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Reviews by Hoods
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Hoods
New Head-Fier
Pros: - Great unboxing experience.
- Good accessories.
- Beautiful design.
- Balanced sound signature with an emphasis on female vocals.
- Easy to drive.
- Good performance across different music genres.
- A great option for those new to the IEM world.
- Good accessories.
- Beautiful design.
- Balanced sound signature with an emphasis on female vocals.
- Easy to drive.
- Good performance across different music genres.
- A great option for those new to the IEM world.
Cons: - Extremely thin cable, feels like it could snap with a tug.
- Uncomfortable stock cable; had to replace it.
- Can get congested with some tracks.
- Does not excel in technical performance.
- Uncomfortable stock cable; had to replace it.
- Can get congested with some tracks.
- Does not excel in technical performance.
The Wan'er SG is a model released by Tangzu in 2022, priced around $20 USD. You can often find it even cheaper during sales on platforms like AliExpress. I purchased this model with my own money.
Why did I buy it?
I liked the design. After watching reviews and comparing the most popular options in the $20 USD range, it was the one that caught my attention the most (especially when compared to the Moondrop Chu2 and the 7Hz Zero). I also appreciated the packaging and accessories for the price. I bought it after the Jade (green) version had been released, and I noticed it had won a VGP2023 award.
Packaging
First off, the packaging is beautiful and feels premium, definitely above what you'd expect for the price. The moment you remove the top cover, you’re greeted by a uniquely designed handkerchief. Beneath that, you’ll find the IEMs. There’s another layer below containing the accessories (ear tips) and the cable. It comes with a wide variety of ear tips in all sizes. One set of tips is nearly identical to my favorite Kbear 07 tips, which is a huge plus. You can use these tips with other IEMs, and if you like them, you can easily buy more separately.
Build and Design
The Wan'er SG is made of plastic and feels very lightweight, but the build quality is solid. It uses a QDC 0.75mm connection, but you can easily swap it for a 2-pin 0.78mm cable without any issues. The included cable is decent, but it’s very thin and can feel fragile, especially where it splits for each side, as it’s just a simple two-strand twist. It only comes with a 3.5mm termination option.
Comfort
Honestly, this isn’t the most comfortable IEM I’ve used. The ear hooks on the stock cable were uncomfortable after a while, so I ended up swapping the cable. I’m currently using the cable from the Zero:RED by Truthear, which solved the issue.
Sound
The following impressions are based on using the stock white ear tips. As always, I tried them with different eartips. Honestly, the stock white ones are really good (some other tips can reduce the clarity even further or make the sound feel more congested). If you’re curious about my testing setup, you can check it out HERE.
The first thing I noticed is how easy they are to drive. The sound signature feels warm and balanced. Sub-bass and bass are well-controlled, with the mid-bass slightly elevated. The mids don’t feel too recessed and transition smoothly from the bass with a warm touch. Vocals are undoubtedly the star of the show, particularly female vocals, which always take center stage without sounding shouty or harsh. The treble is one of my favorite aspects. It has a natural and smooth timbre. However, some may find it lacking energy or excitement.
The technical performance is where these IEMs show their weaknesses. The soundstage is mostly 2D with decent lateral width but lacks 3D height and depth. This is common in this price range, so it’s not a major drawback. Instrument separation struggles on demanding tracks and can feel congested at times, though this isn’t a constant issue. The overall clarity isn’t razor-sharp, but it’s not bad either. Combined with the subdued treble, some tracks may feel a bit “dull” or “uninspiring.”
Let’s test some tracks:
* The songs I pick might vary, but I include this section so you can see if you hear the same things I do or if our impressions differ. This way, you can choose the level of trust you place in my review, as long as you have some of the IEMs I've reviewed.
- After The Storm – Kali Uchis: Passed the test. It doesn't sounds weird, which is the main thing I look for in this song.
- Magnetic – iLLit: Passed the test. While the snare can feel a bit congested, the overall listening experience is pleasant. The bass and vocals are well-balanced, and the treble isn’t overly energetic but could use more detail. Surprisingly, nothing stands out too much in this track.
- Woke Up – XG: Passed the test. Sub-bass is slightly lacking but complemented by the mid-bass, making everything feel balanced. The vocals aren’t aggressive in the mix, but the treble could be cleaner.
- Blacken the Cursed Sun – Lamb of God: Passed the test. It does get congested toward the end, but the rest of the track performs well and remains enjoyable. Nothing particularly stands out.
- All the Small Things – Blink 182: Passed the test. No noticeable congestion despite the instruments feeling close together.
- Los Aretes de la Luna – Flora Martinez: Passed the test. Vocals are full-bodied and well-positioned. The background instruments feel cohesive and natural, with the bass filling in the empty spaces.
- La paciencia – Ekathé: Passed the test. The drums don’t sound muffled, and the soundstage doesn’t feel too claustrophobic. There's a sense of immediacy in the sound and the instruments have a natural timbre.
- Certainly (Live) – Erykah Badu: Passed the test. Incredibly enjoyable to listen to.
- Fly Me To The Moon (Live in Paris) – Diana Krall: Passed the test. The sound feels warm, cozy, and cohesive with a natural timbre. However, it lacks the 3D spatiality that other IEMs in this price range can achieve with this track.
1. Frequency Response
This graph helps visualize the sound curve and gives a basic idea of the IEM's sound signature. It also helps spot issues like channel imbalance or damaged drivers, which might affect certain frequency ranges. In this case, the graph shows an expected result, with no noticeable issues in the frequency response.
2. Polarity / Phase
This graph helps verify if the IEM is working as it should. A positive impulse (upward) should result in a positive response from the IEM; if it doesn’t, the polarity/phase is incorrect. Identifying this issue is crucial because it negatively impacts sound representation. Unfortunately, this is a common manufacturing mistake. In this case, the polarity matches correctly.
Note: Despite having a QDC connector, I can use standard 2Pin 0.78mm cables while maintaining correct polarity.
Considerations
No additional considerations to add.
Conclusions
The Wan'er SG is an excellent pair of IEMs. It delivers a warm, well-tuned sound with natural tonality and a focus on vocals, steering away from the elevated (and sometimes artificial) treble that is common in this price range. Its technical performance isn't exceptional, but it doesn't take me away from the overall enjoyment of listening to music.
I think it’s hard to dislike these IEMs. They might not be your favorite in your collection, but I find it unlikely that anyone would hate them. Considering the packaging, design, accessories, and sound quality for the price, this remains one of the best purchases you can make, even today. Plus, if you’re new to the hobby, it’s a great way to discover your preferences.
If you're curious about where they rank on my rating list, you can check it out HERE
You can also visit my blog Hoods AudioFeedback. More reviews coming soon!
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Hoods
New Head-Fier
Pros: - Good price-to-performance ratio (current price).
- Compact and lightweight design, highly portable and comfortable.
- Beginner-friendly, ideal for someone new to IEMs.
- Compact and lightweight design, highly portable and comfortable.
- Beginner-friendly, ideal for someone new to IEMs.
Cons: - My model has inverted polarity, it affects sound representation.
- Non-detachable cable, limiting longevity if damaged.
- Fragile cable connection to the driver, requiring careful handling.
- Requires more power than expected for optimal volume levels.
-Some air pressure buildup in the ear can cause discomfort.
- Non-detachable cable, limiting longevity if damaged.
- Fragile cable connection to the driver, requiring careful handling.
- Requires more power than expected for optimal volume levels.
-Some air pressure buildup in the ear can cause discomfort.
The "Little Q" by Kbear is a budget IEM released in 2022, originally priced around $20 but now available for as low as $6 on sites like AliExpress. I bought this set with my own money.
Why Did I Buy It?
As usual, I was watching videos and reading reviews about this tiny basshead IEM, and I was curious to see how much bass it could actually deliver from a small 6mm dynamic driver (DD). When I found it on AliExpress for only $6 through Choice, I figured it was worth a shot.Presentation
First thing that surprised me was the box size (super compact!). And when I opened it, I was even more shocked by how tiny these IEM actually are. The packaging is simple: the earphones are up top, and underneath, you’ll find three sizes of eartips (S, M, L) and a user manual.Build and Design
The Little Q feels lightweight and plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. I actually like the cable’s texture, though it’s not detachable, so if it breaks, you can’t swap it out for a new one. It only comes with a 3.5mm plug.Sound
Note: My unit has inverted polarity, as you can see in the "Measurements" section below.I used the stock eartips for my tests. Right away, I noticed these need more power than expected to reach a good volume level. I'd describe the sound signature as a warm V-shape; but vocals are present, and mids don’t feel too recessed. To me, these aren’t basshead-level IEMs.
With a warmer source, the bass is more prominent, with a smoother transition to the mids, giving it a fuller sound. Mids feel softened, and treble is natural, non-fatiguing, and well-balanced. With a warm-neutral source, bass slightly loses body transitioning into mids, but mids and highs stand out more. Personally, I prefer it with a warmer source.
Let’s break it down with some test tracks:
* The songs I pick might vary, but I include this section so you can see if you hear the same things I do or if our impressions differ. This way, you can choose the level of trust you place in my review, as long as you have some of the IEMs I've reviewed.
- "Magnetic" – ILLit: Passed the test. Bass and vocals are well-placed, and mids-to-highs don’t feel overpowering, making it comfortable at higher volumes.
- "Los Aretes de la Luna" – Flora Martinez: Passed the test. The vocals have weight but sit a bit farther back than I’d like, just in the middle. while the background instruments blend smoothly, with bass filling out any empty spaces.
- "Safari Song" – Greta Van Fleet: Passed the test. Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel congested; there’s enough separation and space to enjoy the track, with the vocals nicely positioned, and the cymbals come through clearly without being harsh.
- "Deeper Still" – Incognito: Passed the test. The hi-hat is just right for my taste, no painful peaks, and the mix feels cohesive, there’s no sense of emptiness.
- "Woke Up" – XG: Passed the test. Sub-bass and bass are boosted but controlled. Vocals are smooth and well-positioned in the mix, though I would have liked a bit more treble clarity.
- "La paciencia" – Ekathé: Passed the test. The drums don’t sound muffled, and there’s no sense of emptiness, but it does feel a bit confined (more space in the soundstage would’ve been ideal).
- "Fly Me to the Moon (Live in Paris)" – Diana Krall: Passed the test. Warm, cozy, and naturally cohesive with a spacious sound.
Measurements
1. Frequency ResponseThis graph helps visualize the sound curve and gives a basic idea of the IEM's sound signature. It also helps spot issues like channel imbalance or damaged drivers, which might affect certain frequency ranges. In this case, the graph shows an expected result, with no noticeable issues in the frequency response.
2. Polarity / Phase
This graph helps verify if the IEM is working as it should. A positive impulse (upward) should result in a positive response from the IEM (red line); if it doesn’t, the polarity/phase is incorrect. Identifying this issue is crucial because it negatively impacts sound representation. Unfortunately, this is a common manufacturing mistake. In this case, my model has inverted polarity.
Considerations
These need a good seal to sound their best. I usually wear S or M tips, but I had to use the L size here. There’s also a bit of air pressure buildup in the ear (noticeable, though not as bothersome as some other IEMs). Also, the cable connection to the driver seems a bit fragile, so handle with care.Conclusion
I wouldn’t recommend these for personal purchase due to the quality control issue with the polarity. However, they’re still a solid option as a gift.For their size, they deliver a good sound, especially for casual, warm listening. While they don’t offer top-tier immersion, detail, or clarity, they perform well for what they are.
Considering the current price, they’re a fantastic value and would make a fun and enjoyable gift, especially for someone new to IEMs.
If you're curious about where they rank on my rating list, you can check it out HERE
You can also visit my blog Hoods AudioFeedback. More reviews coming soon!
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