Reviews by Edwm

Edwm

New Head-Fier
Kinera Celest Relentless: Ambiguity
Pros: Lovely design
Solid package
Interchangeable plugs
Punchy bass
Wide and deep soundstage
Cons: Large shells can be uncomfortable for thin ear canals and small ears
Dependence on the source
Muddy and swampy mids
Unlined treble
Review of Kinera Celest Relentless
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Introduction

Greetings to all audiophiles, audio enthusiasts, and those who are just starting their journey in this wonderful hobby. Today, I'll be talking about a new release from Celest - hybrid IEM Celest Relentless. Honestly, I really appreciate Celest's attention to detail in both sound presentation and accessories. Previously, I reviewed the Celest Pandamon 2.0 and enjoyed their airy sound.

So, let's talk about the new release. On March 18th, Celest, a sub-brand of Kinera, introduced their new product - the Celest Relentless. Celest’s drew inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology, specifically the "Shanhaijing" ("Classic of Mountains and Seas"), where, according to legend, a young girl named Lass tragically drowned while swimming in the East China Sea. Later, she transformed into a bird named Relentless and took on the responsibility of protecting other creatures by reclaiming sea. Design and tuning of Celest Relentless are based on this tragic and heroic story of a young girl, Lass.

I wish other companies would also pay attention to the history of their product during their creation and follow Celest's example.

Well, as far as i understand, these IEM have replaced the PhoenixCall with a more advanced driver configuration. In this version, they abandoned two micro-planar drivers intended for ultra-high frequencies in favor of an additional 4 balanced armature drivers. So, Relentless is equipped with one 8mm dynamic driver and 4+2 balanced armature drivers.

Celest claims that the sound signature of this pair is highly balanced with deep bass, clear vocals, and detailed treble. Whether this is true, we will find out in this review, and I'll do my best to make it as useful as possible for you.
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I would like to thank Alice from the HIFIGO store for providing the opportunity to test and review this product.
Disclaimer: My review is my personal, honest opinion about the product. I don't receive any income for conducting reviews and i'm don't participate in any affiliate programs.
You can purchase the Kinera Celest Relentless from:




Specification:
  • 1DD+6BA Hybrid Driver Configuration;
  • Impedance: 27Ω;
  • Sensitivity: 105dB;
  • Frequency response range: 20Hz-20kHz;
  • Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin;
  • Cable material: 5N Copper Silver-Plated Cable;
  • Price: 169$.

What's in the box:
  • IEM itself;
  • 2 pin 0.78mm 8 core cable with 5N Silver-Plated Copper braid, 1.2m length;
  • 3 sets, 8 pairs Celest eartips: 3 pair - Celest 221 gray vocal eartips (S / M / L), 3 pair - Celest 608 black & red balanced eartips (S / M / L), 2 pair - Celest foam eartips (S / M);
  • Interchangeable plugs: 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm;
  • Cleaning brush;
  • Golden bird souvenir;
  • Carrying case.
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First impression, Design, Comfort, Additional accessories

First impression


My acquaintance with the Celest Relentless started with the package. Package itself is designed in blue tones with an image of a bird on the front. It also indicates that this is a single-dynamic with six balanced armature drivers.
The back of the package tells the story of the Relentless and provides their specifications. When i opened the package, my first impression of IEMs was that they were made for big humans. Shells are large due to the seven drivers inside them. A thick cable with an 8-core braided and a 4.4 mm balanced connector was inside a protective case marked "Celest." Also inside the case were three sets of ear tips and a 3.5mm plug.

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Design

Relentless are made of resin using 3D printing. They are slightly transparent, allowing you to see the drivers installed inside. Weight of each 6 grams. The faceplates features a sea foam pattern resembling a bird's wing and the calligraphic inscription "Celest". It looks like genuine art.
There is a one compensation hole next to the 2-pin connector.
The nozzle is positioned at the right angle, wide enough but not too long, which may cause issues with selecting eartips for comfortable fit and sound isolation. I want to warn you that thin ear canals may experience discomfort due to wide nozzle.
There is an edge at the end of the nozzle for securing the eartips, and a metal mesh inside.
During the time that I have been using the IEMs, I have not had any issues with the build quality. All the parts are carefully made and I have not had any complaints about the build.

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Comfort

Celest has ensured a comfortable fit in the ear by making the Relentless shells ergonomic. Thanks to correct angle of nozzle and convex inner part of the shell, fit in ear doesn't cause any discomfort, even for a small ear.
However, after an hour session, a slight pain occurs in ear canals, which is annoying and makes me stop using. Overall, i can't recommend this set if you have a small ear and/or a narrow ear canal.
These are largest shells among all IEMs in my collection. Sound isolation is excellent. I assure you, once you put them on, you feel completely isolated from external sounds.
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Cable

Separately i would like to mention stock cable. It's a good-quality cable, long, flexible, and sufficiently thick. It features an 8-strand braid made of silver-plated 5N copper. Outer shell is made of soft PVC material, ensuring protection against damage and water resistance.
One end of the cable has a detachable connector for connecting either a 3.5mm stereo or a 4.4mm balanced plug (by default, it's set to 4.4mm).
On the other end are aggressively shaped ear hooks, and at their ends is a 2-pin 0.78mm plug.
Overall, this cable reminds me of the TRI Through cable, but with the 'Celest' branding."
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Ear tips

Before discussing the sound of these IEMs, i want to mention about included sets of eartips.
First ones i tried were Celest 608 balanced eartips, red with black. Sound reproduction with these tips felt incomplete to me: there was a lack of treble and lows, and midrange sounded muddy and swampy, as if the lows and treble were cut off.
With the Celest 221 wide bore gray eartips, set sounded fuller, richer, and more balanced, which i liked more.
However, after trying several eartips, i stopped on TRI Clarion, which fully revealed IEM's tonality.

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Driveability

In terms of driveability, this set behaves very strangely. Let me tell you why.
First thing i did was connect the IEMs to my main device - Qudelix 5K. and i realized that they sounded muffled and tight. Connecting them to the phone via Bluetooth with the Qudelix 5K didn't change anything. After that, i experimented a lot with various sources for these IEMs. I tried connecting them directly to PC, laptop but got same effect. Connecting to an iPad Mini via the Apple dongle made it slightly better; the sound opened up and became more liberated.
In the end, I found an old Xiaomi phone, and oh wonder! IEMs breathed new life. They gained a spacious sound, and Relentless seemed to breathe again.
Eventually, i came to conclusion that the simpler source used, the better Relentless would perform.
P.S. I didn't have the opportunity to test with a balanced connector due to the lack of a source with a balanced output.

Sound Impression

First thing i noticed when plugged in the Relentless was that they sounded spacious but muffled. After trying out several sources, i managed to achieve satisfactory sound quality.

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(I tested IEM with TRI Clarion and Tangzu Wide Bore tips, connected via 3.5mm)



Bass:

Let's start with the bass. Extended and deep.
The bass is handled by an 8 mm dynamic driver which tends to reproduce lows.
Let's begin with the sub-bass. It's well perceived with its fullness and is achieved through a meaty rumble. Sub-bass here is deep but quite fast. It feels like an aerosol spray. Overall, i wouldn't say it adds any richness to the bass – mixed feelings.
Mid-bass. More interesting here
This is where the Celest excels. Body of bass is deep, rumbling, and energetic. Hits are accurate, with a prolonged attack. Bass guitar plays with drive and energy, and drums have a sustained attack. Mid-bass, due to its duration, decays slowly and smoothly.
As an example of bass guitar and drum sound, i can mention "Double Image" by Miles Davis.
Bass is not overpowered in these IEMs, so I cannot recommend them to bass lovers.

Mids:

Mids. If i had to describe them in a few words - on the brink of failure.
Midrange is handled by a pair of custom Celest 29689 balanced armature drivers. If you appreciate midrange with a BA flavor - you are welcome. For me, mids sound tight and constrained, but at the same time airy and disheveled. But let me try to explain step by step.
Lower mids have a deep sound, but i wouldn't call it musical. Guitar sounds unnatural and gets lost in the overall mix of the song, it feels constrained. Overall, if you focus solely on the guitar, its sound doesn't seem that bad. Saxophones and clarinets in jazz sections have a rich and saturated timbre.
Midrange segment. Flat hole (barrel).
This is where all the problems start. Let's start with instruments. Like we have a delicate violin, guitar strings lacking some fullness, piano keys playing full-sized, but vocals...
Vocals here are produced within the composition, neither behind nor in front. Timbre of the vocals lacks detail, very tight and constrained. I didn't feel any energy in either male or female vocals. It feels like the vocals are placed in a big bag.
Upper mids. Harmony and friendship.
For this segment, I connected the Relentless to a different, brighter source, and what can I say? Timbre of female vocals leveled out a bit, becoming more harmonious against the overall composition, timbre of instruments became more expressive but didn't lose its BA flavor.
Treble:

Treble. Quantity doesn't mean quality.
The treble are handled by four small custom balanced armature drivers, model Celest 10012. I believe this is the same driver as in the predecessor - Phoenixcall.
Treble here sound bright, clear, with a slight metallic flavor. Let's start with the low highs and treble. This range remains understated, unremarkable, and cut off. On the other side, treble are airy but quickly decays. Sibilance aren't annoying.

Separating, sound stage:

Soundstage. That's what creates the "wow" effect.
If you close your eyes, you can visualize yourself inside the instrumental sound. Each instrument is positioned at a certain distance and height from you. Soundstage here is wide and deep, but with one drawback — it's not tall enough.
Separation here is excellent. Each instrument is positioned at a distance and doesn't interfere with each other.
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Comparison

Kinera Celest Relentless vs Simgot EA500LM:


My first comparison i want to make is with Simgot EA500LM.

Let's start with design. Relentless is larger and made of resin, while the Simgot is made of metal. Simgot is more suitable for most people due to its streamlined shape, but sound isolation is better in the Relentless. Simgot is easier to drive.
In terms of sound, these are two completely different models. Simgot is single-dynamic driver IEM delivers very detailed, precise, and vocal sound, providing an analytical experience. Relentless, on other side, have good multifaceted sound with good separation and expansion.
Delving into the details, bass in Relentless is more punchy and deep. Mids in Simgot sound better, more saturated, they are more detailed and pushing forward. Detail retrieval is definitely better in the EA500LM. Treble of Simgot are brighter and more clearer, while Relentless's they are more airy.

vs Kinera Celest Pandamon 2.0:

Let's start with design. Pandamon 2.0 is smaller, lighter, and has a longer nozzle. Relentless is more comfortable in the ear due to its ergonomic shape. Sound isolation is better in Relentless. The Pandamon 2.0 is a bit easier to drive.
In terms of sound, Pandamon 2.0 is brighter and more dynamic, with the mids pushed to the forefront, while lows are deeper in Relentless. Relentless provides better separation and soundstage, offering a more expansive, 3D-tuned sound where each instrument has its own space, creating a mesmerizing effect.


vs Simgot EW200:

EW200 have a more compact shells, they are lighter, made of metal, and have a smaller nozzle. As a result, EW200 provides the most comfortable fit I've ever experienced. Relentless are better suited for medium/large ears due to their ergonomic shape and provide better sound isolation.
In terms of sound, EW200 are significantly brighter in treble, mids in EW200 seem more pronounced, whereas in Relentless they are less forward. In bass range, Relentless outperform thanks to their deep and punchy bass. Separation and soundstage in Relentless are significantly wider and deeper.

For whom are these earphones

I would recommend these IEMs to those who like to take risks, who enjoy energetic music. Those who enjoy experimenting, who like a large form-factor of shells.
For fans of Celest's sound signature, who are knowledgeable about sound creation.
For those who enjoy the armature sound of mid and high notes. Those who like a wide, layered presentation of the soundstage. Those who enjoy listening to expansive music.
Relentless is perfect for EDM, dance music, house, electro, and pairs well with old jazz, but is not suitable for orchestral and concert music.

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Conclusion

I'm impressed with Celest's new release. They offer a unique, memorable sound that may not be suitable for all audiophiles, yet the sound is smooth, soft, neutral, and enjoyable. Yes, there are noticeable drawbacks, such as the unnatural mids under the influence of armature tuning, but overall, diving into the IEMs sound, you'll definitely enjoy it. And with the right source, you'll feel pure pleasure.
The lows here are dense, adding richness to the overall composition, while the highs are crisp and clear, without overshadowing overall sound. Combined with a huge soundstage where you can hear every instrument, it's simply magical.
Summarize, Relentless is a bold hybrid from Celest that's worth trying out to experience its airy, dynamic sound.


Thank you for reading my review!
Feel free to ask questions below, i will definitely reply



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Edwm

New Head-Fier
Simgot EA500LM: Space update of EA500
Pros: Stunning design
Superb tuning
Rich bass, saturated middle, and shine treble
Possibility to change nozzles
Easy to drive
Cons: Fingerprint-attracting shells
Slight lack in bass presentation
Cloth and extra eartips could have been included
Simgot EA500LM
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Introduction:
Simgot means "Simple and elegant" A rather modest meaning for their company, but significant in many ways.
To be honest with you, i truly love Simgot's products for their design and sound performance. I already own the EW200, which i love
They have created a wonderful, bright EA lineup: EA2000, EA1000 Fermat, EA500, and the budget EW lineup: EW200 Maze, EW100P.
Additionally, they offer excellent hybrids for gaming purposes - EM6L, and divine - EN1000.
Each of their earphones looks great and has excellent sound tuning. But today we will talk about the continuation of the EA500 lineup, namely ea500lm with an updated lithium-magnesium diaphragm driver.
Did Simgot manage to make an upgraded version of the bestseller EA500?
In this review, we will find out!


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Specification:
  • Impedance: 21Ω±15%(@1kHz);
  • Sensitivity: 123 - 124 dB (depends on the installed nozzle);
  • Frequency response range: 10hz-50kHz;
  • Effective frequency response: 20hz-20kHz;
  • Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin;
  • Cable material: High-purity silver-plated OFC cable;
  • Price: 89$.
What's in the box:
  • IEMs itself;
  • 2 pin 0.78mm silver-plated OFC cable, 1.2m length;
  • Regular silicone eartips (S / M / L);
  • 2 interchangeable nozzles: Silver with the red seals & Silver with the black seals;
  • 16 seals for the nozzles;
  • Carrying case;
  • Instruction.
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First impression, Design, Comfort, Build Quality

First impression

My introduction to the Simgot EA500LM started with the box. Its front part is adorned with abstract depictions of planets, the sun, the moon, and zodiac signs with a shimmering color that changed its shade in the sunlight. In real life, it looks simply amazing.

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Design
As I mentioned before, Simgot knows how to impress with its exterior design, and the EA500LM is no exception. EA500LM has a brilliant look, thanks to its full-metal body and metallic-steel color. The earphones are mirror-like, effortlessly reflecting sunlight and adeptly collecting fingerprints.
On the left side of the earphone, you will find the Simgot logo, while the letters 'LM' are engraved on the right side. The inner part features a properly shaped sound nozzle, 2 holes, and a left/right identifier.
On the side panel, there is a 2-pin connector, as well as the engraving of the earphone model - "EA500LM".

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Comfort
The earphones fit like a glove in the ears, weighing approximately 10 grams each. Despite their weight, they didn't cause any discomfort even during extended use. While the sound isolation is decent, it's not the best. With these earphones, you can easily hear surrounding sounds.

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Cable
The stock cable is of good quality. It's a 2-core OFC cable with high-purity silver plating and is 1.2m in length. It's quite lightweight and flexible.
On one end is a straight 3.5mm mini-jack, and on the other end are aggressively shaped ear hooks with a right/left channel indicator. At the end of the hooks, there's a 0.78m 2-pin connector.

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Sound Impression
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(I used to the EA500LM with the stock cable, gold nozzles, and SpinFit eartips)
When I first put them on, i was a bit disappointed, but after 20 hours of burn-in and changing the eartips, they played as they should.
Well, let's start with the bass:

Bass:

The bass is what makes the Simgot stand out. It's a definite step step-up.
The bass frequencies here are rich, not getting lost in the overall musical composition but also not overpowering it. The sound of drums is deep, the bass-guitar is energetic, and it fits well into the musical symphony.
Perhaps there is a slight lack of bass punch and attack, but the bass quality is more important than the quantity.
In my opinion, this is the best bass among other Simgot models.
Well-done Simgot!

Mids:
The mid-range here are saturated, conveying the texture of instruments excellently. I really enjoy the sound of piano keys, and the clarity of guitar strings is distinct but not overpowering among other musical timbres.
Vocal tones are fully conveyed, with male vocals sounding bold and female vocals more graceful. Every vibration in the performer's voice sounds completely natural.
The vocals in songs by Queen, Frank Sinatra, Frank Ocean, Ed Sheeran... are particularly impressive as well as the female vocal parts of Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, ABBA etc...

Treble:
The treble are where these earphones truly shine. The highs are not as bright as in previous models, but they still leave a good impression. Plates are crisp but not overpowering in volume, and violins sound natural.
For example, they are not as smooth in the high frequencies as the EW200.
With these earphones, you won't have any trouble separating sounds into separate layers. Piano keys, guitar strings, vocals - they sound like separate presentations, and you'll have no trouble recognising them from one another.

The sound stage here, i would say, is decent, not too wide but enough to contain the full spectrum of music.
However, it's not deep enough to fully recognise the positioning of each instrument.
Performance in games:
I don't have the Simgot EM6L yet, which are considered the best for gaming purposes, but i can say that the EA500LM performs well in FPS games like CS2 and Valorant.

The positioning is good. It wasn't difficult for me to determine the direction and distance of footsteps or shots. The sounds are clear, and each sound is distinguishable from the others
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Some Comparison

Simgot EA500LM vs EW200

Both fit well in small ears, both are metal, and both are well-built. The EA500LM is slightly heavier, larger, and fits better in the ear canal. The EA500LM also has interchangeable nozzles and better overall tonality, making it a step up from the EW200.
The EW200 is better suited for long sessions because of its lightweight and comfortable design. It is well-tuned, with good bass quality, similar in quantity to the EA500LM, and has more expressive high frequencies, with slightly more pronounced upper mid frequencies

vs Kinera Celest Pandamon 2.0
These are two different pairs in terms of sound signature.
The Pandamon features a square planar driver, while the Simgot is equipped with a dynamic driver. The Simgot EA500LM offers a more melodic approach, while the Pandamon 2.0 provides a wider presentation with a planar driver.
The Pandamon presents music more deeply, but this may result in some lack of detail. On the other hand, the EA500LM excels in music detail.
With the Pandamon, you can feel the breath, the movement of air, while Simgot is more focused on instruments and vocals

For whom are these earphones
These earphones are recommended for those seeking a complete sound experience. They offer moderate bass frequencies, excellent mid-range vocals, and detailed high frequencies. They are ideal for listeners who enjoy high-quality and complex compositions and seek emotional engagement with their favorite songs.
Additionally, for those looking to maximize their audio experience without the need for additional equipment such as a DAC dongle or amplifier, these earphones deliver vibrant sound without extra investments.
Conclusion
Well, Simgot has once again provided another fantastic product that excels in any genre. They've managed to create something between the EA1000 Fermat and the EA500 OG.
Well-tuned, comfortable fit, with excellent presentation of instruments and vocals
With the right eartips, EA500LM will deliver an unforgettable range of emotions.
It's a safe purchase for less than $100 for any consumer, and I definitely recommend it for this price

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Thank you for reading my review!
Feel free to ask questions in the comments, i will definitely respond




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Disclaimer: I would like to thank Fia Lam from Simgot for providing this unit for review.
The earphones review is my personal opinion about product. I don't receive any income for conducting reviews and i'm don't participate in any affiliate programs.

You can purchase the Simgot EA500LM from Linsoul store - https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea500-lm

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Edwm

New Head-Fier
Kinera Celest Pandamon 2.0: Continuation of the legendary PANDAmon
Pros: Gorgeous design
Punchy bass, massive and dominant
Midrange is smooth and clear.
Rich accessory package
Good tuning overall
Cons: Requires additional power for proper drive
Fit may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with small ear canals
Bass presentation opens up only at medium and higher-than-medium volumes
Treble feels subdued
Kinera Celest Pandamon 2.0
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Introduction:
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Kinera - "Live only for honor" made an honorable continuation of the first Pandamon - Pandamon 2.0, which inherited the same aggressive presentation with a new upgraded driver SPD (Square Planar Driver) 2.0.

Kinera presents its IEMs in two color options: blue and black, featuring a circular shell form. The lightweight, about 3.5 grams, and compact shell size will provide you with a comfortable fit in the ear, while correctly chosen eartips will provide a good sound isolation and prevent bass loss.
Shells feels solid, monolithic with a great build quality. Nozzle size is 6mm, so this might be an issue for people with narrow ear canals.


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Specification:
  • Kinera 10x10mm SPD 2.0 ™ (Square Planar Driver);
  • Impedance: 9 Ω;
  • Sensitivity: 108 dB;
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz;
  • 5N Copper Silver Plated;
  • Plug 3.5mm / 4.4mm Balanced;
  • Price: 59$.

What's in the box:
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  • 2 sets of eartips (S / M / L):
    Celest 221 Vocal Eartips ( Black ) : Enhance treble, pleasing vocal;
    Celest 608 Balanced Eartips ( Red and Black ) : Sound balanced and stereo;
  • 2 pin 0.78mm 5N Copper Silver Plated Cable, 1.25m lenght;
  • IEM itself;
  • Leather storage bag;
  • Instruction.
Sound impression:
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(*I pair this set with the DAC - Qudelix 5k for a better impressions and use the included balanced ear tips, which I find best for it.)

First, let's talk about the new Square Planar Driver 2.0. It doesn't feel like a regular planar driver to me. Driver deliver sound well and do his best to provide precise and crisp sound, but i felt a lack in full-range sound compared to a planar driver.
However, let's consider Pandamon 2.0 as planar eardphones and start with the bass:

BASS:
The bass in these earphones is expressive, deep, but it decays quite quickly. It's punchy and tight.
However, I wouldn't consider it as a basshead model, and i won't recommend them for heavy bass purposes.
But for those who appreciate harmonious bass, i recommend this IEM.

MIDRANGE:
The midrange is quite informative and rich, with vocals standing out prominently while sounding full-bodied and accurate, maintaining the overall visualization of the music. The midrange is smooth with a slight emphasis on the upper midrange, as i mentioned. Both female and male vocals sound as they should.

TREBLE:
The treble don't stand out in Pandamon 2.0 against the overall sound, they feel subdued, lacking sparkle and airiness.
Honestly, there are much better models with upper frequencies for this price.

The soundstage is wide and moves the air, with an accent on percussion instruments.
But there's a slight lack of depth in the soundstage. Everything seems close to the ear.

The separation and imaging in Pandamon 2.0 are quite commendable. You can hear each instrument separately, the piano, guitar or drum strike as distinct layers.



Some Comparison:
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I want to compare Pandamon 2.0 with Simgot EW200 Maze (39$):
Well, the Simgot is definitely brighter, with expressive high frequencies, superb tuning, slightly heavier, and has a metallic shell.
EW200 fit better in the ears due to their smaller size and narrower nozzle size.
However, the Pandamon 2.0 is more balanced with better-defined bass and slightly richer midrange.
Both are well-built with excellent cables.

vs Tangzu Wan'er (19$):
Wan'er is decent for its price IEM, with a nice sound presentation, warm and balanced, but in the Pandamon, it seems to be at the next level in terms of sound delivery.
The soundstage is wider, air breathing, and Pandamon 2.0 has better separation.

vs Artti R3 (21$):
So, in the Artti, as well as the Wan'er, there is a lack of the overall picture of the song. However, in the R3 and Pandamon 2.0, there is a commonality in the bass; both sound detailed, punchy and tight.
Pandamon 2.0 doesn't have as smeared midrange as Artti; the highs in Artti sound better, shinier.
Pandamon 2.0 look a more beautiful and are better assembled.



Conclusion:
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Overall, the Pandamon 2.0 is a good entry-level planar IEM, offering a fairly interesting and vibrant sound. It has a warm balanced sound signature and provides a pleasant listening experience. The tonal balance of these earphones is an advantage compared to some other planar drivers, in my opinion.

So Kinera has managed to create a good update to the legendary Pandamon version.




Thank you for reading my review!
Feel free to ask questions in the comments, i will definitely respond



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Disclaimer: I would like to thank Kinera Celest for providing this unit for review.
The earphones review is my personal opinion about product. It's not a paid review, and i'm not receiving any money for it.

You can purchase the Kinera Celest Pandamon 2.0 from:

The official Aliexpress store - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005485611549.html (non-affiliated link);
Official Kinera store - https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/celest-pandamon-2-0 (non-affiliated link).

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Edwm

New Head-Fier
Artti R3: A decent entry-level IEM
Pros: Easy to drive
Budget price
Good value for money
Rich set of accessories
Cons: Not suitable fit for everyone
Stock eartips needs replacement
Artti R3
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Introduction:
Hi there! Artti, a subsidiary of Letshuoer, which know what they do and release truly solid product. So I think Artti is not far behind
Today i will review the cheapest in the Artti earphones range. Should you buy it or save up for a better one?
Lets find out!

This is my first review, so don't judge me please.



Specification:
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  • Driver: 10mm Beryllium-plated Composite Diaphragm Dynamic Coil
  • Impedance: 33.1Ω±1% (@1kHz)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): ≤1% (@1kHz)
  • Sensitivity: 101.38dB/mw (@1kHz)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Cable Specifications: 1.2M±0.1M 3.5/TYPE C-0.78PIN
  • Cable: Four-strand 92-core*0.06mm High purity copper Wire
  • Price: 21$

What's in the box:
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  1. 2 sets of eartips (S / M / L) - regular silicon and black transparent eartips;
  2. QDC 0.78mm cable;
  3. IEM itself;
  4. Storage bag;
  5. Instruction.

Sound impression:
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(I tested IEM with TRI Clarion which make sound scene wider and closer to ear)
When I listened to the Artti R3 for the first time, i was a little disappointed – the bass was unclear, and sound felt dull.
However, after a 10-hour burn-in period, everything changed dramatically.
Excellent bass emerged – clear, sharp, with improved details in the treble, and the midrange tightened up.

First off, i should say that the earphones have a musical sound signature, with an accent on the bass. The bass here is fast, deep, and powerful.
The bass is very tasty, well-defined, with a balance between depth and impact. The bass here surprises for its price, being one of the best lower frequencies in this price range. The bass is very good, especially in electronic music, where it fully unfolds.

In the midrange, compromises and peculiarities are present. At low volumes, the midrange feels recessed, a lack of information is felt, especially on some instruments.
But once you increase it above average, the vocals come forward, providing a more cohesive picture. Both male and female vocals sound excellent.

Now, onto the treble. This is where the headphones shine. They sound detailed, natural, and don't become sibilant at high volumes. But the use of a Beryllium driver adds its own shade, a slightly metallic tone

The sound stage is good, positioning is excellent, the highs are detailed, providing spacious sounds. Strings sound good, and rock and EDM sound excellent.


Comparison and conclusion:
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Overall, the headphones are simply superb for their price. This is one of those cases where pleasant tonality and frequency response outweigh technical capabilities. In my opinion, the R3 is definitely better than a similar and very popular model, the Tangzu Wan'er, which is not as pleasant due to peaks in the highs.

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Disclaimer: I would like to thank Arrti for providing this unit for review.
You can buy Artti R3 from official store https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100....order_list.order_list_main.11.3b561802C6RhBZ (non-affiliated link)

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