Reviews by Dhaw

The NF Audio NA20 was provided for review to Audio Reviews Downunder. Thanks to the company .
Tested with my HiBy R3 Saber DAP feeding a KAEI Designs TAP2 amp.
The NA20 is NF Audios upgrade of one of my favourite IEMs, the NM20. Now the NM20 is a bright IEM with a good midrange but the bass while fast and muscular does not dive deep. I optimized the NM20 using a copper-based cable with good bass response and eased treble. My tip I settled on was the orange Penon liquor tips.



The Sound
Any review of this model must reflect back on the previous NM20 single DD set which had a leaner brighter and maybe more polarizing tuning.
The NA20 is a much warmer tuning with a gentler treble and a boosted sub and lower bass giving a much warmer smoother presentation. Given my enjoyment of the original model, I wanted to optimize the NA20 closer to my preference. I used a Letshuoer cable from my S12 2024 which I find gives a detail rich sound. Orange tips gave me a softer and boomy bass result with not enough definition. Switching to Divinus standard tips gave me a more tactile sub bass with less bloom and more definition in the mids. Now I can listen to Severina by the Mission and switch between the two IEMs and form an opinion as to which set I prefer to live with. Obviously, that is a very different way to review than a straight out of the box review but that's how it's going down.
NA20 now has punch in the mid bass. The bass is less pillowy and allows the song to rock hard with cleaner bass with decent impact. The sub bass can still rumble when the recording calls for it. The mids and vocals now have more to room and air to punch through. The cable is allowing the treble to shine without being overwhelming.
Switching to the NM20 and the sound is leaner and thinner. The bass has subjectively greater impact but that could be the effect of the altered tuning and emphasis.
Now I've put the Divinus tips on the NM20 and the bass is fuller, and the two sets get closer together.
I'm giving the bass win to the NA20 with this setup.


Now to switch songs and explore the mids treble and staging. Tom Petty's "Wildflowers" is widely acclaimed as one of the better records produced. "Crawling back to you" gives the NA20 its chance to sparkle. Piano drums and guitars recorded in a very live sounding room are reproduced in exquisite detail. Tom's vocal is forward and natural sounding, and the separation of the instruments is very good. Snares have bite and cymbals splash nicely. There is plenty of treble details and a nice wide stage. People who like a smooth sound might find the NA20 a little spicy on this track, but I love it.



Taking the time with the two NF Audio offerings has been instructive. As I am not one to use EQ my tools were cable and tip rolling. While I feel both sets are performing at optimal levels for my taste I must make a choice.



The NM20's brighter punchier sound signature which has resulted in some criticism still has the most attraction for me. The NA20 with its easier to live with tuning and still excellent performance is going to be more widely accepted. This set might not be the best when it comes to metal or EDM music genres. If you enjoy Indie, rock or alternative styles with great vocals I can recommend the NF Audio NA20 as an excellent single dynamic driver IEM at the $120 price point with confidence.

Spectrumica was provided as a review unit to Audio Geeks brotherhood ,Australian chapter and we thank Ice Labs for the chance to review a high end product. Spectrumica is an eight driver quadbrid consisting of 1x bone conduction driver, 1x ceramic dynamic driver, 4x Sonion balanced armatures, and 2 ESTs all fitted into an aviation grade aluminium shell




Unboxing and Accessories

This would be the best presented earphone I have received. The designers need to take a bow. The box with its clear window to see the contents is next level. The case design is superb and again clear topped so you can see the cable inside. There is two full sets of quality eartips and the stock cable is of the highest quality. I did not use any other cables with this set.





Fit and size
Spectrumica is a large IEM. I no longer have the MP145 but we are talking about that size. I used the excellent wide bore silicone tips included andwent down a size to the M size and the fit was solid and secure.Because the shells are light I could wear for extending periods without any discomfort. Wide bore tips gave the most complete sound for me.

Review equipment
I reviewed this set with lossless audio from my library on my HiBy R3DAP as a source fed through a Kaei TAP2 amp with the tube optionbypassed. I used the stock excellent cable.


Overview of sound
On first listen you will hear a extended full range presentation with a warmth and a clarity of the highest level. The sound is integrated and balanced and to my ears the closest I have heard to a quality set of over ear headphones in an IEM . The soundstage is expansive, deep and wide. Vocals are placed forward close to the listener with each instrument spaced around in clearly defined positions. Separation and layering are first rate. Whether it's the bone conduction driver or not but each frequency range in this set has energy and forcefulness giving a bold and dynamic result. Spectrumica demands your attention.




Sound breakdown
Starting with the bass. It's a physical bass with good mid bass impact. The sub bass extends well with some good rumble. Princes "Cream"has a great snare sound with attack and punch and the bass guitar is full and thick. The BC driver which gives the great soundstage and reverberation does seem to take the edge off the bass area making its sound slightly diffuse compared to some of the best hybrid IEMs I have auditioned. This is a small nitpick as Spectrumica is one of the top performers in this area.
The midrange is nigh on perfect. Vocal tones and instrument timbre both are spot on. Small nuances and breath intakes from a singer are clearly audible. Both male and female singers sound completely natural and clear. You listen with the vocals close to you but due to the airy three dimensional staging they never overwhelm the rest of the composition. Tracks with sparkle and energy are elevated to a new level with Spectrumica. The bone conduction driver in this set seems to have its effect across the sound spectrum giving an extra presence evenly. Never laid back, the set demands your attention and active listening. The mids are full and present but never oppressive because of the airy spaciousness and the brilliant instrument separation. Everything is exactly in its place.
Looking at the the upper midrange and treble now. Time to go to my two go to tracks from Carolyn Polacheck and the band Gomez.
The latter's "Charlie Patton Songs" has close miked cymbals and bells and can reveal any harshness or lack of extension. Spectrumica presents the bells gently with great natural tones and the cymbals again have the right amount of tizz. "Butterfly Net" by Carolyn startswith a natural sounding acoustic guitar and the mixed percussive sounds throughout the the track come through clearly and very detailed. The treble in this set does it's job perfectly and unobtrusively. Its clear and resolving and again integrated beautifully.
Technicalities
Spectrumica will satisfy detail heads and pretty much everyone else as well. It's not going to dominate the musicality but delights still be found. The separation of instruments and imaging is first class. Instruments have ultra clear and natural tones with an extra edge in the finish from the BC driver. Pianos have depth and natural decay. Guitar strings have crisp reverberations and edginess. All presented with an amazing wide and three dimensional soundstage.




Conclusion
The Ice Labs Spectrumica is not a laid back set. People who enjoy a set that makes the music come alive will love this one. If you like your music to party and rock, look no further. EDM sounds great as does rock. While its not quite bassy enough for metal in my opinion, acoustic and indie tracks have vitality and life. I enjoyed my time with Ice Labs Spectrumica greatly.

Letshuoer has provided their first of a new line of IEMs to Audio Reviews Down Under Australia and we thank them for the opportunity to experience and review this
novel new IEM,the DX1.

Design
Letshuoer designed this compact metal shelled IEM with a 11mm driver that has Diamond-pattern topology diaphragm with aluminum magnesium alloy nano particles incorporated into it. They include a 5 kHz Notch Filter which they claim to reduce excess energy or resonance around 5 kHz to minimize distortion for optimal sound.
Letshuoer has provided a twin strand 256-Core silver-plated mono crystalline copper braided cable terminated in a 3.5mm L shaped plug. It's a very nice lightweight cable with good sound quality. My sample arrived with just the 3.5mm plug but I believe there is a 4.4mm option. In my opinion DX1 fights well enough at the $160 price point. The shells are marked with L and R but the cable just has the same embossed on the transparent plugs which is hard to read. Now that many DACs are being produced with both 3.5 and 4.4mm inputs it would be great if manufacturers were able to provide both options with a modular cable termination.


The shell has three vent holes but I did experience momentary driver flexon insertion. Obviously this did not affect performance and I haven't heard anyone else mention this so maybe just my ears! Supplied is the usual Letshuoer good selection of tips in three designs and sizes.For storage they have provided a puck shaped aluminum case/container supplied is a beauty. Lined with rubber and with a rubber cap that just pops off it's a good size and easy to use.




The DX1 sound is powered with a solid deep textured sub bass and augmented with crisp percussive mids. The bass/mid mix is just right to my ears. Metal bodied IEMs in my experience add a level of attack in the bass that resin bodied don't usually replicate.
Reflection.This set has the balance I like. Focus on the vocals superbly presented with solid satisfying bass that does not dominate and treble that's also complementary to the overall sound. There is plenty of air and space on offer even though the sound is full and resonant. Single DD IEMS like this that are well tuned are a delight.
The piano decay and timbre in “The Allcott” by The National is ultra realistic. Matt's vocal is husky and expressive. There's nice reverberation and space behind the vocals and well defined separation between instruments and violin backing.
If you'd like to hear some rock drums go no further than “Knock knock knock” By Spoon. Good weight to the kick drum and thwack from the snare. Plenty of width across the stage from various elements of this song.
Further listening to my library reinforces how good the soundstage is with the DX1. Song after song impresses with great width and good depth which aids the instrument separation and lack of congestion. The sound is spacious and effortless.




Comparisons

I have some single DD comparisons and one with a BA.
First the QDC SUPERIOR.V shaped single DD worth about $150.
Typical V shaped with solid bass , thinner mids and boosted bass. The QDC isa great example of this tuning done very well. The DX1 has a more textured bass still with some good depth. More mid bass slam and the midrange is considerably fuller. A better vocal set still with decent treble extension.




Next the Kotori Zephyr$150 with its additional BA and mid centric tuning. Zephyr is smoother and less energetic than the DX1. Bass is more sub bass focused and more relaxed. The vocals on both sets are quite similar with the DX1 holding its own. The DX1 rumbles more strongly and the vocals have more attack and energy. Treble is similar on both.
NFAudio NM20at $125 also a single DD is analytical and treble enhanced. How does it compare ? Well the energy level is very similar but the NM20 takes the upper mids and treble to a more detailed level but with more sizzle from the vocals to cymbals. Bass is similar to the DX1. The Letshuoer DX1 has far more body in the midrange. Plenty of details but fuller and warmer than the thinner NM20. It will be interesting to compare with the new NA20 when it arrives.




Conclusion


The DX1 is easy to drive from a modern DAC. It's not power hungry. It's compact shape sits rock steady in my ears and is very comfortable for long periods of listening. With its midrange focused sound and open detailed presentation it's another single DD that's it's easy to settle in for long enjoyable listening sessions. It's both musicaland analytical which is a clever tuning achievement so hats off again to Letshuoer. This driver is something special. I hope the DX is the first of a new range by the company.

Ear Acoustic Audio is a company out of Shenzhen China that has been in ear monitors since 2015 and winning awards in industry competition. They have worked with many recording artists and have developed a series of four consumer-oriented IEMs using cutting edge technology and production techniques. These four sets have been provided to Audio Geek Australia tours to showcase their new models and obtain unbiased opinions from Australian audiophiles. The SPA series is a step up in design from the company’s budget sets using a more advanced driver and a dual magnetic dual cavity design. As is usual the increasing price indicates loftier sound aspirations. The SPA Max (called Max from here on) is approximately $270 USD The set above this called the SPA Limited Edition Year of the Snake leaps to approximately $400 USD. The IEMs are aluminium bodied with a machine cut diamond pattern covered in a clear polished resin.

In the box we get a puck shaped fabric covered zipper box with two sets of ear tips, one of which is actually wide bore which is a first for me. The oxygen free copper cable with Litz silver coating is a braided two strand 3.5mm terminated cable and similar to Simgot and BQEYZ cables, which is to say, very acceptable quality.

Isolation and fit is excellent for my ears and at 9 grams per side they are substantial without being heavy. I can wear them for extended periods comfortably.



The SPA High end Max has solid bass, good weight with punchy snares, cymbals that shimmer and splash. Bass drum has proper thump you can feel without boominess. The bass guitar is very full and elastic sounding. The HE will also surprise with deep sub bass rumbles that you were not aware of in certain tracks. It can go very deep.
The bass response could be overwhelming if the midrange was not so prominent and well textured. What we have is a full warmish and well-balanced sound right through to the detailed treble showcased in an expansive stage.
The Max is obviously V shaped but very well done. It reminds me of my first quality IEM, the Ikko OH10 Obsidian. Indeed, the frequency graphs are uncannily close. The Ear Acoustic does a similar job but with more finesse and balance




Complex busy rock such as American Teenager by Ethel Cain throws a lot of elements at the listener esp towards the end of the track. It's a track that shows off a wide and deep soundstage and the He handles it perfectly keeping all the sounds discreet and not becoming a confused mess. This reminds me of the Hidizs MP145 but with a 50% bass boost!




Midrange and vocals. Firstly, vocalists have a big footprint on the stage. The sound wraps around the vocalist with a spacious soundstage. The vocalists are placed well, neither too forward or recessed and tonality is very natural. Vocal lovers will be pleased with the Max. Both intimate and airy. The mids are fairly forward but with the spaciousness of the sound this is not overbearing. I have a theory that metal shelled IEM’s tend to project a more vigorous and upfront sound. The Simgot single DD range with the EA1000 and LM500 as examples.

The treble is extended and crisp. It certainly brings out details on the upper range well but in a clean and clear way without being tiring. First rate I'd say… The instrument separation is also first rate. Everything is easy to locate in the sound field and well defined. While this Max version works well with all my acoustic music it excels with electronic music. It has the power, range and energy to take EDM to the next level. I'm thinking it would work well with metal.



The Ear Acoustic SPA -Hi End Max sounds like a more expensive hybrid IEM rather than a reasonably priced single dynamic driver. Its performance is exemplary, and I could happily include this in my collection, and it would get plenty of use.

The EPZ P50 was supplied for review to Audio reviews Downunder and we thank them for this. The P50 has one dynamic driver and two BAs and also twin micro planar drivers. The light shells are medium sized with a shaped winged resin body that fits me snugly and gives good isolation. You can easily wear the P50 for hours. The stock modular cable is also good quality with lockable connections with a screw collar as which I like.



My equipment used; Dap, HiBy R3 with Cayin RU6 dac and Kaei Audio Dac/ TAP 2 amp . I preferred the Penon velvet tips for a good seal and bass and for cable I went with XINHS G88 4 strand copper cord to enhance the bass response over the standard cable. My musical preferences are modern indi pop and alternative music, the newer the better. Most of my library is less than 10 years old. Male and female vocals take first place but I do rock out and have some EDM and classic century stuff too.

TheSound.

The EPZ P50 tribrid has an expansive and very cohesive sound. The semi open back face plates create a wide and deep soundstage. It sounds like the band is playing in the Las Vegas sphere. This is helped by the IEMs excellent macro and micro details with each sound placed across the stage, well separated and letting the listener place everything accurately. Another aspect I really enjoy with this set is it's tonality. Instruments sound completely natural and both male and females are rendered with lifelike timbre and positioned just right. Not forward or recessed.
Starting at the lower reaches the P50 has good sub bass and will rumble with the right track. The bass is clean and fast with good timbre. Kickdrums have a solid oomph without boominess and bass guitars sound nice and thick and dense. Overall the set is biased towards sub bass but the mid bass has crisp punch and the IEM presents a mildly warm overall sound that's energetic without being abrasive. It's a whole heap of enjoyable fun. Tracks have plenty of life yet with an enjoyable smoothness. Treble is detailed and sparkly without harshness. The micro planars deliver a lot of small details that lesser sets might gloss over. Indeed the EPZ P50 can give most of the budget planar sets a good trashing in the back alley. The cohesiveness of the three types of drivers is a triumph.


Comparisons.

Switching to my S12 2024 planar
The first thing I noticed is where did the mid bass go! The S12 2024 is sub bass heavy and the rest of the range is much lighter and sparkly. Back to the P50 and the bass quantity is back and really enjoyable. Plenty of sparkle from the planars too.

Changing to the NM20 by ACOUS Audio a single DD and the bass is similar but boy that treble. The NM20 is a little hotter than the P50 showing me the EPZ has got the balance pretty well right.

One more comparison is the Letshuoer DZ4 which uses three 6mm DDs and a6mm passive radiator. This has a similar balanced sound to the P50but with the bass depth and the bass texture of the P50 winning out.



Musical vs active listening . Some IEMs you settle for just enjoying the music as they don't dazzle with technical details. What's nice about the P50 is that you can settle in and enjoy an album or if you are ofa mind you can focus on how the song has been produced and hear all the little nuances. It's an all rounder. EPZ have produced a great IEM with first class abilities and to my ears no faults. I can envisage myself using and enjoying this set in a regular rotation with my other IEMs. Recommended.

Letshuoer has provided their top of the line and revamped Cadenza 12 to Audio Reviews Downunder and we thank them for the opportunity to experience and review this
premium IEM.




DESIGN
Cadenza has a single 10mm Kevlar composite dynamic driver and a mix of 11 Knowles and Sonion balanced armature drivers of the highest quality.. It's a large IEM but not extremely heavy as it's made of Titanium.Its 10 grams per side in weight where as the MP145 Hidizs is 14 grams.Interestingly Titanium does not feel cold like the Simgot metal IEMs for example . It actually is enjoyable to handle! Have a lens polishing cloth handy to keep them shiny. The fit is good and the set
is easy to wear for extended periods. I tested it with the provided excellent 4.4/3.5 modular cable with my Cayin RU6's balanced output and Spinfit W1 tips using lossless recordings from my DAP. I'll let others describe the unboxing and accessories but I will say I appreciate the modular cable.




SOUND IMPRESSIONS
The first thing I found evident with Cadenza was that it sounded authoritative and BIG !
The soundstage extends beyond my ears but impresses because of its depth and height. I can't overstate how impressive the sensation of space the C12 creates. This ample room allows for fantastic instrument separation. Instrument placement is pin point.

Some expensive IEMs impress by their musicality allowing you to just enjoy the music. Some wow you by their impressive technical props. Some impress with their naturalness. Rarely do you find and IEM that does it all . That's Cadenza 12.

The 12 drivers work in concert, (pun intended ) seamlessly presenting the music with perfect balance and fidelity. It seems rude to attempt to break down the sound into bass, mid-range and treble when Cadenza does it just right. Its an unnecessary analysis to my mind with this set. Again, others have done this better than I can. I'd rather attempt to describe how it presents the sound.




Such is the the head-space the C12 presents along with a striking note weight that the music sounds utterly real. Other sets somehow hide the sound behind a veil that Cadenza lifts.
Pianos have guts with perfect tone and note decay. Acoustic guitars have detailed delicate notes and the sound cavity of the instrument is audible. Kick drums sound solid and you feel as well as hear them and snares have bite and impact. Cymbals shimmer and sparkle with just the right level. There is a balance in the C12 that never makes you wish for more or less at any point of the frequency range. This is a set that does that amazing trick of revealing elements within familiar songs that you had not heard and were not aware of.


THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE
Some tracks to illustrate what I am hearing.
Teardrop by Massive Attack.The rim shot drum is beautifully crisp and there is and extra sub rumble in the lower bass. The vocal has a more evident ghosted echo vocal in certain parts.
Dreamer by Supertramp.In the second half the drums are mixed alternating between left and right ears.
Just when I think the C12 needs more bass the Prince comes on with Cream and pummels my ears with with an epic snare sound. There is a sexy guitar slinking all around the stage. Never know where it's going to show up next.
Wicked Game by Chris Issac reminds me to let you know that the C12 renders both male and female vocals as well as any IEM I have ever heard. Perfect timbre and placement and as natural as can be.
Loose yourself to dance. Daft Punk.Slams as hard as it should. Authoritative bass with guts and gravity.
Lana Del Ray. Music to watch boys by.
This is an atmospheric and cinematic song. The Cadenza manages to handle the percussion, vocal and orchestrated backing with finely balanced finesse. Every part is audible and blended into audio experience.




SUMMING UP
There are IEMs that you just enjoy because they are musical and allow you get lost in the music. Then there are IEMs that amaze you with macro and micro details and a shimmering treble and excellent bass. It's rare to find a set that does both of these together. Letshuoer have built and tuned an amazing in ear monitor with the 2025 Cadenza 12 and you should try to hear it if you get the chance.

NF Acous Audio has provided this example of the NM20 IEM to Audio reviews Downunder in Australia for our assessment and honest review and we thank the company for this.

Description

The NM20 is a single dynamic driver IEM built with a frosted polycarbonate shell which is light and easy to wear. The edge of the shell is outlined in aluminium and the NF logo is prominent of the face. There are two vent holes in the shell. The cable is made of oxygen-free, silver-plated cooper made of 4 strands that are wound into a fairly soft and flexible 3.5mm cord. It is supplied with a simple set of good quality eat tips and a zippered practical fabric carry case.



Customisation.

Fit was not an issue with the NM20 as the shells are small and light and most tips I tried gave a secure fit. Before burn in and with standard tips with the standard cable, the mix was slightly bass light and the treble was bright with splashy cymbals while not being sibilant. After several days of burn in I found the bass and balance improved and using narrow bore tips (Penon liquor orange) and switching to a single crystal copper cable I found the perfect sound balance for my ears. While the cable connector is not flush with the IEM but protruding from the shell, it is a strong design going by the companies’ exploded photos and I had no qualms about inserting a standard 4.4mm balance .78 two pin cable into this outlet. The IEM itself is strong and lightweight, and this adds to the security of the connection.

Bass.

It delivers bass at recorded levels accurately and dynamically. Sub and mid bass is supplied with power and a certain muscularity. It's very enjoyable. Tracks with a sub bass emphasis go moderately deep and snares and kick drums are precise and have weight and speed. Timbre is accurate and uncoloured. As mentioned, using a copper cable and Penon tips fine-tuned the bass response to my tastes. I tried adding a bass boost by EQ but decided I liked the manufacturers tuning in preference.



Midrange.

Again, uncoloured and accurate, the midrange is monitor like but with a natural timbre and with both male and female vocals very naturally presented. There is plenty of air and separation from the bass and the extended trebles add to the spaciousness of the vocal stage. I don't find the vocals recessed, rather presented just right in the mix. NM20 has the ability to reveal layers of backing vocals that might be concealed with lesser IEMs. Familiar songs have layers peeled away presenting details of the recorded tracks you might have been unaware of. Vocal levels perfectly presented mirroring the recording. For instance, King Princess is always close miked and up front but some recordings such as .... Place the vocalist back in the mix. The ability of the NM20 to portray this reflects its monitor like competence. I enjoy listening to music portrayed this way and the other IEM I have found that does this is my favourite, the Kotori Zephyr. I can listen all day picking out new wrinkles in the way the recording was made while happily enjoying the recordings. The NF MN20 is going to be my vocal reference IEM to compare other sets to. It's rather well done!

Another interesting thing is that the NM20 works best at moderate volume levels. It never demands a few more volume notches as everything is audible and ratcheting up just increases the sound pressure unlike my planars.
ANOTHER interesting observation is while writing a few notes for this review and listening to Kelley McRae's excellent album, Good Company, the music stopped. I had listened to 10 tracks in 40 minutes and wanted more. Where did the time go? This IEM is addictive.



Treble

No question that the NM20 sparkles in the treble region. Wide bore tips accentuated the treble resulting in cymbals in particular sounding bright and splashy. Cable and tip changes brought this under control well allowing a crystal detailed top end that was not fatiguing. Treble sensitive listeners using bright sources will probably find the MN20 a bit much but using a warms source with the copper cable and narrow tips can tune down the highs. The chiming guitars and tambourine from The Jesus and Mary Chain Darklands album sound just right to my ears and Bye Bye Pride from the Go-Betweens, a personal favourite has pace and timing with a dynamic bold sound featuring again chiming guitars, clarinet and harmonic vocals. A very enjoyable listen with the NF ACOUS IEM.



Technicalities

I've mentioned this set has excellent technicalities. Instrument separation and also backing vocal tracks are like being in the studio and being able to look around and pick out each performer. Instrument tonality is a standout being completely natural. Stage is adequately wide but has great depth. The IEM can present a large listening spherical environment that is immersive and captivating. Its easy to get lost in the music with this set.



Conclusion

The NF ACOUS NM20 is a set for listeners that prefer a neutral revealing set with monitor like technicalities and a musical presentation. Treble sensitive users or basshead might want to pass. But users that would like an alternate tuning from the current overly warm trend for IEMs will find this a breath of fresh air and enjoy its technical prowess. I'm very happy with this tuning and constantly amazed at the abilities of single dynamic driver earphones. The NM20 gets two thumbs up from this reviewer.

The ST2 Pro Nebula IEM has been provided to Audio Reviews Downunder in Australia for ou honest assessment and we thank Hidizs.




Description


The newest release from Hidizs is the ST2 Pro Nebula , featuring a customized 10mm dual magnetic circuit dynamic driver and is supplied with an EES chipped USB C DSP cable (Nebula) which negates the need to use a separate DAC and will plug straight into a phone or PC. It features a powerful DAC and durable 0.78mm 2-pin connector, delivering strong audio and stable signal transmission. With output up to 70 mW+70mW@32Ω.


Thecable is a light two strand twisted cable with fabric covering and suits the purpose, easy to transport and tangle free in my experience. The DSP termination is 10mm small and has a window with power indicator lights. It is supplied with a minimal set of HIDIZS liquid Silicone Ear Tips . The customized pouch provided by HIDIZS isa practical size for such a small cable/IEM combination. TheST2 has smallish moulded resin shells which fit comfortably and can be worn for long listening periods with no problems.




Testing


The ST2 Pro IEM.
I tested this IEM with its dedicated DSP cable and also using three other sources with my own 0.78 cables. The ST2 Pro has a traditional 2 pin socket allowing the use of other cables.
Firstly I tried my HiBy R3 Saber DAP which is good clean neutral source. The ST2 Pro performed well but with very acceptable hi res performance sounding nicely V shaped and clean. . Switching to the Letshuoer DT03DAC which is a fairly powerful $80 DAC and the ST2 warmed up considerably and the bass went to another level with deep sub bass and the vocals gained weight. Next up was the Cayin RU6 my favourite DAC , very technical and with a warmish analogue character. This resulted in a better balanced bass with improved mid bass and some of the boomyness with the other sources was alleviated with the bass sounding more textured and muscular.





The Nebula cable.


The DSP cable can be used with any two pin IEM and I tried it with my Simgot EW300 hybrid and Letshuoer S12 2024 sourcing FLAC files from my HiBy DAP. There was ample power available but with a single ESS chip the sound fell short of the performance from my two dedicated DAC's. But still very acceptable for using as a daily driver combination.
So how does the DSP cable with the Hidizs IEM perform direct from my Pixel phone ? Surprisingly good. This is how I decided to review the cable and IEM combination because it's probably the way many users will purchase. The EES chipped amplifier gives good clarity, natural vocals and the balance between bass mids and treble is very well rendered. The 70 mw output drives the ST2 Pro with ease and I used considerably lower volume settings than I am used to. The driver Hidizs have used in this IEM seems to be very capable. We seem to have a well tuned competent V shaped sound with good soundstage and non sibilant treble.




The Bass.

Solid and substantial is the immediate impression. Bass drum hits with good authority and snares have good crispness. The bass does lack some texture and has a warm sub bass focus. It does have a degree of boomyness depending on the recording. The bass boost remains at the correct end of the spectrum allowing the vocals and midrange plenty of room and air.
Midrange
The mids and vocals are not recessed or thrust too far forward. The tone is natural with a fair degree of added warmth but the timbre of vocals seems correct and natural. Male voices have good strength and weight and female vocals are well rendered being both expressive and natural sounding.
Treble.
TheST2 Pro has an easy to live with treble with enough extension to sprinkle high frequency details from the tracks without any sibilance. This allows good rendition of details of the recording in a balanced way. The Hidizs has very good technicalities with a pleasing ability to break down the recording. It sounds nice and open with no congestion. The soundstage is average, meaning nicely wide with some height and depth.





Conclusion

Hidizs have done a great job producing this ST2 Pro Nebula combination. The star of the show is the tiny DSP built into the Nebula cable with excellent power and resolution. It has the ability to replace budget dongles and also will power higher priced IEMs. The IEM is also no slouch with a sound quality to surpass many budget models and rival some mid ranged sets.

I'd be quite happy using this DSP setup for daily commuting duty. The sound is that good. It would also be the perfect gift for that special person who deserves some better sound equipment.

Introduction


Kotori Audio have seen fit to provide a sample of their new $150 USD Hybrid IEM to Australian reviewers for honest appraisal. Using a Knowles BA and an in house designed titanium coated Dynamic driver they have done a lot of design work on the shell cavity for optimum sound. Whatever this magic is I can report its success and I'll let Kotori explain in their words.
The Pressure-balanced Acoustic System (PBAS) is a step up from a similar system previously implemented in the Dauntless In-Ear Monitors.It features an intricate network of acoustic pathways integrated into the 3D-printed shell structure, along with the use of a balancer tube to achieve inter-chamber pressure relief. By bridging the front and rear driver sections through the balancer tube, the system facilitates pressure equalization, alleviating the vacuum pressure at the back vent.This reduces the mechanical load on the Dynamic Driver, allowing it to actuate with greater freedom.
My previous experience with aKotori IEM was their single BA Vampire which I still enjoy and amazes people who audition it.




The package


The Zephyr comes in a fairly compact box with a hockey puck design metal carry case and two sets of silicone tips in a plastic organizer. The 3.5mm cable has an L shaped plug and is a twin braided OFC Silver-plated Litz Copper design with a 0.78 two pin termination. I do appreciate that Kotori had put L and R on the cable terminations and also on the resin shell. Other companies should take note! This cable is lightweight but not cheap in feel and has a functional slider.
The shell of the Zephyr is composed of a medium sized resin body with a CNC-milled aluminium faceplate with a design influenced by the architect Bauhaus. I find it simple and attractive and with a solid feel but lightweight. The nozzle length is something that has attracted at lot of comments online as it is rather long. Because of this I was unable to get a good seal with many ear tips and the sound suffered greatly. I usually use large wide bore tips for soundstage but not really an option here. Mid sized tips in my collection also gave sub optimal results. The stock grey tips in the L size are actually slim and tapered and using these the whole spectrum of sound became available. Recommended. I'm sure there are other tip choices that will work.
I presented the Zephyr to three of my audiophile friends and all three had no issues with the fit of the nozzle. And two out of the three were suitably impressed. ( I suspect the third used the wrong tips! )
Also Kotori recommend a burn in period of 80 hours for the IEM to begin performing at peak efficiency and I did find that after this time there was a discernible improvement.




The Sound.


Listening was done with my library of lossless music with a HiBy DAP and a Cayin RU6 DAC.

Where to start? Breaking it down into the various frequency ranges as per usual in reviews seems almost counter-intuitive. Such is the unique tuning of this two driver set. It is immediately both striking and addictive. The forward upper midrange is the first attention grabber with wonderful weight and timbre. Vocals have a detailed presence and a natural tone giving an intimate presentation. Yet the rest of the sound has an all encompassing expansive soundscape balancing that wonderful midrange. The music resonates through the acoustic environment with an exquisite fidelity that you just know sounds right.
But what does it sound like I hear you ask? Well Ok.
The Bass:
I like a balanced sound and that's what Zephyr gives me. Sub bass is present and mid bass is crisp and punchy. The bass has a sold ear feel with a nice tactile impact. No interference with the midrange either. Bass guitars are weighty and solid. Angel by Massive Attack has the appropriate rumble and gravitas. But essentially the bass is neutral, neither rolled off or boosted. What was recorded is what is presented.

Midrange.
Have a listen to Andy Warhol by David Bowie. The song starts with weird sounds that pan from left to right for one ear with a little banter between David and his sound engineer. Anyhol, when the acoustic guitar begins the song you are instantly next to the guitarist with the reverberating strings reproduced magnificently . If you are a fan of acoustic music you will be in a state of bliss. Male vocals are perfectly chesty and emotive with little details like breath intakes can be heard. Female vocals. Perfection. BQEYZ Cloud was my go-to for the ladies until this set. The vocals are placed perfectly in the soundstage but because the Zephyr accentuates the upper mids the vocals have a greater prominence in the mix. The beauty is that the rest of the mix keeps up and is not drowned out.

Treble
Smooth and delicate, the treble compliments the mids with gentle details. Never overblown or accentuated the highs sit perfectly in the mix. When called on by the mix, treble details are clear and well defined and add to the airiness and sense of open space the track demands.




Details and soundstage.
The longer you listen to this Kotori the more you appreciate how good it is. An IEM than can reveal new details in familiar songs is something to be treasured. The soundstage is wide and deep allowing your ear to focus on each instrument and position it perfectly in its place.Subtle additions to the mix of a song stand out. I heard a violin part buried in a Gomez song that I had never been aware of before. Little things like that seem magical and the reveal delights .
So is the Zephyr a detail monster? Well yes and no. It doesn't overwhelm you with accentuated details but they are there with attentive listening. Zephyr is a midrange monster but with a tuning that lets you hear everything. It's novel and in my experience, unique.
This IEM excels with live music. The sense of space and audience is covered wonderfully. It feels like you are there in the audience.


Piano lovers will find that instrument is portrayed with rich tone and awesome decay.
Lovers of Percussion will enjoy Summer girl by Haim. The song bounces along with funky bass and drums and when the saxophone comes in and doodles along in the background it feels like summer.
It wasn't until I listened to Fleetwood Mac on the Zephyr that I realized it's ability to strip a songs mix apart and reveal all the subtleties of the multi-track recording. The Mac albums are widely considered to be some of the best recordings and now I understand why. The better your source the more revealing the Zephyr is. The Cayin RU6 has the ability to break down tracks to every tiny detail and Zephyr reproduces them all with perfect fidelity but with a smooth coherence that is completely captivating.


Conclusion
The sign of a really good IEM is that you play one track from an album to listen how the set plays it and you stay for the whole album. That's the magic of the Kotori Audio Zephyr! For me this set is a keeper and I have barely listened to any other sets in the last three weeks. It is that addictive.

Introduction

This H60 set by ISN has been provided for review through the Audio Geeks group and I will provide my best honest impression of this earphone. Thanks to ISN and Audio Geeks for arranging a tour in Australia.



The H60 sells for $349 USD and is a vented resin IEM shell containing 2x 8mm DDs for bass, 2x Sonion BAs for midrange and 2x Knowles BAs for treble.

Listening tests using a Hiby R3 player and lossless files thru a Cayin RU6 dac and my preferred Divinus Velvet wide bore ear tips. I used the stock cable and several cables from my collection.

Drivability

The H60 is very easy to drive. Using the Cayin RU6 at 36 produced a decent sound pressure. I reached ideal listening levels with 15% lower setting than I usually listen at. Another differentiator is feeding more volume in does not result in rewards. This set seems to have an easily reached optimum operating level and scaling it up is unnecessary. It's presentation is clear and energetic and unusually I found myself turning it DOWN on certain recordings. The H60 is an engaging set , delivering the music in an immediate and dynamic way. As such it is great for active listening. Rock and high energy music takes on a extra level of excitement.




Comfort.

The shells are light and fairly large, but I was able to get a very good fit with my preferred Divinus wide bore tips and once seated the IEMs can be worn for long sessions with no discomfort. They fit snugly and have a high level of passive isolation.

Personalisation.

I will always review an IEM as it sounds. I never use equalization with my personal sets. I will find synergy with cables tips and sources but tinkering with the frequency response is not my thing. I was not completely comfortable with the H60 when it arrived. It sounded too forceful. The pinna sound level was overwhelming and distracting. A forum member suggested a single small reduction of 1DB at the 1kHz level on my players equalizer. What have I got to lose I thought? Low and behold the sound levels improved across the board, with a balance that allowed me to focus on the music.




Sound impressions.
Bass.

Big, rich, beautifully and delicately textured. This is a full warm all enveloping bass that with the right song wraps you in a cozy blanket of sound. It's the quality of the bass that impresses with the H60. There is ample sub bass without being overwhelming. The balance of mid bass and the sheer correctness of the mix allows you to settle in and just enjoy the sound. Lose yourself to Dance by Daft Punk is nicely solid sounding without being overwhelming. Bassy but basshead levels? I like my bass and the H60 delivers for me. The hand claps and the punchy snappy mid bass delivers the perfect mix to my ears.

Midrange.
With its excellent tonality and open clarity the midrange excel with this IEM. My Cayin DAC adds just the right amount of warmth, and the slightly forward vocals are transparent and oh so natural sounding. The bass underpins the midrange with no bleed.

Seasons Song by Robert Plant from the album Carry Fire gives you this luxurious effect with a very yearning vocal from Robert and a smooth spread of guitars and backing vocals. Switching up to some indie rock with Middle Kids. The song Bend has singer Hannah's voice ranging from vulnerable and emotional to powerful in the chorus.

Treble.

The treble is well integrated with the midrange. It adds enough splash and details without any sibilance. It’s a smooth yet airy treble which compliments the balanced sound. I did not find any issues with the highs.



Soundstage/Separation

Width is just above average giving a good spread of instrumentation with a mildly forward vocal positioning. Combined with some decent depth the presentation is pleasingly expansive and not congested. Separation is excellent with this set. I can place instruments in the mix with precision. Good recordings reward your ears with accurate and faithful reproduction of the mix. Very monitor like.

Timbre and tonality.
Another attribute of the ISN H60 is its accurate portrayal of tones with instruments sounding natural and correct. Not exactly neutral because it has extra added warmth but both male and female voices sound impeccable. Pianos in particular sound wonderful with natural rounded notes and great decay. Guitars have resonance and tactile details. Drum kits sound like drum kits. By that I mean snares sound crisp and fast, cymbals shimmer with the right amount of sparkle and bass drums have punch and impact. The H60 can rock.



Conclusion.
The ISN H60 is going to be missed. Once I adapted to its dynamic sound presentation and explored my favourite tracks I was hooked. I began to appreciate that within that presentation all the subtleties and tonal fidelity meant this set was special.

Introduction


ND Audio has sent a sample of the Venus to Audio Reviews Downunder in Australia and we thank them and will provide an unbiased assessment.

The ND Audio Venus. This one is a major surprise. First the price around $10 USD. What are you going to get for that? A single dynamic driver with a double magnetic moving coil in a lightweight but quality resin shell. The cable is a black lightweight 4 strand copper wire with a QDC two pin plug connector and a 3.5mm male plug at the other end. I find the faceplate with its industrial look of gears to be unique and attractive.
A certain You Tuber bought a bunch of budget IEMS ,15 I think, and compared them. Three out of the fifteen impressed him and I'm sure the ND Venus would have right at the top. It's sound is surprising. I listened to the Venus with a 4.4mm NiceCHK cable into a Cayin RU6 dac and also a Letshuoer DT03 dac. I used Divinus ear tips.




The Sound

The ND Venus is an unashamed V shaped IEM. Bass boosted, recessed midrange and more boost at the treble end. But ND Audio has tuned its V shape with more finesse than earlier IEMs from other manufacturers and other years. The low end is the first thing you notice about the sound. While the bass can be a little on the boomy side, I don't find it overwhelms the vocals. The bass dips into the sub bass region fairly well esp for a budget IEM.
From a solid bass and mid bass to a clear and clean mid to upper midrange the sound is way above its price point. Sure, the upper bass is recessed a little bit, but the the percussion on this one is fast and fun and does not muddy the mids. While they are not the last word in tone and texture the vocals are natural and airy . They combine with the bass in a really natural and fun way. Some people have found the vocals recessed and the FR graph would suggest this but with my listening setup I found them to be placed neutrally in the mix. Male and female voices sound a little thin and lack body but the overall warmth of the IEM gives them a pleasant tone.
And there's more to the story. The treble is very well done, non sibilant and lively enough to add sparkle to the music. I am not treble sensitive and this one suits me fine. Then there are good macro and micro details, and I am hearing acceptable clarity and precision.Obviously the technicalities are not going to compete with $100 sets but very acceptable at this price point. Top this off with a very good width soundstage. The Venus can project a decent size space with lots of room for the band. Sure doesn't sound like I am describing a $10 IEM does it? I think the ND Venus competes well with IEMS two or three or even 5 times its price.




Comparisons.

So is it as good as my EPZQ5?.
First off the Q5 has a little less sub bass and a bigger hard hitting midbass. Nice but I kinda miss the sub bass extension of the Venus. Midrange and vocals are pretty much identical. Upper mids and trebleis more refined with the Q5 but there is not a whole lot in it. In fact the Q5 has a tinge of shoutiness that the Venus avoids. I think Venus does a slightly smoother job with vocals and that bass boost is very addictive. This is a set for lovers of a bassy sound with a nice open midrange. Not basshead but definitely bass forward.
I used the ND Venus with a variety of my favourite tracks and it was consistently enjoyable and competent. Venus is slightly warmer than the Q5 and I think I prefer it's overall sound balance. It's stage is consistently amazing for its width and even depth and make no mistake,this set is playing in the $50 price bracket.


Another budget set I have is the NiceCHK DB3 which uses two dynamic drivers and one BA. You would expect a hybrid with those drivers to present a higher level of fidelity but not so. The sub bass is significantly rolled off compared to the Venus and its overall sound is very laid back and even muted in comparison with the $10 IEM. The Venus presents a livelier more dynamic sound and it's soundstage and open airiness is a slam dunk over the DB3.




Conclusion


If you are stuck trying new IEM monthly releases with “pro” and “X”suffixes and you are buying at the introductory end of the market, do yourself a favor. Pick up the ND Venus and even throw on a better cable and your favourite ear tips and pat yourself on the back for a clever choice. This is the best ultra budget IEM I have tried.

Introduction

Thanks to Letshuoer Audio I have a review sample of the S12 8th anniversary version to audition. Provided to Audio Reviews Down under in Australia and we would like to thank Letshuoer and as usual will provide our honest opinions.
The unboxing of this IEM is a premium experience and one of the most complete and luxurious sets I have had the pleasure to experience. Delivered in a plain cardboard box stamped with the company name. Opening that you are presented with a gilt golden box. Inside that box you have a black embossed box holding the IEMs, a good set of tips including balanced and vocal tips and also a set of foams. Letshuoer's hockey puck shaped hard carry box and a quality cable with modular connectors for 3.5mm and 2.5 and 4.4mm balanced terminations. Oh, and a gold key ring.

Letshuoer has retained the same form factor except the body of the IEM is black resin with a metal faceplate in gold. This makes the whole IEM lighter and adds to the excellent comfort. The supplied cable is excellent quality and looks good with matching gold plug and a very nice feel. The neck slider functions well.





Equipment.
Listening undertaken with FLAC files on my Hiby DAP using the Letshuoer DT03 and Cayin RU6 DACs. I was happy to use the S12 s cable as it is a quality item. I used my preferred Divinus wide bore tips.





I have had a lot of planars to enjoy this year from Hidizs, Letshuoer and NiceHCK. To be frank, while they have been excellent sets, none have toppled the Hidizs MP145 as my favorite. I had few expectations of the 2024 S12. I have read a few lukewarm reviews from people who may have deep love of the OG S12 or the S12 pro.The original S12 predated my involvement with IEMs and the one audition I had with the original S12 did not wow me. It seemed a little uncouth and brash. What to expect from the 2024 model?




Howdoes it sound? Bass First.

The bass rendition is spot on for my tastes. Abundant, yet balanced with more weight and fullness that other planars I have auditioned. The sub bass goes deep when the track calls for it. Mid bass is fast and impact-full. "Man next door" by Massive Attack has the ability to shake your inner ear with a visceral low end . I'd stress that the amount of bass is is still balanced against the rest of the range and never becomes overbearing.

Midrange
Balance is what the S12 2024 is all about and the midrange is clean and mainly neutral with a little warmth and a super natural tonality. Female and male vocals are placed perfectly and sound correct and compelling.
"Six Blade Knife" by Dire Straits for example. A crazy well recorded album. I can just about read the makers badge on the bass amplifier. The snare and cymbals sitting back in the mix and Knofflers guitar clear and detailed with beautiful sustain and release. The 8th has a great ability to portray the width of a performance with discernable depth. This results in a realistic and believable open sound scape which in turn allows the ear to position every instrument in its discrete space and reveals details and nuances that other IEMs just can't.

Treble
The highs are rendered with delicacy and finesse. My test tracks with cymbals and xylophone is "Charlie Patton Songs" by Gomez. Nothing is over emphasized and the highs have a little magic to them, sounding just right to my ears. Some great sounding tom's in this track as well. Planars can sometimes over emphasize treble and make it sound unnatural. The S12 does not fall into this trap.

Technicalities.
"Paranoid Android” by Radiohead off their acclaimed album OK Computer, is my test track and the S12 2024 shows off superb instrument separation across a wide stage with detailed and delicately rendered guitar, keyboards and percussion woven in and around the vocals. The cohesion is maintained throughout the frantic end of the song.
“Laugh it Off” by Post Malone starts with Post's vocal and guitar. His voice sounds like there is added reverberation but what I realized is that the S12 has such an ability to depict depth and space, that what I am hearing is the natural reverb in the studio where it was recorded. At least I'm pretty sure. If not, then the engineer has done a great job. The song builds to a climax with some great percussion, backing vocals and complex arrangement and the S12 keeps it all together beautifully. Listen to the end for some OTT distorted drums. Your ears will not be harmed !





Conclusion.

The 8th anniversary Letshuoer S12 2024 is revamped and re-tuned into a sophisticated and eminently capable planar with a rich and nuanced sound. Frankly it blows me away and tops the Letshuoer S15 by a long way. Treble that's detailed and delicate, natural sounding vocal with air and placed in a large soundstage and underpinned by bass that goes deep, and drums with crisp impact. But there is a hard to define correctness that makes you want to ignore the above and just wallow in the sumptuous music. This is one of those special IEMs that drag you into your music collection to experience the tracks anew. The mix of authority and deftness in the way the music is presented means I think this set will be in my top favourites for a long time. I hope Letshuoer keep this IEM in production longer than the limited run in some future form because it is a triumph of tuning and design.

This NF Audio RA15 IEM has been provide for assessment and enjoyment to Audio Reviews Downunder in conjunction with Audio Geeks Brotherhood of Audiophiles tours Australia.
The RA15 is a single Dual Magnet dynamic driver design that sells for between $80 and $90 USD. NF audio provides a soft pouch to carry the iEM and a good set of silicone tips in a range of sizes. The provided cable definitely could be improved as it is lightweight and quite flimsy.

Tested with Hiby R3 contain my FLAC music collection and a Cayin RU6 dac. I used a variety of cables and my preferred Divinus wide bore tips for stage and treble enhancement.



Comfort. The shell is small, and the shell is stepped where it contacts the pinna and ear canal. The nozzle lodges well but the shell does not contact the ear in my case, and you can wobble the shell with your fingers. It just feels less secure than other models but in practice because it is small and quite light it's not a real problem. Maybe on a treadmill?



How does it sound?

I'm hearing impressive treble response with this set and no harshness or sibilance. It's very well done. Details and separation are perfectly adequate and fit well with the balanced musicality of the IEM.
The soundstage is commendably wide and I'm hearing good depth. This is a big airy roomy musicscape that fills your head with clean and open music with commendable clarity.

The bass is rendered with nice balance, dipping into the sub bass nicely and with a decent mid bass drums impact. Some people will prefer a bigger bass sound. And there is an answer. It's called replaceable nozzles and changing to the gold/brass nozzles raises the bass curve with significant depth and punch. Once again not to basshead levels but should satisfy people with a fuller warmer bass boosted sound.

Feed this IEM with some EDM bass and synths such as Rufus Du Sol and the single DD plus the acoustic cavity performs at levels well above its price point. The bass has authority and physicality. RA15 has some effective sub bass. Feed it some rock such as "Change" by The War on Drugs and you get a solid punchy experience, not quite basshead levels but not too far away. Seven Nation Army lacks for no impact or vigour.


The midrange is excellent with great tone and timbre with both male and female voices. Piano sounds authentic with natural decay and guitars are on point. In fact the RA15 sounds so good I keep finding myself in a wee tussle
Because my right index finger keeps wanting to turn it up a notch or two louder to get more (40) Not logical but addictive.
The RA15 is easy to drive at a level of 34 on the Cayin RU6. It's scary how much more detailed and powerful it sounds at dangerous levels (50). Thankfully it's competent and engaging at more sensible levels.
Comparisons

Simgot EW300 Hybrid vs RA15 Single DD.

Bass
Simgot EW300 has good low bass and sub extension. Bass is a little soft in impact.
RA has better defined bass with better timbre.
Midrange.

Simgot EW300 is very natural and full sounding. Female vocals sound great. RA Also sound fine with female vocals. They have more presence and a little more edge to them.
Treble.

Simgot EW300 has gentle treble which blends nicely with the Mids. Never edgy or harsh but good resolution.
RA Has more extended highs which improves the details and top end sparkle. To my ears it does not cross the line of too hot.

Both IEMs have very good stage and separation with the RA15 Leaning more towards a treble head IEM and the EW300 is smoother but with plenty of energy and resolution.

Comparing with the 7Hz Sonus. One DD plus one BA.
Sonus has been around for a long while in the IEM market. Discounted heavily at the moment. Similar sound to the other two but with a more open wide stage and improved resolution yet again. Sonus is more V shaped and has a punchy bass. I'd rate Sonus a step above the other two.


Conclusion.

This IEM should be considered at the top of a pack that includes a lot of similarly priced IEMs such as the Simgot and the Kefine Delci. Audition if possible. I enjoyed my time listening to a range of styles of music with the NF Audio RA15 and gets a thumbs up from me.

This EW300 IEM has been provided to Audio reviews Downunder by Simgot Audio and we thank them and will provide honest assessment in kind.

Introduction

Simgot’s very successful budget models of EW100 and 200 were well received in the past and provided a pathway for many people to experience quality audio for very little investment. Both the previous models were single dynamic drivers and Simgot decided to step up the game with the next model introducing a hybrid IEM. The Simgot EW300 has a single DD plus a 6mm annular planar magnetic driver and piezoelectric ceramic driver and comes in at a higher but still reasonable $70USD.

Simgot have made two versions of the set, and This is a review of the standard model.

EW300 standard edition. Simple, no-frills version.

EW300 HBB edition at $10 more and features a DSP cable connector.

What’s in the Box?

Simgot provide a reasonably good quality cable with a 3.5mm termination> this cable is fairly lightweight but has a good supple feel and a usable neck slider. Included are a minimal set of silicone tips and a nice leatherette zipper case to travel with. There are also two sets of nozzles which alter the sound. Silver for cleaner more neutral sound with enhanced treble and a set of gold nozzles which damp down the treble and smooth out the sound. Simgot also provided a set of foams to be placed inside the nozzle that can further tame the treble response



My listening tests were conducted using a 4.4mm balanced cable either with my Hiby R3 Saber DAP or in conjunction with a Cayin RU6 dac. I preferred to use a wide bore tip to accentuate the mids and highs and I also get a good ear canal seal using Divinus velvet wide bore tips.

Its driveability is good. Needs a little more power/ volume than EW200 or EA1000 due to multi drivers I used 38 to 40 levels depending on the recording on my Cayin RU6. The former two Simgots give good sound pressure at 30. The EW300 scales well with a more powerful input with the dynamics coming alive.
I find the comfort with the EW300 very good. The smallish metal shell and the tapered metal nozzle assembly fit snugly and securely with good isolation.




The Sound.

What the EW300 is not is a V shaped tuning or a bland Harman shaped tuning. It is a breath of fresh air being a balanced, detailed neutral sounding IEM with excellent technicalities.

The EW300 has a forward presentation with vocals and instruments pushed close to the listener. The good thing is there is good separation of voice and instruments with a great soundstage creating an open and reasonably expensive sound. There is no congestion or muddiness in tracks.
A good example is "Erase me " by Lizzy Mcalpine. Lizzy's voice is right inside your head putting you right at the microphone. Drums and synths are right up with her. There is a sense of depth and space, but this track is rendered very intensely.
Treble performance is good but perhaps not as detailed or extended as the driver combination would suggest. Cymbals seem muted and acoustic guitars are missing that little extra zing. There is also a lack of airiness in the high frequencies. Having said that treble sensitive listeners with appreciate the lack of sibilance or shoutiness. These comments come from the point of view of a bit of a treble head who has been listening to a planar for a week. As I listen more, I can appreciate the way the treble balances with the rest of the frequencies.

The strength of the Simgot EW300 is a tonally correct midrange with a good sub bass and a balanced presentation. Combine this with its great soundstage and spacious unmuddied sound and you have a versatile instrument that's easy to listen to for extended periods. Combine it with a revealing source and the EW300 impressed with its musicality and lack of vices. Listen to "Billie Bossa novel by Billie Eilish and the percussive clicks and deep bass line underline her intimate vocals. Impressive.

Pump up the volume with a little rock and City and Colours "A Little Mercy" and the kick drum and snares have good bite and impact. The Simgot has plenty of rock potential. EDM is solid and dynamic. The EW300 is the IEM you want to grab when you want fun and excitement. There's nothing retiring or laid back with this set. I tried the gold nozzles but found the bass to be boomy and missed the treble emphasis. I experimented by adding two foam inserts in each nozzle and that improved the balance for my ears. Treble seemed to be barely diminished but the overall balance was a tad less aggressive.



Comparisons and conclusion

Compared to the Simgot SuperMix4 this set is far superior in clarity, dynamics and staging. Compared to the single DD EW200 the 300 has a less harsh more mature and sophisticated sound without any treble harshness. Compared to the big brother EA1000 it can't match the cleaner deep reaching bass with its beautiful timbre. You also hear vastly improved details and treble which is extended and yet easy to hear. Stage is more open, and the vocalist has more airiness and expansiveness. Thus the EA1000 at three times the price easily exceeds the budget IEM’s capabilities but the genes of the big brother are obvious. Both have a similar forward presentation, but it is more emphasized with the EW300 because of the smaller soundstage. The two IEMS have a similar tonality and that's a big plus for the new EW300.

Anyone looking to upgrade from the budget models or simply purchase a capable IEM at this price point will be well served and impressed with the Simgot EW300.