really love treble, and some of us cannot handle it and it may be "harsh". Let me be honest with you here, there are tons of treble details here, and while I really like it and can handle it, if you are sensitive to treble, you might not, so please consider that first. Anyway, where was I? Ah! I have enjoyed the treble in the Zero Ultima! The combination with the rest of the frequencies is done tastefully, and let's the treble shine and sparkle.
Technical Performance
To be honest, usually with budget IEMs this is the department where they fall, but not in this IEM, and don't let their small size fool you. The soundstage on this IEM feels wide and open, even better than some more expensive sets. I think this might be the case because as I have mentioned in the beginning, the fit of this IEM is not deep, it feels like half IEM and half flat earphones, something in between. But anyway, it helps the stage feel wide, open, very natural to my taste. The imaging of this IEM is also decent, I did not expect that, but yeah, you get here a quite impressive stage & imaging. The layering here is also good, but not the best, so yeah, here is a department where they do fall a little bit. Is that concerning? Yeah, it might concern you in very busy tracks. But most of the time, it was fine, and didn't bother me too much.
To sum up
The TANCHJIM Zero Ultima is doing school for IEMs around its price range. Yes, the cable is not detachable and to me it is its biggest con. But other than that, you get here rich packaging, and an app that works great and smoothly, good quality DSP chip that will drive your IEM loud enough, without needing to crank up the volume, and I personally didn't hear any noise or hiss. Do we need to talk about the sound again? It is great! The technical performance is also excellent.
You know what is interesting to me? I sometimes chose to listen to the TANCHJIM Zero Ultima instead of my other sets. I really think that it is good. And for 16$?
So yeah, I think the TANCHJIM Zero Ultima is a great set, and whether you are new to this hobby, or already own many sets, this IEM might be a great addition to your collection, and who knows, it might surprise you as much as it has surprised me. The TANCHJIM Zero Ultima earns my recommendation!
I hope you have enjoyed my review and hope to see you in my next review!
Attachments
Hello everyone! I'm happy to see you here again with another review. Today I am going to review the BQEYZ BQ10 (DSP mic version). The BQ10 was sent to me in courtesy of BQEYZ in exchange for my honest review.
As mentioned at the beginning, I received the IEMs from BQEYZ in exchange for my honest review, but still – my opinions about the IEMs are personal and written based on my own experience with them, and I was not paid for this review.
In the box you will find:
The carrying case feels nice, it is round, pocketable, it has plenty of space and a place to store more ear tips or a dongle (which you don't really need here, but you might in the 3.5mm version). Overall, nice carrying case!
The ear tips included are good, they are made of silicon, and they feel very smooth. One type is wide bore, and the second type is regular. Both were comfortable for me and felt good on my ear.
Let's face the truth – the included cable feels cheap. To me, it feels like a KZ cable, at this price point I think it is not acceptable. But there is a good DSP chip to save the day, and I didn't hear any noise or hiss there, which is very good. Maybe this is the compromise you need to make to get that. I have not tested the mic of this cable, but I can say that the buttons are clicky and work well.
Build Quality & Fit and Comfort
The building of this IEM is good, the front is made from metal and the back of it is made from resin. It has a nice shape that slightly resembles the human ear, and I could wear them for long. The nozzle size is also not very big, which makes it easy on the ear.
Now, let's talk about the sound!
In Terms of Sound
Have you noticed it? Yeah! I have finally received my IEC 711 coupler. You can find the measurement here.
Let's talk about the tuning of this IEM. This is interesting to me, because I liked an IEM with this exact tuning, but here – something was off. The bass seems like there is a lot of it, but this is not a "good" bass, for me at least. It feels like it steals the show from the midrange, the treble also sounds off and missing.
And no, this tuning in general is not bad, I really liked another IEM with this exact tuning philosophy, the ISN NEO 3:
https://squig.link/lab/avishai/?share=BQEYZ_BQ10,ISN_NEO_3
But yeah, this comparison is not apples to apples. But still, it is enough to make a point. The execution of this tuning here doesn't meet my expectations.
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.
The sub bass of this IEM feels missing to my ears. There is not a lot of it, at all. To me this is very bold, I am a person who enjoys tons of sub bass, but here I think even sub bass haters would crave for more of it.
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.
The mid bass of this IEM does not meet my expectations; it bleeds into the midrange, feels uncontrolled, not natural, Something there feels off. But there is a fix I have found for this, and it's name is EQ, that addresses this exact problem I have with this IEM, and I will talk about it later in this review. But overall, I did not like the bass of this IEM.
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.
The midrange wasn't done so cleanly, I don't know how to explain it exactly, but I feel like I was missing something the whole time. I was missing the balance in the frequencies. Although the instruments still sounded good, it didn't feel as natural as possible. Female voices felt relatively behind, and in general it felt like the bass was stealing the show from the other frequencies, which is a bit annoying.
But for solo singers or spoken words, where the main sound is the singer vocal, this IEM provide an intimate listening experience. This is the best use case I found for them, to be honest.
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.
The treble of this IEM is not the strongest part of it. It is a little muted, to a point I wonder where it is. It feels missing, and I am not a treble head, so it could give you an idea. The main focus of this IEM is on the lower frequencies, so this could be the reason why the treble feels "hidden".
The technical capabilities of the IEM are OK. The imaging doesn't stand out, it is very mediocre. The soundstage feels congested and intimate, in some songs it bothered me, and on some the intimate feeling was actually good.
I know I wasn't very positive about this IEM (and I hope BQEYZ will improve it in their next model!), but as I said, there is a fix, named EQ:
Look at this beautiful graph!
I have tried so many EQ settings, I played with it until I got a result that I liked.
Let's break it down.
What I did was first boost the sub bass (because yeah, I like it!), then I took the mid-bass back a little to make it sound cleaner, then I matched midrange to Harman, and the boosted the upper midrange in order to put the female vocals more "forward". and the result? Impressive! The IEMs took the equalizer excellently and brought impressive results, all without spending an extra buck. I don't recognize this IEM anymore! If I was to review this IEM with this EQ, my opinions of it were completely different. Since I cannot, I will just give you the opportunity to try it by yourself and judge. Here are my EQ settings for easy copy:
Preamp: -3.8 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 100 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 0.500
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 300 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 1.000
Filter 3: OFF PK Fc 1000 Hz Gain 0.0 dB Q 1.000
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3500 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 1.000
I am sure that BQEYZ do have many other good sets, and if you want to buy specifically an IEM of BQEYZ, I would recommend you checking out other models that might have better reviews.
What do you think about them? And what do you think about my EQ profile? Please let me know!
See you in my next reviews.
Disclaimer
As mentioned at the beginning, I received the IEMs from BQEYZ in exchange for my honest review, but still – my opinions about the IEMs are personal and written based on my own experience with them, and I was not paid for this review.
What's in the box?
In the box you will find:
- Carrying case.
- 2 types of silicon ear tips.
- Type C DSP Cable.
- The IEMs themselves
The carrying case feels nice, it is round, pocketable, it has plenty of space and a place to store more ear tips or a dongle (which you don't really need here, but you might in the 3.5mm version). Overall, nice carrying case!
The ear tips included are good, they are made of silicon, and they feel very smooth. One type is wide bore, and the second type is regular. Both were comfortable for me and felt good on my ear.
Let's face the truth – the included cable feels cheap. To me, it feels like a KZ cable, at this price point I think it is not acceptable. But there is a good DSP chip to save the day, and I didn't hear any noise or hiss there, which is very good. Maybe this is the compromise you need to make to get that. I have not tested the mic of this cable, but I can say that the buttons are clicky and work well.
Build Quality & Fit and Comfort
The building of this IEM is good, the front is made from metal and the back of it is made from resin. It has a nice shape that slightly resembles the human ear, and I could wear them for long. The nozzle size is also not very big, which makes it easy on the ear.
Now, let's talk about the sound!
In Terms of Sound
Have you noticed it? Yeah! I have finally received my IEC 711 coupler. You can find the measurement here.
Let's talk about the tuning of this IEM. This is interesting to me, because I liked an IEM with this exact tuning, but here – something was off. The bass seems like there is a lot of it, but this is not a "good" bass, for me at least. It feels like it steals the show from the midrange, the treble also sounds off and missing.
And no, this tuning in general is not bad, I really liked another IEM with this exact tuning philosophy, the ISN NEO 3:
https://squig.link/lab/avishai/?share=BQEYZ_BQ10,ISN_NEO_3
But yeah, this comparison is not apples to apples. But still, it is enough to make a point. The execution of this tuning here doesn't meet my expectations.
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.
The sub bass of this IEM feels missing to my ears. There is not a lot of it, at all. To me this is very bold, I am a person who enjoys tons of sub bass, but here I think even sub bass haters would crave for more of it.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.
The mid bass of this IEM does not meet my expectations; it bleeds into the midrange, feels uncontrolled, not natural, Something there feels off. But there is a fix I have found for this, and it's name is EQ, that addresses this exact problem I have with this IEM, and I will talk about it later in this review. But overall, I did not like the bass of this IEM.
Mids
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.
The midrange wasn't done so cleanly, I don't know how to explain it exactly, but I feel like I was missing something the whole time. I was missing the balance in the frequencies. Although the instruments still sounded good, it didn't feel as natural as possible. Female voices felt relatively behind, and in general it felt like the bass was stealing the show from the other frequencies, which is a bit annoying.
But for solo singers or spoken words, where the main sound is the singer vocal, this IEM provide an intimate listening experience. This is the best use case I found for them, to be honest.
Treble
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.
The treble of this IEM is not the strongest part of it. It is a little muted, to a point I wonder where it is. It feels missing, and I am not a treble head, so it could give you an idea. The main focus of this IEM is on the lower frequencies, so this could be the reason why the treble feels "hidden".
Technical Capabilities
The technical capabilities of the IEM are OK. The imaging doesn't stand out, it is very mediocre. The soundstage feels congested and intimate, in some songs it bothered me, and on some the intimate feeling was actually good.
I know I wasn't very positive about this IEM (and I hope BQEYZ will improve it in their next model!), but as I said, there is a fix, named EQ:
Look at this beautiful graph!
I have tried so many EQ settings, I played with it until I got a result that I liked.
Let's break it down.
What I did was first boost the sub bass (because yeah, I like it!), then I took the mid-bass back a little to make it sound cleaner, then I matched midrange to Harman, and the boosted the upper midrange in order to put the female vocals more "forward". and the result? Impressive! The IEMs took the equalizer excellently and brought impressive results, all without spending an extra buck. I don't recognize this IEM anymore! If I was to review this IEM with this EQ, my opinions of it were completely different. Since I cannot, I will just give you the opportunity to try it by yourself and judge. Here are my EQ settings for easy copy:
Preamp: -3.8 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 100 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 0.500
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 300 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 1.000
Filter 3: OFF PK Fc 1000 Hz Gain 0.0 dB Q 1.000
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3500 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 1.000
Bottom Line
The BQEYZ BQ10 are equipped with a high quality DSP chip, I didn't have to turn up the volume too much to reach a high volume level with them; very high-quality silicone ear tips, especially for this price pint. Regarding the sound, personally, I was less impressed. I think it would have been possible to put less emphasis on the mid-bass, and make the bass cleaner and let the mid-frequencies shine. What is more, the advantage of having a DSP cable is that you can easily EQ the earphones, and since there is a pretty high-quality DSP chip here, you can make strong changes and still not raise the volume level excessively, which is a big advantage for these IEMs. However, there are many competitors in this price range, and if we consider that the cable itself doesn't feel the best quality (which can be forgiven because it has a high-quality DSP chip, but still…), it puts them in a bit of a problem for me. I would say, if you like a lot of mid-bass, sounds that aren't very forward, and calm treble, they could be right for you. In my opinion, I enjoyed them more with the EQ I did to them, since it fixes all the complaints I had about them.I am sure that BQEYZ do have many other good sets, and if you want to buy specifically an IEM of BQEYZ, I would recommend you checking out other models that might have better reviews.
What do you think about them? And what do you think about my EQ profile? Please let me know!
See you in my next reviews.
Hello everyone! I'm happy to see you here again with another review. I’ve spent the last two weeks with the new IEMs from Leteciel, the Leteciel SHARK – IEMs with three dynamic drivers in each (3DD), priced at around $110. I got this opportunity courtesy of Penon Audio, and I’m very grateful to them for that!
As mentioned at the beginning, I received the IEMs from Penon Audio in exchange for my honest review, but still – my opinions about the IEMs are personal and written based on my own experience with them, and I was not paid for this review. Additionally, this review was translated from Hebrew using translations tools, if you wish to read the review in it's native language, you may do that at this following link.
Thanks for asking! Well, I’ve received a few requests mentioning the lack of an unboxing video for these IEMs. So, I listened to the requests, and here’s the pilot:
Did you like it? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
The unboxing experience is truly exceptional compared to what’s usually offered, especially in this price range. Even before opening the box, there’s a cute welcome surprise – an anime band that you can assemble and create a cute little band that can be placed on your desk or anywhere else you like. It’s a fun and quirky addition, especially for anime lovers (like me~).
Inside the box, you'll find a picture of the anime band featured on the packaging, a high-quality denim-style case, an anime pin, one type of silicone ear tips, and the IEMs themselves with the cable already attached—just take them out, plug them in, and enjoy. Personally, I would’ve liked to receive more types of silicone ear tips, but aside from that, the unboxing experience is very rich and unexpected for this price range, overall.
The cable of the IEMs very good. It is colored in black, the width of it is not particularly thick, and it is relatively flexible, but it does have a tiny bit of memory, though nothing that interferes with usage. Overall, I would say it’s quite comfortable. The ring around the cable split works great; it stays in place and is very easy to adjust, which is an area where many cables fall short, so I’m happy to see they did this right. The shape that curves around the ear is one of the most comfortable I’ve worn. The cable bends smoothly behind the ear without needing to adjust or pull it.
Honestly, it’s a great welcome, especially when the cable comes pre-attached to the IEM, so you don’t need to mess with it. And with an unboxing experience that leaves a smile on your face, great job.
Oh, and yes, there’s a right and left mark on the cable, but it’s not a big deal since the cable is already pre-attached to the IEM.
The carrying case that comes with the IEMs is very high quality. It's a bluish color with a denim texture. It’s rectangular, opens and closes with magnets, and is quite convenient for carrying, fitting into a pocket.
It reminds me of the case that comes with the ISN Audio NEO 3, which are IEMs that cost twice as much, so that’s a nice touch.
Quality, comfortable, compact. I would say, though, that at first, it’s a bit challenging to get used to its shape, since the IEMs are relatively large, so it takes a bit of practice. But once you get used to it, it’s comfortable.
When it comes to the silicone tips, I think this is where the package falls a bit short. There’s only one type of silicone tip included, and at first, when I started listening, I felt like something wasn’t quite right for my ear.
Yes, they were comfortable, but the sound didn’t feel like it was the best these IEMs could produce. After trying out some different silicone tips, I decided to stick with my beloved SpinFit CP100+ tips, and the sound improved dramatically.
However, everyone has different ears, and this might be a specific issue for me; but still, I would have liked to see a bit more variety in the silicone tips.
I would say, if you decide to buy these IEMs, get yourself some additional silicone tips so you can have the option to choose and see what works best for you (aka - tip rolling). It really makes a difference in both the sound and the overall experience, and significantly so! Don’t skip this part. Very important!!
The build of the IEMs is ergonomic, with a shape that fits relatively well to the human ear, making them very comfortable. The IEMs themselves are very beautiful, shiny, and glossy. They respond to light, so every time you move, they shine in a blue hue, which is quite cute and unique. Overall, I found them very comfortable to use, and combined with the comfortable cable they come with, the listening experience and comfort were excellent.
Frequency response graph of the Leteciel SHARK from Squig (courtesy of Hu-Fi).
Apart from this review, I'm happy to announce that I have a measurement device for IEMs on the way, so soon I’ll be able to add my own measurements to my reviews and won’t have to rely on graphs from others. Thought that might be interesting. The tuning of the IEMs feels somewhat bass-focused, with enough sub and mid-bass to give body to the vocals, which are not so upfront but still very present, and at the same time, they’re not the warmest IEMs I’ve heard; maybe more "warmish".
The sub-bass in these headphones is well felt. It can go deep, but in a way that isn't excessive. It feels quite high-quality, sitting in the background, ready to do its job. It's not the deepest sub-bass I've ever heard, but there's a nice balance with the other frequencies, which allows it to blend well into the overall sound. To be more specific, it's well felt and delivers a very good performance, but it doesn't steal the show from the other frequencies. Instead, it adds flavor and color to the music without taking over. When needed, it's very present, but as mentioned, it doesn't hinder the other frequencies from shining.
The mid-bass receives more emphasis and presence compared to the sub-bass. It feels full, with instruments like drums getting body, piano key presses feeling lively and deep, and guitars sounding more "acoustic," especially bass guitars. It's a very enjoyable experience. Male voices also get body and presence, feeling full. Despite the focus on the mid-bass, I wouldn't call these headphones particularly "warm," probably due to the good contrast from the higher frequencies. Overall, I think the bass in these headphones is excellent. It's rich, high-quality, and well-crafted. In metal tracks with lots of bass, as well as rock, the headphones managed to play the bass fast enough to satisfy. I don't think they can disappoint anyone, and I say this as someone who loves a lot of bass.
I think the headphones' character is somewhat "band-like," and you definitely get that vibe, both in the unboxing and the tuning. The drums, especially, feel alive in these headphones, with the nuances being very noticeable and a great performance from them.
I'd also like to mention the guitars. I noted they sound "acoustic," and this is really felt. The guitars have body, texture, and every strum gets a warm, pleasant touch. It's a very enjoyable experience, and these IEMs know how to deliver this very well. I was quite impressed!
In terms of midrange frequencies, the IEMs also manage to perform well. Guitars sound excellent, violins sound full, and both male and female voices sound great equally. They are relatively forward, but not excessively so. I feel like each instrument receives a nice level of attention, and the combination of low frequencies and midrange brings a lot of life to the mix, making it a very enjoyable experience. The IEMs excelled in pop songs, the way they played male and female vocals was wonderful, combined with instruments that sound full.
Listening to concerts was also a very enjoyable experience; for example, listening to the tracklist of Wicked was very immersive. Every vocal received good attention, and their positioning was precise, with great bass support.
Additionally, the album Tales Weaver Exceed by Vanilla Mood, which is composed entirely of instrumental music (highly recommended!), sounded really beautiful, and gave me the feeling of being in the concert itself. The instruments were well-positioned, felt full, and each one received individual attention. Overall, I think the midrange frequencies were done well and tastefully. I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing combination of bass and midrange. Great job, Leteciel!!
The treble in the IEMs provides enough contrast to the bass, but anyone looking for a lot of treble might not find it here. This is what gives these IEMs a more "intimate" feel, with a focus on vocals and other frequencies. The treble is there to balance, but it doesn’t get as much attention as the bass and midrange. I find this fitting for the tuning that Leteciel chose to go with, and it blends very well. Nuances like guitar plucks, cymbals, and so on sound excellent; they integrate nicely with the instruments.
Overall, I think Leteciel did a good job with the treble in the IEMs. It’s present, not the most prominent, provides excellent contrast to the bass, and still doesn’t tire or become harsh on the ears. I’d say the main focus in these IEMs is the bass, at least based on my experience. Again, it’s not that there’s no treble, there’s enough of it, and it’s enough to make me happy. But for electronic music, I don’t think this would be my first choice. These IEMs are more suited for songs with vocals and instruments, but less so for electronic. That said, I did enjoy listening to electronic music with them, and they delivered a good performance, but they wouldn’t be my first pick for the genre.
The technical capabilities of these IEMs are nothing short of impressive. The soundstage feels quite wide, with instruments having room to breathe and shine. Separation capabilities are pretty good for the price range. But the imaging... wow! That was the first thing I noticed about these IEMs. The combination of a fairly wide soundstage and great imaging makes these IEMs stand out in the technical department, especially for the price range they compete in, in my opinion. Detail retrieval is also quite good, with nuances in the midrange and low frequencies receiving great attention. Overall, excellent technical performance, especially considering the price that Leteciel is asking for. I really enjoyed them.
The Letshuoer S12 are in-ear monitors with a single planar magnetic driver. I’d say the comparison between them is quite interesting; the S12 offers a brighter tuning, with less emphasis on bass, and more focus on mids and treble. Meanwhile, the Leteciel SHARK feel a bit warmer, less treble-focused, and give more attention to the mids and nuances in the lower frequencies. In terms of technical abilities, I’d say they are on the same level, which is amazing in my opinion. The imaging on both is very good, and the soundstage feels wide. When choosing between the two, I would lean more towards the type of music I listen to, as each has its strengths and weaknesses. For electronic music, I’d prefer the S12, but for pop music or music that primarily features instruments, I’d prefer the Leteciel SHARK. In terms of build quality, the S12 are made of metal and are relatively small, so they don’t fully cover the ear, requiring a good seal to block out external noise. The Leteciel SHARK, on the other hand, provide better passive isolation and have a shape that fits the human ear more comfortably. To sum up: the Leteciel SHARK focuses more on the lower frequencies and midrange, while the S12 are brighter, with more emphasis on the high frequencies.
The Sliivo SL41 mk2 are hybrid IEMs combining a dynamic driver (DD) with 4 balanced armature drivers (BA). Honestly, just like the S12 were an interesting comparison, this one is also relatively interesting. I would describe the Sliivo (allow me to shorten it and use this name, please
) as more neutral IEMs with boosted bass, and a bit more brightness (although there's great sub-bass enhancement), while the Leteciel SHARK are warmer IEMs with a focus on the nuances in the lower frequencies. I would say the comparison is relatively similar to that of the S12, except for the technical performance. From my feeling, the soundstage of the Leteciel SHARK feels wider, and the imaging is better compared to the Sliivo. In terms of comfort, I found the Leteciel SHARK more comfortable to wear than the Sliivo, because of their more ergonomic shape, while the Sliivo has a relatively flat shape. To sum up: the Leteciel SHARK are IEMs with a wider soundstage and better imaging, focusing on the nuances in the lower frequencies, while the Sliivo are neutral IEMs with a bass boost and are a bit more treble-heavy than the Leteciel SHARK.
Beyond that, the listening experience is relatively intimate and calm, with satisfying bass, a lovely focus on the low-end nuances of musical instruments. The packaging really reflects the vibe of the IEMs, with great emphasis on drums, guitars, cello, pianos, and violins. The bass plays a great role here, giving substance, foundation, depth, and shape to each instrument. For pop music, concerts, and solo instrumental pieces, they’re definitely my first choice.
And at their price? Good luck competing with that. Their technical abilities left me speechless, the soundstage is wide, and the imaging capabilities are nothing short of excellent.
The only downside for me was that the silicon tips that came with them didn’t fit my ears, so I switched to SpinFit CP100+. So, if you feel the same way I did and think something's missing, I’d recommend first trying to swap out the tips and see if it improves the sound. For me, after changing the silicon tips, the sound improved dramatically. But that’s a personal issue, and everyone has different preferences. In general, with any IEM, it’s always worth trying many types of tips to find the one that provides the best seal and comfort. It’s worth buying several types and styles and giving each IEM the tip that suits it best.
Overall, I think Leteciel has thrown a tough competitor into the ring in this price range. If they keep it up, I see a bright future for them in the market. These IEMs definitely earn my recommendation!
The Leteciel SHARK are available for purchase from Penon Audio's store via the following link (no affiliate marketing) for around 109.90$.
Thank you for reading, hope to see you in my next reviews~!
Disclaimer
As mentioned at the beginning, I received the IEMs from Penon Audio in exchange for my honest review, but still – my opinions about the IEMs are personal and written based on my own experience with them, and I was not paid for this review. Additionally, this review was translated from Hebrew using translations tools, if you wish to read the review in it's native language, you may do that at this following link.
What's in the box?
Thanks for asking! Well, I’ve received a few requests mentioning the lack of an unboxing video for these IEMs. So, I listened to the requests, and here’s the pilot:
Did you like it? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
The unboxing experience is truly exceptional compared to what’s usually offered, especially in this price range. Even before opening the box, there’s a cute welcome surprise – an anime band that you can assemble and create a cute little band that can be placed on your desk or anywhere else you like. It’s a fun and quirky addition, especially for anime lovers (like me~).
Inside the box, you'll find a picture of the anime band featured on the packaging, a high-quality denim-style case, an anime pin, one type of silicone ear tips, and the IEMs themselves with the cable already attached—just take them out, plug them in, and enjoy. Personally, I would’ve liked to receive more types of silicone ear tips, but aside from that, the unboxing experience is very rich and unexpected for this price range, overall.
The cable of the IEMs very good. It is colored in black, the width of it is not particularly thick, and it is relatively flexible, but it does have a tiny bit of memory, though nothing that interferes with usage. Overall, I would say it’s quite comfortable. The ring around the cable split works great; it stays in place and is very easy to adjust, which is an area where many cables fall short, so I’m happy to see they did this right. The shape that curves around the ear is one of the most comfortable I’ve worn. The cable bends smoothly behind the ear without needing to adjust or pull it.
Honestly, it’s a great welcome, especially when the cable comes pre-attached to the IEM, so you don’t need to mess with it. And with an unboxing experience that leaves a smile on your face, great job.
Oh, and yes, there’s a right and left mark on the cable, but it’s not a big deal since the cable is already pre-attached to the IEM.
The carrying case that comes with the IEMs is very high quality. It's a bluish color with a denim texture. It’s rectangular, opens and closes with magnets, and is quite convenient for carrying, fitting into a pocket.
It reminds me of the case that comes with the ISN Audio NEO 3, which are IEMs that cost twice as much, so that’s a nice touch.
Quality, comfortable, compact. I would say, though, that at first, it’s a bit challenging to get used to its shape, since the IEMs are relatively large, so it takes a bit of practice. But once you get used to it, it’s comfortable.
When it comes to the silicone tips, I think this is where the package falls a bit short. There’s only one type of silicone tip included, and at first, when I started listening, I felt like something wasn’t quite right for my ear.
Yes, they were comfortable, but the sound didn’t feel like it was the best these IEMs could produce. After trying out some different silicone tips, I decided to stick with my beloved SpinFit CP100+ tips, and the sound improved dramatically.
However, everyone has different ears, and this might be a specific issue for me; but still, I would have liked to see a bit more variety in the silicone tips.
I would say, if you decide to buy these IEMs, get yourself some additional silicone tips so you can have the option to choose and see what works best for you (aka - tip rolling). It really makes a difference in both the sound and the overall experience, and significantly so! Don’t skip this part. Very important!!
Build Quality & Fit and Comfort
The build of the IEMs is ergonomic, with a shape that fits relatively well to the human ear, making them very comfortable. The IEMs themselves are very beautiful, shiny, and glossy. They respond to light, so every time you move, they shine in a blue hue, which is quite cute and unique. Overall, I found them very comfortable to use, and combined with the comfortable cable they come with, the listening experience and comfort were excellent.
In Terms Of Sound
Frequency response graph of the Leteciel SHARK from Squig (courtesy of Hu-Fi).
Apart from this review, I'm happy to announce that I have a measurement device for IEMs on the way, so soon I’ll be able to add my own measurements to my reviews and won’t have to rely on graphs from others. Thought that might be interesting
. The tuning of the IEMs feels somewhat bass-focused, with enough sub and mid-bass to give body to the vocals, which are not so upfront but still very present, and at the same time, they’re not the warmest IEMs I’ve heard; maybe more "warmish".Sub-Bass
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.The sub-bass in these headphones is well felt. It can go deep, but in a way that isn't excessive. It feels quite high-quality, sitting in the background, ready to do its job. It's not the deepest sub-bass I've ever heard, but there's a nice balance with the other frequencies, which allows it to blend well into the overall sound. To be more specific, it's well felt and delivers a very good performance, but it doesn't steal the show from the other frequencies. Instead, it adds flavor and color to the music without taking over. When needed, it's very present, but as mentioned, it doesn't hinder the other frequencies from shining.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.The mid-bass receives more emphasis and presence compared to the sub-bass. It feels full, with instruments like drums getting body, piano key presses feeling lively and deep, and guitars sounding more "acoustic," especially bass guitars. It's a very enjoyable experience. Male voices also get body and presence, feeling full. Despite the focus on the mid-bass, I wouldn't call these headphones particularly "warm," probably due to the good contrast from the higher frequencies. Overall, I think the bass in these headphones is excellent. It's rich, high-quality, and well-crafted. In metal tracks with lots of bass, as well as rock, the headphones managed to play the bass fast enough to satisfy. I don't think they can disappoint anyone, and I say this as someone who loves a lot of bass.
I think the headphones' character is somewhat "band-like," and you definitely get that vibe, both in the unboxing and the tuning. The drums, especially, feel alive in these headphones, with the nuances being very noticeable and a great performance from them.
I'd also like to mention the guitars. I noted they sound "acoustic," and this is really felt. The guitars have body, texture, and every strum gets a warm, pleasant touch. It's a very enjoyable experience, and these IEMs know how to deliver this very well. I was quite impressed!
Mids
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.In terms of midrange frequencies, the IEMs also manage to perform well. Guitars sound excellent, violins sound full, and both male and female voices sound great equally. They are relatively forward, but not excessively so. I feel like each instrument receives a nice level of attention, and the combination of low frequencies and midrange brings a lot of life to the mix, making it a very enjoyable experience. The IEMs excelled in pop songs, the way they played male and female vocals was wonderful, combined with instruments that sound full.
Listening to concerts was also a very enjoyable experience; for example, listening to the tracklist of Wicked was very immersive. Every vocal received good attention, and their positioning was precise, with great bass support.
Additionally, the album Tales Weaver Exceed by Vanilla Mood, which is composed entirely of instrumental music (highly recommended!), sounded really beautiful, and gave me the feeling of being in the concert itself. The instruments were well-positioned, felt full, and each one received individual attention. Overall, I think the midrange frequencies were done well and tastefully. I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing combination of bass and midrange. Great job, Leteciel!!
Treble
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.The treble in the IEMs provides enough contrast to the bass, but anyone looking for a lot of treble might not find it here. This is what gives these IEMs a more "intimate" feel, with a focus on vocals and other frequencies. The treble is there to balance, but it doesn’t get as much attention as the bass and midrange. I find this fitting for the tuning that Leteciel chose to go with, and it blends very well. Nuances like guitar plucks, cymbals, and so on sound excellent; they integrate nicely with the instruments.
Overall, I think Leteciel did a good job with the treble in the IEMs. It’s present, not the most prominent, provides excellent contrast to the bass, and still doesn’t tire or become harsh on the ears. I’d say the main focus in these IEMs is the bass, at least based on my experience. Again, it’s not that there’s no treble, there’s enough of it, and it’s enough to make me happy. But for electronic music, I don’t think this would be my first choice. These IEMs are more suited for songs with vocals and instruments, but less so for electronic. That said, I did enjoy listening to electronic music with them, and they delivered a good performance, but they wouldn’t be my first pick for the genre.
Technical Capabilities
The technical capabilities of these IEMs are nothing short of impressive. The soundstage feels quite wide, with instruments having room to breathe and shine. Separation capabilities are pretty good for the price range. But the imaging... wow! That was the first thing I noticed about these IEMs. The combination of a fairly wide soundstage and great imaging makes these IEMs stand out in the technical department, especially for the price range they compete in, in my opinion. Detail retrieval is also quite good, with nuances in the midrange and low frequencies receiving great attention. Overall, excellent technical performance, especially considering the price that Leteciel is asking for. I really enjoyed them.
Comparisons
Letshuoer S12 (Full review here)
The Letshuoer S12 are in-ear monitors with a single planar magnetic driver. I’d say the comparison between them is quite interesting; the S12 offers a brighter tuning, with less emphasis on bass, and more focus on mids and treble. Meanwhile, the Leteciel SHARK feel a bit warmer, less treble-focused, and give more attention to the mids and nuances in the lower frequencies. In terms of technical abilities, I’d say they are on the same level, which is amazing in my opinion. The imaging on both is very good, and the soundstage feels wide. When choosing between the two, I would lean more towards the type of music I listen to, as each has its strengths and weaknesses. For electronic music, I’d prefer the S12, but for pop music or music that primarily features instruments, I’d prefer the Leteciel SHARK. In terms of build quality, the S12 are made of metal and are relatively small, so they don’t fully cover the ear, requiring a good seal to block out external noise. The Leteciel SHARK, on the other hand, provide better passive isolation and have a shape that fits the human ear more comfortably. To sum up: the Leteciel SHARK focuses more on the lower frequencies and midrange, while the S12 are brighter, with more emphasis on the high frequencies.
Sliivo SL41 mk2 (Full review here)
The Sliivo SL41 mk2 are hybrid IEMs combining a dynamic driver (DD) with 4 balanced armature drivers (BA). Honestly, just like the S12 were an interesting comparison, this one is also relatively interesting. I would describe the Sliivo (allow me to shorten it and use this name, please
) as more neutral IEMs with boosted bass, and a bit more brightness (although there's great sub-bass enhancement), while the Leteciel SHARK are warmer IEMs with a focus on the nuances in the lower frequencies. I would say the comparison is relatively similar to that of the S12, except for the technical performance. From my feeling, the soundstage of the Leteciel SHARK feels wider, and the imaging is better compared to the Sliivo. In terms of comfort, I found the Leteciel SHARK more comfortable to wear than the Sliivo, because of their more ergonomic shape, while the Sliivo has a relatively flat shape. To sum up: the Leteciel SHARK are IEMs with a wider soundstage and better imaging, focusing on the nuances in the lower frequencies, while the Sliivo are neutral IEMs with a bass boost and are a bit more treble-heavy than the Leteciel SHARK.
Bottom Line
The Leteciel SHARK are serious contenders in their price range. They offer a very satisfying package of accessories that left a smile on my face and gave a nice vibe, as if the box is inviting me to listen to the tracks. The IEMs themselves are very beautiful, with a shiny and glamorous structure, looking almost like a luxury, sparkling piece of jewelry, the kind that draws attention and invites you to listen. There’s no way you'd want to leave them just lying on a table or not admire their beauty.Beyond that, the listening experience is relatively intimate and calm, with satisfying bass, a lovely focus on the low-end nuances of musical instruments. The packaging really reflects the vibe of the IEMs, with great emphasis on drums, guitars, cello, pianos, and violins. The bass plays a great role here, giving substance, foundation, depth, and shape to each instrument. For pop music, concerts, and solo instrumental pieces, they’re definitely my first choice.
And at their price? Good luck competing with that. Their technical abilities left me speechless, the soundstage is wide, and the imaging capabilities are nothing short of excellent.
The only downside for me was that the silicon tips that came with them didn’t fit my ears, so I switched to SpinFit CP100+. So, if you feel the same way I did and think something's missing, I’d recommend first trying to swap out the tips and see if it improves the sound. For me, after changing the silicon tips, the sound improved dramatically. But that’s a personal issue, and everyone has different preferences. In general, with any IEM, it’s always worth trying many types of tips to find the one that provides the best seal and comfort. It’s worth buying several types and styles and giving each IEM the tip that suits it best.
Overall, I think Leteciel has thrown a tough competitor into the ring in this price range. If they keep it up, I see a bright future for them in the market. These IEMs definitely earn my recommendation!
The Leteciel SHARK are available for purchase from Penon Audio's store via the following link (no affiliate marketing) for around 109.90$.
Thank you for reading, hope to see you in my next reviews~!
Hello to all the audio enthusiasts! I’d like to share with you my latest purchase – the Sliivo SL41 MK2 from MYER-AUDIO (yes, I know, long and confusing name..), hybrid IEMs combining a single dynamic driver (DD) + 4 balanced armature drivers (BA). As you can guess from the title, it’s pretty clear what to expect in the review, and that’s the reason it took me longer than usual to write it. It took me a lot of time to calm down from the excitement I had about these IEMs. I can’t say I’ve completely calmed down, but now I’m more in a mindset that can truly review. It will be difficult, no doubt, but for a good reason, and I believe you’ll understand why as we go along. Shall we start?
Disclaimer
The IEMs were purchased with my own money, and all my opinions about the IEM are personal and based on my personal experience using them. This review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English using translation tools. If you'd like to read the original review in its native language, you can do so at the following link.
Honestly, the unboxing experience is quite modest. When you open the box, you are greeted by the IEMs already connected to their cable and ready for direct connection to your playback source, without the need to fuss with connecting the cable, which is something I don’t usually see. Additionally, you receive a round carrying case, 2 types of silicone tips, and a pair of memory foam tips. Yes, nothing extraordinary in terms of the number of accessories at this price range. But how about their quality? Here, in my opinion, they stand out from other IEMs.
The cable of the IEMs is quite thick, very flexible, and doesn’t have any memory. Additionally, there are markings for the right and left sides, which is something I really appreciate. In fact, the cable feels very high quality, not the kind you typically get with IEMs in this price range. Honestly, there’s not much more to say—the cable is just good, among the more comfortable ones I’ve used.
The included carrying case is quite convenient. It’s blue (matching nicely with the color of the IEMs), faux leather, with an internal velvet-like lining, giving it a luxurious feel. The round shape is a bit unusual for me, as I’m more accustomed to square cases, which typically require less cable folding, especially given that the cable here is quite thick. You could say that with this cable, the IEMs fit snugly into the case, which wasn't the most convenient for me. However, aside from that, the case does its job well and is beautifully designed.
In terms of ear tips, the package includes one type of white/transparent silicone tips in three sizes, which are considered standard silicone tips. Additionally, there are transparent silicone tips with a red base, imitating the SpinFit design with a swivel mechanism, also in three sizes. To put it in perspective, a single pair of SpinFit CP100+ can cost around $7 for just one size. Here, you get three sizes included! For me, that’s more than enough to start listening without needing any upgrades. Although they aren’t quite as premium as the SpinFit CP100+, the difference is minor, especially considering they come free with the IEMs (and unfortunately aren’t sold separately, I checked). There's also a pair of red memory foam tips included, though personally, I’m not a fan of using them, but they’re there if you prefer.
The IEMs are made of resin (which feels like high-quality plastic), similar to many other IEMs. The front faceplate is blue with yellow accents, resembling a piece of art, as if an artist’s painting was applied to the IEMs. The model name is written in gold, which reflects light. The inner part of the IEMs is black/transparent, allowing a clear view of the internal components. It’s stunning—you can see the minimalistic setup of all the drivers, the crossover, and the soldering. There’s something very satisfying about it. The attention to detail is remarkable—the wires connecting the drivers to the crossover are the same color as the cable provided with the IEMs, giving the impression that the cable seamlessly continues inside the IEMs. This level of detail amazed me.
However, I must mention a minor downside: not every cable can fit these IEMs, as they use a recessed 2PIN connection that allows the cable to plug in more securely. On one hand, this isn’t a huge issue since the included cable is of high enough quality that I wouldn’t want to replace it. On the other hand, I would have liked to try my other cables, but I can’t due to this feature. If you plan to purchase a new cable for these IEMs, ensure it’s a recessed 2PIN type.
In terms of comfort and fit to the ear, I would say they are quite good. Although they don't have a shape that matches the shape of the ear, they are still comfortable. They don't stick out, and despite the IEM's nozzle being 6.2mm, I felt quite comfortable with it. As mentioned, a successful combination of silicone tips, very comfortable. I would say, however, that 6.2mm is really the boundary between comfortable and uncomfortable for me, here it works, but it is something to keep in mind if you have a small ear. It didn't bother me, fortunately.
I would say the tuning of the IEMs is quite neutral, there’s room for everything to be heard without any frequency being compromised. You just hear everything, without sacrificing anything. And it’s done in good taste, with deep bass... The best way I can describe these IEMs is that they are the closest I’ve heard to speakers with a subwoofer. I’m not joking, it’s just amazing, I’ve been looking for IEMs that can deliver this for so long, do you understand why I’m so excited?
The sub-bass in these IEMs is very deep. And when I say deep, I really mean it. It can go very low, sounds amazing, without compromising other frequencies. When I started listening, this was the thing that grabbed my attention the most. An insane amount of sub-bass, I was really satisfied with both the quantity and the quality. It’s deep, full, clean, really – everything you need in an IEM. If you're like me and love a lot of sub-bass, these are definitely the IEMs for you.
The mid-bass feels present in the IEMs, it’s done in a pretty clean and balanced way. When there’s a punch, it’s felt well, and in amazing balance with the sub-bass. Although it's not the star of the show, like the sub-bass, it’s enough to give body to male voices and drums. The mid-bass feels fast, it manages to handle a lot of bass, even in tracks that exaggerate it. Except for a few rare cases (which I tend to assume are due to poor recordings, not a problem with the IEMs), I didn’t find a place where it failed to deliver a good performance. Really, in every type of song, it managed to impress, and left me with a smile on my face.
The mid frequencies in the IEMs felt very balanced, and it was done well, as it gives equal prominence to every sound, every frequency, everything sounds great and clear. Male and female voices sounded very good, without exception. Instruments like guitars, especially, sounded amazing, every string gets attention, violins sound full, pianos sound really good; they sound as if they’re playing just for me, right here next to me, very realistic. In my opinion, the balance with the bass and treble gives the mid frequencies more body, more life. At the same time, they don’t sound warm in any way, they’re not “colored,” I’d even say they sound relatively cold, closer to reality. Overall, I really enjoyed what the IEMs were able to deliver, it sounds exactly how it should sound, you hear everything of everything, without compromising on anything, amazing balance. If I want to hear instruments playing just for me, no doubt they do the job excellently.
The treble in the IEMs is done tastefully. I wouldn't say they're particularly bright, but the amount of treble here adds a bit of a "bright" flavor. High-pitched human vocals sounded very good, as did the high tones of violins. Additionally, the strumming of string instruments, cymbals, and all the small nuances usually present in instruments were heard very clearly, enhancing the listening experience. Especially with guitars, I felt as if the guitar was playing right in front of me, thanks to the added details in the strumming that get attention. Moreover, synthesizers sound great, making electronic music very enjoyable. The combination of the treble in the IEMs with the bass is simply amazing, creating a paradise for electronic songs. Deep bass with treble that isn't overpowering but is present, I can't find words to describe how good it is. And the bass doesn't overwhelm the treble; they sound together, not against each other, very clean, with uncompromising treble. I find it hard to believe it's possible, but it is, and I hear it, and I'm amazed every time. To summarize, the treble is done with good taste; it's noticeable but not to the point of being annoying, rather the opposite – it's well-balanced with the other frequencies in an incredible way.
The ISN Audio NEO 3 are IEMs with 2 dynamic drivers + a magnetic planar driver. The comparison between the two is very interesting, as they provide completely different things; while the Sliivo try to be relatively neutral, sometimes I find them somewhat cold, despite the "compensation" of the boosted bass here. In contrast, the NEO 3 are warmer IEMs, and in my opinion, they also emphasize the vocals in a sweeter way, they are a completely different kind of IEM. Between the two, I found myself using the NEO 3 a lot for pop songs, because I think their ability to present vocals and subtle treble is something hard to describe in words (I invite you to read my review of them
); on the other hand, the Sliivo bring a deeper bass (just like a subwoofer), the instruments feel like they are playing for me, and their tuning is a bit more versatile, allowing them to play more genres without exception; I would say that if you mainly listen to pop songs or songs with human vocals, I would recommend going for the NEO 3, they have something special and calming. In contrast, if you want uncompromising IEMs that know how to give deep bass, good instrument presentation, like feeling the guitar strums and getting into the small nuances of the treble, I think the Sliivo SL41 would fit perfectly. I would like to note that in terms of soundstage, it felt slightly wider in the NEO 3, and in terms of imaging, I think both are at the same level. Since the NEO 3 don’t emphasize treble much, you can hear more detail in the lower frequencies; on the other hand, with the Sliivo SL41, the frequencies are heard in a balanced way, so beyond detail, you could say that you hear more. In terms of comfort and ear fit, the NEO 3 have a shape that fits my ear shape better, and the nozzle is not very wide, which makes them easier to wear for long periods. I still think that in terms of comfort, the NEO 3 take the lead, but that doesn’t mean the Sliivo are uncomfortable, they’re just not at the same level, both are still good and comfortable, but it’s important to take this into account if you have small ears, and if a 6.2mm nozzle size is too big for you. So to summarize: the NEO 3 are warmer-tuned IEMs that are great for certain songs like pop or those with lots of human vocals. The Sliivo feels a bit "colder" in comparison, but they’re more versatile and suitable for many genres.
The Letshuoer S12 are IEMs with a single planar magnetic driver. If you’ve read my review of them, you probably saw that the area where they disappointed me was the bass. In fact, I really loved these IEMs and became very attached to them, but I always wished they had deep bass as well. So, I’m happy to announce that this day has come! For me, the Sliivo SL41 remind me a lot of the S12 in many ways. There's great detail in the treble, the midrange sounds good, and the improvement here, in my opinion, is that the bass sounds exactly like subwoofer bass, exactly as I wanted. In fact, this is a real step-up for me. But, the S12 still have a place in my heart; sometimes the bass of the Sliivo can be a bit much, and for listening to electronic songs when I want something a little more relaxed, the S12 will probably be a better fit for me. That being said, I think the Sliivo are great as a direct upgrade from the S12, they’re exactly what I wanted in an IEM. In terms of soundstage, I think they are on the same level, maybe a bit better in the S12 but not dramatically so. In terms of imaging as well, I personally feel that the S12 do a slightly more accurate job with imaging. As for comfort and ear fit, the S12 are very small, and I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t be able to wear them, but on the other hand, this is also a downside because it’s hard to get a good seal with them, which the Sliivo do much better in my opinion. But it’s important to note again that the Sliivo have a 6.2mm nozzle size, so if you have relatively small ears, this could be a problem for you, something to keep in mind. For me, they were still comfortable. To summarize: if you loved the S12 and would like them to have a bit more bass and a slightly more relaxed treble, the Sliivo SL41 are, in my opinion, a direct upgrade. If you’re allergic to bass and want the bass to be more “in the background” rather than in your face, then the S12 would be the better choice.
I believe that after reading this review, you can understand why I was so excited about these IEMs. They provide everything I’ve ever wanted in an IEM: deep bass, midrange frequencies that allow you to hear everything, uncompromising treble. As someone whose library consists of a good amount of electronic music, I can say that it’s simply heaven for them, the amazing combination of bass and treble without one compromising the other. Furthermore, in the box, you get everything you actually need to start enjoying; there’s no need to buy different silicone tips because they already provide a good imitation of SpinFit in 3 sizes, no need for a new cable since the one in the box is already comfortable enough. The only thing I might complain about is the IEM case, which feels small compared to the thickness of the cable, but that’s fixable. If you’re looking for relatively neutral IEMs with boosted bass (but really boosted, with uncompromising amounts of sub-bass), I think these IEMs can totally work for you. It’s hard for me to think of a genre these IEMs couldn’t properly handle: pop, metal, rock, electronic, lo-fi, everything sounds great. In my opinion, there’s really no need to change anything about these IEMs; the only thing I’d want to be better is a wider soundstage, to hear more detail, and that’s it. For the price they cost, I think the value is excellent. The recommended retail price for these IEMs is about $180, but during sales, you can get them for $100-130 (and don’t tell Myer Audio I told you, but if you ask them nicely for a coupon – they’ll be happy to give you one), which makes them a great deal, in my opinion.
The IEMs are available for purchase from the MYER-AUDIO store at the following link (no affiliate marketing).
Disclaimer
The IEMs were purchased with my own money, and all my opinions about the IEM are personal and based on my personal experience using them. This review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English using translation tools. If you'd like to read the original review in its native language, you can do so at the following link.
What’s in the box?
Honestly, the unboxing experience is quite modest. When you open the box, you are greeted by the IEMs already connected to their cable and ready for direct connection to your playback source, without the need to fuss with connecting the cable, which is something I don’t usually see. Additionally, you receive a round carrying case, 2 types of silicone tips, and a pair of memory foam tips. Yes, nothing extraordinary in terms of the number of accessories at this price range. But how about their quality? Here, in my opinion, they stand out from other IEMs.
The cable of the IEMs is quite thick, very flexible, and doesn’t have any memory. Additionally, there are markings for the right and left sides, which is something I really appreciate. In fact, the cable feels very high quality, not the kind you typically get with IEMs in this price range. Honestly, there’s not much more to say—the cable is just good, among the more comfortable ones I’ve used.
The included carrying case is quite convenient. It’s blue (matching nicely with the color of the IEMs), faux leather, with an internal velvet-like lining, giving it a luxurious feel. The round shape is a bit unusual for me, as I’m more accustomed to square cases, which typically require less cable folding, especially given that the cable here is quite thick. You could say that with this cable, the IEMs fit snugly into the case, which wasn't the most convenient for me. However, aside from that, the case does its job well and is beautifully designed.
In terms of ear tips, the package includes one type of white/transparent silicone tips in three sizes, which are considered standard silicone tips. Additionally, there are transparent silicone tips with a red base, imitating the SpinFit design with a swivel mechanism, also in three sizes. To put it in perspective, a single pair of SpinFit CP100+ can cost around $7 for just one size. Here, you get three sizes included! For me, that’s more than enough to start listening without needing any upgrades. Although they aren’t quite as premium as the SpinFit CP100+, the difference is minor, especially considering they come free with the IEMs (and unfortunately aren’t sold separately, I checked). There's also a pair of red memory foam tips included, though personally, I’m not a fan of using them, but they’re there if you prefer.
The IEMs are made of resin (which feels like high-quality plastic), similar to many other IEMs. The front faceplate is blue with yellow accents, resembling a piece of art, as if an artist’s painting was applied to the IEMs. The model name is written in gold, which reflects light. The inner part of the IEMs is black/transparent, allowing a clear view of the internal components. It’s stunning—you can see the minimalistic setup of all the drivers, the crossover, and the soldering. There’s something very satisfying about it. The attention to detail is remarkable—the wires connecting the drivers to the crossover are the same color as the cable provided with the IEMs, giving the impression that the cable seamlessly continues inside the IEMs. This level of detail amazed me.
However, I must mention a minor downside: not every cable can fit these IEMs, as they use a recessed 2PIN connection that allows the cable to plug in more securely. On one hand, this isn’t a huge issue since the included cable is of high enough quality that I wouldn’t want to replace it. On the other hand, I would have liked to try my other cables, but I can’t due to this feature. If you plan to purchase a new cable for these IEMs, ensure it’s a recessed 2PIN type.
Fit and Comfort
In terms of comfort and fit to the ear, I would say they are quite good. Although they don't have a shape that matches the shape of the ear, they are still comfortable. They don't stick out, and despite the IEM's nozzle being 6.2mm, I felt quite comfortable with it. As mentioned, a successful combination of silicone tips, very comfortable. I would say, however, that 6.2mm is really the boundary between comfortable and uncomfortable for me, here it works, but it is something to keep in mind if you have a small ear. It didn't bother me, fortunately.
In terms of sound
I would say the tuning of the IEMs is quite neutral, there’s room for everything to be heard without any frequency being compromised. You just hear everything, without sacrificing anything. And it’s done in good taste, with deep bass... The best way I can describe these IEMs is that they are the closest I’ve heard to speakers with a subwoofer. I’m not joking, it’s just amazing, I’ve been looking for IEMs that can deliver this for so long, do you understand why I’m so excited?
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.The sub-bass in these IEMs is very deep. And when I say deep, I really mean it. It can go very low, sounds amazing, without compromising other frequencies. When I started listening, this was the thing that grabbed my attention the most. An insane amount of sub-bass, I was really satisfied with both the quantity and the quality. It’s deep, full, clean, really – everything you need in an IEM. If you're like me and love a lot of sub-bass, these are definitely the IEMs for you.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.The mid-bass feels present in the IEMs, it’s done in a pretty clean and balanced way. When there’s a punch, it’s felt well, and in amazing balance with the sub-bass. Although it's not the star of the show, like the sub-bass, it’s enough to give body to male voices and drums. The mid-bass feels fast, it manages to handle a lot of bass, even in tracks that exaggerate it. Except for a few rare cases (which I tend to assume are due to poor recordings, not a problem with the IEMs), I didn’t find a place where it failed to deliver a good performance. Really, in every type of song, it managed to impress, and left me with a smile on my face.
Mids
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.The mid frequencies in the IEMs felt very balanced, and it was done well, as it gives equal prominence to every sound, every frequency, everything sounds great and clear. Male and female voices sounded very good, without exception. Instruments like guitars, especially, sounded amazing, every string gets attention, violins sound full, pianos sound really good; they sound as if they’re playing just for me, right here next to me, very realistic. In my opinion, the balance with the bass and treble gives the mid frequencies more body, more life. At the same time, they don’t sound warm in any way, they’re not “colored,” I’d even say they sound relatively cold, closer to reality. Overall, I really enjoyed what the IEMs were able to deliver, it sounds exactly how it should sound, you hear everything of everything, without compromising on anything, amazing balance. If I want to hear instruments playing just for me, no doubt they do the job excellently.
Treble
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.The treble in the IEMs is done tastefully. I wouldn't say they're particularly bright, but the amount of treble here adds a bit of a "bright" flavor. High-pitched human vocals sounded very good, as did the high tones of violins. Additionally, the strumming of string instruments, cymbals, and all the small nuances usually present in instruments were heard very clearly, enhancing the listening experience. Especially with guitars, I felt as if the guitar was playing right in front of me, thanks to the added details in the strumming that get attention. Moreover, synthesizers sound great, making electronic music very enjoyable. The combination of the treble in the IEMs with the bass is simply amazing, creating a paradise for electronic songs. Deep bass with treble that isn't overpowering but is present, I can't find words to describe how good it is. And the bass doesn't overwhelm the treble; they sound together, not against each other, very clean, with uncompromising treble. I find it hard to believe it's possible, but it is, and I hear it, and I'm amazed every time. To summarize, the treble is done with good taste; it's noticeable but not to the point of being annoying, rather the opposite – it's well-balanced with the other frequencies in an incredible way.
Technical capabilities
In my opinion, the technical capabilities of the IEMs are quite good, but with certain compromises; the ability to separate between the instruments and vocals is something exceptional and stands out in these IEMs, there are many things that can play simultaneously and you can still hear each of them individually. Also, the imaging is quite good, and it’s easy to pinpoint the locations of the instruments. The detail retrieval is not the best I’ve heard in this price range, which is a relative compromise. However, despite that, the ability to hear all frequencies in a balanced and "neutral" way is just as important, and even in IEMs that can provide detail, I didn’t find this balance, as I described in the treble – you hear the nuances and little details of the instruments, and with guitars, for example, it’s very immersive and adds to the experience, and even in IEMs with higher detail retrieval, I didn’t get this, which is something to consider. Additionally, the soundstage of the IEMs doesn’t feel very wide; I’d be lying if I said it was narrow, because it’s definitely not, but it’s also not the widest I’ve heard. There’s enough space for the instruments and vocals to breathe, but it’s not the type of IEMs where you feel like they place you in a wide stage. It’s more "inside the head." But overall, I’m very satisfied, just think there’s room for improvement in this aspect for the next model of the IEMs.Comparisons
ISN Audio NEO 3 (full review here)
The ISN Audio NEO 3 are IEMs with 2 dynamic drivers + a magnetic planar driver. The comparison between the two is very interesting, as they provide completely different things; while the Sliivo try to be relatively neutral, sometimes I find them somewhat cold, despite the "compensation" of the boosted bass here. In contrast, the NEO 3 are warmer IEMs, and in my opinion, they also emphasize the vocals in a sweeter way, they are a completely different kind of IEM. Between the two, I found myself using the NEO 3 a lot for pop songs, because I think their ability to present vocals and subtle treble is something hard to describe in words (I invite you to read my review of them
); on the other hand, the Sliivo bring a deeper bass (just like a subwoofer), the instruments feel like they are playing for me, and their tuning is a bit more versatile, allowing them to play more genres without exception; I would say that if you mainly listen to pop songs or songs with human vocals, I would recommend going for the NEO 3, they have something special and calming. In contrast, if you want uncompromising IEMs that know how to give deep bass, good instrument presentation, like feeling the guitar strums and getting into the small nuances of the treble, I think the Sliivo SL41 would fit perfectly. I would like to note that in terms of soundstage, it felt slightly wider in the NEO 3, and in terms of imaging, I think both are at the same level. Since the NEO 3 don’t emphasize treble much, you can hear more detail in the lower frequencies; on the other hand, with the Sliivo SL41, the frequencies are heard in a balanced way, so beyond detail, you could say that you hear more. In terms of comfort and ear fit, the NEO 3 have a shape that fits my ear shape better, and the nozzle is not very wide, which makes them easier to wear for long periods. I still think that in terms of comfort, the NEO 3 take the lead, but that doesn’t mean the Sliivo are uncomfortable, they’re just not at the same level, both are still good and comfortable, but it’s important to take this into account if you have small ears, and if a 6.2mm nozzle size is too big for you. So to summarize: the NEO 3 are warmer-tuned IEMs that are great for certain songs like pop or those with lots of human vocals. The Sliivo feels a bit "colder" in comparison, but they’re more versatile and suitable for many genres.Letshuoer S12 (full review here)
The Letshuoer S12 are IEMs with a single planar magnetic driver. If you’ve read my review of them, you probably saw that the area where they disappointed me was the bass. In fact, I really loved these IEMs and became very attached to them, but I always wished they had deep bass as well. So, I’m happy to announce that this day has come! For me, the Sliivo SL41 remind me a lot of the S12 in many ways. There's great detail in the treble, the midrange sounds good, and the improvement here, in my opinion, is that the bass sounds exactly like subwoofer bass, exactly as I wanted. In fact, this is a real step-up for me. But, the S12 still have a place in my heart; sometimes the bass of the Sliivo can be a bit much, and for listening to electronic songs when I want something a little more relaxed, the S12 will probably be a better fit for me. That being said, I think the Sliivo are great as a direct upgrade from the S12, they’re exactly what I wanted in an IEM. In terms of soundstage, I think they are on the same level, maybe a bit better in the S12 but not dramatically so. In terms of imaging as well, I personally feel that the S12 do a slightly more accurate job with imaging. As for comfort and ear fit, the S12 are very small, and I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t be able to wear them, but on the other hand, this is also a downside because it’s hard to get a good seal with them, which the Sliivo do much better in my opinion. But it’s important to note again that the Sliivo have a 6.2mm nozzle size, so if you have relatively small ears, this could be a problem for you, something to keep in mind. For me, they were still comfortable. To summarize: if you loved the S12 and would like them to have a bit more bass and a slightly more relaxed treble, the Sliivo SL41 are, in my opinion, a direct upgrade. If you’re allergic to bass and want the bass to be more “in the background” rather than in your face, then the S12 would be the better choice.
Bottom Line
I believe that after reading this review, you can understand why I was so excited about these IEMs. They provide everything I’ve ever wanted in an IEM: deep bass, midrange frequencies that allow you to hear everything, uncompromising treble. As someone whose library consists of a good amount of electronic music, I can say that it’s simply heaven for them, the amazing combination of bass and treble without one compromising the other. Furthermore, in the box, you get everything you actually need to start enjoying; there’s no need to buy different silicone tips because they already provide a good imitation of SpinFit in 3 sizes, no need for a new cable since the one in the box is already comfortable enough. The only thing I might complain about is the IEM case, which feels small compared to the thickness of the cable, but that’s fixable. If you’re looking for relatively neutral IEMs with boosted bass (but really boosted, with uncompromising amounts of sub-bass), I think these IEMs can totally work for you. It’s hard for me to think of a genre these IEMs couldn’t properly handle: pop, metal, rock, electronic, lo-fi, everything sounds great. In my opinion, there’s really no need to change anything about these IEMs; the only thing I’d want to be better is a wider soundstage, to hear more detail, and that’s it. For the price they cost, I think the value is excellent. The recommended retail price for these IEMs is about $180, but during sales, you can get them for $100-130 (and don’t tell Myer Audio I told you, but if you ask them nicely for a coupon – they’ll be happy to give you one
), which makes them a great deal, in my opinion.The IEMs are available for purchase from the MYER-AUDIO store at the following link (no affiliate marketing).
jbfps116
I like having a sub-woofer effect as long as it doesn't drown out the midrange... But I also like my TREBLE... would this or the Estrella be a better fit?
jbfps116
The Pula PA02's nozzles are quite wide... they cause me discomfort with most tips... It sounds like the SL41 would also be very wide nozzles... hmm, maybe I should pass.
Hello to all the audio enthusiasts! I hope you're enjoying the winter. Penon Audio sent me the ISN Audio NEO 3 IEMs for review. These IEMs feature 2 dynamic drivers and a single magnetic planar driver, priced at $199.99. Without further ado, let’s dive straight into the review!
Disclaimer
As mentioned earlier, I received the IEMs from Penon Audio in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions about the IEMs are personal and based on my own experience with the IEM, and I was not paid for this review. This review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English using translation tools. If you'd like to read the original review in its native language, you can do so at the following link.
Before we begin the review, I would like to commend Penon Audio’s customer service. I know it’s not customary for a reviewer to do so, but before I got to receive IEMs for review, I got to be a customer in their store and also hear how they helped another customer with issues regarding his shipment. Their customer service responds relatively quickly to emails, and also in a way that feels very human. So I can rest assured that I’m recommending both an IEM and a store that provides a good purchasing experience for the consumer.
What’s in the Box?
ISN Audio is relatively generous with accessories, and you can find in the box 3 types of silicone ear tips in different colors, a cleaning brush for the IEMs, a pin, a brown cable, a blue case (not sure if it’s leather/pu leather), and of course – the IEMs themselves in blue (you can also get the IEMs in orange). All in all, I think it’s a very satisfying and rich package of accessories.
The IEM cable is good, it’s not the best I’ve tried. There are no right/left markings on it, and the IEMs themselves don’t have any either, which initially confused me a bit. However, a good friend gave me some advice – the right side is usually marked with red on most cables. Additionally, I found that the cable often got tangled or a bit messy. One positive thing I will mention about this cable is the ring located at the split area – it works very well, stays in place, and doesn’t slide around, which is great. Furthermore, near the connector to the IEM, there isn’t the plastic typically found to keep the cable in a specific shape (as shown in the attached image for illustration). Personally, I find this very convenient because it allows the cable to be adjusted exactly to the shape of the ear rather than being stuck in the curve decided by the cable manufacturer. In my opinion, this is a significant plus point for the cable. Additionally, the cable is quite flexible and doesn’t have too much memory, which makes storing the IEMs in the case easier without needing to maintain a specific cable shape.
Overall, it’s a pretty good cable. Despite the complaints I had about it, I found it comfortable to use.
The carrying case included in the package by ISN Audio also feels very high-quality and convenient. It matches the color of the IEMs (assuming you ordered the blue version), its size is small enough to fit in a pocket, and it efficiently stores the IEMs.
However, I did initially find it a bit challenging to figure out how to fit the IEMs into the case, as its shape is somewhat different from cases I’ve used before. That said, once I got the hang of it, it was excellent.
The case opens and closes with magnets, making it very easy to grab the case and take out the IEMs quickly.
Overall, the case is fantastic—it meets the needs for portability and, in my opinion, looks great too.
When it comes to silicone ear tips, there's no shortage of options here. I didn’t notice a significant difference in comfort or sound quality between the tips. All of them were equally comfortable for me, so I assume the choice of which silicone ear tip style to use is entirely up to you.
The brush is handy for cleaning the IEMs if dust accumulates, and as for the pin—I personally didn’t find much use for it, but it’s a nice addition nonetheless.
The IEM shells are made of plastic that feels high-quality. The IEMs themselves look stunning, almost like a work of art. They are transparent on the back, offering a clear view of the drivers and the sound tubes that channel the audio. On the rear, the model name is printed on one side, and the company logo is on the other—both in gold and reflective. Overall, I really appreciated the design of these IEMs.
Fit and Comfort
In terms of comfort and fit, I think the shape of these IEMs is very ergonomic, with protrusions that align well with the ear's natural shape. The nozzle isn't particularly wide, making it easier to select appropriately sized silicone tips and allowing for prolonged wear without discomfort. I can confidently say that these are among, if not the most, comfortable IEMs I've ever worn.
In terms of sound
The frequency response graph of the ISN Audio NEO 3 from squig.link of The Audio Store, thank you!
The tuning of the IEMs feels quite calm, warm, smooth, there is nothing shouty. I can run an entire library and enjoy it in a calm and pleasant way. The treble is relatively calm, and the bass is relatively emphasized, but not too much, I would say there is a certain balance between the frequencies.
The sub-bass in the IEMs is felt well, it is loud, can be very deep. It has a generous amount, although sometimes I would want more. However, when there is emphasis on the bass in a song, the bass can be very deep and satisfying, so adding more bass wouldn't necessarily be better. I think there is a certain balance here, there is enough bass to really enjoy it, and on the other hand, not overdo it. Overall, I really liked it.
The mid-bass is very rich, when there is a kick it is felt relatively gently, low vocal elements and part of the instruments also get more body, which helps them sound fuller. In my opinion, there is a pretty good balance between the mid-bass and sub-bass. Additionally, I didn't notice the bass "bleeding" into the other frequencies, even though it's the dominant part of the IEMs, which is excellent. What I did notice, and sometimes it bothered me, is that the bass feels "too slow," which causes it to affect the listening experience in rock songs and some heavy metal songs, they just couldn't handle such amounts of bass with the rest of the frequencies. When I listened to songs of this type, I preferred to skip to the next track because they just didn't play well. Therefore, if most of your library consists of songs from genres like these, these IEMs are probably not for you. In the other genres I listen to (for example, pop and electronic), this can actually be nice and calming because the bass is quite gentle and not shouty, so it really depends on what you prefer. Overall, I really enjoyed the bass in the IEMs, I think it manages to provide a good foundation for low vocals and instruments, and be gentle and calming at the same time.
The mid frequencies also feel very full and satisfying, calm, not shouty, you can continue listening for hours and enjoy every part of the song. Instruments feel full, like pianos and guitars, these are instruments that are very enjoyable to listen to on these IEMs. They have body, depth, and at the same time, they still remain relatively calm. The vocals are forward, but sometimes I felt it was too much. On one hand, it’s very enjoyable, and songs where I felt the singer was too far back suddenly felt like they were right in front of me, which is something I really liked here. On the other hand, sometimes it can be too much. But overall, if I want to relax and simply enjoy the song, I feel it’s very nice and actually adds to the experience. Like the instruments, the vocals also have body and depth, in pop songs, for example, it was very immersive, the IEMs highlighted many vocal elements, and as mentioned at the beginning, in a non-shouty, but gentle and smooth way. I would say that the mid frequencies, in terms of their vocal capabilities, remind me of those I described in my review of the TINHiFi T2 Plus IEMs, where I really liked this part, only here it is done in a much more refined way. Overall, I think the mid frequencies in these IEMs were done in a very calming, warm, full, and pleasant way.
I would describe the treble in the IEMs as relatively calm, it's not shouty, but on the other hand, sometimes it felt lacking to provide enough contrast to the bass. For example, in very busy electronic songs, I felt a bit of a lack of treble, as these songs had many synthesizers and high vocals, and it felt slightly missing. That being said, in most of the other songs (also electronic, just those that don't overload the treble, which is most of the electronic songs in my library), it was totally sufficient and went with the calm direction the IEMs' tuning aims to give. What I would positively point out is that high-pitched vocals, guitar strums, and all elements of this kind sounded good and calm. If you’re a fan of treble, these IEMs are probably not for you, they are the complete opposite of what you're looking for. But if you're looking for IEMs with a warm tuning, a bass emphasis, and still treble that doesn’t compromise too much, this could totally work. Overall, I enjoyed the fact that the treble wasn't too prominent, it added calmness to the song and allowed me to listen for hours without tiring. However, if you're looking for energetic and rich treble, you won’t find that here.
Technical capabilities
In my opinion, the technical capabilities of these IEMs are more than excellent. The separation between the instruments is done well so that the vocals are forward and the instruments are in the background, each in its place, and for example, Hi-Hats, which are present in many pop and electronic songs, have their own space in a way that doesn't mix with the rest of the song, giving a very unique and interesting feel. Also, I think the reverb sounds pretty good, although with high vocals, it can feel a bit lacking since the bass is more emphasized. The detail retrieval is also quite good, though it’s not the star of the show. Playing many details simultaneously is also done well, but when the song gets too busy, I think they struggle a bit. This brings me to imaging capabilities, and I would say they are excellent, it’s very easy to pinpoint where each instrument stands, and it’s among the best I’ve personally tried. In terms of soundstage, I would describe it as wide and open, but not excessively so. Instruments have space to breathe, there’s a sense of openness, but not to the extent that a bone conduction driver might provide, for example. Despite that, I really enjoyed the soundstage, and in the overall picture of the IEMs' technical capabilities, we get IEMs with quite good technical performance.
Comparisons
Pula Anvil114 (full review here)
I would say that the IEMs are relatively similar to each other. Both have a tuning in the same direction, with a relatively balanced sound. However, there are differences. I feel that the vocal elements in the NEO 3 are more noticeable and "closer," relatively forward, while in the Anvil114 they were felt more in terms of their depth, probably due to the bone conduction driver. There's no denying it, I don't think there's any competition when it comes to soundstage capabilities of a bone conduction driver, especially in this price range, as the soundstage of the Anvil114 felt very wide and open. Even though the soundstage here doesn’t feel closed in any way, it’s just not open to the same extent, in a way that I can’t ignore, unfortunately. However, I prioritize comfort over technical capabilities, and here I get the same or even better technical performance, but in a much more comfortable form. I prefer that over a larger IEM that’s hard to wear just to feel a wider soundstage. Additionally, the NEO 3 still manages to deliver full mids, much better bass (in my opinion), uncompromising technical capabilities, without the need for strange vibrations on the ear, which I see as a huge advantage. They are priced the same, and with discounts, they also come to the same price from my checks, so if I had to choose between the two without asking any questions – I would take the NEO 3. Unless you're really interested in trying an IEM with a bone conduction driver, maybe I’d consider the Anvil114.
The S12 vs. NEO 3 are polar opposites, night and day, and the comparison is quite interesting because the NEO 3 also has a magnetic planar driver. While the NEO 3 focuses relatively on bass and provides a warm tuning, the S12 offers a very bright sound with a lot of detail in the treble, and relatively fast bass. I really liked both IEMs, but I think they are intended for different genres and moods. If you want to relax, enjoy the music, without anything being too shouty, and still have satisfying bass, the NEO 3 will definitely suit you. If you're looking for IEMs that focus on treble, fast bass (which is an advantage for heavy metal and rock songs), the S12 is definitely the one for you, as it can handle large amounts of bass without any muddiness.
In terms of technical capabilities, I think the soundstage feels wider on the NEO 3, and the imaging is better as well. However, when choosing between the two, I would focus on the type of genres you listen to, as the technical capabilities of both IEMs are not bad at all. In terms of wear comfort, I think the NEO 3 is more comfortable, as they have a shape that fits the ear better. The S12 has a metal build, which I think gives them a more premium look and feel, while the NEO 3 is made of plastic, yet still feels and looks very nice. In this aspect, it’s up to you to decide what you prefer. I really like both, and I do see value in owning both, as they offer completely different things from each other, which definitely adds variety.
Bottom Line
I think these are successful IEMs, and I really enjoyed using them. The design is very beautiful, and the package offers many useful accessories like a high-quality carrying case, a wide variety of silicone ear tips, and a brush for cleaning the IEMs. The IEMs themselves are very comfortable; they fit the shape of my ear quite well. The tuning leans towards warm, and they did it quite well. It’s very enjoyable to just put on music and relax; nothing is too shouty, it feels relatively balanced, and you can listen for hours without tiring, thanks to both the comfort and the tuning. The bass is pretty good on these IEMs, so if you love a lot of bass, these will definitely suit you. However, it’s not considered "fast" bass, which could be a downside, as I mentioned in the review. If you’re open to EQ, I’m happy to report you can easily add more bass without hearing distortion (though I don’t think you’ll want to do that, but it’s up to you). For pop, lo-fi, electronic (without a lot of treble details), and lighter metal, I think these IEMs would be a great choice. However, for rock, heavy metal, and electronic music with a lot of treble details (many synthesizers, for example), I’d recommend looking for a different IEM. Personally, I’d recommend the Letshuoer S12, which is great for those genres, as the NEO 3 didn’t do a good enough job with them, in my opinion. On the other hand, the fact that these IEMs provide excellent technical capabilities without needing a bone conduction driver impressed me, because this way you don’t have to compromise on comfort. IEMs with bone conduction drivers are usually made relatively large and thick to create a tight seal with your ear for the driver to work, and that’s not always comfortable for everyone. If you’re looking for IEMs with a warm tuning, focused on bass, and simply want to enjoy music in a relaxed and extended listening session, I believe these IEMs will surely impress you.
The IEMs are available for purchase from Penon Audio's store, at the following link, or from AliExpress at the next link (no affiliate marketing).
Thank you for reading my review!
see you next time.
Disclaimer
As mentioned earlier, I received the IEMs from Penon Audio in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions about the IEMs are personal and based on my own experience with the IEM, and I was not paid for this review. This review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English using translation tools. If you'd like to read the original review in its native language, you can do so at the following link.
Before we begin the review, I would like to commend Penon Audio’s customer service. I know it’s not customary for a reviewer to do so, but before I got to receive IEMs for review, I got to be a customer in their store and also hear how they helped another customer with issues regarding his shipment. Their customer service responds relatively quickly to emails, and also in a way that feels very human. So I can rest assured that I’m recommending both an IEM and a store that provides a good purchasing experience for the consumer.
What’s in the Box?
ISN Audio is relatively generous with accessories, and you can find in the box 3 types of silicone ear tips in different colors, a cleaning brush for the IEMs, a pin, a brown cable, a blue case (not sure if it’s leather/pu leather), and of course – the IEMs themselves in blue (you can also get the IEMs in orange). All in all, I think it’s a very satisfying and rich package of accessories.
The IEM cable is good, it’s not the best I’ve tried. There are no right/left markings on it, and the IEMs themselves don’t have any either, which initially confused me a bit. However, a good friend gave me some advice – the right side is usually marked with red on most cables. Additionally, I found that the cable often got tangled or a bit messy. One positive thing I will mention about this cable is the ring located at the split area – it works very well, stays in place, and doesn’t slide around, which is great. Furthermore, near the connector to the IEM, there isn’t the plastic typically found to keep the cable in a specific shape (as shown in the attached image for illustration). Personally, I find this very convenient because it allows the cable to be adjusted exactly to the shape of the ear rather than being stuck in the curve decided by the cable manufacturer. In my opinion, this is a significant plus point for the cable. Additionally, the cable is quite flexible and doesn’t have too much memory, which makes storing the IEMs in the case easier without needing to maintain a specific cable shape.
Overall, it’s a pretty good cable. Despite the complaints I had about it, I found it comfortable to use.
The carrying case included in the package by ISN Audio also feels very high-quality and convenient. It matches the color of the IEMs (assuming you ordered the blue version), its size is small enough to fit in a pocket, and it efficiently stores the IEMs.
However, I did initially find it a bit challenging to figure out how to fit the IEMs into the case, as its shape is somewhat different from cases I’ve used before. That said, once I got the hang of it, it was excellent.
The case opens and closes with magnets, making it very easy to grab the case and take out the IEMs quickly.
Overall, the case is fantastic—it meets the needs for portability and, in my opinion, looks great too.
When it comes to silicone ear tips, there's no shortage of options here. I didn’t notice a significant difference in comfort or sound quality between the tips. All of them were equally comfortable for me, so I assume the choice of which silicone ear tip style to use is entirely up to you.
The brush is handy for cleaning the IEMs if dust accumulates, and as for the pin—I personally didn’t find much use for it, but it’s a nice addition nonetheless.
The IEM shells are made of plastic that feels high-quality. The IEMs themselves look stunning, almost like a work of art. They are transparent on the back, offering a clear view of the drivers and the sound tubes that channel the audio. On the rear, the model name is printed on one side, and the company logo is on the other—both in gold and reflective. Overall, I really appreciated the design of these IEMs.
Fit and Comfort
In terms of comfort and fit, I think the shape of these IEMs is very ergonomic, with protrusions that align well with the ear's natural shape. The nozzle isn't particularly wide, making it easier to select appropriately sized silicone tips and allowing for prolonged wear without discomfort. I can confidently say that these are among, if not the most, comfortable IEMs I've ever worn.
In terms of sound
The frequency response graph of the ISN Audio NEO 3 from squig.link of The Audio Store, thank you!
The tuning of the IEMs feels quite calm, warm, smooth, there is nothing shouty. I can run an entire library and enjoy it in a calm and pleasant way. The treble is relatively calm, and the bass is relatively emphasized, but not too much, I would say there is a certain balance between the frequencies.
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.The sub-bass in the IEMs is felt well, it is loud, can be very deep. It has a generous amount, although sometimes I would want more. However, when there is emphasis on the bass in a song, the bass can be very deep and satisfying, so adding more bass wouldn't necessarily be better. I think there is a certain balance here, there is enough bass to really enjoy it, and on the other hand, not overdo it. Overall, I really liked it.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.The mid-bass is very rich, when there is a kick it is felt relatively gently, low vocal elements and part of the instruments also get more body, which helps them sound fuller. In my opinion, there is a pretty good balance between the mid-bass and sub-bass. Additionally, I didn't notice the bass "bleeding" into the other frequencies, even though it's the dominant part of the IEMs, which is excellent. What I did notice, and sometimes it bothered me, is that the bass feels "too slow," which causes it to affect the listening experience in rock songs and some heavy metal songs, they just couldn't handle such amounts of bass with the rest of the frequencies. When I listened to songs of this type, I preferred to skip to the next track because they just didn't play well. Therefore, if most of your library consists of songs from genres like these, these IEMs are probably not for you. In the other genres I listen to (for example, pop and electronic), this can actually be nice and calming because the bass is quite gentle and not shouty, so it really depends on what you prefer. Overall, I really enjoyed the bass in the IEMs, I think it manages to provide a good foundation for low vocals and instruments, and be gentle and calming at the same time.
Mids
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.The mid frequencies also feel very full and satisfying, calm, not shouty, you can continue listening for hours and enjoy every part of the song. Instruments feel full, like pianos and guitars, these are instruments that are very enjoyable to listen to on these IEMs. They have body, depth, and at the same time, they still remain relatively calm. The vocals are forward, but sometimes I felt it was too much. On one hand, it’s very enjoyable, and songs where I felt the singer was too far back suddenly felt like they were right in front of me, which is something I really liked here. On the other hand, sometimes it can be too much. But overall, if I want to relax and simply enjoy the song, I feel it’s very nice and actually adds to the experience. Like the instruments, the vocals also have body and depth, in pop songs, for example, it was very immersive, the IEMs highlighted many vocal elements, and as mentioned at the beginning, in a non-shouty, but gentle and smooth way. I would say that the mid frequencies, in terms of their vocal capabilities, remind me of those I described in my review of the TINHiFi T2 Plus IEMs, where I really liked this part, only here it is done in a much more refined way. Overall, I think the mid frequencies in these IEMs were done in a very calming, warm, full, and pleasant way.
Treble
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.I would describe the treble in the IEMs as relatively calm, it's not shouty, but on the other hand, sometimes it felt lacking to provide enough contrast to the bass. For example, in very busy electronic songs, I felt a bit of a lack of treble, as these songs had many synthesizers and high vocals, and it felt slightly missing. That being said, in most of the other songs (also electronic, just those that don't overload the treble, which is most of the electronic songs in my library), it was totally sufficient and went with the calm direction the IEMs' tuning aims to give. What I would positively point out is that high-pitched vocals, guitar strums, and all elements of this kind sounded good and calm. If you’re a fan of treble, these IEMs are probably not for you, they are the complete opposite of what you're looking for. But if you're looking for IEMs with a warm tuning, a bass emphasis, and still treble that doesn’t compromise too much, this could totally work. Overall, I enjoyed the fact that the treble wasn't too prominent, it added calmness to the song and allowed me to listen for hours without tiring. However, if you're looking for energetic and rich treble, you won’t find that here.
Technical capabilities
In my opinion, the technical capabilities of these IEMs are more than excellent. The separation between the instruments is done well so that the vocals are forward and the instruments are in the background, each in its place, and for example, Hi-Hats, which are present in many pop and electronic songs, have their own space in a way that doesn't mix with the rest of the song, giving a very unique and interesting feel. Also, I think the reverb sounds pretty good, although with high vocals, it can feel a bit lacking since the bass is more emphasized. The detail retrieval is also quite good, though it’s not the star of the show. Playing many details simultaneously is also done well, but when the song gets too busy, I think they struggle a bit. This brings me to imaging capabilities, and I would say they are excellent, it’s very easy to pinpoint where each instrument stands, and it’s among the best I’ve personally tried. In terms of soundstage, I would describe it as wide and open, but not excessively so. Instruments have space to breathe, there’s a sense of openness, but not to the extent that a bone conduction driver might provide, for example. Despite that, I really enjoyed the soundstage, and in the overall picture of the IEMs' technical capabilities, we get IEMs with quite good technical performance.
Comparisons
Pula Anvil114 (full review here)
I would say that the IEMs are relatively similar to each other. Both have a tuning in the same direction, with a relatively balanced sound. However, there are differences. I feel that the vocal elements in the NEO 3 are more noticeable and "closer," relatively forward, while in the Anvil114 they were felt more in terms of their depth, probably due to the bone conduction driver. There's no denying it, I don't think there's any competition when it comes to soundstage capabilities of a bone conduction driver, especially in this price range, as the soundstage of the Anvil114 felt very wide and open. Even though the soundstage here doesn’t feel closed in any way, it’s just not open to the same extent, in a way that I can’t ignore, unfortunately. However, I prioritize comfort over technical capabilities, and here I get the same or even better technical performance, but in a much more comfortable form. I prefer that over a larger IEM that’s hard to wear just to feel a wider soundstage. Additionally, the NEO 3 still manages to deliver full mids, much better bass (in my opinion), uncompromising technical capabilities, without the need for strange vibrations on the ear, which I see as a huge advantage. They are priced the same, and with discounts, they also come to the same price from my checks, so if I had to choose between the two without asking any questions – I would take the NEO 3. Unless you're really interested in trying an IEM with a bone conduction driver, maybe I’d consider the Anvil114.
Letshuoer S12 (full review here)
The S12 vs. NEO 3 are polar opposites, night and day, and the comparison is quite interesting because the NEO 3 also has a magnetic planar driver. While the NEO 3 focuses relatively on bass and provides a warm tuning, the S12 offers a very bright sound with a lot of detail in the treble, and relatively fast bass. I really liked both IEMs, but I think they are intended for different genres and moods. If you want to relax, enjoy the music, without anything being too shouty, and still have satisfying bass, the NEO 3 will definitely suit you. If you're looking for IEMs that focus on treble, fast bass (which is an advantage for heavy metal and rock songs), the S12 is definitely the one for you, as it can handle large amounts of bass without any muddiness.
In terms of technical capabilities, I think the soundstage feels wider on the NEO 3, and the imaging is better as well. However, when choosing between the two, I would focus on the type of genres you listen to, as the technical capabilities of both IEMs are not bad at all. In terms of wear comfort, I think the NEO 3 is more comfortable, as they have a shape that fits the ear better. The S12 has a metal build, which I think gives them a more premium look and feel, while the NEO 3 is made of plastic, yet still feels and looks very nice. In this aspect, it’s up to you to decide what you prefer. I really like both, and I do see value in owning both, as they offer completely different things from each other, which definitely adds variety.
Bottom Line
I think these are successful IEMs, and I really enjoyed using them. The design is very beautiful, and the package offers many useful accessories like a high-quality carrying case, a wide variety of silicone ear tips, and a brush for cleaning the IEMs. The IEMs themselves are very comfortable; they fit the shape of my ear quite well. The tuning leans towards warm, and they did it quite well. It’s very enjoyable to just put on music and relax; nothing is too shouty, it feels relatively balanced, and you can listen for hours without tiring, thanks to both the comfort and the tuning. The bass is pretty good on these IEMs, so if you love a lot of bass, these will definitely suit you. However, it’s not considered "fast" bass, which could be a downside, as I mentioned in the review. If you’re open to EQ, I’m happy to report you can easily add more bass without hearing distortion (though I don’t think you’ll want to do that, but it’s up to you). For pop, lo-fi, electronic (without a lot of treble details), and lighter metal, I think these IEMs would be a great choice. However, for rock, heavy metal, and electronic music with a lot of treble details (many synthesizers, for example), I’d recommend looking for a different IEM. Personally, I’d recommend the Letshuoer S12, which is great for those genres, as the NEO 3 didn’t do a good enough job with them, in my opinion. On the other hand, the fact that these IEMs provide excellent technical capabilities without needing a bone conduction driver impressed me, because this way you don’t have to compromise on comfort. IEMs with bone conduction drivers are usually made relatively large and thick to create a tight seal with your ear for the driver to work, and that’s not always comfortable for everyone. If you’re looking for IEMs with a warm tuning, focused on bass, and simply want to enjoy music in a relaxed and extended listening session, I believe these IEMs will surely impress you.
The IEMs are available for purchase from Penon Audio's store, at the following link, or from AliExpress at the next link (no affiliate marketing).
Thank you for reading my review!
see you next time.
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Nice review! Damn, your pictures are top notch. Mine suck in comparison.
avishifi
@FreeWheelinAudioLuv2 haha thank you! for me taking pictures on a review is the most challenging part.. But what's matters in the and in my opinion is the content, which in you case is great 
alexandros a
Very nice man.. I want to share with any owner here that TRI Clarion ear tips actually transform the overall experience on Neo 3 in terms of lucidness.. Big Time..
Disclaimer
I received the IEM from KZ in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions about the IEM are entirely personal and based on my own experience using them. I was not paid for this review.
An additional note: the model I received for review is the Balanced Version, not the Bass-Boosted Version, so please keep that in mind.
This review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English using translation tools. If you'd like to read the original review in its native language, you can do so at the following link.
What’s in the Box?
Honestly, not much. The packaging is very minimalist and doesn’t come with many accessories—a fairly generic bundle typical for KZ. Inside the box, you’ll find a basic cable, KZ silicone ear tips, and of course, the IEMs themselves, in black.
However, it's important to keep in mind that these are budget IEMs, priced similarly to a standalone premium cable. So, the minimal accessory package is a reasonable compromise. The silicone tips included are decent, but for a better seal and a more tailored fit to my ears, I swapped them for different silicone tips. That said, I tested the sound with both the KZ tips and my replacements and found no significant difference, so I felt comfortable reviewing them without using the stock tips.
Build and Design
The IEM shells are made of black metal with a very intriguing design. When I first unboxed them, I was surprised—KZ and metal? I was used to receiving plastic builds from them, especially in this price range. These IEMs do not feel cheap in any way. They’re lightweight, and unlike their competitor, the Moondrop Chu, which felt heavy enough to bother me during extended listening, these were comfortable and unobtrusive. In terms of build quality, KZ has absolutely nailed it here—offering tremendous value for the price.
Unfortunately, the same praise can’t be given to the cable. It’s the standard KZ cable—it’s not terrible, but I quickly found myself swapping it out for a more comfortable option. To be fair, at this price, there’s little room for complaint. After all, the cost of the IEMs is comparable to what you’d typically pay for a decent standalone cable. And while it’s not bad, upgrading to a third-party cable that works across multiple IEMs can be a worthwhile investment.
The included KZ silicone tips come in three sizes. They’re not bad and have a solid fan base, but they didn’t fit my ears perfectly, so I swapped them out for a different type. However, they were generally comfortable.
Fit and Comfort
These IEMs are extremely comfortable to wear. They feel secure in the ear, and I didn’t experience any fatigue or pressure during long listening sessions. In fact, they’re among the most comfortable IEMs I’ve ever used. The seal they provide is also excellent, which adds to the overall experience.
Sound Performance
Unfortunately, I don’t have a frequency graph for the specific version I reviewed, as the only graphs I could find at the time of writing were either provided by KZ or reviewers who analyzed the enhanced bass version of these IEMs. However, I can describe the tuning as fun, engaging, and enjoyable—a relatively balanced V-shape sound signature with a slight emphasis on bass (even in this "balanced version") and relatively gentle treble.
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass, which covers the lowest frequencies and often delivers the rumbling sensation rather than distinct sounds.The sub-bass is impressively powerful in these IEMs. It provides a satisfying and substantial rumble that makes bass-heavy tracks incredibly enjoyable. Personally, I found the quantity to be just right—plenty to meet my bass cravings without feeling overwhelming. Overall, the sub-bass is highly enjoyable and delivers an exciting listening experience.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass, where the bass becomes more distinct and perceptible, is equally well-executed. In this range, you hear kick drums and some male bass vocals more clearly.The mid-bass feels well-balanced—not overly emphasized but definitely present. It strikes a great balance, giving punch without overshadowing other elements of the sound. As someone who appreciates good bass, I was more than satisfied with the tuning here.
Overall, KZ nailed the bass performance with this model. It offers enough bass to please enthusiasts without feeling excessive. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to imagine how intense the bass must be in the "enhanced bass" version—this balanced version already feels perfect for my taste.
Mids
The mids are the home to most instruments and vocals.The mids region feel present and reasonably forward, but not overly so. Vocals, both male and female, come through with clarity. At lower volumes, the mids can feel slightly recessed, requiring a slight volume boost to shine. That said, listening at excessive volumes can harm your hearing, so caution is advised.
While not as smooth or lush as something like the TINHiFi T2 Plus, the mids here are still satisfying. They capture enough nuance in vocals and instruments to make the listening experience enjoyable. Overall, the mids are impressive for the price, though they could benefit from a bit more refinement.
Treble
The treble, which captures high-pitched sounds like cymbals, violins, and higher synthetic tones, adds brightness, sharpness, and sparkle to the music. However, excessive treble can lead to harshness or fatigue.The treble here is handled well—it’s neither too much nor too little. It avoids harshness while maintaining enough presence to provide detail. This conservative approach to treble contributes to the perception of slightly enhanced bass, as there’s less high-frequency energy to compete. Personally, I prefer this kind of treble: smooth, balanced, and non-fatiguing, but still present.
That said, a touch more treble might have been welcome, as it could enhance contrast with the bass and add a sense of "air" that would make the sound feel more open and refined. Despite this, I feel KZ did an excellent job balancing the treble, and the result is quite satisfying.
Technical Performance
The technical capabilities of the KZ Saga are decent, albeit not extraordinary. Imaging is fairly average, but soundstage width is satisfactory—not too narrow, which is equally important. There’s a relative sense of space, and the sound doesn’t feel overly centered. Detail retrieval isn’t particularly high, which is understandable at this price point. In summary, while the technical performance isn’t exceptional, it’s good enough to deliver an enjoyable listening experience. For the price, I’d argue the KZ Saga offers more than expected. I found myself gravitating back to them despite their limitations, which speaks to their overall appeal.
Comparison: Letshuoer D13
I no longer have the D13 for direct comparison, but I kept detailed listening notes that serve as the basis for this comparison. While the price points are not perfectly aligned, I believe the comparison is justified, especially since both are single dynamic driver IEMs.
- Bass:
The bass in the KZ Saga is slightly more emphasized than in the D13 but less restrained. If you’re a bass lover, the Saga is the better choice. The D13, by contrast, emphasizes bass only when it’s naturally present in the track, making it more controlled and predictable. - Midrange:
The midrange feels more engaging in the Saga, with better clarity and balance. That said, the D13 delivers a bit more body to instruments like pianos and guitars, and male vocals feel slightly fuller. However, the D13 only excels in select areas of the midrange; overall, I found the Saga’s presentation to be more consistent and enjoyable. - Treble:
Treble in the D13 feels relaxed but can occasionally highlight sibilant sounds like "s" and "sh." Beyond that, the treble performance is similar between the two, though the Saga offers slightly more treble presence in a controlled manner. - Technicalities:
The soundstage in the D13 is notably narrow, creating a congested and centered presentation that often felt like a sonic "muddle." The Saga, on the other hand, delivers a more open soundstage with a better sense of spatial separation. Imaging capabilities are roughly equivalent in both.
Between the two, I’d personally choose the KZ Saga, which surprises me given that the D13 costs around 50 USD at the time of this review. That said, preferences vary. If you favor more controlled bass, subdued treble, and a library heavy with male vocals and guitars, the D13 might be the better fit.
Bottom Line
In my opinion, the KZ Saga is an excellent pair of IEMs. At approximately 15 USD, you get a well-tuned sound signature, a solid metal build, and a product that feels anything but cheap—neither in sound nor build quality. I genuinely enjoyed using these IEMs; they handled every track I threw at them with satisfying, fun, and engaging sound, especially with their punchy bass.
If someone had told me in the past that KZ would release IEMs with good tuning, excellent build quality, and uncompromising sound at this price, I would have been highly skeptical. But after trying the KZ Saga, I’m pleasantly surprised and can easily recommend them to friends. It’s hard to think of another IEM in this price range offering comparable value.
However, there are compromises in the included accessories:
- Eartips: I had to switch to alternative eartips for better comfort (Personal thing, the included ear-tips might be work for you, as I know many like and prefer KZ's ear-tips).
- Cable: The stock cable feels plasticky and isn’t very flexible, prompting me to replace it with a more comfortable one.
- No Carrying Case: There’s no storage pouch included, which is important in order to make the IEM last longer.
- A new cable (~5$-10$)
- A carrying case (~3$-5$)
- Additional eartips (~5$)
However, cables and eartips are often worthwhile investments when purchasing any IEM, so this is ultimately up to personal preference. If you already own a spare cable, a storage case, and find the included eartips sufficient, the Saga represents fantastic value at this price point.
Interestingly, the lack of premium accessories can also be seen as an advantage. It offers flexibility to customize your setup by choosing a cable, eartips, or carrying case that match your personal preferences and needs.
As a gift, the Saga shines, too. At this price point, they’re an excellent present for anyone. I’d be thrilled to either receive or give these as a gift.
All in all, the value here is excellent, and the sound quality punches well above the Saga’s price. Well done, KZ!
(Psst…! If you’re considering purchasing these IEMs, I highly recommend going for the balanced version that I reviewed rather than the bass-boosted one. The balanced version already offers plenty of bass for most listeners, and sometimes less is more.)
Disclaimer
The IEMs were purchased with my own money, and all opinions shared here are personal and based on my own experience using the IEMs. Additionally, this review was written by me in Hebrew for the website AudioKnights, and I used a translation tool to make the review accessible.
What's in the Box?
Pula didn’t skimp on accessories, and for good reason, as I’ll explain later in the review. Inside the box, you’ll find a wide variety of silicone tips (only silicone—no memory foam tips), four types to be precise. There’s also a modular cable with interchangeable connectors for 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm terminations, and a green carrying case (even though the IEMs themselves are blue—don’t ask why). Of course, the IEMs themselves are included, with a unique twist: their colors aren’t identical, and each pair comes in different, varied colors.
The cable is very comfortable; it doesn’t tangle, and it doesn’t have memory retention, which is super convenient. I’d even say it’s the highest-quality cable I’ve tried so far. There are clear markers for the right and left sides on the cable, and the IEMs themselves are also marked. If you’ve read my review of the Letshuoer S12, you know I really appreciate this attention to detail. The cable allows for swapping connector heads for different terminations, as mentioned earlier, and it’s implemented very well. The mechanism for rotating and detaching the connector head feels smooth and easy to use—not at all stiff. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the sliding ring at the cable’s split. It’s overly stiff to the point of being almost impossible to adjust. At times, I felt like I was going to tear the cable trying to move that ring. This is an area that needs improvement, as it’s not a pleasant experience. By comparison, the S12 cable’s ring didn’t grip the cable very tightly, but it was much easier to adjust, and it held the cable in place just fine.
The carrying case included by Pula feels very premium and comfortable to use. It’s not one of those that you can slip into your pocket—it’s quite large. But that size allows you to store extra silicone tips and even a dongle, which is very convenient. What I didn’t understand, though, is why they included a green carrying case when the primary color of the IEMs is blue. It might sound like a nitpick complaint, but I expected something that would match the IEMs’ color better. That said, the case is far too high-quality for this price range anyway, and it gets the job done. Overall, it’s an excellent accessory.
Remember When I Mentioned Pula’s Generosity with Silicone Tips?
Well, there’s a wide variety of silicone tips included, and it’s no coincidence. Finding comfortable silicone tips for these IEMs is no easy task, despite the extensive selection provided in the box. The nozzle is very wide, and the IEMs themselves sit quite deep in the ear, making it challenging to find a suitable pair of tips. It took me quite some time to find the ones that fit my ears well. Many other reviewers (and even Pula themselves) recommended purchasing third-party silicone tips despite the broad selection they include. After much trial and error, I finally found the pair that worked well for me. Overall, I’m satisfied with the variety offered, and that’s an important aspect. Pula also notes that without a proper seal, the bone conduction driver won’t perform as intended, so keep that in mind.
Build Quality and Design
The IEMs are made of plastic, but they don’t feel cheap in any way. When pressing on them, you can feel subtle vibrations and hear faint sounds, something I’ve never experienced with any other IEM. I’m not sure if the bone conduction driver is responsible for this or if it’s due to their design, but it’s a first for me. The color is unique, and each side has a different finish. The company claims they use wood engraving, which gives each IEM a distinctive texture. I must say, they look stunning—almost like jewelry. I absolutely loved their appearance.
That said, the IEMs are quite tall. This doesn’t affect their comfort, but if you’re not a fan of IEMs that stick out from your ears, these might not be for you—they do protrude significantly. Weight-wise, they’re relatively light, and I didn’t feel any heaviness or pressure on my ears. Once I found silicone tips that fit me, I could barely feel them in my ears, which is essential for long listening sessions in my opinion. Which again, it is not an easy task and take time for tip rolling. I must say, when I used them for long, it did not fit me well, so if you have small ears, this is something to consider. Do yourself a favor, and buy yourself soft eartips if you are getting them.
Sound Performance
The tuning of the Pula Anvil114 is relatively balanced, with a clear emphasis on the midrange, which feels present and full. Regarding the bone conduction driver—honestly, I’m not sure how much it truly impacts the sound. Often, I felt like I was feeling the music rather than strictly hearing it. The driver does produce vibrations, but it’s hard to pinpoint how significantly they influence the sound. Returning to other IEMs, I did notice the absence of this effect, though not overwhelmingly so.
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass is understated and only noticeable when emphasized in the track. Sometimes, it feels missing altogether, which was disappointing in many songs I listened to. On the other hand, in genres like lo-fi, where low frequencies are prominent, the sub-bass showed up clearly. The bass quality itself is clean and quick, which is equally important. If you prioritize quality over quantity in sub-bass, these might suit you. Personally, I found the lack of sub-bass presence to be a drawback.Mid-Bass
Unlike the sub-bass, the mid-bass feels more present. You can feel its impact, though it’s not overwhelming. It’s well-textured and enjoyable, albeit slightly recessed compared to other frequency ranges. Additionally, the bass is fast, allowing subtle nuances to come through. The mid-bass feels dynamic, not like a monotone thump but rather a spectrum of tones. So, if you value bass quality over sheer volume, this IEM delivers nicely.Midrange
Here’s where the magic happens. If I had to describe the mids in one word: full. Every vocal, every instrument—everything in the midrange feels alive and textured. No other IEM I’ve tried quite delivers this experience. Instruments like guitars reveal the intricacies of the strumming, pianos sound distinct and enjoyable, and violins have a body and depth that make them stand out. I’m not sure if the bone conduction driver contributes to this, but the result is incredibly satisfying.In pop songs with many vocal elements, I had a blast—the voices felt vibrant, deep, and never blended into one another. If you’re looking for IEMs with a strong emphasis on the midrange (vocals, most instruments, etc.), these will likely be a fantastic fit.
Treble
The treble feels somewhat lacking. It’s gentle, balanced, and present but not prominent. In electronic music, instruments like synthesizers felt subdued, and high-pitched vocals also seemed underrepresented. I would have appreciated more treble to capture the subtle details that could elevate these IEMs further, especially in conjunction with their excellent midrange performance.If you’re sensitive to treble, this might work for you. However, coming from the Letshuoer S12, I found the lack of treble here noticeable. While I didn’t expect the same level of treble as in the S12, a bit more would have gone a long way. It’s definitely an area where these IEMs could improve.
Technical Performance
Whether due to the bone conduction driver or the design, the technical capabilities of the Pula Anvil114 are impressive. The soundstage is vast—there’s a lot of space between instruments and vocals, and it never feels cramped or intimate. The separation between elements is also excellent; no frequency overpowers another, and everything is presented cleanly. The imaging is precise, allowing you to pinpoint the location of elements in the tracks. Detail retrieval is strong, with each element feeling rich and textured. This is a level of performance I haven’t experienced with many other IEMs. Overall, Pula has clearly succeeded in this area.
Comparison
Letshuoer S12
Compared to the S12, the Anvil114 feels slightly less bass-heavy, and the treble is significantly more subdued. Personally, I find the imaging on the S12 a bit better. In terms of comfort, I prefer the S12 due to its smaller, metallic build. However, the Anvil114 has a more expansive soundstage, with more texture and life in the midrange. The S12 feels more analytical, whereas the Anvil114 offers more richness and detail.
For genres like electronic music or metal, I would personally go with the S12. But for music featuring a lot of vocals and acoustic instruments, I find the Anvil114 to be the better choice. Overall, I feel the Anvil114 is a significant upgrade over the S12 in terms of technical performance and detail.
Bottom Line
My feelings about these IEMs are somewhat divided. They're not bad—quite balanced, with life in the vocals and midrange—but the lack of treble and bass is fairly noticeable. For the first time, I found myself needing to use an equalizer to truly enjoy the sound, instead of just experimenting with something else. These aren’t the easiest to recommend without trying them first, as they might not suit everyone’s taste. If you like heavy bass and treble, these may not be for you. But if you value quality bass (not necessarily quantity) and prefer a balanced tuning, they could work well.The technical performance, especially the soundstage, really impressed me. It’s expansive, which adds a lot to the listening experience. I’m not suggesting you need to EQ them, but it’s something I personally enjoyed, and they responded quite well to it.
As for the bone conduction driver, it’s hard to say if it makes a significant difference. While I felt vibrations, I didn’t feel it was particularly impactful, though when switching to other IEMs, I noticed the absence of these vibrations. The vibrations are subtle, like placing your finger on a vibrating phone speaker, but it’s not the most pronounced effect.
One challenge to note is finding compatible ear tips. The nozzle is wide, and the IEMs sit quite deep in the ear, making it tough to find a comfortable fit with the included silicone tips. Personally, I didn’t immediately fall in love with these the way I did with the S12, which makes it harder for me to wholeheartedly recommend them without a trial period. I hope my review helps you decide whether these will be a good fit for you.
Price: $199.99 (available from HIFIGO).
jbfps116
Yea... I'll stick with my PA02. If I want super nice mids, I have the Fan 3 and H60, both of which should be bassier for my preference [H60 is closer for sure.]
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Good review!
Somewhere back in 2021, I purchased the TINHiFi T2 Plus IEMs. Since then, a few years have passed, and many new, more interesting IEMs have been released. And yet, to this day, I still find myself coming back to listen with these IEMs. In this review, I'd like to share with you why I still really love these IEMs, even today.
Disclaimer
The IEMs were purchased with my own money, and all my opinions about the IEMs are personal and based on my own experience using them. Additionally, this review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English, so if you’d prefer to read it in the original language, feel free to check it out at the following link.
Accessories
Unfortunately, I no longer have a picture of the packaging and accessories that came with the IEMs, but from what I remember, they came with a wide selection of silicone tips in two types, as well as a pair of memory foam tips.
The cable that came with the IEMs is about what you’d expect for the price they sold for back then—it’s not particularly high-quality, tends to tangle up on itself, and you might consider getting a third-party cable for a better experience. In any case, it’s not bad, and personally, I didn’t replace it or feel the need to buy another cable, as most of my IEMs use a 2-pin cable and not an MMCX connector, so the investment wasn’t really worthwhile for me.
Overall, it was a pretty decent package for the price back then. Today, even with $20 IEMs, you get a richer package, including a carrying case. It’s amazing how much competition has pushed the market forward in terms of accessories.
The IEMs are made of metal, which was rare in this price range back then (and still is, to be fair). They’re relatively small, so you might need slightly larger silicone tips than usual to get a good seal. Luckily, TINHiFi took this into account and provided a rich variety of silicone tips, which to this day still make up most of my silicone tip collection. So, TINHiFi, thank you!
Sound Performance
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass is handled beautifully and delicately; it's noticeable when emphasized in the song but doesn’t steal the show. It’s rumbling, satisfying, not overdone, and has just the right amount of presence. In tracks with plenty of sub-bass, you hear it, and it’s there. In songs with less focus on it, it’s still perceptible but in a balanced, non-intrusive way. Without a doubt, I really loved it.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass is also excellent, but unlike the sub-bass, I’d say it’s a bit on the gentle side. When there’s a kick, you feel it, but it’s not overwhelming—fairly soft and relaxed. Instruments like drums feel gentle and relatively natural. While it’s not a strong point for these IEMs, I was still satisfied and, in some cases, appreciated the lack of excessive emphasis. Nonetheless, there’s room for improvement here.
Mid Frequencies
This is where the magic happens. The mids are crafted so beautifully and sweetly, with a noticeable emphasis on vocals that’s incredibly enjoyable and fun. In songs with a lot of vocals, the IEMs show impressive capability in separating voices, correct positioning, and delivering a unique and pleasant tonality that I haven’t found in any other IEM. If your library consists of vocal-rich tracks, I’m sure you’ll find them highly enjoyable and satisfying. This is undoubtedly the strongest point of these IEMs; I can revisit songs I’ve heard before on other IEMs, and suddenly discover many vocal elements I hadn’t noticed before, in such a sweet way. It’s a highly enjoyable and satisfying experience.
Additionally, instruments like piano, guitar, and similar ones sound great. While they’re enjoyable, they aren’t as full as they could be, but honestly, at this IEM’s price point and for the time they were released, I can’t really complain. Overall, the mids sound fantastic.
For higher-pitched instruments like violins, they felt lacking, with a noticeable absence of depth. There’s almost no emphasis on them, and it feels like something suddenly evaporated from the song, which was a bit disappointing.
Treble
The treble isn’t very pronounced in these IEMs, as they’re tuned with a relatively “warm” profile. In electronic tracks, I felt a slight lack in the higher frequencies. Similar to my note on instruments like violins in the mids, that’s also how I feel about the treble here. It’s not very present, but it’s there — just not substantial. While it’s satisfying enough, I expected more. If your library consists of many tracks with high-pitched instruments, or electronic and synthesized sounds, you’ll likely notice the same. On the other hand, if you’re not a fan of excessive treble and prefer tuning with more bass emphasis, this might work for you. Personally, I felt the lack here was noticeable, and it’s a point for improvement.
Technical Abilities
Despite solid performance in the bass and midrange, the technical capabilities are where these IEMs fall a bit short. The soundstage feels relatively open; it doesn’t feel like everything is clustered in one spot, which is very important and something I don’t often see in IEMs at this price range. Imaging isn’t the strong point here, which is expected for IEMs at this price; it’s not bad, but also not particularly good. Instrument separation isn’t the best — I’d say it’s average. However, when it comes to vocals, the IEMs deliver excellent performance — you can hear very good vocal separation, and the positioning sounds as it should. I really liked that.
Comparisons
Comparison with TINHiFi T3 Plus
The TINHiFi T3 Plus takes a different approach in tuning — I’d say they’re more balanced and slightly "analytical," if you will. Their tuning doesn’t emphasize any particular frequency too much, and I’d say they’re fairly relaxed, maybe even a bit boring. In contrast, the TINHiFi T2 Plus offers a richer emphasis on bass and mids, and I enjoyed them much more. In terms of technical abilities, the T3 Plus is far superior and likely more satisfying in that respect. However, due to their relatively bland tuning and tone, I didn’t find myself connecting with them as much.
Bottom Line
The TINHiFi T2 Plus is a relatively warm-tuned IEM, with impressive bass and midrange performance, and a relatively spacious soundstage. Personally, I always enjoy returning to them to listen to vocal-heavy tracks just for their pleasant and enjoyable tone, with a rich, smooth depth I haven’t found in any other IEM. On the other hand, if your library consists mainly of treble-focused tracks with instruments like violins, these IEMs might not be the best fit for you. All in all, I really enjoyed them.
Disclaimer
The IEMs were purchased with my own money, and all my opinions about the IEMs are personal and based on my own experience using them. Additionally, this review was originally written for the AudioKnights website and translated into English, so if you’d prefer to read it in the original language, feel free to check it out at the following link.
Accessories
Unfortunately, I no longer have a picture of the packaging and accessories that came with the IEMs, but from what I remember, they came with a wide selection of silicone tips in two types, as well as a pair of memory foam tips.
The cable that came with the IEMs is about what you’d expect for the price they sold for back then—it’s not particularly high-quality, tends to tangle up on itself, and you might consider getting a third-party cable for a better experience. In any case, it’s not bad, and personally, I didn’t replace it or feel the need to buy another cable, as most of my IEMs use a 2-pin cable and not an MMCX connector, so the investment wasn’t really worthwhile for me.
Overall, it was a pretty decent package for the price back then. Today, even with $20 IEMs, you get a richer package, including a carrying case. It’s amazing how much competition has pushed the market forward in terms of accessories.
The IEMs are made of metal, which was rare in this price range back then (and still is, to be fair). They’re relatively small, so you might need slightly larger silicone tips than usual to get a good seal. Luckily, TINHiFi took this into account and provided a rich variety of silicone tips, which to this day still make up most of my silicone tip collection. So, TINHiFi, thank you!
Sound Performance
Sub-Bass
The sub-bass is handled beautifully and delicately; it's noticeable when emphasized in the song but doesn’t steal the show. It’s rumbling, satisfying, not overdone, and has just the right amount of presence. In tracks with plenty of sub-bass, you hear it, and it’s there. In songs with less focus on it, it’s still perceptible but in a balanced, non-intrusive way. Without a doubt, I really loved it.
Mid-Bass
The mid-bass is also excellent, but unlike the sub-bass, I’d say it’s a bit on the gentle side. When there’s a kick, you feel it, but it’s not overwhelming—fairly soft and relaxed. Instruments like drums feel gentle and relatively natural. While it’s not a strong point for these IEMs, I was still satisfied and, in some cases, appreciated the lack of excessive emphasis. Nonetheless, there’s room for improvement here.
Mid Frequencies
This is where the magic happens. The mids are crafted so beautifully and sweetly, with a noticeable emphasis on vocals that’s incredibly enjoyable and fun. In songs with a lot of vocals, the IEMs show impressive capability in separating voices, correct positioning, and delivering a unique and pleasant tonality that I haven’t found in any other IEM. If your library consists of vocal-rich tracks, I’m sure you’ll find them highly enjoyable and satisfying. This is undoubtedly the strongest point of these IEMs; I can revisit songs I’ve heard before on other IEMs, and suddenly discover many vocal elements I hadn’t noticed before, in such a sweet way. It’s a highly enjoyable and satisfying experience.
Additionally, instruments like piano, guitar, and similar ones sound great. While they’re enjoyable, they aren’t as full as they could be, but honestly, at this IEM’s price point and for the time they were released, I can’t really complain. Overall, the mids sound fantastic.
For higher-pitched instruments like violins, they felt lacking, with a noticeable absence of depth. There’s almost no emphasis on them, and it feels like something suddenly evaporated from the song, which was a bit disappointing.
Treble
The treble isn’t very pronounced in these IEMs, as they’re tuned with a relatively “warm” profile. In electronic tracks, I felt a slight lack in the higher frequencies. Similar to my note on instruments like violins in the mids, that’s also how I feel about the treble here. It’s not very present, but it’s there — just not substantial. While it’s satisfying enough, I expected more. If your library consists of many tracks with high-pitched instruments, or electronic and synthesized sounds, you’ll likely notice the same. On the other hand, if you’re not a fan of excessive treble and prefer tuning with more bass emphasis, this might work for you. Personally, I felt the lack here was noticeable, and it’s a point for improvement.
Technical Abilities
Despite solid performance in the bass and midrange, the technical capabilities are where these IEMs fall a bit short. The soundstage feels relatively open; it doesn’t feel like everything is clustered in one spot, which is very important and something I don’t often see in IEMs at this price range. Imaging isn’t the strong point here, which is expected for IEMs at this price; it’s not bad, but also not particularly good. Instrument separation isn’t the best — I’d say it’s average. However, when it comes to vocals, the IEMs deliver excellent performance — you can hear very good vocal separation, and the positioning sounds as it should. I really liked that.
Comparisons
Comparison with TINHiFi T3 Plus
The TINHiFi T3 Plus takes a different approach in tuning — I’d say they’re more balanced and slightly "analytical," if you will. Their tuning doesn’t emphasize any particular frequency too much, and I’d say they’re fairly relaxed, maybe even a bit boring. In contrast, the TINHiFi T2 Plus offers a richer emphasis on bass and mids, and I enjoyed them much more. In terms of technical abilities, the T3 Plus is far superior and likely more satisfying in that respect. However, due to their relatively bland tuning and tone, I didn’t find myself connecting with them as much.
Bottom Line
The TINHiFi T2 Plus is a relatively warm-tuned IEM, with impressive bass and midrange performance, and a relatively spacious soundstage. Personally, I always enjoy returning to them to listen to vocal-heavy tracks just for their pleasant and enjoyable tone, with a rich, smooth depth I haven’t found in any other IEM. On the other hand, if your library consists mainly of treble-focused tracks with instruments like violins, these IEMs might not be the best fit for you. All in all, I really enjoyed them.
In the last two years, many headphones with magnetic planar drivers have begun to emerge, and recently we have also seen them penetrate the TWS headphone market, such as the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Today, we are reviewing the Letshuoer S12 headphones, which feature a single magnetic planar driver that created a stir in the audiophile community when they were released. So, what can the technology of the magnetic planar driver offer us?
Disclaimer
The headphones were purchased with my personal funds, and all my opinions regarding the headphones are personal and based on my individual experience with their use. This review is translated review that I wrote in Hebrew for AudioKnights website, if you prefer, you can read the original review here.
What’s in the Box?
Letshuoer did not skimp on the accessories they included in the box, which consist of: 2 types of silicone ear tips in 3 sizes, in addition to memory foam ear tips in 3 sizes, a carrying case, and a high-quality 2PIN 0.78mm cable.
The carrying case is very compact and convenient for transport; it is small enough to fit in a pocket while still being an excellent size for storing the headphones. Inside, there is also a small pocket where you can place silicone ear tips for emergencies or store your dongle (if it's not too large, of course). It is made of a faux leather material and feels very high quality and pleasant to the touch.
The headphone cable I chose has a 3.5mm output, but it is also available with a 4.4mm output if you prefer. The cable is relatively thick and feels very high quality, among the best I’ve tried so far, especially considering the price of the headphones. It is a bit difficult to connect the cable to the headphones the first few times; you need to apply a bit of force, but once the cable is securely connected to the headphones, the connection feels very stable and strong, giving a sense of security that the headphones won't easily come loose. There is also a plastic ring at the split area of the cable for the left and right earphones, which helps to create a less "loose" feeling when wearing the headphones. The ring does its job well and doesn’t slide down; it stays stable and secure.
I have one complaint about the cable: there is a lack of markings in the area connecting to the left and right headphones. It's unclear which side of the cable belongs to the right earphone and which side belongs to the left, although there is a red color on one of them. It would have been helpful if there was also a red mark on one of the earphones for indication, but there isn't.
The selection of silicone ear tips is also excellent. We receive 2 types of tips, with one type being black-and-white and feeling softer, while the other type is all black and feels slightly firmer. With both types of silicone ear tips, I was able to achieve a good seal in the ear, and I didn't notice a significant difference in the sound produced by the headphones, so it's really a matter of preference and comfort. Additionally, the box contains memory foam ear tips, and unlike many headphones that come with only one size of memory foam tips decided by the manufacturer, here we get 3 different sizes, which is very welcome. Personally, I’m not a big fan of them, but if you are – they are included.
The structure of the headphones is made of metal, and their size is not particularly large. Despite the metal construction, the headphones are lightweight and hardly noticeable when worn. The nozzle of the earphones is relatively short and does not go deep into the ear, but the ear tips are long enough to provide a good seal. I was able to wear the headphones for an extended period without feeling any discomfort, and overall, I would say they are very comfortable to wear.
In terms of sound
Sub-bass
The sub-bass of the headphones feels natural and clean, much like it would sound if I were listening to the song live. However, it feels a bit too fast. There's a lack of the subwoofer feeling that I would have liked to hear in some of the songs in my library, as it adds a bit more enjoyment to the bass, and sometimes this can be disappointing and feels lacking.
Mid-bass
In contrast to the sub-bass, the mid-bass feels more present. When there's a kick, you really feel it strongly and prominently, in a very satisfying and precise manner, and it sounds clean without bleeding into the other frequencies. Overall, it’s done very well.
Midrange
The headphones manage to provide a good presence for instruments and vocals. The vocals are front and center, and the instruments blend nicely without clashing with the vocals, giving a very satisfying and enjoyable listening experience. Instruments and vocals, in particular, feel quite close to what I would hear in reality.
However, when I listened to songs that incorporate guitars, I expected to hear more of the strumming and acoustic nuances that guitars bring, which could enhance the overall character of the sound. The "acoustic" feeling seems to be lacking for my taste, and this affects the overall listening experience.
With instruments like the piano, I would like to feel more of the key presses; the headphones make them sound a bit too bright, which detracts from the overall experience. It's not bad, but there is room for improvement.
On the other hand, with instruments like the violin, they managed to deliver very impressive performances. I really enjoyed the violin; it felt very natural with high and precise resolution, and songs that incorporate violins sounded very satisfying and enjoyable.
Overall, I really liked the capabilities of the S12 in the midrange frequencies. However, I would prefer the sounds to feel a bit less cold, as this can affect the listening experience in songs featuring the instruments I mentioned.
Treble
Treble is where the S12 excels. Some reviewers might say it is exaggerated, too bright, and fatiguing, and I can understand those claims, but I don’t necessarily agree with them. The treble is crafted very well and accurately, and the sense of sound is high and impressive. The high frequencies sound great and are positioned front and center, and high-pitched instruments do not blend with the vocals, providing a very enjoyable listening experience.
In electronic songs, which contain many high elements, the headphones particularly shine. It's true that in most cases, you might prefer to listen to songs from this genre on headphones focused on bass, but I must admit that I was very surprised by how the S12 managed to play electronic tracks. So many small nuances began to emerge, and everything was precise and exactly as needed; the treble blends well with the bass and creates a very enjoyable and satisfying sensation.
I can’t express in words how amazing the songs by Snails House sounded, for example. His tracks contain many small electronic elements that, when combined, create an interesting and diverse composition. The level of detail was high and precise, and I couldn't stop listening. I’m surprised every time that it's just one driver doing all this; I have no words.
Overall, treble is where the S12 definitely excelled; they managed to produce quality and precise treble, and if you're someone who loves treble, I have no doubt you'll love the S12.
Technical Capabilities
The technical capabilities of the S12 are nothing short of excellent. The separation between instruments is done well; you feel that there is a relatively spacious movement, and the instruments are not centered but spread out. Their imaging capabilities are also very impressive; it’s very easy to pinpoint where the instruments stand and are located within the soundstage, and the instruments have a clear body and feel precise and realistic. Again, the S12 excels here.
In Summary
The S12 has definitely impressed me positively. Yes, they may not have impressive bass capabilities and can feel a bit too bright, but overall, it's a matter of preference. The technical capabilities are very good, the treble performance is quite impressive, and the overall listening experience feels very accurate, similar to what you would hear in reality. They do not require much power to reach a satisfactory volume level; my apple dongle was sufficient to achieve a high volume with them. And if you're open to using an equalizer, I’m pleased to say that they respond well to adjustments, allowing you to emphasize the bass frequencies if you wish. Additionally, they are lightweight and comfortable to wear, and I find their external appearance very attractive.
The price of the IEM is approximately $100 at the official Letshuoer store on AliExpress as of the date of this review. They are available for purchase at the following link (no affiliate marketing involved), and if you wait for sales you can get them for much less, making them very competitive even today.
Disclaimer
The headphones were purchased with my personal funds, and all my opinions regarding the headphones are personal and based on my individual experience with their use. This review is translated review that I wrote in Hebrew for AudioKnights website, if you prefer, you can read the original review here.
What’s in the Box?
Letshuoer did not skimp on the accessories they included in the box, which consist of: 2 types of silicone ear tips in 3 sizes, in addition to memory foam ear tips in 3 sizes, a carrying case, and a high-quality 2PIN 0.78mm cable.
The carrying case is very compact and convenient for transport; it is small enough to fit in a pocket while still being an excellent size for storing the headphones. Inside, there is also a small pocket where you can place silicone ear tips for emergencies or store your dongle (if it's not too large, of course). It is made of a faux leather material and feels very high quality and pleasant to the touch.
The headphone cable I chose has a 3.5mm output, but it is also available with a 4.4mm output if you prefer. The cable is relatively thick and feels very high quality, among the best I’ve tried so far, especially considering the price of the headphones. It is a bit difficult to connect the cable to the headphones the first few times; you need to apply a bit of force, but once the cable is securely connected to the headphones, the connection feels very stable and strong, giving a sense of security that the headphones won't easily come loose. There is also a plastic ring at the split area of the cable for the left and right earphones, which helps to create a less "loose" feeling when wearing the headphones. The ring does its job well and doesn’t slide down; it stays stable and secure.
I have one complaint about the cable: there is a lack of markings in the area connecting to the left and right headphones. It's unclear which side of the cable belongs to the right earphone and which side belongs to the left, although there is a red color on one of them. It would have been helpful if there was also a red mark on one of the earphones for indication, but there isn't.
The selection of silicone ear tips is also excellent. We receive 2 types of tips, with one type being black-and-white and feeling softer, while the other type is all black and feels slightly firmer. With both types of silicone ear tips, I was able to achieve a good seal in the ear, and I didn't notice a significant difference in the sound produced by the headphones, so it's really a matter of preference and comfort. Additionally, the box contains memory foam ear tips, and unlike many headphones that come with only one size of memory foam tips decided by the manufacturer, here we get 3 different sizes, which is very welcome. Personally, I’m not a big fan of them, but if you are – they are included.
The structure of the headphones is made of metal, and their size is not particularly large. Despite the metal construction, the headphones are lightweight and hardly noticeable when worn. The nozzle of the earphones is relatively short and does not go deep into the ear, but the ear tips are long enough to provide a good seal. I was able to wear the headphones for an extended period without feeling any discomfort, and overall, I would say they are very comfortable to wear.
In terms of sound
Sub-bass
The sub-bass of the headphones feels natural and clean, much like it would sound if I were listening to the song live. However, it feels a bit too fast. There's a lack of the subwoofer feeling that I would have liked to hear in some of the songs in my library, as it adds a bit more enjoyment to the bass, and sometimes this can be disappointing and feels lacking.
Mid-bass
In contrast to the sub-bass, the mid-bass feels more present. When there's a kick, you really feel it strongly and prominently, in a very satisfying and precise manner, and it sounds clean without bleeding into the other frequencies. Overall, it’s done very well.
Midrange
The headphones manage to provide a good presence for instruments and vocals. The vocals are front and center, and the instruments blend nicely without clashing with the vocals, giving a very satisfying and enjoyable listening experience. Instruments and vocals, in particular, feel quite close to what I would hear in reality.
However, when I listened to songs that incorporate guitars, I expected to hear more of the strumming and acoustic nuances that guitars bring, which could enhance the overall character of the sound. The "acoustic" feeling seems to be lacking for my taste, and this affects the overall listening experience.
With instruments like the piano, I would like to feel more of the key presses; the headphones make them sound a bit too bright, which detracts from the overall experience. It's not bad, but there is room for improvement.
On the other hand, with instruments like the violin, they managed to deliver very impressive performances. I really enjoyed the violin; it felt very natural with high and precise resolution, and songs that incorporate violins sounded very satisfying and enjoyable.
Overall, I really liked the capabilities of the S12 in the midrange frequencies. However, I would prefer the sounds to feel a bit less cold, as this can affect the listening experience in songs featuring the instruments I mentioned.
Treble
Treble is where the S12 excels. Some reviewers might say it is exaggerated, too bright, and fatiguing, and I can understand those claims, but I don’t necessarily agree with them. The treble is crafted very well and accurately, and the sense of sound is high and impressive. The high frequencies sound great and are positioned front and center, and high-pitched instruments do not blend with the vocals, providing a very enjoyable listening experience.
In electronic songs, which contain many high elements, the headphones particularly shine. It's true that in most cases, you might prefer to listen to songs from this genre on headphones focused on bass, but I must admit that I was very surprised by how the S12 managed to play electronic tracks. So many small nuances began to emerge, and everything was precise and exactly as needed; the treble blends well with the bass and creates a very enjoyable and satisfying sensation.
I can’t express in words how amazing the songs by Snails House sounded, for example. His tracks contain many small electronic elements that, when combined, create an interesting and diverse composition. The level of detail was high and precise, and I couldn't stop listening. I’m surprised every time that it's just one driver doing all this; I have no words.
Overall, treble is where the S12 definitely excelled; they managed to produce quality and precise treble, and if you're someone who loves treble, I have no doubt you'll love the S12.
Technical Capabilities
The technical capabilities of the S12 are nothing short of excellent. The separation between instruments is done well; you feel that there is a relatively spacious movement, and the instruments are not centered but spread out. Their imaging capabilities are also very impressive; it’s very easy to pinpoint where the instruments stand and are located within the soundstage, and the instruments have a clear body and feel precise and realistic. Again, the S12 excels here.
In Summary
The S12 has definitely impressed me positively. Yes, they may not have impressive bass capabilities and can feel a bit too bright, but overall, it's a matter of preference. The technical capabilities are very good, the treble performance is quite impressive, and the overall listening experience feels very accurate, similar to what you would hear in reality. They do not require much power to reach a satisfactory volume level; my apple dongle was sufficient to achieve a high volume with them. And if you're open to using an equalizer, I’m pleased to say that they respond well to adjustments, allowing you to emphasize the bass frequencies if you wish. Additionally, they are lightweight and comfortable to wear, and I find their external appearance very attractive.
The price of the IEM is approximately $100 at the official Letshuoer store on AliExpress as of the date of this review. They are available for purchase at the following link (no affiliate marketing involved), and if you wait for sales you can get them for much less, making them very competitive even today.
