Dethonray Tender 1 planar magnetic IEMs

General Information

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Dethonray Tender 1 planar magnetic IEMs specs:
  • 10mm planar diaphragm
  • Impedance: 28Ohm
  • Sensitivity: 98 +/- 3dB
  • FRange: 20Hz – 20kHz
  • Rated power: 5mW
  • Max power: 10mW
  • Max distortion: 1dB
  • Interface: MMCX
Official website: https://www.dethonray.com/

Latest reviews

Dobrescu George

Reviewer: AudiophileHeaven
Dethonray Tender 1 - Sound Of Dreams
Pros: + Analytical, Detailed Sound
+ Excellent Construction quality
+ Very reliable
+ Good Cable from the factory
+ Versatile, works great for all music styles
+ Best treble extension for its price point
+ Quick and agile sound
Cons: - No balanced cable from the factory
- Might be a bit large for some ears, at limit for me
Dethonray Tender 1 - Sound Of Dreams

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Detonray Tender 1 is a boutique high-end IEM with a 10mm Planar magnetic driver, and a price tag of 639 USD. It will be compared to other flagships, including Campfire Mammoth (650 USD), Moondrop Illumination (800 USD), and Metalure Wave (600 USD). I will also be including airings with Dethonray DTR1 + Prelude Music Player (1000 USD), Astell & Kern SE180 (1500 USD), and iBasso DX240 (950 USD).






Introduction

I really hope you already read and enjoyed my review of the Dethonray DTR1+ Prelude Music Player, because there we got to know a bit more about the boutique producer Dethonray and their excellent design for DAPs, as well as their unique approach to music. Their music players are surely not made en masse, so they try to squeeze considerably more performance out of their designs by using different approaches to music. Their products are generally reliable, but their music player was fairly barebones, so it will be interesting to see how their IEMs will look and sound, considering that they also have a pretty barebone design.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Dethonray, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Dethonray and Mr. Anson for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in Dethonray Tender 1 find their next music companion.



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

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The package of Tender 1 is actually also barebones, with two sets of tips included in the package, as well as the IEMS and their cable.



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The technology behind Tender 1 is a tried and tested piece of tech, namely a single large dynamic driver, like Audeze employs in their Euclid, but much more affordable on Tender 1. The highlights of Tender 1 include a low impedance of just 28 OHMs, but paired with a low sensitivity of 98dB, which means that they will be somewhat hard to drive and will require a high quality source for the best possible sound. They have a rated power of 5mW and a maximum power of 10mW, although it is never clear exactly what those mean, as Tender 1 is an IEM that needs a ton of loudness from most music players to actually get loud.

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The cable has a normal length of 1.2 meters, and is connected to the IEMs with a Gold Plated MMCX connector, and a single ended, 3.5mm jack. Like all Dethonray products to date, the IEMs were made with a single ended cable, but it is really easy to replace it and experiment with others, so you don't need to own Tender 1 and DTR1+ both to get the best enjoyment, although arguably, they will sound beautiful together. Speaking about he cable, it has a Silver construction, being a really high quality one, with no tangling and no over springy design, so Dethonray did not miss with it, the only downside being that it is Single Ended only, but they did make it especially for their own DTR1+ music player.

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The IEMs have Aviation grade Aluminum Alloy, and they have a super ergonomic design that tries to follow the ear curve more than smaller IEMS. Tender 1 is available in Blue and Black, and they provide excellent actual wearing comfort for my ears, but they are slightly on the large and heavy side. Someone with ears smaller than mine may experience Tender 1 as too large. On the other hand, they are good at isolating you from the outside noise, providing between 15-25 dB of passive noise isolation, depending on the frequency.

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There is good driver ventilation, with one ventilation port near the MMCX connector, and one on the belly of Tender 1, providing good protection against driver flex, which is not present with Tender 1. The metallic surface and touch is really pleasing and comfortable with Tender 1, and there is no discomfort while wearing them.



Sound Quality

I have tried pairing Tender 1 with most of the high end music players I have, including Astell & Kern SP2000T, iBasso DX220 MAX, iBasso DX300, Lotoo PAW6000 and Cyrus One Cast. The interesting part is that although all of them seem to give a beautiful sound to Tender 1, the best pairing for Tender 1 is by far with their own DTR1+ Prelude Music Player. The sonic part of today's review will be taken using DTR1+ Prelude Music Player, as well as Astell & Kern SE180 (as DTR1+ does not have USB DAC functions). The sound of Tender 1 is best at medium and higher volumes, for best dynamics, but the really good resolution and instrument layering helps a lot if you prefer to listen at quiet volume levels, and enjoy your music in peace, but still get the most detail available in it.

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The signature of Tender 1 cn be described as really clean, resolute, analytical and U-Shaped, with good emphasis on both the sub bass and the upper treble, leading to a really crisp sound. The overall soundstage is natural in size, but Tender 1 has excellent layering and instrument separation, plus all instruments have perfect tonality and overall clarity, and a neutral presentation when it comes to their body, having the right amount of body to not be thin, but don't go into the thick and chugg part of sound.

The bass of Tender 1 is superb, as they are capable of rendering bass as low as 20 Hz, having excellent extension in the sub lows. The bass has a more neutral presentation after the initial strong sub-bass, which gives Tender 1 the U-Shaped presentation I was talking about. The bass is quick and has enough speed for Metal, rock, even Infant Annihilator and Queen Kona, the overall snare presentation having one of the quickest presentations provided by an IEM. Despite this, their sound is not overly fatiguing, and the analytical edge Tender 1 has is always kept in check by the musical midrange.

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Speaking of the midrange, Tender 1 has a beautifully musical midrange, with excellent overall clarity, and an analytical presentation that still holds good musicality for guitar solos and other instruments. To expand on this, the midrange is really resolute and detailed, and the sound of Tender 1 is super clean and crisp, but they have a slightly wet character to their sound, so they are never dry or fatiguing, or grainy. This works well for basically all music styles, giving a detailed and clean presentation to all music, but gives the best overall presentation to rock, metal and acoustic music, where the analytical presentation helps recover details that are otherwise lost with smoother and warmer sounding IEMs. The overall dynamics are insane on Tender 1, and the Palnar driver tech helps with it, compared to most Balanced Armature based competitors, and even when placed against IEMs with dynamic drivers, the sound of Tender 1 is dynamic and punchy, although most folks will probably listen at levels quieter than those needed for the maximum dynamics, since their tuning is U-Shaped and requires less volume to get the same level of details and clarity compared to a natural or smooth tuned IEM. The dynamics, layering, instrument separation and overall definition gets better with higher volume. Tender 1 has exceptionally low distortions at maximum volume, despite the reserved specifications the company wrote on the back of their package.

The upper midrange has some emphasis, but it is not the strongest point in the highest of Tender 1, as their treble is something unique in the world of IEMs, their treble getting louder the higher it goes in the frequency range, basically making up for our natural lower hearing ability in the higher treble. The treble has a really clean and sparkly presentation, with a very slightly wet character that helps keep the treble in check from being harsh and fatiguing. Indeed, the treble of Tender 1 is really well done, fairly bright and sparkly, peppy, but still not grainy or fatiguing. The raw quantity of the treble alone may be a bit much if you're looking for a smooth signature, but for my ears, it is perfect and I never felt the need to remove Tender 1, even after listening for hours at uber high volumes.



Comparisons

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Dethonray Tender 1 vs Campfire Mammoth (639 USD vs 650 USD) - The overall signature is very different between the Mammoth and Tender 1, but the first thing you will notice is that Tender 1 is larger and Mammoth is smaller physically and more comfortable. In fact, the sound of Tender 1 is more closely related to the sound of Campfire Holocene, but somehow most requests for comparisons for Tender 1 have been to compare them with Mammoth. The overall signature of Mammoth is heavy, thick, powerful and full. The signature of Tender 1 is crisp, lean, airy, wide and considerably brighter, with a particularly better treble presentation. Mammoth will be great for someone looking for a deep and full sounding IEM, and someone who doesn't want a lot of treble, but for someone looking for an analytical IEM with more detail, better clarity, and a much more airy presentation, and more information in the higher registers, then Tender 1 should be the natural choice. Tender 1 also has a more musical midrange, that is leaner, and easier to enjoy with rock and metal, where Mammoth seems better made for Jazz, Rap and certain Deep House styles.

Dethonray Tender 1 vs Moondrop Illumination (639 USD vs 800 USD) - We have an interesting comparison here, because Illumination, at least on paper, should sound better than Tender 1, but in actual practice, the treble of Illumination sounds quite blunted compared to the actual good extension and air of Tender 1. Illumination is the kind of IEM that has excellent bass and a thicker presentation in the mids, but the upper midrange and lower treble ends everything a bit soon, at about 8-10kHz, after which there's less information in the higher registers, compared to Tender 1, which has excellent overall treble even up to the highest registers. The midrange is also more musical, more analytical, and more detailed on Tender 1, although Illumination has a more solid and stronger bass, Tender 1 having slightly better sub bass.

Dethonray Tender 1 vs Metalure Wave (639 USD vs 600 USD) - Metalure wave is a good example of an IEM that is larger and heavier than Tender 1, but which was still fairly comfortable, iud you need to mentally place Tender 1 in the comfortability of IEMs out there. With Wave, the weight is more of an issue than is the size alone, whereas with Tender 1, the size may be the largest deterrent. The overall clarity of both IEMS is great, but they have a really different tuning, with Tender 1 being much more focused on the treble, and having a much thinner sound, Wave being one of the thickest and smoothest IEMs I heard to date, with one of the best overall bass thickness and substantial midrange presentations I heard. By comparison, Tender 1 manages to squeeze considerably better treble presentation, with more energy, more clarity and better sparkle, more information in the higher registers, and a more airy presentation. The soundstage of Tender 1 is considerably larger, and their levels of body for each musical instrument is closer to natural, where Wave is a thickening agent. They will surely appeal to very different customers and music lovers. The midrange is dynamic, engaging and musical on both IEMs.



Pairings

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Dethonray Tender 1 + DTR1+ Prelude Music Player (639 USD vs 1000 USD) - To my surprise, this has been the best pairing for Tender 1, and it is visible that somehow Dethonray and Mr. Anson managed to optimize them to work the best together, as the pairing provides the best overall clarity, depth, musicality and engagement in the midrange. The overall soundstage has a really natural size, but excellent separation and layering, with the stereo imaging also being superb, DTR1 + really being able to take Tender 1 to a whole new level compared to what you'd expect when hearing them driven from a smartphone or dongle DAC.

Dethonray Tender 1 + Astell & Kern SE180 (639 USD vs 1500 USD) - We have a smoother, warmer source in SE180, as it provides less sparkle in the treble for Tender 1, and they are brighter tuned IEM, so this change can be welcome, especially if you're easily fatigued by stronger top end. The dynamics are also insanely good, along with the overall resolution and detail. The bass and low end is slightly better than with most sources, and the Astell & Kern Bass effect, where it provides a more substantial low end, is present once again, giving Tender 1 a really solid sonic tuning.

Dethonray Tender 1 + iBasso DX240 (639 USD vs 950 USD) - DX240, especially if paired with AMP8MK2 will actually sound similar to DTR1+ and will give Tender 1 a similar, engaging, dynamic and punchy sound, but with more versatility as a music player, as DX240 can run Android apps, and has more functions, including a balanced output (not that it would matter for Tender 1 in particular). The overall sonics of the pairing are vivid, clean and sparkly, with a stronger upper treble, good bass extension and tons of detail, plus a wide stage, with good instrument separation.



Value and Conclusion

For the price being paid, 639, Tender 1 is an excellent IEM with great build quality, a super high quality cable, ergonomic design, and detailed sound that actually is more resolute than most competition in the price range, yet which is still musical and enjoyable.

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I want to take the chance to add Tender 1 to Audiophile-Heaven's Hall Of Fame, but as a subchapter of, and part of the entrance for the DTR1+ Prelude Music Player, as the pairing is simply so good together that you want to get both of them if you go for either.

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At the end of the day, Tender 1 is a well made boutique IEM with a good price performance ratio, a really resolute sound, and if you're looking for affordability and planar magnetic drivers in portable Earphones, Tender 1 is an excellent choice, and available from your favorite shops.
B
BladeRose
Good review! I got DTR1+ at early bird price, the SQ is much better than I expected. So Tender is a blind buy, a very strong combo!
Dobrescu George
Dobrescu George
@BladeRose - Always really happy to help, and I'm glad to hear you're rocking a DTR1+ out there, they are really nice and underrated...

kenz

500+ Head-Fier
Dethonray Tender 1
Pros: + excellent built quality
+ lush presentation
+ natural timbre
+ incredibly coherent
+ best stock cable
Cons: - average soundstage
- needs initial minutes to warm up (due to planar nature)
- planar driver power demands reduces dap options
Introducing the Dethonray Tender 1 in-ear monitor.

They’re the company’s first iem. A Planar driver iem.

A machine finished metal shell, coated with a layer that is matte and soft to the touch. Looks and feels premium in person. Like recent generations of iems, the iem bore is larger than the usual iems. So tips with bore size of 5-5.5mm would help wearing them easier.

The ear fit is good, though ears with deeper canal indentation may benefit from a double flange tip.

The package comes with a decent few pairs of tips (silicone and foam) and they’re more than enough for most users.

And the stock cable. It’s should be the standard for all stock cables for iems of this price tag and caliber. It is a silver cable, soft, light and free of microphonic noise during movement. Anson Tse, founder of Dethonray, painstakingly sourced and tested many different cables from many cable makers, and arrived at this silver cable, comparable to many premium cables.


The Tender 1 iem. A Planar driver iem.

It is engaging. It is one of those rare iems, that rather than talk about how technically proficient they perform, it just does.

Being a planar driver, it performs at its best when the source delivers good amount of power. The first few minutes, is all about setting the landscape and getting the adrenaline going. Once the planar drivers hit its stride, it’s just all about getting wrapped in the music.
There is a lush and natural timbre landscape that sets up the listening experience. Every iem worth its salt, has a unique character, and this is Tender 1’s.
Vocals are there upfront and intimate. Hear layers in the vocals, the baritone in singers like Beth Rowley and Birdy. I sat up and was surprised at how effortless these layers peeled through.
Instruments are effortlessly delivered, with a good amount of sparkle in the treble to let cymbals and string instruments shine through the lush presentation, during my Yanni, Live at the Acropolis session. The natural timbre just makes every instrument and instrumental tracks sound organic.
While the Tender 1 are no basshead iems, the mid bass region has impact without fatigue setting over longer listening sessions. There’s a dash of sub bass to make the whole bass experience satisfying.


And personally, what separates great iems from the rest is coherence. Music is life and experience in motion. Music flows effortlessly between vocals, instruments and everything in between. It wraps around us and engages us in such a satisfying way. The Tender 1 delivers.


The Tender 1 is a specialist iem. If your music library are jazz, vocal, instrumental and mood/chill centric, the Tender 1 fits very nicely into them for long listening sessions.
They do need a good amount of power to drive them well. Something the Dethonray DTR1 and the Honey H1 dad/Amp, HA2 amp does with confidence. Also, with the Venture Electronics Roundabout Plus 5 amp, given its monster amount of power, pushes the Tender 1 that bit further, adding a little warmth and giving them a slightly different take.


Dethonray has on their website, has a saying “an expedition in pursuit of supreme audio experience”. That is very true of the products they have released and the Tender 1 is a worthy member.

IryxBRO

500+ Head-Fier
Dethonray Tender 1 IEMs – planar magnetic endgame
Pros: Excellent build quality, excellent layering, instruments separation, dynamics. Great on lows, mids and treble. Linear, natural and tender.
Cons: MMCX interface
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Important notice: read only in case if you are bored of recent market trends and heavily V-shaped tuning IEMs with only slight deviations that have conquered the market, if you believe that you already have developed audio tastes & habits, if you strive for relaxed enjoyment of music instead of punchy bites of sounds on the go, if you grown up and want to listen, hear and discover the tiniest details and feel the deepest emotions in each favorite track… All that notions made us uncomfortable with the existing IEMs, forced to search further and finally brought us to the following product, technology and conclusions we have made about it in this review :)

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Dethonray, what is this brand? Let us try to describe it with our own understanding and analysis after few years of observations. Year 2019 was the first time we’ve heard about it. We’ve been proposed to test Dethonray’s first DAP – DTR1 Prelude – the most remarkable player regarding sound quality in the corresponding price niche since than. It was simple, yet linear, very powerful and OVERLY detailed – very different and extraordinary good for its price tag and purpose. Our rank was high, so were the ranks of other reviewers and future owners which is much more important. Actually, this was one of the rare examples where opinions of all involved parties coincided. It immediately gave first Dethonray DAP a good push and deserved leading position among the rivals.

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In the following 2 years Dethonray has presented HP-2 AMP, Honey H1 DAC/AMP, Listening T1 powerful tube desktop amp and has the roadmap for 2 more products: Prelude DTR1+ DAP and Tender 1 IEMs. The latter should become widely available this July whereas highly anticipated DTR1+ should arrive to shops on August. Therefore, we are right at the point of Tender 1 release and have our sample on hands. If to consider the amount of products released by the brand for the past 2 years – seems like not much…, but knowing the approach, attitude and will of the main person behind it to develop / produce only high-quality and remarkable products – it is logical that R&D, test and polishing take a lot of time. Currently, Dethonray would even pass their samples to focus testing group (not the reviewers) for quite a long time before the release to collect feedback, tune further and track all bugs. Product would come to the market only after that, even if the preliminary sales deadlines were violated. Almost forgotten and the only RIGHT “engineer” approach instead of “marketing is in command” that pisses us off with the iterations before the product gets really stable and our forced role in such bug-fixing groups.

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Dethonray Tender 1 are the first IEMs by this brand, thoroughly researched, built and tested. But not only the long process from cradle to the final release announcement is uncommon and peculiar, but also the technology that has been chosen. Instead of jumping into the bucket full of dynamic/hybrid/armature vultures Dethonray guys decided to jump over and take a higher crossbar the name of which is planar magnetic. For those who are in a tank for the past forty years :) – planar magnetic (also referred as magneplanar, isodynamic, orthodynamic) technology is a golden middle between widely used, inexpensive and traditional dynamic approach in which diaphragm is controlled by a electricity flow through the coil attached to its center and a magnet and very expensive electrostatic technology in which coil and diaphragm are represented by thin membrane between negative and positive plates. In first case we get cheap, easy-to-reporoduce construction but the negatives are slow response and uneven force distribution over diaphragm, both leading to sufficient amount of distortions and resulting sound deviations. On the other extreme are the electrostatic drivers which are still very rare and expensive, require more space and not yet miniaturized. Planar magnetic, on its turn, takes the best from both worlds: cheaper magnets and coil principle from dynamic driver but much more complicated and advanced membrane composition.

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Source: https://www.howtogeek.com

Coil now is combined with a diaphragm, placed between the magnets and the entire diaphragm surface is moving to produce sound waves. What are the advantages over dynamic technology? – very fast response times, transient sound is almost non-existent and resistance to distortions, all of which result into more even (less distorted or certain range-oriented) and much more precise (much better clarity, layering and instrument separation) sound. Again, IEMs of this type are quite rare and more expensive in comparison to dynamic/hybrid/BA units but after spending enough time testing Tender 1 we can assure you that it really worth it.

Dethonray Tender 1 specs:
  • 10mm planar diaphragm
  • Impedance: 28Ohm
  • Sensitivity: 98 +/- 3dB
  • FRange: 20Hz – 20kHz
  • Rated power: 5mW
  • Max power: 10mW
  • Max distortion: 1dB
  • Interface: MMCX
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Packaging and design:

Dethonray Tender 1 came packed in pretty large black box with shiny silver logo and names printed on the top cover and sticker with product specs at the bottom. Inner compartment consists of two layers: soft podium with special cutouts for IEMs on top and all accessories resting underneath. Box contents include:
  • Tender 1 IEMs
  • audio cable with 3.5mm SE jack
  • 6 pairs of silicone ear tips
  • 1 pair of memory foam ear tips
  • leaflet/warranty
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Considering the design – Tender 1 IEMs are a masterpiece with its combination of accurate detailing, ergonomic shaping, beauty of decorative elements and choice of shell color. We can say that that the photos which we’ve taken only partially resemble the glory of its real appearance.

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Core design element is the silver plate with the logo, partially polished to shine and reflect the light, perfectly combined with the rough matt shell surface in deep cyan or blue depending of the angle of view.

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Shells are made two piece of aluminum with unibody construction of output nozzles which are covered by aluminum filters. Two compensational openings per channel, side indicators and gold-plated MMCX ports – all a part of the construction, not only functional but also neatly crafted. For us, the choice of MMCX connectors is the only minor drawback of Tender 1 IEMs. Such connectors are easier to break in comparison to “2pin” type, especially in case of often cable change. On the other hand, MMCX turn around the center which means more freedom and comfort when it comes to its fit.

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Fit is nothing to worry about, almost perfect, like with all other “custom-like” shaped IEMs. Ergonomics is great, different ear tips provided, fits comfortably and securely.

Stock cable deserve couple of words on its own:
  • Material: 4N Solid Core Silver
  • Cable Structure: Litz Type 4 with SZ Multi-Stranding
  • Number of Cores: 35
  • AWG (thickness): 27
  • Cable Diameter: 1.3mm per cord
  • Origin of Silver: China
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Pretty intriguing that all of this data is provided about such accessory as audio cable. Anyway, what we can say for sure is that this cable looks pretty thick, equipped with flexible ear guides, aluminum jack/connector housings and channel indicators. Perhaps, in future, Dethonray would consider also including 2.5/4.4mm BL-type cable or universal cable with interchangeable audio jack which is the most recent and interesting innovation in this field. In our test we’ve used stock SE and BL cable by Penon which was actually forced matter since some of our sources had enough driving potential only on BL outputs.

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Just to summarize before we jump to sound impressions: Tender 1 are the most beautiful and one of the most perfectly crafted IEMs for us so far. We have almost 100 of different popular models by different brands and only few that have such a good combination of material, shape, design and fit.

Sound impressions:

In contrary to the common structure of our reviews, Tender 1 IEMs require some additional description of the source gear used and required to carry out adequate tests. First of all, the nature of planar magnetic technology is power-hungry and requires more driving potential from a source than any dynamic or BA units. Moreover, it is hungry for high quality of the recordings as well and we would explain this a bit later. Concerning the sufficient amount of power, despite quite ordinary sensitivity/impedance figures, Tender 1 would be much better off with Hi-Res DAP & AMPs capable of AT LEAST 200mW@32Ohms on its output. The more power a source has, the better it discloses the potential of Tender 1 IEMs.

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Second, whether you believe it or not, but in order to make Tender 1 sound the best it is very important to put it through running-in process for at least 10 hours. Just leave it playing on mid volume for this amount of time before the first use. We were skeptical about such approach before but Tender 1 really sounds better (wider and softer) after running-in period.

Finally, our testing gear was: Hidizs AP80 DAP + xDuoo XD05 Plus DAC/AMP (1W of power output, very large soundstage) / Hidizs DH80 DAC/AMP (210mW of power, neutral, requires GAIN set to MID/HIGH). Why this gear – simply because Hidizs DAPs and AMPs are popular and xDuoo AMP is the most capable of Tender 1 requirements.

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Theory and the description of this technology states that planar magnetic drivers are less capable of deep bass than dynamic units. It might be true, but not for Tender 1 IEMs. Seems that Dethonray spent much time on this aspect to oppose such claim. The only thing that might remind of the technology chosen is susceptibility to clipping/producing distortions on lows earlier than on mids/treble at higher gain + high volume. Staying in acceptable volume levels would produce deep, very detailed, perfectly outlined bass with excellent separation and exposure. It turns tight and fast or rolling, slow and deep depending of the composition, not limited by the technology. Mid bass is similarly decent – fast, dynamic, powerful and tight, bright or warm as originally intended, but definitely not selfishly interpreted. Furthermore, such a good bass exposure and amount significantly enlarge the width of the soundstage, adding the feel of sufficient volume and space.

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Mids are very smooth, delicate and warm, yet very detailed and natural. No signs of screaming or lisping on the upper portions, no sudden harsh peaks on female vocals of string instruments. Layering and separation here are excellent – everything is right on its place, not mixing, not shadowed. Vocals are rich, full-bodied and emotional but the main virtue is that male and female vocals sound evenly detailed and exposed, located on the same plane, not like in V-shaped IEMs with severe accent on upper mids and loss of details on the lower end. Very natural, tender, velvet and linear delivery.

Despite the prevailing warmth, treble is nowhere near of being deficient. Just imagine IEMs with the sweet elevation on lows, natural mids and reasonably vivid treble that reminds of BA performance and you would get the understanding about what Tender 1 are capable of. Treble is sparkling, with excellent extension and huge amount of details. Like with good BA units, you won’t feel that it’s being abruptly cut off like it happens with many dynamic IEMs. Plus, adding a bit of more body to each sound makes Tender 1 treble less cold and artificial, but at the same time more sterling and natural.

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Narrowed soundstage could have been a postulate if Dethonray wouldn’t overcome this technology shortcoming by all possible means. As we have already mentioned, thorough tuning on lows, perfect layering and instrument separation dedicate much to make the stage moderately large. As a result, Tender 1 feels quite regular, neither revealing nor disappointing regarding this aspect. Furthermore, with specific sources like XDuoo XD05Plus that builds very large soundstage, Tender 1 definitely opens up and shifts the limits for planar magnetic technology.

Our additional notice would be about the track quality. Since this technology is far more revealing in terms of the amount of details – the better quality is fed, the better the results are. Dethonray IEMs would easily expose all discrepancies and imperfections of low quality tracks.

Comparison: nothing to compare with. Dynamic IEMs are mixing sounds and ranges, less capable of treble, not this linear and natural in mids. BA IEMs are more piercing and artificial, cannot propose anything on lows. Hybrid are the closest, but still missing such delicate and smooth mids and natural, extended treble.

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Conclusion:

It feels like the endgame for us. Almost hundred of IEMs, dynamic, armature or combined, with few very good representatives of each technology but all fell short of opposing anything to Tender 1 planar magnetic model. It might have been only the soundstage that could have given a head start to any of its rivals, but even this aspect was polished out by Dethonray. Absolutely nothing to beat Tender 1 with – it is totally different world with much higher stakes. And since there are only few existing options – Tender 1 IEMs are doomed to succeed. In numbers, it would directly depend of how many audio fans have grown up and became audiophiles with the mature taste and calm enjoyment. We are right at this point… Dethonray Tender 1 is the appropriate gear to satisfy our expectations and perception of a perfect sound.

Dethonray Tender 1 IEMs available on Amazon: LINK

Official Dethonray website: LINK
5
536129
think its better than the 7hz? im listening to it right now and have the 7hz also, and the pmv pp, p1, p2 etc
chaseedward4
chaseedward4
Yes i do. I also have 7hz.
Answerfish
Answerfish
I have this set and love them. I paired them with an ISN Solar balanced cable and use an Aroma TB100 to power them to perfection.

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