This time, I got a new model just because of the novelty of its introduction. CVJ introduces the new Konoka, a model that is attractive because of the properties it offers. The unit has a configuration rarely seen in this price range, we are talking about a hybrid dynamic driver with a balanced armature and a curious vibrating driver. This last driver raises quite a bit of curiosity.
Like in all my reviews, we are going to talk about all aspects, starting with the unboxing!

Firstly, the box is usually good for the $20.00 Konoka. It is a similar experience to what Tangzu offers with its Waner model. It is displayed in a black but very elegant box with the brand name, the model and a graphic of the shell itself in a golden color that stands out to the eye.



The inside look is also stylish!



ACCESORIES

As far as accessories are concerned, we will find only the basics:

- The IEMs (evidently)
- Three pairs of eartips S, M, L
- 75mm 2 pin cable (qdc).
- That small tool whose name I don't know in English lol but it is important to manipulate the switches.
- Manual, a quality label and nothing else of interest.



BUILD, DESIGN AND COMFORT

Let's talk about build quality, an important aspect that is considered for some. When we talk about this range of price, we never expect to be impressed. The materials, however, do not feel bad. It is made of a resin that gives a decent sensation. The cable is simple. It is reminiscent of what KZ or TRN offer in their most basic models. Perhaps it does not match the colour of the shell, but that is a subjective opinion. By the way, this model is available in black and white.

Design is practically personal, but I loved it. I like IEMs with transparent designs that allow a glimpse of their internal configuration. The face is plastic and its side is made of resin with the printed name of the brand and the model. The rest is completely transparent resin. On the sides you will find the two switches. By the way, they remind me the Kara by Tanchjim.

Comfort will depend basically on your anatomy so I cannot assure you that it will be compatible with you due to the shape and the given design. In my case there was no related problem. Fit is really good and i can wear them for hours.



TECH ASPECTS

Let's talk about the technical aspects. I consider them to perform well in almost every aspect. They are not the pinnacle of entry level products but these earphones do their job.
As usual, I don't mind too much about soundstage that I found it to be pretty average. If you want soundstage, IEMs are not really what you are looking for.
Imaging, on the other hand, is good. At least you will be able to identify the source of the sounds.
Can you play with them? I think that's the market the brand wanted to target. I did the test with some games like Elden Ring, RDR II and Bullets Per Minute, (I dont play multiplayer, sorry :c). The performance was nice but I found that in very saturated areas with many voices, the Konoka do not achieve great separation and congestion is evident, this happened while playing Doom Eternal. However, as you are playing, I think you don't pay attention to these concerns and the game is really enjoyable (still these sound better than any gamer set up in several times the cost) lol.
Now, vibration... Well, the main characteristic. Yes, you can feel it and it gives an interesting immersion. The negative about it is that you need to play at high levels to perceive this functionality. Maybe in upcoming releases this will be improved because personally I don't like to go to high volume levels. I consider it a product that innovates on this point and CVJ will be the first.
For music, timbre is not bad and the BA is not as noticeable as I found for example on the Krila.
Finally, the driveability is relatively easy to handle. My ordinary mid-range phone runs it with no problem.

SOUND

As always, I share a graph for reference only.



We encounter a signature that gives a sense of fun. This set has become my favorite V-signature for this price range. The mids don't feel so distant and the highs aren't deadly.

Bass: They may not be for bassheads, but the lows are accurate, with good speed and presence. You won't be left with that thin feeling. The vibration driver will give you an extra punchy feeling and I enjoyed that. I get the perception that this driver reacts strongly in the frequencies between 200 and 300. For rhythmic genres, these frequencies won't leave you indifferent.

Mids: We usually find recessed mids that provide a sense of distance. This is not the case at evident levels at least. Vocals are not detail oriented but they sound natural although some female singers may sound a bit bright.

Treble: If you are sensitive to high frequencies, let me tell you that you are safe. They are not the mountain in details but they deliver enough information. With the switches off, the treble is a bit muffled. With the change, they are brighter but never annoying. Balanced armor is hardly or not at all noticeable. Air is reasonable. These frequencies connect quite well with the above to make a better sound than I expected.

To complete, I would like to mention one minus point related to the vibrating driver. It reacts to exterior events. If you tap the faceplate, for example, you'll hear that rumbling sound it produces. I was listening to some music while laying down, rubbing against the pillow also caused this sound. I ate some chips and chocolate and it was also evident XD. I am not sure if this a negative thing at all but some folks may find it annoying.

CVJ, I had never heard of this brand before but I needed a cheap gift for my younger brother, thus, I have decided to review this product. I haven't been paid to mention anything positive or anything like that. It is a fairly simple presentation as it is a product that costs around 10 dollars. For this range you never expect much but let's see how the brand does.

First things first: the presentation. As I mentioned, this is really basic. It is very reminiscent of what KZ does but with a slightly more elaborate design in its drawing.



The CVJ brand name is displayed and we see the model name. Nothing to say.
Inside the box we find:
- The IEMs
- Three pairs of eartips
- The cable (2 pin .75 qdc)
- Manual



The quality of the capsules is average, remember that we are talking about 10 dollars. It is in fact a solid plastic. It is the same quality as the Edx Pro in this respect. The cable is functional. Very similar to what you find at similar prices. It is simply ok.
Comfort is good, I have no problems with this issue. It is also worth noting that the design is very interesting. Personally I like the simple futuristic style. There are three colours to choose from.



The technical features are rather humble. It is a really easy product to drive. My crummy mid-range phone amps up well at half the volume settings.
Separation is, well, meh... Don't expect too much in this aspect. I would use this product in very specific situations like walking outside or on a bus where I don't need to pay attention to every details of my tracks.
The image is decent. In actual fact, I have no problem here. The soundstage is standard but I don't expect a great performance here either when it comes to IEMs.
The timbre may not be as natural but I have heard other V-signatures that sound like listening to music through a metal tube lol. Not so annoying in my opinion. Personally I would use these earphones for musical enjoyment.

The sound signature is in V, it's fun but I like that it doesn't have aggressive treble. Let's see!

Bass: Thanks to the signature, it is evident that the bass and sub-bass are predominant and have a very good predominance. At these prices I have heard very uncontrolled lows but that is not the case here. The bass has an acceptable speed and I don't notice any distortion. They are very good for very rhythmic genres without paying too much. For the Latin taste, I think it's a very good enjoyment.

Mids: I repeat the same, it is a V-signature and therefore the mids tend to present themselves in a considerable recession. Have you heard the Edx Pro? the mids there sound as if they were far away. That doesn't happen here and that's why I think they are better developed. Obviously there are no details here.

Treble: They are not very aggressive frequencies as is usually done. Therefore, those sensitive to treble will not encounter any major problems. I didn't find any silicities at high volumes. On the other hand, the IEMs will not be the most resolving and there tends to be a loss at certain frequencies. This is purely a matter of preference. In my opinion, it's nice to hear a V-signature without as much deadly treble as in my old Edx Pros.

In summary, priced at just $9, CVJ offers a decent value for money, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a satisfying auditory experience without breaking the bank. While they may lack certain refinements found in pricier products, their satisfactory performance and affordable appeal make them a solid recommendation for those seeking an accessible and functional choice for their daily musical enjoyment.
It can be a good gift for your loved ones to whom you want to give an acceptable product. However, if you can stretch your budget a little further, you may want to go for other options where you will find a better product in technical aspects.

Today I come to leave a review of an extremely safe product in terms of tuning. This time from Truthear team (the same brand I covered in my last review with its baby brother: the Hola). It is perhaps one of the products that most closely resembles my musical tastes and I appreciate that. Previously I came from mortal treble but it is now hard to get rid of these when listening to music. The Truthear Red is a signature redesign of its predecessors , I have never had the opportunity to try them tho.
Let's start this review by showing what the product has to offer as well as its packaging!



We follow the design line of Truthear. Very similar to Moondrop, we have a waifu on the box. The experience is almost like unboxing a mobile phone.
This detail is not important here, but the drawing is well done lol. After opening, we find:



The amount of accessories offered is sufficient for the price.

• Truthear Red IEMs (of course).
• 2 pin cable.
• 7 pairs of eartips.
• A synthetic leather case (It could have been better but it is appreciated).
• A bass impedance adapter
• A sort of decorative card for the desk?
• Two pairs of replacement filters
• Manual and warranty card

In terms of build quality, it is a solid plastic. For these prices you can find products with better materials, this is subjective in practice. Personally I prefer this type of materials. It still feels like a sturdy product. As the name suggests, the face is red and looks quite elegant. This will depend on your subjectivity as well. The contours have a glossy surface finish that is often a magnet for fingerprints.
The cable is fine. It's not the greatest thing but it works. It has an L-termination, also features a slider and the name of the brand.

If we talk about comfort, it is perhaps one of the negative points (not for me but may be for some). The detail is that nozzle. I have to use the small tips to use them for a moderate amount of time. It may be corrected by adding other eartips if you have any problem but you need to have it in mind.
That basically covers the first part of the review. I attach another image and let's start with the rest.



Let's now talk about technical aspects.
Well, the soundstange feels wide. This is a fairly regular aspect because we are talking about in-ear monitors. I don't really expect much in this sense.
The image is present, I dare say they do a good job. By playing my classical music collection you can identify the direction of instruments. I have noticed that they get a bit congested on very busy tracks, just a little bit but nothing to worried about. At this point I consider that the Reds are more focused on musical enjoyment than on finding every little aspect of the songs. This is my daily driver so I don't pay attention to that, especially since I am engaged in other activities while listening to music.
The timbre is natural, I know quite a lot about musical instruments and in this respect, I have no complaints.
On driveability... Well, my mid-range phone is barely loud enough when I turn the volume up to maximum. You'll need a dongle. I used a simple Conexant and that's enough. For the sound testing, I used the same dongle as well as the Ibasso DC03 PRO and the Truthear Shio. The latest ones move them well with the settings in low.

Now lets move to sound. First, I share a graph as a reference (always as a reference only).



Sound:

• It's a pretty balanced firm!

Bass: It is perhaps one of the best frequencies I have heard for this price range. Note, this is not a product for bassheads. It is concise and well done. As for the sub-bass, I have just become a fan of this signature. Although it's not a large amount, it's a bass that hits and has enough presence to be enjoyed for any musical genre. Remember the impedance adapter? Well, it can be useful to increase the amount in bass. Personally I use it without this feature, it's already good enough in stock. Still I didn't notice a lack of control using such an adapter. I might make use of this feature in more rhythmic genres. Still a positive experience in both cases. The only negative point is that using that gadget makes the cable uncomfortable to wear.

Mids: In this case, I find the mid frequencies to be very neutral, not much to mention. It's a very safe tuning and the vocals are good. There is no negative impact from the low frequencies so there is no negative effects at all. With no negative peaks, I find that this signature will please a good number of listeners. These frequencies are warm, they fit perfectly within my preferences.

Treble: Some will miss the presence of these frecuencies. They are truly relaxed, fatigue free. I found no silibances in my most present tracks. This is, however, a matter of preference. If you are interested in this product or just reading the review, you should know that this is not a product for treble lovers. Treble is pretty safe, that's all.

CONCLUSIONS

I have greatly enjoyed the sound that the Truthear Reds have to offer. I will continue to enjoy them for a long time until I may need to upgrade in the medium future. It is very difficult not to recommend them, it is a safe buy and will give you a pretty good all-round experience.
If you need a neutral firm, you need to give the Reds a chance. Don't forget to consider the comfort concerns btw!

Thank you for reading :3

The Truthear Hola is a budget model that competes at the entry level with a price tag of $19. (You have to pay $1 extra if you want to get a mic). For the price segment, they offer you sufficient accessories and it is a product that can be worthwhile if it is a signature you are looking for. First of all let's remember that this affordable price range is very tight with models such as 7hz Salnotes Zero, Tangzu Waner, Simgot EW100, Moondrop Chu and Chu 2 among many others. Every time I blink, the IEM market is already launching a new product. What does Truthear propose with Hola? Let's see!

To begin with, let's take a look at the package and what it includes:




Okay, the unboxing gives you a very good feeling. Superior to any popular earphone for this price in my country, at least. Plus the box art is gorgeous :3
As shown in the picture, the box includes:

• The Hola IEMs (obviously) lol
• 7 pairs of eartips.
• 2 pin cable.
• Faux leather bag (basic but welcome)
• Manual
• Warranty card
• Card with waifu

If we talk about the build, the shells are not surprising but I have seen similar products with a worse plastic. It feels like a regular plastic although not as good as the Salnotes Zero. Still, they won't give you the feeling that they will break. It is simply a black design, very discreet and with a print that looks like a star (or something like that). I like that serious design, but you have to consider that the material is a magnet for fingerprints and oil.
The pin connector is slightly recessed but I found no problems using other universal cables I have. The included cable is the best I've seen for this range of price. It's a step above the Salnotes in my opinion. It is not a cable that tangles easily.



Both the product and the presentation are in my opinion very attractive. Of course, always considering what you are paying for.

Fit and Comfort:
As for comfort, I have no complaints, it is excellent. The shell fits in my ear quite well and I can wear them for hours.
It's so convenient that I can even lie down with them.


Now let's talk about what really matters: sound. For this review, I used three dongles as a source: the BGVP T01s, the iBasso DC03 Pro and the Truthear Shio. I share the graph as a reference (only as a reference, the review will be according to what my ears tell me).



Technical side:
Personally I find that nothing in this price range is particularly outrageous.
The product delivers a correct image. On the other hand, separation is decent but that's about it. Timbre is natural. The resolution is good considering the tuning they have.
The product is easy to amplify, even without a dongle. Of course, it is always advisable to use one to make them shine a little bit, otherwise they remain as a fairly regular product.

Sound:
The Hola's have a very warm, smooth and easy-listening signature. It's a very relaxed sound that I personally like.

Bass: They have a rather nice enhancement although some might find them a bit exaggerated. This will depend quite a bit on your taste. These frequencies have a very good extension, smooth and with a clear emphasis. Perhaps it lacks just a bit of texture and is some may find that it is not the cleanest or fastest bass but personally, I like what the Truthear team has done with these frequencies. The bass gives a good rumble when needed and you don't get that thin feeling that some people prefer to avoid in some rhythmic music. Transitions from low to higher frequencies are very smooth.

Mids: Very good, they are not heard to be recessed despite having an increase in the previous frequencies. Female and male voices are pleasant to listen to. The instruments are well represented at these frequencies, I have nothing to mention at this point. The mids are crystal clear.

Highs: Well, I previously reviewed the Salnotes Zero. Their highs were bright. In this case, we have a fairly safe tuning. It is important if you are sensitive to treble. I consider that you are in a safe shelter here. The extension is enough.

For me, it is a good product to consider. It has good accessories, a very secure sound signature, decent technicalities. As of today, it is a few months since these IEMs were released but it is still a safe buy. There are those who buy this kind of products not to be an expert audiophile but they are looking to get into this niche of products to get a decent sound. (Or at least in my country it is really a niche and these products are getting more popular).
Currently, I still find Truthear Hola as a very easy product to recommend. It even works as a cool gift for our friends or loved ones we want to give a decent product they can enjoy uwu

It has now been a year since these IEMs were introduced. Do they survive to the present day?
I won't repeat points concerning accessories and build quality, as there is plenty to go over and we know a lot about it. I'll just say that for the price, all these points are really good.



The unboxing is similar to the KZ experiences.





For the source of this review I will use the well-known iBasso DC03 Pro.

Technical specifications: Given the features, it could be said to be a relatively difficult device to move. I don't want to say that you need a nuclear reactor but using it in your mobile phone, you won't get the full potential out of it. However, a basic dongle is more than enough to give it that boost.
Instrumental separation is always good considering what you are paying for. The soundstage is pretty average, not intimate at all but it can't be praised for the way it performs either.
The image may not be as holographic but it does stand out more than other iems I have tested.

Sound:

• Balanced signature, analytical side imo.

Bass: Well controlled bass. It gives you an adequate punch but if you are a bass head, look somewhere else. However, those with a more educated ear will find the bass tastes good as it offers a good energy that overall makes it a very versatile pair. If the bass is rhythmic, the presentation will be adequate. The same is the case with mid-bass.

Mid bass: it extends quite well into the lower frequencies. I recommend this headphone for those who are not looking for a big rumble, but don't want to completely fizzle out. Do you want a mid-bass cannon? Look elsewhere

Midranges: well there is a good amount of detail, although the focus is on macro contrast and not so much on miniscule nuances. Either way there is a good resolution in their presentation. The female voices, in my perspective, show a bit more energy, on the other hand, the male voices don't lag that far behind either.
When it comes to instruments, they sound very natural. The guitars sound full-bodied enough, which is important for metal music. Do you want clarity in the guitars? You'll find here.

It's not all rosy, the high mids can be a bit emphatic in certain songs. To control this, I found the eartips with the narrow hole quite useful. It is not a totally harsh earphone but I understand that some people are sensitive to these frequencies. With a moderate volume, we will also manage to control this problem.

Treble: Good amount of detail with sufficient, but not excellent performance. Well, that's about it. Violins, trumpets sound very natural. It is safe behaviour. There will be those who feel fatigued by the quantity offered by the Salnotes. For my personal taste, I would prefer other options in the same price range.

The Zeros prove to be a very good choice for their price range but with a tendency to fail in high midrange range. I understand this point is mostly a personal preference and opinions may change. Even today, their sound is still relevant and interesting. I highly recommend them, of course, if you are interested in the sound they provide.