Reviews by suicideup
EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra. Fun and technical, as intended!
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Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- EarAcoustic Audio sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAP
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- It has been a while since I have reviewed and heard an “intended V-shaped sound signature” within the 100-300 USD price point. The EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra is currently the recent IEM I have heard and observed that fits the bill. It exhibits a musical, fun V-shaped sound signature that keeps both ends of the spectrum almost equal in elevation to my ears, while keeping the technical performance highly competitive for its asking price.
- Bassheads at heart that are willing to dive in within this price point will definitely enjoy the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra in this region, not because it has a slow, wooly, sloppy, chunky bass, but the opposite. Its bass is excellently textured under and within 200 USD, elevated, mildly subbass dominant while keeping everything firm and agile. Not only that, I observed that all of these findings are happening altogether while not sounding “overly done” or “uncontrolled” to my liking. Hearing “Tom Tom” by Holy *** and “Black Skinhead” by Kanye West is a goosebump-inducing experience to my ears as I listen to those with the SPA Hi-End Ultra. One quirk that I found here however, is that the overall quality of the bass “scales” depending on the pairing. Don’t get me wrong, the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra is easy to drive - a 1 VRMS dongle will definitely do the trick if we’re talking solely with power, but to my ears, the SPA Hi-End Ultra sounded more firm, punchier, and textured with my Tanchjim Space when compared to the DDHifi TC35M2 pairing I did, as an example. With that being said, I can confidently say that the SPA Hi-End Ultra requires a mix-and-match of DACs and DAPs depending on your preference.
- As what I expect from a v-shaped set, the mids of the SPA Hi-End Ultra is mildly warm, musical, and mildly recessed, but not to the point that the presence of the mids are drowned by the upper frequencies. The presence of the mids in this set are still present and actually very vivid, but not as present as the bass and the treble to my liking. Lower mids are mildly thick, detailed yet smooth. Upper mids are elevated, have a hint of brightness to it, which also exhibits excellent clarity, sparkle, and air. To my ears, I personally do not hear any sibilance and harshness in this region, but I do see the potential that this region, and the treble can become “overwhelming” to those people that are extra sensitive to elevated upper frequencies, especially on volumes higher than 50%. To give you an idea, The SPA Hi-End Ultra is already at my limit in volume around 8-10 software volume steps out of 100. Overall, despite being an intended V-shaped set, the mids here in the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra are detailed and fun for a v-shaped set. Usually, V-shaped sets under 200 USD sacrifice the quality of this region for warmth and fun factor, but the SPA Hi-End Ultra presents things with little to no compromises to my liking.
- Despite being the same in presence as the upper mids, the treble is not as extended when compared, but not by a lot. The treble still exhibits a decent and solid extension for a sub 200 USD set. Just like that “quirk” in its bass that I mentioned earlier, it also exhibits here in the treble. The treble seems to be a bit more detailed when paired with my Tanchjim Space, Snowsky Echo Mini, and Venture Electronics Devastator, when compared to my DDHifi TC35M2 and Venture Electronics Odo. Detail retrieval and resolution is excellent for its price. The SPA Hi-End Ultra is very detailed and incisive in this region while keeping things not too analytical.
- The EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra did not skimp here in the technical performance as well. In fact, the technicalities of this set is one of the best I have heard under 350 USD. It is up there with the IEMs I reviewed and auditioned despite being a fun-sounding set. The soundstage isn’t the widest I’ve heard, but it definitely makes up for it in terms of the height and depth. It gives a “pseudo-immersive” type of characteristic that I usually look for in an IEM within this price range as it sounds like the sound “has no ceiling” to my perception and has depth. Separation and layering is also one of the areas where the SPA Hi-End Ultra excels for its price point. Everything is well-layered and neatly separated even when busy tracks and passages kick in. Imaging is precise and has no problems rendering vocal and instrument position well.
Other IEM Comparisons!
Kiwi Ears KE4 (190 USD)
- The Kiwi Ears KE4 is a demure, “safer”, neutral-sounding IEM with a bass boost when compared to the EarAcousticAudio SPA Hi-End Ultra. Everything is a bit “laid back” in sound in the KE4 when compared to the SPA Hi-End Ultra. The KE4 is also a tinge smooth in overall sound when compared, at the cost of resolution. Technical performance is better on the SPA Hi-End Ultra, particularly on soundstage height, separation, and layering.
- The Kiwi Ears Aether is more analytical, neutral, and thinner in sound when compared to the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra. Both excel in their respective sound target/s, but the SPA Hi-End Ultra is noticeably elevated on both ends of the spectrum. It is also a tinge better on separation and layering when compared to the Aether, but not by a lot.
- Interestingly Enough, the NF Acous NM20 is the “aggressive” version of the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra in terms of sound, but brighter and lesser in bass. Technical performance on both sets are nearly the same, with the SPA Hi-End Ultra a bit better in separation and layering.
- When compared, the Rose Technics QT9 MK3 focuses more on the treble, while the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra keeps the balance of the bass and treble nearly equal to each other, both in quantity and quality. The soundstage is slightly wider on the QT9 MK3 while the separation, layering, and imaging is better on the SPA Hi-End Ultra.
- I am actually surprised that the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra manages to go toe to toe with the Rose Technics QT-X. On surface, their differences are not differentiated right away, due to their similarities in sound signature. I can even say that the SPA Hi-End Ultra is a bit cleaner and better in technicalities when compared, while the QT-X sounds smoother, thicker, and warmer. The QT-X even sounded like it was also just like the SPA Hi-End Ultra: a 1DD IEM, due to its solid coherency.
Pros:
- Currently “the best”, intentional V-shaped sounding IEM I reviewed under 200 USD!
- Musical, V-shaped sound character!
- Strikes a good balance of tonal and technical performance!
- Chunky, textured yet well-controlled lows!
- Musical, smooth mids!
- Well-extended, detailed, sparkly upper frequencies!
- Excellent technical performance, particularly on the soundstage and layering!
- One of the tallest, immersive, deep soundstage I’ve heard under 350 USD!
- Visually pleasing IEM aesthetic! (subjective)
- Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation! (to my ears at least)
- Excellent overall presentation and accessories!
- Excellent, premium build quality! (literally solid!)
- Scales well with various sources! (apparently)
- Easy to drive!
- Sparkly upper frequencies will not please treble-sensitive ears particularly on higher volumes.
- The soundstage, while not narrow, isn’t the “widest” that I have heard at this price point.
- IEM driver shell size is on the larger side of the spectrum. It fits my large ears snuggly, therefore it may be bulky to those ears that are smaller in size.
Verdict
It is refreshing to my ears to hear and review the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra in today’s current IEM market since it has been a while since I have personally heard and owned a “deliberately tuned” V-shaped, musical sound IEM. You might be asking, what do I mean by “deliberately tuned”? To me personally, the SPA Hi-End Ultra’s tuning is intended to be a V-shaped set and does not seem to follow any mainstream curve present in the market sound-wise, as I compare it to my sets I have with me that usually follows the Harman and/or “Meta” tuning. It doesn’t sound like it is an “accidental” V-shaped either, since its overall sound is well-extended, and well-executed under 350 USD. No unnatural peaks, no excessive midbass bleed, no wooly bass, hence, my aforementioned “deliberately tuned V-shaped” description. On its own, the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra stands out within the 300 USD price range in my opinion since this is the only recent IEM I have auditioned that is tuned to be fun and technical at the same time. This reminded me of the TFZ King Pro and Exclusive 5 I auditioned and owned before which were my eye opener to my preferences during that time, along with the Tanchjim Oxygen, a crowd favorite during my newbie days. I wholeheartedly recommend the EarAcoustic SPA Hi-End Ultra if you are looking for a fun, clean-sounding IEM that has the tonal and technical balance in terms of quality under 200 USD. This refreshes and improves the old roots, EarAcoustic Audio!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: If we’re talking solely on power, the EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra can be driven easily, even when used with an Apple Dongle. However, this IEM seems to scale, or may get picky with sources as the overall sound gets refined, firm, and neat the more you pair it with a “proper” source. I recommend using neutral, or warm-sources with this IEM. The Tanchjim Space, Simgot DEW4X, Snowsky Echo Mini, and Venture Electronics Devastator pairs well with this IEM and lets it shine in its optimal state, as some of the examples.
- Eartips: The included eartips with the SPA Hi-End Ultra pairs and fits well with this IEM. I recommend using smaller than your usual eartips in general with this set for you to have a flush, snug fit. Not having a snug, flush fit with this IEM will make you feel its weight and size, since this is on the larger side and made of solid metal.
- Cable: The cable actually is more than enough and is excellently crafted as it matches well with the IEM in terms of visual aesthetics.I highly recommend that you need to have the fit of the IEM to your ears in a snug, flush manner in order for you not to feel the heft of the IEM and the cable.
Non-affiliated links here:
Additional photos here:
Venture Electronics Metapod (SPC version) Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Venture Electronics Metapod. A budget, modern everyday carry!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Venture Electronics sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The one that I will be reviewing is the SPC version of the Metapod. There is currently a “standard” version of the Metapod that is cheaper than the SPC version. There may, or may not have a difference in sound between the two versions.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The Venture Electronics Metapod seems to share the same sound as what the Apple’s earpods have - but in a more neutral, cleaner, vocal-forward manner. If we’ll be more specific, it can sound borderline bright at times, but thoughtfully tuned, since it never sounded harsh or overbearing.
- I am actually surprised that the Metapod is clean and firm in this region, probably because I am accustomed to the Apple earpods’ chunky and loose bass character that warms the overall sound. The Metapod is midbass dominant, punchy and clean, while keeping a substantial amount of bass whenever the track calls for it. The bass has texture and detail for its asking price, but I wouldn’t call it as a “vivid” type of bass. This is also not for bassheads, that is for sure, especially for those people who are accustomed to the IEM fit. Overall, I enjoyed the bass character that the Metapod have, and I find them quite versatile on any tracks you use it with, assuming that you are not a basshead and you know how flathead earbuds operate from in-ear monitors.
- Since this is a product from Venture Electronics, I kinda expected the Metapod to excel in this area, and they sure did not disappoint. Thisregion is the highlight of this flathead earbud. From what I remember, the Apple Earbuds were already midcentric, but the Venture Electronics Metapod took it further by tidying up the whole region while keeping a certain amount of thickness and presence to it, especially within the vocal department. The lower mids do not exhibit any warmth or midbass bleed, which keeps the overall sound clean and quick in decay. Upper mids, particularly the vocals, are forward in presence and are very airy and clear. In my humble opinion, the Metapod does not exhibit any serious harshness or peaks, but the vocals may sound shouty on certain tracks and instances, particularly on higher volumes. These instances are few on my end because I don’t usually crank up my volume with the Metapod. Overall, this region is the most forward out of all the frequencies, and is important since the Metapod is designed to be an everyday carry and to handle calls clearly.
- As for the treble, nearly the same, but not exactly the same as what the mids has, in terms of presence. I wouldn’t call it bright as well, but it is definitely far from sounding dark. Detail retrieval is average for its price, as it can render most details well for its asking price.
- The overall technical performance of the Metapod is decent for its price. It isn’t something that will punch above its weight, but it will not be an underwhelming set under 30 USD either. The soundstage is one of the unique sets I have encountered so far, as it is taller than wide, with a decent amount of depth. Separation and layering is decent at best, and may experience some congestion on very heavy passages. Imaging is accurate enough for the for the most part, even on competitive FPS games.
Other flathead earbuds comparisons!
Venture Electronics Monk Plus 7th Edition
- The MP7 is more balanced and versatile than the Metapod, while the Metapod excels more on the vocals and instruments. Both earbuds are excellent for their asking price, it’s just that they have different use case scenarios.
- The Metapod and Apple Earpods share the same character wherein the mids is the highlight, but both leans on different sides of the spectrum. The Earpods leans to a more warmer character, adding a bit body on its bass in mids, at the cost of its decay speed. The Metapod on the other hand prefers it clean and agile. Cable and mic quality is also better on the Metapod when compared.
- The Faaeal Iris Ancestor is warmer, thicker, and darker in sound when compared to the Metapod. It is also noticeably slower in decay too, affecting the overall technical performance and resolution.
- The Monk SL refines the overall sound further, by toning down the presence of the mids slightly and adding a bit of body, making the sound of the SL wider and smoother when compared. Technicalities, particularly the soundstage, are better on the Monk SL, which is understandable due to its slightly higher price tag.
Pros:
- A comfortable, capable, modern EDC flathead earbuds!
- Nearly neutral, midcentric sound signature!
- Punchy, clean bass response!
- Forward, airy mids!
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies!
- Decent technical performance for its asking price!
- Comfortable fit and comfort!
- Clear mic quality!
- USB-C is the modern norm for a wired listening experience!
- Generous amount of accessories for its price!
- Instances of “shouty mids” can be experienced on certain tracks, on higher volumes.
- Fit can be challenging for those ears who are accustomed to the MX500 and PK shell form factor.
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Verdict
Despite not being a fan of the disappearance of the 3.5mm port on most of the modern devices myself, I have to admit that it is a pleasing experience to use the Metapod on my modern devices. In my humble opinion, the Metapod is the “cheapest”, well-implemented solution for those 3.5mm diehards like me who do not want to dip into the wireless earphones system, but wants to utilize the USB-C as their audio port, assuming that you prefer a midcentric, nearly neutral set in a familiar EDC form factor. This one goes with my everyday carry, Venture Electronics!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The Venture Electronics Metapod is already equipped with a USB Type-C plug for you to use it right away with your smartphone or PC.
- Eartips: The earbud foams included fit well with the Metapod. I recommend you using the full foams for this one to add a bit of thickness to the overall sound.
Non-affiliated links here:
Additional Photos Here:
FiiO RR11 Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the FiiO RR11. The analog pocket companion!
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Disclaimer:
- - FiiO sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- -The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- -No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- -Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Essential Product Specifications:
- - Model: RR11
- - Hardware Solution: SoC: MS430, FM radio: SI4831, analog sound effect and amp: FiiO DDB AS100 custom chip
- - Color Options: Titanium Gold, Black, Red, Silver
- - Dimensions: Approximately 83.2x39.4x13mm
- - Weight: About 46g
- - Frequency Modulation (FM):
- - FM1: 87~108MHz
- - FM2: 76~90MHz
- - FM3: 64~87MHz
- - Volume Control: Volume knob
- - Adaptive Impedance: 8~100Ω
- - Status Indicator: Stereo indicator, frequency pointer, radio indicator, battery level indicator
- - Antenna: Earphones JF1 work as an antenna
- - Slide Switch: FM slide switch1, Mode slide switch1, Sound effect slide switch*1
- - USB Port: Type-C USB (charging port, analog input)
- - Headphone Output: Standard 3.5mm port
- - Knob: Power on/off/Volume knob, FM knob
- - Power Supply: DC 5V/≥1A
- - Charging Time: About 2 hours
- - FM Mode (3.5mm headphone out): ≥8.5 hours
- - Audio Input: FM
- - Load: 32Ω
- - Volume Level: 40mV out
- - Play Track and Format: MP3 44.1kHz/16bit
- - AMP Mode (3.5mm headphone out): ≥17.5 hours
- - Audio Input: AMP
- - Load: 32Ω
- - Volume Level: 40mV out
- - Play Track and Format: MP3 44.1kHz/16bit
Sound signature:
- For the most part, the FiiO RR11 shares the same sound character that most of their current lineups have, which is a fairly neutral yet versatile sound signature. This is more evident when the signal is strong and clear. The catch here however, is it has a unique “analog” character to it, which is not surprising because this is an FM Radio, but can be a refreshing or a unique experience for those people who rarely use analog radio today. If we’ll be specific, it has a bit of warmth to the overall sound, which is a well-thought tuning in my humble opinion because FM radios were paired with flathead earbuds before, and those sounded really thin and vocal-centric. FiiO even extended this further by implementing a “magic bass” feature, which adds a noticeable amount of bass, and adds a “3d sound effect” when you switch the lever to the far right. This sound characteristics and magic bass feature are also present when you use the RR11 as an AMP, which will be discussed later.
- I don’t know how to put this in a non-hyperbolic statement, but the FiiO RR11 is by far the most “premium” FM Radio that I have used and reviewed, probably because the radios that I have used ever since I was a kid were made of brittle and light plastic until today. The RR11 is well-built, made of metal, from its housing, down to its knurled switches and dials. All of these are achieved while being light and pocketable. It barely weighs anything, in a good way. It is also small in size as well. To give you an idea, it is smaller than the Snowsky Echo Mini, and a bit taller than the Tanchjim Space USB DAC I have here. Switches and dials are very tactile and precise to my liking.
- As an FM radio, I never had any problems using the RR11 whenever and wherever I go. Of course, like all radios do, its signal strength and reach depends on your location. For example, the signal reach will not be as strong as when you use the radio outside, compared to when you use the RR11 inside of a building or an establishment. I use this most of the time when I am outside, running errands, and commuting. Aside from the ability to use the earphones or headphones plugged in, the FiiO RR11 also has a built-in antenna inside the radio itself for added signal reach. It also has some LED indicators for battery percentage, signal strength and consistency. Lastly, it can also be used as an AMP, which works by plugging the RR11 to your phone with the included type c-to-c cable. Despite all of these promising characteristics stated, the RR11 still has some areas that will need some improvement, in my humble opinion. First and foremost is it only has three ranges of FM mode, and does not have any AM mode. It isn’t a deal-breaker, don’t get me wrong, but there are people aside from myself that listen to AM more than FM, particularly those people that are older than me that I have lent this to for a couple of hours. Second, the AMP mode, based on my experience, only works with FiiO’s supplied cable with the RR11. I have tried different cable brands, even my phone’s own data cable, but it only charges the device and does not enable the AMP mode. If you are planning to use the RR11’s AMP mode more than its primary FM radio feature. If I were to suggest, it would be a solid treat if FiiO managed to make the station tuning indicator “glow-in-the-dark”, as I find myself not knowing the station I am in during my commutes during the night, since this does not have the ability to bookmark your favorite stations as well. Lastly, a pouch or a lanyard hole for the RR11 would be a solid treat because this is a small device and having those will contribute to the product’s longevity.
- Literally, this is an FM radio. The software you’ll get with the RR11 is as analog as it can be. I never had any problems navigating the RR11 even when I am not looking at it because the dials and switches are very simple to use and follow.
- The FiiO RR11 is indicated to charge for at least 2 hours if we’re aiming for a full charge. Based on my experience however, I managed to charge this in full for around 1 hour and 30 minutes. I used this during my commutes as well for around 6-8 hours in continuous usage during my commutes and walks, which is highly respectable since this is literally small in size. If we’ll check their promotional photos, the RR11 is literally the same size compared to a lighter. Also, if I were to suggest, they could have given this the retro treatment wherein the batteries are user-replaceable, just like handheld and even desktop radios used to have. Not only does it adds a retro, analog experience, but it also adds longevity to the overall product.
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Pros:
- The “most premium” pocket FM Radio currently existing under 50 USD!
- Premium built, feature packed! (For a pocket FM Radio)
- All-metal, compact build quality!
- Tactile, well-textured knobs and sliders!
- Decent FM range!
- Decent signal reception!
- Decent battery life for a pocket radio!
- Very good sound quality! (For an FM Radio)
- Includes a flathead earbud!
- Intuitive controls!
- Has an amp mode!
- Well-thought “Magic Bass” feature!
- No AM mode (minor nitpick)
- A “glow in the dark” station tuning indicator would a good treat (suggestion only)
- An ability to bookmark your favorite stations would also be a nice thing to have (suggestion only)
- AMP mode is a bit picky in terms of third party USB-C to C cables.
- A lanyard hole for this radio would be nice.
- An included pouch, lanyard strap, or case for this radio would be a good treat.
- An option for a user-replaceable battery feature would also prolong the RR11’s longevity. (suggestion)
Verdict
Let me put this here, first and foremost: The FiiO RR11 is a niche product. In today’s time and setting, FM radios aren’t really the go-to by this generation when they want to listen to music. Despite the RR11 being a niche product, I personally enjoyed it being my companion when I am outside and running my errands. It is a great refresh to me because it has been a while since I listened to the radio and the stations available here in my country. Funny enough, I am also not bothered listening to the commercials on the FM radio, as opposed to my experience when streaming music to the streaming music platforms wherein I am a bit impatient when I ran through the ads on the platforms. I am not sure if that is a psychological effect anything within that context, but one thing is for sure: the FiiO RR11 is a well-implemented FM pocket radio as it exhibits and offers simple yet modern features that is a great help for music-listening such as its amp mode, while being focused to its primary purpose which is being a reliable, pocket FM Radio. A remarkable niche product, FiiO!
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated links here!:
- https://www.fiio.com/RR11
- https://fiioaudio.aliexpress.com/store/910953046?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.5a43duDAduDAIh
Additional photos here:
Attachments
suicideup
@FiiO Willson We do have here a handful of AM Radio Stations in our country, most of which are usually where the local news and podcasts happens, but I do understand that it is moreof a "niche" feature nowadays since most radio stations are in FM. These are based on the experiences of the middle-aged and elderly people I have lent this radio with for a couple of days 
Venture Electronics Monk SMT (Slim Metal Ti) Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Venture Electronics Monk Slim Metal. The sound ain’t slim for a neutral set!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Venture Electronics sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAP
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The Venture Electronics Slim Metal Ti, in my humble opinion, is the most “refined” and “well-composed” flathead earbuds among the “Slim” lineup I have heard. It exhibits a neutral, nearly transparent sound character, with a noticeable mild bass bump on the SMT.
- I can confidently say that this region has the most noticeable refinement compared to its older sibling, the Monk SM. When compared to the SM, this has more bass quality and chunk, but maturely done, adding a bit of thickness on both subbass and midbass in an equal level. Do take note however, this is by no means a basshead flathead earbuds. Even when paired with the VE Devastator (which by far has the best pairing with the SMT), it did add a bit of bass and warmth, but I still will not consider it as a basshead flathead earbud. This remark by no means that the SMT is underwhelming in this region, far from it, in all honesty. The bass here in the SMT is punchy, well-controlled, and only shows whenever the track requires it. This also means that it is faster in attack and decay, and never smeared any frequencies.
- Venture Electronics sure loves their mids, particularly the vocals, and it shows here in the SMT. The mids on this set are very open, neutral, and very detailed for what it is worth. There is a warmth here in the lower mids, but it is subtle and won’t be noticed most of the time until a male vocal, or an instrument in this region shows up. It is a good thing in my opinion because it keeps the overall sound clean without sounding too technical and dry. Upper frequencies are ever so slightly elevated, particularly on the female vocals. There aren’t any unnatural sibilance of harshness here in this region, which is also a solid improvement over the previous Monk SM, since the SMT can now be enjoyed by a wider range of ears, in terms of sensitivity. Aside from its comfy fit, this character in this region helped a lot in keeping me not distracted during my 8-hour work since I usually use earbuds for long periods.
- This region is definitely more neutral, and less bright when compared to the Monk SM while keeping its extension and air. Just like the upper mids, there aren’t any unnatural sibilance or harshness in this region as well, but due to its sound character, some very sensitive ears may find this a bit “too sparkly” to what they prefer, just like those people who found the Monk SL a bit bright to their liking. Otherwise, most people will find its treble neutral at most, with some instances of it being “relaxed” in energy. Detail retrieval is above average for this asking price and will render nuances with ease.
- The technical performance here in the SMT is noticeably improved when compared to the SM, particularly on the layering and separation. It is more incisive and well-layered due to the overall sound’s less-aggressive upper frequencies. The soundstage is spacious and as wide as ever, and the imaging is still precise and renders vocal and instrument placement accurately.
Other flathead earbud comparisons!
VS VE Monk Plus 7th Edition
- The MP7 leans to the warmer, balanced side of the spectrum, while the VE Monk SMT leans to the more neutral, “less colored” side. The bass is definitely thicker and chunkier on the MP7, but it is a bit slower when compared to the SMT. Technical performance is also better on the SMT, but it is a bit unfair to compare these two because their respective retail prices are too far from each other.
- In my own humble opinion, the VE Monk SL is the predecessor to the SMT, in terms of the overall experience that you’ll get on the SL. This also means that the SL is a bit leaner, less refined,more colored, and less wider than the SMT. Don’t get me wrong, the Monk SL is a very capable flathead earbuds on its own, but the SMT is definitely the upgrade to the SL.
- These two flathead earbuds, in all honesty, are trading blows with each other. They are toe-to-toe and I can confidently say that you won’t be making any huge mistake picking one over the other. The VE Monk SMT aims for a more grandeur, neutral, clean sound approach, while the DUNU Alpha 3 presents itself in a very immersive, versatile sound quality, due to its soundstage height and depth. If we’re being practical, the VE Monk SMT is definitely the better choice here since it is nearly the same in overall quality when compared to the DUNU Alpha 3, but cheaper.
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Pros:
- Currently the widest, neutral sounding flathead earbuds under 50 USD!
- Neutral, open sound character!
- Punchy, detailed midbass response!
- Open, detailed mids!
- Well-extended, non-fatiguing upper frequencies!
- Wide, spacious soundstage!
- One of the “best” technical performance I’ve heard in an earbud under 100 USD!
- Excellent fit and comfort!
- Very good amount and quality of accessories!
- Fairly easy to drive!
- There aren’t any negatives that I can write down here that aren’t involving any personal preferences (e.g. not for bassheads, not for those people who are accustomed to IEM fit, etc etc) for its asking price.
Verdict
The Venture Electronics Slim Metal Ti is easily one of the best flathead earbuds I can wholeheartedly recommend if you are looking for a neutral-sounding earbuds under 50 USD! I can confidently say that there aren’t any negative findings that I can pinpoint for its asking price that aren’t bounded within one’s preferences, like those usual “not for bassheads” or “does not have the IEM bass” type of findings you see in other reviews, because let’s face it, earbuds work differently compared to IEMs, hence it is very tricky for a flathead earbuds to recreate an “IEM type of bass”. But if you are a flathead earbuds enthusiast, or someone who prefers flathead earbuds over IEMs most of the time, you will find the Monk SMT as one of the most refined and spacious earbuds you can purchase under 50, or even 100 USD. Despite the flathead earbud market isn’t as aggressive and as frequent in numbers when compared to the IEM space, the differences and improvements of each flathead earbuds here in this context are very significant and one’s overall experience. To my ears, I find those earbuds that I had before that are within the 100 USD range years ago are nearly the same in sound quality when compared to these earbuds within 50 USD, which is still shocking to me. This is a must to me as an enjoyer of neutrality, Venture Electronics!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: Among all of the dongles that Venture Electronics have sent to me, the Devastator pairs the best here with the SMT, as it adds a bit of warmth and body to the sound. You can still use your preferred, 2VRMs USB DAC.
- Earbud foams: I had no problems using the earbud foams included with the Monk SMT. You may still use your preferred earbud foams.
Non-affiliated links here:
Additional Photos Here:
Kiwi Ears Aether Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Kiwi Ears Aether. The law of diminishing returns are clear!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Linsoul sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAP
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- Kiwi Ears seems to be venturing into the “neutral” side of things with their recent releases, and the Aether seems to show it further. The Kiwi Ears Aether is a neutral, “reference” sounding IEM in its core. If we’ll be specific, there is a touch of subbass boost here in this IEM, making the “neutral with a subbass boost” impression valid.
- Having a subbass boosted in an overall neutral sound signature isn’t new in this hobby, and has been in and out in the trend for quite some time now, but it all boils down on how well it is implemented in an IEM. As for the Aether’s case, I can confidently say that it is one of the better ones, in terms of the capability to sound non-lacking while keeping things neat. It is definitely one of the cleanest under the 500 USD price range I have heard so far while delivering the thick, subbass from the depths, whenever needed. It is definitely quick, subbass-dominant, and tight. In my humble opinion and experience, the bass here on the Aether can be perceived as a bass that most current planars cannot reproduce. So, does this mean that this can be enjoyed by the bassheads at heart? It is possible, that’s for sure, most likely if you prefer your subbass dominant and rumbly more than your midbass. If you are coming from a basshead IEM, like the 7Hz Legato for example, you may find the quantity a bit lacking and “too clean”, but it is definitely a step-up in terms of quality.
- The first thing that I said upon hearing the Aether is “that mids is very transparent” up to the point that I had to roll with my eartips and sources right away. To most people, they won’t notice the difference because it is subtle, but for those who are doing audiophile things with a “blessed” than usual ears, they may find it too transparent. They can also say that it may sound “warm”, they may say that it can sound “flat”, they can also say that it can sound “recessed”, which are all sort-of correct since I experienced it all as I swap different variables on my setup. Based on my experience, to make it simple, The eartips paired with the Aether greatly affects the mids in terms of its presence and thickness. The mids here in the Aether reminded me of how the Kotori Audio Zephyr sounded, but this time it is slightly thinner and vivid, probably because of its driver. Kiwi Ears provided three sets of eartips here with the Aether. The most “transparent” in sound among the three included sets will be the clear-colored eartips, no pun intended. The grey eartips with the red stem makes things a bit warmer to my ears and it also makes it smoother, while the black ear tips fuses the characteristics of the two sets, while also giving the bass a tinge of added punch and impact. As for the lower mids, it is clean and nearly free from any added warmth, so there aren’t any added thickness to male vocals, and instruments, in this region. Upper mids are slightly elevated, clear, and noticeably airy but not by a lot compared to the presence of the lower mids. However, this is a planar set, which exhibits the “planar timbre” or the “planar sheen” that can be experienced with most planars, which in return will make it seem that the upper mids are noticeably elevated compared to most ears. To those people that are not sensitive to the aforementioned timbre and slightly boosted upper frequencies, they will most likely not have any problems in this region. As for those people who are extra sensitive to the planar timbre, you may experience the planar sheen on certain tracks, usually those tracks that has boosted consonants, as most planar audio equipment has.
- The presence of the upper mids are also carried here in the treble - it isn’t elevated or boosted by any means, but it will sound like it to some due to its neutral sound profile and its planar timbre. This region exhibits excellent treble extension, air, and detail retrieval, while keeping its composure. As a result, I can recommend the Aether if you are looking for an analytical IEM under 200 USD.
- Due to its neutral, nearly dead-flat sound character, and its driver configuration, this region is uncompromised and incisive. The soundstage is quite immersive and spacious to my ears, as there are times I check the doors of our house if someone’s coming, when in fact it is only on the track/live performance I am listening to. Separation and layering is clean and free from any unnatural congestion, as to be expected in a neutral sub-200 USD IEM. Imaging is as precise as expected.
Other IEM Comparisons!
Kiwi Ears KE4 (190 USD)
- Think of the KE4 as the Aether’s warmer, people-pleaser cousin. It is definitely safer, more ear friendly in terms of its sound and comfort, and warmer. When compared side by side, the KE4 will sound mildly u-shaped whereas the Aether will sound neutral-borderline-bright.
- The MP143’s soundstage is one of its highlights as it is expansive and noticeably wide, but it slightly lacks the immersiveness the Kiwi Ears Aether have. The MP143 is also mild-v-shape in sound, while the Aether is analytical. As for the technical performance, both sets are excellent under and within the 250 USD price range, but the Aether is noticeably cleaner when compared to the MP143, if we’re talking to planar to planar.
- The NF Acous NM20 is a bit more coloured, brighter, and energetic when compared to the Kiwi Ears Aether. Both sets excel on technical performance, but the Aether is more composed in sound when compared to the NM20’s bright, energetic character.
- This comparison is the part where I can say that the “law of diminishing returns” starts to show with these two IEMs. Despite their huge price difference in practical terms, the differences on both sets are very minimal, in terms of their overall respective sound quality. The QT-X is noticeably a smoother, v-shaped IEM when compared to the Kiwi Ears Aether’s neutral, analytical sound character, but their technical performance is nearly the same with the QTX a bit better on the layering, but very, very negligible. I have to admit, on the surface, their differences in this department isn’t really noticeable, unless you use these IEMs more often than usual, side by side.
- Yep, I can also say it here that the overall sound quality isn’t really a night and day, but definitely noticeable, especially on layering, separation, and overall attack and decay speed. To an average consumer this will not matter at all, in my humble opinion, but I can see their desire to maximize the performance based on their budget. The DK3001BD is a neutral with a subbass boost as well, but noticeably better in refinement and versatility, especially on how it handles its driver timbre. Overall, the DK3001BD wins this comparison here, but I can also again, confidently say, that you aren’t missing a lot with the Aether, in practical terms.
Pros:
- The most “neutral” sounding planar IEM I have heard and reviewed under 200 USD!
- “Almost neutral”, near-analytical sound signature!
- Well-controlled, impactful bass response! (for a planar)
- Near-transparent, vivid mids!
- Well-extended yet non-harsh upper frequencies!
- Excellent technical performance under 300 USD! (compared to all of the IEMs I’ve heard under 300 USD, and it is to be expected since this is a planar)
- Snug fit, comfort, and isolation (for larger ears)
- One the “better” ones in terms of packaging and accessories!
- Fairly easy to drive! (for a planar)
- Mild planar timbre can be observed on certain instances (anticipated from a planar set)
- Drive shells are on the larger side of the spectrum.
- Cable is too “simple” for this asking price, in terms of visual aesthetic (definitely subjective)
- A version with a 4.4mm cable would be a solid treat for everyone.
Verdict
If you’re reading this section, you can say that I am glazing a lot here with the Kiwi Ears Aether. However, it isn’t the case, as all of these ramblings I wrote and said are my firsthand experiences (like I really tried to look for words that aren’t hyperbolic but there aren’t seem to describe my experience well) and I did my best to be objective with this IEM. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t the “best” IEM in under 200 USD, as there are some significant cons of this IEM, such as its large shells, planar timbre, and its double-edged neutrality, but those findings will also not dismiss its excellent overall performance for its asking price, as long as you are sticking with your preferences, such as preferring a neutral, analytical sound character, subbass-dominant bass, nearly flat mids, and the like. Personally, I will recommend the Kiwi Ears Aether to those who are looking for a neutral, analytical IEM under 200 USD that will fit their large ears snuggly. Definitely a solid planar banger, Kiwi Ears!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: For a planar driver, the Kiwi Ears Aether is surprisingly easy to drive, but as a planar IEM, it definitely needs at least 2VRMs of power. I prefer pairing this with a warm-sounding dongle, such as Simgot DEW4X and Cayin RU6 as examples.
- Eartips: You may need to eartip roll with the Aether due to its large IEM driver shells. Among all of the included eartips, the black stock eartips fit and sounded to my ears the best. As for third party eartips, I recommend the DUNU S&S and Tri Clarions for this one.
- Cable: The cable is alright for the price, albeit “too simple” to my liking. In all honesty, the cable on the Kiwi Ears KE4 has more character when compared. You may use your preferred cable. I recommend using a cable with 4.4mm plug with this one for an added assurance that you’ll be squeezing every bit of power you have with your USB DAC/source.
Non-affiliated links here:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-aether
Additional Photos Here:
zeissiez
The Eletech Baroque tips is very good with the Aether. It sounds completely different from all three sets of stock tips. With the Baroque, the Aether produces strong bass, wide stage, clean treble without any harshness.
Venture Electronics Monk Studio Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Venture Electronics Monk Studio. This Monk excels on being stationary!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Venture Electronics sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAP
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The Venture Electronics Monk Studio is currently the “warmest” Monk earbud under the 100 USD. Despite this remark, its sound character still falls within the “neutral” category to my ears, leaning to the more relaxed, warm sound signature, while keeping the vocal-forward, Venture Electronics house sound.
- In Venture Electronics terms, this is less chunky and elevated in bass when compared to the Monk Plus 7th Edition, which makes it sound a bit punchier when compared. On its own, its bass “slams” more than “bounces” to my ears, exhibiting a punchy, midbass-dominant response. Details and texture for an earbud under 15 USD is still there, nothing out of ordinary. This also is by no means a basshead earbud either. Overall, the bass of the Monk Studio, for a flathead earbuds, is tastefully done, especially for those people who prefer flathead earbuds more, and are accustomed to a punchy bass response.
- This region in my opinion, is the reason why I called the Monk Studio the “Monk A1’s slightly different sibling” as it is warmer and thicker, as opposed to the Monk A1s thinner, nearly flat approach, while keeping the neutral character. The Monk Studio’s mids are thicker, smoother, and have a mild midbass bleed to it. It isn’t a deal breaker though, because it seems that this is a tuning choice and not an accident, to my ears since it never sounded recessed nor nasal at all. Lower mids are thick and smooth, and have a decent amount of texture to it, particularly on raspy vocals. Upper mids are mildly elevated, exhibiting a good amount of clarity and presence. Peaks and harshness on this region are zero, which makes it a very good companion for longer listening sessions. Overall, the Monk Studio managed to present itself as a warmer Monk Variant in this region, while keeping the Venture Electronics’ vocal forward signature.
- Just like my review on the Monk A1, I find the treble here in the Monk Studio relaxed, but this time, it is smoothened a bit more, which lessens any peaks and sibilance further. This also means that detail retrieval on this flathead earbud is lesser in quantity when compared to the Monk A1. This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on one’s preferences. Price wise, I can still confidently say that this still has sufficient macro and microdetails, if we’re considering this as a non-monitoring earbuds, despite its name.
- This department is also the second reason why I keep saying that the Monk Studio is the Monk A1’s cousin, as both of these earbuds exhibit the same width of soundstage, give or take. The soundstage of the Monk Studio is wide, very spacious, and has good height and depth to it. This is probably the second widest flathead earbuds on the Monk lineup under 20 USD, right next to the Monk SL. Separation and layering is good enough for its price, with mild instances of congestion on very busy passages. Imaging is as accurate as it can be and have zero problems rendering vocal and instrument positions.
Other flathead earbud Comparisons!
VE Monk Plus 7th Edition
- The Venture Electronics Monk Plus 7th Edition is a more balanced, midcentric sounding flathead when compared to the Monk Studio, but has lesser thickness and soundstage width when compared. The MP7 is also cheaper if bought without the bundle dongle.
- The VE Monk A1 and Monk Studio are siblings, in my humble opinion. Their only difference is where they lean in the spectrum. The Monk A1 leans to the slightly brighter side of the spectrum, while the Monk Studio leans to the warmer side of things. Aside from that, the Monk Plus is thicker and lesser in detail, which makes it a better companion for long listening hours, particularly for those people who are very sensitive to clear, crispy upper frequencies.
- The VE Monk SL, just like the Monk A1, leans slightly to the brighter, leaner side of the spectrum when compared to the Monk Studio’s warm, thick character. Their differences in sound is that the Monk SL is airier and more vocal-forward in sound. This also affects the technical performance of the Monk SL compared to the Monk Studio, but not by a lot.
Pros:
- A warmer, thicker, Monk A1!
- Warm, “relatively neutral” sound signature!
- Punchy, slightly thick bass response!
- Warm, thick mids!
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies!
- Wide, spacious soundstage!
- Very good fit and comfort! (still subjective, it’s an earbud)
- Longer than usual cable!
- Fairly easy to drive for an earbud!
- Has less detail retrieval compared to the Monk A1 (not by a lot though)
- Slight midbass bleed can be observed (compared to other Monk variants)
- A more noticeable visual difference compared (aside from the longer than usual cable) to the other Monk Variants would be a great help for everybody (suggestion)
- A carrying case would be a good treat for this earbud, even if it may add an additional expense to the overall presentation (nitpick)
Verdict
Let me say this first: The Monk Studio, is probably the “niche” Monk variant among the Monk lineup, since it still inherits the previous, warm, smooth Monk Plus sound, but shaved off the potential mud and bloat the previous Monk Plus generations had, and made it more neutral in sound, with a longer cable. The overall motif of this earbud in my opinion, lives up to its name, since this is a flathead earbuds that you can just plug straight and directly to your audio interface or sound card in your desktop PC/setup and use it as your daily earphone, instead of using headphones, if we’re talking about accessibility and ease of use. This also makes me recommend to use the Monk Studio more in the house instead of using it outdoors, due to its longer than usual cable. But hey, no one’s stopping you to enjoy the Monk Studio anywhere you go, as long as you prefer warm, smoothened out, mildly vocal forward, thick-sounding flathead earbuds. This one is cozy, Venture Electronics!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The Venture Electronics Monk Studio pairs well with all of VE’s USB DACs and dongles. I find it paired well with their Devastator among all of their budget dongles. Any 2VRMs neutral-sounding source will pair the Monk Studio well.
- Earbud foams: I had no problems using the earbud foams included with the Monk Studio. You may still use your preferred earbud foams.
Non-affiliated links here:
https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electronics-VE-Monk-Studio-Earbuds-Hifi-Earphones-i.477211504.26655724742
Additional photos here:
Attachments
FiiO DM13 Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the FiiO DM13. A CD collector’s modern companion!
Disclaimer:
- FiiO sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
-The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
-No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
-Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
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Essential Product Specifications:
Dimensions of DM13
About 137 * 144 * 27mm (Footpads are not included)
Output Power
3.5mm headphone output:
- L+R≥180mW+180mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%)
- L+R≥660mW+660mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%)
- 3750mAh 3.8V high voltage lithium battery
- Over 10 hours @40mV output
Sound signature:
- Just like most FiiO USB DACs released recently, the FiiO DM13 exhibits a relatively neutral, nearly transparent character. The technical performance of the IEM/Earbuds/Headphones you pair with the DM13 shines here well, with a noticeable clean, pitch-black background. This is quite different from all of the discman/CD players that I have owned, probably because those are already vintage in today’s standards, and sported a warmer, smoother approach. The DM13 is also miles and heaps powerful when compared to the usual portable CD players within the 200 USD price range. The 180mw on 3.5mm and 660mw on 4.4mm translates well in real-life usage, since I never felt and underpowered instances in this discman. Personally, I can say that the FiiO DM13 in this context is the better option since having a more neutral approach enables a wide variety of setups and genres that can be paired with this set, But I can also see those people who prefer a warmer, lush sound in a modern package, just like when the cd players are at its peak.
- In a nutshell, the overall build quality of the DM13 is quite premium for its retail price, in my opinion. Most of its parts and the overall chassis are made of metal, coated with a matte finish. Buttons and switches are tactile to my liking and it never felt mushy at all. If I were to nitpick, I would have preferred the buttons to be a bit more elevated for it to be more “tactile”, since it is almost flush on the panel cover. Even the panel cover of this discman is spring loaded and never came across as flimsy or creaking during my observations. It also comes with different colorways for you to choose from. It even has an option for you to have the DM13 with a transparent top cover for you to see the CD spinning inside. For this review, I chose the red colorway, because it reminded me of the old discmans I have owned and used before.
- I had no problems using the DM13 with all of the CDs, headphones, and earphones I have with me. From what I know, the DM13 does not support SACD which is understandable since in this context, this is still an entry level music player. I haven’t experienced any skipping or playback errors throughout my observation and usage with this CD player. My DM13 also has a bluetooth function, which pairs my bluetooth headphones and speaker with ease. Do take note that the bluetooth connection only maxes out at APTX-HD codec, which may throw off the LDAC purists who are looking for a budget CD Player . As for the features. this is by far, in my opinion, the DM13’s ace compared to all of the cd players currently existing under 200 USD - it packs a lot of features, literally! On the surface, it may seem that it is just a straightforward, no-frills CD player, until you read the manual. Its controls even have layers of long presses, button sequences, and button combinations in order to initiate certain features! This is a double edged sword however, in my opinion, which I will explain in the next section of this review. As for the ports, FiiO is actually generous enough to include and implement extra ports here in this CD player. Aside from the usual 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports and ESP protection switch which I actually did not use most of the time because it I never experienced any playback skipping even when I am carrying it outdoors, it has a balanced 4.4 line-out and a 3.5mm line-out that also serves as a coaxial and optical port for you to use it with an external DAC or AMP of your choice. This in return, means that you cannot use the DM13 as an external DAC/AMP. Lastly, The DM13 can rip and record CDs, which is a solid treat for CD collectors like me who want a softcopy of their albums. My experience with that feature however, is a mixed bag. My unit can only rip and record CDs locally, which means that my unit needs to store its recorded WAV files from the CD through a USB-C external storage in FAT32 format whereas FiiO advertised that I can also rip CDs by connecting the DM13 directly to my PC. Aside from the 1X recording and ripping speed, this isn’t really a big deal to me since the DM13 rips CDs well without any glitches. Do take note that the ripped files from the CD do not have any tags or album art included, but this can easily be fixed through Foobar’s tagging feature, as an example.
- As I have mentioned before, having a ton of features in a relatively small package can be a double edged sword to anyone, particularly here in the DM13. The DM13’s buttons have layers within layers of number of presses, long presses, and button combinations for you to do a particular feature. For example, aside from using the power button for you to turn on and off the DM13, pressing it once lets you check the overall status of the DM13 through its high-contrast, crystal clear screen. Pressing it rapidly cycles you through a series of modes such as SPDIF, USB Out, Pre-Out, and Bluetooth mode. Pressing the play/pause button while the cover lid opens will display the firmware version installed in the DM13. I am not sure if “overengineered” is the right term for this, but the whole software is feature packed up to the point that FiiO themselves uploaded a video demonstrating the proper operation of the DM13, aside from including a quick start manual in the box. Despite all of this rambling I did in this section, I find the overall experience fairly easy since these extra steps and features do not affect the basic navigation of the discman, such as adjusting volume, playing and pausing, skipping tracks, and the like. It still operates and works like the usual CD players I have owned and bought throughout my life, the DM13 just takes the overall experience a bit further and extensive.
- Honestly, these integrated batteries on a Discman are quite new to me, because all of the disc players I owned and bought before were operated with double AA batteries or directly plugged in a wall outlet. The DM13 solved that situation with a modern take wherein the battery is integrated in the device. On the surface, it may seem that it may be unusable when the battery is completely depleted due to age, but FiiO thought of this really well in my opinion, by including a “desktop mode” feature. With a flick of a switch, the DM13 can operate without consuming or using the battery as long as it is plugged in a wall outlet or a PC. This is very handy and practical because it combats the “planned obsolescence” that most devices are suffering after being used for years. Battery consumption with the DM13 is above average and very reliable for what it is worth as it lasted me around 7-8 hours of playing CDs continuously on a single charge. Charging it from 0-100 took me around 2-3 hours. I honestly cannot remember the exact duration because I used this with Desktop mode turned on, enabling me to play CDs while the DM13 charges from 0-100.
Pros:
- The most feature-packed disc player I have encountered under 200 USD!
- Superb overall sound quality for s CD Player!
- Quite powerful for a disc player!
- Solid technical performance!
- Excellent battery life for a CD player!
- The gapless feature is always a sweet treat!
- Has ESP! (although the disc player is very reliable enough for me to even turn in on
- Has 4.4 and 3.5 ports!
- Has coaxial and optical ports!
- Has APTX-HD support!
- Well-built for its price!
- Sleek and compact!
- Can be used in desktop mode!
- Navigating through the extensive controls and menu is a bit complex and my need some time getting used to (FiiO addresses this by uploading the written and video manual, link at the end of this review). This isn’t really a problem if you plan on using this CD player in a simple/straightforward manner.
- No LDAC support on BT mode (not really a problem to me)
- The CD-ripping via PC connection did not work for me (but the flash drive to DM13 connection works well as advertised.
- The CD ripping function via flash drive to DM13 method will take a while ripping due to its 1X speed.
- Cannot be used as a desktop DAC/AMP.
- A pouch or even a case for this discman, just like the good old days, would be a solid treat for everybody.
Verdict
In a world wherein streaming services and online listening is the most commonly used method of listening to music, FiiO acknowledged those people who prefer a tangible media ownership by creating the DM13. Not only did they make a simple CD Player, they packed it with numerous modern day features, such as desktop mode, bluetooth function, and balanced ports, making it a very compelling modern companion for CD collectors like me. These features are also non-existent to most CD players under the 200 USD range before, which is a first here in the DM13, based on my personal experience. I wholeheartedly recommend the FiiO DM13 if you are looking for a worthy, practical CD Player that packs a ton of features for you to enjoy and preserve your local media. Thank you for acknowledging the traditional ways, FiiO!
Thank you for reading!
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Non-affiliated links here!:
Purchase Links:
- https://www.fiio.com/dm13
- https://fiioaudio.aliexpress.com/st...Items_or_groupList.pcShopHead_6000255309748.0
========================================================================
Additional Photos Here:
Venture Electronics Monk Plus 7th Edition Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Venture Electronics Monk Plus 7th Edition. The seventh refresh!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Venture Electronics sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- I am aware that there is a 4.4mm version of this earbud, and I haven’t heard it personally.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odyssey Retro USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAC
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- In a nutshell, the Venture Electronics Monk Plus 7th Edition still follows the Monk Plus sound character wherein it exhibits a warm, midcentric sound signature. This time however, The Monk Plus 7th Edition improves the overall sound quality by shaving off some thickness and warmth compared to the previous versions, making it more balanced, articulate, and faster in attack and decay. This is by far the most “balanced” in sound signature among the Monk Plus series, while retaining the “scaling capability” the Monk Plus has.
- As someone who listened and used a Monk Plus for nearly a decade now, I can confidently say that this is by far the most noticeable improvement among their versions. The bass in this edition is punchy, slightly faster than the previous edition, while keeping the thickness of the earlier Monk versions and removing the “hollow” character I experienced with the previous version. Don’t get me wrong, as all Monk Plus editions are, this flathead earbuds is by no means a basshead set, even for those who prefer the earbuds fit while seeking for an earth-shaking bass. If we’re looking in a bigger picture, the Monk Plus 7th edition still holds the “bang-for-the-buck” title, due to its scaling ability, which can be said also to their previous versions. The Monk Plus 7th Edition is by no means a hyperbolic, “killer” earbud (enough with that trend), but its sound definitely gets better when you pair it with a beefy source (Monk Plus 7th and Edition and VE Devastator is an example of a solid pairing), which is also very noticeable in this region.
- This region is what I actually loved with the Monk Plus, even on their early days, which was also my newbie area - their vocal-forward yet thick mids. The mids in the 7th Edition shaves off a lot of thickness that the previous edition had, completely eliminating that “nasal” impression to my ears. It is now more balanced, while keeping a slight warmth to it which also retains the warmth. Lower mids will sound slightly thicker in this set, but not as thick when compared to the previous versions. Upper mids are pleasantly elevated, but not by a lot for me to call it bright or airy. It is still clear, and has a decent amount of sparkle and air. Just like most Monk Plus versions as well, this does not exhibit any form of sibilance, harshness, or peaks, which made me use it often during my early days. Overall, this region is still the Monk Plus’ strong suit, in my humble opinion. Currently, there are no flathead earbuds under 10 USD that can go up to par with Venture Electronics’ offerings, based on my experience.
- The 7th Edition’s slight tuning change also affected this region, particularly in its extension. It is now well extended and does not exhibit any roll-off or darkness character to it, which are mostly encountered before. Peaks and harshness are still zero in this region, which makes it more recommendable for everyone who is fond of the earbuds fit. Detail retrieval is decent and up to par for its asking price. There isn’t any mind boggling about it, but there isn't anything negative about it either.
- For a flathead earbud under 10 USD, the technical performance of the Monk Plus 7th Edition improved slightly compared to its previous versions, and is also up to par for its asking price. The overall sound is noticeably cleaner, particularly during heavy and busy passages, due to its shaved off bass and mids thickness. The soundstage is wide for an earbud, but not as wide compared to the company’s Monk SL and Monk A1. Let me be clear, this finding does not mean that the Monk Plus 7th edition’s soundstage is narrow or cramped at all, it’s just that the aforementioned two earbuds are noticeably wider when compared. Separation and layering is solid for an earbuds under 10 USD, and the imaging is accurate in every scenario I throw at it.
Other Flathead Earbuds Comparisons!
VE Monk A1
- The VE Monk A1 is a more laid-back, thinner in sound flathead earbuds when compared to the MP7. In return, the Monk A1 is slightly wider in soundstage and has more extension in treble and bass, with a bit lesser in quantity when compared.
- The VE Monk SL is noticeably more neutral, airier, thinner in sound, while sounding wider than the MP7. In my own humble opinion, the MP7 is more versatile among the two earbuds due to its thicker sound character, but that doesn’t mean that the Monk SL is not versatile either.
- Yes, the Faaeal Iris Ancestor still exists in 2025, in color violet! It is still warm, thicker, slower in attack and decay, and noticeably smoother in sound compared to the MP7, at the expense of less dynamics and versatility. This also in return makes the MP7 better in technical performance.
Pros:
- The most “balanced” and versatile sounding Monk Plus version!
- Balanced sound signature while keeping the usual VE, vocal-forward character!
- Noticeably the “best” Monk Plus version so far! (in terms of tonal and technical quality)
- Firm, thick lows!
- Smooth, yet decently detailed mids!
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies!
- Decent technical performance for its price!
- Very good fit and comfort! (subjective due to MX500’s different pairings with ear sizes)
- Fairly easy to drive for a flathead earbud!
- Still exhibits the same “bang for the buck” sound quality and scaling!
- There aren’t any for its asking price that isn’t within the subjective category.
- A pouch would be a good treat for everybody. (nitpick)
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Verdict
As I listened more to the Venture Electronics Monk Plus 7th Edition, the whole experience reminded me of how I enjoyed the Monk Plus and their previous colors when I was still a beginner almost a decade ago. My setup was very simple before - an old iPod and a Monk Espresso made my daily commute less tiresome during those years. Fast forward today, I still enjoy my overall experience with the Monk Plus, but now with the 7th edition variant, with a miles better setup. Its well-balanced, mildly vocal-forward sound character accompanied me during my casual coffee breaks, meetings, and brisk walks without being distracted away from what’s in front of me. I’m still amazed that you don’t really need to spend a lot of money just to enjoy your music, which the Monk Plus 7th edition proves it. I recommend the Venture Electronics Monk Plus if you are looking for cheap yet solid flathead earbuds that will pair well with your source, especially if you want to progress in this audiophile hobby. The 7th edition currently is the charm, Venture Electronics!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The Venture Electronics Monk Plus pairs well with their Odo, Odyssey Retro, and Devastator. I personally prefer pairing it with the Devastator, but you can pair it with pretty much any USB DAC today. I recommend using a USB DAC with at least 2VRMs though.
- Earbud foams: The earbud foams included pairs well with the Monk Plus 7th Edition, but you may also use other foams. Do take note however, that the thicker foams you use, the less soundstage width you’ll get.
Non-affiliated link here:
https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electroni...es-for-pc-mobile-phone-i.477211504.9173541238
Additional Photos Here:
SNOWSKY Echo Mini Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Snowsky Echo Mini. A jam-packed nostalgia!
Disclaimer:
- - FiiO/Snowsky sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- -The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- -This DAP came with the stock v1.2.0 firmware, and is currently at v1.4.0 firmware since I updated the firmware from their official website as FiiO/Snowsky advertised. Rest assured that my findings about this DAP are also rewritten and updated along with the v1.4.0 update.
- -No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- -Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
- Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
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Essential Product Specifications:
- Brand SNOWSKY
- Product name Portable High-Res Lossless Music Player
- Product model ECHO MINI
- OS RTOS
- Decoding support Up to PCM192kHz/24bit, DSD256
- Input Type-C
- Output 3.5mm single-ended/4.4mm balanced
- Output power (single-ended) L+R≥100mW+100mW (32Ω, THD+N<1%, USB IN)
- Output power (balanced) L+R≥250mW+250mW (32Ω, THD+N<1%, USB IN)
- SNR ≥131dB (32Ω A-weighted)
- THD+N <0.0004% (-4dB, 32Ω）
- Battery life About 15 hours (Normal volume, Bluetooth off)
- Charging time About 2 hours
- Noise floor
- Single-ended: About 0.8uV@A-weighted;
- Balanced: About 0.8uV@A-weighted
Weight Bare weight about 55g
Color Black/Cyan/Pink
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Sound signature:
- If you have heard and experienced the Snowsky Retro Nano under the same brand, the Echo mini isn’t that far, in terms of its sound character. There is a subtle difference between the two sets though, probably because the Retro Nano operates mainly on a wireless connection, while the Echo Mini is intended mostly to be used wired. Their differences are mostly observed in the technical department and the overall transparency of the sound. The Echo Mini is more neutral, less colored in sound compared to the Retro Nano to my ears and observation. On its own, if we will be specific, the Snowsky Echo Mini is still a neutral sounding source, with a slight warmth and emphasis on the vocals, accompanied with a very good technical performance under 100 USD. This makes it a very good and a versatile pair for most IEMs, flathead earbuds, and some headphones. I also like to add that having your earphones, earbuds, and headphones in a 4.4mm connection is noticeably better compared to having it paired with a 3.5mm connection, as it is noticeably cleaner in sound to my ears. To most people this is unnoticeable in all honesty, but for those purists and with a set of ears that are keen to certain differences, this will be noticeable. Overall, the sound of the Snowsky Echo Mini follows the current FiiO house sound wherein they aim for a more neutral, less colored approach, making it very versatile and pairable with most IEMs, flathead earbuds, and headphones existing in the market.
- First things first, I’ll state the obvious first: this DAP is enclosed in a hard plastic material. By the time I write this review, the build quality of the Echo Mini isn’t really a deal breaker, nor a remarkable innovation of mankind. To put it simply, you get what you pay for. This DAP is under 60 USD, brand new. Everything you see and feel outside, aside from its screen, is made of plastic. The plastic they used here is a matte version of plastic, which I prefer more, as opposed to the glossy plastic they used with the Retro Nano. Despite it using a plastic housing, I can confidently say that it feels compact and non-hollow and does not have any creaking for what it is, while keeping things light in weight. This can be a good or a bad thing depending on your preference, but for a 50 USD everyday carry, this is a win-win to me, at least. One thing that sort of let me down however, is its non-user-replaceable battery. The Echo Mini literally has a cutout for a battery door located at the back of the player, and they already made the user-replacement batteries possible with the Retro Nano, so this kind of bugged me at first. Overall, for 50 USD, the build quality of the Snowsky Retro Nano is acceptable and actually decent for its price. I’d also like to inform you that they did not include a lanyard and/or a screen protector here with the Echo Mini, which the Retro Nano has a lanyard included, despite both products exhibiting a lanyard hole. FiiO also informed me that there will be a PU case made for the Echo Mini that will be released soon, sold separately.
- Just like the Retro Nano, I did not have any problems connecting the Echo Mini with all of my devices and audio equipment during the testing period, even when connected and used with bluetooth. It is also detected right away when it is connected to my laptop and smartphone as a storage device only, which means that you can’t use the Echo Mini as a USB DAC, unlike the Retro Nano. In a nutshell, the Snowsky Echo Mini operates like a basic audio player - without any frills or bells and whistles, to keep the overall experience light and simple. It also has an onboard 8gb storage for you to start storing your files quickly, with a separate SD card slot that can utilize up to 256gb. For most people this is enough, assuming you rip your CDs to 16-bit FLAC like I do, but for those complex audiophiles who keep the 24-bit FLAC as a minimum requirement, they may find this lacking.
- The operating system used here in the Snowsky Echo Mini is based on RTOS - which focuses more on patterns and time-constraint tasks. This system is commonly seen in medical and automotive equipment, which is an odd sight to see here in this DAP. In return, this observation reflects on Echo Mini’s overall performance, as it is snappy and straightforward. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some rare cases of slowdowns and bugs that I have experienced here in the Echo Mini particularly when loading some album art or DSD files, but those are currently lessened and are almost non-existent here in the latest firmware update. The UI here in the Echo Mini is simple and does not have anything extra with it, which is to be expected at this price. Navigating through the software is plain, simple and intuitive, ready to get things done.
- Since this is a non-android DAP, the Snowsky Echo Mini exceeded my expectations in terms of battery consumption throughout the week. Sure, it charges its 1100mAh battery for two hours from 0-100, but it drains the battery very, very slow, for its price and performance. After the V1.4.0 update, I am getting 10-13 hours of usage on a single charge, with a 1 bar left, which makes it very reliable during long trips and commutes. In theory, I can last longer by turning the album cover off, setting the screen brightness to a minimum, and playing smaller sized file types, such as 16-bit FLACs and MP3s. Do take note that my usage of this DAP is in mixed loads wherein I use this with the screen on most of the time, played with large files such as DSDs, in high and low gain, and paired with headphones in 4.4mm port at some point, so your mileage will vary.
Pros:
- Currently one of the two “best” non-android DAP under 100 USD, I have tried, brand new! (as I write this review)
- Nearly transparent, neutral sound character!
- Reasonably clean and pitch black, in terms of floor noise!
- Lightweight, compact yet non-hollow form factor!
- Fairly powerful for its asking price!
- Has 3.5 and 4.4 ports!
- Simple yet clear screen quality!
- Tactile, easy to navigate controls!
- Easy yet feature-packed UI! (as of v1.4.0 firmware update)
- Has bluetooth support!
- Has internal storage!
- Unique, retro design! (subjective)
- Excellent battery life for its price!
- Charging time takes almost 2 hours to fully charge from zero (not really a big deal since using this DAP took me 2-3 days to drain it from a full-charge).
- Cannot be used as an external DAC (this is only “nice to have” scenario, not a con)
- 256gb max SD Card support might be lacking for those who use 24-bit files as their minimum file format for their listening experience.
- Rare cases of slowdowns and bugs can be experienced on performance tolling scenarios, particularly when used with DSD tracks (not really a big deal for its asking price)
- Battery is not user-replaceable (they already had the battery of the Retro Nano user-replaceable, so this is a slight downer for me)
- Bluetooth codec is SBC only (not really a deal breaker for this price point)
- An included case, screen protector, and a lanyard for this DAP would be a solid treat (although they are already planning to release a PU case for this DAP, sold separately)
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Verdict
It is very pleasing and an excellent move that FiiO created subbrands in order to cater a wider variety of people in the market, instead of just sticking to the “professional 100USD” as their entry-level route. In this context, I can confidently say that the Snowsky Echo Mini hit its target market so well that it automatically put itself in my top recommendation if you are looking for the cheapest, non-android yet DAP yet has all the necessities for its price possible. Not to mention that Snowsky did not only implemented the features in the Echo Mini without checking the quality, they managed to implement it so well. Its pitch-black noise floor and relatively neutral sound character is a solid treat for those people who are always on the go but still want the cleanest sound possible under 100 USD. Definitely one of the top recommendations I can recommend for those people who seeks for a lightweight, non-android, reliable DAP with little compromises under 100 USD.This one really stands out, Snowsky!
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated links here!:
- https://www.fiio.com/echomini
- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008384398058.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
Additional photos here:
Venture Electronics Monk SL Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Venture Electronics Monk SL. Pocket hall!
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Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Venture Electronics sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odyssey Retro USB DAC
- - Snowsky Echo Mini DAC
- - FiiO DM13 CD Player
- - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
========================================================================
Sound signature:
- The Venture Electronics Monk SL is a neutral-sounding flathead earbuds with a slight elevation on the mids, exhibiting a vocal-forward sound character following the Venture Electronics’ house sound.It also seems that it is quite source-sensitive and scales well with power, as may sound warm, or bright, depending on the source paired. What makes it stand out among the earbuds under 20 USD I have heard and reviewed is its holographic, wide soundstage, which was quite challenging to execute in this price point/range years ago.
- This is definitely bass-light, so this means that those people who prefer an extra, meaty bass response may look elsewhere. On the other hand, the bass of the Monk SL is adequate for most genres and scenarios, in my humble opinion. It is midbass focused and shows a “decent” amount of tightness, hence, my “non-lacking” remark. However, I also noticed that this region may sound “loose” or “muddy”, and may lack its optimal firmness when underpowered. This is quite obvious when I used the Monk SL with an apple dongle that I borrowed from a friend. Everything became mushy and lacking in detail, compared to the advertised Devastator + Monk SL pairing. I also had no problems pairing the Monk SL with my other branded DACs and DAPs. Overall, I find the bass of the Monk SL adequate or enough for most genres as it is punchy with a decent attack and decay speed, assuming that it is paired properly with a decently-powered source (at least 2VRMS).
- In a nutshell, the Monk SL in this region is neutral, with a tiny elevation on the vocals, making it slightly forward as perceived. This region along with the bass, is also where some slight differences per pairing can be heard. The mids will sound warm, or neutral, depending on the pairing. Don’t get me wrong, this finding isn’t a night and day difference, or a deal breaker, since the Monk SL is still neutral for the most part. I just want to address this finding here, just in case you may get confused like what I felt at first. Upper mids are slightly elevated, with a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. There are no harshness or sibilance in this region, and it is well-done in terms of presence. Overall, the mids here on the Monk SL is the “best” that I have heard in terms of quality, presence, and thickness, for a neutral-head like me, and will also satisfy thos ears that prefer a vocal-forward sound character.
- The treble is well extended, but not as forward as its upper mids. Peaks and harshness are still absent here in this region, which is a good remark since I have encountered ears that are small in size and extra sensitive in bright signatures that were looking for earbuds before. Detail retrieval is average and renders most of the nuances in a track easily.
- I used the “pocket hall” remark for the Monk SL because of this reason: its wide, spacious soundstage. Its soundstage is very wide for its price up to the point that a friend of mine said that it felt like he’s like wearing closed back headphones in a small package.Height and depth are adequate to accompany the Monk SL’s soundstage width. Separation and layering are a bit better than most earbuds I have encountered under 20USD, and it gets cleaner and clearer depending on the source you are pairing with it. Imaging is accurate enough for casual games, live recordings, and podcasts.
Other Flathead Earbuds Comparisons!
VE Monk A1
- The VE Monk A1 is noticeably more laid-back and relaxed in sound when compared to the VE Monk SL. It also has more treble energy when compared, but not by a lot. It does not have the level of “holographic” soundstage that the Monk SL has, but makes up for it by having a slightly taller and deeper soundstage. The Monk A1 also does not scale well with pairing just like the Mon SL, which means that the Monk A1 will most likely sound as-is regardless on what you pair with it.
- The Monk Plus 7th Edition is a balanced, warmer sounding earbud when compared to the Monk SL. It is noticeably thicker, warmer, and lesser in soundstage width when compared to the Monk SL. The MP7 also sounds fuller and lusher when compared.Technical performance is more or less the same between the two sets, except for the soundstage.
- This comparison in my opinion, is unfair due to their respective retail prices, but here’s what you’ll get when you purchase the Alpha 3 if you are coming from the Monk SL: you’ll get a slightly thicker, firmer, balanced sound character, with a much more taller, holographic stage. You’ll also get a better overall build quality and inclusions.
- This comparison is the most “logical” comparison in my own opinion, as they share nearly the same character in terms of sound. Basically, the VE Monk SL is a fusion of Monk Liter 40 and 120 ohms, but thicker in sound, more refined in every frequency, and has better layering and separation.
Pros:
- One of the “widest” sounding flathead earbuds I have heard and reviewed under 20 USD!
- Neutral, mid-forward sound signature!
- Punchy, clean bass response!
- Vivid, engaging, mildly forward mids!
- Non-fatiguing yet well-extended upper frequencies!
- Holographic, grandeur soundstage!
- Very good technical performance for its price!
- Scales well with source!
- Easy to drive! (For a flathead earbud)
- Excellent fit and comfort!
- Clear mic quality!
- Quite durable for its price! (in terms of cable and plug quality)
- Bass may come across as “loose” sounding when paired with sources that lack in power.
- A pouch would be a good treat for everybody. (nitpick)
========================================================================Verdict
The Venture Electronics Monk SL, based on my experience, filled the gap for those people who want a PK-shelled, wide-sounding earbuds under 20 USD! This has been one of the most asked queries to me, as there are ears that are too small to use an MX500 shelled earbuds, and there are also people who want a wide-sounding earbud that does not break the bank. A friend of mine even said that it felt like he’s using a pocketable headphones when he used the SL, which isn’t usually the remark I hear whenever I ask for insights of someone that uses flathead earbuds on a daily basis. As I listen more to the Monk SL, I started to see how far Venture Electronics improved when compared to their previous, old sets, which is definitely a lot, especially when we are talking within the flathead earbuds context. I wholeheartedly recommend the Monk SL if you are looking for a PK-shelled earbud with a neutral sound character, and a spacious sound stage to enjoy with. This is probably the widest in sound on your budget lineup, Venture Electronics!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The Venture Electronics Monk SL definitely sounds better with at least 2VRMs of power, hence the reason why it can be bought with the Devastator bundle. You can also use your sources as long as it is 2VRMs.
- Earbud foams: The earbud foams included pairs well with the Monk SL, but you may also use other foams. Do take note however, that the thicker foams you use, the less soundstage width you’ll get.
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Non-affiliated links here:
https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electroni...7?sp_atk=cef529a4-d108-45ea-885c-aa1e3edf481e
Additional Photos Here
Kiwi Ears Ardor Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Kiwi Ears Ardor. A versatile, noise-cancelling travel companion!
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Disclaimer:
- - Linsoul sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- -The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- -No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- -Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.
Essential Product Specifications:
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Drivers Dynamic 40mm + 10mm (Coaxial)
- Noise Cancellation Hybrid ANC, Noise reduction depth -32dB±3dB
- Battery Capacity 1100mAh
- Playback Time 72 hours (ANC on), 140 hours (ANC off)
- Fast Charging 10 mins = 8 hours playback
- Impedance 32Ω±10% @1K Hz
- Sensitivity 100±3dB @1kHz 1mW
- 1x Kiwi Ears Ardor
- 1x Earphone Case
- 1x Charging Cable
- 1x Headphone Cable
- 1x User Manual
Sound signature:
- Just like most wireless headphones you’ll be seeing under and within 100 USD, the Kiwi Ears Ardor sports a balanced, mildly warm sound signature, which is quite evident when used with the ANC mode turned on. Everything sounds very mature and controlled for a wireless headphone with ANC under 100 USD, which most headphones in this price range are having a hard time achieving, based on my experience, at least. The technical performance also in the Ardor is quite improved when compared to the other contenders you’ll find within its price range, particularly on the separation and layering. My guess is due to its tuning and dual driver configuration, which is quite new to my vocabulary. There is also a slight sound difference when used with the ANC turned off, as the bass elevates a bit more, making it a bit more bassier, warmer and exhibiting a mild v-shaped sound character. Let me be honest with you: While there are some significant improvements and pros that the Kiwi Ears Ardor has on its own to offer to the competition, it isn’t a huge leap, or a night–and-day difference when compared. To my perspective in this context, the Ardor is tuned to cater not only those who are in the “audiophile hobby” who are looking for a solid, budget headphones with ANC, but it also prefers to cater those people who are not into hobby, and just simply wants an all-rounder, versatile ANC headphones. These thoughts made me conclude that Kiwi Ears implemented Ardor really well to fit in for everyone.
- In a nutshell, there is nothing to write home about the build quality of the Kiwi Ears Ardor. It is your usual, plasticky build quality that you’ll see and experience with most headphones within the 100-150 USD mark,and even levels itself with the well-known brands such as the Sony WH-1000XM3 and JBL Tune 670NC. Fortunately, the Ardor exhibited also those “premium qualities” that the aforementioned models have, such as the rigid plastic material, zero build hollowness, nearly zero creaking. The headphone cups swivel up to 200 degrees and fold upward. As for comfort, the Ardor fits well on my ears comfortably and has no problem being used for hours, which is a plus to me since I am usually working at my desk 8 hours a day. If I were to nitpick, The headband extension may come across as a bit “small” to those people with bigger heads. To give you a context, my head is on the “normal” side of size, and my height is 160cm, and the Ardor is already on the half of the extension, when compared to the WH-1000XM3 where I usually don’t even bother extending the headband just to get a proper, comfortable fit. This isn’t really a deal-breaker to me, but I have to point it out as a heads up. Despite my nitpick with the Kiwi Ears Ardor, I can confidently say that this is well-built and will withstand daily usage, as long as you take care of it before, during, and after usage, like we should always do. Oh and by the way, the earpads are also replaceable, which is a nice touch!
- I have no problems using the Kiwi Ears Ardor with my sources given that they all have Bluetooth. Everything connects and works with ease, without any hiccups or errors during my testing. The Ardor only supports SBC and AAC codec, which can be a deal-breaker to some, but not really a problem to my experience in actual usage. The buttons here in this headphone are quite tactile, intuitive, and easy to remember. Microphone quality on this set is also decent and is clear most of the time as it filters out unnecessary noise pretty good. ANC quality is also very good in these headphones in my opinion, as it cancels out most ambient noise based on my experience using it both indoors, outdoors, and commutes. You can also use this wired in two modes, as you can use it wired with a usb-c cable which also charges the headphones in return, or with a 3.5mm jack, making it very versatile and a reliable headphone, in my own opinion. The ANC mode and Transparency mode also works even on wired mode.
- In all honesty, I had a hard time draining the battery of the Kiwi Ears Ardor, even with the ANC mode turned on! It has been a week since I used these headphones without any charge and I’m still at 80% in charge, which made me conclude that it is very reliable and will have no problems lasting throughout the week. Charging time may take an hour or more to fully charge, as Kiwi Ears themselves advertised that a 10 minute charge will last up to 8 hours of usage.
Pros
- The closest to “balanced” sounding headphones I have reviewed under 100 USD! (with ANC mode on)
- Relatively balanced yet “musical” sound character!
- Well-controlled, thick, rumbly subbass response!
- Warm, smooth mids!
- Non-fatiguing upper frequencies!
- Quite good separation and layering for a wireless headphone under 100 USD!
- Hassle-free bluetooth connection!
- Versatile, multiple modes of connection!
- Works optimally without any app required!
- Excellent battery life for its price!
- Reliable, solid ANC under 100 USD!
- Decent mic quality!
- Very comfortable fit and comfort!
- Simple, straightforward usage!
- Intuitive simple controls!
- Minimal yet practical inclusions!
- Treble may come across as “too safe” to those who prefer extra clarity.
- Only supports SBC and AAC codec (not really a problem/ deal breaker but I have to point it out)
- Adjustable headband extension may come across as “a bit small” to those with larger heads (subjective).
- Headphone design may be seen as “not unique” by some people (I have no problems with it so it is subjective)
Verdict
The innovations and improvements of wireless headphones and IEMs have come a very long way since it was introduced to the market, and this really shows here in the Kiwi Ears Ardor. Its versatile modes of usage and reliability makes it stand out to me as a recommendation for reliable, flexible wireless headphones. Like what I said before, I myself had a hard time draining its battery throughout the week! Not to mention that it also has a decent ANC and mic quality, which are some overlooked features that a commuter or those people who use this an everyday carry needs. I wholeheartedly recommend the Kiwi Ears Ardor if you are looking for a wireless headphones with ANC that has little to no compromises to the overall sound quality while maintaining a solid reliability and flexibility. This is definitely an EDC must-have, Kiwi Ears!
Thank you for reading!
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Non-affiliated links here!:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-ardor
Additional photos here:
Venture Electronics Devastator and Odyssey Retro USB DAC Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written double review for the Venture Electronics Devastator and Odyssey Retro. VE’s 2025 higher bar for price to performance!
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Disclaimer:
- - Venture Electronics sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- -I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
- -The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- -No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- - I have only tested this with earbuds and IEMs only.
- -Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
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Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.
IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:
- -Etymotic ER3SE
- -Dunu Kima 2
- -Dunu DK3001BD
- -Kotori Audio Zephyr
- -Kiwi Ears KE4
- -Kefine Klean
- -Rose Technics QT-X
- -Rose Technics QT9 MK3
- -Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
- -Roseselsa Aurora Ultra
- -Sony Xperia X Compact
- -Tanchjim Space
- -Tanchjim Bunny
- -Rose Technics RZ-550
- -Venture Electronics Odo
- -Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
- -Desktop PC, Laptop.
- -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- On surface, both USB DACs may look similar to each other since one might say that they are produced by the same company. This is however not the case with these two dongles. The VE Devastator exhibits the most uncolored and neutral character among the two dongles. On its own, it is still a neutral, nearly transparent set, with a little bit of added bit of warmth that is unnoticeable unless compared to other sources or USB DACs. It also mildly adds a bit of thickness to the overall sound to my ears, which makes it actually a good pairing with flathead earbuds in general, particularly with their own flathead earbuds, the Monk SL as well, hence their existing Monk SL + Devastator Bundle. Due to its neutral, nearly uncolored sound character, any IEM, earbuds, or headphones you paired with the Devastator will perform their very best, even on their technical performance.
- As for the Odyssey Retro, its overall experience is a nod to their classic VE Odyssey USB DAC, one of their first USB DACs existed years ago. While the classic Odyssey leaned to a more neutral, bright manner from what I remember, the Odyssey Retro aimed for a more palatable character when paired with most IEMs and flathead earbuds, even those old, vintage flathead earbuds existing. The Odyssey Retro, unlike the Devastator, sports an additional boost in bass and vocals, which made my neutral sets quite fun and engaging to listen to. The soundstage here in the Odyssey Retro is a bit smaller in width as well when compared to the Devastator, which isn’t obvious at first until when compared to the Devastator itself, or other more expensive USB DACs. In practice and reality, this isn’t really a deal breaker because this USB DAC still delivers a fairly noise-free listening experience almost as clean as the Devastator, and it is still classified as a hyperbudget USB DAC, hence currently being sold only as a part of the company’s earbuds bundle.
- In my humble opinion the VE Devastator is a step-up in build quality when compared to the Odo, mainly on the cable used with this USB DAC. It is noticeably thicker, shorter, while still incorporating strain reliefs on both ends. Both male and female connectors are still encased in metal housings adding to the durability and “premium feel on a budget” if that makes sense.
- The VE Odyssey Retro however, is a bit more simpler and quite fragile in my humble opinion, when compared to the Devastator. The cable it uses is thinner than the Devastator, and even thinner than the Odo. Its enclosure on both ends is fully made of rubber. You may need to take extra care using this USB DAC if you are planning to use daily, and probably wait for its visual and hardware upgrade sometime soon, since the showed hardware upgrade teased by Mr. Wild Lee himself now sports thicker cable and metal finish, just like the first VE Odyssey existed years ago. Personally, I had no problems using the Odyssey Retro with my devices laid flat on a surface, or when plugged in a static setup such as my laptop or my phone laid flat on a table.
- I had no problems pairing both dongles across on all of my devices, given that they all sport a USB type C port. It is plug and play, straightforward, without any additional drivers or apps needed for it to work properly. Surprisingly, the Devastator supports DSD files! This isn’t really something that is important to me in all honesty, but I do see those purists on a budget that may love that feature. The Devastator also works with exclusive mode, which is a nice plus. The Odyssey Retro however, does not support DSD and exclusive mode, which isn’t a deal breaker for its ideal price in my humble opinion.
Battery Consumption:
- The Devastator is a powerful dongle in its class, so it is understandable that it will chug off more battery juice compared to a dongle dac existing in its price range. During my tests, My phone with a 5000MaH battery paired with the Devastator lasted around 5-7 hours of continuous usage, with the consideration that the phone paired with it is already 3 years old. The VE Odyssey Retro is not as powerful as the Devastator, which gave around 7-9 hours of usage during my tests, as I expected as well.
- Aside from a certain movie reference, the Devastator is named itself for a reason. It exhibits a powerful, consistent power delivery in its output under 20 USD, while keeping it clean and almost noise floor-free. Most IEMs I have here are already loud enough at 12-15 out of 100 volume steps on my ears, while 20-25 volume steps when paired with headphones. The VE Odyssey Retro on the other hand, somewhat shares the same amount of power like what the VE Odo has, so it is around 15-30 volume steps on IEMs and 30-60 volume steps on headphones during my tests.
Devastator compared to other USB DACS! (that I have here, at least)
For this comparison, I will be comparing the VE Devastator to all of my “powerful” USB DACs I have with me, as the VE Odyssey Retro’s only logical comparison is when it is compared to the Apple dongle, which the Odyssey Retro already wins in practicality given that we are using non-apple devices, in my humble opinion.
VS Tanchjim Space
- The Tanchjim Space shares the same neutral-transparent sound character when compared to the Devastator. It also shares the same amount of power as well, in a practical sense. Their differences are honestly too minimal in my opinion, and their differences are mostly different depending on the amount of refinement that the Tanchjim Space has to the overall listening experience, when compared to the Devastator. The Tanchjim Space is a bit more refined, transparent, leaner, and more open when compared, while the Devastator is slightly thicker in sound and slightly warm as well. Again, in a practical sense, the Devastator is around 80% similar on how the Tanchjim Space performs, making the Devastator a more “practical purchase” for most people. We have to take note however, that the Tanchjim Space has a bit more “specs” on paper, better in build quality due to its removable cable, and has a more expensive retail price, so this comparison is only valid if we’re only talking on the amount of power and performance these both sets can deliver.
- The Roseselsa RZ-550 is an underrated gem in my opinion because it is one of those USB DACs that is quite packed in terms of hardware while delivering an unusual warm, smooth sound character, while keeping the technicalities untouched. When compared to the VE Devastator, the Devastator leans to a more neutral,near transparent sound character, while the RZ-550 presents itself in a warm manner, with an evident bass boost, and a slightly higher soundstage height and depth. In terms of power output and delivery, the Devastator is honestly up to par with the RZ-550 in that regard, as both pairs well with my hard to drive IEMs, flathead earbuds, and headphones. In a nutshell, my findings here are similar to the comparison I did with the Tanchjim Space earlier - The Venture Electronics Devastator is 80% similar to these two powerful USB DACs in terms of the overall performance and consistency they can deliver, and you are only paying extra for these two more expensive sets for its premium level of refinement and experience.
- At first, comparing the Venture Electronics Devastator to the Fosi Audio SK02 might seem unfair because the SK02 is a desktop DAC, while the Devastator is a USB Dongle. In practice however, both devices deliver on their promise on paper, in terms of overall power delivery. The Devastator sounded mildly thicker and wider than the SK02 , while the SK02 is noticeably leaner and crispier on the upper end. Both sets never had any problems pairing with all of my IEMs, earbuds, and headphones I have here, which means that their only differences in practice are their form factor and specs on paper. The Devastator definitely wins in terms of setup versatility and portability, while the SK02 is more favorable in static, desktop setups.
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Pros:
- One of the most capable and powerful USB DAC I have reviewed for under 20 USD! (as of today)
- Relatively neutral, uncolored sound character! (Devastator)
- Slightly warm, with a vocal forward sound character! (Odyssey Retro)
- Consistent, power delivery across on all devices! (that supports type-c)
- Pairs well with most recent IEMs, earbuds and headphones I have tested!
- Nearly zero floor noise, even on IEMs!
- Has in-line controls and mic support!
- Decent battery consumption in terms of power delivery!
- Lightweight yet durable for USB DAC under 20 USD! (Devastator)
- Straightforward, plug and play!
- Has DSD support! (Devastator)
- Quite impressive heat dissipation!
- Cable is relatively thin (I believe that a build quality refresh will exist with this USB DAC soon) (Odyssey Retro) (Not really a con for this price point)
- Does not support exclusive mode (Odyssey Retro) (Not really a con for this price point)
- No DSD support (Odyssey Retro) (Not really a con and a need for this price point)
- A pouch would be a nice treat.
Verdict
Venture Electronics is on a streak this year when it comes to delivering the quality they are known for: bringing capable and powerful products with a very aggressive price-to-performance ratio. These qualities show here in the Devastator and Odyssey Retro really well. There aren’t any brand new USB DACs that are as powerful and as refined as what the Devastator delivers that I know, by the time I write and publish its review. The Devastator solved the problem that most hobbyists, including myself, faced wherein there aren’t any “powerful” USB DACs existing under and within 20 USD that can power flathead earbuds and planar IEMs with ease. The Odyssey Retro also proved that you can get a good pairing even if you are on a very tight budget. I definitely recommend the VE Devastator if you are looking for a budget yet capable USB DAC that can power pretty much any IEMs, earbuds, and easy to drive headphones you pair with it. This definitely stands out, Venture Electronics!
Who is the Venture Electronics Devastator for?
- For those people who want a neutral, near-transparent sounding USB DAC under 20 USD.
- For those people who need in-line controls and mic support.
- For those people who want a consistent power delivery on their audio setup pairings.
- For those people who want a powerful, fairly noise-free USB DAC under 20 USD.
- For those people who want a plug and play, app-free listening experience.
- For those people who want a powerful yet portable USB DAC.
- If you prefer a USB DAC with a removable cable (you may want to save up a bit more for this one)
- If you prefer a USB DAC with a cable-less design (again, save up a bit more for this one)
Thank you for reading!
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Non-affiliated links here!:
- https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electroni...4?sp_atk=ba371267-276a-489c-ab38-3b4e921060cf
- https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electroni...8?sp_atk=2deab05a-0ac4-48db-9cf2-a5135bc93043
Additional Photos Here:
DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC. Premium transparency!
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Disclaimer:
- - DDHiFi sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- -I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
- -The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- -No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- - I have only tested this with earbuds and IEMs only.
- -Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.
IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:
- -Etymotic ER3SE
- -Dunu Kima 2
- -Dunu DK3001BD
- -Kotori Audio Zephyr
- -Kiwi Ears KE4
- -Kefine Klean
- -Rose Technics QT-X
- -Rose Technics QT9 MK3
- -Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
- -Roseselsa Aurora Ultra
- -Sony Xperia X Compact
- -Tanchjim Space
- -Rose Technics RZ-550
- -Venture Electronics Odo
- -Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
- -Desktop PC, Laptop.
- -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Essential Product Specifications:
- Plug: USB-C
- Socket: 3.5mm stereo
- Amplifier chip: ES9603Q (stand-alone)
- Output power: L+R≥45mW+45mW (32Ω / THD+N<1%)
- PCM decoding capability: Up to 32-bit/384kHz
- In-line controls: Supports CTIA standard
- Dimensions: 17.8×14×8.9（mm）
Sound signature:
- The DDHiFi TC35M2 is by far one of the cleanest, transparent sounding USB DAC I have heard under 100 USD. Its level of neatness and pitch-black background sit well along with the USB DACs within the 80USD upwards, with the Tanchjim Space, Roseselsa RZ550M as some of the examples. It does not seem to affect or elevate any frequencies during my tests, and just presents the sound profile of the earphones plugged in as transparent as it can be. For those people who are coming from warmer, colored sources may find this USB a bit thin, but for those who are accustomed to those USB DACs like the Tanchjim Space will experience things right at home, but in a more portable, cable free manner.
- Without any doubt, I adore the overall build quality of this USB-DAC. It is very durable, rigid if you may in an almost pea-sized package. Despite being light in weight, it is very compact, tight, and does not exhibit any creaking or loosely built portions, from its USB-C male jack to its 3.5MM female port. In fact, it even makes a satisfying click whenever you plug your earphones, and makes a metallic satisfying “clank” when you unplug your earphones from the 3.5MM port.
- As expected, I did not have any problems pairing the TC35M2 across all of my devices given that all of them use USB Type C ports. Inline controls and microphone works with this USB DAC as well without any issues. Streaming and local file playback also plays and works well with this USB DAC during my tests, as I do not have any DSD files with me, which is not supported by this USB DAC. Personally it isn’t a problem to me and never a loss given that I usually play my CD ripped, 16 bit FLAC/WAV files, or I stream music most of the time. In a nutshell, I can confidently say that “it literally just works” on my end.
- DDHiFi thought and designed this USB DAC well, in my opinion. While there isn’t an RGB status indicator in this USB DAC, the TC35M2 will not turn on or will make itself recognized by the source if there are no earphones plugged with it, which greatly saves a lot of battery. I used this with my smartphones fully charged and it took around 7-9 hours of continuous usage for my smartphones to reach 20%. I would also like to add that this USB DAC does not heat up at all, which is a good thing.
- I’ll put this remark here first: This isn’t a powerful USB DAC, on paper at least. It isn’t also a good pairing with power hungry headphones or headphones with high impedance, which I somewhat expected before using it personally. When used with IEMs and flathead earbuds that I have here however, it pairs and supplies them more than enough most of the time. I never got pass beyond 30 out of 100 digital volume steps before I find it to be too loud to my liking, which made me conclude that the TC35M2 is reliable and will power pretty much any IEMs and flathead earbuds more than enough than what you need, as long as they’re in 3.5MM termination.
Pros:
- One of the smallest, clean-sounding and minimalist USB DAC I have used!
- Straightforward, intuitive experience!
- Relatively neutral, clean,transparent sound character!
- Fairly powerful for its form factor!
- Very minimal in terms of battery consumption!
- No attached cable means lesser points of failure!
- Zero compatibility problems! (As long as your device is using USB-C)
- Mic and inline control support!
- Plug and play!
- Exquisite, precision craftsmanship!
- Durable build quality!
- May come across as “too minimal” for some people for its asking price.
- Definitely not the most powerful DAC under 40 USD on paper (nitpick)
- No DSD support (not really an issue but I have to put it here)
- A mini case, strap, or a pouch would be a really good treat for its price.
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Verdict
The DDHiFi TC35M2 definitely is a solid recommendation in my book for everyone! If I will be specific, I wholeheartedly recommend this USB DAC for those people who are willing to spend 40 USD for a USB DAC with a well-thought, exquisite, excellently crafted quality that comes with the price tag. I can justify on my end that its price tag is well-deserved in a practical manner, given that I use and review IEMs and easy to drive flathead earbuds most of the time. Aside from its portable, minimalist approach, what I personally liked about this USB DAC is its transparency/little to no coloration to the overall sound while also delivering pitch black background - which is a quality that most dongles under 50 USD mostly lack. I know, I know, it is just a niche, small thing, but I always like to give credit where it is due, whether it be big or small. Aiming for premium craftsmanship as always, DDHiFi!
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Who is the DDHiFi TC35M2 for?
- For those people who want a neutral, transparent sounding USB DAC under 50 USD.
- For those people who use easy to drive earphones and headphones.
- For those people who want an uncompromising, straightforward experience on a tiny package.
- For those people who want a premium, durable, well-thought craftsmanship.
- If you need extra power for your hard to drive headphones and earphones.
- If you don’t want a minimal-built USB DAC.
- If you need EQ and extra customization.
- If you need DSD support.
Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated links here!:
Additional Photos Here:
Venture Electronics Odo and Monk A1 Double Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written double review for the Venture Electronics’ Monk A1 and Odo USB DAC. VE’s hyperbudget game changer!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- I personally bought these products with my own money, without any discount or special treatment. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- -Etymotic ER3SE
- -Dunu Kima 2
- -Dunu DK3001BD
- -Dunu Alpha 3
- -Kotori Audio Zephyr
- -Kiwi Ears KE4
- -Kefine Klean
- -Rose Technics QT-X
- -Rose Technics QT9 MK3
- -Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
- -Roseselsa Aurora Ultra
- -Sony Xperia X Compact
- -Tanchjim Space
- -Rose Technics RZ-550
- -Venture Electronics Odo
- -Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
- -Desktop PC, Laptop.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock VE foams, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 3.5 SE plug, 40-60% volume.
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Sound signature (Monk A1):
- The VE Monk A1 sports a balanced, laid back sound character that has a tinge of warmth to it. This sound profile is quite new to me in terms of my experience with their company, because most of their products are usually midcentric-warm, or neutral-bright. This sound profile reminded me of the Jiushao E600, a flat-laidback sounding flathead earbuds that existed nearly a decade ago, which I really loved before.
- This region is very balanced, punchy, and midbass focused. It does not seem to lack any quantity in my opinion, if we are talking within the “balanced” sound profile context in flathead earbuds. In general, the bass response on the Monk A1 is sufficient and decently done for its price. However, this definitely does not have a chunky bass response, which may leave bassheads that are into flathead earbuds quite unsatisfied.
- The profile of the bass continues here in the mids, exhibiting a well-balanced, laid back, smooth response, with a tinge of warmth that isn’t really noticeable at first or on the surface. It does not seem to have any elevations, biases, or peaks in any track I listened to. This in return maintains the Monk A1’s overall laid-back character without any instances of sounding drowned or boxy. This also means that I can recommend the Monk A1 for everyone, even to those people who are extra sensitive to bright upper frequencies.
- As for the treble, it is decently extended, has sufficient detail, while keeping the aforementioned laid back character. This character may give the impression that this region does not have the “energy” or the presence that most people look after, but it never sounded dark or closed in at all.
- The technical performance of the VE Monk A1 falls around and within their newer, and their older flagship sets, based on my experience. It strikes a good balance of height and width in terms of its soundstage, as it is wide with a quite tall height and sufficient depth to pair with it. Separation and layering is decent for its asking price, a bit cleaner and incisive when compared to the earbuds existing under the 10 USD range. Imaging is accurate and does not exhibit any inconsistencies or problems.
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Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC Review
Design, build quality
- The design, in my opinion, has its pros and cons. The most positive I observed in this context is its color scheme and choice of materials. It does not look like any other dongle existing under 10, or probably even at 20 USD, which also means that it will stand out and possibly be easy to remember for most people.. Its silver, metal finish is an homage to the VE Odyssey HD, one of their first USB DACs which is currently discontinued, to me at least. As for the cons, I find the non-removable cable they used with the Odo a bit thin to what I prefer, considering that this will be used daily and probably on the go. Overall, for its price it is merely a nitpick. One can even say that “you get what you pay for” phrase, which is to be expected. I’d like to see a slightly “Pro” version of this wherein it sports the same innards, but with a removable cable, or will not need a cable at all.
- I did not had any problems pairing the Odo across on all of my devices given that they all uses USB Type-C connection. It is literally plug and play, keeping things simple and hassle-free. This dongle does not have a DSD support, which is not really an important feature to me at least, due to its price and the file types I have here with me. This also does not support bit-perfect which is also a small to zero compromise for this price. Oh and by the way, this supports microphone and inline controls, which is quite a requirement in my book for a budget EDC USB DAC.
- As for the performance, its neutral, nearly transparent with a tinge of mild bass boost pairs with all of the gear I have here quite well, except for the headphones I have here which is understandable. This will pair well with most IEMs and earbuds well, as it does not have any excessive coloration, as long as those earbuds and IEMs are easy to drive. Battery consumption of this USB DAC leans the efficient side of things. I managed to use my phone with the Odo for around 6-8 hours of continuous usage, considering that the phone I tested it with is now 7 years old as I write this review.
Pros:
- A well-balanced, laid-back sounding flathead earbuds under and within 10 USD! (Monk A1)
- Well-controlled, punchy bass response! (Monk A1)
- Clear, sufficiently detailed mids! (Monk A1)
- Non-fatiguing, relaxed upper frequencies! (Monk A1)
- Very good soundstage and layering for its price! (Monk A1)
- Excellent comfort (it’s an earbud)
- Easy to drive! (Monk A1)
- Very generous amount of accessories under 10 USD! (Monk A1)
- Easy to drive! (Monk A1)
- Solid price to performance ratio! (VE Odo)
- Currently the “best” USB DAC under 10 USD In my book! (VE Odo)
- Exhibits “neutral with a mild bass boost” in sound character! (VE Odo)
- Adds a bit of bass thickness in a controlled, clean manner! (VE Odo)
- Hassle-free device connection across all devices with USB-C! (VE Odo)
- Pairs and powers most IEMs and flathead earbuds sufficiently for its price! (VE Odo)
- Has mic and inline control support! (VE Odo)
- May not properly drive hard to drive headphones and flathead earbuds (not really a con for this price in all honesty) (VE Odo)
- Does not have DSD support (again, not really a con in my opinion for its price but I have to put it here)
- A pouch for this dongle, if possible, would be a good treat.
Verdict
In general, these relatively new VE products are quite a treat and solid recommendation in my book for their respective prices! Not only the VE Monk A1 and the Odo pair well with each other, they also pair well with other pairings and setups. The Odo pairs well with all of the IEMs and flatheads I have here, even those with very low impedance, while the Monk A1 pairs with all of the USB DACs I have here. From a person who prefers budget gears and flathead earbuds in general, you can never go wrong with these two products as long as you know what your preferences well. An easy product recommendation from Venture Electronics, that for sure!
Thank you for reading!
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Non-affiliated product link here!:
VE Odo: https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electroni...e-audio-adapter-cable-i.477211504.24028892793
VE Monk A1: https://shopee.ph/Venture-Electroni...1?sp_atk=57370c80-3297-4a86-9050-312219c1cb99
Additional Photos Here:
BLON BL03 II Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for BLON BL03 II! They somewhat grabbed the oppoty!
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Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Linsoul sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Snowsky Retro Nano BT DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Sony Xperia X Compact
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The BLON BL03 II refines the well-known BLON BL03 sound profile, making it a warm, mild v-shaped sound signature. What sets it apart from its predecessor is its noticeably cleaner, and firmer sound, as it never sounded sloppy nor muddy in my ears, unlike its older sibling.
- This region in my opinion, is where most of the refinements of the BLON BL03 II are very noticeable compared to its predecessor. Gone are the days wherein it exhibits a muddy, bloaty, slow bass response.The BL03 II is miles cleaner in this region when compared to the old one. It is still thick but retains firmness and control even on the bassiest tracks when needed. Its decay is on the average side, and is slightly subbass dominant. I wouldn’t classify this as a basshead set, but I also see bassheads on a 40 USD budget might enjoy this set as well.
- The mids still exhibit the BLON BL03’s relaxed, smooth sound character, but it is a bit more cleaner and less warm here in the BL03 II. There is still a bit of midbass bleed showing in the lower mids, retaining a bit of thickness. Upper mids are mildly elevated, but not as much when compared to the lower mids. Peaks and harshness are surprisingly zero in this region, making it very recommendable for those people who are extra sensitive on upper frequencies.
- As for the treble, it is quite elevated as well, but I wouldn’t call it bright nor dark as it never sounded rolled off. It does exhibit a decent amount of energy, extension, and presence which never sounded overboard or lacking for the most part. If I were to nitpick, I would’ve preferred a bit more detail retrieval capabilities for this price point given that this is a 35 USD set. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t blunt in details by all means, but the detail retrieval capabilities of this set sounds more like a 20USD IEM than a 35 USD set.
- When it comes to the technical performance, this region of the BLON BL03 II has nothing to write home about, but it is far from bad either. It performs decent and average at best, but isn’t quite remarkable for its asking price. The soundstage is your usual wider than deep soundstage, with a good amount of depth. Separation and layering is average for its asking price with slight hiccups on very heavy passages. Imaging is accurate enough for its price and will do with fps games just fine.
Other IEM Comparisons!
Twistura D-Minor(Stock filter)
- The Twistura D-Minor is a more mature, balanced warm sounding set, with a noticeable less extension on both ends when compared to the BLON BL03 II. Layering and separation, fit, comfort, and accessories are noticeably better on the Twistura D-Minor
- The Wan’er SE is a neutral sounding IEM when compared to the BL03 II’s warm, v-shaped sounding nature. Note weight is noticeably thinner on the Wan’er SE as to be expected, but makes up for it by having its mids more forward in presence when compared to the BL03 II. As for the technicalities, Separation and layering are slightly better on the Wan’er SE, while the rest are quite identical on both sets. The Wan’er SE has better fit, comfort, and isolation on most ears, while the BL03 II has better overall build quality.
- The Elua exhibits basshead levels of bass, but does not have the amount of control that the BL03 II has, to my ears at least. The mids and upper frequencies are thinner on the Elua and less smoother, but exhibits more detail in return when compared. Technical performance on both sets are nearly the same, having the Elua wider in soundstage. Fit, comfort and isolation is definitely better on the Elua.
Pros:
- A noticeable tuning refinement of the first BLON BL03!
- Warm, mild-v-shaped sound signature!
- Firm, clean lows!
- Slightly warm, thick mids!
- Well-extended, decent treble response under 40 USD!
- Decent technical performance for its price!
- Comfortable fit! (If you managed to get a proper one)
- Minimal, rigid build quality!
- Decent mic quality!
- Visually pleasing 2pin female connectors (when compared to the previous version)
- Easy to drive!
- Still has the BLON BL03 fit that make or break one’s fit, comfort, and isolation.
- Eartips could be better in terms of variety and sizes.
- While this isn’t really a bad thing, its overall tuning and sound can be easily overshadowed by today’s IEM market.
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Verdict
Honestly, it is quite unexpected on my end that the BL03 - a crowd favorite years ago, made a comeback. While the overall changes on the BL03 II might not seem and sound a lot, I can see its goal from a hobbyist perspective. In my humble opinion, the BL03 II refines the overall tuning for it to keep up in today’s market, making it somewhat of a fan service for those ears who adored BLON BL03, or BLON products ever since. If you are a fan of BLON’s house sound character, the BL03 II will definitely make your ears happy. As a hobbyist however, the BL03 may come across as an IEM that may have gone under the radar due to it not being bad, but moreof a “same same but different” sound quality in today’s aggressive, saturated IEM market.You delivered well to your fans, BLON!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The BL03 II is definitely easy to drive, but I recommend using it with a 2VRMS for better measure.
- Eartips: The eartips included almost did not fit my ears well. The only eartips fitted my ear was the included large long stemmed eartips. You may want to do an extensive eartip rolling with this set.
- Cable: The cable is surprisingly better than its predecessor. The 2pin female connection is also better as well as it is now recessed when compared to the previous one. You may still use your preferred cable.
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Non-affiliated link here:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/blon-bl03-ii
Additional Photos Here:
DUNU Alpha 3 Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for DUNU Alpha 3. A flathead alpha!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- DUNU sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Snowsky Retro Nano BT DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Sony Xperia X Compact
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The DUNU Alpha 3, when paired with the donut foams included, is a balanced-midcentric sounding flathead earbuds, as its mids present itself in a slightly forward than usual manner. Like what I have mentioned earlier, this type of sound is quite common in the context of flathead earbuds due to how it fits in your ear. When used with the full on foams included, it tones the mids down a notch in terms of presence, exhibiting itself in a neutral, warm sounding profile.
- Let me be clear first: If you are using, or used to using IEMs on a daily basis, you may find the bass of earbuds, particularly the Alpha 3, a bit lacking in depth to your liking. This isn’t really a surprise for those who are accustomed to flathead earbuds, since IEMs require inserting itself in the ear canal, while the earbuds do not. Now that being said, I find the bass of the Alpha 3 quite clean, textured, well controlled, and punch. It definitely is midbass focused as expected, with a bit of subbass presence to make it less lean. Attack and decay is on the faster side of the spectrum, hence the “clean” remark. Overall the bass on the DUNU Alpha 3 fares well with my preferences in bass within the context of flathead earbuds, but those bassheads may want to look elsewhere, or resort to using IEMs instead.
- As for the mids, the DUNU Alpha 3 exhibits a forward, vivid presence, with a bit of warmth to it which can mostly be noticed when using full foams. This tinge of warmth gives the mids of the Alpha 3 a bit of body, especially on the lower mids. Don’t get me wrong, it never sounded smooth nor thick, but it does have the body that is far from being lean, to my liking at least. Upper mids are also forward to a certain extent, exhibiting a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. While this region may lean to the borderline bright part of the spectrum, it never came across as sibilant or peaky, giving me the impression that DUNU well-thought and tuned this region. Personally, I still wouldn’t recommend this to those ears that are more sensitive than usual on bright upper frequencies, but for the rest that have no problems will definitely enjoy the DUNU Alpha 3’s mids, especially those people who like listening to detailed midrange and vocals like me.
- The treble here in the DUNU Alpha 3 is surprisingly relaxed and decently extended. It isn’t rolled off by any means, but it does not have the presence or the energy that the mids have. Air and sparkle is decent in quality and quantity. It never sounded too much or overboard. Detail retrieval is above average for an earbud under 100 USD as it presents nuances and details clearly.
- In a nutshell, the technical performance of the DUNU Alpha 3 is excellent in my book, and probably one of the few, best flathead earbuds currently existing under 100 USD. As to be expected, its soundstage is holographic and sounds like a pseudo closed back headphones, if you let your imagination perceive it. Separation and layering is above average, with a bit of minor congestion only on very heavy passages. Imaging is precise and had no problems rendering vocal and instrument positions, even on competitive FPS games.
Other Flathead Earbuds Comparisons!
Temperament X6
- The Temperament X6 exhibits a neutral bright sound signature, while the DUNU Alpha 3 is a balanced-midcentric sounding earbuds when used with donut foams. When used with full foams, it will sound neutral-warm on most instances, which is the complete opposite of the Temperament X6. When compared side by side, the X6 is lighter in bass with slightly lesser in control when compared to the Alpha 3. As for the mids, the X6 presents the region in a neutral manner in terms of position, while the Alpha 3 shows more forward mids. The treble is more elevated and extended on the X6, exhibiting that airy character as well. The Alpha 3 keeps this region relaxed with a decent amount of extension and sparkle. Detail retrieval is a bit better on the X6 but not by a lot when compared to the Alpha 3. As for the soundstage, the X6 has this usual wider than deep soundstage, while the Alpha 3 sound a bit more immersive when compared. The rest in this department at quite identical on both sets. Build quality is better on the DUNU Alpha 3 due to its rugged, hefty materials used. The Temperament X6 has a detachable/modular cable, but it is proprietary though.
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Pros:
- A well-balanced, mid-forward flathead earbuds under 100 USD!
- Exhibits a good balance of tonal and technical performance under 100 USD!
- Slightly changes sound profile depending on the earbud foams used! (This is quite common in the context of flathead earbuds)
- “Fairly versatile” yet mature sound character for an earbud!
- Punchy, clean bass response!
- Forward, vivid mids!
- Non-fatiguing yet non-lacking upper frequencies!
- Very good technical performance for a flathead earbuds under 100 USD!
- Excellent comfort! (as expected on a flathead earbuds and its nature)
- One of the most visually pleasing and durable flathead earbuds you can get under 100 USD! (visually pleasing is still subjective though, so there’s that)
- Excellent inclusion of accessories, both in quality and quantity!
- Easy to drive, but benefits with a good amount of power!
- Note weight can be on the lighter side to some ears.
- Driver shells may come across as “heavy” to some ears.
- Having a little to no subbass depth isn’t really a con or a negative output when it comes to flathead earbuds due to their nature, but I’ll put it here for those people who used IEMs daily.
Verdict
The current market of earbuds by the time I write this review is slow paced when compared to other forms, such as IEMs and headphones. This doesn’t mean however that the flathead earbuds are obsolete, in my humble opinion. The DUNU Alpha 3 is currently one of the existing testaments in this context, as it is one of the best earbuds under 100 USD I have tried, reviewed and personally heard. Its well-executed implementation, from its packaging down to its sound, is quite rare in the non-diy earbuds market. I recommend the DUNU Alpha 3 if you are looking for well-built and well-balanced flathead earbuds under 100 USD, in terms of both build and sound quality. Very remarkable for a flathead earbuds, DUNU!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The DUNU Alpha 3 pairs well with warm-sounding dongles and sources.. It is easy to drive, but I recommend at least 2VRMs of power for an optimal experience.
- Earbud foams: The earbud foams included are quite generous and pairs the earbuds well. You may still use your preferred earbud foams though.
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Non-affiliated links here:
https://www.dunu-topsound.com/product-page/alpha-3
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Additional Photos Here:
Attachments
SNOWSKY Retro Nano Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the SNOWSKY Retro Nano BT DAC. The 60 USD pinnacle of modern retro!
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Disclaimer:
- SNOWSKY/FiiO sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
========================================================================
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.
IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:
- -Etymotic ER3SE
- -Dunu Kima 2
- -Dunu DK3001BD
- -Kotori Audio Zephyr
- -Kiwi Ears KE4
- -Kefine Klean
- -Rose Technics QT-X
- -Rose Technics QT9 MK3
- -Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
- -Roseselsa Aurora Ultra
- -Sony Xperia X Compact
- -Tanchjim Space
- -Rose Technics RZ-550
- -Venture Electronics Odo
- -Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
- -Desktop PC, Laptop.
- -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
Setup configuration: SNOWSKY Retro Nano paired with phones/laptop/pc.
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Essential Product Specifications:
- Bluetooth Chip - QCC5125 (CPU+DSP Dual-Core Architecture)
- DAC - Dual CS43131
- Bluetooth Version - 5.1
- Bluetooth Codecs - AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, LDAC
- USB DAC - Driver-Free Up to PCM 96kHz
- Headphone Outputs - 3.5mm Single-Ended + 4.4mm Balanced
- Battery Type - 3.7V Rechargeable Lithium Battery (450mAh)
- Battery Life - 7.5 Hours (Per Battery)
- Output Power- 220mW @ 32Ω (Balanced), 100mW @ 32Ω (Single-Ended)
- Frequency Response - 20Hz ~ 40kHz (-3dB)
- THD+N - <0.0018% (1kHz/-4dB @ 32Ω)
- SNR - ≥128dB (A-Weighted)
- Dimensions - 55.1×37.5×13.7mm
- Weight - 28.3g (Including Battery)
Sound signature:
- It seems that the Snowsky Retro Nano adapted and exhibits the sound character of recent FiiO USB DACs and AMPs wherein a neutral sound profile is observed, with a bit of ever-so-slightly warmth and thickness to it, making it a very good pairing with lean or brighter sounding IEMs and earbuds. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t really noticeable at first, or in general, and can only be noticed if you’ve been using your IEMs/earbuds for a very long time, or comparing it to other neutral, transparent sources.
- The Snowsky Retro Nano BT DAC/AMP encases its internals/innards in a glossy, hard plastic casing. Honestly I am surprised that it did not feel hollow or cheap feeling throughout the time I am using it daily and observing it at the same time. It does not exhibit any form of creaking or plastic noises, even whenever I am plugging my IEMs and earbuds in and pressing the buttons. Speaking of buttons, The buttons are tactile and very responsive, with nearly zero lag or delay. This also has a mini screed that displays the settings, battery status, modes, and bitrate of the track that you are playing. However, I would like to point out that the battery door is a bit fragile to my liking and is probably prone to snap off when opened and used daily. Overall, I can confidently say that the SNOWSKY Retro Nano BT DAC/AMP is very reliable for daily usage, commutes, and reasonably sturdy, in terms of its build department. Its build literally reminded me of how cassette tapes were built before when we had one when I was a kid - it took some dings and falls from our cabinet and radio but played and worked well without any issues. If I were to nitpick, a clip-on case, or a rubber case sleeve would’ve been a good treat as an inclusion for added durability, but hey, they included a mini lanyard for better handling.
- I had no problems pairing the Snowsky Retro Nano on any devices I own and tested with, whether it be wired or wireless. Everything connected easily and without any issues, as long as you selected the appropriate mode for your preferred connection, wired or wireless. It can play up to 96Khz on LDAC via bluetooth, and 96Khz PCM via wired. If I were to nitpick for some of the “bitrate junkies” I have encountered, this does not support DSD even on wired mode. Personally this isn’t a problem to me because my files are either CD-Ripped, or streamed in 16 bit CD quality on streaming sites. Overall, like aforementioned, the SNOWSKY Retro Nano is again, reliable in this department, due to its ability to be used wired or wireless easily, without any software or driver requirement.
- Personally, this is my favorite feature of the SNOWSKY Retro Nano and this portion made it stand out among all of the BT DAC/AMPs I have encountered and reviewed under 100USD - its user-replaceable, nearly common battery. You can replace the included battery on your own whenever you need or want to, and you can also use it without any batteries installed through wired connection. If I were to nitpick, they could have used a more widely available, AAA battery, but honestly it is no big deal since the 10440 type batteries can also be availed anywhere fairly easily. On a single full charge, the Retro Nano lasted 6-8 hours on my usage, with 6 hours being used through a balanced 4.4mm connection. Overall, I love how SNOWSKY implemented this feature on the Retro Nano. Aside from the idea that “user-replaceable batteries are vintage” in today’s standards, having its battery user-replaceable adds sustainability, practicality, and reliability to the product, given that the user handles and cares for his/her products properly.
- In a very positive way, the overall power that the SNOWSKY Retro Nano delivers isn’t new in the market, particularly in FiiO products, since they are known to deliver sufficient power for the IEMs and earbuds paired. On most of my gears, even on those that are equipped with tons of planar drivers and large dynamic drivers, my volume is only around 20-35 out of 100 steps of volume. Do take note that the Retro Nano exhibits an independent volume and will not interfere with your system volume.
Pros:
- The most “practical and well-implemented” Bluetooth DAC I have encountered!
- Well-tuned, neutral with a tinge of warmth sound character!
- Quite powerful for a BT DAC!
- Has 4.4mm and 3.5SE ports!
- Stable bluetooth connection!
- Has LDAC support!
- Clear, vivid status display!
- Has mic support!
- 6-8 hours of battery life on a single charge!
- User-replaceable battery!
- Tactile, intuitive buttons!
- Independent volume controls!
- Quite intuitive controls!
- Can be used without a battery!
- Decent inclusions!
- Retro, cassette-like design!
- Battery door is quite fragile to my liking.
- A clip-on case would be nice.
- Wired connection is limited to 96Khz PCM (honestly it isn’t a big deal nor a deal breaker to me, but I have to list it here)
Verdict
The SNOWSKY Retro Nano is definitely my personal favorite BT DAC/AMP that I have reviewed so far not only because of its capabilities, but also because of its reliability and sustainability. Its ability to use an aftermarket, replaceable battery is an uncommon sight and feature in today's market and I must say, SNOWSKY/FiiO made the right decision to start this year with a dongle with this feature. This is definitely a very good sight and I do hope that the other brands and products may also utilize this feature for practicality. I wholeheartedly recommend the SNOWSKY Retro Nano for those people who want a practical, very capable BT DAC/AMP that is reliable and can withstand daily usage under 100 USD. Thank you for setting the consumer/end-user bar higher, SNOWSKY!
Who is the SNOWSKY Retro Nano for?
- For those people who want a relatively neutral Bluetooth DAC/AMP under 100 USD.
- For those people who prefer a user-replaceable battery.
- For those people who prefer a retro-style BT DAC/AMP.
- For those people who prefer a handy, reliable BT DAC/AMP.
- If you prefer an all-metal build.
- If you need extra power beyond 200mw on 4.4mm balanced connection.
- If you need a DSD file support.
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Non-affiliated links here!:
- https://www.fiio.com/newsinfo/990685.html
- https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005008316976319.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
Roseselsa Aurora Ultra Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for Roseselsa Aurora Ultra. The mids do go north!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Roseselsa sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Snowsky Retro Nano BT DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Sony Xperia X Compact
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- The Roseselsa Aurora Ultra exhibits a neutral-ish, midcentric/mid-forward sound signature, which is very uncommon in today’s IEM market, let alone to exist under the 100 USD price tag. In certain instances, it may come across as a w-shaped, warm sounding IEM.
- I was actually surprised when I used the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra while listening to my bassy playlist for the first time, as I was expecting this to sound limp on bass due to its tuning when it quite exhibited the opposite - it presented a chunky, yet punchy bass response that only shows when the track needs it, which made me conclude that the bass on this set is well-controlled, clean, non-lacking, and detailed. Bassheads may not appreciate the bass on this set, particularly those bassheads who prefer a slow, lingering, rumbling, deeper than usual bass response. But for most people this will never be lacking in any way, shape or form, even on those tracks that are bassy in nature.
- This region is definitely the highlight of the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra - and probably is the best quality and presentation of mids that I have heard under 100 USD in a while, to my preferences, at least. It is forward but well done in terms of presence, as it never made the overall sound narrow nor cramped. It is free from bleed or any congestion, preserving the details and clarity of the region. Lower mids do not exhibit any added warmth or thickness, but never sounded thin to my standards. Upper mids are ever so slightly elevated when compared to the lower mids, in terms of presence, but not by a lot. I am happy to report to you that this region does not exhibit any form of harshness or even sibilance, but exhibits mild driver quirks on certain instances, which can be also heard on the treble. For those people who are not new to the usual Planar, BA, or Piezo timbre, you may find the aforementioned “driver quirk” here in the Aurora Ultra pretty much non-existent in all honesty, but I also need to consider and take account for those people who has ears that are very sensitive to upper frequencies, which may experience the said quirk. In general however, this is not a deal breaker for most people, as this is just a “necessary nitpick” due to the fact that I am not only a consumer/hobbyist, but also a reviewer. Overall, the mids here on the Aurora Ultra is by far the best rendition/presentation of mids that I have come across in terms of transparency, presence, and details under 100 USD.
- When it comes to the treble, it is well extended, sparkly and actually airy, but not as forward when compared to its mids. Peaks and harshness are practically absent in this region, with a bit of driver quirk, as what I have discussed earlier. Detail retrieval is excellent under 100 USD, leveling with the other IEMs I have recently reviewed and encountered within 100-150 USD.
- Aside from its mids, this is also one of the Roseselsa’s highlights. It is well-tuned, immersive, and reasonably spacious. It is unconventional however, due to its soundstage, which makes it stand out under 100 USD, in my opinion. The soundstage is taller than wide, with excellent depth and height, which gives that “immersive” impression. Separation and layering is excellent, as it keeps its neatness to its maximum even on the busiest of the tracks. Imaging is precise and renders vocals and instrument positions clearly. Overall, if we are about to nitpick this region, this is almost perfect for its price if only it is a bit wider in stage, which can be raised by those people who are accustomed to the usual wider than deep soundstage. However, I personally find the overall technical performance to be perfect and do not exhibit any deal breakers of flaw for its price.
Other IEM Comparisons!
Twistura D-Minor(Stock filter)
- The Twistura D-Minor is a more balanced, thicker, warmer sounding IEM when compared to the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra. The D-Minor is also more smoother and thickens male vocals as well, while the Aurora emphasizes it more by putting the mids more forward. Treble is more extended and well done on the Aurora Ultra. As for the soundstage, the D-Minor aims for a wider approach, while the Aurora goes for the more taller character. Separation, layering, and imaging are better on the Aurora Ultra. Both IEMs are very generous and complete in terms of the inclusions and packaging. The D-Minor feels a bit more premium due to its heft and finish, but the Aurora Ultra isn’t far when it comes to the overall build quality for its price.
- The Tanchjim 4U on monitoring mode is a flatter, uncolored sounding IEM when compared to the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra. This in return, the Aurora Ultra sounds a bit more “alive” or “dynamic”, if I am making sense. Both IEMs focuses more on midbass on the bass region, but the 4U on monitoring mode has a noticeable bass roll-off. As for the mids, both IEMs exhibit excellent qualities. The 4U aimed for a flatter, uncolored, lean response, while the Aurora Ultra presents itself forward and airy. Treble on both sets are more or less the same, but the 4U extends itself a little bit, but not by a lot. As for the technical performance, the Aurora Ultra edges the 4U on monitoring mode noticeably, particularly on the soundstage and layering. Both IEMs are decent in accessories, being the Aurora Ultra giving a bit more extra, by including a second set of premium eartips and a USB DAC to pair the IEMs with.
- In all honesty and to my surprise, the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra trades blows with the Simgot EA500LM, in terms of the overall neatness and technical performance of the sound. The EA500LM slightly edges out the Aurora Ultra in terms of the overall sound refinement, but that is to be expected for its asking price. The Aurora Ultra is definitely better than the EA500LM in terms of how it handles the overall upper frequencies, as it does not show any unnatural peaks and harshness without sounding dark or hindered. Technical performance is slightly better on the EA500LM, particularly on the separation and layering. Build quality is also a bit more premium on the EA500LM due to its hefty metal shell. Both IEMs fit my ears really well. The Aurora Ultra is a bit more generous than the EA500LM in terms of the inclusions as it includes an extra set of eartips and a USB DAC.
- The Kefine Klean is a more balanced, warmer, thicker set when compared to the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra, which aimed for a more neutral, mid-forward sound character. Upper frequencies are more extended and well-controlled on the Aurora Ultra, while the Klean presents itself more on the lower frequencies. Technical performance is better on the Aurora Ultra, mainly on the soundstage when compared to the Klean.
- The EPZ Q1 Pro is a more v-shaped, Harman sounding IEM when compared to the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra. It is also bassy when compared as well. Upper frequencies are more refined on the Aurora Ultra. The soundstage is wider on the Q1 Pro, while on the Aurora Ultra it is taller. The rest are slightly better on the Aurora Ultra.
- Honestly, just like the EA500LM, these two IEMs - the Star City 5 Pro and the Aurora Ultra are definitely trading blows on the overall sound quality, and can be both recommended by me despite them being manufactured by the same company. The Star City 5 Pro aimed for a more thicker, balanced approach, while the Aurora Ultra presents itself in a neutral-mid forward manner. Both IEMs exhibit excellent technical performance for its price, it’s just that the Aurora Ultra is more immersive due to its taller soundstage. Both IEMs are very generous in terms of inclusions. Personally I prefer the overall aesthetic of the Star City 5 Pro, but both are visually pleasing in terms of its appearance.
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Pros:
- An uncommon, midcentric sound profile under 60 USD!
- “Relatively neutral” midcentric sound signature!
- Firm yet non-hollow bass response!
- Forward, clear, vivid mids!
- Airy, sparkly vocals!
- Non-fatiguing, well-done upper frequencies!
- “Holographic” tall soundstage!
- Excellent technical performance under 60 USD!
- Very good fit, comfort, and isolation!
- Well-thought build quality and form factor!
- Currently the most generous package I’ve encountered under 60 USD in terms of accessories!
- Fairly easy to drive for an IEM with a “linear” planar magnetic driver!
- Pairs well with the included eartips and USB DAC!
- IEM Nozzles are oval shaped, which is uncommon as of today (but I had no problems using third party eartips with this shape, so it is more of a semi-con to me”
- The soundstage may lack width for those people who are accustomed to wider soundstage presentation.
- Occasional mild driver quirks, particularly planar timbre, may show on certain instances/tracks.
- IEM Nozzles may come across as “short” to some ears (although I had no problems fitting this IEM with the included SoundCocoon eartips included)
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Verdict
The Roseselsa Aurora Ultra made me conclude that the brand itself is underrated and deserved to be showcased more in the current market. Its impressive technical performance is definitely trading jabs with the more popular sets that are existing today under 100USD. Aside from that, this IEM presents itself in a midcentric sound profile - a very uncommon sound signature in today’s IEM market. Overall, The Roseselsa Aurora Ultra is currently one of the “best” and “value-worthy” IEM that I can recommend for under 60 USD, if you are looking for an IEM with a well-tuned, technically competent, midcentric sound signature. This IEM needs more exposure, Roseselsa!
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Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The Roseselsa Aurora Ultra comes with a dongle included, and it pairs well with the IEM. Any 2VRMS USB-DAC will pair well with this IEM.
- Eartips: The eartips included pairs well with this IEM, especially the soundcocoon eartips. You may still use your preferred eartips.
- Cable: The cable is basic and gets the job done. You may still use your preferred cable.
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Non-affiliated links here:
HiFiGo
https://hifigo.com/products/rose-technics-aurora-ultra
Aliexpress
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008147434661.html
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Additional Photos Here:
Fosi Audio MC331 Review!
Video review here
Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Fosi Audio MC331. Modern analog!
Disclaimer:
- Fosi Audio sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
- I have not tested the “speaker out” and "Pre-out” ports since I do not have a speaker with me.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- I have only tested this with earbuds and IEMs only.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
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Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.
IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:
- -Etymotic ER3SE
- -Dunu Kima 2
- -Dunu DK3001BD
- -Kotori Audio Zephyr
- -Kiwi Ears KE4
- -Kefine Klean
- -Rose Technics QT-X
- -Rose Technics QT9 MK3
- -Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
- -Sony Xperia X Compact
- -Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
- -Desktop PC, Laptop.
- -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
Setup configuration: Fosi Audio MC331 paired with phones/laptop/pc.
Essential Product Specifications:
- MAX Power Output:
105W×2@4Ω - Input Mode: Bluetooth +RCA +USB +COA+OPT
- Output Mode: Passive Speakers Output, Pre-Out, 3.5mm Headphone Output
- THD: ≤0.03%
- SNR: ≥100dB
- Device Dimension: 10 x 2 x 2.7 inches
- Terminating Impedance: 4-8 Ohm
- Power Supply: 24V/4.5A
Sound signature:
- The Fosi Audio MC331 exhibits most of the qualities that a tube amp has. It presents itself in a neutral, slightly warm sound profile, with a bit of analog-ish character to it, which is very noticeable when paired with source-sensitive headphones, IEMs, and earbuds. The overall sound is smoothened out when paired with the MC331, with very minimal to zero compromises on the IEM/earbuds/headphones’ technical department, which definitely favors my preferences. As for power delivery, it does not seem to exhibit any lack of power across all of my setups, whether it be headphones or earphones.
- The word “dense” came to my mind the first time I unboxed and had the Fosi Audio MC331 set up. It is very rigid, hefty, and actually well-balanced in weight. The volume knobs and ports are also durable due to its lack of wobble when pairing it with jacks. The knobs are also tactile and clicked, which is quite satisfying in my opinion. The tube cover is also a nice touch as it prevents accidental touches to the vacuum tubes, especially when it warms up. The VU meter also is a cool feature and not really a gimmick to me, completing the “modern retro” look, which makes it stand out among all of the current sterile, lifeless, slabs of metal desktop DAC/Amps in the market.
- Whether it be wired or wireless, I did not have any problems with the Fosi Audio MC331 in terms of connectivity. Everything connects and pairs well easily. Changing modes is also easy as you can cycle between modes by pressing the volume knob, which also works as a power button and mode button. You can also use the included remote control, if you prefer using that as well.
- The MC331 does not consume battery through the device it is connected with, as it has its own power supply, and it is directly powered through the outlet. It also does not have a battery built-in for portable use. It is transportable, but not portable.
- Just like any Fosi Audio product that I have encountered and reviewed, the Fosi Audio MC331 never lacked power across all of my IEMs, earbuds, and headphones. In fact, it is more than enough and is classified as an “overkill” to my equipment, in terms of power. It also pairs well with them, especially to those IEMs that exhibit some driver quirks, as it smoothens the overall sound as aforementioned, but does not cripple the technicalities of the IEMs/earbuds/headphones.
Pros:
- The “cheapest” (in a good way), well-implemented Tube DAC/AMP setup I’ve encountered as of today!
- “Nearly neutral”, analog sound character!
- Well-built, rugged/sturdy build quality!
- Compatible with a wide variety of vacuum tubes!
- Has multiple modes of configuration!
- Has bluetooth mode!
- Has basic tone controls!
- Easy to use, on-board controls!
- Includes a remote (it does not need the remote that much, but it is a nice to have)
- Decent amount of inclusions!
- Classic, “modern retro” design!
- Would have been nice if they included a 4.4 (although not needed, but a nice to have) and an 6.3mm/XLR port (definitely a stretch, not really a con)
- My unit did not came with a usb-c data cable (not really a con since this can be used via bluetooth, but a nice to have)
- A pouch for storage would’ve been a good treat.
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Verdict
Based on my experience throughout nearly a decade of time here in this hobby, today is the right time to invest in this hobby for a better, capable setup as everything gets cheaper while retaining or even becomes more improved for the price that you are locked in. These remarks are seen here in the Fosi Audio MC331, as this is currently the cheapest Tube DAC/AMP that is well implemented for its price that packs premium features, such as versatile modes of connection - which was only available in the higher price range DAC/AMPs years ago. I recommend the Fosi Audio MC331 if you are looking for a versatile, desktop Tube DAC/AMP setup and if you are using a wide variety of musical equipment such as IEMs, headphones, and speakers. This is probably the most versatile equipment that you have today under 150 USD, Fosi Audio!
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Who is the Fosi Audio MC331 for?
- For those people who want a Tube DAC/AMP with a smooth, analog sound character under 150 USD.
- For those people who have a wide variety of devices such as speakers, headphones, and IEMs.
- For those people who prefer a desktop DAC/AMP setup.
- For those people who know and prefer the characteristics of a Tube DAC/AMP.
- If you prefer a portable setup.
- If you prefer an LDAC setup.
- If you prefer a clinical, cleaner setup
Non-affiliated link here!: https://fosiaudio.com/products/mc331-tube-integrated-amplifier-with-dac
Additional Photos Here:
7Hz X HBB Elua Review!
Video review here
Good day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for 7Hz X HBB Elua. Double edged!
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Linsoul sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Sony Xperia X Compact
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
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Sound signature:
- As expected from a HBB collab, the 7Hz X HBB Elua is a v-shaped, basshead IEM.
- Bassheads on a budget will enjoy the Elua, as the overall character of this region is one of the IEMs with well-tuned bass under 30 USD. It is a sub bass dominant IEM, so do expect things to get rumbly, but to a certain extent, as this region never came across as sloppy to my ears. Sure, it is thick and elevated, but never came across as slow. In fact, it may come across as slightly fast at times, while keeping the amount non-lacking. It still exhibits an adequate bass quantity for an IEM under 50USD. If I were to nitpick, I would’ve liked a bit more midbass presence to add a bit more punch to the overall character, but that’s just me.
- The mids are slightly recessed if we set aside how its bass presents itself, and may come across as “thin” to some people. Lower mids aren’t as thick as what I expected, exhibiting a good amount of detail and presence for its price. Upper mids are definitely elevated, clear, and airy, along with the treble, but not as much as the bass. The Elua sounded a bit thin and peaky to what I prefer. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a deal breaker if and if you are only not sensitive to boosted or bright upper frequencies, but if you’re the latter, you may want to look for something else.
- As for the treble, it is bright, well-extended, and sometimes sounded a bit “splashy” to my liking. This means again, that if you are sensitive to extra upper frequencies, you may want to look elsewhere for something else. Detail retrieval is above average for its asking price and rendered nuances and overall details with ease, but not up to the point that I’d recommend this IEM for analytical listening sessions.
- The Elua exhibits an above average technical performance for its price to my ears. I am not surprised, but in a good way, about this finding, since most IEMs that are configured with LCP drivers that I have personally experienced and reviewed, share the same character, which means that for this price, this should not have any critical negatives in this department. The soundstage is wider than deep, with a good amount of height. Separation and layering is neatly presented for the most part, with minor instances of congestion on certain, heavy tracks. Imaging is precise and does not have problems when used with live performances and games.
Other IEM Comparisons!
Twistura D-Minor (Stock filter)
- The Twistura D-Minor is a more balanced, mature, and thicker sounding IEM. Its overall sound will be perceived as “muted” when compared to the Elua. In return, this does not also exhibit any fatigue or discomfort. Technical performance is a bit better on the Elua, but not by a lot.
- The EPZ Q1 Pro is a Harman-sounding IEM and is a bit more “balanced” when compared to the Elua, due to its much more forward mids response. It is also a bit smoother in sound as well, and exhibits less peaks when compared. Technical performance is more or less the same between the two sets.
- The Simgot EW200 is a brighter, leaner, wider sounding IEM when compared to the Elua. Its overall sound is more vivid as well, but is much prone to fatigue. Technical performance is also better on the EW200 when compared.
Pros:
- A somewhat “pseudo-Legato” 30 USD cousin!
- V-shaped, bassy sound signature!
- Elevated, subbass-dominant bass response!
- Decent, well-placed mids!
- Clear, sparkly vocals!
- Energetic,decent treble extension!
- Above-average technicalities for its price.
- Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation!
- Very good amount of eartips for its price.
- Upper mids and treble may come across as “tinny” or “peaky” to some ears.
- A pouch or a case would’ve been a good treat.
- Will need at least 2vrms of power to sound the best.
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Verdict
Whenever I review IEMs, there are instances that I am asked for a “true” budget alternative for the 7Hz Legato, which aren’t a lot, until today as the 7Hz’s X HBB Elua’s existence answers the question. The overall sound of this IEM is a watered-down version of the Legato, in my humble opinion, but with slight tweaks, such as a more present treble character. This quality can be a good or a bad thing, depending on one’s ears and hearing perception. Overall, I personally recommend the 7Hz X HBB Elua as a basshead IEM for those bassheads that do not have any problems with extra treble presence. Bassheads on a budget will be happy with this one, 7Hz!========================================================================
Pairing recommendations:
- Source: The 7Hz X HBB Elua needs at least 2VRMs dongle to shine the most. A warmer source is preferred.
- Eartips: The eartips included pairs well with this IEM, but you may still use your preferred eartips.
- Cable: The cable is basic and gets the job done. You may still use your preferred cable.
Non-affiliated link here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/7hz-x-hbb-elua
Additional Photos Here:
