Alpha& Delta are a Singapore company that along with this TWS set also make IEMs. They have provided one set of each design to Audio Reviews Downunder for honest appraisal and review.
Alpha& Delta will ship to virtually every country in the world.
The TWS are supplied with a range of tip sizes including a foam set and a USB C charging cable.

The case is made of metal and has a strong hinge. There are four lights indicating the charge status of the case and the ear buds also have an internal light which operates to show you it is charging and goes out when fully charged.
The case takes 3 hrs to charge from flat and the buds take one hour from flat. The earphone provides 6 hours of usage and the case 120 hours.
The resin shell is molded and shaped much like the Kinera IEMs and fits snug and very secure in my ear. You can see in the hybrid earbud, which is transparent, the position of the driver and the BA are just behind the nozzle and fire directly into it with no directional tubes fitted. The engineers have used the shape of the cavity to tune the drivers.


The sound. I have two variants you can see in the photos. The Blue one is the single dynamic driver, a V shaped sound signature designed for strong bass performance. The White faced TWS is the hybrid with a single DD and a BA for a more balanced sound signature. ( You can order any face plate colour for either and there is also black and pink options)

Firstly the single DD variant. Described as V shaped by A&D but the sound comes across as well balanced with clear vocals but great subbass. Bass is not over emphasized but more like a gentle V shape. Bass impact is good and miles ahead of my old Audiofly TWS set which sounds muddy and muted in compassion. As with all in ear products , a correct seal is important for good bass response. I found the second size up of supplied tips worked well for me and there is also a foam set of tips for those who prefer that type. Whizzer easytips SS20 also worked well. Overall the sound is detailed, airy and very natural. The upper mids and treble are boosted compared to the Hybrid.

The DD/BA hybrid earphones with the white faceplate are a different proposition. They eased up on the bass and the treble and details are more prominent, but smooth and easy to listen too. The soundstage is also nice and wide, the vocals are placed just right and have plenty of air around them. I grabbed a set of Letshuoer Galileo X Gizaudio which has the same driver configuration to use as a benchmark.Honestly they are lineball. Both smooth ,detailed, easy to listen to with great fidelity. And it is a wireless I am comparing to a wired earphone. Quite amazing.


I must stress the following. You have to find a tip that gives a good solid seal to get the full audio range. A&D supply a mix of sizes including foams. The tips the earphones came fitted with fitted did not give me a good seal but playing around with a bunch of tips I found a set that gave me a great seal and the earphones came fully to life. I used a narrow bore with a slightly taller core which meant removing them when casing the earphones or the auto shut off did not activate.



Summing up: For sound quality, design and build, battery life and excellent bluetooth performance getting this set is a no brainer.
Not mention value :The Dynamic single driver ( Blue ) is $85 USD . The hybrid DD plus BA is $100 USD .
That's crazy good value when you consider the price of top of the line Apple, Samsung and some other premium TWS that are north of $250USD.


Website if you are considering purchase. https://www.alphandelta.com/products/ks100-true-wireless-earphones?variant=43746720579778

TheTSMR X was provided for our honest reviews and impressions, as part of an ongoing audio review tour in Australia. We would like to thank Penon audio for their generosity.
TheTansio Mirai X 10th Anniversary Limited Edition is configured with 2DD + 4BA + 1 Custom Film Retarding Driver Hybrid with switchable bass profiles
"X"as the 10th anniversary of the establishment of TSMR is a collection of years of technical accumulation, we continue to learn from experience, countless fine tuning, ten years of grinding a sword,through this work, complete self-breakthrough, and interpretation of our new understanding of sound.
The film slow pressure driver creates a more comfortable and relaxed listening feeling, which not only expands the sound field, but also makes the overall sound more natural and smooth, and the bass is more flexible.
Hollow coaxial structure dual dynamic driver, the rear driver through the hollow’s hole complete sounding, and produce a certain push-pull force on the front driver, not only to ensure sufficient energy, but also to provide a richer sense of layer, so that the quality and quantity of low frequency are greatly improved.
Using more efficient filtering technology, the background sound is cleaner,the mid-frequency vocal is clear and pleasant, the spatial stratification and positioning are clearer, and the high frequency is smooth and non-irritating.


The driver configuration is as follows. One side with 7 drivers, both sides total 14 drivers

Low frequency: 2 x 8mm strong magnet dynamic, hollow coaxial structure,Carbon mixed diaphragm
Mid frequency: 2 x Knowles balanced armature
High frequency: 2 x Sonion balanced armature


Full frequency effect: 1 x custom film retarding driver (this driver is detachable design, frequent disassembly is not recommended)
Low frequency control switch settings
Default standard tuning mode is 020, recommended to use this mode as a reference. If you do not want to use the bass tuning function, please ignore the tuning switches to use standard mode all the time.

0 indicates that the switch is closed downward,

1/2/3 indicates that the switch is opened upward.
Standard tuning (020 Mode), control factor: 1.0
Bass enhancement (100 Mode), control factor: 0.51
Standard tuning (020 Mode), control factor: 1.0
Low frequency attenuation (003 Mode), control factor: 1.47
The higher the control factor, the lower the low frequency energy.

All switches are turned off to NO BASS mode. Literally, with all switchesoff the bass disappears! Weird! I used Standard tuning (020 Mode), which gave me ample bass levels and a pleasing balance across the frequencies.


EquipmentUsed:

Source.F lac Files on my Hiby R3


Dacs used JCally JM10 and Hidizs S9 Pro Martha


Stock pale green tips and cable were used as no advantage was found using others from my collection.
Synergy was perfect with supplied kit.


Sound Impressions.


Big stage with great width and depth. Every album I listened to gives me the sense of the room it was recorded in and live tracks put me right in the auditorium. Audio is underpinned with strong visceral sub bassand solid mid bass with drums having a physical impact and cymbals with a great crash and decay. This two DD’s do a great job of producing some truly thunderous bass. And the great feature is with three switches controlling only the bass you can chose the bass that pleases you. Switch 1 gives max bass enhancement. Switch 2 is the standard tuning which I preferred and I would describe this setting as still being pretty bass heavy. Switch three attenuates the bass from the standard setting and some will find this give the best of all worlds. Note, the switches are NOT designed to be used in combination. They provide three bass settings only with the rest of the frequency untouched. Turn off ALL the switches if you want to hear an IEM with no bass!! Note number two. By describing the X asshaving heaps of bass, it does, but not to the detriment of the midrange and certainly you don't describe it as a basshead IEM(unless you switch on switch one! ) The sound remains balanced and mids and trebles hold their own in the mix.


Piano has realistic tone and weight and piano tracks are natural and very enjoyable. The treble levels are spot on, with plenty of details and extension, without pushing the envelope. I never felt like I was being assaulted by overly boosted highs. The word to describe the integration of the treble with the rest of the range is balanced.


Vocals exist in a spacious and airy environment and are neither forward orrecessed to my ears. Female and male artist's voices have correct timbre and emotion is conveyed naturally and very enjoyably. Let'shave a listen now to some of the tracks I used to highlight the X's chops. Check these tracks out if you have the time. You will see what I mean.


“On and On” by Australian artist Grace Cummings is a track with great percussion and cinematic orchestration with keyboards and horns.Grace has a voice that appears to spring from a deep well connecting her diaphragm to the massive tectonic plates below, with gravelly edges concealing its true power. The overall impact of this combination is a powerful, dense yet transparent sound which theTSMR X portrays to perfection.


Lighter indie pop of “Cardinal” from Kasey Mulgraves showcases close miked acoustic guitar followed by a driving bass and crisp snare percussion. Her vocal is recorded and presented close to the listening and the overall effect is a coherent and enjoyable listen.


“Charlie Patton Songs” by the band Gomez is a good test track for cymbals,percussion and high frequency flourishes. The TSMR X renders these with exquisite detail and a lightness that never strays into harshness or sibilance. Instrument separation and positioning is first rate.


“Billie Bossa Nova” by Billie Eilish has a smooth cruisy production with a slinky low bass and clicks and taps in the percussion that are very tactile and physical. Although the TSMR X supplies plenty of bass and the sound is very full, it's still a neutral presentation, without being warm as some double DD IEM's can.


“Sundream”by Rufus Du Sol an Australian alternative dance group from Sydney, is melodic House and Techno music with a silky smooth vocal over synthsand electronic drum beats. This dives deep with soaring vocals over washes of synth sounds and great pulsing sub bass. The TSMR X works perfectly with this track. Bass with the X is felt as well as heard.No need for bone conduction in this unit.


Other types of music including Daft Punk and good old Ozzy Osbourne felt at home with the TSMR X. I think they will do a great job with any type of music. I don't do Jazz but with that piano, drum and cymbal sizzle and an upright bass almost seduced me! This IEM will immerse you in the music and if there are emotions being emoted prepare to use the teary emoji!


Conclusion


Obviously from the above you can tell I have really enjoyed my audition period with theTansio Mirai X. The company has produced a superb earphone that works supremely well with all genres and to my ears has no flaws. There is one major problem. I have to send it on to the next audiophile is our tour group, sob. So, should you avoid it, short list it, or go right ahead and buy it? My advice is go for it if it's in your price capability!

About Cadenza 4.

Letshuoer, the parents of the hugely popular planar IEM the S12 have a new baby for us.

Letshuoer provided this review sample to Audio Reviews Downunder for our honest assessment, and we would like to thank them.

Cadenza 4 is a 1 DD 3BA hybrid. The company also has the Cadenza 12 which is a 1DD 11BA flagship IEM. Cadenza definition: Technically brilliant sometimes improvised solo passage toward the close of a concerto.

In the box we have the IEMs which I find understated and elegant. A lot is made of the look of an IEM but once they are in your ears…out of sight, out of mind!

The cable is just great, Soft and substantial with a great feel, left and right marked pin connectors and modular at the other end with the three usual sized male connectors. This is one of the first cables I have not been tempted to change with some of my collection. Also included is a hard plastic round case with a screw cap. Solid and durable it also feels quite soft and tactile. Just don’t let the dog get hold of it!

The supplied tips are average and below par compared to those supplied with the dearer S15 planar.

The fit of the Cadenza works well for my ears. The body is molded and shaped to the ear cavity as opposed to a simple cone shape. (It is similar to the Kinera range) This gives me a good fit with my ear shape and has the advantage of good noise isolation.

Drivability was good. I used my Hiby R3 Saber DAP with high gain and while a volume level of 36 (which is average for an easy to drive IEM) gave a good sound level, I found the Letshuoer scaled well when I boosted the volume into the 40’s. The music grew in power and grandeur without any corresponding harshness or distortion. Similar to the way my Hidizs MP145 planar performs.

The Sound

Remember these are my impressions and may not relate to all ears or ear canals!

When you first listen to Cadenza 4 you should be impressed by the superb balanced and musical presentation. This set is the best hybrid I have spent time listening to this year. Every part of the sound spectrum is presented so correctly that you just get lost in the music and forget to analyze! In this way it compares favorably to my number one set, namely the Hidizs MP145. Usually, I keep the MP145 tacked away when I am assessing a new IEM but in this case the Cadenza demanded “get the Hidizs out…I can take it! “

Starting with the bass, the kick drums do kick with a visceral punch that you can feel. Drumsticks tapped on the side of the snare are tactile and realistic. Sub bass is omnipresent in just the right amount without overpowering the Mids. Bass guitars have weight and depth and upright basses sound deep and realistic with real gravitas.

The midrange is spacious and uncongested with good tone and some warmth. Vocals are presented just right, neither to forward or recessed. Acoustic guitars sound realistic and detailed. Female vocals are rather delicious, natural and captivating. Male vocals have correct timbre and tone to my ears. My most problematic close miked vocal tracks that can sound harsh and troubling with some tunings, survived analysis nicely.

The treble has energy and clarity and is never overdone. Once again, we get back to the balanced sound of the Cadenza. Sure, it could have more sparkle, but would it dominate the mix? To me, it sounds just right.

Soundstage and technicalities now. The soundstage has good width and depth and I rate it as above average. Imaging is very good with Cadenza and placement of instruments within the soundstage is easy and accurate. Detail retrieval, while not TOTL is also adequate to my ears with plenty of small nuances and minutiae audible. Put it all together and you have a seamless symphony of sound.


To sum up.

Did Cadenza 4 surpass my Hidizs MP145 as my favorite? Close but no. I still love the planar. But the Letshuoer takes it place as one of the best balanced and musical listening IEMs I have auditioned. It gets my strong recommendation

Introduction

Kinera has supplied the Celest Phoenixcall to the Australian Audio Reviews Downunder tour group for honest assessment. We would like to thank Kinera for trusting us with their creation!

Kinera has designed the Celest Phoenixcall with a 7mm Dynamic driver for the low frequencies, a customized BA driver for the mid frequencies, another customized BA driver for the mid-high frequencies, and two Micro planar drivers (Flat panel drivers) for the ultra-high frequencies. Supplied with Celest vocal ear tips in three sizes and Celest C07 tips also in three sizes. The cable is a 3.5mm 5N silver plated item with a good feel and neck slider.

Audio equipment used.

I played back music in FLAC form from my Hiby R3 Saber 2022 DAP via the balanced output on high gain. I also used a Hidizs DAC, the S9 Pro Martha with the 4.4mm balanced output which has a warmer less neutral presentation. Tips I used areTRN T which give me a deep secure insertion with good bass and also vocal and soundstage enhancement.

The sound

Firstly, can I say that I enjoy the Phoenixcall’s sound. It has clarity, energy, good bass and a spacious sound. Having said that it’s not a traditional tuning, whether V shaped or W shaped.

Kinera have produced a musical and engaging sounding IEM that does an awful lot right. When you break down the sound you might think it’s deficient and subpar, but the sum of its parts is greater than you might expect.

The Bass

I’d describe the bass as big and bold and on the warm side. Its punchy and more mid bass focussed. It does not go deep in the sub bass area, but it provided a solid bassy floor to the music. Snares hit nice and hard, bass guitar lines are deep and solid. If I had to critique the bass sound, its that it is a little unfocused. Bass does not bleed into the midrange and there is space and room for the vocals and instruments.

The Midrange

Midrange I would describe as clean and open with good transparency but not as rich or full as I have heard on other sets. Vocals cut through the mix with plenty of space and air. Detail retrieval is up there with the best.



Treble

Phoenixcall does treble just about right to my ears. Treble details cut thru nicely without any harshness. The treble does not sound boosted but rather correct, with good tone and sparkle. It compliments the rest of the frequency range nicely and never is sibilant. “Only time makes it Human” by King Princess is a great example of the Phoenixcall’s ability to present a full soundstage with richness, punch, details and a great vocal. Backing vocals and guitar at the beginning of the track are heard clearly When the track kicks in the percussion and hand claps are sharp and clear and the mix of vocals and bass guitar and toms is full and rich, with great thump and pace.



Soundstage and Imaging

I find the soundstage above average with plenty of height and depth. Kinera have tuned this mix of drivers to create a coherent and natural soundscape. Imagining is excellent as it is easy to pinpoint instruments within the stage.



Conclusion

Kinera themselves have described the tuning concept of the Phoenixcall as thus. ““Phoenixcall” has an overall bright sound with deep and elastic bass that is more gentle and relaxed. The midrange has a solid and natural sound, while the high frequencies are clear, bright, and clean. The soundstage is spacious and natural, with round and smooth vocals and strong resolution, providing you with a comfortable music experience.”

Sometimes you don’t want to analyse the sound of an IEM, especially when it sounds as good as the Phoenixcall. Obviously, it has not got the chops of some of the heavy hitters but what it does have is a great mix of different drivers tuned to work together well and presenting a very musical and enjoyable sound. I think Kinera have come close to their tuning target and now its times to settle back in a comfy chair with your best music on and enjoy.

Introduction.

Kinera has supplied Celest Plutus Beast to the Australian Audio Reviews Downunder tour group for honest assessment. We would like to thank Kinera for trusting us with their creations!

What does the name mean you ask? Its a name taken from Chinese mythology. Plutus Beast is a distinguished character according to the myths, it is believed to be the “Heavenly creature of Fortune”, and among other things it is often regarded as a symbol of wealth.

Specifications

Plutus Beast is a tribrid IEM with a Bone Conduction Driver + 1BA + 1 SPD™ ( Square Planar Driver) It has an impedance of 8 ohm and a sensitivity of 108dB. It is supplied with a 5N copper silver-plated cable with 3.5mm / 4.4mm Balanced plugs. It comes with a set of Celest vocal ear tips and a set of balanced tips. The case is a small circular leather item with a zip closure. The IEM has 3D printed integrated moulded shells with hand painted face covers.

The sound

How do the three drivers handle the audio spectrum? Firstly the Second generation square planar driver (SPD) is full range and works with the other two drivers, The bone conduction driver provides a full warm deep bass response with good sub bass extension while the SPD provides a fast punchy bass and mid bass , seamlessly blending with the other drivers and providing a coherent pleasing bass response. Bass does not bleed into the midrange and the IEM keeps good separation and transparency in its midrange. The customized BA drivers handle the upper frequencies with good extension and present high frequencies in a pleasing gentle and non-fatiguing way. Trebleheads may wish for more energy and sizzle.

Together with the planar driver the detail and imaging are very good. I can position instruments in the sound mix easily. The sound stage is nice and wide with a great sense of space and depth. The SPD gives great clarity and the details in the music are quite planar like. There is no hint of any planar timbre. The mix of the three drivers really does create a spacious and coherent sound that I really enjoy.



Plutus Beast really shines on well recorded music. The Love over Gold album by Dire Straits is really exquisite. The bass thunders below the sparkling piano and of course Mark's distinctive guitar. If I wanted to improve the mix the vocals could be a little more forward and have a little more thickness. Overall, the music really shines with Plutus. Modern music with strong bass is the Beast's forte. Biig Pigg “Feels right” has the correct solid impact and a clean, energetic punch. This IEM excelled with EDM style music. Daft Punk's “Get Lucky Club Mix” from Random Access Memories will rock your head with the bone conduction driver!

Gentler music such as Tom Petty singing “Crawling back to you” from his Wildflowers album works really well. An ensemble of great musicians well recorded, great drums and Toms fragile voice up front sounding like he is in your head.



Conclusion

Celest Plutus Beast. Who is it for? Bassheads should apply if they also like a clean transparent mid/treble presentation to complement the thump. The BC driver does give a strong bold authoritative floor to the music, but the sound is also balanced. Vocal lovers might find its mid-range a little regressed but be pleased by the excellent details and sound-stage.

Plutus Beast works best with well recorded music, especially modern pop and dance music with a solid beat. I found the Plutus Beast response improved with a Hidizs S9 pro Matha dac that I am using. The S9 has plenty of power and adds warmth and thickness to the sound that was lacking with my Hiby R3 saber. (neutral and transparent). Give the Beast a good feed and it will reward you with a powerful yet balanced musical experience. I like this one!

Disclaimer

The company has kindly sent their review sample to the Australian Audio Reviews Downunder tour group for our honest evaluation, and for that we would like to thank Tangzu.
Introduction

This is the first complete resin shell set from Tangzu and uses their self-developed BA drivers along with Sonion brand BA drivers. Also used is an EST (electrostatic driver) to improve the air and high frequencies of the earphone. The Nezha packs a seven-driver hybrid setup per side featuring six high-performance BA drivers and 1 EST driver unit. The pair adopts two SONION Woofer BA drivers combined with four Tangzu’s self-customized BA drivers (2 for Midrange, 2 for Treble).

To get the best out of their seven-driver hybrid setup, TANGZU has adjusted the driver using their self-developed Q-IAO electronic crossover technology.

Tangzu bundles the Nezha with an all-new OCC Silver-Plated high-purity stock cable. The cable has a swappable termination plug system with replaceable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs included in the package. The cable has Litz structure braiding with a customized PVC outer sleeve that protects the sound signal from outside interference.

Nezha retails at $399 usd.


Technical information

Impedance: 16Ω.

Sensitivity: 106dB.

Frequency Response Range: 10Hz-20kHz.

Connector Type: 0.78mm Two-Pin.

Termination Plug: 3.5mm+4.4mm.

The Sound

I approached this IEM with great interest as it was the first time, I had the opportunity to listen to an earphone without the inclusion of a dynamic driver.

Listening was done using my Hiby R3 Saber DAP playing lossless music files. My ears don’t range past 9 kilohertz in the upper frequencies but still I could hear cymbal shimmers and bell like percussion with exquisite clarity. The music has a great sense of air and space, and the tuning is very mid to upper mid centric. Soundstage is nice and wide, and instruments are placed with great precision and with nice separation.

We are talking an all-encompassing sound that is full of detail yet smooth and coherent. The sound tends to the warmer side of the spectrum. Female vocals are sweet and soaring with a nature timbre (despite the use of BA drivers).

The Sonion drivers do an interesting job of handling the bass frequencies. Rest assured theNezha has got bass and when called upon can rock out with some Nirvana or Daft Punk, but these are genres best suited to IEMs with dynamic drivers and plenty of sub bass. Nezha’s bass is lightning fast and punches well but tends to a more boomy quality. Bass guitars have a good solid sound and anchor the music well but bassheads will miss their fuller bass sound.

There are albums I can put on and listen right through, lost in the Tangzu’s delicious smooth and detailed sound. The best way to describe this is with some music examples.

The National’s “The Alcott” is a sumptuous music feast with Matt’s voice suitably expressive and Taylors vocals smooth and captivating. The piano sounds rich and authentic and the percussion detailed and solid.

Caroline Polacheck’s grammy nominated album (best engineering) “Desire, I want to turn into you”, is a great way to showcase the Nezha’s resolving ability and to present a mesmerizing soundscape with fantastic microdetails. Song to showcase is Butterfly Net.

For male vocal and bass performance I suggest Foy Vance and ‘’Joy of Nothing” from the album of the same name. Is that sub bass…? Why, I believe it is!!

If you sample some of the best recorded albums of the past 30 years or so the Tangzu will please you with some amazing hi fidelity. Supertramp, Crime of the Century, Tom Petty, Wildflowers (Remastered) Fleetwood Mac, Rumours. All recognised as superbly recorded and mastered. Songs aren’t bad either.

Conclusion

The Tangzu Nezha, in my mind, Is somewhat of a bargain. An all BA IEM with an EST with amazing capabilities at the $400 price point is pretty tempting. Purchasers should be aware that this set is not for metal, EDM, or heavy rock genres. There are plenty of V shaped bass monsters around to fill that niche. This IEM is for serious enjoyment of artistry and virtuosity in music. It is a delicious and smooth mid bass biased performer that will captivate an entrance the listener. Simply its one of the most enjoyable IEMs I have had the pleasure to audition. Its also by far one of the most attractive IEM’s I have had the pleasure to view.

Features

>Designed in Collaboration with Gizaudio.
>Four-Driver Hybrid Setup.
>8mm Ceramic Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
>Customized Mid-Range Balanced Armature Driver.
>Customized Composite Dual Balanced Armature Driver for High-Frequency (2BA).
>Stunning Design With Stainless Steel Face panels.
>3D Printed Resin Material Cavities. >Comfortable Design.
>High-Purity OFC Silver-Plated Litz Cable.
>Available in 3.5mm or 4.4mm Termination Options.

Technical Information

>Impedance: 12Ω@1kHz.
>Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms.
>Effective Frequency Response Range: 5Hz-20kHz.
>THD+N: <1%@1kHz.

Four-Driver Hybrid Setup

The media channel that is Gizaudio has combined with Binary Acoustics to tune the Chopin. This IEM houses a four-driver hybrid configuration featuring a low-frequency dynamic driver, midrange customized BA, and high-frequency customized composite dual BA driver setup on each side.

It has been crafted using top-quality components along with simulated tuning adjustments by Gizaudio. Binary Acoustics has designed the Chopin with a four-driver hybrid configuration. Using an 8mm ceramic diaphragm dynamic driver unit that complements the other frequencies with a strong bass presence. There is a one customized BA driver unit for delivering quality sound in the midrange section, and a composite dual-BA driver customised unit for clear and accurate high-frequency response. Its sells for $200 USD.

Sources and listening

I used the excellent supplied oxygen free silver cable and my favoured TRT T tips which allow deep insertion, with my Hiby R3 Saber 2022 DAP and lossless audio files. The Chopin has a wide nozzle to accommodate three audio channel outlets and I found some larger tips caused a bit of discomfort with my ears. Individuals are recommended to experiment with tips to find the right depth and fit for their ear canals. My initial listing impressions were formed with this music source, but I later found there was a very good synergy between the IEM and the Hidizs S9 pro Martha DAC that has just been released. The S9 pro enhanced the high frequencies and gave the bass more weight while retaining excellent clarity and energy. This became my favoured combination.
Sound Breakdown

The Chopin is easy to drive but does thrive on a more powerful DAC. The sub bass and lower bass register dominate with a warm deep and well controlled response. It goes deep with great control and good speed. Bass guitars have good texture and snare drives good bite and punch. It’s a very enjoyable bass if you are that way inclined. The mid bass is fast and detailed but a little lacking in quantity. Having said that it allows the midrange room to move and breathe. I would say the Chopin’s portrayal of the bass frequencies will scale very nicely with a more powerful source.

The midrange is very natural in timbre and the vocals placed well, slightly forward with good air and space around them. Bass frequencies do not intrude. The placement of instruments around the vocals is pinpoint. The midrange is well balanced and neutral. The soundstage is average left to right with good height and depth. Instrument positioning is precise and its easy to locate the players. The imaging allows a spacious headspace and draws you into the musical performance.

The treble is smooth, airy, and non-fatiguing, facilitating very good detail retrieval, if not class leading.
Conclusion

With the right source and eartips the Gizaudio and Binary Acoustics Chopin is a competent and energetic IEM. Well recorded albums from Supertramp, Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac really shine with the Chopin showcasing its great resolution and balanced clean acoustic soundstage. Chopin handles every genre I threw at it with aplomb, from DEM to rock to indie and Taylor Swift! It’s a very enjoyable listen and recommended.

Kinera has kindly supplied the Freya 2 to the Audio Reviews Downunder tour group for honest assessment and reviews.

The Freya 2 is an update on the original and very successful Freya one. It sells for $270 USD. The name comes from Norse mythology. Freya was a goddess of blessings, love, lust, and fertility. A member of the Vanir tribe of deities, Freya shared her people’s penchant for the magical arts of divination. It was Freya who introduced the gods to seidr, a form of magic that allowed practitioners to know and change the future.

Features: - >Four-Driver Hybrid Setup. 3BA+1DD Architecture made up of a 7mm Custom-Developed Dynamic Driver and three Knowles High-Performance BA Drivers. Exclusive Hand-Painted Ear Shells. Three Acoustic Tubes.3+1 Crossover Tuning. Comfortable Resin Material Ear Shells.4-Core Litz Braided Copper Cable. Interchangeable Plugs.3.5mm+4.4mm Plugs. Rich Packaging Design & Solid Set of Accessories.

Tested with

I used wide bore TRN T tips and a 2.5mm balanced NiceCHK cable with my Hib R3 Saber 2022 DAP playing flac files from my music collection. The supplied modular cable is also high quality and I did audition the Freya 2 with a Hidizs DAC.

The Sound.

What are the expectations of a $250-$300 IEM? In the lower echelons of earphones we have bass monsters, V shaped fun machines, Harman tuned inoffensive offerings and competent DD’s and Planars that satisfy most needs at affordable prices. When the IEM is a hybrid of multiple drivers from a renowned company, expectations of something special are created.

When I first listened to the Feya 2 my first thought was that I had never heard this sound signature before. I was beguiled and enchanted by what I was hearing.

Freya 2’s midrange is rather special, with a mild warmth and exceptional clarity. The bass and treble, while not extended, bookend this midrange without overwhelming it, allowing vocals to impress. Vocals are well placed, not too forward and emotion is well conveyed.

The bass is handled by a 7mm Dynamic driver and has that DD speed and punch. The Freya 2 is biased towards a good solid sub bass. The mid bass is a little recessed and snares don’t slap as hard as they could. The sub bass, while adequate is a little rolled off. Bass has a boomy quality on EDM music but is adequate for most genres. It stays out of the way of the rest of the frequencies and equips itself very well.

Treble, like the bass does and adequate job without straying into brightness or sibilance. Like the bass, the highs are just enough to compliment that beautiful midrange. With three BA’s, Kinera could have tuned the IEM to sparkle and shine at the top end but they have chosen to present a more mature and lush sound that is very captivating. The sound still has energy and vibrance.

Soundstage is not extended, giving a more intimate space which I would equate to being in a studio with the artists rather than a stage.

Conclusion

The Kinera Freya 2 is an interesting IEM in that its ability to present a sumptuous and lush musical experience that will keep you listening and coming back for more. It’s not for the analytical listener and it won’t trouble treble sensitive ears. It’s a refined and polished experience that is all about the music.

Introduction


Oriveti is a Chinese audio company, originating in 2015 and based in Hong Kong.
TheOD100 IEM has been provided free of charge to the Audio Reviews Downunder Australian tour group for a honest and considered review. We thank Oriveti for this opportunity.

TheOriveti OD100 is the baby of the company’s range with a price of approx. $70 usd. It features a steel milled body that is small and compact for ease of use on the go and a diamond-like coated single dynamic driver. It is provided with a 4-core silver plated cable anda selection of eight ear tips and includes a solid and roomy carry case.
Because of their small size they are light weight and can be used with cable over ear or hanging down bullet style. The shells have vent holes, so no driver flex was experienced and isolation from outside noise is just average.



Thesound


Firstly the OD100 is being auditioned with FLAC tracks from my Hiby R3 SaberDAP using TRN T tips (Vocal and soundstage enhanced) and today, a NiceCKH BlackCat Zinc Copper Alloy Oil Soaked Cable ( bass enhancement ).


I think I have discovered a synergy between my DAP and these IEMs because instantly the sound I am hearing is impressive to say the least. Listening to “Kingdom of rain” by The The. I am in the middle of a thunderstorm, with rumbling thunder and rain on foliage and the acoustic guitar cuts in with complete fidelity. Electric guitars howl left and right then the bass guitar and vocals enter. The vocals are quite forward and the midbass has excellent punch and impact. The upper midrange and lower treble are emphasized giving a vibrant and energetic sound. Overall, the sound has a mild warmth which makes vocals engaging and conveys emotions well. The bass goes deep when asked but generally has a lighter more neutral feel when compared to more sub bass centric IEMs.


Left and right sound elements are spaced nice and wide, and depth and height are quite adequate. The audio is nice and airy and uncongested. Imaging is very good. Placement of instruments and backing vocals is easy to ascertain.


Can I say that I really enjoy the vocals on this set. Never has Taylor Swift quite had this ability to melt my heart! Male vocals too! Tone is organic and natural and presented nice and forward and sucks you in.


Conclusion


So where does the OD100 sit in the sub $100 market, an area that is hotly contested.


Well, it’s not a basshead IEM and its not a technical detail monster.


But it is an extremely accomplished single dynamic driver design that gives a balanced, mildly warm, energetic, and fun sound. It’s small, comfortable, durable and a very engaging listen. I was impressed with the Oriveti OD100.

Introduction


Oriveti is a Chinese audio company, originating in 2015 and based in Hong Kong.


The Oriveti OD200 is a single dynamic driver with a diameter of 9.8mm and a beryllium coated driver. The company has also developed a propriety airflow system they call DAC (Dedicated Airflow Distribution). This, they claim, allows the driver to perform at its optimum levels.


Knowing how other IEM’s with vented casings work so well I was interested to see how an internal airflow system could stand up. I note the case does have a vent with a small grill just below the nozzle.

The IEM is supplied with a good range of ear tips, a modular cable and a leather carry case.
Also there are two sets of tuning nozzles which provide two sound profiles.



TheSound.


Firstly I am reviewing this IEM using the silver nozzles.This is a warm bassy profile with full smooth vocals and easy upper mids and treble. I found the neutral bright profile with the black nozzles was too bass light and I found a lot of my music collection sounded too bright anda little harsh. Smooth and bassy is my cup of tea.


TheOD200 is easy to drive with my Hiby RS3 saber DAP on high gain. Ifound with the silver nozzles I could push the volume up from 38 thru 44 without affecting the sound balance and at the higher volumes the Oriveti really shone.


The bass is deep and fast with good timbre and moderate sub bass extension. Actually, with Daft Punk tracks they really had some serious rumble. On the whole I found the bass orientated sound enjoyable.


Midrange is mildly recessed but vocals have great timbre and tone. They are well placed in the soundscape with plenty of air. Separation is adequate but not class leading.



Trebles on the silver nozzle are smooth and balanced with less sparkle and shimmer than the black nozzle. Some people might wish for a little more zing in this department to balance the warm and bass nature of the lower registers.


I find it amazing that small dynamic drivers can create such a large space and huge sound within my head. This is a BIG sounding IEM. The soundstage is wide left to right and vocalists have air and space to breathe. Punchy tracks have great impact and electronic music is fast and powerful.


Conclusion


My ears find this a very easy to listen to IEM. The smooth balanced sound with a solid bass floor suits my listening style. I can listen to the Oriveti OD200 for long periods of time without fatigue and itsuits all my music catalog. I can’t say that for every IEM Iaudition.


There are other single DD units on the market that are more resolving or technical but I take my hat off to Oriveti for producing an earphone with a mature, natural and organic sound that is very enjoyable. Recommended for anyone after a smooth enjoyable higher end all rounder.

Description

Simgot has been very successful in the last two years with their new models. The EW200 has conquered the $35 budget market with its fine performance and the EA500 garnered a lot of praise from its owners and reviewers. Now Simgot has released a new version of the EA500 with a lithium magnesium Diaphragm and an Enhanced Dual-Magnet & Dual-Cavity Design.

Simgot was kind enough to send in the EA500LM for review, as part of an Australian audio review tour, with Audio Reviews Downunder. I wasn't paid for the review and any opinions and conclusions are my own.

They claim that the lithium-magnesium dome diaphragm combines lightness and stiffness. This upgraded material claims to offer nuanced and rapid sound response, curbing vibrations for a broad, low-distortion spectrum.

Calling the new IEM the EA500LM instead of a completely new name invites comparison with the OG EA500. I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to the original version so I will leave conclusions as to whether this is an upgrade or a side grade to other reviewers and I will review the 500LM on its own merits. I will also discuss its sonic similarities with its baby brother, the EW200 and if it can come close to the performance of the much more expensive EA1000

Simgot has catered to various audio tastes by providing three sets of replaceable tuning nozzles to tailor the sound to individual preferences.

The silver nozzle with black ring is designed to enhance the treble response. The gold nozzle with red ring provides more bass boost and the treble is smoother and less pronounced while retaining plenty of clarity. Lastly the silver nozzle with the red ring is a compromise between the other two tunings with moderate treble and following the Harman curve more closely.

My listening was done with the Gold/red ring nozzle as this is my preferred tuning. I used TRN T tips which I find give a good seal in my ears for bass response but also enhance vocals and soundstage. Source was my flac music collection on the Hiby R3 Saber DAP set to high gain with a 2.5mm balanced cable.



Comfort and fit are excellent with my ears and consistent with the other IEMS in the Simgot range. Can I say I find the gloss gunmetal finish on this unit to be very attractive and classy.


The sound.

Listening to the EA500LM for the first time you will be greeted with the house of Simgot U shaped sound, with a purposeful bass, forward and natural vocals with great timbre and good energy in the treble. Such is the tuning that not one frequency overwhelms the others leaving a fun musical experience that works with pretty much all genres.

Dialling down to the nitty gritty how do we assess the EA500lm’s prowess?

Firstly, the bass which is boosted in the sub bass region and with a weaker mid-bass. Having said that the bass definition, speed, and timbre are very satisfying to my ears. Leading into the midrange we have well placed vocals with natural timbre and tone. Both female and male vocals sound correct and are placed well in the soundstage with nice air and space around them.

Treble, using the gold/red tips, was adequate and not intrusive. Cymbals shimmer and sizzle as they should and percussion is clean and detailed.

The ability of this IEM to resolve details is amazing for a single DD. You would think there was a BA in there as well. It’s not a detail monster but it exceeds more than a few IEMs at this price point. It can handle and present complex tracks with multiple layers of instruments and vocals without any congestion or confusion. Its separation is first rate.


Conclusion

I can’t help but think this IEM is the obvious upgrade path from the Simgot EW200. When I compare them, I hear a similar energetic musical sound with energy, punch and a big fun factor. The difference is that the 500LM presents the music with a fidelity that is a class above its baby brother. All aspects of the sound are refined and improved on. In the sub $100, congested IEM market, the Simgot EA500LM, deserves a place at the top of the table and gets my recommendation.

Source and tips.

This example was loaned to me from Brad Thomas's personal collection for audition as a member of Audio Reviews Downunder tour group.

I used my preferred TRN T tips for vocal clarity and soundstage ( Bass is still solid ) and used music in FLAC format on my Hiby R3 Saber DAP


The sound.

JuzearClear has a V shaped sound balance, with boosted bass and highs and theoretically recessed midrange. Having said that it's not the full story with this IEM. This V shaped tuning style has evolved over the last few years and Juzear has refined the tuning to avoid the excesses of boomy bass and harsh and sharp trebles. The bass with the Clear is certainly full and deep with plenty of impact when called for. Its also fast with good decay and does not intrude into the midrange.This allows the midrange room to move and I find the midrange hardly recessed at all. Vocalists are up front and present with great tone.When the big bass kicks in the vocalist is still clear and in space.The soundstage is plenty big with good depth and height. Trebles sing without being to hot. I'm really impressed with the tuning balance on this IEM. Its not a detail monster, it has no downsides as long as you are happy to have a big bass floor to your music. The rest of the frequency range works wonderfully well with a nice 3D space.


You are looking at a musical and enjoyable unit with the Juzear Clear. I challenged it with my most forward and hot recorded singer King Princess from the album Hold on Baby and survived. With some IEMs this album is unlistenable. Ethel Cains complex House in Nebraska sounds fine with the layers of backing and vocals depicted well. Six Blade Knife by Dire Straits is well anchored by the plodding bass and the guitar details fly around Marks vocals. Lose yourself to Dance by Daft Punk has a massive thumping bass drum with a clear funky guitar dancing with the vocals. Very fun. Any EDM tracks have the right energy and clarity.


Juzear Clear is a very surprising IEM for a single DD at the $50 price point. I think this unit surpasses anything from the budget manufacturers. To my ears it's like a Simgot EW200 with max bass added and the hot upper midrange that some people complain about, missing. If this sound profile appeals to you its a strong recommendation.

Simgot was kind enough to send in the EA1000 for review, as part of an Australian audio review tour, I wasn't paid for the review, any opinions, thoughts are my own.

Design musings

Development of in ear monitors is accelerating as manufacturers compete for best in class. Single Dynamic driver IEMs would seem to be the most basic design, with products on the market for less than $20. And yet Simgot is selling the EA1000 at $220.

The reason is they have taken the design and developed it to the Nth degree. I don’t pretend to understand what sputter deposition purple-Gold diaphragm technology or dual magnetic and dual chamber technology means. I have an inkling of what Passive radiator technology is designed to do but I will leave others to explain that. What I understand is the sonic results of all this development.

Equipment used to test.

I used my Hiby R3 Saber 2022 DAP with a NiceCHK 2.5mm balanced cable and TRN T ear tips. Listening to my music collection of FLAC files. I get a nice deep seal with these tips.

A note on fit and comfort. In size the EA1000 is similar to the Simgot EW200 with a similar metal body. But for some reason the 1000 fits deeper in my ear canal to the point where the IEM almost seems to sit flush. Everyone’s ears are different, but we have a bit of synergy going on here.
Drivability

I use the DAP set to high gain and when driving 7Hertz Legato or Hidizs MP145 I use a volume setting of 45 (sometimes a little higher) . With the Simgot a volume setting of 35 gives me equivalent sound pressure and boosting to 40 I find unnecessary and no advantage.

The Sound

This IEM impresses from the word go. Its tone is rich and tends to the warm side. The bass is fast, deep and well textured, allowing rumble and thump when required and never intruding on the midrange. Vocals have a forward placement with natural timbre and an intimate expressiveness. Vocal lovers will enjoy the EA1000. Singers have room to move in an expansive space with great left to right width and enough height and depth to create an immersive soundscape.

One of its great strengths is handling complex compositions. Instrument separation is first rate as is detail retrieval. The EA1000 never gets flustered or congested. Each element of a song is audible as recorded and the sound is coherent and compelling. Songs breathe!

Treble details are refined, airy and extended, never too hot or overbearing. Indeed, the cohesive tuning of this IEM is its big strength. And above all its is a MUSICAL IEM.


Conclusion

I titled this review. The Goldilocks IEM

If you don’t know the children’s fable, it’s a story about porridge and a little girl who eats the three bears porridge. Daddy bears porridge was too hot, Mumma bears porridge was too cold but baby bears porridge was just right! The Goldilocks zone!

The Simgot EA1000 presents each aspect of the audio spectrum as “just right” to my ears and I’ll be saving to get my own set. Highly recommended.

The GK100 construction

There are a lot of drivers packed into the GK100 shell.

Starting with two 8mm dual cavity 2-way crossover coaxial dynamic, LCP diaphragm dynamic (low frequency) + composite titanium diaphragm dynamic (ultra-low frequency) Then there is a 8mm DLC driver for the midrange.

There are two high resolution composite balanced armatures for the high frequencies. Also two high performance 8mm piezoelectric ceramics (high frequency) and lastly two 8mm piezoelectric ceramics for the ultra-high frequency.

The resin shell is light and well finished with an attractive face plate and metal nozzle. The two pin socket is recessed a little and on this example the pins feel a little loose. Having said that the ear pieces never fell off while I was using them.

Also included with this set is an excellent Hakugei modular cable with 8 strands 6N single crystal copper silver-plated wire. Two balanced plugs (2.5 and 4.4) and one 3.5mm single sided.

The sound

The Geek Wold GK100 has the ability to seduce you with new nuances in your favourite songs while also making you hit the stop button on others.

Because of its resolution and technical abilities, particularly in the treble register, tracks that are poorly recorded, close miked or high energy, will come across as harsh and too edgy. I’ve listed to a fair selection of my library and while the majority of albums sound special, there are more than a few where I would choose other IEMs as my listening.

When the GK100 meshes with an album you love, you are in for a treat. Rich smooth textured bass, delicious fluid vocals soaring in a spacious soundscape.

Sometimes I struggle to quantify the soundstage of an IEM, listening intently to instruments left and right. Trying to work out if we have height and depth in the music presentation. Not so with the Geek Wold. Instantly you are in a large space, with musicians left and right, backing singer well behind the vocalist and instruments placed all over the shop. Rather excellent!

Down to the nitty gritty. Bass response. Good sub bass rumble, fast bass response with a full rich sound but never intruding on the midrange. Lots of separation from the vocals but with a correct rich texture. Vocals are neutral and natural, not forward or recessed but placed just right for my ears. Plenty of space and air to the vocals and both male and female sound correct and inviting.

Treble is extended and detailed and presented with maximum fidelity. GK100 is a detail monster. All those BA and Piezo drivers are there for a reason. You will hear everything the producers put into the track. You will hear sounds you never suspected were there or only just audible on other sets. Can I just say, BEWARE THE PICCILO! (I nearly died!)

Here are some artists whose albums did not suit the GK100 ( at least to my ears) Massive Attack, Alabama Shakes, Mark Ronson, The White Stripes, Bruce Springsteen, Buzzcocks, Olivia Rodrigo, Metallica, Nirvana, Spoon, KING Princess, The War on Drugs, Taylor Swift! ( true! )

Here are other artists that made me fall in love with their music all over again.

Billie Eilish, Daft Punk, City and Colour, Bonnie Raitt, Supertramp, Caroline Polacheck, Gracie Abrams, Allison Krause and Union Station, Noah Kahan.

I had to stop there because I was spending too much time immersed in the music.

Summary

The Geek Wold GK100 isn’t going to be universally loved. But if you are like me and you like your music served with a healthy serve of rich bass, natural smooth detailed mids in a holographic space with details to burn…well, you just might fall in love as I did.

TheARRTI R1 is a triple driver IEM with the following internals


Two 6mm titanium dynamic drivers
One 8mm beryllium plated dynamic driver
It has an Impedance of 20 ohms and a frequency response of 20hz-40khz


The aluminium shell is finely machined and not excessively heavy. The four-strand cable with a 3.5mm plug is OK but I find the cable likes to tangle more than usual. The R1 comes with two sets of tips and a nice fabric zippered hard case.


The sample earphone was send to Audio Reviews Downunder, our touring IEM review group in Australia for assessment. Thank you to ARRTI.


Sound Impressions and listening experience.


The R1 is not like your common Harman tuned IEM but has it’s own distinct sound. I describe that sound as muscular musical! The combination of three dynamic drivers gives the R1 a rich warm enveloping sound with a solid bass floor, clear mids and gentle highs, and a wide listening space to enjoy it all. I like this sound signature a lot and it appeals greatly. Often while assessing its attributes I found myself three songs into an album and not thinking about what I was hearing, just enjoying the music. It’s the sort of IEM that’s enveloping, non demanding but very rewarding and one you can listen to for hours without fatigue.






Bass


The bass of the ARRTI R! starts low, very low. Drums have weight and it dips nicely into the sub bass. I would not describe the bass as super fast or energetically clean, but rather rich and powerful. The strong midbass does not bleed into the mids, rather provides a solid floor for the vocals to soar above.


Mids


More solid gutsy sound. Plenty of punch to guitars snares and vocals are clear with lots of space and air. Still on the warmish side of neutral. Micro details are evident and easy to identify. The sound is not congested , rather clear and involving.


Treble


The ARRTI R1 has adequate treble with good resolution. It's quite neutral, unboosted and easy to listen to. It compliments the rest of the frequency range allowing excellent edge to vocals and instruments while being easy to listen to and non fatiguing. Albums I know to be edgy and sibilant on some other IEMs sound more neutral and enjoyable with this set.


Soundstageand imagining


Excellent is the word. A natural big wide space with good depth that easy to place instruments and backing vocals. Details are natural and easy to pick out . Everything


sound natural and correct.


Summary


Who are the ARRTI R1's aimed at?


Above all people who want an organic musicality with a high degree of finesse.


People who are tired of the Harman tuning target and are looking for something


novel and appealing


People who are treble sensitive and would prefer a smooth rich organic sound with a good bass floor.


As I have said, I can listen to the R1 for hours, enjoying the smooth bassy presentation and enjoying my music catalog

Letshuoer has provided a sample of the S15 planar IEM to Audio Reviews Downunder Australian tour group to assess and review and I would like to thank them for that.

The S15 is the company’s latest iteration of a planar driver after their success with the S12 and the S12 Pro. The S15 is tuned differently from its earlier cousins with a 6mm Passive filter, dual acoustic tubes and a new acoustic structure. While I don’t pretend to understand the technicalities of the design, (I’ll leave that to others) , I believe the object was to move away from the S12’s V shaped sound profile to a new, more natural organic sound to appeal to a wide range of listeners. We will see if they succeeded.

Firstly, to the IEM and the packaging. This would have to be the most premium packaging I have come across with high quality boxing with a slide out draw that holds three modular connector pins (2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced) with a smooth cylinder in the same colour to the IEM containing an excellent modular cable and a range of ear tips. Two sets of silicone tips are supplied, described as "Vocal ear tips" and "Balanced ear tips" The cable has an excellent feel and while the ear hooks have a tight bend they anchor solidly to my ears. The S15 has a 3D resin shell with a aluminum faceplate and I find the design quite understated but elegant. The body is light and fits my ears very comfortably and I can wear it for extended periods without discomfort. It has an angled nozzle which also helps the fit.

I auditioned the Letshuoer S15 with my Hiby R3 saber with the 2.5mm balanced output and high gain selected. I was not happy with the supplied tips which had a soft core and were difficult to fit. After trying several brands, I settled on the TRN T tips which emphasis the clean vocals and gave the best soundstage. The IEM is easy to drive and not demanding but it did seem to sing better with a liberal application of volume. On the Hiby I ranged between a volume setting of 40 to 50 depending on the source tracks and how well they were recorded. Older 20th century music quite often needed higher volumes to bring out the best. Supertramp excluded!

The first impression is how full and punchy the S15 is. This is not a V shaped S12. It’s a totally different animal. It’s lush and warm but with great separation and presence. The sound is very natural with little evidence that you are listening to a planar driver. This would have to be one of the best bass performers in the planar category. For quantity, speed, refinement and impact the S15’s bass is first rate.

The track “God willin & the creek don’t rise” by Ray Montaine had a bass drum that sounds like a thunderclap with the S15. Ray’s vocals are forward and sweet and the rest of the band arranged around him in a medium soundstage. Left to right, the soundstage is moderately wide, not extending outside your head. Depth and height are moderate giving an intimate listening environment.

“California Soil” by London Grammar has got great depth and rumble. The percussion is sharp and clear and Hannah’s voice is centered in the soundscape, clear and natural sounding. Putting on some Daft Punk , we have deep rumble, thudding bass drum, a solid floor of bass guitar with clear funk guitars over a well defined male vocal. Very impressive.

'Sundream' by the Australian synth band Rufus Du Sol proves that the Letshuoer S15 is a versatile IEM rendering the synth drums and bass with correct weight and impact while the bell like synth sounds cut thru with crystal clarity. Other tracks prove the S15 can rock out with the best of them.

Conclusion

If you are considering investing north of $300 usd on an IEM you will expect superior sound quality for your money. With excellent bass delivery, forward and warm midrange, with great vocal delivery and detailed non fatiguing highs. The Letshuoer S15 will impress.

Letshuoer has provided a sample of the S15 planar IEM to Audio Reviews Downunder Australian tour group to assess and review and I would like to thank them for that.

The S15 is the company’s latest iteration of a planar driver after their success with the S12 and the S12 Pro. The S15 is tuned differently from its earlier cousins with a 6mm Passive filter, dual acoustic tubes and a new acoustic structure. While I don’t pretend to understand the technicalities of the design, (I’ll leave that to others) , I believe the object was to move away from the S12’s V shaped sound profile to a new, more natural organic sound to appeal to a wide range of listeners. We will see if they succeeded.

Firstly, to the IEM and the packaging. This would have to be the most premium packaging I have come across with high quality boxing with a slide out draw that holds three modular connector pins (2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced) with a smooth cylinder in the same colour to the IEM containing an excellent modular cable and a range of ear tips. Two sets of silicone tips are supplied, described as "Vocal ear tips" and "Balanced ear tips" The cable has an excellent feel and while the ear hooks have a tight bend they anchor solidly to my ears. The S15 has a 3D resin shell with a aluminum faceplate and I find the design quite understated but elegant. The body is light and fits my ears very comfortably and I can wear it for extended periods without discomfort. It has an angled nozzle which also helps the fit.

I auditioned the Letshuoer S15 with my Hiby R3 saber with the 2.5mm balanced output and high gain selected. I was not happy with the supplied tips which had a soft core and were difficult to fit. After trying several brands, I settled on the TRN T tips which emphasis the clean vocals and gave the best soundstage. The IEM is easy to drive and not demanding but it did seem to sing better with a liberal application of volume. On the Hiby I ranged between a volume setting of 40 to 50 depending on the source tracks and how well they were recorded. Older 20th century music quite often needed higher volumes to bring out the best. Supertramp excluded!

The first impression is how full and punchy the S15 is. This is not a V shaped S12. It’s a totally different animal. It’s lush and warm but with great separation and presence. The sound is very natural with little evidence that you are listening to a planar driver. This would have to be one of the best bass performers in the planar category. For quantity, speed, refinement and impact the S15’s bass is first rate.

The track “God willin & the creek don’t rise” by Ray Montaine had a bass drum that sounds like a thunderclap with the S15. Ray’s vocals are forward and sweet and the rest of the band arranged around him in a medium soundstage. Left to right, the soundstage is moderately wide, not extending outside your head. Depth and height are moderate giving an intimate listening environment.

“California Soil” by London Grammar has got great depth and rumble. The percussion is sharp and clear and Hannah’s voice is centered in the soundscape, clear and natural sounding. Putting on some Daft Punk , we have deep rumble, thudding bass drum, a solid floor of bass guitar with clear funk guitars over a well defined male vocal. Very impressive.

'Sundream' by the Australian synth band Rufus Du Sol proves that the Letshuoer S15 is a versatile IEM rendering the synth drums and bass with correct weight and impact while the bell like synth sounds cut thru with crystal clarity. Other tracks prove the S15 can rock out with the best of them.

Conclusion

If you are considering investing north of $300 usd on an IEM you will expect superior sound quality for your money. With excellent bass delivery, forward and warm midrange, with great vocal delivery and detailed non fatiguing highs. The Letshuoer S15 will impress.

The7hz Legato Discovery Journey.


Who Builds the Legato? 7Hz was founded in 2012 as a team of engineers and audio enthusiasts who came together to test their skills in the realmof audio. 7Hz stands for the Theta Wave, a frequency that is often associated with meditation and harmony. We know the companies other IEMs well such as the Timeless planar and Timeless AE, Salnotes Zero And the new Salnotes Zero 2, the Dioko and recently the new Sonus.


The7Hz Legato is an earphone with a dual-dynamic driver configuration with a crossover design; a 12mm woofer is paired with a 6mm midrange tweeter. The Legato has incorporated its own technology to deliver adeep and controlled bass, while the driver design on the tweeter aims to enhance the precision and detail of midrange and high frequencies.The 12mm unit uses a high-power N52 Neodymium magnet that produces a powerful magnetic flux allowing for swift movement of the diaphragm coil enabling clean and precise sound. It is machined from aviation grade aluminium for strength and light weight and is comfortable to wear. Legato is also easy to drive.


When is a review not a review?


When you are listening to an IEM that's made with one purpose in mind. I'll let Larry Fulton


of7Hz explain. He said.


“ We didn't tune the Legato JUST to please bassheads. We tune the Legato with the single-minded objective to bring back the 1960s, 70s and early 80s vintage sound. “


Instinctively in this hobby we want to compare and contrast new IEM's with units


we are already familiar with, to get a sense of how the earphones sound.


For those of us that grew up in the age of home stereos blasting out 70's and 80's pop and rock, the Legato sound is familiar. Younger listeners will find this sound unusual and even perplexing. If they have been to live music venues then the sound might make sense. Bass frequencies require speakers to move large amounts of air to transmit low and impactful sounds to your ears. To reproduce this in an earphone small enough to fit in your ear is an engineering marvel. And to produce the levels of bass that Legato can without swamping the other frequencies is pretty impressive!


RayChan of 7Hz explains.


“We understand concerns that sometimes, in the quest for technical perfection, the musicality and overall enjoyment of music can be overlooked.


At 7hz, we recognise the importance of striking a balance between technical precision and musicality. We believe that true audio enjoyment is not solely defined by crystal-clear clarity and resolution or technicalities but also by capturing the emotional essence of the music.


In line with this sentiment, we have specifically tuned our Legato to bring back the musicality that may have been lost in some audio systems. The Legato aims to deliver a rich and engaging sound experience, emphasising the warmth, dynamics, and emotional connection that music can evoke."



Thesound


I enjoy my Legato for a different listening experience from Simgot single dynamic drivers or the Hidisz MP145 planar full frequency planar. Here is what I hear. Sub bass you can feel on your ear drums.Physical sound. Rumble that sits below the vocals and bass and midbass with punch and slap. Cymbals are present but subdued in the mix. Listen to Dancing by Night, SebastiAn & London Grammar.


“Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard” By Lana Del Ray presents a giant and immersive soundstage with Lana's voice clear and pure in the mix. Treble is smooth and engaging. Male voices have extra chestyness while female voices have clarity and


an enjoyable timbre. Switching to modern pop with “Don't date the teenager” by Australia's answer to Taylor, namely Gretta Ray, you will find punch snap and details galore. Ear candy!


Summary


So where does the 7Hz Legato sit in the mix? If you want refreshing change of pace from the Harman approach that dominates the IEM market, you will find a warm and engaging sound with thunderous bass, lively mids and a smooth treble that’s easy to enjoy.

The Simgot EW200 IEMis a budget and high quality IEM


selling at $40 USD.Using a singly 10mm DD and featuring


a polished high density alloy shell with a dual cavity body


and a dual magnetic circuits


Specifications


Driver Type: 10 mmdual magnetic circuit and dual cavity dynamic driver.


Double-sided vapordeposited silicon crystal diaphragm.


Frequency Response:10Hz-50kHz.


Effective FrequencyResponse: 20Hz-20kHz.


Sensitivity:126dB/Vrms (@1kHz).


Impedance: 16Ω±15%(@1kHz).


Jack Connector: SE3.5mm gold-plated.


Cartridge ConnectionType: 2 Pin 0.78mm.


Cable: OFC high purity silver plated.




Sound description.


Listening test were done driving the EW200 with a Hiby R3


DAP using the balanced connection on high gain. Having said that


The Simgot is very easy to drive and phone and daps will work fine.


Bass.


The bass is impactful, fast and full. The sub bass is well balanced


being both punchy and dynamic. The music feels full of energy and


rhythm. Drums sound solid and believable, bass lines have the correct


weight and resonance.


Midrange


The midrange is this IEM’s standout. Detailed, medium forward and clear.


Vocals sound natural with plenty of air and space. Details and separation


are first rate. Combine with the solid bottom end and you have a well-tuned


and musical IEM.


Treble


The treble is detailed and airy and compliments the rest of the sound profile.


I am not sensitive to high frequencies and I find cymbals and fine details are


rendered just right. The soundstage is immersive and spacious and completely adequate.





Conclusion


The Simgot EW200 isa steal at $40 and I believe it easily competes with IEMs up to the$100 price point.


The balance of bass, mids and treble results in a very well tuned, musical and enjoyable instrument.

This is my first review and also my first planar IEM which I purchased
on the Hidizs kickstarter promotion.

Hidizs supply the MP145 in a solid box with small, med and large tips

to cover bass, balanced and vocal sound profiles. The supplied cable is

high quality but I did find the ear hooks extended too high to anchor the IEM.

Switching to an alternate cable that wrapped closer to my ears made the IEM more stable.

The supplied tips work ok but the nozzle is large in size and I found using a softer tip

By TRN allowed a deeper and more secure fit. Once fitted the size of the MP145

Is not noticed and the metal alloy is fairly light.





Drivability:

The MP145 has a sensitivity of 104db and resistance of 30 Ohm which makes it easy to drive from most dongles. I use it with a Hiby R3 DAP on high gain and while its sounds fine on medium volumes its really comes into its own with application of more power. The sound seems to expand beyond the head, and it never gets harsh or sibilant.

Sound quality:

This IEM is superbly balanced from sub bass to detailed non-fatiguing highs. The mid-range is uncolored and natural sounding with vocals placed perfectly in the sound mix. Others have commented that its sound signature is more closely attuned to a dynamic driver sound. There is no planar timbre that I can detect. Music is presented as recorded. Poor recordings are obvious and very well recorded artists excel with this unit.

Bass:

I like my bass. My favorite two IEMs are the 7Hz Legato and the classic V shaped Ikko OH10, both renowned for having deep impactful bass, so when I tell you the MP145 keeps me happy bass wise, believe it. Sub bass is well present, and bass heavy tracks are not lacking. Drums sound strong and natural, bass lines are full and none of this interferes with the rest of the sound spectrum.

Midrange:

Balanced, natural, airy, uncolored. Vocals are clear, present, well placed in the mix and tonally very enjoyable.



Treble:

Detailed, extended, unfatiguing and everything I though a planar would provide. I am hearing details in tracks that went un-noticed with my other sets. A note on the tuning nozzles. I have settled on the balanced rose gold nozzle which suits me well. This combination with TRN T ear tips (which add vocal clarity and expand the soundstage) gives me the sound I am after. I tried the silver treble tips and the high frequencies are more pronounced while the bass is not affected. The bass nozzle did not add large volumes and seemed to throw the tonal balance off to my ears. The lower midrange frequencies destroyed the perfection I had been hearing.





Soundstage and imaging:

This is the first IEM I have experienced that extends beyond my headspace in the manner of a over ear open backed headphone. Layered tracks with backing vocals sound amazing with the Hidizs.



Conclusion:

I’ve never owned a planar IEM before and I picked a great one to start with. Other reviewers have compared the MP145 more than favorably with existing planar units and I think you can’t go wrong with the Hidizs MP145