Huaham Ultimate Edition E701 Noodle Style Ergonomics Noise Isolation Earphone with Microphone (Apple MFI Certification) Made For Iphone Ipad Ipod

Pros: Nice design and build quality, Great form and fit for over or under the ear, Responds well to EQ adjustment, Nice clamshell case
Cons: Bass forward tuning can be too much with some music
At the time this review was written, the Huaham E701 Silence Dreamer in-ear monitor was on sale for $26.99 USD on Amazon’s website. Here is a link to a listing of their product at the time of the review.
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http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NB45HTQ/
 
Introduction
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to budget in-ear monitors, that trying to pick just one is a daunting task that will leave your head spinning. For me, I want to try them all, but for most people in the market, they will shop the local Best Buy, or jump on Amazon and pick the coolest looking one they can find. Others will read Amazon reviews which are only helpful to a certain extent.
 
Many smaller products will fly under the radar because bigger operations sell larger volumes of stuff, giving them opportunities for more marketing and discounted pricing. With all this going on, there’s a lot of companies that are making really good budget IEMs and not getting the exposure of companies like Panasonic, Sony, and Philips. This is the reason why I like the budget-fi world; there’s tons of really good stuff to be had for really low prices that are flying under the radar.
 
I want smaller companies that believe in their product to reach out to me, so I can give Head-Fi and it’s readers insight to good quality products. Budget, Mid, and Hi-Fi markets have “champions” at their respective weight class, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a contender lurking that can give the best a run for it’s money! Today I will be reviewing one of these prospects in the Huaham E701.
 
Disclaimer
I was given the opportunity to sample the Huaham E701 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Huaham in any way.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
The E701 came in a black and green square box. To be honest I wasn’t sure what I was looking at because the Huaham name wasn’t anywhere on the box. There was the E701 “Silence dreamer” title, and a series of numbers displayed along with a cutout picture of the housing. The back of the box displayed some simple features about the product and was in both English and Chinese.
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Specifications:
I was unable  to access product specifications via the internet or it’s product sites. I will continue to try and get these, and report back to you when I obtain them.
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Accessories:
The E701 comes with a very nice rectangular clamshell case, and one pair of memory foam tips.
 
Note: When I saw that the E701 came with only one set of tips (that didn’t fit my ears) I contacted them suggesting that they should provide a set of silicone tips in three sizes to come with the E701. I was quickly replied to and told that the next batch of E701 earphones will come with a set of silicone tips (S,M,L). Well done Huaham! Great customer service!
 
Note: Because I was not able to get a seal with the stock tips, I used silicone hybrid tips from Sony for the review. I found acoustics with the E701 were better with the Sony silicone tips than my large comply foam tips. Your mileage may vary.
 
Housings
The  Huaham product has a black sphered theme that carries throughout the entire design. The housings of the E701 are made of a shiny black plastic. I find the size, shape and weight of the housings to be great when trying to get a good fit and seal. I had no problems with the housing design when using this earphone whatsoever.
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Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs
The cable is an all black semi flat cable that reminds me of the premium Sony cables used in the likes of the XBA series. It is very flexible and has very little memory. There is a lot of space from the earphone to the Y-split, and a good amount of cable length for portable use.
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The Y-split follows along in the black sphere them and is made of a forgiving rubber material. It is rugged, clever, and well done.
 
The cable jack is yet again another rubber black half sphere, and finishes off the cable well.
 
There isn’t anything in terms of strain reliefs where the cable meets the housing. The rubber build of the Y-split and cable jack looks to offer adequate relief from strains and short circuits.
 
Note: I really like the earphone design. They really thought outside of the box and made something that is not only unique and very cool, but also had great ergonomics and ease of use. I give this IEM 5 stars for product design.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
I have no problem getting a great fit. They can be worn under or over the ear. The housing shape promotes a comfortable fit and consistent seal that I didn’t have to readjust regularly. Wear them under the ear, and you will get less microphonics than most IEMs, wear them over the ear and microphonics are eliminated.
 
Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware, and Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for portable use. For desktop I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier for lower impedance products. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs/DACs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that any gear I tested has has enough time play time for me to be able to confidently describe their sound.
 
Functionality
The right side of the cable features a three button microphone and remote. This remote is designed to operate with Iphone, and I confirmed functionality with my wife’s Iphone 6 plus. With my Android phone, only the center button worked. When using the E701 with phone calls, friends and family reported my voice coming through at a four on a scale from one to five.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
 
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
 
Sound Signature
In stock form, the sound signature is bass in your face, with a warm midrange textured midrange and relaxed treble. While this signature usually amounts to a distorted and congested sound, the Huaham makes itself an exception to this stereotype and maintains a fairly high level of resolution through all frequencies thanks to the very extended low end. The stock tuning seems to work best with Hip Hop, EDM, and I especially enjoyed these with Dubstep music.
 
Note:Something I have to add in this review is that I personally feel that the stock tuning doesn’t maximize the sonic capabilities of this IEM. By simply raising the treble regions, and dropping the bass regions of your source’s EQ, you will get a much more balanced and detailed response that works with every genre and really presents sound in a way that is competitive with much higher priced in-ear monitors. I really enjoyed these with an EQ adjustment. So much so, I have been using them exclusively as my commuter pair of earphones. Their price to performance value is phenomenal when considering the build, fit, and sound with the EQ tweak. The stock tuning isn’t necessarily bad, but an EQ adjustment takes them to another level.
 
Bass
Bass is very forward, and balanced. If anything, during playback the sub bass seems to jump out in front of the mix. It can be boomy and overdone with some tracks. The bass is not the cheap run of the muck mid bass forward stuff. It is sub focused, and extends very low while maintaining good tone and texture. Kick drums will kick like a mule. Sub bass lines go low as they need to. I don’t hear mid bass bleed, but more the sub bass just being too much for what’s playing sometimes. An EQ adjust fixes this as noted.
 
Note: The E701 will play any bass line you throw at it, and do it with authority. If you enjoy “basshead” IEMs, these are really great in stock form.
 
Midrange
The E701 is a tricky one, because the stock tuning takes away from what is really high quality, and nicely textured mids. The bass is so forward that is shadows (while not distorting) the midrange, and takes away from what is a very good presentation. It’s adequate and works great with more popular music genres. Take away the forward bass with an EQ adjustment and you will hear some really good midrange.
 
Treble
High frequency response takes the back seat in stock form. It doesn’t extend very far, is fatigue free, and reasonably clear. after an EQ adjustment, the treble balances out with the sound and goes from good to great.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
Sub bass extension is prominent and shadows over the midrange and treble regions, making it not seem as airy as open as it possibly could be. Still, all in all it is pretty well done for the price. After an EQ adjustment like mine, you will be left with a balanced, textured, and well presented IEM in terms of soundstage and imaging.
 
Comparisons
 
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($25 to $35 USD on many sites)
The Piston is a hall of famer with a V-signature. Many Head-Fiers either have a pair or have heard them.
 
The Piston is brighter and more extended in treble regions and carries more of a V-signature. The upper midrange to treble details are great for the price. The midbass tends to bleed into the other frequencies. The Huaham extends more into sub bass regions and in comparison makes the Piston seem like all mid bass. The E701 is warmer and less fatiguing.
 
For accessories the edge goes to the piston with a clever case and several tips to pick from, as well as a shirt clip.

 
KZ ED-8 ($X10 to $30 USD on many sites)
Many Head-Fiers really like the ED8 for it’s price to performance ratio. In stock form, the ED8 carries plenty of timbre. Their midbass presence and a slightly wooly low end can seem boomy.
 
The Huaham is a better sounding IEM in stock form, and even better when trying to maximize sound quality from each IEM. Either way the E701 is more extended into sub bass regions, making more room for the midrange to breath. The sound on the E701 is flat out more enjoyable to listen to from what I hear.
 
Both models offer minimal accessories. Edge goes to the E701 with their clamshell case for storage.

 
Conclusion
The Huaham E701 Silence dreamer earphone performed very well, and is worth every penny of their asking price. If you are looking for a well built and stylish in-ear monitor for your Iphone, and you enjoy lots of high quality bass, the E701 is right up your alley.
 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!
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