Reviews by Nasfar

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Introduction​

The KBEAR KB02 is the first IEM to come with a bone conductor driver for just $40. It features a 10mm Beryllium-plated Diaphragm Dynamic Driver and a Bone Conduction Vibrator unit hybrid setup, which is unheard of in this price. It released with 3 colour choices — blue, purple and orange. The bone conduction driver created quite the hype around this IEM. Let’s see what the hype is truly for.

Package Contents​

• The earpieces​
• Cable​
• 3 sets of ear tips including 3 pairs in each set​
• Paperwork​

Specifications​

• Driver: 1x 10mm Dynamic, 1x Bone Conduction​
• Impedance: 40 ohms​
• Shells: 3D-printed Resin​
• Cable Standard: 0.78mm 2-pin​
• Cable Termination: 3.5mm​

Driver Configuration​

• 1x 10mm Beryllium-Plated DD​
• 1x Elastic-Plastic Type Bone Conduction Driver​

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Build & Design​

KBear KB02 features a really nice looking sand on ocean like faceplate, which looks absolutely stunning to the eyes. It doesn’t feel cheap to the touch either as its build using premium lightweight resin, which is an awesome move by KBear for the price. Now, the KB logo on the faceplate also looks stunning and the shine just shows the beauty of the faceplate.

Cable​

The stock cable was well a disappointment to me. It was really flimsy and felt cheap. Moreover, it had a bit of microphonics and it was annoying to use. I ended up using a different KBear cable. I wish the cable wasn’t like this as it ruins the elegance of the IEM, but considering the price it makes sense to cheap out on some areas to secure a beautiful looking IEM and good sound.

Fit & Comfort​

The KBear KB02 has a nice ergonomic and comfortable design. It fits me perfectly, and I didn’t have any problem with the fit. It sat in my ears snuggly without feeling fatiguing or painful. I was able to use it for hours end. It was super comfortable. The lightweight build just make it disappear in your ears.

Another thing is that the bone conduction driver sends a light vibration feel to your ears, which is evident in bass heavy tracks.

Testing Tracks​

• Sultans Of Swing – Dire Straits​
• Musical Genocide – Gregory Porter​
• 真夜中のドア / Stay With Me – Miki Matsubara​
• Angel (feat. Horace Andy) – Massive Attack​
• 『broKen NIGHT』– Aimer​
• Time – Pink Floyd​
• No Surprises – Radiohead​
• Toxicity – System Of A Down​

Tip-Rolling​

The stock tips are alright, nothing too out of the ordinary. I tested few tips such as: Dunu Candy, Dunu S&S, EPro PR01 and the Dunu Balanced tips. I found the following:

• Dunu Candy: The candy tip felt okay, it didn’t bring any drastic difference, but it did make everything feel a bit more open and added body to the mid-range and mid-bass felt enhanced than the stock tips. Also, this tip presented me with a balanced sound and didn’t make anything dominative.​
• Dunu S&S: The S&S tips mostly focused on the vocals section and soundstage. It presented a clean, balanced with good soundstage and made the vocals a bit more forward, but made sure to keep out any harshness or sibilance. Also, it had an emphasis on the mid-bass as well, it felt more tactile.​
• Dunu Balanced Tip: To me, this proprietary tip of DUNU felt like a better fit for the KB02. The Balanced Tip as the name serves provided me the right “balance” between the two eartips mentioned above. Good soundstage, opens up the vocals, clean emphasis on the mid-bass and sub-bass.​
• EPro PR01: The Propeller tips opened up the soundstage a bit more and gave me the optimal wide and deep soundstage. Of course, it couldn’t simulate an out of head effect, but it was enough for a feeling of openness. Now, it also made the mid-bass a bit more pronounced as in tactility, but not overbearing. It had a superb vocal presence and precise imaging. However, it took out depth from sub-bass.​

In my opinion, the Balanced tip and Pr01 felt like the perfect fit for the KB02 and Candy would be the next contender.

Sound​

The KBear KB02 has a warmer and enveloping sound presentation. It has a nice bodied, vibrant and intimate sound. In no way does it feel neutral or dull.

Bass​

Sub-Bass extends extremely deeply and feels robust. It is well-controlled and doesn’t feel muddy or boomy. Its rumble is controlled and extends incredibly deep. It doesn’t feel domineering or overwhelming. Its depth is incredibly satisfying and has a good authority. However, in the lower region, the bone conduction driver loses its grip and renders a bass with less extension and control.

Mid-Bass is incredibly good on the KB02! It is punchy, tight and has a pleasant texture to it. It doesn’t feel sharp, nor does it feel like it’s overwhelming the mix. Furthermore, it has a fuller and warmer tone. Moreover, it feels extremely impactful and has a satisfying kick to it. Mid-bass’s kick, impact and punching power made me a fan of the IEM. Sure, it sometimes lacks articulation in super complex bass-heavy tracks, but I absolutely loved the mid-bass presentation. I couldn’t ask for anything for in this price range.

Mid-Range​

Male Vocals sound exceptionally well-textured, rich, natural and detailed. It feels up close and personal, as if the singer is singing right in front of you. Vocals feel bodied, thick and has good note-weight to it. It also has this nice airiness and warmth, which adds to the engagement. Moreover, I believe the Airiness in the singer’s vocals are enhanced due to the micro vibrations felt directly from the bone conduction drivers. Also, this micro vibration brings out the details of a track in a delightful manner. The vocals just carry this sense of intimacy that I did not think I can experience in such a price point. Furthermore, there is no hissing, sharpness or harshness to the male vocals, which is a huge plus point. The vocals do not feel bloated or muddied either, it is clear without any of the downsides.

Female vocals are quite engaging on the KB02. They are warm, clear, natural, and render with good clarity. Even with the immense clarity, it is free of any sharpness or hissing on the “sh” notes. Moreover, the vocals are rich and sound intimate. The female vocals also have an excellent amount of airiness, and is rendered in a detailed manner without missing any nuances left by the singer. The vocals shine even in busy tracks and doesn’t feel overblown or dominating. The warmth also adds to the engagement of the listening experience. However, the vocals aren’t lush sounding and, in some tracks, it might feel a bit thin.

Instruments in the lower-midrange feels full-bodied and has splendid clarity. It does not feel muddied or overbearing in tracks. It even has this hint of airiness. The same goes for the upper-midrange instruments, they are detailed, clear, and are elegantly rendered. The instruments do not have a hint of sharpness or harshness in them. They are all played in a smooth and loving manner.

Note: The breathy vocals are a bit plastique, at times. Moreover, the mids are intimate, but lacks the lushy feel. These are expected in this price point and even with these draw-backs the KB02 is an incredible performer for just $40.​

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Treble​

The treble is rendered articulately and has a sparkle in it. It has good presence and does not feel sharp or harsh. Treble is airy and a bit forward, which makes its presence known to the listener without being fatiguing or sharp. The lower treble is well-controlled and has a good level of details and resolution. It is enjoyable and pleasant to listen to. Moreover, the upper treble extension is smooth and feels spacious alongside the airiness. Although it lacks a bit of shimmer, it is well-textured and feels expansive.

Technicalities​

KB02 has good layering and separation between the vocals and the instruments. It even keeps up in complex tracks and never fails. Moreover, its ability to pickup detail is impressive in this price point.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The soundstage of the KB02 is good, but nothing outstanding. You won’t really feel super out of head, but it is immersive and engaging nonetheless. Also, there is a holographic feel from the Bone Conductor driver.

The imaging part is incredible. You can accurately pinpoint the instrument's placement and everything feels in place. There is not a single moment where the instruments or vocals felt out of place, and the listener can accurate understand the position everything is playing from.

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Conclusion​

For $40, the KBear KB02 offers a warm, immersive sound with rich vocals, deep sub-bass, and punchy mid-bass. Its wide soundstage and precise imaging create an engaging listening experience, while the bone conduction driver enhances airiness and texture. However, it loses some control in the lower bass regions, and the treble lacks a bit of shimmer and refinement. The stock cable and ear tips could also be improved. Despite these minor drawbacks, the KB02 delivers excellent value, making it a great choice for those who enjoy an intimate and dynamic sound signature.

Introduction​

Today, we are taking an in-depth look at the Dragonfly 81T, which is a high-performance IEM from JUZEAR. It features hybrid driver technology that uses a combination of 8x custom in-house balanced armature and 2x dynamic drivers.

Thanks to HiFiGo and Sonic Mantra, I was able to have an in-depth listening session with the Dragonfly 81T. JUZEAR caught my eyes after I saw their Butterfly and the previous Dragonfly model a few weeks back, and to my surprise I heard that the team would be receiving the Dragonfly 81T for a quick review.

Disclaimer​

I was lent this unit of Dragonfly 81T from the Sonic Mantra team, who received this unit from HiFiGo. Thanks to Sonic Mantra and HiFiGo for sending us this awesome IEM. Nonetheless, the following review captures my honest thoughts about the Dragonfly 81T, and HiFiGo has not asked to screen the review to post.

You can order the Dragonfly 81T directly from HiFiGo or GeekMartBD if you are from Bangladesh.

Package Contents​

• The Earpieces
• 6N Single Crystal Copper Silver-Plated Cable
• 3x Ear tips [2x Foam, 3x Regular Silicon Tips & 3x Proprietary Tips]
• Pouch
• 2 Termination Plugs [3.5 mm & 4.4 mm]
• Paperwork

Specifications​

• Brand: Juzear
• Model: Dragonfly 81T
• Net Weight: 6.1g
• Sensitivity: 117dB ± 1dB SPL/mW
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Frequency Response Range: 20Hz~20kHz
• Frequency Response Quality Assurance/Quality Control (FRQA/QC): ± 1dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): ≤ 0.6%
• Noise Reduction: 26dB
• Drivers: 1 Dynamic Driver (DD) + 8 Balanced Armatures (BA)
• Plug Type: 3.5/4.4 2-in-1 interchangeable plug
• Interface: 2-pin (0.78mm)
• Cable: 6N single crystal copper silver-plated wire

Driver Configuration​

• Dynamic Drivers: 2x CCP II 10 mm
• Balanced Armature Drivers: 8x JUZEAR Custom High Frequency 31736

Build & Design​

The build of the Dragonfly 81T feels premium and solid in the hands. It’s crafted using 3D-printed resin that’s not just skin-friendly, but also smooth and strong. The metal nozzles add a premium touch, giving it a solid, durable feel. The design is another highlight—it’s stunning. The faceplate has this wood-like texture with a glossy finish, and the Juzear logo complements the aesthetic perfectly. You can tell they’ve put serious effort into making the shell both artistic and functional.

Cable​

The included cable is impressive for a stock one. It’s soft, lightweight, and doesn’t tangle, making it super easy to manage. The interchangeable termination system, with both 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced plugs, is a standout feature. Made with 6N silver-plated oxygen-free copper, it ensures smooth signal transmission. The design is similar to DUNU’s Q-Lock like system, and the L-shaped termination works great for portable use. Honestly, I didn’t feel the need to upgrade the cable, but you can always test it with higher-quality cables for personal preference.

Fit & Comfort​

Fit and comfort are spot on. The lightweight resin shell fits snugly in the ears without causing any discomfort, even during long listening sessions. The smooth inner surface and well-thought-out venting system ensure no pressure build-up in the ears. I wore them for 3–4 hours straight, and they felt like they weren’t even there. Plus, no constant adjusting was needed; they stayed perfectly in place.

Testing Gears​

• Questyle QP2R
• Cayin N3 Ultra (Classic Tube Mode)
• iBasso DX180
• Cayin RU7
• Fiio BTR7
• Celest CD-20
• HIDIZS S8 PRO

Tip-Rolling​

Honestly, tip-rolling is unnecessary with the Dragonfly 81T, as the stock tips are capable of pulling out its performance to the finest. The unit comes with three types of tips – two pairs of foam, three pairs of regular silicone tips, and three pairs of their proprietary tips. These proprietary tips feel and look a bit like SpinFit CP145, with a flexible stem that helps with fit and comfort. I found the sound and comfort to be pretty good with these. My entire testing was done with the stock black coloured tips, as I didn’t feel the need to tip-roll considering how good it already sounded with the stock tips.

Carrying Case​

The Dragonfly 81T comes with a hard-shell carrying pouch. It’s compact and slips easily into a pocket or bag without creating much bulk. While it does the job of protecting the IEMs, I feel it could’ve been a bit more spacious, like DUNU’s cases. Still, it’s functional and keeps your IEMs safe.

Sound​

The Dragonfly 81T offers a sound that’s all about balance. It’s got a nice mid-bass, midrange, and treble focus, with a generally neutral tone.

Bass​

The bass is quick, incisive, resolving, and able to keep up with the busiest of tracks without smear or blur, but it's a little lacking in sub-bass depth. The layering of bass is interestingly good.

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass is dynamic, with exceptional layering and a satisfying soft rumble. The extension is deep enough. The Dragonfly 81T does not have a huge quantity of sub-bass, which would allure the bassheads, but it has a tasteful and quality sub-bass. Moreover, it is well-controlled. It does not feel overly dominant, yet it makes the listening engaging. Furthermore, there is no bleeding from the sub-bass, keeping the mid-range clean.

Again, the sub-bass does not sound muddy or muffled in any way whatsoever. Also, the sub-bass is well-layered and lets the other instruments in the track shine properly without being shadowed by it.

Finally, the sub-bass rumble, layering and depth is good enough to make an enjoyable listening experience and create a nice immersive field.
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Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass section of the Dragonfly 81T is quite energetic and thick. Moreover, it is tight and well-controlled, and clean and transparent, which is great. Furthermore, the attack and decay speed are good, which provides an engaging listening experience. The mid-bass doesn’t feel sharp to the ears and is tangy.

Now, the mid-bass is punchy, strong, impactful, yet controlled to the point where it doesn’t overtake the vocals and other instruments. However, I would’ve liked the mid-bass to be a bit tighter and have a stronger impact, which would’ve pushed a more engaging and fun mid-bass.

Honestly, the mid-bass is good, punchy, impactful and controlled enough to provide an immersive and fun listening experience to everyone.

Mid-Range​

The midrange is natural and clean. The male vocals are clear and not harsh, but somewhat thin - there isn't a sense of warmth or body to give them depth. They're technically sound but not really all that exciting or emotional.

Female vocals sound far better. They're pleasant energy and clarity, but never sharp or harsh. The earbuds pick up tiny details quite well, and voices stay distinct from instruments well. Playing with a warmer musician does help fill out the sound a bit.

Amusing how much more feminine the sound is for vocals compared to masculine. Male vocals are merely adequate - clean but uninteresting. Female vocals are sweeter in their highs and more expressive, so they are the natural standout of it.

Instruments​

Instruments are clear, vivid and properly produced on the 81T. It does not sound muddy or clustered. Moreover, the production of the instruments is so well done that every instrument can be accurately mapped and distinctly heard. They aren’t sharply produced, which is a huge plus point for the 81T. Finally, the string instruments are produced extremely well! You can feel each of the strings vibrations and sounds in the track as if they’re right in front of you.

Treble​

Treble's a bit bright for my tastes, but it still manages this airy, clean, and clear thing. It is well-controlled, has a nice shimmer and sounds pretty natural altogether. Moreover, it feels crisp, energetic, sharp in a good way, also it definitely not muddy. There is a bit of that BA timbre thing going on, and yeah, some sibilance sneaks in here and there. Admittedly, it can come off a little sharp on some tracks. But hey, the shimmer in the treble really adds to the sense of depth and makes the 81T feel immersive, which is pretty awesome.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The Dragonfly 81T unfortunately doesn’t have a really wide and expansive soundstage, but it keeps the listening engaging and immersive because of the airy treble and mid-range, and impeccable imaging it has.

The listener can pinpoint each instrument and every instrument properly alongside the vocals and bass, which is great

Note​

While testing the Dragonfly 81T, I used different DACs and DAPs to check how it pairs with them. From my experience, I feel this IEM pairs really well with warm, warm-neutral, or analog-sounding DACs. One thing I noticed is that if the DAC has poor control over the BA driver’s timbre, the treble might feel a bit bright sometimes.

For example, even though the Cayin RU7 has a warm sound, I felt the treble weight was a bit lacking in some places, which made the BA sharpness noticeable in a few tracks. But honestly, this happens only sometimes, and that’s why I thought it’s important to mention it in my review.
Other than that, the pairing with Questyle QP2R and Cayin N3 Ultra was absolutely amazing. Most of the time, I listened to the 81T with these setups, and I loved the experience. It felt really natural and engaging.

Honestly speaking, the Dragonfly 81T shines more when paired with sources that complement its tonality. That’s why choosing the right DAC or DAP is key to unlocking its full potential!

Conclusion​

The Dragonfly 81T has a well-rounded and neutral signature, with mid-bass, mid-range, and treble tuning in. The bass, meanwhile, hits fast, displays layers, and remains in control. Midrange clarity is good, with organic undertones; male vocals lose a little warmth, but for female voices, the energy is there with good detail, capturing most of the emotional nuances in beautiful ways.

Treble sounds light, crispy, and gently shimmering, but sometimes sibilant and brilliant. The soundstage is small, but the imaging is outstanding; it can position instruments and voices accurately.

Generally speaking, the sound from the Dragonfly 81T sounds clear and isolated, with excellent clarity, control, and instrument representation. That makes this IEM very attractive for casual listeners and audiophiles alike.

Introduction​

The Rose Technics QT-X is a premium IEM featuring a hybrid driver configuration with one dynamic driver and six balanced armatures. Recognizing the importance of a complete audio system, Rose Technics offers the QT-X in two distinct bundles.

The $340 “Value Edition” provides a compelling entry point, pairing the IEM with the RZ-300m single-ended DAC and the Grey Rose cable with 3.5 mm termination. For those seeking the ultimate listening experience, the $440 “Deluxe Edition” elevates the package with the inclusion of the high-performance RS9039 DAC and the premium Blue Rose Pro cable featuring a 4.4 mm termination.

Package Contents​

• The Earpieces
• Blue Rose Pro 4.4 mm Cable for Deluxe Edition & Grey Rose 3.5 mm Cable for Value Edition
• RS9039 DAC for Deluxe Edition & RZ-300m DAC for Value Edition
• A Small C to C Cable
• Four Pairs of Wide Bore Ear Tips & Four Pairs of Foam Tips
• Four Pairs of Extra Nozzle Filters
• A Leather Carrying Case
• Paperworks

Specifications​

• Drivers: 6x BA, 1x DD
• Impedance: 18 Ω
• Sensitivity: 108 dB
• Frequency Response Range: 20~20000 Hz
• Connector Type: 0.78 mm 2-pin
• Interface Type: 3.5 mm/ 4.4 mm
• Cable Length: 120 cm
• Weight: 30g ± 3g

Driver Configuration​

• Balanced Armature Drivers: 2x 30018, 2x 29689, 2x 30019
• Dynamic Driver: 1x 10 mm LCP Tesla Diaphragm

Build & Design​

The Rose Technics QT-X? She's a beauty, I'm telling you. Firstly, the very moment you see it-you go, “Wow.” They come in four colours, but I got the “Starry Blue,” and boy, it sure looks amazing. This gradient on the resin shell looks very much like a slice of the night sky. And then, that small “angry face” logo? Kind of quirky, and gives it this fun, you know, kind of rebellious vibe, which makes it stand out even more.


Now, the build quality? It is solid. You can really tell they put in work to make it feel premium. Sure, there is a tiny gap between the shell and the faceplate, but honestly? Who cares. It still looks and feels top-notch, something that one would want to show to people. Worth it.

Cable​

The Grey Rose cable is honestly great. The braided design feels super tough, like it’s made to last forever, and the metal Y-split and chin slider just make it look a bit fancy. You’d think it’d cost way more than it actually does. Does it completely change the sound? Not really, but it does what it's supposed to-keep everything clean and clear. No complaints there. It works flawlessly with the QT-X and just completes the whole setup, I feel.

The cable is lightweight and flexible too-no stiffness, no tangles, no hassle. And microphonics? Barely noticeable, which is such a win. Honestly, the entire setup just feels right. It all comes together so perfectly, you can't help but love it.

Fit & Comfort​

Now, about the fit: The QT-X is surprisingly comfortable. I did, at first, think that the shells looked a little bulky, but nope-they're super lightweight and sit perfectly in your ears. Long nozzles and deep fit block out so much noise, and it is almost like being in your own bubble.

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Xduoo X2S
• ddHiFi TC44Pro E2
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro
• Included RZ-300M

Included RZ-300M DAC​

The RZ-300M DAC is a budget-dongle, which is included in the value-pack of QT-X. It has a non-detachable type-C cable for connection. The DAC has a playback capability of 24bit/192kHz PCM audio quality. Moreover, it is capable of delivering a whopping 75mW power to the QT-X and other IEMs. Now onto its design, it has a purple coloured metallic shell with a 3.5 mm port that has a plastic covering.
The button above the DAC with the Roseselsa logo functions as play/pause button. It can also be used to trigger virtual assistant, skipping tracks, answering or ending calls, which sure is convenient if you don’t want to use your phone. Sound-wise, it leans toward warm side which will pair well with many IEMs. It has no issues running many less demanding IEMs.

Tip-Rolling​

The default stock silicon ear tips fit comfortably. Like many, the foams are not perfect, and the QT-X does very well with tip rolling. A pair of ePro Propeller 01 tips, for example, adds a touch of warmth particularly in the lows and presents more dynamically with a cleaner and more engaging mid-bass. While the Final E-series Clear tips provided a much more extended sound. Most definitely a reason to experiment a lot with ear tips, so that one can get an optimal sound signature out of the QT-X and an optimal fit and comfort.

Sound​

Bass​

The bass on the QT-X? Honestly, it's very satisfying. It has this nice mid-bass punch that is tight and pretty impactful. You can really feel it, but it's not overdone or sloppy—everything feels super controlled, and you can hear all the little details, which adds so much energy to the sound. It's the type of bass that makes your foot tap, but not so much that it overpowers the rest of the song. Really, it is just the right amount.

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass performance of the QT-X is good. It has an excellent extension and depth. The sub-bass is well-controlled, which makes the listening really enjoyable. The roll off is pretty good and helps by giving an immersive atmosphere. While it may not produce an earth-shattering impact that some bass heads would crave, but the sub-bass provides a sufficient level of impact and depth. Moreover, there is some sub-bass bleeding into the mid-range, thus relaying some warmth to the vocals.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass on the QT-X is probably its strongest point: it does sound tight and punchy and really hits with quite a lot of impact to fill the sound with lots of energy without being harsh in any way. Quick and controlled enough to handle even the most complicated of tracks, it still keeps everything adequately precise and clear—really impressive.
You get that warm, natural sound, but still, it keeps things clean and balanced. Moreover, the mid-bass is very tactile and impactful, while being controlled. It never sounded overly sharp, nor did it sound muddied/bleak.

Mid-Range​

The mid-range on the QT-X? It's excellent. It feels like it's balanced in a way where everything sounds ridiculously engaging. Vocals and instruments come through so clear; nothing seems lost in the mix. It's like you can really hear the details, yet it isn't too bright or done too much. It's smooth and natural, and you just want to keep listening. Feels like everything has its own space to shine. Despite the V-shaped tuning, it does not produce a recessed mid-range.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals sound really nice on the QT-X: full-bodied, a bit warm, focused and has some air to it, but not a lot. They are clean and detailed, with just the right amount of texture, so it really feels alive. Timbre is nice and well-defined, which adds so much to the richness of the voice. Moreover, the vocal representation is articulate and engaging.

You can even pick up on the faintest little nuances, which make it feel so personal, like the singer is right there with you. And the vocals are set just a little forward in the mix, really prominent. You can feel this natural grit and intimacy that really captures the soul of the performance.

Female Vocals​

Female vocals are clean, warm, and smooth. Moreover, it is energetic, lively, and expressive. They have a touch of intimacy, which makes the listening experience engaging. Furthermore, no sibilance was found during the testing period, which is a huge plus point.

The vocals sound clear, airy, and carries a natural tone, which pulls out an impressive amount of intimacy in the female artist's voice. Moreover, it does not sound recessed despite having a V-shaped tuning. Female vocals sounded extremely nice and charming to listen to on the QT-X. However, in some tracks the vocals sound a little thin and lacked a bit of weight, but this is very rare.

Moreover, the instruments are clean and has good separation. It was able to keep up even on complex tracks. Instruments are focused, but it never outshines the vocals.

Treble​

The treble is an energetic and detailed one. It extends smoothly with excellent air and sparkle. Moreover, it was not fatiguing even as a treble-sensitive listener. The lower treble is well-controlled, while the upper treble adds a touch of shimmer. It handles aggressive tracks with impressive control, showcasing its energetic treble without excessive sibilance. The cymbals and hi-hats sound crisp and sparkly, without a hint of smudginess.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The soundstage on the QT-X is pretty average. The airy treble helps a lot with creating a sense of space, so you can easily pick out where the instruments are placed around you. It’s not the most immersive, though—there’s not much depth, and it doesn’t quite feel like the sound is coming from outside your head. But still, you get a decent sense of separation and dimensionality.

When it comes to imaging, the QT-X really shines. The instrument placement is spot on, super accurate, so it’s easy to tell where each element is in the mix. The layering’s pretty average, though, except when it comes to the bass. The bass feels like it has a bit more presence and definition in the overall picture.

Notes​

It is very important to remember that poorly mastered tracks will produce sibilance in the vocal regions, and the treble can slowly render fatigue for treble-sensitive listeners.

Conclusion​

The QT-X gives off an engaging listening experience. The bass is impactful and well-controlled, while the mid-range is balanced and detailed. The treble is energetic and detailed, though some may find it slightly bright on poorly mastered tracks. Moreover, its instruments are well-separated and has accurate imaging. However, the soundstage lacks some depth, it still provides a spacious and enjoyable listening experience.

Introduction​

The BQEYZ Frost is a hybrid IEM aiming to deliver a balanced and detailed listening experience. This review explores its sound quality, build, and overall performance.

Package Contents​

• Ear Buds
• Cable
• Carrying Case
• Brush
• Six Pair of Silicon Ear Tips
• One Pair of Memory Foam
• One Ear Tip Holder

Specifications​

• Model: Frost
• Driver Unit: Dynamic Driver + Micro Planar Transducers
• Dynamic Driver: 10 mm
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Sensitivity: 113 dB
• Frequency: 5~40kHz
• Cable Length: 1.2m
• Pin Type: 0.78 mm; 2 Pin
• Plug Type: 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm
• Diaphragm: PU and PEEK Composite Diaphragm
• Cable Specification: Silver-plated Coaxial Mixed Cable

Driver Configuration​

• 1x Dynamic Driver
• 1x Micro Planar Transducers

Build & Design​

The BQEYZ Frost has a solid, well-made feel thanks to its aluminium alloy housings. They feel durable in hand, which is always a good sign. The faceplates have this interesting frosted texture that gives them a distinct look – it's a nice touch. Overall, the design is clean and modern, without being overly flashy. It's clear they put some thought into how these things look and feel.

Cable​

The cable that comes with the BQEYZ Frost feels pretty decent. It's not super thin or flimsy, so it doesn't feel like it's going to break on you right away. The connectors seem solid too. It's a functional cable, for sure. Personally, though, I'm not a huge fan of the blue colour. With the overall aesthetic of the Frost being kind of frosty and silvery, a white or silver cable would have matched way better. It's a small thing, but it would have made the whole package look a bit more cohesive.

Fit & Comfort​

The BQEYZ Frost is pretty comfortable to wear. They're lightweight, so you don't really feel them weighing your ears down. They fit my ears well, and I didn't have any issues with them feeling like they were going to fall out. The shape is pretty ergonomic, so they sit nicely in the ear. One thing I did notice, though, is that the seal isn't the absolute best. Passive noise isolation isn't the best, so they don't block out a lot of outside noise.

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Cayin RU7
• IFI Hip DAV V2
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro
• BQEYZ Lin
• NiceHCK TC3

Tip-Rolling​

The stock tips are nice and good, but I prefer to use DUNU Candy and Final E Pink tips for my review. The listeners may use their preferred tips for their preferred sound.

Sound​

The BQEYZ Frost presents a balanced and enjoyable sound signature, making it a versatile option for various genres. The sound is warm and inviting, creating a pleasant listening experience.

Bass​

The bass is textured, clean, and well-controlled. It prioritizes quality and control over quantity, making it suitable for most genres but perhaps not ideal for dedicated “bassheads.”

Sub-Bass​

The BQEYZ Frost has decent sub-bass performance. According to their frequency chart, the Frost shouldn’t have much of a sub-bass presence, but it is there, and its presence truly makes the listening fun.

It does not have an earth shatteringly rumble, but has decent presence, depth and good extension. Fortunately, it does not bleed into the mids, or sound muddied due to it being well-controlled. However, it may not satisfy “bassheads” as the Frost sub-bass is about quality over quantity.
The sub-bass adds good colour and character to tracks, which makes the listening extremely fun and engaging.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is clean, textured, punchy and tight. It does not overwhelm the other parts of the sound, and stays in its own lane. It has powerful tactile feedback, and is neutral. Moreover, its attacks are quick, well-controlled; it doesn’t feel sluggish, which really elevates the listening experience.

Furthermore, the mid-bass, has good heft in it and is impactful. Frost’s mid-bass shines in the response speed, and it is able to keep up with complex tracks easily.
The mid-bass adds good body to tracks, which makes the Frost incredibly enjoyable to listen.

Vocals​

Male Vocals​

Male vocals are rich, clean, clear, detailed and natural. It has good note-weight and is full-bodied. There is no muddiness or congestion in the lower pitched male vocals, as the bass is well-controlled. Moreover, it has good warmth and outstanding clarity.

The vocals are textured and well-preserved. Also, it picks up the singer’s nuances accurately. Furthermore, the vocals have good separation from the tracks instruments and sounds sweet to the ears. The vocals stay clear and well separated regardless of instruments in complex tracks.

Female Vocals​

The female vocals have warmth, incredible clarity, and are smooth, lush sounding, energetic and airy. The vocals have no harshness, sibilance, or peakiness. Moreover, the vocals are stunningly clear, has good extension and is emotionally engaging.

It feels like the singer is singing directly to you, and has an outstanding surrounding feel. It feels like the vocals are coming from all sides; feels like a blast of refreshing air, and vocals swarming all around you. Finally, the slight upper mid-range adds a sweetness and airiness to female voices without making them sound shrill or harsh.

Instruments​

The instruments have good separation, clarity and are detailed. It has a nice natural timbre, which makes the instruments sound natural without excessive colouration. Individual instruments can easily be distinguished within the mix. The instruments also do not sound congested or mashed together. This sort of instrument sound truly enhances the listening experience.

Treble​

The treble is a highlighted feature of the Frost. It has incredible extension, airiness, detail, and clarity. It is also smooth, and well controlled to avoid harshness or sibilance. Moreover, the treble is so detailed and clear that it allows the listener to hear the shimmer of cymbals, subtle nuances in tracks and the delicate overtones of stringed instruments.

Soundstage & Imagining​

The Frost has a soundstage that is incredibly wide. It has good depth, which allows the listeners to perceive the relative distance of different instruments and vocals within the mix. This adds to the overall sense of immersion and engagement.

The Frost excels in the imaging department! The listener can precisely perceive the instrument placement within the soundstage. Moreover, it has remarkable separation, allowing listeners to clearly understand the vocals, and instruments in a streamlined and non-congested way.

Finally, the Frosts soundstage and precise imaging creates a holographic sound, where the instruments and vocals are placed in a 3D space, which makes the listening extremely immersive and expressive.

Technicalities​

Dynamics​

The Frost exhibits decent dynamics, performing reasonably well in microdynamics, capturing nuances in quieter passages. Macrodynamics are also handled well, with the IEM capable of handling crescendos and impactful moments without sounding constrained.

Transient Response​

The transient response is decent, contributing to clarity and detail, particularly with percussive instruments. It keeps up with complex tracks excellently.

Detail Retrieval​

Detail retrieval is tuned good enough to expose subtle elements in a track without becoming overly analytical or harsh.
The Frost preserves the details without obscuring the way the track is mastered. It does not accentuate the details, but lets them appear within the global picture.

Conclusion​

The BQEYZ Frost is a very solid all-rounder that sounds really nice and balanced, with plenty of detail, a surprisingly wide soundstage, and seriously good imaging. The bass is punchy yet controlled, the vocals natural and clear, and the treble detailed but not harsh, mainly handling most genres well. I appreciate the solid build and comfortable fit.
If you're a real basshead the Frost might not be exactly right. But for the majority of folks wanting a good, balanced listen with some pleasant technical chops, the Frost is definitely worth a look-ESPECIALLY at this price.

Introduction​

The ND Audio Venus is a budget release by ND Audio, which is priced at around $10 USD. It boasts a V-shaped tuning with a boosted bass and treble section.

Package Contents​

• Venus Ear Buds
• Cable
• Silicone Ear Tips
• Paperwork

Specifications​

• Model: ND Venus
• Impedance: 26 Ω
• Sensitivity: 105 dB
• Driver: 1x Dynamic Driver [D.D.]
• Frequency Range: 20hz~ 40kHz
• Cable: Stock 4-Core Copper Cable
• Connector Type: 0.75~0.78QDC
• Plug Type: 3.5 mm or Type C

Build & Design​

The Venus is built with a pretty lightweight, but high-quality resin. It seems sturdy and can take a beating. The faceplate design is visually striking, with a unique aesthetic reminiscent of intricate gears, adding a touch of personality. Reminds of the gears from Steins;Gate anime.

Cable​

The Venus I have comes with a 4-core copper wire with a QDC two pin plug connector and a 3.5 mm male plug at the other end. It seems fragile and is extremely thin. I would recommend an aftermarket cable if you want to use the Venus roughly, as the cable might die off.

Fit & Comfort​

The Venus is incredibly light and fits comfortably in the ears. Due to its lightweight build, it is extremely comfortable to use and can be worn for prolonged times without any problems.

Tip Rolling​

Tip Rolling can be done if you have a preferred ear tip to use, like me. The stock tips are okay for casual users.

I used the DUNU Candy, Final E Clear and EPro Propeller PR01 ear tips during my time with it. I felt like the Candy and Final E Clear Ear tips would be the best for Venus.

Testing Gears​

All the testing were done using the 3.5 mm port of the devices.

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Xduoo X2S
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro
• NiceHCK TC3
• Mobile Phone

Sound​

The ND Audio Venus exhibits a V-shaped frequency response, characterized by elevated bass and treble. This tuning may appeal to listeners who enjoy a more energetic and exciting sound signature.

Bass​

The Venus excels in bass performance, delivering a satisfying amount of bass with a prominent sub-bass presence that provides good depth and rumble.

Sub-Bass​

The Venus has a good quantity of bass for its price. It is mildly boomy, and is not distorted unless a lot of power is pushed into it. It has good presence and depth. The attack and decay are okay. I believe bass heads will be satisfied with the Venus.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is relatively tight, well-controlled, energetic, and punchy. It is pleasant, non-obstructive, and doesn’t bleed into the vocals. Moreover, it is tactile and engaging. However, it does lack a hard-hitting slap, which would’ve been appreciable.

Mid-Range​

Due to the V-shaped tuning, the vocals are a bit recessed, which is expected. Considering the price, the mid-range performance is commendable. Vocals are presented with good clarity and a natural timbre.

Male Vocals​

The male vocals are pleasant to listen to, even though it is slightly recessed. It sounds warm, soft, and smooth. Male vocals are clear and clean sounding.

Female Vocals​

The female vocals are smooth, warm, but lacks the intimacy and air. Nonetheless, the vocals have good clarity and sounds clean.

N.B: Turning up the volume does make vocals but more enjoyable.

Treble​

The treble has a good response for the price. I did not find any harshness, nor sibilance during my time of using it. However, on higher volumes it might sound sharp to treble sensitive people like me.
Nonetheless, the treble is incredible considering the price.

Technicalities​

The technical performance is generally good for the price, but may show limitations in terms of fine detail retrieval and instrument separation in complex tracks. For instance, in complex orchestral pieces, some instruments may blend slightly.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The Venus offers a decent soundstage with good depth, though it may lack some width and height compared to more premium options.

The imaging, separation, and layering are average.

Conclusion​

The ND Audio Venus exhibits a V-shaped frequency response, characterized by elevated bass and treble. It is clean, clear and non-fatiguing to listen to. Venus is an awesome budget IEM to get for those who are on a tight budget and wants good bass quantity without spending a lot. Its sound quality is more than enough for casual listeners, phone calls or everyday carry.

Introduction​

The C2 2025 budget IEM by TinHiFi, priced at just $39; these earphones have a sturdy build, and offers a unique listening experience with their semi-open back design.

Package Contents​

• The Ear Buds
• Cable
• Three Pairs of Wide Bore [SML]
• Three Pairs of Narrow Bore [SML]
• Paperwork

Specifications​

• Driver: 10 mm PU+LCP dynamic driver
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Sensitivity: 105dB/mW
• Plug: 3.5 mm gold-plated straight plug
• Cable Length: 1.2m
• Weight: 18g
• Interface: 3.5 mm 3-pin
• Earphone Interface: 2-pin
• Earphone Type: In-ear
• Earphone Plug Type: Right angle

Build & Design​

The TinHiFi C2 2025 earphones have a unique and stylish mech-style shell design made of zinc alloy and resin materials. The earphones have a semi-open back design for a spacious sound and come with various ear tips for a comfortable fit. The shells have a circular shape with a small vent, making them lightweight and durable.

Cable​

The TinHiFi C2 2025 earphones come with a detachable 2-pin cable that is made of high-purity monocrystalline copper wire. However, the cable can feel a bit flimsy and prone to tangling. It is recommended to handle the cable with care to avoid damage or get an after-market cable.

Fit & Comfort​

The TinHiFi C2 2025 earphones has an ergonomic shape and lightweight design. The earphones come with various ear tips for a comfortable fit. However, the fit may not be as secure as other earphones during physical activities. Also, they have a short nozzle, which can affect sound isolation and bass response but may be easier to insert and remove from the ear.

Tip Rolling​

The stock tips are okay, but users may use their preferred tips to get a good fit, and a sound signature they prefer.
I used the DUNU Candy Tips and Final E Clear Tips.

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro

Sound​

The C2 2025 delivers a smooth and pleasant sound signature, with a slightly elevated sub-bass and a relaxed treble presentation. The midrange is smooth and has a touch of warmth, but it can lack body and richness, making vocals and instruments sound a bit thin. The overall sound is relaxed and easy on the ears, making it suitable for casual listening.

Bass​

The bass is not too loud, hard-hitting, but it’s fun. The semi-open back doesn’t let it produce good bass. Listeners could theoretically glue off the opening if they want to, and enhance the bass part.

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it's smooth and has adequate depth, which will please casual listeners. On another, it lacks texture and can be sluggish at times, with some bleeding. Overall, it's not a standout feature of the C2 2025, but it's not a major weakness either.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is snappy and precise, but it's not without its limitations. While it's not bass head level, it's still punchy enough to keep the listening experience engaged. However, it's worth noting that the mid-bass is not as detailed or nuanced as some listeners might prefer.

Mid-Range​

The mid-range is smooth and has a bit of warmth, but it's not without limitations. The vocals can lack body and richness, and the instruments can be smooth but not always crisp. However, the mid-range is still pleasant to listen to, and the vocals have good clarity and intimacy.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals are lively, smooth, clean, warm, but lacks body and richness. The vocals have no harshness, nor sibilance. It even has a bit of intimacy, which kept the listening engaging. Vocals have good clarity and can produce a raspy tone.

Female Vocals​

Female vocals are clean, smooth, warm and feels a bit thin. Vocals have no sharpness, peaks, harshness, nor has sibilance. During the testing period, it did not feel shouty. Moreover, the vocals carry some sense of intimacy, and can portray the raspy tones pretty well. Also, it had incredible clarity.

Treble​

The treble is lively, cohesive, and airy, with good energy and details. However, it may not be exciting enough for treble-heads, as it has a relatively safe tuning. On the other hand, it's not harsh, making it suitable for treble-sensitive listeners.

Instruments​

Instruments are nice and smooth. But certain instruments are not crisp or fulfilling as per my preferences.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The soundstage is average, but it's worth noting that the C2 2025 struggles to create a sense of depth and width. The imaging is okay, but it's not particularly precise or nuanced. The listener can pinpoint the vocals and instruments to some degree, but the overall sense of space is not particularly impressive.

Technicalities​

In technicalities, it is pretty average. The Micro-detailing, and note definition, is veiled. The C2 2025 struggles to keep up with complex tracks. Its separation is poorly done.

Conclusion​

In conclusion, the C2 2025 is a decent earphone that offers a smooth and pleasant sound. However, it's not without its limitations. The bass is not particularly strong, the mid-range is smooth, but lacks body and richness, and the soundstage is average. The treble is lively and cohesive, but may not be exciting enough for treble-heads. Overall, the C2 2025 is a good option for casual listeners who want a smooth and easy-to-listen-to sound, but may not be the best choice for audiophiles who demand more detail and nuance.

Introduction​

If you’re on the hunt for a great pair of in-ear monitors that won’t break the bank, the Agasound AGA ONE is worth a look at just $39. With its sleek design and solid build, this budget-friendly IEM promises an enjoyable listening experience for both casual listeners and audiophiles alike. In this review, we’ll explore its sound quality, comfort, and overall value to see if it lives up to the hype. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just starting out, the AGA ONE could be a fantastic addition to your audio setup.

Package Contents​

• AgaOne Ear Buds
• Silver-Plated OFC Cable
• Three Pairs of Wide Bore Ear Tips [S, M, L]
• Three Pairs of Narrow Bore Ear Tips [S, M, L]
• Three Pairs of Silicone Sponge Ear Tips [S, M, L]

Specifications​

• Brand: Agasound
• Model: AGA ONE
• Source: China
• Colour: Silver
• Sensitivity: 126dB
• Impedance: 19 Ω 10% @1kHz
• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz
• Plug: 3.5 mm gold-plated plug
• Driver: Balanced dual magnetic DD
• Cable: High-purity silver-plated OFC

Build & Design​

The AgaOne has a nice 5-axis CNC cut metallic shell with a fine sand blasting oxidation process. It does not give a cheap vibe, rather a good and near premium like vibe in such a price. Moreover, it is lightweight and looks absolutely stunning.

Cable​

It is a lightweight high-purity silver-plated OFC cable. It feels quite premium to the touch and seems like it won’t break off easily and can definitely take a beating even though it is a bit slim.

Fit & Comfort​

The AgaOne is comfortable to use for prolonged periods due to its lightweight build. It fits okay in the ear canals, but its nozzles are a bit long, which might not give listeners with shorter ear canals a good isolated and deep inserted seal. Nonetheless, its sealing is good if it's plugged in properly.

Tip Rolling​

The stock tips are okay, but I’d recommend tip-rolling to get the best experience out of it. From my small collection of ear tips, I found the DUNU Candy and Final Audio Type E Pink tips.

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Xduoo X2s
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin
• Realme C21y 3.5 mm
• Lenovo IdeaPad 3.5 mm

Sound​

The most awaited section of the review!

Bass​

The bass is clean, smooth, and has good presence, which makes the sound engaging, and does not overwhelm.

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass has good rumble and extension. It is not boomy, nor overwhelming. It is just right. Furthermore, it will not satisfy the bass heads out there, but it definitely is enough for others. Sub-bass has good presence, but lacks a long-lasting effect. Moreover, it has a nice reverb effect on tracks that needs it.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is punchy, tight, hard-hitting, and engaging. It doesn’t overwhelm the other frequencies, and provides an enjoyable, balanced yet punchy bass. Moreover, the mid-bass isn’t too hard-hitting where its slams would feel sharp. It has a thick, and weighted slams.

Mid-Range​

The mid-range is smooth, soothing, balanced, and pleasant to listen. Instruments are a bit forward, but it does not fully overwhelm the vocals.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals are natural, rich, lively, and engaging. Somehow, this budget IEM is able to produce the singers’ vocal nuances well-enough. You can perfectly understand how much strain or relaxation they are putting on their vocal cords. Moreover, the vocals are engaging, smooth, and relaxing. There are no peaks nor sibilance in it.

Female Vocals​

Female vocals have great clarity, warmth, is a bit forward, sounds natural, enriched and engaging. It even has intimate emotional response, which really makes female vocals. The Aga One is able to produce even the shouty songs in a non-sharp and fatiguing way. Moreover, the nuances and subtlety of the vocals are captured and produces relatively well, which is shocking considering the price.

Treble​

The treble section is well done. It is not sharp, rather balanced, smooth and detailed. Moreover, it sounds crisp and engaging. The cymbals and hi-hats are crisp and has a lasting effect. The attack time, and the decay time, is long, which is actually a good thing as it keeps the treble enjoyable and non-fatiguing.
A treble sensitive listener won’t have any problems listening to the AgaOne as I am a listener who is treble sensitive.

Instruments​

Instruments are clean, clear, smooth and a bit forward. The AgaOne instruments section is outstanding. It keeps the instrument lively and engagingly loud, but it doesn’t make them sound harsh to the ears.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The AgaOne has good soundstage considering the price. It has good depth, wideness, and height. It does not provide an out-of-head experience, but provides a good enough sense of space, which is plenty for such a budget gear.

Imaging is incredibly well done in this price point. I can actually pinpoint instruments position accurately, which is surprising. It has nice depth and distance, which makes a good 3D experience for the instruments and vocals. It has a bit of surround sound effect as well, which lets the listener hear the instruments coming from not only the left and right sides, but all sides.

Technicalities​

The AgaOne picks up the micro and macro details decently. You can pick up the nuances of individual instruments and the texture of vocals.

Conclusion​

The Agasound AgaOne is a solid choice for anyone looking for budget-friendly in-ear monitors at $39. While it might not satisfy those who prefer heavy bass, it offers a balanced sound with clear vocals and decent imaging. The build quality feels sturdy, which adds to its overall appeal. For everyday listening, the AGA ONE does a good job and provides good value for the price. If you’re in the market for a reliable pair of IEMs that can handle a variety of music without breaking the bank, the AgaOne is definitely worth considering.

Introduction​

The Myer Audio Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is an awesome IEM released by Myer Audio, which is priced at $180. It features a 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures configuration.

Package Contents​

• The Ear Buds
• Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable
• Six Pairs of Silicone Ear tips [S, M, L]
• One Pair of Foam Ear Tip
• Leather Pouch
• Manual

Specifications​

• Configuration: 1DD + 4BA
• Impedance: 43 Ω
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Cable: Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable
• Length: 1.25M
• Plug: Optional 3.5MM/4.4MM Support Double Recessed 0.78 mm Pin
• Plug material: 3u Gold-Plated Plugs

Driver Configuration​

• 1x 10MM Customized DD unit
• 2x Knowles BA unit
• 2x Customized BA unit

Build & Design​

The Sliivo Sl-41 MK.2 looks absolutely fabulous with the blue resin faceplate. It looks like an entire ocean was printed onto it. The build is premium feeling, solid and sturdy.

Cable​

The Sliivo comes with an impressive 4-core, monocrystalline copper, silver-plated cable that is premium quality. This is one of the highlights for this price class, which displays craftsmanship normally found in much higher-end models. It also feels great to touch. And, it has no memory, so no tangling of any sorts.

Fit & Comfort​

The Sliivo SK41 MK2 has an impressively good fit. It has a secure and comfortable fit. As they are quite light, they are among the most comfortable IEMs I have worn. They can be used for longer usage without causing pain or discomfort in the ears, thus being suitable for long-time use.

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Cayin RU7
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin

Tip-Rolling​

• Dunu Candy: Candy sounds kind of dead-sh, and makes it boorish. Vocals are a tad too recessed for my liking. Nevertheless, the stage is spacious and airy.
• Epro Propeller Pro01: Pro01 offers the largest and widest sound-stage over all these tested tips. Moreover, the sound is forward-facing with precise imaging, which creates an extremely engaging listening experience. The mid-range is clean and velvety, with vocals exhibiting good tonal weight, particularly for female voices which sound exceptionally sweet. Treble is smooth and extended. We do lose a bit in the mid-bass section, especially the punchiness.
• Epro EP01: These tips make the sound more focused, thicker, makes the sound-stage wider, makes the vocals even smoother and adds warmth. The sub-bass loses a bit of its depth, but it still has good presence. The Mid-bass loses its punchiness, but remains hard-hitting. Female vocal sounds the best on this one. It is relaxing, smooth, and calming. Overall, it adds smoothness to the overall sound.
• Final Type E Clear: Sounds cleaner, clearer, brighter and tighter bass than conventional black Final Audio Type E ear tip. Improved vocal lucidity. Moreover, it produces great extension on both ends. Tonally more accurate as well.
• Epro Horn Shaped: The Horn tips have a deep insertion to the canals. It adds warmth, body, and texture to vocals. The sub-bass and mid-bass are exceptional here, and are tightly controlled. The Sub-Bass has good and deep rumble. The mid-bass is hard, punchy, and tight. The female vocals sound even more natural, softer and sounds realistic with good grasp on the intimacy. Perfectly captures the micro details of the singer's vocal. However, it does lose quite a bit of soundstage.

Overall, the horn shaped, ep01, propeller and the final clear tips are the best for Sliivo. My number one pick would be the Pro01, and horn-shaped would be my second.

Sound​

Bass​

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass has good presence and has a deep rumble. It is tight, well controlled and textured alongside a great extension. Moreover, the Sliivo focuses on the quality of the sub over the quantity. The reverberation is good and balanced, which keeps the overall presentation clean, and has no bleed ins.(R)

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is hard-hitting, punchy, tight, and tactile. It is well controlled, and the response is exceptionally well done. The hits are satisfying, leaves a hall-effect aftertaste which leads it to a spacious feeling. The attack and decay speed are also incredible. Moreover, the mid-bass sounds fuller and doesn’t overwhelm other parts.

Mid-Range​

Mid-range is well-done, and impressed me greatly. The vocals and instruments sound extremely natural, lively, and clear.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals are forward, warm, natural, and clean. It also has good note-weight, and sounds lively. The nuances are also produced excellently by Sliivo MK2. Vocals also sound outstandingly rich, and smooth; also induces an intimate feel. It doesn’t produce any sibilance, or harshness.

Female Vocals​

Female vocals are rich, sweet, energetic, and lively. The Sliivo handling of low pitch is superb. Moreover, it portrays the vocals in a smooth and non-sibilant way. It even has a bit of warmth and sounds airy, which greatly increases the engagement of the vocals. Also, the vocals are clean and has great clarity. It really feels energetics and intimate. I thoroughly enjoyed female vocals on the Sliivo. The low-pitch is also handled perfectly by it. Finally, it also captures details left by the vocalist perfectly. Even the breaths taken by the singer.+

Instruments​

Instruments are well-done, they have good clarity and natural. It is also a bit forward. Pianos, guitar strings sound absolute heavenly.

Treble​

The treble is extremely fun, engaging, clean, and energetic. It has excellent extension, and it is airy, which makes a great listening experience. Treble is also sparkly, and leans towards a bright tuning. The instruments sound crisp, clean, and sparkly. The cymbals and hi-hats sound crisp and clear. Moreover, the lower treble is extremely detailed, energetic, and crispy.

Sound-stage & Imaging​

The sound-stage is adequately wide, has good depth, and the layering is respectable. It makes the tracks sound even more immersive.
Imaging is incredible. The instruments can be accurately distinguished and is heard with pinpoint accuracy. The separation is also fantastic.

Details Retrieval​

The detail retrieval on the Sliivo MK.2 is astounding!
The Sliivo can catch and reproduce every macro and micro-details perfectly. Its capture of such intricate details, truly makes an immersive listening experience.

Separation​

The Sliivo SL-41 MK2 has impeccable separation, that I have never witnessed in such a price point. The vocals, instruments, bass are all produced in a manner which doesn’t overwhelm each other. The listeners can listen to the instruments and vocals, while distinguishing them perfectly.

Conclusion​

The Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is an impressive IEM for its price. It feels well-built and comfortable, and the sound quality is quite good, with clear vocals, controlled bass, and lively treble, thanks to its unique driver setup of 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures. The cable is also a nice upgrade, adding to the overall experience.
When it comes to sound-stage and detail, the Sliivo does a great job of making music feel immersive. That said, the stock tips might not be the best fit for everyone, so it’s worth experimenting with different options to find what works for you. There are a few minor quirks, like some listeners being sensitive to the treble, but overall, the Sliivo SL-41 MK2 is a solid choice for anyone looking to enjoy their music more. Whether you're an audiophile or just someone who appreciates good sound.

Introduction​

The Elysian Pilgrim created by the Elysian Acoustics Lab is the first mid-oriented entry in their catalogue. It is packed with 1 LSR DD & 3 Sonion BA, which comes in at $400. The

Package Contents​

• The Pilgrim Bud
• Pentaconn Connectors Cable
• Spinfits Ear tips (CP100)
• Paperwork
• A Cleaning Brush
• Pouch

Specifications​

• Model: Elysian Pilgrim
• Driver Type: 4 Drivers Hybrid Configurations
• Frequency Response: 10hz~20khz
• Sensitivity: 101db@1khz@100mV
• Impedance: 9 Ω@1khz
• Cable: Default Silver-Plated Copper Stock Cable
• Connector Type: Pentaconn Connection
• Plug Type: 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm

Driver Configuration​

• 1 X 9.2 mm LSR DD
• 1 X Sonion 2300 BA
• 2 X Sonion E50 BA

Build & Design​

The build of the Pilgrim is robust, and incredible. It is made from high-quality aluminium, which offers a durable, and lightweight shell. The bores are made of 304 stainless steels for corrosion resistance.

The design of the Pilgrim is sharp, and incredibly aesthetic.

Cable​

They offer a Silver-Plated Copper Stock Cable, which comes in 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm plug types with a “Pentaconn” Connector. It looks beautiful, but comes with the cost of an expensive cable replacement.

Fit & Comfort​

The Pilgrim was comfortable, and extremely lightweight. It fit my ears perfectly, and had a good seal. However, it did not give me a deep insertion seal.

Tip Rolling​

• Stock tips
• Dunu Candy
• Final E Clear Pink

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Cayin RU7
• Celest CD-20
• Hidizs S8 Pro
• iBasso DC Elite

Sound​

The sound section is tasteful, but it does not justify the $400 tag. More on it below:

Bass​

Bass is textured, and clean, but lacks depth, engagement. It is well-controlled, and shows no sign of muddiness. The sub-bass is promising, and shines the most.

Sub-Bass​

Sub-bass section of the Pilgrim is actually pretty good, and has good rumble. Its extension is deep; it is prominent, and has good separation. The sub-bass has a slow decay, but it is well textured.

Pilgrim has an enjoyable sub-bass.

Mid-Bass​

Mid-bass is average, but smooth & natural. It is not thumpy or hard-hitting. The attack is slow as to not incur a bleed in the mids. However, it is a bit tight & punchy. The decay is average, and it doesn’t feel engaging. It lacks a good slam. It felt way too boring for me.

Mid-Range​

The mids are well-balanced textured, and smooth. The vocals have a timbre.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals have good warmth, smooth, detailed and has a good note-weight. It feels analytical, but is enjoyable to listen to. Moreover, it has some timbre. It gives a relaxed listening experience. The warmth also adds to the relaxing effect.

Female Vocals​

The female vocals are smooth, has warmth, lively, and detailed. It is engaging, fun to listen, and soothing. The vocals are well represented, forward, energetic, and has a spacious feeling to it. Moreover, the previously mentioned warmth makes the listening experience even better. However, at higher volumes the vocals sound aggressive, and a bit sharp.

Nonetheless, female vocals are enjoyable.

Treble​

The treble is quite energetic, has good air, and is sparkly. It is well extended, and it is not fatiguing for treble sensitive listeners like me. The lower & upper treble is clean, but the lower treble lacks some authority. The cymbals and hi-hats are crisp.

Instruments​

Instruments are well-defined, textured, and clear. It has incredible separation, and natural timbre. They’re produced in a buttery smooth way.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The soundstage of the Pilgrim is good enough to make up for its missed points. It is intimate and has great width, height, and depth. However, it could feel a bit constricted on busy tracks. Nonetheless, the soundstage is great, and airy.

Imaging is another strong point of the Pilgrim. I could accurately pinpoint the instruments sounds.
The imaging & soundstage together creates an immersive listening experience.

Conclusion​

The Elysian Pilgrim is a well-crafted IEM that impresses with its premium build quality and comfortable fit. Its sound profile features a standout sub-bass and exceptional vocal reproduction, particularly for female vocals, which provides an engaging listening experience. The treble is energetic and non-fatiguing, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

However, the mid-bass may lack the punch some listeners desire, and the tuning can feel genre-specific, which might not appeal to everyone. While the soundstage and imaging are strong points, the $400 price tag raises questions about its value.

Introduction​

The Aful Performer 5+2 is the latest addition to Afuls Performer line-up. It is an advanced Hybrid IEM that is a product of excellent craftsmanship & bleeding-edge technology. This model features a total of seven drivers per side: two dynamic drivers for impactful bass, four balanced armature drivers for detailed mids and highs, and a micro planar magnetic driver that enhances treble resolution and airiness. This combination of driver types is supported by a meticulously engineered crossover system and a proprietary air-pressure balance structure, ensuring a coherent and refined sound signature.

Package Contents​

• Aful Performer 5+2 Buds
• 2pin 4.4 mm cable
• 9 pairs, 3 types of ear tips
• Carrying box
• Manual

Specifications​

• Impedance: 15 Ω士20%
• Sensitivity: 109dB@1kHz
• Frequency Response: 10Hz-35kHz
• Drive Configuration: 2DD+4BA+1Micro Planar
• Cable Connector: 2Pin (0.78 mm)
• Cable Length: 1.2 m
• Plug Termination: 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm
• Working Sound Pressure Level: 20~105dB

Driver Configuration​

• 2x Dynamic Driver
• 4x Balanced Armature
• 1x Planar

Build & Design​

Aful Performer 5+2 has an incredibly comfortable & strong build. The shells are made of the highest quality resin, which makes it strong yet, lightweight. It can be worn for extended periods without any discomfort. The faceplates are beautifully and artistically crafted. The design is distinctive, and elegant. However, it lacks a nozzle lip that can help determine when to stop pushing the tips in.


Cable
The Performer 5+2 comes bundled with an 8-strand, and 144-core high-purity copper cable with silver plating. It feels extremely premium, with just enough heft, and thickness without being cumbersome for daily use. You can choose between 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm terminations. I would prefer to have a modular system, as it has become pretty much a standard at this price point.

Fit & Comfort​

The Performer 5+2 fits perfectly & comfortably in my ears. I have not felt any sort of discomfort while using it. I could use it for hours on an end.

It is lightweight, and made up of ergonomic resin; the shells fit the ears perfectly. Moreover, it includes an air-pressure balance system for comfort in reducing the ear fatigue.

Testing Gears​

• Cayin N3 Ultra
• iBasso DX180
• Cayin RU7
• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin
• Celest CD-10
• Celest CD-20
• iBasso DC04 Pro
• ddHiFi TC44C

Note: A warm, neutral source is recommended to drive the Performer 5+2.

Testing Tracks​

• “Time” from Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd
• “Sultans of Swing” from Dire Straits, Dire Straits
• “Remember The Time”, from Dangerous, Michael Jackson
• “Entre dos aguas” from Fuente y Caudal, Paco de Lucia
• “Blue Train”, from Blue Train, by John Coltrane
• “Your Song”, from Synduality Noir, by Aoi Koga & Nagisa Aoyama
• “Angel”, from Massive Attack, by Horace Andy
• “Le Freak”, from The Best of Chic, by Chic
• “Annie’s Song”, from All of My Memories, by John Denver
• “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, from Poems, Prayers and Promises, by John Denver
• “Ain’t Nobody”, from Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol:1, by Chaka Khan
• “Bubbles”, from Wandering, by Yosi Horikawa

Tip-Rolling​

The included stock tips are not bad, but to bring out the full potential of the Performer 5+2 we need to swap tips.

• Candy tips enhanced the vocals, while removing some warmth, made the stage spacious, but introduced sibilance, and gave me a headache.
• ePro Horn Shaped tips introduced warmth to everything, body, and texture to vocals; made the sound buttery smooth, but it took down the soundstage, and sub-bass by quite a bit.
• ePro EP00 does the same as the Horn Shaped tips, but enhances the soundstage, and loses a bit of sub-bass rumble; also tames sibilance on the occasional female vocal tracks
• ePro Ep01 also loses some rumble in the sub-bass, while adding smoothness to the overall sound.
• ePro EP01 & EP00 Ear tips enhances the clarity, smoothness, and note weight at the same time.
• The ePro Propeller tips perhaps has the widest soundstage. Additionally, the sound localisation is forward-facing with precise imaging to create a captivating listening experience. Midrange is clean and velvety, with vocals exhibiting good tonal weight, particularly for female voices which sound exceptionally sweet. Treble is smooth and extended. It also keeps the sub-bass rumble, and mid-bass punchy.

I will recommend the W1, ePro Propeller ear tips, and Final Audio Type E Clear to the listeners of Performer 5+2.

Sound​

Bass​

Bass of the Performer 5+2 is deep, excellently textured, and layered. Because of the two Dynamic Drivers, the bass is presented perfectly. The lows are punchy and, well-controlled, and detailed.

Sub-Bass​

The Performer 5+2 produces a deep, and satisfying rumble, which will definitely make the listeners happy. It does not have an earthshaking rumble, but it has a satisfying, and good rumble.

Mid-Bass​

Mid-Bass of the Performer 5+2 is incredibly satisfying, tight, and thick. It is thumpy, hard-hitting, clean, well-controlled. It has good weight, and hits are hard, but not sharp. The mid-bass performance is surely enjoyable, and it does not bleed into other parts of the sound.

Mid-Range​

The mids are incredibly clear, transparent, and spacious, with a slight touch of energy that brings them forward in the mix. They avoid sounding aggressive, while containing a hint of warmth that adds body to vocals and instruments.

Male Vocals​

The Male vocals are rich, density filled, natural energetic, and has depth with warmth. The Balanced Armature drivers can produce a rich, dreamy, and emotion filled representation of male vocals. There is an incredible balance of warmth and details throughout the vocals. The vocals are delivered without being buried under instruments or by bass. Moreover, because of the large soundstage, the male vocals are incredibly enjoyable. It feels like a warm embrace on a cold day. I can listen to the Performer 5+2 for hours on without being bored or fatigued. I cannot dare to skip through songs, because of how beautifully the vocals are produced.

Female Vocals​

Female vocals are energetic, lively, clean, and smooth with a hint of warmth. The sounds are produced without any harshness, or sibilance, and with great clarity & details. Moreover, there is a bit of air in the vocals, making it sound natural and emotion filled. It is engaging, and rich in details. Again, the female vocals are also not buried by the instruments, nor bass. Everything just plays out in proper order, and in a balanced way.

Occasionally, on some tracks there are some sibilances, especially, on bad recordings/mastering of tracks.

Instruments​

The instruments are natural sounding with good articulation. They are crisp, and creates an immersive experience; it is perfect. Instruments are produced with excellent detail and accurately. The attack of instruments is done without producing any sibilance, or harshness. The guitar strings are produced with perfection, and it just scratches the itch of my brain.

Treble​

The treble section of the Performer 5+2 is perfectly done, with zero complaints. It sounds airy, engaging, detailed, clear, and radiant. It has good airy extension, and intense sparkle. The cymbals & hi-hats sound incredibly crisp, and precise. However, I have observed that hi-hats have sizzling or buzzy sounds.

The treble sounds ethereal and heavenly to me. It is also non-fatiguing.

Soundstage & Imagining​

The soundstage is immaculately good, and expansive. It is wide, and high, but it feels like it is a bit limited in the depth section. Also, the soundstage changes with the source. A good source will fix the depth section, as I did not find the limitation when I used Cayin N3 Ultra to test it. I believe the Performer 5+2 has good scalability.

Now, the imaging extremely precise, and is the best imaging I have ever experienced on any IEM that I have ever tried. This is perfection.

Detail Retrieval​

The detail retrieval on the Performer 5+2 is outstanding. It is able to pick up both macro & micro details perfectly, and accurately. It misses nothing.

Conclusion​

It is in one word a near-perfect IEM crafted by Aful. I cannot find any cons to the sound, when equipped with proper source & ear tips. Everyone will absolutely love this piece; from casuals to hardcore audiophiles will absolutely love this piece. It is equipped with beautifully crafted shells & top-tier tuning, that will be loved by everyone, but a bass-head as it lacks the “boomy” bass response.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Aful Performer 5+2, and would buy it if the opportunity ever comes.

Introduction​

The BQEYZ BQ-10 earphones feature a unique 12 mm dual-cavity dynamic driver with a PET diaphragm, crafted for audiophiles and gamers alike. Offering precise sound positioning, powerful bass, and a neutral sound profile, this IEM (In-Ear Monitor) provides a truly immersive listening experience. Available in both 3.5 mm (without microphone) and Type-C versions (with microphone), it is equipped with a high-quality silver-plated copper coaxial cable for stable, clear sound transmission.
Available for just $29.99 on HiFiGo!




Package Contents

• The Ear Buds
• DSP Cable
• Three Pairs of White Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L)
• Three Pairs of Black Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L)
• Carrying Case

Specifications​

• Model: BQ-10
• Driver Type: 12 mm Dual-Cavity Dynamic Driver
• Impedance: 40 Ω
• Sensitivity: 113 dB
• Frequency Response Range: 5Hz—40kHz
• Cable Length: 1.2m
• Connector Type: 0.78 mm 2-pin
• Plug Type: 3.5 mm (standard) or Type-C (DSP version with microphone)

Build & Design​

The build of the BQ-10 is incredible. It has an ergonomic build, with its lightweight, yet awesome looking metal faceplate made of aluminium alloy faceplate via the “Brushed Process”, which adds durability and elegance.

Cable​

The BQEYZ BQ-10 comes in four variants of cables; a 2.5 mm, a 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm and a DSP version. I received the DSP version and used my DUNU Titan S2 4.4 mm cable to test it alongside the DSP version. My review of it is solely based on the usage of the awesome 4.4 mm cable; I added a part about the DSP cable at the end of my review.

Fit & Comfort​

The BQ-10 is extremely comfortable to wear, due to its lightweight & ergonomic design. Moreover, it provides a good & comfortable seal.

Tip-Rolling​

Tip-rolling is essential with the BQ-10, as the stock tips aren’t good enough to bring out its true potential. I used the DUNU Candy Tips during my review.

Testing Gears​

• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin [Based on Blue/Yellow Filter]
• DSP Cable
• BQEYZ LIN 4.4 Balanced

Tracks Used to Testing​

• “Time” from Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd
• “Sultans of Swing” from Dire Straits, Dire Straits
• “Remember The Time”, from Dangerous, Michael Jackson
• “Entre dos aguas” from Fuente y Caudal, Paco de Lucia
• “Annie’s Song” from Back Home Again, John Denver
• “Take Me Home, Country Roads” from Poems, Prayers & Promises, John Denver

Sound​

Bass​

The bass of BQ10 is clean, enjoying and does not bleed into the lower mids, which is surprising considering its price.

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass has ample quantity of rumble and depth. It is not earth-shattering, but it is enjoyable, and the listeners will surely enjoy it. The sub-bass is in no way subtle, rather pronounced and engaging. It is not boomy, nor muddy.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is thick, hard-hitting, and clean. The performance of the mid-bass will attract the mid-bass lovers and general listeners. The mid-bass has good attack and is punchy; it is also well-defined.

Mid-Range​

The mid-range is enjoyable, airy, natural sounding and has clarity. You can properly hear all the instruments, alongside the vocals of the singers.

Male Vocals​

The male vocals of BQ-10 are rich, full-filling, but a little laid-back. It also felt a bit warm, has a smooth tone, and pleasant timbre. There is good stage presence of the male singer’s voice.
Songs of John Denver were pleasing to listen to and I lost myself in his songs. I loved “Annie’s Song” & “Take Me Home, Country Roads” tracks on the BQ-10.

Female Vocals​

The female vocals have good clarity, warmth, smoothness, and richness. It is pleasing and emotional to listen to female vocals on the BQ-10. Due to the expansive soundstage, the vocal presence is awesome, and does not get overshadowed by instruments either.
Moreover, it is airy, making it engaging to listen to for hours an end.

Treble​

The treble is immersive, defined and clean. It is not fatiguing, not harsh, and balanced. Moreover, the treble is lively, rich and has nuances; with no sibilance. The cymbals and hi-hats sound crisp.

Instruments​

The instruments' separation is awesome, and clean. From the acoustic guitars to cello to violins, everything sounds clean, full-bodied, separated and has their own presence in the tracks. String instruments are produced intricately, and with great details. The cymbals and hi-hats are also clean, bright, and crisp. Moreover, due to some warmth added to every part of the tracks, and instruments, the listening experience is engaging and fun. Even electronic sounds good. I loved the instrument presentation in the song “Born, Never Asked”.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The soundstage of the BQ-10 is incredibly large and expanded. It’s depth, width, height, and airiness are on another level. I was able to get an out head feel with this. Moreover, the clarity is outstanding; enabling the listener to properly distinguish between different instruments even with such a prominent bass.
The imaging is good and immersive as it lets the listeners precisely and individually distinguish the instruments.

DSP CABLE​

The DSP cable is okay at best. The IEM loses its satisfying hard-hitting mid-bass, the rumbly & deep sub-bass. It loses the clean and soothing vocals; it also becomes harsh & fatiguing. The female vocals are forward, but loses energetic and sensational feel. Moreover, the loss of details in instruments & nuances alongside the newly gained harshness & loudness in the vocals. Male vocals sound okay, but the loss of musicality & other bits are not worth it.

Conclusion​

The BQEYZ BQ-10 is a fantastic IEM that offers a warm, engaging sound signature with a powerful bass response. Its spacious soundstage and precise imaging create an immersive listening experience. While the stock tips may not be the best, tip rolling can significantly improve the sound quality. Moreover, the DSP cable version is okay, but I would recommend getting the 3.5 mm or the 4.4 mm (for a balanced output). Finally, the BQ-10 is a great choice for music lovers who appreciate a well-balanced sound with a focus on bass and detail.

Introduction​

Roseselsa EarFree International 5 or i5 is the current addition to their International line-up. The TWS is a steam-style earphone that is driven by a 10mm Dynamic Driver and there are three different colours listeners can choose from. The TWS is being sold at $62.99 with the “Noise Cancelling Memory Foam Ear Tips: Super NC 200” and $59.99 without the “Super NC 200”. You can get it from the Rose Technics website.

Package Contents​

• The TWS & Charging Case
• A Small USB-A to Type-C Charging Cable
• Three pairs of white silicon ear tips
• Manual

Specifications​

• Driver: dynamic with 10 mm DLC diaphragm.
• Audio format: LDAC/AAC/mSBC/SBC.
• Playback time: 10H. 50H total with charging case.
• Impedance: 32Ω.
• Output power: 15 mW.
• Frequency response range: 14 - 23600Hz.
• Bluetooth version: 5.3.
• Communication range: 10m.
• Headset battery capacity: 40 mAh.
• Charging case battery capacity: 500 mAh.
• Charging time: approx. 1h.

Build & Design​

The build of the case is made of metal and has an anodized aluminium outer shell, which makes it sturdy and gives a premium feel. The case has an LED indicator that indicates pairing or charging modes. At the bottom there is a type C port for charging and a reset button on its right. Moreover, the shell is extremely light due it being made of aluminium and it can easily take a beating.

The case is slim, which helps it fit in pockets easily, and it has a sleek look as well. I really loved the case style and build. Also, the ear buds are light and comfortable that it doesn’t even feel like it is there. I received the unit without the Noise Cancelling Super NC 200 tips; therefore, I cannot vouch how much of an increase it would be.

Tip Rolling​

I used the TWS with its stock tips, and with a pair of ePro TW01 tips as well. My review on the EarFree i5 is based on both tips and I will write how the sound felt with both these tips later in the review.

App & Features​

The TWS comes with three different modes of noise cancellation, four different equalizer presets, white noise mode, in ear-detection and custom touch response etc.

Noise Cancellation Modes​

First comes the Active Noise Cancellation mode, then the Wind Noise Cancellation, Normal Mode, and Transparency Mode. More about them here. All these modes can be activated from inside the app or by pressing and holding onto the touch sensors for both buds.

ANC: The transition to Active Noise Cancellation mode is smooth and doesn’t feel suffocating. However, the quality of the ANC is not good; it fails to properly cut off noise and introduces a bit of hiss/windy noise. The ANC might not be the strongest point of this TWS specifically, but it does its job in canceling out the outer world, and creates a calm atmosphere, even with the wind noise.

Wind Noise Cancellation Mode: This mode can cancel out moderate wind noises easily.

Normal Mode: This mode is the normal state of the TWS that can be activated via the app and by holding the touch sensor of the buds for a bit.

Transparency Mode: This mode is great for listening to music and being aware of your surroundings. However, this mode picks up quite a lot of wind noise, which is not ideal.

EQ Presets​

As stated previously, this TWS has four different presets. All of these can be changed in the app.

POP: This present increases the vocals clarity and boosts it a bit. The treble also becomes note-worthy. Overall, the separation in different regions is better in this preset and the soundstage is big.

Hi-Fi: In this preset, the bass region is boosted and vocals are brought down. However, the vocals and mid-range remains clean, clear and smooth. The soundstage remains big and imaging is good. To me the differences were minute between Hi-Fi and POP; I prefer the POP preset over this one.

Rock: Just as the name suggest, this preset is made for rock music. The vocals get repressed and laidback; the bass becomes prominent.

Light: This preset here is not made for every genre. I liked this preset when I wanted to relax and wind down for the day. So, chill and relaxing tracks sounded the best with this preset. The bass and vocals get repressed and gives off a relaxing feel.

App​

The app allows you to switch modes and presets for the buds. Moreover, you can choose the codes as well in the app. The app also has a “Game Mode” which reduces the latency by to 54ms for gaming and increases the sound response. I did not check this and will not adding it to my review.

N.B: The LDAC codec felt like a waste of battery since it did not increase the sound quality, rather the volume went down. I felt the buds performed better in AAC/SBC codes. However, this is my opinion and you are free to try it out yourself.
The app also gives the user the ability to set custom touch responses for the buds and the responses can be different for individual buds.
The app also features a “White Noise Mode”, which has noises from the nature. This feature is nice and calming.
There is this “Lab Features” where you can turn off the in-ear-feature.

Sound​

Here is the long-waited bit. How does it sound? It sounded decent for a TWS and I loved its tuning quite a bit. I will be writing this bit experienced with both the stock silicone tips and ePro TW01 tips.

Bass​

The bass of EarFree i5 is exceptional and I enjoyed it a lot. It is good and does not overwhelming the mids or highs.

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass EarFree i5 with the ePro impeccable. The rumble has a good depth and a reverb added to it. The rumble is enjoyable, clean and feels natural.

Now, with the stock tips the bass isn’t as rumbly and deep as it was with the ePros. Nonetheless, the rumbleness is in no way average or missing; it is present there but not in the way ePro produced it.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass with the ePro tips is impressive and satisfying. It's got that texture, hard-hitting, punchy hit & quality while still being well-controlled and clear. It sounds like they’ve really nailed the balance, keeping everything crisp without any muddiness in the mids.

With the stock tips, the mid-bas was still enjoyable and hard-hitting, but it lacked texture and it felt a bit harsh to me. Furthermore, it lacked a kick that the ePros had. Especially on the track “Bubble” -Yosi Horikawa; on the ePro it sounded more natural, cleaner and harder as if it was happening right inside my ears. Nonetheless, the stock tips are pretty good.

Mid-Range​

The mids are neutral and clear, with vocals and instruments are natural.

Male Vocals​

The Male vocals gain warmth, which makes the experience better already. It has good note-weight, bit energetic, and engaging. However, it did lose some texture with the ePros.

The Male vocals sounded texture-full, full-bodied, and had good note-weight with the stock tips. However, it is also a bit laid-back, lacks warmth and less energetic.

Female Vocals​

The blend of warmth and clarity can truly elevate the listening experience, making the vocals feel more engaging and expressive. This combination likely contributes to a dynamic and enjoyable atmosphere, perfect for various genres of music; with the ePro tips.

The female vocals with stock tips the vocals had warmth, but not as much as the ePros. The vocals felt warmer and engaging on ePro. The stock tips can produce the vocals with good clarity, lively and fun.

Instruments​

The instrument clarity is impressive, showcasing a well-produced sound with the ePros. Guitars are rendered with remarkable detail, delivering a forward and engaging presence that enhances the listening experience. The separation between instruments is quite effective, allowing each one to be easily identified and appreciated.

The instruments are way too forward with the stock tips and sometimes makes the vocals repressed. The guitars are also rendered pretty well with the stock tips and it is easily enjoyable apart from the forwardness of the instruments. Also, good instrument separation.

Treble​

The earbuds deliver a well-balanced treble that enhances detail and liveliness, with the ePro TW01. The lower treble adds vibrancy, while the upper treble improves spatial perception and instrument separation.

The earbuds delivered a better sounding & vibrant treble with the stock tips than the ePros, but it failed in the spatial perception region. It did have good instruments separation.

Soundstage & Imaging ​

Soundstage is relatively expansive and large with the ePros. It has quite a lot of depth, and the immersive effect is striking. Moreover, the imaging of the EarFree i5 with ePros were great; it was easy to detect vocals, and instrument placement.

Soundstage felt less expansive and lost its depth with the stocks. The ePros gave a much-expanded feeling than with the stock tips.

Conclusion​

The Roseselsa EarFree International 5 (i5) is an excellent option for those seeking a true wireless earbud that delivers a warm and engaging sound. With satisfying bass and vibrant treble, the i5 creates an immersive listening experience suitable for a wide range of music genres.

Its build quality is noteworthy, featuring a lightweight aluminium case and a comfortable fit that makes them ideal for extended use. The touch controls are intuitive, and the accompanying app enhances functionality with features like noise cancellation modes and customizable equalizer presets.

Sound quality is a standout feature, particularly when paired with higher-quality ear tips like the ePro TW01, which significantly enhance bass depth and clarity. While the stock tips perform adequately, upgrading can elevate the overall audio experience.

In summary, the Roseselsa EarFree i5 offers impressive value for its price, combining great sound quality, solid construction, and useful features.

Introduction​

HIDIZS ST2 Nebula is the latest addition to the HIDIZS line-up that comes with a DSP, which they are calling “The Next Generation DSP”. The DSP cable features a proper and good DAC Chip that is a much-welcomed addition in the market. Moreover, it features a curve that is closer to the 2019 Harman Curve with a slight boost to the mid-bass and is a bit airier, which gives the listener a much more engaged listening experience.

Testing Gear​

• NiceHCK TC3
• JM45
• Next Gen DSP

Specifications​

• Customized 10 mm Dual Magnetic Circuit Dynamic Driver
• Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz
• Pin type: 0.78 2pin/MMCX
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Impedance: 32 Ω

Inside The Package​

• The Drivers
• DSP Cable
• Three Pairs of ear tips
• USB A to Type C Adapter
• Carrying Pouch
• Paperworks

Build & Design​

The body of ST2 is built relatively good and feels durable. It is made from resin, making it a lightweight IEM. The faceplate has a metal-plating that has the Hidizs logo and name engraved. Nonetheless, it feels great to the touch.

Fit & Comfort​

The ST2 snuggles right in your ears without any hiccups. It is comfortable and lightweight to use. However, tip rolling is recommended. I used two ear tips while testing it. First is Dunu Candy and second is ePro Propeller 01. I will share what I felt after using both ear tips in my review.

Next Generation DSP​

The Next Generation DSP is an awesome DSP cable that features a proper DAC chip. I have tested various other IEMs with DSP cables, but this one is special. HIDIZS Next Gen DSP cable can be used on any IEM, and it will without fail drive them properly. I believe there is no other DSP cable in the market that can properly drive other IEMs except for its own stock drivers. The Next Gen DSP cable truly lives up to its name and is in another league compared to any other DSP IEMs in the market.

Hidizs Next Generation DSP cable has an ES9281AC PRO chip, which is capable of native DSD playback from DSD64 to DSD128, alongside 8x MQA Decoding and can play PCM up to 32bit/384kHz. Moreover, this cable delivers up to 70mW of power and has a tuning close to the 2019 Harman Curve.

Sound​

Before heading into the specifics, let me add a few things here. As stated previously, the tuning is based on a curve that is closer to the 2019 Harman Curve. From the frequency chart, we can notice a slight boost on the mid-bass section and is airier, while leaning towards a V-shape sound signature. The Sound testing was done with and without the DSP cable, with portable DACs. Below are the testing results while using the DSP Cable.

Sub-Bass​

The sub-bass of the ST2 with ePro Propeller 01(PR01) tips leaves much to be desired. Even though there is an emphasis on the sub-bass, it does not match up to the expectations. There is adequate rumble, presence and depth, but the sub-bass is clean and textured.

The sub-bass of the ST2 with Dunu Candy tips has minimal presence than with the ePro PR01. But the depth is enhanced, and it remains clean & textured.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass of ST2 with ePro PR01 tips are hard-hitting and clean. The performance of the mid-bass will attract the mid-bass lovers and general listeners. Fortunately, the mids-bass does not bleed into the lower Mids.

The mid-bass of Candy tips are not as hard-hitting as the PR01 but is clean, thick, and energetic. Nonetheless, it is still enjoyable and a bit more engaging than the ePro Propeller 01 tips for me. In some songs, the mid-bass bleeds into the midrange ever so slightly.

​

Mid-Range​

There isn’t anything noteworthy, apart from the fact that the mids are not overshadowed by the lows and highs. Moreover, the vocals are recessed due to the mild V-shaped curve; with the ePro PR01 tips.

The mid-range completely changes with the Candy tips! It became affluent and a bit rich, and still it was not overshadowed by the lows and highs.

Male Vocals​

Male vocals on the ST2 Nebula are quite laid-back, but are smooth and textured. It does not have any harshness but sometimes makes my listening experience dull at times as it is more laid-back than I prefer; with the ePro PR01 tips. Also, it had better separation

On the other hand, the vocals took a huge turn with the Candy tips! It became less laid-back, more textured, smoother and focused. However, it was a bit recessed and had lesser separation. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it even more than I did with the ePro PR01.

​

Female Vocals​

Female vocal lacks clarity, lacks liveliness, is harsh at times, but at least it is smooth with the ePro PR01.

Again, the vocals gained clarity and is livelier on the Candy tips. Moreover, it lowers the harshness than with the PR01 tips. It does make the female artists tracks even more engaging and forward. Regardless, the Candy tips made a huge change to the vocals than the ePro PR01 tips.

Instruments​

The instruments are fortunately forward and lively enough. However, many listeners might not enjoy it as it is not forward, or lively as other listeners might want it to be. Another thing, the instruments are not harsh; with the ePro PR01 tips.

The instruments were a tad bit livelier with the Candy tips; the rest was the same. I enjoyed it.

Treble​

The treble with the ePro PR01 is bright, airy, energetic and incredible extension, which is engaging for the listeners. Moreover, the cymbals and hi-hats are crisp, while still not being sibilant or harsh, which is a plus point for treble-sensitive listeners.

With the Dunu Candy tips, the treble remains similar, but it loses a bit of crispiness on the cymbals and hi-hats.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The soundstage on ST2 Nebula with the ePro tips is nothing extraordinary. The soundstage adds a tad bit of sense of space. It mostly lacks the width and vividness of spaciousness. However, the imaging is precise, which makes it easy to appropriately know the instruments or vocals placement.

The soundstage does not increase, nor attain, any enhancement with the Dunu Candy tips.

Non-DSP Cable Sound ​

To me, the ST2 Nebula did not sound as fun as it did with the DSP cable. Apart from the sparkly and bright sound, alongside the newly introduced sibilance which was prominent in every song. I believe ST2 Nebula performs the best with the DSP cable and I will recommend the listeners to use the DSP cable with it.

Conclusion​

The HIDIZS ST2 Pro is an incredible IEM with insane value. It is a very convenient IEM that is just plug and play. You do not need to carry an additional portable DAC with a good chip that can provide you native DSD playback, MQA 8x decoding and PCM up to 32bit/384kHz. Their Next Generation DSP cable provides them all in a form that is already present in the market. I have yet to see a DSP cable that can outperform this DSP cable in such a way. Moreover, you can fine tune this however you want to use EQ as it is a DSP cable. Additionally, the cable is cross-compatible with every device that has a type C port; an adapter can be used as well if you lack a type C part on your device.

Finally, the ST2 IEM is a must-have for a listener who loves a clean and hard-hitting mid-bass, laid-back vocals and a crispy but smooth treble. It also is not sibilant or harsh in any point. And the microphone that the DSP cable comes with is incredibly good. It is able to cut down on the background noise and only capture the speaker's voice extremely precisely and clearly.

If you purchase the ST2 Nebula IEM, you will get the Next Generation DSP cable which is universal and works with any IEM; you are also getting the IEMs itself, which is a great choice if you want incredible mid-bass and an extravagant treble that is bright, but not sibilant. Moreover, the vocals are good, even though it is a bit recessed.

Tip Rolling​

Tip rolling is essential for every IEM, especially this. The stock tips do not do the IEM justice. The ePro Propeller 01 makes the sound a bit analytical, while the DUNU Candy makes the sound fun and engaging.

Introduction​

The Tri-Draco is a budget-oriented IEM from Tri, priced at just $60. It offers a Dual Dynamic Driver with an open-back design, which is an awesome attempt at trying to make the IEM more engaging & immersive in a budget-oriented IEM.

Specifications

Drivers: 2 Dynamic Driver
DD: 6MM Ti + 8MM LCP Diaphragm
Impedance: 18 Ω@1KHz
Sensitivity: 105 dB @1kHz
FR range: 20Hz-20KHz

Packaging

• The earphone itself
• White 2-core 2-pin cable with 3.5 mm termination
• A hard-shell carrying pouch
• TRI Clarion ear tips (S, M, L)
• Wide bore ear tips (S, M, L)
• Narrow bore ear tips (S, M, L)

Build & Design

The TRI-Draco features a metallic shell & has an open-back shell. Despite the IEM featuring a metallic shell, it is very lightweight & is extremely comfortable to use for hours on end. The back vent has a black plastic grill, which gives the IEM a sleek & modern look. The faceplate is flat & has no blemishes.




Cable
The Draco features a white four-core braided OFC silver-plated copper cable with a 3.5 mm single-ended termination. The cable is incredibly lightweight, yet premium feeling. Moreover, cable with a shiny silver jack which complements the Draco courteously. However, the cable could’ve been a bit thicker & nice to the touch. The are L & R indicators marked as blue & red respectively. An aftermarket cable is recommended, due to how thin it the stock cable is.

Fit & Comfort
The Draco is designed in such a way that it fits comfortably & gives a pleasant seal for the general users. Draco also features a thick nozzle, which might be a problem for some user’s comfort.

Testing Gears

• Cayin N3 Ultra DAP
• Next Generation DSP of HIDIZS

Sound​

The TRI-Draco features a warm & engaging sound signature with a satisfying mid-bass that will entice the mass listeners. It even has a strong emphasis on the mid-range, thus inducing a rich & smooth vocal performance. The Draco provides a warm tone, which is rare in this price-point. Therefore, the Draco is a fine choice for an enjoyable & relaxing evening.

Bass​

The Bass section of the Tri-Draco is indeed enjoyable & satisfying. However, it might not appeal to the listeners who prefer a relatively strong & an intense, rumbling sub-bass. But the Draco has a satisfying punchy mid-bass that does an incredible job in satisfying the listeners & mid-bass lovers.

Sub-Bass
The sub-bass performance of Draco is modest at best. It does not stand out, but it is there, providing some texture & rumble. It will not impress anyone with the sub-bass, but it’s modest enough for listeners who enjoy a sub-bass with lesser rumble.

Mid-Bass
This is where the Draco shines the most, in the bass section! The Draco provides a very satisfying mid-bass that is punchy & dynamic. Even though it does not have a hard hitting nor is incredibly tight, it has adequate texture that is enjoyable in its own way.

Mid-Range
The mid-range performance of Draco is incredibly. It features a warm lower mid & is slightly forward. The Vocals are nice, smooth & rich which makes both the male & female vocal performance enjoyable.

Male Vocals
Male vocals are lush, warm & rich. It was splendid to listen to the male vocals. It is clear & has the perfect note-weight, which gives it a sweet & natural sound.

Female Vocals
The female vocals are sweet, alive & vibrant. In my opinion, the female vocals are even better sounding than how the male vocals sounded. It is forward & rich sounding, which entails the listener & the singer in the same emotions. I do not say typically add this, but there is a song that I love a lot, the name is “Your Song”- Noir & Ciel. The way the sounds were produced expressed the emotion the singers wanted the listeners to feel. I do not know if the readers would enjoy this song as much as me, but this is what I felt.

Instruments
The instrument's clarity is on another stage with the Draco. It manages to produce the instruments extremely intricately & adds a lot of musicality to the musical experience. The Draco produces every instrument without them being muffled by other instruments, which let the listeners understand & listen to every instrument properly & enjoy the moment.

Treble
Draco does an awesome job in the treble section as well. It sounds airy, well-extended & makes the listening experience even more detailed.

The treble performance is incredible, which induces an engaging sound signature as the instruments are clean & detailed.

Technicalities​

Soundstage
The soundstage is expansive, wide & has an unbelievable depth in this price point. The open-back design surely contributes to this fine soundstage a lot. The Draco creates such an immersive listening experience that is hard to beat in this price point.

Imaging
Draco’s imaging capability is adequate, it is not as impressive as the soundstage. However, it does it work to let the listeners identify the vocals & instruments placement. This definitely contributes to a notably clearer & coherent listening experience.

Detail Retrieval
The Draco’s detail retrieval is quite good in this price range. It manages to produce subtle & nuances from songs easily.

Dynamics & Transient Response
The Draco’s dynamics & transient response are marvelous. It can create an even more engaging environment with the sudden increase in volume. It also shows off its decay & attack ability of the notes pretty well, while also providing instruments & vocals an impactful environment.

Overall​

The Tri Draco is capable of delivering solid technical performance for its price, a spacious soundstage & features a good detail retrieval alongside good imaging. It has robust dynamics and transient response that can accurately convey the track intensity, offering impressive clarity and separation properly.

Conclusion​

The Tri-Draco was a fun IEM to try out as it had a satisfying mid-bass alongside an emotion inducing female vocals. It has a warm and mid-centric sound profile, while having a non-fatiguing listening experience expanding to hours. The combined performance of the Tri-Draco is a much recommended IEM for a variety of listeners.

Tip-Rolling​

I must add that I tested the Tri-Draco with the Dunu Candy tips. I recommend the buyers of Draco to get themselves a pair of Dunu’s versatile Candy Tips.

Introduction​

Right from the start, you can see that this IEM is made in collaboration with the Audio Enthusiast Crinacle. The Kiwi Ears x Crinacle Singolo features a custom 11mm dynamic driver and the Kiwi Acoustic Resonance System, or short for KARS, which promises a riveting audio experience. I believe the shell of the Singolo sort of represents serenity from the watery and sandy design. The Singolo is priced at as little as $79.00 and currently on sale for a mere $59.25 on Linsoul; it definitely is an item worth considering.



Testing Gear:
Roze Technics RZ-300M

Technical Specification:

● Driver: 11 mm custom dynamic driver + KIWI Acoustic Resonance System (KARS).

● Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz.

● Sensitivity: 108dB

● Impedance: 32 Ω

● Earphone Material: Resin

● Cable Length: 1.2 meters

● Cable Interface: 0.78 mm

● Plug Type: 3.5 mm Mini-Jack

● Inner Nozzle Diameter: 4 mm

● Suitable Ear Tip Size: 4-4.5 mm

Packaging​

● Singolo Drivers

● Six pairs of Ear Tips (three pairs of white and three pairs of black)

● SPC Cable

● User Manual

Pairing​

● Dunu Candy Tips

● Dunu White Balanced Tips

● Divinus Velvet

● ePro Propeller Pro01

● ePro EP01

● ePro EP00

Before we head off to the sound and technical bits, I want to add that I found the Candy tips and the ePro Propeller Pro01 tips to be the most suitable for the Singolo. My review on Singolo is made with the Candy tips attached. Therefore, the sound compartment of the review is totally based on it.

Sound Quality​

Before we dive deeper into the sound quality of Singolo let us talk about the inside that is capable of providing such an admirable sound.

The Singolo has a single 11 mm LPC driver that seems to work well with their KARS. Instead of an open airflow with RC, the Singolos “Helmholtz resonance” channels by leveraging air flow to tweak the tuning and use it for their own advantage.

From my viewpoint, the Sub-Bass of Singolo is outstanding and different alongside the mids in the $100 mark. The Sub-Bass is most definitely the best in this price point. The Singolo is just different in a good way, even in this mark.

In general, it's a Sub-Bass focused IEM with a clean, warm mid-range with exemplary vocals and quite airy and sparkly treble, which is good for most audience, seems to be a versatile choice. However, tip rolling is recommended due to its poor stock tips.



Sub-Bass

The Sub-Bass is impeccable. It's really deep and fuller sounding. It does not bleed too much in the mid-range, which creates an appreciable separation. Furthermore, it has a really soothing texture with good details. The sub-bass is extravagant and gives an immersive experience. Overall, I've really liked how deep, rumbly and well controlled it is.

Mid-Bass

Mid-Bass is respectable, but not as pleasing and profligate as the Sub-Bass. It is impactful, well controlled while still providing punchy and hard hits. Moreover, they do not bleed into the mids which is a huge plus in this price point. The mid-bass is pleasing and sounded satisfying.

Mid-Range

The Mid-range is commendable. Those who love mids would definitely appreciate the performance it puts out. It sounds sweet, natural, and organic. Pianos and violins sounds great. Most string instrument sound great on them, except few tracks with acoustic guitars. I personally loved the mid-range.

Male Vocals

The male vocals are natural, detailed, warm and sounds quite substantial with opulent and depth. It's not powerful or energetic. Rather soothing with a little forwardness. The presentation is clean and rich. Those who love themselves a warm, lush, rich, and clean male vocals will instantaneously fall in love with this IEM.

Female Vocals

The female vocals have a bit more energy compared to the male vocals. They are engaging, lively, natural and fills one with the emotions the singers are feeling. Again, the vocals are rich and has good note-weight. It is super engaging.

Treble

The treble section is interesting. It is well-rounded. The Lower treble has good details with a remarkable amount of micro nuances. The Singolo's upper treble has a beautiful sparkle that I liked the most. For a warmish sound, the treble does not lack anything. Moreover, it is capable of producing every intricate musical details.

Instruments

There are a few characteristics of natural harmonics in the Singolo that allow the user to distinguish the various instruments in a mix. The timbre is pretty accurate while the imaging and separation are well-done, thus clear perception of different instruments.



Soundstage & Imaging

The soundstage is predominantly frontal, a clear sense of volume at the bottom giving it a good level of depth. However, it is not too wide. There is a correct lateral sensation and not too much headroom. The feeling is of a more compact and unified sound, where the separation is not very obvious. It is clear that the Singolo is more musical and fun in their bass section, than technical.

The imaging is so good that it enables the listener to be able to single out every instrument properly and the vocals are easier to distinguish among the instruments, which provides an in-depth listening experience.




I found the Kiwi Ears' work in creating the KARS thing really commendable. It is clear that their will is to create IEMS that combine a power for bass heads, along with a tuning that tries to be smooth and natural. Thanks to the KARS, the Singolo's bass comes close to the behaviour of a subwoofer. But that very power makes them a specialized IEMS, which distinguishes them from an all-terrain IEMS.

Overall, the Kiwi Ears X Crinacle Singolo is a highly recommended IEM for its impressive sound quality, comfortable fit, and excellent value for money. It's particularly well-suited for those who enjoy a warm, bass-heavy sound signature with clear and detailed vocals. Nonetheless, it is an awesome IEM for every genre of music. I absolutely loved it. However, you will need a good source to drive them. As far as I know they are scalable, so a good source will bring out different versions of them.

Intro
This is a review of a budget $30 TWS from KZ called KZ Carol. It is a feature rich TWS that offers AI-Noise Cancellation, 6 microphones all over the buds and a good battery life.



Technical Specifications

• Driver Configuration → Single DD
• Bluetooth version → 5.3, supporting SBC and AAC codecs (no AptX, no LDAC)
• Battery capacity and declared battery life → 40mAh battery for the earphones, 400mAh battery for the charging box, for a total of 6 hours on a single charge and 42 hours using the charging box
• Max distance → 15m (with no obstacles)
• Charging port → Type-C
  

Packaging

The packaging of the KZ Carol is very “essential” and contains:

• The KZ Carol in their charging box
• One set of wide bore oval tips
• User Manual

The packaging lacks a Type-C cable that is required in order to charge the TWS. I understand that it is highly unlikely that there will be anyone that will lack a spare charging cable, regardless it should be included in the box as the wireless buds sold by them requires this type of charging cable.

Features

• KZ Carol has 2 main features that I think are very useful & no gimmick. Namely the ANC & Transparency mode features. Both when used are very different from the normal mode. To operate it, you can touch & hold for 2 seconds on the left earphone.
• KZ Carol also has a gaming mode feature which unfortunately almost doesn't feel any different at all when activated or deactivated. But in terms of basic performance for the gaming experience, I think it's good. To operate it, you can touch the right or left earphone 4 times quickly.
• Start Siri (Voice Assistant) which can be used by touching & holding for 2 seconds on the right earphone.
• Touch once to play & pause.
• Double tap on the right earphone for the next song & double tap on the left earphone for the previous song.
• Touch once to answer the phone & 2x to reject the phone.

User experience

Firstly, in my ears these are not comfortable to wear, and for long-term use, it feels tiring or stuffy due to the large nozzle. So, for those with small ears, you need to pay attention.

Design and Build Quality

KZ Carol boasts a beautiful transparent shell that gives a view of the internals of the TWS. It is a very lightweight but a good sounding TWS for the price. The earbuds for the price feel extremely premium compared to other TWS I have tried for the same price and above it. However, the same cannot be said for its case. The case feels cheap, and it might crack or open apart if it falls and hits the ground. The glass on the top is very scratch prone.

Comfort and Isolation

The shell shape is pretty comfortable. However, my ears started to hurt after 1 hour of continuous usage. The stock tips aren’t good, aftermarket tips are recommended.
The passive isolation is honestly not good, ANC needs to be enabled to have a good experience. The charging box is not minimal, the shape is awkward, and it is really inconvenient to carry in a pocket.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery life is pretty good. I got around 3 hours and 40 minutes of battery with the ANC enabled on an inconsistent volume. With transparency mode ON I got around 5 hours and 35 minutes of battery. After fully discharging and charging the case and buds, I concluded the Carol can reach nearly 22 hours of charge with ANC/Transparency mode ON or around 34 hours with ANC/Transparency mode OFF. This is not a precise testing, unlike KZ’s lab testings.

The Bluetooth is generally stable, and the pairing is very fast once the charging box lid is opened. I didn’t struggle once while trying to pair them with a new device, too, which is a nice thing. The multipoint connection also works well on these, which is good news. The max distance is 15m as declared but remember that any obstacle will cause it to have connectivity issues, given the limits of Bluetooth connectivity.

ANC/Transparency feature, Latency and Commands

The ANC was able to cancel out 65% to 70% of the surrounding noises. The change from ANC off to ANC on was pretty unnerving for me. The ANC occasionally struggles a bit and introduces artificial pops here and there, as if there are a few inconsistencies with the polarity inversion. It's a minor complaint but still something to improve.
The passive isolation is not very good, but the ANC more than compensates for it providing for a very usable set-in noisy environment. The transparency mode was pretty nice.

When the TWS is used on the PC, the Bluetooth bandwidth won’t be enough to use both the microphone and the high-quality sound, so in order to have any audio on other apps and use voice chat programs such as Discord, you’ll have to set them as “Hand-Free Audio Device”, limiting their sound performance in order to function as an I/O headset. The performance also depends on your Bluetooth receiver, so that’s another thing to take into account.

When it comes to touch inputs/controls, I’d say the Carol respond very well to commands, and all of the basic functions like play/pause, answer/refuse/end calls, ANC/Transparency ON/OFF, forward/rewind tracks work fine. The volume control is still lacking, a feature that I would’ve really loved to use. A companion app would’ve been a welcomed feature.

Microphone quality
The microphone quality is okay on most occasions, and the Carol are fine for online meetings and calls.

Sound

GEARS USED FOR THE TEST

• Mobile phones: Realme C21Y, iPhone 15, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 110-15ibr with 5.1 BT adapter and internal adapter

Sound signature

V-shaped bassy signature with more focus on the mid-bass rather than on the sub-bass.

Lows
The lows are rich, thick, with decent textures and those who love bass will not appreciate. The bass is clean and is not the fastest around, but most tracks with rapid bass won’t show their limits unless things don’t get too complicated.
If you are seeking for a more analytical and neutral sound, then it’s better if you look elsewhere.

Mids
The mids are quite recessed, and the lower midrange is asking for some space because of the mid-bass bleed, but the male vocals’ timbre is pleasant overall, even though sometimes I wished they were a bit more forward.

The upper midrange tuning is good: never sibilant, never too forward, it sounds “correct” most of the time. Maybe, if I have to be nitpicking, I would have liked female vocals to be a livelier because the bass is very big, and they could probably use a bit more energy in the upper midrange.

Instruments are generally left a bit behind vocals and drums, so if you’re an orchestra-type of listener and like every instrument to be forward, then this is not for you.

Highs

The highs are fatiguing despite the respectable treble extension; the detail retrieval is average and mostly related to macro-detailing, as the smallest nuances aren’t an easy task for the Carol. The treble tuning is okay for everybody, so this is a big plus, but be aware that if you’re here for the finest resolution and for the best TWS at micro-detailing you might be disappointed.
The sound stage feels like a small-sized room, meaning that the listener can feel some spaciousness yet with the knowledge of being a limited space. The imaging is below average.

Microphone quality
The microphone quality is okay on most occasions, and the Carol are fine for online meetings and calls.

Conclusion

KZ Carol is the latest product from KZ which for me is quite interesting in its price range. In addition to having a fun sound, it also has features that are mostly useful, one of which is the ANC feature which for me is unsatisfying, but others will find it pleasing. Yes, overall, for the price of $30 I say this is good enough and if you need ANC with good sound on a TWS you can try this. I personally would’ve taken the Moondrop Space Travel. Space Travel due to the smaller nozzle and enjoyable sound signature for me. They even have a companion app. Even though it is a bit clunky, I’d rather have an app than no app at all.