Preamble:
Originally posted on my German audio review site, the "
Kopfhörer-Lounge", here comes my review of the new hybrid triple-driver In-Ear Fidue A85 Virgo, the A83's successor.
Introduction:
The original
Fidue A83 (that I never experienced, however its OEM, the
UPQ Q-music QE80) used to be a rather popular triple-driver, three way hybrid in-ear monitor with a traditional layout featuring one dynamic driver as well as two Balanced Armature drivers per side. While its tendentially thin, brightness-oriented tuning (that however didn’t lack bass energy) was probably not the most true definition of the what the term “hi-fi” originally refers to, it offered an involving sound with a nicely coherent and harmonious tuning with a cleverly placed dip in the middle treble wherefore its highs were never aggressive but rather musical and airy. Yep, due to its quite involving and what some would call “emotional” sound, it also got me as its fan in the end (well, actually upon first listen and that impression is still true).
Now it’s late 2017 and Fidue is replacing the A83 with a new in-ear, the A85 “Virgo”, that now comes with full metal shells (comparison A83: metal faceplates, translucent plastic inner shell sides) that are reminiscent of their hybrid 5-driver flagship
A91 SIRIUS albeit with a more ergonomic and ear-friendly shape, with a visual design that clearly resembles Fidue’s unique signature styling.
Does it really offer stellar sound as its name could suggest? And in what ways does it differ from the
A83? Those two questions (and more) will be answered in the course of this very review.
Full disclosure: The Fidue A85 Virgo was sent to me by Fidue, free of charge, for the purpose of an (as always) honest, unpaid and unbiased review whose outcome and content is not influenced by the manufacturer in any way, and the in-ear is treated similarly fairly as the plethora of the audio gear that I bought and reviewed myself in the past and present.
Technical Specifications:
MSRP: $399
Type: In-Ear, hybrid
Drivers per Side: 3 (1x dynamic, 2x BA)
Acoustic Ways: 3
Impedance: 20 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity: 107 dB/mW
Delivery Content:
The cardboard box the A85 arrives in features the traditional black and green Fidue design and has got a magnetically latching lid.
Inside, one will find the in-ears as well as cable, one storage/carrying case, an airplane adapter, a 6.3 to 3.5 mm adapter and last but not least various silicone and foam tips. Not pictured but included as well is a tool for removing the cables along with a cleaning tool (both are the same that come with the
A91 SIRIUS).
Looks, Feels, Build Quality:
Benny Tan, Fidue’s main designer, has always showed uniqueness in his designs – while I cannot comment on all of Fidue’s past models, the ones I have on hand (
A65,
A73,
UPQ Q-music QE80,
A91 SIRIUS) don’t only feature really solid to excellent build quality but also a unique and beautiful styling that definitely represents a continuous signature line for the hybrid models, yet they all have their unique styling elements.
The new A85 Virgo’s shells are fully made of metal, just like the
SIRIUS’s, however more ergonomically shaped, with a shape that has probably got more in common with the
A73 than with the A83, such as the “swan wings” on the faceplate.
Despite the different shape, the Virgo definitely looks somewhat like a smaller version of the SIRIUS, and definitely more premium than its predecessor, the A85/
QE80.
Really, in terms of design that is very beautiful, as well as build quality that is excellent, I only have good things to say about the A85.
Through the protective metal mesh screen on the nozzle, one can see the dual-bore sound outputs. Turning the in-ear around, two vents are present (a small front cavity vent along with a larger, split rear cavity ventilation port).
Coloured side-markers are implemented into the cable’s MMCX connectors, which makes finding the correct side super easy. However, one thing isn’t so nice: the MMCX connectors are somewhat too loose wherefore the in-ears swivel without any resistance which will increase wear on the connectors.
The silver cable doesn’t look all that special and premium but is surprisingly flexible even though it is a tad sticky. Personally, even though it doesn’t bother me and I kind of like it, I would still have preferred to see a braided or twisted cable. A good thing is though that is doesn’t lack a chin slider.
The included carrying case is unfortunately a bit of a letdown for the price – it looks good but feels cheap and its lid doesn’t latch securely at all wherefore it pops open way too easily, which is something you clearly don’t want to happen when you are on the go. The only premium and nice thing about it is the solid brushed and engraved aluminium lid as well as the soft padding on the lid and bottom on the inside.
Comfort, Isolation:
The Virgo is ergonomically shaped and average in terms of size. I’ve personally never had any comfort or fit issues with the
Q-music QE80, and the same goes for the A85 that fits just as comfortably and ergonomically in my ears.
Just like all Fidue in-ears from the
A73 and above, the A85 is designed to be worn with the cables around the ears, which is also the most commonly found wearing style on-stage, in the professional sector and with most higher-end in-ears since this makes the fit more secure and reduces cable noise.
The cable that comes with the Virgo has got permanently attached ear guides that are however free of any memory wire but consist of soft, flexible silicone that is naturally bent to mimic the ear’s natural shape.
Noise isolation is rather average and the in-ear feels more open in this regard and doesn’t give you the amount of outer noise isolation that a fully closed in-ear would.
Sound:
My main sources for listening were the
Cowon Plenue 2 and
iBasso DX200 (
AMP2 module).
The ear tips that were used for listening, testing and all comparisons were the largest included single-flange silicone tips.
Tonality:
The A85 has got two vents on the inside – a small front cavity vent, and a larger, split vent for the rear cavity. If you are rather unlucky and the front cavity vent remains fully open, which is however rather unlikely due to the general anatomy of our ears, the lows will be basically flat and neutral. In case of the A85 that picks up on the
A83’s/
QE80’s general brightness, that’s probably not the best thing that could happen.
All impressions below are noted with the front cavity vent fully blocked, as it naturally happens in most ears.
The A85 picks up on the
A83’s/
QE80’s general brightness and more treble-oriented tuning, however it certainly does several things differently and is therefore a rather strong “Modellpflege” on the inside, too, and not only on the outside. Differences are for example a stronger upper midrange focus with a lesser dip around 5 kHz, along with reduced upper treble brightness, coming along with a leaner lower midrange and fundamental range compared to its predecessor and a stronger sub-bass focus in contrast to the
QE80 that was rather midbass-oriented and had a bit of warmth in the lower midrange and fundamental range.
Starting in the lows, they peak in the sub-bass with around 12 dB north of a diffuse-field in-ear like the
Etymotic ER-4S/
SR, leaving the focus mainly on the lower bass, and around 8 dB in the midbass that still has a nice thump but blends in nicely.
The bass decreases nicely from the sub-bass towards the lower midrange/fundamental range and there is already no elevation anymore around 300 kHz. What Fidue have achieved here really is a bass presentation that has got a nice, energetic low bass thump if the recording calls for it, however without affecting the lower midrange and lower instruments that don’t gain much additional body.
Where the A85 unfortunately struggles is the midrange – it has got a broad dip in the rot and lower midrange (between around 300 and 900 Hz), which leads to (especially) male vocals lacking body and becoming thin sounding. This is unfortunately emphasised by the gradually climbing lower treble/upper midrange emphasis, something that is definitely not uncommon among several Asian in-ears, but doesn’t really suit the A85 since it just makes the midrange lack even more body and sound too artificially thin. The midrange’s timbre is therefore both objectively and also subjectively too lean and already unnatural.
The
QE80 also had an elevated upper midrange and therefore a slightly greater focus on female vocals and airiness, however it had enough lower midrange presence and warmth to make the central frequency range appear balanced and quite natural. This unfortunately is what the Virgo lacks, especially with male voices. Sigh. What a pity!
Sometimes this midrange tuning can work, but most of the time the timbre comes across as just too thin and artificial. Violins and pianos therefore are on the somewhat thinner side of the spectrum as well, although not to the degree the vocal range is, especially with male vocals.
Subjectively, I wouldn’t even say that the added brightness in
instruments such as violins is all that bothering – if you accept that this area is a bit more on the coloured side, the delivery can even become quite emotional and, dare I say, slightly “spectacular”. However, also subjectively, although I am tolerant, the timbre with (especially male) voices is just too much off to really be enjoyable even for me. Yes, you can get used to it and your brain and ears will eventually get used to that (, and you can also add some mild EQ tweaks), but that’s not really the meaning of it all.
Other than that midrange faux pas, the treble is implemented really well – apart from just a small 5 kHz dip, the highs that are undeniably somewhat on the brighter side as well although not to the extent of becoming artificial or too bright, are very even and harmonious, without any audible peaks and great extension in the super treble past 10 kHz, making them therefore overall a bit more even than the
DUNU DK-3001’s upper end presentation (however the DUNU has got the superior important midrange realism and balance in comparison).
Due to that even and harmonious treble delivery, high notes never come across as harsh, sharp, too splashy (unless one is generally sensitive to elevated highs) or peaky. This is the refinement that a bright sounding in-ear is supposed to have in the highs. Well done in this area at least, Fidue.
- - -
Interim conclusion: Oh, dear Fidue, what have you done? Given the A85 Virgo a really nice bass and treble implementation, and the important midrange was left behind with a too thin presentation to be accurate or realistic with voices. Why, just why?! The inner Fidue fan inside me is crying small, bitter tears of sadness and wishes that the A85 would have had the
A91 SIRIUS’s or at least
Q-music QE80’s midrange balance instead.
Resolution:
Resolution is very good and the A85 doesn’t have anything one wouldn’t want from a hybrid in-ear in this price range – great and speedy retrieval of fine midrange details with good speech intelligibility, precise and sharp note separation in the highs and in general, and a bass that can definitely be recognised as a dynamic driver bass but is nicely integrated with good details as well as control and just the right amount of decay to make it appear “natural” instead of “slow”. Basically those attributes you likely wish to find in a good hybrid in-ear.
Bass doesn’t have the speed and tightness of most Balanced Armature woofer implementations and therefore probably something you especially want if you get a hybrid in-ear.
The A85 doesn’t struggle with control at all but delivers a bottom-end that can keep up with faster tracks quite well despite being a little on the slower side in terms of attack and decay, nonetheless muddiness is not present but instead there is some nice texture, although not to the same extent as the
DUNU DK-3001 or (much) more expensive
HiFiMan RE2000 are able to deliver. The lows are still
really nice though, and with somewhat improved tightness compared to the
QE80.
Thanks to its good resolution in the highs, the A85 Virgo is also able to pull off the added brightness in the upper range quite effortlessly and easily (which however doesn’t improve the midrange
timbre of course), and it doesn’t appear any sharp, edgy or blunt.
Soundstage:
The A85 has got a pretty wide soundstage base that is close to touching my shoulders’ outer edges. Depth is also present, although with about 60% compared to the width.
Separation, placement and layering are pretty clean and have definitely improved somewhat compared to the
QE80.
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In Comparison with other In-Ears:
iBasso IT03:
The Virgo has got the more pronounced sub- and midbass but lacks some warmth in the fundamental range – the IT03 is just more accurate between 300 Hz and 2 kHz and has got the better midrange balance, despite having a sub-bass focused bass presentation too, and despite having an elevated upper midrange as well that however isn’t as thin and bright as the Fidue’s and therefore a good bit more natural and less artificial in comparison.
The Virgo’s treble is brighter but overall more linearly tuned.
In terms of detail retrieval, I see the Virgo as somewhat above the IT03, sounding overall a bit cleaner. Bass speed is where the IT03 still slightly wins though.
The Virgo’s soundstage is somewhat wider while depth is comparable.
Instrument placement is pretty much similarly precise on both in-ears with the Virgo having a slight advantage in terms of separation due to its wider base.
UPQ Q-music QE80 (Fidue A83 OEM):
When it comes to aesthetics and build quality, the Virgo definitely appears like a much more premium and modern product. The QE80’s cable is a bit nicer and more flexible though.
The Virgo has got the somewhat stronger sub-bass and lower midbass, giving it a presentation that comes more from “down low”. The Virgo however is also leaner in the fundamental range and lower midrange, and therefore lacks the countervailing lower midrange warmth that the QE80 has to balance out the upper midrange elevation. Therefore the QE80 sounds more balanced and harmonious in the midrange.
Treble linearity has improved with the Virgo that sounds even more coherent here, and while it is still on the brighter side, it sounds tamer in the upper highs.
When it comes to the technical level, the Virgo seems like a step up, which is mainly because it sounds somewhat cleaner overall, with improved note separation and cleanness. Pure resolution is higher too, but I would mainly say that the cleaner general presentation is what makes the Virgo appear more refined.
While the QE80 has got more bass body, the Virgo’s lows are tighter and feature the somewhat higher control with more complex and faster tracks.
In terms of soundstage, the Virgo offers a bit more spatial width but doesn’t fully have the QE80’s spatial depth and therefore openness and front projection. Instrument separation has improved though wherefore the soundstage appears cleaner overall.
Conclusion:
The Fidue A85 Virgo has got areas where it really shines, such as its truly beautiful design and excellent build quality, good bass and treble implementation, high resolution and good technical delivery that you would expect from a good hybrid in-ear, and a wide soundstage along with quite precise separation.
But then again there are some shortcomings such as the somewhat too loose MMCX connectors (the in-ears swivel way too easily), the somewhat cheap feeling carrying case with a lid that pops open way too easily, and the midrange that is just a bit too much on the lean side, crossing the border of being vibrant and airy to the extent of making (especially male) vocals become too thin and artificial sounding.
So the A85 Virgo is a theoretically good in-ear that needs some improvement, especially in the midrange – sure, one could add two simple EQ adjustments or get used to this non-accurate and lean (lower) midrange, but is this really the point?
Fidue, you could have done better at the price. This I don’t only say objectively, but also subjectively as someone who considers himself a Fidue fan.