Well, waiting for this DAP's release gave experience, similar to watching good drama TV series (BTW, am I the only one who thinks that the best drama ever is "BoJack Horseman"?) — full of twists, emotions and waiting. Announced in 2015, Explorer was re-worked, participated in crowdfunding and finally made it's way to customers.
First of all, I'd like to thank Echobox for providing me a review sample in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Currently, Explorer seems to be getting quite extreme opinions varying from love to almost loathing. I think it's pretty expectable because this DAP is built entirely in the way creators wanted it to be without looking too modern marketing tendencies. I guess I can call these ideas "vision," and if you share it with creators, you'll like this DAP, if not — just skip it, luckily we have tons of mainstream players appearing every day.
I'll briefly skip the package part, it's typical for modern DAPs, besides the player itself, you'll get USB Cable, an excellent case made of thin leather for player's protection. I don't know who will buy a wooden player and will use this jacket with it, but maybe I'm just missing a thing. Also, do not rush to throw away papers from the box, among them you'll get 90 days promo-code for Tidal. Echobox also makes nice wooden docks for the player, but they're selling separately.
So, about the design. The main idea of creators was to make a DAP of real hardwood, and they don't follow coward's path "let's make it from metal and glue some veneer," but decided to use a solid piece of wood instead. That's why Explorer is relatively thick: a wooden case should be pretty thick to avoid cracking. Company's designers decided to use the best and most ergonomic shape which has been with us for many years: flask. It's stylish, it's ergonomic, and it's always trendy.
So yes, we've got a wooden case with aluminum sides and volume dial instead of cork. As a few subjective impressions, I admire Explorer's view, and I like the feel of this wood in hand. The only thing I'm sorry about is that there is no space left inside DAPs body to fit at least few ounces of good brandy (Serbian "Rubinov Vinjak" is an excellent addition to this player's sound).
On the bottom side, you'll find Micro USB socket for charging and MicroSD slot for cards (micro to micro). Also, some grills are located here, I think they're done for cooling, but it's just my guess. Player already has 64 Gb of built-in memory, but you can even further extend it via MicroSD cards. As for battery life, I've got about 8 hours with MEEAudio's P1 as a load, playing 44.1/16 FLACs (without screen usage), charging took about 4.5 hours, not fast, but I'm just leaving Explorer to charge over the night.
On the top panel, you'll find (besides the volume knob) two 3.5mm sockets, one for headphones, second works as a line out and optical output. As for volume knob, it rotates with well-defined clicks and with a precise reading of every step. Also, this knob works as the power switch, and you need just press it as a button.
Most of DAP's control is done via the sensor screen. Of course, plastic frame, holding the display in place doesn't look in style with other design elements, but it's the only reasonable way of mounting the screen, so for me, it's more than OK. The screen is decent concerning resolution and color depth, but it lacks a bit of brightness under the direct sunlight.
As for OS, I don't see any reason to describe it in details, as it's almost vanilla Android 6.0 with UAPP and Tidal client preinstalled. Google play services aren't available, but you can install and update software via downloaded APKs. In general, I think Echobox implemented the wisest possible solution — minimal intrusion to OS itself plus usage of popular player software gives pretty reliable and functional solution. Also, if you're familiar with UAPP on your smartphone (which is entirely possible), you'll find Explorer's UI familiar.
Tidal works OK too, I've seen complaints about the low speed of player's WiFi, but my domestic internet is slow, so I can't re-check that. Also, during Tidal listening, the protective relay inside player's body sometimes clicks between tracks, but personally for me, it's entirely not an issue.
But enough of those annoying talks, let's move to the sound.
The sound signature of the player is also non-mainstream. It offers a bit smoothed representation with a hint of added warmth, pleasantly decorating many songs.
Lows are moderately accented, due to a bit added "mass." This accent gives the sense of imposing lows, but they aren't muffled or slow, texturing is nice. Maybe DAP lacks a bit of sharpness in the lower domain, but it's the price of added mass. Bass goes deep but always stays in its place due to proper control by the player.
Mids also have a bit of coloration: a bit of smoothness and a hint of added emotions fits well to the general signature of Explorer. Of course, connoisseurs of micro-details and fans of neutral sound will be displeased, but no device can please everyone. Explorer offers solid and integral mids with a reasonable level of details and engaging emotions. The imaginary stage is a bit above average in width and about average in depth, but layers separation is excellent.
Treble is also done in general "relaxed" style, they have good resolution, and aren't recessed to create typical "comfort sounding," but attacks aren't super-fast, and that gives this sense of comfort that compliments overall player's signature. Anyway, treble quality is good, and it provides enough air to sound and recreates all instruments decays appropriately.
Player has enough power to drive even power-hungry cans, including efficient planar-magnetic models. Moreover, it was ZMF Ori and the old HiFiMan HE-400 that I liked most with it. IEMs are good too (I can suggest trying some good single-driver dynamic drive models), but because of player's AMP has noise with sensitive IEMs (especially when WiFi is on), I'd suggest you avoid low impedance models with high sensitivity.
Speaking of music styles, Explorer is pretty universal if you like such representation, it's engaging with classical jazz, old rock and hard-n-heavy, good recorder pop music and many other genres.
I was thinking, how should I finish this review. Echobox Explorer isn't for everyone. It's not an attempt to please anybody and sell as many units as possible. It's an attempt to implement a very personal vision of both design and sound, and personally, I like it. Even owning A&K SP1000 and Lotoo's Paw Gold, I'll keep Explorer in my collection, just to have an opportunity to experience its organic nature from time to time.
First of all, I'd like to thank Echobox for providing me a review sample in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Currently, Explorer seems to be getting quite extreme opinions varying from love to almost loathing. I think it's pretty expectable because this DAP is built entirely in the way creators wanted it to be without looking too modern marketing tendencies. I guess I can call these ideas "vision," and if you share it with creators, you'll like this DAP, if not — just skip it, luckily we have tons of mainstream players appearing every day.
I'll briefly skip the package part, it's typical for modern DAPs, besides the player itself, you'll get USB Cable, an excellent case made of thin leather for player's protection. I don't know who will buy a wooden player and will use this jacket with it, but maybe I'm just missing a thing. Also, do not rush to throw away papers from the box, among them you'll get 90 days promo-code for Tidal. Echobox also makes nice wooden docks for the player, but they're selling separately.
So, about the design. The main idea of creators was to make a DAP of real hardwood, and they don't follow coward's path "let's make it from metal and glue some veneer," but decided to use a solid piece of wood instead. That's why Explorer is relatively thick: a wooden case should be pretty thick to avoid cracking. Company's designers decided to use the best and most ergonomic shape which has been with us for many years: flask. It's stylish, it's ergonomic, and it's always trendy.
So yes, we've got a wooden case with aluminum sides and volume dial instead of cork. As a few subjective impressions, I admire Explorer's view, and I like the feel of this wood in hand. The only thing I'm sorry about is that there is no space left inside DAPs body to fit at least few ounces of good brandy (Serbian "Rubinov Vinjak" is an excellent addition to this player's sound).
On the bottom side, you'll find Micro USB socket for charging and MicroSD slot for cards (micro to micro). Also, some grills are located here, I think they're done for cooling, but it's just my guess. Player already has 64 Gb of built-in memory, but you can even further extend it via MicroSD cards. As for battery life, I've got about 8 hours with MEEAudio's P1 as a load, playing 44.1/16 FLACs (without screen usage), charging took about 4.5 hours, not fast, but I'm just leaving Explorer to charge over the night.
On the top panel, you'll find (besides the volume knob) two 3.5mm sockets, one for headphones, second works as a line out and optical output. As for volume knob, it rotates with well-defined clicks and with a precise reading of every step. Also, this knob works as the power switch, and you need just press it as a button.
Most of DAP's control is done via the sensor screen. Of course, plastic frame, holding the display in place doesn't look in style with other design elements, but it's the only reasonable way of mounting the screen, so for me, it's more than OK. The screen is decent concerning resolution and color depth, but it lacks a bit of brightness under the direct sunlight.
As for OS, I don't see any reason to describe it in details, as it's almost vanilla Android 6.0 with UAPP and Tidal client preinstalled. Google play services aren't available, but you can install and update software via downloaded APKs. In general, I think Echobox implemented the wisest possible solution — minimal intrusion to OS itself plus usage of popular player software gives pretty reliable and functional solution. Also, if you're familiar with UAPP on your smartphone (which is entirely possible), you'll find Explorer's UI familiar.
Tidal works OK too, I've seen complaints about the low speed of player's WiFi, but my domestic internet is slow, so I can't re-check that. Also, during Tidal listening, the protective relay inside player's body sometimes clicks between tracks, but personally for me, it's entirely not an issue.
But enough of those annoying talks, let's move to the sound.
The sound signature of the player is also non-mainstream. It offers a bit smoothed representation with a hint of added warmth, pleasantly decorating many songs.
Lows are moderately accented, due to a bit added "mass." This accent gives the sense of imposing lows, but they aren't muffled or slow, texturing is nice. Maybe DAP lacks a bit of sharpness in the lower domain, but it's the price of added mass. Bass goes deep but always stays in its place due to proper control by the player.
Mids also have a bit of coloration: a bit of smoothness and a hint of added emotions fits well to the general signature of Explorer. Of course, connoisseurs of micro-details and fans of neutral sound will be displeased, but no device can please everyone. Explorer offers solid and integral mids with a reasonable level of details and engaging emotions. The imaginary stage is a bit above average in width and about average in depth, but layers separation is excellent.
Treble is also done in general "relaxed" style, they have good resolution, and aren't recessed to create typical "comfort sounding," but attacks aren't super-fast, and that gives this sense of comfort that compliments overall player's signature. Anyway, treble quality is good, and it provides enough air to sound and recreates all instruments decays appropriately.
Player has enough power to drive even power-hungry cans, including efficient planar-magnetic models. Moreover, it was ZMF Ori and the old HiFiMan HE-400 that I liked most with it. IEMs are good too (I can suggest trying some good single-driver dynamic drive models), but because of player's AMP has noise with sensitive IEMs (especially when WiFi is on), I'd suggest you avoid low impedance models with high sensitivity.
Speaking of music styles, Explorer is pretty universal if you like such representation, it's engaging with classical jazz, old rock and hard-n-heavy, good recorder pop music and many other genres.
I was thinking, how should I finish this review. Echobox Explorer isn't for everyone. It's not an attempt to please anybody and sell as many units as possible. It's an attempt to implement a very personal vision of both design and sound, and personally, I like it. Even owning A&K SP1000 and Lotoo's Paw Gold, I'll keep Explorer in my collection, just to have an opportunity to experience its organic nature from time to time.