BuduBuds V1

Foreword

• BuduBuds V1 emerged late last year as a one man project by Din, bespoke handmade MX500 shelled open back earbuds originally intended for local Malaysian audio consumers
• At the point of this article, I have spent over 500 hours with my V1. Using it regularly on daily basis

Equipment Used:

• CEntrance DACport HD
• Ovidius B1
• Questyle M15
• LG V50 ThinQ
• Hiby Music App (USB Exclusive Mode, FLAC Lossless)
• Tidal App (Native Mode)

Build & Wear

BuduBuds V1 comes in a very simple practical package. A box, a carrying case, a set of foams and a leather clip band. The earbuds itself made of single dynamic drivers housed in MX500 shells which has grown quite popular for many DIY earbuds enthusiasts. What I really like about it, the stock cable appearing elegant yet simple, nothing extravagant. It is lightweight as it is robust.

Initially when it arrived, my V1 came draped already with red foams. I used my V1 for two days with the foams and decided to take them off for two reasons. Firstly, to my ears the foam inhibit certain amount of resolution and made the Mids sounding thicker than what I consider as neutral. It also made the lower frequencies seemingly a bit denser. Secondly, I find using them without foams to be more comfortable due to the shape of my ears, I can literally have my V1 attached to my ears for long hours (5-6 hours).

Burn In Observation
Especially true for dynamic drivers, BuduBuds V1 does need lengthy Burn-In to allow it to settle down. What I have observed is that during the first 50 hours, V1 will exhibit some grainy edged decays on the upper frequencies and a tendency for the Mids to sound a bit nasal with some female singers especially Soprano type vocalists. At the mark of over 100 hours, V1 began to shape up nicely and all the cons noted above gone replaced with refined output that is well balanced between smoothness and crispness.

Sound Impressions
I would regard BuduBuds V1 as a neutral and natural sounding unit. It has admirable neutrality that edges very close to Diffused Field Neutral territory. I said close to DF neutral, because the Mids of V1 exhibited some mild boost to appear more pronounced than what I consider as neutral. Wearing V1 with the stock foams will make this "coloration" even more evident. But this also means, the V1 is actually very engaging for those liking their Mids strong and commanding.

Timbral wise, I am happy to say that V1 is free from any metallic sound elements. It is well balanced to appear organic and natural, especially when paired with equally neutral and natural sounding sources like Ovidius B1, DACport HD and Questyle M15. V1 even exhibited great sense of analogue output with B1 and DACport HD.

For a dynamic driver, V1 exhibited good control of dynamic transients vibrancy. It has that subtle balance between euphonic vibe and laid back smoothness in attack and decays. So what this means, V1 is amply fun as it is relaxing. Not an easy thing to pull off. As for the dynamic range itself, my ears telling me V1 has great extensions which is evident when paired with competent sources. May not be as extended when used with my LG V50 ThinQ, but definitely far reaching with the likes of B1/DACport HD/M15.

Looking at the upper frequencies, V1 offers clean and clear Treble that has good air and sparkle that I consider as naturally realistic. Perhaps Treble decays appeared slightly rolled off, but it does disperse gracefully with fluid smoothness - just slightly lacking on extreme reach as would be heard from the likes of Etymotic ER4SR or Shure KSE1500. There was never a moment I am hearing any element of sibilance or overly done sparkle, even when subjected to listening to more aggressive music (I listen to Black Metal and Shoegazing mostly).

As noted earlier, V1 has pronounced Mids presentation. For the most part the Mids will appear prominent and forward sounding. The tonality of Mids being highly organic and textured. Instruments especially stringed and percussions has that believable sound akin to listening to them live. So perhaps not that Hi-Fi sort of presentation, but more of live sessions instead. V1 also excel with vocals, most prominent with Contralto type (Diana Krall, Sinne Eeg). Does great with shrill and peaky Soprano of Alison Krauss as well (after proper burn-in period). What I have observed, while being pronounced, V1 does not add any additional warmth as would be observed with some other Mids centric earbuds, I find this to be equally satisfying as well.

On the lower frequencies, V1 offers very neutral Bass responses. With Mid-Bass appearing well controlled and mild. It has ample speed to not sound sluggish, but I do wished it could have been a bit more textured as it seems the flatness has also taken away some of Bass details. A compromise. But I am nitpicking here. Overall in reality I find V1 Mid-Bass to be properly presented as neutral sounding and that alone is something that I appreciate a lot more than most. Sub-Bass has good presence to offer mild seismic responses - with smooth decays. But as noted earlier the Sub-Bass may not extend as far as how I would be hearing of some higher tiered IEMs, but it is admirably presented still to sound realistic and enjoyable.

Technically, BuduBuds V1 offers headphone like wide soundstage. It has great breadth and depth. The staging offers great sense of space while keeping the Mids forward. The overall presentation will always appear very open and spacious. V1 is surprisingly great with spatial positioning too, I have used my V1 quite extensively for gaming (Fallout 76). It was quite immersive with precise positional placement. I can literally feel engaged with the environmental soundscape.
If I am to nitpick, then perhaps I would say the resolution and imaging could use a bit more work. While not exactly clinical with razor precision, the imaging seems to favor a bit more of smoothness over crispness. As I said this is just me nitpicking as I came from years of Etymotic surgical precision and I am used to that sort of sonic technicalities. In practical daily usage, the fact is I am using V1 regularly indicated that my listening bias proved quite appreciative of this smoother sound. It allows for longer listening session that is musical and engaging.
Last but not least, BuduBuds V1 thankfully has the speed to handle complex or outright speedy stuffs. As observed with the complex composition of Sinne Eeg Jazz recordings, V1 was able to keep the separation layers intact and distinct, no mucking up even when multiple instruments with varying speed being played concurrently. Similarly with outright speedy stuffs from the likes of Burzum, Mulla, Slayer and Darkthrone, V1 was able to keep up with very high speed exceeding 200 BPM.

Scalability
Already sounding great directly paired with my LG V50 ThinQ, V1 does exhibit amazing adaptability to scale better with more power. The majority of my listening sessions were done with Ovidius B1 and DACport HD, both of which are obscenely powerful to even drive 600 Ohms juggernauts. V1 responds great with power feed, it does not exhibit any shouty edges or shimmer like some other highly sensitive IEMs/Earbuds. Most evident, the headroom will appear more open sounding with refined technicalities. Speaking of technicalities, V1 seems to improve great as well with the pairing of the highly technical Questyle M15 - or should I say the imaging and resolution appeared better with the pairing to M15.



Final Words
All things considered, I have every reasons to like this BuduBuds V1 a lot. The more time I spent on it, the more I like it. The biggest appeal for me, V1 offers great balanced natural sound and listening comfort. It may not be the most technical or resolving listening device in my possession, but V1 must be appreciated as a highly competent musical earbuds that remained modest and pleasurable. The mild deposition of V1 allows for it to be worn for long listening sessions all day long. Not forgetting how great it is serving for long gaming sessions as well. I am guaranteed to not feel any sound or wear fatigue. For a budget oriented earbuds, BuduBuds V1 has proven that great things are possible if done correctly.