Reviews by tfaduh
I’d like to thank Ear Acoustics as well as the Audio Geek team for generously providing these 2 tour units to me for review. In full transparency, I did not and will not receive any compensation for this review, I did not and will not get any discounts for Ear Acoustics products for this review and I did not get to keep the IEMs. Finally, all opinions are my own without external influence.
My preferences are of a warmer tilted balanced tonality with analogue characteristics. The techs that I value a little higher than the others to me are stage depth, 3d layering, timbre, slam, bass body/transient speed, treble quality. My library is heavy on Jazz and other genres with real instruments such as Classical and Orchestral and thus timbre matters to me heavily.
I am a converted cable believer as well as a source believer. I understand these things are controversial and thus I have labelled and separated the cable section for those that wish to read it.
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The Brand Story (this was provided to me)
“Ear Acoustics Audio, founded in 2015 in Shenzhen, China, blends acoustic artistry with meticulous craftsmanship. Led by acoustic director Chen Xinde and a team of esteemed tuners, designers, and music enthusiasts, the brand has made waves since its inception—introducing groundbreaking IEMs like the dual magnetic circuit Tesla unit KING series in 2016 and earning Japan’s VGP awards for five consecutive years, including the 2019 Gold Award Grand Prize for its NO.3 series. Known for pushing boundaries with innovations like the titanium dome and silica crystal composite diaphragm in the SPA Silver Angel series (launched late 2024), Ear Acoustics fuses cutting-edge technology with a “warm and unmatched” tuning philosophy. Their products reflect a commitment to high-fidelity sound, refined aesthetics, and a deep connection to music culture—qualities that have won over enthusiasts and collaborators like the Black House Band and Macau’s Eva Tana.”
I think that it is very impressive that they won all these awards but unfortunately I am unaware of the IEMs that are referenced nor the artists. I’m also not engineering minded enough to know what the significance of the innovations are, so I don’t really have any comments. These awards they have won are impressive though.
The IEM - SPA Hi End Max
This is their “SPA” line as compared to their “STA” line with a “more advanced flagship acoustic unit, and a more complex dual-magnetic circuit dual-cavity system” compared to the STA. They also have quite a confusing naming scheme IMO, but this is the top Model of the non “Limited Edition” models in terms of price.
I’m actually confused if this is a single or dual DD config?
The other models are (in ascending order of price):
SPA Pro
SPA Hi end and SPA Pro Ultra (both cost the same)
SPA Pro MAX
According to the sheets given to me:
“Pro” is for “Partial monitoring” and “Hi end” is for “Emphasising music atmosphere”.
“Ultra” and “MAX” versions “provide clearer, richer and more layered sound” and “(with these) when playing a symphony, it is possible to present the sounds of various instruments more deeply, the higher notes are clearer, and the low notes are deeper and more powerful.”
Further the “MAX” version is “mainly for users with high-end broadcasters (I’m assuming this means source gear), and can present a more realistic and shocking sound effect under large thrust.” It further says that “the MAX version can better represent the details of each note, whether it is the ethereal treble or the surging bass, better than the first two.”
I can’t compare the other models unfortunately as I don’t have them, so I have to take their word for it.
According to the spec sheet given to me, the Hi-End Max has an “11.4mm Titanium Gold ball Top + Silicon Crystal Edge with Double sided Composite Vibration x Magnetic Circuit and a Double Cavity Dynamic Coil Unit.”
The Limited Edition 001 has “11.4mm Titanium Gold Ball + Silicon Crystal Edge Double sided Composite Diaphragm Double MAgnetic Circuit Double Chamber Dynamic Coil Unit”
Sadly these mean nothing much to me due to my ignorance. I’m still not fully sure if this is a single or Dual DD IEM. I’m assuming that maybe because there’s only one set of measurements, that it’s a single DD but a complexed one. Maybe someone can help shine some light on this to help me.
This SPA Hi End MAX has a suggested retail price of 1998 RMB (about $272USD) whereas the Limited Edition 001 is 2998 RMB (about $408USD).
I’ll start with the SPA Hi End MAX and then the SPA Limited Edition 001.
Unboxing & Build Quality
The unboxing experience of the SPA HE Max is nice. It comes in a sizable box that opens showcasing the IEMs in some foam.
It comes with a nice premium puck case where the cable is kept. The shell design is noticeably more contoured, with better ergonomics and fit than other universals I certainly did not have fit issues with this IEM.
Did I already say? It comes with a really nice puck case.
The included cable (Mixed weave Litz OFC and SPC; 2 wire twisted) is fine ergonomically. It is thicker than the usual braided IEM cables. I prefer thick so it’s to my preference. It doesn’t feel like a really cheap and nasty cable but neither does it feel like an ultra premium one either. It’s… fine.
Sound Signature
The SPA HE Max, to my flawed ears, has a mids-focused tuning with a bright tilt, prioritizing clarity and detail with what I think to my ear is a midbass tuck and a subbass rise.
Bass: The bass is, frankly, not the best. It lacks the detail and resolution compared to the higher frequencies. Crinacle Zero Red’s bass isn’t leagues ahead, but it does edge out slightly with a touch more definition.
Mids: The mids are thin, with a bright tilt that emphasizes clarity with good macrodetailing. Unfortunately the timbre is not the most accurate, the most distracting being female vocals which sounded… odd. It lacked the richness I expected and had an overemphasis on the higher frequencies to my ear. Male vocals wise, they were thin too, maybe because of what I suspect to be a midbass/lower mids tuck.
Treble: The treble carries a bright edge that complements the mids-focused tuning. It’s crisp and detailed contributing to the IEM’s impressive technical performance BUT can be fatiguing after a while. It outshines the Zero:2 and Zero Red in this regard, offering better extension and airiness.
Technical Performance
The SPA HE Max truly shines in its technical capabilities, surpassing both the Zero:2 and Zero Red in several key areas:
Resolution is great. Easily beating out the 7Hz Zero 2 and the Zero Red.
Microdetailing and macrodetailing are standout features—better than the Zero:2 and, I’m confident, superior to the Zero Red as well. The SPA HE Max resolves nuances with precision, making it a joy for listening to Orchestral songs.
Soundstage & Imaging, Layering & Separation wise were probably one of the best part of this IEM to me. The stage width is good, with notable depth that really comes alive in genres like classical and instrumental music. Staging depth and width, paired with excellent macrodetailing, imaging, and layering, make it surprisingly great for these styles. Laterally, the layering and separation are impressive, creating a spacious and organized soundscape.
Cable Impact
Switching to the CEMA MS copper cable (warm, mid-focussed cable, not too expensive) was a game-changer from the stock cable. It brought warmth to the bass, fixed the female vocal timbre, and enhanced the overall 3D presentation. It also improving the bass presence and making it more enjoyable, though it still doesn’t compete with the mids and treble in terms of refinement.
Genre Performance
Classical & Instrumental Music with no vocals is surprisingly great on this IEM. The staging depth and width, combined with good macrodetailing, imaging, and layering, make this IEM a standout for these genres. It captures the spatial nuances beautifully. There are timbral inaccuracies to the instruments but with some brain burn in, it becomes not noticeable. I had a really great time listening to the entire Best of John Williams album from start to finish.
Unfortunately when it comes to vocal music, I could not overcome the distracting odd female vocal timbre with the stock cable. Male vocals were also not very engaging. So music with vocals for me didn’t work for me too well.
Comparisons
Vs. Crinacle Zero:2: The SPA HE Max is a clear upgrade. Better tech, superior micro- and macrodetailing, and higher resolution make it a more refined listen.
Vs. Crinacle Zero Red: Technically, the SPA HE Max wins with better resolution and staging. Tonally, it’s a toss-up—the Zero Red has slightly better bass, but the SPA HE Max pulls ahead in mids and treble refinement.
SPA Limited Edition 001
Unboxing & Build Quality
The unboxing experience is exactly the same as the SPA Hi End MAX. It also comes with the same cable as the SPA Hi End Max. Where the Limited Edition 001 differs build-wise is its shell: It is slightly more contoured and is much more textured rather than that of the Hi End Max which was just smooth metal. It does look and feel more premium. It is a noticeable upgrade over the Hi End Max in hand.
Sound Signature
The SPA Limited Edition 001 remains similar-ish to the SPA Hi End Max to my ear, a bright leaning tuning with a midbass dip with a subbass rise, however I found that it had slightly less of a bright tilt vs the SPA Hi End Max. It sounded like a U-shaped signature on some tracks especially at higher volumes with emphasized subbass and treble.
Bass: There’s slightly more bass quantity here than the SPA Hi End Max. The bass texture and quality is also noticeably better—more defined and satisfying. It even outdoes the Crinacle Zero Red in quality, even if the quantity remains lower.
Mids: The mids are also thin. Male vocals are much like the SPA Hi End Max, possibly due to a similar midbass/lower mids tuck. Female vocals are off too—lacking body, they come across as whispery and ethereal rather than full and natural. However the mids themselves have good microdetailing.
Treble: The treble is less bright than the SPA HE Max and is smoother and slightly more detailed. It was less fatiguing to me over a long session.
Technical Performance
The Limited Edition 001 is more technical, than both the SPA Hi End Max and Crinacle Zero Red in some areas, though it’s not without flaws:
Resolution is great. Similar to the SPA Hi End. Better than the Crinacle Zero Red by a decent margin to me.
Both Macro and Microdetailing were a highlight—especially in female vocals, where it surpasses the SPA Hi End Max. Overall, it has better clarity and nuance across the frequency range. It’s a clear step up from the Zero Red in this regard.
Soundstage & Imaging, Layering & Separation: Again, just like the SPA Hi End Max, these aspects were some of the best parts of this IEM.
Timbre unfortunately was still off especially in the male vocals (thin) and the female vocals (odd).
Cable Impact
I tried the CEMA MS copper cable again with the SPA Limited Edition 001. Unfortunately, it had less of an effect for me than it did with the SPA Hi End Max although it did improve things slightly adding warmth and improving the female vocal timbre. The boost wasn’t as transformative as it was for the SPA Hi End Max. It didn’t give me that 3D presentation it did with the SPA Hi End Max with it though it did improve the staging slightly.
Conclusion
The Ear Acoustics SPA Hi End Max and the SPA Limited Edition 001 are both impressive IEMs especially for single DDs (?). I certainly did not expect that sort of staging, layering, macrodetailing prowess from a single DD, in fact, until I checked the spec sheet again for this writeup, I thought that they were 2DD IEMs. They both that prioritizes technical prowess over tonal balance. Compared to the 7Hz Zero:2 and Zero Red, the SPA Hi End Max was a step up in tech and refinement, with the SPA Limited Edition 001 a further step up in technicalities and refinement from the SPA Hi End Max. Their great resolution, detailing, staging, and layering, especially for a single DD, really makes it a really enjoyable listen for classical and instrumental fans. However for those that prefer genres with a lot of vocals or people who are sensitive to timbral inaccuracy, these IEMs may not be quite as good for you.
For those that believe in cables, I found a cable swap to the CEMA MS copper cable helped a lot, adding warmth and depth and fixed the timbral issues I had issues with.
Gear used:
R6Pro2
Sony WM1A (Mr Walkman and wampy mod; set to Bright; Studio VAT setting)
Kaei Design TAP 1
Ear tips:
Spinfits CP100
Eletech Baroque
