ICELAB Spectrumica

As a member of this audiophile community, I wanted to share with you my personal evaluations on this Ice Lab SPECTRUMICA. The new iem from Ice Lab, a relatively new brand, who very kindly sent me their new product, of which I will provide my personal review. At the end, I will return everything, as it was sent to me by kind permission. So my thanks go to Ice Lab for giving me this opportunity.

To begin .... a little note on the reality of ICE LAB:

ICELAB was founded by a team united by a shared passion for pursuing the ultimate music experience. Dedicated to excellence in both sound quality and craftsmanship, ICELAB has been innovating since its inception in 2014 with the release of the Vocal 2 earphones. Over the years, the brand introduced a series of pure BA (balanced armature) models—Exclusive, Zensation, Primium—alongside hybrid models like NEO and Reference. With advancements such as the “ELMO Ultra-Low-Frequency Multi-Stage Crossover System” and the “Prismatica Tri-Blend System,” ICELAB has amassed extensive expertise in IEM (in-ear monitor) tuning and custom earphone manufacturing. To achieve optimal acoustic performance, ICELAB places utmost importance on the key internal components that directly influence sound: the drivers, internal wiring, and electronic parts. Only toptier balanced armature units from Knowles and Sonion, along with bespoke drivers from leading manufacturers, are used in ICELAB’s products. Additionally, ICELAB insists on using high-end audiophilegrade electronic components to ensure an uncompromised foundation of sound quality.
Recognizing the limitations of conventional internal wiring in IEMs, ICELAB developed a variety of premium internal cables. These range from OFC and OCC copper to high-grade options like gold-plated and palladium-plated pure silver. This meticulous attention to detail, even in less noticeable areas, reflects ICELAB’s relentless pursuit of sound perfection.
ICELAB is also among the pioneering Hong Kong brands to develop and produce its own high-quality upgrade cables. Crafted meticulously by experienced artisans using the finest materials available, ICELAB aims to offer audiophiles in Hong Kong and beyond a high-quality listening experience at an accessible luxury price. Join us on this journey, as we redefine the music experience for discerning enthusiasts around the world.

Let's get into the brief presentation of SPECTRUMICA:

Spectrumica combines the concepts of Spectrum and Mica. Spectrum refers to the vivid array of colors created when light is refracted through a prism, symbolizing Spectrumica’s mission to deliver a richly layered auditory experience. Mica, known for its birefringent properties, reflects Spectrumica’s dual conduction structure—air conduction and bone conduction. Featuring an innovative coil-based CBC bone conduction unit and ICELAB’s exceptional acoustic engineering, Spectrumica offers an immersive listening experience that brings sound to life in a truly impactful way.

ICELAB's Dual-Conduction Flagship IEM –Spectrumica

Spectrumica features an advanced four-hybrid, eight-driver architecture, combining ceramic dynamic drivers, CBC bone conduction units, Sonion balanced armatures, and EST electrostatic drivers. Equipped with premium Japanese ELNA audio capacitors, Japanese MFR metal film resistors, and internal wiring made from OCC copper and gold-plated pure silver, every component impacting sound has been meticulously fine-tuned through extensive listening tests to achieve optimal acoustic performance. Spectrumica embodies ICELAB’s dedication to redefining audio precision in a flagship IEM.

P-Sync Phase-Synchronized Cavity

Bone conduction allows sound frequencies to bypass the outer and middle ear, transmitting directly through the skull bone to the hair cells within the cochlea, delivering a unique experience of ultra-low frequencies and spatial depth. However, due to differing transmission media, phase misalignment can often occur. To address this, ICELAB employs a high-precision 5-axis CNC milling machine to craft the PSync phase-synchronized cavity. This precision machining ensures high airtightness and minimizes resonance distortion, effectively synchronizing the phase between bone and air conduction.

The ceramic diaphragm, offering greater rigidity than standard metal diaphragms, resists deformation even under high-intensity sound amplitudes, resulting in crisp, fast transient response. Paired with the exceptional low-frequency capabilities of the CBC bone conduction driver, P-Sync delivers a transparent, pure, and richly dimensional sound experience.


Industry-Leading Sonion Drivers

Renowned for their exceptional resolution and sensitivity, balanced armature drivers have set high standards in audio technology, with Sonion units standing as industry-leading pioneers. Sonion’s innovative miniaturized EST electrostatic drivers incorporate high-precision signal boosters, achieving an extended frequency range of up to 40kHz. Paired seamlessly with Sonion balanced armature drivers, they deliver an impeccably natural, refined sound across an extensive audio spectrum.

Audiophile-Grade Components - All in Service of Superior Sound

Every component in Spectrumica, from crossover elements to internal wiring and tuning ear tips, is meticulously selected to enhance audio quality. The crossover components underwent extensive tuning and testing, ultimately selecting two series of capacitors from the trusted Japanese brand ELNA. For resistors, only the finest audio-grade options were considered, with a fast-paced, dynamic rhythm achieved using Japanese metal film resistors. Each element is carefully chosen to contribute to an exceptional listening experience.



Luxury Custom Internal Wiring
To optimize performance across driver types, ICELAB developed proprietary gold-plated pure silver and specially reinforced OCC copper wiring for internal use. The gold-plated silver wiring provides superior conductivity, far surpassing the OFC copper wires used by many brands, resulting in finer detail and higher resolution in sound. For dynamic and bone conduction drivers, the reinforced OCC copper wiring enhances low-frequency response and adds richness and fullness to the overall sound profil .

Precision 5-Axis CNC Casing

The Spectrumica shell is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, providing high mechanical strength to enhance bone conduction while maintaining a comfortable, lightweight fit. Drawing on years of experience in custom IEMs, ICELAB applies ergonomic expertise to achieve an optimized metal shell design. The casing undergoes repeated testing and fine adjustments to maximize sound performance while ensuring durability. Specifically, at the bone conduction contact point, the shell’s thickness is precision-reduced to an impressive 0.4mm, minimizing signal loss and distortion from material interference, all for an exceptional wearing experience.

Premium Accessories

ICELAB equips Spectrumica with three distinct ear tips for enhanced sound versatility: high-performance silicone tips with a 4mm sound tube, the boutique-grade Eletech Baroque series, and Hiby WG01 liquid silicone tips. Carefully selected through extensive testing, each of these ear tips reveals subtle, rich tonal variations, allowing listeners to further unlock the full potential of Spectrumica’s sound quality.

MICA - Custom-Tuned Cable

The MICA cable is custom-designed for Spectrumica, featuring ICELAB’s proprietary 3D-HALO Shielding, a spatial shielding network woven from a specialized twisted core. This unique design creates a quieter soundstage with enhanced sound density.
Constructed with OCC copper and gold-plated OCC copper in a Litz Type 4S configuration, the core boosts dynamic range while preserving delicate tonal nuances. The 3D-HALO shielding layer, interwoven with pure silver and silver-plated wires, adds brilliance to the high frequencies, enhancing sound transparency for a cleaner, more radiant listening experience.

ICE LAB Spectrumica :
Technical Specifications:
Drivers: 8-Driver, 4-Hybrid Configuration
1 x Ceramic Dynamic Driver
1 x Coil-Based Bone Conduction Driver
4 x Sonion Balanced Armature Drivers
2 x Sonion Electrostatic High-Frequency Drivers
Sensitivity: 93.5 dB @ 1kHz
Impedance: 7 ohms (DRC)
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 40kHz



PACKAGING and ACCESSORIES :

Absolutely one of the most beautiful and complete I have ever seen, with a really very very beautiful level of finishing.
The back of the second box (the first box is black with the logo on the bottom right) ....with all the Spectrumica specifications written on it, with the graph. Inside a beautiful metal box with the cable inside (which I will talk about later), the housing of the two iems, the metal card with the name, Date of Purchase and Date of Manufacture. On the bottom right the box with all its accessories and on the left the metal bar with the etips (high quality) for all the sizes.
In the accessories box, we find the black net for inserting and protecting the two IEM shells, the gel sachet, and a small cloth for cleaning the two shells.





COMFORT :

I have never tried or seen Ice Lab Prismatica in person, so I can't say if the shape of Spectrumica falls within the canons of its manufacturer in terms of shape and comfort. I can say that Spectrumica has the shape of its nozzle relatively average if not slightly shorter. In essence, however, it is not at all long or penetrating. A good insertion and a good holding capacity. Very light (despite the massiveness with which it seems to be built). It is beautiful to the touch, because a little grainy. So it can hardly slip between your hands. I have an excellent grip for an iem. I wonder if it was a coincidence .... or even this detail was studied appropriately. The Spectrumica writing on the side just mentioned and in italics is of a unique elegance, Beautiful. The fit is excellent at least on my personal ear canal. It does not protrude much from the ear so here too, it guarantees an excellent seal even with sudden movements of the head. Very comfortable. Although this factor remains very very personal depending on the shape of the individual ears. But in general I do not think it can cause any problem.

CONSTRUCTION :
5-Axis Precision CNC Coating
The Spectrumica shell is made of aerospace-grade aluminum, which provides high mechanical strength to enhance bone conduction while maintaining a comfortable and lightweight fit. Based on years of experience in custom IEMs, ICELAB applies ergonomic expertise to achieve an optimized metal shell design. The shell is subjected to repeated testing and precise adjustments to maximize sound
performance while ensuring durability. In particular, at the point of contact with bone conduction, the shell thickness is precisely reduced to an impressive 0.4mm, minimizing signal loss and distortion due to material interference, all for an exceptional wearing experience.




SOUND :

I allowed myself an unscheduled treat. For the price/quality ratio, I think Spectrumica is the best IEM currently on the market. I own Noble Chronicle, Traillii Ti, Noble Ragnar and I'm getting Forte Ears Macbeth. In the past I had Fir Audio RN6, Rhapsodio V3 Supreme. Spectrumica, in today's panorama is an object that could certainly be positioned in a price range of 4000 usd. And I'm not exaggerating, given the possible comparisons. But let's go step by step: Spectrumica has a general W-shaped sound, excellently balanced and in line. The low range plays a fairly important role. It is imposing with good power, a full sound but at the same time clear and impactful. The DD is felt without ever becoming excessive or having the "classic" thump. There is good control over the entire spectrum. It can satisfy both bass lovers but also lovers of the clear and fast low range. The sound is never too warm and obviously not analytical, given the conformation of the low range composed of 1 x Ceramic Dynamic Driver and 1 x Coil-Based Bone Conduction Driver. The midrange, essentially composed of 4 x Sonion Balanced Armature Drivers, sounds resolute, with good separation between instruments. The image is quite precise, as is the positioning of the instruments on stage. In fast and complex songs you can appreciate the goodness of a harmonious midrange. The mid-low range is excellent. When stimulated it offers the best of itself. With electronic music it has the right body and the right speed. It does not break down in complex passages. Everything seems excellently calibrated. In some aspects it recalls RN6, even if I find that Spectrumica has more weight on the notes, more body and is technically much superior. The upper mids are well present, with a detailed, strong, clear tone. The sound is quite close to neutral with a note of warmth, which accompanies the low range. The high range is clear with crunch but without ever being annoying. Spectrumica is an IEM for long listening sessions. The music flows smoothly and never fascinating. But even here the resolution and the subsequent recovery of details is really very good. The mid-high range, although extended is still revealing and has an excellent three-dimensionality. I noticed however a certain aptitude to express its maximum with recordings of excellent quality. Overall it has a very balanced sound signature. The soundstage is large and well recorded on all 3 directions, without excelling or lacking in any parameter. The separation between the voices is good but between the instruments it becomes excellent. Overall Spectrumica has great musical body, combining speed and clarity. In the low range the decay is excellent, and the DD with a good rumble does not affect or slow down the attack of the low notes.



LOW RANGE:

The low range response of Spectrumica is a deep, well structured and lush low range. Defined and never invasive. The sub bass remains present but at the same time controlled when and does not invade anything in the sound spectrum. A very present rumble, clear but never suffocating or too warm. In this price range it is difficult to find a good balance between dd and Bone Conduction. The work at a synergic level between the two drivers is excellent. Neither of them steps on the other's toes. Neither of them imposes itself on the other. But both find the right spaces to blend together splendidly. This low frequency is articulated and I feel that in the passages of electronic music it does its job very well. Without ever being invasive. There is however a slight coloration in the low range, which deviates from neutrality although in a very natural and pleasant way. The DD makes your head vibrate when called upon to give its best. And it does its job with undoubted quality and a weight of the notes that is truly respectable. It remains fast, clear, never, never invasive. Its fullness remains granitic in any context or musical genre. It is however sensitive to good recordings.



MID RANGE :

The mid range of Spectrumica is quite balanced with the rest of the musical bands. Not backwards nor even evidently forward. In the mid-high ranges, however, I feel a slight advancement, as if it were centralized in the center of the listening. It remains slightly above neutral. It is strong in the weight of the notes and its sound is still pleasantly dense. Normally with a powerful bass, (DD and BC) the mid range could suffer, but here this does not happen. The passage to the mids from the low range is always clear and technical. No swelling or loss of musical details. The timbre remains very natural and the voices sound as they should and as they should be in every IEM of this level. Sounding natural when there is a natural voice and played whispered, when the recording offers a whispered voice. Screamed when there is a lot of energy, power and vocal peaks when required. And this happens for both male and female voices. The soundstage in all this offers a great three-dimensionality without having a live sensation, like more technical IEMs. This factor means that Spectrumica is never tiring and, on the contrary, calls for long listening sessions. It becomes difficult to find a defect on an objective level. Then it is clear that it may or may not be liked, but the sound here is truly harmonious, balanced, very pleasant. Even in the midrange what is surprising is the notable weight of the notes, combined with a good dose of technique and recovery of details



HIGH RANGE:

The high range of Spectrumica is really neutral, clear, energetic and with so, so much quality. It is a high range that I would define as elegant, structured, educated. You never feel the fatigue of listening, not even for a moment. It is really very engaging. It is not hyper-technical like Noble Viking Ragnar or Forte Ears Macbeth. It does not have a monstrous recovery of details, but it does everything so well, with so much mastery and so much naturalness that you do not feel the need. You realize that you are paying attention to this "limit" not while listening to Spectrumica, but only and only when you do a comparison. The presentation of the high range is qualitative and really very correct. With separation and air in its place, without having more, without having less. I find it very harmonious. It has a really very beautiful tuning and in its own way very rare, able to satisfy a very wide audience.

SOUNDSTAGE :

The Spectrumica soundstage is excellent. Width, depth and height are all positioned with great calibration between them. I tried Spectrumica with Lotoo GT2 and Luxury&Precisione LP6 Ti, and I must confirm the excellent impressions that I have deduced. It does not have a three-dimensional sound like a “live” version, but it is not at all an iem to which this setting time is suited. And besides, it does not have an intimate or compressed soundstage either. It has the spatiality and you are sure of it when during listening the mind does not ask for more space or more scatology. The image is always very well positioned overall and any musical genre seems to be managed with masterly ease. The separation between the instruments and also between the notes is also excellent and it is also very pleasant to recognize the positioning of the instruments on the stage in front of the listener. It seems that everything is perfectly in its place. You can distinguish the positioning of the first and second voice in some Lacuna Coil tracks where the voices of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro alternate.

CABLES :

To optimize performance across driver types, ICELAB developed proprietary gold-plated pure silver and specially reinforced OCC copper wiring for internal use. The gold-plated silver wiring provides superior conductivity, far surpassing the OFC copper wires used by many brands, resulting in finer detail and higher resolution in sound. For dynamic and bone conduction drivers, the reinforced OCC copper wiring enhances low-frequency response and adds richness and fullness to the overall sound profile.



MICA - Custom-Tuned Cable . The MICA cable is custom-designed for Spectrumica, featuring ICELAB’s proprietary 3D-HALO shielding, a spatial shielding network woven from a specialized braided core. This unique design creates a quieter soundstage with improved sound density. Made of OCC copper and gold-plated OCC copper in a 4S Litz Type configuration, the core increases dynamic range while preserving delicate tonal nuances. The 3D-HALO shielding layer, interwoven from pure silver and silver-plated wires, adds brilliance to the high frequencies,enhancing soud trasparency for a cleaner, more radiant listening experience. The cable remains soft even if it is braided with a good coating that seems to be solid and resistant. It also gives the impression of having a clever shielding (3D HALO braided with pure silver wires, always silver plated) seeing it from the outside and judging it aesthetically. It remains slightly rigid in the part of the curve above the ear .... but it could also depend on the fact that the unit that was delivered to me is totally new. So it could be that over time, the last part of the cable softens, taking the personalized "shape" of the curve. Here too, the finish and details are all extremely well-finished. As if it were a high fashion item. It gives the impression that nothing is left to chance. The pins (0.78mm) are satin silver with the logo and the writing ice lab in white on the outside and respectively with the letters L and R always printed in white respectively for the right iem and the left iem. In the middle of the cable the divider is given by a section in (it seems) black aluminum with a geometric design printed on top in white that stands out in a conspicuous but elegant and refined way. On the other side.....the icing on the cake with a purely aesthetic flavor: The small writing in italics that reads "journey into music". A pleasure for the eyes and for the soul. Also because Spectrumica is a journey into music. Deep, immersive, total, all-encompassing. The connector (4.4mm) in semi-gloss light gray color centrally and on the two edges of the cylindrical structure, of greater thickness (here too the grip is excellent for holding with the fingers) and in anthracite gray for the length of about 5 mm. Truly beautiful. It seems like a work of jewelry. The sound is obviously in line with the Spectrumica brand. All the peculiarity and all the characteristics of the gold-plated copper are clearly audible. The sound is structured, full, but maintains the right brilliance in the high and medium high range, making listening that little bit more captivating. Overall I think this cable was thought, reasoned and built to accompany the sound philosophy of Spectrumica, because it seems to marry this iem perfectly. Everything seems to be made with a unique symbiosis.
To underline: It is not the "usual" stock cable, which we often find ourselves having to change to give or take away something from our IEM of the moment. I tried to change the cable to Spectrumica, also putting Brise Audio Orochi or Brise Audio Fukubukuro, just to name a few, and other cables, but I have to say that beyond the fact that each cable has added or omitted some nuance (as is almost normal) well, I have to say that no cable, like the Spectrumica stock cable has demonstrated the same identical synergy. The Spectrumica cable seems like the natural consequence of the IEM. As if it were something unique or essential. Its cable seems like a mobile appendix of Spectrumica. Incredible.



COMPARISON:

Ice Lab Spectrumica vs Traillii Ti

The tunings between the two are different. So a lot will depend on individual preferences. It is immediately obvious that at the same volume Spectrumica sounds louder. In the low range Spectrumica reaches further down. Its rumble is greater. Traillii Ti has a tighter and less strong low range. It is slightly more sparkling placed in front of the listener. In the mid range Spectrumica is more harmonious. Which does not mean slower or slower. But the mid range of Spectrumica is more enveloping. Between the two Spectrumica is warmer in the mids. Traillii lashes the notes a little more and its mid range remains a little more forward. In the mid range Traillii Ti is preferable. Even if...listening with Traillii Ti is slightly more tiring than Traillii. In the sense that it requires the listener's attention. While Spectrumica makes the music flow very naturally, and with greater balance. In the long run, at least personally Spectrumica tires less. The voices are well placed on both. Perhaps on Spectrumica the male voices are more forward than Traillii Ti. On the midrange Traillii has a little more weight on the notes. I must say though....that I'm listening to Traillii Ti with the Brise Audio Fukubukuro cable, while Spectrumica has its stock cable. On the high range Spectrumica is very pleasant. It has better detail recovery and sounds more fluid. The medium-high range of Traillii is still the most powerful in terms of fullness, and here too it requires a little more attention when listening. Spectrumica on the highs has more air and is slightly more consistent in the musical body. They are not similar....but in some aspects one is preferable to the other and vice versa. Overall however the time spent listening with Spectrumica passes more pleasantly than with Traillii Ti which I find more demanding. But the midrange of Traillii, you know....is still one of the best existing. In the high range however I prefer Spectrumica. (Traillii ti 7999 usd . Ice Lab Spectrumica 1999 usd)

Ice Lab Spectrumica vs Noble Viking Ragnar

The two tunings here are even more distant than the previous comparison. Ragnar already from the first notes, throws the music directly and strongly in your face. Ragnar (my absolute favorite iem, even having Traillii Ti, Noble Chronicle and Forte Ears Macbeth) always has the same WOW effect!. More electrifying, more nervous, faster. At the same volume Spectrumica sounds louder than Ragnar. Ragnar's details are unattainable for anyone. Spectrumica in the midrange has more body and has a more structured, more rocky sound at 360. Ragnar seems to have a more Pro setting, forgive the term, while Spectrumica is more Hifi. At long listening here too......Spectrumica is much preferable. The most palpable differences are at the top. Ragnar is brilliant, fast, technical with a great recovery of all the details. Spectrumica is perhaps behind Ragnar in terms of speed, but not in terms of details and surgical sound. Spectrumica on the other hand, has a less brilliant but fuller and more fun high range. The sound flows more fluidly and less demanding. In terms of openness Spectrumica is slightly less spacious than Ragnar. But it envelops the listener's head more. And in the low range, it is preferable, especially in electronic music, where its thump and the depth of bass and sub bass are more suited to this kind of music than Viking Ragnar can be. (Noble Audio Viking Ragnar 4000 usd . Ice Lab Spectrumica 1999 usd)

Ice Lab Spectrumica vs Forte Ears Macbeth

Here the premise is that I have had Macbeth for a few days and I don't think it has even done the minimum run-in... Anyway I'll try. Here at the volume level they seem to sound the same. The sound of Macbeth is more crystalline. More vivid. The low range of Spectrumica however imposes itself for body and depth. The details of Macbeth are out of this world. Spectrumica remains a few levels less detailed with less detail recovery. The big difference is made by the effort of listening. With Macbeth the sound always requires maximum attention. With Spectrumica the sound and the ability to listen are much more fluctuating and never tiring. Maybe it's because Macbeth hasn't run-in, but at high frequencies it is particularly exuberant. Not annoying but at the very high frequencies for now, you tend to lower the volume a bit. Spectrumica doesn't have this problem, but I repeat...Macbeth for a few hours. In the mid range Spectrumica seems to be more harmonious, even if it does not have the WOW effect of Macbeth which as a sound philosophy veers more towards a closeness to Viking Ragnar than to Spectrumica. Which in turn veers more towards a closeness to Trailli Ti and Fir Audio RN6. Even if for my preference I find Spectrumica more suitable for my personal listening rather than RN6. But it is a personal opinion. Spectrumica is more of an all-rounder than Macbeth. I feel that Spectrumica accompanies the listener on a quiet journey with every comfort. Macbeth in more than a few passages is more of an IEM for demanding listening where you appreciate or not all the nuances of the recording and goes to capture details that escape with other IEMs. But precisely for this reason Macbeth requires a very very careful listening to fully appreciate its qualities. Spectrumica is an IEM for "traveling", for long listening sessions to satisfy a much wider clientele. Because Spectrumica is not an iem that covers only a certain range of listeners. It is neither so relaxed nor so bright or clear. Spectrumica is an iem that responds to the various demands of musical genres always with abundance and never missing a beat. It has no "holes", it does not prefer any genre in particular ,but I did not listen to classical music and wind instrument solos for this test. (Forte Ears Macbeth 3999 usd. Ice Lab Spectrumica 1999 usd)

A final note:

I believe that Spectrumica, in today's panorama, is an iem with an unrivaled quality/price ratio. If it had been an iem produced and released on the market by a much more renowned brand, it would have had a hype and a price that is certainly much higher. And the factor even more in its favor is that it remains difficult to catalog in a specific sector of satisfaction of musical genres or difficult to identify in a certain range of listeners. Spectrumica is good for all musical genres and always in my opinion, ready to satisfy a good 80% of customers fond of this hobby that is music at 360 degrees. I find Spectrumica an absolute masterpiece. And, I repeat, I currently have in my collection Traillii Ti, Noble Audio Viking Ragnar, Noble Audio Chronicle, Forte Ears Macbeth, and until very recently (maybe two months) I had Rhapsodio V3 Supreme and Fir Audio RN6. All very beautiful, but Ice Lab Spectrumica not only does not look out of place in the presence of any of these, but in some passages, nuances, musical genres and synergy with Dap of the level of Lotoo GT2 and Luxury&Precision LP6 Ti, in some aspects Spectrumica is preferable to all the iems mentioned above. Objectively it is a very high level iem, subjectively it remains an extremely personal factor. Keep an eye on ICE LAB, because I think it has managed to establish itself on the market, and Spectrumica is the right starting point.....well then it will mean that this brand will be destined (as I hope) to a rise that will lead to the production of an even better performing iem in the future. The path taken is more than right for now. Good luck Ice Lab.