HELM F2 PLANAR MAGNETIC DUAL DRIVER EARPHONES

Introduction​

Are you tired of earphones that fail to deliver the HiFi grade sound you crave? Look no further than Helm Audio's new F2 planar magnetic dual driver earphones, equipped with a 6mm planar driver for midrange and treble and a 10mm dynamic driver for low frequency.

What sets the F2 apart is its hybrid driver technology - a solution to two common problems faced by most planar driver in-ear monitors (IEMs). Firstly, planar drivers often lack the bass punch and quantity that listeners desire. Secondly, single dynamic driver earphones can struggle to produce fast, accurate, and detailed midrange and treble. The F2 solves both of these issues with its combination of drivers.

During our testing, we were impressed with how Helm Audio utilized both driver technologies to achieve a well-rounded sound experience. Join us as we explore the Helm F2 earphones in-depth and see if they truly deliver on their promise of HiFi grade sound, everywhere and for everyone.

Design and Build Quality​

The F2 earphone shell is made of metal, and the cable is cloth braided till the Y splitter, after which it is made of soft silicone. The cables come with an in-line microphone and functional buttons like volume controls and the play & pause buttons. The 3.5mm gold-plated jack has a slight bend design. Overall, the F2 headset has been designed nicely and built solidly for everyday use.

Comfort and Fit​

Helm F2 earphones have a traditional in-ear design that is very convenient for daily use for long hours. During our testing, we didn’t face any discomfort or fitting issues with F2 in-ear headphones.

Sound Quality​

F2 has grand and rich bass, smooth texture midrange and detailed, clear and sparkly treble. The soundstage is wide. Overall, F2 follows a V-shaped sounding tuning, and most users will find F2 to be a very musical and energetic-sounding earphone.

Bass​

The bass is tuned very nicely and has enough energy and quantity. During our testing, we found the bass to be rumbling and punchy while listening to tracks like Kopama Napina by Karthik & Shreya Ghoshal and Bass Rani by Nucleya. When listening to Bass Rani, you can feel some vibration and air moving in your eardrum. Overall, the bass is a highlighting element of the Helm F2 earphones, and bassheads will be very happy with F2 because they will get good quality bass performance with the Planar driver midrange and treble.

Midrange​

The female and male voices have good weight, texture, and clarity. While listening to Man Kunto Maula By Arjoo Aftab, you can feel the heavy but calm emotions in her voice. For male vocals, we played Mann Bharryaa 2.0 by B.Praak, and you can feel his voice starting with a low and slow pitch and immediately going on a high and fast pitch. Overall, F2 handles midrange effortlessly without compromising clarity, detail, and emotional characteristics.

Treble​

F2 is very capable of handling busy treble songs like Chori Chori by Rakha Bhardwaj. In this song, multiple instruments are playing together, but you can hear each of them without getting muddy. Treble sounds energetic and crispy without getting harsh & sharp.

Soundstage​

The soundstage is wide enough, thanks to the Planar driver, although it’s lacking in giving a grand auditorium-like sound feeling.

Imaging​

Imaging is accurate, and you can sense the instrument arrangement and distance.

Microphone Quality​

The microphone position on the cable is near the mouth, so it helps improve call quality in busy environments.

Value and Competition​

Helm F2 earphones are selling at Rs. 12,990/- ($149/-) in India, which is a very competitive and crowded price point for Planar driver In-ear monitors. However, Helm F2 stands out due to better bass performance and offers the same or better midrange and treble performance.

Pros and Cons​

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Conclusion​

In conclusion, the Helm F2 earphones are an excellent choice for anyone seeking planar magnetic earphones with powerful bass. Although they require a 10-hour burn-in period and some ear tip rolling to sound their best, they offer an immersive sound experience even on the go. We highly recommend them for both novices and experienced audiophiles who appreciate V-shaped tuning.