Faaeal Tulip

Faaeal isn’t a new name anymore. They’ve been around in the audio market for a while now, but honestly, in recent times they’ve started getting real serious about standing out — especially in the crazy competitive budget IEM scene. Under the $100 range, it’s kinda wild how many options there is right now, and launching something new here that grabs attention? Not easy at all.

But Faaeal Tulip – the latest addition – is trying exactly that. And spoiler alert: it’s not just trying, it’s actually pulling it off in few key areas.

Disclaimer​

This review is fully based on my personal experience with the Faaeal Tulip. I’ve used this IEM for a good amount of time, listened to many different genres, and even tried it in gaming sessions — just to see how it performs in real, everyday usage. Sound is always a very personal thing, so what sounds great to me might not match your taste, and that’s totally normal.

The unit I tested was provided for review purposes, but all opinions shared here are completely my own. I always try to stay honest in my reviews, pointing out both the strong and the weak parts. My goal is not to sell anything — just to help you figure out if this IEM fits your needs and expectations.

If after reading the full review you feel like this IEM is the right pick for you, you can grab it from Faaeal’s official AliExpress store. And if you’re from Bangladesh and don’t have a dual currency card, then you can reach out to Geek Mart — they can help you place your order easily.

Build Quality & Design​

First up — build quality. No sugarcoating here — it’s damn solid. Full metal shell, no plasticky feeling anywhere. When you pick it up, it just feels like a serious product. No cheap edges, no weird joins. Everything feels tight, clean and well put together.


The matte finish on the shell gives it a smooth texture that doesn’t attract fingerprints — a very underrated touch, honestly. The edges are softly curved and there’s nothing pokey or rough to complain about


And yeah, the design is clearly inspired by the Tulip flower. Not just in the name — the faceplate and the shell both have this curved, organic shape that gives off floral vibes. The vented part, which is part of the semi-open back design, has a grille that’s both functional and stylish. Honestly, for this price, it looks way more expensive than it is.

The color tone also leans into that premium feel. Faaeal didn’t go overboard with flashy designs. It’s classy, clean, and tasteful. Something that actually looks great in hand and not just in pictures.

Comfort & Fit​

Though it’s a metal build, the Tulip doesn’t feel too heavy in the ear. The shape is ergonomic enough for longer listening sessions. It’s not ultra-light like resin shells, but the balance is nice. I didn’t feel any sharp pressure points. Passive isolation is average due to the semi-open design, but not bad at all — depends on the tips used..

Cable​

The cable that comes with the Faaeal Tulip is honestly way better than what I expected at this price range. It’s a 4-core OCC+OFC silver-plated cable, and it not just looks good — it actually feels premium too. Where some more expensive IEMs still come with super basic cables that feel like an afterthought, Faaeal kinda stepped up here. It’s the kind of cable that makes you pause and think—“wait, why can’t other brands offer this too?”

There’s almost no microphonic noise, and the cable has just a little memory but nothing annoying. The Y-splitter and 4.4mm jack are made of metal and designed nicely. It adds a bit of weight, yes, but also adds to the solid build. Someone who prefers super lightweight cables might feel this one a bit on the heavier side, especially while walking or moving around, but I personally didn’t find it distracting.

One downside though — it doesn’t have interchangeable terminations. So you have to pick 3.5mm or 4.4mm version from the start. Mine’s 4.4mm and works perfect with balanced sources, but just keep that in mind before buying. Still, unless you have a very specific need, you won’t feel like upgrading the cable — this one’s good to go.

Tips​

Tulip comes with two sets of tips in the box, but I’ll be very honest — the stock tips didn’t work for me at all. With stock tips, I was getting weak bass, thin body, and overall the sound felt kinda lifeless. I knew something was off.

So I switched to Final Audio Type-E clear tips, and boom — everything just clicked. Bass came alive, vocals felt more intimate, and the overall presentation became tighter. I also tested with some narrow bore tips, and they worked really well too. Tulip is one of those IEMs that changes a lot depending on tip pairing, so I highly recommend you to experiment. Don’t just go with stock and judge it. This one needs the right tip to shine, and once you find the match, it’s gonna feel like a different IEM.

Pouch​

The included carrying pouch is… big. Like, not pocketable big. But it’s not a bad thing depending on your usage. It’s sturdy, has unique texture, and feels a little more premium than the soft pouches we usually get at this price. Inside, it has separate compartments — enough space to store the IEMs, tips, and even a small dongle DAC. For home or studio use, or if you travel with a bag, it’s actually great. But yeah, not something you’ll fit inside your jeans pocket.

Testing Source​

• Questyle qp2r
• Onix xm5
• Cowon Plenue R2
• Astell & kern SP1000M
• Shanling M5 Ultra
• Cayin N3 UltraI
• Hiby RS2
• Shanling M3 Plus
• basso DX180
• Hiby R4
• Hiby R5 saber
• Hiby FD5
• Hiby R3 iiI
• basso DC Elite
• Cayin ru7
• F.Audio FA5
• Questyle M15
• ONIX Alpha Xl 1
• KAEI-TAP2 ( AMP )
• Shanling H5
• ifi idsd signature
• fosi k7
• fosi gr40
• epz tp35
• Hiby FC4
• Hiby fc3
• BQEYZ Lin
• Nicehck tc3

Source compatibility​

I tested the Faaeal Tulip with a range of sources — from dongle DACs to portable amps and DAPs. It’s not too power-hungry, so basic sources work fine. But what I did notice is that it scales pretty well with better sources.

With warm-neutral or balanced sources, the sound is fuller, smoother, and more musical. But when I paired it with very bright or analytical DACs, it started to sound a bit dry and lost some of that emotional pull. It never got harsh or peaky, but it just didn’t feel musical anymore — more like clinical.

So my suggestion: pair it with something a bit warm, or at least not cold-sounding. You’ll get the best out of it.

The Sound Performance​

Tonality​

Faaeal Tulip leans towards a mild V-shaped or even a soft U-shaped tuning, depending how one hears it. It doesn’t follow that sharp V-shaped style where mids go completely recessed. Instead, vocals stay present, textured — just not overly pushed. The Tulip has a sense of impact in the bass, and an airy treble with good extension, giving it an overall lively and full-bodied sound. That kind of tonality helps it work well across a wide range of genres.

Bass​

Tulip handles bass with maturity, not brute force.

Sub-Bass​

Sub-bass is a bit on the softer side, but there’s still a strong sense of presence. On tracks like “The Beat Goes On” by Emilie-Claire Barlow, the deep background bassline carries a smooth yet full-bodied rumble, especially during the upright bass sections. The rumble doesn’t overwhelm or bleed into other parts — it stays well separated, which is impressive. It has enough depth and control to not sound loose, and that helps when listening to ambient-electronic tracks where low-end definition is crucial. Sub-bass texture is there — you can feel it, not just hear it.

There’s no harsh bloom, and even at higher volumes the sub-bass holds its clarity. There’s a nice clean flow to it. That’s where the technical strength starts showing.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass is where things get more engaging. It’s tight, fast, and has good slam. The kick drums on Michael Bublé’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” punch clean, landing with a crisp edge. You can really feel the drum skins snapping — and that tightness makes rock and metal tracks shine. In Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, the double kick drums don’t smear or mask the electric guitars. Even during busy sections, Tulip handles layering pretty well.

There’s a bit more power in the mid-bass compared to sub, which gives snare drums, floor toms, and bass guitars a strong presence. That boost makes rock, funk, and jazz genres feel more dynamic and engaging.

Mid-Range​

Tulip’s midrange is neither too forward nor too recessed — it lands somewhere comfortably in between. There’s a natural flow in the way vocals and instruments present themselves.

Male vocals have nice body and weight, especially evident on tracks like Michael Bublé’s “Lost”. His baritone textures stay warm but not bloated, with enough space to breathe. The piano chords in the background don’t get drowned out either — they sound clear, resonant, and round.

Female vocals, on the other hand, are airy and clean. In Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why”, her voice carries a slight sweet shimmer, with a soft, lifted top-end. There’s no sibilance or unwanted spikes around the “sss” or “shh” sounds.

Instrument separation in the mids is handled well. In acoustic jazz tracks, where double bass, piano, and cymbals play side by side, you don’t get any midrange congestion. The clarinet and brush drums in Diana Krall’s “Peel Me a Grape” sound nicely layered, and there’s a natural tone to everything. No plasticky timbre or metallic edge.

Treble​

The treble on Tulip is what I’d call smooth-airy rather than bright. It’s extended, but not in a shouty way. There’s space around the instruments, and micro details like hi-hat rolls, strings plucks, and reverb trails are easy to pick up — especially noticeable in well-mastered jazz and classical tracks.

It doesn’t have that dry or analytical sharpness, but more of a relaxed openness. In “Quando, Quando, Quando” by Michael Bublé ft. Nelly Furtado, the string accents and light percussion taps have nice sparkle without turning edgy. That makes long sessions fatigue-free.

Timbre, overall, is natural. It doesn’t sound overly colored or artificial, which adds to the realism of stringed instruments like violins, cellos, and acoustic guitar. There’s no sense of metallic shimmer — which is often a flaw in budget IEMs trying to simulate clarity.

Technical Performance​

For under $100, Tulip shows surprisingly good technical finesse.

Detail retrieval is above average for the class.

Imaging is sharp enough to place instruments without confusion.

Soundstage benefits from the semi-open back design, offering more width than average. It’s not fully holographic, but it has a definite sense of air and openness.

Layering is clean — no instrument overlaps or note smearing even in complex tracks.

Tracks with fast percussion, like “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, stay tight — ride cymbals, piano chords, and snare rolls all manage to hold their ground without falling into a mess.

Conclusion​

Faaeal Tulip, honestly, feels like one of those IEMs that don’t scream for attention but earns your respect the more you use it. For under $100, it brings together a lot of things that just work. The tuning is mature — not too aggressive, not too laid-back. It has punchy and tight bass, natural mids that don’t feel overly pushed or sucked out, and a smooth treble that has just enough sparkle without getting harsh.

What really clicked with me is how it handles variety. From jazz like Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quartet to classic rock and even casual gaming, it holds its shape and delivers clean performance. It’s musical, but not messy. There’s a flow to the sound that feels thoughtful. It’s not chasing detail for the sake of it, but still manages to present layers clearly when the track demands it.

Of course, it’s not perfect. The stock tips are kinda meh and don’t do justice to the sound, so tip rolling is a must here. Also, the carrying case is more of a desk case than pocket one — it’s chunky. And if you’re into very technical, bright-sounding gear, this one might feel a bit too mellow. But if paired right, it scales well and gives back a lot in terms of musical enjoyment.

Overall, if you’re looking for something that sounds premium, feels premium, and doesn’t kill your wallet, the Faaeal Tulip is easy to recommend. It’s not trying to be flashy or overly “audiophile”, but it gets the fundamentals right. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes something worth keeping around.

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Disclaimer:

• I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
• Faaeal sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

My personal preferences, in terms of sound, methodology, and music of choice:

• I prefer a “neutral/flat/balanced”, uncolored sound as much as possible.
• I prioritize technical over tonal performance.
• I listen to most genres existing on the internet.
• I use the included stock eartips and cable as much as possible to put myself on a consumer’s perspective, unless stated otherwise.

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Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• - Tanchjim Space DAC
• - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
• - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
• - Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
• - Venture Electronics Megatron USB DAC
• - Snowsky Echo Mini DAP
• - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
• - DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
• - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
• - FiiO DM13 CD Player
• - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock small medium black stemmed eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume.

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Sound signature:

• I honestly expected that the Faaeal Tulip would sound like most sets that I have encountered and reviewed under 100 USD. Turns out that I was wrong, as this is quite “unique” in its way, in my opinion within 100 USD. It is a u-shaped sounding IEM, that leans mostly to the brighter side of the spectrum. It also slightly changes to a more v-shaped sounding set if paired with the included orange stemmed eartips. In my opinion this is quite unique in this price range, since most of the IEMs that exist here aim for the most “neutral” sound signature as much as possible.

Lows:

• Don’t be fooled, despite me saying that the Tulip is a borderline bright sounding set, its bass is no slouch either. As a matter of fact, the Tulip can sound “bassy”, making it a v-shaped set, if you pair it with the included orange stemmed eartips. I prefer it paired with the included black stemmed eartips since it tames down the bass presence a little bit, and adds control and firmness to it. As a result, the bass on this configuration is almost well-balanced in terms of midbass and presence, with a slight tilt on midbass at times, exhibiting that punchy, meaty character. If I were to nitpick, It could be a bit more balanced in quantity for this price, but again, this is just a nitty-gritty nitpick that I do since I am a reviewer. Also, as an average consumer, I don’t see any problem with this type of bass character and presentation since it is very versatile and keeps up to every track that I throw it excellently. The only time that you’ll find the bass on the Tulip lacking is if you’re a basshead and you want that “dirty”, sloppy, rumbly, earth-shaking subbass.

Mids:

• As expected from a u-shaped sounding IEM, the Faaeal Tulip is mildly recessed here in this region, but not up to the point that I’d call it recessed. It is still as present as ever, it’s just not as forward compared to the other frequencies it has. This has a tinge of warmth to it adding a bit of warmth and thickness to the lower mids, but not by a lot. Upper mids are definitely forward in this set, exhibiting a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. This region, along with the treble, is borderline bright to my standards. Some ears can even describe this as “blatantly” bright already, which means that those ears that are extra sensitive to boosted, bright upper frequencies, may find these regions too much for them. If you are not one of those types of ears, I can confidently say that I find this region of the Tulip non-fatiguing and does not exhibit any form of unnatural harshness or peaks, while keeping the details and air present.

Treble:

• When it comes to the treble, it is still well-extended, airy, but not as “forward” when compared to its upper mids. This region still qualifies as “bright” to me, especially for those people that are extra sensitive in this region. Detail retrieval is above average for its price, rendering tiny nuances with ease.

Soundstage, Imaging and Separation:

• The Tulip’s firm bass response and its bright, open nature, affected this department a lot, in a positive manner. The soundstage is wide, adequately tall, with a good amount of depth. Separation and layering is above average for its price, one of the better ones I have heard under 100 USD, as it renders busy passages neatly with ease. Imaging is as precise as it can be, and does not have any problems on any scenario I use it with.

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Other IEM Comparisons!

Simgot EA500 LM

• The Simgot EA500 LM is a more neutral, brighter sounding IEM compared to the Faaeal Tulip. Everything sounds crisp, clean and well controlled on the EA500LM, while the Tulip lets in a bit of fun here and there to achieve better genre and use-case versatility. Technical performance is better on the EA500 LM, but the Tulip isn’t that far when compared.

Roseselsa Star City 5 Pro

• The Roseselsa Star City 5 Pro actually sounds more balanced compared to the Faaeal Tulip, but honestly, they share the same fun, clean sound character. The Tulip sounds more impactful and present on both ends of the spectrum, while the Star City 5 Pro sounds better on the mids in terms of detail and presentation. Technical performance is a bit better on the Tulip since it has a wider stage when compared, but the Star City 5 Pro isn’t that far in quality either.

Sivga Que

• The Sivga Que sounds more laid back, balanced, and warm, when compared to the Faaeal Tulip. Its attack and decay is also a bit slower when compared to the Tulip either. In return, its upper frequencies are a bit more ear-friendly when compared to the Tulip. Technical performance is a bit better on the Tulip, particularly on the separation and layering.

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Pros:

• A well tuned, clean u-shaped sounding IEM!
• U-shaped, borderline bright sound character!
• Firm, impactful bass response!
• Vocal-forward, quite vivid mids!
• Well-extended, detailed upper frequencies!
• Above average technical performance!
• Very good fit, comfort, and isolation!
• Unique, durable IEM shell design!
• Excellent quality of inclusions under 100 USD!
• Practical, unique IEM all-in-one case!
• Easy to drive!

Cons:

• Treble-sensitive ears will find this IEM a bit too bright to their liking.
• Subbass could use more rumble (not really a con, just a nitpick)

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I am honestly surprised that the Faaeal tuned and executed the Tulip solidly well, from its premium, practical packaging and inclusions, down to its sound quality, since Faaeal’s expertise is more on flathead earbuds, and cables. Its versatile, u-shaped sound, along with its clean, prim and proper sound character, really fits well with its “Tulip” concept, especially that this “Flower” visual aesthetic is quite rare for this asking price. Actually, this is the only IEM that I have encountered that has this type of concept implemented excellently. I wholeheartedly recommend the Faaeal Tulip if you prefer a uniquely implemented IEM with a versatile, clean sound signature with very good technical performance under 100 USD. These definitely grew with me, Faaeal!

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Pairing recommendations:

• Source: The Faaeal Tulip is easy to drive, which makes its pairing choices easy. I would recommend pairing this with at least 2VRMs, warm-sounding DAC.
• Eartips: The eartips included here are great and do not hinder the IEM’s sound quality. I would still recommend pairing this with the Tang Sancai, TRI Clarion, and DUNU S&S though.
• Cable: The cable on this one is well-built and really feels premium, probably one of the “best” cables under 20USD I can recommend, in terms of visual and build quality. You may still use your preferred cable, of course.

Thank you for reading!

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Non-affiliated links here:

• https://shopee.ph/FAAEAL-Tulip-Meta...1d&xptdk=37fcb116-e12f-4ef8-9cb6-bdc3ed3c4a1d

Additional photos here:

Hello to you all!

First, a shoutout to FAAEAL, thanks for giving me this set for my honest and sincere impressions and review. FAAEAL is a company dedicated to delivering premium audio equipment at highly affordable prices, ensuring excellent sound quality without breaking the bank.

The FAAEAL Tulip is the new IEM by this well-known brand (excellent cables btw). I previously tried another IEMs from them, the FAAEAL Unbounded, a budget-oriented IEM with a gorgeous cable included, punching above its range, this time, the Tulip is an offering who points to a niche market, delivering a remarkable display of technicalities for vocals and instrumentals lovers with a nice bass dynamic, with one of the best packaging and quality of building in its price segment.

TDLR; A new contender for the sub 100 USD segment who points to a niche market of vocals and instrumentals lovers who craves the most technical IEMs in a different way, with an excellent offering of bright, technical and bassy sound.

The FAAEAL Tulip is driven by a 10MM РET Dome Diaphragm, Dual-Chamber Dynamic Driver, with an MSRP of 90 USD, you can buy it directly from the FAAEAL AliExpress official store, and other retailers online.
Its technical specifications as follows:
· Shell material and build: CNC carved all-metal (aluminum) shell
· Nozzle diameter: 6 mm
· Impedance: 14±15%Ω
· Sensitivity: 110±3dB
· Frequency Range: 20–20 kHz
· Driver: 10 mm PET Dynamic Driver
· Cable: 4 core OCC+OFC silver plated
· Cable Length: 1.2m+3cm
· Jack Typе: 3.5/4.4mm

What’s in the box:
· FAAEAL Tulip IEMs.
· 7 pairs of eartips (1 pair M size balanced bore installed; 6 pairs (3 orange nozzle, 3 black nozzle) narrow bore SML size).
· Cable.
· Carrying Case.
· Manual.

The design theme is a Tulip, curiously that is my favorite flower, with a CNC carved aluminium shell and gorgeous faceplates, with 2 color options for the cable (Pink and gray) and 2 options for the plug as well (3.5. mm single ended and 4.4. mm balanced), I asked FAAEAL for the pink with 4.4. mm balanced plug. The set with its cable looks very nice, doing a perfect match, this cable looks well-built (as expected from the brand), and doesn’t show microphonics or tangling. The shells themselves doesn’t have rough or sharp edges, very ergonomic and comfortable for long sessions, nice nozzles with a diameter of 6 mm who is in the medium to larger size, so this is something to have in mind if you have small ears to see if it fits you, the included eartips are a perfect addition to an already impressive package and fits the Tulip perfectly, assuring a nice seal as well. The included carrying case is huge and have two eartips holders for the tips included and plenty of space to carry the IEMs with its cable and your accessories (dongles and other accessories).

How the FAAEAL Tulip sounds:

With a more than capable 10 mm PET dynamic driver, it is very clean, crisp, with plenty of sub and midbass, with a V-Shape tuning who takes a different turn focused on the pinna gain and upper mids, with a remarkable treble extension to delivering a sound focused as well to Vocal and Instrumentals genres but with enough and quality bass to accompany the music, at the technical department the FAAEAL Tulip is more than capable with a wide and depth soundstage, very airy, with an impressive resolution, imaging and layering more than average for its price.

BASS: The Tulip is very bassy, with enough quality and quantity of sub and midbass, well-defined, fast, with good attack and decay.

MIDS: The focus of this IEM comes here, the FAAEAL Tulip is mid-centered tuned, with the male vocals forwarded to your face, a very noticeable pinna gain with clarity, transparency and a huge presence, with a huge peak at the pinna gain to the 5 kHz region and a little dip at the 6 kHz, taking a bright and sibilant approach, I often find myself needing to lower the volume, as I quickly experience listening fatigue within a short period of time.

HIGHS: The treble of the Tulip is crisp, resolving, transparent and very sharp, with plenty of air and extension, very spicy for my liking.

TECHNICAL QUALITIES: The FAAEAL Tulip is impressively technical, with a very wide and depth soundstage, with a remarkable macro and microdetails retrieval, with more than average resolution and layering qualities.

EQUALIZATION: The FAAEAL Tulip takes equalization like a champ, my tuning preferences go more to a neutral with bass boost sound profile, it was possible for me to fit the Tulip to the IEF 2025 preference target without the need to touching the sub and midbass shelf.

In conclusion, the FAAEAL Tulip emerges as a compelling choice for vocal and instrumental enthusiasts seeking a bright, technical, and bass-driven sound signature. Its impressive build quality, striking design, and well-thought-out packaging contribute to an overall premium feel within its price segment. The PET Dome Diaphragm dynamic driver delivers clarity and precision, with an emphasis on mids and treble that may appeal to detail-oriented listeners but might require volume adjustments for those sensitive to sibilance.

With its well-crafted accessories, including a high-quality cable, a generous selection of eartips, and a spacious carrying case, FAAEAL has put significant effort into ensuring a complete user experience. While its bright and mid-forward tuning may not suit all preferences, for those seeking a technically proficient and energetic presentation, the Tulip stands as a strong contender in the sub-$100 IEM market.

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Faaeal Tulip Review​

Hello audio lovers, I’m back for another review, this time with the beautiful-looking Faaeal Tulip. It’s a single dynamic driver in-ear monitor IEM with a very open sound stage and a lot of details.

Disclaimer​

This was sent to me by Faaeal in exchange for my honest review. Rest assured that anything I say here is my thoughts and opinions. No money has changed hands in the process.

Price: $90-​

Introduction​

Faaeal is an audio company that focuses on providing higher-quality audio equipment at very reasonable prices.

It’s the newest release from Faaeal, a full metal semi-open-backed IEM that not only looks gorgeous but also feels luxurious.

This is my first in-ear monitor, IEM, that I reviewed from them, and it exceeded all my expectations in terms of the physical quality of the product.

Will it have a good price-to-sound-quality ratio? Will it sound as good as it looks? Find out in my review below.

Features​

Aside from the design, I was fascinated by the semi-open back acoustic design, which has screens at the faceplates to release excess pressure and discard some of the sound reflections. This technique is supposed to enhance the sound stage of IEMs.

I have confirmed it on my own, by hearing sounds coming from the perforated metal screen at the faceplate.

It's РET Dome Diaphragm, 10MM Dual-Chamber Dynamic Driver is nothing special or peculiar, but the most important thing is the sound quality, whether it competes or not, we’ll find out later.

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Design​

The design theme is Tulip, a flower, but also means deep love.

An expensive process was used to make the shells by carving out solid aluminum alloy, which is delightful to know, especially at the price.

It is also available in black colored cable, but the gray and rose gold color theme of the shell perfectly matches the copper cable and the orange stemmed ear tips that this pink option came with.
I’m glad to report that the nozzle outer diameter is only 6mm, which is not small but not big either. Which means finding ear tips would not be a problem.

Cable​

Four options are available when you purchase the Tulip: with a black cable and with a pink cable, both can be in 3.5mm and 4.4mm. The color of the cable in the pink option isn’t pink at all, but copper colored.

I chose the pink option, as it is a more color-matched set than the black option, and most importantly, the cable that it comes with is the new version of their popular Hibiscus cable.

There is no option available for a cable with a mic and controls. But if you are serious about sound quality, you are more likely to prefer not having those.

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Packaging & Accessories​

It’s a simple design black colored box that is easy to open. It includes a manual, a large leather case that integrates two ear tip holders for its included 6 pairs of ear tips, a cable, and two earphones.

I’m sad to say that the leather case may be very nice, but it’s not pocketable.

Evaluation Method and Synergy​

I used various dongle DAC/amplifiers and digital audio players in my possession, and on no occasion did Tulip presented any load difficulty to the amplifiers. It was driven easily by all of them.


I noticed that the Tulip is very versatile with pairings; it can sound great with just about any of my sources. The Tulip is not choosy with pairing.

I used the Hibiscus cable and the factory pre-installed ear tips for the duration of this review.

Graph analysis​

There is about 10 dB of bass boost, a depression around 800 Hz, 11 dB boost in the pinna gain region at 3 kHz, which forms a V-shape sound signature.

Another 2 dB boost at 5 kHz on top of the pinna gain, and a gradual decline above it, a peak can be seen in the above 10 kHz, which adds air in the sound, the peak at 8 kHz is a measurement artifact and not audible, or at least inconsequential.

They are almost perfectly channel balanced with only a small deviation in the treble region, which is imperceptible.

Sound Signature​

It is V-shaped in sound signature, that is, bubbling with energy, and is fun to listen to, yet possesses enough technical capability for serious listening.
It’s going to sound bright on few occasions, due to the nature of its sound signature, but it is be expected. The good news is, the treble is very well controlled and musical at the same time.

Bass​

Nicely boosted in loudness, adding energy and weight to most songs. Both the mid-bass and sub-bass are equally presented. The sound is punchy, deep, and articulate. There is no muddiness present, it is clear and fast.

Midrange​

It is elevated in the lower midrange, which allows the sound to possess a pleasant warmth, but not overly so.
Only in the middle part where it is recessed, but then the perceived response comes back up again at 3 kHz, pinna gain region, giving it a very clear sounding vocals and midrange instruments.
It never shouted, nor pierced, the midrange is well-behaved, by the way.

Treble​

Open and airy, the treble sounds extended with good micro detail presence.
Clean, detailed, and highly resolving, the lower, middle, and upper treble are presented evenly.

Technicalities​

It has a big, wide-open sound stage that is almost spherical; it is wider than it is deep, but still presents a good holography.
Due to its wide sound stage, it affords panning of the images from the extreme left to right easily when listening at mid to high volume levels, and with technically capable sources like the ones I use.
I have no complaint with its separation, and layering either; they’re good, which helped in its holographic presentation of sound.
Only in the background decay of the instruments and vocals, where I wished it could be better, but then, we are only talking about a hundred-dollar set here. And it is not too bad either. Therefore, perfection must not be expected. It’s good for the price, nonetheless.

Selected Comparisons​

Dunu Titan S2 ($89)​

It’s a single DD IEM with a lower price, but includes more ear tips and accessories. It uses a high-rigidity composite dome diaphragm of undisclosed material, as opposed to the less rigid PET material used in Faaeal Tulip.
It has a faceted shape shell with a mirror-like chrome finish and a circular candy red accent in the faceplate. Which looks stunningly futuristic.
It has a neutral sound signature with an elevated upper midrange region, which gives it good imaging performance, but at the expense of potentially sounding fatiguing, too mid-centric, or sometimes boring. The Tulip has more bass and treble energy with a laid-back midrange presentation.
When it comes to technicalities, they both have a wide soundstage and similar imaging performance, but the Tulip goes deeper and has a cleaner background decay.

Moondrop Starfield 2 ($130)​

It’s a single DD IEM that uses a high-tech dome material of Magnesium and Lithium alloy in its diaphragm, which is supposedly more rigid than the PET dome used in Faaeal Tulip.
It has a nice blue colored finish with gold accents and a design that represents the night sky with star trails, which I find attractive.
It sounds more neutral than the Tulip with an obvious elevation in the upper midrange and lower treble region, which gives it an excellent imaging performance. But the upper treble sounds laid back. In comparison, the Tulip has less midrange forwardness and more upper treble extension; they both have elevated bass.
Technically, Starfield 2 wins in imaging and holography performance as it has more defined imaging, but the Tulip takes the cake with sound staging.

NF Acous NA20 ($120)​

It’s also a 10mm single DD similar to the Tulip, but it has a more rigid beryllium-plated diaphragm as opposed to the softer PET used in the Tulip.
It has a polycarbonate shell with an elaborate and patented tuning system they call SRA (Selective Reflection Adjustment). Which is supposed to reduce the reflected sound, making the sound cleaner by 5 air pressure controlling damping nets and 2 tuning sponges.
I prefer the metal shell on the Tulip, but both are high-quality.
It has more bass boost than the Tulip, but not by much, and in terms of overall sound signature, they are both V-shaped, with the NA20 having a deeper V-shape. I like that they both have clear vocals and midrange instruments.
And when it comes to technicalities, they are about equal in sound staging but the NA20 is deeper, and the Tulip is wider.

Faaeal Tulip Technical Specifications​

Product Name: FAAEAL Tulip Earphones
Model: Tulip
Type: IEM
Cable Length: 1.2m ± 3cm
Jack Type: 3.5/4.4mm
Speaker Impedance: 14 ohms
Sensitivity: 110dB per milliwatt
Frequency Range: 20-20KHz
Driver type: Dynamic
Unit Diameter: 10mm
cable: 4 Core OCC + OFC Silver Plated

Pros​

Excellent sound clarity.
Very good resolution and detail retrieval.
Wide open sound stage.

Cons​

It lacks a pocketable carrying case.

My Verdict​

I didn’t know what to expect when I knew that I would review the Faaeal Tulip, as this is the first Faaeal in-ear monitor that came to my man cave, and I am glad to report that it didn’t disappoint.
Sonically, not perfect, but no one should expect perfection at its price point of 90 dollars, and it’s not even bad at all. In fact. I would rate it to be above average.
Physically, the IEMs are perfect, the color, the design, the build quality, and the grills on the faceplate that function as intended, to vent the back waves. Added to the Tulip’s charm and appeal.
If this were released a couple of years ago, they could have easily priced it near 200 dollars, which comes to show how much the landscape of portable audio has progressed. When compared to its contemporaries, it easily lands among the top sets in its price category.
So, if you ask me, if I recommend it? Well, considering the superb build quality, the clear and engaging V-shape sound, the quality of the whole package, and the affordable price. I would have to say it with a resounding yes.
Happy listening!


Non-affiliated purchase link: https://shopee.ph/FAAEAL-Tulip-Meta...With-Detachable-Cable-i.605181880.25294131246