This is my first review on Headfi and the main purpose was to get the sound signature of ASG1+ out to the public since the news of its release was mostly overshadowed by ASG2.5. I do hope these impressions help for those who are actually considering the ASG1+.
I have never been a fan of the ASG2, which was the only IEM of the Aurisonics line I had heard before the release of the new ASG2.5, ASG1.5, ASG1+ and of course one of the hot favourites right now, the Rockets. When I first heard the ASG1+, I was pretty surprised since a wave of bass didn't hit my ears.
Pretty intrigued by how much Dale had listened to the community to provide a much more neutral sound signature iem to us, I was upset at how little attention these iems received since most of the news was about the release of ASG2.5.
Seeing this I requested a demo from Aurisonics to get a better idea of the sound signature and to provide some impressions for these IEMs. Chern Wei was kind enough to send a demo to me to do just that and here I am. Without further ado, let's get crackin' on the review!
Build Quality/Comfort:
I have always loved the build quality of all of Aurisonics line up. They look sturdy and seem to be able to withstand considerable amount of torture, but of course, I didn't try my luck here.
As for fit-wise, it was more of a miss than hit for me. Unfortunately for me, I have got very tiny ears that doesn't fit most over-ear universals and ASG1+ was no different for me. I had no complaints from my friends who tried them on so I guess it was just my ears.
Tips wise, I have to say initially the Sure seal tips were too grippy but they become better over time/usage and are really quite comfortable after some breaking in. The isolation from these tips are superb in my opinion, more than the Ortofon and Spinfit tips that I usually use.
Sound Quality:
All listening was done on a Calyx M, which in my opinion, is an excellent match to the ASG1+.
I listen to too many genres to list them out so it would suffice to say I really tried them on VARIOUS genres.
The first thing that would amaze you immediately once you put on the ASG1+ would be the insanely alluring mids. These mid-centric beast of an IEM puts you through a mesmerising vocal journey through any music you put in its path. I tried and tried countless songs to see if it will falter in this aspect but to no avail. The ASG1+ just is that good in this aspect.
After I slowly recovered from the initial shock from the crazy mids, I started to notice the smooth highs that is reminiscent of the Aurisonics Rockets, only more extended this time. The highs also gave neccessary sparkle when needed, in amounts that were just right so that snares and crashes sounded like what they needed to.
The bass on initial listening, was just the right amount after coming from the Rockets! Although listening to the Rockets, I didn't feel it was bass anaemic, the ASG1+ made it sound so. The quantity of bass on the ASG1+ was just right so that you get a very well-balanced sound, just ever so slightly tilted so you get a nice tinge of warmth, unlike previous offerings from Aurisonics that had deep thumping bass. It also has just the right amount of bass to give a full bodied sound to the ASG1+. However, over extended listening time, I felt the extension of the bass wasn't that up to my satisfaction. The ASG1+ lacked rumbling in the sub-bass which left me wanting just that little more.
The ASG1+ also had uncanny realism to its sound, which I feel is greatly aided by the sound stage it produces. The staging goes as wide as the Rockets and in addition, adds a new level of depth that brings the stage much deeper than the Rockets.
Conclusion:
What can I say?
I was floored by what the ASG1+ had to offer. This was by far my favorite in the Aurisonics line-up. It is up there with the likes of Final Audio Design Lab1, Fitear MH334, Tralucent Audio Ref1 in my books. It is such a well-tuned IEM that should receive lots more attention than it is having at this point of time.
I thank Chern Wei for providing me this chance to demo the ASG1+ which I reluctantly sent back, albeit slightly late because I was enjoying it so much, and am quite sure I will be getting a pair for myself.
Try the ASG1+ for yourself, and walk the immersive vocal journey that it took me through.
I have never been a fan of the ASG2, which was the only IEM of the Aurisonics line I had heard before the release of the new ASG2.5, ASG1.5, ASG1+ and of course one of the hot favourites right now, the Rockets. When I first heard the ASG1+, I was pretty surprised since a wave of bass didn't hit my ears.
Pretty intrigued by how much Dale had listened to the community to provide a much more neutral sound signature iem to us, I was upset at how little attention these iems received since most of the news was about the release of ASG2.5.
Seeing this I requested a demo from Aurisonics to get a better idea of the sound signature and to provide some impressions for these IEMs. Chern Wei was kind enough to send a demo to me to do just that and here I am. Without further ado, let's get crackin' on the review!
Build Quality/Comfort:
I have always loved the build quality of all of Aurisonics line up. They look sturdy and seem to be able to withstand considerable amount of torture, but of course, I didn't try my luck here.
As for fit-wise, it was more of a miss than hit for me. Unfortunately for me, I have got very tiny ears that doesn't fit most over-ear universals and ASG1+ was no different for me. I had no complaints from my friends who tried them on so I guess it was just my ears.
Tips wise, I have to say initially the Sure seal tips were too grippy but they become better over time/usage and are really quite comfortable after some breaking in. The isolation from these tips are superb in my opinion, more than the Ortofon and Spinfit tips that I usually use.
Sound Quality:
All listening was done on a Calyx M, which in my opinion, is an excellent match to the ASG1+.
I listen to too many genres to list them out so it would suffice to say I really tried them on VARIOUS genres.
The first thing that would amaze you immediately once you put on the ASG1+ would be the insanely alluring mids. These mid-centric beast of an IEM puts you through a mesmerising vocal journey through any music you put in its path. I tried and tried countless songs to see if it will falter in this aspect but to no avail. The ASG1+ just is that good in this aspect.
After I slowly recovered from the initial shock from the crazy mids, I started to notice the smooth highs that is reminiscent of the Aurisonics Rockets, only more extended this time. The highs also gave neccessary sparkle when needed, in amounts that were just right so that snares and crashes sounded like what they needed to.
The bass on initial listening, was just the right amount after coming from the Rockets! Although listening to the Rockets, I didn't feel it was bass anaemic, the ASG1+ made it sound so. The quantity of bass on the ASG1+ was just right so that you get a very well-balanced sound, just ever so slightly tilted so you get a nice tinge of warmth, unlike previous offerings from Aurisonics that had deep thumping bass. It also has just the right amount of bass to give a full bodied sound to the ASG1+. However, over extended listening time, I felt the extension of the bass wasn't that up to my satisfaction. The ASG1+ lacked rumbling in the sub-bass which left me wanting just that little more.
The ASG1+ also had uncanny realism to its sound, which I feel is greatly aided by the sound stage it produces. The staging goes as wide as the Rockets and in addition, adds a new level of depth that brings the stage much deeper than the Rockets.
Conclusion:
What can I say?
I was floored by what the ASG1+ had to offer. This was by far my favorite in the Aurisonics line-up. It is up there with the likes of Final Audio Design Lab1, Fitear MH334, Tralucent Audio Ref1 in my books. It is such a well-tuned IEM that should receive lots more attention than it is having at this point of time.
I thank Chern Wei for providing me this chance to demo the ASG1+ which I reluctantly sent back, albeit slightly late because I was enjoying it so much, and am quite sure I will be getting a pair for myself.
Try the ASG1+ for yourself, and walk the immersive vocal journey that it took me through.
