Binary X Gizaudio - Chopin

Features

>Designed in Collaboration with Gizaudio.
>Four-Driver Hybrid Setup.
>8mm Ceramic Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
>Customized Mid-Range Balanced Armature Driver.
>Customized Composite Dual Balanced Armature Driver for High-Frequency (2BA).
>Stunning Design With Stainless Steel Face panels.
>3D Printed Resin Material Cavities. >Comfortable Design.
>High-Purity OFC Silver-Plated Litz Cable.
>Available in 3.5mm or 4.4mm Termination Options.

Technical Information

>Impedance: 12Ω@1kHz.
>Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms.
>Effective Frequency Response Range: 5Hz-20kHz.
>THD+N: <1%@1kHz.

Four-Driver Hybrid Setup

The media channel that is Gizaudio has combined with Binary Acoustics to tune the Chopin. This IEM houses a four-driver hybrid configuration featuring a low-frequency dynamic driver, midrange customized BA, and high-frequency customized composite dual BA driver setup on each side.

It has been crafted using top-quality components along with simulated tuning adjustments by Gizaudio. Binary Acoustics has designed the Chopin with a four-driver hybrid configuration. Using an 8mm ceramic diaphragm dynamic driver unit that complements the other frequencies with a strong bass presence. There is a one customized BA driver unit for delivering quality sound in the midrange section, and a composite dual-BA driver customised unit for clear and accurate high-frequency response. Its sells for $200 USD.

Sources and listening

I used the excellent supplied oxygen free silver cable and my favoured TRT T tips which allow deep insertion, with my Hiby R3 Saber 2022 DAP and lossless audio files. The Chopin has a wide nozzle to accommodate three audio channel outlets and I found some larger tips caused a bit of discomfort with my ears. Individuals are recommended to experiment with tips to find the right depth and fit for their ear canals. My initial listing impressions were formed with this music source, but I later found there was a very good synergy between the IEM and the Hidizs S9 pro Martha DAC that has just been released. The S9 pro enhanced the high frequencies and gave the bass more weight while retaining excellent clarity and energy. This became my favoured combination.
Sound Breakdown

The Chopin is easy to drive but does thrive on a more powerful DAC. The sub bass and lower bass register dominate with a warm deep and well controlled response. It goes deep with great control and good speed. Bass guitars have good texture and snare drives good bite and punch. It’s a very enjoyable bass if you are that way inclined. The mid bass is fast and detailed but a little lacking in quantity. Having said that it allows the midrange room to move and breathe. I would say the Chopin’s portrayal of the bass frequencies will scale very nicely with a more powerful source.

The midrange is very natural in timbre and the vocals placed well, slightly forward with good air and space around them. Bass frequencies do not intrude. The placement of instruments around the vocals is pinpoint. The midrange is well balanced and neutral. The soundstage is average left to right with good height and depth. Instrument positioning is precise and its easy to locate the players. The imaging allows a spacious headspace and draws you into the musical performance.

The treble is smooth, airy, and non-fatiguing, facilitating very good detail retrieval, if not class leading.
Conclusion

With the right source and eartips the Gizaudio and Binary Acoustics Chopin is a competent and energetic IEM. Well recorded albums from Supertramp, Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac really shine with the Chopin showcasing its great resolution and balanced clean acoustic soundstage. Chopin handles every genre I threw at it with aplomb, from DEM to rock to indie and Taylor Swift! It’s a very enjoyable listen and recommended.

***Chopin is available on the market for 200 dollars. I bought the product myself to write an independent review. 70+ hours listened before writing the review.



Specs

-->Impedance: 12Ω@1kHz.
-->Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms.
-->Effective Frequency Response Range: 5Hz-20kHz.
-->THD+N: <1%@1kHz.
-->Designed in Collaboration With Gizaudio.
-->Four-Driver Hybrid Setup.
-->8mm Ceramic Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
-->Customized Mid-Range Balanced Armature Driver.
-->Customized Composite Dual Balanced Armature Driver for High-Frequency (2BA).
-->Stunning Design With Stainless Steel Facepanels.
-->3D Printed Resin Material Cavities.
-->High-Purity OFC SIlver-Plated Litz Cable.
-->Available in 3.5mm or 4.4mm Termination Options.



Foreword

A device with good techniques and almost well toned. I say almost because unfortunately some "personal" choices have made this iem good instead of great. For those who like flat sound this headphone is just a fun tool but for those who already like/listen to V-shape it is a very good choice. (its U-shape btw)



Build

It's a horizontal box design and I like that. I prefer that rather than always seeing the same box shape.

Honestly, I don't like the design at all. The fit is not bad, the durability is okay. but the shape is a complete fail. The cable is very average but there's nothing bad about it, in fact I'm glad they're not thick and bulky. The hard case that comes in the box is ordinary plastic but I think it's nice (it's not like you're going to run over it with a tank). The two little bags for the shells are very cute and the quality is excellent but I would have preferred them to be in one piece. The tips? Don't even ask, they're a disaster. Both not enough and wrong. The brush is fine. We'll use it



Sound

Chopin is not a difficult iem to drive. In addition, it does not distort at high power. It gives a clean soundstage with a clean background.

I've always liked V/U-shapes that are not extreme. Somehow iems with this type of sound appeal to everyone and find a place in every inventory. Chopin is a good example. But it has some mistakes, we will talk about them.

Female vocals and treble are a bit bright in general. But for a fish swimming in a sea of chi-fi, there's nothing to annoy. Although I had have to turn the volume down seriously at 04:31-04:42 in the track "Bülent Ersoy - Bir ben bir Allah biliyor". Based on the performance in the same song, we can say that there is good imaging.

Except for those who like flat sound, this iem is versatile. Mid gives a very good technical performance and brings enough instruments to your ears. These instruments give you all the detail behind the female vocal. Despite the tuning, the micro detail reproduction in the mids is admirable.



Bass

The lower frequencies are the best part of this headphone. I really enjoyed all the EDM, hip-hop and pop music I listened to during the test phase. The controlled, textured and deep bass response comes with a good technical skill considering the volume. With very good extension, the sub is a real showstopper. The only point open to critique is the lack of midbass when listening to an orchestra. It's forgivable given the overall low frequency performance.

Mid

Despite the warmth of the overall sound, the mids themselves have a cold timbre, which you can easily hear in songs you've listened to before in genres like rock/jazz/blues. This results in a transparent feel and instruments that sound more resolved than they actually are. There are two reasons for this general impression: Missing low mids and prominent vocals. The lack of low mids gives the sound a little bit of thickness but at the same time some depth. The loudness of the vocals, especially the female vocals, causes some loss of texture in all the instruments, but also a "cold" resolution increase. The other effect of the setting that amplifies the vocals on the instruments is, as expected, the upper violin/guitar tones that become sharper and closer. This resulted in a loss of separation around the vocals. Other than that, the instrument separation is quite enough and successful for the price.

Treble

Treble is average. It's a bit bright and has a standard resolution. Air frequencies are bullied by the lower treble. Cymbals are nice when there are no instruments and vocals, but they damage when the soundstage gets crowded. I would have preferred them to be more quiet but that's purely personal, objectively there's nothing bad about the treble, it's just value for money. The amount of extension is quite well tuned, the placement is a bit poor compared to the rest of the sound. The cymbals may be the most natural part of the whole sound (despite the tone). Female vocals have too much boost at the points where they become high-pitched, which is actually the whole problem. If we solve this (hypothesis) the overall rating of the sound will go up.



Final Words

With its technical skill, with its capabilities at some points and shortcomings at others, the chopin is a device that is worth its price, we can say that it is overall positive,
and the low frequencies are fantastic. If you don't mind a bit of brightness and U-shape sound, you can safely choose it.

This Binary X Gizaudio Chopin review was originally published on my website.

About the Binary X Gizaudio Chopin​

Company Overview​

Not gonna lie, this is the first time I have heard of this company. I found little information on their website about their experience as a company, though I saw they also have other IEM sets, namely: EP1D, D2 Outro, and D1 Intro. I am not sure about the availability of these, as they were marked ‘sold out’ on their website.

However, I have learned from HiFiGo’s website that they have been around since 2017. They aim to achieve the smallest possible size and streamlined design and develop the products on the concept of “Let your ears convey sound and emotion”.

Technical Specifications​

• Impedance: 12Ω@1kHz.
• Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms.
• Frequency Response: 5Hz-20kHz.
• THD+N: <1%@1kHz.

Features​

• Designed in Collaboration With Gizaudio.
• Four-Driver Hybrid Setup.
• 8mm Ceramic Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
• Customized Mid-Range Balanced Armature Driver.
• Customized Composite Dual Balanced Armature Driver for High-Frequency (2BA).
• Stunning Design With Stainless Steel Facepanels.
• 3D Printed Resin Material Cavities. >Comfortable Design.
• High-Purity OFC SIlver-Plated Litz Cable.
• Available in 3.5mm or 4.4mm Termination Options.

What’s Inside the Box​

• Carrying hard case
• 3 sets of eartips (S, M, L)
• 4.4mm balanced cable
• 2x IEM protective pouch
• Nozzle cleaner
• Cable organizer
• Chopin IEMs
• Manuals

Review​

Initially, I didn’t like how the Chopin sounded as it was thin and lacked weight. Though part of the blame goes to the Hiby Zeta, as I was accustomed to its sound and had gotten used to its weighty response. So, I had to take a week’s break just to make sure I would be as fair as possible to what the Chopin has to offer.

I’m glad I did!


In this review, I used my Cayin N6ii and Venture Electronics Abigail Pro amplifier with Qobuz and Tidal as music sources.

Frequency Graph​

Frequency response of the Binary Acoustics X Gizaudio Chopin courtesy of Practiphile.

Experience​

I’m happy to report that the Chopin doesn’t have any hum or ground noise when connected to my desktop amp, all thanks to its matte medical-grade resin material shell, which I also appreciate as it won’t attract fingerprints.

For the fit, at first, I thought it was going to be a painful fitting on my ears as the shape is odd, but after wearing it, the fit is just good! There’s no fatigue when listening for a prolonged time.


About its cable, I can’t find fault with it; it’s a non-resisting cable and just good quality overall. Though some may find it thin considering its price range, I have no issue with it.

My main complaint is the lack of tip choices. I never used the stock one for this review as I think the Chopin doesn’t shine when used with its stock eartips, so I opted for my Tri Clarion.

Music​

After my cleansing period with the Zeta, I was finally able to appreciate the overall sound signature of the Chopin. It has a good quantity and quality of subbass. I’d say it’s fast and well-controlled, though there’s a bit of recession in its mid-bass. The vocals are forward but lack a bit of weight, yet they don’t sound thin by any means. Vocals still sound lush but are not as engaging, especially with male vocals.


Regarding the treble, the Chopin has a smooth delivery that doesn’t completely negate the sparkle and detail. You can listen to these for an extended amount of time without fatigue, as there’s no treble spike regardless of the track you throw at it!

Gaming​

I used the Binary X Gizaudio Chopin during my gaming session. I played Apex Legends, a game notorious for its inconsistent sound engine and annoyingly sharp treble. I had no pressing issues with the Chopin; the imaging is accurate, but the soundstage could use a bit more wideness for a more competitive advantage. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant experience.

Conclusion​

Wrapping up, I think the Chopin has a place in this crowded $200 segment of the IEM market. It will mostly appeal to those who want a forgiving and non-fatiguing set. Stay away if you want sparkly, airy, and energetic treble as this IEM will only give you the bare minimum.

Binary Acoustic truly lived up to HiFiGo’s statement in their brand description. They produce equipment that will disappear on your ears.


If you are interested, you can purchase the Binary X Gizaudio Chopin in the non-affiliated links below:

• HiFiGo
• Amazon US
• Aliexpress

Gizaudio’s first collaboration IEM was with Letshuoer, the Galileo which is a good IEM for the price but didn’t cause many waves this time they collaborated with Binary Acoustics naming the Chopin named after the legendary Pianist. Chopin has been causing lots of waves and has been tagged as the best value for money and near perfectly tuned IEM in the market in the under $200 Market. Binary Acoustics on its own is not a new name, they’ve developed quiet a few earphones with well tuning. Let’s go through Chopin and see how the overall Tuning + High quality components comes out.



Disclaimer: -
I received the Gizaudio × Binary Chopin from Hifigo for the purpose of this review. All thoughts are based on my usage consisting of mostly Anime, Bollywood, EDM, Hiphop, Alt rock, electronic and R&B music (pretty much whatever is currently trending or was trending in last few decades). I am no professional reviewer and writing as an audio enthusiast would share his experience. If interested, you can check out more information on Hifigo website from the link below (non-affiliated).

https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin

Design & Build:-

Binary Acoustics has gone with a Resin Shell with a Stainless steel faceplace. The shells are smooth, solid, Lightweight and has a mat finish to them. The shell and nozzle is one piece Resin with Individual tubes for separate Low, Mid and High frequencies. The nozzle has a tiny groove to it which helps with fitting the eartips but the nozzle itself is quite wide and finding eartips and getting a comfortable fit is a little finicky. These consist of 1 Ceramic DD + 3 customized BA(1 for mid and 2 for highs) with different chambers and sound tubes. Also, they take 2 pin style connectors.


As for accessories, it comes with 3 pair of Medium bore Eartips, 2 individual tiny pouches for each earpieces and High-Purity OFC SIlver-Plated Litz Cable with the option of choosing either the 3.5mm single ended or 4.4 mm balanced connection. A Hard carrying case which is a little big but can fit in the pocket. Personally I feel like Binary Acoustics could’ve done a better job by giving atleast adding a couple more eartip options to get a better fit. The provided cable is a very high quality, it’s supple and has no jankieness or kinks. Although I’d loved to have a modular style cable which has become a standard in this price range and even at a little lower price.

Fit of this IEM was a little combursome due to the spartan ear choice but with aftermarket tips you can get a good fit and get the optimal performance out of it. I didn’t tried trying multiple cables as the provided cable was good enough.



Highlights mentioned by the Brand:-

• Designed in Collaboration With Gizaudio.
• Four-Driver Hybrid Setup.
• 8mm Ceramic Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.
• Customized Mid-Range Balanced Armature Driver.
• Customized Composite Dual Balanced Armature Driver for High-Frequency (2BA).
• Stunning Design With Stainless Steel Facepanels.
• 3D Printed Resin Material Cavities. Comfortable Design.
• High-Purity OFC SIlver-Plated Litz Cable.
• Available in 3.5mm or 4.4mm Termination Options.

Technical Information:-

• Impedance: 12Ω@1kHz.
• Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms.
• Effective Frequency Response Range: 5Hz-20kHz.
• THD+N: <1%@1kHz.

Power Requirements
As per technical spec sheet, this is a very sensitive IEM with 122 DB sensitivity but not low enough that you hear hissing out of most of your source devices. I was easily able to drive it out of pretty much any source device but for most part I used my Xduoo Link2 Bal was able to power these and was more than satisfied with it’s performance.



Sound Quality:-
Firstly, I’d like to say I enjoyed my time with Chopin and these were a pleasure to listed to the kind of music I consume. I find the Chopin to have a balanced tuning with a hint of sub-bass boost, a dip in the lower mids/upper bass region, Clean vocals, precise instruments, a hint of boost in the upper mids and the thing that impressed me the most on these was the overall technical performance and how it pulled micro nuances. The coherency on these is pretty good for a Hybrid configuration with minimal BA timbre.

Bass
The bass on these is very detailed with a hint of boost in the sub bass region, It’s fast, tactile and it’s detailed with very good transition speed and bass will never go out of control and never interfere with any of the other frequencies. Mid-bass on these feels recessed and don’t give the thumping feel needed to bassy tracks like R&b and Hip-hop. Upper bass is recessed to the point that it makes male vocals feel lack luster.

Midrange
Midrange on Chopin is very detailed with nuances that could give goosebumps at times. But if we talk in detail regarding the midrange then the lower mids are recessed and make the male vocals lack body and leave to desire for more and upper mids is very detailed, well separated and make female vocals sound sweet but it could get harsh or sizzly at times depending upon the source and the track.

Treble
The treble on these is smooth and comfortable sound, It has plenty of sparkle with no sign of very little to no harshness, it’s very detailed with plenty of separation. Giving ample amount of details and probably giving you the best treble response in the price range. It very airy too making distinct nuances notice with ease..


Technicalities
Soundstage on these is decent but not going beyond your head or ear width but depth is good but the best part is the imaging and it is very precise, you can easily identify multiple instruments in the stage.
Clarity is very good and the detail retrieval is among the best in this price range may a bit better and sounding close to the $300 offerings.

This is a very versatile IEM with a very good harman tuning which will suite pretty much every genre of track you throw at it, it plays like a champ. Only gripe and this is a very subjective point but I feel like if the upper bass or lower mids in the range of 200-300 hz it could’ve had a little more body to make the male vocals pop a bit more just a few DB like 2-3 would’ve made this IEM unbeatable in it’s range.

Comparisons

Chopin vs TruthEar Nova:-
TruthEar Nova is also a very good offering in the price range of under $200 with very good sub-bass and mid-bass response but the best part was the tuning and the coherency making it sound very very natural. When compared to Chopin it surely lack some micro details and separation but when it comes it naturalness and fun factor Nova surely is the pick but if you need a more technical, cleaner and tighter bass response then Chopin is unbeatable. Also, fit on Nova is a better due to it’s custom IEM like resin shell but Chopin is not far.



Chopin vs DDhifi Janus 3
Janus 2 is a new offering from DDhifi in collaboration with Moondrop and it shows in the tuning as it sounds very natural, coherent and decently detailed but when we compare it to Chopin it doesn’t hold a chance as Chopin is way more detailed through the frequency response delivering better Bass, mids and treble response. But Janus 2 surely has better coherency and better depth in the sound stage but in this comparison doesn’t hold a chance.



Tracks used for testing
My playlist consists of Anime/jpop tracks, Hip-Hop, Jazz, R&B and some Bollywood but not limited to this only.

• Shinunoga E-Wa · Fujii Kaza
• 夜に駆ける · YOASOBI · Ayase
• KICK BACK · Kenshi Yonezu
• NIGHT DANCER · imase
• Fire · Queen Bee
• Suzume (feat. Toaka) · RADWIMPS
• Royals · Lorde
• Low · SZA
• Sign of the Times · Harry Styles
• Glimpse of Us · Joji
• Until I Found You (Em Beihold Version) · Stephen Sanchez
• Under the Influence · Chris brown
• Starboy · The Weeknd
• Creepin' · Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage
• Do It Again – Pia Mia feat. Chris Brown and Tyga
• Collide (feat. Tyga) · Justine Skye
• Don’t gamble with love – Paul Anka
• Random Access Memory – Daft Punk (Album)

Conclusion:-
To sum it up, My experience with Chopin was a delight, I was experiencing new details from my playlist every time I used Chopin. It’s a fantastically tuned with best details in the segment. The packaging is amazing, with decent accessories, a high-quality cable, what else do you need. Even with all the flaws it has it’s still very close to perfect. From my end it surely deserves at least 4.5 Stars.

Let me know if you have any questions regarding Chopin.

BINARY ACOUSTICS X GIZAUDIO – CHOPIN

Timmy’s best collab?

PROS:
+ Powerful but not forceful bassline.
+ Clean and clear mid-range/vocal
+ Evenly smooth treble response.
+ High sibilance and shout tolerance.
+ Good sound refinement. Hardly any major issue.
+ Great driver coherency for a 1+3 setup.
+ Non-fatiguing Sound.
+ Has minimal BA timbre.
+ Reasonably price.
+ Shell construction - well-built and light weight.
+ Provide extra protection; Case & microfiber pouch x2
+ Owning one will make Timmy happy XD

CONS:
- Upper mid-bass lacks energy.
- Limited energy on higher voice-range.
- Chesty male vocals lacking a bit of oomph
- Average micro-detail for the price.
- Potential fit issue due to unique shell design.
- Not the most fun tuning, can get bored rather quickly.
- Not the best for rock/metal genre.

[MY PERSONAL HEAD-FI GRADING]
1 ★ - Appalling! Please Avoid This!
2 ★★ Subpar Offering, There Are Better Options Out There!
3 ★★★ Decent With Some Caveats! You Should Consider This !
4 ★★★★ Not Perfect But Solid Choice ! This Should Be In Your Shortlist.
5 ★★★★★ Class Leading! You Should Go Right Ahead & Buy One!

Binary x Gizaudio - Chopin 4 ½ ★★★★

▓▒░ SOUND-SIGNATURE ░▒▓
It is neutral with a bass boost. The tri-frequency is relatively well-balanced. The bassline is sub-bass oriented with a relatively shy upper-mid-bass presence. The mid-range/vocal are rather intimate with a more forward upper-mids/female vocals. The treble has a nice smooth roll-off with adequate air presence.


▓▒░ BASS/LOW-ENDSOUND ░▒▓
● The bassline is well very executed. It has never come across being overly forward or too energetic. It is powerful but not forceful. The low-end has a very pronounce sub-bass that extend quite down low. The rumbling and booming effects are well-textured with great control, thanks to its precise attack and decay. Alongside that, it’s very capable on retrieving those reverbs and echo which are often present in the background or vocal replay.

● The mid-bass doesn’t quite carry the same vibe and energy. It is more reserved by comparison, especially on the upper-mid bass region. The attack is by no means soft, it’s just lacking forwardness. As a result, any kick, slam, punch and thump will not have the most satisfying replay, lacking that initial impact on transient.

● Despite that, the bass control is excellent. There is hardly any bleed or bloat that could potentially impedes its mid-range. Only on a very busy tracks, that the bass will struggle just a little. Energy wise, it may not have the best balance between sub-bass to mid-bass but the overall bass texturing and layering is quite solid for the price.

▓▒░ MID-RANGE /VOCAL ░▒▓
● The mid-range is probably its greatest strength. The overall presentation is on the intimate side with a smooth and clean replay. It offers great balance between euphony and clarity. Vocal transparency isn’t the best in class but in trade, it offers listeners with a pleasant vocal reproduction.

● The leftover warmth coming from its bassline truly helps in giving its vocals and instrument an adequate amount of body/heft that it needs. Some male vocals may not have the best reproduction as they prefer a lusher, richer and deeper tone for added presence. As female vocal is more rewarding here. They’re more engaging to listen to. But some of the upper-range of the voice has been trimmed out which makes it’s a more forgivable to shout or scream. Some might find it restraining but to most people, it is the safer approach. And not to mention, there is not even a single BA-grain is heard which is impressive.

● Most instrument that lies in this region never seems to lack note-weight. Overall, transient on strings/guitar plucks, piano hits and violin strums have a more rounded edge to them. Regardless, it’s mid-range still come across as musical and natural.

▓▒░ TREBLE/HIGHS ░▒▓
● The darkish response gives its treble a nice sense of warm hues to the highs. Having said that, air-extension is still presence though. It’s got just about enough brightness and forwardness to not sound dim. There is almost zero unwanted resonance coming from the highs. It remains fairly even up across the top-end.

● The attack is sharp enough with adequate note-weight. Hit-hats and cymbals have good timbre while synthetic noise such as electronic zings, sizzles or shimmering has a nice ring to them. This kind of tuning, make it’s a very suitable set for a long listening session. It is never fatiguing.

● Treble refinement is definitely one of the best among its competitors. It’s got none of those degrading qualities such as sibilance, peaks, grains, distortion, sharpness or metallic sheen. Treble definition is good but not top-tier which is to be expected. All and all, it’s a proper one. You really have to pay a lot higher to surpass this level of treble quality. Still, a hardcore treble-head might find it to sound abit too safe. If energetic and vibrant treble is your type of jam, you might find it uninspiring.

✧ ════ •TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE• ════ ✧
The overall HEAD-STAGE of the Chopin is pretty decent. It’s got decent depth to stage but plays more width than height. The mid-range/vocals are more to the fore but not domineering. The instrument/background elements wrap around the vocalist with adequate sense of spaces between them. On busier tracks, the INSTRUMENT SEPARATION may falter just a tad but it is perfectly normal for this tier.

- The STEREO-IMAGING on the Chopin is competent enough. The instrument placement is quite accurate conduct but not the most vivid I’ve heard. The transition of sound between channels are rather well articulate. It flows from left to right smoothly but not the sharpest I’ve heard.

- The DETAIL HANDLING is not its strongest forte as it took on the more musical approach rather than analytical. But the level of detail retrieval is potent enough to carry its tuning. Its DYNAMIC RANGE is pretty good, it is not too energetic nor it is too boring. It carries just about enough emotions to keep you engaged to your music.

- As for the overall TIMBRE, it is quite natural. The BA timbre is kept to a bare minimum to keep timbre-head happy. Vocals and instruments mostly have good note-weight. The transient attack is neither too weak or too strong with the decay being smooth and precise. Hence note hits or definition may not be the most distinct in class but good enough.

- The CROSSOVERS between drivers are done with great finesse. There timbre contrast is hardly noticeable and there is no major out of phase issue which is just excellent. And there is no driver-flex problem as well.


~IN-DEPTH COMPARISON~

TANCHJIM PRISM X HAKUGEI SKYRIM FEAT.SALVATION ACCESSORIES X SPINFIT CP100 (M)

[Since it is not running on stock cable, I shall denote it as “PRISM+”]

● Right of the bat, The PRISM+ will come across as the more energetic set. To my ears, the PRISM+ bassline is more dynamic. It’s bouncy, more elastic, better layered and offers better balance between sub to mid-bass presence. The mid-bass just have deeper extension with excellence bass attack, decay and sustain. Whereas, the Chopin is all about the sub-bass rumble and boom sensation. Despite that, none of them are domineering. They both reigns their bass region very well. Still, that “enclosed subwoofer” like bassline is PRISM+’s greatest strength which is hard to beat. The Chopin sub-bassy bassline is great. But PRISM bass performance is a ~chef-kiss~

● The Chopin is the more mid-centric set of the two, in a sense that vocals came across being more intimate on stage and having slight better body and weight. For some reason, the PRISM managed to portrays its vocal emotion better. Besides that, the vocals are slightly better textured, airy-er, has a tad more energy with higher voice range. In the Chopin, the voice somewhat has a soft-limiter up in the range which affect female vocal immersion most of the time. Instrument replay such as piano, guitar, flute and violin just have better attack on overall. Note hits sounds slightly more distinct with the PRISM+. The same true can be translated on its vocal as well. The downside is, the PRISM can exhibit a hint of micro-grain on vocal transient, especially on a poorly recorded track which is never an issue on the Chopin. Hence, the Chopin offers a cleaner and safer mid-range while still maintain the naturalness of its timbre.

● Both of them appears to be on the darker-side of spectrum. The PRISM offers slightly better air-extension and brilliance up top which contribute to slightly better treble definition. Instruments like hit-hats, cymbals or even synthetic noise such as electronics have more bite to them. The Chopin treble will come across as the more relax and cleaner of the two which makes it a better set for longer listening session. The PRISM tends to highlights unwanted artifacts such grains or haze. Depending on tracks it may not be present.

● Staging wise, their width and height are nigh identical but the PRISM+ offers slightly more depth. Instrument separation and consistency are about the same. The transition of sound element or sound positioning is definitely sharper and more vivid on the PRISM+. In terms of micro-detail; the bass detail is definitely a step up, mid-range vocals are slightly better as well as the treble. Dynamically, the PRISM+ holds a wider breath of capability, mainly on micro-dynamic bits, making it a more fun and emotional of the two. As for the timbre, despite having greater transient, the PRISM exhibits a slight BA timbre especially on the mid-range region; there is a slight hollowness in terms of vocal body and plus that slight micro-grain on vocal transient do take away some of the points when A/B-ing with the Chopin.

● Driver coherency are top-notch for the both of them. They really did a great job on pairing those drivers together to create a harmonious sound. There is no denying that, the PRISM looks like a piece of jewelry beside the humbly designed Chopin. The craftsmanship is absolutely next level. And because of that, the PRISM is quite heavy which can affect its long-term comfort. The Chopin on the other hand can suffers from a potential fit issue with its peculiar shell design. Thankfully I am not one of them.

● Finally, the price, this is where I think the Chopin murders the PRISM+. Sonically, the Chopin presents a great value next to the PRISM+. The price performance of the Chopin is significantly higher. But hey! If you appreciate the art of craftsmanship and the joy of sound in one package, the Tanchjim PRISM+ is not bad pick. Even after 2 years of ownership, despite all those flaws I mentioned, it still holds a special place in my heart.


◤FINAL THOUGHTS◢
It’s not a set that will impress you with micro-detail or dynamics but the longer you listen to it, the more you value that sheer level of refinement that it provides. There is really not much to fault about this set. From that lens, I must say that I really appreciate the effort of Binary X Gizaudio has put into making the Chopin into such a fine sound while achieving its tuning in mind. The only deal-breaker I can think of is not really the sound quality or the price, but rather the tuning style itself as it falls under the variation of Harman style tuning which is not going to work for all genres. Some would deem it to sound abit too clinical or too safe which is not further than the truth. So, it’s all boils down to preference. Speaking of variation, to my ears, it does sounds like a mini Moondrop Variations which is a big plus. So, if you can’t afford one, get the Chopin instead. You’ll be more than happy to own one. And you will make Timmy happy too XD.

[IEM-SCORING-BOARD]
RATING
1: Trash (F)
2: Horrible (E)
3: Bad (D)
4: Subpar (C)
5: Decent/Average (B)
6: Good (A-)
7: Great (A)
8: Superb. (A+)
9: Masterclass/Top-Drawer (S)
10: Perfection (P)

====================================
Binary Acoustic x Giz Audio - Chopin [1DD-3BA]
Tuning: Bass-boosted Neutral/ Harman Variation.
MSRP : $199USD
= Quality =
Bass: 6/10 Mids: 6/10 Treble: 6/10
Male:Female: 6 : 6
= Technicalities =
Micro-Detail : Resolve: 5.5 : 5.5
Timbral Accuracy (Naturalness) : 7/10
Dynamic-Range/Transient : 6/10
Head-stage [W-H-D]: 6-6-5
Layering & Separation: 6/10
Stereo Imaging : 6/10
Ambience : 7/10
Cleanliness 8/10
Build/Comfort: 7/9
Value: 7/10 [AS-TESTED]
Personal Enjoyment: 6/10

SETUP (As tested)
Stock Cable 4.4 PLUG
Spinfit CP100 (M)
Tanchjim SPACE (Main)/ xDuoo Link2BAL MK-I
DDHifi TC07S

====================================
TANCHJIM PRISM + [1DD-2BA]
Tuning: Warm-Harman
= Quality =
Bass: 8/10 Mids: 6/10 Treble: 6/10
Male/Female: 6/6
= Technicalities =
Microdetail & Resolve: 6/6
Timbral Accuracy (Naturalness) : 6/10
Dynamic-Range/Transient : 7/10
Head-stage [W-H-D]: 6-6-6
Layering & Separation: 6/10
Stereo Imaging 7/10
Cleanliness: 6/10
Ambience: 8/10
Priceerformance: 4/10 [AS-TESTED]
Build/Comfort: 10/6
Personal Enjoyment: 8/10
SETUP (As tested)
Hakugei Skyrim feat. Taiwan Salvation Accessories 4.4 PLUG
Spinfit CP100 (M)
Tanchjim SPACE (Main)/ xDuoo Link2BAL MK-I
DDHifi TC07S


Pros:
+ Warm laid-back bass with engaging upper-mids.
+ Pleasant and enjoyable listen for all walks of genres.
+ IMHO, one of the most natural bassline in it's price point. Realistic attack/decay/sustain with excellent bass layering.
+ Great dynamic-range.
+ Impressive imaging prowess.
+ The stage is not the widest but it's one of those set that actually have depth.
+ Cohesive sound, DD-like phasing with minimal timbre contrast
+ Jewelry level of build.

Cons:
- Microdetail/Resolve is lacking for the asking price.
- Midrange/vocals may lacks transparency vs it's price-rival.
- Can exhibit a hint of micro-grain on vocal/treble depending on tracks/tips.
- Very unforgiving to low-fi or bad recording.
- High noise-floor sensitivity (source/sound-chain)
- Only enjoyable when the tracks are cleanly mastered.
- Pour price/performance ratio. Average micro-detail retrieval and separation prowess for the price.
- Require a cable upgrade to perform better.
- Scratch/Fingerprint magnet.
- Quite a heavy shell. Potential fit and comfort issue.

SOURCE & GEARS​

Native FLAC Files [44.1Khz 16bits-96Khz 24bits]
Foobar2000 [Laptop] [Ugreen USB C Adapter]
Huawei P20 PRO [Phone][ App- Foobar2000]
Dongle DAC/AMP only :
Tanchjim SPACE
xDuoo Link2BAL
DDHifi TC07S

PLAYLIST (AS TESTED)​

1982 Chicago – Hard to say I'm sorry.
2003 NARUTO Original Soundtrack I – Wakiagaru Toushi
2008 K.will (케이윌) – 소원 (Great King Sejong OST Part.1)
2009 Maksim – Exodus
2010 Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou (OST) – Kokoro no Oku De Ha
2014 Grabbitz – Here with you now.
2014 BoA – MASAYUME CHASING
2014 Hyolyn – 안녕 Good bye
2015 K MISSING KINGS (OST) - New Kings
2016 K RETURN OF KINGS (OST) - Return of Kings
2016 K RETURN OF KINGS (OST) - If you die.
2017 Namie Amuro – Hope
2019 K SEVEN STORIES (OST) - In Pursuit Of
2019 K SEVEN STORIES (OST) - Lost Small World
2019 Blade & Soul (OST) – Half-Moon Lake
2019 CAROLE & TUESDAY VOCAL COLLECTION Vol.1 – Light a Fire
2020 Paradox Live Opening Show (1st E.P) – BAE – BaNG!!!
2020 Paradox Live Opening Show (1st E.P) – cozmez – Where They At
2020 倖田來未 (Kumi Koda) – GET NAKED (Kiyoshi Sugo Remix)
2020 倖田來未 (Kumi Koda) – again (MATZ Remix)
2020 premiere fleurs – プリンシパル
2020 Love Live! Nijigasaki – 朝香果林 (Karin Asaka) – VIVID WORLD
2020 Fujii Kaze – へでもねーよ”／Hedemo Ne-YoSeishun Sick
2020 King Gnu – 三文小説 ／Sanmon Shosetsu
2021 OWV – Fifth Season
2021 加藤　ミリヤ (Miliyah) feat. Yoshida Brothers – この夢が醒めるまで
2021 Official髭男dism – Cry Baby
2021 Chanmin BIJIN 美人 – Morning Mood
2021 門脇更紗 (Sarasa Kadowaki) – きれいだ
2021 Mirei Touyama – 美忘録
2021 SELECTION PROJECT Vol.1 – Only one yell -天沢灯ソロver.-
2022 Belle (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Million Miles Away (ENG vers.)
2022 rei (E-girls) – Dark Hero.
2022 rei (E-girls) – IDNY
2022 I can fly (Special Edition) – Bleecker Chrome - You will shine
2022 I can fly (Special Edition) – YOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome - UP
2022 BEAST TAMER (OST) – じんわり感じている幸せ
2022 Ado – 会いたくて
2022 Ado – 踊
2023 La prière - Sweet Dreams
2023 Bungou Stray Dogs 4th Season ED – Luck Life – しるし
2023 Genjitsu no Yohane – Far far away
2023 Genjitsu no Yohane – Hey, dear my friends
2023 Anna – 花のように (Hana no You ni)
2023 riria. – 貴方の側に (Anata no Soba ni)

Do take my words for what it’s worth. Afterall, I am just one man.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! HAVE A GOOD DAY WHEREVER YOU ARE! TAKE CARE!

Disclaimer:
- This is a loaner unit. Big thanks to the @Hifigo @Ivy Xie for making this possible!
Purchase Link (Non-affiliated)
- https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin

If you like me to review your IEM/DAC/AMPS please hit me up:
https://www.facebook.com/DevaPainAkatsuki/

EXTRA PHOTOS

Review Of The Binary x Gizaudio Chopin

Introduction​

A Chinese company called Binary, which I was unaware of, was founded in 2017 and has already released three IEMs, not counting their most recent release. Regarding their releases, EP1D, UNICORN, VIOD, D1 or D2, I'm not sure. However, I was fortunate enough to obtain their newest IEM, the Chopin, which is a joint venture between Binary and Timmy from Gizaudio. However, before we go any further, I want to make a few clarifications.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the lovely people at HiFiGo, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “Chopin.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Chopin based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

Chopin has a hybrid design with a dynamic driver and three balanced armature drivers. The 8mm ceramic dynamic driver handles the bass, the following balanced armature handles the mids, and the two customised high frequency balanced armatures handle the highs. The shell's distinctive design is created in resin and features faceplates made of stainless steel. The brand and company names are engraved on the faceplates. Despite the shells' unusual shape, they are easy to put in ears and don't hurt at first, but with continued use, they do start to hurt.The cable is a high purity OFC silver plated litz cable with a two pin connection at one end and a 4.4mm straight plug at the other. The quality of the cable feels more akin to that of KZ or CCA companies, but it feels light and tangled due to its memory vulnerability.A carrying case, six pairs of eartips in two types and three sizes, and pouches for each iem are among the additional accessories included with the iems and cable. Regarding the technical details, the sensitivity is 122dB and the impedance is 12 Ohms. With a total harmonic distortion of less than 1% at 1kHz, the frequency response spans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Sound​

The bass is incredibly good with proper note weight and tends to cut off at around 200–300 Hz, which makes the lower mid range sound more cleaner but less warmer. Nevertheless, the lifted mid bass presence in the mix adds just the right amount of warmth to the overall mix. The Chopin's sound is really polished and has a great neutral response that tends to produce refined lower notes. With the exception of the notes' lack of expressiveness or detail, it probably has one of the most pleasing tones, making it sound more calming than the Moondrop Variations. The quality is still on par with other products like Variations, and it does stand a strong chance against the Truthear Nova. Let’s discuss in depth further.

Treble​

A good chiming sound can be heard in the upper frequencies due to the appropriate details in the mix and the soothing yet expansive response in the treble region. Comparatively speaking, the rounder touch is more pleasant to listen to than the Nova. The upper treble's lovely presentation is greatly appreciated. There are enough details to make the presentation captivating, and the upper treble sounds expressive and airy enough. The spacious sounding elements of the instruments and vocals enable them to expand and create a more immersive experience. When it comes to the notes presentation, the lower treble sounds clearer and more vibrant, which adds interest to the presentation. The instruments draw your attention while the vocals are more forward-sounding and clean. Consequently, compared to other IEMs in the same price range, the treble region's overall presentation is wider, lighter, and more organic.

Mid Range​

They sound excellent in the mid range, taking a slightly less complex approach to the presentation to create an open, airy sound. All things considered, this is among the safest responses I have ever heard. Unless the track itself is tinny or the IEM sounds extremely bright, neither the vocals nor the instruments have a peaky or sibilant quality. The forward-sounding vocals and the instruments are replicated more clearly and up close by the upper mid range, which has the same energy as the lower treble. The open-sounding vocals become expressive while creating a pleasing sound, and the instruments also contribute. For instance, the guitar's strumming produces a clear, melodic tone that draws attention to the vocals even though they sound transparent and blend in the background. The notes in the lower mid range have a pleasing density and good note weight, which bakes the base to create a more natural sound with the right depth and mature sound quality. As a result, the mid range region has a pleasant, roomy, and natural sound quality overall.

Bass​

When it comes to the bass, it sounds amazing. I'm particularly impressed with how the mid- and sub-bass responses are clear, powerful, and strike a nice balance between being neither overly warm nor overly analytical. It is extremely well-buffed and has a neutral sounding IEM that simulates a movie theater subwoofer. Its quality is not as great as Variations', but it is still quite similar. As I listen to the entire response, I find the presence to be really satisfying because it is cleaner and louder. Punches sound impactful but not overly strong, and the sub bass region is given more emphasis, resulting in a good, deep rumble. If we take into consideration the FR graph, the mid bass has an impressive presence that allows slams and thumps to be audibly clear without producing impacts that are hard. The texture and clarity are clean, smooth, and lack sharpness. As a result, the bass region's overall performance is immersive, dramatic, and controlled.

Technical Performance​

Regarding technical performance, I think it ranks among the best available after Nova for IEMs with multiple drivers or hybrid configurations. The reason is that, in my opinion, Nova's sound is more transparent here, whereas Chopin's sound is a little more rounded and smoothed than precise or sharp. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

In my opinion, the stage's width and distance from the audience make it appear roomy and spacious, and its crisp, clear imaging makes the tuning sound secure and pleasant to listen to. It is easy to determine the source of the sound due to the distinct and sufficient distance between the elements.

Speed & Resolution​

The resolution is better than I had anticipated, with the macro details in particular being beautifully expressed in the sound. Compared to other IEMs in or around this price range, the attack and decay of notes is faster.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - When WM1A is paired with Chopin, the response is more subdued; in other words, the sound is less overbearing where the vocals are better placed and sound more elegant and beautiful. Additionally, as the space and airiness increase, a better separation and smoother, more melodious sound are introduced, making the music more reassuring to listen to while maintaining the same level of detail and accuracy in the notes. The physicality of instruments like drums and bass guitars felt more realistic as they were hit and plucked, and the bass felt more dynamically close to the body. Overall, the sound seemed more organic. It is a truly remarkable pairing of Chopin and WM1A.

Tempotec V6 - When the V6 was paired with the Chopin, the bass was more prominent and powerful from the outset, the midrange was more expansive and somewhat spaced out, which also applied to the treble region, and overall the response was more expressive and stimulating, making for an immersive and thrilling sound. The combination sounded good.

Musehifi M4 - While listening Chopin with the M4, I found that the sound was forward with emphasis in the mid range where the vocals had a unique presentation where it felt expressive yet a little less natural I mean, but other than that the bass felt organic with the same control and the treble being the same as well. The most I felt noticeable was the mid range and the placement of instruments and vocals being tempered as all of them have been stick both on left and right stereo wall yet the details were noticeably improved. So I didn’t prefer the pairing.

Tracks​

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

In conclusion, I believe that Chopin occupies a very competitive market, much like the ultra budget sector, with the exception that audiophiles like us would prefer to wager on a redeemed IEM. Whether someone wants details or just a pleasant sounding experience, this IEM will fulfill their needs and desires. I think Chopin is highly valued and has a soothing, detailed sound.The Chopin addresses each and every one of them. It offers a similar but distinct sound to the market, making it, in my opinion, a very intriguing competitor to the Nova. Therefore, yes, I heartily recommend the Chopin since it will alter your perception of sound, something that TOTL IEMs seldom do.

Binary Acoustics Chopin

A quick disclaimer:

The Binary Acoustics Chopin IEM I received was part of a review tour organized in my country by HifiGo. The unit was a loaner for an audition in exchange for my honest opinion based on my musical taste and audio gear. There has been no monetary transaction or influence (or pressure) to write anything positive (or negative) about the IEM. The views expressed in this write-up are solely mine and are based on my usage of the IEM for a week or so as my daily driver. The IEM can be purchased from HifiGo here:

https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin



Introduction;

From the moment you unbox these gems, the attention to detail is apparent. The sleek design and premium build quality set the stage for what's to come. The ergonomic shape ensures a comfortable fit, allowing for extended listening sessions without any discomfort. The IEM comes with Soft Ears UC ear tips as pack-ins and a protective sleeve for each earpiece. I wish more IEMs in this budget included such sleeves / protective bags. One can choose to buy a 3.5mm SE cable or a 4.4mm BAL cable with the IEM. The unit I received came with a 4.4mm BAL cable. The IEM is designed in collaboration With Gizaudio and consists of a hybrid driver setup, which includes an 8mm Ceramic Diaphragm Dynamic Driver, a Customized Balanced Armature Driver for midrange, and a customized composite dual BA for high frequencies. The earpieces are 3D printed with resin and feature stainless steel faceplates.

The Chopin IEMs have great isolation. The snug fit effectively blocks out external noise, allowing you to delve into your favorite tracks without any distractions. This makes them ideal for both critical listening sessions at home and on-the-go use in noisy environments.



Sound Quality:

In terms of sound, the Chopin IEMs deliver a rich and nuanced audio experience that feels like a musical masterpiece. The balanced armature drivers work together seamlessly to reproduce every note with stunning clarity. Although the bass seemed a bit lean, it worked well given the tonality of the IEM. T

The mids are the highlight of the Chopi, thus their ability to convey emotion is top-notch. Whether you're listening to the delicate keystrokes of a piano or the soaring vocals of your favorite artist, these IEMs capture the subtleties that make the listening experience truly immersive.

The treble is well-controlled. Not too bright, nor too dark, it lies in a sweet spot that makes it non-fatiguing and suitable for longer listening sessions. Though a little more treble extension would have made it sound better, but that’s just my humble opinion.




The soundstage is another highlight. It's expansive and three-dimensional, creating a sense of space that makes you feel like you're in the front row of a live performance. The instrument separation is impeccable, allowing each element of the music to shine independently.


Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Binary Acoustics Chopin IEMs with their superb build quality, comfortable fit, and, most importantly, exceptional sound reproduction offer a symphony for your ears.

Introduction:

So the Chopin, Gizaudio's second collaboration IEM. It has quite a lot going for it, as I also personally own the Galileo, which I really like.

I was once in a voice call with Timmy(Gizaudio) and I asked him what his 2nd collab iem is going to sound like.

"Very good, buy it." -Timmy, Gizaudio, 2023

And so in this review, I shall see if that is true.

Accessories:
And here we come to my biggest(and honestly, the only) disappointment with this IEM. The accessories.



As an avid follower and shill of gladiatorcables, The instant I laid my eyes upon this cable, I was reminded of moondrop stock cables.

I would describe it as like a slightly better moondrop stock cable, like the ones you would get with the blessing 2, and S8. Besides that, Actually using the cable wasn't terrible, its just it felt really cheap.

Although I prefer it over the Galileo's stock cable, as that cable hurts my ears, physically, after wearing it after some time.

The case? Cheap. Although bigger than the Galileo Case, it feels much, much less premium. It's made out of plastic, and the inside is some sort of foam lay in, that I can see easily breaking off after some time of using it.

The tips are just another thing that reminds me of Moondrop. They include one set of silicone eartips, coming in S, M, and L size. These tips aren't great, and I instantly grabbed my Spinfit W1 small tips and used them on the Chopin.

But I do appreciate the funny cleaning tool. Handy for cleaning usb ports and those kind of hard to get to spots.

Currently I have the Chopin paired with a (at the time of writing) unreleased GladiatorCable, which is just so much better. But that is to be expected as this cable would've cost 180 euros. (which is partially the reason why i waited till writing this review)

Comfort
Now onto comfort, which is the most subjective thing of all.

For me, it's completely fine, but I can easily see some people not being able to use this IEM at all because of it's deep fit, or because of it's nozzle size.

I used this IEM with medium tips and small tips springtip w1's, both which sealed and were comfy. Although due to the sheer size of the nozzle, medium tips made the Chopin just kinda hang in my ears, to the point I could twirl it effortlessly around in my ears, while still having a seal.

The shape of the IEM is honestly quite unfortunate, because if they went with something more universal, I could've easily recommended it to much more people.
Build
The Build of the Chopin is fine to me, however I have seen some pictures going around of the backplate falling off, and I most certainly hope that doesn't happen to me nor anyone else for that matter.

Also here is this funny picture. The Chopin's shape looks strangely alot like an alienware headset xD


Sound
Source:
Ifi zen can signature
Ifi zen one signature
running 4.4mm balanced.

Now onto the sound.

Rumbly, powerful and impactful subbass, with a bit of midbass to complement.
With decently energetic female vocals, a clean midrange and smooth-ish treble.
Intimate stage that wraps around your head, but very clear and precise imaging.
Not sibilant or harsh for me at all.
Also really decent technical performance for it's price.

Although I found the bass sometimes overpowers vocals, and combined with it's intimate soundstage, it's as if the vocals gets squeezed in the middle, making them sound very nasally.

However, when a track has either a lack of bass, or a lot of it(along with treble) I find that the Chopin really shines, as it's a really fun, and engaging set.
For example in my library, where it's mostly japanese female vocals, with a bit of bass here and there, or sometimes basically devoid of bass, it's decent, but definetly this is not a set which specializes female vocals.

Which I notice in some tracks, but not in others. It depends. Sometimes female vocals can sound distant or squeezed without the track being necessarily busy, however it can also be the opposite. So it's kindof track dependant but it's definetly a flaw.

Everything just sounds OK, besides the nasal part, and on busier tracks, I've found that some instruments can get drowned out or just become hard to notice.

Chopin have an intimate soundstage, which really goes around your head in a small circle, which is nice for gaming. For gaming use I would tone down the bass by a bit though, as it can be annoying when an explosions basically blow your ears out.
Conclusion
The Binary Acoustics x Gizaudio Chopin is a very competent IEM, priced reasonably for it's sound.

However there are some potential dealbreakers for some, like the nozzle size, the intimate staging, and the stock accessories.

buy chopin fr fr

This unit was provided to me by HifiGO which I now have purchased from them.

you can buy chopin at:

Gizaudio × Binary Chopin
HiFiGo： https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin
Aliexpress：
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006135789174.html
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL6LNF82/binary+gizaudio+chopin/
Amazon JP：
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CL6MRTW9/binary+gizaudio+chopin/

also check out my video:

Introduction:-

Hi guys, Today I will be reviewing the Gizaudio X Binary Chopin. This is collab between Timmy from Gizaudio and Binary. Binary is very unknown company but this is their first launch outside their home market. They decided the first iem would be a collab, honestly that could be a quite a good idea.

Lets find out more about this iem!

I have also shared a video version of the review at YouTube any support there in form of a view, A like or A subscribe is greatly appreciated. But if you so wish to read the written version you can read this.



Before I start the review I would like to say a big thanks to HIFIGO for sending me this loaner unit. After the review it goes back to them. Hifigo.com could be your one stop hub for most of the desktop amps, dacs and any iems of your choice. They have everything you need for the budding audiophile or for the most season audiophile out there at every range. A big thanks to them and please check them out in the unaffiliated links given below the like button.


Hifigo Website - https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/HiFiGo-Gizaudio-Chopin-Monitors-Distinction/dp/B0CLVGXXQM?th=1


But rest be assured all the thoughts and opinions you are about to hear are my own and they had no input for this review, nor are they having a copy of approval for this review.

I will be as usual following my bullet style format for better readability for those who are dyslexic and in general find it hard to read long paragraphs. I follow this guide in general from the British Dyslexia Association.

---

Accessories, Build Quality and Comfort:-


- The case provided is very good and sturdy but impractical for everyday use. Although good for protecting the iem if you keep it in a bag

- Lack of tips at this price range, pre-order gets the divinus velvet tips and after that normal users get the softears UC tips. Would have been nice if there were at least foam tips included with that.

- No Modular cable, at this price point I expect a modular cable. The Cable has a chin cinch

- The IEM is very sturdily built and the weird shape is very comfortable to wear

- The overall shell is quite small and very lightweight

- The nozzle although quite deep but the diameter is small and hence ok for people with smaller ears.

- The chopin has 4 drivers

An 8 mm ceramic diaphragm DD for the bass.
A custom-tailored BA for the midrange.
A pair of customized BA drivers harmonize the treble frequencies.

They are held together via a dedicated 3 frequency RC filter band.

---

Sound Signature:-


- I have used the stock tips and the Moondrop Chu 2 cable as I had gotten a 4.4mm termination cable and I don’t have a 4.4mm source as of now.

- I used the Fiio btr5 for my source which is a very neutral source.

- These are not hard to drive but nor are they easy to drive, a decent dongle would be needed for its full potential to shine.

- The overall sound signature of the iem is U shape with an overall very natural tone and timbre

- There is a slight BA timbre which I have noticed.



Bass -

- It has a slight mid bass tuck and sub bass is a bit more prominent

- I personally found the sub bass to be quite good and it has that rumble and kick.

- Due to the mid bass tuck the overall bass regions lacks a bit of punch and oomph when I need it.

- But this smooth mid bass has an advantage where in it doesn’t bleed into the mids and does mess up the mids that much. For me personally I would like a bit of mid bass, but for those who don’t this is a good match



Midrange -


- The midrange is recessed, but because the mid-bass is recessed it does come forward.

- Instruments sounds very good in these and I could pick out all the instruments played in a song and enjoy them to the fullest. For example playing “Galactic Funk” By casiopea was a treat to listen. The iem is very good for classical music, I was very happy while listening to classical music from vivaldi, chopin, edward greig, beethoven, mozart etc.

- The Male vocals gives me the depthness and the great texture of Chris Cornells and Bill Withers voice, But sometimes in certain songs it feels like the vocals are set behind and I don’t enjoy it to the fullest.

- I like my female vocals to be forward and shimmery but this doesn’t do that. Now for some this could be a good thing as many people are not so tuned with the super forward upper mids and love a laid back listen. For example when I am listening to “Ano Yume Ni” by Hako Yamasaki her superb voice wasn't really captured quite well here and it let me longing for more.

- Depending on the type of female vocals you like this could be purely down to personal choice


Treble -

- Treble is very smooth and dark

- The treble overall isn't that shimmery and lacks that spicyness I generally want and that is good thing for many out there who are affected by that spicy or shimmery treble.

- I personally would have liked a bit more from here as many instruments sound a bit laid back in this region and sound a bit dampened.

- Again depending on the type of treble you want this could be a very good thing, as many out there prefer this darker shade of treble

- The treble isn't that airy and there is a bit of lack of treble extension, a bit of treble extension in my opinion would have helped it a lot.



Technicalities -

They are very good when it comes to this. The overall resolution was quite good although not as good as a planar iem, although in some very hard to play songs when a lot was happening it felt a bit too much and it felt a bit lost again this a nitpick for the price range but it deserves a small mention.



Soundstage -

Soundstage is quite ok, although it has a good height in soundstage the depthness and the overall width was quite lacking. Again this is purely a matter of choice as many prefer this intimate soundstage when wearing an iem. I personally prefer a very wide and spacious soundstage.



Imaging -

The imaging is very good for this price range. It was great for listening to live songs and also when watching any media like action movies etc. it was really engaging.



Gaming Test -

For gaming I would say these perform really good as the darker treble and the great imaging plays a big hand for its awesome gaming chops. When playing FPS games I was very happy with the footsteps and having an idea of the surroundings. Also In busy sequences it didn’t feel piercy and was great in handling those. Pairing it with a boom mic cable from Kinera will make this a great gaming iem.

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Comparisons & Recommendation:-



- V/S Truthear Nova – I personally prefer the nova because of its female vocals. But in a perfect world I would generally have both as chopin is great for certain genres like classical and it also makes a very good gaming iem paired with a boom mic cable.

- V/S Kara – The Kara has better female vocals but the overall bass in kara leaves a lot to be desired when compared to the chopin.

- Overall the chopin does certain genre like classical and rock very well for me, but the dark female vocals and treble leaves a lot to be desired for me.

- Now again this could be the only iem for those who likes an overall darker signature in terms of upper mids and treble.

- Please do keep the negatives and positives in mind when making a choice, as no iem is one choice fits for all.

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If you have any questions please feel free to ask me and also if you have any issues regarding this format of review please do comment I will try to mend it. Also sorry to those who are used to reading long paragraphs of review in headfi. I hope my review was upto the mark, I appreciate any feedback.

Again a big thanks to Hifigo for making this review possible.

Have a great day ahead

Disclaimer:

I am not the pinnacle of objectivity, all of my impressions are subjective and should be treated only as one person's view.
This review is unpaid, however we were given Divinus Velvet tips to keep (I asked for S and got M). This is a HiFiGo tour unit.
Unit has been in possession for 8 days.
Review was made over 6 days of use.
EQ and other transducers were used for indirect comparison/forming thoughts.
Rating is weighted towards sound.

Fit/Comfort/Build:

Nozzle diameter is 6.3mm at the tip, 6.8mm at the lip, which is at the centre of the nozzle, have had a one time issue with tip retention with tips that have less of a lip.
The stock tips (not Velvets, not UC) are stiff and wide stemmed, similar if not the same grey tips that come with most IE earphones.
Minimum tip diameter ends up at 9.3mm with the stock tips, they are also quite itchy.
I HIGHLY recommend switching the tips, the velvets bring the diameter down to 8.6mm, with other tips I got the diameter down to 8.2mm.
It fits, but it hurts my ear canal when taken out, even after only 20 minutes of use, which makes me really want to not use it.
There is some pressure on my tragus and in the concha surrounding the ear canal but it's not painful there.
With a deeper fit there is enough pressure on the helix behind the antitragus and on the antitragus to be painful.
Regardless of insert depth comfort is bad enough for me so that I wanted to actively avoid using it.
Isolation is somewhat poor.

Has a front vent and rear vent at the top of the shell, no driver flex or pressure build-up.

Metal (brushed steel?) faceplate and matte resin shell.
Some residue on the faceplate, has also been known to fall off.
Interesting due to the design causing it to go out of and over the front of the ear.

Cable is similar to the Kiwi Ears Cadenza but is instead white, seems to be PVC, slightly sticky, quite microphonic, has kinks left in it,
is not the most compliant but pretty good, and has started going stiff in places, with very limited contact from me.
The strain relief on the jack/plug is free to spin around, hardware is all metal except the 2 pin connectors, which have a plastic shell.
If you are buying a cable to replace this one it is the recessed 2 pin type.
0.3 and 0.5ohms DC resistance on each side, cable can come in 3.5SE and 4.4BAL.
There is an included brush, tip cleaner and magnet, all in one.
Case has a thinner layer of foam on both sides, glued at the centre.
There is a small (~A8) manual and warranty conditions booklet.

Imagery:



Sound:

Source used: Qudelix 5K, NOS, 96kHz
Tips: Stock, smallest | XM3 Aftermarket, opaque, all sizes | Divinus Velvet, M 5.5-6.5kHz first canal resonance peak (PROBABLY WRONG)

It's definitely listenable, treble is smooth, except for a wide peak at 12500Hz ish (seems to move around depending on tips),
otherwise a little congested, pillowy, dry/dead/boring,
undoing the tuck by boosting 250Hz or by boosting the midrange at a low Q factor around 500Hz alleviates this somewhat.
The tonal balance skews mostly towards ear gain region, can be cold, chchy, shshy and harsh.

No noticeable imbalance.
I can't tell any changes with different tips, with a significantly deeper fit,
except bass quantity it depends, seal is more difficult with some tips.

Bass instruments sometimes have quite a nice bit of grit and detail, possibly due to the pronounced rumble, audible in Trouble in Paradise (Rayman Origins),
in addition the timbre of basically every instrument in said track is good,
except the trumpet, it lacks edge, dynamics and the percussion is quieter than it should be.
The rumble is also noticeable in Through A Cloud, Darkly (Chris Christodoulou), and the repeating FX has some texture.
Nikopol (Gurren Lagann) is basically unlistenable, incredibly harsh and the bass is inaudible, some of the kicks make it through every now and then.
Most of the instruments are audible still however, except the lower guitar notes.

The slam/punch/tactility/dynamics(/detail) in general are all very meh, regardless of volume.
Kicks have a "click" to them sometimes which can be nice, e.g. in To Hell and Back (P.T. Adamczyk), which also in general sounds quite good but lacks warmth,
and The Blue Monday E'r'ectrical Parade (Iwasaki Taku),
also in said track, the background male vocal "aaaaaaah" comes through very slightly and the swells have some dynamics,
only the swells, the intro particularly is incredibly limp and very thin sounding, the clap has no decay.
Bass hits, like the ones throughout the chorus section of Are You In or Are You Out? (Captain Laserhawk) very much lack dynamics,
the timbre of the synth however is pretty good, a bit soft though and telephoney.
Snares are soft harsh and chchy, sound like pink noise and really lack dynamics, e.g in the start of Electric Guitarist (Yugo Kanno).
The steelpan in Aria Math (C418) lacks dynamics, the attack is noticeably long and the decay too quiet,
the background noise/hiss is easily audible throughout until 1:35 or so where it begins to start getting overpowered at 2:04 or so.
The single background perc hit at 2:52 is slightly audible.

For some reason there is audible distortion at lower volumes in the midrange (300-1000Hz) when doing sine sweeps which I cannot explain.
Listening to Radiant City (Deftones) is fatiguing,
there is no issue with not being able to hear instruments, but the congestion does not help.
The guitar sounds a bit soft, I can't hear any hiss but the chchiness is audible and detracts from its texture/timbre.
With noisy/busy music in general, at an extreme level like: ACT RIGHT (Femtanyl), it's actually not bad, mostly harsh and dry,
somewhat difficult to listen to at even normal volumes and many of the details such as the saw wave stabs are hard to hear.
Dynamics for this track are ok at the very best.
Sounds that should be very dynamic and textured are not, like the intro synth to Orphan (Slipknot),
it also has the issue of sounding like pink noise, the timbre of the synth sound 23 seconds in is significantly nicer and has some of its characteristic buzzing.
Piano lacks dynamics and some of the expected "distorted" sound in Équinoxe (C418),
however the later "zingy" FX pad at 0:54 then 1:20 does not have the same issue, but decay is lacking.

Brass lacks dynamics, at lower pitches there is more buzz and flutter like in the background and foreground of Shamar - Night (Sonic Unleashed).
I struggle to hear the background bass guitar towards the end, otherwise all instruments are accounted for.
The intro stab to Skyscraper Scamper - Day (Sonic Unleashed) sounds crunchy/compressed/distorted, and lacks dynamics,
the saxophone in the intro lacks dynamics and sounds nasally and thin, the trumpets afterwards are a little better, being louder and having some dynamicism,
the very low bass is audible and not lacking in dynamics, it is harder to hear when it is pitched up starting at 2:16.
The cymbals are very shshy throughout and not anywhere near sizzly enough, lacking loudness.
In some cases brass (and sax) can sound quite good, with Arid Sands - Night (Sonic Unleashed), the layered trumpet, sax and strings have some texture and get loud,
there isn't that much for them to be masked by and the timbre of them is good except for being nasally.
Room echos are not very pronounced, but are there.

Calmer/less busy music has less problems as expected, Shunjun / 逡巡 (Hideaki Taniuchi) has noticeable dynamics,
and the wind-like sound that comes in at 45 seconds feels like it gets closer before it decays out, which it does wispily, like it never played in the first place.
The grainy sound after it decays is inaudible and more of the details are harder to hear as the mix gets busier and guitar becomes more prominent,
and it too has the same issue of sounding like it has no decay.
The intro section of Unknow (The Maccabees) is very nice, the pad swells to its intended loudness, the FX have some texture,
but the vocals might have some difficulty being understood.
The rumble of the bass guitar twang stands out, the snares have so little dynamics that i forgot they existed even though they are clearly audible.
Tower Lockdown (Paul Leonard-Morgan) sounds really really nice, the main synth is nicely textured, arguably grainy,
the track regardless sounds a bit thin and soft but all of the small FX details and various pads are audible, and swell to almost their expected loudness.
Most music from Cyberpunk 2077's original soundtrack sounds good on Chopin, the bass and rumble are VERY evident at higher volumes.

Female vocals e.g. in Sorairo Days (Shoko Nakagawa) are a bit nasally,
the track in general is near unlistenably harsh with Chopin, mostly shshy and ssssy/sibilant.
The vocals after the intro section in Possessed by Disease (Keiichi Okabe) are more nasally than usual as well,
the intro vocals lack husk, they have some slight breathiness, the pad that plays from the start feels very smoothed over.
The Male vocal "aaaaaah" at the start of Turnin' On The Screw (QOTSA) sounds wispy though it does have some vocal husk and texture.
The rest of the vocals after the start also sound wispy, nasally and have a little husk but have the issue of sounding like pink noise.

Image/stage sits near my head, mostly at the back and stretches nearby very diffusely left and right,
doesn't have frontal or accurate localisation, front-back discrimination is difficult.

Measurement of unit at: https://cammyfi.squig.link/?share=Binary_x_Gizaudio_Chopin

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Gizaudio x Binary Acoustics Chopin

The Gizaudio x Binary Acoustics Chopin have been sent to me by HifiGo in exchange for the publication of this review. It has been quite some time since I featured anything from HifiGo and they have not made any requests or specific comments. I will, as always, aim to be as unbiased as possible in my review.

The Chopin can be purchased from HifiGo here: https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin

As with all the links I share, this is a non-affiliate link, meaning I do not receive anything in exchange for clicks or purchases.

To avoid being repetetive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews



Intro…

There has been quite a bit of furor around the Chopin lately. I am not really someone who reads or watches reviews of products, mainly to not build up expectations on things that I may review. However, while I haven’t actually read (or seen) any reviews of the Chopin, it has been impossible to not notice the amount of times it has been mentioned. So, when HifiGo offered to send it out, I was happy to give it a try and see what all the noise is about.

In case anyone, like me, has not read any of the reviews and, unlike me, has managed to somehow avoid the hype, here is a brief summary of what the Gizaudio x Binary Acoustics Chopin is.

Gizaudio is a reviewer who is actually known by many as Timmy who produces for Crinacle, however, he has plenty of experience in reviewing, with his YouTube channel having over 36k subscribers and his web being full of content. This is also not his first collaboration, so he is by no means new to the IEM game.

Binary Acoustics is a brand that has been around since 2017 and while they have other models, the Chopin seems to be the only one available at the moment. I have heard of Binary in the past but, to be honest, I couldn’t tell you anything about other models of theirs without looking it up.

Finally, Chopin. According to the publicity for these IEMs, they are meant to pay homage to Chopin. If you have no idea who Chopin was, then I suggest you just type “classical music” into Google and start there

So, the IEMs… They feature a four driver hybrid configuration, featuring a single 8mm ceramic diaphragm dynamic driver, along with 3 custom balanced armature drivers, one for the mid range and the other two for the treble.

While these IEMs have a rather high sensitivity of 122dB/Vrms, the impedance is rather low at 12Ohms. This shouldn’t cause any issues with most dongles and amplifiers but is something to consider if your device has a high output impedance.

So, enough about the what and let’s get to the how…



Presentation…

I have to say that I am impressed by the presentation of these IEMs. I know that they are a 200€ set of IEMs and the contents aren’t really anything to write home about, but the way it is presented is original in comparison to so many other models.

Here we get a wide but thin box that stands up and the lid that lifts off is almost like a showcase lid (although not tansparent), leaving just a small section at the bottom as a stand. The box is a silvery grey colour, with the model and brand on the front, together with a simple design in black. On the back we see the FR graph and some very basic information.

While there is nothing really special about the aesthetics, I think it looks very elegant and makes it look like an expensive set of IEMs. Removing the top reveals the storage/transport case and two small white boxes that are also standing up vertically.

Inside the two boxes we find the user manual in one, with the cable, tips and a cleaning brush in the other.

The storage case is something that reminds me of a case that our measuring equipment comes in at work. It is a very robust and well built hard case that opens up to reveal a soft lined interior that contains two small drawstring bags. Inside each of these bags we find one IEM, well protected from any damage.

While the presentation of an IEM is not really something to get excited about, except on very specific occasions, I do like to point out when something is different from the usual experience and that is the case with the Chopin. While there contents are fairly basic, the presentation makes you feel like you are receiving a product that has been cared for.



Build and aesthetics…

The IEMs use a 3D printed shell with a stainless steel faceplate that features the same design as on the exterior of the box. They again look modern and elegant, without being overly shouty. The shape is different to most sets and look like they would be uncomfortable but I actually found that they work very well for my ear anatomy and I find them very comfortable.

The nozzles are on the larger side and are fairly long but take the included tips well and allow me to get a nice deepish fit. I am not sure what tips these are but they seem to be more robust than most other silicon tips, with a tougher center core, and both fit securely and seal well (medium) in my ears.

The included cable is nothing special but there is nothing wrong with it either. It’s of a simple twisted style, combining both metal and plastic connectors and hardware.

As mentioned, the included storage case is very nice and will protect the IEMs well, although it is a little large to be carried around in a pocket (in my pockets anyway).

In general, I get the impression of a well built and nicely put together set of IEMs that aren’t anything really special but still give a sensation of being a good product.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

Ever wondered what it is like to have a subwoofer and some satellite speakers in your ears? Well, the Chopin comes very close to answering that question. In fact, as soon as I put them in and started listening, they reminded me of a set of Meyer Sound MM4 speakers paired with a 750-LFC sub. Now that is going to mean absolutely nothing to the vast majority of you out there, unless you are into pro sound speakers, but it is still what came to mind.

So, for those of you that have absolutely no idea what I am talking about, the 750-LFC is a subwoofer that is capable of going very low and staying very clean, while the MM4 are small satellite speakers which, while rated at 120Hz to 18kHz, don’t really do much below the 500Hz mark and sort of focus things on the upper mids.

As an image is worth a thousand words (maybe I should just do photographic reviews instead of rambling on ), here is the graph of the Chopin with my usual personal preference target for reference:



For those of you that read the graphs and automatically see the tuning, you will understand what I am getting at, but for those of you that prefer my thousand words, here are my impressions based on my usual list of test tracks.

As you can probably guess, there is no shortage of subbass with the Chopin. The lowest notes are presented in a way that really does give you the sensation of having a subwoofer. However, although there is a lot of subbass, it is also very well controlled and does have a method to its madness.

Using my usual “Chameleon” test, after spending time listening to a lot of hip hop and other bass heavy music throughout my general listening tests, I expected there to be a huge amount of vibration and rumble and there is, but it is a controlled rumble, even allowing the nuances of that tremendous subbass that is both the track and the tuning to be appreciated.

However, as we move from the subbass to the midbass, there is a ramp down that can leave certain tracks missing a bit of punch from those bass ranges. The classic P-Bass through an Ampeg stack sound from the 70’s does not come across as it usually does. In fact, if there are any bass players out there, one of my most prized bass pedals is the DOD Meatbox, a subsynth pedal that can make anyones teeth rattle in exchange for a loss of a bit of punch and clarity. This pedal is something that Juan Alderete (Mars Volta, Hella, System of a Down etc.) referred to as a “speaker popper”. Well, the Chopin has a tuning that can be reminiscent of that pedal effect at times, giving a huge amount of subbass but still very clean.

But I digress… back to the midbass. Here there is a bit of a lack of presence, especially as the midbass meets the lower mids, which creates a very clean transition but can also leave certain vocals, and certain acoustic stringed instruments, craving a bit more warmth in those ranges. Obviously on tracks that have subbass presence, things do not come across as lacking in the low end, but for simple acoustic assemblies, using just acoustic guitars and male vocals, I do find that there is a bit of body missing.

As we move into the upper mids, there is a ramp up from just under 1kHz to just under 3kHz that works to bring back light to what would otherwise be a very dark and clouded sound. While this does brighten things up, I do get the sensation that it again does not work great for male vocals, as the slight lack of body to the lower end of vocals gets overrun by that extra presence in the upper mids and can bring out some harshness.

In the case of female vocals, I find the opposite is true. While there are some specific voices that can become a little harsh, the majority of female vocals are clean and well presented, avoiding both harshness and sibilance. With EDM that features female singers, I found that it brought back the days when I could stay in a disco until the sun came up (and not be falling asleep by 2am), where the level of bass was huge yet the vocals still shined through.

As we move into the upper ranges, things are rather smooth and while they are not exactly lacking, the sensation of bass does make it seem like the treble is more rolled of than it actually is. This can make some tracks feel like they are missing air and extension but I don’t think they are, it is more of the way it balances out with that low end and upper mid focus.

As far as sound stage, they do a pretty good job. I wouldn’t say that they are huge but they do have a nice sensation to them, paired with good details that are pretty well placed. This is one of those few occasions when IEMs actually work in favour of soundstage in comparison to speakers due to them being inserted in your ears and giving a better stereo separation of those lower notes.



Conclusion…

Is the Chopin a tuning I would choose personally to listen to music? No.

Does it do a good job of presenting the tuning it is aiming for? Hell yes.

If you want something that gives you that sensation of a subwoofer in addition to separate high range speakers, and especially if you listen loud (which I don’t by the way), then I think that the Chopin is something that probably doesn’t have many rivals out there.

I have listened to bassier IEMs, yet they didn’t keep the composure and cleanliness that the Chopin do, where it is capable of both rattling your skull and separating the notes that it is using to rattle it at the same time.

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All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

Forward:

I'm grateful to Pulkit @gadgetgod for providing me with this unit. As the name suggests, it's yet another Timmy's (aka Gizaudio) collab, which has really impressed me on the first listen. Below are my initial impressions of Binary x Gizaudio Chopin.

Build:

The IEM build looks great. I was suspicious regarding the fit given the design and the fact that I have small ears, but these fit my ears so well.I never had to adjust in between my sessions. The cable is quite soft, and since it does not have ear hooks, it adjusts pretty well to the ears. The case felt premium and robust, whereas the eartips looked generic. They work well enough. nothing fancy.


Sound:

This opinion is based on my brief session while listening to Spotify on an iPhone 15 paired with the Luxury and Precision W4 dongle DAC. No EQ or presets were applied. On my very first listen, it sounded clean and natural to me. I would say it felt neutral, with a touch of warmth. By looking at the squigs, it feels like they were quite inspired by the moondrop variations.



Bass:

The bass is tight, has subtle warmth, and does not lack rumble; it's quite clean and textured without bleeding into the mids. I never came across such great bass on a hybrid IEM.

Mids:

The mids are well implemented in chopin. The instrument sounded well separated, but I only slightly felt the BA timbre when I paid close attention to a few tracks. The overall timbre is much better than other hybrid IEMs.

Treble:

The treble in Chopin goes smooth with no harshness; it also has decent sparkle, and one can hear nuances despite being less airy. Overall, the treble felt smooth and safely tuned.

Technicalities:

The soundstage is wide and has a good depth to it; the imaging is quite accurate; the detail retreival is great; however, the tonality felt just fine to me; the musical notes were accurate but felt less emotional.

Final Verdict:

I feel the Binary Acoustics x Gizaudio Chopin is a very capable IEM, and it definitely gives tough competition to other IEMs at this price point. It remains mostly clinical, with a subtle level of fun to it.

Come with me as I share my honest impressions on the Binary x Gizaudio Chopin. This is Gizaudio’s second collaboration set and is priced at $199. Considering the success that Timmy’s first collaboration got, it leaves the Chopin with a high bar to surpass. So let’s find out if it does exactly that!

PROS:

• Fun, U-Shaped sound signature
• Deep, impactful bass
• Clean, open mids
• Sparkly and energetic treble without fatigue
• Good vocal and instrument positioning

CONS:

• Lower mids sound thin and distant
• Distinct metallic timbre
• Congestion in the upper midrange to lower treble
• Poor fit
• Cheap build

Knowing Timmy’s (Gizaudio) tastes in his IEMs, I was expecting the Galileo to have that signature hard hitting but clean bass, open mids and sparkly treble to which I unfortunately did not experience as he aimed the Galileo to follow a more neutral sounding set.

Almost a year later, we are then introduced to the Chopin. Named after another famous figure in the arts (I know Galileo was based on a detective show in Japan), the Chopin is exactly what I imagine Timmy’s preference to sound like.

Bass hits hard and goes deep but doesn’t intrude into the midrange to keep it clean and that treble is quite sparkly and incisive. The bass especially is quite satisfying as I found myself mindlessly listening to music when Lose Yourself to Dance by Daft Punk came in and broke my focus while I worked with how punchy the bass sounded.

Its separation and imaging are also quite commendable as vocals are well placed in the sound field around the instruments. It’s no speaker quality, but it sounds considerably wider than your usual in-ears with a good sense of where the instruments are placed.

Two IEMs that remind me of the Chopin are the Variations and the AFUL Performer 5. One in a good way and one in a bad way.

Compared to the Variations, Chopin has a much more organic sound in the midrange as there is a better balance between the lower mids to the upper mids that give it a more organic sound. It’s no timbre-master by any means, but it fits my preferences much closer.

Where I’m not so fond of on the Chopin is the upper midrange timbre. This is where the P5 comparison came in as it both has a metallic upper midrange to treble that gives it a somewhat rough and congested sound. It’s not as bad as the P5 and I would argue that it does what the RLC of the AFUL series of IEMs better, but it really shines on vocals and percussives when each hit and S sounds unnatural.

Some call the Chopin to be a budget Variations to which, I’d honestly say this is a better Variation in terms of tuning. It keeps the deep, punchy bass while having a better midrange note weight. It, unfortunately, suffers from having a somewhat rough, metallic upper mids to treble timbre that also affects the separation in this region to sound a little congested. Regardless, this is much closer to what I had envisioned Timmy’s preference in IEMs sound like and I quite enjoy it!

Thank you for reading my impressions on the Binary Chopin. Big thanks to HiFiGo for sending over the Chopin for me and my fellow reviewers to share our thoughts on. If you would like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below: https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin

If you have any questions or concerns, message me on my facebook page or my email at obodioreviews@gmail.com

Chopin is Timmy Vangtan a.k.a. Gizaudio’s second collaboration with an IEM manufacturer to create a product that would suit his listening preferences as well as market trends. He is a pretty well known and liked individual by the community. Binary on the other hand, is the dark horse in this relationship. They are, by no means a new manufacturer, but Chopin is their first product in the international market as far as I know.

Priced at 199 USD MSRP, which is very crowded with highly competent iems by the way, the 1+3 hybrid iem Chopin promises a lot, but does it deliver? We will try to find out in this review.

Disclaimers​

Binary x Gizaudio Chopin was provided to me by Hifigo with a discount in exchange for a review. As I always say, everyone is biased one way or another so take everything you read with a grain of salt. Also I will try to be more concise and to the point in my reviews from now on without worrying about the word count etc. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.

Build and Accessories of Binary x Gizaudio Chopin​

As soon as you open the box, you immediately notice Chopin is a no-frills kind of iem. As Eiji (Zerstorer_GOhren) had called it, utilitarian is the best word to describe their design intention. Box opens upwards in an uncommon way and reveals the case, the accessories and some literature.



When you open the case, you notice the ear pieces are placed in small pouches each, at least they are supposed to, but mine were flying around freely. Fortunately the unimpressive plastic case has some soft foam in it, so the shells weren’t damaged and iems are working fine.

Accessories box is also unimpressive with a set of generic tips, a cleaning brush and a 4.4 mm balanced cable. At first they didn’t have a 3.5 mm single ended choice but now they do so good news.

I have to make a point of two things before I move on to the shell design. My first gripe is the cable, it really is something you would expect from an iem that is below 100 usd. I won’t comment on if or how it affects the sound but I’ve seen much better cables from cheaper iems. But at least I appreciate the offering of a balanced choice. My other and bigger gripe is the tip offerings. Most of the reviewers and pre-orderers get Divinus Velvet Tips with their iems but I didn’t. Probably they have forgotten or something. Why I’m saying this is because until I tried my JVC Spiral Dots, I couldn’t get a good fit. They were either uncomfortable or didn’t seal properly. So in my opinion a suitable aftermarket tip is a must with these. Fortunately if you order now, Chopin comes with Softears UC tips. I don’t have UCs but I have tried similar tips. Unfortunately they weren’t near as good as JVC Spiral Dots for me, so that you know.



The shells of Chopin are built pretty good. They cut some corners with packaging and accessories but shells are let off the hook it seems. They are built with the same hard resin material with Truthear Hexa and Moondrop Variations, even the color is the same. Faceplates are metal. Shape of the shells is unusual and I was kind of worried about the fit but they actually fit very well even into small ears like mine. If only nozzles were a little narrower too. Yes the nozzles are on the thick side, pretty much the same with Truthear Hexa, Moondrop Variations or LetShuoer DZ4. That said, the angle of the nozzle is very well designed and it provides a nice deep insertion. However, like I said earlier, to get a good seal and comfort I had to roll a lot of tips. Another slight nitpick of mine is that connectors on the shells are too recessed, so some flush 2-pin cables probably won’t fit these.

Sound of Binary x Gizaudio Chopin​

Tonality​

Chopin pretty much sounds like how the graph shows. So whatever I say here would look like I’m reading the graph. Still I will try to give more context but comparisons below will make you understand much better.



Some of you already know that Timmy likes his female vocals and weeb music, so he probably tuned Chopin to adhere to the Harman target to benefit from its strong points while avoiding its shortcomings. The bass and the lower mids are not excessively lean like other harman tuned iems. It still keeps mids and vocals clean and clear. Lower mids are tucked and this shows itself with a little lack of warmth. Bass guitars sometimes lack energy and can be masked by the drums. Speaking of drums, they have a very good attack. Impact and texture is also great, so much so that it is hard to believe a 8 mm dynamic driver is achieving this.

Mids are very well tuned. Chopin almost never gets shouty or wonky. Vocals pop and they are, as I said earlier, very clean and clear.

Treble is slightly bright but mostly correct. There have been very rare instances where it gets splashy so I wouldn’t call them smooth. Timbre is mostly good but shortcomings of the Balanced Armatures that have been used shows itself from time to time.

Technicalities​

Chopin has good extension in the treble and feels fairly spacious. Tuning lets details to be perceived easily and resolving capability is on par with the asking price.

Comparisons​

Binary x Gizaudio Chopin vs Moondrop Variations​

As soon as people saw the graphs they immediately asked if Chopin was aiming to be a Variations killer so it only made sense to compare them to see how close it gets.



Variations is much clearer, wider, more spacious, more natural and more resolving. It also has much better timbre and imaging. Chopin’s staging and imaging capabilities are still decent.
Chopin hits harder in the bass region but rumbles slightly less.
Chopin is warmer and bass guitars are more prominent in Chopin.
Chopin has a more intimate presentation.
Variations have much better treble, more controlled. Chopin’s treble can get messy and splashy compared to that. It’s not harsh but just loses its composure.
Variations have a more forward presentation in the upper mids. Chopin is slightly less shouty.
In short Chopin is a more exciting, but also a less refined Variations.


Normalized at 500 Hz

Binary x Gizaudio Chopin vs Audiosense AQ4​

What if you want a totally different tuning for a similar price?



Chopin’s subbass although has decent extension, it is nowhere near the thunderous subbass of AQ4. Apart from the obvious bass and warmth difference, Chopin sounds much cleaner and clearer. Also bass quality seems to be higher on Chopin.

Treble on AQ4 is slightly more polished, Chopin sounds a little more splashy.

Vocals, whether male or female, pop on Chopin. On AQ4, while they have enough presence, they are more in line with the rest of the music. Neither is sibilant or harsh.

Chopin sounds more open and spacious. Imaging and layering is also slightly better on Chopin. Their resolving capabilities are close if AQ4 is not slightly better. However, since Chopin has a more “clean” tuning, it can reveal more details. In AQ4’s case, masking occurs more often than not. AQ4 has a slightly better timbre, Chopin has a more apparent edginess or BA timbre if you will. From what I gathered, AQ4’s balanced armatures are of higher quality but Chopin's dynamic drivers perform better. Still we shouldn’t forget that AQ4’s tuning might be causing extra distortion. So if the bass is EQ’d down, AQ4 might in fact perform better.


Normalized at 1000 Hz

Conclusion​

Timmy and Binary did very good with Chopin. While there are a lot of great iems in the 200 usd price range, I can’t think of any vocal focussed tucked bass one on the top of my head. Below 100 USD you have Crinacle’s Truthear Zero and Zero Red and above 500 USD you have Xenns Top and Moondrop Variations. Could Chopin be cheaper? Considering the balanced armatures’ performance and accessories, probably. Is it an upgrade to the Zeros? Absolutely! Is it a Variations killer? No. So overall, it is a very competitively priced and well performing choice, and if you are looking for a vocal focussed tuning or, you are curious about how sets with tucked bass sounds, probably your only choice.

General/Packaging/Build/Comfort
Gizaudio is a name that I believe most should be very familiar with, the man behind it, Timmy, has collaborated with Binary Acoustics along with HifiGo to release Chopin. For those who are not familiar with Binary Acoustics, here’s a snippet of it from HifiGo’s site “Binary Acoustics has been pursuing better sound quality since 2017. They aim to achieve the smallest possible size and streamlined design. They develop the products on the concept of "Let your ears！“ "convey sound and emotion". Their products disappear into the ears when listening to music, allowing their users to completely immerse themselves into the world of music allowing them to feel the original, pure sound!!”
The packaging is minimalistic, clean,simple and elegant overall presentation. Upon unboxing, it consists of a hard case which stores the left and right channel with a small iem pouch for each channel, the 4.4 cable as well as eartips. The cable is rather thin and will get tangled up easily sometimes, but overall, it works well.
The build quality is good, the shell is 3D printed resin with stainless steel faceplate, and overall it feels solid, sturdy and lightweight. Despite having an odd shape(personal p.o.v), the fit and seal is very good, it literally disappears in your ears when you are wearing it.



Gears used for this review

• Earmen Tradutto -> Earmen CH-Amp
• Earmen Colibri
• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus
• Hiby R6 2020
• Chopin Stock cable with Divinus Velvet eartips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
The first thing that I noticed upon listening to Chopin, it is very clean across the overall frequency range. I would say it is quite neutral with a bit of bass boost. Timbre sounds quite natural overall, but if you try hard enough, there are some minor BA timbres.

Bass

• Bass has good texture and control, has very good speed
• Speed is good and handled Metallica’s Lux Aeterna without sounding bloated
• Bass doesn’t bleed into the mids
• Sub bass does have some rumble when the track calls for it, it doesn’t go really deep but it is good enough for EDM enjoyment, tested this listening to Ping Pong by Armin

Mids

• I’m quite surprised that the mids are not as recessed as shown from the graph, very clean mid range overall
• Male’s vocal sounded a little lacking in terms of body, overall it's not too bad, i tested this with Zhao Peng’s song, it doesn’t sound that full, but its not bad either
• Female vocal such as Faye Wong does sound fuller compared to male’s, very enjoyable
• Lower to upper mid range are very lush and enjoyable, even at high volume, it doesn’t get harsh

Treble

• Treble is smooth and not fatiguing, energetic enough but not excessive to the point where its harsh
• Extension is very good and it has good amount of air,
• Detail retrieval is good, higher expectation is just nitpicking in my opinion

Soundstage/Imaging

• Good sense of width and height, depth as well, it doesn’t sound boxy and very open sounding to my ears
• Imaging is quite good, instruments can be pinpointed easily

Driveability

• Chopin is not hard to drive, but it does scales with power as with most dynamic drivers
• Amping it does exhibit slightly better bass control in terms of tightness and a little bit of refinement on the top end
• However it does scale with source, in terms of how the dac/amp affect it in terms of colorization of the sound

Comparison(Truthear Nova)

• Nova is a slightly warmer set overall, with a little bit more note weight
• Sub bass doesn’t rumble as hard as Chopin, mid bass on both are rather close in terms of performance
• The mids on Nova has thicker note weight compared to Chopin, not necessarily a bad thing but more of a preference, some preferred a cleaner mids while some preferred a slightly thicker mids
• Treble is slightly more energetic on the Chopin while Nova has tamer treble
• Technicalities is also better on the Chopin, in terms of imaging, soundstage and detail retrievals

Final Thoughts
This time around, I think Timmy has done it right, i personally think that Chopin is an improved Galileo from every aspect, bass, mids, treble and technicalities. At the price of 199$, it is definitely a solid pair that you can’t go wrong with, be it you are just starting out in the hobby, or have been in the hobby for a little while, it is definitely a solid choice. It works well with a wide range of genres, but of course there are also some where its performance is lacking. Recommended!

If you are interested in grabbing a pair, head over to the following links in getting one (Non affiliated):

HiFiGo： https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin
Aliexpress：
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006135789174.html
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL6LNF82/binary+gizaudio+chopin/
Amazon JP：
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CL6MRTW9/binary+gizaudio+chopin/

*Received the review sample from HifiGo, however, i am in no way influenced by them in producing this review, all thoughts are of my own, big thanks to them for the support as always

INTRODUCTION:​

Binary Acoustics is a recent discovery for me, a hidden gem that's just made its debut on my radar. In contrast, Gizaudio shines as a prominent YouTube figure, renowned for in-depth reviews on audio equipment and even venturing into the fragrant world of perfumes. I had the privilege of evaluating his inaugural collaboration with Letshuoer, the Galileo. Now, with this being his second joint effort, it's no surprise that he sings its praises. However, Timmy (Gizaudio) and I don't always see ear to ear when it comes to audio gear. Will the Chopin bridge the gap in our perspectives this time? Let's dive into the review and find out.

FOREWORD:​

• The gear on hand has undergone at least 10-15 hours of use before it was assessed.
• No EQ is ever applied in my reviews.
• For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
• As I try to be objective, my claims inevitably will be subjective and biased to my personal preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.

SPECIFICATIONS:​

Maker: Binary Acoustics
Model: Chopin
Drivers: 8mm ceramic diaphragm DD + 3 BA drivers
Impedance: 12 ohms
Sensitivity: 122db

PACKAGING & DETAILS:​

The packaging arrives in an elegant shade of gray, presenting a front design that tastefully showcases the name 'Chopin' amidst a graphical representation reminiscent of a frequency spectrum. On the flip side, customary specifications and an auditory treat, a frequency graph, greet those who find pleasure in hearing with their eyes.

With this tour set, I acquired the 4.4mm cable, a choice that sets the stage for this audio journey. But what truly captures the essence of uniqueness is the packaging's innovative approach to unveiling its contents. Instead of the conventional left or right sliding box, the Chopin packaging introduces a refreshing upward slide, adding a dash of novelty to the unboxing experience.

In the sections below, I'll delve into the inclusions, offering brief impressions of each.

CASE:​

The case provided with the Chopin brings a smile to my face. This particular pelican-style case suits the needs of a gigging musician like myself perfectly, as the nature of my work sometimes exposes my gear to a bit of rough handling. An added bonus is the handy IEM pouch included.

In case the case proves too bulky for your smaller bags, opting to carry the IEMs with the pouch alone is a lightweight solution. This pouch serves as a shield against scratches, especially if you need to share pocket space with keys, coins, and other potential culprits for those unwanted marks.

EAR TIPS:​

There's a noticeable scarcity of ear tips in the package, which might raise concerns for some. Ear tips play a crucial role in shaping the sound of IEMs, and the absence of options could potentially lead a consumer to consider returning the purchase. It might just be a matter of experimenting with different tips to unlock the full potential of the IEMs.

Given the $200 price point, this limitation is a drawback. Many competitors in the market offer a more generous selection of tips. The included tips feature a regular bore and exhibit a firmness that suggests a preference for enhancing bass. Personally, I lean towards wide-bore tips, and the limited choices might confine those who aren't well-versed in the art of tip rolling. However, it's worth noting that the provided tips maintain decent quality.

DOCUMENTATIONS:​

Inside the package, you'll find a straightforward documentation that covers essential details regarding the package contents, wearing instructions, storage guidelines, and well-crafted safety advice. The other half of the document is provided in Chinese.

APPEARANCE:​

Crafted using dermatologically-friendly 3D-printed resin, complemented by a stainless steel faceplate, the Chopin embraces an intriguing teardrop-shaped aesthetic. The faceplate seamlessly mirrors the frequency spectrum design found on the packaging. On the left earpiece, you'll find the 'Binary Acoustics' label, while the right proudly displays 'Chopin.'

INTERNALS:​

Within the Chopin, you'll discover a 4-driver hybrid configuration:

- An 8 mm ceramic diaphragm dynamic driver takes charge of the bass.
- A custom-tailored balanced armature (BA) driver orchestrates the midrange.
- Meanwhile, a pair of customized BA drivers harmonize the treble frequencies.

These components are artfully woven together via a dedicated three-frequency RC filter band.

COMFORT:​

Thankfully, the Chopin's comfort during wear is truly praiseworthy, offering an average level of isolation. It fits snugly in the ear and maintains its lightweight feel even during extended sessions. What's truly astonishing is how this unconventional design manages to provide a sense of familiarity. As a musician who spends hours in recording sessions or completes typical 45-minute sets on stage, comfort is paramount. I'm delighted to report that these IEMs didn't cause any discomfort or ear soreness during use.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS:​

For this review, I chose my preferred DAP, the Fiio M11 Plus LTD, as the primary source. I also used the Cayin RU6 as a secondary reference. To maintain consistency, I relied on the stock tips and cable provided with the Chopin. My music sources encompass a combination of my own offline FLAC collection and tunes from my Apple Music subscription.

In terms of technicalities, the Chopin impresses, especially given its sub-$200 USD price range. Accurate imaging, highlighted by excellent instrument separation and layering, stands out. Complemented by an above-average soundstage, the music avoids congestion, and the resolution is commendable.

BASS:​

The Chopin primarily places its focus on the sub-bass realm, delivering a visceral, earth-shaking experience on bass-heavy tracks. However, it's important to note a mid-bass dip, and this can be a polarizing aspect. Undoubtedly, this design choice contributes to excellent bass quality, featuring swift and clean basslines, textured nuances, and a total absence of bleed.

MIDRANGE:​

The midrange of the Chopin offers a pristine quality with a subtle touch of warmth, striking a balanced middle ground. When it comes to male vocals, they exhibit an average presentation, not leaning excessively toward lushness and forwardness, yet maintaining a neutral demeanor without sounding thin or overly distant. On the other hand, female vocals possess a pleasing forwardness, adding an engaging element without venturing into excessive shoutiness or intrusiveness.

Instruments and timbre sound exceptionally natural, which is quite remarkable for a hybrid IEM. There's hardly any discernible influence of BA timbre, and at most, there might be a very faint trace at times, but it's unlikely to significantly impact the overall listening experience. Note weight and density reside on the neutral side, striking a balance that neither feels overly thin nor excessively thick; it's just right.

TREBLE:​

The treble aspect of the Chopin carries a generally smooth character, delivering ample sparkle and liveliness to the music without venturing into harsh or sharp territory, ensuring a fatigue-free listening experience. In the upper treble, there's a touch of airiness, judiciously balanced to create a slightly airy and open ambiance while maintaining a natural tonality.

Details in the treble are readily accessible without excessive emphasis, striking a harmonious balance that doesn't require excessive effort to discern intricate nuances.

COMPARISONS:​

TANGZU FU DU VERSE 1​

In Tangzu Fu Du Verse 1, both IEMs share a treble character that's generally safe, albeit somewhat short on air and sparkle. This makes them a comfortable choice for those sensitive to treble, but less exciting for treble enthusiasts. Fu Du shines with its impressive ear tip options.

Regarding bass, both IEMs offer a comparable amount, but Fu Du distinguishes itself with a mellower transient response and attack. The midrange, on the other hand, exhibits more body and weight. Technical chops are more defined with Chopin.

HIDIZS MS3​

When comparing the MS3 to the IEM under review, there are notable differences. The MS3 boasts a brighter treble with increased air and sparkle, although it may carry a slight potential for sibilance. It's worth highlighting the MS3's tuning nozzles, which enhance its versatility. The bass on the MS3 leans more towards neutrality. Meanwhile, the midrange appears slightly thinner with the MS3. In terms of technical capabilities, both IEMs are closely matched, with the MS3 holding a slight edge. Additionally, the MS3 comes with more extensive inclusions.

TEST TRACKS:​

Here are some tracks I usually listen to when reviewing:

That’s the way of the World by EWF
Africa by TOTO
The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Kral
Balmorhea album All is wild, All is Silent
Sila by Sud
Smooth Escape by D’Sound
Never too Much by Luther Vandross
P.Y.T by Michael Jackson
Ain’t no Sunshine by Eva Cassidy
Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
Another one bites the Dust by Queen
Good times bad times by Edie Brickell
Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans
Ain’t it Fun by Paramore
Redefine by Incubus
Far Away by Nickelback
Lovesong by Adele
Lingus by Snarky Puppy
Harvest for the World by Vanessa Williams
Love Bites by Def Leppard
No Such Thing by John Mayer
As by Stevie Wonder
Whip Appeal by Babyface
Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan
Futures by Prep
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Every Summertime by NIKI
SADE tracks
AC/DC tracks
Queen tracks


And many more… I always listen to High resolution format, being the least quality 16bit/44khz FLACS be it offline or online.

VERDICT:​

The Chopin earns commendation, and I struggle to identify significant flaws given its price point. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that its sonic performance lacks a distinctive edge. While nothing disappointed me, there was also nothing particularly remarkable. The one exception was the bass, which, in my opinion, leaned a bit too heavily for my taste. The Galileo left a lasting mark, but regrettably, the Chopin didn't resonate with me in the same way. Let me clarify, though - the Chopin is a capable offering, but it didn't quite match my sonic preferences. It does come at a reasonable price, and those seeking an engaging IEM with solid technical attributes should definitely consider it. However, if you're in pursuit of something truly unique, the Chopin might not be your answer.

I extend my gratitude to my friend and co-reviewer, Eiji Romero, for lending his unit, and I also appreciate Hifigo for sending us a tour unit of the Chopin. Stay tuned for the next review.

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank HIFIGO for furnishing this unit.
The Chopin can be obtained here: https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL6LNF82/binary+gizaudio+chopin/ (no affiliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 8 mm ceramic diaphragm dynamic driver + 3 x customized balanced armature drivers
• Impedance: 12 Ω
• Frequency response: 5 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 122 dB/Vrms
• Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; OFC sIlver-plated Litz cable; 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm termination available
• Tested at $199.99 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of silicone eartips
- Cable
- Cleaning brush
- Hard case
- 2 x soft carrying pouches

The Chopin comes in a unique grey rectangular package, that opens from the bottom.




Sadly, for something retailing close to $200 USD, the inclusion of only one type of eartips is disappointing. Most gear at this price-point include a variety of silicone tips, with some even putting in foam tips. There's a good reason for this, as eartips can make or break an IEM in terms of comfort and sonics. Hence, if this sole set of eartips does not synergize well with the customer's ears, the consumer might find the sound or fit sub-optimal, and may even return the IEM.



Nevertheless, the eartips are quite serviceable from a sonic and comfort point of view.

Some $200ish fare also include modular cables, so the choice of only a 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm terminated cable in the Chopin's accessory line-up is another nitpick. Nevertheless, the stock cable is a 2-pin OFC sIlver-plated Litz cable. It lies on the thinner side, but is quite microphonic-free and supple.




Thankfully, Binary Acoustics redeems itself somewhat, with the inclusion of some other goodies. The cleaning brush is useful for removing ear wax and debris, whereas the hard case is very functional - it is hard to withstand compression, with a spacious foam-lined interior. 2 additional velvety carrying pouches operate via a drawstring mechanism, though they are tiny and may not be able to contain much volume or sustain a drop



The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT

Fashioned via 3D-printed dermatological-friendly resin, with a stainless steel faceplate, the Chopin incorporates an uncommon teardrop-shaped design.




Though the innards are smooth with no protrusions to poke the ear, the nozzles are on the longer side, and coupled with the teardrop shaped design, some with smaller ears might have fitting issues.

Despite being heavily vented, isolation is surprisingly above average. I did not find any driver flex on my pair.


INTERNALS

The Chopin is a 4 driver hybrid set-up:

• An 8 mm ceramic diaphragm DD handles the bass.
• 1 x customized BA driver settles the midrange.
• 2 x customized BA drivers takes care of the treble frequencies.

These are arrayed through an independent three-frequency RC filter band.




DRIVABILITY

I tested the Chopin with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Fiio K11 DAC/amp
- Fiio KA13 dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

This IEM is easy to drive, though amplification might assist in scalability.

One thing to note: the Chopin's lowish impedance of 12 ohms may not synergize well with sources with high output impedance, based on the audiophile rules of eights. Anything higher than 1.5 ohms in the source output impedance might skew the frequency response.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES


Graph of the Chopin via IEC711 coupler.

Tonally, the Chopin sports a U-shaped signature.

This IEM is predominantly sub-bass focused, with a visceral rumble heard on bass heavy tracks. However, there is a mid-bass scoop-out - ala the Moondrop Variations - and this is a love-it or hate-it kind of thing. No doubt this bestows excellent bass quality - with fast and clean basslines heard, coupled with nice texturing and no bleed. However, the Chopin arguably does not fare well with genres such as EDM or hip-hop that call for a huge mid-bass thump. Thus, this area might be a bone of contention, depending on your bass preferences and the musical genres that you listen to.

As a consequence of the circumvented mid-bass and lack of bleed, the lower midrange is extremely clean and transparent, with no intrusion at all into this area. Instruments and vocals are easily pinpointed on a dark background. However, the lower mids are a bit thin and sterile sounding, due to the dearth of mid-bass. Upper mids are forwards with minimal shoutiness, with just a 7dB ear gain.

The treble is safe, with minimal sibilance. Treble-sensitive peeps will be quite at home with the tuning. Even though the Chopin does not have the most extended treble, there is still decent capturing of micro-details - this is a far cry from steroid boosted treble-focused CHIFI that give "fake clarity" - albeit trebleheads might complain about the lack of air.

There's a slight smattering of BA timbre heard in the upper frequencies, though this isn't unexpected in a BA containing hybrid. Having said that, it isn't the worst offender in this department, as we will see below in the "COMPARISONS" section.

Technicalities are great for something retailing at sub $200 USD - imaging is quite accurate with instrument separation and layering a highlight. Coupler with an above average soundstage, music never sounded congested, and resolution is admissible considering it isn't very treble boosted.


COMPARISONS

Comparisons were made with other hybrids around $200 USD. Planars, tribrids, single DDs and pure BA types were left out of the equation as the different transducers have their pros and cons.




Queen Of Audio Aviation

The Aviation is darker in tuning, with less treble and more bass quantity. However, the Aviation's bass isn't as tight, with notable mid-bass bleed.

The Aviation has a thicker note weight and a more natural timbre. However, the Aviation is a league behind in technicalities, with worse soundstage, instrument separation and micro-detailing.


Penon Fan 2

The Fan 2 is tuned warm neutral. It has a more linear bass, with thicker and lusher mids than the Chopin.

The Fan 2 has a bigger soundstage, though it has inferior micro-detailing and imaging.

Many consumers complain about fitting issues with the Fan 2's elongated nozzles, and that isn't the case with the more ergonomic Chopin.


AFUL Performer 5

The Performer 5 is also U-shaped. However, it has a very artificial BA timbre, which may be a deal-breaker for some.

Technically, the Performer 5 is also behind, with a more claustrophobic soundstage and worse instrument separation. Additionally, the Performer 5 has a less tight bass, which sounds one-noted (lacks texture).


CONCLUSIONS

In the shark-infested waters of the ultra-competitive midFI hybrid market, the Chopin does most departments to a satisfactory level, and thankfully manages to float rather than sink.

It is easily driven, with above average isolation, which is not common in a highly vented pair. Sound-wise, the Chopin brings good technical chops to the table, with layering and instrument separation a highlight, plus more than decent resolution. The bass is tight and clean, with a transparent midrange and sibilant-free treble.

Where some consumers might find polarizing, would be the marmitey mid-bass scoop out. This definitely aids in zero mid-bass bleed, with nimble and rapid basslines heard, though folks wanting a more hefty mid-bass might find this region to be anaemic. Nevertheless, this is quite genre dependent, and is subjective - there are folks that prefer sub-bass > mid-bass and vice versa, so YMMV.

One thing to note: the Chopin may be a bit fastidious with source pairing, what with the low impedance of 12 ohms - when driven off sources with high output impedance, the frequency response might be skewed. The lack of eartip options is also disappointing, though the packaging includes a variety of cases and carrying pouches to make up for this. Fit may be another bone of contention due to the unique teardrop shaped housings.

In the big scheme of things, the Chopin is a decent hybrid to consider at sub $200, the caveat being if one is not allergic to a sparse mid-bass. The Chopin fares better technically than some recent releases like the QOA Aviation, and handily beats other benchmark hybrids like the AFUL Performer 5. Think of it as a baby Variations!

Disclaimer

• Huge thanks to Hifigo for providing the opportunity for me to review the Gizaudio × Binary Chopin. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.
• Please take this review with only a grain of salt, as everyone's hearing, fit, and gears may differ, so our experience may be different.

Price(MSRP)

• $199.99

Source(s)

• Truthear Shio
• FiiO KA13

Ear tips

• Dunu S&S

Packaging

• IEM.
• Hard case.
  • Quality is subpar.
  • Feels very cheap, plasticky and lightweight
• 3 pairs of genetic silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
• High-Purity OFC Silver-Plated Litz Cable
  • Comfortable and lightweight
  • Tangles a little sometimes, but not the worst.

(I forgot to take out the ear tips from the package so here is an extra shot)




Build Quality

• Acrylic resin shell with a metal faceplate, very lightweight and solidly built

Fit

• Nozzle is very thick and long.
• Surprisingly very comfortable despite its weird shape.
• However, do be cautious if your ear canal is small, as the nozzle size may not fit for everyone.

Tonality

• Bass boosted neutral

Bass

• Sub bass is more prominent and focused compared to mid bass
• Sub bass is quite rumbly, slams super hard and goes sufficiently deep as well
• Mid bass has decent body and texture, with enough punch to it
• Overall a very satisfying listening experience. A lot to love about it: Well defined, has decent speed, and super well controlled.
• Quantity is on the bassy side, may even satisfy some bass heads. Fun and engaging but remains super clean.
  

Midrange

• Midrange is very clean with a hint of warmth so it is not too recessed.
• Male vocals sound average, doesn't sound particularly lush and forward but it is not overly thin and pushed back, takes a more neutral state.
• Female vocals have a good forwardness which makes them sound engaging yet never too shouty or in your face.
• Instruments and timbre is very natural considering that this is a hybrid IEM, almost no sign of BA timbre can be heard. At most its only a very slight hint of it sometimes but I doubt that it can affect the overall listening experience.
• Note weight and density is on the neutral side, which doesn't come off as overly thin or thick, its just the right amount.

Treble

• Treble is overall quite smooth, with enough sparkle and energy to make everything lively and exciting but never too harsh or sharp fatiguing
• There is some air in the upper treble but it is not an excessive amount to make everything unnatural and overdone, it is just an adequate amount to make it sound slightly airy and open while keeping it natural.
• Details can be perceived without too much effort and is not overly emphasized.

Technicalities

Resolution

• Resolution and detail retrieval is good, but it isn't anything outstanding like the planar IEMs in this price range.
• However, it definitely isn't lacking details in any way, and is good enough as a $200 hybrid.

Soundstage

• Soundstage is decent in terms of width, depth and height.
• Nothing impressive but doesn't sound intimate at all.

Imaging

• Imaging and accuracy is good, I can track and pinpoint where the sound is coming from with ease.

Separation

• Separation and layering is good. Instruments and vocals is well separated among each other.

Comparison

$200 Showdown: My Personal Favorite Hybrid (Yume 2) vs The Most Versatile Hybrid (Chopin)

• Accessories: Chopin offers only 3 pairs of different ear tips sizes while Yume 2 offers up to 5, but both are still only generic ear tips, nothing special. Chopin also has a much better cable which doesn't tangle as often as Yume 2's stock cable, but Chopin's carrying case is built a bit worse than Yume 2's case. However, Chopin does come with 2 protective wrappers for the IEM.
• Bass: Chopin's bass is slightly better in terms of quality, also comes with a larger quantity. It packs a little more slam with a more natural decay, while Yume 2's bass is a touch faster and punchier.
• Midrange: Yume 2 take the win here. Yume 2 has that extra bit of warmth to make male vocals a little more lush and natural, with a more energetic and airy presentation for female vocals. However, this does come down to preference, as the Chopin has a cleaner and smoother/relaxed midrange presentation.
• Treble: Chopin's treble is smoother compared to Yume 2, but lacks that extra bit of airiness. However, the extra airiness may make it sound less natural.
• Technicalities: Yume 2 has a slight advantage in technicalities, providing a slightly wider stage and slightly higher resolution. However, both are not very far apart in terms of technical capabilities.
• Overall, I would personally prefer the Yume 2, it is still my favorite hybrid in this range due to my preference. However, I do think that the Chopin would be the more versatile choice here with how well it performs throughout all the sections, and the Yume 2 might be a touch too spicy in the treble and air region for some.

Conclusion

• As a conclusion, I think the Gizaudio × Binary Chopin is another hit for Timmy from Gizaudio. A truly well rounded IEM with no major flaw.
• Very fun and engaging bass, super clean midrange, non fatiguing treble with enough sparkle and decent extension, good technicalities for the price.
• The only compromise that I can possibly state is the lower midrange can be a bit too clean, which makes it a little sterile and boring, but even this is up to personal preference.
• Some may say this type of tuning is too boring and does nothing special, while I agree to a certain extent especially if you're a veteran in this hobby and owns a bunch of IEMs in your collection ... but I would say that the Chopin is a perfect blend of fun and safe and is extremely recommended for people who are looking for an inoffensive yet engaging IEM, only if you can fit them in, of course!

　







Thanks for reading!