Lear’s dynamic-driver model kept me curious for a couple of years, since some fellow head-fiers who were aware of my tastes strongly recommended to try it.

Happily, the company released an updated version at the same (HK$ 1488 which is ~USD 190) price point. According to the manufacturer, the driver is improved and so is the internal acoustic structure (especially the front part which is now made of metal, not plastic).

The uniqueness of LHF-AE1d lies in two options: first of all, the bass level can be customized not via filters (like in a number of models such as LZ A4 or FLC 8S) but using an attenuator with 9 fixed positions regulated with a screwdriver. This does allow to alter the lows from warm to monitor-like level for better pairing with a source as well as one’s sound preferences (more on that later).

Secondly, Lear does have advanced or custom nozzles sold separately. It means that you can order custom tips at a very reasonable price, yet still be able to use (or sell) your pair as a universal-fit one. While it’s not a CIEM in a full sense (where shells are also customized in accordance with your ear profile), you still get a solution allowing to get the idea of custom IEMs without the need to reshell later.

I’d like to thank Lear for providing a unit for this review, which will be honest and as objective as possible.

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The earphones come in a black cardboard box (nothing too fancy, but very practical). Inside you’ll find a selection of eartips (three sizes of silicons and two types of foams) along with earhooks and adjusting screwdriver-like tool. What I personally like is a rounded carrying case (something like a can for cream or other cosmetics). While not very pocketable, it gives some kind of a premium feel and is convenient for storage either in a backpack or on your desk.

As for the units themselves, they’re not too small (due to a 10mm dynamic driver) yet feel lightweight thanks to their anatomical design and over-ear wearing style. I’m not sure how people with smallers ears will find them, but I can personally wear these IEMs for hours without a hint of discomfort.

Speaking of cable, it is nicely textured and feels sturdy and lightweight at the same time. From my experience, it’s also not really tangle-prone. The only complaint that I have is the 2-pin (0.78mm) connection which at times felt a bit weak. However, some extra soldering has completely eliminated this issue and the connection became more secure.

I’d say the isolation is more or less average and is fine for everyday walks around the city. While it may be insufficient for subway or airplane, in most cases it feels just fine allowing to hear loud outside noises and focus on music for the rest of the time.

Sound

At 32 oHms, Lear is not hiss-prone yet at the same easily driveable even from a smartphone or a PC audio output. Still, at its resolution level it really does scale well along with the source. For this review, the listening was performed with iBasso DX80 player and Encore mDAC/mDSD portable DACs. All pairings were fine and reflected the overall tonality and sound character of LHF-AE1d MKII.

Although bass level can be altered significantly (from monitor to neutral and warm), its strong point is the absence of interference with the midrange which even at high levels does not become muddy on uncontrolled. After some tuning, I’ve personally settled on 6/9 level (where lows, to my ears, are just slightly elevated). Your own perception may vary, so please take time to make some adjustments in accordance with your tastes.

Overall tonality could be described as neutral, clean and transparent but not harsh at all (which to me is very good for long listening). Timbres do sound natural, so music with live instruments sounds really life-like. Speaking of overall resolution, it’s not too far from BA models yet at the same time has bodyness and dynamics reflecting the strong side of dynamic drivers.

Lows are punchy where necessary, but well-controlled and not boomy or exaggerated. They’re natural and detailed, dynamic but textured at the same time. Although the quantity can be added at one’s convenience, I’d personally recommend not to go overboard (especially with warm/dark sources) so you could perceive the whole range of frequencies at their best.

Mids are clear, resolving but non-agressive. Lear provides excellent resolution and instrument separation, they are clearly positioned but at the same time music is heard solidly, as a whole and not the sum of its parts.

To my ears, treble is slightly softened for comfortable listening, yet all the details are well-defined and not overly warm or metallic-sounding. High hats and percussions are sparkly even on complex tracks, yet there’s not a hint of sibilance (which I’m quite sensitive to). Just note that LHF-AE1d MKII might be more revealing than some ‘simpler’ dynamic models, therefore, with poorly recorded tracks they are slightly less forgiving.

Comparison

Shozy Zero (USD 60)

From my impressions, Shozy is warmer and more analog-like sounding. Bass resolution is quite close, but Lear wins in midrange/treble quality.

Meze 12 (USD 80)

Meze is a bit more U-shaped (mids slightly rolled off, although treble is perceived on a similar quantity level). Lear feels a bit clearer, more resolving and dynamic, yet Meze is slightly smoother.

KEF M200

KEF was originally priced around USD 200, but its current street price is much lower.

Tonally, KEF is more U-shaped and its low range is more prominent and punchy. In comparison, Lear is a bit more resolving, clean and even-sounding across all frequencies.

Please also not that KEF’s housings are larger and it may be harder to fit (especially if you have relatively small ears), while Lear is overall more lightweight and comfortable (especially with its over-ear wearing style).

Blue Ever Blue 1200EX (USD 130)

BeB has a brighter, more ‘audiophile’ sound signature. Resolution is more or less or par, but 1200EX has more prominent upper mids (which may sound more revealing for some but a bit peaky for others).

The choice will depend on your preferred tonality and source synergy, although I personally prefer Lear as an all-rounder for everyday listening.

Conclusion

Although multi-BA and hybrid models gained popularity in recent years, dynamic-driver sound has kept its pros: coherence, naturalness, bass character and smoothness. LHF-AE1d is a truly refined example of this sound concept, combining resolution with true to life representation.

It is versalite, easy to drive (yet scalable) and customizable while being able to keep its own characted. I highly recommend to try it should you have an opportunity.

Today I’m going to tell you about a single-driver BA model which, however, has a pretty unique sound signature for its type and form factor.

Nail is offered by Mycroft which is a Russian audio distributor with an extensive audiophile product line. They produce some pretty exclusive stuff ranging from multibit DACs to planar full-size cans. Myst Nail is their balanced armature IEM series (1/2/3/2x2/4) with a similar built style and varying tonality (in this review, we talk about the darker one, but in a good sense as you’ll see later on).

Nail 2 retails at USD 300 and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer.

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The package is spartan, to say the least. No luxury box, expensive case or even tip selection - just a pair of in-ears. However, their appearance will hopefully make you forget about it: metal, military-grade styling with a braided cable and angled (also metallic) Neutrik jack. Now, this looks serious… dare I say timeless (at least in style) and similar to a piece of art.

Earpieces themselves are compact and small, therefore, I don’t see someone even with a small ear canals having any fit issues. “Nails” (as they’re often called on local audio forums) can be worn both cable down and in an over-ear manner, and feel secure yet lightweight. I personally like that, contrary to something like Etys, there’s no need for the deepest insertion and it is much easier to maintain a good seal and thus achieving a proper sound reproduction for the whole frequency range (which for BAs is a bit more important than for dynamic drivers).

Tip rolling allows to achieve a secure and tight seal - not a total isolation maybe, but still more than sufficient for most use cases. A non-vented construction (more typical for BAs) also does help in this regard.

Sound

First, I’d like to note that by now my experience mostly comes from dynamic models, like Lear LHF-AE1d MKII, KEF M200 or Meze 12. Tonally, I prefer something smooth and non-fatiguing (without sacrificing details, but still more musical than analytical) for long listening. Also, please keep in mind that I don’t usually listen to something too fast or aggressive and mostly dig into jazz, soul, funk, disco, afrobeat and electronica.

Sonically, BAs are quite different and I expected that. Turning the music on (from iBasso DX80 and my HRT microStreamer + Meier Audio ROCK home combo), I was immediately surprised how textured and micro-detailed the whole sound picture is.

Still, it’s quite a common opinion that many single-BAs “suffer” a bit from the lack of natural, life-like bass feeling and “bodyness” provided by dynamic drivers. In this regard, Nail 2 is special: its low end comes down really deep, and I perceived some kind or multi-layered bottom end without a lack of dynamism. Lots of things are going on within this frequency range, and Nail 2 shows a very broad picture (which is really surprising and quite unique). You don’t get a basshead-level punch, but rather something more mature and informative (but without missing any naturalness or realism). Definitely, it’s a very different perception, but in a very positive way.

Midrange takes its place, along with all the necessary clarity and overall smoothness, as well as lots of new sonic details. Vocals, guitars, saxes and strings are well-textured yet very musical. It’s the perception of upper midrange which turned out the only slight problem (maybe for me personally, so take it with a grain of salt). It’s just some kind of peak somewhere in upper midrange/lower treble which for me turned out a bit fatiguing on both sound sources (note that here a popular combo for Nails is the "vintage" HM601/2/3 DAP family from Hifiman). Not sure if that will affect many listeners, just note this if your ears are sensitive in that area.

Highs are slightly relaxed, yet there is the same level of clarity. High notes of female vocals along with high-hats and percussions are perceived just fine (at least for my taste, although trebleheads looking for top-end forwardness should look elsewhere). Resolution and micro-details level are top notch and there’s not a hint of hollowness, just something fit for long-term sessions.

Overall, I perceive some tonal similarity with more or less dark headphones that I’ve listened to (Sony MA900, ATH-ESW9, Shozy Zero), but Nail 2 feels quite different due to the nature of BA sound. I also compared it to Lear LHF-AE1d. This one has a tunable bass which allows to alter the tonality, but overall it still feels more “physical” compared to the lens-like detail level of Nail’s BA. Lear is also much more neutral, while Nail 2 is on a darker side. Still, the latter also sounds very coherent and the music is perceived solidly, as a whole and not the sum of details.

Conclusion

I’m glad to have experienced BA sound with Nail 2 which has surprised me in a positive way. Be it not a peak in the upper range, everything would be just perfect since I like both neutral and dark sound signatures depending on current mood and genres that I listen to. Still, if you love bass and would like to try how good it can be implemented in a single balanced armature driver (and, which is more important, still enjoy the music in general), this one is a must!

Meze is a Romanian company which became widely known on a portable audio market after releasing its wooden 99 Classics model. These headphones became a hit due to a semi-portable form factor, comfort, attractive fashionable design and very enjoyable sound excellent for its price point.

Still, they did not stop and, trying to reinforce success, released two budget dynamic in-ear monitors: Meze 11 and 12. The first one (which is around USD 60) was sent to me for an honest and unbiased review, and I want to thank Meze for this.

I should first note that my experience with IEM is a bit limited by now, so the nuances I mention should be taken with a grain of salt. It would be great for you to read other reviews as well should you consider getting a pair for yourself.


Now, let’s talk about Meze 11 in a bit more details.

Package and built quality

A cardboard box with the harp-like illustration give a pleasant first impression. Inside you’ll find the earphones themselves, as well as carrying case and a set of tips (a variety of silicons and a pair of Comply foams). While the selection is pretty standard for the price, there’s nothing wrong or really missing. Silicone tips are of a high quality, and the case is well-made and sturdy enough not to worry while carrying IEMs inside it in your pocket or at the bottom of a backpack. In my opinion, the case could be made just slightly larger so earphones would fit into it more easily, but that’s nothing more than a matter of taste.

What really impressed me is the build quality and design of Meze 11 which is a pleasure to look at and feel in your hands. Metal splitter, jack and iOS/Android mic and remote all have the same size and style, and the whole set really looks terrific. I’m not the first to assume they are built at a much higher quality than their price point (and surpass some more expensive models).

Cable, fit and isolation

Cable feel very durable, while at the same time it is flexible and doesn’t feel heavy. It’s also not prone to tangling at all. The only downside is a significant level of microphonics, however, wearing Meze 11 over the ear or using shirt clip eliminates the cable noise.

Having quite an average ear size, it was not a problem at all to fit them using medium stock tips (and, by the way, the drivers themselves are quite lightweight). Isolation is fine for a dynamic driver model. Outside noise is mostly blocked when the music is turned on, but for public transport or other noisy environments you may need to experiment with the tip rolling more carefully. I’m personally not a fan of “total” isolation while walking around the city, so in this case it is more that sufficient.

Sound

I tried Meze 11 with Nexus 5 smartphone, Hidizs AP100 MM2 (MuguelMod) DAP and iMac-based home system using HRT microStreamer + Meier Corda ROCK.

These IEMs are easy to drive and play well enough from all of them, however, their sound quality grows significantly as you move to a better source. Overall, their potential is quite high.

Tonality of Meze 11 is more or less neutral, not bassy or V-shaped. Their sound is linear, but not boring or dull.

Dynamic bass is solid and lively, but not emphasized. Its level is enough where it exists in the actual record, however, it’s not even remotely close to a basshead level (so those who prefer some “ear massage” might want to look elsewhere). Still, I can say that with a solid-state amplifier like Meier ROCK they do punch really well on funk or hip-hop recordings.

Midrange is just slightly warm (and even “tubey”), it feels pleasant and expressive but without oversweetening effect. Resolution is very decent for a dynamic model. Vocals to me do not seem forward or recessed, everything’s just in its own place.

Treble is a bit more tricky since it does not feel rolled back (as it often happens in some earphones to achieve a “comfortable” sound). Some listeners may not be used to such a signature. Personally, I did not feel any discomfort or fatigueness, maybe because both my DAP and amplifier are slightly dark-sounding. Still, I think treble-sensitive people should try hearing these earphones before making a purchase decision.

Comparison with other dynamic models

Shozy Zero

Zero is something like an antipode to Meze, with a much significant accent of lows and slightly rolled off highs. Overall, Shozy is darker. To my ears, both models are quite close technically (and priced similarly, by the way), so it’s more or less a matter of tuning preference. It also depends on the DAP synergy (for Zero, a brighter source might be preferable). Fit and isolation are similar, while Meze’s build quality seems more solid for long-term use, although Shozy’s woodies are also made very well (their main weak side, in my opinion, is a tangling cable).

Fostex TE-05

This is a more V-shaped model with mids (and not highs, like in Zero) slightly rolled back. Bass level is higher than Meze 11’s. Build quality is similarly good, but drivers of Fostex are larger in size (so wearing them under your winter hat is less convenient). TE-05 has detachable cables, but their MMCX jack is slightly different from the standard, so it does not make much sense if you plan to use third-party cable. And, the price is higher (around USD 90-100 in various online stores), and I’m not really sure if the difference is justified since the budget segment nowadays is so crowded.

Overall, all three models are of a similar class, and the choice depends mostly on your sound tastes and the music source (be it DAP or smartphone) that you plan to use.

Conclusion

I am definitely happy with Meze 11 and its excellent value for money. It will hardly suprise owners of expensive BA or hybrids earphones with its resolution, but as a daily driver which is durable, easily driven and universal you can hardly go wrong with it. Meze is also a good choice just to try either the IEM form factor (due to its lightness and good seal) or the neutral tuning without overemphasized bass.