I\O Audio Volare
I\O Audio is a new audio brand that debuts with a hybrid in-ear monitor named Volare. A rather unusual debut with a flagship product rather than something more affordable, this is a sign that I\O Audio are aiming high right from the start.
The I\O Volare has a nine driver array that combines one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures and four electrostatic drivers, thus using three different kinds of drivers for their respective frequency bands.
One dynamic driver is responsible for low-frequency and part of vocals, four balanced armature drivers ensure the timbre consistency, and four electrostatic drivers complete the high-frequency reinforcement. A driver configuration that completely covers the bandwidth within human hearing range.
Driver breakdown
The four high-voltage electrostatic drivers are made by the famous Danish brand Sonion and are usually used in much more expensive earphones. They have a unique sound structure and are able to offer a 40kHz upper high frequency extension with a bandwidth far beyond the hearing range.
The brand-new balanced armature drivers are custom made with the aim of reducing the excessive dependence of traditional balanced armature drivers on electronic frequency divider when achieving the target frequency response.
It took more than 1,000 hours for I\O Audio to develop their own, high-specification, 8mm silica gel suspension, birch dome dynamic driver dedicated to low frequencies. A design that successfully half lowers the bass distortion.
The crossover
The Volare adopts a brand-new, dual crossover structure that combines a 3-way physical and a 4-way electronic crossover system.
The strict sound nozzle design and the unique precise physical frequency crossover technology follow the principle of giving priority to the acoustic structure of the Volare. With the advanced micron-scale manufacturing technology, the dependence on electronic frequency crossover is successfully reduced.
The electronic frequency crossover of the Volare adopts a high-specification PCB design, and uses high-precision first-class resistors and capacitors to reduce the loss of sound quality caused by frequency crossover architecture.
Non Audio stuff
The I\O Audio Volare is a universal fit earphone that adopts a custom-like design that ensures a comfortable wearing experience despite the rather bulky ear-shells. The ear-shells are made from medical grade resin with a micron-level 3D printing technology in cooperation with HeyGears.
The manufacturing is of the highest quality, the Volare is a well made and beautiful looking set of earphones. From the faceplate with the creamy silver wavy patterns, to the all-black main body with the tiny silver granules and the gold printed Volare logo, everything looks premium and visually appealing. Passive noise attenuation is also very satisfying despite the venting port.
The Volare offers a tight and stable fit, it is comfortable and lightweight, suitable for extended listening sessions. An easy to wear, premium looking and luxurious set of earphones that has nothing to envy from other much more expensive flagship models by other brands.
Stock Cable
The high quality stock cable is made of 8-strands of mixed braided 6N OFC oxygen-free copper that is silver-plated. The cable is a little thick but soft and flexible while it doesn't induce any microphonic noise. The cable offers good handling and it doesn't get tangled. It uses the 2-pin 0.78mm interface and instead of the usual left and right markings you will find “I” and “O” ones that correspond to the same marks that are printed in each ear-shell. One point of criticism is that it doesn't have strain reliefs at the plugs.
This is a modular cable with interchangeable plugs, 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm options included in the package. The upper main part of the plug has a rather strange design with three elongated edges that protrude and sometimes the cable gets stacked on them. Except for this minor issue, this is a well made stock cable that you will not need to exchange for something else.
Accessories
I seldomly care about the package but this one is worth mentioning because it offers a flagship level unboxing experience. The box has three drawers that you pull out to reveal the ear-tips, the cable and the manuals.
The Volare comes with five different types of ear-tips in three sizes each. They are I\O Audio branded and have specific code names. F49 wide-bore foam tips, TW43 wide-bore, ST50 medium-bore with stems, TW45 medium-bore and TT55 small-bore. All of them are single flange and offer the same kind of wearing comfort.
The package also includes a luxurious carrying case that looks like a jewelry presentation box. Don't forget to remove the inner part to make room for storing the Volare with its cable and a small USB DAC.
Power requirements
The Volare is rated at 4.8Ω with a sensitivity of 121dB/Vrms that roughly converts to 98dB/mW, thus making it not that easy to drive as one might think from the low impedance. Moreover the 4.8Ω impedance means that you are going to need a source with very low output impedance and capable of producing plenty of current at this given load without clipping. Not all portable USB DAC dongles can do that, they seldomly can provide much current below 16Ω and will not match well with the Volare. A high quality DAP or a battery powered USB DAC are much better options, not only for providing the necessary power but also because the Volare scales very well. I have mostly used the iBasso DX260 and the FiiO M15S.
Audio stuff
The I\O Audio Volare has a tuning that adheres to the Harman 2019 target curve with some clever and well executed deviations that make for a better tonal balance. The Volare has an elevated low-end with great sub-bass extension, that is not overpowering, slightly recessed but present mid-range and and a rather smooth but very resolving treble. Driver integration is also perfect, the sound is very cohesive and realistic from the bottom to the top of the frequency range, there is no audible timbre variation between the three different kinds of drivers.
The dynamic driver is not one of the largest available but is very effective in producing deep and surprisingly impactful bass that is fast, tight and controlled. It is punchy and quite weighty, not that visceral, thick or imposing but it has excellent definition and a crystalline clarity that helps a lot with layering and separation. The driver is very skilful, this is a textured bass with audiophile level technicallities that is suitable for critical listening.
The truth is that the mid-bass is slightly elevated above neutrality but it doesn't cloud or veil the mid-range, nor does it sound that tonally off. You can experiment with the included ear-tips to fine tune the mid-bass and make it more tonally accurate and a better match for listening to classical music and similar genres. I found the medium-bore ear-tips as the most balanced sounding but you are welcomed to experiment with your favorite ones.
The mid-range might appear as lacking when you browse frequency response measurements but it is actually very present and engaging. What matters the most is that the timbre is natural, the sound is colorful and harmonious, instruments and voices are reproduced with plenty of realism and a lifelike manner. The Volare cleverly avoids an excessive upper mid-range emphasis and as such it sounds fairly controlled without any annoying sibilance or shouting voices.
This is a vibrant, resolving and clean sounding earphone with mildly organic and analog textures, a feeling that is usually reserved for much more expensive earphones that use balanced armature drivers for the mid-range. Maybe this exceptional performance is related to the dynamic driver that handles a small portion of the lower mid-range.
Premium resolution and refinement are the highlights of the airy treble where the EST drivers are miraculous in producing a silky smooth yet vibrant and energetic sound that is open, luminous and transparent. Furthermore the textures are not too dry or lean as usually happens with EST drivers, the timbre is natural without any severe artificiality or metallic sheen. Instruments sound full bodied and weighty with a smooth decay, percussion instruments are reproduced with plenty of weight and not paper thin or light.
The Volare is resolving and refined with good extension and fine detail extraction but it doesn't sound analytical or sterile. The treble is quite natural, it is not bright or sharp, this is a set suitable for extended listening sessions without causing ear piercing fatigue. The Volare doesn't use its EST drivers to command attention on its own, it takes a step back to let the music flow and establish a sentimental contact with the listener.
The wide soundstage has stellar imaging and stereo separation on the horizontal plane. This is a very open sounding set of earphones but it is mildly lacking in depth layering and dimensionality. Still you can listen to the most demanding material without feeling congestion or missing ambient information.
The overall tonal balance and the great technical performance of the I\O Audio Volare make it a good all-rounder set. You can listen to all kinds of music and while it may not shine with some of them, it is also not going to disappoint either.
Conclusion
What a success for I\O Audio, these guys came from nowhere and they have managed to steer the market with their first born earphones. The I\O Volare is a flagship level debut, a magnificent set of earphones with a rather balanced tuning and great technicalities that pairs well with all kinds of music and is going to satisfy the majority of the users out there.
Comfortable, very well made, premium looking and with one of the most inclusive accessory packs, the I/O Audio Volare ticks all the boxes and offers outstanding value for money. This is easily one of the best earphones in the sub $1K category and it earns my strongest recommendation with flying colors. With such a tremendous debut, I\O Audio has established the basis for a very promising future.
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge. The price of the I\O Audio Volare is $599 and you can buy it from SHENZHENAUDIO.COM
Thank you !