Reviews by B9Scrambler

Greetings,

Today we're checking out the ZSR, a new hybrid earphone from budget kings Knowledge Zenith (KZ).

Prior to 2016, KZ had not released a single earphone that was using anything other than dynamic drivers. That all changed with the ZST which brought hybrid tech to the masses at a truly affordable price, and it sounded pretty good too. Since the ZST, KZ has gone all out with hybrid models releasing the ZS5, ZS6, and ES3 along with the ZSR and other rumored models on the horizon.

The ZST and ES3 are 1+1 hybrids with one dynamic driver (DD) and one balanced armature (BA) per side. The ZS5 and ZS6 are 2+2 hybrids rolling with two DD and two BAs per side. The ZSR bridges that gap with two BAs and one DD per side. Is it just another hybrid, and just another KZ rolling with the same signature we've heard revised over and over in the ZS and ED series of earphones, or does it do anything different enough to warrant it's existence. Let's find out!

Disclaimer:

I purchased the ZSR from Gearbest for 24.62 CAD during one of their many, many flash sales. I'm not associated with Gearbest, or KZ, or any other entity meaning the thoughts within this review are my own. There was no financial incentive provided to write this review.

Below is a link to the ZSR on Gearbest but as with most KZs you can find them for sale all over the place including Penon Audio, AliExpress, and others: https://www.gearbest.com/earbud-headphones/pp_1512920.html

Edit: Changed score from 4.5 to 4 stars to reflect thoughts in comparison to the ZS10.

Source:

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

Personal Preferences:

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

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 107dB / mW
• Impedance: 22 ohm
• Frequency response: 10-40kHz

Packaging and Accessories:

Given their low price and in line with other KZ's you're not getting a ton of stuff for your dollar. The ZSR comes in the same shock-white packaging KZ has been using since moving away from the VSonic inspired boxes they were shipping with early ZST and ZS3 models. It is very clean and simple with a wire frame image of the earphone printed on the exterior sleeve. Side that off and the ear pieces are laid out under a transparent lid and set within a basic plastic tray embossed with the KZ logo.

Lift all that out and you find an instruction manual and some little plastic bags holding the spare ear tips and the removable 0.75mm 2-pin removable cable. In all you get;

• ZSR earphones
• 2-pin cable
• 3 pairs of single-flange silicone tips (s/m/l)

KZ gives you all you need to get going and nothing more. That said, I want to make note that they include their “Starline” tips which are one of my favourite tip options on the market. They're durable, comfortable, and seem to pair well with pretty much everything I throw at them. There's a reason I bought six extra sets back after I first tried them with the ZST.


Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

The ZSR, like the ZS3 before it, has a custom iem inspired design. Whereas the ZS3 which borrowed from StageDiver, the ZSR takes inspiration from iBasso's IT03, though looking closely they've got enough differences to be far from a 1:1 take on each other. Good thing they avoided Campfire Audio this time around or people would have really flipped their $#!&.

The plastics used feel dense and durable, at least as good as the ATR's plastics, and are wonderfully molded without any sloppy lines. The only negative I could find was that on my left ear piece, the two halves of the shell just don't line up quite as well as they should so on the back there's a teeny little ridge that sticks out a fraction of a mm. I doesn't touch my ear or cause any discomfort, but it's there and if you hunt for it, you'll find it. The right ear piece is flawless. While I normally like it when Left and Right indicators are the entire word printed in cursive, admittedly it just doesn't on the ZSR, at least on the version I have in black. I get a feeling it'll look best in the white model that's coming out....eventually...which I will be all over when they're on the market. Lastly, above the nozzle you find printed “ZSR Hybrid Technology”. Everything is printed cleanly and clearly, though I know it'll wipe off eventually.

The openings to the larger than normal nozzles (6mm in diameter) are protected by a very fine metal mesh. There is unfortunately no lip to hold tips on which combined with the massive opening is going to limit options for tip rolling.

The cable is typical KZ; slightly sticky and plenty flexible with good strain relief. It is also saddled with memory wire which I detest. At least KZ does memory wire right, using material that stays in the position you set it. All they need to start including now is a chin cinch and you're good as gold.

Despite the excessive size, the ZSR is actually quite comfortable, rivaling the ZS3 which I liked a lot more at first. The ZS3 sits deeper and more flush with my ear but there's a process to getting a good seal that requires twisting it to the right position. The ZSR slots right into place effortlessly though it doesn't quite disappear the same way the ZS3 does. The ZSR's improved consistency in fit is a big plus in it's favour. The only negative is that memory wire, which is why I swapped out to my original angled ZST cable which uses weights, ala. ATE/ATR instead of memory wire to keep the cable securely around wrapped your ear.

Despite ample ventilation (one vent for the DD and two more at the bottom rear) the ZSR isolates really well. I was quite pleased with how effectively it could block out the sound of vehicles driving by, people chatting next to me while I enjoyed a delicious “high quality” Tim Horton's coffee, and other obnoxious sounds. I'm sure if I bothered to take the time to fit some foam tips, they'd be even better.

In all the ZSR is fairly well constructed, the cable is going to be a “love it” or “hate it” type affair, and isolation is pretty impressive for something so well-ventilated. Comfort should also be good, just keep in mind both the housings and nozzles are larger than average so those with small ears/ear canals be warned.


Sound:

Tips: I really felt no need to move from the stock tips given I like them so much and feel they pair well, but alas, curiosity got the best of me. After swapping through the few tips I have on hand that would fit those beefy nozzles, I settled on those tips from the Auglamour RT-1 and haven't gone back. Not helpful, because I don't think you can buy those tips separately.

In my experience, KZ's hybrids have been mostly composed of a thinner presentation with dazzlingly prominent treble, a recessed or uneven mid-range, and elevated bass. The ZSR is similar to past hybrid offerings from the brand, though with a few much needed alterations. These, in my opinion, make them the most consistent hybrid in KZ's lineup.

The ZSR's treble is elevated, more so than the ZST but less than the ZS6, giving them an energetic and vibrant presentation. Like the ZST, it's peaks seem to roll off before they become overly aggressive or irritating as can be the case with the ZS6. Could just be me though, as I'm not particularly sensitive to treble. My only issue with the ZSR's treble lies with it being slightly loose and with a hint of splashiness, particularly evident with cymbals which lack definition. It's not significant enough to ruin the experience for me though, unlike on older KZ's where this quality was much more prominent.

The ZSR makes some significant steps forward with it's mid-range, bringing in some warmth and thickness lacking on other KZ hybrids. It's quite reminiscent of the classic ANV here actually, though not as prominent. While it is still slightly recessed compared to the treble and bass, it physically sits more forward (closer to action) in the overall presentation which does a good job of masking the minor recession. This is the best of KZ's hybrid bunch when it comes to vocal-centric music to my ears, sounding more natural with both male and female vocals. Instruments seem to have more weight and body to them as well which really helps out with guitars and other instruments.

The low end on the ZSR is reminiscent of the ZS3; slightly mid-bass focused and darkish with good depth and weight. There is a touch of bleed into the lower mids, though throwing on tips with a slightly wider bore negates that. It's more punchy and textured than what you get from the ZS5(v1) but not quite as good as the ZS6. The slightly softer presentation matches well with the detailed upper ranges and full-bodied mid-range, though, and really serves to tie the overall presentation together.

The ZSR's party piece is a round, wide, and deep sound stage that has an airiness to it I've not heard from a KZ since the ANV, nor many other earphones for that matter. They give you a true sense of space with effects skittering off into the distance. Listening to movies with these gives you a true sense of the scale they can portray and makes for a killer experience.


Select Comparisons:

(Volume matching completed via the Dayton Audio iMM-6)

KZ ZS6 (price varies wildly): The ZSR and ZS6 are equals in my opinion, but for different reasons. The ZSR has more low end presence, a larger sound stage, a more natural mid-range with additional warmth and thickness, and overall sounds more even and coherent. The ZS6's technical abilities are a step up with a more layered and well-separated sound with improved imaging accuracy, along with slightly better detail retrieval. The ZS6's low end is slightly more textured too, but it lacks the visceral punch of the ZSR. The ZS6 is also brighter. Not a problem for me, but this may pose issues for others if forums and the comments sections on youtube and Reddit are any indication.

The ZS6 is undoubtedly the better built of the two, looking and feeling much more premium with it's well-crafted aluminum shells. I actually find them equally comfortable, with the ZSR's ear-forming shape making it more conducive for use while active. That said, forming the ZS6's earguides properly keeps them securely in place, so it's almost a wash there too.

Audbos DB-02 (47.99 USD): The DB-02 is a 1+1 hybrid from Audbos, and an earphone you might better know under the brand name Magaosi. I personally find it's wood and aluminum, shallow fit ear pieces gorgeous to look at and extremely comfortable. I suspect they're probably going to sit well with more ears than the ZSR's massive shells. The DB-02's cable is pretty poor; thin, delicate, sticky. KZ's is a big step up imo.

The ZSR's treble is slightly more prominent and with greater extension. The DB-02's mid-range is slightly more prominent and forward, but less organic and slightly dry. The DB-02's low end is punchier and more textured, but it rolls off earlier and lacks sub-bass rumble. The ZSR is more detailed in the treble and mids, has a much larger sound stage and in general it feel it is easily the better sounding and more engaging product.

thinksound ts03+mic (119.99 USD): The ts03 is a single dynamic, wood bodied earphone with a warm, bassy signature. It has a very traditional barrel-shaped housing versus the ZSR's shapely, ear hugging shells which gives the ts03 a more universal fit. I also prefer it's materials which are a mix of wood and aluminum giving the ts03 a simple, but timeless look. The ZSR is not in the same ballpark in terms of visual appeal, to me at least. Neither earphone has a particularly fantastic cable, though I'd take KZ's over thinksounds. It is more flexible, thicker, more memory resistant, and it better relieved.

In terms of sound, the ZSR is notably more treble heavy, but in terms of mids and bass are quite similar. The ts03's bass is tighter, punchier, more textured, but the differences aren't as vast as the price would suggest. The ZSR's presentation is more open and spacious, slightly more visceral, and on the deepest notes gives you more physical feedback. The ts03's mid-range is similarly placed, but given it has a more balanced sound comes across more prominent. I'd say the ZSR's mids are more textured and detailed, but not quite as natural, something the ts03 excels at. In terms of treble, the ZSR is again more detailed. The ts03 is smoother though, lacking the sharpness the ZSR portrays at times.

Final Thoughts:

To my ears, the ZSR is Knowledge Zenith's more successful attempt at a hybrid yet. It's not the most technically adept of the group, a title which probably goes to the ZS6, nor will it likely have the mass appeal of the more relaxed ZST, but upon listening to all their hybrids back-to-back, the ZSR gets my vote because it sounds the most coherent and mature in it's tuning.

If you're in the market for a budget hybrid and were considering one of those from KZ, pending you've got the ears to hold them and are not absurdly sensitive to treble, the ZSR is easy to recommend.

Thanks for reading.

- B9Scrambler

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

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock - Skelethon (Album)
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (Album)
Elton John - Yellow Golden Brick Road (Album)
King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Converting Vegetarians (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack - Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco - screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt - Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bone) (Album)

Greetings,

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

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

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

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

Disclaimer:

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

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

Source:

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

Personal Preferences:

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

Specifications:

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

Packaging and Accessories:

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

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

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

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

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


Build, Ergonomics, and Isolation:

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

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

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

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

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


Sound:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Select Comparisons:

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts:

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

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

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

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

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

Some Other Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

Last year TFZ went all-out releasing model after model, from the Exclusive lineup to new Series models that filled in the gaps between the 1, 3, and 5. Today we're checking out the Series 2.

At 45 USD, the Series 2 is a fairly inexpensive earphone. Like most of TFZ's current lineup, they use decently large 12 mm dual magnet, graphene diaphragm dynamic drivers with strong, N52 magnets. Their low impedance and high sensitivity make them perfect for pairing with basic mobile devices, and their removable 2-pin cables give them that extra added bit of durability and confidence to use them as a daily driver.

I've really enjoyed what TFZ has put out within the last year, and the Series 2 is no exception. Let's check out why.


Disclaimer:

The Series 2 was provided free of charge for the purposes of a fair and impartial review. The thoughts here are my own and are not representative of TFZ, Penon Audio, or any other entity. There is no financial incentive for writing this review. The Series 2 currently retails for 45.00 USD over on Penon Audio; https://penonaudio.com/tfz-series-2.html

Source:

For at home use the Series 2 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, HiFi E.T. MA8, F.Audio S1, or Shanling M1, all of which brought it up to listening volume without any effort. Through the S1 there was some noticeable hissing, not unexpected given that player is intended to be used with higher impedance, lower sensitivity devices.

Personal Preferences:

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

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 105dB / mW
• Impedance: 16 ohm
• Frequency response: 5-40kHz

Packaging and Accessories:

The Series 2's packaging is a nice take on the Exclusive Series' packaging with the same, elongated shape. The exterior cardboard is a reflective chrome silver with contact information for getting in touch with TFZ, The Fragrent Zither, printed on the back. The transparent, plastic lid shows off the ear pieces and some of the same, odd translations found on other TFZ packaging; “Make every song ambilight” and “Beautiful like the stars”. Ambilight is a technology Philips uses for some of the flat-screen T.Vs.

Removing the lid and pulling out the insert the ear pieces are contained within reveals the cable tucked away inside, neatly wrapped with a Velcro cable tie. In the chromed cardboard box below you find the product manual, a 12 month warranty card, and all the accessories. In all you get;

• Series 2 earphones
• 0.78mm two-pin detachable cable (OFC, silver-coated)
• Faux-leather carrying bag
• Shirt clip
• Single-flange, narrow bore silicone tips (s/m/l)
• Single-flange, wide bore silicone tips (s/m(x2)/l)

The omission of a set of foams tips is a bit of an oversight, just as it was with the Exclusive 1. The Series 2 is a brighter leaning earphone and foam tips would help those who are sensitive to treble. Other than that, the packaging is attractive, the accessories plentiful, and it's all of pretty good quality.

Build, Comfort, and Isolation;

The Series 2's housings are quite large but are also very light and ergonomic. That lightness comes at a cost, however. The plastic feels less dense than that used on the rest of TFZ's lineup, save for the Exclusive 1. They don't feel cheap or delicate, but they do feel like they're missing something. It also doesn't help that I was very easily able to pull off the rear faceplate, simply prying it off with my fingernail. The glue holding it on is pretty weak. Good for modders I suppose since they're pretty straightforward to disassemble. Since the entirety of the shell is transparent, you can see all the inner workings which includes a metal mesh under the rear faceplate. It doesn't do anything, but it looks neat.

The cable is not the same as that found on every other TFZ I own. It has a very loose braid and is just a touch thicker. It is very flexible, decently resistant to tangling, and uses the same uber-chunky jack and y-split, neither of which I am particularly fond of. The built-in ear guides do a great job of keeping the cable behind the ear, and cable noise is minimal. Overall a pretty nice cable. Better than many you'll find at this price range, and in some ways nicer than that used on TFZ's pricier models.

Once in place, the Series 2 is extremely comfy. I found this housing nice on the King, but ditching all the extra weight that model carries, just as they did with the My Love II, works wonders. It doesn't quite disappear since it's quite large, but it doesn't tug or pull at your ears. The great fit is helped along by the preformed ear guides and the fact the ear pieces pretty much completely fill your outer ear, so once they're in place there is little room to move around and lose a seal.

Isolation is sub-par. The well-ventilated, all-plastic housings let in a lot of outside noise and leak a fair bit too, pending you're listening at unhealthy volumes of course. I consider them about average to slightly below for a ventilated, dynamic-based earphone; I can hear myself type, hold conversations with others around me, hear cars on the road outside my office, etc. These would probably not be the best choice for commuting if using the stock tips. Picking up some foam tips would definitely help with isolation and are worth looking into since they're a cheap way to change/improve some aspects of any earphone.


Sound:

Tips: The preinstalled wide bore tips provide a sound lightly tilted towards the treble that I can see many finding bright. The narrow bore tips help soften the treble response slightly and thicken mid-bass response.

**Since the Series 2 sounds so similar to the My Love II, I have re purposed that review's sound section with mild changes to reflect the Series 2's presentation. The Series 2 is slightly brighter, has a touch less sub-bass, and isn't quite a smooth overall. These difference are minor, but together give the My Love II a noticeable edge.**

Like other TFZ's I've heard, the my Series 2's sound is on the brighter side with well-extended, vibrant treble. It's presentation is more silky and less tiring than what I've come to expect from the brand, while still offering up loads of detail, though not quite a smooth as the My Love II. The electronic shrieks and shrill scratching during the opening and throughout the rest of The Chemical Brothers epic “Escape Velocity” are rife with texture and edginess, but are not painful to ensure. The cymbal work on the live recording of King Crimson's “Cat Food” off their The Great Deceiver compilation sounds natural and engaging with just the right amount of shimmer and decay.

My positive impressions carry on down to the mid-range where I have yet to be disappointed by a TFZ. The Series 2's midrange is just a nice with music as it is with vocal-only pieces like podcasts. Upper mids and female vocals are a touch thin as evident when running through Jessie J's “Bang Bang” or Lenzman's “Open Page (Feat. Riya). Things thicken up heading into the lower mids where Paul William's voice on Daft Punk's “Touch” has an adequate amount of weight heft to it. The same can be said for the stringed instruments and horns throughout the rest of the track. Pianos still seem to lack the bite I prefer, however.

The Series 2 won't ever be considered bass light, though I doubt they'd be considered bass-head material either. They have a hefty low end boost with a good focus on sub-bass that really lets them rumble, but they don't push air quite as well as BGVP's DM5 for example. This is evident on Ephixa's “Dubstep Killed Rock n' Roll” whose deep sub-bass lines are clearly felt throughout the length of the track. Bass guitars also sound hefty and well-textured as found on “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. Mid-bass has some nice kick and to it as well. If you like you bass boosted but not overwhelming and with some visceral feedback, these should satisfy nicely.

Like other TFZs the Series 2 has a solid sound stage with an open, airy feel to it. It's not quite a deep as the My Love II, though it addresses the sound stage qualms I had with the similarly priced, and sounding, Exclusive 1. Imaging is crisp and fairly, smoothly shuttling effects from channel to channel. Songs are well layered with great separation letting you hear each aspect clearly. This is helped along by a solid level of detail retrieval throughout the entire range, though it falls short of what you can get out of the Exclusive 5 and King models.


Select Comparisons:

TFZ Exclusive 1 (42.90 USD): The Series 2 feels like a direct side grade to the Excl. 1, but with a larger shell and some light improvements. The differences in ergonomics are significant. I personally find the smaller, even lighter shells of the 1 more comfortable, though the Series 2 is more stable given they fill the entirety of my outer ear. They share the same bright and bassy signature but the Series 2 feels larger and more open with greater width and depth to their sound. Other than that, listening to the two back-to-back the differences are minimal at most.

Auglamour RT-1 (55.00 USD): The RT-1 is a very unique looking earphone as a result of it's stained-glass influenced exterior shell. Overall fit and shape is similar to that of the Series 2, and as a result I find them equally comfortable. The RT-1 isolates significantly better as a result of a deeper insertion and ventless design but unlike the Series 2, it suffers from debilitating driver flex. The RT-1 feels like a more expensive product with more dense plastics and aluminum being used on the backplate. The Series 2's cable is significantly better. It is more flexible, uses preformed guides instead of memory wire, and is properly relieved. Cable noise is less too.

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

Final Thoughts:

Like the Exclusive 1, the Series 2 gives you a good idea of what you're going to get from the more expensive TFZ models. They look nice, are very comfortable as a result of their curvaceous, form-fitting shells, and they definitely excite with a vibrant signature that doesn't make many trade offs in terms of treble, mid-range, and bass balance. It's presentation isn't quite as refined and it's materials not as premium as others in the class, but for the 45 USD asking price you can't complain too much.

If you're looking for a solid all-rounder and don't want to spend a ton, nor go with a lesser known Chinese brand, the Series 2 is well worth a look.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

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

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings,

Today we're checking out the baby in Nuforce's Bluetooth lineup, the BE2.

Inexpensive Bluetooth headsets are easy find, but locating one that performs well in a number of measures is a slightly more challenging affair. The BE2 sets itself up to be a great value in this segment with features such as a respectable IPX5 water and sweat resistance rating, AAC support for Apple devices, and durable, polycarbonate shells for the earpieces. 10 hours of battery life is nothing to scoff at either. Like the BE Free8, the BE2 utilizes a compact 6mm micro-driver but in this application it is mounted in the tip of the nozzle, similar to products like the now classic JVC HA-FXD80 and more recent HA-FXH30. This style of earphone brings with it some ergonomic challenges given the nozzle needs to be broader than normal in order to accommodate the driver. With the inclusion of some SpinFit TwinBlade eartips, NuForce will have managed to skirt this issue for many of you out there that typically have issues with broad nozzles.

I'm getting ahead of myself though. Let's take a step back and run through the BE2 from the beginning to see how it fairs in the real world, and if it is something you should be considering if in the market for an inexpensive wireless earphone.


Disclaimer:

A big thanks to Jyri at Nuforce for reaching out to see if I would be interested in checking out the BE2. It was sent over free of charge for the purposes of a fair and impartial review. The thoughts within this review are my own and do not represent Optoma, NuForce, or any other entity. There was no financial incentive provided to incite a positive review.

At the time of this writing, the BE2 retailed for 49.00 USD on Amazon.com: https://www.optomausa.com/audioproduct/be2

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

The BE Free8 was paired an LG G5, Shanling M1, and an ASUS FX53V gaming laptop. Pairing was quick and easy with each device and overall performance across them was consistent.

Specifications:

Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Sensitivity: 100±3DB AT 1K HZ
Power supply: Lithium-ion battery
Connector type: Bluetooth Wireless
Cable length: 580 mm
Driver unit: 6 mm dynamic
Impedance: 16 OHM
Connections input: Bluetooth V4.1
IPX5 certified
Battery life: UP TO 10 HOURS
Supported codecs: HSP 1.2, HFP 1.6, A2DP 1.2, AVRCP 1.4, AAC, SBC
Wireless frequency: 20HZ-20KHZ
Operating range: 33 FEET
Compatibility: AAC
Weight: 0lb 0.5oz

Packaging and Accessories:

Aesthetically the BE2's packaging is very similar to the more costly BE6i's. The mostly white color scheme is quite trendy and features what looks to be a simulated image of the BE2 on the front.This was a good image choice as it shows off the in-line controller and LED placement, the long, flat cable, and gives you a hint at the unusually large nozzles this earphone is equipped with. The left side shows wire frame images of the few accessories included inside, while on the rear a number of features are highlighted in 5 languages. Opening the package and sliding out the first insert you're greeted to the BE2 nestled in a foam and cardboard cutout. Below is a small cardboard box on which the pairing instructions are printed. The interior is completely filled with a large hunk of foam with cutouts for the microUSB cable and spare ear tips, both of which are contained in their own separate bags. In all you are provided;

• BE2 earphones
• 1 pair of medium SpinFit TwinBlade tips (pre-installed)
• 3 pairs of single flange silicone tips
• microUSB cable

I was a little disappointed at the lack of accessories given my past experiences with NuForce products. The packaging was certainly large enough to accommodate a small case and when it comes to tip-mounted drivers, including a wide variety of eartips is pretty much a necessity to ensure a good fit. Thankfully, both the medium single-flange and TwinBlade tips worked for me but others might not be so lucky.

Comfort, Build, and Isolation:

Once you've found the right tips to match your ears, the BE2 is easy to insert and quite ergonomic. The slight angle of the nozzle lets them rest at a natural angle, supported by the natural curves where the main section of the housing tapers down into the cable insert. That said, while they never fell out even during heavy activity, the BE2 never felt quite as stable as some of the competition like the ADVANCED Evo X or even the BE6i when using the included ear hooks. The lack of accommodation of ear hooks is a bit of a missed opportunity in my opinion.

That said, if they do fall out I have no worry they would break. The polycarbonate shells of the BE2 feel seriously dense and well put together with a mix of glossy surfaces at the front, and a grippy matte surface on the back where you would hold them. These two surfaces line up well with limited gaps, as you would hope given their IPX5 rating.You should be able to drench them in sweat or use them in the rain without worry. I can verify they work fine in the cold and snow. The flat cable is thinner than on the BE6i and as a result is also lighter and more flexible with a handy little cinch/slider to pick up the slack. I really like the inline remote too which seems to be of higher quality than the one used on the more expensive BE6i. The plastics look better and feel more solid. The three buttons are not individual units but laid out under a rubber sheet which should offer effective resistance to liquid intruders. The microUSB charge port is located on the side of the remote, sealed closed by a rubber hatch.

Also sealed closed are your ears once you're in the midst of using the BE2. How well do they isolate you from the outside world? Well, that depends on the tips you choose. The TwinBlade set offer pretty outstanding isolation, easily drowning out loud noises. The single flange tips are no so effective and let in quite a lot of outside noise. If you're in a gym, I suggest using the TwinBlades. If you're out for a jog, go with the single flange set so you can hear nearby traffic.


Battery Life:

And while you may have to worry about traffic and nutso drivers, at least you won't have to worry about battery life since the BE2 offers up a respectable and achievable 10 hours of play time. For the purposes of testing, I left my device at 50% and used the BE2's in-built volume adjustment to pick the right levels. Out of 15 steps, my listening generally fell between 6 and 9 depending on the track and where I was. At these volumes I routinely exceeded 10 hours of use, but not by much. If you listen loud, I would expect to fall just short of the mark (as would likely be the case with any battery powered device).

Connection Quality:

Connection quality is pretty average with a standard range of 33 feet, only really achievable in unobstructed areas. It's good and about on par with the BE Free8, but it's no BE6i. The only complaint I have is levied at the occasional micro-second in length bursts of static I heard a couple times an hour, increasing in frequency when nearly a fully depleted battery. After a while I could block it out, but given I work in a noisy call centre environment in a customer service position, blocking out annoyances is somewhat second nature. If this is not limited to my review unit, others might find it more obnoxious than I did.

Sound:

While the BE2 isn't the best sounding Bluetooth set I've heard, it's also far from the worst. The lack of apt-X support may be partially to blame for this. Like the BE6i, I found the BE2 to have a slightly elevated treble region with comparatively neutral bass and mids.

Treble has a slight metallic edge to it and comes across a touch grainy, but it's very detailed, well controlled, and not at all splashy. I suspect there is an upward peak to the presence region as there is some sibilance and harshness to cymbals. While I generally enjoy this signature, it can be fatiguing which isn't necessarily ideal. This treble presentation isn't forgiving of poor recordings either as evidenced through The Crystal Method's “Grace (feat LeAnn Rimes)”. This track features a horrendous screeching sound that runs most of the length and is nigh unbearable though many earphones, the BE2 included.

The mid-range is merely okay. It is open and clear presenting lots of detail. It's not a particularly warm sounding mid-range, however, leading to a more convincing presentation with male vocals. I found the lower mi-range notes lacked some body and weight removing the emotion from some tracks, like Daft Punk's “Touch”. The lack of mid-range warmth left female vocals sounding somewhat sterile. The mid-range isn't poorly done, it's just not particularly engaging.

The BE2's low end is also quite reserved focusing more on speed and control than depth or impact. I can see these being considered light on bass by many, especially given the early drop off heading into sub-bass regions. That said, texturing is good and there is no bleed into the mid-range affecting vocals. Given the intended purpose of these earphones as an active companion, I would like to see more low end presence as what's there is likely to be drown out by outside noise.

They're fairly average too in terms of providing a spacious stage. I found this somewhat surprising given the tip-mounted driver configuration which at the very least should provide a wide but narrow stage. Here, it is consistent in width and depth, but remains firmly in your head. On the side, it images quite well for a Bluetooth set, free of the off-centre dead zones that seem to plague cheaper sets.


Select Comparisons:

ADVANCED Evo X (59.99 USD): The Evo X and BE2 I are both aimed at the active crowd. In terms of build the BE2's earpieces feel much more dense and solid and like they could take more abuse. The Evo X's cable is thicker and shorter and I found it more manageable and less intrusive. Comfort and ergonomics goes to the Evo X with it's “all-in-one” design. It's lighter and much more stable in the ear, primarily due to the ear hook design in which the cable is housed, following the hooks up and around your ear. If you don't like that style of earphone, the BE2's more traditional cable-down design will be right in your wheelhouse.

The BE2's battery life is twice that of the Evo X at 10 hours vs. five, with both requiring about 2 hours to charge. Do I need to say which is better here? The BE2's connection quality is slightly more stable as well, though the Evo X doesn't suffer from random bursts of static.

In terms of sound these two couldn't vary much more. The Evo X is warmer and bassier with a smoother overall presentation that I found more suitable to outside use. The extra low end meant you were losing all the bass when outside in noisy areas. The BE2 provides a notably more detailed sound, however, and the extra shimmer on the top end I found myself missing when swapping back over to the Evo X.

Nuforce BE6i (79.99 USD): The BE6i was my top Bluetooth earphone of 2017, and for good reason. It has awesome build quality with apt-X support, a great sound signature, and a very strong connection combined with an acceptable 8 hours of battery life.

Like the BE2 it is IPX5 rated, but it's housings are all metal and it simply feels and looks more premium. They both have strong magnets in the back letting you confidently hang them around your neck when not in use, and when in use the BE6i includes ear hooks to help ensure a more secure fit. That said, the broad housings and stubby nozzles make getting that fit slightly more challenging than the BE2, even with it's massive nozzles. You can counter this with being able to use pretty much whichever tips you want though. As noted above, the BE6i's battery life loses out to the BE2, but in my opinion that is warranted by the nigh flawless connection quality and crazy range; 98ft. vs. 33ft.

Where the BE6i really earns it's stars is in sound quality which in my opinion is a significant step up from the BE2. Even more detail, a smoother, more even presentation, and just enough extra umph in the low end to counter that typical bass loss when out and about. Add to that a larger sound scape and you've got yourself a properly good sounding earphone, regardless of whether it's wired or wireless.

Final Thoughts:

The BE2 is a solid Bluetooth offering with a nice build, good comfort, a decent connection, and a detailed sound signature. It was easy to pair and over the couple months I've had them they've proven themselves a mostly fuss-free travel companion.

I was slightly bothered by some minor bursts of static experienced a few times every hour, but I ended up becoming accustomed to that. The lack of accessories is also a mild negative, namely due to the broad nozzles. Many people have issues getting a good fit with tip-mounted driver designs, and a greater variety of tip options would go a long way to making the fit on these more universal. That said, the included TwinBlade tips do mitigate this somewhat, but they're not going to work for everyone. I would love to see NuForce update the BE2 with a hybrid nozzle like that found on the AK Audio Light T2 which still lets you use regular tips.

If you only have 50 USD to spend on a Bluetooth earphone, the BE2 is a safe choice and should last you a long time. Personally, I would spend the extra to get the BE6i. The increase in sound quality, connection quality, and accessories make it well worth the investment, even if you're losing a couple hours of play time.

Thanks for reading!


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock - The Impossible Kid (Album)
Elton John - Yellow Golden Brick Road (Album)
King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Converting Vegetarians (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack - Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco - screw*d Up Friends (Track)
Felt - Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Track)
Andy Leech - The Hallows (Track)

Greetings,

At 100 USD you can find some serious bangers. The GT600s is one of the best all-round packages I've seen. The Kinera H3 is drop dead gorgeous and made from premium materials, though it's sound signature is admittedly somewhat polarizing. The TFZ King is a mature product with a balanced, audiophile-focused presentation.

The HLS-S8 rightly competes with the above on sound quality, but looking at the complete package they fall short with a number of flaws that make their 99 USD price tag a bit of a stretch. Come with me while we take a look at Hilisening's HLS-S8, otherwise known as the "Magic Beans".


About HiLisening:

Owned by Shenzhen Sea Power Sheng Xin Technology Co., Ltd. who also owns Magaosi, something I guessed immediately upon first glancing the packaging. My time with the Audbos branded versions of Magaosi's K3 and DB-02 let me know there was some some talent behind the HLS-S8's sound tuning.

Disclaimer:

The Hilistening HLS-S8 was provided free of charge for the purposes of a fair and impartial review. The thoughts within are my own and do not represent HiLisening, Penon, or any other entity. No financial incentive was provided.

The HLS-S8 retailed for 99.00 USD at the time of this review and could be picked up here; https://penonaudio.com/HiLisening-hls-s8.html?search=hls


Packaging and Accessories:

The S8 does not have an impressive package, nor accessory kit. The cardboard used is nice and solid with clean printing on the primary box. I love that on the outer sheath, "Magic Beans" can be found printed under the low-fi image of the earphone in the various color options; black, blue, and red. The information on the outer sleeve is helpful in giving you specifications and a list of contents, but is riddled with spelling errors and weird spacing. Given other Chinese manufacturers have taken steps to drastically improve this aspect of their products, the HLS-S8 comes across slightly amateurish.

The manual too is sub-par in it's presentation. On one side of the pamphlet you have some information on how to detech the cable and wear the earphones properly, along with instructions on changing eartips and filters, all fairly roughly translated. The other side of the manual tells you all about their MMCX Bluetooth cable which has absolutely nothing to do with this product since it's not included. It would have been nice to include an explanation of the filters and what they do, but that's not mentioned anywhere.

The accessory kit is fairly bare bones for the price. In all you get;

• HLS-S8 earphones
• braided, silver-plated cable
• 1 pair of generic foam tips (m)
• 3 pairs of single flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
• 3 pairs of tuning filters (treble, reference, bass)
• Faux-leather carrying pouch

What you get would have been acceptable a year or two ago but in that short time Chinese manufacturers have seriously stepped up their game tossing in numerous sets of varying tips, higher quality cases, tip holders, etc. Heck, for 30 USD less the Whizzer A15 gives you a gorgeous stainless steel earphone with a slew of accessories and nicer packaging.


Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

The HLS-S8's earpieces are well constructed with good fit and finish and a nice paint job. They could have totally botched lining up the three vent holes lining the back, but they're just fine. The printing of the HiLisening brand name uses a silly font (Courier perhaps), but at least its printed neatly. The filters are compact and slender with well cut threads that screw into place with minimal fuss. The metal mesh is also installed neatly, something you can't take for granted, even on pricier earphones. The earpieces feel like a quality item and are made well, a statement that doesn't apply to the cable.

I'll keep this brief. The good? Flexible below the y-split and free of memory. The chin cinch works really well and doesn't slide down the cable unexpectedly when in use. The flexible ear guides (no memory wire, yay!) effectively keep the cable in place behind your ear. The bad? The cable is particularly thin and delicate below the y-split which is an even greater concern due to the complete lack of strain relief. Worst of all is the MMCX connection, or lack thereof. The cable plugs in loosely, wobbles around, and can swivel freely. As a result of this wily connection cutouts are frequent and intrusive. I tried the cable on a few other earphones and the result was the same. Plugging an alternate cable in, such as BGVP's silver-plated upgrade cable for the DM5, none of this was an issue. To put it simply, the HLS-S8's cable is disappointing and worth replacing out of the box.

When it comes to comfort the HLS-S8 is a success. The angle at which the nozzle protrudes nears 90 degrees like the FLC 8S and might not work for everyone, but I found it just right. The shells are light and curvaceous slipping into my ear unobtrusively. They don't quite disappear but they at no point ever caused discomfort. Even though they're designed for over-ear wear, if you toss on an after-market cable without memory wire or ear guides you'll find they work just fine cable down, just expect some microphonics (cable noise).

If you're looking to block out the world around you, the HLS-S8 won't be the one to do it. They let in lots of noise requiring a fair bit of additional volume to counter. Sitting in a coffee shop listening at my normal volumes, I had no issues clearly hearing the conversations going on around me. Below average isolation for sure from this one.


Sound:

While the S8's packaging may be a touch out of date, accessories minimal, and the cable downright mediocre, it makes up a ton of ground with great sound quality. The S8 is one of the best 100 USD hybrids I've heard which makes it all that more painful to see it handicapped by such an underwhelming package, notably that cable.

Starting with the treble, the S8 is detailed and well-extended with smooth peaks and no harshness or splashiness, unless running with the gunmetal filter which leaves the BAs completely unrestricted. It leans slightly towards a thinner, brighter presentation but unlike a lot of hybrids in this price range, the S8 doesn't significantly boost treble to give you that “wow” effect out of the box which gets tiring quickly. Instead, it serves to highlight the airiness and clarity on offer and compliments the rest of the signature quite well.

The mid-range sits slightly back but isn't affected by mid-bass bloat, even with the bass filter installed. Tonally it sounds reasonable accurate when compared to higher end gear like the B400 and RE800, and more accurate than other hybrids like the Audbos K3 which happens to come from the same manufacturer. Vocals lean towards a thinner presentation with an appreciable level of clarity and detail, besting my 100 USD benchmark, the GT600s.

The HLS-S8 has a fairly light and nimble low end with good extension. The focus seems to be very evenly balanced between mid- and sub-bass emphasis with neither taking on a significantly more prominent role. Bass isn't particularly impactful, but you can really feel the sub-bass rumble. It is also nicely textured too giving the low end lots of depth and space to it.

Lastly, we come to the HLS-S8's best feature; spaciousness. The slightly lean presentation combined with above average layering and separation qualities gives the HLS-S8 a very open and spacious sound.


Filters:

Please note that since there is no official documentation that I could find which explains the filters, and I cannot measure the difference, the below classifications are what I think they are for based on many, many hours of use. While the filters do not impact the sound as obviously as some other earphones using a similar system, they do make enough of a difference to warrant their inclusion.

Gunmetal (Treble): This one lacks any filter paper whatsoever in the nozzle, and it shows. It boosts and adds an overly aggressive edge to the upper mids and treble. While not terrible sounding, isn't particularly pleasant either.

Blue (Bass): This filter gives the S8 a bit more low end umph, particularly in the mid-bass regions. The low end loses some of the tightness and accuracy of the other filters but carries more weight and thickness. This filter also seems to reduce the mid-range slightly giving the S8's frequency extremities more emphasis.

Silver (Balanced): This filter really shines on the S8. Treble is boosted a touch over the bass filter and retains a smoothness not found on the treble filter. The mid-range has a touch more body and weight and is very crisp and clear. The low end gets a mild bump in the sub-bass regions over the the other filters. This one feels the most refined and versatile.


Final Thoughts:

I'm a little torn on how I feel about the HLS-S8. One one hand, you're getting a great sounding, comfortable earphone with a basic tuning system that enables you to mildly tailor the sound to meet your preferences. On the other hand, for what you get they're way too expensive. The cable is terrible, the packaging is amateurish, and the accessory kit is about as basic as it gets. Comparing it to competing products like those from TFZ, MacaW, Fisher Audio, and most others, as good as it sounds the HLS-S8 just isn't worth it.

This is a good earphone handicapped by a poorly thought out package and a cable that singlehandedly ruins the experience with it's connection issues. If you can find them on sale for around 60 to 70 USD, absolutely go for it, then pick up a decent cable to round out your purchase.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

Today we're checking out a limited release earbud from Kinera, one I will call the Kinera Bud from here on in.

You may recognize the Kinera name from their popular 2017 release, the H3, which stirred up quite a lot of interest and a touch of controversy too. Pretty much everyone agreed that they were a beautiful creation with top notch ergonomics and a stunning look, but there was a division on sound primarily due to the enthusiastic treble response. You can read my view on the H3 here. Spoiler, I liked it and still do.

Mid-2017 Kinera started asking on Facebook and in their Telegram group if people would be interested in a earbud, taking polls on shell design, driveability, and sound signature. Based on fan feedback, they settled on a Yuin-style shell, 32 ohm impedance, and a warm-leaning sound. That's exactly what we got.

This earbud was a limited release experiment to test market interest, gather feedback, and try their hand at tuning a product unlike anything else in their portfolio. As a result only a handful (under 100 I think) were sent out into the world. Feel free to correct me in the comments with the actual number if you know.


Disclaimer:

Kinera asked early in the development phase if I would be interested in reviewing this earbud. Based on my experiences with the H3 I was happy to accept the offer. While I always try to remain fair, unbiased, and uninfluenced by outside sources, this particular sample was not only complimentary, but personalized with an engraving of my online handle, B9Scrambler.

I think that is damn cool and recognize that it may incite unintended bias into my opinions. I also know that the purpose of this project above all else was to gather truthful feedback. Not only would a biased review help no one, but it would also hurt any legitimacy I hold as a reviewer. Be prepared for a critical breakdown of what I think of this product.

While it was briefly available, the Kinera Earbud retailed for 23.00 USD.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the Kinera Bud was powered by a TEAC HA-501 or iFi Pro iCan desktop amp, or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, Shanling M1, or F.Audio S1. The Walnut F1 also made it’s way into the rotation at times.

While I personally find the Kinera Bud works well through most sources, it is better when amped. Kinera recommends running it this way too, and I get why. At high volumes unamped with my cellphone, congestion seeped in and the low end lost composure. Since I am a low volume listener, I could get away running them unamped most of the time, but I can't argue they sounded more impactful and spacious when amped regardless of the volume. Amping recommended.

Specifications:

• Impedance: 32 ohm
• Sensitivity: 115 +/- 2dB
• Frequency Response: 10Hz – 20Khz

Packaging and Accessories:

The Kinera Bud didn't come with any packaging, but it did come with a nice little accessory kit. Leading off is the same large, Kinera branded carrying case that came with the H3. It's a bit big for the average pocket making it more suitable for a bag, but it can hold a small player and the earphones comfortably enough which is always handy. You also get three pairs of foams; two sets of full foams with one in black and the other in red and blue, plus one set of donut foams.

So yeah, a very basic package overall. I honestly wasn't expecting it to come with a case given the price and limited release, so that was a welcome surprise. They could have easily maximized profits by leaving that out and I don't think anyone would have complained. The foams are also of excellent quality; dense, durable, and the donuts were cut so they centered properly over the face of the earphone, something you can't always take for granted with budget gear.

If the Kinera Bud ever goes back into production as a mass produced product, I would love to see it come in a scaled down version of the H3's packaging. Give us a magnetically sealed cardboard box just large enough to hold the included case, similar to how Campfire Audio does it, but with the same materials used on the H3's packaging. In terms of accessories, include two pairs of everything you get now and a 1/4” adapter. I was told this earbud was intended to be used amped and including a 1/4” adapter would get that point across well enough.


Design, Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

I haven't hidden that I appreciate an attractive earphone. On that note the H3 is one of my favorite iems from a design standpoint, especially in the deep red I was sent. I've always wanted a 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT wagon in that color, something I'm reminded of every time I look at the H3.

The Kinera Bud continues what the H3 started and to my eyes looks absolutely stunning. The black metallic paint they choose really serves to highlight the Yuin shell's soft curves. I also love that Kinera chose to write their brand name in cursive. While some find that chintzy, I think it looks classy and mature, plus it goes well with the overall aesthetic they were going for. Criticisms are levied at the end of the shaft where the cable enters. Inside it is uncolored giving away that the shells are white plastic underneath. I also wish that the L and R marks were in cursive or something a little more distinctive. Kinera went with somewhat cryptic arrors. I was a little unsure what they meant first and had to perform a quick channel test to be sure. FYI: when inserted in your ears you want the arrows pointing forward.

The cable Kinera stuck to this sexy little minx is decent. It looks a lot like the excellent cable that comes on the HE 150Pro but falls short of the high standards that one sets. Starting with the good, there is very little in the way of microphonics (cable noise), it resists tangling fairly well, and the kicker; it remains flexible in sub-zero temperatures! Woohoo! I detest when cables get stiff in the winter and this one doesn't. Sweet. And now for the less good. Kinks and bends are retained. Strain relief is also 100% absent. I'll chalk that up to being a limited release product. If this goes into production I'd expect proper strain relief at the y-split and jack. Speaking of the y-split, there is a butt-ton of glue present holding everything in place. It works find but is visually unimpressive. That would need to be cleaned up for a proper release too. The straight jack in nice though, using a similar setup as the H3. This means it can be disassembled by hand should you need to fix anything, pending you have the know how of course. That feature can stay.

I was expecting the housing to be a lot larger than it is when I first saw the Kinera Bud in the flesh. Unlike many, I hadn't previously seen an earbud using his housing and from the pictures thought it looked quite large. In reality, while the face is broad as is necessary to accommodate such a large driver, it isn't very deep and ends up seating near perfectly in my ear. Its profile is also very low meaning this earbud was completely unobtrusive when lying on my side. It also fit perfectly under my toque. When heading out into the brisk cold the Kinera Bud has become one of my go to headphones. Overall, comfort is a big plus. I definitely approve of the community's choice of housing here.

Isolation. Wow. In-ear monitors, heck, even active noise canceling earphones and headphones don't stand a chance against the world-silencing capabilities of the Kinera Earbud. If you took that seriously you need to take a step back. It's an earbud. They don't isolate...at all...especially this one which has more ventilation than the rusty old 1982 Toyota Celica my cousin had as a field car when we were kids. God, I love that thing. Rob, if you're reading this I need a picture of that old beast!


Sound:

To foam or not to foam: As is often the case with earbuds, Kinera's is no different in that you can alter the signature slightly depending on if you're running it foam free, full foams, donut foams, dense foams, porous foams, whatever. Running the Kinera Bud free of foams leads to a signature that is open and airy with a near mandatory treble boost. This is really nice at low to mid-level volumes. With donut foams the treble response is softened and tightened, the mid-range thickens up, and the low end raises in prominence and impact. With full foams, the presentation thickens up with more mid-bass umph. Treble loses further energy and definition.The mid-range comes out very lush though. Initially I preferred the Bud with donut foams, but over time I grew to appreciate the extra treble presence afforded when running them foam free.

The Kinera Bud has a smooth, easygoing sound with a mid-range and bass focus. It's treble is very reserved and definitely it its peak without foams where it stands up and balances out the signature surprisingly well. It's airy, detailed, and smooth with no uncomfortable peaks. Toss on any foam padding and comfort increases, sure, but it also serves to eat the detail this little bud outputs. I'm really quite torn on how I feel about the treble. On one hand (no foams) it's is presented nicely. On the other hand (with foams) it comes across slightly recessed and lacking clarity.

At least the mid-range sits in a good place regardless of foam usage, though they're definitely more rich with foams on. Vocals are clean and smooth with females really shining, though a touch on the thin side at times. Most male vocals have a heavier, weighty feel to them. Guitars have a forward presence and great texture, especially with foams on. Michael Jackson's “Beat It” is a great track to use for testing the changes in mid-range (and other areas to if I'm to be honest) when switching between naked or the various types of included foams.

Bass is deep and thumpy with a commanding presence that works great outdoors, compensating effectively for the usual losses you experience with non-isolating designs like this. Texture is suitable too giving grungy basslines the intended impact. It's fairly quick too, at it best when running foam-less where it is particularly nimble.

With foams on, overall resolution is slightly lacking with the mid-range and treble coming across mildly veiled. This isn't particularly noticeable until you start comparing the Kinera Bud to similarly priced and more expensive products. Take off the foams and that veil is removed, though you also lose authority in the low end. Regardless of how you choose to run the Kinera Bud, it was non-fatiguing and as a result it was usually fighting with the HE 150Pro as to which I wanted to take with me outside.

Where it really came out on top was in sound stage. The Kinera sounds pretty massive overshadowing most of my other earbuds, and running strong with the best of bunch. It really does sound huge, tossing sounds quite far from your head. Imaging is also accurate, though not quite as pinpoint as I would want for gaming, and it's layering and separation qualities are pretty average.

I think the overall performance is excellent though it seems to be that the Kinera's technical performance is at it's best when listening free of foams. As such, that is how I prefer to listen to mine.


Select Comparisons:

HE 150Pro (29.90 USD):

The Kinera Bud and HE 150Pro has similar signatures with a focus on the mid-range and low-end, providing a smooth, fatigue-free presentation. The Kinera Bud has a larger sound stage with similar imaging and layering qualities, but slightly worse separation. The 150Pro's bass is the best I've heard in a bud and is well extended with a heavy physical presence; the Kinera Bud doesn't have quite the impact or texture but it's not too far off. The HE 150Pro's mid-range is less prominent but thinner and slightly clearer making it more comprehensive. Treble on the HE 150Pro is about as prominent with similar clarity and detail. These two are a great match for each other, but the HE 150Pro is my earbud bass king.

Penon BS1 Experience Version (39.00 USD):

The BS1 has a mid and treble focused sound with a slightly bumped low end, coming across less warm yet more natural than the Kinera Bud. BS1's sound stage is slightly smaller with better layering and separation qualities. Kinera's bass is more full and digs deeper with the BS1 showing better texture. The BS1's mid-range is more prominent and clear, though thinner. Treble is better extended and more energetic on the BS1. The BS1 overall sounds slightly more refined and mature.

OURART Ti7 (59.00 USD):

Ti7's presentation is less organic and lush than the Kinera Bud with a drier, more detail-focused sound. The Kinera Bud has a wider sound stage than the Ti7; layering and separation isn't as dynamic and impressive though. Kinera Bud's bass has more body and presence with greater physical impact. The Ti7's mid-range is slightly thiner and more forward with greater resolution. Treble isn't particularly energetic on either though the Ti7 is ahead in this regard with more lower and upper treble presence. I'm not sure which of these two I'd rather listen to, though both are great to look.

Rose Maysa (109.00 USD):

The Maysa's signature is notably heavier on mids and treble with a clear emphasis on detail and clarity. To my great surprise the Kinera presented a wider sound stage than the Maysa; layering and separation isn't as prominent or capable though. Bass is more robust and full than the Maysa's with more mid-bass emphasis but is nowhere near as nimble or textured. Mid-range is less forward and heavier on the Kinera Bud. Treble is less extended and emphasized too; comparatively it sounds quite recessed.

General: In terms of design I think the Kinera is by far and away the best looking ear bud I've seen, followed up by OURART's Ti7. Out of the group above Rose's Masya comes third, the BS1 fourth, and the HE 150Pro last. Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that ordering is purely subjective.

In terms of build the Kinera Bud falls behind all of the above-mentioned earphones due to the cable. The BS1's cable is one of the best I've come across regardless of price. The 150Pro's is very similar to the Kinera's cable but with a neater y-split and no memory. The Ti7's cable is again quite similar, but even better behaved than the 150Pro's and with a higher quality y-split and jack. The Maysa's rubber cable isn't flashy but it has no significant negatives in my opinion. Comfort goes to the Kinera Bud though, with the Maysa and BS1 following close behind.


Final Thoughts:

For a company that has made nothing but hybrids and balanced armature earphones up to this point (that I know of), I'd call their first foray into earbuds a success, particularly given the low price. There are aspects that reflect the low cost and inexperience with such a product, such as the sub-par cable construction (sloppy y-split and no strain relief) and high volume performance where they begin to lose composure and spaciousness, but neither of these issues are major concerns unless you mistreat your belongings or listen at particularly high volumes. My biggest issue with the way they sound is levied at the treble which is too highly influenced by foams, and should you choose to use them too much is sapped from the overall presentation. In the end it competes well with two of my favorite wallet-friendly earbuds, the Penon BS1 and HE 150Pro, with similar qualities to each and even gives the significantly more expensive Ti7 a good run for it's money.

I truly hope Kinera revisits their earbud at some point in the near future. This form factor has been regaining popularity in recent years and there are some wicked good low cost options out there. The Kinera Earbud would be one of them if it were put back into production with a slightly more balanced signature and a more refined build. Alternatively, I would love it if they dove further into the bass side of the spectrum and tried to create the best budget basshead earbud. That would be pretty bad@$$.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

**This review original posted to The Contraptionist. If you enjoyed it, stop on by!**


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

Today we're checking out Optoma's entry into the world of fully wireless Bluetooth earphones, the BE Free8.

Wireless gear is more or less being forced upon the mainstream through the removal of headphone jacks on what is the main player for the majority of people, their cell phones. People like me absolutely detest dongles and other add-ons that enable your existing wired headphones to work with these compromised devices, so quality wireless options help make the loss of the headphone jack slightly more bearable.

What part does the BE Free8 play in the “wireless revolution” we're currently experiencing? Let's find out.


Disclaimer:

A big thanks to Jyri at Nuforce for reaching out to see if I would be interested in checking out the BE Free8. It was sent over free of charge for the purposes of a fair and impartial review. The thoughts within this review are my own and do not represent Optoma, NuForce, or any other entity. There was no financial incentive provided.

At the time of this review the BE Free8 was retailing for 149.00 USD. You can read up on the BE Free8 here; https://www.optomausa.com/audioproduct/be-free8

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

The BE Free8 was paired with my LG G5 and Shanling M1 which both support apt-X. I also used it briefly with the F.Audio S1 but that pairing wasn't ideal due to a slight degredation in sound quality as a result of no apt-X support, and volume. Even with the S1 on the lowest volume setting the BE Free8 was too loud for me, unless outside in a noisy environment or if listening to a particularly quiet recording.

Specifications:

• Frequency response - 20hz-20,000hz
• Sensitivity - 92db +/-3db
• Driver type - 6mm dynamic with Nuforce Sonic Coating
• Battery life - 4 hours plus an additional 12 hours with the charging case (16 hours combined)
• Wireless type - Bluetooth
• Supported codecs - HSP 1.2, HFP 1.6, A2DP 1.2, AVRCP 1.4, SBC, AAC, APTX LOW LATENCY
• Operating range - 33 feet or more
• Connection mode - NMFI (NearField Magnetic Induction)
• Compatibility - Compatible with both AAC and aptX® LL technologies
• Weight – 1.6oz

Packaging and Accessories:

The BE Free8's multilayered unboxing experience is pretty nice overall. The exterior sheeth contains a fairly hi-resolution image of the earpieces on the front. On the rear you have an image showing the interior components along with a list of features. You also catch a sneek peek at their custom shallow Spintfit tips.

Sliding out the inner box like you would a drawer, the BE Free8 and charge case greet you nestled in a dense foam inlay like a prized possession tucked in among your socks. Beneath is a slender card-board box stretching the length of the package which contains the rest of the accessories. Underneath in yet another pocket your find the manual and safety instructions in a whopping 30 languages. I don't know why that always impresses me so much...anyway, in all you get;

• BE Free8 earphones
• Charge case
• Custom Spinfit tips / short (s/m)
• Custom Spitfit tips / long (xs/s/m)
• microUSB charge cable

I love the inclusion of a slew of custom Spinfit tips because that brand makes some killer tips. I just have one question; why none in large? Guaranteed some of you out there will need large tips. That oddity aside, the packaging is attractive, unboxing experience quite pleasant, and while not overly extensive the quality of the accessories are top tier.


Build, Comfort and Isolation:

The BE Free8's earpieces are composed entirely of plastic and as a result are supremely lightweight. The matte plastic used on the inner half of the shells feels pretty nice. The exterior is a glossy piano black plastic which looks good. Rub your fingernail across the ridges and they sound somewhat hollow. While the materials don't feel particularly upscale, fit and finish is stellar. Any seams are smooth and consistent, really only visible due to the move from a matte to glossy surface. The charge points and vents are all cleanly cut and consistent. It all looks quite clean.

The charge case is really well-built too. It shares the same glossy exterior as the outer half of the earpieces but feels substantially more dense and solid. The weight is a major positive giving it a premium feel in hand. The lid also opens and closes smoothly with a solid thunk as the magnets solidly and securely pull it into place. The cutouts for the earpieces are perfectly constructed with no unnecessary play making lining up the charge points a no-brainer. No fiddling required. The charge indicator lights are cleanly integrated as well, really only visible when in use. I also like that the three lights but the usb input give you a rough indication of the remaining number of charges. It's definitely the most expensive looking and feeling of the charge cases I've come across so far.

The BE Free8 isolates a lot better than I was expecting, above average for sure. Using them while typing the clacking of the keys was dulled to a light chatter. People chatting was reduced significantly. The drone of nearby cars was dulled drastically. Really well isolating earphone.

As a result of the ergonomic, lightweight design, and the inclusion of a slew of high quality tips that fit and seal quite well, the BE Free8 is very comfortable. Secure too. With them in place I could whip my head around like a maniac without them falling out of place. It's pretty impressive actually, especially when you consider NuForce isn't relying on ear fins or guides to hold them in, just solid engineering.

Wireless Quality:

A strong and stable connection is a must with any wireless earphone, and even more so with a fully wireless product. The connection needs to be reliable both between the primary earpiece and the transmitting device, and between left and right earpieces. If any one of these lanes are compromised, why bother? The BE Free8 thankfully works fine on all fronts.

Connecting with a device was easy. Hold the multifunction button on the left earpiece for 2 second until it turns on (or just remove it from the charge case), then keep holding till it starts flashing orange and white. Locate it on your device (it'll likely show up as BE Free8) and select it. All done. Connecting the right earpiece is just as easy. Once you have connected the left earpiece to your device, turn on the right earpiece. They'll quickly find each other and connect. The only issue I had with this process was knowing when the right earpiece was turned on. Unlike the left which announces everything, the right side is mute.

Once you've got everything connected its all quite stable. While the primary earpiece uses Bluetooth to connect to your device, the two earpieces use NFMI (near-field magnetic induction) technology to speak to each other. This tech is unidirectional meaning they'll only remain connected when sitting directly opposed to each other; i.e. in your ears. It took me a while to realize this, though it was fun forcing disconnects by moving one of the earpieces in front of my nose, or behind my head. Yes, while you can force disconnects between the two earpieces with surprising ease, that's not a normal use case. NFMI is mostly worth this oddity because when worn normally, the two earpieces stayed connected very reliably.

The Bluetooth side of the connection process was pretty standard. 33 feet could be achieved unobstructed. In most cases, however, it was significantly less; a chair or couch or doorway would knock that down immediately. For me personally it's not an issue since I almost always have my device on me or at the very least within reach. Someone planning to use this with the device far away might be less satisfied.

Overall I was quite pleased with the wireless performance. The connection quality was strong and just as reliable the Accutone Vega and SoundPEATS Q16, two fully wireless products that handle this well.

Battery Life:

The BE Free8 is a winner here too. I was able to routinely meet the rated 4 four hours and got at least 12 extra hours out of the charge case before it was drained. This performance makes the Accutone Vega's mediocre battery life even more apparent, and holds up well to the 6 hours you get with the charge case-less SoundPEATS Q16.

Charge times were pretty reasonable too. Each recharge via the case took around an hour and a half, and the case itself was good to go after about three and a half hours. While I'm sure there is better out there, in daily use the BE Free8's battery life proved to be plenty usable. Four hours is enough to get you through travel to and from work, an exercise session, and even half a standard workday. I never found myself needing more. I want the battery to last longer, sure, but I didn't need it to. Also, considering the size of the BE Free8, what you're getting is more than respectable. If I want to sit down for a marathon listening session, that is what wired earphones are for.


Sound:

A well tuned micro driver is always a pleasure to listen to in my opinion. Crisp treble, well-defined mids, and tight bass; can't go wrong with those qualities. Despite some noticeable background noise from all the electronics at work, the BE Free8's somewhat warm sounding, v-shaped signature succeeds at giving listeners a positive experience.

Treble is prominent but not exaggerated. It is free of any noticeable digital edginess I've heard in some lesser wireless products leading to a very smooth and detailed sound. Even at high volumes it's quite non-fatiguing, in line with the tuning of other NuForce products I've tried. Overall detail is good. It doesn't pick up really minute nuances, but this thing isn't really meant for critical listening.

Heading into the mid-range it takes a step back and is less prominent than the treble and bass. There is a touch of bleed from the mid-bass regions, but it is minimal and doesn't muddy the lower mids. The BE Free8's warmth really benefits the mid-range giving vocals a creamy smoothness to them, though it also masks some micro-details.

The low end on the BE Free8 is some of the best I've heard from a fully wireless earphone. For a micro-driver the sub-bass presence is oddly robust giving you a visceral rumble on the lowest notes. Mid-bass is slightly humped but has good impact and tightness. Bloat and distortion are present but kept to a minimum, really only coming into play at unsafe listening volumes. The BE Free8 is great with bassy tracks which for me is key with a product like this. It's often going to be used in noisy environments like the gym or public transit where bass tends to lose presence.

Sound stage isn't bad either with the BE Free8 presenting sounds further from my head than I was expecting. I found this particularly nice with tracks that had instruments quietly introduce themselves, getting louder over time. That really gave the impression of an open stage. Imaging is also decent with smooth transitions between channels, though its not as accurate as I would want for gaming. Layering and separation are also adequate which when combined with the fairly open staging lead to congested tracks cleaning up nicely.

Select Comparisons:

SoundPEATS Q16 (42.99): The Q16 is a more aggressive and edgy sounding earphone. Where it sounds like it's bursting with pent up energy, the BE Free8 is much more mellow and smooth. Listening to the two back-to-back I found the Q16 has a more sub- than mid-bass focus with similar texturing. It's mid-range is similarly prominent, but more detailed. Treble on the Q16 is colder and rougher; definitely more fatiguing. I found they imaged similarly well with the NuForce offering better depth of movement and the Q16 being a touch more accurate. There are aspects to the sound of both models I enjoy, though the BE Free8 is unquestionably more refined.

In terms of design there is no question; NuForce's option is more stylish. The Q16 takes a function over form approach and is big, bulky, and kinda ugly. It's comfortable though, and almost as nice to wear despite being a monster in comparison.

Connection quality is similar, though I found the BE Free8 stuttered less often. I must say that I prefer the tech used to connect the earpieces on the Q16 which is only a touch less stable, but more flexible. By that I mean I can take out the earpiece and put it where ever I want within a couple feet without it disconnecting. I routinely take the right earpiece out to talk to someone or listen for traffic for example, and the slight delay while the BE Free's connection re-establishes gets annoying if I have to take them out regularly.

While the Q16's initial battery life is better at 6 hours, there is no carrying case to extend it beyond this. When it's dead, you need to find a computer or wall outlet to plug in. The value of having on hand a compact, portable charging case that you can use numerous times is not to be overlooked.

Accutone Vega (119.00 USD): The Vega has a flatter signature than the BE Free8 with more mid-range focus and less prominent treble. Bass on the BE Free8 extends deeper, but not by much as I noticed when listening to Andy Leech's "The Hallows". It also impacts harder and is more prominent with slightly more texture and detail. That detail extends to the treble, though the Vega is more clear in the mids. NuForce's fully wireless earphone has a more spacious feel, though Accutone's offering is more accurate in terms of imaging.

In terms of design, once again the BE Free8 has got style in spades versus the Vega's chunky, blocky, rubber lined look which is nowhere near as low profile. Still, the Vega is nearly as comfortable and there is no risk of their falling out due to the use of ear hooks.

Connection quality is similarly positive with the Vega taking the edge. Like the Q16, it's earpieces connect via more traditional methods and do not need to be directly opposed each other to remain connected. For me the extra flexibility this affords is worth a touch of stability. Others may not feel the same.

Where the BE Free8 run circles around the Vega is in battery performance. Let's compare;

• Vega: 2 hours plus an extra 4 hours via the charge case = 6 hours total (2 hours of charge for two hours use)
• BE Free8: 4 hours plus an extra 12 hours via the charge case = 16 hours total (1.5 hours charge for 4 hours use)

Final Thoughts:

Wireless earphones are getting better and better with each iteration and as manufacturers get more serious about both sound quality and wireless performance. Tech like aptX and services such as Spotify also help to make it worth their while to put in that extra effort and eke out all the performance they can get.

The BE Free8 is a great example of fully wireless done right. It essentially takes the best of two of my favorite fully wireless products from other brands and combines it into a much more physically attractive package. There are a few aspects I'm not particularly fond of, such as the unidirectional connection limitations of NFMI, but that really only comes into play when I'm interacting with others. I would also prefer a slightly more balanced signature, but the current one caters well to the majority so I can't fault it there.

If in the market for a fully wireless product that won't irritate you with constant dropouts, poor fitment, subpar battery life, or mediocre sound quality, the somewhat premium price tag of the BE Free8 might very well be worth it.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock - The Impossible Kid (Album)
Elton John - Yellow Golden Brick Road (Album)
King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Converting Vegetarians (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack - Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco - screw*d Up Friends (Track)
Felt - Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Track)
Andy Leech - The Hallows (Track)

Greetings Head-fi!

Today we're going to be taking a look at ADVANCED's current flagship headphone, the Alpha.

As the running top dog of ADVANCED's fleet, the Alpha needs to stand out in one form or another to draw attention. With massive 96mm planar magnetic drivers (or orthodynamic if you prefer that term) controlled by powerful n48 magnets, the Alpha delivers a spacious and detailed sound scape. This along with it's modern open-backed design and lush protein leather and hybrid ear pads enables the Alpha to make a convincing argument for you to join its pack.

Come with me as we explore the Alpha's den to see what makes this brand flagship worth the bite out of your wallet. I'm also done with the terrible puns, no worries.


Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Peter and Hannah from ADVANCED for reaching out to see if I would be interested in reviewing the Alpha. After experiencing the stellar GT-R, a more portable planar offering they've got in the works, I jumped at the opportunity. The Alpha was sent over free of charge for the purposes of a fair and unbiased review, with no financial incentive in place. Though it does not need to be sent back, it is still considered the property of ADVANCED.

At the time of this review the Alpha retailed for 499.99 USD: https://www.adv-sound.com/collections/all-collection/products/alpha

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the Alpha was powered by the following desktop amplifiers; TEAC HA-501 and iFi Pro iCan. ADVANCED recommends running the Alpha amped, something I certainly agree with. Properly amped it's presentation is notably tighter, more punchy, and authoritative in the low end and it's sound stage is more dynamic. I was able to power it to comfortable listening volumes (which for me are admittedly quite low) through my LG G5, though it felt a bit limp. Should you choose to take the Alpha with you on a stroll, the F.Audio S1 paired with the Walnut F1 made for a powerful and cleaning sounding pairing giving me a similar experience to what my desktop amps were putting out.

Specifications:

• Driver unit: 96mm, single-sided n48 planar magnetic
• Impedance: 34 ohm
• Sensitivity: 90dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 40kHz
• Max input power: 20mW
• Rated input power: 50mW

Packaging and Accessories:

As with everything ADVANCED makes that I've tried, the packaging that goes along with it is pretty nice. In the case of the Alpha, it and all the accessories are enclosed in a massive carrying case, bringing the spirit of flagship headphones like the HiFiMan Susvara down to more affordable levels. The exterior of the case is lined in a durable synthetic material with the ADVANCED logo printed on top. A firm metal clasp keep the lid secure when closed. Inside the Alpha is encased in a slab of dense foam for ultimate protection with the spare pads inserted into cutouts in the lid. The cable is wrapped neatly around the leather cable tie in the centre. In all you get;

• Alpha headphones
• 2 pairs of ear pads; angled protein leather (preinstalled) and angled hybrid pads
• Silver-plated copper 8-way braided cable
• Leather cable tie

The accessories included with the Alpha are fairly limited, but really nice overall. The two pairs of angled ear pads are absolutely fantastic and I really don't think upgrading them will be necessary. The thick protein leather pads are said to contain memory foam, but I'd classify it more as just a very soft, plush cloud of a cushion instead. The hybrid pads aren't quite as thick, but my ears don't touch the driver plate at the back and they feel every bit as comfortable. They're actually quite similar to HiFiMan's Susvara pads, but round instead of ovular. Both of the included pads are top notch.

The cable is well constructed, lacks microphonics, is free of memory, and doesn't really tangle, but it feels a little out of place on a product like this. Why do I say that? Well, its short at only 1.5 meters and feels like an iem cable terminated in 2.5mm jacks for headphone use. Everything about it screams suitability for a mobile headphone, but that's not what the Alpha is. The Alpha is for use in your comfy chair in the den or living room, or at your desk, or for those intense gaming sessions. It's not a headphone you trundle around outside with. It's large, fully open back, and needs an amp to shine. I would love to see ADVANCED include a second, longer cable that's more suitable to a product like the Alpha, or just lengthen the included cable so I'm not tethered next to my amp. Or toss in an meter long extension cable. Any one of those would work fine.


Design, Build, and Comfort:

The Alpha's open-back design is very streamlined with the 9 nine large slats that ventilate the massive drivers dominating the look. The small top and bottom slats look to be cosmetic. There is some latticework visible through these slats which give the Alpha's exterior design some texture and nuance. Printed on the two centre slats is 'ADVANCED ALPHA' with 'Planar Magnetic Driver Technology' following the curve along the bottom of the ear cup. With an all-black color scheme it ends up a very clean and attractive design that shouldn't really see people picking sides. I find it has a handsome look with a fairly universal appeal.

The build quality overall is quite good with impressive fit and finish throughout. Unlike on the GT-R which uses the same parts for the headband, the red and black knurling strips used to denote right and left channels are tight and do not rattle. The cups pivot and twist smoothly and freely without any binding or squeaking. The paint finish along the spring-steel headband does have a couple mild blemishes here and there, but they are minimal and do in any way not detract from the overall experience. You really have to be paying attention to notice them.

The floating protein-leather hand band is lightly padded, but the underside is quite soft and I never experienced any hot spots as a result. The stitching is also very uniform and neat. The removable ear pads are also really easy to remove and reinstall. The plastic hooks slot into cutouts on the inside of the cup and twist to lock. There is absolutely no fuss involved in installing them. ADVANCED even put small red and blue dots by the hook and receiving slot to ensure the pads are always installed in the correct orientation; remember that they are angled and need to be installed a specific way to ensure proper fitment. If something does go wrong, pending it's a manufacturing or material defect, you've got a 3 year warranty backing you up.

I did run into a minor build issue with mine that was easily resolved with a glue stick. When twisting off the pads, I found the cloth material covering the pad's opening caught on the wire mesh protecting the drivers. After a number of pad swaps, the mesh started to pull up around the bottom edge. A quick dab of glue secured it back in place and I haven't had an issue since.

Comfort is another strong suit of the Alpha. The plush pads and floating headband do a great job of balancing the weight evenly around your head and ears. I did run into a minor concern, one I shared with the GT-R. The headband is a little too loose and lets the Alpha slide down the sides of my head more than I would prefer. Letting others with larger heads than mine use the Alpha, this seems to be an issue for only with those with tiny noggins. For reference, I use 99% of my headphones at the smallest headband setting which in many cases it still too large, forcing me to add extra padding.

Overall the Alpha looks pretty nice, is well-built with good to great fit and finish, and is quite comfortable, though they'll be a little more comfortable if you have an average to larger head-size.


Sound:

Pads: The two sets of included pads sound similar, but there are differences that give each their own character. The pre-installed deep protein-leather pads have a bit more low end focus with a softer treble response. The hybrid pads balance out the sound nicely with a punchier though less pronounced low end, and more prominent mid-range.

Looking through my review history you'd be excused in thinking that I'm an in-ear guy through and through. That's sort of the case with the main issue being I've never really found a headphone that truly meets both of my personal comfort and sound requirements. Maybe they'll be the most comfortable thing I've ever worn, but are sloppy bass cannons or simply lack clarity. Or maybe they sound glorious with amazing sound but are too large, or painful to wear for more than a short period. In-ears are way more flexible in those regards and there are a handful I can wear and listen to for hours on end. The Alpha backs up some impressive comfort with a pleasingly authoritative, balanced signature that is detailed and vibrant, yet still easy on the ears.

Looking at ADVANCED's frequency response chart for the Alpha, I was expecting the treble here to be somewhat unbalanced and overly sharp. There is a dip in the 5k presence region followed by a prominent spike in the 7k brilliance region. What this tune results in is an airy, spacious presentation with good detail and sparkle that lacks grating or piercing qualities. I suppose those that are particularly sensitive to the 7k region might run into issues, but personally I was surprised at the Alpha's long term listenability. Even a track like The Crystal Method's “Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes)” which is notoriously screechy and painful, especially through headphones with treble spikes, is perfectly bearable through the Alpha.

The Alpha's mid-range is quite smooth with a natural presence relative to the treble and bass regions. It's neither forward nor recessed, but is near perfectly balanced in the overall presentation. Male and female vocals share head space equally with neither stepping forward or showing prominence. There is no sibilance present. Running through a track like Big Gram's “Run For Your Life” sees both Big Boi and Sarah Barthel's vocals sharing equal prominence. Usually one stands out more than the other. I especially appreciate this as Sarah's performance is especially sensual which definitely comes through. Overall timbre is accurate too with instruments being easily distinguishable and sounding as they should.

The Alpha's low end extension is even without any drops after a certain region, especially obvious when tossing on some sub-bass heavy test tracks like James Blake's “Limit to Your Love” or The Prodigy's “Charly (Trip Into Drum and Bass Version)” where things dig deep and warble hard. The lowest sub-bass regions are where the Alpha loses some composure. This is where the Alpha's amping requirements are most important in my opinion. If not properly powered, the Alpha sounds very loose and uncontrolled on the deepest sub-bass notes. It will even force some distortion when run through my mobile F.Audio S1/Walnut F1 combo. Properly amped through the HA-501 or Pro iCan, it's still a touch looser than I would prefer but is free of distortion. Thankfully the extra low bass found on these two tracks isn't really something you find dialed into most music. In contrast, the Alpha's mid-bass is really tight and punchy. It makes my liquid drum and bass mixes a bliss to listen to as it handles the snappy transitions and detailed hits with ease. Overall texture is quite good with lots of detail and a very dynamic presentation.

The Alpha has a very open and spacious sound stage with a fairly even width and depth. Using it for gaming made for a positive experience due to accurate imaging qualities that enabled me to accurately judge enemy distance and location in Player Unknown's Battle Grounds. It couldn't counter my lack of PC gaming skill though, so even with this information I was still whipped in most gunfights. The Alpha's depth of layering and clear separation of effects and instruments is also top notch keeping your audio free of congestion.


Final Thoughts:

Like the GT-R before it, the Alpha shows that ADVANCED is very capable of delivering a competitive product in an area where they previously had no experience. The Alpha's design is very clean and mature with good ergonomics and a durable build. The two sets of included angled pads are of very high quality and feel amazing around the ears. I see no real reason to pad swap outside of curiosity.

The Alpha's sound signature is vibrant yet easy on the ears with a very balanced presentation. With deep though slightly loose sub-bass, a prominent mid-range, and smoothly crisp treble, as long as you properly amp them they are free of any major drawbacks and end up being very versatile across genres.

If you're in the market for a new open back and/or planar magnetic headphone and want to try something that isn't from one of the major players in the segment, definitely give the Alpha a shot. You might very well find yourself with a new favorite headphone.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

(The review was originally posted to The Contraptionist. If you enjoyed it, there are many more reviews to be found over there.)


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
BT – If the Stars Are Eternal Then So Are You and I (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
James Blake – Limit to Your Love (Track)
The Prodigy – Charly (Trip Into Drum and Bass Version) (Track)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Greetings Head-fi!

Today we're going to be checking out the HEM6, a premium triple balanced armature (BA) earphone from the folks at Optoma NuForce.

NuForce was founded in Milpitas, California and since 2005 has been providing their customers with high end audio experiences. In 2014 they integrated with Optoma and in early 2016, their HEM lineup of premium earphones was announced. My introduction to the brand was through the BE6i, a stellar Bluetooth product that graced my top Bluetooth products of the year list. I next purchased their Massdrop collaboration in the form of the micro-dynamic based EDC. The EDC showed itself to be a great sounding and well-constructed daily driver that shared a lot of it's DNA with the HEM lineup, something that made the HEM6 instantly familiar upon first unboxing and listen.

Now that I've spent nearly a month listening to the HEM6, what do I think of this triple driver earphone that sits second in command to their flagship HEM8 model? Let's find out!

Disclaimer:

A big thanks to Jyri at Nuforce for reaching out to see if I would be interested in checking out the HEM6. It was sent over free of charge for the purposes of a fair and impartial review. The thoughts within this review are my own and do not represent Optoma, NuForce, or any other entity. There was no financial incentive provided.

At the time of this review the HEM6 was retailing for 349.00 USD. You can read up on the HEM6 here; https://www.optomausa.com/audioproduct/hem6

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the HEM6 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 or iFi Pro iCan desktop amp, or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, Shanling M1, or F.Audio S1. The Walnut F1 also made it's way into the rotation at times. The HEM6 is very easy to drive and can be powered to listening volumes easily enough by portable devices, however, I found them significantly more detailed and less veiled when run through an amplifier. I highly recommend amping them for the best possible performance.

Specifications:

• Driver: Three Knowles balanced armatures per side
• Impedance: 37 ohm
• Frequency Response: 18Hz-40kHz
• Sensitivity: 124dB
• Max Input Power: 2mW
• Plug type: 0.75mm 2-pin

Packaging and Accessories:

The HEM6's presentation, while simple, is quite nice and definitely has a premium air to it. The dark gray box the earphone arrives in looks seriously classy with the NuForce branding and glossy image of the HEM6 on the front. You will also find the infamous “Hi-Res Audio” logo. The left side contains their slogan, “Hear more. Feel more.” while the left gives you a glimpse of one of the two cases included, the in-line remote, and that Comply ear tips will be found inside. The rear contains a breakdown of the HEM6's construction including a list of features. Features like their use of current Knowles BA drivers, the application of a linear-phase crossover for accurate frequency division between drivers, the use of durable Lexan for the earpieces, and the inclusion of a silver-plated, oxygen-free copper (OFC) cable.

Opening this initial box reveals a second one. Flip back the magnetically sealed lid and you find some handy information on the inner flap; how to wear the HEM6, use the Comply tips, properly plug the cables in, and the remote's multifunction button's controls. You are also provided a safety instructions manual in 30 languages. Yeah, 30. You read that right. This is a global brand if I've ever seen one. Underneath this manual is a massive Pelican-style carrying case holding the rest of the accessories.

NuForce really seems to get that accessories add to the overall value of a product, and that not everyone has a pile of spare tips to play around with to ensure a proper fit. Not only do they give you a lot of stuff for your money, but the quality is there too. In all you get;

• HEM6 earphones
• Two cables; mobile cable and silver-plated OFC
• Two carrying cases; Waterproof clear case and a hard cloth carrying case
• 3 pairs of soft silicone ear tips (s/m/l)
• 3 pairs of stiff silicone ear tips (s/m/l)
• 2 pairs of Comply eartips (m/l)
• 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter
• Cleaning tool
• Shirt clip

The waterproof clear case is a really nice addition in my opinion. Sure, it's not the most convenient case in the world (hence the inclusion of the compact cloth case), but it's waterproof and extremely durable. This case would be awesome to have on hand when traveling, or camping, or if you simply want a safe place to store a compact media player or some non-audio related valuables. It feels like an appropriate inclusion for a premium product.

Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

After my experiences with the EDC, I was sure the HEM6 would end up being much of the same in the three aspects we're looking at here. That certainly ended up being the case and why if you've read my review of the EDC you'll see a number of similar observations here.

The ear piece housings are very well-constructed from Lexan, the brand name of a lightweight, polycarbonate known for it's durability. Fit and finish is tops with no unsightly gaps or mismatches. The shells are colored a soft, matte black with HEM6 printed on the bottom. On the exterior of each shell, color-coded L and R markings can be found which match up with the color coding on the included cables. While the lipless nozzles are overall fairly slender at 3mm (average is usually 5mm in my experience), the thickness of the nozzle walls is fairly impressive at around 0.5mm, leaving only enough room for a Shure-style tuning filter to be tucked within. I wouldn't want to sit on these just in case, but I honestly believe they could take it.

The included cables are a bit of a mixed bag and unlike on the EDC, I much prefer the “audiophile” cable over the mobile cable. At first glance I thought the mobile cable was the same as the one included with the EDC, but nope, not at all. Looks can be deceiving. First the good; nice strain relief, great pre-formed ear hooks, and fantastic build quality on the in-line control module and 90 degree angled jack. Next the bad; tangles like no other, the cable sticks to itself and is constantly kinking, and it remembers those kinks so it can annoy you with them later. It's also noisy. Lastly, I'm not one to takes sides on whether or not change cables changes sound quality, but in this case it is as obvious as day and night. It makes the HEM6 extremely muffled and veiled; I'll come back to this in the sound section. My advice to NuForce; burn this cable with fire and replace it with the EDC's which is vastly superior.

The silver-plated audiophile cable shares the nice construction of the mobile cable, sans inline mic, but is [loosely] braided and lacks a standard y-split. With the y-split NuForce went the high-end route of using shrink wrap with a small section of clear tubing running chin cinch duty. I'm of mixed feelings about this style of y-split. On one hand, it looks fairly low rent. On the other, it means they don't have to solder or split the cable and as such the cable strand thickness is retained the entire way through. It also simply works, so I really have no valid complaints beyond aesthetics. Finally, this cable improves the HEM6's sound significantly. Again, I'll come back to this later.

Given the light weight and low profile design of the HEM6, I found them comfy as can be, just like the EDC. There are no odd shapes or uncomfortable protrusions to cause discomfort. They simply slide into place in your outer ear, fuss free. I can wear these for hours and hours without any issues whatsoever.

Sound isolation on the HEM6, especially with the included foam tips, is excellent. While this housing has a very small ear-facing vent to prevent pressure build up when inserted, it does not affect their ability to nullify incoming sound at all. These would be agreat option for commuting, closing yourself off from the noise of an office or school environment, or any other situation where strong passive isolation is useful.

Sound:

Cable selection: Yup, I'm going there. Without hesitation., I recommend ignoring the mobile cable and running only with the audiophile cable. I spent the first couple weeks with the HEM6, mobile cable only, thinking it was just a mild upgrade over the EDC. Not good given the large price difference. I was using the mobile cable because it was my preferred cable with the EDC, so why would it be any different here? Because the mobile cable makes the HEM6 horribly veiled, that's why. Noob mistake...

With the mobile cable in place, I found the HEM6 sounded like the EDC, but with all fine detail smoothed over and muted. For example, using the HEM6 while playing World of Tanks with the mobile cable led to track effects blending together in a muted drone. Plugging in the audiophile cable sounded completely different with all the fine clinks and crunches, and other minute details present once again. The level of detail present between the two cables is very apparent and as a result all of the audio observations below were gleaned through the audiophile cable.

The HEM6 has a very relaxed treble presentation meaning your focus is drawn to other areas of the signature. Personally, I would prefer more energy up top, especially at this price point. The HEM6's treble is very clean and smooth though. There is no splashiness or harshness. The level of detail it is capable of putting out requires either a hefty increase in volume to pick up, pairing with a media player or device with a bright signature, or some EQing to compensate. On the plus side, the base signature is very easy on the ears.

When it comes to the HEM6's mid-range, it is fairly thick and naturally toned. Vocals are lush, forward, and the primary aspect of focus in this earphone's signature. I really enjoyed the HEM6 with videos and film, as even during intense action dialogue was easy to comprehend, more so than with many other earphones. As with the treble region, upping the volume is advised in order to get the most detail possible. It's there, you just need to push these drivers to get the most of them.

The HEM6's low end has a distinct mid-bass focus which gives the HEM6 a somewhat darker tone overall. Extension is decent, but the lowest regions lack physical rumble, common with BA-based earphones. Texturing is acceptable, but smoothed over a touch more than I would like. Mid-bass regions are tight and impactful without any bloat or bleed into the lower mid-range. While the HEM6 definitely won't please bass lovers, those who enjoy a polite bump should be pleased with what is available here.

The HEM6 has a decent sound stage, much better than I was expecting from an earphone with a mid-range focus and mellow treble presentation. It's fairly spacious and far from congested or compressed. This is helped along by the HEM6's accurate imaging with great layering and separation qualities. It's reminiscent in this regard to another multi-driver BA-only earphone I'm particularly fond of.

At low volumes the HEM6 certainly doesn't sound like anything special, but as you up the volume it's positive qualities pick up pace and start to shine through. This really isn't a style of earphone that suits my listening preferences as I have to listen at higher volumes than I like to get the most out of them. Those that prefer to crank the volume, you'll be right at home with the HEM6.

Select Comparisons:

Brainwavz B400 (179.50 USD): The B400 is a quad-BA earphone that also uses Knowles armatures; 1 for the highs, 2 for the mid-range, 1 for bass. I find the B400 clearer, more balanced without the mid-range push of the HEM6, and more detailed. It's also a touch warmer and more natural in the treble as a result of some additional emphasis and sparkle. The B400's low end has more sub-bass emphasis and digs notably deeper than the HEM6. While not quite as impressive as the B400's, the HEM6 has great layering and separation qualities with accurate imaging that lets sound travel freely. They're both quite impressive in this regard.

Build quality and overall presentation goes to the HEM6. The B400's 3D printed housing are fine, but they lack the polish of the HEM6. Especially when looking at the colored versions, the B400 has a bit of a DIY feel to it. The HEM6 packaging is also a step up providing more information and a more comprehensive accessory kit. I do prefer Brainwavz's cables though, and it's cool they let you select at the time of ordering what type of cable the second one will be.

Fidue A85 Virgo (399.00 USD): The A85 is a premium triple hybrid with a very unconventional, mid-prominent signature. While the A85 offers a more detailed sound than the HEM6, it sounds significantly less natural due to it's driver tonality. The HEM6's treble is slightly more prominent and lacks the dryness of the A85's. It comes across more organic and smooth. Their mid-ranges are more comparable, though the A85 is a touch more forward. Bass on the A85 digs much deeper but lacks the texture and has a hefty mid-bass focus, more so than the HEM6. Still, it definitely feels more weighty and gives the A85 a mid/low end focus when listening to the two back-to-back.

In terms of build the A85 is tough to beat. The HEM6 is nice no doubt, but the A85's flawlessly crafted metal shells and beautiful cable easily compete with much more expensive gear. The HEM6 comes with a more comprehensive and useful accessory kit however. Fidue would be well-served to look at what NuForce has done with the HEM6.

Final Thoughts:

The HEM6 is a well-rounded product. While it doesn't offer the same level of detail as others in it's class, it makes up for this with a signature that is easier on the ears and non-fatiguing, especially important at the higher volumes it sounds best at.

This earphone has a prominent mid-range with great vocal presence. It's not bassy, but there is still some thump. They aren't treble heavy, but it's prominent and extended enough to give the sound stage some air. They're small, light, comfortable, and come with a premium accessory kit full to the brim with quality tips, two awesome cases, and some other handy extras. All Nuforce needs to do now is replace that frustratingly mediocre mobile cable with something more suitable for an earphone like the HEM6.

Thanks for reading, and have an awesome 2018!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

2017 has been a pretty great year for ADVANCED. Watching the brand branch out to new and interesting tech has been a great experience. The GT-R and Alpha feature planar magnetic technology. They teamed up with AAW to craft the Accessport portable amplifier. Today we are checking out ADVANCED's take on the budget active noise cancelling market with the 747.

Competent active noise cancelling earphones have come down in price significantly in the last few years and no longer offer minimal noise attenuation at a premium price. For less than 100 USD you can get a well-built, good sounding product that offers more than just a slight decrease in external noise beyond what you'd get from passive isolation only.

The entry-level segment that ADVANCED has dropped the 747 into is very competitive and they certainly have their work cut out for them in making something that stands out. How does the 747 fare? Let's find out.

Disclaimer:

A big thanks to the team at ADVANCED for reaching out to see if I would be interested in reviewing the 747 and for arranging a complimentary review sample. The thoughts within this review are my own and are not representative of ADVANCED or any other entity. There was no financial incentive for writing this and I was given free rein to share my honest opinion.

The 747 retailed for 59.99 USD at the time of this review; https://www.adv-sound.com/products/747

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the 747 was powered straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, Shanling M1, or the F-Audio S1. The 747 is no way needs to be amped, partly because when activated the ANC hardware acts as an amp, but also because the 747 is very easy to drive.

Specifications:

• Driver unit: 13mm single dynamic driver
• Impedance: 16 Ohm+/-15%
• Sensitivity: 90dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Noise cancellation: 25dB+/-3dB
• NC frequency range: 40Hz – 1kHz
• Working time: Up to 10 hours
• Charging time: 1 hour
• Rated power: 10mW

Packaging and Accessories:

ADVANCED always presents their products in a very clean and informative package, and the 747 continues the tradition quite successfully. Following the same basic design as the Evo-X, the front of the exterior sheath has the usual ADVANCED name and 747 model branding, plus a detailed, glossy image of the earpieces and the ANC module. The ANC module shown is almost the exact size (slightly smaller) of the real thing too which is a nice touch. The left side of the sleeve highlights that the ANC tech is mostly for addressing low-frequency interference. Flipping to the back you are presented with a photo deconstructing the 747 down to its base components. There is also a compensated frequency response chart alongside the specifications and a list of included accessories.

Sliding off the exterior sheath reveals a black monolith of a box. Upon opening this inner package you see the writing “Enjoy the Silence” on the left and ADVANCED's spacious carrying case on the right. In this case is the 747 itself and all the extras you get with this product. And you get a lot of extras. All-in you're provided;

• 747 earphones
• large clamshell carrying case
• 3 pairs of single flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
• 3 pairs of Sennheiser-style dual-flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
• 3 pairs of foam tips (s/m/l)
• airplane adapter
• microUSB cable

As I have come to expect from ADVANCED, their presentation is top-notch and the included accessories are plentiful, useful, and of high quality. I am especially glad they included their dual-flange tips with the 747 as they are one of my favorites.

Build and Comfort:

The 747's design is straightforward and inoffensive with a very traditional earphone look, unlike other ANC products which often have a little more flash or uniqueness to their design. The 747's silver aluminum housings are quite broad in size, a necessity for housing the beefy 13mm drivers within. There is a small vent on the back under which lies the noise cancelling microphone. Facing your ear there is another vent. The rest of the earphone is a smooth bell shape with only an ADV logo for contrast. The overall fit and finish is quite good with each individual aspect fitting together tightly, though I did notice some dried glue where the plastic face and aluminum body meet.

The long, flexible strain reliefs leading out of the housing are nicely implemented with one side colored red to denote the right channel. The cable itself is also quite decent. Above the y-split it's reasonably thick and feels quite dense. Microphonics (cable noise) are present, especially apparent when rubbing up against a zipper, but are overall quite manageable and much less intrusive than the fabric cables used by much of the competition. ADVANCED should consider adding a chin cinch to help combat cable noise.

Below the y-split the cable is very thick but give it a quick squeeze and there is a surprising bit of flex and compression. I suppose that explains why the cable starts to fold and kink when bent significantly, something that worries me slightly when it comes to longevity. That concern mainly lies where the ANC module is placed, about 4 inches above the straight jack. OVC did something similar with the H15, but their cable with its thick cloth sheath felt more suitable for carrying the weight of the module. The 747's cable is well relieved on either end of the module, but it still kinks slightly just beyond the relief. Adding a small clip to help carry the weight of the module would be a welcome improvement. The cable kinking is also a mild concern at the y-split which is free of any strain relief.

Like the ear pieces, the ANC module is very well constructed. The black aluminum shell is slim and sleek and quite unobtrusive. On one side you find ADVANCED's slogan, “Designed for Musicians”. The other highlights their use of “Pitch Black Noise-Canceling Technology”. I know a lot of you out there hate branding but if done well I think it can look pretty damn cool, as it does here. This module is also significantly more compact than the competition despite housing all the ANC tech, a battery rated for 10 hours of use, the microUSB charging port, and the ANC on/off switch. Major props to ADVANCED for condensing all that into something so comparatively tiny.

Due to the 747's fairly standard design and light weight, it's quite suitable for long-term listening sessions. I routinely used them at work, and even after an eight and a half-hour shift they left my ears fresh and a daisy, free of hotspots.

While I do have some concerns about cable longevity, the 747 seems to be very well constructed. I adore how tiny the ANC module is as it stays out-of-the-way. The fairly standard design of the housings makes the 747 quite comfortable, and in use it feels like any other earphone. After having used a number of ANC earphones with learning curves for fit, or module placement, or some other aspect that compromised overall useability, this last point cannot be overlooked.

Battery Life:

The 747 is rated at 10 hours of use with one hour of charge time. As is often the case, volume plays a part in how much use you get. Given I generally listen at lower than average volumes, over three full cycles I was able to achieve close to 11 hours with only my initial listening session (first empty to full charge) falling under 10 hours of use.

Passive vs. Active Noise Cancelling:

Despite the shallow fit, I actually found the 747's passive isolation to be more than adequate. Sitting in a loud cafe I was still able to hear those around me, chairs sliding, plates clinking, etc. but sounds were muted enough to easily enjoy my music with only a slight volume bump needed to compensate.

The 747's active noise cancelling on the other hand, is quite good. With it on in the same cafe, external noise was reduced mainly to the base murmur of voices with all other ambient noise falling silent. I also got to use it extensively in office at the call centre where I work. While I could still hear my colleagues somewhat, typing noise and the hum of the hundreds of computers, heating units, etc. were all successfully nullified.

Sound (ANC Off):

If the 747 wasn't an active noise cancelling earphone and sold for the same price, I'd still have no qualms recommending it to bass lovers. The 747's u- or l-shaped signature is warm and silky smooth with a generous bass line that caresses your music and your ears. With ANC off its treble is fairly well-extended with some roll off that keeps it fatigue-free. Detail retrieval is actually quite good and I never felt like I was missing out on anything. The treble here is also quite quick and clean free of any splashiness or looseness. I can definitely see some wanting a little more sparkle and energy, which you get with ANC on, but I'll come back to that.

With ANC off I found the 747's mid-range quite prominent, though not forward. It was able to easily cut through and shine despite the abundant low-end, and sounded equally natural and at home with male or female vocals. I personally found it a little sweeter with female vocals, and that it really shone with jazz influenced guitar work. Running through classic rock albums like Pick Floyd's “Dark Side of the Moon” or Supertramp's “Crime of the Century” was quite pleasing. Detail and separation were above average as well, letting me pick up fine details like licking lips, fingers sliding slightly between chords, and other aspects I would expect to be glossed over.

The low-end is what most will focus on when they hear the 747. It's big and rumbly, though a bit slow and lacking texture. It's primary focus is on an impactful mid-bass region, still, extension is pretty good and with EDM, rap, and hip hop, you will feel a satisfying rumble. Despite the mass quantity of bass on offer, I never found the 747 particularly fatiguing, even on those off chances I decided to crank the volume on a particularly entertaining track.

Soundstage is another positive aspect of the 747's presentation. They have a large, open feel to them, though not to the extent of ANC-free earphones that lead in this area, like the Havi B3 Pro I or Blue Ever Blue Model 1200EX. Separation and layering are overall quite decent too with the 747 avoiding congestion, even on cluttered tracks like King Crimson's “Starless and Bible Black”.

Sound (ANC On):

While the 747's general signature is retained with ANC on, it does gain some additional volume, lower treble emphasis and sparkle, and ends up coming across more v- than l-shaped. I found this particularly apparent when listening to vocal liquid drum and bass, such as Calyx and TeeBee's “Long Gone”. Flipping on and off the ANC switch would lead to Calyx's vocals pulling back as the main focus, and the extremities stepping forward. Sub-bass regions also seem to step up a touch giving the 747 a more visceral feel than it has with ANC off.

Select Comparisons:

Mixcder ANC-G5 (59.99 USD):

- The G5 and 747 take similar approaches to their sound with each having a bass-heavy signature. Whereas the 747 tones down the treble to bring it in line with the mid-range, the G5 has slightly boosted treble making it the more energetic listen. The G5 has a better mid-/sub-bass balance than the 747, but it lacks the extension. The G5 sounds slightly less organic and refined than the 747, especially with ANC on where it takes on a mild metallic edge. The 747 also has a more spacious presentation, despite the G5's semi-open nature. While I prefer the G5's brighter sound, the refinement of the 747 and it's more lush, prominent mid-range wins me over.

- Without any music playing, Mixcder's ANC G5's noise cancelling does a good job but doesn't suppress voices quite to the same extent as the 747. It also lets in more ambient noise which has a thinner, more detail rich presentation to it than what comes through on the 747. Passive isolation is no comparison with the 747 being much better. The G5 is more or less semi-open due to all the ventilation present. Isolation, both passive and active goes to the 747.

- Build quality on both is quite good. Mixcder's greater use of plastic leads to a product that doesn't feel quite as substantial, but their material choice lead to something a bit lighter, at least in the earpieces. I also think the G5's design is more stylish. The G5's ANC module doubles as the y-split and in-line mic/control module. It also carries the rest of the electronics leading to something a bit thicker and more weighty than the slender solution found on the 747. There is a built-in shirt clip to offset the weight, something I would like to see ADVANCED add to their module. In the end it's a wash as I have mild issues with the build on each.

- Both of these earphones take a more traditional approach to their design. This means that both are quite comfortable. However, the G5 brings ear guides into the mix and the nozzle extends outwards from the housings at a very minimal angle (~25 degrees maybe) . The nozzle is also ovular as opposed to circular which limits tip options and makes fit less universal. While the G5 fits me well and is comfortable, there is still a level of fiddling required to get the ear guides sitting just right, and they do cause hotspots after long period. 747 takes it in comfort.

- You'd think the G5 would have better battery life given the thickness of the module, but nope. At 8 hours, it falls a couple short of the 747. It's charge time is twice as long at five hours too. 747 for the win.

OVC H15 (49.99 USD):

- The H15 goes the opposite route of the 747 and uses a tiny 6mm micro-driver as its primary driver. I say primary driver because it is actually a dual-dynamic earphone. The second driver is even larger than the 747's at 13.6mm, and pulls double duty. It acts as the ANC driver and/or as a bass boost. OVC's approach is more unique and versatile since you get a few different signatures depending on whether or not the bass boost is on. With bass boost off, the ANC function doesn't change the signature much at all since there are two different drivers handling two different jobs vs. the 747's single dynamic which handles it all. H15 has more unique tech, and it has been applied quite effectively.

- Not only is the approach to noise cancellation quite different between these two units, but so are their signatures. The H15 is much more balanced to my ear with a more detailed, mid-range and treble focused sound. It's bass extends similarly to the 747, but lacks the emphasis and is much quicker and less bloated. The H15's overall presentation is also a lot thinner which makes it less ideal in noisy environments where, with ANC off, most of its low end gets overwhelmed by incoming noise. Soundstage is similar with the H15 getting the nod, pending the bass boost is off. I personally like the H15's sound more, but the 747's signature undoubtedly has a wider appeal and works better in it's intended environment. 747 takes it for sound.

- Without any music playing, the OVC H15 suppressed sound more effectively than the 747. Voices were more muffled, background noises less prominent, and overall the impression was of greater silence. This was especially noticeable with higher frequency noises like metal clinking, which were notably less suppressed on the 747. While fairly close, the H15's ANC performance was a step up from what the 747 offers.

- In terms of build I find them both quite good. I prefer the 747's metal shells and more traditional design over the H15's plastic shells and odd (but ergonomic) shape. The H15's cable, even if it is fabric, simply feels better suited to the purpose of these earphones and like it will last longer. I give a slight edge to the H15, almost solely due to the cable.

- The H15's ergonomics take a hit versus the 747. The housings are larger and use proprietary tips which feature built-in silicone fins which tuck into your outer ear. I find them fairly equally comfortable, but the H15 takes more effort to put in your ear, and both the large housings and fins will reduce compatibility with a number of smaller ears. The 747's more traditional design, tips, and general fit win out here.

- One area the 747 simply cannot compete with the H15 is battery life. The 10 hours you will get out of the 747 will be enough for most, but OVC gets 60 hours out of the H15. It's entirely achievable too. H15 easily takes the cake here.

Comparison Summary: The 747 is a step up from the Mixcder G5 with a more ergonomic and comfortable fit, slightly better ANC performance, and improved battery life. They sound similar, but with the 747 featuring an additional layer of refinement. I really enjoy the G5, but the 747 could be considered a direct upgrade. Sorry Mixcder, but the G5 has been replaced in my lineup.

The 747 and H15 make for a more fair comparison. If you're a road warrior, the H15 is the one to get. The extra durability, battery life, and improved ANC performance are too much to pass up. Just be prepared for a thinner, less bassy sound and a more finicky fit due to the H15's less traditional design and ear guide laden tips. If you simply want a traditional earphone with a smooth bassy signature, one that also just so happens to have a great active noise cancelling feature attached, the 747 should be your pick.

Final Thoughts:

At 60 USD, it would be asking a lot for more from the 747. Not only does it's bassy, spacious sound come across as easy on the ears, perfect for their intended use, but the rest of the package is a win as well. It has effective active noise cancelling, a decent 10 hour battery life with fairly short 1 hour charge time, a durable aluminum build, and the smallest, least intrusive ANC module I have yet seen. Add to that a heap of accessories that are actually useful and the 747 seems like a well-rounded package doesn't it? Yes. Yes it does.

If you want a sub-100 USD earphone with a useful active noise cancelling element, the 747 should be right up there for consideration.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Greetings!

Today we’re checking out Benny Tan’s newest creation, the Fidue A85 Virgo.

My introduction to the brand was through the baby of the lineup, the sport-focused a31s. While not the best sounding product I’ve heard, the a31s’ warm and bassy signature was suited to the intended purpose of the earphone. It was also unique in that it’s housing wasn’t much larger than the 8mm driver inside, making it one of the most compact and durable products I’ve seen to date.

The Virgo is a completely different animal entirely, featuring a triple hybrid setup with two custom-made balanced armatures and one Fidue-exclusive dynamic driver, per side. The crossover network within this earphone ensures the frequency division is clean and accurate, leading to a cohesive end product.

Fidue’s primary goal “is reproducing original sound accurately, and maintaining clarity, dynamics and natural expression”. How well does the A85 do this? Come with me on a journey of discovery and wonder to find out.

Disclaimer:

The A85 was provided free of charge for the purposes of review. I would like to thank Penon Audio for contacting Fidue on my behalf, and for arranging the shipping of the sample. The thoughts within are my own and do not represent Fidue or Penon. There was no financial incentive provided to write this review, nor was there any expectation set for positive coverage. At the time of this review the A85 retailed for 399.00 USD.

Fidue: http://fidue.com/content/view?brand=fidue_en&item=111&core=product

Penon Audio: https://penonaudio.com/fidue-virgo-a85.html

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the A85 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp, iFi Pro iCan, or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, F-Audio S1, or Shanling M1. The Walnut F1 also made it’s way into the rotation at times, even though the A85 in no way needs to be amped.

Specifications:

• Impedance:23Ω
• Headphone sensitivity: 107db
• Frequency range: 7-41000Hz
• Max Power Input: 50mW

Packaging and Accessories:

Unlike many other reviewers, I place a fair bit of emphasis on the unboxing experience. This is especially true when it comes to premium products. To me a quality unboxing experience shows a manufacturer takes pride in their product, and it displays a certain level of respect for their customers. You’re putting down your hard earned money to get something special, so it should feel like it. This doesn’t necessarily mean the packaging should be flamboyant and over the top and the accessory kit packed to the brim with tips, cases, and other stuff, though those things won’t hurt if done well. Fidue’s unboxing experience with the A85 is quite good, giving you an involving and multi-layered experience with a generous helping of items.

The black/green color scheme is a Fidue staple and is handled very tastefully. It’s easily something that could end up looking quite garish, but that’s not the case here. On the front you have a small viewing window showing off the A85’s organically designed earpieces and a list of features. The rear contains a list of specifications in English, Chinese (Mandarin?), and German along with Fidue’s phone number, website, and physical address. There is also a scannable QR code.

Cutting the security seal reveals a twin flap system which hugs the package. Opening the first flap, on the left you find information on tip usage. The centre flap contains a Benny Tan quote, “Original Sound, Beautifully Voiced” and a brief statement telling you about the Virgo. To sum it up, this triple-driver hybrid is intended to deliver “the realism of vocals and the spectacular clarity of instruments.”

Flipping back the final flap uncovers the A85’s earpieces nestled in a foam cutout along with the carrying case containing the cable below. On the right is a slew of informative statements telling you how to care for the Virgo, how to wear it, and how to remove the cable using the included shim (guitar pick looking thing). While mostly plastic and not particularly premium feeling, I quite like the case. The lid is covered in a thin metal plate which is engraved with the Fidue name. The inside is lined with foam to ensure the A85 isn’t scratched during transport. The case is a little bulky, but not so thick you can’t pocket it. While I think Dunu does this style of case a little better, I’m perfectly content with what Fidue has included.

The rest of the accessories are contained in a small black cardboard box tucked under a couple layers of foam. In all you get a very extensive list of items;

• A85 Virgo earphone
• Silver-plated OFC audiophile cable for full-ranged balanced use
• Plastic carrying case
• Four pairs of single-flange silicone tips (xs/s/m/l)
• Two pairs of bi-flange silicone tips (m/l)
• Two pairs of foam tips (T500 Comply and one generic set)
• Shim for cable removal
• Cleaning tool (looks like a SIM card remover)
• Airplane adaptor
• 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter
• Warranty card

All-in-all you’re getting quite a lot with the A85, and the quality is there too. The silicone tips are comfortable and feel dense and durable. Both sets of foam tips are comfortable and seal well. The case is perfectly functional, and the rest of the add-ins are welcome, even if they might not be used all to often (airplane adapter and shim come to mind).
Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

Out of everything I’ve reviewed, the A85 is one of those that feels most deserving of it’s premium price tag. The CNC machined aluminum housings are met with flawless fit and finish, free of sharp edges, gaps, discoloring, or anything else that would take away from their impressive design. L and R indicators look to have been laser etched on the ear-facing side of each housing so they won’t wear away in time. You don’t really need them though, as the A85 is designed to be worn one way only. The cables are also imbued with blue and red colored rings at the plugs denoting left and right channels respectively. The overall design and build is so clean and organic, it’s easy to get lost in the finer details and find yourself sitting and staring. My only concern surrounds the lip less nozzles which makes tip-rolling less universal.

The A85’s cable has a lot of positive qualities. The straight jack and y-split share the same beautiful machining of the housings and as a result feel durable and expensive. They’re also effectively relieved which I always appreciate since it serves only to increase cable longevity. The application of well implimented MMCX connectors also serves to increase longevity, but of the base product itself. If and when the cable dies, just replace it instead of buying a whole new earphone. When you’re spending upwards of 500 USD for a product, omitting a feature like this would be a critical failure which is why I’m glad it’s there. The built in ear guides are some of the best in the business with an aggressive arc that wraps around the entirety of your ear making the A85 one of the most stable earphones I’ve tried. You won’t find any finnicky memory wire here. This cable is also quite resistant to holding memory, it doesn’t tangle despite being slightly on the sticky side, and it’s fairly thick. The only real downside to it is microphonics which are quite prominent. Not as invasive as the cable on the Meze 11 Neo and 12 Classics, but not too far off. I’m glad Fidue thought to include a chin cinch because in my opinion it is absolutely necessary to effectively combat that cable noise.

The combination of well-machined, lightweight aluminum housings with a low profile, ergonomic design means the A85 fits naturally in the ear without any qualities that hinder comfort. The shallow fit design and fairly relaxed angle at which the nozzle protrudes may cause some issues with getting a good seal, as I experienced, but you’ve been given a hefty selection of tips. There is enough variety there to ensure you’ll find something that works for your ear.

In terms of noise suppression I found the A85 well-below average; not entirely surprising. The inner half of the housing is very well-ventilated with a pinhole vent near the base of the nozzle and two larger vents a little further back. This semi-open nature combined with a shallow fit means the A85 lets in a fair bit of outside noise. As is usually the case, throwing on the foam tips certainly helps negate this, but not enough to make this an ideal product for use in extremely noisy areas.
Sound:

The A85’s mid-range is quite natural, prominent, and has a very commanding presence through it’s very articulate vocals. On Aesop Rock’s “Citronella” every layer and dynamic filter applied to his vocals sticks out. The same can be said for Benjie Webbe of Skindred whose vocal prowess, be he screaming or crooning, is on full display through the A85, I also found this presentation particularly suited to textured guitar work which has a hefty weight, definition, and depth to it.

The A85’s treble doesn’t fare so well to my ears, suffering from a cold, dry crispness that takes away from cymbals and effects, rending it all very artificial. This is quite apparent in the opening moments of Michael Jackson’s “(P.Y.T.) Pretty Young Thing”. On the plus side, extension is excellent and you’re provided lots of information and detail. Separation is also quite impressive which combined with an airy presentation makes the A85 sound quite spacious when compared to most earphones.

Throwing on a bassy track like Massive Attack’s “Angel” or Ephixa’s “Dubstep Killed Rock ‘n’ Roll” you might notice the A85’s mid-bass bias with some roll off in the sub-bass regions. It can rumble, but not with the level of aggression I personally prefer. This gives the A85 a very methodical bassline. You’d think this also means it’s quite slow and it certainly seems that way, but it never tripped up on particularly quick basslines, such as the crazy double bass kicks you hear in a lot of metal tracks. It meanders, yet it’s still quite nimble.

When it comes to sound stage, the A85 has a reasonably vast and open presentation to it, as if you’re sitting a reasonable distance from the source. While I find this hurts the overall accuracy of the imaging, it does give a more satisfying headphone-like feel, especially when backed by the competent layering and separation qualities that are present. Overal detail and clarity is quite good too, particularly in the treble and mid-range, it’s just not apparent due to the lack of aggression that seems to be more commonly tuned into those frequencies.

Overall I find the A85 an oddly satisfying listen. I don’t think the tonality of the dynamic driver and the balanced armatures is traditionally well matched which gives the A85 an incoherent sound, but it doesn’t hinder the final signature like you would expect. The balanced armatures are somewhat cold, quick, and dry, while the dynamic is plodding, warm, and smooth. Somehow it all pulls together into something that works and meshes successfully. The lack of any uncomfortable treble peaks serve to make this a good listen over long periods. The large mid-bass emphasis, while not my cup of tea for personal listening in the comfort of my home, works exceptionally well out in the real world where the ample ventilation lets in enough noise to balance out the presentation.
Select Comparisons:

Brainwavz B400 (189.50 USD): The B400 and A85 are very, very different products. The A85 looks and feels like the most costly product it is with it’s all-metal build and organic design. The B400’s 3D printed housings are very rough around the edges. However, both are very comfortable and ergonomically sound with the A85’s smaller housings taking the edge. In terms of sound I find the B400 more relaxed yet they are about equal on detail. The A85 is one of the few products I’ve heard that can almost keep up with the B400 in terms of layering and separation, almost making up the difference with a larger sound stage. Neither product is particularly aggressive or energetic, though the A85’s extra upper range emphasis makes it the more vibrant of the two. In terms of mid-range the A85 is more forward, but the B400’s silky smoothness and similar levels of detail makes it the more accomplished of the two. Despite the A85’s use of a dynamic driver for the low end, the B400 displayed better depth and impact on bassy tracks, and with more texture to boot.

Optoma Nuforce HEM6 (399.00 USD): The HEM6 is a triple balanced armature unit with a very mellow sound. Compared to the A85 it’s treble sounds very rolled off and could use a notable boost to liven things up. The A85’s mid-range is more crisp and clear, leaving the HEM6 slightly veiled. The low end of the HEM6 is better textured and punchier with similar extension. While the A85 comes across much more detailed and nuanced, the HEM6 sounds a lot more natural and realistic. In terms of build the A85 is again the more premium of the two, but the HEM6 impresses with it’s lightweight, ergonomically sound design that makes it less intrusive than the A85. As nice as the Fidue’s accessory kit is, Nuforce did HEM6 customers right by giving them two excellent cases, two decent cables, and a slew of tips to ensure you can get a great fit.

Campfire Audio Polaris (599.00 USD): The Polaris is the only one of the bunch that rivals the A85 for that premium feel. Despite the angular design and extra weight, I didn’t find it lagging behind on comfort either, unless you throw the stock cable back on. That memory wire on the Polaris is terrible, showing further just how great the A85’s preformed guides are. In terms of accessories and packaging the A85 and Polaris take very different approaches. Campfire kept things simple with the Polaris, including only a few accessories, but extremely high quality ones. In terms of sound the A85 and Polaris are quite different. The Polaris is v-shaped with big bass and bright treble. It’s dialed back mid-range is quite noticeable when a/bing the two with it’s lower mid-range sounding more artificial. The Polaris does a better job of pulling micro details and with providing a more textured sound. It’s low end balance between mid-bass and sub-bass is also much better than what the A85 provides. Both have a large sound stage with the A85 providing a greater sense of movement and depth. It’s imaging is less accurate than the Polaris’, but it moves sound with a dynamicism Campfire’s hybrid is missing.

Final Thoughts:

Fidue’s A85 Virgo was a tough one for me to review. It’s packaging is great, you get lots of accessories, it looks gorgeous and feels just as impressive in hand, and it’s supremely comfortable. All that is reasonably easy to discern, especially after putting as many hours through it as I have over the last month and a half. What made it tough to review was it’s sound signature and how unique it is.

While I would generally consider the incoherency between the tone of the dynamic and balanced armature drivers a negative, here it’s not that straightforward. It doesn’t distract from the listening experience. It adds another layer to the presentation that makes it stand out from most other products I’ve tried. Because the two driver types sound so different, they end up complimenting each other rather than conflicting.

Going back to a question posed at the start of the review, I don’t think the A85 meets Fidue’s mission of “reproducing original sound accurately”, but I don’t think that’s what they were going for anyway. That to me is highlighted by the quote you are greeted to upon first unboxing; “Original Sound, Beautifully Voiced”. Those four words describe the A85 to the T. It gives listeners a wholly unique listening experience among peers that I’ve heard, so if you are tired of traditional tuning and want a premium product with a unique signature, the A85 is worth a look.

Thanks for reading, and thanks again to Fidue and Penon for the opportunity to hear this unique earphone.

– B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings,

Today we’re taking a “quick” gander at the Massdrop x NuForce EDC, just one of the many, many, many Massdrop teamups now available to registered Massdropers.

My interest in the EDC was first piqued back in April or May when a few popular Head-fi’ers were giving it some pretty darn positive feedback. Since it utilized a 6mm microdriver, I jumped on that drop like a lyger on a lama as soon as I could. It was a long wait from June 2nd to the unit’s arrival at my home on October 11th, 2017, but for the most part the wait was worth it. While it’s certainly not the best earphone I’ve heard in this price range, the EDC has a lot going for it and very little going against it.

Let’s see what makes the EDC’s (Every Day Carry) name so fitting, shall we?



Disclaimer:

I purchased the EDC off Massdrop for 59.99 USD using my own hard-earned dollars and felt like sharing my thoughts. As a result, the opinions within this review are my own and do not represent Massdrop, NuForce, or any other entity.

The EDC seems to drop pretty frequently. If you are a Massdrop member you can check it out here; https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-NuForce-edc-in-ear-monitors

If you’re not a member, I recommend signing up. It’s completely free and while most drops aren’t the best deal in the world for us Canadians due to shipping and conversion fees, you can get some interesting items at great prices if you’re patient. Their community forums also lead to some entertaining and helpful discussions.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the EDC was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, Walnut V2s, or Shanling M1. The Walnut F1 also made it’s way into the rotation at times. Even though the EDC doesn’t need to be amped, like many microdriver-based earphones they aren’t overly sensitive. They seem to really come alive and sound more vibrant and engaging with the additional power. Amping recommended.

Specifications:

• Impedance: 16Ω
• Headphone sensitivity: 90.5dB +/- 3dB
• Frequency range: 20Hz – 40kHz
• 0.77mm 2-pin cables

Packaging and Accessories:

At this point I’ve had a few Optoma NuForce products cross my path, and something the brand really seems to excel at is giving you a lot of stuff for your money. The EDC is no exception. Things start off well with a very clean looking package. It’s nothing overly elegant, made with fairly thin and delicate cardboard but it gives you a lot of information, both visually and written.

On the front you of course find some Massdrop branding, expected given these are a crossover product, along with your typical NuForce branding and model details. You also find the Hi-Res Audio logo because this little guy’s treble extends to that “magical” 40 kHz number. Between all this is a glossy, detailed image of the EDC’s left earpiece that shows off the included foam tips, removable cable, L/R marking indicators, and that this earphones has a low profile fit. The left side simply states “Massdrop x NuForce” while the right shows off the silicone tip design, 90 degree angled jack, and the y-split which doubles as the inline control module and mic. You also get a glimpse of the useful chin cinch. Flipping to the rear you are bombarded with information which includes a list of features, a diagram advising how to plug the cables in correctly, a diagram of media control functions, and an exploded image of the construction and constituent parts that make up the EDC. I always appreciate those diagrams, simply because I enjoy understanding how something was put together. The majority of you probably couldn’t care less I’m sure.

Inside you are immediately greeted by the carrying case. Sliding out the insert beneath it you see the EDC displayed in a foam/cardboard hybrid cutout. The case holds all of the accessories of which there are many. In all you get;

• EDC earphones
• Two cables (braided “hi-fi” cable and a “mobile” one with a mic/remote)
• Three pairs of silicone ear tips (s/m/l)
• Two pairs of foam ear tips (m/l)
• Compact, semi-hard clamshell carrying case
• Shirt clip

Ignoring the ever so basic shirt clip, everything feels really nice and of good quality. The carrying case especially impresses, though it’s construction suffers from some half-arsery that affects overall quality. At first glance the construction is great. Everything is stitched together nicely with a durable canvas material used for the exterior. The zipper moves confidently and feels like it should last a while. Inside it’s lined with a soft fabric and there is a handy net to hold all the extra tips and bits. That net is where the aforementioned half-arsery comes into play.

Instead of being sewn in place like you would expect, the net is attached to a fabric covered strip of cardboard that it glued to the rest of the case. In my experience and apparently those of many others on Massdrop, this insert has come loose or fallen out. To fix this you can either glue the insert back in yourself or just set it back in place and it still does what it’s supposed to do. In the grand scheme of things it’s a relatively minor issue because the case still does it’s job, however, it’s little details like this that can get to a consumer if it’s not addressed. On the plus side, NuForce does have a presence on Massdrop and they seem keen to assist buyers who run into this problem, so good on them.

Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

An earphone named EDC, which stands for ‘Every Day Carry’, needs to be durable, comfortable, and isolate well to meet my expecations of what a daily driver should accomplish. It should not be a product I have to worry about and baby to ensure it lasts. Based on my experiences with the EDC over the last couple months, I feel NuForce has crafted a product that does the EDC name well.

The ear piece housings are very well-constructed with great fit and finish and are made from Lexan, a lightweight, polycarbonate known for it’s durability. The exterior half of the shell is a dark, translucent blue while the inner half is a solid, matte black. EDC is printed on the inner right, while Massdrop can be found on the inner left. In addition to the color-coded L and R markings on the exterior of the shell, you can use these details to easily determine which channel is which. While the lipless nozzles are overall fairly slender at 3mm (average is usually 5mm in my experience), the thickness of the nozzle walls is fairly impressive at around 0.5mm, leaving only enough room for a Shure-style tuning filter to be tucked within. I wouldn’t want to sit on these just in case, but I honestly believe they could take it.

The two cables are also quite nice, though one stands above the other as superior in my opinion, partly due to intented use of this product and partly due to what it does to the EDC’s sound. That’s start with the lesser of the two; the braided cable.

NuForce’s braided cable has a number of positive qualities to it. Despite almost never being used and spending almost all it’s time folded up in the case and wrapped tightly by the included Velcro strap, it’s surprisingly resiliant to memory and within a short period of use straightens right out. The subtle performed ear guides are a nice touch and keep the cable in place behind your ear, even under heavy activity. Further down the cable is a chin cinch added in the style of high end custom earphones; a piece of tubing. I don’t get why this is so popular as it really takes away from the premium look and feel of the cable in my opinion. That said, it works well so I really can’t complain. Lastly we work our way down to the 90 degree angled jack. It’s crafted from a combination of dense rubber and metal and is quite compact. It has decent strain relief too, though a touch on the stiff side. This jack should be compact enough to fit in all but the most beefy of cell phone and player cases.

The mobile option is more of the same but trades up the braided cable for a more traditional one. I don’t know what it is about this cable, but I absolutely love the way it feels. It’s pretty flexible with a touch of stiffness to it that really helps with tangle resistance. Microphonics are minimal, strain relief is improved at the y-split and jack when compared to the braided cable, and of course the inline remote is very convenient when using the EDC with my phone. Another big plus is that it retains these qualities in the cold whether we’re seeing right now in Ontario, something I find quite problematic with most earphones. In the end it’s just a great experience using this cable, and I kinda wish you were given a choice; braided cable and traditional cable w/ remote, or the same traditional cable with and without a remote. This wish is also helped along by the fact I think it sounds better too.

I’m normally not one to swap cables for sound changes. I’m more shallow than that and make my choices almost exclusively based on looks, comfort, and durability. However, in the case of these two cables I do notice a change in sound. The braided cable must have a higher impedance as it requires notably more power to achieve the same listening volumes as the mobile cable. Even once you’re there, it sounds to my ears less exciting and somewhat dull. As much as I like the cable, I think it sucks the life out of the EDC so I hardly ever use it.

Dynamic driver earphones often give up some isolation to their balanced armature based counterparts. Be this due to the size and shape needed to accomodate a larger driver, or maybe ventilation in place for tuning or simply to prevent driver flex, whatever the reason they generally let in more sound. The EDC is completely sealed as far as I can tell. How NuForce managed to avoid driver flex I don’t know, but I am very happy about it. As a result of this sealed, low profile design the EDC isolates quite well, especially with foam tips. This would work just fine for commuting, or if you simply want to shut yourself out from the outside world.

Sound:

Tips: I experimented A LOT with different tips on the EDC, even trying some of the more creative tip mods found over on Head-fi. In the end, I always came back to the stock, preinstalled medium silicone tips. They seemed to provide the most consistent and pleasant experience. The foams tips were great for traveling, but they added additional focus to the low end which hindered the EDC’s comparatively neutral signature. Stock all the way for me, sorry.

In the past I’ve said that I like microdrivers more than any other driver type because they offer the best of both worlds. You get most of the speed and detail of a balanced armature with most of the low end qualities of a larger dynamic. Over the years I’ve gotten to listen to a swath of earphones that use these two driver types in a variety of configurations, and for the most part the EDC supports my theory.

Despite the excellent extension of this earphone’s little microdriver, I’d be hard pressed to belive anyone if they called it bright. The EDC’s treble is clear and prominent, but fairly reserved and free of any uncomfortable peaks. Attack and decay is quick yet natural, but I would prefer if they had a slight peak in the brilliance region as they lack some of the shimmer and sparkle that makes other earphones more vibrant and entertaining. That said, I think NuForce struck a smart balance here between prominance and long term listenability. That’s especially beneficial at higher volumes where these will likely be played if using them during every day activities. Overall clarity and detail in the treble is on par with what I would expect from a microdriver giving the EDC decent air to it’s top end.

The EDC’s mid-range is possibly my favorite aspect. It’s quite neutral in it’s presentation sitting about even with the treble and just behind the slightly elevated mid-bass. I really appreciate just how textured and evenly represented both male and female vocals are. Calyx’s vocals in Calyx & Teebee’s “Long Gone” are full of emotion and character with deeper notes resonating quite well. The same can be said for Sarah Barthel’s vocals on Big Gram’s “Fell in the Sun”. They’re just so sweet and smooth. Vocal-boased tracks are simply a pleasure with this earphone.

Moving into the low end, the EDC loses me a bit, but only because it’s bass performance at the volume I typically listen at is lacking. At low volumes the mid-bass focus is prominent, texturing is minimal, and overall they just sound and feel soft and slow. Feed them some power and volume and, oh my, what a difference. The EDC’s bass really kicks in and tightens up when you up the volume. The sub-bass rumble is there, grit is on full display on my favorite EDM tracks, and there is little to no bleed into the lower mids. I simply cannot listen very long at the volumes needed for this, meaning the rest of you who listen at normal volumes should enjoy what these bring to the table.

I find the EDC’s soundstage somewhat compact, but unlike most microdrivers which do either one of width or depth really well and the other kinda meh, the EDC has a nice rounded, balanced stage. Imagaing is tight and clear with smooth, layered trasitions between channels. Separation is good, though the limited staging does detract from this on particularly congested or busy tracks like King Crimson’s “Starless and Bible Black”. Nothing to write home about here.

Overall I find a lot to like about the EDC’s sound. It’s an entertaining and fairly reserved tune that due to the mild mid-bass hump ends up working really well in a busy and noisy environment. I find it quite complimentary to the other positive aspects of this product, and fully in line with what I would want from a competent daily driver.

Select Comparisons:

JVC HA-FXH30 (~50.00 USD): Since August 2015, the FXH30 has been my top dog microdriver and one of my favorite earphones of all time. Those lofty positions are held due to it’s unique design and the sonic qualities of it’s tip-mounted 5.8mm, titanium-coated microdriver.

Compared to the vibrant FXH30, the EDC’s signature is much closer to neutral and places it’s focus on a more balanced sound. The FXH30 is brighter, more detailed, and it’s bass digs way deeper. It’s also noticably faster top to bottom and is more accurate in terms of imaging qualities. The FXH30 can be tiring to listen to though as it’s has gobs of shimmer and sparkle to the treble. The EDC’s soundstage isn’t as deep and doesn’t throw sounds as far as the FXH30, but it’s more evenly represented and sounds more whole. In general I feel the FXH30 is a couple steps up in terms of overall sound quality, namely due to it’s speed and technical prowess, but as a daily driver the EDC is better.

The EDC’s isolation is notable more effective than the FXH30’s which is reduced by the ample ventilation in the aluminum top plate of it’s housing. The EDC is also more ergonomic with it’s low profile, cable-over-ear design and as a result is better suited to high movement. The fixed cable of the FXH30 is also a negative, even if it is a very nice cable. I think the FXH30 looks a lot more interesting, however. It’s odd shape, rubber protrusion, and contrasting colors simply make it more engaging on a visual level.

Meze 11 Neo (59.99 USD): I picked the 11 Neo as Meze’s top in-ear because when compared to the 12 Classics, it gave up little in terms of sound quality, had a more durable all-metal shell, and cost 20 USD less. It certainly makes for an interesting comparison with the EDC because the cost the same, they both have an inline mic and single-button remote, and they’re both very well-contructed. That said, the Meze has a few qualities to it that clearly make the EDC the better daily driver; a fixed cable and horrendous microphonics. Mostly due to the microphonics, the 11 Neo is relegated to stationary at-home use.

In terms of sound they are much more of an even match with the 11 Neo taking the edge. Meze’s offering is more detailed with better treble energy yet it retains great long term listenability. It also has a more prominent and forward mid-range, and slightly better bass extension and punch with less mid-bass emphasis. They both have a good, but not great soundstage with equivalent imaging, layering, and separation qualities. The 11 Neo sounds better to my ear, though not by a huge margin.

If the Meze wasn’t saddled with a cable that loved transmitting annoying noises as much as that glorious sound, I’d happily choose it over the EDC. However, until they swap out that cable it’ll only see use in the comfort of my home.

Final Thoughts:

As a daily driver, the EDC makes for a great companion. For 60 USD you’re getting a versatile and durable product with two great cables and lots of quality accessories, though NuForce really needs to address how that case is constructed. While the EDC’s sonic performance isn’t quite as impressive as some of the competition, it’s no slouch, treating listeners to a refined and smooth signature that is non-fatiguing and near-perfect in it’s role as an ‘Every Day Carry’. Add to that a very comfy low profile design and impressive isolation and the EDC is a well-rounded package.

While they’re not the best sounding earphone in their class, I have absolutely no issues recommending these to anyone looking for a reliable all-rounder to take with them on their daily travels. They do pretty much everything well. Nuforce and Massdrop have themselves a content customer.

Thanks for reading!

– B9Scrambler

(If you enjoyed this review, there are lots more just like it over on The Contraptionist.)


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

Today we're checking out the Aurora from Rose, an earphone which I have been using regularly since it was sent over sometime during the summer months.

The Aurora, unlike many of Rose's other products, is a humble single dynamic-driver based in-ear. The 9.8mm found inside this unassuming earphone is coated in titanium and falls into what I would consider basshead territory with an abundant low end. This sound signature and the fairly generic shell remind me strongly of an earphone I experienced last year that I thought was good, but overpriced for what it did. Where the Aurora's sonic performance is a modest step up, it's the rest of the experience that makes the 69.00 USD asking price stomachable. Let's take a closer look shall we.

Disclaimer:

The Aurora was sent to me free of charge for the purposes of review on behalf of Rose and Penon Audio. The thoughts within are my own and do not represent anyone but myself. There was no financial incentive provided to write this review, nor was there any expectation set for positive coverage.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the Aurora was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, Walnut V2s, or Shanling M1. The Walnut F1 also made it's way into the rotation at times, even though the Aurora in no way needs to be amped.

Specifications:

• Impedance:18Ω
• Headphone sensitivity: 112db/mW
• Frequency range: 10-24000Hz

Packaging and Accessories:

The Aurora's packaging is simple and unassuming, with some classy touches here and there. The main section of the case is composed of stiff cardboard with a black wrapping that contains the Rose branding. The exterior sheath which only wraps around a small portion of the box has Aurora printed in cursive, and notification that it was design by Rose Technology. The rear of the sheath in massive writing says 'Made in China'. Most companies hide that in the bottom corner somewhere as if they are ashamed. Not Rose, and they shouldn't. The Aurora is a nice product.

Sliding off the sheath and lifting the lid of the box reveals a clean presentation with the Aurora ear pieces set within some foam cutouts, and a plethora of accessories. In all you get;

• Aurora earphones
• 5N high purity oxygen-free copper cable (MMCX termination)
• Pelican style hard case (just like the one you get with the Masya and Mojito)
• soft carrying bag
• four pairs of single flange tips (2 x large, 2 x small)
• one pair of medium bi-flange tips
• one pair of foam tips
• shirt clip

The presentation is overall quite nice with the accessories all clearly laid out and visible. The only aspect that really detracts from the experience is the foam which in some places looks like it was cut with a pair of scissors while blindfolded. Excusable given it's not really all that important and Rose to my knowledge, is a very small company.

Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

The Aurora might look familiar and for good reason. This housing is about as generic as it comes. Offhand I can name a handful of earphones that use the same one; Rhapsodio Clipper, QKZ W6 Pro, and the Kinera BD005. I know there are many more out there too. That said, the use of this housing isn't a bad thing. The plastics, while not overly premium looking or feeling, are thick and dense with good resistance to scratching and damage, though I know the Rose logo will wear off in time. The nozzle lacks a lip which I always find irritating but at least the fine metal grills protecting the drivers are neatly in place. Just behind the tip at the base of the nozzle is a ventilation hole which ensures there is no driver flex, a huge issue on the Clipper and W6 Pro, neither of which were ventilated.

The cable is quite nice with a durable sheath that is reinforced with threading. Microphonics are minimal and so is memory. Tangle resistance is also a strong point, though the built in ear guides nullify that benefit somewhat. The ear guides are pre-formed as opposed to the more common memory wire which I consider a plus, especially as the shape Rose chose keep the cable tight to your ear and out of the way. The shape Brainwavz uses on the B100 and B150 still feels better, but Rose did a good job here. Also well done is the metal straight jack which is well relieved and slender enough to be compatible with most cellphone and player cases. The y-split is less impressive,if only because there is no strain relief. Still, it looks nice and feels good in hand with it's finely cut knurling. The plugs for the MMCX connectors are a simple, soft plastic affair but they're easy enough to grip and plug in with a solid click. They let the ear pieces spin in place, but are not so loose that it's either annoying or worrisome for short term durability.

Comfort I found quite fine given the housings are extremely light and the profile quite minimal. Ergonomics were more of an issue for me making the Aurora very tip dependent. Without the right tips I spent way too much time fiddling around trying to get a good seal. Based on impressions from others using earphones with the same housings, I seem to be in the minority. I suspect most will enjoy the fit of the Aurora.

Lastly, these were advertised as having up to 26dB of isolation. I don't know where they came up with that measurement, but no way in heck was I getting anywhere near 26dB of sound suppression, even with foams installed. That's active ANC levels of isolation. I'd put the Aurora below average for a vented dynamic, mostly down to the shallow fit. I had no issues holding conversations with others with them inserted and music off. Even with my music playing people could be hear chatting around me, cars, myself typing, etc. I personally would not recommend these if isolation is a key factor in your purchase.

Overall the Rose Aurora's build is what I would consider acceptable. The housings are generic and lack a premium air to them, though they seem to be quite durable. The cable is quite good with many positive properties. Comfort is fine once you can get a good fit, something I find challenging with this housing. Lastly, isolation is pretty mediocre and the Aurora let's in lost of noise.

Sound:

Tips: Due to the issues I have with fit with this design, tip selection was limited. Wide bore options like those included with the Clipper paired really well and gave the Aurora some extra love in the upper regions. Small bore tips like Sony Hybrids increased mid-bass more than I like. The stock tips were also nice, but fell second to the Clipper's tips.

The Aurora's tune is quite safe and should appease a wide variety of listeners. They're quite warm and smooth with an elevated low end, slightly recessed mid-range, and lightly rolled off treble. This tune makes them excellent for modern recordings, EDM, and classic rock. They also truly excell over long term listening sessions. I had no problem lying back and running through the entirely of 'Tweekend', 'Dark Side of the Moon', 'Crime of the Century', and '21st Century Schizoid Man' back-to-back over the course of my workday.

While the treble rolls off at the top, extension up to that point is decent letting the Aurora show some sparkle when called for in a track. It avoids any sharpness or aggression like a lot of budget hybrids in this price bracket, and to my ears ends up being quite organic and easy going. It's also very well controlled avoiding any splash or sibilance which when backed by good clarity and separation gives the Aurora an airy feel to it. It's a n odd combination of qualities for a warmer sounding earphone, but it works in it's favour.

The Aurora's mid-range is quite coloured with a warmth to it that I found beneficial with female vocals and softer male vocals. Guitars lack some bite and grit, but the rest of the signature doesn't really play to that sound anyway. This mid-range has a pleasant weight and thickness to it too, even if it's recessed ever so slightly. Overall clarity is good, though some of the finer details are smoothed over.

The Aurora's low end is a real treat with what feels like endless extension and a hefty mid-bass punch to back it up. I do wish there was a little more emphasis placed on that textured and visceral sub-bass, but as-is it's still pretty damn addictive. I found myself hunting down drum and bass tracks with long, grungy basslines just to feel and hear this earphone rumble my ear drums.

Like other earphones that use this housing, I found the Aurora to have an fairly even and above average soundstage giving strong impressions or width and depth. This is always welcome with bassy tunes as lingering basslines tend to trail off into the distance and background vocalists feel like they're singing on a different plane. Imaging is strong too, with clear transitions between channels and no particularly vague areas. I wouldn't use these for gaming or anything, but for music it's plenty adequate.

Overall the Aurora's tune is quite pleasing. It's smooth presentation and deep bass that doesn't bleed into and overwhelm the mid-range, combined with a spacious sound stage and mellow treble, brings a smile to my face.

Select Comparisons:

(Volumes matched as best I could using Dayton Audio’s iMM-6 calibrated mic and Audio Tool for Android.)

Rhapsodio Clipper (55.00 USD): The Clipper was one of my favorite earphones of 2016 but ended up being a hard recommendation for a few reasons. The QKZ W1 Pro matched it feature for feature and had a similar accessory kit, in addition to sounding almost as good. What's so bad about that? The W1 Pro could be found for well under 10 USD. While I loved the Clipper and still think it's bass is some of the best in the business at the price, it felt lacking in value at 55.00 USD, especially when it came with nothing but three sets of tips and a generic case you can often find on AliExpress for under a dollar.

That's where the Aurora comes in. It is pretty much everything I wanted the Clipper to be. It has a complete and well-rounded accessory kit. The housings are ventilated negating all driver flex, one of my primary complaints about the Clipper. It's also tuned almost exactly the same but greatly improves on the Clipper's treble quality. The Aurora trades a smidge of sub-bass for mid-bass, but the steps forward in tuning elsewhere easily makes up for this. My suggestion? If you want the Clipper, spend an extra 15 bucks and get the Aurora. It's a more refined and complete product.

Meze 12 Classics (79.00 USD): Meze needs no introduction, storming onto the scene with the 99 Classics full-sized headphones and following them up with the 11 Neo and 12 Classics in-ears. At 10 USD more than the Aurora, what makes the Classics so special?

To start, with their Walnut and gunmetal aluminum housings the 12 Classics are simply more premium and not by a small margin. In hand there is no comparison with the 12 Classics feeling much more expensive than a measly 10 USD. While I have some issues with Meze's cable (horrendous microphonics), it's thicker and more durable and with better strain relief to boot. The only downside is that it is fixed, unlike that on the Aurora which you can replace whenever you want. In the Aurora's favor, Rose equipped it with a more extensive and complete accessory kit.

While they have different signatures, the 12 Classics and Aurora are comparable on a technical level offering similar levels of detail. In the Meze's favour you have a more neutral signature with a clearer and more forward mid-range. It's sound stage is smaller but with more accurate imaging. On the Aurora's side you have that expansive sound stage and bass that digs deeper and is more visceral. Since they're about on par in terms of sound quality and only separated in pricing by 10 USD, build, design, value, and signature preference are the deciding factors. For me, the 12 Classics' build quality and design/comfort push me in it's direction.

Final Thoughts:

Even though it is no longer a new product, Rose's Aurora is a solid offering. With a warm and bassy signature that retains good detail and clarity, it should satisfy the needs of most modern listeners looking for an easy going, non-fatiguing earphone. Add to that some really nice accessories and a replaceable cable with a common MMCX connector and you've got yourself a decent value.

If Rose replaces or updates the Aurora, I hope they refine the packaging and presentation, and move to either a unique housing or at the very least one with better ergonomics. Improving isolation would also be a plus.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scramber

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

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

Today we are checking out the all new Lyra Collection earbud from Astrotec.

Astrotec isn't new to the audio scene and has been producing products in one form or another since 2004. When I was first getting into the hobby, they were one of the few companies producing affordable hybrids and unique flagship earbuds like the original triple-hybrid Lyra. The version of the Lyra we're reviewing today eschews the complicated triple driver setup of the older model and takes things back to basics with a single, expertly tuned 15mm dynamic. This earbud's crisp, detailed sound and luxurious build quality more than warrant the 300 USD price tag Astrotec has attached to it. It is a premium experience from start to finish.

Disclaimer:

A big thanks to Astrotec for reaching out to see if I would be interested in reviewing the Lyra and for arranging a complimentary review sample. The thoughts within this review are my own and are not representative of Astrotec or any other entity. There was no financial incentive for writing this and I was given free reign to share my honest opinion.

https://www.astrotecglobal.com/lyra-collection

https://www.facebook.com/astrotecaudio/

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer unique examples of signatures I enjoy.

Source:

For at home use the Lyra was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, HiFiMan MegaMini, or Shanling M1. The Walnut F1 also made it's way into the rotation at times. While this version (32 ohms) of the Lyra is pretty easy to drive, I found it more dynamic and lively when amped and as a result it was at it's best paired with the TEAC and Walnut.

Specifications:

• Driver: 15mm dynamic
• Impedance: 32 ohm
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-40kHz
• Sensitivity: 108dB/1mW

Packaging and Accessories:

The packaging has a luxurious air to it's design starting with the exterior sleeve which features a simplistic gray and white colour scheme and wire frame image of the Lyra on the front. Text advising this is a 'Lyra Collection earbud' is written in cursive, a style of writing that sadly seems to be fading away. In the bottom left corner and sticking out due to it's bold yellow and black colouring is an official 'Hi-Res Audio' certification logo, earned though the Lyra's wide frequency response of 15 Hz – 40 Khz. Flipping to the back of the sleeve nets you discussion of some of the Lyra's features and a specification list. Some notable features are Astrotec's use of a special filter module that utilizes micro beads to purify “unpleasant frequencies and suppress internal reflection.” The cable is also not only drop dead gorgeous, but is also a quality piece fusing 6N crystal copper and silver plated copper cores, 8 cores in total, into a braided masterpiece of construction. This cable screams quality with it's only downfall being that it is permanently affixed to the Lyra, something that will undoubtedly be a deal-killer for some potential buyers.

Removing the exterior sheath reveals a plain textured gray box, adorned only with the Astrotec brand name. Cut the security seal and flip back the magnetic flap and behold, another slip of cardboard. This one thanks you for choosing the brand;

“Thank you for choosing Astrotec and we hope you enjoy the listening experience.”

Underneath this final insert you are presented with the Lyra itself, safely nestled within a foam pad. Below is Astrotec's premium protein leather earphone case which gives Campfire Audio's gorgeous case a run for it's money. In general the construction of Astrotec's case is quite good with cleanly stitched lines and a lid which clasps securely closed via a fairly strong hidden magnet. The remainder of the accessories are tucked into a cardboard enclosure neatly hidden beneath the foam pad. It's a pretty comprehensive accessory kit too, giving you plenty of opportunity to secure an ideal fit;

• 3 pairs of foams (1 solid, 2 donut)
• 1 pair of silicone ear guides
• 3 pairs of silicone ear fins (s/m/l)
• leather cable strap
• airplane adapter

The airplane adapter is a somewhat odd inclusion in my opinion. Being the Lyra is an earbud, it does not isolate at all and as a result using it in such a loud environment would net a severely compromised listening experience. The volumes you'd likely need to listen at would also mean sound would be bleeding into you environment. I'm sure your music is fantastic, but guaranteed not everyone around you will be in the mood for it.

Build Quality and Comfort:

As already mentioned, the cable on this thing is glorious. Not only is it perfectly braided and with contrasting silver and copper cores that make it very nice to look at, nearly everything else impresses too. First of all, microphonics are basically non-existent regardless of whether you choose to wear the Lyra cable up or down; either orientation works perfectly well by the way. Despite it being fairly thick with it's eight individual cores, it's extremely supple and flexible. Strain relief is excellent too, well, everywhere but the y-split that is. There you get a very effective chin cinch instead of strain relief.

This impressive build continues to the ear pieces themselves which are all metal, painted in a soft blue and accented tastefully in black and silver. There were some glue artifacts left over from the manufacturing process, but once that was easily wiped off with a smooth swipe of my finger some top tier fit and finish shone through. Gaps between parts are nonexistent and everything fits together with precision and accuracy. I especially love the attention to detail paid to the grills covering the back and driver. The rear grill is made up of finely pebbled metal that really gives the Lyra a unique aesthetic. The front grill does much of the same with the vents made up of a series of small + signs. I fully expect both of these areas to be dirt magnets and tough to clean without a small brush, but really, who cares when it looks this good?

In terms of comfort, the Lyra offers up pretty much what you'd expect from the earbud form factor. The 15mm driver means it has a wide and fairly deep footprint, though it's not quite as thick as other buds like the OURART Ti7 or Penon BS1. They fit me well and I find them stable and easy to wear over long periods. The Masya and Mojito from Rose are better for me in terms of comfort, but those earbud's unique design seems to be somewhat divisive in terms of fit.
Sound Quality:

The Lyra sounds about as good as it looks too. With a treble and mid-range focused signature that leans towards a thinner presentation and is rife with detail, it makes for a truly impressive listen. It's upper end is very well extended, as you would expect from a 40KHz rating, with no apparent roll off. Yet, somehow they're non-fatiguing. It's not overly sharp or aggressive, nor dull and lacking energy. It's also a very tight and well-controlled presentation that I found very helpful with quick cymbal work and busy orchestral pieces. I've been using these a fair bit with film as well as game and movie soundtracks as of late. The control combined with a high level of layering the separation means every aspect of a track remains coherent.

The Lyra's mid-range has a mild touch of warmth to it which combined with a forward nature gives it a very emotionally engaging presentation. On tracks like “Touch” from Daft Punk, Paul William's vocal performance shines and allows you to paint a picture or a robot remembering what it was like to feel, or whatever your personal interpretation of the lyrics happens to be. On “The Girl is Mine” by Michael Jackson, his back and forth banter with Paul McCartney has a playful and genuine feel to it that is simply lacking through many headphones. Instruments have a weightiness to them as well that is especially apparent as you transition down into the lower mids. This carries over into vocals too with exceptionally deep notes reverberating beautifully.

The Lyra's low end varies greatly in quantity depending on whether you're running the Lyra free of foams entirely, with donuts, or with full foams. As you would imagine, foam-free nets the least bass presence and to my ears restricts extension slightly. Running them with donuts is my preferred method. It does not affect treble or mid-range presence and raises mid- and sub-bass quantities to be more or less in line with the rest of the signature. Full foams warms up the Lyra, increases mid-bass presence a touch more, and slightly reduces detail and clarity. Regardless of the foams you choose, or if you prefer to roll with none at all, the Lyra's bass is extremely nimble and punchy with awesome texturing.

As you would expect from a open back earbud with additional and ample ventilation around the base of the housing, the sound stage is fantastic. I often find myself saying this a lot when reviewing earbuds, but music coming through the Lyra really does have a headphone-like presence to it. It feels open and airy with sounds travelling around in a vast space. Unlike other products with a great sound stage, the Lyra's imaging is actually quite accurate. Add to that positional accuracy some impressive layering, separation and overall depth and you've got yourself a very immersive earbud.

vs. Rose Mojito

In a vacuum the Lyra is a wonderful experience, but how does it sound when you start introducing competition such as Rose's Mojito? Pretty darn well actually. If you've read my review of the Mojito you'll know it's one of the best products I've covered this year. While the Lyra takes a very different approach to the TOTL earbud world, they both sit content at the top of the heap.

In terms of style and build the Lyra is pretty much untouchable. The Mojito's 3D printed plastic housings with pasted on Rose logo plate simply feels cheap in comparison. Durable and perfectly functional, but cheap. The Mojito's stock cable feels like a DIY inclusion (and looks it too upon close inspection) and cannot compare except for the fact that it is removable. It's noisier, has poor fit and finish, and lots of memory and microphonics. The upgraded cable is a much better comparison for the Lyra's, though it still doesn't feel quite as premium.

In terms of sound the Mojito, with it's dual dynamics (10mm + 15.4mm), offers a warmer, thicker and more lush experience than the Lyra's single 15mm dynamic. The Lyra's mid-bass, even with full foams, is less present. Treble clarity and micro-details are in the Lyra's favour, along with overall control. The Mojito's treble is far from splashy, but it lacks the tightness of the Lyra. In terms of mid-range, both are more or less equals. The Lyra has a slightly larger sound stage with more precise imaging, but the Mojito gives a better impression of depth and makes improvements in overall layering and separation. Dual drivers at work?

Choosing between the two comes purely down to preference I feel. If you like a more crisp and detailed sound with a treble and mid-range focus that's supported by a massive sound stage and killer build quality, go for the Lyra. If you want a bit more meat to the low end and a thicker, more lush sound with improved technical prowess, go with the Mojito. I also find the Mojito more comfortable than any other earbud (except the Masya...same housing) but fit is very personal so that might mean nothing for you. Either way, they're both TOTL earbuds and they certainly sound like it.

Final Thoughts:

Handing someone the Lyra and telling them they're holding a 300 USD earbud more or less nets a gasp of disbelief and them questioning why anyone would spend so much on “this”, proceeding to dangle the Lyra mockingly in your face. You show them the packaging and premium accessories. You let them hear it. Then you hand them their headphones and tell them to take a listen to let you know which is better. A smile crosses their face and they hand back the Lyra with the statement, “Those have no bass and they're too quiet.”

The point of my little story is that these are not for your average Joe. Premium headphones and audio products are a hard sell to a regular consumer at the best of times. The Lyra is for someone that truly appreciates their music and the finer details a quality product can pull from it. It's for someone who doesn't mind spending that little extra to feel like they're getting something special, even if few around them will know what it is or appreciate it like you do. This will only be a statement piece among your inner audiophile circle, and maybe to those that appreciate a piece of electronic art when they see one.

If you're in the market for a premium earbud, definitely give the Lyra some consideration. It might also be good for those that was a detailed portable that has the sound of a headphone with the portability of an iem. As long as you don't mind sacrificing isolation, earbuds kinda offer the best of both worlds.

Thanks for reading, and thank you once again to Astrotec for the opportunity to review this gorgeous new product.

- B9Scrambler

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

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock - Skelethon (Album)

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (Album)

Elton John - Yellow Golden Brick Road (Album)

King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (Album)

King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp - Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom - Converting Vegetarians (Album)

Infected Mushroom - Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack - Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac - Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco - screw*d Up Friends (Album)

Felt - Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bone) (Album)

Greetings,

Today we're checking out the HE 150Pro, an inexpensive 150Ω earbud.

The earbud renaissance is still in full swing. The market is being inundated with many, many options and just as it has gotten quite difficult to pick your first hybrid, it's a challenge to decide which earbud to go for. There are simply too many options, many of which share shells, specifications, and price.

While I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a newbie in the earbud world at this point, I haven't quite experienced the same variety as other established members of this hobby like bloodypenguin or ClieOS. Still, with what experience I do have I'd happily recommend the HE 150Pro as a fantastic starting point. Why is that? That's why you're here, so let's check it out in greater detail.

Disclaimer:

The HE 150Pro was sent over free of charge in exchange for a fair and impartial review. There was no financial incentive provided to write this. The opinions within this review are my own and do not represent HE, Penon Audio, or any other entity.

At the time of writing, the 150Pro could be ordered here; https://penonaudio.com/HE-150PRO

Source:

For at home use the 150Pro was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp. I also used it straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop which worked just fine despite the high impedance. For portable use it was paired with my LG G5 or Shanling M1, both of which brought it up to listening volume without any effort or amping required. I also ran it though the Walnut F1 which served to remove some of the warmth and improve low end punch.

Personal Preferences:

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

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 103dB / mW
• Headphones sound principle: Dynamic driver
• Impedance: 150Ω
• Frequency response range: 20-20000Hz

Packaging and Accessories:

The HE 150Pro's packaging is about as simple and basic as it gets. They arrive in a small cardboard box with a large black and white sticker on it announcing the brand and model. Flipping open the lid reveals a generic clam shell carrying case and a small black cardboard box for the accessories which are also fairly basic. In all you get;

• HE 150Pro ear buds
• clam shell carrying case
• two pairs of solid foams
• two pairs of donut foams

Not much more to say here. What's included is straightforward and functional with little in the way of flash or frills.

Build and Comfort:

While many budget ear buds use a generic plastic shell, such as that from Sennheiser's classic MX500 or one of Yuin's more stylish designs, the HE 150Pro goes with one that is somewhat less common though I have seen it around and used by other brands like TY. The main body is all metal, likely an alloy of some description, with a large open metal grill on the back. The front plate is also metal, held in place by a ring of dense plastic. There are a few embellishments like the HE logo and some silver rings etched around the stems where the cables connect, but other than that they're very simple and unassuming.

The cable is really quite nice for the price with four strands tightly braided up to the y-split where it divides into two strands per side. Looking at older reviews of this model, it seems there may have been some changes made to the jack and y-split. The well-relieved 90 degree angled jack and rubberized y-splits have been replaced with a slender straight jack and relief-free metal y-split. Strain relief is lacking leading up into the housings too, which has me worrying somewhat about long term durability. Still, this is a relatively inexpensive ear bud and these changes may have been necessary to address cost or QC concerns, so I can forgive such alterations. The sheath is dense enough to support itself so the lack of acceptable strain relief isn't as much of an issue as it would otherwise be, and other positive qualities like strong memory and tangle resistance are present. It's a good cable for the price.

When it comes to comfort the HE 150Pro is a typical ear bud. It's either going to fit you well or it won't. The drivers are quite large resulting in the face being about 17mm wide and 4mm deep before the housing starts to taper in. That early taper does help with fitment in my experience and as a result the 150Pro sits in place more securely than something like the Penon BS1 or OurART Ti7, both of which are a little thick and pudgy.

Overall the HE 150Pro feels like a durable product with a good cable attached to. I would love to see future revisions add better strain relief for improved longevity, particularly leading into the housings, but as is they still feel like they'll last a while. Comfort is pretty good for me, but ear buds seem to be even more personal than iems in this regard. If you've had fitment issues in the past with ear buds, the 150Pro probably won't be any different.

Sound:

Foams: The 150Pro is pretty bassy for an ear bud and as a result I found foams to make a more significant difference here than on most other ear buds I've tried. For me personally, I found them best naked or with the donuts installed. With the full foams the 150Pro comes across overly thick to my ears, especially in the mid-range and mid-bass. The donuts ended up being my preference as they maintained the treble presence and improved bass prominence when listening in less quiet areas. While relaxing at home in the quiet of my apartment, the 150Pro sounded at it's best naked where it's presentation was more even.

With the exception of the Rose Mojito, I can pretty confidently say that the HE 150Pro is one of the most coherent and complete sounding ear buds I've come across. It takes on a mild u-shaped signature instead of the usual mid-focused or treble/mid heavy lean that ear buds seem to be best known for.

The He 150Pro's low end is very robust and full-figured for an ear bud, extending well beyond what I've come to expect in terms of sub-bass presence. The large drivers move enough air to really feel it, especially on EDM tracks like The Crystal Method's “Name of the Game [Hybrid's LA Blackout Remix]”. This combined with a prominent and punchy mid-bass makes the 150Pro quite appropriate as a daily driver, able to mostly overcome the usual loss of bass many earphones and headphones experience when used out in public.

While ever so slightly recessed, the 150Pro's mid-range remains coherent and well-defined with a truthful tonality to it. Male vocals have some weight and gruffness to them which combined with the buffed low end make this an awesome bud for rap, hip hop, and reggae metal (Skindred anyone?). Aesop Rock's “Daylight EP” and his crossover album with Rob Sonic, “Hail Mary Mallon”, really shine. Female vocals are well-represented too having a natural warmth and silkiness to them that's really apparent on tracks like “Run For Your Life” by Big Grams.

When it comes to the top end the 150Pro extends well and in a controlled nature. They are lacking a bit of sparkle though, so cymbals are missing some of the shimmery decay you would expect. There is also a mild metallic edge present on some tracks. This presentation is a double-edged sword. It's not the most realistic sounding treble but it does give the 150Pro some impressive long term listenability. Since I found this ear bud best for casual daily use, that's an acceptable trade off.

One aspect I found particularly well done on the 150Pro was it's sound stage. The open back nature of the housings combined with the lack of seal inherent to the ear bud design gives it a very open presentation with a distinct out of head feel. This expansive nature does hinder imaging accuracy somewhat, but given the price and performance on tap vs. competing products, it's perfectly acceptable. Layering and separation are also quite decent with the 150Pro avoiding any congestion, even on busy tracks like King Crimson's “Starless and Bible Black”.

General detail retrieval is quite good, particularly in the mid-bass and bass regions. Detail in the treble regions tapers off slightly, with finer nuances being smoothed over or obscured. Texturing is phenomenal in the bass and mid-range which is heavily emphasized on guitars and gruff vocals.

Overall the HE 150Pro is a unique sounding bud, at least compared to those others in my possession. It's low end is prominent and powerful with very good extension. The mid-range, while set back a notch, retains a lush and commanding presence. The HE 150Pro's treble is to my ears the weakest aspect if only because it doesn't do anything particularly special. It's purely average there. Lastly, the large staging and great layering and separation really serve to surround you with your tunes.

Select Comparisons:

Penon BS1 (39.00 USD): The BS1 has been my go to ear bud since I reviewed it back in June. It's build quality is excellent and it uses one of my favorite cables of all time. While the 150Pro is a solid ear bud, the BS1 simply looks and feels that much more premium. In terms of sound, they're comparable though for different reasons. I found the BS1 a treble/mid focused ear bud with great clarity and detail. The 150Pro is a more mid/bass focused bud with impressive texture in those regions. They compliment each other quite well with the BS1 being my pick for in-home critical listening, and the 150Pro being my pick for everything else. I also find them equally comfortable, though the 150Pro's slightly less thick body might help some achieve a more secure fit.

OURART Ti7 (59.00 USD): The Ti7 performs well enough but falls short of the HE 150Pro to my ears. With a thick sound and a heavy mid-range focus, the Ti7 gives up clarity and detail. It also lacks in end to end extension but takes back some ground with a comparably grand sound stage and more accurate imaging. While the Ti7 isn't the best sounding, it earns it's keep with it's rock solid build quality and unique design, but of which are a clear step up from the humble and plain HE 150Pro. It's the most durable and stylish ear bud of the bunch and with MMCX removable cable is the most versatile too.

Rose Mojito (259.00 USD): The Mojito is a truly impressive flagship. It's an energetic ear bud with a very full, close to neutral signature, all backed by a massive sound stage that makes it a joy to listen to. While the 150Pro lacks the frequency balance and raw technical performance, it shares some key aspects and gives me a similar overall experience at a fraction of the price. Like the Mojito, it has a very full presentation with a proper low end that doesn't feel lacking, a clear mid-range, and tight treble. The Mojito is brighter and notably more detailed with a more prominent mid-range, but the 150Pro doesn't embarrass itself when listening to the two back-to-back.

Final Thoughts:

After spending a couple weeks with the HE 150Pro, it is an ear bud I'd happily recommend to headphone and iem users interested in trying out this style of product. It's in no way lacking low end with a level of sub-bass prominence you just don't get very often with ear buds. That feature right there puts it ahead of most of the competition for me. In addition to that killer quality you also get a lush and textured mid-range. The large sound stage is welcome too and should certainly satisfy headphone users that detest the comparatively congested presentation of an iem. The HE 150Pro for me really is the best of both worlds, minus isolation which is non-existent.

Still, if you're thinking of trying out an ear bud, don't want to spend a ton, and refuse to give up a proper bass presentation, the HE 150Pro should be right up there near the top of your list.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
Skindred – Roots Rock Riot (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Community Service (Album)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings,

Today we’re taking a brief look at the YSP04 from BGVP. The brilliance of the naming schemes for products from this company continues to escape me…

The YSP04 features a 10.2mm nano-titanium crystal composite diaphragm which is mounted transversely within CNC machined metal housings out of which extend a 32 strand, double shielded OFC copper cable. Sounds impressive doesn’t it? Does it all come together to produce a good sounding earphone worthy of your hard-earn dollar? Well, sort of.

Disclaimer:

The YSP04 was purchased at a discounted rate for the purposes of review. The thoughts within are my own and do not represent BGVP, Penon, or any other entity. There has been no financial incentive put forth for writing this.

At the time of this review the YSP04 could be picked up for 19.50 USD: https://penonaudio.com/BGVP-SIDY-all-model/BGVP-YSP04

Source:

For at home use the YSP04 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, HiFi E.T. MA8, Walnut V2s or Shanling M1, all of which brought it up to listening volume without any effort. I enjoyed running it through the Walnut F1 which lowered the absurd mid-bass quantity.

Personal Preferences:

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

Specifications:

Sensitivity: ≥110dB

Frequency Response: 13-23000Hz

Drivers: 10.2mm titanium crystal composite diaphragm dynamic driver

Impedance: 18Ω

Maximum power: 15mW

Packaging and Accessories:

One thing BGVP does quite well is offer up their headphones in a nice package, and support it with a strong accessory kit. The YSP04 is a good example of this arriving in a small case about the size of a watch box. The exterior sleeve which can be easily removed features the BGVP logo on the front and a sticker on the back with the YSP04’s specifications.

Sliding off the sleeve and lifting the lid reveals the earphones displayed in a foam cutout, much as you would expect had BGVP been selling you a watch instead. Lifting out the foam insert reveals the cable neatly wrapped, and a pile of accessories;

• felt-lined carrying bag
• black silicone tips (s/m/l)
• green silicone tips (s/m/l)
• orange silicone tips (s/m/l/)

While I appreciate that BGVP gives you a ton of spare tips, they’re all pretty much the same tip but in different colors. This means that if one set doesn’t fit your ears well, none of them will. Some variety in tip style is sorely needed in order to provide legitimate value to the quantity and give you options in getting the best possible seal. As is, they might as well have dropped to sets and included something else.

Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

Another area BGVP seems to excel in is build, something you immediately sense upon first picking up the YSP04. The feeling of quality puts much more expensive products to shame when you see how carefully machined and well-put together this earphone is. There’s no glue squeezing out between the component parts and nothing sits at an odd angle or with gaps here and there. The L and R indicators are printed and look very sharp, as does the YSP04 branding on the inside by one of two pin holes vents.

The excellent materials and build continues to the cable which is a standout among budget offerings. The sheath is very dense and durable with strong anti-tangle properties, no stickiness, and no bounciness. It does retain some memory meaning the original bends from when you first unpack the product stick around for a while, but that’s about the only real negative. Strain relief at the ear pieces and 45 degree angles jack is excellent, and the inclusion of a chin cinch is always welcome, even if movement is limited by the inline mic. Speaking of the mic, the module is a common one found on a few other products but it’s well built. The button clicks purposefully with a clear, tactile response and the mic sounds good on calls.

Despite the odd shape and sharp angles, the YSP04 is not an uncomfortable earphone. This is likely due in part to the light weight and stubby nozzle that protrudes straight out of the housing. At least for me, it ensures the earpiece doesn’t touch my ear at all, and sort of floats in place. If it didn’t do this, I could see the angles touching and causing hotspots which is something I suspect others users may experience..

When it comes to isolation I found the YSP04 well below average for a metal-shelled single dynamic, blocking out very little sound. When using this earphone outside, turning the volume up considerably more than I liked was a necessity to combat external noises like cars and voices. The sounds of my keyboard clacking while typing away was clearly audible too, even with music playing.

Overall the YSP04 is beautifully constructed with a unique design. Ergonomically it’s pretty decent, but isolation is well below average. It’s a fine earphone to use in quieter areas, especially since it doesn’t bleed a lot of noise, but it definitely won’t cut it for commuting.

Sound:

The YSP04 is characterized by a very warm, v-shaped signature skewed heavily towards the low end, backed by an expansive soundstage uncommon in this budget earphone.

The YSP04’s treble has a smooth, easy going presentation that is completely free of harshness or sibilance. It’s not particularly sparkly, though it has just enough emphasis to keep it from being dull. Despite not being overly prominent, it still gives a good sensation of space. Detail levels are okay at best with micro details being smoothed over. This is a good presentation for long term listening, not critical listening.

The mid-range is naturally toned with lots of warmth befitting female vocals greatly. Unfortunately, the mid-range is heavily recessed. That combined with a monster of a mid-bass hump means the lower mids are subject to heavy bleed and end up sounding veiled and overshadowed more often than not. It’s pretty disappointing as otherwise the mid-range is quite pleasant.

Bass on the YSP04 is a party piece. It’s big and bold, very much devoid of any form of technical prowess. The mid-bass hump is massive and combined with a reasonably sluggish response means it is a very boomy, one-note kind of presentation. Sub-bass extension is actually quite good, it’s just hard to hear or feel over that mid-bass lump. Texture is lacking too which further emphasizes that one-note feel. This is one of those cases where the presentation is simply too smooth.

To go along with that big bass is a big sound stage. These two qualities go together pretty well actually with basslines reverberating outwards away from your head as they diminish. It reminds me of when I uses to work as an Usher Supervisor at Paramount Canada’s Wonderland during their Kingswood Festivals, standing in front of the massive 8 driver loundspeakers while trying to keep idiots from climbing on the stage. Layering, imaging, and separation are all pretty average. In all honestly these qualities are better than they should be given how silky smooth the YSP04 makes everything.

Overall the YSP04 is just okay at best. If that mid-bass hump was toned down, a lot, it would make for a very pleasant listen. However, as is the bass overwhelms and overpowers the rest of the signature and diminishes all texture and detail under some one-note thumping. I was really hoping for more from these given how great they look and beautifully they’re built.

Select Comparisons:

BGVP BKYT MRY6 (~15.00 USD): The MRY6 and YSP04 make for an interesting comparison. From a physical standpoint I find the MRY6 vastly inferior. Sure, they’re just as well built and have a look that is just as unique, but from the perspective of ergonomics they’re just wrong. The broad housings and stubby nozzles mean none of the included tips actually fir the earphone properly, and if turning to third party tips your options are severely limited due to the nozzle length. Once you find something that works they’re about as comfortable as the YSP04. You’re given 9 pairs of tips though, none of which fit. That’s just wrong. The MRY6 is a nightmare ergonomically compared to the YSP04 if using it in it’s stock format.

In terms of sound, the YSP04 and MRY6 share their bass-heavy signatures with the MRY6 getting a number of tweaks that make it superior. It tones down the mid-bass hump (it’s still huge), dials in a bit more treble, brings forward the mids which means there is less bleed, and improves clarity top to bottom. Texturing is improved as well, and the already impressive sound stage is even larger. They’re very similar and I prefer the YSP04’s mid-range tonality, but the tweaks made to the MRY6 mean it the superior sonic performer.

Kinera BD005 (~25.00 USD): The BD005 is a nice budget hybrid that for the most part seems to have flown under the radar. If tasked with choosing between it and the YSP04, Kinera would be my choice.

The earpieces on BGVP’s offers are superior given the use of CNC machined metal and a unique design. The BD005 uses a generic plastic housing used by numerous other companies. I found both equally comfortable, preferring the Kinera’s more stable over-ear fit. Their cables use an identical sheath with the BD005 getting the win there due to the use of MMCX to make them detachable. Gotta give props to BGVP for including a chin cinch though; something the BD005 could use.

In terms of sound, the BD005 is a huge step up to my ears. It’s v-shaped signature has a better balance between bass, mid-range and treble without the low end stealing the show and masking everything else. It is notably more detailed and textured with more punch and definition to it’s bass presentation.

Final Thoughts:

BGVP nailed a number of aspects with the YSP04, but soared past the mark on the most important one; sound. It’s a fantastic looking product made from quality materials that are put together well, and the accessory kit is extensive though redundant. It’s also priced very well for what you get.

That said, while it’s treble and mid-range presentations are entirely pleasant, it is all hindered by an abundance of overemphasized mid-bass that drowns out everything else. It also doesn’t help that the YSP04’s signature is so smoothed over that this massive bass ends up one-note and lacking punch.

I am sure that there will be many out there that purchase these and enjoy the heck out of them, but in the grand scheme of things their sound is merely acceptable in the most basic sense of the word. At least they’re great to look at and well built, so you’ll surely get your money’s worth out of them in the long run.

Thanks for reading!

– B9Scrambler

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

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

Today we're taking a brief look at the Walnut F1, a stupidly powerful budget amplifier that has been more than capable of powering anything I've tossed it's way.

My first Walnut experience was with the V2S, a screenless DAP/AMP. Like the F1, it was powerful as all heck and was able to drive everything plugged into it. It too was inexpensive with a build that was more about being durable and functional than it was about eye candy.

The F1 is pretty much everything that the V2S was, but with the DAC removed, a 2.5mm balanced option installed, a cleaner sound and even more power. Let's take a closer look.

Disclaimer:

The Walnut F1 was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The thoughts within are my own and are not representative of Walnut, Penon Audio or any other entity. There is no financial incentive for writing this.

At the time of writing the F1 could be picked up for 29.90 USD: https://penonaudio.com/Walnut-F1

Specifications:

• Interface: 2.5mm balanced & 3.5mm output interfaces
• Output power: 300mW
• Operational Amplifier Chip: OPA2604
• Class: A
• Suitable For: 16 ohm-400 ohm
• SNR: 90dB
• Lithium battery capacity: 1500mAh
• Charging Interface: MICRO USB
• Power Supply: 24v @ 1A

Packaging and Accessories:

Walnut kept things simple with their packaging shipping the Walnut F1 in a brand-free cardboard box. The F1 is protected inside by some foam and wrapped in a plastic bag to prevent scratches should it rub against some of the other inclusions;

• a microUSB cable for charging
• a short auxiliary cable terminated in 90 degree angled 3.5mm plugs
• two silicone straps

It's all very basic but everything it well constructed and serves a legitimate purpose.

Build:

Like the V2s, the F1 has a simple build with an old school feel to it. The shell is entirely metal with the Walnut logo and some printing on the top stating the model and that you're holding a “Headset Power Amplifier”.

The front face contains the volume knob, the line in input, power out, and a 2.5mm balanced output. Unlike the V2s, the volume knob on the F1 moved smoothly out of the box. The metal knob itself is also of higher quality with cleanly cut knurling and is held in place by a small hex screw vs. the friction fit on the V2s which will be prone to loosening up over time.

The rear contains the power switch and a microUSB input for charging. There are also small cutouts for the orange charging and blue power LED indicators. For the longest time I thought the charging LED didn't work so I was thankful Penon noted the 2.5 hour charge time on their site. I was very careful to time the charging time of the F1 to prevent damage to the battery caused by overcharging. After a couple weeks of ownership, I knocked the unit off my desk while it was charging and noticed that the charging LED did in fact work, it just wasn't lined up with the cutout. The only way to see it was to flip the unit over (right side down) and look at it from a 45 degree angle. I'm assuming this will vary unit to unit.

Overall material quality is quite good, and fit and finish is decent keeping in mind the LED indicator issue. It's not a huge step up from the V2s, but the changes are significant enough and were made in the right areas to make it feel better all around. Holding the two at the same time, the F1 simply feels more dense and durable.

Battery Performance:

The Walnut F1 is rated at 2.5 hours for charging with a 4 to 5 hour run time. I'm not sure what the standby time is, but it's significantly longer than the V2s whose battery was more often than not dead when I went to use it after having set it aside for a few days. Not the case with the F1. These might not seem like impressive numbers and in the grand scheme of things they definitely are not. That said, given the demanding headphones and earphones this little device is capable of powering and the low price tag, I'm willing to accept the trade off.

For example, my older Topping NX1 absolutely destroys it in terms of battery life with a rated 100 hours of run time over a similar charge time. This 100 hour figure is one I absolutely believe considering I've only charged it a handful of times in the multiple years I've owned it. That said, even on high gain it is incapable of adequately powering headphones like the HiFiMan Susvara, and requires a much more notable twist of the dial to get the Havi B3 Pro I going, something the F1 can do with it's eyes closed while sitting on it's hands.

What I'm getting at is with the F1 you're choosing between power or stamina when opting to purchase it. It doesn't give you both. I found it's battery life perfectly adequate for day to day use, but can see it being a bit of an issue if you're planning to use it while travelling where you may not have ready access to a place to charge.

Sound Quality:

The F1 sounds to me a lot like the V2s: kinda bright, somewhat edgy and aggressive, and with a touch of grain to the upper mids and treble. The sound stage is open and airy which really helps out warmer and/or darker earphones and headphones like the Brainwavz M100 and thinksound TS03+mic. The brighter signature also helps to bring out finer details and improves overall clarity. Paired with brighter sounding products the F1 is not ideal as it exacerbates treble and upper mid-range peaks and can easily take an earphone from 'mostly right' to 'way too bright'. Such behaviour was noticed with earphones like the TFZ Exclusive 1 and Kinera H3.

Device Pairing:

I was expecting the pairing of the F1 with Walnut's own V2s to fail spectacularly given they're both brighter devices, but they actually work exceptionally well together. The clarity these two bring to the table, along with enough power to move the HiFiMan Susvara, should you be crazy enough to go mobile with such a product, makes them a formidable budget setup. For under 65 USD you have a portable unit that can rival and exceed some desktop setups in terms of driving output.

My preferred pairing was with the Shanling M1 which was ended up being compact enough to pocket, with a neutral and fairly smooth signature that paired well with any earphone or headphone I tried, even overly sensitive ones that I would have expected to pick up lots of background noise.

Quirks:

• When turning the device on, there is a loud pop. When turning the device off, there is a burst of static which moves from one channel to the other followed by another small pop.
• If you plug an earphone into the input quickly, there is loud burst of static; push it in slowly to avoid this.
• At low volumes there is a small channel imbalance; this and the above mentioned quirks only showed themselves after the device was charged for the first time (via my laptop USB)

I really wish none of these quirks were present. They're all pretty minor in the grand scheme of things and the F1 works fine, they just rub me the wrong way.

Final Thoughts:

If you're looking for a durable, inexpensive portable amplifier with a fairly clean sound and more than enough power to push hard-to-drive headphones, the Walnut F1 is a great option. If you place greater value on having a variety of features, a slim form factor, excellent battery life, or if your ear devices do not require a powerful source, this might not be the product for you.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

Greetings!

Today we're checking out Campfire Audio's newest hybrid earphone, the Polaris.

Campfire Audio is an American company out of Portland, Oregon. It is the brainchild of Ken Ball, CEO and founder of ALO Audio, a company renowned for their high end portable audio cables. While the Polaris is my introduction to the Campfire Audio brand, it's one I've been watching closely since they released their first earphones, the Jupiter, Orion, and Lyra in mid-2015.

What caught my eye, literally, was their unique design philosophy. It was unlike anything else on the market I had seen. The aggressive and edgy lines of the Jupiter and Orion were stunning with tons of detail, such as the visible screws holding on the outer face plate, and the small CA logos. I'm someone that appreciates and valued design and build nearly as much as sound quality, and they certainly nailed the visual appeal.

The Polaris is Campfire Audio's newest earphone and features a hybrid design with some interesting features. T.A.E.C. stands for 'Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber' and is a technology unique to Campfire Audio, also featured in their flagship Andromeda. The balanced armature driver is enclosed in a 3D printed chamber which tunes it's sound without the suppression inherent in a filtered design and permits improved extension. This is coupled with the dynamic driver's new 'Polarity Tuned Chamber' in which the driver is encased in a 3D printed casement. Tuned chambers are located in front and behind the driver giving it "an effortless power that must be heard to be believed." (Source)

Other notable features are the application of Cerakote to the outer face plate (or lid). Cerakote is a very durable polymer-ceramic material with high resistance to physical abrasion, chemical corrosion, and impacts. This makes it an excellent material to apply to a portable product that will be subject to damage from sweat, dropping, and other events you might come across in daily life. Backing that up is a durable CNC machined aluminum housing with what I think is a brilliant blue finish. Also adding to this perceived durability is an upgraded MMCX connector that utilizes Beryllium Copper materials instead of brass as found on many other products. MMCX connectors in my experience are notoriously unreliable so this focus on increased durability of this common connector is appreciated.

The Polaris is full of technology and is designed to be durable. Ringing in at 599.00 USD, it's not an inexpensive product and for many could potentially be thought of as end-game material. It's been my daily driver since arriving on September 11th, 2017 and has shown itself to be a fantastic product. Why? Let's find out.

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Caleb and Hannah at Campfire Audio for arranging a complimentary review sample. There was no financial incentive provided and the Polaris is still considered the property of Campfire Audio. All thoughts within are my own and do not represent Campfire Audio, ALO Audio, or any other entity. At this time it was retailing for 599.00 USD and could be found here on Campfire Audio's main site; https://campfireaudio.com/shop/polaris/

Edit (Aug 1, 2019): Score reduced to 4 stars given the release of the Polaris II.

Source:

For at home use the Polaris was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, HiFi E.T. MA8, Walnut V2s or Shanling M1, all of which brought it up to listening volume without any effort. I also occasionally ran it through a Walnut F1 portable amp.

Personal Preferences:

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

Specifications:

Frequency Response - 20Hz–20kHz

Sensitivity - 97.5 dB SPL/mW

Impedance - 16.8 Ohms @ 1 kHz

Packaging and Accessories:

The artwork on the Polaris' packaging is stunning in it's simplicity, and entirely coherent with the brands celestial naming scheme. The front of the small, blue cardboard box is adorned with a sticked announcing the Polaris is contained within. The background is a swirling mass that looks like it was inspired by a viscous oil and water mixture. The rear has a beautiful hand drawn scene of a mountain with trees at it's base and constellations above with Campfire Audio placed dead centre in a somewhat faded text. It's all very simple in execution, but the artistry is engaging to say the least. Oh, and when you flip the lid and look on the inner flap you see "Nicely Done". Couldn't have said it better myself.

The inside is dominated by Campfire Audio's spacious and durable leather carrying case which as expected already contains the Polaris. The zipper is thick and durable and the inside lined with what looks to be wool. Unlike most clamshell cases, there are two collapsible inner walls that hold the Polaris securely in place when zipped shut. This is one of, if not the nicest compact carrying case I've come across yet. Underneath the case beneath a false floor rests the accessories, a manual, and a card for the Polaris' limited one year warranty.

The included accessories include some standard items, like various tips, and some not so standard items, like a Campfire Audio pin which I thought was pretty neat. It's not a cheap feeling pin either, with the CA logo properly raised and enameled. In all you are provided;

• Polaris earphones
• Litz copper cable
• SPINFIT tips (xs/s/m/l)
• Campfire's own foam tips (s/m/l)
• Wide bore silicone tips (s/m/l)
• Cleaning tool
• CA branded Lapel pin

The accessories included are plentiful and of high quality, and the unique artwork very pleasing to the eye. This unboxing experience strikes a nice balance between something very basic like thinksound's MS03+mic and something more extravagant such as the unboxing experience for the FLC 8S.
Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

Campfire Audio's reputation for durable, well-built products is undeniably warranted if the Polaris is any indication. This thing is an absolute tank; the proverbial T29 of the earphone world. As noted earlier, the outer lid/face plate is coated in Cerakote for extra durability, while the rest of the housing is blue anodized aluminum. The MMCX connectors utilize Beryllium Copper instead of brass for increased longevity.

The cable is very well built too. The winding of the four strands is tight and uniform leading up to the y-split, and breaking into a slightly looser wind beyond. The compact 90 degree angled jack feels durable and should be thin enough to fit most media player and cell phone cases. The y-split lacks strain relief, and while welcome the chin cinch is very tight and difficult to move. If there are any weak points on the Polaris's cable, the y-split and cinch will be them.

While I can live with those minor niggles, the memory wire is another story. I'm pretty sure it has amnesia. You can bend it into place, get yourself settled in with the Polaris, and a few minutes later the bend is gone and the wire has returned to it's original shape; a loose U. This is the type of memory wire that ruins a cable, regardless of how good it is, and is the same problem I had with the original cable on the FLC 8S before they removed the wire entirely. I would love to see Campfire Audio revise this cable with proper memory wire, a pre-formed ear guide, or just remove it entirely and leave the cable bare. Any one of those options would be an improvement over the current setup.

Despite the large and angular housings, I found the Polaris quite pleasant to wear and exceptionally stable. The 3D printed plastic nozzles are long with a prominent though very smooth and unexpectedly effective lip that permits compatibility with a wide variety of tip sizes and styles, something that's conveniently included in the package. The length of the nozzle kept the housings from nestling in too close to my outer ear so I didn't have to worry about hot spots caused by the inner edges of the housing. They're pretty light too which also helps.

Isolation is below average with improvements found from use of the included foams tips. Even so, the Polaris is adequate for use in noisy areas you just need to up the volume somewhat to compensate. On the plus side, for those worried about safety when traveling with earphones in, the Polaris' isolation levels should be considered a positive as you can somewhat clearly hear your surroundings. While I do listen quietly, I did notice when upping the volume that the vent on the rear face plate bleeds some sound into your environment. It's also affected greatly by wind, funneling a noise that sounds like someone blowing into a microphone into your ear.

Overall the Polaris is put together with great attention to detail, showing offer a very tight fit and finish. Disregarding the annoying memory wire, this earphone is ergonomically sound and works well over long listening sessions. Isolation is good enough, just be wary of wind noise and sound bleeding out into your environment.

Sound:

Tips: Preferred tips for the Polaris came down less to sound changes than to fit and comfort. Moving from wide bore tips like the stock silicones or something from JVC, to a smaller bore options like the Spinfits or Sony hybrids, didn't seem to have a huge affect on the sound. Wide bore tips seemed to balance out the mids and bass somewhat, whereas the small bore tips dialed in more low end emphasis. These differences were minimal at best though. My listening was divided evenly between the stock wide bores, Sony hybrids, and Spinfits, all in medium.

As you move up the rung from budget to high end products, neutrality or the next closest thing seems to be what everyone hunts for. Things get serious. Big bass is frowned upon and you're made to feel guilty if you enjoy it, and v-shaped signatures are indicative of a poorly tuned product not worthy of the price. Still, say that's what you want along with those other qualities that make a premium product worthy of the title. That's where something like the Polaris comes in. This isn't a neutral earphone. The Polaris takes your average "consumer friendly" tune and imbues it with the level of technical proficiency you want from a top tier earphone.

Starting with treble, the Polaris is direct and precise without any hint of splashiness or lack of control. There is just a touch of sparkle and shimmer to cymbals which attack with authority as evident on Skindred's "State of Emergency". The Polaris' upper ranges are also quite airy and spacious giving it a very open feeling, especially effective with rock and metal. Extension is good too, though it seems to roll off

The Polaris' mid-range starts of with a dip in the lower regions and raises as you head into the upper mids. This gives female vocals more presence and makes this earphone an absolute baller with most of the vocal drum and bass tracks I listen too. Female vocals sound simply magical through the Polaris. Despite coming across a touch dry, male vocals can still empower you with feeling, such as on Daft Punk's "Touch" where Paul William's emotional performance is not lost. This mid-range is still recessed though, so at times I found the hefty low end to overshadow quieter vocals, such as those on Dimension's "Dark Lights".

Bass is an area where the Polaris really excels. It's 8.5mm dynamic drivers are exceptionally quick and impactful with awesome sub-bass presence making them a delight with electronic genres. Mid-bass has the kick needed to make rock tracks like Soil's "Loaded Gun" as aggressive as it's supposed to be, and there is no shortage of visceral rumble present for those long, drawn out liquid drum and bass basslines. It's a very dynamic low end that despite being boosted, is not ever present. If the track is lacking low end, the Polaris reflects it. It's very well textured too, able to pull out some grungy notes.

In terms of soundstage I found the Polaris did better with width than depth and in general lacked a little in forward/backward movement. Still, the airy treble and excellent separation results in an earphone that feels large and open. Imaging is quite precise too making it easy to accurately track sounds crossing from channel to channel, and delineate between instruments in a congested track.

Overall I found the Polaris to be a very coherent and proficient v-shaped earphone with outstanding detail retrieval and an open sound stage. Treble is prominent and well extended, bass deep and powerful, and mids recessed in the lower regions but still clear and engaging.

Select Comparisons:

(Volumes matched as best I could using Dayton Audio’s iMM-6 calibrated mic with Audio Tool for Android.)

FLC 8S: The 8S is a very versatile 2+1 hybrid with 36 tuning combinations. Given it can cover a wide variety of signatures vs. the Polaris' one, I compared it in Green/Red/Grey configuration for maximum v-ness. Even in this configuration, the FLC 8S is slightly brighter, has a more forward mid-range, and less bass presence.

In the 8S' favor is it's sound stage. The Polaris sounds large and open, but it lacks a little in terms of dynamic movement. The 8S has a much more rounded sound stage and outside of the B400 from Brainwavz, comes the closest to achieving "3D" movement. I also find the 8S more tonally accurate in that it lacks that low mid-range dryness that plagues the Polaris.

In Campfire's....camp...is detail retrieval. The Polaris highlights minute details quite well and as a result is more revealing than the 8S. I also find it's bass extends much deeper and provides a more visceral feel, something I find mostly absent on FLC's hybrid.

Fidue Virgo A85: The A85 is Fidue's newest hybrid and in my opinion makes for a smooth, lush listen.

In the A85's favor is it's more forward mid-range which makes good on Fidue's promise of realistic vocals. They're forward, detailed, and naturally toned for both males and females, whereas the Polaris is at it's best with female vocals. I also found it to have a more well-rounded soundstage with a better balance of width and depth, though I don't find it to be quite as spacious as the Polaris'.

The Polaris on the other hand sounds more accurate and direct. It's treble has more detail. It's low end is punchier and better textures with a more realistic mid-/sub-bass balance. To my ears the A85 has too much of a mid-bass hump that combined with a slower attack and less detail makes it a touch bloated vs. the Polaris.

HiFiMan RE800: The RE800 is a single dynamic and like the Polaris uses some interesting tech; a topology diaphragm which applies material coatings in specific geometric shapes that tune the resultant sound. It was criticized for having an uncomfortable 7k treble spike, which I personally had no issues with. Against the RHA Cl1 Ceramic the RE800 was positively tame in the treble region. How does it fare vs. the Polaris?

Things take a bit of a turn here with the RE800 taking the detail and clarity crown. The Polaris is great in these qualities, no doubt, but the RE800 is a focused step up. I also found the RE800 more natural, especially in the mid-range where the Polaris' dryness was already quite present. The RE800 also serves to match the Polaris' openness and width of soundstage, but brings in much better spacial movement in other directions.

The Polaris' low end I found much more engaging, however. Not only did it dig deeper and hit harder, it in general provided a more engaging and entertaining experience. The Polaris' texturing was also more prominent and forward. Volume matched to 60dB the RE800's treble spike was very noticeable resulting in little else being heard. Whereas the Polaris at 60dB was much more well-rounded with only the mid-range coming across a little on the quiet side. I still consider the RE800 an unbeatable companion for low volume listening in the quiet and private or my home, but the Polaris and it's more even presentation makes it a much better daily driver.

Final Thoughts:

The Polaris is a thoroughly enjoyable product and if you're a fan of bassy, vibrant earphones you should enjoy this one. Initial impressions are positive as a result of the artistic packaging and high quality accessories. In hand the high quality build is truly impressive and while entirely subjective, I love the blue on grey color scheme resulting from the Cerakote lid and anodized aluminum backing. The powerful v-shaped signature and overall presentation is engaging too, even if it wasn't necessarily to my taste with all genres.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

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

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Skindred – Roots Rock Riot (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

Soil – Whole (Album)

Dimension – Dark Lights (Track)

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Greetings!

Today we're checking out a Bluetooth cable from plusSound, the Exo BT.

plusSound is pretty well known in the world of portable audio for their premium cables. This year they've branched into the world of Bluetooth modules with the Exo BT. Given the prevalence of cell phone users and the slow removal of 3.5mm aux jacks from many flagship products, plusSound's offering of a premium Bluetooth module seemed like a logical step to take in advancing their product lineup.

I've spent two weeks with the Exo BT and while it's not perfect, it's a great sounding Bluetooth module that makes a worthy addition to a premium portable earphone setup. Let's check it out in greater detail, shall we?

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Christian at plusSound for sending over a sample of the Exo BT free of charge for the purposes of review. There has been no monetary incentive provided to cover this product. All comment and feedback within is my own and does not represent plusSound or any other entity.

At the time of review, the Exo BT's retail price for the standard copper (type 6 Litz) cable version shown here was 149.00 USD and could be picked up on their website; http://www.plussoundaudio.com/customcables/bluetooth.html

In addition to the MMCX version shown here, you can specify your preferred connector from a surprisingly extensive list, in addition to the quality of the cable which adjusts the price accordingly.

Edit: If you don't like the module to one side, they can place the module at any position, including in the middle like a pendant, simply by requesting it. You can also specify desired length if you want the module hanging down or up more. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at how customizable the Exo BT is given it's handcrafted. Good on plusSound for giving customers those options.
Personal Preferences:

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

Sources Used:

On a daily basis, there are three sources I use as my main listening gear. My phone which is an LG G5, my portable media player, a Shanling M1, and my laptop which is an Asus FX53V. All three of these sources are Bluetooth capable, while to my knowledge only the LG and Shanling support aptX. In terms of music, I didn't go with anything specific this time running everything from basic MP3 CD rips to FLAC, Youtube, Soundcloud, etc.

Some Features:

The Exo BT is a fairly feature rich module and utilizes Bluetooth 4.2 for greater efficiency and stability over older versions. AptX is also supported which is intended to improve sound quality over non-aptX supported devices. It also improves on latency and reduce the delay time in transmissions.

My laptop does not support aptX so while watching Youtube and Netflix with the Exo BT, there was a minimal delay between movement on screen and what you were hearing. Compared to most of my other Bluetooth devices it was an entirely acceptable level of delay and perfectly watchable. That said, compare it to watching the same video while paired to my LG G5 which does support aptX and the results were immediately noticeable in that everything synced pretty much perfectly. It was impressive actually.

The Exo BT also supports pairing with two devices at once, and auto-pairing on startup. Both of these features worked flawlessly. The auto-pairing feature was unusually quick too, usually reconnecting with the device in less than a second after the Exo BT turned on.

The inline controller also includes a microphone which in the two weeks I've had this device I never had the opportunity to use. When this happens I usually record a few quick videos in various environments to see how the mic sounds, but my G5 refused to recognize the Exo BT as the mic. I'll update this section as soon as I can. The rest of module works well. The buttons can be located without looking and are easily discernible from each other, though I found it slightly unintuitive to place the volume up button on the bottom, and volume down up top. This consistently led to me to changing volume in the wrong direction or restarting a song when I meant to skip to the next. It's definitely something you'll adjust to in time, if it's an issue for you at all.

All-in-all the Exo BT has the sort of modern feature set you would expect to see in a premium device and it all works about as well as you would expect.

Range and Connection Quality:

A 40 foot range is also advertised, but unless in a open space I don't really see that happening. While building our new dinner table I left my phone in the dining room and walked over to the spare room to grab a different tool. This trip is only around 25 feet and with zero obstacles. My tool box is on a shelf beside the doorway, and to get to it I had to break line of sight with the phone by turning the corner. The moment I lost sight of the phone the connection broke. If I stepped back into the doorway, it was fine. While it's a dedicated Bluetooth device, this was not an issue experienced with the Nuforce BE6i which maintained a solid connection regardless of where I was in my apartment in relation to my device.

Connection quality for the most part was rock solid in regular use, with only the occasional stutter here and there that I expect from any Bluetooth device. The connection only dropped fully when entering and exiting my apartment building. There's a ton of security equipment monitoring the entrances so I'm not entirely surprised at the interference. It's annoying sure, but not something that carried over into regular use.

Battery Performance:

Depending on where you look, the Exo BT has a battery life from 10 to 12 hours. I got closer to the 12 hour mark shown in the Quick Start guide plusSound will send to you after you make your purchase. To put that time into perspective, I'd generally leave the transmitting device on 50% volume and adjust volume via the Exo BT's buttons. Out of 20 volume steps, I would generally listen at around 6-8 dependant on the track and earphone.

PlusSound doesn't seem to document the time to charge anywhere, but via USB out on my laptop around 4 hours seemed to do the trick. The Exo BT to my surprise supports quick charging, so if in a pinch you can quickly juice them up pending you've got a quick charger on hand. Also a plus is that you can use the Exo BT while it's charging though it's cumbersome to do so and increases the already lengthily charge time. Still, even if you aren't likely to listen while charging having the option is nice.

Lastly, the Exo BT supports a battery life indicator on some devices. My LG G5 is one of them and at the top of the screen places a tiny battery icon beside the Bluetooth logo. I never realized just how helpful such a seemingly obvious feature could be. Whereas on other devices after a couple hours I start dreading the appearance of the low battery warning, that little indicator gives me an idea of when the Exo BT is going to run out. It doesn't sound like much, but it's enough to alleviate any “range anxiety”.

Build and Comfort:

Give the Exo BT can be so readily customized at the time of order, I wasn't surprised to read they were constructed by hand in California. PlusSound's crew does a great job because the Exo BT feels like a well put together and durable product, though fit and finish isn't quite as tight as some other products I've used. Again, they're handcrafted so I can forgive some slightly off kilter cuts on the heat shrink surrounding the MMCX plugs. Unlike Head-fi's resident basshead, the left and right indicators on my sample were properly marked with the standard blue for left and red for right. Given the Exo BT is designed for over-ear use only, left and right indicators are more a luxury than a necessity since you can really only use the cable one way.

Since the earphone you choose to pair with the Exo BT will affect how they fit, I'm going to to focus on a couple specific characteristics, namely the elephant that is the control module, and the hook shape preformed into the cable.

(See my edit in the Disclaimer section above. Seems a couple of my concerns about module placement can be avoided.) The module is massive as a result of holding the battery and electronics. It is positioned on the right in a place that keeps it sitting just a couple inches from your ear, lightly resting up against your jawline or the back of your cheek. While it is huge, it's not a heavy unit so it doesn't imbalance the cable which was something I was afraid of on first unboxing. Still, such a gigantic module seems wholly unnecessary. With the next version of the Exo BT would love to see plusSound take a different approach, such as splitting the battery and electronics into two separate modules on either side. Or, maybe just centre the module on the cable, though that would make using it less convenient.

The preformed hooks are a bit of a mixed bag. With some earphones like the MacaW GT600s and Fidue Virgo A85 the angle of insertion ended up being a little extreme requiring some finagling to get the right fit. Others like Campfire Audio's Polaris and the Brainwavz B400 sat just right without any fiddling. If the cable extrudes from your earphone at a 45 degree angle or more, you might find fitment with the Exo BT less than ideal.

Whether you opt to dangle the cable behind your head or under your chin will likely have a significant effect on comfort as well. For me personally, I had to wear the Exo BT under my chin. The length when worn behind my head meant the cable kept catching on my collar or jacket and tugging which got tiresome. Wearing it under the chin with the cinch pulled up was much more stable and comfortable.

Overall they're pretty well built. Comfort can be very good, dependant on the earphone you're pairing it with and the orientation of the cable; under the chin or behind the head.

Earphones Used For Testing + Sound:

Campfire Audio Polaris:

Impedance – 16.8Ω @ 1 kHz

Sensitivity – 97.5 dB SPL/mW

1+1 hybrid

Fidue Virgo A85:

Impedance – 20Ω

Sensitivity – 107dB

1+2 hybrid

Brainwavz B400:

Rated Impedance – 30Ω

Sensitivity – 115dB

Quad BA

MacaW GT600s:

Impedance – 16Ω

Sensitivity – 98dB @ 1kHz

1+1 hybrid

Hilistening HLS-S8:

Impedance – 16Ω

Sensitivity – 99db

1+1 hybrid

ADVANCED Model 3:

Impedance – 16Ω +/-15%

Sensitivity – 100dB +/-3 dB at 1kHz

Single dynamic (6mm)

TinAudio T2:

Impedance – 16Ω

Sensitivity – 102dB

Dual dynamic (6mm+10mm)

The Exo BT does a great job of staying out of the way, retaining an earphone's stock signature. It doesn't colour the sound, but it reduce micro-details somewhat. It's not particularly noticeable with every earphone, but in some like the Campfire Audio Polaris it does come across slightly smoothed over and less precise. In the case of the B400, it's magical imaging and layering qualities are wonderfully preserved. Being able to take an earphone with those qualities on the go without having to worry about a cable is simply awesome.

My only qualm with the way the Exo BT sounds comes down to background noise. Impedance and sensitivity certainly play a part of course. Of those earphones I tested, the Model 3, GT600s, and HLS-S8 were the only ones that played free of any static. The Brainwavz B400 displayed some, but it was very minimal and easy masked even at the low volumes I tend to listen. The Virgo and Polaris definitely picked up more background noise than the others and needed more volume to mask it, but the listening experience wasn't compromised. Last but not least, there is the TinAudio T2. In my preview I noted the T2 suffered the most. Over the last couple weeks I went back to it a few times and in the end, couldn't pair it with the Exo BT any more. The background static was just too prevalent.

Overall the Exo BT works well with a number of different products, it just seems to be a bit of a luck of the draw situation as to whether you'll experience background noise or not.

Vs. ADVANCED Model 3 Module:

My only other Bluetooth module is that included with the Model 3 from ADVANCED. If you're looking to upgrade from a more budget friendly module like that included with the Model 3 to something more premium, is the Exo BT worth it? The answer is yes.

In favour of the Model 3, I find it to be the more ergonomically sound of the two with a better layout in terms of control and battery placement. The Model 3 uses an odd figure 8 style design with two modules. The bottom half loops around your neck and houses both modules. The lowest module rests on your chest and houses the inline controls and wireless tech, while the upper module rests behind your neck houses the battery and microUSB port. Protruding from this battery compartment are the cables that lead up to the MMCX connectors and some preformed memory guides. It's a bit awkward to use at first, but once you've gotten the hang of wearing it the Model 3's module is a great example of how to divide and hide all the components that go into a Bluetooth product.

In the Exo BT's favour is pretty much everything else. It feels tougher and more durable. It pairs better with a wider variety of products. The Model 3 really only works with single dynamic earphones. The BA's on hybrids just do not sound right. The Model 3's battery life is decent, but at five hours is less than half of what the Exo BT can achieve. The Exo BT's connection quality is also notably more stable. The Model 3 pairs well with some devices, and terribly with others. Lastly, while both support aptX the Exo BT simply sounds better regardless of the source. Listening to them back to back the Model 3's module sounds more digital and less natural, and it lacks the pushing power of the Exo BT.

The Model 3 is a good product and you get a lot for your 79 USD. That said, its budget nature really sticks out when comparing it to something that's designed for a more discerning listener. The Exo BT is more stable, lasts longer, pairs better with a wider variety of products, and it feels more durable.

Final Thoughts:

After spending a couple weeks with the Exo BT and pairing it with a number of different earphones, using it outdoors and in, and in general treating it like I would had I bought it myself, I've come away pretty pleased. I think the module could be handled differently in a future revision, but that's about the only major concern I have with it beyond static when paired with a few specific earphones. The sound quality is there, it's well built, battery life is pretty good, and it paired well to great with most of the earphones I tossed its way. It doesn't blow me away in any particular regard, but that's fine because it works as it should.

If you opt to pick up one of these Bluetooth cables, I don't think you'll be disappointed. PlusSound has a solid product here.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

Greetings!

Today we’re reviewing an all-new planar magnetic headphone from ADVANCED, the GT-R.

ADVANCED’s freshman offering, the M4, was an awesome little micro-driver based earphone with a reasonably neutral signature. It’s build was fantastic and price right at under 50 USD. My next experience was with their Model 3, a warm in ear with a detachable MMCX equipped Bluetooth dongle and low profile, Shure-style housing. That particular earphone showed that Bluetooth earphones needn’t be compromised and could offer up great sound in a convenient form factor. With the GT-R, ADVANCED is diving head first into a very competitive full-sized headphone market. Not only is this one of their first headphones, but the use of a planar magnetic driver is new to the brand as well.

After spending about a week and a half with the GT-R, I think ADVANCED has done a stellar job and has a quality product on their hands. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Disclaimer:

Peter at ADVANCED reached out a few weeks ago to see if I would be interested in listening to the GT-R. Given my past experiences with the brand and that they had up to this point focused primarily on dynamic driver only in-ear monitors with a few other projects under their belt, I was curious to see what they could do with a different style of product and some new driver tech.

The GT-R has been on loan since November 3rd, 2017, and will be returned to ADVANCED following the posting of this review. This sample is representative of the final product which is now on Kickstarter. They did not provide any monetary incentive for writing about the GT-R. All thoughts and opinions within are my own and do not represent ADVANCED or any other entity.

You can check them out on the Kickstarter page here; https://www.kickstarter.com/project...magnetic-headphones?ref=349879&token=c1f07c3d

Source:

The GT-R is quite easy to drive, but sounds flat and dull without a suitable driving force. As such, it was used primarily with my desktop headphone amp, the TEAC HA-501, which cleanly drove it to comfortable volumes. For walking around my house I paired it with my Shanling M1+Walnut F1 combo which sounded really crisp with a punchy low end.

Personal Preferences:

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

Driver type : single-sided n48 planar magnetic

Driver size : 65mm

Driver diaphragm : silicone composite

SPL : 100dB±3dB (1KHz/1mW)

Impedance : 32ohm

Frequency response : 20Hz – 20,000Hz

Maximum input power : 20mW

Rated input power : 50mW

Cable length / type : 1.5m / detachable 2.5mm jack

Output connector type : 3.5mm jack

Packaging and Accessories:

Since retail packaging wasn’t provided and they only accessory included was the cable, that’s about all I can say here. Onwards!

Design, Build, and Comfort:

I find the GT-R is a very attractive headphone. It has a practical design with straightforward lines and few flourishes outside of the two part metal headband, similar to Meze’s 99 Classics. The GT-R’s all-black color scheme is appropriate and accented only by some subtle white text on each ear cup. This text quietly announces you’re looking at the Advanced GT-R and that it utilizes “Planar magnetic driver tech”.

Overall build quality is top notch with great fit and finish. Channels are denoted by black and red knurled bands above the pivot points. The red bands rattles a bit, but it’s not distracting or worrisome at all and is a small flaw in an otherwise perfectly put together piece of equipment. Despite being composed of mostly steel and protein leather, the GT-R is also very light. The only plastic I could find surrounds the base of each ear cup. It has a smooth, matte, grippy texture to it that makes holding the GT-R a non-event, unlike the Susvara which tends to slip out of my hands.

The cable is quite good too, and nearly identical to the one included on the HiFiMan HE-350. It’s thick and durable both above and below the y-split, terminated in a slightly chunky 90 degree 3.5mm jack, and not too long to be inappropriate for mobile use. I consider that a plus given how easy the GT-R is to drive. Yes, they are technically open back and will let in plenty of outside noise, and let out whatever it is you’re listening to, but at the very least you can use them while walking around your house or property.

The protein leather used on the floating, self-adjusting headband is of high quality. While lightly padded, I never had any significant issues with comfort or hot spots given the way weight distribution is handled. My only qualms would be the clamping force out of the box is too tight, and that the head band moves too freely so it feels like the GT-R is about to slide down your head a bit, though it never does. If you find the clamping force too strong, you can either take a chance and try to bend the supporting steel beams slightly, or if you’re patient I found it loosened up significantly over the week and a half I’ve had them.

The stock ear pads are really nice too, and if we’re going by Zeos terms is a solid three-knuckler in size. They’re plenty spacious enough to fully enclose my ears, and deep enough to keep them from touching the driver plate. They’re also very plush out of the box, and only get more so in time. These pads are awesome, which is great because at this time they’re not removable though that is one item that might be subject to change. I’ve put in my vote to make it happen. People like to pad swap.

Overall the GT-R is very well built and comfy on the noggin once the clamping force starts to ease up after some use. The design is also interesting but understated, and is one of those headphones that I think will hold a certain visual appeal well beyond 2017.

Sound:

After almost two weeks of critical listening with the GT-R, I have come away impressed. The GT-R’s signature has a decent balance between treble and bass with the mid-range pushed forward taking centre stage.

Though I’ve found the GT-R’s overly forward mid-range to dial back slightly as the 65mm planar drivers have burned in, it’s still quite forward. Thankfully, even at high volumes they aren’t shouty or sibilant. Ts sound like Ts and Ss like Ss. As noted in my preview, it just physically appears a couple steps forward of the rest of the signature. At times this means background vocals are too prominent, or guitar work that should be playing a supporting role sticks out a touch more than it should. It might not appeal to you if you’re looking for a purely neutral sound or are used to the typically deep mid-range recession applied to most “consumer” tuned headphones. Those that listen to vocal prominent tracks, however, should come away very happy with the presentation.

The GT-R’s treble response is very clean and smooth with great extension. It finds a nice balance between being bright and rolled off, falling into neither category to my ear. On BT’s “The Internal Locus” chimes and cymbals sound realistically sparkly and with a sensible decay. They have just the right amount of bite on the initial hit too. Detail retrieval is impressive as well, with minute textures showing where on other headphones they are glossed or smoothed over.

Leading into the low end the GT-R has a pleasantly mild boost with a nice balance of mid- and sub-bass. As expected from a planar, the bass is quick and punchy and it maintains composure even on congested and complicated tracks. I really enjoy the final minute and half of Skrillex’s “Ragga Bomb” which transforms from a fairly generic dubstep track to a drumstep masterpiece. It’s tempo picks up greatly and introduces a D’n’B inspired drum beat with a deep reverberating bassline trailing along. Slower headphones tend to muddy the low end detail on this section, but the GT-R doesn’t break a sweat.

The GT-R has a pretty solid soundstage, larger than I thought at first. Due to the mid-forward sound it wasn’t always apparent, but as I spent more time with the GT-R I noticed the stage expanded in a cone away from my head, leading with vocals. It was especially noticeable with acoustic tracks and on Daft Punk’s “Touch (feat.Paul Williams)”. In the somewhat creepy opening sequence when the robotic voice is saying “Touch. I remember touch.” ghostly sounds are swirling about in the background. That brings us to imaging which is very clean and smooth in transitions between channels. Layering and separation qualities are impressive too which instruments playing on their own field, though I would like it if there was more forward and backward movement which would aid in further separating various layers.

Overall I find the GT-R a very engaging headphone. It’s bass is deep and punchy, it’s treble vibrant but not fatiguing, and it’s mid-range prominent and clear. Dialing back the mid-range somewhat would help with sound stage presence, but as is it’s still very good.

Normally I would be tossing in some select comparisons about now. Since I don’t have any of the GT-R’s competition on hand, I have decided to leave the comparisons out since they would have been pretty one-sided. My other headphones are either much cheaper and mostly closed back dynamics, or much, much more expensive in the case of the HiFiMan Susvara.

Final Thoughts:

ADVANCED has a nice headphone on their hands and as one of the first in their lineup with a driver tech new to the brand, it’s quite the achievement. If the GT-R is indicative of the direction the brand is taking their more premium products in the future, we have reason to be excited.

The GT-R’s detailed sound is engaging and well rounded with a mid-range focus that makes vocals the central focus. The design is attractive and the build quality impressive. Despite the low weight, you really get the impression you’re holding and using a durable product that you won’t need to baby. It’s also appreciated that they went with a fairly standard 2.5mm connection for the removable cables. I know many who will want to upgrade that right out of the box, even if it isn’t required. The stock cable is great in itself. If I would like to see anything improved upon in the future, removable pads would be at the top of the list followed by a slightly lighter clamping force and a more supportive floating headband.

Thanks for reading and thanks again to ADVANCED for the chance to listen to the GT-R.

– B9Scrambler

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

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)

BT – If the Stars Are Eternal Then So Are You and I (Album)

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

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

King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (Album)

Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)

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

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)

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

Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)

Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)

Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)

Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)

Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)