DITA Audio Project M

This will be a relatively short and sweet review of the DITA Project M. It's had a lot of great feedback on Head-Fi and elsewhere, and for the price is generally within a reasonable blind buy territory for those who have the money to spend on mid-tier IEMs. I purchased these from MusicTeck at full retail price.

Disclaimers: by "mid-tier," I'm including roughly everything from around $300-700, as I believe that notable diminishing returns start in the $500-700 price bracket or so, and probably hit hardest after $1-1.2k. I am also not a cable believer or burn-in believer beyond the brain growing accustomed to a specific tuning. That said, $700 gets you a lot in 2024.

The packaging overall is excellent, although my specific set came loose from the foam inserts. Fortunately, they weren't damaged in any way, as the package itself is pretty sturdy. In the future I might suggest that DITA place some sort of protective tape over the shells in order to keep them secure, similar to what some other models do, assuming they aren't moved to the case. The case itself is very well built, but could stand to be just a little bit taller, as it's annoying to ensure the shells are in a proper position to close the case without pressure. The cable is excellent and very ergonomic, but it would have been nice to include a slider. Be aware that the QDC pins are recessed and you'll likely have to use a bit of force to connect them.

People have seen plenty of photos, so I'll merely share one at the end, but the shells themselves look very nice in person. They do have a very snug fit, and some of the smaller sized tips allow for deeper insertion, but in my experience caused some ear canal pain after a bit of time. I suggest trying different tips to see what works best for you.

I tested them with the Apple dongle as well as a DC06 Pro, but they are easily driven and I didn't notice much of a difference in sound, if anything. Others may of course disagree. I believe they have a clean sound, for lack of a better word, with relatively good separation. They do lack bass. I very briefly tested EQing them in Apple Music, and it appears they do handle a bass lift somewhat well, but that's purely a subjective opinion.

As other reviews have indicated, the treble can be a bit strong, and sibilance as noticed on certain tracks, such as one or two off of Caroline Polachek's Desire, I Want to Turn Into You. I generally listen to a mix of alternative and pop music, but will also listen to many other genres. Mids are a little scooped out, but I think it's pretty close to being a good all-rounder within the bracket, with the exception that its tuning is not going to make bass stand out.

As far as comparisons, I do believe that if you're after a treble-focused sound signature, it's a very good value. Other IEMs in the same price $300-500 bracket that I've tried are the TIMSOK TS-316 ($499 USD) and 634ears MIROAK-II (~$320 USD).

TS-316: More of a W-shaped tuning with stronger bass emphasis. It can very much become a "wall of sound" on some busy tracks where resolution gets a bit lost. I think the Project M would win out here. The TS-316 has much better timbre and excels with acoustics and jazz. The shells are heavier due to the stainless steel and a slightly tougher fit for some, but overall I think it can be more comfortable since it feels a little less custom and "tight".

MIROAK-II (Green Copper): This has a much boomier, "musical" sound, to use the generic term. Much stronger bass, better timbre. The Project M would likely again win on the top end and overall separation, but this isn't a set you listen to for the treble. The fit can be tricky since it's a bit of a bullet, but getting the right tips helps, and it's not a heavy shell. Construction is arguably equally good if not better due to their being built-to-order.

In the case of the Project M, I felt like the dynamic driver wasn't extremely noticeable in the same way. If you told me it was a pure BA set, I'd have believed you. I also wonder if my definition of timbre is different from others, but I've seen some reviews saying it's a bit metallic. I'd agree.

I wasn't sure whether to give these a 3.5 or 4. The build quality really elevates the rating by itself. For me, they're probably in that 3.5 range, but I think they can be a good value if it's the kind of sound that you're looking for. In that case, they could even be a 5. I figure the 4 is the safe middle ground. I understand why some people may like them, but prospective buyers should try and do their due diligence.

DISCLAIMER

This is a loaner unit from DITA. It will be returned after this review.

The DITA Project M can be gotten here: https://ditaaudio.com/products/project-m (no affiliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS

Driver configuration: 9.8 mm PM1+ dynamic driver + 1 x Knowles balanced armature driver
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 32 Ω @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 107 dB/mW @ 1kHz
Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; 16 strand; with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm modular terminals
Tested at: $325 USD


ACCESSORIES



Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 5 pairs of Final E ear tips (SS/S/M/L/LL）
- Systainer hard carrying case
- Cable
- 2 modular plugs (3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced)

The accessories are quite princely, and are befitting of a $300ish IEM, perhaps other than the lack of foam tips.




Nevertheless, the highly sought after silicone Final E tips are included here, and they are one of my favourite eartips (confession, I have about 20 pairs of Final E tips at home haha). These tips are very comfortable and slightly tame the treble - this is a good pairing for the Project M, which lies on the brighter side. DITA has included 5 pairs of Final E tips here, from SS sizing all the way to LL.

Achtung! The Final E tips provided here glow-in-the-dark, so the significant other might notice that there is a new IEM in town (this can't be hidden!)




The stock cable is a MOOCA cable by Cardas. While we have no info on the cable materials, it is sheathed with PVC, and is a 16-stranded cable. This is very well-braided and supple, though slightly tangly. Sadly there is no chin cinch, but microphonics are minimal.

It is much appreciated that this cable is modular, with a 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm distal terminal, with a screw-on cover to protect it from dislodging. I've seen other simple plug-in modular cables with no screw-on protection cause the connected DAP to drop off! With a modular concept, users can decide which modular terminal to use, depending on whether you utilize single-ended or balanced sources.




Last but not least, we have a Systainer carrying case made by Tanos. This case is quite hard and tough, which promises to cushion the precious contents inside. This case is stackable in a lego-like configuration, so that's something cool to play with for owners of more than one case.

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


BUILD/COMFORT



The Project M is downright one of the most beautiful IEMs I have encountered in my audio journey. Fashioned from transparent resin, one can see the inner workings of the Project M in all their glory. The resin shells are not just pretty wallflowers, as they are tough as nails and extremely solid.

Due to the prism-like function of the transparent resin, at some angles, the Project M's shells are illuminated with a rainbow!



The housings are very light, with top-notch ergonomics. There's a concha protrusion for added grip, with no awkward edges to poke the ears. I have used the Project M for hour long sessions without issues.



I did not encounter any driver flex on my set, which is a sign of well-implemented acoustic airflow. Isolation is average, and this IEM is suited for outside use.


INTERNALS

The Project M is a 2 driver hybrid, comprised of a 9.8 mm PM1+ dynamic driver and 1 Knowles balanced armature driver. These are nested in a stainless steel chamber, with sound tubes leading to an aluminum nozzle.




DRIVABILITY

I tested the Project M with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

The Project M is moderately easy to drive. While it can be driven off a weak phone, the Project M scales beautifully with amplification (for soundstage, dynamics and bass tightness). Amplification is recommended to get the most out of this IEM as such.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES


Graph of the DITA Project M via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

The Project M is a sub-bass focused IEM. Having said that, it isn't the most extended in sub-bass rumble, with bass quantity is just a hair north of neutral. The Project M aces bass quality handily, with a nimble bass-line heard, coupled with nice texturing and not an ounce of mid-bass bleed.

The midrange is very transparent and clean, with no bass encroachment. Instruments and vocals are easily palleted on a dark background. With just a 5 dB ear gain, the upper mids are fowards without shrillness, which is a refreshing change from the usual shouty upper midrange in most modern day IEMs.

The Project M is a treblehead's dream. Treble is well-extended with good sparkle and air. We are greeted with astounding clarity and micro-details as such, though there is a slight sprinkling of sibilance. I'm treble-sensitive and personally find this set a tinge bright, but the Project M is one of those sets that is tuned bright but not overly harsh - I'm sure consumers have encountered some other CHIFI that are steroid boosted in the treble to give "fake clarity", but sound like an ice-pick in the ears!

There's a hint of BA timbre, with note weight a tinge on the lighter side, but nothing too egregious.

This set is a very technical and resolving midFI hybrid, which is all the more surprising considering it is just a 1 BA + 1 DD design. Micro-details are solidly captured, and layering and is very well done, with pinpoint imaging and an above average soundstage in all 3 dimensions.


COMPARISONS

Comparisons were made against other midFI hybrids. Planars, single DD and pure BA IEMs are omitted, as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.




Penon Fan 2

The Fan 2 is a warm neutral hybrid, with a thicker note weight. It has a lusher midrange with a less airy treble.

In technicalities, the Fan 2 is weaker, with a smaller soundstage and it is also worse in micro-detailing and imaging.

The Achilles' heel of the Fan 2 is its super long nozzles, which may cause consumers discomfort (this is in contrast to the ergonomic Project M). The Fan 2 is more easy to drive.


QOA Aviation

The Aviation is a U-shaped hybrid which is bassier. However, the bass isn't as tight, with smearing and bleeding noted. The Aviation has a less extended treble with poorer clarity.

In technicalities, the Aviation is a league behind, with inferior micro-detailing, imaging and soundstage. It sounds very veiled compared to the more resolving Project M. Timbre is a bit more natural on the Aviation, and it is easier to drive.


CONCLUSIONS



DITA has released a solid and elegant Mid-FI hybrid in the Project M. Incidentally, I believe this is DITA's pioneer hybrid release, and it is also the cheapest IEM in their stable as of the time of writing.

In terms of external tangibles, the Project M has one of the most beautiful shells in the industry, with a robust transparent resin housing that even allows a prism effect of rainbow colouration! We also have a generous accessory line-up, melded with great comfort during usage.

When evaluating it for sonic performance, the Project M furnishes a neutral bright tuning, with excellent resolution and technical chops. Bass is clean and fast, with no mid-bass bleed, and the midrange is as clean as a whistle. Treble is well-extended with great air, and this should please analytical-junkies and trebleheads.

The Project M may lie on the brighter side of the spectrum, with a bit of BA timbre and a thinner note weight, but otherwise, even for my treble-sensitive preferences, I can use it for extended sessions, and really enjoyed my time with this IEM. Verily, I would be sad to send it back after the tour!

This set will recommend for folks looking for a technical masterpiece with eye-catching looks!

Disclaimer: Dita Audio provided me with a review unit. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Unaffiliated link here.

Introduction and Packaging Impression​

Dita Audio is a boutique Singaporean audio company that has been known for their single dynamic driver IEMs and premium cables. Project M ($325) is Dita Audio's first foray into the hybrid IEM market with a single dynamic driver and a balanced armature. I did not have much experience with Dita Audio products previously, but prior to this review, I have listened to the Perpetua, Dita Audio's flagship 1DD IEM. Suffice to say, I was impressed by the sound and the craftmanship enough that I sought to know more about their products, especially knowing that they are local to me too in Singapore. Dita Audio also has a long history with Final Audio.

Due to their boutique status, most of their products are often sold out and hard to find a demo, as well as being pricey. So, when I learnt about Project M, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for me, especially at the price point (it is currently the cheapest Dita Audio product next to their DAC/amp, the Navigator). Thankfully, Dita Audio has given me an opportunity to review the Project M.



I have to say that the unboxing experience of Project M feels extremely premium. I have other expensive sets of IEMs and headphones that have much more boring unboxing experience. Opening up the box, you can find the IEMs, TANOS Systainer³ containing the MOCCA cable, and a set of glow-in-the-dark custom Final Audio Type E eartips.



Speaking about the MOCCA cable, it is a custom-built cable by Cardas Audio terminated in Dita Audio's modular cable system called Awesome Plug v2. Personally, I prefer not to use modular plug system, but if I have to use one, I prefer this screw-in type. The unit comes with 3.5mm and 4.4mm L-shaped plugs. The 2-pin plug connector is recessed and sleeved like QDC, but the protrusion on the IEM isn't as tall as QDC's. I am told that the 2-pin configuration is standard 0.78mm, non-reversed polarity, but due to that sleeve, the cable is only usable with Project M. Additionally, if you want to use an aftermarket cable with Project M IEM, the protrusion will make the 2-pin stem sticks out pretty long. Thankfully, the stock cable of Project M sounds excellent and I can tell that the IEM is indeed tuned and optimized with this stock cable in mind.




Then, we go to the container. After a short research, I found that TANOS Systainer³ is a modular container system from Germany, normally used to store industrial parts and tools. Dita Audio's decision to use this system for their default case is indeed interesting and unexpected, but I am definitely very intrigued by its organizing potential. However, I find that with eartips and cable attached, the IEMs barely fit into the case, giving the eartips a slight squish when closed. However, with the interlocking, stackable design, I hope that Dita would sell the case separately and in different sizes.



The IEM itself is encased in clear, slow-pour resin, giving you a full view of the 9.8mm PM1+ dynamic driver encased in a stainless steel chamber bearing Dita Audio's logo. There is a really small vent the size of a sewing needle near the back of the chamber. The Knowles BA is hidden in the nozzle and you can see a red and green cable running in the main sound tube into the aluminium nozzle. There isn't an obvious crossover circuitry in sight, so it seems that the dynamic driver is running full range with the BA assisting on the higher frequencies. I guess Dita Audio did not stray that far from their 1DD speciality with the custom PM1+ DD being the main star for most of the frequency range. The nozzle measures at 6mm at its widest and it may cause some fit issues for some.



At the first glance, the eartips seems to be just a glow-in-the-dark version of the popular Final Audio Type E eartips. However, on closer inspection, the bore is slightly larger than the standard Type E eartips, and the central bore feels a tad stiffer.

Overall, I find that the packaging and the unboxing experience are excellent.

Sound Impression​

Sources: SMSL H300+D300 stack, Fiio Q15, Fiio M11S, L&P W2-131, Hiby FC6, Dita Audio Navigator
Setup: Stock L size eartips, stock cable
Music Sources: Local FLAC (redbook/hi-res), Tidal Masters, Apple Music Lossless

The IEM has undergone a 24-hour burn-in at a medium volume for prior to the review.

Listening impression is a very subjective experience depending on individual ear shape, choice of eartips, music library, and personal preferences, so your experience may vary. I personally listen mostly to pop, jazz, some rock, and very limited metal.

First, I have to say that burn-in is a MUST for this IEM. Out of the box, it is pretty sibilant and sharp. After burn-in, the sound noticeably mellowed down and more coherent. The burn-in also helped to reduce the tinge of metallic timbre I find when I first listened to it.

I would describe the tuning to be close to neutral with a slight boost in subbass and upper treble, somewhat of a U-shaped tuning. That allows the midrange to be forward while keeping excellent extensions on both ends of the frequency spectrum. I would not call this a reference-grade/monitoring-grade neutral tuning, but the colouration is subtle enough to be enjoyable and versatile. Overall, I don't think there is any specific frequency range that stands out above the rest, keeping the sound signature balanced. It does have its quirks that made it much better on certain tracks more, notably on vocal-focused tracks.


(measurement taken with a clone IEC-711 coupler with foam tips, the small notch at 1.2kHz is my particular coupler's quirk)

Bass​

The best way to describe Project M's bass is "quality over quantity". Unless you're a basshead, I don't think you'll be lacking the bass if you can get a deep enough insertion. The bass texture is impeccable with quick attacks but deep-reaching rumble. It still maintains a certain thickness and weight to the tone without being too bassy. The stainless steel chamber seems to introduce a pleasant, trailing resonance in the bass to give it a more natural timbre. The subbass glides smoothly into midbass without having a steep bass shelf, giving it a more coherent expression of the lower frequencies.

Testing tracks: Dream of Arrakis (Hans Zimmer), DAYS (Shimizu Shota)

Midrange​

Project M's midrange is quite forward with plenty of details. Vocals do pop out slightly, but it is not too intimate or ASMR-like. The note weight is on the lean side, so it does not exaggerate male vocals while making female vocals sound sweeter to my ears (not to say that male vocals are lacking quality here). Clarity and resolution in midrange are top notch, allowing you to separate the vocals and instruments very well. The midrange is also overall sounding very clean without any noticeable bleed from the bass region.

Testing tracks: Phony (Wagakki Band), Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)

Treble​

Project M has a very airy upper midrange and treble with excellent extension to upper treble. There is a tinge of wispiness in the really high notes and it does make it seem a bit too sparkly. That sparkle, however, does improve the detail retrieval and treble texture. The burn-in helped to even out this treble region, making it less fatiguing to listen too, and does not seem to affect the excellent treble resolution. Usually with in-nozzle BA, you'll find the treble to be really in-your-face too, but luckily Project M has implemented it really well.

Testing tracks: Through the Fire and Flames (Dragonforce), Golden Hour (JVKE)

Technicalities​

Despite being a mere 1DD+1BA configuration, I would say that this is one of the most resolving IEMs in any price point. The resolution is amazing, capturing a lot of details in the presence region. Other aspects of technicalities are a bit more modest: the soundstage is just a modest "bubble" around your head, going with more depth in layering and pin-point accurate imaging rather than size. The coherence is also excellent with little to no BA timbre.

Testing tracks: Change (MONKEY MAJIK), Bubbles (Yosi Horikawa)

Driving Requirements & Pairing Suggestion​

Project M is moderately easy to drive, even through 3.5mm single-ended output. It needs a fair bit of power to open up the soundstage and dynamics, but it may exaggerate the treble too much when paired with bright sources. I would recommend a neutral to darker sources generally. Resolution does improve with more power, but it might push the treble a bit too much.

Select Comparisons​

Moondrop Blessing 3 ($319):
Looking at the price point and the direction of the tuning, Moondrop Blessing 3 is natural comparison to the Project M. I have to say, despite having a simpler driver configuration, I would say Project M bested Blessing 3 on sheer technicalities, which is quite a surprise to me as well, most notably at resolution and layering. Soundstage are somewhat on par between them, but due to the better coherence in Project M, it does a more accurate imaging. Both are U-shape, but I feel that Blessing 3 has a higher boost on both ends of the spectrum. The bass speed and details are quite similar between them, with Blessing 3 having more impact while sacrificing a bit of coherence. The treble on Blessing 3 is more smoothened out, losing out a bit of texture when compared to Project M. I personally think Project M is the superior set between the two, in terms of sound and as a whole package with the accessories.

Final Audio A5000 ($279):
The A5000 has been my favourite 1DD recently due to its comfort, resolution, and soundstage. Compared to Project M, I would say that A5000 still excels more at soundstage. However, A5000 isn't the most vocal forward set around and Project M definitely has an advantage here and in the midrange overall. At a quick listen, it seems like A5000 has similar level of treble details, however the more I listened to it, the A5000 does lean towards a more fatiguing treble expression. Project M seems to have a better-controlled treble region just shy of being shouty or sharp to my ears. A5000 also has a punchier bass, although it does sound a bit diffused rather than the focused bass with Project M. I think overall, I would go with Project M on the count of better layering and more accurate imaging.

Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 ($999):
While from the price isn't a fair comparison, but I was asked for this comparison, so here it is. They are tonally different. Monarch Mk2 has that very clean presentation with that distinct layering between bass-mids-treble, making each frequency range to be very detailed and layered yet balanced. Project M is a bit more blended with more focus on upper mids and treble, but that nudges it to be more natural and musical overall. Monarch Mk2 is my Swiss Army Knife of IEMs, it excels in most things, without having anything stand out. It's an excellently technical IEM too. Meanwhile, Project M has better vocal expression, and I dare say that I enjoy vocal-heavy tracks more with Project M than the Monarch Mk2. Project M's resolution, however, is very close to Monarch Mk2. The thing that Project M loses out absolutely against Monarch Mk2 would be the bass and versatility.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts​

Project M is an excellent entry at around $300 price range. Beautiful design, excellent set of accessories, and enjoyable sound. I believe Project M is indeed a successful foray into the hybrid territory for Dita Audio, and I do hope that whatever they learnt from this would eventually be expanded into their future products.