Fonge X2 Pro Review - 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞
Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
With the release of hyperbudget iems like the KZ EDX and TRN MT1. It seems to start a trend of chifi brands releasing their own hyperbudget iems that plays around the 300 pesos range, there's like 5 or 6 IEMs that share the similar driver configuration and price with the KZ EDX and TRN MT1. One of these IEMs is the I'm going to review, its the Fonge X2 Pro.
I have never heard anything from Fonge aside from the X2 Pro. but I'd say that they're a brand that focuses on cheap earphones. And this is the first one where they made a detachable IEM as all their previous releases have fixed cable. Priced at 250 pesos, will it be able to compete in this highly competitive price range? Lets find out.
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Driver configuration: Single dynamic driver
Impedance: 16 ohms
Sensitivity: 98dB
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz
𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗱: ZiShan U1 (ESS Variant), Sony NW A55 (MrW Firmware), POCO F1
𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 :
The IEM arrives without a box, Just a regular small carbon earphone case with all the stuff inside it. And immediately after opening the case, and stinky smell of rubber rose up. It smells so bad that I have to let it out for a while for the smell to be gone.
Inside it is the IEM, cable, and one set of ear tips. The IEMs are attached to the cable out of the box, so no assembly needed here. Aside from the cable and IEM, it has two extra pairs of ear tips and a clip. Overall Build is plastic, nothing special.
Though I must say that Fonge managed to look unique at this price range by giving the X2 pro a different look compared to its competitors around this price. I ordered the white version, and the overall aesthetic is unique and okay for the price. Ear guides on the cable is manageable and doesn't have a mind of its own (thank god). Fit wise, they fit well in my ears. To give credit the ear tips it has out of the box grips into my ears really well, that's a plus for me unlike other stock tips at this price.
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:
𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀
>The bass of the Fonge X2 Pro is boomy. Out of the box it is ridiculously boomy, but after the burn in period it is not as boomy as it was before. This the main attraction of this iem that will please bassheads. The bass has more sub-bass quantity compared to the mid-bass, its the kind bass that you can feel the depth but the attack is not all over your face. In terms of bass details this is not the best that I've heard of at this price range. The presentation of the bass in the Fonge x2 pro is based on what track is being played with it and what volume does one listen to it. Bass bleeding in mids is rarely present, specially in tracks where the bass is exaggerated.
𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘀
- I find the mids of the X2 Pro as recessed. With adequate body that gets thinner as it reaches the upper mids, the Fonge X2 Pro may get harsh sounding with female vocals when it comes to the highs. In terms of sibilance, I have not noticed any sibilance in my experience. Details and extension is average.
𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗲
- There is a noticeable treble roll off in the upper region of the treble, making the treble lack a little bit of sparkle. But thanks to that it gives the treble of the X2 pro a smooth mature tone that reminds me of the treble of the Kinera Tyr that is priced 5 times than the X2 Pro. Despite the roll off, the treble the X2 Pro produce is clear and detailed.
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴
- Soundstage and imaging is average. Like the MT1 and CS1, when it comes to busy tracks it will have difficulties in retaining its imaging and separation. Nothing to say much here.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
- The Fonge X2 Pro presents a darker sound profile to its peers like the TRN MT1 and the TRN CS1, and that what makes the Fonge X2 Pro a strong choice if you prefer the sound profile that the X2 Pro offers compared to others. Altough Fonge cheaped out with them not providing a box, the case that they provide has better value compared to other iems at this price point that leaves only waste to throw in the trash (if you're not collecting the packaging). It is easy to drive even with a phone so that's a plus for me. For its price I don't really have any complains. It is a good sounding iem for cheap, I still personally prefer the MT1 though but that's just my personal preference.
