Blon BL05

**It has been made known the Blon has one of the nastiest contributors in the industry tuning one of their upcoming models. As a result, I can't recommend this or any product of theirs moving forward, regardless of how amazing they are.**

Greetings!

Today we're checking out the Blon BL-05, a follow up to the well-loved BL-03.

Blon has been around for a while now with a number of different earphones and headphones under their belt, though they didn't become a household name in the Chinese hifi community until the hype train that was the BL-03. The BL-03 was renowned for it's natural timbre, a rarity at such a low price, along with terrible fit out of the box that pretty much necessitated buying a new cable and tips immediately, according to fans, as well as some pretty amusing text written on the packaging. It was an affordable, character-filled product. Why wouldn't Blon take advantage of this and quickly follow it up with a new model?

So how is the BL-05? It's fine. Let's check it out in greater detail, shall we?


What I Hear I had the chance to listen to the cult classic BL-03 a while back and while I thought it was okay and could see why it was liked, it wasn't my jam. I found it's signature pretty much bog standard for a product in that price range; warm with bloaty mid-bass, recessed mids, not a lot of detail, etc. Sell it as a sub-50 USD Skullcandy or Beats branded earphone and it wouldn't feel out of place. Sooooo, when I heard about their follow up coming out, the BL-05, you could forgive me for passing it over without so much as a second glance. So why am I reviewing it now? Well, the reviews and comments from buyers seemed like it would be in my wheelhouse; sub-bass focus, somewhat lean mids, good detail. After using it quite a bit over the last few months, I'm glad I ended up reviewing it.

Starting with the low end, the BL-05 is mostly positive. This sounds like a very light, quick driver. While extension is good and a reasonably polite boost over neutral refreshing after the bloated mess that was the BL-03, it doesn't move a lot of air or provide much in the way of visceral feedback on notes that should really be slamming. It reminds of a lot of the Whizzer A15 Pro in that regard, since like the BL-05 it is speedy, decently well-textured, and overall quite articulate, but lacking warm which takes away from the emotional presence of the presentation.

Leaning into the midrange the BL-03 bring to the table plenty of detail and clarity. This comes at the expense of weight and tonality unfortunately. While I usually like a thin midrange, which the BL-05 has, many don't so the presentation here will likely miss the mark. While timbre and tonality is generally alright, everything sounds slightly bright and occasionally harsh thanks to an upper mid push, particularly on mid-boosted tracks like the recent singles from Aesop Rock's recent projects. They should look towards the Moondrop SSR for how to tune a upper mid push.

The BL-05's upper ranges are fairly linear in the presence region with a sharp upper treble spike rearing it's head. It gives the presentation plenty of air along with decent shimmer and sparkle, but it comes at the expense of listening comfort and fatigue. As a low volume listener, this sort of tuning is fine since I can still enjoy all the finer details of a track without feeling like I'm missing out of risking damaging to my hearing. Higher volume listeners should probably avoid the BL-05, as should treble sensitive users.

The BL-05 has a pretty average sound stage. Sounds get tossed off pretty far from the head, but there doesn't seem to be a ton of depth leading to somewhat mediocre layering qualities. Instrument separation is decent, but given the somewhat broad, flat sound on offer, toss something complicated the BL-05's way, like the closing moment of King Crimson's “Starless and Bible Black”, and congestion sets in. Imaging is also fine, but lacks the precision I expect from a product at this price range. Kinda meh here...

Overall I actually like the BL-05 a lot more than you'd think from reading the above comments. That said, the general brightness, somewhat weightless low end, and slightly off timbre make these somewhat tailored to a niche crowd and not the masses that loved the BL-03.

Compared To A Peer (volumes matched with Dayton iMM-6)

KZ ZS10 Pro (45.00 USD): The ZS10 Pro is clearly the bassier of the two with a stronger sub- and mid-bass presence. This gives it a warmer, darker, and in my opinion more natural and well-rounded presentation than the BL-05. The BL-05 is quicker and better controlled though, with the ZS10 Pro sounding looser and less precise. What KZ's offering loses in speed and control, it makes up for in texture and punch. The midrange of the ZS10 Pro provides a better experience to my ears. Vocals are nowhere near as lean and yet, detail and clarity are nearly on par. They're also more linear without the upper mid spike. Treble is also a more linear experience, particularly in the upper treble which isn't as aggressive out of KZ. The BL-05's upper ranges are a bit tighter and smoother, but give up a hint of detail to it's armature equipped counterpart. Sound stage clearly goes to the KZ. While not quite as wide, it is deeper with a more well-rounded feel. Instrument separation is similar with vastly improved layering. Imaging is more precise too.

Overall I feel the ZS10 Pro is the more accomplished, well-rounded product. That said, the differences in bass quantity should have these appealing to different crowds. If you want a bumping low end, the ZS10 Pro will satisfy infinitely more than the BL-05.

TinHiFi T2 Plus (59.99 USD): The T2 Plus goes for a similar sort of neutral-bright type of sound as the BL-05, but one ups the Blon in nearly every way. Treble doesn't have quite as good of extension, but it is much more balanced and less aggressive while matching or exceeding the BL-05 in detail and clarity. The midrange is a little bit thicker and warmer on the T2 Plus giving it a more natural sound, even if timbre is still a hint brighter than is ideal. The T2 Plus' low end adds in the warmth and density lacking from the BL-05 and provides a punchier, more visceral experience with additional texture. The tin's sound stage is also more impressive than the BL-05. Wider, deeper, better imaging, improved layering and separation.

What I'm getting at is the BL-05 is fairly average and the TinHiFi T2 Plus exceptional. Comparing one of the best in this price range with something decidedly average really brings out the BL-05's weaknesses.


In The Ear The BL-05's shells take clear visual inspiration from AKG with their N-Series of earphones, like the N30 and N5005. The two-part metal shells are well put together and should be plenty durable in the long run. Seams between the component parts could be tighter, but it's nothing concerning. A touch I quite like is the gold coloured face plate insert containing the Blon name and channel indicators. It adds some flair to what is otherwise a pretty unassuming design.

Comfort and fit is a bit of a mixed bag. The low profile design sits nicely in the ear and I didn't experience any comfort issues due to hot spots or sharp edges. The stubby nozzle was a problem though. The length forced either extra long tips, or wide tips a size up to get and maintain a good seal. While the nozzle is a fairly average 5mm in width, the lip is very thin so I found my standard tips barely hanging on. Tips designed for a smaller nozzle seemed to fit best.

The cable feels like a mix of KZ and TRN products. The thin black, braided sheath is pure TRN in terms of thickness and feel. It's plenty flexible but had a habit of stiffening in cool weather, and tangles above the y-split quite easily thanks to the aggressively shaped preformed ear guides. The hardware (y-split and 90 degree angled jack) is old school KZ, matching what appeared on many of their products prior to the release of the ZST. That's a good thing because both the jack and y-split (all of it) is very well relieved which should provide plenty of protection from bends and tugs. Overall a good cable, though the tangling gets annoying, quickly, so make sure you store them carefully to avoid having to deal with this.

The BL-05 does a reasonably average job isolating you from the outside world. It's not up to snuff with the low profile shells from KZ, but matches what you get from something like the TinHiFi T2 Plus. Sounds are dulled but still audible with the stock silicone tips, with 3rd party foam tips being mandatory if you're planning to use these on a bus or something equally noisy.


In The Box The BL-05 arrives in the same sort of elongated box I first saw from TFZ, with the earpieces set within a plastic insert and accessory box tucked below, all protected by a clear plastic lid. Printed on the lid are the statements that really set the Blon brand apart from the competition;

Belief
Letmusicburn
Oppoty
Nevergiveup
Annotation
Music and Driams

Nonsensical and hilarious, and surprising that it carried over from the BL-03's packaging. That said, if they had it corrected Blon fans would have been devastated. Outside of that chuckle, you get with this purchasing experience the following items;

• BL-05 earphones
• 0.78mm 2-pin cable
• Canvas carrying bag
• Small bore single flange tips (s/m/l)
• Wide bore single flange tips (s/l)
• Manual

Overall a simple but entertaining unboxing experience. I wish they included a set of the wide bore tips in medium, because that's a pretty standard thing to do, although the large ones fit me just fine and provided a fantastic seal.

Final Thoughts The BL-05 is a perfectly fine earphone. Not best in class, but not worst either. I think it is decidedly mid-pack, a thinking which seems to be in line with the general consensus of the community. No one really talks about it anymore, and Blon quickly released the updated BL-05S which has brought the tuning more in line with the BL-03. Their tuners have done a good job bringing the new model to the forefront while burying memory of the standard BL-05.

Given all that, I'm not really sure what to say. The BL-05 could be thought of as a rushed attempt to capitalize on the success of the BL-03 but ended up a missed opportunity thanks to a tune that didn't appeal to fans of the previous model. Pretending as if the BL-03 never was, the BL-05 is a fine earphone in its own right, just not a leader in its class. Check it out if you like a somewhat bright, lean sounding earphone with good detail and clarity. If you prefer something less unique, stick with the Skullcandy equivalent BL-03.

Thanks for reading!

- B9

Disclaimer

A big thanks to Nappoler with HiFiGo for sending over a smaple of the BL-05 for the purposes of review, and my apologies for the delay in releasing this review. 2020 has been a bit of a crapshoot. The thoughts within this review are my own subjective opinions based on time spent using the BL-05. At the time of writing the BL-05 was on sale for 40.00 USD, down from 59.99 USD. At this price, I'm a little more lenient of any flaws and can recommend it at a solid daily driver, pending you like a brighter sounding earphone: https://hifigo.com/products/blon-bl-05-bl05

Specifications

• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Driver: 10mm carbon nanotube dynamic

Gear Used For Testing LG Q70, FiiO M3 Pro, FiiO BTR3K, Earstudio HUD100, Earmen TR-Amp, Asus FX53V, TEAC HA-501

Some Test Tunes

Supertramp – Crime of the Century
Slipknot – Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
King Crimson – Lark's Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dreams
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends

Introduction

BLON is a brand based in Dongguan City, China. Founded in 2014, they have several headphones under their control (such as the B8 or B20), it was with the BL-03 that they have jumped to worldwide fame. The BLON BL-03, have been perhaps the most famous headphones of the last months. It was necessary to take the opportunity and bring out a new version, which would improve the deficiencies of the BL-03. The truth is that the BL-05 has only been on the market for a few months and today, we are already talking about a BL-05 MKII version.

In this review, we will try to clarify how this new version is and why the MKII are being prepared.



Specifications

• Type of Drivers: Dynamic 10mm, Carbon nanotube 2nd generation.
• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Jack connector: 3.5mm gold-plated, L-shaped.
• Capsule Connection Type: 2-pin 0.78mm

Packaging

The BL-05 comes in a white, elongated box, measuring 208x77x41mm. The front cover is made of transparent plastic, and the capsules can be seen embedded in a rigid mould, at the top. Underneath there is a box with the brand logo, in gold letters, where the accessories are located. Returning to the plastic lid, on it, there are some words written in English (with dubious spelling), with holographic ink.

On the back, these words are repeated, as a philosophy or slogan of the brand. You can also read the company's address, as well as the minimum specifications.

After emptying the box, the complete contents are:

• 2 capsules BL-05
• A 4-stranded twisted cable.
• 3 pairs of grey silicone tips, classic shape, sizes SxMxL.
• 2 pairs of grey silicone tips, narrower and sharper shape, sizes MxL.
• 1 cloth bag, to protect the IEMS.

Both the packaging and the contents are practically the same as for the BL-03. The bag protects little and the cable is of very fair quality. This time, more tips are coming and at least one set has the normal shape. The BLON BL-05 comes with the minimum necessary.

In addition to the packaging, you can buy, in the same link of purchase, fully compatible cables of better quality than the originals. These are 4-core **** cables, made of 32 strands of copper, silver-plated, with transparent or dark gold coating. Both cables fit perfectly to both BLON models, improving comfort and handling.



Construction and Design

Probably the most successful change from the BL-03 is the design. Its predecessor, perhaps, didn't have the right shape for everyone and that penalized its adaptation and later sound. BLON has improved in this respect and has done well. They have chosen to build capsules with a classic design, oval spiral, with a completely metallic and rounded body. The pieces are a bit stubby and their weight is noticeable. The external side has a part, in the shape of a magnifying glass, in gold, where you can read "BLON", inside, where the lens of the magnifying glass is located, you can read the letter that identifies the channel, as well as part of the brand logo. This internal part has the same color as the rest of the capsule. This whole face in the shape of a magnifying glass, are two separate pieces, which protrude from the body of the capsule.

At the end of the spiral, there are two 0.78 pin cable connectors. The shape is customized and equal to the BL-03, but, due to its popularity, it is not difficult to find cables that are compatible. Both connectors are embedded in a rectangular piece of translucent plastic.

The capsules are made up of two pieces, external face and internal face. The division can be clearly seen, without any failure in their union. The nozzles are located at the inner and narrowest edge of the oval, forming a fairly open angle to the base of the capsules. Its length, in the shortest part, is approximately 5mm. These nozzles have a narrower slot, 4.6mm, while the wider part, base and outer ring, measures 5.6mm. The filter that protects the orifice is also metallic, with a fairly dense grid. Near the base of the nozzles, on the inner side of the capsules, there is a hole.

The cable is made up of 4 black strands, lined with rubbery plastic. The plug is 3.5mm, gold-plated. The connector is L-shaped and the sheath is oval, completely in plastic. On its external face, it can be read BLON. The cable forms a knotted braid. The dividing piece is Y-shaped, completely in plastic. The two-pin connectors are completely inside a slightly angled black plastic sleeve. The letter of the channel is indicated on the outside near the edge. The cable that arrives at this sleeve is protected by a semi-rigid, transparent plastic cover that gives it the shape over the ear. The problem is that this shape is very closed and can be very annoying.

As a conclusion, the shape and design of the capsules is very accurate, of good quality. I can only criticize the weight, which, on the other hand, does not affect the fit, since it is hardly noticeable once they are fitted.

The cable is much more questionable, being easily surpassed, above all, in comfort, handling and final quality, spending a few euros/$ more.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

As a result of the new design, the ergonomics have been improved. Today, the BL-05 is very comfortable, even when its weight is perceptible in the hands. However, in the ears, this feature is not so appreciated, because its adjustment is simple and fast. The oval and spiral outer shape ensures an excellent fit for the cable. The inner part, also oval and very rounded, ensures a very pleasant contact with the ear. Its size is not small, but personally I have found no difficulty in fitting it. It does not protrude too much, nor does it rub against the outer parts of the ear. The angle of the nozzle is well thought out and the silicone tips fit properly into the ear canal. The only problem is that they are somewhat short, providing a superficial fit. Despite this, the socket is quite good and durable. No readjustment is necessary and the sound is not position-dependent. Due to their good fit, they move little, can be used for everyday use and also for gentle exercise. As a result, the insulation is remarkable.



Sound

Profile

The profile is a smooth V, focusing on the central region and clarity, rather than the bass or treble.



Bass

The lower zone is moderate and their approach is to lean towards sub-bass, but this is not really the case. The lower range is relatively linear, but tends to fall as frequencies increase. Bass lovers would be disappointed, and not even turning up the volume would satisfy them, because the rest of the frequencies will prevent them from enjoying this area. The depth is simply good and the sub-bass sound is not remarkably natural, nor does it have a totally realistic texture or completely natural timbre. On the other hand, the speed is good, the decay is more than adequate and the bass is agile. Their approach is correct and they have remarkable control, but they sound a little dry and unexciting, not very wide, nor are they able to fill the scene. Overall, the low end wants to have a neutral tendency, although the result is somewhat higher, but without being able to recreate it with real power, complexity, richness or amount of planes.



Mids

In my personal opinion, the BL-05 has been tuned to get a very clear sound in the middle zone. The clarity of this area is reflected in the voices, as they sound very liberated, clean and enhanced. The problem is that the thinning of the lower mid-range limits their body and their sound is colder than vital. There is no trace of warmth, the texture is too smooth and they sound more analytical than organic. The result is an area that, without sounding unnatural, is too clean to be exciting. On the other hand, there is its energy level, in its mid-high part, whose value is elevated, at the point that, sometimes, it can be a bit harsh, due to too much presence, if the sources/tips/genders are not properly chosen. Although, not everything is bad in this combination, since, on the other side of the coin, the amount of detail is quite good, but without sounding very precise, nor possessing a great resolution. As I say, the best asset of the middle zone is its clarity, which can air out the most confusing passages, without being technically very good. The instruments sound quite explicit, with more or less thinness, depending on their tone, but they enjoy very good lateral separation, a quite defined execution and a somewhat brilliant timbre.

In the end, the overall quality of the area is limited by the lesser homogeneity between the lower and the middle and upper parts of the midrange.



Treble

The upper zone is expressed in that classic way, which begins resolutely, but continues smoothly. The beginnings, on this occasion, are more perceptible, as they draw energy from the upper mid-range, but do not become insistently penetrating, as they are controlled at that appropriate, almost critical, point. In this way, the BL-05 stand out in presence, this time, more for quality, than for quantity. The result gives the sound that characteristic clarity and that vivid, bright tone that defines it. The details are conveniently expressed, without insisting too much on the micro detail, but more on space and separation. Nevertheless, the highs contribute to the sound being perceived as thin and more analytical than warm; something that must be taken into account for those ears sensitive to this region. It is also true that the whole ensemble can contribute to the insistent sound, from the final zone of the mids, to the first half of the highs, producing a greater sensation of fatigue, as time goes by. That said, the timbre, although fine, is not unnatural or really forced, just cold and energetic. The high notes have good definition and resolution, but without revealing the slightest details. In general, the expression of the high notes is quite descriptive, but persistent.

Finally, the BL-05 has the necessary air to give its sound that characteristic sharpness, but not to provide a great scene.



Soundstage, Separation

The BL-05's scene lacks depth and feels pretty flat. Height is not a feature of this model either. Thus, the image does not have much three-dimensionality, although the separation and clarity, gives it an interesting width. The stage is recreated frontally, with a good level of space, not too congested, but with few representative planes, which contributes to the sound being somewhat boring in this sense, since its drawing is quite smooth.



Comparisons

BLON BL-03

It's pretty curious, but my two BL-03 and BL-05 units, they look quite similar. However, I prefer the BL-03. Its lower zone is somewhat more noticeable, has more depth and has more weight within the sound. The sub-bass is perceived a little bit more naturally, and therefore its timbre. The whole set makes the low zone have more planes, more extension and realism. On the contrary, the BL-05 has a more present central zone, especially from the middle onwards, which makes it have a higher energy that, at the end, is more tiring. In this zone, the BL-03 are more natural, more homogeneous and not so excited. As a result, its tone is not so cold, but remains in an imaginary line between warmth and neutrality, which gives it that sweet spot that has been so successful. The greater homogeneity and warmth, of the BL-03 in the middle zone, achieves a greater body and width in the lower zone of the central range, contributing to recreate the voices in a more complete, less thin and, above all, sweeter and more pleasant way. The same characteristic generates that the instrumentation has a greater weight and a more remarkable representation within the ensemble. To all this, the BL-05, feel more cold and incomplete, unfinished, almost omitted, in some aspects of this range, generating a feeling of lack of coherence, emotion and / or enjoyment.

The tone of the upper zone, in the BL-05, maintains that brighter and colder look, which characterizes the rest of the ranges. The clarity is greater and its sound is finer and more penetrating. The BL-03 is not defined by being completely smooth, but it sounds more pleasant, less persistent and explicit, with a little less energy in the high range. In the end, the BL-05 achieves a more analytical point, which gives it a greater amount of detail, at the cost of being more exhausting.

I find that the BL-05 has a little bit more separation, but the scene is deeper in the BL-03, generating a more realistic image, with more planes and some more height, which gives it more tridimensionality.

In the constructive section, both IEMS have a manufacture of equal quality, where the design is quite different. I'm lucky, that the BL-03 fit me quite well, but, I must admit that the BL-05 have been designed to be more ergonomic. They even seem to weigh a little less. In this sense, the new model, fits more easily and its adjustment is faster and more durable.



Conclusion

There is a very common saying, "If something works, don't touch it," but this is not possible in the capitalist world, where change and novelty always reign as the promise of an ever-better product. In this case, BLON has taken advantage of the hype BL-03, to try to overcome it. I suppose that the brand has received a lot of opinions about it. One of the most unanimous was the design. And there, they got it right. The new design is very ergonomic and comfortable. In the sound tuning... the question is quite relative, so much so that there is currently a BL-05 MKII model running among the reviewers... I suppose the brand's initial idea has been to achieve a more neutral tuning than its predecessor, softening the low area and enhancing the high mid-range. However, in my opinion, it has not been the most appropriate move, because, precisely, have achieved an effect, almost opposite. They have gained in sharpness and clarity, but have worsened the timbre and coherence.

It is true that, lately, profiles are appearing, where the lower zone is softening a lot and the upper middle zone is being emphasized, but, if we continue in this way, it will be very possible that many western audiophiles will look for alternatives within this current. BLON has crossed this border and has lost, in my opinion, the sound that attracted so many people. But, this is just my humble opinion, possibly, many, will think otherwise.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Burson Audio Playmate.
• HiBy R3 Pro
• xDuoo X3II
• Tempotec Sonata iDSD Plus
• JWD JWM-115

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 80
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 90
• Accessories: 50
• Bass: 71
• Mids: 76
• Treble: 77
• Separation: 80
• Soundstage: 70
• Quality/Price: 85

You can read the full review in Spanish here:

https://hiendportable.com/2020/07/14/blon-bl-05-review/

Intro

Disclaimer: I purchased the BLON BL-05 from Aliexpress and this review is written of my own accord.

This is a review of the BLON BL-05, the successor of the much famed BLON BL-03s. The BL-03s now have their own cult following due to their stellar performance at a very low price point. Here we shall find out if the BL-05s hold their own ground as a successor and if BLON can move beyond simply being a one-hit wonder.

For more reviews, visit www.perrivanaudio.com



Packaging and Accessories (Score: 4/10)

Tempted to give these extra points just for the OPPOTY of things to #LETMUSICBURN. At this point I’m sure BLON very well knows how iconic this packaging is and kept it. Then again, it has the same old ratchet accessories that really nobody wanted to see again. The same tacky cable, the same ratchet drawstring pouch, and the same unusable silicone tips.



Build Quality and Fit (Score: 7.5/10)

It has the same 2-pin connector and replacing of the stock cable is not a must but doing so would improve comfort and aesthetics. BLON does sell replacement cables and I happen to have a sample of the upgrade cable you can order as a bundle.

Build quality and aesthetics of the earbuds themselves have really improved on the BL-05s. They now sport a 2-tone colour scheme. Mine is the gun-metal variant and the gold accents give off a more luxurious vibe befitting the increased price tag.

Fit is more universal than the BL-03s and should fit more ears this time which is a huge plus. For me, I still found myself struggling a little with the fit as I felt the nozzle was a little too short for my liking. Finding the right tips would help a lot in achieving a good seal. BLON should really stop shipping these tips with their releases.

Sound (Score: 7.0/10)

Sources used

• Fiio μBTR
• Shanling M3s

Albums and Tracks tested

• This Girl by Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners
• Hold the Line (Avicii feat, A R I Z O N A)
• Slow Dance by AJ Mitchell and Ava Max
• Footsteps in the Night – Deluxe Mix by Lost Frequencies
• Queen – Sheer Heart Attack (2011 Remaster)
• Grease Soundtrack
• The Essentials by The Spinners (2003 Remaster)
• The Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack 2007 Remaster
• Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra - Suisogaku Sansen Sinfonia Nobilissima

Bass (Score: 8/10)

Right off the bat, the bass is the standout area of the BLON BL-05. The bass has good extension and punch. The timbre of the bass is also relatively good and enjoyable. I found it quite enjoyable. I really enjoyed listening to pop songs and EDM when paired with the Fiio μBTR. It makes for a convenient budget pairing that I take with me on my train commutes. The bass is also not overpowering or overwhelming. It’s been toned down a little from the BL-03 and that was nice as the bleed into the lower mids is now reduced. It’s not as punchy and emphasized as the BL-03s, but still emphasized. Listening to “Cupid/I’ve Loved You for a Long Time” by The Spinners, I really enjoyed the punchy bass line and the quantity wasn’t too overwhelming. I was also pleasantly surprised at the pretty decent definition in the bass region, something worthy of praise at this price point.

Mids (Score: 7.0/10)

The performance of the mids are very average and in these increasingly competitive times, average isn’t going to cut it. The overall sound signature of the BL-05 is a very common V shape and the mids are recessed. Male vocals do not have enough body as I would’ve liked, and this worsens going up to the female vocals. Vocals, especially female, sometimes sound a little congested and thin. However, they are not too forward or in your face thankfully, but tonality is not as enjoyable. The hit in tonality is likely due to the excessive boost in the 2-4k region.

Treble (Score: 7.5/10)

Treble extends well for something so budget. I like the airiness and the sense of space in the treble, surely contributing to a more “premium” feeling when listening to the BL-05. Things like crash cymbals and bells do sound pretty lively on the BL-05, but never too harsh. Micro details are slightly above average for a sub-$100 earphone and while there is a slightly greater emphasis in the treble, I didn’t find any sibilance through various genres.

Overall Sound Impressions and Comparison to BL-03 (Review Here)

This comparison is inevitable and as a successor, it is of course expected of the BL-05 to be better than the BL-03. Although I found the BL-05 a decent enough performer, it didn’t exactly impress either, nothing it has really warrants the increase in price.
I’ll begin with what the BL-05 has over the BL-03. The BL-05 has a slightly more universal shape and hence fit. I didn’t find the fit on the BL-05 very significantly better than the BL-03, but your mileage may vary. The BL-05 has a better soundstage and sounds more expansive than the BL-03. There is less bass bleed into the mids on the BL-05. The separation seems to be better on the BL-05 and overall, the BL-05 is tuned to be brighter than the BL-03.

The BL-03 does have a fair share of things it does better than the BL-05. To me the biggest thing which makes me prefer the BL-03 is that I find the overall tonality on the BL-03 is much more pleasing. The vocals have much more body on the BL-03.
Imaging is great for the price you are paying on both sets. Do not expect great detail from these earphones (and quite honestly, you probably wouldn’t be expecting it either in the $50 range)



Conclusion

The pitfall of the BL-05 is how it’s sunk into normalcy. It struggles to differentiate itself from its sea of competitors. It has lost its unique “X-Factor” by going for a very common V-shape tuning. This is not to say the BL-05 is bad objectively, but simply put, not good enough. BLON has set the bar too high for themselves with the BL-03. I respect how they attempted a change in tuning to appeal to the people who weren’t a fan of the very bassy and dark tuning of the BL03s. However, the timbre which was the best trait of the BL-03 was lost in the process.

I kind of expected something along these lines for the BL-05s although I would be lying if I said I had no expectations for another miracle.

The BL-05 sells for significantly more and I think that contributes to its pitfall. I don’t think that for its performance, it should cost any more than the BL-03. I do understand that the BL-05 looks much more premium and well-made than the BL-03, but one would only expect significant improvement (in sound also) when paying significantly more for an earpiece.

In short, the BL-05 is quite a great earphone for its price, presenting decent value, and I enjoyed my time with it. It is well built and can take some abuse as daily beaters. It is a very fun listen, but so was the BL-03, which potentially promises more for less, and that’s the main stumbling block for the BL-05.

Introduction

Finally! After the monstrous hype that surrounded the Blon BL-03, the Blon BL-05 are here.
Let’s see how they sound and how do they stack against the older release.
Disclaimer: I wanna thank Nappoler as the Blon BL-05 were sent free of charge by HiFiGo in exchange of a honest review. You can buy them here: https://hifigo.com/products/blon-bl-05-bl05
At the time of review, the Blon BL-05 were retailed for $43.

For more in-depth reviews like this, come visit us: https://www.audio-monkeys.com

Technical Specs
Drivers: 1DD
Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20000 Hz
Cable: 1.2m detatachable with MIC, 0.78mm 2-PIN connector
Plug Type: L-type golden plated 3.5mm jack

Packaging
Package is identical to the BL-03’s one.
It contains:
– The Blon BL-05 IEMs
– 5 pairs of tips
– The cable
– A little cloth bag


Cable
Even the cable is identical to Blon BL-03’s one.
My version this time does not feature the remote microphone on the cable.
The cable is a 4-cores copper cable and although it has a nice touch, it really feels “cheap”. It ends with a gold plated L-angled 3.5mm jack connector. Ear hooks are premade and feel comfortable.
Although the cable can seem pretty solid at first, BL-03’s twisted cables started splitting after some months, and I’m pretty sure this will happen with BL-05’s cable as well. Many people online is not happy about their cable, so I hope Blon will think about selling them with a better cable (maybe TRN cables can be a good example of decent stock cables).


Build Quality
Build quality is good. The overall build feels solid but I understand design could seem too fancy for some people. The golden faceplate, anyway, adds that kind of “premium touch” to the IEMs. I actually prefer this design and build instead of BL-03’s one.
Nozzle grills are perfectly mounted and there are no imperfection here and there. Plus, there’s a useful and appreciated nozzle lip.
Congratulations Blon, build quality is really top notch for the price.


Comfort and Isolation
I find them comfortable but fit can be tricky. Nozzle is once again short and I needed some tip rolling to find the right tip to use them without issues. I have chones KZ Starline tips as I think they’re the best compromise between comfort, shape and sound. I have tried using tips with narrower bores but I don’t like how sound becomes. Maybe you need to push them a little bit further in the ear to get a better seal but this isn’t actually annoying nor uncomfortable. You only need to find the right tips, at the end of the story.
Isolation is good with the right tips, and I found them isolating pretty well in the city.


Sound
Let’s get into it.
Now the critical factor that decides if something has to be tried or not: how do they sound? I mainly listen to EDM subgenres, Dupstep, Future Bass, Euphoric Hardstyle, Bass House, Midtempo and downtempo, darkwave, drum’n bass, but i even listen to many vocal tracks, moreover female ones. I always search for IEMs that have a little bit of emphasis in the lower region, and can sacrifice mids with some recession if they still sound clear and natural. I love vivid and sparkling highs if they’re not at a headache level. V-shape signature is usually my favourite one but in the last period i’m appreciating a more balanced presentation with less recessed mids, more of a U shape.
Test were made on:
– Galaxy S7 Edge Smartphone
– Presonus AudioBOX iONE connected to my PC with no Enhancements activedI even connect my Fiio A3 when i need it if i hear some earphones need a little more power.

Lows: lows are definitely good, there’s a good textured bass with a lot of impact and sub-bass is well extended without being overwhelming. Midbass is a tad forward but well controlled, and everything sounds clean even if transients are not the fastest. These aren’t sub-bass nor bass cannons, but even the most demanding ones will find the right quantity of low end.

Mids: midrange is recessed, but not excessively. Male vocals aren’t as warm as expected, definitely colder than on the BL-03. Instruments sound natural and well defined, but recessed if compared to female voices, which are forward in the mix and can sometimes be fatiguing or shouty. There could be some instances of sibilance here and there, and even if this tuning is accurate, its way to “prioritize” the upper mid-range may annoy sometimes, making the BL-05 a bit too aggressive if not listened at low volumes.

Highs: lower treble is emphasized by a little bit and follows the upper midrange. Highs are detailed even if the BL-05 are not super capable when it comes to reveal microdetails. They’re extended and provide an airy feeling and help giving the soundstage more space, but they do this with a brilliant response that many people don’t like. I would these are not suited for treble sensitive listeners.
Soundstage has improved over the older version of the Blons, and we have good witdth and depth, with average height. I wouldn’t say that they create a real 3D image, but they do the job. Imaging is good and so is instrument separation.

A little note: Thanks to a user named Kopi O Kaya, it's possible to do a reversible mod on the BL-05 and tame down upper-midrange and treble. All you need to do is to apply a little piece of micropore tape (for example, the classic M3 micropore tape) in order to cover justa a little part of the nozzle. Don't cover the entire nozzle or the BL-05 will start sounding worse, you just need to put a little piece of it.

Some comparisons:
Blon BL-05 vs Blon BL-03
The BL-05 are overall brighter than the BL-03, with a less bassy presentation and a more analytical approach, but they miss the natural timbre that everyone enjoyed on the BL-03.
BL-03 have more sub-bass and bass, and this is why the BL-03 is maybe warmer and more pleasant as well. BL-03 have richer and warmer male vocals. Instruments sound better on the BL-05 with a better resolution, while female vocals are better on the BL-03, as they feel less aggressive and less forward if compared to BL-o5 ones (here personal tastes play an important role as well). Upper-end is, in fact, warmer on the BL-03 and they’re smoother thanks to this type of tuning.
Soundstage is more expansive on the BL-05, while the BL-03 are more intimate. Instrument separation and imaging are better on the BL-05.
Comfort is better on the BL-05, but it’s not perfect on it either, as it can still be tricky. Isolation is on par.
If I had to choose, I would pick the BL-03: they’re more pleasant, more natural, warmer, bassier and have a more mature sound. If we speak about technical ability, then the BL-05 are a step ahead in precision and resolution.

Blon BL-05 vs **** V2
The Blon BL-05 are definitely bright and so are the V2. The BL-05 win respectively in low-end and soundstage. The V2 feel more intimate and thinner with a rapid bass response, while the BL-05 has a fuller low-end and a thicker midrange. Both have recessed midrange and emphasized upper-mids and highs. BL-05 win hands down in imaging, while they win in instrument separation just by a very small margin: I’d say it could even be a tie in this sense.
Comfort is better on the **** V2 as they’re less tricky in terms of fitting, but isolation is way better on the BL-05.
The BL-05 are the best out of the two, at least for me: the thicker presentation favors them granting a fuller sound reproduction and more immersive listening sessions.

Final Thoughts
The Blon BL-05 could easily be among my top recommendations if only they didn’t have that forward upper-midrange that makes them less suitable for everyone.
The BL-03 were more pleasant and natural to the ears, with a warmer timbre that it’s hard to dislike. On the other hand, the BL-05 show some technical improvements over the BL-03 and this results in a less relaxed/relaxing signature with a more accurate but colder and thinner sound reproduction.
If you’re the type of listener that wants a pleasant, smooth and warm tuning, then the BL-03 are still the best bang for the buck, but if you’re in the market for a single DD pair of IEMs with good technical capabilities and a more analytical (but still funny) tuning, the BL-05 will not disappoint.

Disclaimer

The BLON BL-05 is the much-anticipated successor to the BL-03 which took the earphone world by storm with its advanced carbon nanotube diaphragm and natural timbre. The design has been updated to improve the fit and a new “second generation” 10mm dynamic driver has been used.

The BL-05 shares the same packaging as the earlier model, and is presented in a long white box with the IEMs displayed in a plastic tray above a plain white box bearing the BLON logo and the acronym, BELIEF – LETMUSICBURN - OPPOTY - NEVERGIVEUP. There is also the legend “Annotation, music and driams”. It is perhaps surprising that this bizarre and somewhat risible idea was retained for the new model! This box contains a linen-finish pouch with a blue BLON logo containing the detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable and six spare eartips plus some documentation.

The earpieces are finished in a shiny gunmetal colour. (a silver option is also available). The faceplate has a circular gold part marked with the channel identification and a gold bar bears the BLON logo. The lug bearing the 2-pin socket has a narrow angled rake and there is a small vent on the inner face of the earpieces. The overall appearance is a bit “steampunk”, and somewhat reminiscent of the Revonext QT5. The weight distribution was perfect whereas the BL-03’s earpieces concentrated their weight in the bulbous part and became insecure.

The supplied cable is the same as that supplied with the BL-03 and has tightly curved ear guides and shielded connecting pins and appears a little cheap. I found it uncomfortable to wear. The supplied silicone tips are quite long and did not provide a good seal or comfort.

The earphones were left burning in for over 100 hours before testing. After this the principal source was my Xduoo X20 DAP. In addition to the default Xduoo X20, sources included a CD player, smartphone, USB memory stick and FM radio.

Initially I used the stock cable and tips. In this configuration, the sound was bright and lacked bass. The midrange was forward and the treble very bright with noticeable peaks. I therefore changed the cable to a Faaeal Hibiscus copper type and replaced the tips with JVC Spiral Dots (size M). I have to say that this effected a remarkable transformation. (I found a similar thing happened with the earlier model). The earpieces fitted flush with the ears and the comfort was excellent and a remarkably good fit and seal was obtained.

The overall effect was now much more balanced with the midrange somewhat forward and a slightly brighter than neutral treble with good extension. The bass now had depth and extension and good texture. The overaall profile was mildly V or W shaped and the immediate impression was of a “fast” and “clean” delivery. Detail retrieval and transient response were very good and texture was well-rendered. Layering in electronic music was especially good and the balanced nature of this presentation suited most genres.

Bass

Once fitted with suitable replacement cable and tips, the BL-05's bass was nicely contoured. Sub-bass displayed excellent depth and detail with resolution on point. Mid bass was at a lower level and produced a clean effect with good transient response. Frank Steiner Jr's "Out There" from his album "Momentum" begins with powerful drum beats. These are bolstered by a deep sub-bass drone and a piano solo reminiscent of Antonio Carlos Jobim runs attractively over the top. The whole piece was very effective and the solid bass foundation possessed excellent texture. The wonderful orchestral bass drums and tuba in Holst's "Uranus", in a classic EMI recording by the LSO under Andre Previn once again showed the BL-05's ability to reproduce bass frequencies accurately. Decay was impressive and the hall ambience nicely rendered. The characteristic fat, breathy tones of the tuba came over very well indeed. In “Private Investigations” by Dire Straits, the impact of the drums following the central guitar solo was very effective and exciting. Bass guitar had a nice texture and was easy to distinguish alongside the percussion.

Mids

There was little or no bleed into the mids and the forward nature of the BL-05's midrange allowed vocals to feature well against the accompanying instrumentation. Astrud Gilberto's characterful rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema" was a perfect example of this. Her solo voice blended beautifully with the guitar and piano backing and Stan Getz's superb sax solo also impressed with an almost tactile, breathy quality. The solo guitar break in Andreas Vollenweider's "Hirzel" had excellent attack and soared above the complex arrangement. The delicacy and detail of the electric harp in this piece was also a notable feature. Classical music also fared well with the solo guitar in Richard Harvey's "Concerto Antiquo" possessing excellent timbre and the detail of fingering and the natural resonance of the guitar coming over well. John Williams’s solo instrument was nicely balanced with the orchestral accompaniment and the contrast between the lyrical and more percussive aspects of the guitar was handled well.

Treble

With a bright, yet clean treble delivery and good extension, the BL-05 was able to pick out fine levels of detail, and only occasionally displayed a little harshness or sibilance. The introduction to Eric Triger's "Arcangeles" from "Guardian Angels" features a lead melody in the upper register and the fine detail here was clean and precise. Set against multi-layered synthesiser chords, the solo parts were presented clearly above the accompaniment. Similarly, in classical music, the solo flute in Vaughan Williams's "Fantasia on Greensleeves", performed by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields under Neville Marriner, stood out impressively above the supporting harp and strings and was naturally balanced with the timbre of the flute nicely depicted. The airy sounds backing 10cc’s “I’m not in Love” cut through the production and remained in harmony with the lead vocals. The sense of density in the layering came over very clearly, reminding me what a great piece of production this is.

Soundstage

With a brighter treble and more forward midrange, the BL-05 displayed a more expansive stage than the BL-03, which has a more intimate presentation. Width was greater than depth and there was also a decent impression of height. Layering was probably its strong suit with imaging and placement also above average. Orchestral positioning was very pleasing. In “An English Elegy” by Roland Roberts, the solo violin placed centrally was well presented above the accompaniment, with the woodwind and string sections all occupying their assigned positions. The expansive nature of the hall ambience in this recording added to the effect. Andreas Vollenweider’s “Airdance” begins with breath sounds and other sound effects which partner the harp and sax instrumentation. These had the requisite clarity and character to place them in a believable acoustic and produce a very entertaining result. “It dread inna Inglan” by Linton Kwesi Johnson begins with the sounds of a public rally which segues into an impressive dub-style piece. Supported by the excellent Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, the lead vocals remained clear and full of meaning. The well rendered rhythmic keyboard “skanking” added an authentic atmosphere.

Conclusion

The BL-03 displayed a V-shaped profile with mid bass emphasis, smooth well-tuned mids and a relaxed treble, which resulted in an attractive "analogue" tonality. The BL-05, on the other hand, has a more prominent sub bass, forward mids and a brighter top end and its more incisive neutral/bright overall sound somewhat resembles that of the Tin T4, TRN BA5 and CVJ CSN. I do have reservations recommending the BL-05 in stock form, as the basic sound as supplied does have some issues (this may explain the varying opinions in online reviews), but with a good cable and suitable tips, it is capable of excellent performance. Perhaps next time with the BL-07 we could have a better cable and tips and smarter packaging. I think this would be well-received. Of course, this extra outlay must be factored in, but I feel it is worth the trouble. The enhanced detail, speed and resolution over the BL-03 justify the additional cost. However, the combined price does begin to approach the next tier where we find such models as the Tin T4 and KBEAR Diamond, which offer a higher quality reproduction and more refinement.







Product link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08732X7VGref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Disclaimer:
I would like to thank BLON for providing this review sample. My views are my own.



Introduction:
I've had a very pleasant experience so far with the BLON brand, having purchased both the BLON BL-03 and its underrated big brother (the BLON Cardinal), which is unfortunately no longer in production.

The BLON BL-03 was (and still is) a mega hypetrain single DD set with good timbre and tonality at an affordable sub $30 USD. It's rather famous among budget audiophile groups for the superb price to performance ratio. Some folks even labelled the BL-03 as a giant killer that can compete with TOTL sets. Personally, while I think the BL-03 is a very good set for the price, and maybe it can compete with some $100 sets in timbre/tonality, it lacked a bit in these areas to be a true giant killer:

1) Poor fit OOTB with stock tips - due to the too short nozzle. Most people had to resort to a spacer mod or aftermarket longer eartips, or even different cables. So with these aftermarket extra costs, it probably was closer to $40 - 50 USD in terms of pricing (depending on what stuff u bought to augment it).

2) Overemphasized midbass with midbass bleed; bass can't keep up with fast/complex music.

3) Lack in technicalities.

So there was great anticipation for the next BLON release, which is the BL-05. From released graphs, it seems to have a toned done bass with some slight boost in the upper mids, with a better looking fit too. So here we are with the BL-05 review today.


Specifications:
Driver: 2nd Generation 10mm CNT Diaphragm.
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 KHz
Connector: 0.78mm 2 Pin
Impedance: 32 ohms
Sensitivity: 108dB


Accessories:
In addition to the IEM, it comes with:

1) Stock cable - thin with no chin cinch. Recommended to swap ASAP.

2) Lame sack cloth pouch like in the BL-03.

3) Silicone tips of various sizes, some with longer nozzles and some with shorter nozzles.

The same BLON motto espousing Driams, Belief, Letting Music Burn, and Oppoty and Never giving up greets us, now in a rainbow coloured wording.








Build/comfort:
The BL-05 is very comfortable and well fitting OOTB, in contrast to its BL-03 little brother, there's no need to mess around with aftermarket tips/spacers.

The shell is metal, and is on the heavier side of things as such, but is very ergonomic with no weird poky edges. The steampunk look is quite unique!

I liked that it came with a 2 pin connector, which has generally better lifespan than MMCX connectors in my experience. Although the 2 pin housing protrudes a bit and certain 3rd party 2 pin cables may not be compatible, or may protrude when in use.

I didn't have any driver flex with the BL-05.


Isolation:
Isolation is average, but better than the BL-03.


Drivability:
I tried the BL-05 with a humble Android smartphone, a Ziku HD X9 DAP, a Tempotec Sonata HD, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, a Khadas Tone Board -> Fiio A3 amp, and a TRN BT20 bluetooth device.

The BL-05 is pretty drivable from lower powered sources like smartphones, and amping isn't truly mandatory.

However, do note that the source plays quite an important role in the sound signature and synergy with the BL-05. As the BL-05 is on the brighter side for the upper mids, with thinner bass quantities, I found it to sound less harsh in the upper mids when pairing the BL-05 with a warmer source. When I paired it with more analytical or brighter sources, it brought the upper mids area too much to the forefront and made it more fatiguing and harsh for longer listening sessions. YMMV.



Sound and Technicalities:
The BL-05 is a mild V shaped set with some boost at the upper mids/lower treble region and a slightly tamed down midbass (compared to its predecessor the BL-03).


Graph courtesy of KopiOKaya from Audioreviews (IEC711 compliant coupler). 8 kHZ area is probably a resonance peak.

Technicalities like details and instrument separation are above average at its price point. Imaging and clarity is good. Soundstage is above average. It probably won't beat multi BA/hybrid sets that are equivalently priced in the technicalities department.

Timbre is good for acoustic instruments. Note weight is on the thinner side and vocals sounded not as good in the timbre as acoustic instruments. The BL-05 can sound somewhat analytical and dry at times, and is quite different from the warm and analoguish tonality of the BL-03.


Bass:
The BL-05's subbass is of more quantity than midbass, with some rumble typical of DD bass, though it is not as bassy as the BL-03 in terms of quantity. Midbass thump is a bit lacking for my basshead tastes, but I think those that like a neutralish bass will love this set's bass.

Bass quality is on the faster and tighter side, though not the best in texturing. There's no midbass bleed.


Mids:
Upper mids are boosted compared to the lower mids and I found some harshness at the upper mids area which may sometimes be fatiguing for longer listening sessions and female vocal predominant music. Vocals are very intelligible. As stated above, source pairing is important as a warm source can help in the upper mids area. Other than source, EQ or micropore mods may help, +/- narrower bore tips and copper cables (if u ain't a cable skeptic). In case anyone is interested in doing a reversible mod for the upper mids on the BL-05, there'll be a discussion below.


Treble:
There's a boost at the lower treble, but otherwise it extends fairly well but is not a super airy set. I'm treble sensitive and found the treble to be within my tolerances, without the need to EQ/use foam tips (cough cough looking at you TRN VX). There is very mild sibilance. Cymbals are occasionally splashy.


Comparisons vs BL-03:

Graph courtesy of KopiOKaya from Audioreviews (IEC711 compliant coupler). 8 kHZ area is probably a resonance peak.

I know a lot of folks' next question will be, how does the BL-05 compare to the BL-03? I would say upfront that the BL-05 is pretty different in tonality compared to the original BL-03. The BL-05 has decreased midbass but increased upper mids compared to the BL-03 as the above graph.

I didn't compare the BLON Cardinal here as it is no longer in production and not many people own it.

Pros of BL-05 (stock form):
- Fit is better on the BL-05, no need to mess with eartips/spacer mods OOTB.
- Bass tighter and less midbass bleed on BL-05. Better subbass extension/rumble than BL-03.
- More analytical/colder tonality with better clarity.
- Better soundstage.
- Easier to drive.

Pros of BL-03 (stock form):
- Cheaper (though if u factor in aftermarket tips and cables it might be thereabouts in cost).
- Less fatiguing at upper mids/lower treble.
- More natural tonality in mids.
- Fuller lower mids, thicker note weight.
- Better vocal timbre.


I feel the BL-05 has its own merits and it shouldn't be viewed as a BL-03 Mk2, but taken as its own IEM and I appreciate that they'll be fans of both tunings either way (disclaimer I'm more a fan of the BL-03's tonality but I try my best to judge the BL-05 as objectively as possible in this review). I think a lot of folks expected the BL-05 to be tuned along the same lines as the BL-03 and quite a few BLON fans were disappointed with the BL-05 as such.

Also, factor in that the BL-03's hype was at hysterical levels, and anticipation for the BL-05 was at sky high amounts. As is quite commonly seen, it is very difficult to live up to the same standards and demands in the sequel of a hyped original movie/book. If the sequel meets the standards of the original movie/book, fans would say, it is only to be expected. But pitchforks will come out if the widely anticipated movie/book sequel has some flaws or is rather different than anticipated. In addition, the BL-05 was priced more expensive than the BL-03, and the $40 - 50 USD market the BL-05 was released into had much tougher competition than the $20 - 30 BL-03's market. (Though I would argue the BL-03 is actually also in the $40 price bracket if an average aftermarket tip/cable is factored in the equation as most folks don't get a good fit OOTB).


Micropore mod for BL-05:
Credit to KopiOKaya for this great and reversible mod for those who want to lower the upper mids/lower treble of the BL-05 a tinge.

Use a 3M tape (2 mm x 2 mm square) and cover part of the nozzle mesh, but do not cover it entirely, if not the sound will be muffled. With the micropore mod, the upper mids are reduced and the mids sound a bit more tonally similar to the BL-03, but with the midbass bleed/bloom removed and with the BL-05's good fit and speedier bass.



Graph courtesy of KopiOKaya from Audioreviews (IEC711 compliant coupler). 8 kHZ area is probably a resonance peak.

I appreciate though that not everyone wants to mod stuff and a lot of consumers would just prefer to use the IEM OOTB as it is, then perhaps EQ or changing to a warm source would help too if you are sensitive to the upper mids region.


Conclusion:
The BL-05 sports a V shaped bright tuning with above average technicalities, a good fit, and is easily drivable. It released into the ultra competitive $40 - 50 USD CHIFI market and hence faces tough competition. I actually like the BL-05 more than the recently reviewed (and more expensive) TRN VX, which was much shoutier in stock form, and I couldn't listen to the TRN VX more than 5 minutes without a EQ or some micropore mods.

Like real life siblings, audiophiles will always compare the BL-05 with the BL-03 younger brother, even though the BL-05 is tuned rather differently from the BL-03 and is not a BL-03 MK2 (maybe unless you wanna try the reversible micropore mod as above). The BL-05 has areas of improvement over the BL-03, such as in fit, soundstage, bass quality, and a toned down midbass. The BL-05 should thus be seen as its own IEM, with its own unique tuning and merits.

All in all, I think the BL-05 is not for bassheads or those wanting an analoguish/warm tonality (which is my sound signature preference). So, the BL-05 is not my cup of tea for the brighter upper mids region and thinner note weight/lower mids, but forgive me while I meander a bit in this short story:
My review of the BL-05 was delayed cause my wife saw the BL-05 delivered in the mail and she snagged it. She would normally go "tsk tsk" and roll her eyes at another audio gear arriving in the mail or be ambivalent at best. However, the moment she saw the rainbow wording of Oppoty and Driams and the steampunk look of the BL-05, she grabbed it and said she wanted to try it. She isn't an audiophile but she listens to a variety of music genres like 3 hours a day, and her first words were "good fit", "clean sounding", "sounds good". After that I didn't see the BL-05 for a week (well this constitutes a free burn in I guess). She only returned it to me after I bugged her for a few days. For comparisons, she didn't like the BL-03 (even though I went to extreme lengths to buy aftermarket spinfits to help her BL-03 to fit).

Hence I appreciate that there will be fans of the BL-05's tuning, such as those who want a cleaner and brighter sound signature than the hypetrain BL-03.

Let music burn!

When ordering the Blon BL-05....communication with AK Audio store (product link below) was as usual efficient - parcel dispatch was swift & arrived in uber quick time!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000932019151.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.c2664c4dNseFPt


On this occasion, I specifically ordered two sets: Blon BL05 and KBEAR Diamond together. This was a marked departure from the usual collecting strategy - i.e. linear upgrading in accordance with price ratio of improved sound signature, builds & configurations.

My aim in this instance was to pair both left & right channel of the iems, to SE & balanced cables. The two respective configurations I settled upon are:

1) Blon (L) & KBEAR Diamond (R) attached to 2.5mm balanced (VE) cable.

2) Blon (R) & KBEAR Diamond (L) attached to AK pure silver 3.5mm SE cable.



The synergy between both pairings works remarkably well....so much so that after the process of burn-in occurs the strengths of both blend into a set which is imho, ostensibly greater than the sum of the individual parts. I usually choose balanced out by default on via Sony & ES100, & use silver cable for SE listening to provide extra stage "air."

Initially, obviously, you're conscious that two independent signatures are at play: aware of the pronounced bass/sub-bass presentation of the Diamond, coupled with forward mids & treble extension of the Blon....despite this you eventually become accustomed to their differences.

However the seeming disparity between the two is not an overriding distraction once one's brain has had time to process the dichotomy and merge the two.



The main facets I was looking to retain a balanced sound via lighter/smaller housings - for a convenient fit & allow pillowing listening whilst in bed. I decided upon this iem configuration whilst waiting for high-end gear to trickle down to mid-range, i.e. a set that improves upon Tri-i3....without necessarily parting with excessive funds.

Regarding comfort the Blon-05 are the perfect set for pillow listening whilst in bed, which provides a totally visceral experience - almost feeling as though you’re not wearing any earphones whatsoever!



Build/Fit:
Excellent build quality & exceptional ergonomic fit - never slips and maintains the seal. Initially the angle of the nozzle seemed wrong - alas with continual wear you realise they fit perfectly. Admittedly, the nozzle length could be extended further by a few mm for a better seal. Despite this, they’re streamlined perfectly within the ears tragus – totally plush with no protrusion at all.

Tuning / Sound Signature:
Blon-05 has a bright, energetic signature - reducing the bass experienced in the 03 counterpart whilst boosting the mid-range. However, the lack of bass / sub lift can be boosted via EQ.

Soundstage:
The stage is less deep than wide – hence the sound spectrum is not overly 3D holophonic. This can be useful when for example, mixing tracks where placement and layering are crucial to the final mix.

Highs:
Can be perceived as slightly spiky initially - but any transient peaks become smoothed out and less “shouty” once the burn-in process has taken place.

Mids:
The stand out feature of the set is their pronounced mid-range which is full of energy & excitement, without being too distracting or fatiguing. This can be a useful asset when to isolate the mid-range, whilst composing, layering &finally mixing tracks.

Bass:
Bass is present with a good seal, however the quantity of sub-bass is minimal…they’re certainly not a set for bass-heads!



EQ response:
Respond well to EQ especially to boost low–range frequencies in order to bring out the bass & develop a more balanced signature.

Amp Scalability:
The Blon-05 amp much more effectively than Blon-03, which easily distort at greater volume levels - the bass response gets muddier – hence mid-tier sets left them behind.

Sources:
I prefer devices which offer two-way Bluetooth. The best synergy is attained listening to FLAC files via balanced output of Sony NW-ZX300a – the DAP remains distortion-free at max volume. BT receiver mode of the Sony DAP with vinyl processor switched on, adds extra “analogue” warmth- in order to experience balanced from Dell 7559 gaming laptop.
SE output: Behringer UMC404HD / Xiaomi Mi 9T smartphone / iPad Air3 / Cayin N3 & NX4 DAC - gain switch increases all frequencies plus quantity of bass & rumble of sub-bass allows for “sweet spot” volume levels over halfway with no distortion. Additional mobility is provided by EarStudio ES100 (Radsone) with EQ added via iPad app.




Listening preferences:
Ambient Internet Radio (NTS) / Soundscapes / Live Gigs, Vocals / Jazz.
Classical / Electronica / FLAC LP’s: Andy Dragazis - Afterimages - this soundtrack appears visceral, airy and binaural, the timbre of strings is wonderful & otherworldly underpinned by suspenseful cello.

I’m currently listening to a gamut of electronica album tracks such as:

“Jettison Mind Hatch” by Tipper, and “Y Dydd Olaf” by Gwenno.

Velvet Universe - Voyager LP (Full) – 1981


Monochrome Echo


“Shard of Glass” by Fenella


Fuku-Ura



Musicality:
Warm tuning coupled with the extra energy and micro detailing results in a very moreish refined sonic experience. Furthermore, the superb mids adds to an incredibly musical signature, excelling with a wide gamut of genres (especially Classical/Vocals & Electronica) imbibing tracks with a “live” presentation. After one week’s period of burn in, the planar seems to be more transparent & revealing.

Comparisons:
Tri-i3: The BL-05 with their much smaller housings is less 3D holophonic/ Binaural - having a narrower stage than the wider, deeper Tri-i3. The BL-05 favour electronic music, presenting a much punchier signature. IMO the Tri- i3 remains unsurpassed at rendering classical timbres; whilst both sets excel with male & female vocals.

KBEAR: The BL-05 in a way mirrors the KBEAR, their forward mids complementing the inherent bass-centric signature of the DLC driver.

Blon BL-03: A/B’ing Blon-05 with the 03 reveals the shortcomings of the latter. Admittedly there is more bass presence in the latter; however the amp scalability of the 03 is poor, becoming unlistenable at high volume levels. It’s also apparent that they lack energy and excitement, whereby the treble is more smoothed out & rolls off sharply. Consequently vocals & instrument timbre can seem distant & unengaging.

Conclusion:
I really like the BL-05 – as my LP/track collection comprises of predominantly electronica and synthesiser based music. Hence my signature preference will always lean towards iems with an extended mid-range. Their build quality, seamless fit, plus their ability to manage extra amping & EQ are in my opinion, a definite improvement over the previous 03 incarnation. Within the budget range they’re good value, possibly their next iteration will no doubt add a boosted bass response, in order to generate a more balanced sound, whilst managing to retain their addictive forward-mids emphasis.


Ratings:

Build: 90

Fit: 90

Bass: 75

Mids: 90

Treble: 85

Soundstage: 80

Imaging/Layering: 85

Accessories: 70

Price: 85

Introduction-
We are all familiar with Blon’s BL-03, a much anticipated in ear monitor from last year. Does Blon-05 live up to the hype of it’s previous generation, the well hyped Blon BL-03? Blon BL-03 itself was a very controversial IEM in the market, you either loved it or hated it. One thing which I know for sure, is that Blon-03 required some some serious time investment to make it suit you. Did Blon-05 follow the same path?


Photo reference: original package contents of Blon BL-05

Unboxing experience-
We are greeted by the already familiar slim and long box, which has the authentic and infamous “Belief, Letmusicburn, Oppoty, Nevergiveup”, apparently that is the true meaning behind the company’s name, BLON. There’s nothing too special about the unboxing experience, just a basic package with nothing fancy, you have to keep in mind the price range of this in ear monitor.
At first when I opened the package, I thought that the eartips were covered in human hair. However it appeared to be “flakes” from the white piece which holds the in ear monitors.

Something to point out is that I have received two sets of accessories, the ones which arrive with the stock Blon BL-05 (original accessories), and an extra package which has foam tips and two sets of extra cables (two sets of silver plated cables). It should be clear that when buying the normal Blon BL-05 package, you do not get the extra accessories.



Accessories-
Usually you should not expect crazy accessories from a budget set of in ear monitors, I also strongly believe that it’s better to include less accessories than include more accessories with crappy quality. I strongly stand behind this. This is the case with BL-05… except it doesn’t include many accessories. In fact, it’s almost identical to the accessories included with the old BL-03. It comes with the same canvas pouch, which features BLON branding on it, the same 0.78mm 2-pin cable. There are two sets of eartips: one set of S/M/L small bore eartips, and another of S/M/L wide-bore eartips.

Build quality-
I believe the build quality of the housing shell of the Blon-05 is by far it’s best feature, at least from the build quality aspect. It’s made out of metal with a chrome finish. It follows the same chrome look of the previous Blon BL-03, except this time it features a completely new shape and look. It features a gold accent on the face of the housing, it’s shaped like a “key hole”, it’s raised and features the brand name, including the labelling for “left” and “right”.
By now everyone should be familiar with the cable of the Blon BL-03. Blon decided to follow the same path and include the same cable with Blon BL-05. It’s the worst, awful quality and feel, just a big turn off. It’s certainly not built to last, especially looking at the two “fangs” at the Y-splitter, which will certainly break off with enough usage. The 3.5 mm jack is angled, housed in cheap plastic.. which doesn’t feel pleasant. I wasn’t impressed with the complete lack of metal in the cable, the whole cable is made out of cheap plastic.
There is no driver flex, which is always a good thing. Driver flex can me a very large problem, I myself cannot stand it, it’s possible my ears are sensitive to it. When I experienced drier flex on IMR R2 Aten, I never touched them again, but maybe it was a faulty unit, I haven’t confirmed that. So this is something which I never overlook, I greatly appreciate that Blon didn’t have this issue.



Design and design features-
Blon is going in the right direction with the design choice, because the looks are very nice with the BL-05, a sleeker and sharper looking in ear monitor than BL-03. The design reminds me of the Terminator franchise, especially the T-1000, played by Robert Patrick, the chrome, shapeshifting Terminator reminds me of the smooth chrome finish of BL-05. I can definitely see Arnold Schwarzenegger rocking the Bl-05.
The design features are pretty standard, as mentioned above, a flat, 90˚ 3.5 mm jack, and there is a protruding 2-pin connector. That’s it in terms of the design and design features, there is also a single vent on the inner side of the housing shell.

Comfort-
Out of the box, I thought that it had a very bad fit and seal. This is either because I haven’t broken the ear guide in, or because of the stock eartips… which were a useless fit for my ears. Not one had a good seal, it’s only after I put in the black foam eartips that the seal and fit improved. However after some time spent with it, the overall comfort wasn’t bad. The fit is in between, neither deep, nor shallow. On the other hand, the seal with the foam tips is very nice, not vacuum-tight, but nice fit. Blon BL-05 is suited for long listening sessions, proposing no discomfort issues after longer sessions. This isn’t the most comfortable pair of in ear monitors which I have tried, but it’s definitely not the most uncomfortable, far from that.



Sound-
Low range-
Low frequency range has a considerable extension, however doesn’t have full body and weight, which are both much appreciated. I especially found mid-bass to lack definition and texture. Sub-bass delivers a pleasing rumble. Let’s take for example Hanz Zimmer’s “Why so serious?” at mark 3:30. Sub-bass can be felt, felt being the key word. You can feel it pulsing and “breathing”. However at other times, such as the beginning of Arctic Monkey’s “ Do I wanna know?”, there is serious lack of thump and definition of the bass, the track loses most of it’s original energy due to it. While the low frequencies are extended, at times the lack of definition is very noticeable.





Mid range-
One of the first things which I have noticed when using the BL-05 is that it appeared to be shouty and thin in the mid range. With my first listen, this is the aspect I noticed straight away. Mid are noticeably recessed, this is no surprise because it has a V-shaped sound signature. I found the thin sound characteristic quite a problem, making them suck out of music, almost making them completely non-musical. To support these statements, let’s take a look at the classic “Bohemian Rhaphosy” by Queen, this track usually has a lot of energy behind it, it’s definitely one where you can notice many elements and characteristics..at the end of the day, Queen barely could put together the song due to the amount of layers Freddie had in mind. Focusing specifically on Freddie’s vocals in first third of the Bohemian Rhapsody, most of Freddie’s energy isn’t there. Where there would usually be body in his vocals, with the BL-05 there isn’t. The upper-midrange is well presented with good presence/edge, however there is a noticeable lack of musicality at lower-to-moderate volumes, which I did find to be a problem. Mark 2:17, when Freddie goes on to sing “..face the truth” is a specific part where this is clearly noticeable. Overall not impressed, pretty fatiguing and tinny sound characteristics in the mid range, and this is a no no for me.



High range-
This is the aspect which I appreciate the most with the BL-05. It delivers nice sparkle and top end where needed, while staying away from piercing. I did find it fairly unusual that the highest top end is somewhat rolled off, usually Travis Scott’s track “Stop trying to be God” is a reference I use for particular harshness, especially at mark 5:20 where Stevie Wonder’s harmonica hits its peak, and at this particular mark it didn’t have the sparkle which it should have. While the highest top-end doesn’t have the sparkle to deliver those frequencies, it did bring out the lower pitch frequencies of the high end. This track in particular just lacked the delivery which was supposed to be present, however, on a good note I did find the treble response to be quite pleasant. The treble is present, and it is presented well.



Soundstage-
I found the soundstage to be fairly narrow, and this combined with the previous weaknesses, it just finished off the job… in a bad way.



Conclusion
While the Blon BL-03 was much hyped, I can only see that hype train to have been forwarded onto the BL-05. Did BL-05 live up to that hype train? I wish I could say yes, but unfortunately I found the overall experience quite average, even below average at some points. With the market moving and evolving so fast, it’s very hard to put out a successful product. You always have to be two steps ahead of everyone, otherwise you just get buried in the sea of products which do not stand out. You can imagine that when there are thousands of fish in the sea, if you are among these fish, you must stand out, otherwise it will be very hard to attract somebody to pick you. Is Blon BL-05 a bad product? I wouldn’t say so. While there are definitely some aspects which could be improved upon, BL-05 itself isn’t a bad product, but it’s hard to recommend it when there are so many choices out there, and each one of these products has their own characteristic which makes it stand out. Blon BL-5’s lack of standing out features is the biggest disadvantage. Overall not my cup of tea.

EDIT 2021-07-11: demoted the rating from 4/5 to 3/5 due to the GS Audio GD3A.

Disclaimer: Bought on HifiGO with a discount for this review, thank you very much

Price: 42 usd

Specifications:

>10mm Carbon Nanotube Diaphragm Dynamic Driver Unit.



>Impedance: 32 Ohms.



>Sensitivity: 108dB.



>Frequency Response Range: 20Hz-20kHz.



>0.78mm Two-Pin Cable with 3.5mm Termination Plug.



>Metal Housing Shells.


Accessories: (same as the Blon BL-03)

Pouch

Narrow bore silicone tips S/M/L

“wider” bore silicone tips S/L (not as wide as other wide bore tips)


Cable: Same garbage cable as the Blon 03 so just do yourself a big favor and change it. No chin-slider either for those of you that want it. Also tangles itself very easily.


Build: Made out of metal (like the 03) but weights a bit more so it has a sturdier feel to it unlike the 03 which to me can feel like it is hollow inside. The nozzle is also made out of metal, has a dust filter and has a lip to it for better fits with tips. Nothing to complain here as the build feels very premium.

Also has a single vent hole near the nozzle. L/R markings are right on the front, but with a design like this it shouldn’t be needed to look at the markings to identify L/R.

There is a “line” going through the build so you can see that it is 2 pieces of metal that is attached to each other. That might be the weakness of the build. The 2pin connector on the 05 is also the same as the 03 so there aren’t many 3rd party-cables available that fits it as well as the stock cable does (protrudes a bit).

Fit: No problems with fit for me, it is a small build so shouldn’t have that much problem even with smaller ears. Although for those that thought that the 03 had a too short nozzle length, this has the same length.

But thanks to the rest of the body it fits better than the 03 and I don’t have to use the O-ring mod + wide bore tips that is needed for me to fit the 03.

Comfort: Above average in comfort but since the body is so long it can be a bit uncomfortable for longer sessions due to heat generation.

Isolation: Average isolation.

Setup: Fiio M11, Cable 196 4,4mm, Final Type E tips LL

Lows: The entire bass is quite average overall and can be best described as clean. It is tight, fast and clean and definitely doesn’t bleed into the mids. More sub-bass than mid-bass.

Mid-bass: The mid-bass has the speed and tightness that is needed for metal/rock and does it very good. Although the quantity is a bit on the lower side so I would prefer it to have a bit more.

For example, on Impeding doom – Ravenous Disease (00:54 – 01:05) the bass is very fast here but the bass on the 05 can still keep up and it is very clean, so the vocals aren’t recessed nor suffer from bleed. A

Sub-bass: It has quantity, but not much rumble this does help it have the clean bass though so I guess it is up to individual preferences. Texture is lacking though so that is sad.

Mids: Female vocals focused here since the low amount of mid-bass and lower treble makes females stand out more. Quite natural overall, although there are some songs where instruments are a bit too sharp.

For example, on Linkin Park – Shadow of the day (03:24 – 04:00) the electric guitar is sharp and this happens again on Drowning Pool – Bodies (02:20 – 02:40) with the electric guitar. And on Hiroyuki Sawano – Blaze zero-two version (00:40 – 01:12) the entire song is borderline sibilant.

Female-vocals: Female vocals are forward and detailed, and quite natural. Some sharpness here so some people might be sensitive to it. But more often than not, the female vocals are quite beautiful like in Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday.

Male-vocals: Needs a bit more warmth because it sounds a bit too thin right now. It can also be a bit recessed and especially when you factor in the forward female vocals. On Impeding Doom – Ravenous Disease (02:05 – 02:26) it is lacking warmth and fullness.

Highs: Energetic and boosted highs. This is the part that is most similar to the typical “chi-fi” tuning, but without as many peaks as they typically have.

The treble together with the low amount of mid-bass is why the 05 sounds so clean, but it is also why it is on the thinner side and leans towards analytical (although not too much since the sub-bass is still boosted quite a bit and makes it a more fun tuning).

Soundstage: Average soundstage, good at being wide but not very deep.

Tonality: Bright soft V-shape, seems like a mix between a fun (sub-bass) and analytical (treble, upper mids) tuning. Timbre is good but not top-tier (like the 03 is).

Details: Average, mostly helped by the Treble so you can call it “fake” details.

Instrument Separation: a bit above average, good at left/right but not at depth. Quite surprising that it isn’t anything special since usually iems that are clean sounding also have a good separation and imaging.

Songs that highlight the IEM: , , , ,

Good genres: Rock, Metal, Acoustic songs, Jpop, OST, Quite versatile actually

Bad genres: Hip-hop (needs more mid-bass and warmer/thicker male vocals)



Comparisons:

Blon BL-03 (mesh mod): Treble is similar but less peaky on the 03 and more natural too.

Male/female vocal balancing is much better on the 03, as it doesn’t have as forward female vocals as the 05 (and more natural, without sharpness) and the male vocals have the warmth and thickness it needs. More natural vocals and instruments like electric guitars on the 03.

Bass is the biggest difference here and it is definitely a preference thing here. The bass on the 05, while it is lesser in quantity and also texture it is cleaner due to the quantity. The speed and tightness are quite similar but the more quantity in the 03 does add more warmth into the sound and is needed for the male vocals. But the 03 can definitely sound muddy when comparing to the 05. So, both are equal in how natural the bass is.

Soundstage, instrument separation and details are better on the 05 but it is due to the brighter signature. Timbre is on another level on the 03 as it is just much more natural.

Does the 05 live up to the hype and praise that is the 03? Yes and no, while the fit (is better), sound quality overall is quite similar and also very similar to Moondrop’s tuning (very cheap to get something like Moondrop’s tuning), the 05 lost too much of what made the 03 so popular and good. Its timbre and non-fatiguing sound that is so rare in “chi-fi”.

The 03 is better for people that want a more relaxed and bassier set, while the 05 is better for those that want a more energetic, thinner and more analytical set.

Urbanfun ISS014: Treble is similar, but the 05 is perceived as brighter since the bass quantity is less. But the ISS014 is more refined here with less peaks and more natural.

Mids are similar too, but again the ISS014 is more refined and sounds more natural. This applies to both male and female vocals, but especially the male vocals as they have the warmth and thickness it needs to sound real.

Bass is much better overall, with better texture, tightness, speed and more natural on the ISS014. Mid-bass IS cleaner on the 05 though but only due to the lower quantity.

Soundstage is similar but timbre, details and instrument separation are on another level on the ISS014.

The ISS014 is overall on a higher level than the 05, the 05 suits a people that want a brighter and more energetic set while the ISS014 is better for having more warmth while being more fun (due to the bass).

Moondrop KXXS: The treble quantity is similar but is more refined and natural on the 05, the KXXS is thinner and more analytical.

Female vocals are less forward on the KXXS so it has better male/female vocal balancing but the vocals on the 05 is more natural overall.

Sub-bass quantity is lower on the KXXS, isn’t as tight and fast either. Rumble is very low on the KXXS. Mid bass is extremely similar.

Soundstage, instrument separation and details are better on the KXXS but timbre is better on the 05 as it sounds much more natural.

The 05 is more refined but has worse technicalities (Soundstage, separation and details). The KXXS suits people that want a thin and analytical sound while the 05 is more of a mix between thin, analytical and fun.

Shozy Form 1.1: Treble is completely different on these 2. The 1.1 has quite a lot less treble overall (except for the 8kHZ peak in the 1.1 which makes it sound less dark as it probably would have been). Treble is more natural with better timbre on the 05.

Female vocals are also more natural and also more forward on the 05

Male vocals are warmer and thicker on the 1.1 which makes it better. Female/male vocal balancing is better on the 1.1 as the 05 has forward female vocals while the male is slightly recessed.

Sub-bass is similar but the 1.1 has a bit more texture, tightness and speed so it is cleaner here. While mid-bass is cleaner on the 05, although the quantity difference is probably the reason why I perceive the tightness and speed as better on the 05.

Soundstage, details and timbre are on the same level while instrument separation is better on the 05.

The 1.1 will suit people that wants a more relaxed, warmer and more mid-bassy iem (the stock cable is also useable on the 1.1, unlike the garbage cable on the 05). While the 05 is better if you want a more energetic and cleaner sound.



Conclusion: Unfortunately, since the 05 was released after the super hyped 03 there will be a huge bias when it comes to expectations with it. While it isn’t a bad set, I just can’t understand why they decided to raise the price while not providing any substantial upgrade to it over the 03(except the fit, which may still give some people issue).

But if you are looking for a clean energetic and similar to Moondrop´s own sound then this is still a very good value for you.

Also, as a side note this should be easier to drive than the 03, because I was using this with a few lower volume steps (can also be because of the higher treble/brighter signature) Thanks for reading.

Cable source: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/resistance-of-cables-pics-comments-and-links.907998/

TLDR –

The BL-05 isn’t a bad buy when taken holistically, but does receive a limited recommendation from me for its polarising tonality.

Introduction –

Blon really took the audiophile world by storm with the BL-03. Though not especially impressive from a technical point of view, the $40 teardrop-shaped earphone carried a highly natural tonality, something not frequently found at such a low price point. As such, it quickly became the darling of numerous audio forums and for many, served as a gateway drug into the world of the empty wallet. The BL-05 follows hot on its heels. Redesigned from the ground up, Blon promise a more balanced, detailed sound and improved ergonomics, all at a meagre $5 USD price increase. With a stainless steel build, removable cable and CNT dynamic driver, the BL-05 promises a lot more performance than its $43 USD price tag would suggest. You can read all about the BL-05 and purchase one for yourself here.



Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Nappoler from HiFiGO very much for his quick communication and for providing me with the BL-05 for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.



Specs –

Driver: 10mm Carbon Nanotube Diaphragm Dynamic Driver Unit.

Impedance: 32 Ohms.

Sensitivity: 108dB.

Frequency Response Range: 20Hz-20kHz.

Cable: 0.78mm Two-Pin Cable with 3.5mm Termination Plug.



The Pitch –

2nd Generation CNT DD

CNT drivers have been observed at the high-end of IEM design and are now filtering their way down the price ladder. The BL-05 promises strong performance and low-distortion with a new diaphragm design with a carbon-network framework serving to increase rigidity and agility. Blon also boast an almost linear impedance response.

Tuned Acoustics

The BL03 achieved notoriety for its natural tonality and smooth FR. The BL-05 promises the same with a custom-design interior acoustic chamber. Alongside its new driver, Blon promise and audiophile-orientated tuning with a natural presentation, wide soundstage and coherent imaging.



Unboxing –


The unboxing experience reminds me of most Chi-Fi IEMs, the earphones are showcased through a clear window while the accessories are stored in a box below. Included with the earphones is a stylish canvas pouch, not super protective but a pocketable case that will precent deep scratches. Blon also include 2 types of silicone eartips, 3 pairs of generic grey tips in addition to two pairs of Spinfits, most likely CP155’s but the material is different to the latest generation such as those included with the Fiio FA9.



Design –

A prime area that Blon spent refining over its predecessor, the BL-05 features a stainless steel construction with a pod-like design reminiscent of AKG’s high-end earphones. Users have the choice of black or silver chrome housings, all with premium gold accent faceplates. It’s an impressively well-realised housing, especially as they were design in-house. Of course, the finish cannot compare to higher-end metal earphones with some orange peel on the paintjob to name an example. However, they are well formed with smooth seams and very reassuring density in the hand. A thoughtful addition includes left and right markers on the faceplates.


They use a 0.78mm removable cable system that is a great luxury at this price point and will ensure a longer lifespan for the earphones. The connectors protrude with inset pins on the cable to provide additional support while still permitting compatibility with third party units. The cable itself is of acceptable quality, the jacket is tacky but highly supple and the connectors all have excellent strain relief. Unfortunately, the wires themselves are very thin which makes them more tangle-prone to most. Nonetheless, the cable is not microphonic in the slightest and the pre-moulded ear guides are comfortable and stable fitting.



Fit & Isolation –

One thing that can be difficult to judge in photos and renders is scale. The BL-05 is a tiny earphone and very low-profile. As such, buyers looking for an earphone to sleep on may find this a very suitable choice. The nozzle is on the shorter side so most users will have to either size up tips or just longer tips such as the included Spinfits. Combined with the small housings, this contributes to an exceedingly comfortable wearing experience with zero hotspot formation.


I also found the seal to be quite convincing and, alongside their over-ear fit, they are very stable despite being slightly heavier due to that stainless steel construction. A vent is present, though as it lies on the inner-face, wind noise isn’t exaggerated when wearing the earphones outdoors. Isolation is above average but certainly not outstanding. They will suffice for commute but will struggle in loud environments such as the metro.



Sound –

Testing Methodology: Measured using Arta via IEC 711 coupler to Startech external sound card. 7-9KHz peaks are often artifacts of my measurement setup. Measurements besides channel balance are volume matched at 1KHz. Fit depth normalized to my best abilities. Due to these factors, my measurements may not accurately reflect the earphone or measurements taken by others.


Tonality –

The BL-05 pursues a kind of faux-Harman tuning, tracking essentially identically in the lower-registers through to the lower midrange. That said, the centre-midrange is noticeably more forward as is the upper-midrange, and the treble tuning has been altered in order to compensate. The result is not as coherent nor is this a presentation that comes across to me as immediately natural. Vocals sound forward but thin and detail presentation is forward but with blunted attack. This does improve to some extent with Final Audio E-tips that smooth off the midrange and increase density, however, it hardly seems sensible to recommend a $35 ear tip for a $60 earphone (AUD). All testing below was with the included ear tips.



Bass –

The low-end is pleasantly deep reaching, with notable sub-bass focus providing enhanced note thickness and weight. It lacks the physical slam of pricier models but still provides bold rumble and plenty of voluminous impact at the very bottom. This precedes a slope through the mid and upper-bass that ensures a fairly neutral bass tone regardless. As a result, though carrying fair bass emphasis, there isn’t any bloat or warmth colouring its presentation. Technically, the low-end is also a reasonably astute performer if not an outstanding one too.

There’s better than average driver control here, resulting in a tighte presentation than most competitors. However, the low-end has poorer organisation on complex tracks without adequate separation of its thicker notes. This is somewhat ameliorated by its slightly faster decay and there is a bit more detail retrieval than one might expect for the price. However, sub-bass does have a tendency to overwhelm its mid-bass, resulting in less perceived definition. The BL-05 certainly provides an engaging low-end with enjoyable technical ability, though I would not be mistake it for a costlier earphone.



Mids –

I am personally critical of midrange timbre, preferring a warm, coherent sound over a clear and thin one. Though I try to relay information accurately, naturally there will be some bias in my interpretation. The BL-05 unfortunately, falls into the latter category so it is not especially appealing for my preferences. As above, there is little bass warmth and diminished body in the upper-bass and lower-midrange. As such, the vocal presentation is thinly bodied and cool in tone. This is further exacerbated by a sizeable 2KHz peak that brings vocals to the fore of the presentation, followed by subsequent 4KHz emphasis. Such tuning enhanced clarity and openness while bolstering vocal size and intimacy.

As this comes at the expense of smoothness and body, most earphones implement a warmer bass or smoother lower-treble to compensate. This has been poorly executed here, as emphasis extends to the 5KHz region only dropping off sharply at 6KHz. As such, articulation isn’t especially smooth though sibilance and sharpness are partially mitigated. Such tuning only serves to exacerbate the BL05’s cool, thin and raspy presentation. Indeed, vocals are clean and clear, female vocals especially are showcased. However, these qualities are not enough to offset its unnatural tone to my ear; vocals are simply too strained, lacking foundation and power. Ultimately, transparency is a term that is often misconstrued, not simply the absence of warmth, but the absence of colouration. Arguably, the BL-05 swings too far in the opposite direction in its pursuit.



Highs –

The top-end, thankfully, is quite pleasantly voiced and, similar to the bass, is an admiral performer at such a conservative price point. Nonetheless, we are speaking in relatives as it is not especially focussed or organised relative to pricier models. Still, there’s good crispness to the foreground with above-average detail retrieval. Notes have a smoother attack, lacking aggressive crunch and bite due to their sharp 6KHz trough. But there remains a crisp and slightly forward detail presence on behalf of 5KHz emphasis, nonetheless.

Instrumentation is thin in body and decay is truncated as extension is quite limited, so you do miss the texture and realism seen on higher-priced earphones around the 3-digit mark. The background is slightly brighter than neutral, providing a bit more openness and air, and this region is both detail sparse and devoid of glare as the BL-05 rolls-off sharply through the middle-treble. The transient response remains fairly clean as well, with good separation. Of course, there isn’t any sparkle nor great resolution of fine details here. The BL-05 is firmly a superficial performer, with some layering and enough detail presence to engage.



Soundstage –

Even with the included Spinfits installed that usually offer a wider presentation, the BL-05 is reasonably intimate though never claustrophobic due to its thinner notes that provide a bit more air and separation. Chiefly, the earphone has quite a forward sound both with regards to vocals and highs so though it is capable of rendering some dimension, often it is close to the head. Imaging performance is quite good on behalf of a clean transient response and sharp lower-treble delivering keen directional cues. We observe strongly centred vocals and instruments spread out to the sides. Due to the lower-treble tuning, localisation isn’t pinpoint precise, though direction is easy to discern, nonetheless. Separation is good as aforementioned, there isn’t huge separation in the bass but otherwise, notes feel well isolated which no doubt plays a role in their imaging performance.



Driveability –

The BL05 has a 32ohm impedance and 108dB sensitivity making it quite efficient for use with lower powered sources. Indeed, the BL-05 is quite source agnostic which speaks well for those with lesser quality sources but conversely, it can be ascertained that it doesn’t scale up either. Comparing sound quality from my iPod Touch 6G to my THX 789 revealed a more authoritarian sub-bass slam alongside slightly higher definition and a wider soundstage. Still, the difference was not huge.

Suggested Pair Ups

The BL-05 is suitable for smartphone listeners being neither power hungry nor suffering from a high output impedance. However, it also does not scale well with better sources. A warmer source is advised to help smooth off its midrange.



Comparisons –


Kinera Tyr ($30): The Tyr was quite an impressive affordable in-ear to me, sporting a lightly warm, balanced and simply pleasant tonality. It has a fixed cable that will hold some buyers back prioritising longevity. The low-end of the Blon extends better and showcases better control. The Tyr has a more natural tuning, with light tilt towards the mid-bass granting it a warm, smooth and full voicing. The Blon is a lot cleaner and higher energy with higher definition and detail retrieval. The midrange continues suite, the Blon being more forward, brighter and thinner. The Tyr is slightly laid-back, lightly warm and dense. It’s timbre is pleasantly natural, both instruments and vocals.

The Blon has greater clarity and definition but is quite a bit thinner and more forward, sounding a bit sterile by comparison. The lower-treble is lightly crisp on the Tyr, being sharper and more forwad on the Blon. Nonetheless, the Tyr has a bit more note attack granting its notes slightly more bite. Still, the Blon is slightly more detailed and its presentation draws more attention to this fact too. The Blon has a cleaner transient response and slightly more extension though both are very limited in this regard. The Tyr has a larger soundstage and more defined layers while the Blon has better separation and sharper imaging.

Final Audio E2000 ($40): At the same price, the E2000 provides one of my favourite voicings under $100. This comes at the cost of a thin fixed cable. The Final is more U-shaped with laid-back vocals where the Blon is more W-shaped. The Blon provides a bit more sub-bass extension and slam while the E2000 is more linear with a light mid-bass tilt granting it a warmer tone but a less boisterous bass overall. The Blon has better bass control but the E2000 has more definition through the mid-bass. The midrange is a lot more natural on the E2000. It’s vocals aren’t as prominent, but are more accurate in size and positioning, if being a tad laid-back.

They have more natural tone, body and articulation while retaining pleasing clarity. The Blon is higher definition but not as resolving as it is rather thinned out. The lower-treble is also slightly forward on the E2000 but more linear as it doesn’t have to compensate for a shouty midrange. As such, it has more accurate attack and decay properties and more realistic body and timbre in general. That said, the transient response on the Blon is a bit cleaner, it is a touch more detailed and has a bit more resolution. The E2000 has larger soundstage while the Blong has sharper directional cues if not more accurate imaging overall.

Moondrop Starfield ($109): I’ve included this IEM in the comparison because I feel many buyers would benefit greatly by making the pricier but more long-term investment. Around this price we see a great jump in technical ability in addition to more refined tuning, a double whammy. The Starfield simply sounds a lot more complete to my ears, even coming from much pricier gear that makes the Blon sound truly crappy. The Starfield has slightly similar sub-bass extension alongside a much tighter and more controlled low-end. Though not an outstanding performer in its price range, the Starfield has better definition and separation while upholding similar levels of energy and slam. The Blon sounds larger only because its notes are sloppier. The midrange is where the Starfield jumps most ahead, though not too far off on a FR, there is a world of difference in listening.

It too is a high clarity and slightly forward sound but it showcases so much more refinement then the Blon. The centre midrange isn’t as forward and the upper-midrange has a bit more density and smoothness. As such, the Starfield yields all of the benefits, the clarity, definition and cleanliness without erring into the territory of shoutiness, strain and raspiness. This trend continues into the treble where the Starfield is appreciably more linear, especially around the 5-6KHz region. It has more accurate attack and decay, better detail retrieval and more accurate instrument timbre. As the 5KHz region isn’t as forward, it also isn’t as bright and forward here. Sure, it isn’t the most technically adept in its elevated price category, but the tonality is excellent as many have said. The Starfield has a wider soundstage with more dimension. Imaging benefits greatly from its more balanced, linear tuning and it doesn’t suffer from the same lack of separation in the low-end.



Verdict –


I have always sought objectivity in my reviews as this enables my readers to guide their purchase decisions according to their own personal preferences, rather than my own. In this sense, I’m sure the Blon holds appeal to a certain audience. Should you be interested in a sub-$50 earphone with strong build quality, a design compact enough to sleep on and a removable cable, your options suddenly become very limited. Those favouring clear, intimate and highly defined vocals alongside a crisp yet clean treble will also enjoy this earphone. Still, the bright, forward presentation and off-timbre vocals will heavily limit appeal, as coming from the vast majority of earphones, these simply sound a bit off. In such a competitive market, a low price is never an excuse for mediocrity. And perhaps worse than that, is disappointment – as the BL-05 is an earphone so many had high hopes for. The BL-05 isn’t a bad buy when taken holistically, in fact, quite well-rounded, but does receive a limited recommendation from me for its polarising tonality.

The BL-05 is available from on HifiGO (International) for $43 USD at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with HiFiGO or Blon and receive no earnings from purchases through this link.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed my review, please see my website for more just like it!

Track List –

Billie Eilish – don’t smile at me

IU – eight

Johnny Cash – The Legend of Johnny Cash

Minzy – LOVELY

NIKI – Around

OOHYO – Far From the Madding City

Radiohead – Pablo Honey

Sam Smith – In The Lonely Hour

The Cranberries – Something Else

The second coming of the OPPOTY or Driams dashed upon the rocks?




Build: The build quality is a tad bit better here, kind a Westone looking shell all metal build in both gun metal and silver or white as they call it. The cable is still in that KZ /CCA realm of Meh it works. canvas pouch most people probably won't use and some okay cheap tips most will change immediately. its lightweight and still feels solid enough to last. the new shape is better in my ears than the older odd shaped BL03. IMO this isn't a upgrade from the BL03 this is a different and unique BLON.

Sound: Its your average V shaped signature with more sparkle on top and this time less bass but more tight control with better details. This will not win over any Basshead audiophiles for sure. Bass is there and has some leanness to it but it's not anemic just not as full as I would like, still on some songs it can be pleasing and non fatiguing

Mids: The Mids Are a little forward here and its boosted in the upper mids but seems more analytical and balanced compared to the BL03 I can defiantly feel them bellow at me on some recordings.

Treble: The highs are also boosted and are clear with some detail, there is a large amount of sparkle and depending on recordings and equipment ones sensitivity point might be reached.

Soundstage: was above average wide, deep and full with a slightly above average amount of imaging although I would not call it accurate or natural in details. IMO I think is a slight improvement over the BL03 at some cost to accurate and natural imaging of the 05.

Conclusion; The BLON BL05 is by far not the worst I've hear recently, actually like it to my surprise and with some mods it could be a daily driver for me If I wasn't in love with the KBear Diamond. They say lightning doesn't stoke twice in the same place but this of coarse is not true. BLON wanted to recreate the wheel so to speak but instead created something different, maybe unique... I think many people will like this , I also thing the hype will hurt this greatly as it is not the BL03 or its technical upgrade but just a different BLON .

BLON BL-05 Review
Regression to the Mean



Unexpected success leads to some interesting phenomena.

When BLON launched their BL-03, I am fairly positive that they did not expect the cult following outright. Heck, it flew under the radar for months until people started taking notice and then the hype train turned into a juggernaut. I highly recommended it and till this day it’s been one of the benchmark in the under $50 price-bracket.

Enter BL-05, BLON’s second release in the BL series of IEMs. No, I won’t tout the BL-05 as a BL-03 successor because frankly — it’s not. There, that’s the spoiler. This is not a BL-03 2.0 rather it’s an entirely different direction that BLON decided to take. Is it the right direction though? Let’s explore.

Spoiler: Disclaimer

Note: the ratings given will be subjective to the price tier. I’d like to thank Le Yoo for painstakingly arranging the review unit.

Review Policies

Sources used: LG G7, Questyle QP1R, Yulong DAART Canary

Build: The BL-05’s housings are made of the same “Kirsite” alloy as the BL-03. BLON did take the feedback regarding the atrocious shell design of the BL-03 and has re-designed the entire shell. This time it’s shaped more like something an actual human can wear cable-up and the housing also feels denser in hand. The backplate has a rather curious design choice with the gold key-shaped insert that houses the channel markings and branding. I preferred the subdued approach of the predecessor as for many the gold trim can feel tacky, but this is still overall a better design. The angled nozzle is very slightly longer than the older one but still not long enough. There’s a singular vent-hole at the inner-side, next to the nozzle. The 2-pin connector is again raised above the shell and regular 2-pin cables don’t sit flush.

A much improved design and build overall, albeit with that color-accent.
4.5/5


Accessories: Yup, those words are still there.

Unlike many, I find BLON’s atrocious translated atop their packaging more of a marketing genius rather than a blunder. People literally made more memes about these words than any other earphone or headphone (perhaps with the exception of Beyerdynamic DT990's treble). Word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools around, if you can use it well. Either by design or by sheer luck — BLON executed that to a T.

Back to the accessories now. The stock cable is still, uh, horrible. If you can remove its memory wires it can be fairly decent but otherwise just use it as a coat hangar or something. A third-party cable is a must, but due to the raised 2-pin connectors you’ll need something BLON specific. Scour AliExpress to find ones that fit the bill. Ironically, despite being unchanged from BL-03, the tips fit a bit better this time around (likely due to the design change). I’d still recommend getting a third party tip like Spinfits (which I used) or KZ Starline. So yeah, add $12–15 extra to the price of BL-05.

And finally, you have the carrying pouch. I’m really disappointed overall with the accessory set esp given the price increase. Bundling in that unusable cable is not helping BLON at all and they need to redesign the tips as well.
1.5/5


The nozzle is slightly longer and the shape is far more ergonomic compared to the predecessor

A third-party cable is a must for most

Comfort: BL-05 is comfortable once you’ve changed the cable and tips to something usable. It also sits flush to your ears and gives you a good seal. Noise isolation is above average. The big caveat — driver flex. The singular vent can’t seem to alleviate the diaphragm pressure completely so there’s pressure buildup with a tight seal. This driver-flex kept me from using the BL-03 for long term and it’s the same story all over again. *sigh*
4/5

Now, onto the sound. The BL-05 has an (apparently) upgraded 2nd gen CNT (Carbon Nanotube) driver. So the externals are not all that have changed.

Lows: The bass has a gradual rise from the mid-bass and keeps rising until the sub-bass frequencies are hit. It then plateaus at around 30Hz and goes all the way through to 22Hz. You can feel the rumble pretty well and given the clean mid-bass, the overall bass is quite unobtrusive without being anemic. It doesn’t quite have as much mid-bass body as I personally prefer but for many genres this slightly leaner bass representation is perfect, e.g. metal/hard-rock as they don’t clutter the lower-mids.

Bass speed is fairly decent, but lacks the rhythm of certain other dynamic driver IEMs. Bass texture is also lacking as is evident on American Football’s Never Meant. I expected a bit better performance, frankly.
4/5

Mids: The lower-mids are rather thin sounding in general and takes a more sterile tone rather than any analogue-ish warmth. The upper-mids meanwhile peak slightly past 2KHz, with an almost +12dB boost over the lower-mids. This leads to some shoutiness in many tracks, especially whenever “shhh” sounds come up. Some may prefer this presentation over warm, analogue-ish stuff but I personally find it a daunting listen. Combine this with the driver flex and I needed to take a break every now and then during listening sessions. Instrument separation is pretty good for the price-range however. Micro-detail retrieval in the midrange is average for the price-range. Overall timbre is brighter than reference.
3.5/5

Treble: The highs are mostly characterized by a ~5KHz peak that boosts the presence region. In other term, most of the higher pitched sounds are in the forefront and this can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. I am somewhat on the fence regarding this since I prefer a bit more bite whenever I am listening to (well-mastered) acoustic tracks or certain heavy metal songs. At the same time, in regular pop songs this forwardness can become tiring.

BL-05 thus needs a bit getting used to and might even require some modding (e.g. micropore mods) to turn down the lower-treble spike a bit. This would not be a big issue had the upper-mids boost been reduced but now it’s more of a double-whammy.

Treble extension is poor overall though at this price point most IEMs have that issue. The lack of air is somewhat more evident here since cymbals/hi-hats have a rather boosted attack but then the notes disappear abruptly, thanks to poor extension. Case in point: Lamb of God’s Ruin (remaster). The 2:40–3:03 section exhibits this character noticeably. This roll-off however results in a lack of sibilance for the most part so there’s that.

Micro-detail retrieval, again, is average.
3.5/5

Soundstage: Decently wide staging with good depth for the price. Surprisingly this worked really well as a monitor earphone while doing live stereo-mic feedback monitoring as the subtle changes in mic’s position relative to the singer was picked up rather well. However, this is not class-leading at this aspect.
4/5

Imaging: Left-right instrument separation is good but cardinal imaging (top-right/top-left etc.) is average. Also the overall instrumental placement is on a flat plane so imaging isn’t really accurate either. Nothing exceptional here.
3.5/5

Bang-for-buck: Given that the overall price of these will likely go past the $50 mark once you add third-party cable and tips — I can’t really call this a great value proposition. The clarity-focused signature is dime-a-dozen at this price point with multi-BA IEMs coming out every other week that promise vast improvements over their previous iteration.

In terms of single dynamic-driver, there’s the elephant in BLON’s own stable that can possibly be a better option for those who want a warm, non-fatiguing sound with inviting tonality. For those looking for clarity out of a single-dynamic driver, Tin T2 is still a better option. However, BL-05 has much better sub-bass rumble and that can skew the favor somewhat since, to my knowledge, no other single-DD IEM at this price has quite the clarity + good bass with sub-rumble combo. However, at that point we are really talking about a niche, and overall the BL-05 is not quite as stellar in terms of price-to-performance ratio.
3.5/5

Source and Amping: The BL-05 runs off of anything. Very power efficient. Also doesn’t hiss much fortunately enough.



Select Comparisons

vs BLON BL-03: I’d just rip off the band-aid: BL-03 is a better earphone than the BL-05 for my tastes. It has a far more addictive tonality and despite the apparent lack of clarity the overall enjoyment factor is leaps and bounds ahead of that of the BL-05. The BL-03 and BL-05 could not be more different in terms of sound, in fact, and the following explains why:

• The signature definitely is tilted towards the presence region on BL-05. Compared to the BL-03, it’ll sound thinner with a colder tonality.
• The mid-bass bump of the BL-03 is gone. Now the sub-bass is slightly boosted from 60Hz downward. Sub-bass rumble is better on the BL-05 but due to leaner mid-bass body this isn’t bass-head approved at all.
• The lower-mids are much thinner compared to the BL-03. The upper-mids meanwhile get an extra 2/3dB of boost. Nothing egregious in a sense but given the lack of mid-bass warmth and more recessed lower-mids this results in an IEM that’s practically the opposite of the BL-03 with hints of shoutiness rather than the analogue warmth that’s so unique to the BL-03.
• The treble details is definitely more noticeable on the BL-05 but this comes at the expense of a more tiring listening when directly compared to the BL-03. Both have poor treble extension.
• Soundstage is improved. Imaging, unfortunately, is a slight downgrade.

And thus, I rest my case.



vs KZ ZSX: The ZSX is a 6-driver hybrid and definitely has already won the driver-count war.

Beyond the spec-sheet, however, the ZSX has similarly shoddy accessories and is less comfortable than the BL-05 due to the horribly designed shell. Bass is markedly better on the BL-05 but from there on KZ does come back with a win in the mid-range which not only resolves more details, but also sounds less shouty and far more suited for longer-listening. The treble is more peaky on the ZSX and definitely pulls in more microdetails but has a slight disjointed feel to it, and the treble is even more peaky on the ZSX. As usual with these cheap hybrid IEMs, coherency can be an issue.

If you want more micro-details and better imaging, perhaps the ZSX can be a better fit than the BL-05. Those who prefer less peaky treble and better bass can pick the BL-05.

For comparisons between other IEMs in this range, please ask in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter

Conclusion

BLON hit it out of the park with the BL-03, and if that was an anomaly, this is the great normalizer. There will always be more average IEMs than good/great ones, and BLON is regressing to the mean with this release.

I think BLON targeted a different set of audience with the BL-05 and in that sense, they’ve done a good job. However, they should have somehow detached BL-05 from the BL-03, though that is an impossible ask since people compares everything with the BL-03. The two BLON IEMs complement each other in a sense, but the BL-03 executes its intended signature with supreme grace, whereas BL-05 ends up as another also-ran.

The BL-05 is a decent IEM, and if you are looking for a clarity focused signature, it is an option worth looking at in the budget range. I am not one of the intended audience, however, and I am still waiting on BLON to come up with the true BL-03 successor.

You can buy it from here (non-affiliated link).

Test tracks (as YouTube playlist, often updated):

The BLON is back and now its latest model is the BL-05, which had some feedback during it’s development process by some notable IEM reviewers on the internet. For whatever reason, it seems like the people who provided feedback thus far have been a bit disappointed by the final product, and while I was not involved in early prototypes, I am not totally disappointed in it, though I am also annoyed by the BLON BL-05 as well. Let’s talk about why.

First off, the unit was sent to me by Linsoul once again. The IEM comes in at $43 USD which is puts it in the cheaper IEM market. The product can be found on Linsoul’s site here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/blon-bl05

The BL03 came out last year with a lot of buzz around it. It was very affordable at under $40, had a nice aluminum shell, and a generally pleasing sound signature that weighed a bit on bass, but with a good upper mid-range and treble signature that made it tonally correct, albeit with lack of resolution and muddiness on the lower end. The fit wasn’t the best either, nor was the product’s unit-by-unit variation.



Design & Accessories

The BL05 takes on a similar all-metal shell design though with a new look and a much better fit for my ears. The design and color choices look rather tacky and not something I would have chosen for my own color palette. The oval shaped shell of the unit I received is chrome, with a raised tennis-racquet looking section that is painted gold with the branding put on it. The choice of chrome and gold leaves a lot to be desired. The alternative colorway is a shiny black and gold, which isn’t really that appealing to me either.

The included cable is the same janky and tangle-nightmare that came with the BL03. It’s really something that should be upgraded immediately to save you some troubles with it later. The connectors are 2-pin, however BLON decided to make the 2-pin connector raised from the shell, similar to how a C-Pin style 2-pin looks (that qdc and Unique Melody uses), but don’t be fooled. Those cables won’t work. Instead, if you want to use most third-party cables, you have to use a normal 2-pin connector, which may make the fit and finish look off, since most normal 2-pin connectors can’t fit over the raised connector.

Sound

In terms of sound, my biggest complaint with the BL-03 was the big bass bump, which caused it to sound muddy and really low-resolution, though not terrible for its price-point. The BL-05 tackles this by reducing the shelf down a bit, and actually makes the bass a bit more controlled and less bloated. Resolution is still a big issue. For the most part, I found in my listening experience that the low end had the right amount of weight and impact, but lacked any texture and resolution.



Where this was most apparent was in many alternative rock songs I listened to, where texturing seemed lacking. Music from Sonic Youth, or Radiohead or Pearl Jam missed some of the finer bass and guitar moments.

The mid-range has a good balance of body and decent balance of male to female vocals, with a slight shift towards the upper mid-range, as the BL05 has a shoutier tonality to it. The biggest challenge for me, however, wasn’t necessarily the shoutiness, but it was some upper treble ringing. I listened to a bit of bluegrass music as well as my usual mix of jazz and post-rock and even at my typical lower listening volumes, I found my ears ringing heavily after taking the BL05 off. There’s something going on in the treble region and harmonics ringing in my ears.

I did notice that higher-pitched singers like Alison Krauss or, even worse, Liz Fraser, sounded a tad bright, and fatiguing, and the fact that bluegrass music has heavy stringed instruments with twangy harmonics makes the BL05 a rather challenging listen.



In music that had less of that, I was left decently impressed with the BLON BL05’s general sound signature and cleaner sound over its predecessor. I still find that there’s just something slightly off on it and that I can’t enjoy it for the music I want to listen to. It’s still a decent purchase, however, just be aware that there’s some upper treble energy that may get you.

Rating: 8
Sound: 7.8

Intro
It is always interesting to see how expectations are raised when information is leaked, or when someone better known makes a statement about something. The BLON BL-05 is such a hype phenomenon.
Before it was even available, it already got a very high reputation because of its popular predecessor BL-03, without having to do anything for it.
First the BL-05 was planned as a hybrid with a dynamic and a piezo driver. In the end it became a single dynamic driver, which is called "2nd Generation 10mm CNT Diaphragm Driver". With the Blon BL-03 it was "only" a "10mm Carbon Diaphragm Dynamic Driver".

BLON takes a very safe way with the driver selection and changes only small things in the tuning, which doesn't really make the BL-05 a different, independent IEM. A bit like MOONDROP and the Kanas Pro, Starfield and KXXS.



Handling
BELIEF
LETMUSICBURN
OPPOTY
NEVERGIVEUP

Whatever BLON is trying to tell us, it's big and fat on the packaging and I really hope that this is not the company description for B-L-O-N.
This was already a "running gag" for the CHI-FI community with the BL-03 and it's a little bit incomprehensible why they took it over.
With "Oppoty" I still don't know what this could mean.

If you could still choose how you want to wear it with the BL-03, if you had a suitable cable without earhooks at hand, the BL-05 can only be worn over the ear.
It has an interesting and independent design and is completely made of metal. This makes it a little bit heavier, but not more uncomfortable to wear.

The sound tubes are still a bit short, though, which didn't make the BL-03 very popular. It is not so easy to achieve a good fit with the quite good selection of silicone tips and one should best reach for some firmer foam tips, if available.
In the package, there is also a cloth bag for storage and the same cable as the BL-03, which is useful, but not very qualitative, or blessed with a pleasant feel.

Once you have achieved a perfect fit, the insulation is very good and the wearing comfort is also a bit more pleasant than with the BL-03.



Sound
What immediately stands out is the tamed bass. This one was put down a good bit. This makes the BL-05 appear subjectively more defined and brighter. However, warmth and body are lost in the process. Of course, this will please those who have criticised the BL-03's rather prominent, soft and somewhat bloated bass, but it will also disappoint bass fans who have grown fond of exactly this raised, but full-bodied and warm bass. The bass seems a bit faster and tighter on the BL-05, but is on a very similar level of quality. It sounds quite natural with its attack, even if it lacks some of the kick, firmness and pressure.
On the one hand, the bass of the BL-05 is certainly a matter of taste when it comes to quantity compared to the BL-03, but on the other hand I can see slight advantages in the swinging behaviour of the new driver.

The bass doesn't push the midrange as hard anymore, which makes it come more forward. Vocals are more in the foreground in the mix and sound very clear and energetic, but without slipping into screaming. I find the voice presentation of the BL-03 a bit more emotional and the mids fuller, but I can attest the BL-05 more definition and clarity. In the detail reproduction the two don't take anything. I like the midrange presentation of the BL-05 a bit more, but basically it is only influenced by the bass part. In contrast to the BL-03 I would say that the BL-05 copes a bit better with complex music because the driver simply reacts faster and more precise. Nevertheless, no qualitative quantum leap is to be expected here.

Subjectively, the trebles also seem to be a bit more accentuated by the bass rollback. I deliberately say subjective, as the frequency response shouldn't really allow any difference. Here it's interesting to see how the psychoacoustic perception changes, just by playing with the bass impact in the signature and again shows that you can and should not judge an in-ear only by its graph. For me, they sometimes sound a bit fake (Fix You (Live in Buenos Aires) - Coldplay) and don't have the greatest expansion, or it can get a bit artifact-like from time to time, which was already the case with the BL-03. Nevertheless they play quite pleasantly, without exaggerated hardness and sibilant emphasis. Overall, they can become tiring a bit faster than the BL-03 after a certain volume, which is due to the brighter sound perception.

The stage is on a similar level, but appears a bit more airy and tidy than on the BL-03. The latter also applies to the separation.



Outro
I think that BLON has landed quite a good grip with the new driver in terms of performance, even if the gain is minimal. Likewise, the slight tonal adjustments make perfect sense if they suit personal taste, because basically we have the same signature and only the bass makes a real difference. I can do something with both bass presentations.
On top of that, the new design has improved the wearing comfort, which was probably the biggest criticism of the BLON BL-03, even though there is certainly room for improvement here. It feels a bit as if an already good product has been warmed up just a little bit to win money instead of really thinking it through.

The BL-05 is still a great IEM in its price range and a great all-rounder. As far as sound quality is concerned, it is not really an upgrade, but rather an adjustment that could have been achieved with a good equalizer. Even the new driver doesn't help here. Nevertheless, due to the slight advantages in handling, I'd go for the BL-05 and screw up the bass again if I wanted to.

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