iBasso IT01X

iBasso IT01X

Prelude:
iBasso has convinced me more than once to its philosophy by showing me music anew. This time I bet on the letter X, and the latest ibasso product, IT01X, joined my shopping list. This model is made of aircraft aluminum, and its heart is a double-sided beryllium-plated dynamic transducer with a surface area of just over 10mm. The price in Poland is PLN 520, so is it worth investing so much in this model?

Kit Contents:
This time we have a colorful box with the same tips and mousse inside as in the am05 model, even the tin is the same. So we have a very rich set of accessories consisting of four sets of tips and two pairs of foams. For this we have a great quality SPC copper cable in the 3.5 mm standard with a mmcx plug. I regret a bit that iBasso did not try to balance it, especially that IT01X like electricity very much. Nevertheless, the quality of the cable is very good and fully compensates for the lack of balance on stock. This time iBasso finally improved the nozzles, so we no longer have a problem with falling tips. Even the stock ones are starting to be very useful. This is due to the quite long nozzles in the IT01X, and the stock tips prevent their additional extension, ending practically on a par with the sleeve. The metal can with the iBasso logo is a very useful addition at this price.

Sound and ergonomics:

iBasso IT01X are very small headphones, finished in such a way that they almost completely hide in the ears, you can easily wear a hat with them or lie on your side. Such a small size will be appreciated by both women's and men's ears, because there should be no problem with the implementation of headphones. Now let's look at the sonic layer:

Bass: Definitely a strong element in the IT01X, as befits iBasso, we can rely on the lower registers. We have a very well realized range of lower frequencies with a very good amount of bass notes. The bass is complex and brilliantly depicted for this price range. I have nothing to blame him for. Definitely, the headphones need to warm up and experience a lot of power injection, otherwise the lower registers can be quite average.

Diameter: iBasso IT01X is a signature with a strongly perceptible V, which is beyond any doubt, but the vocals are clearly exposed, boldly go ahead of the line, which narrows the sense of the stage and makes it quite intimate, at the same time their structure and clarity are so beautiful that you have to be careful not to be enchanted by them because it is a really addictive drug. Our favorite singers will sing us a live concert in our home privacy. This presentation suits me very well, but it is not fully universal. It's closer to magic than to references, which in my opinion is an interesting procedure, worth attention and appreciation. Initially, the IT01X may seem like a mediocre choice, but as soon as we give them time, they will reciprocate with a powerful and interesting sound.

Treble: In my opinion, they are well developed. I really like the presentation of string instruments and the lack of sibilants. The amount of highs is good. There was no lack of energy and extension here. They are well stretched and at the same time do not cause fatigue and loss of listening pleasure.

Scene and Imaging:

The stage in IT01X is not the biggest, It is an intimate presentation with more width than depth. I really like the imaging of the plans and the amount of details. We can savor the musicality, while admiring the nuances in the sound.

Summary:

iBasso IT01X are very interesting headphones with quite original and unusual tuning. They may appeal especially to lovers of vocals and pop arrangements. If someone is looking for an intimate sound with a clear and engaging vocal presentation, they should definitely be interested in the above model. These are not universal headphones, but for me they are an indispensable element of everyday life and one of the most interesting purchases. The strength of IT01X is certainly:

Introduction

iBasso is a company that does not need any introduction. It is one of the Chinese leaders in the audio trade specializing in DAPs, amplifiers, IEMs and accessories. In the past few years, it has presented some very nice IEM sets, among them IT01 and IT01s; both were single dynamic driver IEMs with a very nice sound tuning that got very good reviews.

Recently, iBasso replaced IT01s with IT01X; the “X” in life always stands for the “unknown” or the “surprise” if you want to. When I saw a brief description of it, I immediately understood that it is an IEM that deserves some attention, and it has the potential to bring single dynamic driver IEM at a different level; now, add to this its very competitive price of $119.00, and you have a model that it is hard to pass by. So, I asked for a sample, and here we are!

Description

All iBasso IEM models have a number of technicalities, but I have to admit that IT01X has (much) more than the usual (fair) amount. So, let me take things one by one:

As I already mentioned, IT01X is a single dynamic driver IEM belonging to the “In Tune” iBasso series.
IT01X uses, instead of the usual iron, a brass internal cavity. Brass has higher density than iron, and this effectively reduces internal resonance and distortion. In addition, it provides a well-controlled low frequencies without affecting the mid frequencies.
IT01X uses a system of brass dual Helmholtz resonators, which are known to improve low-frequencies performance; that way standing waves are cancelled and more natural sound is ensured.
After trying many different materials for the diaphragm of the driver, including Magnesium and Titanium, finally it was chosen to plate both sides of the diaphragm with Beryllium, which is known to be lightweight and extremely rigid. That way it can be driven with ease, while it ensures low distortion, i.e., minimal deformation throughout the whole frequency range, which leads to very accurate reproduction of the whole of the audio spectrum.
Another innovation that I have not encountered before is that IT01X uses a three-dimensional suspension. That way it can inhibit, or at least reduce to a substantial extend, the vibration of the driver, thus reducing the distortion and improving sound.
Like other iBasso IEMs, IT01X utilizes a high magnetic flux Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NeFeB) magnet, which can drive the thin and lightweight double-sided Beryllium plated diaphragm very efficiently, thus resulting in fast transient response and overall excellent dynamics.
IT01X is accompanied by a Micro-miniature coaxial (MMCX) detachable high-purity oxygen free copper (OFC) cable that is silver plated, with a 3.5mm gold-plated plug and cable splitter made of stainless steel; this is a high quality standard for IEMs costing $200.00 or higher, but it is unusual to find in a set having the price tag of IT01X.
Furthermore, iBasso in IT01X paid attention to every little detail, even the aesthetics of it. The earpieces’ housings are made of aluminum and finished with a metallic paint like that used in luxury cars. The metallic paint adds hardness to the housings together with a beautiful, smooth luster. IT01X is offered in three colors, Black, Blue and Red.

All the above show that IT01X is loaded with technicalities, which again is very unusual for an IEM costing as low as $119.00. Are the technicalities alone the recipe for a great sounding IEM? No, but they are a very important ingredient, and together with a meticulous tuning it can do small miracles. iBasso has a history of 15 years in DAPs, amplifiers and of course IEMs. Particularly in the latter, it is well-known for single dynamic driver or hybrid (dynamic + balanced armature drivers) models. I do remember IT00, which is still in production, and IT01 and IT01s, which have been recently discontinued; all of them are great IEMs. IT01X, essentially, came as the replacement of IT01s; was it a good move? Absolutely, and let me tell you why.

The sound

With IEMs, I always do the usual burn-in of about 50 hours; it’s not that without this the IEMs do not sound right, but rather that the burn-in helps them to reach their full potential. Now, much more important than the technical burn-in, I consider the so-called phycological burn-in, which helps the listener to get acquainted with the IEM; in that sense, the phycological burn-in does not actually have a limit, and the more you listen to the better you get to know the IEM.

Based on the above, IT01X has a very balanced and natural sound, more so than the vast majority of the IEMs that I have tried; it is not V or even U shaped, it is nicely balanced and very relaxing. However, IT01X’s biggest merit, soundwise, is its beautiful tonality, and for me this is the most important characteristic of an IEM; honestly, I don’t care much about subtle differences in low, mid or high frequencies as long as they collaborate nicely for the final outcome. Among the many IEMs that I have tried, I love the Final tonality in pretty much every model of the company; it is a perfect blend of bass, mid and tremble, all in the right amount for an impeccable final result. Well, I dare to say that IT01X came damn close in matching the Final tonality. I used the latest Final model A4000, which I consider to be a reference IEM in its price category, and in some musical pieces IT01X came so close to A4000 that I had a really hard time to find the difference between the two. This made a big impression on me.

IT01X has almost perfect bass, at least for my taste; it is mainly mid-bass with some amount of sub-bass, it is very taut and always well-controlled. The mid frequencies are never forward or recessed, and female and male vocals are very nicely reproduced without being intimate or cold. The highs are very well extended and open, but not excessive; so, I never felt any kind of roll off, or some kind of harshness or hissing.

On top of the above, IT01X is overall very transparent, maybe not as much as A4000, but well above average with a very clean, clear and detailed sound. It also has a big soundstage, both in width and depth, again not as much as A4000, but certainly well above average, and great image, while its dynamics and separation are outstanding. Furthermore, IT01X is excellent in reproducing fast transients, which is consistent with the double-sided Beryllium plated diaphragm.

I tested IT01X on a variety of musical genres. I started with the classic songs “The Look of Love” by Diana Krall, from the album with the same name, Verve; “She’s Got Her Ticket” by Tracy Chapman from the album with her name, Elektra/Asylum Records; “Texas Sun” by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges from the album with the same name, Dead Oceans; “One More Second” by Matt Berninger from the album Serpentine Prison, Concord Records; as well as many different songs of Dire Straits from the album Sultans Of Swing – The Very Best of Dire Straits, Mercury Records Limited. In all of them, I could not find something that was forward or recessed; instead the performance was always accurate and relaxing. So, IT01X qualifies for a great all-rounder compared to other IEMs which are appropriate (only) for specific genres. Then I tried “Move” by Hiromi (Uehara), from the album with the same name, Telarc International. This is a very complex piece, with Hiromi on piano, Anthony Jackson on bass, and Simon Phillips on drums. It is very difficult to catch the powerful and fast playing of Hiromi and Phillips, complemented by the beautiful bass tones of Jackson, and IT01X went through the fast transients in an exemplary way. The same was the case with “Fanfare for the Volunteer” by Mark O’Connor, from the album with the same name, Sony Classical. This is a very demanding Orchestral piece composed by O’Connor, and played by him on the violin and London Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Steven Mercurio. It has many ups-and- downs, which is very common in Orchestral music. IT01X delivered the piece in a masterful way; I was particularly impressed by the fact that during the (very) high ups I did not notice even the slightest distortion, which that alone is not a small feat.

Is IT01X unforgiving? I would say that although it is not the most unforgiving IEM among those that I have tried so far, it is nonetheless extremely accurate, and this is a real challenge for a designer.

Selected comparisons

I first chose to compare IT01X to iBasso IT00, as this is the other single dynamic driver IEM of iBasso having an MSRP of $69.00. IT00 has a 10 mm multi-layered Graphene diaphragm, a customized magnet and a dual Helmholtz resonator. So, from the technicalities point of view, IT00 is certainly behind IT01X. It also has an MMCX high purity OFC cable, although not of the same quality as the IT01X cable, while the earpieces’ housings are made of very good quality plastic. IT01X is of higher quality and aesthetics, and although the latter is a matter of preference, I personally prefer its looks over the looks of IT00. The quality of IT00 is very good, too, but IT01X is more luxurious. Soundwise IT00 is balanced on the warm side, although it is by no means “bassy”; IT01X is certainly more “neutral”, although the difference is not big. The highs are quite revealing and extended in both of them, without any impression of roll off. The vocals, both female and male, although not intimate, are not recessed or lacking liveliness, while the warmth of IT00 is reflected to a certain extend in some female vocals. Where IT01X has a clear head is that its sound is more delicate and refined, with more details; it is better defined and more clear, with higher transparency. The difference is not big, but it is there. The soundstage is about the same in both of them, and although not huge, it is very good, both in width and depth, and certainly well above the average among IEMs of this price categoty. IT01X has slightly better image, while IT00 has slightly better dynamics, while both have excellent separation. Overall, IT01X is a clear improvement of the already very good IT00, and it does worth the extra $50.00 by all means, at least for me.

I then compared IT01X to the Final A4000. Final is known for making excellent IEMs, and A4000 is one of the two (the other being A3000) recent additions to the A series, in which also belongs the legendary A8000. Both A4000 and A3000 have a newly designed driver, which is really unique as to its technical innovations as well as its difficult manufacturing; the diaphragm is from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and pushed to its limit, which together with a Copper-clad aluminum wire (CCAW) voice coil, a reduced gap between the magnet and the voice coil and a copper housing, has taken the performance of the new driver to a very high level. A4000’s MSRP is $159.00, so I thought I could compare it to IT01X. Undoubtedly, IT01X housing is of higher quality and looks more luxurious compared to the housing of A4000, which is made from ABS resin. Soundwise, A4000 has the beautiful Final tonality, with this slight touch of warmth that makes the sound very relaxing, yet revealing, with amazing transparency and huge, for such a small driver, soundstage. IT01X is slightly colder, but equally revealing, although the transparency and soundstage are not at the same level. However, IT01X has better dynamics, while image and separation is great in both of them. One thing I ought to mention again is that IT01X’s tonality approaches that of A4000 more than any other IEM I have tried for quite some time; so, I came to love IT01X as much as I do A4000.

Accessories and fit

The exterior box of IT01X is aesthetically very nice and inside it the user will find, besides the IEM and cable:

9 different sets of silicon eartips and 2 sets of foam eartips in various sizes (S,M,L).
An extra set of screw on filters, in case that you need s replacement.
A beautiful metal case of excellent quality for carrying and storing IT01X.
A Quick Start Guide.
A warranty card.

IT01X is very lightweight, and its earpieces are quite small (much smaller than the earpieces of IT00) and of a very ergonomic design. So, assuming that you found the right shape and size of eartips (which is not difficult given the many available choices), IT01X will fit very well in your eardrum without any feeling of oppression.

Furthermore, the eartips are nicely designed, providing a high level of sound isolation, so ambient noise with IT01X was never a problem.

Finally, as already mentioned, the cable of IT01X is a MMCX connector OFC cable of high quality and not susceptible to microphonics.

In conclusion

When I read IT01X’s description, I was really impressed, while the quality of the earpieces and cable looked great. So, the ingredients were there, but what about the performance? I have to admit that it surpassed my expectations, and I mean it! IT01X’s sound is very balanced, with the right amount of taut and well controlled bass, extended but never harsh highs, alive vocals and lovable tonality. Moreover, IT01X has a very good soundstage and very nice image, great dynamics and excellent separation.

If one would ask me for an IT01X weakness, I honestly would be hard pressed to find one. If you add to all of these a price tag of (only) $119.00, then IT01X is a clear winner. If you are in the market for an IEM set, you ought to give it a try. You would most likely find your winner!

Specifications

Housing: Aluminum metallic finish
Driver: 10 mm Dynamic driver
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz
Sensitivity: 108 +/- 2 dB
Impedance: 16 Ω
Noise attenuation: -26 db
T.H.D.: <1% at 1 kHz / 1 mW
Plug size: Gold plated 3.5 mm
Cord length: 1.2m
Weight: 7.0 gr without cable
Price: $119.00

www.iBasso.com

Reviewer’s note: The reviewer is grateful to Paul Hu at iBasso Audio for sending him a sample of IT01X.

How do you do that 50Hours of Burn-In please!? how is that process and I've seen people saying burn in might do some damage to earphones too. So please let me know.

Hello,

The simple way to do it is by connecting the IEMs to a source, say a CD player or a platform, that plays continuously for a little over two full days (~50 hours).

The critical thing is to keep the volume at reasonable levels, as you do not need excessive volume levels for burning in an IEM. After all, you can, in theory, damage an IEM even after the burn in period; I am saying "in theory", because before damaging the IEM set, you probably will damage your ears, which is much more serious than even an expensive IEM set.

I hope that I have answered your question.

Hahahaha,

that was one of the most detailed answer on a funnier note. Thanks Brother.

The IT01X was kindly provided free of charge by iBasso.
They have never asked for a favorable review and this is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
All links provided are not affiliated and I don't earn anything by clicking on them.

Introduction

The IT01X is a new budget friendly, single dynamic driver earphone by iBasso, positioned between the IT00 and the IT01S.
The price in EU is about €120 and you can buy it from here

Technical specifications

Unlike many other IEMs with an iron internal cavity, the IT01X
uses brass for the inner dynamic driver cavity.
The higher density of brass can effectively reduce resonance and
reduce distortion.
This special internal cavity provides a
deep and powerful low frequency along with an engaging
mid frequency.
The unique brass dual Helmholtz resonators provide a deep
and powerful bass that cancel standing waves and ensures
full natural sound.

Each side of the driver is plated with beryllium which has a density of only 1/2 of that of titanium.
The lighter weight diaphragm allows. the IT01X to be driven with ease.
The double-sided beryllium-plated
diaphragm has outstanding rigidity, quick response with extremely low distortion, smaller internal resistance,
wider high frequency bandwidth, and better overall treble extension.
The IT01X utilizes a 3D (three-dimensional) suspension.
It can effectively inhibit the divided vibration of the driver, reduce the distortion, and further improve the sound purity.
The IT01X is rated at 16Ω with a sensitivity of 108dB making it very easy to drive directly from phones and low powered USB dongles.

Appearance and fit

The IT01X is anatomically shaped and the shell is finished with a metallic paint that adds hardness and a nice luxury appearance.
They have a modern twist with the "InTune" logo printed on them and the two tone color scheme.
They are available in black, red and blue.
The tiny shell is very compact and lightweight (7gr each without the cable) so they disappear inside the ear and feel super comfortable.
The fit is tight and secure, offering a stress free user experience and good passive noise attenuation.

Cable

The IT01X features an MMCX detachable cable made from high purity copper.
The cable is a four braided structure ending in a quality 3.5mm plug and it certainly feels premium with good handling, low microphonic noise and securely fitting MMCX connectors.

Accessories

The accessory pack is very inclusive and there are four different types of silicon tips with three sizes each, two pairs of memory foam ear tips, a replacement nozzle filter and a rounded high quality aluminium/plastic case to house everything inside.

Sound impressions

The IT01X is efficient and gets pretty loud with dongles like the ddHiFi TC35B Pro that we have used along with our reference THX Onyx

This is a fun and relaxed sounding iem with the bass tastefully boosted not only in the lower region but also in the mid - bass giving the IT01X a warm and bassy sound signature.
It doesn't reach extreme bass - head levels but it can easily satisfy with all kinds of modern pop and electronic music without any noticeable roll off and with excellent body weight.
This doesn't mean that the earphone isn't suitable for classical and acoustic music, just don't expect it to sound neutral and reference balanced.
The good part is that the bass, although accentuated, is quite controlled and tight, layered and clean enough while it doesn't cloud too much the mid region, letting all instruments be heard without severe masking
Dynamics are good but it is not the most hard hitting or fastest bass presentation with the attacks being on the softer side but it never gets too slow to become sluggish.
Thus said we must note that the various tips work wonders in fine tuning the bass response.
It is possible to achieve a slightly more neutral tuning with less mid bass boost and even make it feel a little more speedy.
Not huge changes but it is certainly worthwhile to experiment and especially if you cycle between various music genres.

Midrange feels neutral, almost following the target curve without any significant boost up to the treble.
So everything sounds balanced, natural and engaging with the right timbre, vocalists sitting just in front of the orchestra and instrumentalists blending together in a musical and highly involving presentation.
There is a great level of clarity and notes are distinctly heard, well defined and present while retaining ample body weight.

Treble is smooth and controlled but it surely doesn't lack in energy and clarity allowing for some good detail retrieval and giving sound the necessary vividness and bite.
Articulation is quite fine although a kind of metallic timbre is spotted here and there but nothing too much to spoil an otherwise excellent performance.
This is not the most extended treble but on the other side it doesn't cause listener fatigue and is very forgiving with poorly mastered or treble heavy music.

Timbre and decay are natural without being rushed at all so the notes fade away in the most effortless manner.
With the IT01X all frequencies sound cohesive and well integrated retaining the same texture and weight from top to bottom.
Soundstage is quite open and spacious, not congested and with satisfying instrument separation but the listener shouldn't expect miracles regarding the overall depth and holography.

At the end

The IT01X is purposely tuned for fun and enjoyment with a spicy sound signature that is not lacking in technicalities and although it isn't exactly an all rounder it isn't afraid to reach audiophile territory if called for.
Small sized and very comfortable with a modern twist it radiates with high vibes putting a smile on the listeners face and it is highly recommended for the intended use.

Test playlist

Copyright - Petros Laskis 2021.

Great Ichos, super Revue!

Hi friends!
It's no secret that in the audiophile sphere, not all, even respected, brands are able to make decent headphones / iem for little money, and these models, as we know, are always in demand. To our common happiness, the ranks of such IEMs were joined by the development from iBasso.

Previously, this company from the Middle Kingdom has already worked in the "accessible sector". We remember well the IEM models - IT01, IT01S and the relatively recent "agent with two zeros" IT00. Well, their new IEMs with the IT01X index have every chance of becoming one of the main "democratic" hits of the year. These earphones turned out to be amazingly interesting and at the same time very inexpensive.

I have never hidden that I have had strong sympathy for iBasso products for a long time, and IT01X is another job of the company's engineers, which is difficult to treat impartially. These guys never stand in one place, but are constantly developing, improving, breaking stereotypes and only going forward. And the desire to make quality sound affordable is worthy of exceptional respect. But I, perhaps, will save compliments for the review itself, let's get acquainted with the "little pleasures" from iBasso.

Text: Alexey Kashirskey (aka Hans Barbarossa)

Specifications
Type: in-ear
Driver: 1DD 10mm / Double-sided Beryllium-plated Diaphragm dynamic driver
Frequency response: 10Hz-40kHz
Sensitivity: 108±2dB
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Noise attenuation: -26dB
THD:<1%(at 1kHz/1mW)
Plug size: 3.5mm TRS gold-plated
Cable length: 1.2m
Weight: 7g without cable

Appearance, kit and ergonomics

IBasso developments are always not only about music, but also about emotions. In this case, everything from packaging instills joy and summer mood. The first to meet us is a bright dust jacket, made in variegated violet-yellow shades. On its front side there is a model index, a clarification that we have "Audiophile In-ear Monitors", a brand logo and a "Hi-Res Audio" sticker. Detailed specifications are shown on the back of the package.

Beneath the beautiful cover is a juicy, bright yellow box embossed with the brand's logo. Inside this "solar brick" we find the IT01X itself, a round case with the inscription iBasso Audio, detailed instructions and a warranty card. But this is only the beginning of our research. We open the "washer" -case and find there a nice replaceable cable, a rich set of tips for every taste, size and color (2 pairs of foam and 12 pairs of silicone tips) and a spare pair of replaceable metal filters to protect sound pipes.

IT01X is available in three color options: black, blue and red. As you can see from the photos, we have the last option.

IT01X looks elegant and very interesting. Small and lightweight, oval-teardrop-shaped cases are made of glossy plastic. The outer side is occupied by an iridescent purple front panel with a silvery lettering - the motto of the company "In Tune"! Wearing is implied behind the ear.

These IEMs are extremely comfortable, and the fit in the ear is wonderful. I will say more: these are, perhaps, one of the most convenient IEMs that I have come across. For ergonomics, they get a solid A from me. Therefore, you can listen to your favorite music in them for as long as you like, the IT01X have it.

On the inside, in addition to the metal sound pipe, there are two compensation holes, which contribute to the better performance of the dynamic driver. The model name and the “L / R” mark are applied next to it. Above is the MMCX connector for connecting the cable.

Filters-mesh on metal sound pipes IEM, twisted, they do not affect the sound, but they reliably protect against moisture, earwax and dust from getting inside. It is simple and quick to change them: unscrew, change the grid, put in place.

Inside each of the IEMs, there is one 10mm dynamic driver with a double-sided beryllium-coated membrane. This design gives the diaphragm the required degree of rigidity and low distortion. In addition, the principle of a Helmholtz resonator is applied here with internal acoustic chambers made of brass, which should also ensure low distortion. I must say, for the budget IEM model, such a technological implementation is very impressive.

Nice braided cable made from monocrystalline copper with silver plated. It is silvery white in color, very resilient, with MMCX connectors, a silvery splitter with a slider and a 3.5mm straight jack plug in the same style.
The connectors are common, and you can easily pick up another cable for the IEM if you want. However, this cable is quite good, and I see no reason to change it.

As I announced at the beginning, the kit, design, ergonomics and workmanship of the IT01X evoke extremely positive emotions. Everything here is saturated with great mood, from the colorful box, IEM design to the original sound. We will talk about this further.

Sound

Listening (audio testing) was conducted on: MyST DAC 1866OCU V.2, Lotoo PAW Gold, iBasso DX300, iBasso DX220 MAX, QLS QA-361, HIP-DAC & iFI iDSD Diablo.

The earbuds were initially burned in for 70 hours. The IT01X played well with all audio devices.
I recommend that you take a responsible approach to the process of choosing tips, as they make a noticeable contribution to the creation of a sound picture.

I would describe the sound of the IT01X as balanced, clean, with a well-developed low-frequency range, dense and accurate impact, smooth, emotional middle, as well as a clean and slightly sparkling high-frequency range.

There is an elegant afterburner in the lower register and a neat emphasis ("spark") that falls on the high frequencies. This accent is made so delicately that it does not cause the slightest discomfort. This adds a bit of air, light expression and makes the sound more picturesque. As a result, the overall frequency response takes on a light U-shape.

It is a well-balanced and extremely expressive manner of delivering sound, with a body-filled audio image in the mid-range, a light velvet background added by low frequencies, as well as a precise, unobtrusive and clean high-frequency range.

The bass is tight, biting, tight and nimble, with good control, articulation, accurate kick and good texture. It powerfully and rollingly fills the virtual stage with mass, darkening the general background, adding contrast to the overall audio picture and reliably keeping the rhythmic basis of the composition in check. The blow is focused and fairly accurate.
Working out the midbass takes not so much quantity as quality, demonstrating good texture transfer and enviable energy.

Mids are smooth, with a decent transfer of the emotional component of the composition. The mid-frequency range is delivered smoothly and musically, without sharp peaks that straining the ear. Vocal parts sound temperamental, pianos and strings are reproduced cleanly, accurately and picturesquely. This is a raised, natural and melodic manner of presenting the sound.
Musical images are conveyed in a contrasting and easy manner, with due expression. This is a rather comfortable and sweet-voiced manner. For their price point, these IEMs have a pretty decent resolution. It is also worth noting the overall smoothness, good detail and harmonious work with micro and macro contrast.

The high-frequency register is slightly highlighted, the main emphasis is at about 8kHz, but at the same time it is served quite comfortably and does not tend to draw attention to itself. In this case, the high frequencies add a bit of breadth, brilliance and freshness to the sound.
Highs are reproduced clearly, lingeringly and euphonious. Here, perhaps, there is everything you need for such a difficult and capricious register: good resolution, elegant color and playful "speck" that adorns the general musical palette. It is an attractive and correct manner, well articulated, delivered in a light, graceful and comfortable manner.

In terms of genre preferences, iBasso IT01X are not too capricious. They are interesting, with their graceful "color", play both instrumental music, jazz, electronics, and rock.

The bottom line

Lows - balanced, biting, comfortable, with a tight tight kick and harmonious bass.

Mids are smooth, detailed, with a good transfer of the emotional part, decent resolution, without sharp peaks and distortions, comfortable and naturalistic.

Highs are precise, beautiful and delicate. They are served comfortably, clearly, cleanly, but slightly simplified. The cheerful "sparkle" does not interfere with the register in any way, but only gives it charm.

Conclusion

If you look at these IEMs from the sky-high heights of Hi-End, then, of course, one could find fault with the minor flaws that this model has. But such snobbery is completely inappropriate here - we have IEM "budget segment" in front of us, which, on the contrary, deserve only praise.
The IT01X is cute, stylish, lightweight and extremely comfortable. Their beautiful and original sound is just a godsend for beginner music lovers and a great option for even the most demanding audiophiles as a second IEM that you can take with you for a walk or a sports jog.

And a special thank you to iBasso for its humanity, because their "little pleasures" are affordable for almost everyone. On the manufacturer's website, IT01X costs only $ 119. Considering the good kit, great design, build quality, ergonomics and, most importantly, more than decent sound, I consider this proposal one of the best in its category.

Thanks for the great review!

ss2625

@ss2625 thank you very much

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Paul and iBasso for providing a review unit of the IT01X. Rest assured that my impressions written in this review are my own personal thoughts and opinions and in no way influenced by outside parties.

I am not an expert in this hobby nor claim to be an audiophile. I just love listening to music and am fond of writing articles.

Introduction:

iBasso has long been in the audio game. Specializing in DAPs, or digital audio players, they have arguably created the most value for money DAPs with excellent sonic performance and rich features. A few years back, they ventured into the IEM world, with the AM05, IT07, and the IT00 as notable models to mention. We have here the latest iBasso IEM, named IT01x, with its “double-sided beryllium dynamic driver,” of which driver technology/implementation I have never encountered till this IEM. It utilizes an MMCX connection with an impedance of 16 ohms and a sensitivity of 108 dB.

These were plugged to my Oppo Reno 4/Asus X409 with the Earstudio HUD100 MK2 (bypass, high power) for the review. It sounds muddy and dead with less than 1 Vrms devices. Dynamics, resolution, extension and technicalities improve with more power. Midrange is also brought up, particularly lower midrange/midrange proper. Treble wakes up.

Build and Comfort: There was no mention of the shell material but it’s definitely not metal. They do advertise the paint used as “premium metallic paint used in luxury imported cars.” I have to say, that paint is both good-looking and not irritating for my ears. Shell is light and would disappear in your ears once you put them on (on the smaller side, as well). Shape is very smooth and have no sharp edges.

Nozzle is of above average length and width which might cause issues for other ears. I did encounter comfort issues, but this is due to switching to third-party tips (“lengthened” the nozzle). With that, I run them with the stock whirlwind tips (needs significant hours of break-in to be less stiff and more comfortable).

Cable is advertised as a 4-core high purity, silver-plated copper cable. Jack, splitter and slider (functional) are all made of metal and feels solid on hand. Handles well with the most comfortable preformed earhooks I’ve ever used. Regular thickness.

Isolation is average to below-average. Depends on tips used. Stock wide-bore tips have poor isolation.

Possible to be worn cable-down.

Package: 4 pairs of white wide-bore silicone tips (S/M/L). 3 pairs of translucent grey wide-bore silicone tips (S/M/L). 3 pairs of black regular-bore silicone tips (S/M/L). 3 pairs of grey/blue wide-bore silicone tips (S/M/L). 2 pairs of foam tips (S/M). Metal iBasso Audio-branded case. User Guide. Warranty card. 1 pair replacement screw-on nozzle w/ O-ring.

Now, onto sound:

For this review, the IEM was left in stock mode, without mods using the whirlwind tips (small) and the Faaeal Hibiscus cable, with a listening volume of low-medium to medium.

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Bass: warning – I perceive this as true basshead level in quantity (leaning towards sub-bass, lean-ish mid-bass; ~11 dB boost). Basshead to the point of being distracting when tracks utilize lower bass frequencies due to the tuning favoring that sub-region. Why do I say this? It’s because the quality can’t keep up with the elevation. Response is of the average attack and moderate decay which would have been fine if the IT01X didn’t have an 11 dB elevation, sub-bass focused tuning. One thing worth mentioning is that OOTB, the bass quantity was not this much to the point that I determined the signature as relatively neutral with a slight bass boost. Over time, it significantly increased. I don’t know if this is the burn-in phenomenon or just the driver loosening up or brain burn-in (or silicone tip break-in concerning fit). Extension is excellent for the price and will provide you with that satisfying rumble and movement of the “double-plated” beryllium dynamic driver. Tightness and texture are average which can't keep up with the quantity. Slight bass bleed perceived in drops but usually non-occurring.

Midrange: one more thing – this is not for those that want that natural/neutral midrange. It’s the most resolving midrange I’ve heard of the few IEMs I have sub-150 USD, but the upper midrange tonality is strange/unnatural (approaching nasal). I’m attributing this to the constant rise from upper midrange to lower treble. Very intimate and intense-sounding, especially female vocals - it bites and it growls. Male vocals/lower midrange sound noticeably recessed compared to female vocals/upper midrange (forward presentation) but still wouldn’t fall in the “lost” midrange category due to the technical capabilities. With brain burn-in, you can get used to the tonality. Quite fast actually, in my case. But there is a way better and easier solution.

Treble: crisp and airy. There’s a significant peak at lower treble which plays a huge role in why there’s a lot of perceivable macrodetail (maybe even too much; gets fatiguing over time ~3 hours) and the rather unnatural upper midrange tonality. Interestingly enough, while the treble region is generally energetic and does come close to sibilant and harsh levels, it’s half-a-step away from it. Doesn’t come off as grainy/thin even in badly recorded tracks. Splash is non-existent. I do have to note that weaker sources can’t make the treble alive – sounds muddy/dead with phones and such.

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Timbre: Beryllium just hits different even if all I’ve ever heard are plated ones (still wondering what pure Be DD sounds like). The timbral characteristic of the IT01X is very organic-sounding.

Soundstage, Imaging, and Separation: Because the upper midrange/lower treble is very intimate, soundstage width suffers. Add in the bass quantity/quality that also eats away the stage width, and what you get is a narrow, longer-than-wide presentation. Thankfully, layering is excellent and there is great perception of height and depth of music. Imaging, due to the technical prowess of the driver, is sharp and separation will be able to handle any track but is adversely affected by bass quality when listening to sub-bass/lower bass-heavy songs.

Detail-retrieval: Astonishing macrodetail due to the tuning of the upper midrange/lower treble but gets fatiguing in longer sessions. Microdetail-retrieval is also excellent but is counteracted by the bass quantity though this does depend on how bass-heavy the track is.

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What you can do to fix the upper midrange:

Add a damping filter (standard density), and you have yourself a budget (highlighting the word) Sennheiser IE 400 Pro. So easy to do especially that the IT01X has removable nozzles.

Though the iBasso is in no way competing to the Sennheiser in terms of technicalities (most especially in soundstage), it now follows a similar tonality. This mod also takes away the fatigue from the IT01X. It was already similar in tuning in the bass department, but with the filter bringing down the upper midrange/lower treble, you get even closer.

In slower and simpler tracks, you can consider the two as a younger brother (teen) and his older brother (adult). They share a lot of characteristics, but what differentiates them is that the former is quite livelier while the latter acts more mature.

However, with more complex tracks, you’ll be able to hear how the IT01X is trying hard to keep up, particularly in bass response. The Sennheiser has way, waaay better and incomparable extension and overall response to the iBasso. Also keep in mind that this is 119 USD vs. 349.95 USD.

It’s not all improvements with this mod. One exchange is that it further highlights my issues with the bass quality especially when things get busy.

I think you can get closer in tuning with a denser filter, but I currently don’t have one to try. Might also “suffocate” the sound . Switching to foam tips is also another option to further remove the fatiguing aspect of the IT01X.

Conclusion:

A V-going-U signature with basshead bass quantity, lively midrange (albeit quite unnatural, for me in stock), and crisp and airy treble, the IT01X is a considerable option for those that want such a signature. Selling for 119 USD, just the package itself is awesome for the price. However, SQ-wise, there's just too much competition at way cheaper prices for the IT01X to be rated highly. Better with a damping filter (preference).

3/5 – stock

3.5/5 – with damping filter

Averaged to 3.25/5... As Head-Fi star system doesn't support 3.25, I rounded-up.

****If you have other questions/concerns with the IEM mentioned, feel free to message me****

@Nazar70

Dude (@Nazar70 ), check my past posts on the IT01X. I actually perceived them as bright-neutral with a slight bass boost (first days impressions). But then, over time, strangely, the bass quantity just started increasing and increasing. And thus, soundstage width decreased to the point that music is presented in-your-face.

I would so love to go balanced, but it would cost quite a lot

Yeah, I do agree they're not all-rounders. Quite niche if you really want that midrange detail and resolution for ~100 USD.

I would say that if the soundstage got narrower, even single ended, and not larger with time, then something is wrong with the set of IT01X you have as that is nothing like what I hear on the ones I have here.

@cappuchino

@cappuchino - "if you really want that midrange detail and resolution" - This is exactly what I paid attention to. IT01X will complement my collection (and they differ greatly in their signature from the others: ISN H40, Moondrop SSP, Reecho SG-03, Shanling AE3, Tanchjim Tanya and a few others). And in my opinion, the soundstage is also not that small - it is especially noticeable with binaural recordings.

iBasso IT01X

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notaris

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Ichos

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cappuchino

Previously known as sub30