I didn't get the chance actually to listen to the original EN700 release from Chinese newcomers, SIMGOT.
I believe it was out last year and it is a fetching design and brought a bit of a stir though it also had its detractors with some critique on how it could be improved.
The most important feedback I believe was the lack of bass, both in terms of reach and physicality leading more reviews to praise it for its mid-centric bias but leaving them wanting just a bit more on the low-end.
This seemed to be compounded by the comment or two on the uneven treble response on the original version. Otherwise, a lot of people thought the EN700 had good potential in the budget range with some eye-catching aesthetics and accessories.
The second one I could pick out was the rubbery materials used on the cable which didn't seem to be a huge negative but more of a missed opportunity to be addressed any further revision.
Well back comes SIMGOT a year later with the $109.99 EN700 BASS edition and no surprises what the new title might actually to allude to in terms of revisions on this product line.
What Is The Pitch?
Tonal Tweaking
The EN700 BASS is basically the EN700 new and improved and for just $10 more than the original. The word BASS is the key pitch here with the EN700 BASS being pushed as much more impactful and fuller sounding than before particularly on the low end as well as smoothing out a few of the treble peculiarities of the original.
Better Cable
The second pitch is the new cable. It is still non-detachable, in fact as I am told, SIMGOT will release a version of the EN700 BASS with a detachable cable int he near future though expect to pay a little more for that one. The current iteration of the cable is actually quite fetching in aesthetics and is much better all round for general everyday use than the rubbery original.
Comfort
The final pitch is the build itself. SIMGOT have done a tiny bit of tweaking to the form factor of the EN700 BASS with an upgraded memory hooking system that should result in a better seal and less chit chat about seal issues than before.
Build
The EN700 BASS is a single dynamic driver IEM built from a fairly lightweight aluminum alloy in a two-piece design though the top plate is comprised of 4 layers packed tightly together to be able to produce that distinctive design.
Design
The design is like what would happen if you blended a Fidue A91 with a Hifiman HE1000 then shrunk it all down to size. It is probably one of the most eye-catching and unique universal IEM designs I have seen to date.
The back side is all A91 with a shallow teardrop/semi-oval shell and a short straight nozzle and a discreet bass port just below the stem. The front side is all Hifiman with a distinctive lateral grill pattern that gives an impression of an open headphone design but it is, in actual, fact, quite closed.
Finish
Colors
The finish of the EN700 BASS will largely depend on the color choice you go with. SIMGOT have launched no less than 4 different color schemes in a matte finish with the blue version yet to have an official artsy name. The other three are called thin-ink, coal-black, and bright red which roughly translates to titanium, black, red and of course, blue.
Accents
All the colors though have the same rose gold accent on the outer rim of the top plate which matches nicely with the cable connection joint and complements the more rustic colors of the cable. My personal preference is either the black or titanium which seems to blend a little better with the accented paint job than the red or blue.
Cable
OFC
The EN700 BASS has a non-detachable OFC braided wire with 400D DuPont KEVLAR fiber measuring around 1.2m in length and terminated with a straight 3.5mm gold-plated stereo jack. This is actually a pretty cool looking braided design. It is not the normal looser weave, instead, it is tight and more rounded in its finish with an aluminum y-split tube that seems to keep everything closely packed.
From the y-split tube, the cable splits into left and right so it is slightly thinner but more malleable for working round the ear. The memory hooks have also changed from the original EN700 with a more transparent clear color compared to the previous darker black materials.
Hooks
The memory hooks are more guides than anything hugely memory retentive so whilst you can't do a huge amount in terms of shaping them they do a decent job of keeping the unit in your ear. They are also low profile enough for glasses to be worn without significant discomfort.
Low Noise
The cable is very soft and easy to work with by the way and almost zero microphonics and dead quiet even with movement. It is not totally memory free, there are a few kinks here and there but overall it works itself out within the course of 10 to 15 minutes.
Tip Selection
SIMGOT have supplied two different types of tip packages with the EN700 BASS called Eartips I and Eartips 2. Both 1 and 2 comprise of 3 sets of small, medium and large single bore silicone tips attractively arranged in a cardboard tip tray.
Tip differences
Where they differ is in the diameter of the opening with Eartip 1 having the large opening of the two. The larger the opening the more porous the design is for bass so Eartip II, with its thinner bore opening, is designed specifically to enhance the bass signature of the EN700 BASS. Eartip 1 with that wider bore will reduce the bass output in favor of the higher frequencies (mids and treble).
Cardboard
Beyond that, I have no clue where to put the little cardboard trays as they fit rather nicely in the supplied leather case holder but once you put the IEM in there is no room really for anything else. Also, being cardboard the trays will likely fray and fall apart rather easily. My suggestion is to grab a tiny plastic bag and dump them in there and place at the bottom of the case should you wish to tip change on the go.
Comfort & Seal
This is purely anecdotal but I honestly had no issues with the fitting of the EN700 BASS. The nozzle is reasonable in length so tips will play a role and normally silicone tips provide an average seal for me but on this occasion, the supplied tips did much better locking them in fairly tight with above average seal. You will get a bit of background noise for sure with that bass port preventing a rock-solid seal but otherwise no issues once the music started playing.
Those with smaller ears do watch out for potential pressure against the upper concha of your outer ear which is where I suspect contact would be most likely. Also, the cable does point inwards ever so slightly and the metal cable joint does come across the most forward part of the Helix which can irritate some after prolonged use.
Accessories & Packaging
The rest of the package is quite good at this point with special praise for the rather fetching branded brown leather case. It matches the tones of the EN700 BASS cable and chassis finish quite well and there is plenty of room for it and a bag of tips for listening on the go.
Not sure about the meme at the back "A salute to art & science" but I get where they are coming from. The front contains the SIMGOT branding and the flap is magnetically sealed to keep it all fairly low profile.
Aside from the leather case and the two sets of tips you also get the following:
Sound Impressions
Core Presentation
Whether you use tip 1 or tip 2 with the EN700 BASS the core response is a v-shaped presentation with a 'warm to neutral' presentation and a fairly well tuned and energetic upper mids to lower treble signature. Tip 1 will go slightly more neutral with a bit more upper mid to treble energy and tip 2 will bring in more warmth and body, particularly on the low-end.
As such the v-shape will add a fairly spacious sounding quality to the EN700 BASS soundstage though imaging and instrumental positioning are on a bit more on the vague side but nothing sub-par at this price point.
Tonality & presentation 'Eartip I'
These are the wider opening tips and they sound a bit cleaner and better balanced for me than the tip 2 selection which came across as overly mid-bass dominant and lacking in a top end articulation for rock but better for some EDM.
Tonally it's still a relatively warm to neutral signature but this time the mids are a bit more spacious sounding and the bass is not quite as boosted and full sounding. It does not lack impact, by the way, the bass response is still north of neutral but it is not the dominant range with the ear tip 1.
Treble is more forward sounding on tip 1, with more sparkle and energy compared to the more laid back sound of tip 2. Note quality is on the thinner side but it cleaner attack works better for me for percussion and synth work which needs more perceptible clarity and focus.
Tonality & presentation 'Eartip II'
Tonally the EN700 BASS gets a little warmer with a significant low-end boost with these smaller opening tips.
Boosting is more around the 80-100HZ marker with a dip into the lower mids. It rolls off a touch once you drop below 50-80Hz also so whilst there is decent extension the EN700 BASS is more about quantity and impact with tips 2 than sub-bass rumble and power.
Thankfully, the EN700 BASS doesn’t suffer from an overly boosted upper bass bloat so lower mid-range clarity instrumental clarity is not bad whilst never sounding particularly thin or lacking in weight.
Timbre using tip 2 is more on the euphoric side with a richer presentation throughout including vocals which are fuller sounding than tip 1. Tip 2 will appeal to those who like a smoother sounding more natural quality to their mids and vocal performance.
Treble on tip 2 is laid back, not quite as energetic as tips 1 with a softer attack and less articulation. It is not as perceptibly forward or clean sounding so those looking for more percussive presence and sparkling synth attacks might look to tip 1. Those who like a more forgiving top end with more body will enjoy tip 2.
Tuning notes on both Tips
One thing to note on both tips. Sibilance is at a minimum. The upper mid to lower treble on the EN700 BASS has a fairly nice level of energy without ever sounding harsh or peaky. Switching from tips 1 or 2 is really just about how much presence you want in this area as neither will spoil that excellent tuning.
Matchability
Efficiency
The EN700 BASS is rated at 16 ohms and 101dB so it is fairly easy on the voltage for reasonable volume but it is not an overly sensitive IEM in general. Testing across the DAPs I found the volume levels to be fairly wide ranging from fairly quiet to reasonably loud, much more so than some BA equivalents.
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Note this is nothing scientific and our comfortable listening levels may differ from person to person but not by a big amount to render these figures irrelevant.
Portable Amping
FiiO/ALO Audio Pairings
The EN700 BASS performed with more aplomb when used with better quality amps. On DAPs such as the N3, it sounded musical with decent impact but the dynamics and clarity jumped in quality once switched to the line out with amps such as the FiiO A5 and even better with ALO Audio's RX and V5 amps.
On all 3 noise control was excellent, better than I expected. Voltage control was also not too bad with shorter wiggle room on the A5 as expected given its power. The RX aggressive gain was a little muted also and there was plenty of room for volume control on the V5 in low gain.
With the A5 the bass tightened up a little with the greater weight of the three and a little more sub-bass power. The V5 pulled the EN700 BASS back a touch compared to the A5 but produced a sweet cleaner mid-range and vocal performance. The RX was perhaps the best all-rounder with the EN700 BASS with a clean, dynamic and punchy presentation.
iBasso Pairings
iBasso's two mid-range portable amps, the D14 and PB3, produced different results with the EN700 BASS. The PB3 in particular opened up the midrange more than the A5 with a smooth delivery. The EN700 BASS's low-end was a bit linear, perhaps not so weighted but much better definition and dynamics than the N3, X1 2nd gen, and the AP60 DAPs on their own.
The D14/EN700 BASS pairing for me did not sound as spacious in the mids as the PB3 and exhibited a bit of a brighter more energetic treble response though at times this veered into some unwanted glare. If I had to choose between the two I would pick the PB3 as the ideal pairing from iBasso's range of mid-fi amps.
Select Comparisons
AAW Nebula One
$99
Technicalities
The Nebula One has a 16 ohm and 100dB SPL rating so it is relatively easy to drive and remains fairly distortion free on decent portable amps (DAP/DAC or analog).
It is relatively similar in terms of efficiency to the EN700 BASS so similar sources and voltage settings should see both being driven fairly satisfactorily. Both show similar levels of low noise and fairly hiss free on DAPs and good noise control on portable IEM amps.
Tonality
Tonally both IEMs have the same bias to a fattened low-end though I find the EN700 BASS to have better quantity and a slightly warmer approach and the Nebula One to be marginally pacier sounding. Mids and treble on the EN700 BASS have a bit more body and smoother sounding than the Nebula One.
Brittle
Treble on the Nebula One can sound a little brittle in comparison particularly in the lower treble response. As such I find the EN700 BASS a bit more forgiving and natural sounding with percussion and synth work. The same also for vocals with the EN700 BASS, particularly with tip 1 sounding the more natural of the two with better body and less sibilance.
RHA CL750
$140
Technicalities
The CL750 is an impressively inefficient single DD driver IEM rated at just 89dB and 150 ohms. Call it the baby brother of the CL1 if you will but it still requires pretty much similar levels of voltage and power tweaking to sound good. This is the poster child for budget audiophile ratings in an IEM and “Made For iPod” it most definitely is not.
In fact so glaringly inefficient there is actually a warning sticker on the front of the box in case you might have missed the implications of such a spec. The silver label simply reads “For Use With Amplifiers”.
By contrast, the EN700 BASS will happily run off most sources at just 16 ohms and 101dB. It has average efficiency for a dynamic IEM though so it will sound better with better quality amps but it has nowhere near the amping requirements of the CL750. On the flipside noise is not an issue with the CL750 but the tonal pairing is, unlike the EN700 BASS which is fairly forgiving on most sources.
Tonality
The fact that both have dipped mids is rather moot because tonally both couldn't be further apart. The CL750 is wonderfully detailed at this price point with a fantastic imaging capability delivering a very nice level of spatial cues awareness that the EN700 BASS can only dream off. The CL750 low-end is warm but not as full-sounding as the EN700 BASS and it doesn't have the same level of sub-bass quantity with a quicker roll-off.
Brighter
And yet, the CL750 is much brighter, peaky at times, and far more sibilant than the EN700 BASS. It can make for an uncomfortable experience if poorly matched. Fundamentals lack a bit of power so instrumental notes are thinner sounding and lack authority on the CL750.
Vocals on the CL750 are more energetic sounding with plenty of space to work but have a very sharp attack, particularly on higher pitched female vocals. The EN700 BASS vocal performance is sibilant free, a bit more natural and fuller sounding. Certainly a lot more forgiving than the CL750.
Acquired Taste
This is an acquired taste no doubt. The CL750 is a detail freak at this price point but it comes at a cost where matching and treble tolerance are at their most demanding. The EN700 BASS doesn't paint such an interesting and challenging presentation but it will happily run off most sources and in a much more forgiving manner.
Verdict
The EN700 BASS is an eye-catching and professionally packaged IEM that stands out from the crowd at this price point. Which is a good thing because the budget marker of $100 finds some very competitive alternative options which for me runs the EN700 BASS very close in terms of tonal quality.
The unique selling point of the varied tips in terms of bore diameter is a good addition and provides some nice options for tweaking the sound. Both have their own unique qualities with tip 2 giving you a big hike in mid-bass quantity and decent sub-bass presence compared to the more balanced and open sounding tip 1 which prefers to show off the top-end a bit more.
Add to that the rather fetching leather case and excellent quality cable I actually enjoyed what the EN700 BASS had to offer. It is not often you get something memorable in the budget range. All too often I remember some for the wrong reasons but the EN700 BASS does give you fairly safe but musical presentation with a unique sense of styling.
Technical Specifications
I believe it was out last year and it is a fetching design and brought a bit of a stir though it also had its detractors with some critique on how it could be improved.
The most important feedback I believe was the lack of bass, both in terms of reach and physicality leading more reviews to praise it for its mid-centric bias but leaving them wanting just a bit more on the low-end.
This seemed to be compounded by the comment or two on the uneven treble response on the original version. Otherwise, a lot of people thought the EN700 had good potential in the budget range with some eye-catching aesthetics and accessories.
The second one I could pick out was the rubbery materials used on the cable which didn't seem to be a huge negative but more of a missed opportunity to be addressed any further revision.
Well back comes SIMGOT a year later with the $109.99 EN700 BASS edition and no surprises what the new title might actually to allude to in terms of revisions on this product line.
What Is The Pitch?
Tonal Tweaking
The EN700 BASS is basically the EN700 new and improved and for just $10 more than the original. The word BASS is the key pitch here with the EN700 BASS being pushed as much more impactful and fuller sounding than before particularly on the low end as well as smoothing out a few of the treble peculiarities of the original.
Better Cable
The second pitch is the new cable. It is still non-detachable, in fact as I am told, SIMGOT will release a version of the EN700 BASS with a detachable cable int he near future though expect to pay a little more for that one. The current iteration of the cable is actually quite fetching in aesthetics and is much better all round for general everyday use than the rubbery original.
Comfort
The final pitch is the build itself. SIMGOT have done a tiny bit of tweaking to the form factor of the EN700 BASS with an upgraded memory hooking system that should result in a better seal and less chit chat about seal issues than before.
Build
The EN700 BASS is a single dynamic driver IEM built from a fairly lightweight aluminum alloy in a two-piece design though the top plate is comprised of 4 layers packed tightly together to be able to produce that distinctive design.
Design
The design is like what would happen if you blended a Fidue A91 with a Hifiman HE1000 then shrunk it all down to size. It is probably one of the most eye-catching and unique universal IEM designs I have seen to date.
The back side is all A91 with a shallow teardrop/semi-oval shell and a short straight nozzle and a discreet bass port just below the stem. The front side is all Hifiman with a distinctive lateral grill pattern that gives an impression of an open headphone design but it is, in actual, fact, quite closed.
Finish
Colors
The finish of the EN700 BASS will largely depend on the color choice you go with. SIMGOT have launched no less than 4 different color schemes in a matte finish with the blue version yet to have an official artsy name. The other three are called thin-ink, coal-black, and bright red which roughly translates to titanium, black, red and of course, blue.
Accents
All the colors though have the same rose gold accent on the outer rim of the top plate which matches nicely with the cable connection joint and complements the more rustic colors of the cable. My personal preference is either the black or titanium which seems to blend a little better with the accented paint job than the red or blue.
Cable
OFC
The EN700 BASS has a non-detachable OFC braided wire with 400D DuPont KEVLAR fiber measuring around 1.2m in length and terminated with a straight 3.5mm gold-plated stereo jack. This is actually a pretty cool looking braided design. It is not the normal looser weave, instead, it is tight and more rounded in its finish with an aluminum y-split tube that seems to keep everything closely packed.
From the y-split tube, the cable splits into left and right so it is slightly thinner but more malleable for working round the ear. The memory hooks have also changed from the original EN700 with a more transparent clear color compared to the previous darker black materials.
Hooks
The memory hooks are more guides than anything hugely memory retentive so whilst you can't do a huge amount in terms of shaping them they do a decent job of keeping the unit in your ear. They are also low profile enough for glasses to be worn without significant discomfort.
Low Noise
The cable is very soft and easy to work with by the way and almost zero microphonics and dead quiet even with movement. It is not totally memory free, there are a few kinks here and there but overall it works itself out within the course of 10 to 15 minutes.
Tip Selection
SIMGOT have supplied two different types of tip packages with the EN700 BASS called Eartips I and Eartips 2. Both 1 and 2 comprise of 3 sets of small, medium and large single bore silicone tips attractively arranged in a cardboard tip tray.
Tip differences
Where they differ is in the diameter of the opening with Eartip 1 having the large opening of the two. The larger the opening the more porous the design is for bass so Eartip II, with its thinner bore opening, is designed specifically to enhance the bass signature of the EN700 BASS. Eartip 1 with that wider bore will reduce the bass output in favor of the higher frequencies (mids and treble).
Cardboard
Beyond that, I have no clue where to put the little cardboard trays as they fit rather nicely in the supplied leather case holder but once you put the IEM in there is no room really for anything else. Also, being cardboard the trays will likely fray and fall apart rather easily. My suggestion is to grab a tiny plastic bag and dump them in there and place at the bottom of the case should you wish to tip change on the go.
Comfort & Seal
This is purely anecdotal but I honestly had no issues with the fitting of the EN700 BASS. The nozzle is reasonable in length so tips will play a role and normally silicone tips provide an average seal for me but on this occasion, the supplied tips did much better locking them in fairly tight with above average seal. You will get a bit of background noise for sure with that bass port preventing a rock-solid seal but otherwise no issues once the music started playing.
Those with smaller ears do watch out for potential pressure against the upper concha of your outer ear which is where I suspect contact would be most likely. Also, the cable does point inwards ever so slightly and the metal cable joint does come across the most forward part of the Helix which can irritate some after prolonged use.
Accessories & Packaging
The rest of the package is quite good at this point with special praise for the rather fetching branded brown leather case. It matches the tones of the EN700 BASS cable and chassis finish quite well and there is plenty of room for it and a bag of tips for listening on the go.
Not sure about the meme at the back "A salute to art & science" but I get where they are coming from. The front contains the SIMGOT branding and the flap is magnetically sealed to keep it all fairly low profile.
Aside from the leather case and the two sets of tips you also get the following:
- Velcro binder with logo
- Manual
- Global Warranty & VIP card
- Small cleaning Brush
Sound Impressions
Core Presentation
Whether you use tip 1 or tip 2 with the EN700 BASS the core response is a v-shaped presentation with a 'warm to neutral' presentation and a fairly well tuned and energetic upper mids to lower treble signature. Tip 1 will go slightly more neutral with a bit more upper mid to treble energy and tip 2 will bring in more warmth and body, particularly on the low-end.
As such the v-shape will add a fairly spacious sounding quality to the EN700 BASS soundstage though imaging and instrumental positioning are on a bit more on the vague side but nothing sub-par at this price point.
Tonality & presentation 'Eartip I'
These are the wider opening tips and they sound a bit cleaner and better balanced for me than the tip 2 selection which came across as overly mid-bass dominant and lacking in a top end articulation for rock but better for some EDM.
Tonally it's still a relatively warm to neutral signature but this time the mids are a bit more spacious sounding and the bass is not quite as boosted and full sounding. It does not lack impact, by the way, the bass response is still north of neutral but it is not the dominant range with the ear tip 1.
Treble is more forward sounding on tip 1, with more sparkle and energy compared to the more laid back sound of tip 2. Note quality is on the thinner side but it cleaner attack works better for me for percussion and synth work which needs more perceptible clarity and focus.
Tonality & presentation 'Eartip II'
Tonally the EN700 BASS gets a little warmer with a significant low-end boost with these smaller opening tips.
Boosting is more around the 80-100HZ marker with a dip into the lower mids. It rolls off a touch once you drop below 50-80Hz also so whilst there is decent extension the EN700 BASS is more about quantity and impact with tips 2 than sub-bass rumble and power.
Thankfully, the EN700 BASS doesn’t suffer from an overly boosted upper bass bloat so lower mid-range clarity instrumental clarity is not bad whilst never sounding particularly thin or lacking in weight.
Timbre using tip 2 is more on the euphoric side with a richer presentation throughout including vocals which are fuller sounding than tip 1. Tip 2 will appeal to those who like a smoother sounding more natural quality to their mids and vocal performance.
Treble on tip 2 is laid back, not quite as energetic as tips 1 with a softer attack and less articulation. It is not as perceptibly forward or clean sounding so those looking for more percussive presence and sparkling synth attacks might look to tip 1. Those who like a more forgiving top end with more body will enjoy tip 2.
Tuning notes on both Tips
One thing to note on both tips. Sibilance is at a minimum. The upper mid to lower treble on the EN700 BASS has a fairly nice level of energy without ever sounding harsh or peaky. Switching from tips 1 or 2 is really just about how much presence you want in this area as neither will spoil that excellent tuning.
Matchability
Efficiency
The EN700 BASS is rated at 16 ohms and 101dB so it is fairly easy on the voltage for reasonable volume but it is not an overly sensitive IEM in general. Testing across the DAPs I found the volume levels to be fairly wide ranging from fairly quiet to reasonably loud, much more so than some BA equivalents.
Note this is nothing scientific and our comfortable listening levels may differ from person to person but not by a big amount to render these figures irrelevant.
Portable Amping
FiiO/ALO Audio Pairings
The EN700 BASS performed with more aplomb when used with better quality amps. On DAPs such as the N3, it sounded musical with decent impact but the dynamics and clarity jumped in quality once switched to the line out with amps such as the FiiO A5 and even better with ALO Audio's RX and V5 amps.
On all 3 noise control was excellent, better than I expected. Voltage control was also not too bad with shorter wiggle room on the A5 as expected given its power. The RX aggressive gain was a little muted also and there was plenty of room for volume control on the V5 in low gain.
With the A5 the bass tightened up a little with the greater weight of the three and a little more sub-bass power. The V5 pulled the EN700 BASS back a touch compared to the A5 but produced a sweet cleaner mid-range and vocal performance. The RX was perhaps the best all-rounder with the EN700 BASS with a clean, dynamic and punchy presentation.
iBasso Pairings
iBasso's two mid-range portable amps, the D14 and PB3, produced different results with the EN700 BASS. The PB3 in particular opened up the midrange more than the A5 with a smooth delivery. The EN700 BASS's low-end was a bit linear, perhaps not so weighted but much better definition and dynamics than the N3, X1 2nd gen, and the AP60 DAPs on their own.
The D14/EN700 BASS pairing for me did not sound as spacious in the mids as the PB3 and exhibited a bit of a brighter more energetic treble response though at times this veered into some unwanted glare. If I had to choose between the two I would pick the PB3 as the ideal pairing from iBasso's range of mid-fi amps.
Select Comparisons
AAW Nebula One
$99
Technicalities
The Nebula One has a 16 ohm and 100dB SPL rating so it is relatively easy to drive and remains fairly distortion free on decent portable amps (DAP/DAC or analog).
It is relatively similar in terms of efficiency to the EN700 BASS so similar sources and voltage settings should see both being driven fairly satisfactorily. Both show similar levels of low noise and fairly hiss free on DAPs and good noise control on portable IEM amps.
Tonality
Tonally both IEMs have the same bias to a fattened low-end though I find the EN700 BASS to have better quantity and a slightly warmer approach and the Nebula One to be marginally pacier sounding. Mids and treble on the EN700 BASS have a bit more body and smoother sounding than the Nebula One.
Brittle
Treble on the Nebula One can sound a little brittle in comparison particularly in the lower treble response. As such I find the EN700 BASS a bit more forgiving and natural sounding with percussion and synth work. The same also for vocals with the EN700 BASS, particularly with tip 1 sounding the more natural of the two with better body and less sibilance.
RHA CL750
$140
Technicalities
The CL750 is an impressively inefficient single DD driver IEM rated at just 89dB and 150 ohms. Call it the baby brother of the CL1 if you will but it still requires pretty much similar levels of voltage and power tweaking to sound good. This is the poster child for budget audiophile ratings in an IEM and “Made For iPod” it most definitely is not.
In fact so glaringly inefficient there is actually a warning sticker on the front of the box in case you might have missed the implications of such a spec. The silver label simply reads “For Use With Amplifiers”.
By contrast, the EN700 BASS will happily run off most sources at just 16 ohms and 101dB. It has average efficiency for a dynamic IEM though so it will sound better with better quality amps but it has nowhere near the amping requirements of the CL750. On the flipside noise is not an issue with the CL750 but the tonal pairing is, unlike the EN700 BASS which is fairly forgiving on most sources.
Tonality
The fact that both have dipped mids is rather moot because tonally both couldn't be further apart. The CL750 is wonderfully detailed at this price point with a fantastic imaging capability delivering a very nice level of spatial cues awareness that the EN700 BASS can only dream off. The CL750 low-end is warm but not as full-sounding as the EN700 BASS and it doesn't have the same level of sub-bass quantity with a quicker roll-off.
Brighter
And yet, the CL750 is much brighter, peaky at times, and far more sibilant than the EN700 BASS. It can make for an uncomfortable experience if poorly matched. Fundamentals lack a bit of power so instrumental notes are thinner sounding and lack authority on the CL750.
Vocals on the CL750 are more energetic sounding with plenty of space to work but have a very sharp attack, particularly on higher pitched female vocals. The EN700 BASS vocal performance is sibilant free, a bit more natural and fuller sounding. Certainly a lot more forgiving than the CL750.
Acquired Taste
This is an acquired taste no doubt. The CL750 is a detail freak at this price point but it comes at a cost where matching and treble tolerance are at their most demanding. The EN700 BASS doesn't paint such an interesting and challenging presentation but it will happily run off most sources and in a much more forgiving manner.
Verdict
The EN700 BASS is an eye-catching and professionally packaged IEM that stands out from the crowd at this price point. Which is a good thing because the budget marker of $100 finds some very competitive alternative options which for me runs the EN700 BASS very close in terms of tonal quality.
The unique selling point of the varied tips in terms of bore diameter is a good addition and provides some nice options for tweaking the sound. Both have their own unique qualities with tip 2 giving you a big hike in mid-bass quantity and decent sub-bass presence compared to the more balanced and open sounding tip 1 which prefers to show off the top-end a bit more.
Add to that the rather fetching leather case and excellent quality cable I actually enjoyed what the EN700 BASS had to offer. It is not often you get something memorable in the budget range. All too often I remember some for the wrong reasons but the EN700 BASS does give you fairly safe but musical presentation with a unique sense of styling.
Technical Specifications
- Transducer unit N50 high magnetic composite moving-coil driver
- Diaphragm Polymer composite titanium diaphragm
- Frequency response 15Hz-40kHz
- Sensitivity ≥101dB（at 1000Hz）
- Impedance 16Ω
- Distortion <1% 101dB（20μpa）
- Channel imbalance <1.5dB（at 1000Hz）
- Rated power 10mW
- Cable OFC braided wire with 400D DuPont KEVLAR fiber
