I/O Audio Sogno 2DD+6BA

This article first appeared on my private blog here: klauseulenbach.de
Consider reading my introduction as a disclaimer: About Me
Note: I purchased the IO Audio Sogno at full price without discount.



I had teased and mentioned the IO AUDIO (I\O Audio) Sogno in my SIAS impressions. On that day, I think it had the best-tuned upper mids and transition into treble that I have heard in a very long time. So I went ahead and purchased a pair from Shenzhen Audio to share my impressions with you in more detail. Before I deep-dive into the sound description with details and measurements, I share the unboxing and early impressions.




The Sogno is packaged very nicely in a medium-sized box. The IEMs are separated from the cable and presented in an inlay inside the rather faux leather travel case. What immediately strikes the eye is the abundance of ear tips. There are four different sets of silicone tips and one with foam, all in a separate plastic case. 15 different ear tip pairs are probably enough to find a good fit. However, every ear tip only has 3 sizes (S/M/L), and I struggle to get a seal with most of them. It seems I need something between M and L. Ultimately, I would prefer fewer different types of ear tips but more granular sizes.



The ear shells are made of 3D printed resin and the shell has an ergonomic shape. In terms of comfort, it’s very average, which is good considering how comfortable IEMs have become. The faceplate is unique, though. Under the flat resin surface lies a 3D structure resembling something between a tree and a thunderstorm. The black-and-white colour scheme makes it look eerie and mysterious.



The specifications claim the use of high-purity (6N) SP-OFC strands for the cable. The 4 strands are not tightly woven and look a bit loose, yet the sheathing is not free of memory. Sogno‘s cable is not stiff, but also nothing special. I do like the option to unscrew the termination and swap it for a total choice of three options, though I don’t think a balanced 2.5mm is needed anymore. It’s not a „quick switch“ – like from DUNU – but it’s easier to change than replacing the whole cable.



Interim summary: The IEMs are well-built, beautiful to look at and decently comfortable. They come in a nice package and have good accessories. IO Audio prepared everything to floor you… so how is the sound?

Upon first listen, I was absolutely amazed. I experienced a very natural-neutral-sounding reproduction. I was floored at the show in Shenzhen! Secretly, I was already celebrating a new entry to my recommendation list.



Now that I have spent more time with the IO Audio Sogno, I still have to commend it overall. The Sogno is a fantastic recommendation for users with a Harman-neutral preference. It features a sloped bass curve that really picks up below 200 Hz and makes sure all the sub-bass an IEM can reproduce is transferred to your eardrum. Yet the bass quantity is never pushing itself to the front. This is not a bassy IEM! It’s also not warm.

The midrange has a slightly cold nature to my ears. Your perception may be different depending on your expectation of neutral. Compared to my reference, the Softears RS10, the Sogno has 1-2 dB more presence across the whole upper mids. That is hardly a big difference, yet noticeable and just enough to ascribe a cold signature to it. While you still get bass punch and impact, the mids lack a tiny bit of weight and body to sound fully natural to me. The treble is in line with the upper mids. In fact, the transition from upper mids into low highs and beyond is fantastic and among the best I have heard. The treble contains all the details but has no sharpness or sibilance at all. Here is the measured frequency response:



In terms of soundstage, the bass tilt creates decent depth yet voices are very upfront. Since vocals lack a bit of fullness, the Sogno sounds less intimate yet at the same time also closer to the listener. It’s a very close-spaced soundstage reproduction that still preserves depth information. The treble does help to make the Sogno sound very open, but less so in terms of imaging.



Without the luxury of being able to compare with the RS10, S8 or RSV, the I\O Sogno could be a reference for neutral tuning. To my ears, it’s just barely bright, which also makes it sound open. Depending on the ear tips, I was fooled into thinking the ear tips didn’t seal well. But this complaint is based on comparing with the best I ever heard and the Sogno is the cheapest of the bunch. At $ 399 I can easily recommend it and also consider it to be one of the best in its class. But if you like a warm and lush sound, and especially want to avoid any form of shout, this is probably not the right choice for you. Any treblehead should order immediately!

General/Packaging/Build/Comfort
I/O Audio, a relatively new entrant in the audiophile market, has quickly made a name for itself with its second debut model, the Sogno. Priced at $399, this 2DD+6BA configuration demonstrates the brand's commitment to delivering high-quality audio at an attractive price point. The Sogno arrives in a luxurious package that befits its flagship status. The IEMs are housed in a premium faux leather case, while accessories like the cable and ear tips are neatly organised.The included cable, a high-purity OFC SPC with interchangeable plugs (2.5, 3.5, and 4.4mm), adds to the premium experience. In terms of comfort, the Sogno's shell is neither too big or small based on my experience, it will probably suit everyone, the secure fit and excellent seal make it comfortable for extended listening sessions. The inclusion of multiple ear tip options, including wide bore, narrow bore, and foam, ensures a personalised fit for most users.
The Sogno's design is both elegant and functional, with a smooth finish and a visually appealing faceplate. The overall build quality is exceptional, reflecting I/O Audio's dedication to crafting premium products.




Gears used for this review

• DITA Navigator
• Fiio KA15
• I/O Audio Sogno Stock Cable and Eartips
• Fiio M23
• Letshuoer EJ07M Stock Cable and Eartips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound
The Sogno's tonality leans towards a neutral-warm character, offering a balanced sound signature that avoids any harsh or overly bright elements. Despite featuring six balanced armatures, the IEM's timbre is remarkably natural and free from any noticeable BA coloration. While there might be a subtle hint of BA timbre detectable upon close inspection, it's largely imperceptible during casual listening. The tuning of the Sogno is slightly U-shaped, emphasising the sub-bass frequencies for a more impactful and engaging listening experience. The mid-bass region is also well-represented, providing a satisfying foundation for various musical genres.

Bass

• The sub bass is rumbly and has good extension, but i wouldn’t say it is anywhere near basshead kind of rumble, it does rumble when the track calls for it
• Mid bass has good body and it doesn’t sound thin, double bass pedal doesn’t sound bloated or lacking in terms of texture, Slipknot’s People = crap, during the fast drumming, every hit can be heard clearly
• Bass from the Sogno is tight and clean transition between the sub and mid bass is quite balanced without sounding incoherent
• I personally find the tuning of bass is done right to my preference,somewhere between fun and audiophile but not venturing into the basshead category, but i do yearn for a little bit more in terms of bass quantity

Mids

• The mid range has plenty of details and they don’t sound recessed at all
• Vocal doesn’t sound recessed nor too forward, just right to my ears
• Male vocal in my opinion sounds quite full and well textured, possibly due to the implementation of dual DD and also the warmer sound signature, female vocal on the other hand also has very good energy level to it, even when you crank the volume higher, it doesn’t sound “shouty”
• The upper mids are generally quite safe sounding, but again, it depends on your tolerance and sensitivity, and most importantly, the fit

Treble

• Now, the treble, is also another strong point of the Sogno, it has plenty of energy and air, yet it is not harsh sounding
• It is smooth overall with no hints of sibilant even when you crank the volume up
• Detail retrieval is very good and actually for the asking price, i personally think that it is punching above its price point

Soundstage/Imaging

• The Sogno’s soundstage is not that “big” sounding, a good width and height perception, separation is also top class
• Imaging is very good,the instruments can be pinpointed easily in busy track like Slipknot’s Duality
• The technicalities of Sogno is very good overall

Driveability

• The Sogno is not hard to drive and it does sound decently loud even from weaker source like Apple’s Lightning Dongle, what i want to stress is that, sounding loud is not equivalent to driving power
• My observation is that it doesn’t really benefit much from power, just slight changes in terms of sound from the various source that i have test, possibly due to it having fairly low impedance and high sensitivity

Comparison (Letshuoer’s EJ07M)

• Switching over to the EJ07M for the purpose of comparison,i would say the tonality between the EJ07M and Sogno is vastly different
• Priced at 669$ for the EJ07M vs Sogno at 400$, in terms of value, Sogno definitely have a lot to offer at the asking price
• The tonality of the EJ07M is leaning towards warmish and deeper sub bass extension/rumble compared to Sogno
• In terms of bass, the sub bass does have a bit more quantity and extends quite deep compared to Sogno, but the mid bass is slightly less punchy compared to the Sogno
• Mids are fairly clean sounding, the male vocal especially, can be a little thin at times, female vocal however is very sweet and full of energy
• Treble is quite smooth with plenty of details due to the inclusion of EST drivers, it is quite airy and contributed to a big soundstage
• Technicalities i would say the EJ07M performs at probably around 20-30% better than the Sogno, which is to be expected since it is costing more, but given the asking price of Sogno, i personally think Sogno is very impressive
• Shell size, the Sogno is slightly larger than the EJ07M

Final Thoughts
Having tested the Sogno for several weeks. It is safe to say that it offers a very good and high price performance ratio. For a mid ranger, it does almost everything right, of course there are some cons if I were to nitpick. The Sogno has been my daily driver since i received them, i have even put it up for comparison with some of the more expensive models from Letshuoer, and the Sogno definitely isn’t too far from and costs way less. This is definitely an outstanding release from I/O and I am definitely looking forward to their upcoming releases. It deserves a 5 out of 5 stars, another 5 stars from me for I/O Audio. Highly recommended!

*The Sogno is sent over by ShenzhenAudio for the purpose of this review. I thank them for the support and opportunity as always



Head over to the official store if you are interested in getting one, it is currently being priced at 399$

I/O Audio Sogno - Non affiliated Link