Reviews by guicnovaes
KB EAR Lark Review:
BOX AND ACCESSORIES
Impressive packaging and presentation for an EMI of just 30 USD. Small but luxurious box. Great set of accessories, with good quality cable, two packages of eartips and a compact case very well built. Build quality is also very good. It resembles the KZ ZS10 PRO, ZSX ... and some CCA models.
SOUND
PS: This LARK is from the first batch, therefore, it is of the "4k" version.
The Lark has a W-shaped sound, with increases in bass, mid-treble and treble.
Bass: Lark's bass has a small bump, but very controlled. The level of definition and detail in this region is very high, even compared to IEMs of any price range. In terms of quantity, the bass provides enought punch and weight to enjoy any musical genre. However, it may not please the "Bassheads". I didn't notice any leakage of bass for the mediums.
Mids: As said before, this Lark is from the first batch, so it is from the "4k" version. The midrange is more lively and energetic, thanks to the noticeable increase in the 4-5khz region. Voices and instruments like guitars, pianos and trumpets sound more lit, energetic and vibrant. On the other hand, this extra energy on the upper-mids ends up making the sound a bit artificial and can be fatiguing with some (few) recordings. Despite this, the current Lark sold have less energy in this region and, therefore, must have more balanced and natural mids.
Treble: KB EAR Lark presents treble with a good level of detail and sharpness. In terms of quantity, it's evident that there's a considerable increase in the region of brightness (7.5-10khz), which contributes to a more energetic and vibrant presentation. However, as happens with the upper-mids, this increase occurs in an amount that contributes to making the sound a little artificial. In addition, although they behave behave in an acceptable way with most recordings, the highs can be sibilant and make the listening experience fatiguing in some cases.
Imaging/soundstage: The Lark is excelent in that regard. The presentation is quite wide for an IEM and the imaging is pretty accurate. just kudos to lark here.
COMPARISON WITH KB04
Both IEM have very similar prices and relatively similar sounds.
In terms of Bass, both present great performance, with a lot of detail, punch and control, but with different quantities. The Lark has less bass, which, in my opinion, brings more naturalness and clarity to the sound.
About Mids both behave in a similar way, however, even being of the "4k version", the Lark is more contained in this region of the frequency spectrum. Thus, KB04 ends up sounding a little more artificial. Regarding Treble, both have a very similar presentation, with peaks in the 7-9k region. As already said with respect to Lark's treble, both are quite brilliant and, in my opinion, a little overdone, so they can be annoying in some situations.
Overall, Lark has proven to be a good IEM for its price range, with spectacular bass and overall good mids and treble, despite some tonality flaws. But let it be clear agian that the current Larks sold have less activity in the 4K region, which certainly contributes to a more natural presentation of the mids.
BOX AND ACCESSORIES
Impressive packaging and presentation for an EMI of just 30 USD. Small but luxurious box. Great set of accessories, with good quality cable, two packages of eartips and a compact case very well built. Build quality is also very good. It resembles the KZ ZS10 PRO, ZSX ... and some CCA models.
SOUND
PS: This LARK is from the first batch, therefore, it is of the "4k" version.
The Lark has a W-shaped sound, with increases in bass, mid-treble and treble.
Bass: Lark's bass has a small bump, but very controlled. The level of definition and detail in this region is very high, even compared to IEMs of any price range. In terms of quantity, the bass provides enought punch and weight to enjoy any musical genre. However, it may not please the "Bassheads". I didn't notice any leakage of bass for the mediums.
Mids: As said before, this Lark is from the first batch, so it is from the "4k" version. The midrange is more lively and energetic, thanks to the noticeable increase in the 4-5khz region. Voices and instruments like guitars, pianos and trumpets sound more lit, energetic and vibrant. On the other hand, this extra energy on the upper-mids ends up making the sound a bit artificial and can be fatiguing with some (few) recordings. Despite this, the current Lark sold have less energy in this region and, therefore, must have more balanced and natural mids.
Treble: KB EAR Lark presents treble with a good level of detail and sharpness. In terms of quantity, it's evident that there's a considerable increase in the region of brightness (7.5-10khz), which contributes to a more energetic and vibrant presentation. However, as happens with the upper-mids, this increase occurs in an amount that contributes to making the sound a little artificial. In addition, although they behave behave in an acceptable way with most recordings, the highs can be sibilant and make the listening experience fatiguing in some cases.
Imaging/soundstage: The Lark is excelent in that regard. The presentation is quite wide for an IEM and the imaging is pretty accurate. just kudos to lark here.
COMPARISON WITH KB04
Both IEM have very similar prices and relatively similar sounds.
In terms of Bass, both present great performance, with a lot of detail, punch and control, but with different quantities. The Lark has less bass, which, in my opinion, brings more naturalness and clarity to the sound.
About Mids both behave in a similar way, however, even being of the "4k version", the Lark is more contained in this region of the frequency spectrum. Thus, KB04 ends up sounding a little more artificial. Regarding Treble, both have a very similar presentation, with peaks in the 7-9k region. As already said with respect to Lark's treble, both are quite brilliant and, in my opinion, a little overdone, so they can be annoying in some situations.
Overall, Lark has proven to be a good IEM for its price range, with spectacular bass and overall good mids and treble, despite some tonality flaws. But let it be clear agian that the current Larks sold have less activity in the 4K region, which certainly contributes to a more natural presentation of the mids.
KB EAR KB04 REVIEW
I have had this IEM for a few months, and now (after a long delay...) and now I bring this review.
Accessories:
The earphone comes in a very compact box, with a basic set of accessories: a shirt clip and two sets of eartips: black and transparent.
Build Quality:
Despite being an 35 USD IEM, its construction is one of the best I've seen, regardless of the price. The Shell is made of metal and its finish is excellent.
However, there are some cons: this is the heaviest IEM I have ever used. The fit is also not so good, because the shell is flat on the part that touches the ear and the bore is too short.
Another con is the cable. At first, I found the cable excellent, apparently durable and very flexible. However, with less than two months of use, the two thinner cables that are above the Y splitter (as shown by the red arrow in the photo below) became rigid and lost all flexibility. Sometimes they look like two sticks... This, unfortunately, made the fit even more difficult. I suspect that this was due to some kind of oxidation.
Sound:
In summary, KB04 presents a very lively and energetic sound signature, with prominence in the 3 regions of the frequency spectrum: low, medium and highs (W - shaped).
LOWS: The bass is high when compared to something neutral, like the Etymotic ER4SR, but it has a lot of control and definition. The punch is very present and tight, as are the subs. There is no exaggeration in this frequency range and the detail is excellent. I would say that they are identical, in quantity and quality, to the bass of Tanchjim Cora, which are also some of the best I've heard in an IEM.
MIDS: This region is very present on the KB04. There is some elevation between 3.5 ->5khz (upper mids -> Low treble), which brings more presence, clarity and extra energy to the midrange. Because of that, voices, guitars, trumpets, for example, sound a little more prominent, more crunchy and more in your face, than they do on a neutral IEM like the Etymotic ER4SR, for example. Even the Tanchjim Cora has softer, more neutral mids in comparison. In the vast majority of recordings, this brings extra energy and flavor to the sound. However, in a few situations, such as recordings that have high pitched voices, or in recordings that aren't well mixed, the sound can end up being shouty, aggressive, and fatiguing.
HIGHS: KB04's treble is also not neutral and has a considerable peak around the 8 kHz region. In practice is perceived a brighter and more "S" sounds in cymbals, for example, than would be perceived in a neutral IEM. In the same way that happens with the mids, in the vast majority of situations, the treble of the KB04 does not bother and brings more energy, more brilliance and more excitement to the sound. On the other hand, when a recording is not refined enough in the treble region, the experience can be fatinguing.
In terms of resolution/detailing, KB04 presents an excellent performance. It is one of the most detailed IEMs I've ever heard, across all frequency ranges. I would say that, like Tanchjim Cora, it is close to Etymotic ER4SR, in that regard.
Imaging/soundstage: The KB04 also excels in this regard and is also one of the best I've heard in an IEM. You can't expect the performance of an open headphone, for example, but for an IEM, the presentation is quite wide. In that regard, I found Kbear better than Etymotic ER4SR
About imaging, I also have nothing but praise to make and I also say that it is among the best I've heard. There is a lot of precision between the left and the right side; this also makes this IEM great for gaming. It is in the same level as ER4SR and Tanchjim Cora.
Overall, the KB04's sound has an energetic character and will please those who like a brighter and more colorful sound, with good punch and control on the bass. Even though I prefer the natural and more relaxed presentation of Tanchjim Cora or the flat neutral experience of the ER4SR, the KB Ear KB04 has served me as a great all-arounder and I highly recommend it.
I have had this IEM for a few months, and now (after a long delay...) and now I bring this review.
Accessories:
The earphone comes in a very compact box, with a basic set of accessories: a shirt clip and two sets of eartips: black and transparent.
Build Quality:
Despite being an 35 USD IEM, its construction is one of the best I've seen, regardless of the price. The Shell is made of metal and its finish is excellent.
However, there are some cons: this is the heaviest IEM I have ever used. The fit is also not so good, because the shell is flat on the part that touches the ear and the bore is too short.
Another con is the cable. At first, I found the cable excellent, apparently durable and very flexible. However, with less than two months of use, the two thinner cables that are above the Y splitter (as shown by the red arrow in the photo below) became rigid and lost all flexibility. Sometimes they look like two sticks... This, unfortunately, made the fit even more difficult. I suspect that this was due to some kind of oxidation.
Sound:
In summary, KB04 presents a very lively and energetic sound signature, with prominence in the 3 regions of the frequency spectrum: low, medium and highs (W - shaped).
LOWS: The bass is high when compared to something neutral, like the Etymotic ER4SR, but it has a lot of control and definition. The punch is very present and tight, as are the subs. There is no exaggeration in this frequency range and the detail is excellent. I would say that they are identical, in quantity and quality, to the bass of Tanchjim Cora, which are also some of the best I've heard in an IEM.
MIDS: This region is very present on the KB04. There is some elevation between 3.5 ->5khz (upper mids -> Low treble), which brings more presence, clarity and extra energy to the midrange. Because of that, voices, guitars, trumpets, for example, sound a little more prominent, more crunchy and more in your face, than they do on a neutral IEM like the Etymotic ER4SR, for example. Even the Tanchjim Cora has softer, more neutral mids in comparison. In the vast majority of recordings, this brings extra energy and flavor to the sound. However, in a few situations, such as recordings that have high pitched voices, or in recordings that aren't well mixed, the sound can end up being shouty, aggressive, and fatiguing.
HIGHS: KB04's treble is also not neutral and has a considerable peak around the 8 kHz region. In practice is perceived a brighter and more "S" sounds in cymbals, for example, than would be perceived in a neutral IEM. In the same way that happens with the mids, in the vast majority of situations, the treble of the KB04 does not bother and brings more energy, more brilliance and more excitement to the sound. On the other hand, when a recording is not refined enough in the treble region, the experience can be fatinguing.
In terms of resolution/detailing, KB04 presents an excellent performance. It is one of the most detailed IEMs I've ever heard, across all frequency ranges. I would say that, like Tanchjim Cora, it is close to Etymotic ER4SR, in that regard.
Imaging/soundstage: The KB04 also excels in this regard and is also one of the best I've heard in an IEM. You can't expect the performance of an open headphone, for example, but for an IEM, the presentation is quite wide. In that regard, I found Kbear better than Etymotic ER4SR
About imaging, I also have nothing but praise to make and I also say that it is among the best I've heard. There is a lot of precision between the left and the right side; this also makes this IEM great for gaming. It is in the same level as ER4SR and Tanchjim Cora.
Overall, the KB04's sound has an energetic character and will please those who like a brighter and more colorful sound, with good punch and control on the bass. Even though I prefer the natural and more relaxed presentation of Tanchjim Cora or the flat neutral experience of the ER4SR, the KB Ear KB04 has served me as a great all-arounder and I highly recommend it.
First of All: Sorry for the bad english... 
I am going to talk about this IEM, which, to me, is one more very convincing proof that quality isn't always associated with price.
It is an IEM with 1 dynamic driver on each side, small size, very good build quality, and great ergonomics and comfort. And the main thing: an absurdly natural and correct sound.
ACESSORIES
The earphone comes in a small box, very well finished. Inside the box, there are some papers and cards from Tanchjim, a small pouch and two packages with Eartips on S, M and L. In one pack there are eartips of Rubber and in the other you will find the ones of silicone. The Eartips that already comes docked on the earphones are the silicone ones, on M size, and were the ones that fit better in my ears.
Another highlight goes to the quality of the pouch; it is velvety and soft, but very thick and sturdy.
BUILD QUALITY AND ERGONOMICS
Overall, the build quality of Tanchjim Cora is very good. The IEM is quite small and the faceplates are made of painted aluminum with the brand symbols. The rest of the structure is made with a good quality semi-translucent plastic. Is possible to see the dynamic drivers (which are quite large in comparation with the IEM size) that are each covered by a metal plate (brass), which is "electrophoretic", to reduce resonances, according to the manufacturer. I didn't notice imperfections on the structure. Good Job by Tanchjim.
The cable is the same "High purity silver-plated OFC" that comes with the Tanchjim Oxygen. The only difference is that in the case of Cora it is fixed. For me, this is the only negative point regarding the cable. Despite this, I have only praise for the quality of the cable, even more for the price of the IEM. It looks very sturdy, is very well fixed to the earphones and presents very low, or no perceptible microphonics, depending of the type of use. When it comes to flexibility, it is not exceptional, but it has sufficient flexibility for good use and is difficult to tangle. An interesting point is that it doesn't come with the typical Ear Hooks to fit behind the ear. It is the cable itself, which is partly moldable, that fits in on the back of the ear. Overall, it turns out to be a very practical cable.
Regarding ergonomics, again, i have only praise. Although not as good as the semi-custom HiFi Boy OS V3, for example, it took me a little time to find a good position to fit the parts with a good seal. The small size of the earphones also helps a lot on it.
EFFICIENCY
The Tanchjim Cora has 16 ohm impedance and 103 dB/mW sensitivity. It is therefore quite efficient, enough to play very weel on the majority of the smartphones out there. No difference was noted in the sound quality between it connected directly on the Samsung Galaxy S8 or using an amp (Fiio A5). Differences only in terms of volume.
SOUND
As some measurements show, the Tanchjim Cora follows Harman Target. Its sound signature is L-shaped: there is a slight emphasis on the bass, with the midrange and treble are perceptible on the same level of intensity (quantity).
The best word that could be used to describe the sonority of this IEM is "Natural." The level of naturalness and realism of sound are amazing. All the instruments, voices and various others different sounds, are portrayed very correctly, as they really should be. All the frequency ranges are very well placed, with great balance, cohesion and without any kind of exaggeration or artificiality. It's the kind of sound very pure, simple and honest, as you can find in a Headphone like the Sennheiser HD650 or the HD600.
PS: You can find detailed measurements (By HeavyMetal Hallelujah's Blog) of the Tanchjim Cora in this link (use tradutor COREAN-ENGLISH):
https://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn...wDate=&isShowPopularPosts=false&from=postView
Bass
The lows of the Tanchjim Cora are a little accented. It isn't neutral in quantity, but is very well controlled. It is the type of bass that will never interfere in the other frequencies nor will be overly present when not needed.
The sub-bass has great presence, extension and and definition. There is no looseness on the Sub-bass; you can accurately perceive and easily distinguish it from mid-bass.
Regarding to mid-bass, it have a very well defined punch and, again, a lot of control. As I said in the Hifi Boy OS V3 review, they are of the type of bass that will give enough quantity for the listener to enjoy any musical genre without any exaggeration or deficiency. The transition from bass to midrange is flawless, I didn't notice any interference in the mids.
Mids
For me, this is the best aspect of the sound of this IEM. The midrange of Tanchjim Cora is simply butterly, Pure and Beautiful. There is a lot of presence and linearity (neutrality) in this frequency region, but with a lot of control, without any exaggeration. What is most impressive is the extreme naturalness, fluidity and realism of this frequency range, both in terms of timbre and tonal balance. There is no shouty mids, no spikes, nor hashness, no fatiguing. On the other hand, there isn't hollowness or dips on the this frequency range. Everything sound very, very correctly.
Imagine a snare drum or an acoustic guitar being played in front of you. If you put the Tanchjim Cora in your ears and listen to the recordings (good recordings) of these instruments, the result will be very similar sounds and timbres. The same can be said for voices.
All the details are exposed very clearly, but only those that are actually brought by the recording. Do not expect the kind of sound with emphasis on the region (upper mids, mainly) to give the impression of extra/fake details. Again, It's all about natural and organic sound.
Treble
The treble region of the Tanchjim Cora is also very correct. I terms of quantity, the treble is in line with the mids, also very neutral. There is no boost on the highs. On the other hand, in overall, I didn't hear a roll off on this frequency region. The extension is also very good.
PS: About Extension, I have seen some people confusing Extension with Quantity; almost always they state that an IEM with a lower amount of treble has less extension in the region. Extension and quantity are two different things. Extended treble means having a wider range towards higher frequencies, which does not mean that the treble to be accentuated.
The details of higher-pitched instruments, such as snare drums, guitars, pianos, synths, are all heard with great clarity, naturalness and fidelity. However, as explained about the midrange, the detailing heard will be the extent provided by the recording. if there is any detail in the recording, the tanchjim cora will deliver, but without exaggeration, without fake detailing, all with a lot of control.
SOUND STAGE AND IMAGING
I found the Sound Stage of the Tanchjim Cora very "natural", since it delivers the spatiality provided by the recording. Do not expect that artificial sensation of great spatiality, like and Open Back Headphone, for an example. On the Other Hand, there isn't a feeling of claustrophobic sound. The Soundstage, in overall, is quite satisfactory.
The imaging is very good. There is a lot of precision and timing between the sounds delivered by the left handset and the right handset. In addition, the location of the instruments is also quite accurate.
COMPARISONS:
Sony MH1C
NOTE: Before doing this comparison, I have to make it clear that the Sony MH1C quality control is not good. I suspect mine is a bit treble and bass quantity than normal (which I realize from the various frequency graphs).
The Tanchjim and Sony sounds very similar, but with a few minor differences.
The MH1C Sub-bass region is a little more emphasized and loose than the Cora's. In addition, it desn't have the same level of precision, definition and control, although they are also very good.
The Mid-bass region is very similar, both in quantity and definition. Despite this, I feel a bit more punch on the Tanchjim Cora.
All the characteristics I referred to with regard to Tanchjim Cora's Midrange can also be attributed to the Midrange of the MH1C. The difference is that I feel a little more presence and refinement on the mids of the Cora. The MH1C's mids, although a little less present, are also a little more raw and aggressive, compared to the one of the Tanchjim. Despite this, I have to make it clear that MH1C isn't aggressive, overall. These (very small) differences are perceived only in a direct comparison between these two IEMs.
Regarding the Treble, once again, they are quite similar in terms of timbre, definition and control. However, there is a bit more quantity on the Sony MH1C than the Tanchjim Cora.
In terms of Sound Stage and Imagin, both are very similar.
HiFi Boy OS V3
Both OS V3 and Cora have natural, relaxed and musical sonority. However, the OS V3 has a "darker" sound, while Cora is more correct, with no coloring.
The low-frequency region of these two earphones is very similar, both in terms of definition and extension. The difference here is that I feel a little more Sub-bass on the OS V3.
As for the Midrange, the OS V3 has slightly more "fat and dark" mids than the Cora. the HiFi Boy has a small increase on the low-mids, which give a little more weight to the region. In addition, it has a dip in the upper-mids region, which gives it a darker and more relaxed character to the midrange. The Tanchjim Cora, in comparison, has neutral, linear, mids without any peak, rise or dip on the region, which makes them more alive in comparison, but with the same refinement.
The treble of the two headphones are very similar, both have terms of extension, as well as timbre and quantity.
In terms of Sound Stage and Imaging, both are very similar.
Westone UM PRO 50.
NOTE: I do not have this IEM in hand, however, I listened to it exhaustively late last year for 3 days compared to the HiFi Boy OS V3 and I have a very clear memory of its sonority. The impression are based on this remembrance.
The sound of the UM PRO 50 is quite natural and relaxed, but darker (a little more than that of OS V3).
The Sub-bass of the PRO PRO 50 is lesser in quantity than the one of Cora, however, there is a similar definition in the region. On the mid-bass, the (very high) quality is also similar. However, I feel a little more punch on Cora's, even for the fact that it uses a Dynamic Driver to produce bass, instead of BAs, like the UM PRO 50.
The midrange of the PRO PRO 50 has a small increase in the region of Low-mids, as well as the OS V3, which gives more weight to this frequency range. There is a dip in the upper-mids of the UM PRO 50, which makes the overall midrange darker, in comparison to the Cora's one.
The Tanchjim, by having neutral mids, ends up having more life, realism and naturalness in this frequency region.
The treble is very similar in quality; but UM PRO 50 are a bit recessed in this region, while the treble of the Cora are more neutral in quantity.
In terms of Sound Stage and Imaging, they are also very similar, but with a bit advantage in spatially (sound stage) for the UM PRO 50.
CONCLUSION
It is impressive the sound that this IEM delivers for only 50 USD. Despite this, it is not news to me that price is not always synonymous with performance and that Marketing generates so much unconscious influence on people that it even changes their perception of sound. Not even expensive IEMs like the famous CA Andromeda impressed me as much as this IEM.
In my opinion, this is truly Hi-Fi sound (fidelity to the original recording), rather than what some "audiophiles" call Hi-Fi, which are sound signatures with boost on the high frequencies to artificially emphasize details.
Given the sound characteristics of the Tanchjim Cora: naturalness, realism, musicality, cohesion and its sound signature, overall, regardless of the price, THIS IS THE BEST IEM I EVER PUT IN MY EAR, until now.
I have a lot of curiosity and a certain expectation other IEMs that follow Harman Target, like Tanchjim Oxygen and Moondrop Kanas Pro, but, due to Cora's already high quality, I don't expect something much better (in terms of sound), maybe some small differences, despite the price.
SPECS:
Brand:TANCHJIM
Model: Cora
Driver: carbon diaphragm
Impedance:16Ω
Sensitivity:103dB/mW
Frequency response:10-40kHz
THD:＜0.2%
Plug：3.5mmgold-plated straight plug
Package
TANCHJIM Cora
6 pais of silicone eartips
Pouch
Price: 49.90 USD
Link were I bought (Penon Audio): https://penonaudio.com/tanchjim-cora.html
I am going to talk about this IEM, which, to me, is one more very convincing proof that quality isn't always associated with price.
It is an IEM with 1 dynamic driver on each side, small size, very good build quality, and great ergonomics and comfort. And the main thing: an absurdly natural and correct sound.
ACESSORIES
The earphone comes in a small box, very well finished. Inside the box, there are some papers and cards from Tanchjim, a small pouch and two packages with Eartips on S, M and L. In one pack there are eartips of Rubber and in the other you will find the ones of silicone. The Eartips that already comes docked on the earphones are the silicone ones, on M size, and were the ones that fit better in my ears.
Another highlight goes to the quality of the pouch; it is velvety and soft, but very thick and sturdy.
BUILD QUALITY AND ERGONOMICS
Overall, the build quality of Tanchjim Cora is very good. The IEM is quite small and the faceplates are made of painted aluminum with the brand symbols. The rest of the structure is made with a good quality semi-translucent plastic. Is possible to see the dynamic drivers (which are quite large in comparation with the IEM size) that are each covered by a metal plate (brass), which is "electrophoretic", to reduce resonances, according to the manufacturer. I didn't notice imperfections on the structure. Good Job by Tanchjim.
The cable is the same "High purity silver-plated OFC" that comes with the Tanchjim Oxygen. The only difference is that in the case of Cora it is fixed. For me, this is the only negative point regarding the cable. Despite this, I have only praise for the quality of the cable, even more for the price of the IEM. It looks very sturdy, is very well fixed to the earphones and presents very low, or no perceptible microphonics, depending of the type of use. When it comes to flexibility, it is not exceptional, but it has sufficient flexibility for good use and is difficult to tangle. An interesting point is that it doesn't come with the typical Ear Hooks to fit behind the ear. It is the cable itself, which is partly moldable, that fits in on the back of the ear. Overall, it turns out to be a very practical cable.
Regarding ergonomics, again, i have only praise. Although not as good as the semi-custom HiFi Boy OS V3, for example, it took me a little time to find a good position to fit the parts with a good seal. The small size of the earphones also helps a lot on it.
EFFICIENCY
The Tanchjim Cora has 16 ohm impedance and 103 dB/mW sensitivity. It is therefore quite efficient, enough to play very weel on the majority of the smartphones out there. No difference was noted in the sound quality between it connected directly on the Samsung Galaxy S8 or using an amp (Fiio A5). Differences only in terms of volume.
SOUND
As some measurements show, the Tanchjim Cora follows Harman Target. Its sound signature is L-shaped: there is a slight emphasis on the bass, with the midrange and treble are perceptible on the same level of intensity (quantity).
The best word that could be used to describe the sonority of this IEM is "Natural." The level of naturalness and realism of sound are amazing. All the instruments, voices and various others different sounds, are portrayed very correctly, as they really should be. All the frequency ranges are very well placed, with great balance, cohesion and without any kind of exaggeration or artificiality. It's the kind of sound very pure, simple and honest, as you can find in a Headphone like the Sennheiser HD650 or the HD600.
PS: You can find detailed measurements (By HeavyMetal Hallelujah's Blog) of the Tanchjim Cora in this link (use tradutor COREAN-ENGLISH):
https://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn...wDate=&isShowPopularPosts=false&from=postView
Bass
The lows of the Tanchjim Cora are a little accented. It isn't neutral in quantity, but is very well controlled. It is the type of bass that will never interfere in the other frequencies nor will be overly present when not needed.
The sub-bass has great presence, extension and and definition. There is no looseness on the Sub-bass; you can accurately perceive and easily distinguish it from mid-bass.
Regarding to mid-bass, it have a very well defined punch and, again, a lot of control. As I said in the Hifi Boy OS V3 review, they are of the type of bass that will give enough quantity for the listener to enjoy any musical genre without any exaggeration or deficiency. The transition from bass to midrange is flawless, I didn't notice any interference in the mids.
Mids
For me, this is the best aspect of the sound of this IEM. The midrange of Tanchjim Cora is simply butterly, Pure and Beautiful. There is a lot of presence and linearity (neutrality) in this frequency region, but with a lot of control, without any exaggeration. What is most impressive is the extreme naturalness, fluidity and realism of this frequency range, both in terms of timbre and tonal balance. There is no shouty mids, no spikes, nor hashness, no fatiguing. On the other hand, there isn't hollowness or dips on the this frequency range. Everything sound very, very correctly.
Imagine a snare drum or an acoustic guitar being played in front of you. If you put the Tanchjim Cora in your ears and listen to the recordings (good recordings) of these instruments, the result will be very similar sounds and timbres. The same can be said for voices.
All the details are exposed very clearly, but only those that are actually brought by the recording. Do not expect the kind of sound with emphasis on the region (upper mids, mainly) to give the impression of extra/fake details. Again, It's all about natural and organic sound.
Treble
The treble region of the Tanchjim Cora is also very correct. I terms of quantity, the treble is in line with the mids, also very neutral. There is no boost on the highs. On the other hand, in overall, I didn't hear a roll off on this frequency region. The extension is also very good.
PS: About Extension, I have seen some people confusing Extension with Quantity; almost always they state that an IEM with a lower amount of treble has less extension in the region. Extension and quantity are two different things. Extended treble means having a wider range towards higher frequencies, which does not mean that the treble to be accentuated.
The details of higher-pitched instruments, such as snare drums, guitars, pianos, synths, are all heard with great clarity, naturalness and fidelity. However, as explained about the midrange, the detailing heard will be the extent provided by the recording. if there is any detail in the recording, the tanchjim cora will deliver, but without exaggeration, without fake detailing, all with a lot of control.
SOUND STAGE AND IMAGING
I found the Sound Stage of the Tanchjim Cora very "natural", since it delivers the spatiality provided by the recording. Do not expect that artificial sensation of great spatiality, like and Open Back Headphone, for an example. On the Other Hand, there isn't a feeling of claustrophobic sound. The Soundstage, in overall, is quite satisfactory.
The imaging is very good. There is a lot of precision and timing between the sounds delivered by the left handset and the right handset. In addition, the location of the instruments is also quite accurate.
COMPARISONS:
Sony MH1C
NOTE: Before doing this comparison, I have to make it clear that the Sony MH1C quality control is not good. I suspect mine is a bit treble and bass quantity than normal (which I realize from the various frequency graphs).
The Tanchjim and Sony sounds very similar, but with a few minor differences.
The MH1C Sub-bass region is a little more emphasized and loose than the Cora's. In addition, it desn't have the same level of precision, definition and control, although they are also very good.
The Mid-bass region is very similar, both in quantity and definition. Despite this, I feel a bit more punch on the Tanchjim Cora.
All the characteristics I referred to with regard to Tanchjim Cora's Midrange can also be attributed to the Midrange of the MH1C. The difference is that I feel a little more presence and refinement on the mids of the Cora. The MH1C's mids, although a little less present, are also a little more raw and aggressive, compared to the one of the Tanchjim. Despite this, I have to make it clear that MH1C isn't aggressive, overall. These (very small) differences are perceived only in a direct comparison between these two IEMs.
Regarding the Treble, once again, they are quite similar in terms of timbre, definition and control. However, there is a bit more quantity on the Sony MH1C than the Tanchjim Cora.
In terms of Sound Stage and Imagin, both are very similar.
HiFi Boy OS V3
Both OS V3 and Cora have natural, relaxed and musical sonority. However, the OS V3 has a "darker" sound, while Cora is more correct, with no coloring.
The low-frequency region of these two earphones is very similar, both in terms of definition and extension. The difference here is that I feel a little more Sub-bass on the OS V3.
As for the Midrange, the OS V3 has slightly more "fat and dark" mids than the Cora. the HiFi Boy has a small increase on the low-mids, which give a little more weight to the region. In addition, it has a dip in the upper-mids region, which gives it a darker and more relaxed character to the midrange. The Tanchjim Cora, in comparison, has neutral, linear, mids without any peak, rise or dip on the region, which makes them more alive in comparison, but with the same refinement.
The treble of the two headphones are very similar, both have terms of extension, as well as timbre and quantity.
In terms of Sound Stage and Imaging, both are very similar.
Westone UM PRO 50.
NOTE: I do not have this IEM in hand, however, I listened to it exhaustively late last year for 3 days compared to the HiFi Boy OS V3 and I have a very clear memory of its sonority. The impression are based on this remembrance.
The sound of the UM PRO 50 is quite natural and relaxed, but darker (a little more than that of OS V3).
The Sub-bass of the PRO PRO 50 is lesser in quantity than the one of Cora, however, there is a similar definition in the region. On the mid-bass, the (very high) quality is also similar. However, I feel a little more punch on Cora's, even for the fact that it uses a Dynamic Driver to produce bass, instead of BAs, like the UM PRO 50.
The midrange of the PRO PRO 50 has a small increase in the region of Low-mids, as well as the OS V3, which gives more weight to this frequency range. There is a dip in the upper-mids of the UM PRO 50, which makes the overall midrange darker, in comparison to the Cora's one.
The Tanchjim, by having neutral mids, ends up having more life, realism and naturalness in this frequency region.
The treble is very similar in quality; but UM PRO 50 are a bit recessed in this region, while the treble of the Cora are more neutral in quantity.
In terms of Sound Stage and Imaging, they are also very similar, but with a bit advantage in spatially (sound stage) for the UM PRO 50.
CONCLUSION
It is impressive the sound that this IEM delivers for only 50 USD. Despite this, it is not news to me that price is not always synonymous with performance and that Marketing generates so much unconscious influence on people that it even changes their perception of sound. Not even expensive IEMs like the famous CA Andromeda impressed me as much as this IEM.
In my opinion, this is truly Hi-Fi sound (fidelity to the original recording), rather than what some "audiophiles" call Hi-Fi, which are sound signatures with boost on the high frequencies to artificially emphasize details.
Given the sound characteristics of the Tanchjim Cora: naturalness, realism, musicality, cohesion and its sound signature, overall, regardless of the price, THIS IS THE BEST IEM I EVER PUT IN MY EAR, until now.
I have a lot of curiosity and a certain expectation other IEMs that follow Harman Target, like Tanchjim Oxygen and Moondrop Kanas Pro, but, due to Cora's already high quality, I don't expect something much better (in terms of sound), maybe some small differences, despite the price.
SPECS:
Brand:TANCHJIM
Model: Cora
Driver: carbon diaphragm
Impedance:16Ω
Sensitivity:103dB/mW
Frequency response:10-40kHz
THD:＜0.2%
Plug：3.5mmgold-plated straight plug
Package
TANCHJIM Cora
6 pais of silicone eartips
Pouch
Price: 49.90 USD
Link were I bought (Penon Audio): https://penonaudio.com/tanchjim-cora.html
guicnovaes
@Blazer39 Sorry, I forgot to answer the other part of your question.
About music with multiple instruments, again, the Tanchjim Cora performs very, very good too. As it has high precision in the overall sound and in the imaging, you can differentiate well the instrument At the same time, it has a very euphonic and musical sound.
I hear a lot of instrumental and metal music. There was no musical genre that this IEM played bad, it was great with everything.
About music with multiple instruments, again, the Tanchjim Cora performs very, very good too. As it has high precision in the overall sound and in the imaging, you can differentiate well the instrument At the same time, it has a very euphonic and musical sound.
I hear a lot of instrumental and metal music. There was no musical genre that this IEM played bad, it was great with everything.
Blazer39
thanks @guicnovaes , i guess with that description and price...Cora seems like a no-brainer.
First of all: Sorry for the bad english...
One Note: This may be somewhat redundant, but this analysis is based on my subjective impressions about the handset and my experience, in general, with other IEMs/Headphones.
1- Accessories:
The HiFi Boy OS V3 comes in a very well finished package. The experience of Unboxing is quite satisfactory and makes you realize that it is not a bad product. Inside the box, you find a 1/4 TRS adapter and another for airplane; as well as a case, which will contain the IEM, already connected to the cable and A LOT of eartips. Being very demanding, I have as criticism the quality of the case, which, although not bad, is very simple, not very different from others that comes in cheaper models. Another point is that, although the earphone comes with several ear tips, including foams, there is no silicon tips. Instead, you will get common rubber eartips, like those found on most in ears of the market, besides the ones of foam. I also missed a cleaning tool. It is not very common this type of accessory in in ears in general, but I think it is essential for those that are built in this way (semi-custom), since there is no kind of mesh or protection screen on the nozzle.
2-Build Quality
The construction of this IEM is simply flawless. It is a hybrid IEM, with a dynamic driver and two balanced armatures. The manufacturer claims that they handmade, like the the custom IEMs. Its doesn't looks like a exageration...
We have here the use of acrylic resin, which apparently is the same used on the Custom IEMs from famous brands like Unique Melody, Ultimate Ears, Westone, Noble, JH Audio... The IEMs are very well polished, with no apparent imperfection. In addition, you can see the PVC tubes connected to the drivers, as well as the sound filters inside the tubes. There are two Tubes: one connected to the Dynamic Driver and one connected to the two balanced armatures.
Regarding to the cable, it is also of very High Quality. It is detachable, braided, very flexible and appears to have great resistance. I didn't notice any microphones while using the OS V3 on the go.
Ergonomics is also great. Although not the smallest size, I had no difficulty fitting it into my ear; On the first attempt I have already succeeded. The Sound insolation is also far above average.
3-Efficiency
With only 19 ohm of impedance and a sensitivity of 109 db/mW, the HiFi Boy OS V3 is quite efficient, and ia smartphone can run this IEM very well. I didn't notice any improvement in Sound Quality with amplification (fiio A5).
4-Sound
Now, the most important part of this review. I can describe the sound as very natural, organic, coherent, and relaxed. There is a good presence on all frequency bands and no excess in any of them. The sound signature is a very mild V-Shape, or almost an L-shape, with emphasis on bass, and with mids and treble almost at the same level of quantity, with a very small amount of treble more than the mids.
Lows: The bass of this IEM, for me, is the best aspect of its sound. It is noticeable the capacity of the dynamic driver, wich produces Sub-Basses with great presence, extension and control. The same can be said of Mid-Bass, which have great impact and definition and also very controlled. The low requencies of the OS V3 have enough presence and quantity to give you fun with musical genres that depend on bass, like EDM, for example; and at the same time they do not feel exagerated or interfere with the other frequencies. You will also not feel any lack of Bass. The Bass of the OS V3 are definitely one the best bass I've ever heard on a IEM/Headphone.
Mids: The mids are quite natural, velvety, warm, and a little dark. The most notable feature about the mid frequency of the OS V3 is the weight that they have. There is a small rise on the low-mids, which makes the general mids very meaty, palpable and gives considerable weight to musical instruments and voices, making the sound experience very pleasant. There is a small dip on the high-mids, which give a slightly darker character to the mids and favors more male voices than female voices. The positive side of this is that even the female voices are very pleasant and natural to listen, and there is no discomfort, sibilance or hashness on this frequency region. It makes the OS V3, a very safe-sounding IEM and great for long-listening sessions. Regarding to the "details" in this region, what I can say is that the Hi Fi Boy OS V3 will deliver all that are present in the recording, without any exageration or without creat "fake details".
Treble: The treble here is almost on the same quantity as the mid frequency, maybe a small amount more, in comparison. Despite this, they are quite relaxed, without any kind of exaggeration and complete absence of hashness or sibilance. I can consider the OS V3 treble as quite natural, and organic. Regarding the treble extension, I do not have anything to complain about: they are not the most extended treble I have ever heard, but they do the work very well and don't feel lacking on this regarding. The details produced by the treble are also excellent. Once again, here is applicable what I said about the detailing of the media: "what I can say is that the Hi Fi Boy OS V3 will deliver all that are present in the recording, without any exageration or without creat "fake details"". Overall, this relaxed character of the treble, as well as the slightly darker and meaty character of the mid frequency makes the sound of the OS V3 very musical, enjoyable and fatiguing-free.
Sound Stage: The sound stage of OS V3 is not much different than ones produced by almost all (good) IEMs on the market. Of course, because of physical limitations, it will not be like that of some Headphones. I prefer to describe it as having a natural Sound stage. Because it has a great stereo image, it exposes the instruments with very precise locations and will give the amount of stage provided by the recording.
5-Comparations (Sound):
Sony MH1C:
Although this IEM is in a price range totally different from the HiFi Boy OS V3, its sound quality is so high, that this comparison is appropriate.
The lows on MH1C are more emphasized than the ones of the OS V3, especially on the sub-bass region. In addition, there is a bit more definition (detailing) on the bass of OS V3, in comparation.
Regarding the midrange, The one of Sony has very distinctive personality in relation to the one of the OS V3. Since the MH1C has a frequency curve similar to the Harman IE target, it has less, body onthe midrange, however, it doesn't have thin-mids, there is enough body that are on a more neutral quantity, in comparation. The weight, brightness and linearity of the MH1C mid-range are more realistic, more neutral, natural than the ones of the OS V3. For example, guitar crunchs, trumpets, are more alive on the Sony than on the HiFi Boy. Despite this, there is no exaggeration on the high-mids of the MH1C, they basically are more neutral on this frequency range than OS V3. The good side of OS V3 by having darker and more relaxed mids is that at the same time it makes them softer and polite, against the the more linear, but "raw" mids of the Sony MH1C.
Regarding the Treble, although also quite controlled and non-exaggerated, like the OS V3, the treble of MH1C are a little higher in quantity than one of OS V3 and a little more correctly, in terms of timbre. We have here again the dichotomy: the greater naturalness of the treble of the MH1C as opposed to the greater refinement of the treble of OS V3, despite the small difference in quantity. About the sound-stage and imaging, they are very similar.
Tanchjim Cora:
Because it has a frequency response curve close to the Harman IE target, just like the Sony MH1C the two (Tanchjim Cora and Sony MH1C) have a very similar sound in terms of timbre, but with differences on the balance of the frequencies (Lows and Treble mainly).
The lows of the Tanchjim Cora are VERY similar to the ones of the HiFi Boy OS V3, both in terms of quantity and quality. I can not point out a clear difference between the two headphones. Both have similar emphasis and control, with great extension on the Sub-bass, great punch on the mid-bass and a lot of definition.
In terms of mids, the differences are remarkable. Tanchjim Cora's mids are very neutral and have more presence (in quantity) than the mids of OS V3. The naturality of the midrange of Tanchjim Cora amazing, with similar timbre to the one of Sony MH1C. The guitars have more "crunch", the voices have more (natuaral) brightness and at the same time much control. The difference here is that, although there is a lot similarities between the midrange of the MH1C and the Cora, I hear the mids of tanchjim more full-bodied, warm, refined, creamy and at the same time a little more present. I do not feel the mids of the Tanchjim "raw" as in MH1C. The HiFi boy, OSV3, compared to the Tanchjim Cora, will also have very soft and warm but also with a little more weight, because of the small rise of low-mids and less presence on the region of the high-mids. It makes the OS V3's mids more "dark" in comparison to the ones of the Cora. Like i said, the OS V3 has very natural and organic mids, however, do not reach the same naturality level of the ones of the Tanchjim Cora.
Talking aboud the to Treble, In terms of quantity, I see a lot of similarity between the treble of Tanchjim Cora and the OS V3. Both have more relaxed treble and details exposed in a natural and organic way, without exaggeration. In neither of the two i found any trace of hashness or sibilance. Both have very similar Sound -Stage.
Westone UM PRO 50:
I tested this IEM side-by-side with OS V3 for 3 days, on the final of the last year. I no longer have it in hand, so the impressions are according to what I remember at the time. Both have the very similar sound: soft, warm, relaxed and a little dark.
In terms of Lows, the OS V3 has a little higher quantity of sub-bass, You feel the OS V3 moving more air, due to the Dynamic driver wich produces the low frequencies, rather than the balanced armature used on the UM PRO 50 to this frequency range. About the mid-bass, both have similar punch as well as the definition.
Regarding the midrange, again, there are many similarities. The two have plenty of body, with a small lift on low-mids. Smoothness and detailing are also very similar. The difference that I noticed on the mids of the two is that although both are on the dark side, the ones of the UM PRO 50 are a little darker, with a slightly higher diponthe mid-high. The difference is very small, but on an attentive listening it is noticeable.
Talking about the the treble, once again, there is a lot of similarities: both without exaggeration, well controlled, detailed and relaxed. The difference is that the OS V3 has a little more qantity in treble than the UM PRO 50.
In terms of Soundstage and imaging, once again, both are very similar, with a small advantage for the UM PRO 50, in which I noticed with a bit more spatiality.
5 - Conclusion:
Great IEM for those who want a more natural and relaxed sound. There is the exchange of the "audiophile" standard with emphasized treble and highlighted details, for the musicality and fatiguing-free musical experience.
Specification:
Price: 160 USD.
One Note: This may be somewhat redundant, but this analysis is based on my subjective impressions about the handset and my experience, in general, with other IEMs/Headphones.
1- Accessories:
The HiFi Boy OS V3 comes in a very well finished package. The experience of Unboxing is quite satisfactory and makes you realize that it is not a bad product. Inside the box, you find a 1/4 TRS adapter and another for airplane; as well as a case, which will contain the IEM, already connected to the cable and A LOT of eartips. Being very demanding, I have as criticism the quality of the case, which, although not bad, is very simple, not very different from others that comes in cheaper models. Another point is that, although the earphone comes with several ear tips, including foams, there is no silicon tips. Instead, you will get common rubber eartips, like those found on most in ears of the market, besides the ones of foam. I also missed a cleaning tool. It is not very common this type of accessory in in ears in general, but I think it is essential for those that are built in this way (semi-custom), since there is no kind of mesh or protection screen on the nozzle.
2-Build Quality
The construction of this IEM is simply flawless. It is a hybrid IEM, with a dynamic driver and two balanced armatures. The manufacturer claims that they handmade, like the the custom IEMs. Its doesn't looks like a exageration...
We have here the use of acrylic resin, which apparently is the same used on the Custom IEMs from famous brands like Unique Melody, Ultimate Ears, Westone, Noble, JH Audio... The IEMs are very well polished, with no apparent imperfection. In addition, you can see the PVC tubes connected to the drivers, as well as the sound filters inside the tubes. There are two Tubes: one connected to the Dynamic Driver and one connected to the two balanced armatures.
Regarding to the cable, it is also of very High Quality. It is detachable, braided, very flexible and appears to have great resistance. I didn't notice any microphones while using the OS V3 on the go.
Ergonomics is also great. Although not the smallest size, I had no difficulty fitting it into my ear; On the first attempt I have already succeeded. The Sound insolation is also far above average.
3-Efficiency
With only 19 ohm of impedance and a sensitivity of 109 db/mW, the HiFi Boy OS V3 is quite efficient, and ia smartphone can run this IEM very well. I didn't notice any improvement in Sound Quality with amplification (fiio A5).
4-Sound
Now, the most important part of this review. I can describe the sound as very natural, organic, coherent, and relaxed. There is a good presence on all frequency bands and no excess in any of them. The sound signature is a very mild V-Shape, or almost an L-shape, with emphasis on bass, and with mids and treble almost at the same level of quantity, with a very small amount of treble more than the mids.
Lows: The bass of this IEM, for me, is the best aspect of its sound. It is noticeable the capacity of the dynamic driver, wich produces Sub-Basses with great presence, extension and control. The same can be said of Mid-Bass, which have great impact and definition and also very controlled. The low requencies of the OS V3 have enough presence and quantity to give you fun with musical genres that depend on bass, like EDM, for example; and at the same time they do not feel exagerated or interfere with the other frequencies. You will also not feel any lack of Bass. The Bass of the OS V3 are definitely one the best bass I've ever heard on a IEM/Headphone.
Mids: The mids are quite natural, velvety, warm, and a little dark. The most notable feature about the mid frequency of the OS V3 is the weight that they have. There is a small rise on the low-mids, which makes the general mids very meaty, palpable and gives considerable weight to musical instruments and voices, making the sound experience very pleasant. There is a small dip on the high-mids, which give a slightly darker character to the mids and favors more male voices than female voices. The positive side of this is that even the female voices are very pleasant and natural to listen, and there is no discomfort, sibilance or hashness on this frequency region. It makes the OS V3, a very safe-sounding IEM and great for long-listening sessions. Regarding to the "details" in this region, what I can say is that the Hi Fi Boy OS V3 will deliver all that are present in the recording, without any exageration or without creat "fake details".
Treble: The treble here is almost on the same quantity as the mid frequency, maybe a small amount more, in comparison. Despite this, they are quite relaxed, without any kind of exaggeration and complete absence of hashness or sibilance. I can consider the OS V3 treble as quite natural, and organic. Regarding the treble extension, I do not have anything to complain about: they are not the most extended treble I have ever heard, but they do the work very well and don't feel lacking on this regarding. The details produced by the treble are also excellent. Once again, here is applicable what I said about the detailing of the media: "what I can say is that the Hi Fi Boy OS V3 will deliver all that are present in the recording, without any exageration or without creat "fake details"". Overall, this relaxed character of the treble, as well as the slightly darker and meaty character of the mid frequency makes the sound of the OS V3 very musical, enjoyable and fatiguing-free.
Sound Stage: The sound stage of OS V3 is not much different than ones produced by almost all (good) IEMs on the market. Of course, because of physical limitations, it will not be like that of some Headphones. I prefer to describe it as having a natural Sound stage. Because it has a great stereo image, it exposes the instruments with very precise locations and will give the amount of stage provided by the recording.
5-Comparations (Sound):
Sony MH1C:
Although this IEM is in a price range totally different from the HiFi Boy OS V3, its sound quality is so high, that this comparison is appropriate.
The lows on MH1C are more emphasized than the ones of the OS V3, especially on the sub-bass region. In addition, there is a bit more definition (detailing) on the bass of OS V3, in comparation.
Regarding the midrange, The one of Sony has very distinctive personality in relation to the one of the OS V3. Since the MH1C has a frequency curve similar to the Harman IE target, it has less, body onthe midrange, however, it doesn't have thin-mids, there is enough body that are on a more neutral quantity, in comparation. The weight, brightness and linearity of the MH1C mid-range are more realistic, more neutral, natural than the ones of the OS V3. For example, guitar crunchs, trumpets, are more alive on the Sony than on the HiFi Boy. Despite this, there is no exaggeration on the high-mids of the MH1C, they basically are more neutral on this frequency range than OS V3. The good side of OS V3 by having darker and more relaxed mids is that at the same time it makes them softer and polite, against the the more linear, but "raw" mids of the Sony MH1C.
Regarding the Treble, although also quite controlled and non-exaggerated, like the OS V3, the treble of MH1C are a little higher in quantity than one of OS V3 and a little more correctly, in terms of timbre. We have here again the dichotomy: the greater naturalness of the treble of the MH1C as opposed to the greater refinement of the treble of OS V3, despite the small difference in quantity. About the sound-stage and imaging, they are very similar.
Tanchjim Cora:
Because it has a frequency response curve close to the Harman IE target, just like the Sony MH1C the two (Tanchjim Cora and Sony MH1C) have a very similar sound in terms of timbre, but with differences on the balance of the frequencies (Lows and Treble mainly).
The lows of the Tanchjim Cora are VERY similar to the ones of the HiFi Boy OS V3, both in terms of quantity and quality. I can not point out a clear difference between the two headphones. Both have similar emphasis and control, with great extension on the Sub-bass, great punch on the mid-bass and a lot of definition.
In terms of mids, the differences are remarkable. Tanchjim Cora's mids are very neutral and have more presence (in quantity) than the mids of OS V3. The naturality of the midrange of Tanchjim Cora amazing, with similar timbre to the one of Sony MH1C. The guitars have more "crunch", the voices have more (natuaral) brightness and at the same time much control. The difference here is that, although there is a lot similarities between the midrange of the MH1C and the Cora, I hear the mids of tanchjim more full-bodied, warm, refined, creamy and at the same time a little more present. I do not feel the mids of the Tanchjim "raw" as in MH1C. The HiFi boy, OSV3, compared to the Tanchjim Cora, will also have very soft and warm but also with a little more weight, because of the small rise of low-mids and less presence on the region of the high-mids. It makes the OS V3's mids more "dark" in comparison to the ones of the Cora. Like i said, the OS V3 has very natural and organic mids, however, do not reach the same naturality level of the ones of the Tanchjim Cora.
Talking aboud the to Treble, In terms of quantity, I see a lot of similarity between the treble of Tanchjim Cora and the OS V3. Both have more relaxed treble and details exposed in a natural and organic way, without exaggeration. In neither of the two i found any trace of hashness or sibilance. Both have very similar Sound -Stage.
Westone UM PRO 50:
I tested this IEM side-by-side with OS V3 for 3 days, on the final of the last year. I no longer have it in hand, so the impressions are according to what I remember at the time. Both have the very similar sound: soft, warm, relaxed and a little dark.
In terms of Lows, the OS V3 has a little higher quantity of sub-bass, You feel the OS V3 moving more air, due to the Dynamic driver wich produces the low frequencies, rather than the balanced armature used on the UM PRO 50 to this frequency range. About the mid-bass, both have similar punch as well as the definition.
Regarding the midrange, again, there are many similarities. The two have plenty of body, with a small lift on low-mids. Smoothness and detailing are also very similar. The difference that I noticed on the mids of the two is that although both are on the dark side, the ones of the UM PRO 50 are a little darker, with a slightly higher diponthe mid-high. The difference is very small, but on an attentive listening it is noticeable.
Talking about the the treble, once again, there is a lot of similarities: both without exaggeration, well controlled, detailed and relaxed. The difference is that the OS V3 has a little more qantity in treble than the UM PRO 50.
In terms of Soundstage and imaging, once again, both are very similar, with a small advantage for the UM PRO 50, in which I noticed with a bit more spatiality.
5 - Conclusion:
Great IEM for those who want a more natural and relaxed sound. There is the exchange of the "audiophile" standard with emphasized treble and highlighted details, for the musicality and fatiguing-free musical experience.
Specification:
- Brand: HiFi BOY
- Model: OS V3
- Drivers: 2 Balanced Armature & 1 Dynamic Driver (Ultra-high frequency Balanced Armature + high frequency Balanced Armature + 7mm strong magnetic composite diaphragm Dynamic Driver )
- Impedance: 19 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 109 dB
- Frequency response 20Hz-20KHz
- Cable Length: 1.2 m
- Plug: 3.5mm rhodium-plated
- Wire: 5N OFC silver-plated cable
- Connector: 2pin 0.78mm
Price: 160 USD.
F700
Good review. I got this pair of IEM via Penon Audio and found them quite ok for their price tag. Yes, very polite sounding but also non fatiguing SS. I gave it to a colleague of mine and he is listening to it everyday
@Blazer39 I cannot say that the Tanchjim Cora has a forgiving sound, because it will let you know, clearly and instantly, when it's a bad recording. But, as it doesn't have boosted highs, you will not have your ears raped with bad recordings.