Hong Kong Handmade - Maestoso (HK-J04)

Maestoso (HK-J04) info

Specifications:

• Drivers: Quad BA - 2 x Lows, 1 x Mids, 1 x Highs
• Frequency Response: 10Hz ~ 19kHz
• Impedance: 20 Ohms
• Cable: 1.2m, 3.5mm plug; silver-plated copper wire.

Warranty: 1 year

Price: U$679 (msrp), and right now $578 with the code "2018iem".


I found about HK Handmade by chance some months ago. Back then the small company focus was only in IEM cables which I got to share some impressions. One of their entry upgrade cable, the Hadou, was something well worth keeping for its $100 price. Later on I found they were starting some first IEMs, and a couple of months ago one of their team contacted me to demo one of them. The one here is the 4 BA model, the Maestoso HKJ04, I got as a loan for a few weeks. Supposedly, this was the flagship model but now there are already 2 extra new models listed with a 6 and 8 BA setup at a much higher $1000+ price tag.
It's kind of surprising that a small company that until some time ago was only making aftermarket cables decided to launch multiple IEMs at once. Also, I'm still not sure whether this is going to be final retail version, though it seems that apart from the design and package there won't be changes in terms of sound quality.


Design

The Maestoso HKJ04 arrives in a simple black cardboard box with a magnetic closure covered by a plastic cover with the logo on the front and the specifications at the back side. The earpieces are tightly arranged in a thick foam material and the cables and ear tips inside the carrying case. For the moment what the package includes is just 3 pairs of single silicone tips, a pair of memory foam tips, the case and the cable.


The earpieces are handmade using a mold that gives a kind of custom-like shape and the material is the usual thick acrylic used for this type of form. The color theme here is translucent red so the four drivers can be easily seen through the shells; I'm not aware whether there'd be a color or faceplate option yet. They have that unique shape, meant for a more natural and secure fit, and while not particularly large they may be too tight for smaller ears. I did found them covering almost the whole ear with a more shallow fit, and by being fully sealed they provide quite good isolation level.


The nozzle has two bores, one for lows and one for mids/highs. My main complain would be on the nozzle design. It is a bit short and too smooth with no extra lip to hold the eartips in place. Moreover, the only tips that were useable were the included ones, and personally didn't find them to give the best seal, comfort, and more importantly, a best sound quality. The Lear Kaleido (see photo below) have a very similar shape but still can hold many different tips with the added lip at the top of the nozzle. This concern was already reported to the HK Handmade team and as far as I know they're already working to fix this issue for a final version.


As for the cable, the J04 includes an entry type of silver-plated wire cable which consists of the usual 4 strands tightly twisted. The quality is quite good, with a very solid 3.5mm L-angled plug, soft and low in noise. The MMCX plugs are well covered and there is no memory wire or fixed guides.

There is some new feature on the MMCX sockets' side on the earpieces. As can be seen on the photos, the company has implemented some material around the tiny metal tubes in order to reinforce the connectivity and durability of the connectors on the earpieces' side. They do work with any other cable of MMCX standard connection and can be detached without much effort but still won't wobble around the shells. So far it seems a very good feature, but of course can't confirm how better it is going to be over the typical MMCX implementations.

Sound Quality

The HK Handmade company suggest the sound of the HKJ04 to be wide, spacious and detailed, suited for classical and orchestra kind of music over other genres. I found that to be an accurate description but without having the wide stage I was expecting. The J04 is definitely spacious and airy, with good level of resolution and decent level of detail.

Balance should be a strong suit on the J04. As on the specifications and what can be seen through the translucent shells, it is a multi BA IEM, with dual for lows, single for mids and single for highs. The balance arrives from a soft, mild u-shaped kind of signature, carrying fairly equal weight in both bass and treble but not pushing the midrange too distant just less prioritized.

Bass quantity is north of neutral giving decent impact in the typical BA fashion, fast in attack, tight and accurate, and never overdone. It has a bit of warm-ish tonality but more focused in the mid-bass area rather than upper-bass. Also, there are the expedited limitations in decay, extension and mainly sub-bass reach and amount.

Hybrids sets such as the IT04 and DK-3001 have a much fuller body, stronger impact, depth and greater dynamics. The J04 is more similar to the CustomArt Fibae 3 in quantities, though the triple BA Fibae is more forward and aggressive what makes it sound like having greater impact. Brainwavz B400 at a much lower price and also a 4BA is much stronger and fuller in bass and lower midrange.

Midrange is very liquid and articulated with good definition. It is not forward but doesn't sound missing or distant next to the slight higher lows and highs emphasis. However, it is leaner in texture and kind of more flat sounding. There is good instrument separation and positioning, being well suited for the classical or orchestra genres the J04 was tuned for, but not my pick for vocals or rock music, or more energetic electronic/EDM tracks. Vocals alone sound thin and a bit dry, especially female ones, but still smooth and don't show a hint of sibilance.

Treble has good presence very similar to the low end, with a lift on the lower treble region yet smooth and controlled. It is more rolled-off and polite towards the upper treble, so a bit of safe sounding with limited extension. It sounds open and resolving, but doesn't shine in micro detail as a more detailed oriented Fibae 3, though it is much more forgiving and less source dependent.

Stage is not too wide nor it has much depth, but cannot be considered too closed or narrow with its overall v-shaped tuning. The J04 actually is spacious with good imaging and coherent instruments positioning. However, this might improve with better ear tips and so could be an issue that lies on the design and nozzle shape and less on the drivers' capabilities.


Value?

Well, as this may not still be the final version of the HK-J04 Maestoso IEM, a final rating wouldn't be too accurate. Design aside, the build quality is solid for an acrylic earphone, though for the ~$680 price it's not the best in class in pure sound quality nor as whole package. The J04 is still well tuned for the kind of music it was primarily meant for (instrumental, orchestra, acoustic, etc.), with good weight and accuracy. As for all-rounder signature, it'd need more extension, extra weight on the lows, and mainly more midrange presence.