Introduction
Avara custom is the Indonesia company that specializes in both of customize and custom fits IEMs in the affordable price. The Neo+ is their entry levels IEMs, which can be fully personalized, and available only with universal shell.
The price of it $40 with basic design, the price will be adjust based on your design. The driver configuration is 1DD+1BA.
My set of Neo+ cost:
40 USD base price + 25 USD x 2 (Galaxy Swirl full Shell 2 sides) + 15 USD x 2 (artwork 2 sides).
Disclaimer
I would like to thanks Alvon from Avara for given this opportunity and spending a lot of time to have a discussion with me about the IEM’s design. The review will be based on my honest opinion through the music I listen to.
Package & Accessories
The Neo+ come with the small and compact box, there are the Neo+ illustration at the front cover with the brand name, model name and other information, whereas the specifications at the rear side of it. After remove the cover, there is the QC card with serial number on it. Beside that, the IEMs itself are sited in the carry case, along with the ear tips and cable pre- connected.
Accessories list:
1 pair x Avara Neo+ In-Ear Monitors
1 pcs x 0.78 2-Pin Detachable Cable
3 pairs x Silicone Eartips (size S/M/L)
The accessories come with it fairly simple, but pretty good considered for its price. The hard shell carry case included is nicely made in purple color with branded logo at the front.
The Neo+ come with three pair of ear tips in different sizes, to provide the best fitting experience to the users.
The Neo+ come with the 2 core branded cable, it has 3.5 mm straight connector in black metal shell finished. It features the 0.78mm 2 pin connector with L&R to show left and right. The Y-splitter are in black metal shell, whereas the 2 pin connector is in plastic shell. There are cable slider in black color with black metal finished. It has the three buttons control microphone, which is functional and received the voice clearly. It is overall basic but well build cable.
Design & Build & Comfort
The Neo+ has well ergonomic and compact design. The shell are made with my own design, overall the design on both earpieces are just amazing. There are hundreds of stunning design to be chose from, which can be checkout on their Instagram. The left earpieces has a black galaxy swirl design, with a slightly glitter purple and blue adorned. There is Snoopy with space suit located on the front faceplate, which is my favorite cartoon character, the overall design looks extremely identical to the real galaxy. For the right earpieces, it has a same galaxy swirl design, but for this time, it is mainly colored with orange, and decorated with touch of black and white brushed. There is the real wood cover the half of faceplate, with my Snoopy’s foot print design located on top of it. There are no L&R indicators on the Neo+, while the vents is located at the inner layer of the shell.
The build on Neo+ is extremely good, especially for its prices. The shell are made with resin, and each shell are carefully hand painted from inside. There are no complaint for me about the artwork for my pairs of Neo+, it just look so gorgeous! The shell are well rounded, with out any gap and sharp edges. There is the metal filter to prevent from the ear dust. The 2 pin female connectors are tight, and do not have sign of wear and tear after I swapped few times of cable.
The fits on the Neo+ is really good, thanks to its small and fairly compact design. The nozzle has moderate length, so it can fit pretty stable in your ears. The isolation is above average, and thanks to the vents there are no pressure build up after a long listening.
Technical specifications
Frequency response: 20Hz-22khz
Sensitivity: 112db SPL @1khz, 1mW
Impedance: 12Ohm @ 1khz, 1mW
Sound
Pairing
I pair up with the stock cable and medium stock tips, and run through my music library on the Fiio M11 and Topping E30.
Overall tonality
The Neo+ has a well balanced V shape tonality, with the clean and vividly presentation.
Bass
The bass is quite thumping and it is well controlled and clean. It has good levels of sub bass extension with moderate decay speed, the mid bass are slightly less pronounced compare to mid bass. The bass has above average of impact, and punch with good amount of rumble. The bass has good level of speed and control, the detail retrieval and clarity are really well. It is overall thumping and quick bass.
Mids
The midrange has a engaging mildly V shape tonality, there is a well balanced and clean presentation. The lower midrange has fair amount of bodies presented in lush-less manner. The upper midrange has vividly and clear presentation, with above average transparency levels and good levels of control. The detail retrieval and clarity are really good.
Treble
The treble is bright and crispy, with a smooth and control presentation. The lower treble has good levels of control and brightness, but it still may cause fatiguing for long term listening. The upper treble has good amount of crispness and sparkle, with fairly open presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity are pretty well.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is really wide, with good levels of depth.
The imaging is really well done.
Comparison
Kbear Lark ($29USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and bass quantity and extended further on the Neo+. The bass has less weight with cleaner tone on the Lark, on the upper hand, the Neo+ provide more rumble and better slam. The bass presented tighter and quicker on the Lark, while the Neo+ provide a dynamic bass with more natural decay. The bass hit harder with better impact on Neo+. The detail retrieval and clarity are both well done.
Mids
The midrange is more recessed on the Neo+ while the Lark is relatively neutral. The lower midrange has more bodies and sound fuller on the Lark, on the other hand, the Neo+ has leaner tonality with extra clarity. The upper midrange has more emphasis and on the Neo+ with more vividly presentation, where the Lark has relatively smoother presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+
Treble
The treble on both are bright and vividly, but the Neo+ is more control and less peaky compare to Lark. There are similar amount of lower midrange energy and brightness on both, but the Neo+ is smoother. The upper treble has more sparkle and crisp definition on the Neo+ with more open presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider on Neo+, depth is comparable.
The imaging is better Neo+.
Moondrop SSP ($39USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass quantity on Neo+. The bass has cleaner tonality on Neo+, while the SSP is more meaty. The bass has tighter presentation on Neo+, on the other hand the SSP sound lusher. Both of them have good amount of rumble, while the Neo+ has better impact and sound more punchy. The NEO+ has quicker decay speed, where the SSP are quicker. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+
Mids
The midrange has clearer tone on Neo+ with less bodies, where the SSP is slightly warmer and lusher. The lower midrange has more bodies on SSP, while the depth is better on Neo+with cleaner expression. The upper midrange are both highlighted, the Neo+ has more vividly presentation, and better transparency levels, on the other hand, the SSP sound less prominent. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Treble
Tar treble is brighter on the Neo+with better extension. The lower treble has more energy and brightness on Neo+, while the SSP is smoother here. The upper treble has more crispiness and airiness on the Neo+, where the SSP is slightly off here. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+
Soundstage and imaging
The sound is wider on Neo+ with same depth.
The imaging is better on Neo+
Tripowin TC-01 ($49USD)
Bass
The sub bass both extended. There is slightly more quantity on Neo+, on the other hand, the TC-01 has more mid bass, which lead to warmer tonality. The bass has more texture with slower decay speed on TC-01, while the Neo+ has cleaner tone and quicker decay. There is more rumble on TC-01, where the Neo+ hit harder and it is punchier. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+.
Mids
The midrange on both are recessed, the Neo+ has cleaner tonality, on the other hand, the TC-01 has warmer and it has more textured. The lower midrange are leaner on Neo+, fuller on TC-01. The upper midrange sound more vividly and engaging on Neo+, where the TC-01 is relatively smoother and laid back. The detail retrieval and clarity is both well done.
Treble
The treble is brighter but peakier on Neo+. The lower treble has more energy, but generally harsher on Neo+, while the TC-01 is slightly smoother here. The upper treble has more sparkle and crispness on Neo+, with more open presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider on Neo+, with same levels of depth.
The imaging is both great.
Hifiman RE-400 ($49USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and slightly more mid bass quantity on the Neo+, while the RE-400 are fairly close to leaner. The sub bass extension is better on Neo+. The Neo+ provide fuller bass rumble with slightly lusher notes, where the RE-400 are slightly clearer. The Neo offers better impacts and it is more punchy, while the RE-400 is tighter. The RE-400 has slightly better control, as well as the detail retrieval and clarity.
Mids
The midrange sound more neutral on RE-400, on the other hand, the Neo+ sound slightly warmer with recessed tonality. The lower midrange are both close to leaner, but the Neo+ has better depth and slightly fuller. The upper midrange on both are vividly and pretty bright, but the Neo+ has better control, and it is smoother. The detail retrieval and and clarity are both pretty well.
Treble
The treble are both bright and fairly control, the Neo+ has better extension. The lower treble has more energy and sound slightly brighter on Neo+, where the RE-400 are slightly laid back here. The upper treble has more airiness and sound more open on the Neo+. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider on Neo+, with same levels of depth.
The imaging is better on Neo+.
Trn V90s ($49USD)
Bass
There are both good amount sub bass and rumble, but the V90s has slightly more bodies in mid bass, where the Neo+ is cleaner. The bass on both have good levels of impact and sound meaty and punchy. The Neo+ has clearer and tighter bass with natural decay speed, where the V90s has more weight and with quicker decay speed. The detail retrieval and and clarity is better on Neo+.
Mids
The midrange are both recessed, and both has a vividly upper midrange emphasis. The lower midrange has more bodies on Neo+, the V90s is tad leaner. The upper midrange are both vividly with pretty engaging presentation, the Neo+ has better control with less metallic sound. The detail retrieval and clarity is slightly better on V90s.
Treble
The treble are both bright and crispy, the Neo+ has better control and timbre. The lower treble are both full of energy with bright and it is fairly pronounced. The upper treble on both are airy with good amount of sparkle. The detail retrieval and clarity are both well done.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage width is comparable, depth is tad better on Neo+
The imaging on both are pretty good.
Tin T2 Plus ($54USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and mid bass quantity on the Neo+, and it extend further. The bass has tone on both are clean but the Neo+ is tighter. The bass has fuller rumble and better impact on the Neo+, both has good levels of control. The Neo+ has punchier bass, where the T2Plus is lacking here. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+.
Mids
The midrange has more neutral tone on the T2 Plus, where the Neo+ has more V shape tone. The lower midrange sound slightly fuller on T2 Plus, where the Neo+ is clear. The upper midrange sound more vividly and relatively brighter on a Neo+, while the T2 Plus has more laid back presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Treble
The treble is brighter and extended further on the Neo+. The lower treble has more energy and sound relatively harsher on Neo+, where the T2Plus is relatively laid back. The upper treble is roll off on T2Plus, where the Neo+ is more airy and open. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider and deeper on Neo+.
The imaging is better on Neo+.
Conclusion
The Neo+ is overall really well done V shape sounding IEMs, the fully custom option make it a strong competitors in the price range. The build quality and artwork of the IEMs is outstanding, especially for its price. The Neo+ is definitely one of my favorite IEMs for sub$50USD. Thank you for reading, Happy Listening!!
Avara audio official website: https://www.avara-custom.com
Avara audio NEO+ product page: https://www.avara-custom.com/products/earphone/avara-neo/
Avara custom is the Indonesia company that specializes in both of customize and custom fits IEMs in the affordable price. The Neo+ is their entry levels IEMs, which can be fully personalized, and available only with universal shell.
The price of it $40 with basic design, the price will be adjust based on your design. The driver configuration is 1DD+1BA.
My set of Neo+ cost:
40 USD base price + 25 USD x 2 (Galaxy Swirl full Shell 2 sides) + 15 USD x 2 (artwork 2 sides).
Disclaimer
I would like to thanks Alvon from Avara for given this opportunity and spending a lot of time to have a discussion with me about the IEM’s design. The review will be based on my honest opinion through the music I listen to.
Package & Accessories
The Neo+ come with the small and compact box, there are the Neo+ illustration at the front cover with the brand name, model name and other information, whereas the specifications at the rear side of it. After remove the cover, there is the QC card with serial number on it. Beside that, the IEMs itself are sited in the carry case, along with the ear tips and cable pre- connected.
Accessories list:
1 pair x Avara Neo+ In-Ear Monitors
1 pcs x 0.78 2-Pin Detachable Cable
3 pairs x Silicone Eartips (size S/M/L)
The accessories come with it fairly simple, but pretty good considered for its price. The hard shell carry case included is nicely made in purple color with branded logo at the front.
The Neo+ come with three pair of ear tips in different sizes, to provide the best fitting experience to the users.
The Neo+ come with the 2 core branded cable, it has 3.5 mm straight connector in black metal shell finished. It features the 0.78mm 2 pin connector with L&R to show left and right. The Y-splitter are in black metal shell, whereas the 2 pin connector is in plastic shell. There are cable slider in black color with black metal finished. It has the three buttons control microphone, which is functional and received the voice clearly. It is overall basic but well build cable.
Design & Build & Comfort
The Neo+ has well ergonomic and compact design. The shell are made with my own design, overall the design on both earpieces are just amazing. There are hundreds of stunning design to be chose from, which can be checkout on their Instagram. The left earpieces has a black galaxy swirl design, with a slightly glitter purple and blue adorned. There is Snoopy with space suit located on the front faceplate, which is my favorite cartoon character, the overall design looks extremely identical to the real galaxy. For the right earpieces, it has a same galaxy swirl design, but for this time, it is mainly colored with orange, and decorated with touch of black and white brushed. There is the real wood cover the half of faceplate, with my Snoopy’s foot print design located on top of it. There are no L&R indicators on the Neo+, while the vents is located at the inner layer of the shell.
The build on Neo+ is extremely good, especially for its prices. The shell are made with resin, and each shell are carefully hand painted from inside. There are no complaint for me about the artwork for my pairs of Neo+, it just look so gorgeous! The shell are well rounded, with out any gap and sharp edges. There is the metal filter to prevent from the ear dust. The 2 pin female connectors are tight, and do not have sign of wear and tear after I swapped few times of cable.
The fits on the Neo+ is really good, thanks to its small and fairly compact design. The nozzle has moderate length, so it can fit pretty stable in your ears. The isolation is above average, and thanks to the vents there are no pressure build up after a long listening.
Technical specifications
Frequency response: 20Hz-22khz
Sensitivity: 112db SPL @1khz, 1mW
Impedance: 12Ohm @ 1khz, 1mW
Sound
Pairing
I pair up with the stock cable and medium stock tips, and run through my music library on the Fiio M11 and Topping E30.
Overall tonality
The Neo+ has a well balanced V shape tonality, with the clean and vividly presentation.
Bass
The bass is quite thumping and it is well controlled and clean. It has good levels of sub bass extension with moderate decay speed, the mid bass are slightly less pronounced compare to mid bass. The bass has above average of impact, and punch with good amount of rumble. The bass has good level of speed and control, the detail retrieval and clarity are really well. It is overall thumping and quick bass.
Mids
The midrange has a engaging mildly V shape tonality, there is a well balanced and clean presentation. The lower midrange has fair amount of bodies presented in lush-less manner. The upper midrange has vividly and clear presentation, with above average transparency levels and good levels of control. The detail retrieval and clarity are really good.
Treble
The treble is bright and crispy, with a smooth and control presentation. The lower treble has good levels of control and brightness, but it still may cause fatiguing for long term listening. The upper treble has good amount of crispness and sparkle, with fairly open presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity are pretty well.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is really wide, with good levels of depth.
The imaging is really well done.
Comparison
Kbear Lark ($29USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and bass quantity and extended further on the Neo+. The bass has less weight with cleaner tone on the Lark, on the upper hand, the Neo+ provide more rumble and better slam. The bass presented tighter and quicker on the Lark, while the Neo+ provide a dynamic bass with more natural decay. The bass hit harder with better impact on Neo+. The detail retrieval and clarity are both well done.
Mids
The midrange is more recessed on the Neo+ while the Lark is relatively neutral. The lower midrange has more bodies and sound fuller on the Lark, on the other hand, the Neo+ has leaner tonality with extra clarity. The upper midrange has more emphasis and on the Neo+ with more vividly presentation, where the Lark has relatively smoother presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+
Treble
The treble on both are bright and vividly, but the Neo+ is more control and less peaky compare to Lark. There are similar amount of lower midrange energy and brightness on both, but the Neo+ is smoother. The upper treble has more sparkle and crisp definition on the Neo+ with more open presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider on Neo+, depth is comparable.
The imaging is better Neo+.
Moondrop SSP ($39USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass quantity on Neo+. The bass has cleaner tonality on Neo+, while the SSP is more meaty. The bass has tighter presentation on Neo+, on the other hand the SSP sound lusher. Both of them have good amount of rumble, while the Neo+ has better impact and sound more punchy. The NEO+ has quicker decay speed, where the SSP are quicker. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+
Mids
The midrange has clearer tone on Neo+ with less bodies, where the SSP is slightly warmer and lusher. The lower midrange has more bodies on SSP, while the depth is better on Neo+with cleaner expression. The upper midrange are both highlighted, the Neo+ has more vividly presentation, and better transparency levels, on the other hand, the SSP sound less prominent. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Treble
Tar treble is brighter on the Neo+with better extension. The lower treble has more energy and brightness on Neo+, while the SSP is smoother here. The upper treble has more crispiness and airiness on the Neo+, where the SSP is slightly off here. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+
Soundstage and imaging
The sound is wider on Neo+ with same depth.
The imaging is better on Neo+
Tripowin TC-01 ($49USD)
Bass
The sub bass both extended. There is slightly more quantity on Neo+, on the other hand, the TC-01 has more mid bass, which lead to warmer tonality. The bass has more texture with slower decay speed on TC-01, while the Neo+ has cleaner tone and quicker decay. There is more rumble on TC-01, where the Neo+ hit harder and it is punchier. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+.
Mids
The midrange on both are recessed, the Neo+ has cleaner tonality, on the other hand, the TC-01 has warmer and it has more textured. The lower midrange are leaner on Neo+, fuller on TC-01. The upper midrange sound more vividly and engaging on Neo+, where the TC-01 is relatively smoother and laid back. The detail retrieval and clarity is both well done.
Treble
The treble is brighter but peakier on Neo+. The lower treble has more energy, but generally harsher on Neo+, while the TC-01 is slightly smoother here. The upper treble has more sparkle and crispness on Neo+, with more open presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider on Neo+, with same levels of depth.
The imaging is both great.
Hifiman RE-400 ($49USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and slightly more mid bass quantity on the Neo+, while the RE-400 are fairly close to leaner. The sub bass extension is better on Neo+. The Neo+ provide fuller bass rumble with slightly lusher notes, where the RE-400 are slightly clearer. The Neo offers better impacts and it is more punchy, while the RE-400 is tighter. The RE-400 has slightly better control, as well as the detail retrieval and clarity.
Mids
The midrange sound more neutral on RE-400, on the other hand, the Neo+ sound slightly warmer with recessed tonality. The lower midrange are both close to leaner, but the Neo+ has better depth and slightly fuller. The upper midrange on both are vividly and pretty bright, but the Neo+ has better control, and it is smoother. The detail retrieval and and clarity are both pretty well.
Treble
The treble are both bright and fairly control, the Neo+ has better extension. The lower treble has more energy and sound slightly brighter on Neo+, where the RE-400 are slightly laid back here. The upper treble has more airiness and sound more open on the Neo+. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider on Neo+, with same levels of depth.
The imaging is better on Neo+.
Trn V90s ($49USD)
Bass
There are both good amount sub bass and rumble, but the V90s has slightly more bodies in mid bass, where the Neo+ is cleaner. The bass on both have good levels of impact and sound meaty and punchy. The Neo+ has clearer and tighter bass with natural decay speed, where the V90s has more weight and with quicker decay speed. The detail retrieval and and clarity is better on Neo+.
Mids
The midrange are both recessed, and both has a vividly upper midrange emphasis. The lower midrange has more bodies on Neo+, the V90s is tad leaner. The upper midrange are both vividly with pretty engaging presentation, the Neo+ has better control with less metallic sound. The detail retrieval and clarity is slightly better on V90s.
Treble
The treble are both bright and crispy, the Neo+ has better control and timbre. The lower treble are both full of energy with bright and it is fairly pronounced. The upper treble on both are airy with good amount of sparkle. The detail retrieval and clarity are both well done.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage width is comparable, depth is tad better on Neo+
The imaging on both are pretty good.
Tin T2 Plus ($54USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass and mid bass quantity on the Neo+, and it extend further. The bass has tone on both are clean but the Neo+ is tighter. The bass has fuller rumble and better impact on the Neo+, both has good levels of control. The Neo+ has punchier bass, where the T2Plus is lacking here. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+.
Mids
The midrange has more neutral tone on the T2 Plus, where the Neo+ has more V shape tone. The lower midrange sound slightly fuller on T2 Plus, where the Neo+ is clear. The upper midrange sound more vividly and relatively brighter on a Neo+, while the T2 Plus has more laid back presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Treble
The treble is brighter and extended further on the Neo+. The lower treble has more energy and sound relatively harsher on Neo+, where the T2Plus is relatively laid back. The upper treble is roll off on T2Plus, where the Neo+ is more airy and open. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider and deeper on Neo+.
The imaging is better on Neo+.
Compare to my relatively more objective Head-fi star ranking, this ranking will be more subjective based on my personal preference and it doesn’t take price into my consideration.
Scoring system:
4/10 and below: Waste of money
5/10: Average
6/10: Above average
7/10: Good
8/10: Great
9/10: Excellent
10/10: OMG
Avara Neo+:
Overall tonality: 5/10
Bass: 7/10
Mids: 5/10
Treble: 5/10
Overall: 5.510
Scoring system:
4/10 and below: Waste of money
5/10: Average
6/10: Above average
7/10: Good
8/10: Great
9/10: Excellent
10/10: OMG
Avara Neo+:
Overall tonality: 5/10
Bass: 7/10
Mids: 5/10
Treble: 5/10
Overall: 5.510
Conclusion
The Neo+ is overall really well done V shape sounding IEMs, the fully custom option make it a strong competitors in the price range. The build quality and artwork of the IEMs is outstanding, especially for its price. The Neo+ is definitely one of my favorite IEMs for sub$50USD. Thank you for reading, Happy Listening!!
Avara audio official website: https://www.avara-custom.com
Avara audio NEO+ product page: https://www.avara-custom.com/products/earphone/avara-neo/
