DITA Perpetua

Dita Audio Perpetua - Single Dynamic Driver: $2,999



Preamble

When I was a young, innocent, and wet-behind-the-ear Head-Fi member waaaaaay back in late 2020 (tongue in cheek, I know it's not that long ago), I recall seeing mention of a collaboration between Final Audio and Dita Audio - the 'SHICHIKU.KANGEN' - I was intrigued by the huge enthusiasm from members with more tenure, and it was clear that the notion of what were obviously two incredibly well respected brands coming together could only mean an interesting outcome. That planted the initial seed of interest in both brands, and while I have explored Final Audio's more financially accessible products over the years (A8000 is an itch I have to scratch at some point...), Dita has remained a bit of a desirable mystery to me up until recently. I have an obsession for single DDs, and been through quite a few over the last few years - some of which have remained as staples in my collection, and what I would now consider as classics - IE900, FW10K, Turii Ti to name three. Perpetua has been on my radar pretty much since it was first launched, and I am delighted to now have in my collection. It has been with me for about five weeks now, in which time I've become sufficiently familiar to put fingers to keyboard...



Disclaimer

The Perpetua was provided to me at a discount from @MusicTeck in exchange for a review, and without any oversight from Dita or Musicteck. All of my thoughts expressed in this review are absolutely my own, and set out to the best of my ability. As always, how the music is ultimately perceived in our brains has several factors to consider, many of which are completely unique to us, as such the end result can differ significantly - that said, the broad tuning of any set will have various attributes that are broadly applicable and the purpose of any review is to provide the reader with insights as to the general signature, strengths, weaknesses etc. The Perpetua is available at the time of writing from Musicteck HERE

A bit about me...

I worked in the consumer electronics industry for a large part of my career, and have been passionate about music and technology from as far back as I remember - even as a small child asking my Mum to put records on the turntable (Abba, Supertramp and Planxty if anyone is curious )

My music preferences are very varied - anything from classical to techno, indie rock to jazz and all in between. In my early teens I was a big fan of bands like The Cure and The Smiths (still am all these years later), and I was bitten by the dance music bug that arrived in the early 90s where I became hugely passionate about genres like techno, house, trance and IDM - I amassed a huge collection of records and CDs, DJing with the former at various parties and occasional pirate radio station slots - a hobby at the time that I never took further, but still own 1000s of records and my trusty Technics 1210 turntables are still going strong 30 years later, a testament to the Japanese engineering!

I am not a professional reviewer or anything remotely like it. I love music, and I love the methods by which we can listen to music - over the last few years, that has become an obsession with IEMs and related gear. I've bought and sold many, and held on to a select few - these have been anything from a $20 set like the Moondrop Chu, all the way up to kilobuck sets such as Aroma Jewel, the infamous 'Traillii' from Oriolus, UM Mentor, and a whole selection of my beloved single DDs. As part of this exploration, I like to share my thoughts on the various sets in my journey with the Head-Fi community, in the hope it might be useful to others. The massive caveat, is of course that 'your mileage may vary' - this is a highly subjective hobby.

The Dita Audio 'Perpetua' are available from Musicteck and at the time of writing, priced at $2,999 - HERE

Who Are Dita Audio? - Taken from the Dita website:

DITA Audio is a Singaporean company that builds products embodying a quest for the sublime, based off the premise that a well-crafted product is an experience in itself.

DITA Audio builds products embodying a quest for the sublime, based off the premise that a well-crafted product is an experience in itself. Beyond the realm of audio, DITA looks to engage partners and clientele with a curiosity and passion for complete design integration and execution. Driving collaborative ventures in the fields of design, engineering and manufacturing to that end.

Established in 1971, DITA's parent company, Packagers Pte. Ltd, possesses 49 years of research and experience in automation and engineering: Treasured and translated into the uncompromising commitment to craft imbued within every DITA product.



Specifications - a lof of information, see the spoiler if you care to read...


Unboxing & Contents

I am an absolute sucker for a good unboxing, and over the last few years I have had my fair share of wonderful unboxing experiences, and of course quite a few mediocre. This review interestingly is my 30th and I actually like that for a milestone number I can say without question, the Perpetua takes the prize for the most spectacular unboxing I have ever encountered. As with anything, some have zero interest in the unboxing, and just want to get straight to the prize - I actually have a bit of ritual now where I will take my time, making a coffee / tea / beer depending on the time of day to enhance the experience.

Perpetua arrives in a white outer cardboard box where you tear off a perforated strip to unveil the inner 'actual' box. This had my heart racing! Oh and I don't still have Christmas decorations up... Perpetua landed during the festive season!





The sight of the bands that hold the top flap in place certainly keep the heart rate going, an immediately lavish looking and feeling experience - it is abundantly clear at this point that you have a premium product in front of you, with absolutely no expense spared - while Perpetua costs a lot of money, you can actually see, feel, and ultimately hear where your hard-earned cash has gone - all too often IEMs can look and feel cheap, while still costing several thousand - that is certainly not the case with Perpetua.





The top flap opens up to reveal the contents...





Everything laid out - to include a variety of branded stamps and other bit and pieces - none of which are of course necessary, but they add to the overall charm and give a celebratory feeling to what seems an absolute labour of love from Dita to mark their 10th anniversary.



The metal 'puck' case is an interesting design where you pull up the button which seems to release pressure and allow the top to ease away from the bottom. Likewise to close, you ease the top down and once in position, push down the top button again to seal. I find this can at times not work - it seems to be if the cable isn't sufficiently coiled and part maybe sticking up. It is a heavy and rather large case, and certainly not ideal if your intention is to bring out and about with you, good news here however is that Dita has you covered with the additional leather case which we will see next.







Design & Fit

The shells are of the absolute highest quality craftsmanship and genuinely a beautiful sight to behold. They are made of PVD glass at the top and bottom, with titanium inserts sat in between. PVD glass is known for durability, and apparently four times harder than chrome (thanks Google!) - even knowing that, I still feel the need to baby them and always very careful in handling and storing when not in use - and of course keeping a cloth close by to ensure they are always glistening.

They are a heavy enough IEM however, and this coupled with a somewhat stumpy nozzle can prove challenging for some ears, and I know of a few people who have sadly failed the test. I have had issues with shells like this and especially with my right ear which has a slightly larger opening - as such I always use larger tips and ideally of a firmer material. I recently purchased the XL version of Acoustune AEX07 and these have been absolutely perfect for me, ensuring a great fit and seal, allowing excellent comfort for longer sessions - which Perpetua can easily draw you into.



Cable

The cable continues the theme of beauty, opulence, and splendour. It feels incredibly well built, and has a real luxurious sensation in your hands. This is not an IEM where it feels like the brand has just chucked in any old cable - Dita packaged Perpetua with a cable that as much as the IEM deserves recognition for it's flagship, premium status. There is indeed an optional upgrade 'CELESTE' cable for a price almost the same as the Perpetua itself, setting you back a cool $2,799 if you feel the need.
While the cable is stunning looking and feeling, it does have some slight practicality considerations to bear in mind. It is somewhat unwieldy due to the thickness and weight, making it a bit tricky to stay in a specific position, and I would not see it as being suited to out walking or generally out and about portability - absolutely fine however moving about around the house in my experience, but the Y-splitter does have a bit of weight to it and can bounce about a bit.













Listening Impressions

I have a vision of sitting back in a chair like in the below picture, brandy in hand and Perpetua in my ears - listening to maybe some relaxing jazz or sultry female vocals. They conjure up this type of sensation for me, a feeling of sheer relaxation and full-on musical immersion in the most comfortable imaginable surroundings.
Perpetua is a 'smooth operator' - lush, captivating, big, bold and immersive tuning. It can suck you into extended listening sessions, the longer you listen, the more captivated you are by it's charm. I had some initial reservations when they first arrived in late December - as noted in the cons, there were a couple of scenarios where I heard a shrill peak in what I think was around the lower treble area - I specifically called out that this was VERY occasional, and I have actually not since encountered - possibly as I’m quite specific about the genres I’m choosing, but delighted to have not run into this again as those early scenarios did have me nervous about the longevity of Perpetua in my collection.



Anyway, going back to my leather chair and brandy, possibly a Cuban cigar lit up now too - Perpetua coincidentally sounds quite like a new set of speakers I purchased for my 2-channel system recently, the Wharfedale Linton Heritage - they share an analogue type of sound that is very reminiscent of 3-way speakers in the 80s and 90s, and probably even before that again. The key attributes being an overarching smoothness, with rich, full-bodied and lush mids that sit above a robust low-end, and below a crisp and subtle treble.

Perpetua is more about macro than micro, the smoothness means that the tiniest of details take a bit of step back - we absolutely do not go for an analytical listening experience, Perpetua is all about the music. But again, like my Wharfedale Lintons - the detail is there, the nuances can reveal themselves should you choose to focus but they don’t jump out at you - if listening to say female vocals with acoustic guitars and soft percussion, Perpetua presents the vocals in a rich, vibrant way, likewise the strumming of guitar where it sounds full-bodied and visceral, while percussion has an authentic and airy sensation, really showing off the sense of a wide stereo field.



Take an older album like ‘On The Beach’ by Neil Young and I again feel like I’m listening to it back on my 1990s 2-channel system, or indeed now again with my (precious) Lintons. Perpetua is the single most analogue-like listening experience I have had with any IEM… if I close my eyes and kick back, I could be easily fooled to think I have an LP spinning on my turntable, rather than a CD spinning in a tray. I’m listening right now to the aforementioned ‘On The Beach’ and I have to say it’s incredibly hard to keep going with this review - the temptation to grab a beer (or brandy, not sure I’ve ever had one actually…) and just chill out - I think I will have to buy that chair. Honestly, my heart is pounding, and hairs standing up on my arms while listening to Neils voice, the gentle strumming of the electric guitar, the visceral bass and playful drumming of the brilliant ‘Vampire Blues’.



The low frequency department of Perpetua is again like that 3-channel speaker, it sounds like a large woofer with a deep and visceral full-bodied presentation. It is of the slightly slower and softer variety, allowing notes to linger a touch which again provides that smooth and captivating sensation. Mid bass doesn’t have a huge thud or impact again due to being a touch softer and this will benefit some genres more than others, a bit of a trade off I guess - for example, the lower registers of male vocals benefit massively here, likewise bass guitar strumming - on the flipside, those seeking a massive slam for say kick drums in genres like techno might feel slightly shortchanged… but that’s not what Perpetua is about - if techno is your thing, buy the IE900!

From a midrange perspective, this is about as good as you can get. We continue the theme of lush, vibrant, smooth, visceral, full-bodied and highly captivating. Even with those attributes, there is still sufficient clarity but we are not in that realm of super-sharp or pristine note delivery like a set such as Turii Ti for example, or indeed the subject of my last review, the wonderful TIMSOK TS-316. Choose your favourite male or female vocalist, load up some smooth jazz, or reach for a bit of world music from the likes of Bueno Vista Social Club and drift off into a a bottomless pit of euphoria. The mids are really wonderful, and I could think of numerous songs where I’d challenge any listener to not have the hairs stand on their arms, and have that breathtaking sensation. By the way, I’m still listening to ‘On The Beach’ - any current or would-be Perpetua owners, I encourage a listen if Neil Young is your thing.



Up top surprise surprise, the theme carries on with a crisp but smooth delivery. There is sufficient air to give that wide stereo field presentation, especially with cymbals, snares etc. As noted, we don’t have every tiny bit of detail squeezed out, if you want to be wowed by micro nuances, the Turii Ti a better place to look - but for me these sets complement each other wonderfully, depending on the mood or genre appetite on any given session. I am still curious to discover where I was caught out a couple of times early on with a sharp peak - it feels a bit of a mystery now, but it was evident enough at the time to not call out in this review.

The soundstage to my ears has that classic 2-channel stereo sound I love to hear in single dynamic drivers. The presentation is focused quite central, putting you slap-bang in the middle of the music, but hearing instruments spread out left and right as if sitting in that beautiful sweet spot in front of a speaker system. Again I refer back to my new Lintons - I have exactly that scenario when I listen to them, and Perpetua really are the IEM equivalent in many ways to those speakers. Again the more macro focus allows smaller instrument ensembles really shine - the imaging and layering of each sounding authentic and robust in delivery - vocals sitting centre and a touch forward. More complex and highly detailed music can still work, but again Perpetua wouldn’t be my immediate choice when it comes to say faster, complex electronic music. That said, they have surprised me in more recent weeks when I’ve tried albums I wouldn’t have figured would be a good match - the classic ‘Tri Repetae’ actually sounded wonderful, harking back to the heyday in my opinion of these electronic wizards… likewise the equally classic ‘Selected Ambient Works 85-92’ by Aphex Twin sounded incredibly analogue and captivating - I guess due to the equipment chosen by the brilliant Mr. James at the time. Anyway, I get the feeling that Perpetua will continue to surprise me and I don’t want to risk pigeonholing them too much into a limited selection of genres. Hey maybe I’ll take a few ‘risky’ tracks for spin as we continue this review…



Now lets serve up a selection of tracks for our listening pleasure - make sure to have a brandy in hand! I’ve listened to Perpetua with a variety of sources to include the LPGT Ti, Sony NW-WM1AM2, desktop and in this case of this track selection, I’ve chosen the Hiby RS8.

I try to post tracks from Bandcamp but quite a few of these aren’t featured there unfortunately so I’ve linked to YouTube in these cases instead.

Matthew Halsall - Oneness



I noted earlier how relaxed jazz is well suited to Perpetua, and this is a fantastic example of what I meant. Again, going back to my chair with my feet up on the ottoman, brandy in one hand, cigar sat in the ashtray (I don’t smoke anymore, but you get the picture hopefully) and maybe flicking through a magazine about classic cars or vintage audio equipment. This is a completely instrumental track, as is the case with the majority of Matthew Halsall’s music, except for where he collaborates with a vocalist. Here we have a somewhat dominant sax theme, slow and sparse, yet captivating percussion, accompanied by gentle piano and guitars. It is a coherent and vibrant presentation with a wonderful sense of being whisked away to a small jazz venue, at least temporarily being dragged out of my fantasy chair. I find it hard to imagine any other IEM outclassing Perpetua for a genre like this, they really are made for each other - smooth, organic, full-bodied and highly realistic sounding timbre.

Turii Ti sounds immediately more resolving with a pristine and sharper note edge delivery. It doesn’t get harsh, but I much prefer the body and overall atmosphere delivered by Perpetua. I think the more ‘stereo’ soundstage works better on Perpetua. Not that Turii Ti sounds bad, and it could well be a case of needing more time to settle into the very different tuning.

IE900 sort of continues the theme of Turii Ti, sounding more pristine and precise - the increased bass is very obvious, and we revert back to a more 2-channel like stereo field as per Perpetua.

Svanar is more highly resolving and airy versus Perpetua, and while it sounds wonderful, it doesn’t quite have the captivating magic mids - the sax sounds a bit thin in comparison in particular, and overall less authentic.

Jason van Wyk - Clouds



Moving on to modern classical and from the wonderful album ‘Opacity’ by Jason van Wyk. This is a very moving listening experience, where Jason blends electronic music with classical. The piano sounds beautifully rich, full-bodied and visceral - especially the lower registers. I feel there could be a bit more ‘bite’ higher up, and this is where a set like Turii Ti will step forward in my opinion - the richness of Perpetua versus the pristine delivery of Turii Ti, the former giving more density and weight to the lows and mids but to the slight detriment of the upper mids and treble - this is where Turii Ti shines in my experience. We are still firmly rooted in my chair however, and no problem pouring another glass - just not necessarily a top-top performer, but maybe also it’s how familiar I’ve become with a genre like this and Turii Ti for about 18 months now.

IE900 now as I’ve covered Turii Ti above. In spite of the somewhat recessed mids, and even though they do sound a bit distant of thin in comparison, they still sound very delicate and quite beautiful. IE900 has often surprised me over the last almost 3 years with music I would not have expected them to work with and this is the case again here. I have definitely pigeonholed IE900 into a category of faster electronic music, and this test has reminded me to broaden my horizons with my sets, and the importance of experimenting.

Svanar though I must say within a few seconds has me back thinking about that chair, the combination of resolution and more neutral tuning works very well here and sounds more delicate and captivating versus IE900. As per Turii Ti, I feel this genre benefits more from a set like this, and I would put it ahead of Perpetua also in this regard. By the way my fantasy chair isn’t exclusive to Perpetua, it’s just the set that got me thinking of the need for that chair…

Symbolico - Gaian Portal



Moving into potentially risky territory here as we step into strictly electronic music which in this case is somewhat complex and incredibly well produced. It is not a genre I would associate with this IEM, nor my fantasy chair - this is what I would grab the likes of IE900 for while out walking or a work commute. I must say this has surprised me however and almost contradicts my musings earlier on the ability of Perpetua to deal with macro and micro details, and indeed how the mid bass kicks. The details are abundant and crystal clear - the kick drum packs a punch with huge impact and quantity. Treble has nice bite up top but doesn’t tip over into harshness or anything to my ears I would deem uncomfortable. We are actually getting a good sense of both macro and micro details, but I would say still a dominant macro focus. While the driver typically feels more at home with slower genres with instrumental and vocal focus, it proves here that it can actually pick up the pace as required for more complexity and this has surprised me.

Turii Ti in terms of technical prowess is immediately apparent - buckets of detail, and much more hi-res sounding within only a few seconds. The bass is surprisingly good too, as this is not a strong attribute for Turii Ti - certainly not at the level of Perpetua, nor will it be for the others in these comparisons, but delivers well.

IE900 to my ears sounds like it has all of the right ingredients for this track - just right in terms of resolution and pace to deal with the complexity, and I prefer the stereo field versus Turii Ti, plus of course the superpower that IE900 is well known for, that incredible low-end of deep rumbling and visceral sub.

Svanar becomes more full-bodied versus IE900, immediately obvious when I switch and again has excellent resolution and pace. The vocals and instrumental elements in the mids are more lush and captivating, and while not as organic or analogue sounding as Perpetua, it is a very good rendition. IE900 clearly excels however from a bass perspective.

Washed Out - Time to Walk Away



No it’s definitely not, lets stay seated… not sure about the brandy though. I love this song, and have mentioned in some previous reviews - it’s a summer favourite for me and my family, and an album we often play in the car when on holiday in particular or just a nice sunny day at the weekend. It has a really uplifting vibe to it, a really catchy and well produced song. I’m really enjoying this on Perpetua and again not one I would have thought to load up in a listening session. While the track is relatively busy, and has reasonable pace, it still has a smooth and organic sounding delivery - I’ve not listened yet on my Lintons, but I anticipate a similar experience. I love how the imaging positions various instruments, and again we have that full-bodied delivery that is highly visceral and engaging.

Turii Ti starts out incredibly well, very engaging mids and immediately captivating. There is a huge sense of space, with the highly resolving driver capturing every little detail. As expected, sounding more ‘pristine’ and hi-res versus full-bodied and organic. A hard call here as the track is well produced and does sound fantastic on both.

IE900 needs a bit more volume injected in straight away but then steps up nicely. It does sound a bit thin in comparison, the recessed mids definitely obvious in comparison but I’ve always found with the IE900 that my ears settle in to the tuning and pretty quickly it’s not an issue. IE900 sounds snappier, and arguably the best in terms of it’s speed ability to keep up with the busiest passages.

Svanar sounds ‘slower’ coming from IE900, and the overall more neutral tuning lends itself very well to this track. It is still more similar to both IE900 and Turii Ti in terms of sounding more hi-res rather than organic and lush with Perpetua. Interestingly, it sounds the ‘safest’ and has a very smooth delivery which makes for a fantastic listening experience.

Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name



An older recording as it’s a CD to FLAC rip that I likely did at least 15 years ago when I was spending a lot of time digitising my collection. I find a lot of these rips can sound at best a bit flat, and at worst a bit harsh. This is never going to sound smooth on any set but I’m happy to report it doesn’t sound harsh - timbre for both vocals and instruments is actually very good, absolutely love how the electric guitars are positioned and delivered with excellent authority. Even the busiest and most climatic moments are well handled, and there is good body to both vocals and instruments in spite of the age and quality of the recording. Another unexpected outcome, but maybe a logical outcome in terms of a more analogue sounding presentation actually works really well for this genre.

Turii Ti sounds immediately a more holographic presentation, but lacks that analogue and heavier note weight from Perpetua which just sounds more accurate. It feels a bit like listening to a CD in my car versus vinyl on my home system, the latter of course being Perpetua. The peak moments also lean a touch harsh here with Turii Ti.

IE900 steps back in terms of that holographic stage and more classic stereo field, and while we don’t have that full-bodied Perpetua presentation, it does sound pretty good - I’m surprised here that even with the v-shape the mids don’t suffer too much, and the climatic moments don’t lean harsh in the way Turii Ti did. It is still thin in comparison, but again actually an engaging listen - I could comfortably line this album up again with the IE900.
Svanar actually sounds quite good, nicely balanced and again that pleasing stereo field. The timbre doesn’t sound as accurate as Perpetua though - that extra body/weight is presented in a more pleasing manner and sounds more realistic to my ears. It is a little flat on Svanar in comparison, coming across a bit thin overall.

CJ Bolland - Camargue



Some classic techno/trance now from the legendary CJ Bolland. This again is an older recording and I don’t expect hi-fidelity presentation. I’m simply listening to hear how Perpetua copes with this genre, especially actually being from the early 1990s. This is a fast track, with the typical four-on-the-floor kick-drum pattern and melodic synths. It has a retro sound which for my ears is authentic and incredibly reminiscent of that era, a time very close to my heart as a coming of age teenager in the mid-90s. Perpetua handles everything very well, albeit a touch soft on kick-drum impact but nothing I’d lose sleep over.

Turii Ti is probably one of the last sets in my collection I would consider reaching for when listening to a genre like this, so my expectations as I insert the jack aren’t especially high… the intro starts well, with nice melodic synths but as we progress into the kick drum, it is just too feeble - also the higher resolution doesn’t work well, it sounds flat - the extra body in Perpetua really helps with this older recording.

IE900 improves things, but not as much as I might have expected. I think again it falls into the same category as Turii Ti in terms of the resolution, and even it’s mighty bass and treble can’t come to the rescue here - it still sounds rather lifeless. A tough test track to be fair given it’s age and how a lot of these FLAC rips from early 90s CDs don’t tend to sound fantastic, but an interesting discovery to find that actually a set like Perpetua is better suited here.

Svanar pushes a bit more into the mids versus IE900 and the difference is immediately obvious, but yet again Svanar is a touch too resolving and pristine to allow this track to work. I could listen to it, but still rather flat.

Jonsi & Alex Somers - Boy 1904



I expect this to work well, and I am well and truly back reclined in my fantasy chair here. This is a wonderfully haunting and captivating track, and beautifully rendered on Perpetua. The vocals and instruments sound lush, occupying a large/wide field and incredibly visceral.

Turii Ti sounds more precise and pristine and I would say equally haunting. A tough call here as to which I prefer, they both do a stunning job in their own way with Turii Ti sounding more ‘hi-res’ and Perpetual leaning more analogue.

IE900 instantly sounds more ‘hollow’ where the mids step back considerably, really no contest - as the emphasis in this track is very much the vocals and likewise even the instruments sit predominantly in the mids, it is impossible for IE900 to compete. To be fair, had I listened to IE900 in isolation, I would have thoroughly enjoyed - it’s just very obvious when switching from the others.

Svanar steps in and an instant improvement on IE900 where the mids push forward and have more vibrancy to them, providing a more captivating experience but not at the level of ‘lushness’ with Perpetua, or the same level of resolution as Turii Ti. Definitely still sounds a bit thin in comparison overall with the more neutral tuning.

Mano Negra - Out of Time Man



I’m closing with this one, and not going to compare with anything else as I want to go out on a track exclusively to Perpetua. I rediscovered this track when it featured in a TV show a few years ago - it was a real blast from the past, a track I had completely forgotten but immediately whisked me back to my early teens watching MTV. I often wonder how many other lost tracks there are out there like this. Anyway, it sounds so wonderfully effortless and engaging on Perpetua - vocals are central, and with a nice density - instruments pan out left and right, all having more than adequate space but yet still a nice cohesive delivery. It is yet again putting shivers through me as a listen now!



Conclusion

It has been a long wait to finally get Perpetua in my ears, and I have been following impressions and reviews from those that went before me with great interest. I can say with absolute certainty that it has been worth the wait, and if anything Perpetua has exceeded expectations - a unique tuning that may not be perfect for all genres, and indeed won’t be for everyone either due to fit or tuning, but in my experience over the last five weeks or so, Dita has delivered a truly unique product, that oozes premium branding in every single aspect from the moment the box arrives, to plugging in those beautiful shells into my ears for the first time - and now each time feels like a special listening ritual, one that requires it’s own dedicated listening chair... I’ll probably skip the cigars, and we shall see what the chosen tipple might become. It was an interesting discovery also, or maybe even go as far as to call it serendipity to land upon a set of speakers that seem to be pretty much the 2-channel version of Perpetua - both sharing that ‘old world’ analogue tuning that is so utterly rich and captivating, and urges you to get lost in the music for hours on end.

I struggled to decide on awarding 5 stars or 4.5 and landed on the latter due to the issues some have had with fit for the most part - it's hard to give full marks when this risk exists, especially at this price - from a sound perspective however and absolutely everything else, 5 out of 5 without a doubt. Dita is without question the most premium branded product I have encountered in this journey, and again while expensive at $3K, you do get a premium package in every way.

Disclaimer
I am an audiophile and a reviewer who works with @Sajid Amit of Amplify Audio Reviews. This unit of the Perpetua was bought by Sajid Amit from Dita Dealer, Project Perfection. A big shout out to Darren for this unit and superlative customer service. The Dita Perpetua can be purchased here. The YouTube review on Amplify below.




About DITA

DITA is a Singaporean boutique IEM and cable manufacturer founded in 2012. DITA doesn't not have a particularly big portfolio. Their previous releases include Answer, Truth, Dream, Dream XLS and Fealty. They also released a collab IEM with Final Audio, namely Shichiku Kangen, which featured A8000 style earpieces featuring intricate urushi lacquer finishing. DITA is one of the earliest proponents of the now popular modular plug system. They introduced their modular ‘Awesome plug’ cable with the ‘Answer’ model back in 2016

Perpetua: Tech Inside

Perpetua is a single dynamic driver IEM (DITA only makes single DD IEMs) featuring DITA’s bespoke PPT-D 12 mm driver unit. The driver unit is ultra rigid yet lightweight and paired with a titanium acoustic chamber tailored specifically for the driver.

Interesting note here, Perpetua was released to celebrate DITA’s 10 year anniversary. The entire internal wiring is done by Kondo Audionote, a very highly regarded stereo equipment manufacturer from Japan.

Unboxing

This is a parameter that weighs differently to different people. There are some who don’t care how plain or elegant the packaging is as long the product performs well. Then there are people who put as much value into prima facie impressions as the product itself. I fall somewhat into the second category. For me, a good unboxing experience is akin to how appreciative a manufacturer is of its customers especially when the IEM/Headphone in question costs more than $1000.

DITA went a little ‘too far’ as far as unboxing experience is concerned (not that I am complaining). It's absolutely lavish, elegant and reminds me fondly of the Sony IER Z1R unboxing experience. Perpetua comes in a fairly large box. Once you unlatch the two pull tabs, you’ll be presented with two cases, Eartips, cable featuring DITA’s awesome plug v2 modular system, a fancy keychain and a bunch of pretty postcards and stickers.

Both cases are very unique in their own ways. One is a very heavy and overly meticulously built metal case (T6 Aluminium 6061 grade) which uses air pressure to seal and unseal the lid instead of traditional circular threadings or magnets (ironically, the case looks a bit like pressure cookers as well ). The metal case super is super nice, quirky and all but is too heavy and bulky to carry around everyday. This is where the second case comes in. It's made of genuine Italian leather finished to absolute perfection and at a first glance, can be mistaken for a pouch for jewellery or a very expensive sunglass case.

Supplied eartips are fully transparent final E types. This variant is not for separate sale yet AFAIK (Final E oranges are not available for retail yet as well if I am not wrong). I like the stock cable a lot. It's beautiful to look at, built like a tank and aesthetically matches with the earpieces. I find the cable divider thingy a bit too heavy though. I am generally a fan of lightweight, supple cables so take my bias with a grain of salt.

Build Quality, Fit and Comfort

Flawless build. That's all I can say about the build quality of Perpetua earpieces. They are fully CNC’d out of titanium, PVD coated and the faceplate with DITA logo is coated with genuine sapphire glass. This is the sort of build you’d expect from high end luxurious watches, not IEMs. Comfort is great. Doesn’t feel heavy, fits like a glove and any sort of fatigue is non-existent.

Sound

Perpetua is a fairly neutral and well-rounded IEM with a warm tilt. Some might say it's laid back but I don’t find it to be particularly lacking in energy at all. I would say it has a balanced and super linear tonality overall with a mellow, buttery smooth presentation. Timbre is extremely organic and reminiscent of ZMF and Sennheiser HD6X0 headphones. The smoothness of the Perpetua does not come at the cost of precision and incisiveness however. Edges of the notes are sharp and well defined as expected from a 3000 USD IEM. This is partly enabled by a well-handed treble peak that shows a lot of tuning sophistication if you ask me. It sounds excellent on all sources but showed a particularly romantic and natural synergy with Sony WM1ZM2 DAP.

Perpetua is not a ‘basshead’ set but it is not bass-shy either. It will punch and rumble hard when the track calls for it but generally remains tight and well under control. Midbass and subbass have more or less equal presence. Bass quality is quite a bit better than HFM Svanar but less physical/visceral compared to IE 900 and IER Z1R. Perpetua follows a balanced and reigned in approach to bass that never muddles the sound or bleeds into lower midrange. I personally love this sort of organic, controlled bass as opposed to in your face, blown out of proportion bass response. It offers long term pleasure while the latter will sound ‘fun’ for 5 mins and will get bothersome later. Pictured below is the Perpetua with Noble Audio’s Prestige series copper cable.

Midrange is easily the most standout feature of Perpetua. Vivid and colourful yet extremely linear with no noticeable recession or sharp lift in any part of the midrange frequency. Female vocals are not favoured above male vocals and vice versa. Midrange is the part where the ZMF/Sennheiser comparisons come in, both of which are industry standards for exemplary midrange tuning. Vocals sound absolutely delightful and often ethereal bolstered by the insane staging capabilities of this IEM which I willl discuss shortly.

Perpetua is not a dark set in any shape or form but treble will be the weakest link for those who value treble extension and air above all else. I personally don’t mind the mellow, smoothened treble as it's an essential part of Perpetua’s tuning. But there are similarly priced sets that’ll resolve more or showcase more presence in the treble region. There is a small peak around the 5-6k region that might become accentuated depending on the source paired (generally non bothersome nor intrusive.)

Soundstage is massive. There are very few IEMs that can project a soundstage this engulfing and spacious and all of them cost significantly more (Perpetua is already quite expensive at 3000 USD). It is one of the few party tricks of Perpetua that's immediately noticeable after putting it on for the first time. Imaging is easy S/S- tier. Extremely accurate and precise. However there are certain peers that will image better, Empire Ears Odin and 64 Audio U12T for example.

Aside from the polite and polished treble response, Perpetua is a highly resolving set as one would expect from a ToTL IEM. It is just that some competitors are more resolving (albeit at the expense of inferior timbre and tonal balance in most cases). An Empire Ears Odin is still more detailed but doesn’t have the timbre nor naturalness of the Perpetua. If you are a raw detail-head then you may want to consider the Odin at a slightly higher price point.

Comparisons

Sennheiser IE 900: IE 900 is the single DD flagship from Sennheiser and costs considerably less, almost half to be precise. IE 900 has a similar level of resolving capabilities but it does not stage as wide or deep and is more V-shaped. The IE 900 also has a more ‘tactile’, more visceral kind of bass response while on the Perpetua, bass is just the right amount. Timbre is noticeably better on the Perpetua but IE 900 is no slouch either, especially for the price.

Final A8000: A8000 is more resolving but honestly, I don’t enjoy listening to this set much. It's not bad per se, just not engaging enough for me. Plus that treble is not the faint hearted; a love it or hate it kind of thing mildly put. I find the Perpetua to be a far more palatable experience.

Hifiman Svanar: An amazing single DD IEM that fits comfortably in between IE 900 and Perpetua in my opinion. Svanar has inferior bass quality wise but it's still quite good on its own. Staging and imaging is better on Perpetual. Svannar is already very pleasant and smooth but Perpetua is in a league above as long as tonal balance and timbre is concerned.

64 Audio U12T: U12T is more resolving and has sharper, more precise imaging. Personally I am not a fan of its soft transients but that won’t be an issue for many I presume. I am biassed towards Perpetua compared to U12T as it caters more to my taste.

Empire Ears Odin: Odin is a technical powerhouse and surpasses the Perpetua as long as technical prowess is concerned. However the Odin suffers from some tonal issues and can be very source sensitive. In fact, Hugo 2 is the only source on which I find Odin palatable. It can be shouty and intense otherwise.

Conclusion

DITA Perpetua is a generalist set that was tuned to be pleasant and easygoing first and foremost while retaining satisfactory technical performance. It is not perfect (nothing is) and there are IEMs that will outperform it in certain categories. However as an overall package, Perpetua is one of a kind. There are not many IEMs as tonally balanced or natural sounding, not to mention the intricate craftsmanship and superb build quality. It is a keeper as far as I am concerned, and is the best single DD flagship I have tried to date.

To many audiophiles, the allure of a single dynamic driver IEM will always remain. While many companies have single DDs in their lineup, one company stands out due to its sole dedication to single DD IEMs — Dita Audio.

While its parent company was established in 1971 — the year music changed the world — Dita Audio released the Perpetua to celebrate their 10th year in the audiophile industry.

Disclaimer: the Dita Audio Perpetua have been ordered from Dita Audio at a discount in exchange for my opinion and has been paid out of the author's pocket


The object — From the boxes down to the tips, case, pouch, cable and IEM themsleves, Dita achieves an attention to detail and quality control which remains unmatched in the industry. It simply is an experience like none other.

This is a luxury product and is reflected through and through in every single accessory included. A box within a box reveals sumptuously designed stationaries, a leather pouch and key fob made of supple Italian leather, as well as a vacuum-sealed aluminium case which you'll just want to open and close for the sheer pleasure of it.

Together with the IEMs, the case contains a stunning stock cable featuring Dita's second iteration of its Awesome Plug with the 3.5mm single-ended termination pre-attached. Open the leather pouch and you'll find the 2.5 and 4.4mm balanced terminations, together with Final E tips in all sizes for your convenience.


Fit & Comfort — Despite the cable being on the heavier and thicker side, it doesn't generate any discernible discomfort.

As for the Perpetua, their shells are made out of titanium and have a density and heft resulting in an above than average weight compared to most IEMs.
While perfectly smooth and, at first, extremely comfortable, the size of the shells unfortunately are on the larger side and could prove a challenge for some ear shapes, especially around the concha area as the IEM can push against the cartilage there.

Fortunately, the Perpetua's nozzle is on the thin side and of average length which will accomodate a wide range of ear canals. In addition, the Perpetua are well-vented and have no driver flex which is extremely welcome, especially given their inviting sound.

Tips used: stock Final E


Sound — The Perpetua display a stunning maturity in their capability to deliver a smooth yet detailed and textured sound with excellent tactility.

The tuning of the 12mm dynamic driver offers a balanced and natural sound with no exaggeration and is devoid of any form of fatigue across the frequency range. And yet… the Perpetua manage to remain engaging while letting the listener choose whether to focus on the details and textures or the track as a whole.

This translates into what perhaps is the Perpetua's main strength, that is their ability to handle all genre with equal aplomb. They let the recording showcase what it was meant to, all the while remaining forgiving of old/poor records giving an actual meaning to the notion of high-end, hi-fi, equipment playing back records "as intended".

Last but least, there's a significant difference in-between single-ended and balanced outputs essentially providing two flavours. Balanced will be for those seeking a more rounded, thicker sound and/or paired with a bright source. Single-ended will be for those seeking a more natural sound and/or paired with a warm source.

Files / Sources used: CD-quality FLAC bought from Qobuz & Tidal HiFi streaming / Uncapped Sony NW-WM1AM2 (Direct Source: On)


Conclusion — The Perpetua truly are excellent and are only let down by their price and shell size which might prevent some listeners to get or keep them.

For those seeking genuine musical enjoyment, they are a must audition whenever and wherever possible and worthy of hunting down.

Should they fit you, the Dita Audio Perpetua are a serious contender for a "one and done" IEM you'll enjoy (in) Perpetua.

Introduction
In a world where the pursuit of ever-increasing numbers of drivers and combinations of driver technologies dominate the IEM industry, minimalism may seem like an unusual concept. During my visit to CanJam Singapore in March 2023, I had the opportunity to experience the Dita Perpetua - a single dynamic driver IEM that belongs to the flagship class. I was fortunate enough to have some listening time on the Sunday of the event, and listening to the Perpetua was one of my personal show highlights. DITA Audio were showing the Perpetua in two different systems, one mobile source-based, and the other one configured in a summit-fi desktop system with DITA Audio’s Celeste silver upgrade cable. This latter combination was just stunning, and the Perpetua was truly impressive in how it scaled to new heights. What’s even more impressive is how this is even possible with a single driver.



DITA Audio, a Singaporean company, has adopted a unique approach in the IEM industry by focusing solely on dynamic drivers. It’s well known that certain aspects of the frequency response, particularly the bass response, cannot be replicated with other driver types. Dynamic driver bass has a distinct impact and is particularly effective for certain genres of music as it can push more air. Dynamic drivers work by using a moving coil attached to a diaphragm to create sound. As an electrical current flows through the coil, it interacts with a magnetic field and moves the coil back and forth, causing the diaphragm to vibrate and create sound waves.

The DITA Audio Perpetua, their current flagship model, represents the culmination of DITA’'s experience gained through developing the Dream (Gen 1) and Dream XLS models. Compared to the Dream XLS with its 10mm dynamic driver, the Perpetua takes things a step further with a 12mm dynamic driver. Additionally, the Perpetua has a new ergonomic chassis design that is designed to fit more comfortably and naturally in the ear. All internal wiring in the Perpetua is sourced from Kondo Japan, a renowned audio manufacturer that also produces the internal wiring of Audio Note amplifiers. The DITA Perpetua retails for $2,999, and was originally released in 2021.

The DITA Audio Celeste super upgrade cable features 4N Silver conductors from Kondo Japan, and both the Celeste and the stock Perpetua cable come with DITA Audio’s 2nd generation Awesome Plug design, which is an interchangeable plug system that features 4.4mm, 3.5mm, and 2.5mm options. The Celeste is an exclusive limited edition (only 250 units available worldwide) cable that features 4N Silver conductors from Kondo Japan. The Celeste retails for $2,799.

I’ve been using the Perpetua and Celeste mostly in my desktop-based headphone audio system, using an Innuos Zenith Mk3 streamer, feeding a dCS Bartok DAC and Lina Master Clock, with the Lina Headphone Amplifier. The Bartok output voltage is set to 2V, and the gain on the Headphone amp is set to Low.

Unboxing and First Impressions
Wow, just wow. The unboxing experience, and the packaging quality of a flagship product is a very important part of a brand’s ethos, and it’s very clear that DITA Audio takes this very seriously. In fact, I cannot recall any IEM product with this higher level of packaging refinement, and this is right up there with higher end product packaging of luxury products. It is clear that the packaging has been meticulously designed with attention to detail.



The Perpetua comes in a high-quality keepsake box that opens to reveal not one, but two premium cases for the IEMs. The first case is an aluminum round case which features 6061 aerospace aluminum with T6 annealing. This case has an airlock pressure valve on top which locks and unlocks the case. The experience of handling and removing the top cover is luxurious and feels incredible, as it glides so smoothly and effortlessly. This case is quite heavy and is suitable for desktop storage, not to mention being just lovely to look at.



The second included case is a high quality, single sheet Italian leather case that is more designed for mobile use. It’s both incredibly smooth to the touch with a very pleasant leather smell to it.



Finally, the package includes a suite of luxurious paper, stickers, and branded materials that take the whole experience to another level. Eartips in various sizes, along with DITA Audio’s Awesome Plug system (comes with adapters for 4.4mm, 3.5mm, and 2.5mm) round out this very impressive package.

The DITA Audio Celeste is similarly packaged to the Perpetua, and features another silver color 6061 aluminum round case. The Celeste also comes with a metal warranty card, and paperwork that is presented and enveloped in high quality, and beautiful paper.



Picking up the Perpetua, one can immediately notice the heft and smoothness of this polished and PVD coated titanium shell. With DITA-branded faceplates made of sapphire glass, the overall aesthetic is both understated and luxurious at the same time. The stock cable that comes with the Perpetua is similarly a high quality coil/over cable made of high purity copper.

The Celeste cable is an implementation of Kondo Japan’s pure silver conductors and visually the Celeste has a white outer weave with silver accents, and is also just lovely to the touch.



Setup
I used the Perpetua in a couple of configurations as follows:

1. dCS Bartok DAC and dCS Lina AMP, 2V setting, low gain enabled
2. HiBy RS8 R2R DAP, medium gain, Class A, Turbo enabled
3. With and without the Celeste silver cable
4. SpinFit CP145 Eartips

My primary configuration was using the Perpetua with the Celeste upgrade cable in the desktop dCS system. Over the past year or so, I’ve been increasingly using higher end IEMs in a desktop environment. Not merely due to comfort and ergonomic considerations, but the overall listening experience can now rival or even exceed full size headphones for many listening applications. There is also a considerable step up in using high end desktop gear over portable source gear with all of the flagship IEMs that I’ve been using.

So how does this luxurious, single dynamic driver offering from Dita Audio stack up?

Sound Impressions
The main sound impression of the Perpetua is an incredible sense of coherence and smoothness. Usually when referring to audio products as being overly smooth, this can convey a sense of lack of resolution or sparkle, or other characteristic of sound. Not in this case. Everything is there, it’s just presented in such a pleasing way that sounds natural and realistic. This is an IEM that can be comfortably worn for hours without any listening fatigue at all.

Bass and midrange are clearly the stars of the show here. With many types of bass-centric music, such as electronic music, bass pressure can sometimes get out of hand; the Perpetua deals with this in a delicate and smooth fashion, yet still retains enough detail to stay engaging. Soundstage and imaging are very good, and the Perpetua’s timbre quality is outstanding. Finally, the treble quality is also very good, albeit with a slight roll-off. Although not lacking, this is not a detail monster. Nor is it trying to be.

The Celeste cable ups the ante for the Perpetua, with the silver conductors able to provide a higher level of resolution, impact, and overall transparency. As always, people’s perception of upgrade cables vary, and demoing gear is always recommended whenever possible.



Comparisons
I’ve been comparing the Perpetua to two other flagship IEM’s the Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor, and the FiR Audio Radon 6. The Mentor is being used with an Effect Audio Cleopatra II Octa, and the Radon 6 with a Flash Acoustics Ultron. Both of these are silver cables, and I feel
that both are incremental improvements over their respective stock cables.

The Multiverse Mentor (MM) boasts flagship-levels of resolution, imaging, and soundstage, making it a technical marvel. Although it surpasses the Perpetua in some of these aspects, it can fall short in terms of bass response, particularly for bass-heavy genres where dynamic drivers offer distinct advantages. In comparison, the Perpetua offers a more direct and tactile experience, while the MM provides a more open and spacious sound.

Another flagship option that utilizes a tribrid approach is the Radon 6, which combines dynamic driver bass, balanced armature (BA) mids and highs, and electrostatic ultra-highs. With a warm neutral sound signature and exceptional technical capabilities, the Radon 6 is a highly engaging listen. The main differentiator here is a slightly more energetic Radon 6 vs a slightly more balanced and easier listening Perpetua.

Conclusion
The DITA Audio Perpetua and Celeste upgrade cable are luxurious audiophile products that exude quality and provide a smooth and fatigue-free flagship listening experience. What DITA Audio has managed to achieve using only one 12mm dynamic driver is remarkable. The Perpetua is a very special IEM worthy of being considered among the many flagship IEM’s in the market today. For those favoring dynamic driver bass and long-term and non-fatiguing sound, this is a must audition. The Celeste upgrade cable is really the icing on the cake here and to my ears, takes this fine IEM to the next level and among the very best IEM sound I’ve heard to date.

Introduction​

The time has finally come, the first review of Dita Audio on Ear Fidelity! This is a rather exotic brand for us here in Europe, having its Headquarters in Singapore.
Their products got my attention a while back, and I really like their approach to making products. Instead of going for hybrids and new, flashy specifications, they have a rather minimalistic way of creating IEMs, focusing on the quality of every single aspect.
Today we’re reviewing their new flagship, the Perpetua. This is a single Dynamic Driver IEM priced at $2999, which might attract some eyes of doubtful people. Luckily, after reviewing a lot of different IEMs and being in the audio game for about 10 years now, I know very well that the specification and driver count has nothing to do with value.

Just look at one of the most iconic IEMs of the last 5 years – the Final A8000. It uses a single Dynamic Driver as well, is priced at $1999 and it already is a legendary product that has a lot of users.
There’s also a trend going on lately, where more and more budget IEMs get really impressive technically. However, many IEMs have been lacking one thing in my opinion – the tuning. We’re getting very technical sounding IEMs very regularly lately, and it’s not the only way to do audio. The stereo HiFi market is more diverse when it comes to tuning of products, and it would have been nice if our headphones market implement some diversity as well.

The hero of today’s review might be a great example of this. It’s really hard to produce a $2999 IEM using a single driver that will rival the best tribrids on the market when it comes to technical performance, so you, as a manufacturer, have to focus on different aspects (that are just as important as the technical performance).
Just take a look at Fir Audio, which I’m a huge fan of, especially because of their new lineup. Just look how much tech goes inside these IEMs, such as the Kinetic Bass, Atom Venting, Open Acoustics, etc. Also, their models use multiple drivers per channel, which has proven to improve the sound quality in most scenarios.
So, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, Dita went all-in for a tuning that’s going to set the Perpetua apart from the rest of the offerings on the market. Not everyone is looking for the ultimate performance, a lot of people just want a type of sound signature that will fit their preferences. Dita Audio seems to know it very well, so they focused on the aspect that they felt very confident with.

Having all that in mind, I was very excited to try the new Dita Perpetua. The moment I received them the whole experience started…at it’s quite an experience.

Packaging​

The unboxing experience of the Perpetua is definitely one of the best and most unique I’ve ever seen in this hobby.
First of all, it comes in a protective outer box that you literally have to “rip apart” to get inside. When you get past it, you’re greeted with the proper, gray box. It has a unique way of opening, with two rubber bands that hold the lid. This box is of great quality and it looks beautiful in person, I actually use it to store some things on my desk.

Let’s get inside. The first thing that draws attention is one of two cases that you’re getting. It is a case similar to what you’ll get with a pair of high-end sunglasses. The material is leather which is very smooth to the touch. This is a very high-quality case and it feels luxurious. However, it’s a soft case, so it doesn’t offer too much protection for your new expensive IEMs. Oh, you’re also getting a strap that you can attach to the case and rock the thing attached to your belt. Nice touch.



Inside this case, you’ll find your eartips (looks like Final audio ones), and a set of different jack plugs (since the cable you’re getting has a multi-plug technology) – more on that later.

Next up, is the second case. Have you ever seen an IEM that comes with two cases? Me neither. Well, it’s never too late for experiencing something for the first time, isn’t it. The second case is a hard case that has a very interesting lid design. It has a small handle on top that you can pull to release the air out of the case, which helps with opening it. This case doesn’t have a screw-on lid, so this air pressure system is all you’re getting when it comes to keeping it closed.

While this is very interesting and unique, I don’t think it works well enough. Actually, you’re getting two cases and I won’t trust any of them to just throw in the backpack and be sure that nothing will happen to your new Perpetua. Of course, if you just want to put your IEMs in the pocket of your jacket, you can definitely use the soft case as it is very elegant and doesn’t take too much space. The hard case, however, is more of an “on a desk” type of scenario, a place that you can just put your Perpetua in and keep it within reach.



Another thing you’ll be getting is a set of stickers and a postcard. The thing that just has to be mentioned is the quality and design. These are the best-designed stickers I’ve seen in audio, they look polished and very intriguing. I absolutely love the idea, it surely doesn’t add too much cost for the manufacturer, and you can rock the stickers with pride on your laptop, phone, or basically anywhere. As for the postcard, I don’t think this is actually meant to be sent, but it’s also a very nice and unique accessory that is just fun to experience.

Lastly, you’re getting a very nice-quality cleaning cloth, for keeping the Perpetua clean. Overall, the entire unboxing experience is a blast and something truly unique. Even before listening to the Perpetua, you got a sense of getting something luxurious and special. Dita Audio really cared about the whole experience from the very beginning and I appreciate it a lot. This is what high-end portable audio should always look and feel like.

Design, Build and Comfort​

So far, the Perpetua feels like an extremely high-end and luxurious product, let’s see if the trend continues with the build quality and comfort.
The IEMs themselves are actually quite large, but their shape is very organic and comfortable to my ears. After unboxing them I was actually scared if they’ll fit me, as the size of the shells is really huge. They had to put these big, 12mm Dynamic Drivers somewhere, so it’s not really surprising, but keep in mind that if you have very small ears, these might not fit you.

Apart from the size, the shells have some weight as well. They are made of CNC Titanium and they definitely are not the lightest pair of IEMs you’ll ever experience, definitely not. However, the size and design are just well executed and I would never call the Perpetua uncomfortable. Even my girlfriend finds them quite comfortable and is able to use them for a couple of hours without fatigue. This is mainly due to the lack of sharp edges, as the entire IEM is round and smooth to the touch.
As for the design, I really like the look of the Perpetua. They definitely look unique and interesting, you definitely can’t mistake them for anything else on the market, apart from other Dita models. The design is pretty minimal, and they can look a little bit underwhelming at first glance. However, this feels like a classic Japanese design for me – minimalistic and modest, yet refined and organic.

Let’s get to the cable, as this is pretty interesting. First of all, the second generation of the Awesome Plug is just a blast. I do believe that multi-plug systems are game-changers, and I wish that more and more manufacturers are going to use them. This specific plug system works brilliantly, you simply plug it in and screw it on, so it’s just perfectly secure and convenient to use. Of course, you’ve got a 2.5mm, 3,5mm, and 4.4mm option, so you’re pretty much covered with every device you’d like to use the Perpetua with. Brilliant.



The cable itself is a bag of mixed feelings for me. The wire is pretty thin and flexible north of the splitter, and quite thick in the lower area. The cable looks great with transparent isolation, showing off that beautiful wire inside. It’s the splitter and the 2-pin connectors that I have a slight problem with though. First of all, the splitter is unnecessarily bulky, resulting in some problems with the ergonomics. If you’ll rock this cable under your shirt, you’re going to feel the splitter at all times. Something more stealthy and smaller would have been better in my opinion.

The 2-pin connectors however are problematic in two ways. First of all, the Perpetua uses a recessed socket, so it’s problematic to cable roll them. I don’t really like unique connectors, as a lot of audiophiles like to cable roll their high-end IEMs, and using recessed sockets definitely makes it harder and less convenient. Another thing that I don’t really like is the physical aspect of the connectors themselves. The Perpetua is a very well-made and luxurious pair of IEMs, and these connectors just look unappealing. They have a semi-transparent plastic look to them, which ruins the look of the IEMs. Dita should have gone for black connectors made of the same materials as the shells, which would have resulted in a more seamless, polished look. It’s just the aspect of the look of the Perpetua that bothers me a little every time I look at them. No complaints about the quality though, just pure aesthetics.

Lastly, the Awesome Plug is a marvel. The jack connector is pretty large, but it’s extremely well-made and robust, so I definitely don’t worry that it’ll break anytime soon. This thing is built to last and Dita really did make a great job with it.

Tech​

There’s not a lot to say about the tech of the Perpetua. It uses a single, 12mm PPT-D Dynamic Driver per side. We’ve seen some high-end single DD IEMs in the past (Final A8000 for example), but the Perpetua is probably the most expensive so far. I don’t think it’s a problem whatsoever, as single DD IEMs have proven their worth in the past.

Here are two cents from Dita about the driver:

“The PPT-D sits in an acoustic chamber of titanium specially optimized for its size and function. Maximizing both the 12mm driver’s potential and the metal’s sonic qualities. A continuation of the tuned acoustic concept used in earlier products such as the XLS.”
Another thing worth mentioning is that the internal wiring of the Perpetua is made with a pure silver Kondo Audionote Japan wire. This is a high-end big-boy stereo brand that is legendary for its spectacular sound quality. It’s very nice to see a brand caring about the internal wiring of their high-end IEMs, and I’m glad that Dita is highlighting it in their product’s description.

Sound​

Let’s get into the sound of the Perpetua. Dita Audio describes them as organic, full-bodied, and lush sounding, and this is actually spot-on. It’s one of these IEMs that you’re listening to for a couple of hours and don’t really know what to think. Not because anything is wrong, but because it just sounds forgiving, easy, and natural.

The bass is full-bodied and it has a great texture. It’s not too extreme sounding, as the entire Perpetua is rather a soft and relaxed sounding IEM, and the bass is no different naturally. It has similar qualities to the bass of the A8000, sounding snappy, detailed, and crispy. I somewhat feel like the bone conduction and especially the Kinetic Bass technology from Fir Audio has changed and will continue to change bass delivery in IEMs, hence the Perpetua cannot really match the bass presentation of the Kr5 or Xe6 from Fir Audio. However, having in mind traditional IEMs, the Perpetua offers a very high-quality bass response that is fun to listen to while staying natural and soft. This is not the most hard-hitting bass responses you’ll hear, but it was never meant to in my opinion. What’s very impressive is the reproduction of the acoustic guitars that gain that rich body of the soundbox. Also, male vocals benefit from that kind of performance as well, giving them a natural thickness that is highly desired. Overall, the bass never sounds too forward, nor does it stay behind, it’s there when it’s needed.

The midrange is the best aspect of the Perpetua. It sounds very smooth and relaxed, further expanding on that soft and musical tone. The entire midrange frequency sounds linear and natural, and thanks to the exceptional texture, it sounds highly involving and delicate. I’m yet to find an instrument or vocalist that sounds unnatural on the Perpetua, and I don’t think I’ll ever do. It has that ability that you don’t really listen to the sound, as it’s so unforced and coherent sounding. I actually gave the Perpetua to two of my audio friends to try and give me their impressions, and they had a hard time describing its sound. They can sound underwhelming at first, but the more you listen to them, the more you understand what’s going on. This is a musical masterclass that makes the IEMs disappear and leaves you with just the music, which is very hard to achieve with IEMs. I’ve had that kind of experience with high-end stereo setups a couple of times, but with IEMs…probably never as much. We really have to appreciate this kind of performance. The high-End IEM market is full of IEMs that sound extreme and very impressive, but there are not a lot IEMs that just try to get out of the way and give you an ultimate chill experience.



The treble is once again, smooth and musical. It never gets harsh, but it doesn’t sound dull or technically underwhelming. Of course, this is NOT an ultimate detail and resolution type of experience, and it’s not the most extended, but when it comes to timbre and smooth texture, this is truly great. The treble continues on the trend that the Perpetua sounds pleasant and very forgiving, not focusing on the ultimate technical superiority. Actually, this reminds me of high-end Japanese stereo devices, that tend to have similar qualities. Take Audio Note, for example, it’s been known for decades for its smooth and highly musical sound, never sounding overly technical or initially spectacular. It’s all about the long-term enjoyment and getting the sound that is just coherent and easy to listen to. If you ever tried BBC speakers, you probably know what I’m talking about. I used to have BBC Spendor speakers a couple of years ago, and I found myself listening to music more, and focusing on the sound less, which was a deliverance for me. I feel that some people really need to hear this kind of sound to enjoy audio more, as we often get tired of all these hyper-technical sounding headphones that keep us on the edge of the seat. The Perpetua is just perfect to just sit in your Herman Miller Eames chair, have a glass of fine whisky, and just enjoy your evening. You’ll focus on the good things, and I promise…you will be relaxed.

The soundstage is very good, but once again, nothing extreme. It’s reasonably sized, reaching quite deep and wide, and the imaging is great. The Perpetua has that ability to make the instruments quite big and forward, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing else in the background. It just puts you in the middle of the performance, forget about sitting in the tenth row, you’re taking the stage. This is definitely a type of performance that is suitable with the entire frequency response of the Perpetua, as it helps that smooth and coherent type of sound. This is not an IEM to analyze the material and find the tiniest details in the background. It wants you to focus on the textures of the main event, so if this is your cup of tea, the Perpetua stages excellently.

Overall, the Dita Perpetua is a very specific type of IEM. Even though it’s very expensive, it’s not trying to justify the high price immediately. It just sounds in a way that lets you enjoy it more and more with time. This will definitely not appeal to everyone, as we, headphone enthusiasts tend to crave the best and most extreme sound. But I see the Perpetua being a brilliant choice for everyone who’s been into high-end Japanese audio for years and they got used to that soft, mellow sound that just doesn’t sound like anything. And trust me, there are a lot of them in the world. You can often read a sentence “speaker-like presentation”, and for me, the Perpetua is the perfect example of this statement. In its own way, but it’s just a super tiny, high-end Audio Note / vintage Accuphase / BBC type of stereo setup that you can put in your pocket.

Comparisons​

Final A8000



Two single DD IEMs, the already-legendary Final A8000 changed the landscape of the IEM market, marking the moment of a comeback of single-driver high-end IEMs.
Comparing these two is quite easy, as they sound nothing alike. The A8000 is definitely more technical, analytical, and extreme sounding than the Perpetua, which will appeal to some, but definitely not to everyone. The Perpetua sounds more coherent, more natural, and softer, being better for jazz acoustic music. The A8000 will be a better choice if you listen to electronic music or metal and you want that dynamic, ultra-fast sound with a lot of details. Overall, the A8000 is slightly more detailed than the Perpetua, but for the price of being way more shouty and harsh, also lacking the natural body in the lower midrange region.
The A8000 has always been a bit “too much” for me, sounding just too firm and fast subjectively, and the Perpetua is definitely more to my taste. Instead of trying to impress you, it just does its job and lets you decide whether you like it or not.

Cayin Fantasy



Another single DD IEM to compare. The Fantasy is a total opposite to the Perpetua, sounding extremely tiring and thin, sharp in comparison. This is a very specific-job type of IEM for those who want that hyper-technical, “take no prisoners” sound.
The Perpetua on the other hand is everything that the Fantasy isn’t. It’s softer, more delicate, more natural, and mature sounding, letting you enjoy the music, instead of analyzing every single aspect of the recording.
You might think to yourself, that it’s not a surprise having in mind the big price difference between the two. Actually, this is where it gets quite interesting. I don’t think that the Perpetua is vastly superior to the Fantasy when it comes to technical performance. It is with tuning where it starts to appear what you’re paying for. Instead of creating a tool to just get as close as possible to the recording, Dita Audio spent all their powers and experience on tuning this little guy to perfection. These are two completely different approaches to manufacturing IEMs, and I’m not in a position to answer you which one is the right one. For me, however, the Perpetua is just hugely more mature, polished, and soulful, and I like it.

Fir Audio XE6



Up until last week, the Fir XE6 was the best IEM I’ve ever heard. This has just changed, and what’s the new king…you’ll find out pretty soon.

The XE6 is just an incredible pair of IEMs that is the perfect marriage of technical superiority with a beautiful timbre. Also, it has the best bass in the history of IEMs thanks to its epic kinetic bass technology. There’s just nothing like it on the market.

So, the Perpetua has a lot of a task ahead of it. First and foremost, the XE6 is better of the two when it comes to the bass, detail, resolution, and soundstage, there’s no question about it. The XE6 is just a hugely impressive IEM that sits on top of the current audio summit. The Perpetua on the other hand sounds like it’s not actually trying to rival it. It just focuses on that infinite musicality and smooth tonality, not trying to impress.

So, the Perpetua is a much calmer, smoother, and more delicate sounding of the two. It won’t take you dancing, and it won’t make you say wow. It just lets you sit back and relax, while the XE6 offers a way more impressive sound that is packed with details. There’s actually room for having both in your arsenal, as they would serve different purposes.

Meze Elite



The Perpetua actually reminds me of the Meze Elite but in an IEM form. Both have the ability to sound extremely coherent and relaxing, but not dull at all.

Both headphones are quite forgiving when it comes to the quality of mastering, but they do not make anything sound the same. It’s just a type of tone that is highly musical and easy to listen to. Both are a great choice if you want to listen to headphones that are going to make you relaxed and not over-analyze things too much.
It doesn’t come at a cost of detail retrieval and resolution though, as both the Elite and Perpetua are highly capable, but not the best in their price bracket. However, not every headphone/IEM aims at being the most technically impressive.
I do believe that tuning is the most important when it comes to performance. You can have all the details in the world, but if the IEM is tuned badly or just weirdly, you’re not going to enjoy it. The Dita Perpetua is made to deliver a specific type of experience, and it does that brilliantly.

Summary​

The Dita Perpetua is an excellent choice for a relaxed, smooth-sounding IEM. While it comes at quite a high price, you’re getting a fantastic unboxing experience, great build quality, and a sound that is addictively mellow and easy.

It feels like an IEM forged by Japanese Hifi veterans with its sublime tuning and a very mature, coherent signature. If you’re looking for ultimate performance in this price bracket, you won’t find it here, but the Perpetua is not about it. It’s a marvelous IEM for your everyday carry, providing a type of sound that will work everywhere and with everything.

Gear used during this review for the sake of comparison and as an accompanying equipment:

• Headphones – Fir XE6, Fir KR5, Final A8000, Cayin Fantasy, Meze Elite, Hifiman Susvara, Campfire Audio Solaris 2020, Campfire Audio Supermoon
• Sources– Cayin N3Pro, Hifiman EF400, EarMen Angel, EarMen Tradutto, Yulong Aurora, LittleDot MK III SE, SMSL SH-9, SMSL DO100 + HO100, FiiO M11 Plus ESS, XIAudio Broadway S, Burson Playmate 2

Big thanks to Dita Audio for providing the Perpetua for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion. Dita Audio hasn’t seen this review before publishing it.