Introduction
IKKO Audio is a very young company, established just a few years ago, and it has already left its footprint in the audio industry; it makes mainly IEMs and headphone DACs and Amplifiers. I think it is accurate to say that in just a few years where others would do steps IKKO has done jumps.
The company’s flagship IEM is OH7, which is based on a single dynamic driver; it has a performance and also an MSRP that puts it in the “upper level league”, and it certainly deserves a separate review.
Two much more reasonably priced IEMs are OH1 and OH10; OH1 was IKKO’s first IEM, and it was followed by OH10 in an attempt to further improve OH1. I therefore think that it is quite appropriate to review both of them at the same time and see the similarities and differences between them.
OH1
OH1, to which IKKO gave the name “Meteor”, is a hybrid, and by this I mean that it has two drivers; a 10mm dynamic driver made of a polymer composite with a titanium coating, and a Knowles 33518 balance armature driver. Obviously, the dynamic driver is mainly responsible for the low frequencies, and the balance armature driver for the highs, while both contribute to the mid range. So, internally, IKKO did a very detailed work designing carefully the dynamic driver and using a balance armature driver from one of the most respected manufacturers.
The housing is made of an aerospace alloy, which is very lightweight (only 6 grams per piece) to the point that you don’t feel that you have the earpiece in your ear; however, the aerospace alloy is also hard and rigid enough in order to contribute to the sound signature of the IEM. The housing is in an attractive light blue color and the overall quality is outstanding, far beyond OH1’s price tag of $139.00.
The cable is a high-purity oxygen-free copper (OFC) silver-plated cable; it is a 2-pin, 0.78 mm, detachable design. According to IKKO, each side’s cable has 4 strands of high-purity (8-purity) oxygen-free copper that is silver-plated, and it is designed to extend high frequencies and enhance low frequencies. Where the cable connects to the housing of the IEMs has a plastic cover, which is very helpful for helping the user to place the cable over the ears. So, the quality of the cable is another thing that is far beyond OH1’s price tag.
The accessories are all that is needed. Besides the two earpieces and their cable, there are two sets of eartips, with three sizes (S,M,L) each; in the first set the color is black and it is named “Vocal Eartips”, apparently, giving an emphasis to the vocal part of a musical piece; in the second set the color is blue and it is named “Balanced Eartips”, obviously, designed to give a balanced version of what you are listening to. The user is also provided with a case made of genuine leather, which is very attractive, at least for my taste, and besides protecting the IEMs, it also has on the inner side instructions on how to wear the IEMs over your ears. Finally, there is a very elegant “Customer Service Card”, which actually acts as a Warranty Card.
All these come in a very stylish box, together with the IKKO pin, which is a pleasure to look at.
Overall, the quality of OH1 is outstanding in and out, and it is far beyond from what one expects from a set with a medium price tag.
OH10
OH10, to which IKKO gave the name “Obsidian”, was designed to further improve on OH1, so the two share some common things, but they also have certain differences.
OH10 is also a hybrid having a 10mm dynamic driver made of a polymer composite and a Knowles 33518 balance armature driver. However, the dynamic driver in OH10 is redesigned to be dynamically superior and to overall achieve a better performance.
The second big difference between OH10 and OH1 is in the material of the housing, as the shape of the housing is the same in both IEMs.
The housing of OH10 is made of high-purity copper, which makes it much heavier than that of OH1 (16.2 grams instead of 6 grams per earpiece); this, nonetheless, does not affect at all comfort, and one barely feels that he wears OH10 in his ears. Now, one of the characteristics of copper is that it makes sound to be condensed inside the cavity, resulting in a more full bodied and powerful sound. Furthermore, additional coatings are applied on the inside and the outside, with different effects in each case. On the inside, a platinum coating is added, which, while retaining the full bodied and powerfulsound, it also makes it cleaner and more transparent. On the exterior of the cavity, there is a three layer coating: The outer layer is a skin-friendly resin coating, the intermediate layer is a titanium alloy coating and the inner layer is an electroplated coating. The result is a pitch-black piano gloss finish in titanium color, which looks classy and it is really exquisite, particularly for IEMs costing a mere $199.00; it is hard to believe that IKKO can give listeners such high quality for a mediocre amount of money.
The cable, accessories and outer box of OH10 are about the same as those of OH1, so nothing is missing, and one has everything he needs; an exception is with the eartips, where the set with emphasis to the vocal part of a musical piece, named “Vocal Eartips”, is, as in OH1, in black color, but the second set, designed to give a balanced version of what you are listening to, named “Balanced Eartips”, is in white color.
Now, not only the quality of OH10 is outstanding in and out, but it appears even better than that of OH1. This is because the housing of OH10 is made of high-purity copper, it has a high gloss finish and it is quite heavy; in reality, both OH1 and OH10 have the same outstanding quality, but the set up in OH10 looks nicer.
The sound
Both OH1 and OH10 have the same sound signature, which is to be expected; after all, OH10 was designed not necessarily as an upgrade of OH1, but in order to further improve on the already great performance of OH1.
The sound signature of OH1 and OH10 is balanced on the warm side; this warmth is clear, yet delicate, so the presentation is what we call “pleasantly warm”. It is the warmth that is added in order to make the presentation more engaging, and not in order to change the sound signature from balanced to bassy. So, if you are a bass head, then neither OH1 nor OH10 is for you. There is some amount of sub-bass, and a bigger amount of mid-bass, so I never felt some rumbling bass; however, the important thing is that whatever bass, whether sub- or mid-bass, is tight and well-controlled.
On the other hand, both OH1 and OH10 are very revealing with really extended highs. Now, I have to admit that the tuning of both OH1 and OH10 must be very meticulous; I never felt that the highs were harsh, but I also do not remember a case in which I thought that there is some roll off.
Based on what I wrote above the sound signature of both OH1 and OH10 is what many people would call “V” shape. If I had to use this kind of characterization, I would rather call it “U” shape, as I never felt that the vocals, both female and male, were actually recessed and lacking liveliness; obviously, they do not appear to be forward, but they never were set back either.
I already wrote that OH1 and OH10 have the same sound signature; but what about their differences? Let me start by saying that whatever differences exist they are small. One’s first impression is that OH10’s presentation compared to that of OH1 is more polished and slightly more accurate and correct. Paying a little more attention, you realize that the sound of OH10 is more full-bodied, what we use to call “meatier”, better defined, and a little more cleaner and transparent. Furthermore, both OH1 and OH10 have a very big soundstage, both in width and depth, a very nice image, great dynamics and excellent separation; I really cannot detect any difference between the two in these departments. In a way, you can say that OH1 is intended for a quality everyday listening, while OH10 is intended for a dedicated high quality listening.
I should say that in all the different genres I tried OH1 and OH10, I did not see much difference in the presentation with the “Vocal Eartips” or the “Balanced Eartips”; this is not surprising, as all these filters not only are designed to have small differences among each other, but they also depend on what each listener actually perceives. I started with the classic songs “Always in my Mind” by Elvis Presley, RCA Victor, and “The Look of Love” by Diana Krall, from the album with the same name, Verve. Both OH1 and OH10 put Presley and Krall in the center, with the orchestra all around; it was a really excellent performance, and the difference between the two was minimal. Then I tried “Move” by Hiromi (Uehara), from the album with the same name, Telarc International. This is an extremely 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 both OH1 and OH10 were spectacular, with the sound of the latter being more full-bodied and clean-cut; so, here, OH10’s performance had a definite lead. 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 beautiful Orchestral piece composed by O’Connor, and played by him on the violin and London Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Steven Mercurio. It is another demanding piece with many high and low passages, which is very common in Orchestral music. Both OH1 and OH10 delivered the piece in a masterful way, but the sound of the latter was more “meaty” and precise. From all these different listenings it is clear that OH1 and OH10, on top of everything else, are wonderful all-rounders.
Selected comparisons
One of the IEMs that I envy is the MEE Audio Pinnacle P1. Its MSRP is $199.99, but frequently can be found at a (much) more “friendly” price (sometimes even close to half-price). P1’s housing is die-cast from a Zinc alloy and hand-polished, for a very nice look, and it is certainly built to last; in addition, the Zinc alloy is more rigid and has better impact resistance than aluminum, yet offers significant weight savings compared to stainless steel; so, it contributes to the sound signature of P1, and it feels less bulky in the ear. P1 comes with two MMCX cables, one without and one with a microphone, which are both silver-plated 99.99% pure copper and of very good quality. P1 utilizes a proprietary 10mm moving coil driver, with 50 Ω impedance and 96±3dB sensitivity, and a Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) voice coil. A moving coil driver is a dynamic driver, which ensures a good performance in the low frequencies, while the CCAW voice coil is lighter than the copper voice coil, so the couple diaphragm-voice coil has lower inertia, which contributes to improved sound. Furthermore, a proprietary sound chamber and damping scheme, together with a patented acoustic diffuser, improves the detailing and high-frequency extension without adding harshness. Now, the carefully chosen ingredients, combined with a very meticulous, after many trials, tuning, gave P1 a sound signature that I consider exemplary, at least for my taste: It is one of the most balanced IEMs on the planet, and I would dare to call it “the definition of balance”; it is extremely revealing, with plenty of details, i.e., very transparent; it also has a very big soundstage, both in width and depth, and a wonderful image, with great separation. However, its neutral presentation makes P1 kind of bass shy and rather flat, so not very engaging, at least for a number of listeners; at the same time, its 50 Ω impedance, combined with its low sensitivity, does not make it the easier load, and because of that P1 shows its best with the help of some amplification. OH10, on the other hand, does not have the neutrality of P1, but it is powerful and transparent, and it has at least the same soundstage, both in width and depth, image and separation. However, where OH10 wins is that it is very engaging, without any exaggerations, while it is also an easy load and therefore it is more dynamic. So, if I wanted to use an IEM set for a recording, I would choose P1; but, if I wanted to listen to music, as I usually do, I would go with OH10.
Another IEM I am reviewing this period is the Final A3000. Final is known for making excellent IEMs, and A3000 is one of the two (the other being A4000) recently announced IEMs in the A series, in which also belongs the legendary A8000. Both new A3000 and A4000 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 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. A3000’s MSRP is $129.99, so I thought to compare OH1 with it. Undoubtedly, OH1’s quality is unsurpassed; its housing, as mentioned, is made of a very lightweight aerospace alloy and it is beautifully finished, while A3000’s housing is made from ABS resin. Both IEMs have a balanced and pleasantly warm sound signature, with great transparency and soundstage. However, OH1 is extremely engaging and dynamic, while A3000 is very relaxing. So, these two are IEMs for different audiences and maybe different situations; engaging sound is always a plus, although in certain moments one might want something more relaxing.
Accessories and fit
I have already given a detailed description of the accessories supplied with each of OH1 and OH10. I have to say once again that nothing is missing, and everything you find in the box, from the earpieces, to the cable, the eartips, the leather case, even the outer box, are all of extremely high quality that truly impresses.
Furthermore, both OH1 and OH10 are extremely comfortable; this is natural for OH1, as it is very lightweight. It is quite interesting that the same is the case with OH10, which weights almost three times as much as OH1 (16.2 grams vs. 6 grams per earpiece). This shows that the main thing in fitting is the ergonomic design of the earpieces and not their weight. I should also add that the eartips provided offer a high level of sound isolation, so ambient noise with OH1or OH10 was never a problem. Also, the plastic cover, at the end of the cable, helps the user to place the cable over the ears, thus avoiding microphonics.
Conclusion
Both OH1 and OH10 have a balanced sound on the warm side; the bass is (more than) adequate, tight and well-controlled; the highs are extended, but not harsh; the mids are not forward, but not recessed either, and male and female vocals are well positioned. The overall sound signature is very engaging and what one would call “U” shaped; it is also highly transparent, with a very big soundstage, both in width and depth, a very nice image, great dynamics and excellent separation. Furthermore, the overall quality in these two IEMs is unsurpassed.
Between the two, OH10 has a more complete sound than OH1; more full-bodied and, overall, more articulate. Does OH10 worth the extra $60.00? It does, as you get a better sound and a more sleek appearance. On the other hand, if you are somewhat financially pressed, go ahead and buy OH1; you would be most happy with it, as the difference between the two is rather small.
It is very hard not to like OH1 and OH10. They do so many things right, and you would be hard-pressed to find something they do wrong. I am overly impressed by their wonderful sound and top quality. Most heartedly recommended.
Specifications
OH1
Housing: Aerospace alloy
Driver: 1 Dynamic driver + 1Balance Armature driver
Sensitivity: 106 dB
Impedance: 18 Ω
Frequency response: 20-40 kHz
Connector: 2-Pin, 0.78 mm plugs to earbuds + 3.5 mm plugs to the source
Cable: OFC silver-plated cable
Cord length: 1.2 m
Price: $139.00
OH10
Housing: Pure Copper
Driver: 1 Dynamic driver + 1Balance Armature driver
Sensitivity: 106 dB
Impedance: 18 Ω
Frequency response: 20-40 kHz
Connector: 2-Pin, 0.78 mm plugs to earbuds + 3.5 mm plugs to the source
Cable: OFC silver-plated cable
Cord length: 1.2 m
Price: $199.00
https://ikkoaudio.com]
IKKO Audio is a very young company, established just a few years ago, and it has already left its footprint in the audio industry; it makes mainly IEMs and headphone DACs and Amplifiers. I think it is accurate to say that in just a few years where others would do steps IKKO has done jumps.
The company’s flagship IEM is OH7, which is based on a single dynamic driver; it has a performance and also an MSRP that puts it in the “upper level league”, and it certainly deserves a separate review.
Two much more reasonably priced IEMs are OH1 and OH10; OH1 was IKKO’s first IEM, and it was followed by OH10 in an attempt to further improve OH1. I therefore think that it is quite appropriate to review both of them at the same time and see the similarities and differences between them.
OH1
OH1, to which IKKO gave the name “Meteor”, is a hybrid, and by this I mean that it has two drivers; a 10mm dynamic driver made of a polymer composite with a titanium coating, and a Knowles 33518 balance armature driver. Obviously, the dynamic driver is mainly responsible for the low frequencies, and the balance armature driver for the highs, while both contribute to the mid range. So, internally, IKKO did a very detailed work designing carefully the dynamic driver and using a balance armature driver from one of the most respected manufacturers.
The housing is made of an aerospace alloy, which is very lightweight (only 6 grams per piece) to the point that you don’t feel that you have the earpiece in your ear; however, the aerospace alloy is also hard and rigid enough in order to contribute to the sound signature of the IEM. The housing is in an attractive light blue color and the overall quality is outstanding, far beyond OH1’s price tag of $139.00.
The cable is a high-purity oxygen-free copper (OFC) silver-plated cable; it is a 2-pin, 0.78 mm, detachable design. According to IKKO, each side’s cable has 4 strands of high-purity (8-purity) oxygen-free copper that is silver-plated, and it is designed to extend high frequencies and enhance low frequencies. Where the cable connects to the housing of the IEMs has a plastic cover, which is very helpful for helping the user to place the cable over the ears. So, the quality of the cable is another thing that is far beyond OH1’s price tag.
The accessories are all that is needed. Besides the two earpieces and their cable, there are two sets of eartips, with three sizes (S,M,L) each; in the first set the color is black and it is named “Vocal Eartips”, apparently, giving an emphasis to the vocal part of a musical piece; in the second set the color is blue and it is named “Balanced Eartips”, obviously, designed to give a balanced version of what you are listening to. The user is also provided with a case made of genuine leather, which is very attractive, at least for my taste, and besides protecting the IEMs, it also has on the inner side instructions on how to wear the IEMs over your ears. Finally, there is a very elegant “Customer Service Card”, which actually acts as a Warranty Card.
All these come in a very stylish box, together with the IKKO pin, which is a pleasure to look at.
Overall, the quality of OH1 is outstanding in and out, and it is far beyond from what one expects from a set with a medium price tag.
OH10
OH10, to which IKKO gave the name “Obsidian”, was designed to further improve on OH1, so the two share some common things, but they also have certain differences.
OH10 is also a hybrid having a 10mm dynamic driver made of a polymer composite and a Knowles 33518 balance armature driver. However, the dynamic driver in OH10 is redesigned to be dynamically superior and to overall achieve a better performance.
The second big difference between OH10 and OH1 is in the material of the housing, as the shape of the housing is the same in both IEMs.
The housing of OH10 is made of high-purity copper, which makes it much heavier than that of OH1 (16.2 grams instead of 6 grams per earpiece); this, nonetheless, does not affect at all comfort, and one barely feels that he wears OH10 in his ears. Now, one of the characteristics of copper is that it makes sound to be condensed inside the cavity, resulting in a more full bodied and powerful sound. Furthermore, additional coatings are applied on the inside and the outside, with different effects in each case. On the inside, a platinum coating is added, which, while retaining the full bodied and powerfulsound, it also makes it cleaner and more transparent. On the exterior of the cavity, there is a three layer coating: The outer layer is a skin-friendly resin coating, the intermediate layer is a titanium alloy coating and the inner layer is an electroplated coating. The result is a pitch-black piano gloss finish in titanium color, which looks classy and it is really exquisite, particularly for IEMs costing a mere $199.00; it is hard to believe that IKKO can give listeners such high quality for a mediocre amount of money.
The cable, accessories and outer box of OH10 are about the same as those of OH1, so nothing is missing, and one has everything he needs; an exception is with the eartips, where the set with emphasis to the vocal part of a musical piece, named “Vocal Eartips”, is, as in OH1, in black color, but the second set, designed to give a balanced version of what you are listening to, named “Balanced Eartips”, is in white color.
Now, not only the quality of OH10 is outstanding in and out, but it appears even better than that of OH1. This is because the housing of OH10 is made of high-purity copper, it has a high gloss finish and it is quite heavy; in reality, both OH1 and OH10 have the same outstanding quality, but the set up in OH10 looks nicer.
The sound
Both OH1 and OH10 have the same sound signature, which is to be expected; after all, OH10 was designed not necessarily as an upgrade of OH1, but in order to further improve on the already great performance of OH1.
The sound signature of OH1 and OH10 is balanced on the warm side; this warmth is clear, yet delicate, so the presentation is what we call “pleasantly warm”. It is the warmth that is added in order to make the presentation more engaging, and not in order to change the sound signature from balanced to bassy. So, if you are a bass head, then neither OH1 nor OH10 is for you. There is some amount of sub-bass, and a bigger amount of mid-bass, so I never felt some rumbling bass; however, the important thing is that whatever bass, whether sub- or mid-bass, is tight and well-controlled.
On the other hand, both OH1 and OH10 are very revealing with really extended highs. Now, I have to admit that the tuning of both OH1 and OH10 must be very meticulous; I never felt that the highs were harsh, but I also do not remember a case in which I thought that there is some roll off.
Based on what I wrote above the sound signature of both OH1 and OH10 is what many people would call “V” shape. If I had to use this kind of characterization, I would rather call it “U” shape, as I never felt that the vocals, both female and male, were actually recessed and lacking liveliness; obviously, they do not appear to be forward, but they never were set back either.
I already wrote that OH1 and OH10 have the same sound signature; but what about their differences? Let me start by saying that whatever differences exist they are small. One’s first impression is that OH10’s presentation compared to that of OH1 is more polished and slightly more accurate and correct. Paying a little more attention, you realize that the sound of OH10 is more full-bodied, what we use to call “meatier”, better defined, and a little more cleaner and transparent. Furthermore, both OH1 and OH10 have a very big soundstage, both in width and depth, a very nice image, great dynamics and excellent separation; I really cannot detect any difference between the two in these departments. In a way, you can say that OH1 is intended for a quality everyday listening, while OH10 is intended for a dedicated high quality listening.
I should say that in all the different genres I tried OH1 and OH10, I did not see much difference in the presentation with the “Vocal Eartips” or the “Balanced Eartips”; this is not surprising, as all these filters not only are designed to have small differences among each other, but they also depend on what each listener actually perceives. I started with the classic songs “Always in my Mind” by Elvis Presley, RCA Victor, and “The Look of Love” by Diana Krall, from the album with the same name, Verve. Both OH1 and OH10 put Presley and Krall in the center, with the orchestra all around; it was a really excellent performance, and the difference between the two was minimal. Then I tried “Move” by Hiromi (Uehara), from the album with the same name, Telarc International. This is an extremely 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 both OH1 and OH10 were spectacular, with the sound of the latter being more full-bodied and clean-cut; so, here, OH10’s performance had a definite lead. 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 beautiful Orchestral piece composed by O’Connor, and played by him on the violin and London Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Steven Mercurio. It is another demanding piece with many high and low passages, which is very common in Orchestral music. Both OH1 and OH10 delivered the piece in a masterful way, but the sound of the latter was more “meaty” and precise. From all these different listenings it is clear that OH1 and OH10, on top of everything else, are wonderful all-rounders.
Selected comparisons
One of the IEMs that I envy is the MEE Audio Pinnacle P1. Its MSRP is $199.99, but frequently can be found at a (much) more “friendly” price (sometimes even close to half-price). P1’s housing is die-cast from a Zinc alloy and hand-polished, for a very nice look, and it is certainly built to last; in addition, the Zinc alloy is more rigid and has better impact resistance than aluminum, yet offers significant weight savings compared to stainless steel; so, it contributes to the sound signature of P1, and it feels less bulky in the ear. P1 comes with two MMCX cables, one without and one with a microphone, which are both silver-plated 99.99% pure copper and of very good quality. P1 utilizes a proprietary 10mm moving coil driver, with 50 Ω impedance and 96±3dB sensitivity, and a Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) voice coil. A moving coil driver is a dynamic driver, which ensures a good performance in the low frequencies, while the CCAW voice coil is lighter than the copper voice coil, so the couple diaphragm-voice coil has lower inertia, which contributes to improved sound. Furthermore, a proprietary sound chamber and damping scheme, together with a patented acoustic diffuser, improves the detailing and high-frequency extension without adding harshness. Now, the carefully chosen ingredients, combined with a very meticulous, after many trials, tuning, gave P1 a sound signature that I consider exemplary, at least for my taste: It is one of the most balanced IEMs on the planet, and I would dare to call it “the definition of balance”; it is extremely revealing, with plenty of details, i.e., very transparent; it also has a very big soundstage, both in width and depth, and a wonderful image, with great separation. However, its neutral presentation makes P1 kind of bass shy and rather flat, so not very engaging, at least for a number of listeners; at the same time, its 50 Ω impedance, combined with its low sensitivity, does not make it the easier load, and because of that P1 shows its best with the help of some amplification. OH10, on the other hand, does not have the neutrality of P1, but it is powerful and transparent, and it has at least the same soundstage, both in width and depth, image and separation. However, where OH10 wins is that it is very engaging, without any exaggerations, while it is also an easy load and therefore it is more dynamic. So, if I wanted to use an IEM set for a recording, I would choose P1; but, if I wanted to listen to music, as I usually do, I would go with OH10.
Another IEM I am reviewing this period is the Final A3000. Final is known for making excellent IEMs, and A3000 is one of the two (the other being A4000) recently announced IEMs in the A series, in which also belongs the legendary A8000. Both new A3000 and A4000 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 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. A3000’s MSRP is $129.99, so I thought to compare OH1 with it. Undoubtedly, OH1’s quality is unsurpassed; its housing, as mentioned, is made of a very lightweight aerospace alloy and it is beautifully finished, while A3000’s housing is made from ABS resin. Both IEMs have a balanced and pleasantly warm sound signature, with great transparency and soundstage. However, OH1 is extremely engaging and dynamic, while A3000 is very relaxing. So, these two are IEMs for different audiences and maybe different situations; engaging sound is always a plus, although in certain moments one might want something more relaxing.
Accessories and fit
I have already given a detailed description of the accessories supplied with each of OH1 and OH10. I have to say once again that nothing is missing, and everything you find in the box, from the earpieces, to the cable, the eartips, the leather case, even the outer box, are all of extremely high quality that truly impresses.
Furthermore, both OH1 and OH10 are extremely comfortable; this is natural for OH1, as it is very lightweight. It is quite interesting that the same is the case with OH10, which weights almost three times as much as OH1 (16.2 grams vs. 6 grams per earpiece). This shows that the main thing in fitting is the ergonomic design of the earpieces and not their weight. I should also add that the eartips provided offer a high level of sound isolation, so ambient noise with OH1or OH10 was never a problem. Also, the plastic cover, at the end of the cable, helps the user to place the cable over the ears, thus avoiding microphonics.
Conclusion
Both OH1 and OH10 have a balanced sound on the warm side; the bass is (more than) adequate, tight and well-controlled; the highs are extended, but not harsh; the mids are not forward, but not recessed either, and male and female vocals are well positioned. The overall sound signature is very engaging and what one would call “U” shaped; it is also highly transparent, with a very big soundstage, both in width and depth, a very nice image, great dynamics and excellent separation. Furthermore, the overall quality in these two IEMs is unsurpassed.
Between the two, OH10 has a more complete sound than OH1; more full-bodied and, overall, more articulate. Does OH10 worth the extra $60.00? It does, as you get a better sound and a more sleek appearance. On the other hand, if you are somewhat financially pressed, go ahead and buy OH1; you would be most happy with it, as the difference between the two is rather small.
It is very hard not to like OH1 and OH10. They do so many things right, and you would be hard-pressed to find something they do wrong. I am overly impressed by their wonderful sound and top quality. Most heartedly recommended.
Specifications
OH1
Housing: Aerospace alloy
Driver: 1 Dynamic driver + 1Balance Armature driver
Sensitivity: 106 dB
Impedance: 18 Ω
Frequency response: 20-40 kHz
Connector: 2-Pin, 0.78 mm plugs to earbuds + 3.5 mm plugs to the source
Cable: OFC silver-plated cable
Cord length: 1.2 m
Price: $139.00
OH10
Housing: Pure Copper
Driver: 1 Dynamic driver + 1Balance Armature driver
Sensitivity: 106 dB
Impedance: 18 Ω
Frequency response: 20-40 kHz
Connector: 2-Pin, 0.78 mm plugs to earbuds + 3.5 mm plugs to the source
Cable: OFC silver-plated cable
Cord length: 1.2 m
Price: $199.00
https://ikkoaudio.com]
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Introduction:
IKKO Audio is a Chinese earphone manufacturer who aims to provide high fidelity music for music lovers in a way that integrates with the current digital era and provide a natural, comfortable experience. Ikko is one of the fastest growing brands in IEM market. OH-1 aka Meteor is a new addition in their collection.
At a first glance, OH-1 looks like a beautiful IEM with unique design and sturdy retro look. The earpieces itself feel well build and fits so comfortably. The overall design has a premium feel to it with a metallic matte hammered look.
OH-1 comes in a nice packaging. The outside cardboard sleeve is adorned with Ikko brand logo and its waifu character sets the tone of this product. Inside the sleeve is a stylish looking black box where all the items ornately arranged. The rather interesting item inside this box is a tiny broach which has Ikko symbol protruding from it. Box also packs a beautiful vintage style leather pouch with a string to tie it close.
Disclaimer:
I have received Ikko OH10 as part of review circle sent from Hifinage (India) in exchange of honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my own listening and my sources and is based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range. One can purchase the same from the following link.
Sources:
For this review the unit has been paired to A&K SE100 (ES9038 Pro), Fiio Q5 (AK4490), LG V30+ and Vivo X50pro. No additional amplification is required by this IEM.
High:
The highs are well tuned for an IEM of this price range. Lower treble spectrum is slightly more emphasized as compared to upper treble. There is good room for airiness and not any specific point of time treble gets piercing. It does not meant that it lack details, it is quite crisp at times and instruments like cymbals sounds very much distinctive such as in "Love Story by Taylor Swift".
Mids:
There is a good presence of mids in ikko- OH1. The mids are clear and sound natural but bit recessed so that overall it sounds very musical. Both lower mids and upper mids are perfectly tuned, considering Male and Female vocals sounds just fantastic over it. Although I would say that the upper mids have bit more energy as compared to the lower ones.
I enjoyed listening to "Céline Dion's My Heart Will Go On (Live in Boston, 2008)" with good details in electric guitars, violins, flutes but specially the immersive vocals and a relaxing presentation. On the other had "There is a Kingdom-2011 Remaster by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds" sound much engaging with fantastic vocals, drums and cymbals along with fine detailed strokes of piano in background.
Lows:
Lows are the area where OH-01 stand out a lot. It offers a powerful sub-bass with very good extension to it along with punchy mid-bass. The overall bass response is very clean, tight and controlled. There is no muddiness or bleeding to mid region and compliments to all major instruments like guitars, violins and pianos. It is quite fun and engaging listening to any kind of EDM , POP, HIP-HOP music over it. I enjoyed listening to complete album of "Bass Rani by Nucleya" on it, that rumble was so good and overall presentation was musical and engaging.
Soundstage/Imaging/Separation:
The soundstage and imaging is average, but has an overall intimidating sound signature. Do not expect much depth and width out of it but has very good separation and imaging as per price point of view.
Final Verdict:
Ikko OH-01 is a very intimidating, musical and bass emphasized IEM. I personally loved the fun sound signature and the way both male and female vocals shines on it. The sub bass has a perfect rumble and immediately sets a groovy mood. Along with an awesome bass response it has well defined mid range and detailed treble. The build quality is also top notch and comes with nice packaging and accessories. If one is looking for a bass emphasized smooth and relaxing sound in a budget then it is the perfect IEM.
Comparisons (OH-1 vs OH-10)
The OH-10 I would say is entirely different IEM w.r.t OH-1. The OH-10 is entirely a V-Shaped signature and bit aggressive and energetic the OH-1 is slightly mid-centric with sort of laid-back signature. Although look wise both of them look similar, OH-10 gives impression on of glossy metallic finish and is heavier as compared to matte finish of OH-1.
IKKO Audio is a Chinese earphone manufacturer who aims to provide high fidelity music for music lovers in a way that integrates with the current digital era and provide a natural, comfortable experience. Ikko is one of the fastest growing brands in IEM market. OH-1 aka Meteor is a new addition in their collection.
At a first glance, OH-1 looks like a beautiful IEM with unique design and sturdy retro look. The earpieces itself feel well build and fits so comfortably. The overall design has a premium feel to it with a metallic matte hammered look.
OH-1 comes in a nice packaging. The outside cardboard sleeve is adorned with Ikko brand logo and its waifu character sets the tone of this product. Inside the sleeve is a stylish looking black box where all the items ornately arranged. The rather interesting item inside this box is a tiny broach which has Ikko symbol protruding from it. Box also packs a beautiful vintage style leather pouch with a string to tie it close.
Disclaimer:
I have received Ikko OH10 as part of review circle sent from Hifinage (India) in exchange of honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my own listening and my sources and is based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range. One can purchase the same from the following link.
Sources:
For this review the unit has been paired to A&K SE100 (ES9038 Pro), Fiio Q5 (AK4490), LG V30+ and Vivo X50pro. No additional amplification is required by this IEM.
High:
The highs are well tuned for an IEM of this price range. Lower treble spectrum is slightly more emphasized as compared to upper treble. There is good room for airiness and not any specific point of time treble gets piercing. It does not meant that it lack details, it is quite crisp at times and instruments like cymbals sounds very much distinctive such as in "Love Story by Taylor Swift".
Mids:
There is a good presence of mids in ikko- OH1. The mids are clear and sound natural but bit recessed so that overall it sounds very musical. Both lower mids and upper mids are perfectly tuned, considering Male and Female vocals sounds just fantastic over it. Although I would say that the upper mids have bit more energy as compared to the lower ones.
I enjoyed listening to "Céline Dion's My Heart Will Go On (Live in Boston, 2008)" with good details in electric guitars, violins, flutes but specially the immersive vocals and a relaxing presentation. On the other had "There is a Kingdom-2011 Remaster by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds" sound much engaging with fantastic vocals, drums and cymbals along with fine detailed strokes of piano in background.
Lows:
Lows are the area where OH-01 stand out a lot. It offers a powerful sub-bass with very good extension to it along with punchy mid-bass. The overall bass response is very clean, tight and controlled. There is no muddiness or bleeding to mid region and compliments to all major instruments like guitars, violins and pianos. It is quite fun and engaging listening to any kind of EDM , POP, HIP-HOP music over it. I enjoyed listening to complete album of "Bass Rani by Nucleya" on it, that rumble was so good and overall presentation was musical and engaging.
Soundstage/Imaging/Separation:
The soundstage and imaging is average, but has an overall intimidating sound signature. Do not expect much depth and width out of it but has very good separation and imaging as per price point of view.
Final Verdict:
Ikko OH-01 is a very intimidating, musical and bass emphasized IEM. I personally loved the fun sound signature and the way both male and female vocals shines on it. The sub bass has a perfect rumble and immediately sets a groovy mood. Along with an awesome bass response it has well defined mid range and detailed treble. The build quality is also top notch and comes with nice packaging and accessories. If one is looking for a bass emphasized smooth and relaxing sound in a budget then it is the perfect IEM.
Comparisons (OH-1 vs OH-10)
The OH-10 I would say is entirely different IEM w.r.t OH-1. The OH-10 is entirely a V-Shaped signature and bit aggressive and energetic the OH-1 is slightly mid-centric with sort of laid-back signature. Although look wise both of them look similar, OH-10 gives impression on of glossy metallic finish and is heavier as compared to matte finish of OH-1.
Disclaimer : This unit was provided for an honest review by Hifinage. All opinions are my own. You can buy it from the store here.
Build and Fit:
OH1 has an exactly similar shell like its bigger brother, OH10. The difference is in the material and weight - OH1 shell is Aluminium and considerably lighter than OH10. While it provides better comfort, the premium feel is missing. The finishing is also brushed, not shiny like OH10. Different flavours, but OH10 build inspire more security than OH1 for sure.
As for fit, it is the same as OH10 with L tips for me - comfortable.
Specification:
Sound:
While listening to the OH1, the only word that comes to my mind is Balance. The OH1 exhibits a very balanced sound, unlike its older brother OH10, which has a very obvious V shaped sound. Tonality of OH1 is largely neutral with a hint of cold. It's inoffensive, doesn't overwhelm you at any point, but doesn't stand out either. However, the sound is still a pleasing one.
Low:
Good extension, and yet controlled. Subbass has very good rumble yet a controlled presence, so that it never gets overwhelming. Midbass punches are very slightly less emphasised than subbass, but nevertheless they do not feel weak. Kickdrum and bassdrum notes have sufficient weight to declare their presence, yet not grabbing your attention. On Muse-Showbiz and Metallica-The Four Horsemen the bass guitar and the kickdrums both sound very present, yet neither overly strong (Bass guitar) nor weak (kickdrum). Bass here blends nicely into the music, does not stand out, and does not mask the midrange.
Mid:
Mids do not as recessed as its elder brother, mostly because of the lack of emphasis in the lower region. However, they still are slightly behind the bass, and that is how I like it.
Mids are a bit on the thinner side here. While it does impact the lower mid area, the upper mid is generally positively affected. Male vocals lacks a bit of body, but does not sound unnatural, and does not lack the musicality by a lot. In Poets Of The Fall - The Ballad of Jeremiah Peacekeeper, Mike Saaresto's voice sounded textured well, and even though slightly on thinnerside, not unnaturally so.
However, the upper mid has a considerable amount of energy also, that on occassion tends to lose control slightly. Vocals in Muse - Showbiz and Silversun Pickups - The Royal We sound a bit harsh on occassions. Yao Si Ting's voice has an amazing sizzle in the track Scarborough Fair, which on occassions would sound piercing. However, still the energy is less than OH10, and hence sounds much more musical.
High:
Highs are very carefully tuned here. The energy is a bit reserved, but the notes are not dull. The crispness is well-preserved, however, some peaks can beheard here and there. Cymbal and Hi-Hat crashes stand out, but does not get as piercing as OH10, in a good way. High frequencies does not sound cramped, has an airiness that I liked. Extension is quite good, although not exceptional.The timbre does not sound off as well. Lower treble has more emphasis than upper treble.
Soundstage:
Soundstage is wide, but not notably. Depth perception is practically very minimal, hence do not expect a holographic presentation. Height is nothing noteworthy also. Separation is okay, does not sound cramped.
Conclusion:
Overall, OH1 is a pretty safe choice for a beginner in this hobby. Nothing sounds emphasised, nothing sounds offensive. Quite pleasing tuning, easy to like. But once you develop a particular taste, it will be hard going back to it. However, as it is, it is quite difficult to find fault in it. The sound signature is fun, has good musical element, does not sound tonally off. Yup, it is a good choice in the entry level.
Build and Fit:
OH1 has an exactly similar shell like its bigger brother, OH10. The difference is in the material and weight - OH1 shell is Aluminium and considerably lighter than OH10. While it provides better comfort, the premium feel is missing. The finishing is also brushed, not shiny like OH10. Different flavours, but OH10 build inspire more security than OH1 for sure.
As for fit, it is the same as OH10 with L tips for me - comfortable.
Specification:
| Driver Type | BA and Dynamic (Hybrid) |
| Driver(s) | 1xBA (Knowles 33518) and 1x10mm Polymer Composite Titanium Film Dynamic Driver |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz - 40kHz |
| Impedance | 18Ω |
| Sensitivity | 106dB |
| Cable Length | 1.2m |
| Cable Type | 2-Pin 0.78mm High Purity OFC Silver-Plated Cable with 4 Strands of 8 High Purity OFC |
Sound:
While listening to the OH1, the only word that comes to my mind is Balance. The OH1 exhibits a very balanced sound, unlike its older brother OH10, which has a very obvious V shaped sound. Tonality of OH1 is largely neutral with a hint of cold. It's inoffensive, doesn't overwhelm you at any point, but doesn't stand out either. However, the sound is still a pleasing one.
Low:
Good extension, and yet controlled. Subbass has very good rumble yet a controlled presence, so that it never gets overwhelming. Midbass punches are very slightly less emphasised than subbass, but nevertheless they do not feel weak. Kickdrum and bassdrum notes have sufficient weight to declare their presence, yet not grabbing your attention. On Muse-Showbiz and Metallica-The Four Horsemen the bass guitar and the kickdrums both sound very present, yet neither overly strong (Bass guitar) nor weak (kickdrum). Bass here blends nicely into the music, does not stand out, and does not mask the midrange.
Mid:
Mids do not as recessed as its elder brother, mostly because of the lack of emphasis in the lower region. However, they still are slightly behind the bass, and that is how I like it.
Mids are a bit on the thinner side here. While it does impact the lower mid area, the upper mid is generally positively affected. Male vocals lacks a bit of body, but does not sound unnatural, and does not lack the musicality by a lot. In Poets Of The Fall - The Ballad of Jeremiah Peacekeeper, Mike Saaresto's voice sounded textured well, and even though slightly on thinnerside, not unnaturally so.
However, the upper mid has a considerable amount of energy also, that on occassion tends to lose control slightly. Vocals in Muse - Showbiz and Silversun Pickups - The Royal We sound a bit harsh on occassions. Yao Si Ting's voice has an amazing sizzle in the track Scarborough Fair, which on occassions would sound piercing. However, still the energy is less than OH10, and hence sounds much more musical.
High:
Highs are very carefully tuned here. The energy is a bit reserved, but the notes are not dull. The crispness is well-preserved, however, some peaks can beheard here and there. Cymbal and Hi-Hat crashes stand out, but does not get as piercing as OH10, in a good way. High frequencies does not sound cramped, has an airiness that I liked. Extension is quite good, although not exceptional.The timbre does not sound off as well. Lower treble has more emphasis than upper treble.
Soundstage:
Soundstage is wide, but not notably. Depth perception is practically very minimal, hence do not expect a holographic presentation. Height is nothing noteworthy also. Separation is okay, does not sound cramped.
Conclusion:
Overall, OH1 is a pretty safe choice for a beginner in this hobby. Nothing sounds emphasised, nothing sounds offensive. Quite pleasing tuning, easy to like. But once you develop a particular taste, it will be hard going back to it. However, as it is, it is quite difficult to find fault in it. The sound signature is fun, has good musical element, does not sound tonally off. Yup, it is a good choice in the entry level.
Disclaimer : This unit was provided for an honest review by Hifinage. All opinions are my own. You can buy it from the store here.
Build & Fit
Thankfully, it is lighter than it's bigger brother OH10 even though it is also made up of metal, an aerospace alloy. The understated blue is a refreshing color to see in the world of iems.
The shells are durable and well built, and on the taller side (vertically) than the usual shell, due to its "crushed metal" look.
The fit in my medium ears is not what I would call snug, but not something that actually bothers me. Unfortunately, the OFC SPC cable quality is just poor and not upto the mark for the price. There are just way better
cables being offered with much cheaper IEMs. On further scrutiny, I have found the 2 pin entry system to be of high quality, which is banked to prevent breakage by forceful entry. Nice thinking from Ikko.
Amp Needs
At 18 ohm and 106 dB/mW this is designed for portable usage and needs no dedicated amp to be driven. It even sports a right angled 3.5mm SE jack to be plugged into your phone directly.
Sound
Lows
For people who prefer nuanced and controlled bass, the OH1 will be a revelation. On first listen, you'll hear the bass dig deep down and with remarkable control and decay. No sign of bloat into the midrane, no melding with the midbass.
The subbass feels like a different entity when it comes to its presence but coherent when it comes to presentation. Even in complex tracks, the subbass holds its own with authority and confidence. The attack is clean and impactful followed by a fast decay which ensures an overall sound that is not warm.
Midbass slam is on the leaner side but you'd be willing to ignore it given the tasteful subbass that grabs your attention. The bass is slightly and tastefully boosted compared to what is "neutral" to my ears. This is some quality bass, and some of the best I have heard even ignoring the price point.
Mids
Lower mids are lean and I would have wished for some more weightage here. And hence we reach the only noticeable issue with the OH1 : it's upper midrange. The upper midrange is considerably shouty. This shoutiness cuts through most of the spectrum and you hear it all the time, it imparts a big chunk to the overall
sound signature. This upper midrange boost affects other parts of the overall sound as well which I will expand in their respective sections. Harsh female recordings, or harsh recordings in general have that hard edge to them because of this. That sizzle.
This boost does "increase" the perception of microdetails in this region which is felt on prolonged sessions. Is the boost bothersome? It will be, if you are sensitive in this region, otherwise it won't be a deal breaker, but be sure that you will aware of it, cymbals are snare hits sound compressed because of this, adding a nasal touch to this region.
The boost isn't particularly very fatiguing to my ears though, it just skews the otherwise nice timbre and tonality slightly to the shouty side. You can curb this by some EQ, which is highly recommended. The presentation of the midrange is slightly distant, making it what you can call a mild "U shaped" frequency response.
Highs
In one word, inoffensive yet present. The zing and essence of the instruments are portrayed beautifully with nice balance. It is airy, clear and well extended to my ears. The open-ness to the sound gives it a refreshing and energetic character to the IEM's overall sound. The correct word to describe the treble region would be
"euphonic". There are no timbre problems to speak of in this region.
Soundstage, Imaging and Dynamics
To get it out of the way, the dynamics aren't really noteworthy, the upper mid boost affects the overall dynamics. The soundstage width is decent for the price range, but loses out to it's bigger brother OH10 which has a substantially wide stage.
Depth isn't something that IEMs in this price class can render properly, and the OH1 falls in the same class. Imaging is similar to other competitors in this range.
Detail Retrieval and Resolution
The detail retrieval and resolution do take a hit because of the upper midrange boost, masking some of the micro details and ambient details and information. This is even considering the fact that OH1 doesn't have a boost in midbass which is infamous to mask details. There's no denying the fact that
the upper mid glare manages to cut through the sound.
Conclusion
EQ'ing the upper midrange, the OH1 is an entry that redefines the price bracket. It has some of the best bass I've heard yet in this range and even ignoring price. It's a fun and energetic listen everytime with no noticeable tonality compromise either (after the EQ).
It's the kind of IEM that gets you on your feet. For the price it sells, it is an over-performer.
Build & Fit
Thankfully, it is lighter than it's bigger brother OH10 even though it is also made up of metal, an aerospace alloy. The understated blue is a refreshing color to see in the world of iems.
The shells are durable and well built, and on the taller side (vertically) than the usual shell, due to its "crushed metal" look.
The fit in my medium ears is not what I would call snug, but not something that actually bothers me. Unfortunately, the OFC SPC cable quality is just poor and not upto the mark for the price. There are just way better
cables being offered with much cheaper IEMs. On further scrutiny, I have found the 2 pin entry system to be of high quality, which is banked to prevent breakage by forceful entry. Nice thinking from Ikko.
Amp Needs
At 18 ohm and 106 dB/mW this is designed for portable usage and needs no dedicated amp to be driven. It even sports a right angled 3.5mm SE jack to be plugged into your phone directly.
Sound
Lows
For people who prefer nuanced and controlled bass, the OH1 will be a revelation. On first listen, you'll hear the bass dig deep down and with remarkable control and decay. No sign of bloat into the midrane, no melding with the midbass.
The subbass feels like a different entity when it comes to its presence but coherent when it comes to presentation. Even in complex tracks, the subbass holds its own with authority and confidence. The attack is clean and impactful followed by a fast decay which ensures an overall sound that is not warm.
Midbass slam is on the leaner side but you'd be willing to ignore it given the tasteful subbass that grabs your attention. The bass is slightly and tastefully boosted compared to what is "neutral" to my ears. This is some quality bass, and some of the best I have heard even ignoring the price point.
Mids
Lower mids are lean and I would have wished for some more weightage here. And hence we reach the only noticeable issue with the OH1 : it's upper midrange. The upper midrange is considerably shouty. This shoutiness cuts through most of the spectrum and you hear it all the time, it imparts a big chunk to the overall
sound signature. This upper midrange boost affects other parts of the overall sound as well which I will expand in their respective sections. Harsh female recordings, or harsh recordings in general have that hard edge to them because of this. That sizzle.
This boost does "increase" the perception of microdetails in this region which is felt on prolonged sessions. Is the boost bothersome? It will be, if you are sensitive in this region, otherwise it won't be a deal breaker, but be sure that you will aware of it, cymbals are snare hits sound compressed because of this, adding a nasal touch to this region.
The boost isn't particularly very fatiguing to my ears though, it just skews the otherwise nice timbre and tonality slightly to the shouty side. You can curb this by some EQ, which is highly recommended. The presentation of the midrange is slightly distant, making it what you can call a mild "U shaped" frequency response.
Highs
In one word, inoffensive yet present. The zing and essence of the instruments are portrayed beautifully with nice balance. It is airy, clear and well extended to my ears. The open-ness to the sound gives it a refreshing and energetic character to the IEM's overall sound. The correct word to describe the treble region would be
"euphonic". There are no timbre problems to speak of in this region.
Soundstage, Imaging and Dynamics
To get it out of the way, the dynamics aren't really noteworthy, the upper mid boost affects the overall dynamics. The soundstage width is decent for the price range, but loses out to it's bigger brother OH10 which has a substantially wide stage.
Depth isn't something that IEMs in this price class can render properly, and the OH1 falls in the same class. Imaging is similar to other competitors in this range.
Detail Retrieval and Resolution
The detail retrieval and resolution do take a hit because of the upper midrange boost, masking some of the micro details and ambient details and information. This is even considering the fact that OH1 doesn't have a boost in midbass which is infamous to mask details. There's no denying the fact that
the upper mid glare manages to cut through the sound.
Conclusion
EQ'ing the upper midrange, the OH1 is an entry that redefines the price bracket. It has some of the best bass I've heard yet in this range and even ignoring price. It's a fun and energetic listen everytime with no noticeable tonality compromise either (after the EQ).
It's the kind of IEM that gets you on your feet. For the price it sells, it is an over-performer.
Ikko OH1 Review
Disclaimer
Ikko OH1 has been provided by Hifinage, India for review purposes. The impressions provided hereafter are subjective to my gear and listening capabilities. One can purchase OH1 from Hifinage for INR 10,999 through following link.
https://hifinage.com/products/ikko-oh1
Build Quality
Ikko OH1 shells are made up of advanced lightweight aerospace alloy which weighs only 6 grams per side. Each shell incorporates 1 BA and 1 DD hybrid driver which ensures deep low frequency and extended highs which is natural, delicate, and elegant in sound signature.
It comes with high-purity OFC silver-plated cable with 2-pin 0.78mm termination detachable cable design. The cable is made up of 4 strands of 8 high purity oxygen free copper silver-plated which ensures an amazing sound. Cable quality is nothing to write about. It doesn’t feel that premium to hold. It could do with better cables straight out of the box. But that is the case with even few 1000$+ IEMs too, so for OH1 it’s quite acceptable.
Sound Quality
I have used mainly my DAP, Cayin N6ii with E02 module for the review purpose.
Bass
OH1’s bass is very good. Very good in both quality and quantity. Sub-bass rumble is excellent. Bass decay is quite fast. Mid bass is very good. Sub-bass is emphasized here, with very good slams. OH1 sounded excellent with all my bass test tracks including Royals by Lorde, Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, Issues by Julia Michaels and Teardrop by Massive Attack.
Mids/Vocals
OH1’s mids are natural and clean and has decent details. Tonality and timbre are clean. Lower mids seem little recessed compared to upper mids, which see very good extension. Vocals sound lively and energetic. Overall mids have a very good presence.
Soundstage, Imaging, Details & Separation
OH1’s soundstage has very good width to it and feels airy all through. But stage depth and height are below average. It would have been even better if it had depth and height to the levels of width. Detail representation is excellent. And so is imaging. Instruments have very good spacing between them. Tonality and timbre are natural. Cymbals sound clear. Resolution is very good.
Treble
Treble performance is good, neither fatiguing nor harsh. But lacks in extension and sparkle. Treble has good details. The song ‘Born, Never Asked by Laurie Anderson’ sounded decent in OH1, sparkle and energy taken away due to lack of upper treble extension.
Comparison
Vs ikko OH10
OH10 is an another IEM offering from ikko under 200$ segment. Even though ikko priced both OH1 and OH10 under same price range, they couldn’t have done more to differentiate both of them. OH1 has quite natural tonality, with sub-bass emphasis. OH1’s bass is just above neutral, but OH10 has bucket loads of sub-bass slam and rumbles going for it. Still, bass doesn’t mask other frequencies in either of these two IEMs. Mids, too show slightly different characteristics. OH1’s mids have good presence, especially that upper-mids extension taking it close to being called a bright IEM compared to recessed mids of OH10. OH1’s treble isn’t as extended as OH10’s. Another area where OH10 shows its supremacy is that it has bigger stage width than OH1, making OH10 sound more airier. Overall, I will pick OH10 for its better sub-bass rumbles and better extended treble.
Verdict
Overall, OH1 has very natural and pleasant tonality and timbre going for it. It has got very good sub-bass rumble, very good mids presence and a wide sounstage. The only things that pull back things are that lack of upper treble extension and forward nature of upper mids and in turn making OH1 sound little bright.
Disclaimer
Ikko OH1 has been provided by Hifinage, India for review purposes. The impressions provided hereafter are subjective to my gear and listening capabilities. One can purchase OH1 from Hifinage for INR 10,999 through following link.
https://hifinage.com/products/ikko-oh1
Build Quality
Ikko OH1 shells are made up of advanced lightweight aerospace alloy which weighs only 6 grams per side. Each shell incorporates 1 BA and 1 DD hybrid driver which ensures deep low frequency and extended highs which is natural, delicate, and elegant in sound signature.
It comes with high-purity OFC silver-plated cable with 2-pin 0.78mm termination detachable cable design. The cable is made up of 4 strands of 8 high purity oxygen free copper silver-plated which ensures an amazing sound. Cable quality is nothing to write about. It doesn’t feel that premium to hold. It could do with better cables straight out of the box. But that is the case with even few 1000$+ IEMs too, so for OH1 it’s quite acceptable.
Sound Quality
I have used mainly my DAP, Cayin N6ii with E02 module for the review purpose.
Bass
OH1’s bass is very good. Very good in both quality and quantity. Sub-bass rumble is excellent. Bass decay is quite fast. Mid bass is very good. Sub-bass is emphasized here, with very good slams. OH1 sounded excellent with all my bass test tracks including Royals by Lorde, Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, Issues by Julia Michaels and Teardrop by Massive Attack.
Mids/Vocals
OH1’s mids are natural and clean and has decent details. Tonality and timbre are clean. Lower mids seem little recessed compared to upper mids, which see very good extension. Vocals sound lively and energetic. Overall mids have a very good presence.
Soundstage, Imaging, Details & Separation
OH1’s soundstage has very good width to it and feels airy all through. But stage depth and height are below average. It would have been even better if it had depth and height to the levels of width. Detail representation is excellent. And so is imaging. Instruments have very good spacing between them. Tonality and timbre are natural. Cymbals sound clear. Resolution is very good.
Treble
Treble performance is good, neither fatiguing nor harsh. But lacks in extension and sparkle. Treble has good details. The song ‘Born, Never Asked by Laurie Anderson’ sounded decent in OH1, sparkle and energy taken away due to lack of upper treble extension.
Comparison
Vs ikko OH10
OH10 is an another IEM offering from ikko under 200$ segment. Even though ikko priced both OH1 and OH10 under same price range, they couldn’t have done more to differentiate both of them. OH1 has quite natural tonality, with sub-bass emphasis. OH1’s bass is just above neutral, but OH10 has bucket loads of sub-bass slam and rumbles going for it. Still, bass doesn’t mask other frequencies in either of these two IEMs. Mids, too show slightly different characteristics. OH1’s mids have good presence, especially that upper-mids extension taking it close to being called a bright IEM compared to recessed mids of OH10. OH1’s treble isn’t as extended as OH10’s. Another area where OH10 shows its supremacy is that it has bigger stage width than OH1, making OH10 sound more airier. Overall, I will pick OH10 for its better sub-bass rumbles and better extended treble.
Verdict
Overall, OH1 has very natural and pleasant tonality and timbre going for it. It has got very good sub-bass rumble, very good mids presence and a wide sounstage. The only things that pull back things are that lack of upper treble extension and forward nature of upper mids and in turn making OH1 sound little bright.
Disclaimer:
The Ikko OH1 is a sample that was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion in this review, as part of a review tour. I thank the team at Ikko & Hifinage for giving me this opportunity.
Introduction:
Ikko has been around for a short while now and yet, it has managed to establish itself as a major player amongst reputed audio brands from across the globe. Infact, in 2021, Ikko is not just a manufacturer of earphones but also happens to make good value for money dongle dac's like the Zerda which I had reviewed previously as well. Considering that both the Ikko OH1 and the more expensive OH10 both compete in the sub 200$ price range which has the toughest competition for audiophile and consumer-grade transducers alike, with established products from Fiio, See Audio, Moondrop, and so on.
Test Rig:
Marantz SR5014, LG G8X ThinQ and VE Odessey HD Dongle DAC
Sound Impressions:
The OH1 is a very 'Asian tuned' signature, and I mean that in a good way because there is a good amount of upper-mid focus but not of the broken and awful kind. Overall tuning of the OH1 is a V shape and this might one of the few V shape iems that continues to impress with its vocal ability and midrange prowess. The way the OH1 goes about its delivery is quite astonishing for its asking price of under $140 and be classified as 'mature' and a breath of fresh air.
The tonality of the OH1 is mildly warm with slight brightness brought about by the upper mid focus and extension. The OH1 guns for coherency and transparency and the airy presentation only add to its atmosphere and imaging capabilities. There is a clear sub-bass focus with a leaner / cleaner mid-bass transition which lends the midrange its ability to stand-out and shine in spite of the lower mid recession. Mids are quite lush and the bass prominence adds a god tint of warmth making the presentation very euphonic but not overly smooth. Mids come off as very well textured, detailed, and very natural. Well mastered tracks will be rewarded by the OH1 as it does do justice to the minute intricacies and nuances without breaking a sweat. Treble extension is nothing to brag about, but it's good enough to lend the OH1 enough airiness in the entire presentation without having to draw unwanted attention to itself. Not the most extended or energetic, but still very tastefully in sync with the bigger picture,
On the technical front, the OH1 can compete with midrange iems at even say twice, or may I say thrice its price point too, and that's partially aided by the driver tuning and overall coherency. Transients are quick, instrument separation is handled very well even on complex tracks and the bass response is fairly quick and decently resolving and layered at the same time. Once again, the sense of space and air on the OH1 does help the other technical factors shine even further and that's what makes the OH1 stand out as a revelation from its fellow competitors in particular.
'Shaping a Meteor to look like a Star':
And that be EQ'ing the OH1 if it wasn't clear from the analogy.
Yes, all audiophiles still keeping up and reading this bit can bring out their pitchforks and torches but, like it or not, the OH1 may not be the most suitable tuning for a lot of genres out there especially if one listens to a lot of old Bollywood classics which in all honesty sound literally like a broken record in their best quality. The OH1's upper-mid focus exaggerates and magnifies all vocal flaws to the extent where it could sound unlistenable at times and a bit as if it's pitch sensitive even if it's not really the case. On the other hand, trance, dub-step and EDM listeners alike would enjoy the presentation a wee bit more with a slightly more emphasized bass and treble response and a bit subdued upper midrange progression.
I personally prefer a balanced to mild-v presentation with a boost in the sub-bass frequencies with ample rumbling ability to keep things fun and interesting and hence, the following EQ curve is what I feel brings the best out of the Ikko OH1 for those who prefer a more linear response. Again, these are my preferences and in typical audiophile fashion, YMMV, but hey, you can give it a try!
Comparisons:
1. Moondrop Starfield ($110) :
Straight off the bat, the Moondrop starfield is a different tuning compared to the OH1. The Starfield is a harman-neutral tuning whereas the OH1 is a V-shaped presentation. Hence, keeping subjective preference aside based on tuning, it's easy to spot that the Starfield is superior in its technical chops and its ability to highlight textures a tab bit better than the OH1. The difference is not day and night but it sure is perceivable on back-to-back A/Bing. The Starfield is the more midrange focussed of the duo as well with a mild lift in the bass frequencies to keep things interesting and fun and an airy overall performance. However, the OH1 does bass better both in terms of layering, detail, and quantity with an authoritative sub-bass focus. The OH1 also has a slightly heftier note weight, aided by the meatier sub-bass and mid-bass performance. In addition, the timbre is slightly more natural on the Starfield and in-check irrespective of the genre at play and stays true to the source and the recording. The OH1 is more colored, has slightly better depth, and a far better staging width and imaging ability on offer. The OH1 simply sounds 'bigger' and 'wider' than the Starfield and most other sub-150$ iems in general. Lastly, the OH1 is driven very easily, is not as source sensitive, and can be driven off a simple iPod or smartphone to its potential without having to turn up the volume considerably atall. On the other hand, the Starfield benefits from clean amplification, and scales better with a dedicated power source, and is less efficient in general. However, from a scalability point of view, its a draw between the Starfield and OH1, where both scale to an extent, but both cant compete with the upper tier of iem's in terms of absolute technical ability.
2. Ikko OH10 ($200) :
Could be perceived as sibling rivalry, especially considering there is not much in terms of a cost difference between the two here. However, Ikko has managed to separate its audience from having confusion in picking one over the other as each one has its own set of strengths and is tuned quite differently inspite of having a similar V signature from the onset. The OH10 is a massive V signature in the traditional sense of what was called a V signature a few years ago; which was boosted bass and boosted treble frequencies, rather than the newer tendency of boosted bass and upper mid frequencies. If the OH1 sounded big and wide, the OH10 is an even bigger step up. Owing to the massive V-shaped tuning, the OH10 has a lot of depth and yet the staging is wide and quite surprisingly very holographic. Sub-bass is clearly emphasized and there is enough low-end depth and rumble to satisfy any basshead out there. Where the OH1 is gunning for coherency, the OH10 is simply wanted to make an impact on the listener as there is nothing subtle about its presentation. YES, the OH1 has a better tonal balance, but on the technical front, the OH10 marginally edges out the OH1, thanks to the far superior treble tuning. Treble portrayed on the OH10 has energy, extension, and balance which is just short of / on par with the likes of the IE800's and the Andromeda, in my humble opinion, and YMMV. This treble performance makes the OH10 sound airy and performs like the staging champs in this price range. That said, male vocals are a bit too recessed sounding at times and the mid-bass boost doesn't help in any way, which in contrast makes the OH1 sound almost like a mid-centric iem.
Buying Link:
In India, one can purchase the Ikko OH1 though Hifinage here : Ikko OH1 - Hifinage
IKKO has very quickly gained itself a healthy reputation in the IEM arena. In the recent few days, IKKO has launched iem’s, Dongle-dac and cables. I have already posted my views on Ikko OH10 which can be seen here. What I will talk about today is the OH1.
Disclaimer:-
This unit of IKKO OH1 was provided to me by hifinage.com for the purpose of this review. I am not paid by anyone to write this review. Each and every impression has been derived using my own judgment. You can buy a pair of the OH1 by clicking here
Technical Specifications:-
The Unboxing is very similar to what the OH10 gave.
Build Quality:
The OH1’s shape is exactly like the OH10. The difference here is in the build material. The non-metallic build gives it a lightweight feel but they still look and feel premium. The nozzles are big enough to hold the tips. The drivers are large enough and have a color that changes to another shade of blue whenever light hits them.
Fit:
The fit was perfect for me. The light shells are extremely comfortable to wear and use for a long time.
Sources:
Sound Impressions:
The major talking point of OH1 is this sounds fun and not analytical. It will give you all that you need barring few points on the upper treble range.
Bass:
First things first…if you are looking for something with an excellent sub-bass bass within budget then…OH1 is exactly what you need. What you get is very good bass, both quality-wise and quantity-wise. The mid-bass will not disappoint either. The slams are present, the decay is fast.
Mids:
The mids are open and clear. The separation is good. The timbre is as close to natural as it gets, and the sound is transparent as well. But you will feel that OH1 is somewhat restricted by its tuning at upper mids.
Highs:
The Highs have sufficient air and sparkle. The treble is clean. The Upper treble is messed up a little bit but still, it does the job and undercuts every other iem in this range. I believe, if you change the cable, this would be fixed to an extent.
Conclusion:
OH1 is very good at what it does and the price bracket that it targets makes it a complete winner. The excellent build quality, the excellent accessory package, the overall sound-signature, makes OH1 a very good contender to be the king of the slab.
Disclaimer:-
This unit of IKKO OH1 was provided to me by hifinage.com for the purpose of this review. I am not paid by anyone to write this review. Each and every impression has been derived using my own judgment. You can buy a pair of the OH1 by clicking here
Technical Specifications:-
- Balanced Armature: Knowles 33518.
- Dynamic driver: 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm dynamic driver.
- Sensitivity: 106dB.
- Frequency range: 20-40kHZ.
- Impedance: 18ohm.
- Cable length: 1.2m.
- Connector: 2-pin 0.78mm.
- Cable type: 4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper-plated 5n silver-plated.
The Unboxing is very similar to what the OH10 gave.
Build Quality:
The OH1’s shape is exactly like the OH10. The difference here is in the build material. The non-metallic build gives it a lightweight feel but they still look and feel premium. The nozzles are big enough to hold the tips. The drivers are large enough and have a color that changes to another shade of blue whenever light hits them.
Fit:
The fit was perfect for me. The light shells are extremely comfortable to wear and use for a long time.
Sources:
- Cayin N5ii
- Modded Q5
- Samsung Galaxy S10
- Sony Discman
Sound Impressions:
The major talking point of OH1 is this sounds fun and not analytical. It will give you all that you need barring few points on the upper treble range.
Bass:
First things first…if you are looking for something with an excellent sub-bass bass within budget then…OH1 is exactly what you need. What you get is very good bass, both quality-wise and quantity-wise. The mid-bass will not disappoint either. The slams are present, the decay is fast.
Mids:
The mids are open and clear. The separation is good. The timbre is as close to natural as it gets, and the sound is transparent as well. But you will feel that OH1 is somewhat restricted by its tuning at upper mids.
Highs:
The Highs have sufficient air and sparkle. The treble is clean. The Upper treble is messed up a little bit but still, it does the job and undercuts every other iem in this range. I believe, if you change the cable, this would be fixed to an extent.
Conclusion:
OH1 is very good at what it does and the price bracket that it targets makes it a complete winner. The excellent build quality, the excellent accessory package, the overall sound-signature, makes OH1 a very good contender to be the king of the slab.
Attachments
IKKO Audio is a fairly new name in the industry. It is a China-based audio equipment brand specializing in HiFi audio gears such as IEMs, USB DAC/AMPs, and more. They gained international attention with their OH1 and OH10 IEMs. Today I am gonna share my impressions of the IKKO OH1, a hybrid pair of IEMs featuring a dual-driver hybrid setup inside beautiful aluminum alloy shells. So let’s begin.
Disclaimer:-
The IKKO OH1 is provided to me for auditioning by Hifinage.com in return for my honest opinion. All thoughts in this review are based on my own experience with the pair over the past week. You can purchase the OH1 in India from Hifinage from the link below.
Ikko OH1
You can also read my work on my personal blog at www.gadgetgenerations.com.
Package & Accessories:-
The IKKO OH1 comes in a very cool anime-style packaging. It has a beautiful anime printed on top of it with the IKKO Meteor branding logo(Meteor OH1 is the full name of OH1) along with some features such as comfortable wear, aluminum alloy shell, dynamic sound. On the back, we have some more details about the pair in different languages. We have to pull out a denim-style heavy cardboard case from this outer packing. This holds the beautiful OH1 along with all the included accessories. The packing presentation is superb and premium. IKKO nails it in this department with its quality accessories and beautiful anime packaging design.
Package Contents:-
>One pair IKKO OH1 earphones.
>One 2-pin cable with 3.5mm termination plug.
>One carry pouch.
>Three pairs of Blue silicone ear tips.
>Three pairs of Black silicone ear tips.
>One IKKO lapel pin.
>Customer service card.
Design & Build Quality:-
The IKKO OH1 earpieces are built like a tank. They are made up of aluminum alloy and are quite heavy if we compare them to Resin made shells. I personally have no issues with their weight as well as I have previously used other metallic IEMs such as the CA Solaris OG and Tin HiFi P2. In terms of design, the OH1 looks quite unique with its Blueish tone and textured faceplates. Loved the beautiful looks and elegant design of the OH1. The included cable is a 4-core cable with two-pin connectors and a 3.5mm termination plug. The connectors have a red color indicator on the right side.
I personally don’t like using such carry pouches as they are not as efficient as carry cases. While I liked the strong hefty aluminum build of the earpieces the included carry pouch is just above average.
Fit & Noise Isolation:-
The ergonomically designed OH1 earpieces sit firmly into my medium-sized ears. They cover my ear canal completely and provides a good level of noise isolation even when I am outside. I get no issues with a bit heavyweight of the metallic shells in fact I find them sitting firmly into my ears and no fall-off issues.
Driving the IKKO OH1:-
The IKKO OH1 is a very easy to drive pair. I enjoyed it with my smartphone Honor View 10, Cayin N3 DAP, NX4 DSD portable DAC/AMP, and Topping E30/L30 DAC/AMP combo. It doesn’t require any such high-resolution player and provides good sound quality directly through smartphones. Here are my findings with the different pairings.
With Honor View 10:-
The OH1 is driven at adequate volume with good bass depth and detail retrieval at around 11/15 volume levels of the View 10. It shows no lack in detail retrieval and sounds pretty good.
With Cayin N3:-
OH1 sounds a bit warmer than neutral in this combo. There is no need to go above 60/100 volume for adequate volume with this combo. Bass and treble showed good extensions.
With NX4 DSD(paired with N3/ MacBook using USB DAC function):-
The pair sounds neutral with an emphasis on the bass portion. The output is wider as compared to the previous two pairings. Also, it gets loud even at 50% volume on the NX4.
With Topping E30+L30 Combo:-
There is no need to go this powerful for OH1. It required like 30% volume only and sounded cleanest among all the pairings. The signature is similar to that with NX4 DSD.
Sound Quality:-
The IKKO OH1 has bass emphasized sound signature. Especially in the sub-bass portion. The pair produces such a powerful rumble in the sub-bass portion that it can literally satisfy the bass hunger of a basshead. But it’s not only the bass that this pair delivers, it delivers a neutral response for the mids and a safe, smooth treble frequency response. The best part is even with such powerful bass there is no muddiness in the other frequencies. Both the male and female vocals show good resolution and clarity. Let’s share my impressions in different frequencies.
Lower End:-
This is where the OH1 shines a lot. Powerful sub-bass with good extensions, check. Quick, punchy mid-bass slams, check. The OH1 delivers a clean, powerful lower end that complements the other frequencies. The bass slams are tight, controlled well within their region showing no muddiness or leakage to other frequencies. Such thick bass provides weight to the instruments such as pianos, guitars, and more. Listening to EDM, Hip-Hop artist is a groovy and fun experience with the OH1.
Mid-Frequencies:-
The mid frequencies are a bit recessed. But they don’t lack in performance, presenting us with a transparent presentation. Acoustic instruments such as Guitars, are presented with good detail and body. Both the male and female vocals sound engaging and immersive.
High-Frequencies:-
The OH1 presents relaxed, smooth treble frequencies. There is no harshness or sibilance present with any of the instruments even at louder volumes. Cymbal crashes, Electric guitars sound engaging and detailed, the detail retrieval is actually quite good across the frequency range. Complex genres such as heavy metal are presented well with good clarity.
Soundstage & Imaging:-
The OH1 has an intimate sound presentation. It has average width and depth, but with good clarity shows good instrument separation and imaging for its price range.
Final Verdict:-
I personally loved the fun sound signature of the OH1. IMO it has the best sub-bass in its price segment. That thick rumble adds weight to the tones and provides an extraordinary experience. Actually thinking of grabbing a unit of OH1 for myself, but I am waiting for trying the OH10 too before pulling the trigger. In my opinion, at about 150$, IKKO OH1 is a pretty solid pair to own.
Disclaimer:-
The IKKO OH1 is provided to me for auditioning by Hifinage.com in return for my honest opinion. All thoughts in this review are based on my own experience with the pair over the past week. You can purchase the OH1 in India from Hifinage from the link below.
Ikko OH1
You can also read my work on my personal blog at www.gadgetgenerations.com.
Package & Accessories:-
The IKKO OH1 comes in a very cool anime-style packaging. It has a beautiful anime printed on top of it with the IKKO Meteor branding logo(Meteor OH1 is the full name of OH1) along with some features such as comfortable wear, aluminum alloy shell, dynamic sound. On the back, we have some more details about the pair in different languages. We have to pull out a denim-style heavy cardboard case from this outer packing. This holds the beautiful OH1 along with all the included accessories. The packing presentation is superb and premium. IKKO nails it in this department with its quality accessories and beautiful anime packaging design.
Package Contents:-
>One pair IKKO OH1 earphones.
>One 2-pin cable with 3.5mm termination plug.
>One carry pouch.
>Three pairs of Blue silicone ear tips.
>Three pairs of Black silicone ear tips.
>One IKKO lapel pin.
>Customer service card.
Design & Build Quality:-
The IKKO OH1 earpieces are built like a tank. They are made up of aluminum alloy and are quite heavy if we compare them to Resin made shells. I personally have no issues with their weight as well as I have previously used other metallic IEMs such as the CA Solaris OG and Tin HiFi P2. In terms of design, the OH1 looks quite unique with its Blueish tone and textured faceplates. Loved the beautiful looks and elegant design of the OH1. The included cable is a 4-core cable with two-pin connectors and a 3.5mm termination plug. The connectors have a red color indicator on the right side.
I personally don’t like using such carry pouches as they are not as efficient as carry cases. While I liked the strong hefty aluminum build of the earpieces the included carry pouch is just above average.
Fit & Noise Isolation:-
The ergonomically designed OH1 earpieces sit firmly into my medium-sized ears. They cover my ear canal completely and provides a good level of noise isolation even when I am outside. I get no issues with a bit heavyweight of the metallic shells in fact I find them sitting firmly into my ears and no fall-off issues.
Driving the IKKO OH1:-
The IKKO OH1 is a very easy to drive pair. I enjoyed it with my smartphone Honor View 10, Cayin N3 DAP, NX4 DSD portable DAC/AMP, and Topping E30/L30 DAC/AMP combo. It doesn’t require any such high-resolution player and provides good sound quality directly through smartphones. Here are my findings with the different pairings.
With Honor View 10:-
The OH1 is driven at adequate volume with good bass depth and detail retrieval at around 11/15 volume levels of the View 10. It shows no lack in detail retrieval and sounds pretty good.
With Cayin N3:-
OH1 sounds a bit warmer than neutral in this combo. There is no need to go above 60/100 volume for adequate volume with this combo. Bass and treble showed good extensions.
With NX4 DSD(paired with N3/ MacBook using USB DAC function):-
The pair sounds neutral with an emphasis on the bass portion. The output is wider as compared to the previous two pairings. Also, it gets loud even at 50% volume on the NX4.
With Topping E30+L30 Combo:-
There is no need to go this powerful for OH1. It required like 30% volume only and sounded cleanest among all the pairings. The signature is similar to that with NX4 DSD.
Sound Quality:-
The IKKO OH1 has bass emphasized sound signature. Especially in the sub-bass portion. The pair produces such a powerful rumble in the sub-bass portion that it can literally satisfy the bass hunger of a basshead. But it’s not only the bass that this pair delivers, it delivers a neutral response for the mids and a safe, smooth treble frequency response. The best part is even with such powerful bass there is no muddiness in the other frequencies. Both the male and female vocals show good resolution and clarity. Let’s share my impressions in different frequencies.
Lower End:-
This is where the OH1 shines a lot. Powerful sub-bass with good extensions, check. Quick, punchy mid-bass slams, check. The OH1 delivers a clean, powerful lower end that complements the other frequencies. The bass slams are tight, controlled well within their region showing no muddiness or leakage to other frequencies. Such thick bass provides weight to the instruments such as pianos, guitars, and more. Listening to EDM, Hip-Hop artist is a groovy and fun experience with the OH1.
Mid-Frequencies:-
The mid frequencies are a bit recessed. But they don’t lack in performance, presenting us with a transparent presentation. Acoustic instruments such as Guitars, are presented with good detail and body. Both the male and female vocals sound engaging and immersive.
High-Frequencies:-
The OH1 presents relaxed, smooth treble frequencies. There is no harshness or sibilance present with any of the instruments even at louder volumes. Cymbal crashes, Electric guitars sound engaging and detailed, the detail retrieval is actually quite good across the frequency range. Complex genres such as heavy metal are presented well with good clarity.
Soundstage & Imaging:-
The OH1 has an intimate sound presentation. It has average width and depth, but with good clarity shows good instrument separation and imaging for its price range.
Final Verdict:-
I personally loved the fun sound signature of the OH1. IMO it has the best sub-bass in its price segment. That thick rumble adds weight to the tones and provides an extraordinary experience. Actually thinking of grabbing a unit of OH1 for myself, but I am waiting for trying the OH10 too before pulling the trigger. In my opinion, at about 150$, IKKO OH1 is a pretty solid pair to own.
Product Page : https://ikkoaudio.com/product/ikko-oh1/
Price : 139$
Price : 139$
Packaging and accessories
The Ikko OH1 comes with a superb packaging featuring nice art piece, a rare sight at this price point.
The box feature a premium quality cardboard with a nice tray system and the unboxing is a real treat and suprise at this price point. The package contains the OH1 along with a soft leather carry pouch and two sets of tips one is “bass” focused (blue) and the other “balanced” (gray).
Fit, Build & Isolation
Consistent with the packaging quality, the Ikko OH1 features a shell made of aerospace alloy with only 6 grams per side the OH1 are very lightweight. The anodized painting is superb and the overall finish is quite premium and unexpected at this price point. Competition should take notes!
The fit is shallow but very good once you’ve found the right tips and secure thanks to preformed earhooks and the fact the cable is lightweight. The stock cable is a small gauge 4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper plated (OFC) silver-plated cable. It has very good build and is lightweight and quickly forgotten, with no microphonics.
The CTU-01 upgrade cable is a silver plated cable but this time is an OCC build with 127um high purity single crystal copper silver-plated core with ultra-low cable impedance which Ikko says maximizes the transient performance. I was impressed by the build and as we’ll see it’s very much worth spending an extra 59$ as we’ll see further in the review.
Introduction
Ikko Audio is a relatively new brand that started in 2018 and quickly made a name for themselves with well thought out designs and coherent tunings. Recently they launch two very well received portable DAC/amplifiers with IKKO Zerda ITM03 and ITM05. I have never auditioned any of their IEM so I was thrilled at the opportunity to review both the OH1 and OH10 as well as their very nice CTU-01 upgrade cable to check how both OH1 and OH10 would scale with a balanced upgrade.
The OH1 is a hybrid featuring a 10mm polymer composite titanium coated dynamic driver along with a Knowles 33518 balance armature driver. The OH1 features an alloy sound cavity while the OH10 as we’ll see in our next review, features a copper cavity.
Sound
The OH1 is a fairly balanced IEM aside from its emphasized bass presence it packs a suprisingly clear, articulate and accurate midrange and treble with a smooth delivery. Soundstage is balanced and quite good expansion in all directions with good imaging.
Bass
Note : The following impressions are based on the gray “balanced” tips as I found the “bass” blue tips to be too bassy with too much bass presence and less control. Your mileage may vary.
The OH1 features good sub bass extension and very good presence with good control, the dynamic certainly delivers a welcome physicality that was expected from a modern hybrid. I enjoyed my usual test tracks, both Sohn’s “Falling” and Aphex twins “Ageispolis” were highly enjoyable with the OH1.
The OH1 mid bass is spot on to my ears with less presence than the sub bass it stills packs good slam with very good control. It has a quite snappy attack and quick decay with good speed for a 10mm dynamic. There is moderate texture and detail but I am nitpicking here given the price bracket this is quite good performance.
I switched to the CTU-01 upgrade cable balanced again out of DX160 and I found the sub bass extension was a tad better with also better presence and control. The mids bass is tighter and more impactful with a bit more detail as well.
Mids
The OH1 midrange is clear, articulate and transparent with very good separation and a surprisingly accurate tone. I honestly didn’t expect this from an IEM in this price range. There is just a slight warmth infused by the bass prominence relative to the mids and the OH1 is just slightly north of neutral (keep in mind I am still writing with the balanced tips on, bass tips do tilt the balance to much more bass presence and less mids clarity).
The lower mids are spot on to my ears with no emphasis or dip and the instruments have good body but it’s not a thick midrange. Separation is very good and the midrange is very articulate and the OH1 is able to handle complex passages with larger ensemble. Instruments timbre is accurate making for a very realistic presentation. The upper mids have good bite providing excellent clarity although the tuning is on the safer side avoiding any sensitive area there.
Vocals are just slightly forward and very clear. Sibilance is a non issue with the OH1 and female vocals are engaging and convey good emotion. A very strong performance in the price bracket.
Switching over to the CTU-01 upgrade cable was very interesting as it affects the OH1 midrange very positively : separation is significantly better and I hear both fuller lower mids instruments have more body and better bite in the upper section. It’s a more engaging and lively midrange with more satisfying body and a lifelike presentation. Impressive. Vocals are a bit more forward and I hear more nuances in interpretation making for a more engaging listen. Overall the better treble presence with the CTU-01 as we’ll see also comes into play tilting the overall signature towards a more balanced presentation where bass is balanced by upper mids and treble presence.
Treble
The OH1 treble are clear and smooth with again a fairly accurate tone with excellent realism.
Lower treble has just enough energy to be engaging but treble heads will lack the treble bite that can be so satisfying when going to the limit. The flipside is that the OH1 is a non fatiguing IEM. Upper treble is well extended and there is good air with smooth delivery which feels very natural.
Switch over to the CTU-01 balanced upgrade cable and things are quite different : There is more lower treble energy with excellent bite, making for a more energetic and engaging treble while retaining it’s smooth delivery. There is also more air which is beneficial to a much better soundstage and more precise imaging. This cable brings the best out of the OH1 IMHO.
Verdict
The entry segment is not the easiest for a manufacturer to stand out as there are so many options around it’s actually near impossible to comprehensively compare every option. This being said, Ikko stands out right away with the OH1 premium packaging, impeccable build and accessories. There is a clear attention to detail that spells quality and it’s furthered by how well tuned and refined the OH1 is for its price. You wouldn’t figure Ikko is a relatively new brand but rather a seasoned one.
If you’re looking for a decently priced well built IEM with good slam and physicality down low, a clear articulate and accurate midrange and treble with smooth delivery then it’s hard not to recommend to add the OH1 to the list of IEMs to seriously consider. If you can spare the 59€ extra their CTU-01 balanced cable is strong value and a superb match to the OH1 to take it one setp further and frankly with a SQ punching above its price point.
Listening notes
I spent approximately 20 hours with the Ikko OH1, listening on iBasso DX160 and Lotoo PAW S1 using the stock and upgrade CTU-01 cable balanced.
Special Thanks
Thanks to Ikko for providing a review unit of the OH1 as well as the CTU-01 upgrade cable. As usual, this review is my honest opinion. No incentive was given for a favorable review.
Accessories
- Leather carry pouch
- Stock SPC OFC cable braided 4 wires
- Set of S,M, L balanced and bass tips
- sensitivity: 106 dB
- frequency range 20-40kHZ
- Impedance 18 ohms
- 5.7mm nozzle
Introduction
The IKKO audio are relatively young Chinese company, they developed wider range of audio products, the OH1 & 10 hybrid IEMs are especially well known. After that, they start to release some audio products, like the DAC/AMP, USB DAC, cable and Bluetooth cable. Today I am checking out their Metror OH1, which is their hybrid IEM released at 2018. The driver configuration is 1DD+1BA, price of it is $139USD.
Disclaimer
I would like to thanks Watson from IKKO audio for given this opportunity, and the review will be based on my honest opinion through the music I listen to.
Package & accessories
The OH1 come with the moderate size box, there are the typical IKKO style illustration at the front cover with the brand name, model name and other information, whereas the specifications at the rear side of it. There is the black box with golden design theme at the side after remove the cover. After open the box from the side, there is the IEM it self sit it in the foam, while the cable is in the carry pouch, with the ear tips store under the carry pouch.
Accessories list
1 pair x Ikko OH1 In-Ear Monitor
1 pcs x Detachable Cable with 0.78mm 2 Pin Connector
3 pairs x Vocal Type Silicone Ear tips (size S/M/L)
3 pairs x Balanced Type Silicone Ear tips (size S/M/L)
1 pcs x Leather Carry Pouch
1 piece x Shirt Pin With IKKO Branded
The accessories it come with is reasonable and useful. The leather carry pouch is well finished, and allow the user to store a pair of IEM. The additional rope connect from top can tied the pouch.
It come with two different type of tips, the vocal tips and the balanced tips. The package include the shirt pin with IKKO logo on the top, which is unique and well made.
It come with the 4 core 5N high purity silver plated OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) cable, it has 3.5 mm L angled connector in blue metal shell. It features the 0.78mm 2 pin connector with red and blue ring around to show left and right. The Y-splitter are blue metal shell as well as the 2 pin male connector. There are no cable slider on this cable. It is overall flexible and slightly thin cable
Design & Build & Comfort
The design on OH1 are unique with beautifully made blue shell. The faceplate has meteor liked pattern, which is unique and nicely correspond their package cover. There is the L&R indicator in white color on the top of IEM, while the vents is next to it. The IKKO brand name is located at the rear side on shell in white front. The design is really beautiful and definitely stand out in the price point.
The build on OH1 are solid and well finished. The shell is made by aerospace alloy material, which is light weight and durable. The shell are well rounded with smooth curve. There are no shape edges or gap on the shell. The filter on nozzle are made with metal to provide the prevent from ear dust. The 0.78mm 2 pin female connectors are tight, and the connector do not have sign of wear and tear after I swapped few times of cable.
The fits on OH1 are really good, thanks to the well ergonomic design. The nozzles is short, but the shell is thin so it fit in well. The isolation are slightly above the average, thanks to the metal shell by cover the noise.
Sound
Paring
I use the balanced ear tips with the stock cable run through my music library on Fiio M11.
Tonality
The OH1 has V shape tonality, it is warm and musical sound with an engaging presentation.
Bass
The bass is full bodies with slightly thick timbre. The sub bass has above average extension with moderate decay speed. It has above average rumble, with average impact and punch. It has moderate speed with good levels of control. The detail retrieval are pretty well, while the clarity are above an average.
Mids
The midrange are slightly dry and thinner than the bass. The midrange has smooth yet engaging presentation. The lower midrange has good amount of bodies and sound lush and clean. The upper midrange has emphasis. The upper midrange has soft and lively presentation. The upper midrange has average levels of transparency. The clarity and detail retrieval are average.
Treble
The treble has harshness presentation. The treble are smooth and well extended. It has above average detail and clarity. The upper treble has moderate amount of spark and airiness. The upper treble has slightly roll off, so it is deal for treble sensitivity peoples.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage has above average width, with average depth.
The imaging are pretty well done.
Comparison
Final audio E4000 ($149USD)
Bass
The sub bass has better decay and extension on the OH1, while the quantity are tad more on the E4000. The bass has more quantity on the E4000, and it has warmer presentation compare to cleaner and thicker presentation on OH1. The bass has better speed and control on the OH1, while both of them have similar amount of rumble, but the OH1 provide better punch and impact to it. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on OH1.
Mids
The midrange are more recessed on the OH1, the E4000 has lusher and fuller presentation compare to dryer and cleaner presentation on OH1. The lower midrange has more bodies on the E4000, it sound noticeably thicker compare to OH1. The upper midrange has the good emphasis on OH1, which offer the more lively presentation, whereas the E4000 has fuller and more natural presentation. The OH1 has better clarity, transparency and detail in the midrange.
Treble
The treble has slightly better extension on OH1, while the E4000 are more laid back and darker. The OH1 has more open and dryer treble presentation, while the E4000 has more bodies in treble and sound less attacked. The treble has more sparkle and crisp expression on OH1. The treble has better detail, clarity, and airiness on OH1.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage feel more opener on OH1, the OH1 did slightly better job on imaging.
BQEYZ Spring 1 ($139USD)
Bass
The OH1 has slightly more sub bass quantity, the OH10 also offer the better sub bass extension and quicker decay. The bass has more quantity and feel more weight on the Spring1, the bass has better punch, speed and control on the Spring1, whereas the OH1 has more rumble and airiness in the bass. Both has pretty good clarity and detail.
Mids
The midrange are more recessed on the OH1. Both has slightly warm tonality, but the OH1 are warmer and fuller. The lower midrange has more bodies and lusher on the OH1, while the Spring1 take a cleaner notes. The upper midrange has great emphasis on both, both of them have lively presentation, but the Spring1 has more clarity. The Spring1 did the better jobs in term of clarity and transparency, while both of them has good amount of detail.
Treble
The treble slightly brighter and extended further on Spring1, while the OH1 has crisper and lower treble focus presentation. The treble sound more fuller on the Spring1, whereas the treble slightly dryer on OH1. The OH1 provide the relatively less fatiguing tonality. The Spring1 has more airness and detail in treble.
Soundstage and imaging
The OH1 has wider and deeper soundstage, while the Spring1 own slightly better imaging.
Dunu SA3 ($139USD)
Bass
The OH1 has more sub bass and bass quantity compare to the SA3. The sub bass has better extension on OH1. The bass has more weight on OH1, and it has more impactful rumble and punch on OH1. The bass are warmer on OH1, While the SA3 are smoother and has better speed and control. Both have similar amount of detail, while the SA3 offer better clarity.
Mids
The midrange are recessed and warmer on OH1, whereas the SA3 are more balanced and fuller. The lower midrange has slightly fuller bodies on SA3, while the OH1 are cleaner. The upper midrange has more lively but thin presentation on OH1, while the SA3 are fuller and more realistic in my opinion. The transparency levels are both pretty good. They have similar amount of detail. The OH1 has better clarity.
Treble
The treble are slightly brighter and smoother on SA3, while the OH1 are and more open. The treble has thinner and dryer presentation on the OH1. The upper treble has more sparkle and airiness on SA3, whereas the OH1 are less prominent here. The detail retrieval are both pretty similar. The OH1 has better clarity.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage are slightly wider on OH1, depth are better on SA3.
The imaging are better on SA3.
BQEYZ Summer ($139USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass quantity and extended further on the OH1, where as the mid bass has slightly more quantity and sound fuller on the Summer. There are better sense of rumble with cleaner tone on the OH1, on the other hand, the Summer sound lusher and thicker with tad more slam. The bass sound clearer with better control on the OH1, where the Summer has more weight and slower speed. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on OH1.
Mids
The midrange on both has a V shape tonality, but the Summer has a lusher and more textured tone, where the OH1 has clearer tone with less bodies in its presentation. The lower midrange has relatively more bodies and sound thicker on the Summer, where the OH1 has cleaner presentation. The upper midrange sound more vividly with more emphasis on the OH1, while the Summer is more soothing with fuller tone. The detail retrieval and clarity is tad better on OH1.
Treble
The treble extend further on the Summer with relatively brighter tonality. The lower treble on both sound smooth, but the Summer is bit edgy in certain track. The upper treble has more airiness and sparkle on the Summer but it sound relatively stronger in this region compare to lower treble, where as the OH1 is roll off early here. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Summer.
Soundstage and imaging
The width is tad wider on the Summer, deeper on the OH1.
The imaging is tad better on the Summer.
Conclusion
The IKKO Metror OH1 is beautifully made IEM, with an unique design. The tonality is pretty well done V shape. The sound is smooth and musical with an engaging presentation. It has fatiguing free listening but still remaining good amount of crips definition in the treble region. It has an well defined midrange with detail treble. The only problem on the OH1 is slightly dry timbre, and in my opinion it is kind of unnatural. But overall the OH1 is really great IEM for its price range.
IKKO audio official website: https://ikkoaudio.com/?ref=1
IKKO Metror OH1 product page: https://ikkoaudio.com/product/ikko-oh1/?ref=1
The IKKO audio are relatively young Chinese company, they developed wider range of audio products, the OH1 & 10 hybrid IEMs are especially well known. After that, they start to release some audio products, like the DAC/AMP, USB DAC, cable and Bluetooth cable. Today I am checking out their Metror OH1, which is their hybrid IEM released at 2018. The driver configuration is 1DD+1BA, price of it is $139USD.
Disclaimer
I would like to thanks Watson from IKKO audio for given this opportunity, and the review will be based on my honest opinion through the music I listen to.
Package & accessories
The OH1 come with the moderate size box, there are the typical IKKO style illustration at the front cover with the brand name, model name and other information, whereas the specifications at the rear side of it. There is the black box with golden design theme at the side after remove the cover. After open the box from the side, there is the IEM it self sit it in the foam, while the cable is in the carry pouch, with the ear tips store under the carry pouch.
Accessories list
1 pair x Ikko OH1 In-Ear Monitor
1 pcs x Detachable Cable with 0.78mm 2 Pin Connector
3 pairs x Vocal Type Silicone Ear tips (size S/M/L)
3 pairs x Balanced Type Silicone Ear tips (size S/M/L)
1 pcs x Leather Carry Pouch
1 piece x Shirt Pin With IKKO Branded
The accessories it come with is reasonable and useful. The leather carry pouch is well finished, and allow the user to store a pair of IEM. The additional rope connect from top can tied the pouch.
It come with two different type of tips, the vocal tips and the balanced tips. The package include the shirt pin with IKKO logo on the top, which is unique and well made.
It come with the 4 core 5N high purity silver plated OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) cable, it has 3.5 mm L angled connector in blue metal shell. It features the 0.78mm 2 pin connector with red and blue ring around to show left and right. The Y-splitter are blue metal shell as well as the 2 pin male connector. There are no cable slider on this cable. It is overall flexible and slightly thin cable
Design & Build & Comfort
The design on OH1 are unique with beautifully made blue shell. The faceplate has meteor liked pattern, which is unique and nicely correspond their package cover. There is the L&R indicator in white color on the top of IEM, while the vents is next to it. The IKKO brand name is located at the rear side on shell in white front. The design is really beautiful and definitely stand out in the price point.
The build on OH1 are solid and well finished. The shell is made by aerospace alloy material, which is light weight and durable. The shell are well rounded with smooth curve. There are no shape edges or gap on the shell. The filter on nozzle are made with metal to provide the prevent from ear dust. The 0.78mm 2 pin female connectors are tight, and the connector do not have sign of wear and tear after I swapped few times of cable.
The fits on OH1 are really good, thanks to the well ergonomic design. The nozzles is short, but the shell is thin so it fit in well. The isolation are slightly above the average, thanks to the metal shell by cover the noise.
Sound
Paring
I use the balanced ear tips with the stock cable run through my music library on Fiio M11.
Tonality
The OH1 has V shape tonality, it is warm and musical sound with an engaging presentation.
Bass
The bass is full bodies with slightly thick timbre. The sub bass has above average extension with moderate decay speed. It has above average rumble, with average impact and punch. It has moderate speed with good levels of control. The detail retrieval are pretty well, while the clarity are above an average.
Mids
The midrange are slightly dry and thinner than the bass. The midrange has smooth yet engaging presentation. The lower midrange has good amount of bodies and sound lush and clean. The upper midrange has emphasis. The upper midrange has soft and lively presentation. The upper midrange has average levels of transparency. The clarity and detail retrieval are average.
Treble
The treble has harshness presentation. The treble are smooth and well extended. It has above average detail and clarity. The upper treble has moderate amount of spark and airiness. The upper treble has slightly roll off, so it is deal for treble sensitivity peoples.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage has above average width, with average depth.
The imaging are pretty well done.
Comparison
Final audio E4000 ($149USD)
Bass
The sub bass has better decay and extension on the OH1, while the quantity are tad more on the E4000. The bass has more quantity on the E4000, and it has warmer presentation compare to cleaner and thicker presentation on OH1. The bass has better speed and control on the OH1, while both of them have similar amount of rumble, but the OH1 provide better punch and impact to it. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on OH1.
Mids
The midrange are more recessed on the OH1, the E4000 has lusher and fuller presentation compare to dryer and cleaner presentation on OH1. The lower midrange has more bodies on the E4000, it sound noticeably thicker compare to OH1. The upper midrange has the good emphasis on OH1, which offer the more lively presentation, whereas the E4000 has fuller and more natural presentation. The OH1 has better clarity, transparency and detail in the midrange.
Treble
The treble has slightly better extension on OH1, while the E4000 are more laid back and darker. The OH1 has more open and dryer treble presentation, while the E4000 has more bodies in treble and sound less attacked. The treble has more sparkle and crisp expression on OH1. The treble has better detail, clarity, and airiness on OH1.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage feel more opener on OH1, the OH1 did slightly better job on imaging.
BQEYZ Spring 1 ($139USD)
Bass
The OH1 has slightly more sub bass quantity, the OH10 also offer the better sub bass extension and quicker decay. The bass has more quantity and feel more weight on the Spring1, the bass has better punch, speed and control on the Spring1, whereas the OH1 has more rumble and airiness in the bass. Both has pretty good clarity and detail.
Mids
The midrange are more recessed on the OH1. Both has slightly warm tonality, but the OH1 are warmer and fuller. The lower midrange has more bodies and lusher on the OH1, while the Spring1 take a cleaner notes. The upper midrange has great emphasis on both, both of them have lively presentation, but the Spring1 has more clarity. The Spring1 did the better jobs in term of clarity and transparency, while both of them has good amount of detail.
Treble
The treble slightly brighter and extended further on Spring1, while the OH1 has crisper and lower treble focus presentation. The treble sound more fuller on the Spring1, whereas the treble slightly dryer on OH1. The OH1 provide the relatively less fatiguing tonality. The Spring1 has more airness and detail in treble.
Soundstage and imaging
The OH1 has wider and deeper soundstage, while the Spring1 own slightly better imaging.
Dunu SA3 ($139USD)
Bass
The OH1 has more sub bass and bass quantity compare to the SA3. The sub bass has better extension on OH1. The bass has more weight on OH1, and it has more impactful rumble and punch on OH1. The bass are warmer on OH1, While the SA3 are smoother and has better speed and control. Both have similar amount of detail, while the SA3 offer better clarity.
Mids
The midrange are recessed and warmer on OH1, whereas the SA3 are more balanced and fuller. The lower midrange has slightly fuller bodies on SA3, while the OH1 are cleaner. The upper midrange has more lively but thin presentation on OH1, while the SA3 are fuller and more realistic in my opinion. The transparency levels are both pretty good. They have similar amount of detail. The OH1 has better clarity.
Treble
The treble are slightly brighter and smoother on SA3, while the OH1 are and more open. The treble has thinner and dryer presentation on the OH1. The upper treble has more sparkle and airiness on SA3, whereas the OH1 are less prominent here. The detail retrieval are both pretty similar. The OH1 has better clarity.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage are slightly wider on OH1, depth are better on SA3.
The imaging are better on SA3.
BQEYZ Summer ($139USD)
Bass
There are more sub bass quantity and extended further on the OH1, where as the mid bass has slightly more quantity and sound fuller on the Summer. There are better sense of rumble with cleaner tone on the OH1, on the other hand, the Summer sound lusher and thicker with tad more slam. The bass sound clearer with better control on the OH1, where the Summer has more weight and slower speed. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on OH1.
Mids
The midrange on both has a V shape tonality, but the Summer has a lusher and more textured tone, where the OH1 has clearer tone with less bodies in its presentation. The lower midrange has relatively more bodies and sound thicker on the Summer, where the OH1 has cleaner presentation. The upper midrange sound more vividly with more emphasis on the OH1, while the Summer is more soothing with fuller tone. The detail retrieval and clarity is tad better on OH1.
Treble
The treble extend further on the Summer with relatively brighter tonality. The lower treble on both sound smooth, but the Summer is bit edgy in certain track. The upper treble has more airiness and sparkle on the Summer but it sound relatively stronger in this region compare to lower treble, where as the OH1 is roll off early here. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Summer.
Soundstage and imaging
The width is tad wider on the Summer, deeper on the OH1.
The imaging is tad better on the Summer.
Compare to my relatively more objective Head-fi star ranking, this ranking will be more subjective based on my personal preference and it doesn’t take price into my consideration.
Scoring system:
4/10 and below: Waste of money
5/10: Average
6/10: Above average
7/10: Good
8/10: Great
9/10: Excellent
10/10: OMG
IKKO OH1:
Overall tonality: 6/10
Bass: 6/10
Mids: 6/10
Treble: 7/10
Overall: 6.25/10
Scoring system:
4/10 and below: Waste of money
5/10: Average
6/10: Above average
7/10: Good
8/10: Great
9/10: Excellent
10/10: OMG
IKKO OH1:
Overall tonality: 6/10
Bass: 6/10
Mids: 6/10
Treble: 7/10
Overall: 6.25/10
Conclusion
The IKKO Metror OH1 is beautifully made IEM, with an unique design. The tonality is pretty well done V shape. The sound is smooth and musical with an engaging presentation. It has fatiguing free listening but still remaining good amount of crips definition in the treble region. It has an well defined midrange with detail treble. The only problem on the OH1 is slightly dry timbre, and in my opinion it is kind of unnatural. But overall the OH1 is really great IEM for its price range.
IKKO audio official website: https://ikkoaudio.com/?ref=1
IKKO Metror OH1 product page: https://ikkoaudio.com/product/ikko-oh1/?ref=1
Attachments
Ikko OH1($139): An entry into a different realm.
Thanks to Steve from Xtenik Audio for the use of the Ikko. All that was asked was to provide an open honest review. I would have it no other way. And as such, the unit may be returned at any time at the request of Xtenik. And as usual, I am late…apologies.
Xtenik link : https://www.xtenik.com/product/ikko-oh1/
I recently read Pinky’s excellent prose regarding reviewers and the heat generated from those who are, I will put it subtly, jealous. You know, I value his opinion and warrant an agreement with that verbiage processed in his writings. In my humble reviewer opinion, he is second to none with regard to verbiage. One would be wise to listen to his words. I am but a small fry in the ever-increasing world of “reviewers” but what I profess is a true opinion of the unit at hand. I will agree that when one finds a unit, which does not necessarily fit your listening operandi you must work extra hard. There is a certain manufacturer of which I feel this pain. As such, I must try extra hard to discern the likes, lest I make it into a b*tch-fest of disdain. Thankfully that is not the case with the Ikko.
Another acquaintance, @wiljen had the OH1 well before me and espoused its virtues of trying to break the ChiFi mold of bright signatures and multiple drivers. Here, the OH1 uses a “simple” single Knowles BA and a single dynamic driver of 10mm variety. I for one appreciate that simplicity. To me, a company, which goes this direction can focus more on the tuning since there are fewer drivers involved. Think of it as a guitar/piano duet as opposed to an orchestra. I must immediately state that this works. This is a really good unit, with a fairly. Unique look and feel. I like it.
Specs:
Balanced Armature: Knowles 33518
Dynamic driver: 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm dynamic driver
Sensitivity: 106dB
Frequency range: 20-40kHZ
Impedance: 18ohm
Cable length: 1.2m
Connector: 2-pin 0.78mm
Cable type: 4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper-plated 5n silver-plated
Gear Used/compared:
BGVP DM6 ($199)
BGVP DMS ($159)
Shanling ME100 ($89)
Shanling M5s
XDuoo x10t ii/iFi xDSD
Dethonray DTR1
Shanling M2x
Songs used:
Too bloody many to list all, but you want songs, so there you go:
Coldplay-All I Can think About Is You
Coldplay-A Message
Coldplay-White Shadows
Dona Onete-Sonos de Adolescente
Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (en Espanol)
twenty one pilots-Trees
twenty one pilots-Car Radio
twenty one pilots-Heathens
Damian Marley-Everybody Wants To Be Somebody
Damian Marley-So A Child May Follow
Damian Marley-The Struggle Discontinues
Ziggy Marley-Lighthouse
Ziggy Marely-See Dem Fake Leaders
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
The new twenty one pilots album, Trench
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Big Head Todd & The Monsters-Beautiful World
Mark Knopfler-Down The Road Wherever
Unboxing:
Coming in a typical white-sleeved box, the Ikko has a thicker than normal cover. Replete with the specs on the back, a simple picture adorns the front. I like it. Pulling the sleeve reveals a black box completed with sublimated Ikko label and logo. A stiff thicker-than-need-be envelope houses the warranty card and quick guide. Not bad. Underneath the envelope lies the IEM well protected on top, and six sets of silicon tips, “vocal” and “balanced.” Under that is a cutout housing the cable and the folding/snapped “case.” Soft but a bit small, the case is kind of refreshing to see, since it easily fits into pockets or the extra pocket of your DAP carrying case.
Overall pretty straight forward, but they at least included a case!
Fit-n-finish:
With a right-angled 3.5mm jack the protection is ample for bending and movement. Machine-wound, the cable is square and does not tangle. Nice to have this. An anodized metal splitter, with no cinch strap moves up the cable, leading eventually to the 2-pin cable complete with long over-ear guides. I typically do not like over-ear guides this long due to pinching, but this is a very nice mix of length and suppleness. I found no problem fitting the OH1 to my ear. I also like the blue ano color with the multi-shaped shell. Different, yet tasteful. Another appreciative applause from the crowd.
Using the medium balanced tips, the fit is very good, going deep into the canal, while providing a good seal. I like this. I have a couple of other IEM’s in-house currently and their fit is almost painful. Different shells, and different feel. This is good. I think what helps is that the rear part of the shell, on the inside is thinner, like looking down the hood of an old Triumph TR-8. Clean and shapely. No pressure was felt even with long. Listening sessions.
Initial:
As per my standard, I listen to check everything out, then place the critter on my Shanling M0 (ooppss…not this time as the Li-Ion battery seems to have quite the “full tummy” so M3s it was) for a minimum of 75hrs. Checking occasionally I found the sound as pleasant as first listen.
Currently listening to Lindsey Stirling through the Shanling M5s and Tidal Premium, I get excellent bass retrieval and depth of sound. Mids are a bit behind the scene, but not lacking on thickness. With rumble on Crystalize the violin sounds simply sumptuous, as the electric bass support gives the bass excellent depth and not overly rotund thickness. I prefer sound on the warmer side of life, so this is turning into a treat.
Sound beyond initial:
Moving on to a more in-depth look, I find the treble to be toned nicely, without too much up top. I fail to hear much sparkle, and do wish for a bit more, but the overall depth of sound more than makes up for it. This is almost luscious, but not syrupy. Thick with strength. I find myself turning the volume up with each song. Song Of The Caged Bird almost throws the lack of treble sparkle to the wind. The electric accompaniment aids in providing a forward sound, which tends to lead the way on this song. Her violin play moving. To the back slightly, like well…a bird in the cage sitting peacefully while you read your paper.
When one considers that the OH1 is the first iteration from Ikko, you begin to wonder why ALL ChiFi companies did not do this to start…
While I find the treble to be a bit polite, I find the mids to be pleasantly semi-robust. Not rich, not polite, but pretty straightforward and a good connection between the treble and rumbly bass. The Knowles is doing its job well by providing good sound stage and the treble/mid combo aid that. Separating of instruments is more fore/aft, than left/right. Not a bad thing, but instruments, which clearly need to be left/right for the music tend to get a bit lost. I do like the separation, so this isn’t a big deal. Transcendence comes through with vibrant color all the way portraying an eagerness of sound, that makes you feel like you are indeed changing with the music. This is a great video, and together the feel of the song is darn near perfect. The OH1 provides the inspiration for your ears in this regard. Follow that with Elements and you come full circle, revived and watching the show with renewed spirit.
The bass is the highlight of this show, though. That 10mm dynamic driver does its job exceedingly well. Rumble not felt. In many more expensive pairings, but without the overwhelming sound one can easily get from lesser tunings. That depth aids in providing a width of overall sound, which counters the separation aspect. There is most definitely some height with the sound stage, at times cathedral-like. But not so overwhelmingly high that one might fear the height. It is enough to provide the basis for instrumentation. I know earlier I mentioned the left/right separation but combine the sound stage and instrumentation and you can feel good about the overall signature. The more I listen, the more I appreciate the tuning. I would call it “energetic.” A lush lilt comes through with Shadows and you get the feeling of watching Stirling dance lightly on her toes throughout the song. Vibrant would be another good term, even with that “polite” tuning up top. A very good tuning of a single BA and single DD.
Comparisons:
Ikko OH1 ($139) vs BGVP DM6 ($199):
Not really a fair comparison, as the BGVP is now on its 7th iteration, with much more experience in IEM’s. I have liked all BGVP’s I have tried, and quickly they became one of my favorite ChiFi manufacturers. Just good solid tuning and pleasant sound combined with good to excellent ergonomics.
The difference here is that compared to the OH1, the mids seem pinched and a bit bright. Bass has better control but does not go as deep. There is sparkle up top as well. The mids caused me to turn the sound down compared to the OH1. I will also grant separation is better on the DM6. There is a clarity that the OH1 lacks. That could come down to having more drivers, and different tuning, but the DM6 comes across brighter with a more analytical sound. I like it but prefer the bass leaning OH1 overall. The DM6 just seems a bit bright in comparison.
Ikko OH1 ($139) Simgot EN700 Pro ($145):
An older favorite of mine, the EN700 Pro surprised me with a good overall signature, even if it was tuned more to neutral ears. I found the mids to be good, with vocals supple and supportive of the sound. Bass while not as present but better under control gives the Pro an overall appeal for those who want a more neutral sound, which does not offend. This is a good commuting pair, with good isolation and a design, which does not draw much attention to itself in the all-black variant. It does have a unique “grill” pattern, but I even got used to that. Offering excellent fit, and a very good cable, the EN700 Pro still warms my cockles today. Almost rumbly it is.
I still prefer the OH1 due to that superb bass and a warmer tuning signature. But I would (and will) not kick the Pro out of the house due to the strength’s mentioned above.
Ikko OH1 ($139) vs Moondrop Kanas Pro ($189):
It may seem odd to include something, which costs half again what the OH1 does, but it is worth a look. At the sub-$200 price, I am hard pressed to find a better representation of an excellent all-arounder than the Kanas Pro. Excellent ergonomics, excellent fit, a superb supple cable, which takes on the look of an albino Corn Snake, and there isn’t much to dislike here. With an ergonomic fit, which is very good, it is on the bigger side for average-sized ears. I can listen, but not for the extended sessions that I can with the OH1.
Treble is almost too polite, and lacks the sparkle of say the DM6, but due to my lack of hearing up top, I do not mind. The KP is quite good, and another fine choice for a good middle of the road sound.
Mids are a bit behind the sound, but there is a certain clarity, which brings the unit up to speed. Less bass quantity than the OH1, but better control, the KP is the clear winner with regard to sound quality. But for my tastes, I still prefer the warmer signature of the OH1. Sorry, but it fits my tastes better than the three listed here. It just does.
Sources:
The Shanling M5s is a favorite source of mine. My open unabashed love for Shanling gives me the ability to critically pick apart any discrepancies. I liken this to a love affair. Once you really love someone, you know their strengths, weaknesses, annoyances, & approvals. The same to me holds in DAP’s or almost anything. Thankfully, the Shanling/OH1 combination is one in which I like very much. That bass coming from the slightly north of neutral sound of the M5s works flawlessly with the OH1, and I get a very good sense of placement. Sound stage is above average, and clarity of the Shanling is quite good. While not on par with my Opus #2, or DTR1; it is still very decent and to me underappreciated. I could (and do) happily live with this combination for everyday listening. Using the combo on my walks and runs became a staple of my use; seamlessly letting me focus on the task at hand. The fit of the OH1 made for a quite enjoyable walk/run. And the Shanling fit into my armband without protest.
The Dethonray DTR1 on the other hand would be one I would most likely not take out on the runs/walks very often (I have since picked up a Shanling M2x for that purpose) but would because the sound is exemplary. The DTR1 still amazes me for pure sound quality. I find it hard to beat at the price (comparable to the M5s), and for pure sound an amazing value. If one can live without the frills, then this very well could be the one. Combined with the OH1, the pair is archetypal of a pair costing several hundred more. This is most definitely due to the DTR1, but many times the IEM cannot scale up with the increase in sound quality. Here it does and does so without fuss. I find myself reaching for the OH1 and another more often as a result. I still savor my TOTL IEM’s, but for everyday use, this is the most prosperous pairing I currently use.
I spent the least amount of time with the XDuoo/iFi combination because the DTR1 was so good. But knowing that for a little bit more the above pairing could be a competent replacement forced the issue. The ability to add bass and go 3D with the xDSD gives one the ability to receive a sound, which is almost the same as balanced, adding that holography, which balanced does. Here it does the same, but is a bit more subtle. I’m not sure if that was a limitation of the OH1 or not, but it did not hinder a sound, which to me was second to the DTR1. To me, the x10t ii is on par (very close) to the DTR, when run singularly through. A competent amp such as the iFi’s I use. Taken in that vein the combination would be an extraordinary example of a portable go-to triumvirate. With the ability to tailor sound more than the others, this would be a commuter’s dream. Excellent battery life, excellent sound, and affordable IEM’s to boot. The sound, which would hover in my ears during that commute would be rich, full of bass and have that added layer of holography, which would fill the volume of commuting choice. Need more mid-presence? Dial in the 3D. Less bass? Turn the xBass off. I found the stack combined very well, and as per my statement above regarding the DTR1 have made the OH1 a regular in that listening cycle.
Coming late to the party was a recently purchased Shanling M2x. Even though I have the M5s, which can stream Tidal and use it for my walk/runs; I am wary of using something so dear to me in case of some “happening.” As a result, the M2x is now my most regular when walking/running due to having what I will call 75% of the M5s sound, at 50% of the price. A very fair trade-off in my book. With less richness, the sound of the M2x is not as “thick” or detailed as the M5s, but that is to be expected. Using one less chip, there is less electronic magicry going on. I did not find myself suffering too much as a result. I found the sound of decently presented vocals, combined with an unobtrusive treble to be quite acceptable and this has quickly moved up my food chain of listening. Plus, to note that the combination can be had for less than the price of either the M5s or DTR1 is astounding. An excellent and affordable pairing for all-around use. I applaud both.
Conclusion:
Many have moved on to the OH10 and almost forgotten the OH1. This is a place where, as a slacker-reviewer I can reinvigorate the presence of a very good IEM or other piece of gear. Knowing the quality of sound presented here makes me wonder indeed what the OH10 sounds like (very, very good according to numerous outlets), while still reveling in the OH1. The fit is among the best I have tried. The cable is quite acceptable as well. I love the off-centered look of a shell from the ocean. Interesting stuff. But it is the sound, which keeps me coming back. The bass is taut, present and not overwhelming at all. There is no muddiness or congestion. The mids ring true, with female vocals sounding especially impressive and the treble hits at the right spot for me. Not much sparkle, but no over-exuberance either. It does not hit peakiness. There is the right amount of lift and one, which I can listen to for long sessions without fatigue.
Overall, the OH1 is a very impressive package. One I can highly recommend and not feel bad about doing so. This is a keeper and an entry into the Ikko brand for which I am thankful. There is another brand of which I have heard their “entry” model, and I hold both in the same regard, tops at this point and a bit upward. If these are the entry level models now, I can only. Imagine what the higher models sound like. I will have to find a pair of the OH10 and find out.
Thanks to Steve and Xtenik for the sample Ikko OH1. It is understood that the unit may be asked for at any time but is mine to keep otherwise. This is a really fine unit, and I recommend a listen.
Thanks to Steve from Xtenik Audio for the use of the Ikko. All that was asked was to provide an open honest review. I would have it no other way. And as such, the unit may be returned at any time at the request of Xtenik. And as usual, I am late…apologies.
Xtenik link : https://www.xtenik.com/product/ikko-oh1/
I recently read Pinky’s excellent prose regarding reviewers and the heat generated from those who are, I will put it subtly, jealous. You know, I value his opinion and warrant an agreement with that verbiage processed in his writings. In my humble reviewer opinion, he is second to none with regard to verbiage. One would be wise to listen to his words. I am but a small fry in the ever-increasing world of “reviewers” but what I profess is a true opinion of the unit at hand. I will agree that when one finds a unit, which does not necessarily fit your listening operandi you must work extra hard. There is a certain manufacturer of which I feel this pain. As such, I must try extra hard to discern the likes, lest I make it into a b*tch-fest of disdain. Thankfully that is not the case with the Ikko.
Another acquaintance, @wiljen had the OH1 well before me and espoused its virtues of trying to break the ChiFi mold of bright signatures and multiple drivers. Here, the OH1 uses a “simple” single Knowles BA and a single dynamic driver of 10mm variety. I for one appreciate that simplicity. To me, a company, which goes this direction can focus more on the tuning since there are fewer drivers involved. Think of it as a guitar/piano duet as opposed to an orchestra. I must immediately state that this works. This is a really good unit, with a fairly. Unique look and feel. I like it.
Specs:
Balanced Armature: Knowles 33518
Dynamic driver: 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm dynamic driver
Sensitivity: 106dB
Frequency range: 20-40kHZ
Impedance: 18ohm
Cable length: 1.2m
Connector: 2-pin 0.78mm
Cable type: 4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper-plated 5n silver-plated
Gear Used/compared:
BGVP DM6 ($199)
BGVP DMS ($159)
Shanling ME100 ($89)
Shanling M5s
XDuoo x10t ii/iFi xDSD
Dethonray DTR1
Shanling M2x
Songs used:
Too bloody many to list all, but you want songs, so there you go:
Coldplay-All I Can think About Is You
Coldplay-A Message
Coldplay-White Shadows
Dona Onete-Sonos de Adolescente
Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (en Espanol)
twenty one pilots-Trees
twenty one pilots-Car Radio
twenty one pilots-Heathens
Damian Marley-Everybody Wants To Be Somebody
Damian Marley-So A Child May Follow
Damian Marley-The Struggle Discontinues
Ziggy Marley-Lighthouse
Ziggy Marely-See Dem Fake Leaders
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
The new twenty one pilots album, Trench
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Big Head Todd & The Monsters-Beautiful World
Mark Knopfler-Down The Road Wherever
Unboxing:
Coming in a typical white-sleeved box, the Ikko has a thicker than normal cover. Replete with the specs on the back, a simple picture adorns the front. I like it. Pulling the sleeve reveals a black box completed with sublimated Ikko label and logo. A stiff thicker-than-need-be envelope houses the warranty card and quick guide. Not bad. Underneath the envelope lies the IEM well protected on top, and six sets of silicon tips, “vocal” and “balanced.” Under that is a cutout housing the cable and the folding/snapped “case.” Soft but a bit small, the case is kind of refreshing to see, since it easily fits into pockets or the extra pocket of your DAP carrying case.
Overall pretty straight forward, but they at least included a case!
Fit-n-finish:
With a right-angled 3.5mm jack the protection is ample for bending and movement. Machine-wound, the cable is square and does not tangle. Nice to have this. An anodized metal splitter, with no cinch strap moves up the cable, leading eventually to the 2-pin cable complete with long over-ear guides. I typically do not like over-ear guides this long due to pinching, but this is a very nice mix of length and suppleness. I found no problem fitting the OH1 to my ear. I also like the blue ano color with the multi-shaped shell. Different, yet tasteful. Another appreciative applause from the crowd.
Using the medium balanced tips, the fit is very good, going deep into the canal, while providing a good seal. I like this. I have a couple of other IEM’s in-house currently and their fit is almost painful. Different shells, and different feel. This is good. I think what helps is that the rear part of the shell, on the inside is thinner, like looking down the hood of an old Triumph TR-8. Clean and shapely. No pressure was felt even with long. Listening sessions.
Initial:
As per my standard, I listen to check everything out, then place the critter on my Shanling M0 (ooppss…not this time as the Li-Ion battery seems to have quite the “full tummy” so M3s it was) for a minimum of 75hrs. Checking occasionally I found the sound as pleasant as first listen.
Currently listening to Lindsey Stirling through the Shanling M5s and Tidal Premium, I get excellent bass retrieval and depth of sound. Mids are a bit behind the scene, but not lacking on thickness. With rumble on Crystalize the violin sounds simply sumptuous, as the electric bass support gives the bass excellent depth and not overly rotund thickness. I prefer sound on the warmer side of life, so this is turning into a treat.
Sound beyond initial:
Moving on to a more in-depth look, I find the treble to be toned nicely, without too much up top. I fail to hear much sparkle, and do wish for a bit more, but the overall depth of sound more than makes up for it. This is almost luscious, but not syrupy. Thick with strength. I find myself turning the volume up with each song. Song Of The Caged Bird almost throws the lack of treble sparkle to the wind. The electric accompaniment aids in providing a forward sound, which tends to lead the way on this song. Her violin play moving. To the back slightly, like well…a bird in the cage sitting peacefully while you read your paper.
When one considers that the OH1 is the first iteration from Ikko, you begin to wonder why ALL ChiFi companies did not do this to start…
While I find the treble to be a bit polite, I find the mids to be pleasantly semi-robust. Not rich, not polite, but pretty straightforward and a good connection between the treble and rumbly bass. The Knowles is doing its job well by providing good sound stage and the treble/mid combo aid that. Separating of instruments is more fore/aft, than left/right. Not a bad thing, but instruments, which clearly need to be left/right for the music tend to get a bit lost. I do like the separation, so this isn’t a big deal. Transcendence comes through with vibrant color all the way portraying an eagerness of sound, that makes you feel like you are indeed changing with the music. This is a great video, and together the feel of the song is darn near perfect. The OH1 provides the inspiration for your ears in this regard. Follow that with Elements and you come full circle, revived and watching the show with renewed spirit.
The bass is the highlight of this show, though. That 10mm dynamic driver does its job exceedingly well. Rumble not felt. In many more expensive pairings, but without the overwhelming sound one can easily get from lesser tunings. That depth aids in providing a width of overall sound, which counters the separation aspect. There is most definitely some height with the sound stage, at times cathedral-like. But not so overwhelmingly high that one might fear the height. It is enough to provide the basis for instrumentation. I know earlier I mentioned the left/right separation but combine the sound stage and instrumentation and you can feel good about the overall signature. The more I listen, the more I appreciate the tuning. I would call it “energetic.” A lush lilt comes through with Shadows and you get the feeling of watching Stirling dance lightly on her toes throughout the song. Vibrant would be another good term, even with that “polite” tuning up top. A very good tuning of a single BA and single DD.
Comparisons:
Ikko OH1 ($139) vs BGVP DM6 ($199):
Not really a fair comparison, as the BGVP is now on its 7th iteration, with much more experience in IEM’s. I have liked all BGVP’s I have tried, and quickly they became one of my favorite ChiFi manufacturers. Just good solid tuning and pleasant sound combined with good to excellent ergonomics.
The difference here is that compared to the OH1, the mids seem pinched and a bit bright. Bass has better control but does not go as deep. There is sparkle up top as well. The mids caused me to turn the sound down compared to the OH1. I will also grant separation is better on the DM6. There is a clarity that the OH1 lacks. That could come down to having more drivers, and different tuning, but the DM6 comes across brighter with a more analytical sound. I like it but prefer the bass leaning OH1 overall. The DM6 just seems a bit bright in comparison.
Ikko OH1 ($139) Simgot EN700 Pro ($145):
An older favorite of mine, the EN700 Pro surprised me with a good overall signature, even if it was tuned more to neutral ears. I found the mids to be good, with vocals supple and supportive of the sound. Bass while not as present but better under control gives the Pro an overall appeal for those who want a more neutral sound, which does not offend. This is a good commuting pair, with good isolation and a design, which does not draw much attention to itself in the all-black variant. It does have a unique “grill” pattern, but I even got used to that. Offering excellent fit, and a very good cable, the EN700 Pro still warms my cockles today. Almost rumbly it is.
I still prefer the OH1 due to that superb bass and a warmer tuning signature. But I would (and will) not kick the Pro out of the house due to the strength’s mentioned above.
Ikko OH1 ($139) vs Moondrop Kanas Pro ($189):
It may seem odd to include something, which costs half again what the OH1 does, but it is worth a look. At the sub-$200 price, I am hard pressed to find a better representation of an excellent all-arounder than the Kanas Pro. Excellent ergonomics, excellent fit, a superb supple cable, which takes on the look of an albino Corn Snake, and there isn’t much to dislike here. With an ergonomic fit, which is very good, it is on the bigger side for average-sized ears. I can listen, but not for the extended sessions that I can with the OH1.
Treble is almost too polite, and lacks the sparkle of say the DM6, but due to my lack of hearing up top, I do not mind. The KP is quite good, and another fine choice for a good middle of the road sound.
Mids are a bit behind the sound, but there is a certain clarity, which brings the unit up to speed. Less bass quantity than the OH1, but better control, the KP is the clear winner with regard to sound quality. But for my tastes, I still prefer the warmer signature of the OH1. Sorry, but it fits my tastes better than the three listed here. It just does.
Sources:
The Shanling M5s is a favorite source of mine. My open unabashed love for Shanling gives me the ability to critically pick apart any discrepancies. I liken this to a love affair. Once you really love someone, you know their strengths, weaknesses, annoyances, & approvals. The same to me holds in DAP’s or almost anything. Thankfully, the Shanling/OH1 combination is one in which I like very much. That bass coming from the slightly north of neutral sound of the M5s works flawlessly with the OH1, and I get a very good sense of placement. Sound stage is above average, and clarity of the Shanling is quite good. While not on par with my Opus #2, or DTR1; it is still very decent and to me underappreciated. I could (and do) happily live with this combination for everyday listening. Using the combo on my walks and runs became a staple of my use; seamlessly letting me focus on the task at hand. The fit of the OH1 made for a quite enjoyable walk/run. And the Shanling fit into my armband without protest.
The Dethonray DTR1 on the other hand would be one I would most likely not take out on the runs/walks very often (I have since picked up a Shanling M2x for that purpose) but would because the sound is exemplary. The DTR1 still amazes me for pure sound quality. I find it hard to beat at the price (comparable to the M5s), and for pure sound an amazing value. If one can live without the frills, then this very well could be the one. Combined with the OH1, the pair is archetypal of a pair costing several hundred more. This is most definitely due to the DTR1, but many times the IEM cannot scale up with the increase in sound quality. Here it does and does so without fuss. I find myself reaching for the OH1 and another more often as a result. I still savor my TOTL IEM’s, but for everyday use, this is the most prosperous pairing I currently use.
I spent the least amount of time with the XDuoo/iFi combination because the DTR1 was so good. But knowing that for a little bit more the above pairing could be a competent replacement forced the issue. The ability to add bass and go 3D with the xDSD gives one the ability to receive a sound, which is almost the same as balanced, adding that holography, which balanced does. Here it does the same, but is a bit more subtle. I’m not sure if that was a limitation of the OH1 or not, but it did not hinder a sound, which to me was second to the DTR1. To me, the x10t ii is on par (very close) to the DTR, when run singularly through. A competent amp such as the iFi’s I use. Taken in that vein the combination would be an extraordinary example of a portable go-to triumvirate. With the ability to tailor sound more than the others, this would be a commuter’s dream. Excellent battery life, excellent sound, and affordable IEM’s to boot. The sound, which would hover in my ears during that commute would be rich, full of bass and have that added layer of holography, which would fill the volume of commuting choice. Need more mid-presence? Dial in the 3D. Less bass? Turn the xBass off. I found the stack combined very well, and as per my statement above regarding the DTR1 have made the OH1 a regular in that listening cycle.
Coming late to the party was a recently purchased Shanling M2x. Even though I have the M5s, which can stream Tidal and use it for my walk/runs; I am wary of using something so dear to me in case of some “happening.” As a result, the M2x is now my most regular when walking/running due to having what I will call 75% of the M5s sound, at 50% of the price. A very fair trade-off in my book. With less richness, the sound of the M2x is not as “thick” or detailed as the M5s, but that is to be expected. Using one less chip, there is less electronic magicry going on. I did not find myself suffering too much as a result. I found the sound of decently presented vocals, combined with an unobtrusive treble to be quite acceptable and this has quickly moved up my food chain of listening. Plus, to note that the combination can be had for less than the price of either the M5s or DTR1 is astounding. An excellent and affordable pairing for all-around use. I applaud both.
Conclusion:
Many have moved on to the OH10 and almost forgotten the OH1. This is a place where, as a slacker-reviewer I can reinvigorate the presence of a very good IEM or other piece of gear. Knowing the quality of sound presented here makes me wonder indeed what the OH10 sounds like (very, very good according to numerous outlets), while still reveling in the OH1. The fit is among the best I have tried. The cable is quite acceptable as well. I love the off-centered look of a shell from the ocean. Interesting stuff. But it is the sound, which keeps me coming back. The bass is taut, present and not overwhelming at all. There is no muddiness or congestion. The mids ring true, with female vocals sounding especially impressive and the treble hits at the right spot for me. Not much sparkle, but no over-exuberance either. It does not hit peakiness. There is the right amount of lift and one, which I can listen to for long sessions without fatigue.
Overall, the OH1 is a very impressive package. One I can highly recommend and not feel bad about doing so. This is a keeper and an entry into the Ikko brand for which I am thankful. There is another brand of which I have heard their “entry” model, and I hold both in the same regard, tops at this point and a bit upward. If these are the entry level models now, I can only. Imagine what the higher models sound like. I will have to find a pair of the OH10 and find out.
Thanks to Steve and Xtenik for the sample Ikko OH1. It is understood that the unit may be asked for at any time but is mine to keep otherwise. This is a really fine unit, and I recommend a listen.
A fresh-new portable audio brand, IKKO released their first IEM product named OH1 with a rather friendly pricing, marked for $139. Back then when I first stumbled across an article introducing the new brand called IKKO, to be honest, I didn't have much interests or expectations as I thought it was just another Chi-Fi brand. Sometime after that, I've got a chance to give OH1 a try and spoiler alert, I was rather amazed by it.
It's true that IKKO is a new brand and OH1 being their first IKKO product, but this didn't really seem to be their first time producing an IEM. I had doubts about them being newbies and got curious about their background, but couldn't find any detailed information.
I later got to know one of the guys from IKKO and asked for any introductions for their brand. He replied that they had a decent amount of experience doing OEM for other companies, so I suppose that gives us some incites. This all long story can be summarized in one sentence - zero expectations before, full of surprises after. Anyhow, let's get into the review and take a look at the specs and its sound.
OH1 comes in a small, well-packed box. Earphone and the accessories are nicely presented as well. Other than the earpieces, OH1 comes with a stock 3.5mm cable, 3 pairs of vocal eartips, 3 pairs of balanced eartips, a soft pouch, and some paperwork. Nothing particularly eye-catching from the accessories, but comes with all the essentials.
One complaint to address would be the pouch being a bit too small. The earphone does fit in the pouch but feels tight and won't give much protection at all. I'm definitely going to need another case either for better protection or in case I pair these with a custom cable.
Earpieces are made of metal alloy and have a solid build. They feel quite light-weighted and ergonomically shaped. Nozzles are rather on the shorter side but provide a proper seal and comfortable insertion. I much like the comfortable, light fit these provide.
OH1 has a hybrid configuration of 2BA+1DD, housing a Knowles 33518 dual BA for upper frequencies and a 10mm polymer titanium DD for the lows. The earpieces are terminated with non-recessed 0.78mm CIEM 2pins as well as a nozzle diameter of T400-T500.
The included stock cable is made of silver-plated OFC. The color on the connectors matches with the earpiece color, giving a nice universal look. I usually don't expect much on the stock cables from this price range but this one seems to be pretty decent in quality, working well with the sound. Feels very light and flexible, not causing any microphonics.
The stock cable already achieves enough performance and I can see IKKO paid good attention to this. If you're still looking to get a custom cable, I'd suggest copper cables (PW No.5, etc).
For the eartips, the included vocal eartips slightly reduces the lows and bring the mids closer the ears with more air to it. Those who are looking to get more density and hardness on the lows would be better to go for the included balanced eartips.
Though my favorite eartip matching would actually be JVC Spiral Dots. This one seems to be achieving the widest headroom while showing good strength on both lower and upper frequencies and I'd suggest others to try too.
Ikko OH1 presents a very harmonic and musical sound with a slightly w-shaped signature. Lows approach in a very calm and gentle manner but with a clear and active presentation. Strong groove and extension, however tightly controlled.
It's a very neat presentation and I'm pretty darn impressed to get this quality of bass for the price - and I'm of course saying this considering the price, but this is the type of bass I'd call "premium".
Both textures and reverbs don't feel cheapy and the bass maintain a weighty, virtuous manner. OH1 shows just about the right amount of bass, neither feeing boomy nor lacking. Gives me an impression that IKKO tried to highlight the details from the ultra-low as much as the sub-bass would do.
It also forms a natural, relatively large spreading bass presentation. The soundstage and the wideness are just about mediocre, but not on the lacking side. Though the height and depth are pretty nice, forming more like an oval-shaped headroom.
Mids are pulled a bit forward while keeping intact with the lows. OH1 shows a gradual and natural flow, and while I usually said that expression when mids are nearly in collinear position with the lows, mids here are clearly presented forward than the lows. Vocals have a crispy bite with shiny surface texture. The seamless tonality is another part that I enjoy from OH1.
Yes, there are lots of hybrid IEMs which managed to get natural mids and all that, but if I count in the price, it's quite impressing. The snappy, crunchy bites from the BAs are well backed up with body supplied from the dynamic driver.
Not possible to detect any spikes or sibilance either. The tonality seems to be on-point and shows a stable, airy, and smooth flow throughout the mid-frequency.
Highs show thinner yet even crispier bites with fast and gentle snares. They take a step back from lows/mids and slightly dimmed in brightness but clearly reveal the small treble details and splashes. It's an ideal choice for those who want all those treble details without getting your ears fatigued too easily.
The good air from the mids continues on the highs, so the atmosphere doesn't feel stuffy either. The separation is very nice and manages to analyze the sound into thin layers.
I like the way how IKKO is heading with their products. Everything seems well prepared, from the packaging all the way to the sound. This one will be a reliable and safe choice for those who are looking for a well balanced, w-shaped sound signature.
Now that I know OH1 performs very well for its price, I'm curious to try the new OH10. Glad to see IKKO jumping into the IEM market with a good start and looking forward to seeing what they have to offer us in the future.
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Thanks to Xtenik for providing OH1 in exchange for an honest impression/feedback.
I am not affiliated with either IKKO or Xtenik and none of my words were modded or asked to be changed.
I am not affiliated with either IKKO or Xtenik and none of my words were modded or asked to be changed.
You find a series of previously published photos of the Ikko OH1 HERE.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
An earphone with a warm, deep-low end oriented, refined, V-shaped sound with treble adjustable according to personal preference.
INTRODUCTION
Ikko is an interesting new Chinese audio company and the OH1 is their first earphone.
Taken from the Ikko website.
You find more information on Ikko Audio’s product page.
PHYSICAL THINGS
In the box are the earpieces, cable, two sets of eartips (narrow-/wide-bores), and a soft, velvety pouch for storage.
One of the most attractive features are the robust, beautifully CNC machined metal earpieces: they are light, ergonomically shaped, feel well between the fingers, and they fit well in my ears without sticking out. Comfortable. For unknown reasons, they feel so well that I love to handle and therefore use them. The braided cable works, it is not the sexiest (reminiscent of Knowledge Zenith cables), but it also not any worse than the one that comes with a Sennheiser at four times the price. A matter of taste.
Provided was a set of “balanced” tips (narrow bores) and one for “vocals” (wide bores). I found the main difference in the treble extension, and used the wide bores for testing as the narrow bores subdued/muffled the high notes quite a bit.
I used the iPhone SE and the included largest vocals (= wide-bore) eartips which yielded the more even, balanced sound for my ears.
TONALITY
JK’s tonal preference and testing practice
The IKKO OH’s sound settles on a warm and robust foundation, with a good extension into the the very-low end. The main slam comes from the very low end together with some rumble. The bass remains reasonably controlled down into the sub-bass and gets only slightly fuzzy towards the very low end, which emphasizes the rumble. Overall, the low end adds a comfortable temperature to the image, which is probably the OH1’s strongest point.
The lower midrange is pushed back somewhat by the bass. Both male and female voices are warm and organic, and by themselves clear but I wished they were a bit thicker/denser, smoother, and more detached from the bass. The combination of low-end and lower midrange works very well for rhythm sections such as in Metallica or Rammstein: the OH1 produce a solid, satisfying wall of sound. The upper midrange/lower treble, while detailed, can get a bit too forward at times. Cymbals in the 7 kHz area are defined nicely. Treble, though well resolving, is rolling off a bit early: good for sensitive ears.
Soundstage is average in width, and it has good height with some depth. Sense of space is good, too. The listener is always close to the stage. Timbre is also good: although the OH1 is a 1+ 1 hybrid, it sounds more like a dynamic driver earphone. Instrument placement is excellent but resolution is only average (owing to the boosted sub-bass).
SELECT COMPARISONS
The IKKO OH1 sport a fuller, warmer and more organic sound than the brighter, holographic, less bassy perceived Simgot EM2. They also have better timbre/natural sound for classical music. The OH1 are warmer, that is less neutral, than the Moondrop Kanas Pro, at least in the mids and treble. Midrange more refined in the MKP and same with treble.
Three differently sounding earphones with similar frequency responses.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
These earphones are for the road: they are light — and sturdy to throw in your backpack, comfortable, and the warm, robust low end helps blocking out ambient noise. Although they are not perfect in their technicalities (which earphone is?), they are fun to handle and to listen to. A well-rounded package.
DISCLAIMER
The pair of the OH1 was provided by IKKO for my independent review — and I thank them for that.
This review was originally posted at https://audioreviews.org.
Our generic standard disclaimer
About our measurements
With the release of OH1, IKKO brings a listening experience fit for a audiophile with the simplest approach while keeping the build quality uncompromised.
DISCLAIMER
This review is originally posted on Headphonesty. I bought this pair of IEMs at full retail price. This is not a sponsored post, but an honest review written from a consumer’s point of view. Dollar to performance ratio is included below.
Introduction
IKKO is a new in-ear monitor (IEM) manufacturer and the IKKO OH1 is their first release. It first caught my attention with its unique “gem-like” appearance.With its eye-catching blue alloy metal housing, the OH1 will bound to catch attention on the street. It could even be the winner of the IEM beauty contest.
However, sound performance will be the main focus for most of the audiophiles. Will the sound quality be compromised due to the focus on the physical appearance? We will find out more in this review!
IKKO OH1
Unboxing
The packaging of OH1 is relatively simple. The logo and the photo of the IEM are printed on a white color sleeve. Due to its minimalistic design, it can be easily spotted when placed on the shelf of any audio shop.
A white sleeve with IKKO logo and the photo of the OH1.
Removing the sleeve, there is a black cardboard box with the IKKO logo printed which contains the pair of IEMs and all the accessories.
Removing the white sleeve, there is a black cardboard box with IKKO logo printed.
Opening the box, the shiny and metallic faceplate of OH1 will catch your attention immediately. The glossy and metallic surface of the IEMs had me bedazzled. Apart from the IEMs themselves, you’ll also find:
Attention-catching OH1 with ear tips make their presentation when the box is opened.
Accessories contained in the box.
A closer look on the soft pouch
Technical Specification
The faceplate of the OH1 is very attractive - shiny, metallic and three-dimensional. The blue shells is made of advanced lightweight alloy.
The unique faceplate makes for easy recognition, even from far. This could be the only IEMs in the market who have this type of design.
The unique faceplate allows easy recognition.
On top to the shell, you can find the 2-pin connector. The 2-pin connector is protected by a layer of transparent plastic. This increases the overall strength of the connector and boosts the confidence of the users when installing and removing the detachable cable.
The 2-pin connector on OH1.
The nozzle is relatively short as compared to other IEMs. Luckily there is a lip on the nozzle that can hold the ear tips else it would be a huge challenge when performing tips rollings. There is a metal gauge on the nozzle to prevent ear wax from entering the IEMs.
The nozzle is protected by the metal gauge.
For each shell, there is a vent on the inside and another vent on top. These vents are designed for preventing driver flex.
Driver flex is when the driver bends due to the pressure of air against it. Usually, it occurs when you're inserting the IEM into your ear and air in the shell creates pressure to bend the driver.
This design is very common for IEMs that utilized dynamic drivers. Thanks to the two vents, I did not experience any driver flex when wearing these IEMs.
First vent is located on top of the shell
Second vent is located in the inner side of the shell
The stock cable provided by IKKO is a 4 core twisted 5N oxygen-free copper (OFC) silver-plated cable. The 0.78mm 2-pins connectors used color to differentiate the side - Red for right and blue for left. There are heat-shrink transparent ear guides that improve the fitting significantly.
However, there is no chin slider on the cable else it would be closed to perfect.
The cable is terminated with a 3.5mm unbalanced right-angled jack. There is a strain relief to increase the durability of the jack. Nicely done on the cable!
Stock cable for OH1.
The right-angled 3.5mm unbalanced jack on the cable.
2-pin connector on the cable.
Fit and Isolation
The fitting of OH1 is average for me. I would appreciate a deeper insertion. All the stock ear tips provided cannot give me the deep insertion. With Final Audio Type E ear tips installed on OH1, it gives me the best isolation and fitting.
The 2 vents on the shell allow noise to enter even the isolation is good.
I find some noise leakage and affected me quite significantly when I am commuting. Isolation will be compromised when more vents are implemented to reduce the driver flex.
IKKO OH1
Pairing
The OH1 is not a power-hungry IEM but with sufficient amount of power, it can unleash its potential, especially on the dynamic driver.
While test-driving the OH1, I chose to pair it with Chord Mojo. This assures that OH1 receives sufficient power to perform at its best.
Pairing up OH1 with Chord Mojo
Sound
OH1 is a fun sounding IEMs. What do I mean by fun here?
"It is energetic and the musicality produced gives the user a sense of life."
The presentation is slightly smoothened so that it is not too technical and analytical but the details are maintained uncompromised.
The soundstage for OH1 is averagely wide and surprisingly deep. The depth could be caused by the performance of the dynamic driver. This allows OH1 to create an amazing layering over the track and I really love it. The averagely wide soundstage yields an engaging performance of OH1.
IKKO OH1
Lows
"If every IEMs in the market has a secret weapon, then lows responses will be the secret katana for OH1."
The lows extended deep and create rumble when the bass kicks in. Due to the extension, the bass has a good layering with mids and highs.
The pace of lows for OH1 is considerably fast. It kicks inaccurately and the decay is handled precisely. It is balanced between analytical and warm - giving it an emotional yet detailed body in the lows.
The lows are full-bodied. This can be observed when listening to the saxophone. A lean body in the lows can lead to off tonality in Jazz due to a lack of capability in presenting a natural tone of the saxophone. This is as easy as ABC for OH1 and I love it a lot.
IKKO OH1 on Chord Mojo
Mids
As mentioned earlier, the OH1 is able to produce a musicality that gives the user a sense of life. This sense of life shows in the mids. The vocals are breathy and spacious. With the smooth transition from the lows to the mids, it gives OH1 a lush sounding in the mids. It does not get affected by the lows due to the good layering.
"The vocals are staged slightly behind the lows - this is my favorite staging method."
This makes OH1 a suitable choice for those who listen to pop and hip-hop. It is good for the vocals to be staged slightly backward so that it does not sound shouty which might cause fatigue. It is very well-controlled.
IKKO OH1
Highs
This is the part where I has a bit of doubt in. The treble rolled off a little too fast for OH1. This makes the overall sounding in the highs a little unnatural. This reminds me of my Campfire Audio Nova which has a similar issue. Fortunately, OH1 treble extension is not as bad as the Campfire Audio Nova but I would appreciate the treble to be extended slightly more so that the overall sounding can be more airy and natural.
"Although the rolling off of the treble troubles me, I still find the OH1 manages other areas pretty well."
There is no congestion in the highs due to the sufficient amount of the air. There is some slight emphasis on the highs that can be peaky for those who have low treble tolerance. I have a good tolerance towards treble so I find it comfortable even after long listening.
IKKO OH1 can even be recognised with its shadow.
Conclusion
The IKKO OH1 is a great choice for beginners that are looking for an audiophile level IEMs. The price can be steep as compared to other Chi-Fi brands in the market such as Tin HiFi and Knowledge-Zeith (KZ). However, the excellent build and sound quality can justify its price tag.
OH1 retails for USD$139. It can be purchased on Amazon. There will be no other color options for OH1.
Here is a new emergence of an IEM manufacturer that poses a threat to other manufacturers. I wish to see more amazing works from IKKO. I’m thankful that there is another good alternative for beginners who wishes to enter the world of audiophiles.
DISCLAIMER
This review is originally posted on Headphonesty. I bought this pair of IEMs at full retail price. This is not a sponsored post, but an honest review written from a consumer’s point of view. Dollar to performance ratio is included below.
Introduction
IKKO is a new in-ear monitor (IEM) manufacturer and the IKKO OH1 is their first release. It first caught my attention with its unique “gem-like” appearance.With its eye-catching blue alloy metal housing, the OH1 will bound to catch attention on the street. It could even be the winner of the IEM beauty contest.
However, sound performance will be the main focus for most of the audiophiles. Will the sound quality be compromised due to the focus on the physical appearance? We will find out more in this review!
IKKO OH1
Unboxing
The packaging of OH1 is relatively simple. The logo and the photo of the IEM are printed on a white color sleeve. Due to its minimalistic design, it can be easily spotted when placed on the shelf of any audio shop.
A white sleeve with IKKO logo and the photo of the OH1.
Removing the sleeve, there is a black cardboard box with the IKKO logo printed which contains the pair of IEMs and all the accessories.
Removing the white sleeve, there is a black cardboard box with IKKO logo printed.
Opening the box, the shiny and metallic faceplate of OH1 will catch your attention immediately. The glossy and metallic surface of the IEMs had me bedazzled. Apart from the IEMs themselves, you’ll also find:
- 6 pairs of silicone ear tips
- 3 pairs for balanced sound signature
- 3 pairs for vocal-focused sound signature
Attention-catching OH1 with ear tips make their presentation when the box is opened.
Accessories contained in the box.
A closer look on the soft pouch
Technical Specification
- Sensitivity: 106dB
- Impedance: 18 Ohms
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Frequency range: 20 - 40kHz
- Driver configuration: Single Knowles 33518 balanced armature (BA) driver and single 10mm dynamic driver
The faceplate of the OH1 is very attractive - shiny, metallic and three-dimensional. The blue shells is made of advanced lightweight alloy.
The unique faceplate makes for easy recognition, even from far. This could be the only IEMs in the market who have this type of design.
The unique faceplate allows easy recognition.
On top to the shell, you can find the 2-pin connector. The 2-pin connector is protected by a layer of transparent plastic. This increases the overall strength of the connector and boosts the confidence of the users when installing and removing the detachable cable.
The 2-pin connector on OH1.
The nozzle is relatively short as compared to other IEMs. Luckily there is a lip on the nozzle that can hold the ear tips else it would be a huge challenge when performing tips rollings. There is a metal gauge on the nozzle to prevent ear wax from entering the IEMs.
The nozzle is protected by the metal gauge.
For each shell, there is a vent on the inside and another vent on top. These vents are designed for preventing driver flex.
Driver flex is when the driver bends due to the pressure of air against it. Usually, it occurs when you're inserting the IEM into your ear and air in the shell creates pressure to bend the driver.
This design is very common for IEMs that utilized dynamic drivers. Thanks to the two vents, I did not experience any driver flex when wearing these IEMs.
First vent is located on top of the shell
Second vent is located in the inner side of the shell
The stock cable provided by IKKO is a 4 core twisted 5N oxygen-free copper (OFC) silver-plated cable. The 0.78mm 2-pins connectors used color to differentiate the side - Red for right and blue for left. There are heat-shrink transparent ear guides that improve the fitting significantly.
However, there is no chin slider on the cable else it would be closed to perfect.
The cable is terminated with a 3.5mm unbalanced right-angled jack. There is a strain relief to increase the durability of the jack. Nicely done on the cable!
Stock cable for OH1.
The right-angled 3.5mm unbalanced jack on the cable.
2-pin connector on the cable.
Fit and Isolation
The fitting of OH1 is average for me. I would appreciate a deeper insertion. All the stock ear tips provided cannot give me the deep insertion. With Final Audio Type E ear tips installed on OH1, it gives me the best isolation and fitting.
The 2 vents on the shell allow noise to enter even the isolation is good.
I find some noise leakage and affected me quite significantly when I am commuting. Isolation will be compromised when more vents are implemented to reduce the driver flex.
IKKO OH1
Pairing
The OH1 is not a power-hungry IEM but with sufficient amount of power, it can unleash its potential, especially on the dynamic driver.
While test-driving the OH1, I chose to pair it with Chord Mojo. This assures that OH1 receives sufficient power to perform at its best.
Pairing up OH1 with Chord Mojo
Sound
OH1 is a fun sounding IEMs. What do I mean by fun here?
"It is energetic and the musicality produced gives the user a sense of life."
The presentation is slightly smoothened so that it is not too technical and analytical but the details are maintained uncompromised.
The soundstage for OH1 is averagely wide and surprisingly deep. The depth could be caused by the performance of the dynamic driver. This allows OH1 to create an amazing layering over the track and I really love it. The averagely wide soundstage yields an engaging performance of OH1.
IKKO OH1
Lows
"If every IEMs in the market has a secret weapon, then lows responses will be the secret katana for OH1."
The lows extended deep and create rumble when the bass kicks in. Due to the extension, the bass has a good layering with mids and highs.
The pace of lows for OH1 is considerably fast. It kicks inaccurately and the decay is handled precisely. It is balanced between analytical and warm - giving it an emotional yet detailed body in the lows.
The lows are full-bodied. This can be observed when listening to the saxophone. A lean body in the lows can lead to off tonality in Jazz due to a lack of capability in presenting a natural tone of the saxophone. This is as easy as ABC for OH1 and I love it a lot.
IKKO OH1 on Chord Mojo
Mids
As mentioned earlier, the OH1 is able to produce a musicality that gives the user a sense of life. This sense of life shows in the mids. The vocals are breathy and spacious. With the smooth transition from the lows to the mids, it gives OH1 a lush sounding in the mids. It does not get affected by the lows due to the good layering.
"The vocals are staged slightly behind the lows - this is my favorite staging method."
This makes OH1 a suitable choice for those who listen to pop and hip-hop. It is good for the vocals to be staged slightly backward so that it does not sound shouty which might cause fatigue. It is very well-controlled.
IKKO OH1
Highs
This is the part where I has a bit of doubt in. The treble rolled off a little too fast for OH1. This makes the overall sounding in the highs a little unnatural. This reminds me of my Campfire Audio Nova which has a similar issue. Fortunately, OH1 treble extension is not as bad as the Campfire Audio Nova but I would appreciate the treble to be extended slightly more so that the overall sounding can be more airy and natural.
"Although the rolling off of the treble troubles me, I still find the OH1 manages other areas pretty well."
There is no congestion in the highs due to the sufficient amount of the air. There is some slight emphasis on the highs that can be peaky for those who have low treble tolerance. I have a good tolerance towards treble so I find it comfortable even after long listening.
IKKO OH1 can even be recognised with its shadow.
Conclusion
The IKKO OH1 is a great choice for beginners that are looking for an audiophile level IEMs. The price can be steep as compared to other Chi-Fi brands in the market such as Tin HiFi and Knowledge-Zeith (KZ). However, the excellent build and sound quality can justify its price tag.
OH1 retails for USD$139. It can be purchased on Amazon. There will be no other color options for OH1.
Here is a new emergence of an IEM manufacturer that poses a threat to other manufacturers. I wish to see more amazing works from IKKO. I’m thankful that there is another good alternative for beginners who wishes to enter the world of audiophiles.
Disclaimer: I was sent the IKKO OH1 as a review sample by Patrick Lin after having a conversation about IKKO products on facebook. If you have an interest in IKKO products, please visit their website, or facebook. IKKO products can be purchased from Amazon here or purchased from Xtenik here.
Unboxing / Packaging:
The box has a white slip-cover with the ikko logo and earpiece adorning the front and specs on the rear. inside is a black pressboard lift-top box again sporting the Ikko Logo. Immediately under the lid, we find an envelope that contains the warranty card and instructions. Beneath that, the earpieces are revealed in a foam tray at the upper end and the two sets of tips also housed in foam in the lower portion. Beneath the tips hides the soft case with the cable inside it.
Accessories:
The kit included with the OH1 is fairly thorough, with 6 sets of tips (3 each vocal and balanced in SML), a soft carry case, the instructions and warranty card, and the cable. Overall, for an IEM at this price level, the kit is equal to or better most brands and falls behind only ibasso (hard case) and Fiio (kitchen sink in kit). I would have liked to see the pouch offer a pocket to keep the two earpieces from touching when in transit to prevent scratches.
Build/Fit:
Shells are cast aluminum anodized uniformly in a deep royal blue in a teardrop style. Size is medium-large but depth of the shell is thinner than most which helps with getting good insertion and seal from a relatively short nozzle. Unlike most models at this price point, nozzles are part of the inner shell and not a separate piece. I commend Ikko on doing this the harder way as that means more internal and external polishing of some pretty tight spaces to get the anodizing right and the sound channel correct. Nozzles are at the lead edge of the shell with a forward and upward rake and have a pronouned lip. Venting is a single port behind the nozzles on the interior of the shell and one on the upper surface of the shell between the two pin connector and the L/R designation. Both earpieces have the Ikko logo and name along the rear of the shell and are very tastefully done.
Internals:
Bass details are handled by a 10mm titanium plated dynamic driver while higher frequencies are handled by the Knowles 33518 balanced armature driver. The 33518 is a newer Knowles driver that is targeted at hearing aids and audio above 1kHz per Knowles. Some will recognize this pairing as being similar to the Fiio FH1 that also uses a 10 mm dynamic coupled to the 33518. The Magaosi also uses the 33518 in a more limited role as the mid driver between 22955 (CI) Bass armature and the 29689 (ED) treble armature. Nominal impedance is listed as 18Ω with a sensitivity of 106dB/mW which makes the OH1 easy to drive using low powered sources like phones and tablets. I did find the OH1 scales well but was more than adequate when used directly from an android phone or iPad.
Cable:
The cable is well done with all metal accents anodized to match the color of the earpieces and color matching is spot on. the Jack is a 90º style that I prefer with a metal barrel and a black plastic strain relief above it. The cabling itself is a 4 strand silver plated 5n oxygen free copper in a double helix (two wires twisted, then pairs twisted) from jack to splitter. The splitter is also a blue metal barrel with each pair of the helix exiting to the earpieces. Terminations have a pre-formed earhook without memory wire and end with metal cased .78 mm bi-pin connectors. Right is duly marked with a red ring. If there is a complaint here, the bi-pin connector on the iem is raised and the connector on the cable does not have a matching recess which makes the connection look a bit different than most other models. Overall, a well done cable with nice accents to match the earpieces. Now about that matching chin slider? (wish it had one).
Tips:
Two sets of tips are provided, one marked vocal and the other marked balanced. Perhaps oddly, I found the vocal tips to be a bit more balanced and used those for the bulk of my listening notes.
Sound:
Bass:
Bass is the star of the show on the OH1 to me. The OH1 has better than average extension at the low end and sub-bass is not only good in quantity, it is also good in quality. Not boomy or loose, but tight, clean, and with better detail than expected. Attack and decay are both better than expected with decay being only slightly slower than attack and still faster than expected for a dynamic driver. In that respect the OH1 combines the best features of dynamic driver bass with the control of BA bass. Sub-bass is foward of mid-bass (a preference for me) but detail and character remain consistent as you climb through the range. Mid-bass shows no bleed into the mids and no bloom at all making this one of the cleanest two driver hybrids I have heard as the point between mid-bass and mids is usually where the hand-off between dynamic and BA takes place and more often than not the point at which coherency falls apart or a perceptible bass bleed is present.
Mids:
As we move from the bass into the mid-range, the transition is fluid with no major drop-off or large spikes. Mids are slightly behind the bass but not enough to even call it a recess. Tonality is quite good which proves that Ikko has done more to tune the BA driver than the previously mentioned FH1. Vocals show good clarity for both lower registers and upper with a mild push forward of upper-mids that gives female vocals just a touch more presence than lower voiced counterparts. Details are quite good and timbre on vocals is as well. Timbre on upper strings is a bit on the hot side and can come across as slightly brassy at times. Guitar is particularly well rendered with both acoustic and electric sounding lifelike and energetic.
Treble:
As we climb from the upper-mids into lower treble, we almost immediately plateau and stay put at the same level for most of the treble range. This is in stark contrast to many iems that are a ball of spikes when looking at frequencies above 2kHz. The OH1 does a good job with giving snare enough edge to be credible but not sounding sharp or harsh. Overall, the treble feels quite laid-back and easy to listen to for extended sessions. Clarity is good with a solid level of detail in the lower treble and then as it climbs into the higher ranges, detail and output begin to taper off pretty steeply above about 10kHz. This makes for some air and sparkle while remaining non-fatiguing and polite. The only drawback is as tracks get more complex with lots of treble-heavy parts, the OH1 can get a bit overwhelmed and sounds a bit thick. This isnt a common issue, but something to know is a possibility so if you listen to a lot of treble-intensive works, you may wish to audition before purchase.
Soundstage / Imaging:
Soundstage has good depth (better than expected) and width (as expected) with the balance being slightly in favor of width. While not as 3d as some, there is some sense of height and instrument positioning benefits. I didn't find any congestion to the stage and with width favored no tendency to place instruments behind each other instead of next to each other. Binaural recordings like the Cowboy Junkies trinity session that I enjoy do a good job of showing off the stage and imaging capabilities of the OH1. Overall imaging is class leading and competes well with models significantly above its price point. Spatial cues are well rendered which makes the OH1 good for movie watching and maybe gaming although I am not a big gamer so cant speak directly to that point. Layering is also quite good and I didn't find that it bogged down or thickened as tracks got busier and more complex.
Comparisons:
Fiio FH1
With both sharing a 10mm dynamic and the same BA driver this is a natural comparison. With a $75 price difference maybe a bit less so, but lets do it all the same. Both share a similar bass forward tuning with good slam but the OH1 notches the win for better control and depth. Both are good, but OH1 is better. Mids are very similar and again, this is more a matter of degree than difference with a slight edge going to the OH1 for better transition from bass to mids and a bit more energy in the upper mid-range. Treble is again about equal, but here I had trouble picking a clear winner as the two are more similar than not.
Build-wise the OH-1 is the more polished product and both have solid cables. The kit on the FH1 is better due to the addition of the pelican case and 2nd cable for use with a phone.
NiceHCK M6 (DMG Vented filter)
The M6 is a bit brighter and has a sharper edge to its sound than the more relaxed OH1. This makes the OH1 sound more natural while the M6 at times sounds a bit strained and/or clinical and dry. Mids are more forward on the M6 which again is mixed. On some tracks the forward mids helps the M6 feel more engaging with strings in particular, but on others that forward push can result in a more strident tone and some sibilance at times.
Build-wise, both are quite good but quality of anodizing and cable go to the OH1 as the clear winner.
Magaosi X3
Again, I referenced the X3 earlier as sharing the mid-range driver with the OH1 so this is a natural comparison. Bass slam goes to the OH1 without doubt as does low end extension. Both models exhibit very good control of the bass so on that count we will call it a draw. Mids are good on both and very similar but for me strings are a bit better on the X3 where the timbre is a bit more natural. Highs are similar on both as neither has fantastic top end extension but the OH1 sounds less rolled off where the X3 has a lack of air at the high end.
Build-wise, this is quite a clash, the clear acrylic of the X3 with its sound tubes has a lot of appeal, but so does the polish of the OH1. The kit is better on the X3 with its included hard case and bluetooth cable, but at $45 more, those items could be purchased separately for the OH1.
Moondrop Kanas Pro
The Kanas pro is way closer to neutral than the OH1 which has a much more V shaped (nearly U shaped at times) signature. Bass is far more the star of the show with the OH1 than with the KP while mids are fuller on the KP, Treble is a bit more forward on the OH1 which gives the OH1 a bit more air and sparkle than the KP. The KP has a bit more detail especially in the mids and lower treble. Both share a sort of laid-back effortless delivery, but for me the KP is slightly better at it.
Build-wise both are stellar and both cables are equally good. The OH1 does have the advantage of weighing about 1/2 what the KP does so may be more comfortable for long wear.
Thoughts / Conclusion:
First off, my thanks to Patrick and Ikko for sending me the OH1 to try. I found the OH1 to be a great way to launch a new company into the busy audio landscape and it shows a level of capability well beyond what one would expect from an introductory model. From the polished shell to the mature tuning, the OH1 has all the hallmarks of a seasoned product and competes well at its price point. For those who like sub-bass rumble and a polite treble, the OH1 should be on your list to audition. I've been using mine for a solid week as I write this review, and think they will likely retain a spot in my work lineup now that I am done writing. For those times when you just want to relax and listen, they make a great companion.
IKKO OH1 REVIEW :
SOUND: 8.5/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9.5/10
DESIGN: 9/10
VALUE: 8.5/10
INTRO :
IKKO is a newcomer in Chi-fi world, and a mysterious one, we don’t know exactly where they came from and what there audio engineer team is, but we can guess it’s from Shenzhen as most of iem companies. One thing sure, the first product they lauch will not stay a mystery.
An hybrid earphones with a high quality 10mm polymer titanium dynamic driver and the use of excellent Knowels 33518 balanced armature make this OH1 stand appart in term of drivers implementation at budget price.
But that’s not all, the built quality too stand appart, with sumptuous blue alloy metal housing sculpted like a precious stone, the OH1 will sure make turns head on the street and win lot of iem beauties contest whatever the price range.
As i’m not that sensible to the look of an earphones but more about its comfort and especially sound rendering, did the OH1 is just a looker without the soul or a real audio enthusiast luxury at a very competitive price?
With a really talented dynamic driver for the low and excellently articulated balanced armature for mids and highs, I can say without a doubt that we have here a very capable and well tuned contender.
I will try to explain in next review the multiple reasons that confirm IKKO company have a promising futur.
SPECS & INFO :
PRICE: 140$usd
ikko OH1 1BA + 1 Dynamic Driver 2-Way Hybrid 2Pin 0.78mm Detachable HiFi In-ear Earphone
Description
Lightweight all metal cavity
CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & ACCESSORIES :
UNBOXING is a very delectable experience, wich inaugurate a generous amount of accessories. All here is about quality. The black box show the IKKO OH1 housing like a jewellery presentoir, and just looking at them watered your mouth. Eartips are presented nicely too. And when you pull over this, you discover a nice carrying pouch with a glorious twisted 2pin cable with blue and dark grey color that match perfectly cobalt color housing. Yep, this is the kind of unboxing experience that make you think you invest your money in a wisely choosen product.
CONSTRUCTION is simply jaw dropping, A+, Faultless. The housing is on the big (and slim) side but have a unique diamond like shape, or more like a quartz flint. In hand, you find yourself polishing the pleasant texture it have. It look rock solid, and should stand test of time easily as im not worry about its physical durability. Only the 2pin plastic connector feel it should be of better quality.
Twisted 2pin Cable, again, is really nice and the fact that its color fit perfectly the housing is a big plus. I think cable color is blue-grey, and the L shape jack is of extreme quality. Yep, construction of OH1 really stand appart in this price range.
DESIGN is excellent because even if housing is quite big, its flat as well and fit comfortably my ears. In fact, I feel like wearing precious elegant jewellery for the first time, yep, I feel coquettish walking on the street with my OH1 (no need of stylish high heels then). Sound isolation is above average and sound leakage extremely minimal.
SOUND :
OVERALL impressions is a big wow effect hearing the sub bass control and speed and big applause when you discover how clear and present are the mids. This isn’t your normal bassy earphones and you know something special happen when you begin being immerse by balanced lushness of the muscular musicality and discover how vast and airy is the soundstage. Too good to be true? If your into ultra analytical and neutral approach, perhaps, but if you always find lower bass to be too thin or not enough resolved in term of attack, your in for a very rewarding listen. Thick, agile, well defined bass that I rarely or ever listen, fowards well textured mids that do not create sibilance, and soft natural treble that offer excellent imaging : this is what you get.
SOUNDSIGNATURE is U shape leaning towards W shape because of extra mids fowardness. Emphasis is on lower end and do not bleed on mids bass or lower mids. Mids are slightly dry but sit well on bass and feel very clear. Treble is emphased on low and mids region and isn’t analytical but have good snap to it.
SOUNDSTAGE is average wide, but have good tallnest and deepnest wich enrich spacial articulation.
IMAGING is above average and offer transparent layering that are fowarded to you and unfolding in deep spaciality.
BASS is star of the show here and we do not talk about boomy or uncontroled one, its sure pretty pumped up in sub region but in a very impressive way that give extra definition to bass line and feel full bodied as I rarely heard. SUB line have there own life to them, they are ultra weighty and rich sounding, have excellent attack and tigh decay, this is a WOW effect guarantee that isn’t really thinked for basshead that need big foward slam but more for audio enthusiast that wanna have extra resolution in lower region, but not in a bright way, in a livier and more articulate way. Timbre is quite smooth in fact, all is about weight and presence here, with great tonality but soft timbre, the 20hz to 150hz is the more bumped frequency range, wich help extension and presence of bass but not kick body, still, kick attack needing good mid range, it have great snap to it, and great extension, mid bass is just not as full bodied as lower bass but offer faster attack.
MIDS are pushed foward and have brighter timbre than bass, its well detailed and very extended giving emphased presence and lively presentation. Female vocal particularly shine with these, due to 2khz to 8khz fowardness, and strangely, we barely have any sibilance, so no harsh peaks even if mids range is quite coloured. Male vocal have a little less body due to mid bass roll off, but this cancel any bass bleed as well and help overall clarity and instrument separation of this range. Timbre is rather smooth but more textured than bass and while it isn’t the best for violin or piano attack and grip, resolution compensate the dryness.
TREBLE is on the soft side as it begin to drop before 15khz. It do not struggle to reveal details and even have some extra presence in lower treble that give cripsness to percussion, but this isn’t the type of treble that give sparkling highs or extra rich timbre. Soft, natural and accurate, this is how I hear it and the highs never sound harsh, metallic or agressive, wich is a very refreshing approach for a chi-fi iem. It sound well balanced and transparent, giving extra visibility to numerous sound layers instead of opaque texture that will cause congestion in the sound more fastly. Light and agile, treble do not sound dark, but plucked instrument like classical guitar will perhaps lack brilliance and decay for some, as well, electric guitar will lack teeth.
AMPING isn’t needed for these, as they are very easy to drive and will even perhaps sound too bassy if amped with too powerfull amp or DAP at high gain.
SUB BASS : 9.5/10
MID BASS : 8/10
MIDS : 8/10
TREBLE : 8/10
TIMBRE : 7.5/10
SOUNDSTAGE : 8.5/10
IMAGING: 8.5/10
ATTACK : 7.5/10
COMPARAISONS :
VS Alpha & Delta KS3 (150$) :
SOUNDISGNATURE of OH1 is a well done U shape with warm lower mids and bright upper mids and upper treble, while KS3 sound more neutral and mid centric.
BASS of OH1 is more powerfull and impactfull especially in sub department, where the note feel better resolve, thicker and with better controled attack than the struggling sub part of KS3, this give a moe energic approach to IKKO without sacrifiing to much. Mid bass is similar to KS3 but again its more full bodied.
MIDS of OH1 feel slightly artificial in treble and too warmed up in lower mids, wich give more body to low mids and some sibilance and light harshness to upper mids, KS3 again is more balanced with a smooth push in mids that give extra clarity to vocal but do not feel in front row, more well centered in midde, still, OH1 sound more dynamic and energic, giving extra separation to mid section, where KS3 linear approach and soft timbre make it lack in overall attack.
TREBLE of OH1 is quite extended but not always constant, as it colour more ranges than more neutraly balanced KS3, anyway, this give more sparkle and air, wich give more sens of space and layering, and decay and brillance...so, yes, KS3 lack some treble sharpness comapred to OH1.
SOUNDSTAGE is about same widness, but OH1 here feel deeper and airier.
VS FINAL AUDIO E4000 (130$):
SOUNDSTAGE is a little wider with E4000 but feel taller and deeper with OH1.
BASS have way more sub presence and body with OH1, but timbre is less detailed, mid bass is more punchy and fuller sounding with E4000 and again have more detail. Overall bass is more muscular with OH1 while it have more speed, finesse and balance with E4000.
MIDS feel richer and more balanced with E4000, but less airy and spacious, OH1 vocal are more foward and clear but have dryer timbre. OH1 mids are less detailed but feel greatly centered in a more vast soundstage giving them better separation in some region.
TREBLE of both this earphones is roll off in upper region, but I think E4000 can extract more diversity of details and (especially) timbre even if highs are less crips than OH1. Percussion feel more fowards and coloured with the OH1, wich make them less naturaly balanced than E4000.
AMPING isn’t needed for OH1, while its more than suggested for E4000.
Construction of OH1 feel more fancy and is more eye appealing than low profile E4000 one, for price value in term of construction the award go to OH1 without a doubt.
All in all, OH1 give a muscular more bassy and spacious sound while E4000 feel lusher, more punchy and balanced.
VS NiceHCK M6-BGVP DMG (110$) :
Soundstage is more wide and panoramic with M6, but less deep and around your head than OH1.
BASS is less sub emphased with the M6, have more punch and is brighter, lower end have less rumble and extension, OH1 lower end is more controled and resolve than M6.
MIDS are brighter with M6, and have sharper upper mids than can be (very rarely) sibilant, OH1 feel little more recessed in this department but with a more natural and appealing timbre.
TREBLE is more extended with M6, and it crave more micro details, M6 feel analytical compared to more relaxed OH1.
AMPING isn’t needed for both.
CONSTRUCTION is incredible with both, but the stock cable of OH1 is better quality.
All in all, M6 feel like a more energic, analytical and punchy earphones while OH1 feel bassier, airier and more natural sounding.
CONCLUSION :
IKKO will sure put K.O lot of earphones in its price range, and not only for great construction and look, because sound its the number one aspect that impress.
The fact it can give extra life to your favorite bass line will justify you spent more than 100$ on these, but the great low bass articulation and weight isn’t it’s only quality as it feel pretty well balanced as a whole too with its clear mids and mellow treble.
Perhaps if you search bright analytical or very energic sounding earphones, the OH1 isn’t made for you, but if you search for a great all arounder that offer phenomenal bass, clear accurate mids and smooth but agile treble, i’m confident these are among the best you can get.
IKKO is a talented audio company to keep a serious eye one, and they take some risk going into this price range for a first iem model, but this risk will pay in they end when a justified hype will begin.
For more audio reviews and impressions, check my NO BS AUDIOPHILE website!
SOUND: 8.5/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9.5/10
DESIGN: 9/10
VALUE: 8.5/10
INTRO :
IKKO is a newcomer in Chi-fi world, and a mysterious one, we don’t know exactly where they came from and what there audio engineer team is, but we can guess it’s from Shenzhen as most of iem companies. One thing sure, the first product they lauch will not stay a mystery.
An hybrid earphones with a high quality 10mm polymer titanium dynamic driver and the use of excellent Knowels 33518 balanced armature make this OH1 stand appart in term of drivers implementation at budget price.
But that’s not all, the built quality too stand appart, with sumptuous blue alloy metal housing sculpted like a precious stone, the OH1 will sure make turns head on the street and win lot of iem beauties contest whatever the price range.
As i’m not that sensible to the look of an earphones but more about its comfort and especially sound rendering, did the OH1 is just a looker without the soul or a real audio enthusiast luxury at a very competitive price?
With a really talented dynamic driver for the low and excellently articulated balanced armature for mids and highs, I can say without a doubt that we have here a very capable and well tuned contender.
I will try to explain in next review the multiple reasons that confirm IKKO company have a promising futur.
SPECS & INFO :
PRICE: 140$usd
ikko OH1 1BA + 1 Dynamic Driver 2-Way Hybrid 2Pin 0.78mm Detachable HiFi In-ear Earphone
Description
Lightweight all metal cavity
- Ergonomic design based on auricle big data
- Only 6 grams on one side, creating a unique sense of comfort
- Knowles 33518 supply comfortable high frequency and ultra high frequency
- 10mm polymer titanium diaphragm dynamic to create the transient and dynamic
- 2-pin 0.78mm detachable design
- High purity OFC silver-plated cable, both high frequency extension and low frequency strength
- Quiet and flexible, wide and comfortable
- Compatible with the sense of hearing of OH1
- Deep and ethereal special blue
- Crafted with a Meteorite carved metal shell
- It is made of advanced lightweight alloy to ensure the hardness of the cavity and better control the weight of the earphone. Combined with the acoustic driver design of the dual titanium driver, the internal harmonic resonance distortion is reduced, and the sound is more delicate and natural.
- Knowles 33518 balanced armature and 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm dynamic such as piano black and white double-key like a heavenly match, so that the sound shows a natural dynamic, low-frequency fullness without loss of elasticity, high-frequency transparent natural, sound delicate and elegant .
- Based on rigorous ergonomic design principles and massive simulation of wearing test data, ikko finally designs the best cavity shape for the ear canal and even the entire auricle, while weighing only 6 grams on one side, making it comfortable to wear and External noise isolation is at the leading level in the industry.
- Balanced Armature: Knowles 33518
- Dynamic driver: 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm dynamic driver
- Sensitivity:106dB
- Frequency range:20-40kHZ
- Imdepance:18ohm
- Cable length:1.2m
- Connector；2-pin 0.78mm
- Cable type:4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper-plated 5n silver-plated
- ikko OH1 earphone
- Pouch
- 6 pairs of slicone Eartip
CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & ACCESSORIES :
UNBOXING is a very delectable experience, wich inaugurate a generous amount of accessories. All here is about quality. The black box show the IKKO OH1 housing like a jewellery presentoir, and just looking at them watered your mouth. Eartips are presented nicely too. And when you pull over this, you discover a nice carrying pouch with a glorious twisted 2pin cable with blue and dark grey color that match perfectly cobalt color housing. Yep, this is the kind of unboxing experience that make you think you invest your money in a wisely choosen product.
CONSTRUCTION is simply jaw dropping, A+, Faultless. The housing is on the big (and slim) side but have a unique diamond like shape, or more like a quartz flint. In hand, you find yourself polishing the pleasant texture it have. It look rock solid, and should stand test of time easily as im not worry about its physical durability. Only the 2pin plastic connector feel it should be of better quality.
Twisted 2pin Cable, again, is really nice and the fact that its color fit perfectly the housing is a big plus. I think cable color is blue-grey, and the L shape jack is of extreme quality. Yep, construction of OH1 really stand appart in this price range.
DESIGN is excellent because even if housing is quite big, its flat as well and fit comfortably my ears. In fact, I feel like wearing precious elegant jewellery for the first time, yep, I feel coquettish walking on the street with my OH1 (no need of stylish high heels then). Sound isolation is above average and sound leakage extremely minimal.
SOUND :
OVERALL impressions is a big wow effect hearing the sub bass control and speed and big applause when you discover how clear and present are the mids. This isn’t your normal bassy earphones and you know something special happen when you begin being immerse by balanced lushness of the muscular musicality and discover how vast and airy is the soundstage. Too good to be true? If your into ultra analytical and neutral approach, perhaps, but if you always find lower bass to be too thin or not enough resolved in term of attack, your in for a very rewarding listen. Thick, agile, well defined bass that I rarely or ever listen, fowards well textured mids that do not create sibilance, and soft natural treble that offer excellent imaging : this is what you get.
SOUNDSIGNATURE is U shape leaning towards W shape because of extra mids fowardness. Emphasis is on lower end and do not bleed on mids bass or lower mids. Mids are slightly dry but sit well on bass and feel very clear. Treble is emphased on low and mids region and isn’t analytical but have good snap to it.
SOUNDSTAGE is average wide, but have good tallnest and deepnest wich enrich spacial articulation.
IMAGING is above average and offer transparent layering that are fowarded to you and unfolding in deep spaciality.
BASS is star of the show here and we do not talk about boomy or uncontroled one, its sure pretty pumped up in sub region but in a very impressive way that give extra definition to bass line and feel full bodied as I rarely heard. SUB line have there own life to them, they are ultra weighty and rich sounding, have excellent attack and tigh decay, this is a WOW effect guarantee that isn’t really thinked for basshead that need big foward slam but more for audio enthusiast that wanna have extra resolution in lower region, but not in a bright way, in a livier and more articulate way. Timbre is quite smooth in fact, all is about weight and presence here, with great tonality but soft timbre, the 20hz to 150hz is the more bumped frequency range, wich help extension and presence of bass but not kick body, still, kick attack needing good mid range, it have great snap to it, and great extension, mid bass is just not as full bodied as lower bass but offer faster attack.
MIDS are pushed foward and have brighter timbre than bass, its well detailed and very extended giving emphased presence and lively presentation. Female vocal particularly shine with these, due to 2khz to 8khz fowardness, and strangely, we barely have any sibilance, so no harsh peaks even if mids range is quite coloured. Male vocal have a little less body due to mid bass roll off, but this cancel any bass bleed as well and help overall clarity and instrument separation of this range. Timbre is rather smooth but more textured than bass and while it isn’t the best for violin or piano attack and grip, resolution compensate the dryness.
TREBLE is on the soft side as it begin to drop before 15khz. It do not struggle to reveal details and even have some extra presence in lower treble that give cripsness to percussion, but this isn’t the type of treble that give sparkling highs or extra rich timbre. Soft, natural and accurate, this is how I hear it and the highs never sound harsh, metallic or agressive, wich is a very refreshing approach for a chi-fi iem. It sound well balanced and transparent, giving extra visibility to numerous sound layers instead of opaque texture that will cause congestion in the sound more fastly. Light and agile, treble do not sound dark, but plucked instrument like classical guitar will perhaps lack brilliance and decay for some, as well, electric guitar will lack teeth.
AMPING isn’t needed for these, as they are very easy to drive and will even perhaps sound too bassy if amped with too powerfull amp or DAP at high gain.
SUB BASS : 9.5/10
MID BASS : 8/10
MIDS : 8/10
TREBLE : 8/10
TIMBRE : 7.5/10
SOUNDSTAGE : 8.5/10
IMAGING: 8.5/10
ATTACK : 7.5/10
COMPARAISONS :
VS Alpha & Delta KS3 (150$) :
SOUNDISGNATURE of OH1 is a well done U shape with warm lower mids and bright upper mids and upper treble, while KS3 sound more neutral and mid centric.
BASS of OH1 is more powerfull and impactfull especially in sub department, where the note feel better resolve, thicker and with better controled attack than the struggling sub part of KS3, this give a moe energic approach to IKKO without sacrifiing to much. Mid bass is similar to KS3 but again its more full bodied.
MIDS of OH1 feel slightly artificial in treble and too warmed up in lower mids, wich give more body to low mids and some sibilance and light harshness to upper mids, KS3 again is more balanced with a smooth push in mids that give extra clarity to vocal but do not feel in front row, more well centered in midde, still, OH1 sound more dynamic and energic, giving extra separation to mid section, where KS3 linear approach and soft timbre make it lack in overall attack.
TREBLE of OH1 is quite extended but not always constant, as it colour more ranges than more neutraly balanced KS3, anyway, this give more sparkle and air, wich give more sens of space and layering, and decay and brillance...so, yes, KS3 lack some treble sharpness comapred to OH1.
SOUNDSTAGE is about same widness, but OH1 here feel deeper and airier.
VS FINAL AUDIO E4000 (130$):
SOUNDSTAGE is a little wider with E4000 but feel taller and deeper with OH1.
BASS have way more sub presence and body with OH1, but timbre is less detailed, mid bass is more punchy and fuller sounding with E4000 and again have more detail. Overall bass is more muscular with OH1 while it have more speed, finesse and balance with E4000.
MIDS feel richer and more balanced with E4000, but less airy and spacious, OH1 vocal are more foward and clear but have dryer timbre. OH1 mids are less detailed but feel greatly centered in a more vast soundstage giving them better separation in some region.
TREBLE of both this earphones is roll off in upper region, but I think E4000 can extract more diversity of details and (especially) timbre even if highs are less crips than OH1. Percussion feel more fowards and coloured with the OH1, wich make them less naturaly balanced than E4000.
AMPING isn’t needed for OH1, while its more than suggested for E4000.
Construction of OH1 feel more fancy and is more eye appealing than low profile E4000 one, for price value in term of construction the award go to OH1 without a doubt.
All in all, OH1 give a muscular more bassy and spacious sound while E4000 feel lusher, more punchy and balanced.
VS NiceHCK M6-BGVP DMG (110$) :
Soundstage is more wide and panoramic with M6, but less deep and around your head than OH1.
BASS is less sub emphased with the M6, have more punch and is brighter, lower end have less rumble and extension, OH1 lower end is more controled and resolve than M6.
MIDS are brighter with M6, and have sharper upper mids than can be (very rarely) sibilant, OH1 feel little more recessed in this department but with a more natural and appealing timbre.
TREBLE is more extended with M6, and it crave more micro details, M6 feel analytical compared to more relaxed OH1.
AMPING isn’t needed for both.
CONSTRUCTION is incredible with both, but the stock cable of OH1 is better quality.
All in all, M6 feel like a more energic, analytical and punchy earphones while OH1 feel bassier, airier and more natural sounding.
CONCLUSION :
IKKO will sure put K.O lot of earphones in its price range, and not only for great construction and look, because sound its the number one aspect that impress.
The fact it can give extra life to your favorite bass line will justify you spent more than 100$ on these, but the great low bass articulation and weight isn’t it’s only quality as it feel pretty well balanced as a whole too with its clear mids and mellow treble.
Perhaps if you search bright analytical or very energic sounding earphones, the OH1 isn’t made for you, but if you search for a great all arounder that offer phenomenal bass, clear accurate mids and smooth but agile treble, i’m confident these are among the best you can get.
IKKO is a talented audio company to keep a serious eye one, and they take some risk going into this price range for a first iem model, but this risk will pay in they end when a justified hype will begin.
For more audio reviews and impressions, check my NO BS AUDIOPHILE website!
Attachments
Intro
The IKKO OH1 opens the colourful hustle and bustle of my new category "High-Class" and is therefore the first IEM I can review, which costs over 100€ and the upcoming in-ears in the segment, such as the Moondrop Kanas Pro, or the Accutone Studio 1, have to measure themselves against.
Handling
The OH1 may not have such a pompous packaging as the 1More E1010, but it contains everything it needs. A sleek cloth bag, 6 pairs of silicone tips (Balanced and Vocal), where there's not so much difference (the Vocaltips sound a bit more open than the balanced ones) and a decent 4-core cable with MMCX connector. However, this could be a bit more solid and there is unfortunately no remote/micro available as an option.
The OH1 looks a bit like a molar from the side with a diamond relief. They are made of full metal and quite narrow in shape. They sit comfortably, ergonomically and offer a safe hold, at least as far as I am concerned. The two sides are clearly marked with left and right, but I am of the opinion that it is irrelevant for IEMs, because theoretically there is usually only one way to wear them so that it feels right. This is a bit more important for cables, where a coloured marking is used.
The isolation is really good, very good even in the context of passive isolation! With the right tips, you can almost completely isolate yourself from the outside world and also this is not sounded.
Sound
Despite its great appearance, workmanship and wearing comfort, the sound is the heart of the OH1.
The bass is indeed one of the most controlled and detailed I've ever heard. It plays low without rolling off too early and shows an almost linear sound even in the mid bass from the hearing sensation. The sub-bass is more accentuated compared to the higher lows, but this is exactly what I like and appreciate musically. I find the same in the Kanas Pro as well, although the emphasis is even stronger compared to the midbass. However, the OH1 can generate more pressure and in good German it simply smashes more in the bass. The bass is definitely one of the strongest features of the OH1 and presents itself fast, natural and accurate with detailed bass lines. As the name suggests, the dynamic driver also provides the necessary dynamics to guarantee a perfect listening experience for me, which isn't always the case with pure BA configurations, whether or not I have to admit that I wasn't allowed to hear a pure BA configuration permanently in the price range. Here I must fall back on the KZ AS10, or AS06.
Thanks to its finely tuned, fast and precise action, the bass never slips into the midrange. They can unfold their full potential without any problems. Here the BA driver takes over seamlessly and elegantly. The mids are convincing with clarity and bursting with energy. This vitality is what makes the mids stand out in the overall sound image. They are positioned a bit behind the bass and treble in the lower mid-range, but they are more forward in the higher range, which is also one of my preferences. In addition, they resolve really impressively. No matter what you give them, they can reproduce it naturally and true to detail and position it correctly in the room. They are not hard, but soft and harmoniously reproduce the sounds. Nevertheless, the BA driver can be heard here from time to time, which doesn't make the mids appear thin at all, but also not as powerful as some dynamic drivers. Due to the solid body of the lower mids and the rise in the upper range, men and women's voices present themselves with natural sound and typical characteristics.
The highs live in perfect symbiosis with the mids and lows. This means that there are no fatiguing peaks and they still play up and down tirelessly. They don't have the biggest extension, but they sound very natural without being overly analytical and sharp. Maybe too little for some high fanatics, but just right for me. Nevertheless, they have an impressive wealth of details and provide a clear and airy sound.
The OH1 can reveal the smallest details and make them locatable. The highs are just as convincing as the rest and make the OH1 a really round, exciting listening pleasure!
Did I just say tireless? Not quite and that is a small point of criticism. With fast rock music, or generally music with exuberant and multiplied, fast following, treble-heavy parts of instruments/sounds, the BA driver seems somewhat stressed. This means that it doesn't follow quite so playfully anymore and slightly compresses the content around the top. That doesn't mean at all that such music styles are taboo, but you should be aware that you might have to reckon with some compromises. Here, for example, the Kanas Pro (single-DD) presents itself more mature. This is of course a high standard, because many budget IEMs have this problem much stronger, but paying that much money you can be more critical, at least that's my approach.
The OH1 shows no weakness in image and stage. One could wish for a little more depth, but what is happening on a broad scale is already remarkable. Clear separation of instruments, enormous transparency, no feeling of tightness (spatially) and above all no overlapping sound goulash. Great!
Outro
With the OH1, IKKO publishes a first work that has a lot to offer. If they can maintain this level and possibly even top it, for example with a 3-way system, which makes the highs appear clean even under high stress, we can be more than excited. The OH1 will increase its popularity without a doubt quickly and rightly and will probably make many audio enthusiasts happy in the future.
http://www.ikkoaudio.com/productinfo/130265.html
https://penonaudio.com/ikko-oh1.html
___________________________________________________________
More reviews: https://david-hahn.wixsite.com/chi-fiear-eng
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHIFIEAR/
The IKKO OH1 opens the colourful hustle and bustle of my new category "High-Class" and is therefore the first IEM I can review, which costs over 100€ and the upcoming in-ears in the segment, such as the Moondrop Kanas Pro, or the Accutone Studio 1, have to measure themselves against.
Handling
The OH1 may not have such a pompous packaging as the 1More E1010, but it contains everything it needs. A sleek cloth bag, 6 pairs of silicone tips (Balanced and Vocal), where there's not so much difference (the Vocaltips sound a bit more open than the balanced ones) and a decent 4-core cable with MMCX connector. However, this could be a bit more solid and there is unfortunately no remote/micro available as an option.
The OH1 looks a bit like a molar from the side with a diamond relief. They are made of full metal and quite narrow in shape. They sit comfortably, ergonomically and offer a safe hold, at least as far as I am concerned. The two sides are clearly marked with left and right, but I am of the opinion that it is irrelevant for IEMs, because theoretically there is usually only one way to wear them so that it feels right. This is a bit more important for cables, where a coloured marking is used.
The isolation is really good, very good even in the context of passive isolation! With the right tips, you can almost completely isolate yourself from the outside world and also this is not sounded.
Sound
Despite its great appearance, workmanship and wearing comfort, the sound is the heart of the OH1.
The bass is indeed one of the most controlled and detailed I've ever heard. It plays low without rolling off too early and shows an almost linear sound even in the mid bass from the hearing sensation. The sub-bass is more accentuated compared to the higher lows, but this is exactly what I like and appreciate musically. I find the same in the Kanas Pro as well, although the emphasis is even stronger compared to the midbass. However, the OH1 can generate more pressure and in good German it simply smashes more in the bass. The bass is definitely one of the strongest features of the OH1 and presents itself fast, natural and accurate with detailed bass lines. As the name suggests, the dynamic driver also provides the necessary dynamics to guarantee a perfect listening experience for me, which isn't always the case with pure BA configurations, whether or not I have to admit that I wasn't allowed to hear a pure BA configuration permanently in the price range. Here I must fall back on the KZ AS10, or AS06.
Thanks to its finely tuned, fast and precise action, the bass never slips into the midrange. They can unfold their full potential without any problems. Here the BA driver takes over seamlessly and elegantly. The mids are convincing with clarity and bursting with energy. This vitality is what makes the mids stand out in the overall sound image. They are positioned a bit behind the bass and treble in the lower mid-range, but they are more forward in the higher range, which is also one of my preferences. In addition, they resolve really impressively. No matter what you give them, they can reproduce it naturally and true to detail and position it correctly in the room. They are not hard, but soft and harmoniously reproduce the sounds. Nevertheless, the BA driver can be heard here from time to time, which doesn't make the mids appear thin at all, but also not as powerful as some dynamic drivers. Due to the solid body of the lower mids and the rise in the upper range, men and women's voices present themselves with natural sound and typical characteristics.
The highs live in perfect symbiosis with the mids and lows. This means that there are no fatiguing peaks and they still play up and down tirelessly. They don't have the biggest extension, but they sound very natural without being overly analytical and sharp. Maybe too little for some high fanatics, but just right for me. Nevertheless, they have an impressive wealth of details and provide a clear and airy sound.
The OH1 can reveal the smallest details and make them locatable. The highs are just as convincing as the rest and make the OH1 a really round, exciting listening pleasure!
Did I just say tireless? Not quite and that is a small point of criticism. With fast rock music, or generally music with exuberant and multiplied, fast following, treble-heavy parts of instruments/sounds, the BA driver seems somewhat stressed. This means that it doesn't follow quite so playfully anymore and slightly compresses the content around the top. That doesn't mean at all that such music styles are taboo, but you should be aware that you might have to reckon with some compromises. Here, for example, the Kanas Pro (single-DD) presents itself more mature. This is of course a high standard, because many budget IEMs have this problem much stronger, but paying that much money you can be more critical, at least that's my approach.
The OH1 shows no weakness in image and stage. One could wish for a little more depth, but what is happening on a broad scale is already remarkable. Clear separation of instruments, enormous transparency, no feeling of tightness (spatially) and above all no overlapping sound goulash. Great!
Outro
With the OH1, IKKO publishes a first work that has a lot to offer. If they can maintain this level and possibly even top it, for example with a 3-way system, which makes the highs appear clean even under high stress, we can be more than excited. The OH1 will increase its popularity without a doubt quickly and rightly and will probably make many audio enthusiasts happy in the future.
http://www.ikkoaudio.com/productinfo/130265.html
https://penonaudio.com/ikko-oh1.html
___________________________________________________________
More reviews: https://david-hahn.wixsite.com/chi-fiear-eng
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHIFIEAR/
Hello, Welcome to another Review!
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PREAMBLE
When I first saw this earphone, i was skeptical, a simple hybrid configuration from an unknown brand… I mean, 10mm titanium DD + Knowles BA 33518, same configuration of FiiO OH1, which is an overly warm earphone going for a little bit cheaper. Not something that hyped me too much.
Well, I can tell you for sure, I was dead wrong. These earphones are solid contenders and huge value for the recommended price of 139$
After hearing a positive thought from the very known and respected reviewer Crinacle. I started to pay attention to them. They didn’t received a lot of talk here in head-fi so I decided to approach IKKO for a review.
And here I am.
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About the mysterious and interesting brand: IKKO
Apart from being completely new to scene, they started by having an Amazon distribution, a proper brand image and a website with a brand concept. Interesting, huh?
They refer to themselves as:
“IKKO aims to promote a new concept of “FREE” and high fidelity for music lovers in the context of the rapid development of contemporary digital music. As a new brand, IKKO is committed to bringing the new era of digital life design, concepts into a combination of tireless innovation to bring outstanding audio-visual Experience.”
They seem to aim at a concept, a value. Interesting: Design, internet, digital era. Very occidental approach, what leads me to the conclusion that IKKO have biger plans as a brand with newer launches and products. Let’s keep an eye open.
But what’s important for us is in here: “What I insist on doing is to make IKKO bring you the sensory world to touch the soul of the music experience to become more quality and simple.”
My personal opinion is that with the OH1 they got it. So let’s reach out for the real review.
DISCLAIMER
This earphone is a review unit kindly sented by IKKO themselves in exchange of a honest review of the earphone they sell. There aren't any financial incentive on this review besides the product itself that can and will be kept with me. I personally guarantee to the reader my honest and objective review, where I ‘I’ll try to pass my objective impressions as clear as possible giving the reader the chance to evaluate the product by itself. I particularly INVITE the reader to be as critical as possible on my writing
Links:
IKKO WEBSITE: http://www.ikkoaudio.com/
IKKO AMAZON STORE – https://amzn.to/2T42Wzj
-
SPECs
Drive Configuration: 1 Balanced Armature (Knowles 33518) + Polymer Composite Titanium-Plated diaphragm Dynamic Driver
Sensitivity: 106db
Impedance: 18ohm
Frequency Response: 20-40khz
Cable length:1.2m
Connector；2-pin 0.78mm
Cable type:4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper-plated 5n silver plated
UNBOXING EXPERIENCE AND CONTENT.
OH1 arrives is a very direct and efficient presentation, it doesn’t wow you, but it doesn’t let you down also.
It comes in a solid black package involved in a slip cover with the logo, model name, and an illustration of the IEM. You are also able to see technical specs, the website and some western certifications, which should de good right?
When you first open you see a nice envelope that carries the warranty card together with wear instructions.
Inside of it you are presented with both IEMs and the two sets of eartips, one of them has a larger opening and it’s suited for vocals, the other has a larger opening and it’s made for be “balanced”. I personally haven’t noticed a big difference in sound with the two and think you should go mainly for the better fit. The tips are ok and definitely not disposable, as it may occur in some IEM’s. I am using stock tips at the moment.
The IKKO comes with a bonus of a very nice velour pouch where the cables are stored and you can store and carry your IEM.
All in all, for the price of 139$ the IKKO has a realistic and good packaging and content.
Package:
- Ikko OH1 earphone
- Cable
- 6 pairs of Eartips, 3x Vocals, 3x Balanced
- Storage Bag
CABLE, FIT AND BUILD
Let’s do it in a simple way...
The build? 10 out of 10
The cable? Could be better… 6 out of 10
The fit? Universal, good isolation, but nozzle is too short for the average Ear.
I find the IKKO OH1 one of the nicer looking IEM’s I have ever glanced for. The blue color is glossy, vivid, discrete and well textured. They are very lightweight and have a premium fell with an incredible finish and yet solid build. The metal piece have a professional look and a fine boutique feel at the hand.
There is a small and seamless looking brand name in the shells that give a special touch. The surface is what IKKO calls “meteorite curved metal shell”. In the words of another reviewer, it looks more with a diamond surface finish. Very nice indeed.
They have average isolation, not bad, and not like a semi-custom IEM. I never noticed any driver flex and the IEM have two vents to relieve the pressure of the driver.
Fit is not troublesome but it’s not perfect for me also. I found the nozzle too short, a different angle and deeper insertion would give a more secure fit and less shallow fit for me. Fortunaly i found no real problems with that as the IEM feels safe and clean in my ears, as even with the stock tips the fit is good. The lightness of the shell is specially confortable.
The cable is in the middle of the road. While is not almost perfect like the cable of BGVP DMG, is not the worst like the cable of tehnz p4 pro. Ikko seems be hearing the feedback of us and now the earphone carries a 4 core, grey and braided cable, a lot better than what i saw in the first units. It's flexible, has a good preformed earhook and a nice look. It is a little prone to tangling and a chin slider would be of a good help. It's light too.
-
SOUND
My preferences: My perfect signature would be a neutral leaning to a slight U signature. I like correct and upfront mids. A good extension at highs without a great roll-off is wished to. Bass needs to be present but not too emphasized. I prefer sub-bass presence with agility more than exactly a mass hiting my ears. I do not enjoy cold sounding signatures nor a darker presentation. Neutral to warm with a hint of airiness and sparkle at the mid treble would be my thing.
The Good: Honeymoon…
Ikko is a fairly balanced and yet energetic earphone, it is what some people call “the typical asian signature”, done in a perfectly way! The word that catches me up when I am listening to them is “snappy”.
The “meteors” earphone gives a full and agile presentation with the right amounts of energy on every area of the music. Bass notes have some emphasis in the sub bass area, from which it starts to get calmer when it reaches the mid-bass, still above neutral but only the needed amount to drive the body of instruments and give a gentle warm feeling to the acousticts.
By the time we get to the mids it feels like a plateau, stable, till it starts to get closer to upper treble, where the earphone has another emphasized region. This part is what gives the unique feel of OH1: the energy and vibrance of the sound, the airy feeling.
I only reserves compliments because the upper region never leads the earphone to something like a tendency of sibilance or whatsoever. The region is perfectly balanced with the rest of the sound.
Treble is good, giving presence to the lastest harmonics and making the sound feel full and not overall relaxed nor dark. They feel more than adequate even having a natural roll-off that may disappoint the treble heads.
The earphone have it’s fun, resolution and pace done in a responsible and technical way. “fast”, “snappy”, “agile”, is what keeps ringing in my ear when I listen to them.
Major positive points for me are its impressive performance in bass and the airy and snappy feeling of the midrange and upper treble region.
Some may find it sounding thin because of the character of the upper treble transition, it is what gives the detailed feeling, and it is what makes the tonal balance a little thin to some people. It’s a taste i personally like and may suit you, or not.
The negative
Even then, nothing is perfect, the only real drawback I found with them is on some complex tracks, the ones with lots of information and some compression happening in the upper treble area, at the same time. In this situation the only BA present in the earphone seems to deal with a little stress and some glariness can be heard, what happens is that the elements in the area lose some separation and definition. My moondrop Kanas dealt a little better in the same songs: That’s where you’re wrong by The Arctic Monkeys From 2:37 to 2:55 and Tame impala’s “apocalypse dreams from 4:08 to 4:24.
In this scenarios the Knowles driver suffers to maintain the technical level and the earphone suffers a little bit to maintain the three dimensionality and texture in the area. Definitely not a dealbraker, every earphone has a flaw. Especially at 139$. This one have those.
Frequency response measure by @Crinacle, Link to the graph and his impressions: https://bit.ly/2SggUJY
All credit is his.
I am using this graph beacause it is exactly how i feel about this earphone and matches the Official Graph by IKKO here:
Bass
Bass performance is what impressed me the most at first sight, it is what stands out the most, just after the clarity and airy feeling of the sound.
The decay is a little bit on the faster side while mantaining the dynamic driver feeling. Exactly what guarantee the details and agility in the dynamics. The sub bass go down low at the same time it isn't overdone and mid bass is perfectly balanced without covering details nor giving too much warmth to the sound. I wonder what it's nicer, the technical aspect of attack and decay, or the tonality. Hard to find...
Mids
Mids are a little behind the bass and upper region, The overall sound is upfront, with guitars and other elements popping upon your face. But vocals and the same upfront elements lose some body while having the edge in sparkle and clarity. In the terrible analogy to mid's, i would call this "female vocals focused". There is absolutely no mid bass bleed that i can notice. There is some "thin" feeling to the sound when you compare the mids to a warmer IEM like a Moondrop Kanas, but this is a matter of taste.
Treble
This is not a earphone of spikes, the treble is perfectly balanced to the overall sound. It completes the transition from the mids is a smooth and easy way increasing the clarity and airy feeling to the sound. Hi hats are very well audible, much more present than my tehnz p4 pro, that feels almost dark in comparision. The treble doesn't tire me and it has a good "splash". The downside is in complex and busy tracks, where the only BA can't keep up the fast pace of the presentation and lose some definition.
-
Comparisions:
Moondrop Kanas (~150$)
The moondrop Kanas loses in bass performance for me, they seem to be a little slower, even being excellent. Also the overdone Sub Bass makes the bass darker than the better tuned IKKO. Mids are more full-bodied on the Kanas but are a little more recessed in the mix. Upper treble is a little more upfront in the ikko, what gives more sparkle and upfront presentation but with the expense of less definition, three dimensionaloty and poorer imaging in complex tracks. Overall the Ikko sound more livier and technical in the bass while the kanas has an edge in sounding more organic and superior in the upper end, even being less upfront. Construction wise they are both a treat to look at with similar quality cables. Ikko is a lot lighter while Kanas has a better and deeper insertion.
Tehnz p4 pro (~120$)
Bass on p4 pro is very even, they are above neutral with more focus on mid bass but the BA speed makes up for it, overall the p4 pro sounds warmer and darker than IKKO. The ikko feels more agile and clearer because of the lot better treble extension and upper treble response. P4 pro has a spike at around 8K that particularly bothers me. I said Ikko "feels" snappier than p4 pro because in fact the BA drivers on p4 pro are unmatched in terms of detail retrieval, what reveals the faster pace to them. The lack of treble extension makes the p4 pro sounding boxy when you switch, with one more trouble being the 8k peak. Bass and treble are better on Ikko while mids resolution goes without a doubt for p4 pro, being very lush, rich and upfront as no other IEM in my hands.
-
Conclusion
This is it, looking for a earphone around the price of 130$ dolars? You simply cannot discart the Ikko OH1...
It has a class leading Bass performance, coherent, vivid and upfront mids, and a awesome mid-treble transition with great extension. I personaly think it's a lot for the price.
As a bonus you carry a stellar design that would turn heads of anyone with a good taste, a nice carrying case and a cable that does the job. Ikko is defnitely a player that needs to receive attention from now on.
See you there!
-
PREAMBLE
When I first saw this earphone, i was skeptical, a simple hybrid configuration from an unknown brand… I mean, 10mm titanium DD + Knowles BA 33518, same configuration of FiiO OH1, which is an overly warm earphone going for a little bit cheaper. Not something that hyped me too much.
Well, I can tell you for sure, I was dead wrong. These earphones are solid contenders and huge value for the recommended price of 139$
After hearing a positive thought from the very known and respected reviewer Crinacle. I started to pay attention to them. They didn’t received a lot of talk here in head-fi so I decided to approach IKKO for a review.
And here I am.
-
About the mysterious and interesting brand: IKKO
Apart from being completely new to scene, they started by having an Amazon distribution, a proper brand image and a website with a brand concept. Interesting, huh?
They refer to themselves as:
“IKKO aims to promote a new concept of “FREE” and high fidelity for music lovers in the context of the rapid development of contemporary digital music. As a new brand, IKKO is committed to bringing the new era of digital life design, concepts into a combination of tireless innovation to bring outstanding audio-visual Experience.”
They seem to aim at a concept, a value. Interesting: Design, internet, digital era. Very occidental approach, what leads me to the conclusion that IKKO have biger plans as a brand with newer launches and products. Let’s keep an eye open.
But what’s important for us is in here: “What I insist on doing is to make IKKO bring you the sensory world to touch the soul of the music experience to become more quality and simple.”
My personal opinion is that with the OH1 they got it. So let’s reach out for the real review.
DISCLAIMER
This earphone is a review unit kindly sented by IKKO themselves in exchange of a honest review of the earphone they sell. There aren't any financial incentive on this review besides the product itself that can and will be kept with me. I personally guarantee to the reader my honest and objective review, where I ‘I’ll try to pass my objective impressions as clear as possible giving the reader the chance to evaluate the product by itself. I particularly INVITE the reader to be as critical as possible on my writing
Links:
IKKO WEBSITE: http://www.ikkoaudio.com/
IKKO AMAZON STORE – https://amzn.to/2T42Wzj
-
SPECs
Drive Configuration: 1 Balanced Armature (Knowles 33518) + Polymer Composite Titanium-Plated diaphragm Dynamic Driver
Sensitivity: 106db
Impedance: 18ohm
Frequency Response: 20-40khz
Cable length:1.2m
Connector；2-pin 0.78mm
Cable type:4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper-plated 5n silver plated
UNBOXING EXPERIENCE AND CONTENT.
OH1 arrives is a very direct and efficient presentation, it doesn’t wow you, but it doesn’t let you down also.
It comes in a solid black package involved in a slip cover with the logo, model name, and an illustration of the IEM. You are also able to see technical specs, the website and some western certifications, which should de good right?
When you first open you see a nice envelope that carries the warranty card together with wear instructions.
Inside of it you are presented with both IEMs and the two sets of eartips, one of them has a larger opening and it’s suited for vocals, the other has a larger opening and it’s made for be “balanced”. I personally haven’t noticed a big difference in sound with the two and think you should go mainly for the better fit. The tips are ok and definitely not disposable, as it may occur in some IEM’s. I am using stock tips at the moment.
The IKKO comes with a bonus of a very nice velour pouch where the cables are stored and you can store and carry your IEM.
All in all, for the price of 139$ the IKKO has a realistic and good packaging and content.
Package:
- Ikko OH1 earphone
- Cable
- 6 pairs of Eartips, 3x Vocals, 3x Balanced
- Storage Bag
CABLE, FIT AND BUILD
Let’s do it in a simple way...
The build? 10 out of 10
The cable? Could be better… 6 out of 10
The fit? Universal, good isolation, but nozzle is too short for the average Ear.
I find the IKKO OH1 one of the nicer looking IEM’s I have ever glanced for. The blue color is glossy, vivid, discrete and well textured. They are very lightweight and have a premium fell with an incredible finish and yet solid build. The metal piece have a professional look and a fine boutique feel at the hand.
There is a small and seamless looking brand name in the shells that give a special touch. The surface is what IKKO calls “meteorite curved metal shell”. In the words of another reviewer, it looks more with a diamond surface finish. Very nice indeed.
They have average isolation, not bad, and not like a semi-custom IEM. I never noticed any driver flex and the IEM have two vents to relieve the pressure of the driver.
Fit is not troublesome but it’s not perfect for me also. I found the nozzle too short, a different angle and deeper insertion would give a more secure fit and less shallow fit for me. Fortunaly i found no real problems with that as the IEM feels safe and clean in my ears, as even with the stock tips the fit is good. The lightness of the shell is specially confortable.
The cable is in the middle of the road. While is not almost perfect like the cable of BGVP DMG, is not the worst like the cable of tehnz p4 pro. Ikko seems be hearing the feedback of us and now the earphone carries a 4 core, grey and braided cable, a lot better than what i saw in the first units. It's flexible, has a good preformed earhook and a nice look. It is a little prone to tangling and a chin slider would be of a good help. It's light too.
-
SOUND
My preferences: My perfect signature would be a neutral leaning to a slight U signature. I like correct and upfront mids. A good extension at highs without a great roll-off is wished to. Bass needs to be present but not too emphasized. I prefer sub-bass presence with agility more than exactly a mass hiting my ears. I do not enjoy cold sounding signatures nor a darker presentation. Neutral to warm with a hint of airiness and sparkle at the mid treble would be my thing.
The Good: Honeymoon…
Ikko is a fairly balanced and yet energetic earphone, it is what some people call “the typical asian signature”, done in a perfectly way! The word that catches me up when I am listening to them is “snappy”.
The “meteors” earphone gives a full and agile presentation with the right amounts of energy on every area of the music. Bass notes have some emphasis in the sub bass area, from which it starts to get calmer when it reaches the mid-bass, still above neutral but only the needed amount to drive the body of instruments and give a gentle warm feeling to the acousticts.
By the time we get to the mids it feels like a plateau, stable, till it starts to get closer to upper treble, where the earphone has another emphasized region. This part is what gives the unique feel of OH1: the energy and vibrance of the sound, the airy feeling.
I only reserves compliments because the upper region never leads the earphone to something like a tendency of sibilance or whatsoever. The region is perfectly balanced with the rest of the sound.
Treble is good, giving presence to the lastest harmonics and making the sound feel full and not overall relaxed nor dark. They feel more than adequate even having a natural roll-off that may disappoint the treble heads.
The earphone have it’s fun, resolution and pace done in a responsible and technical way. “fast”, “snappy”, “agile”, is what keeps ringing in my ear when I listen to them.
Major positive points for me are its impressive performance in bass and the airy and snappy feeling of the midrange and upper treble region.
Some may find it sounding thin because of the character of the upper treble transition, it is what gives the detailed feeling, and it is what makes the tonal balance a little thin to some people. It’s a taste i personally like and may suit you, or not.
The negative
Even then, nothing is perfect, the only real drawback I found with them is on some complex tracks, the ones with lots of information and some compression happening in the upper treble area, at the same time. In this situation the only BA present in the earphone seems to deal with a little stress and some glariness can be heard, what happens is that the elements in the area lose some separation and definition. My moondrop Kanas dealt a little better in the same songs: That’s where you’re wrong by The Arctic Monkeys From 2:37 to 2:55 and Tame impala’s “apocalypse dreams from 4:08 to 4:24.
In this scenarios the Knowles driver suffers to maintain the technical level and the earphone suffers a little bit to maintain the three dimensionality and texture in the area. Definitely not a dealbraker, every earphone has a flaw. Especially at 139$. This one have those.
Frequency response measure by @Crinacle, Link to the graph and his impressions: https://bit.ly/2SggUJY
All credit is his.
I am using this graph beacause it is exactly how i feel about this earphone and matches the Official Graph by IKKO here:
Bass
Bass performance is what impressed me the most at first sight, it is what stands out the most, just after the clarity and airy feeling of the sound.
The decay is a little bit on the faster side while mantaining the dynamic driver feeling. Exactly what guarantee the details and agility in the dynamics. The sub bass go down low at the same time it isn't overdone and mid bass is perfectly balanced without covering details nor giving too much warmth to the sound. I wonder what it's nicer, the technical aspect of attack and decay, or the tonality. Hard to find...
Mids
Mids are a little behind the bass and upper region, The overall sound is upfront, with guitars and other elements popping upon your face. But vocals and the same upfront elements lose some body while having the edge in sparkle and clarity. In the terrible analogy to mid's, i would call this "female vocals focused". There is absolutely no mid bass bleed that i can notice. There is some "thin" feeling to the sound when you compare the mids to a warmer IEM like a Moondrop Kanas, but this is a matter of taste.
Treble
This is not a earphone of spikes, the treble is perfectly balanced to the overall sound. It completes the transition from the mids is a smooth and easy way increasing the clarity and airy feeling to the sound. Hi hats are very well audible, much more present than my tehnz p4 pro, that feels almost dark in comparision. The treble doesn't tire me and it has a good "splash". The downside is in complex and busy tracks, where the only BA can't keep up the fast pace of the presentation and lose some definition.
-
Comparisions:
Moondrop Kanas (~150$)
The moondrop Kanas loses in bass performance for me, they seem to be a little slower, even being excellent. Also the overdone Sub Bass makes the bass darker than the better tuned IKKO. Mids are more full-bodied on the Kanas but are a little more recessed in the mix. Upper treble is a little more upfront in the ikko, what gives more sparkle and upfront presentation but with the expense of less definition, three dimensionaloty and poorer imaging in complex tracks. Overall the Ikko sound more livier and technical in the bass while the kanas has an edge in sounding more organic and superior in the upper end, even being less upfront. Construction wise they are both a treat to look at with similar quality cables. Ikko is a lot lighter while Kanas has a better and deeper insertion.
Tehnz p4 pro (~120$)
Bass on p4 pro is very even, they are above neutral with more focus on mid bass but the BA speed makes up for it, overall the p4 pro sounds warmer and darker than IKKO. The ikko feels more agile and clearer because of the lot better treble extension and upper treble response. P4 pro has a spike at around 8K that particularly bothers me. I said Ikko "feels" snappier than p4 pro because in fact the BA drivers on p4 pro are unmatched in terms of detail retrieval, what reveals the faster pace to them. The lack of treble extension makes the p4 pro sounding boxy when you switch, with one more trouble being the 8k peak. Bass and treble are better on Ikko while mids resolution goes without a doubt for p4 pro, being very lush, rich and upfront as no other IEM in my hands.
-
Conclusion
This is it, looking for a earphone around the price of 130$ dolars? You simply cannot discart the Ikko OH1...
It has a class leading Bass performance, coherent, vivid and upfront mids, and a awesome mid-treble transition with great extension. I personaly think it's a lot for the price.
As a bonus you carry a stellar design that would turn heads of anyone with a good taste, a nice carrying case and a cable that does the job. Ikko is defnitely a player that needs to receive attention from now on.
See you there!
voxsonitusaudioreviews.wordpress.com
Ikko OH1: Cobalt Goodness
Disclaimer:
Vox Sonitus Audio Reviews is not affiliated with ikko Audio in any manner. I do not receive any cash incentives, rewards, or anything from them. This review is my non-biased comprehension and appreciation of the said in ear monitor.
The product we’ll be reading about today is from Ikko Audio Technology, a relatively new company that has started its journey with the ikko Meteor (ikko OH1). Currently, Penon sells them here at 139$. The OH1 is equipped with a Knowles BA and a single dynamic driver, and is a good entry for the midfi range of iems.
About Ikko:
Ikko itself comes from a large Chinese ODM (original design manufacturer), which has created solutions for many well-known brands over the years. Through shareholders with strong operational experience, ikko rose as a company during late 2018
Their philosophy is as stated on their website:
“IKKO aims to promote a new concept of “FREE” and high fidelity for music lovers in the context of the rapid development of contemporary digital music. As a new brand, IKKO is committed to bringing the new era of digital life design concepts into a combination of tireless innovation to bring outstanding audio-visual Experience.
As quoted by Watson from Ikko Audio Technology, “We hope that consumers and partners can bring the best experience of [today’s era]. As mentioned on our official website, we are committed to the close combination of people and the “mobile Internet”, to bring real “free” applicable experience.”
Ikko has, as of writing this review, only released one iem. Ikko’s promise on delivering “free” hifi stems from their deliverance of price to performance ratio, with more products coming soon that will be “quality products”, to be on par or even better than the OH1.
Personal Preferences:
Under the envelope is the star of the show; the beautifully designed drivers, together with two sets of silicone eartips.
In total, the buyer receives the following:
Ikko punched way above its price bracket in its packaging. The unboxing experience feels premium. They did not cut costs in materials used in packing the OH1, making sure that the iem is presented in an organized manner while maintaining its safety in thick and sturdy boxes.
Build:
The 100$ iem price range is pretty much congested. It is truly very hard to standout because there are so many iems that are fairly good in this range. The ikko OH1, however, immediately takes its stand with its outstanding design, coupled with sturdy build quality.
The drivers are fairly large and have this deep blue color to them that, when light hits it, turns to a lighter shade of blue. The faceplate has polygonal etchings that ikko insists to be the surface of a meteor, hence, its name. There is a clear division between the faceplate and the entire body of the drivers. The drivers have clear distinction of right and left as white markings are printed on to the metal shell. Nozzle is fairly stout with excellent grooving so that tips will stay in place. Driver mesh quality also does not look cheap.
The cable is a detachable .78mm two pin with red and blue markings at the male 2 pin end to distinguish between right and left channels. The male 2 pins are cylindrical in shape and are very sturdy. Ear guides are present. They are pre-looped, rather than having memory wire inside them. This is much more preferable, as having memory wire can sometimes be a nuisance to take off or put around the ear.
The cable is made up of 4 core high purity oxygen free copper silver plated material which boasts high frequency extension and low frequency strength. The braiding from the drivers towards the splitter is fine with no observable misfit.
The splitter is aluminum and cylindrical in shape. There is no observable strain relief, nor a chin slider.
The braiding from splitter to the 3.5mm plug is uniform. Its grayish color complements the OH1 very well.
There is a short strain relief that leads toward the L-shaped gold plated 3.5mm TRS plug. The deep blue color is also seen here.
Ikko did not cut costs in making the OH1. The drivers have a premium all metal build. Its stunning design is eye-catching. The deep blue and gray color scheme is very subtle and boasts confidence. The polygonal designs on the faceplate are outstanding. Although ikko did release an earlier version of OH1 that has received negative feedback about its cable having loose braiding, ikko responded with a newer version that has uniform build.
Fit and Comfort:
I have had a hard time trying to fit large drivers inside my ear, even though my ears are faily large. Despite the OH1 having large housings, they fit surprisingly very comfortably. The OH1 sits in the concha and the cavity between the tragus and antitragus with ease. The tail end of the iem does not bother me at all, as it fits in a perfect position.
Isolation:
Isolation on the OH1 is great, though they are not the best in isolation. The vocal eartips feel much more airy and loose compared to the balanced eartips. They do block out much of the noise but I wouldn’t use a 100$ iem for commute.
Sound:
Tips of choice: I used the included vocal eartips, as these sounded more open and detailed than the balanced eartips
Ikko stayed true to its promise of delivering extremely pleasing sound signature at an entry midfi price range. Its sound is natural, with more emphasis on the lows. Though the bass is very powerful, it does not eat away the upper frequencies. The Knowles balanced armature does a great job of presenting vocals and instruments without letting itself drown from the dynamic driver’s low end deliverance, nor sounding sibilant and sharp.
Bass –
This iem is a basshead’s delight. The performance of this iem in the low end is phenomenal. Sub bass is adequately strong and full bodied. Mid bass has that necessary thump to give energetic songs something to sit on. Upper bass has tone and is well textured.
Even though the iem has much subbass and midbass, they do not sound muddy at all. The bass plays more up front than highs, but they do not affect clarity and vibrancy. Ikko tuned the low ends very well to complement the higher frequencies
Mids –
Vocals sound natural and smooth. There is little coloration to its presentation. There is no emphasis on either male or female vocals. Sivert Hoyem’s voice in Blown Away goes deep and does not sound colored, while Anne Bisson’s voice in Dry My Tears sound sweet, with no audible sharp peaks in “s” or “t” sounds.
Instruments are also presented in a natural manner. There is no peak or emphasis, unlike other BA drivers that I have tested. Aja by Steely Dan plays very smooth and relaxing. The subtle palm mute can still be heard amidst the lot of instruments playing along the chorus.
The Knowles BA does an excellent job of being able to present the mids in a natural manner with no sibilance.
Highs –
Highs extend very well and have great resolution to them, though they are a lot more laid back than the lows and mids. Cymbals have quick decay. Piano keys in this region sound natural. Energetic music doesn’t sound fatiguing because the highs are more relaxed.
Clearly, the OH1 wasn’t made for analytical listening. It has easy-going highs that are less emphasized but extends very well.
Soundstage –
There is more width than depth to the OH1’s soundstage. Horizontal clearance is wide, while vertical clearance is a little bit shallow. Enya’s Orinoco Flowsounds excellent as there are no observable congestion, even though the song is very wide and busy with instruments and vocals overlapping each other.
Imaging –
In Yosi Horikawa’s Letter, every pencil stroke can be felt, as with every page being flipped. Even IV Of Spade’s CLAPCLAPCLAP shows how accurate OH1’s imaging is, with every clap being distinct from each other.
Conclusion:
Even though there are a lot of iems in the 100$ price point, the OH1 can stand out from the rest. This iem is excellent. It has it all; premium packaging, superior build quality, aesthetically pleasing design, amazing fit and comfort, neutrally relaxed tuning. The OH1 is a new entry level midfi that punches way above its price point.
The ikko OH1 is definitely worth more than its price. As an underdog company, ikko did very well in the OH1’s tuning. Their concept of “free hifi” really shines on the OH1.
Ikko OH1: Cobalt Goodness
Disclaimer:
Vox Sonitus Audio Reviews is not affiliated with ikko Audio in any manner. I do not receive any cash incentives, rewards, or anything from them. This review is my non-biased comprehension and appreciation of the said in ear monitor.
The product we’ll be reading about today is from Ikko Audio Technology, a relatively new company that has started its journey with the ikko Meteor (ikko OH1). Currently, Penon sells them here at 139$. The OH1 is equipped with a Knowles BA and a single dynamic driver, and is a good entry for the midfi range of iems.
About Ikko:
Ikko itself comes from a large Chinese ODM (original design manufacturer), which has created solutions for many well-known brands over the years. Through shareholders with strong operational experience, ikko rose as a company during late 2018
Their philosophy is as stated on their website:
“IKKO aims to promote a new concept of “FREE” and high fidelity for music lovers in the context of the rapid development of contemporary digital music. As a new brand, IKKO is committed to bringing the new era of digital life design concepts into a combination of tireless innovation to bring outstanding audio-visual Experience.
As quoted by Watson from Ikko Audio Technology, “We hope that consumers and partners can bring the best experience of [today’s era]. As mentioned on our official website, we are committed to the close combination of people and the “mobile Internet”, to bring real “free” applicable experience.”
Ikko has, as of writing this review, only released one iem. Ikko’s promise on delivering “free” hifi stems from their deliverance of price to performance ratio, with more products coming soon that will be “quality products”, to be on par or even better than the OH1.
Personal Preferences:
- Packaging is important. First impressions can last a long time.
- I do not have a specific genre that I listen to. The songs I listen to differ greatly from billboard tops to old classics, pop, rock, edm, acoustics, alternatives, metal, and all of its sub-genres. I incline listening to metal music, specifically to power metal, death metal, and the likes.
- I enjoy variety of sound signatures, ranging from bright analytical, balanced with only a slight dip in mids, neutral warm, and neutral bright. I generally lean to neutral-bright sound signature, with a certain degree of analytical sound. I dislike over powering bass, as it is the least enjoyable, for me, in my experience listening to music.
- I prefer iems over earbuds, earbuds over headphones.
- Shanling M3s as DAC (PC)
- Shanling M3s as DAP
- Zishan Z1 + OPA1692 as DAC (PC and my phone) and dap
- Zishan Z1 + Muses02 as DAC (PC and my phone) and dap
- Sony NW-A45
- iBasso DX120
- Balanced Armature: Knowles 33518
- Dynamic driver: 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm dynamic driver
- Sensitivity:106dB
- Frequency range:20-40kHZ
- Imdepance:18ohm
- Cable length:1.2m
- Connector；2-pin 0.78mm
- Cable type:4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen-free copper-plated 5n silver-plated cable
Under the envelope is the star of the show; the beautifully designed drivers, together with two sets of silicone eartips.
In total, the buyer receives the following:
- Ikko OH1 drivers
- 1.2m cable
- 3 sizes of balanced ear tips
- 3 sizes of vocal ear tips
- Velvet carrying pouch
Ikko punched way above its price bracket in its packaging. The unboxing experience feels premium. They did not cut costs in materials used in packing the OH1, making sure that the iem is presented in an organized manner while maintaining its safety in thick and sturdy boxes.
Build:
The 100$ iem price range is pretty much congested. It is truly very hard to standout because there are so many iems that are fairly good in this range. The ikko OH1, however, immediately takes its stand with its outstanding design, coupled with sturdy build quality.
The drivers are fairly large and have this deep blue color to them that, when light hits it, turns to a lighter shade of blue. The faceplate has polygonal etchings that ikko insists to be the surface of a meteor, hence, its name. There is a clear division between the faceplate and the entire body of the drivers. The drivers have clear distinction of right and left as white markings are printed on to the metal shell. Nozzle is fairly stout with excellent grooving so that tips will stay in place. Driver mesh quality also does not look cheap.
The cable is a detachable .78mm two pin with red and blue markings at the male 2 pin end to distinguish between right and left channels. The male 2 pins are cylindrical in shape and are very sturdy. Ear guides are present. They are pre-looped, rather than having memory wire inside them. This is much more preferable, as having memory wire can sometimes be a nuisance to take off or put around the ear.
The cable is made up of 4 core high purity oxygen free copper silver plated material which boasts high frequency extension and low frequency strength. The braiding from the drivers towards the splitter is fine with no observable misfit.
The splitter is aluminum and cylindrical in shape. There is no observable strain relief, nor a chin slider.
The braiding from splitter to the 3.5mm plug is uniform. Its grayish color complements the OH1 very well.
There is a short strain relief that leads toward the L-shaped gold plated 3.5mm TRS plug. The deep blue color is also seen here.
Ikko did not cut costs in making the OH1. The drivers have a premium all metal build. Its stunning design is eye-catching. The deep blue and gray color scheme is very subtle and boasts confidence. The polygonal designs on the faceplate are outstanding. Although ikko did release an earlier version of OH1 that has received negative feedback about its cable having loose braiding, ikko responded with a newer version that has uniform build.
Fit and Comfort:
I have had a hard time trying to fit large drivers inside my ear, even though my ears are faily large. Despite the OH1 having large housings, they fit surprisingly very comfortably. The OH1 sits in the concha and the cavity between the tragus and antitragus with ease. The tail end of the iem does not bother me at all, as it fits in a perfect position.
Isolation:
Isolation on the OH1 is great, though they are not the best in isolation. The vocal eartips feel much more airy and loose compared to the balanced eartips. They do block out much of the noise but I wouldn’t use a 100$ iem for commute.
Sound:
Tips of choice: I used the included vocal eartips, as these sounded more open and detailed than the balanced eartips
Ikko stayed true to its promise of delivering extremely pleasing sound signature at an entry midfi price range. Its sound is natural, with more emphasis on the lows. Though the bass is very powerful, it does not eat away the upper frequencies. The Knowles balanced armature does a great job of presenting vocals and instruments without letting itself drown from the dynamic driver’s low end deliverance, nor sounding sibilant and sharp.
Bass –
This iem is a basshead’s delight. The performance of this iem in the low end is phenomenal. Sub bass is adequately strong and full bodied. Mid bass has that necessary thump to give energetic songs something to sit on. Upper bass has tone and is well textured.
Even though the iem has much subbass and midbass, they do not sound muddy at all. The bass plays more up front than highs, but they do not affect clarity and vibrancy. Ikko tuned the low ends very well to complement the higher frequencies
Mids –
Vocals sound natural and smooth. There is little coloration to its presentation. There is no emphasis on either male or female vocals. Sivert Hoyem’s voice in Blown Away goes deep and does not sound colored, while Anne Bisson’s voice in Dry My Tears sound sweet, with no audible sharp peaks in “s” or “t” sounds.
Instruments are also presented in a natural manner. There is no peak or emphasis, unlike other BA drivers that I have tested. Aja by Steely Dan plays very smooth and relaxing. The subtle palm mute can still be heard amidst the lot of instruments playing along the chorus.
The Knowles BA does an excellent job of being able to present the mids in a natural manner with no sibilance.
Highs –
Highs extend very well and have great resolution to them, though they are a lot more laid back than the lows and mids. Cymbals have quick decay. Piano keys in this region sound natural. Energetic music doesn’t sound fatiguing because the highs are more relaxed.
Clearly, the OH1 wasn’t made for analytical listening. It has easy-going highs that are less emphasized but extends very well.
Soundstage –
There is more width than depth to the OH1’s soundstage. Horizontal clearance is wide, while vertical clearance is a little bit shallow. Enya’s Orinoco Flowsounds excellent as there are no observable congestion, even though the song is very wide and busy with instruments and vocals overlapping each other.
Imaging –
In Yosi Horikawa’s Letter, every pencil stroke can be felt, as with every page being flipped. Even IV Of Spade’s CLAPCLAPCLAP shows how accurate OH1’s imaging is, with every clap being distinct from each other.
Conclusion:
Even though there are a lot of iems in the 100$ price point, the OH1 can stand out from the rest. This iem is excellent. It has it all; premium packaging, superior build quality, aesthetically pleasing design, amazing fit and comfort, neutrally relaxed tuning. The OH1 is a new entry level midfi that punches way above its price point.
The ikko OH1 is definitely worth more than its price. As an underdog company, ikko did very well in the OH1’s tuning. Their concept of “free hifi” really shines on the OH1.
Introduction
The OH1 are IEMs manufactured by Ikko, a brand based in China, totally unknown and new to me. Looking for information about it I found that it is a recent brand, which has only one product, the OH1, although they say they have quite a lot of experience. My interpretation of their philosophy is that they try to integrate their products in the current digital era, through their particular conception of design, trying to maximize sound quality to offer the best musical experience.
Specifications
· Type of Drivers: 1 DD + 1 BA.
· 1 Dynamic Driver 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm.
· 1 Balanced Armature Knowles 33518.
· Frequency Response: 20-40kHz
· Sensitivity: 106dB
· Impedance: 18 Ω
· Cable length: 1.2m
· Jack connector: 3.5mm angled
· Capsule connection type: 2 pin 0.78mm
· Cable type: 4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen free copper-plated 5n silver-plated
· Weight: 6 grams per capsule
Packaging
The OH1 come in a box of dimensions 158*88*49mm. It is completely matt black, with the brand logo inscribed in the centre, in a darker, smoother and shinier black. On the back there is a white sticker with the model name and specifications in Chinese and English.
Inside it is found:
· A black cardboard envelope containing the user's manual and the warranty card.
· The capsules embedded in a hard foam mould.
· The cable, located inside a soft foam mould, under the capsules. It is wrapped up with a velcro tape, which is attached to the cable itself. The 3.5mm Jack connector is protected by a translucent plastic cover.
· A black cardboard box with the logo on the front, inside which is a velvet simile bag, where you can find a blister with three pairs of tips translucent white silicone, whose core is blue, SML sizes. There is a small bag with two more tips, medium size and dark color.
Although the presentation is soberly elegant, the content is the minimum required. The carrying bag is soft and offers little protection. Only 4 pairs of tips come from a single material, silicone.
Construction and design
As stated in the features, Ikko use an aviation grade alloy acoustic cavity, to reduce the internal harmonic resonance distortion to offer a sound more delicate and natural.
The front shape of the capsule reminds me of the African continent, but somewhat narrower at the bottom. The surface of the capsule has dents of questionable taste. The inside, however, is completely smooth and ergonomically rounded. The capsules are not thick. The nozzles are made of the same material and have a metal filter. Their length seems longer than it really is. The diameter is 6mm.
For the connection a transparent plastic insert is mounted to protect the two holes, both gold-plated.
The cable has 4 fine strands, covered with rugged plastic. It is quite flexible and the memory effect is low. The connector is in L, of mixed material, plastic in the elbow, metallic next to the plug, of the same color that the capsules.
The splitter is a metal cylinder, also of the same colour as the capsules. The connectors follow the same line, metallic and of the same colour, with a blue or red ring to distinguish the side. The two gold-plated pins are also finished in another plastic insert, very similar to those protecting the capsule connections. The cable close to the connectors is protected by a semi-rigid plastic sheath, shaped to facilitate its use on the ear.
The cable is simply good, not microphonic or very thick. It's easy to handle. But the strands that start from the splitter to the capsules, two on each side, give a fragile appearance, because they look fine and delicate. The ear hooks are fixed, they cannot be molded. There is no ring to adjust the cable under the chin.
In my opinion the cable, as a whole and finished, is of inferior quality than others that can be found in products of similar price.
The capsules, in spite of the particular finish on the front, have been designed to offer the highest degree of fit, isolation and comfort. They are very light, weighing only 6 grams each, despite the fact that they are metallic. The material used gives them a strong sensation of durability, as well as their finishes and connections.
Adjustment and ergonomics
The fit is very good, although the size of the nozzles does not allow deep insertion, but rather superficial. Although it would have improved if they were a little thinner and longer. In this case, the search for the right tips to achieve the best fit is the key. Once the optimal fit is achieved, movement is minimal and no readjustment is required due to its ergonomic shape. As there is no movement the sound is not modified, this makes them very suitable for use in everyday life, in addition to its lightness.
Sound
Profile
The sound is balanced, with some emphasis on the sub bass, but with more presence of the mid zone and low treble.
Bass
The sub-bass is quite linear and compact, it has a good presence compared to the rest of the area. This particularity gives the lows a generous feeling of depth. However, the rest of the bass has no great punch and are very neutral, far from satisfying bass-heads.
Thanks to the sub bass, the bass is not anemic at all and its texture denotes quality and naturalness. Also, the area has great control and articulation, being the speed and recovery quite good.
The notes of the lows are tight and fine, have very good definition and detail, never meddle in the mids.
From my point of view, declared bass lover, as a whole, the body offered is somewhat limited, as well as its global impact, compared above all with the mids. But for those who prefer balanced profiles, this area could be catalogued as very good, since, except for presence and punch, the rest are virtues.
Actually I have something that pushes me to keep talking about the lower zone of the OH1, it's like a love-hate relationship. I have tried to describe this zone previously in an objective way, starting from my own subjectivity. Something that is really condemned to failure in itself, as well as expressing an opinion about sound. But the idea is to try to isolate the lower zone from the rest of the sound spectrum. And this is easy, and that's where I have to properly ponder the bass of the OH1s, that's where the love relationship is born: the deep sub-bass dawns, the dry blow and content of the lower middle, the precise vanishing of the upper low towards the mids... But the hatred appears when the mids pass the hand in front of it...
Mids
Clearly this area is the most prominent of all sound. The mids are completely luminous, not brilliant. They enjoy great clarity and are placed above the bass in the presence. The cleanliness with which they are executed is remarkable and the resolution is great. The precision is equally impressive, as is the level of detail. But my feeling is that they show more natural than shamelessly analytical, because the micro detail is revealed moderately. Even so, the mids do not have that point of sweetness offered by other IEMs, but have a hint of coldness. The notes are fine but not sharp, but the origin of a very well tuned BA is noticeable. Technology and design seem to play a fundamental role in this sense, getting the best out of it. But it doesn't stop sounding like BA, a good BA, but BA after all. And this translates into what has been said, a millimetric sound that is lacking in passion and musicality. Bad? Of course not, it's another kind of pleasure or like acupuncture needles, which are inserted to heal.
The section on high mids and wheezing deserves extra mention: extra, above all, for control. The wheezing has passed, with a note, the cotton test. And never better said, something else must have been used to keep a prominent area like this stocking at bay.
Treble
The reason for this is the treble or the BA, more focused than extensive in very highs, but I do not blame him, I rather thank him. And the descent in the presence of this area can be appreciated above 5kHz, as if it were an aluminium staircase, with very narrow and infinite steps, precise and delicate, which are not soft but neither sharp nor metallic.
Soundstage, separation
Let's start with the separation: ultra, mega, hyper...? No. Let's go to the other topic: the sound is crystalline, the separation is obvious due to the thinness of the notes, the transparency is appreciated with the naked eye. But the air does not expand the scene as one might expect, it gives it depth but not so much width. Nor does it enjoy a very evident three-dimensional stage, despite the high dose of transparency. The positioning is good and detailed, but I miss something more dynamic or depth that finally widens the scene.
Comparisons
Fiio FH1
Both the Fiio FH1 and the Ikko OH1 share the same Knowles 33518 BA driver, but the difference in profile between the two is abysmal. The FH1 have a bass and dark profile, with a very evident and thick bass, The mids are recessed in relation to its low area, in addition to having quite little brightness, definition, detail and air. The difference between the mids of both are night (FH1) and day (OH1), is so great, it seems to lie that they share the same BA.
BQEYZ KB100 (Bass mod)
The KB100 are a triple driver (2 DD + 1 BA) of 50$, whose profile could be reminiscent of the OH1. After applying the Bass Mod to the KB100, the presence of the lower zone is shot against that of the OH1, offering greater presence and body, generating something more dynamic and fun. But again, the sub-bass of the OH1 is there to offer that differential point that the KB100 cannot counteract, at the level of depth and execution of the zone. Regardless of the level of presence of both, the lower zone of the OH1 is shown to be richer in nuances and texture, definition and control.
However, the big difference is still in the mid zone. The voices are presented in a closer plane and stellar, in the OH1. In KB100, voices sound warmer, but do not enjoy the resolution and level of detail offered by OH1, air, definition, luminosity ... The big difference in price is clearly noticed here, the qualitative leap to sound level is based on the sub bass and quality in the execution of the low zone, in the mids in general and in the treble too, because they have better definition, a more active and precise presence, especially in the low treble, where they extend clearly more.
But the difference is not only in the sound, but also in the comfort and ergonomics of the OH1, offering a more optimal and pleasant fit.
As a clear plus point, KB100s are easier to move than OH1.
Dunu DN-1000
The classic DN-1000, triple drivers that do not need any presentation, use BA drivers also from Knowles.
The first thing that is noticed is the difference of profile, more in V in the DN-1000, more balanced in the OH1. The sinking in the central zone of the mid to high frequencies is accused in the Dunu, offering a dark sound comparatively speaking, lacking in resolution, nuances and details. There is a feeling of musical loss in that area, something that the DN-1000 do not offer, is demonstrated with all luxury of details in the OH1. From this derives a sense of openness, greater scene and separation that is not appreciated in the Dunu.
But if there is one thing I have to emphasize about the DN-1000, it is its low zone, sub bass included, since it offers a global power that the OH1 cannot compete, in spite of its great quality.
Anew U1
The Anew U1 are clear competitors of the OH1 in their price range. But really the decision to buy one or the other is not based on its quality, but on its features: If you are looking for a V-sound with powerful bass, warm and detailed mids, although somewhat distant, with some good treble presence, but under control, you would choose the U1. If on the contrary one seeks a more balanced sound, with mids with greater resolution, presence and richness, as well as greater extension in highs, would buy the OH1.
At scene level, despite the great separation offered by the OH1, is wider in the U1, I have a feeling of greater expansion with them, perhaps due to the greater extension offered by the lower U1.
In ergonomics and adjustment the OH1 are better, fitting in a firmer and safer way than the U1.
As for the cable, the U1 comes with a cable that I love, at the height of the beauty of the capsules. Meanwhile, the OH1 bring a more conventional cable, where the most remarkable are the connections, apart from its great flexibility.
In short, both IEMs could be easily complementary, having both it would be easy to use one or the other depending on the musical genre to reproduce, in order to maximize the qualities of each one.
Conclusion
I've needed more brain training time with Ikko OH1 than hours of burning. After enjoying other more visceral profiles, the OH1 require a listening that demands pause and detailed analysis. Concentration to enjoy the bass, to assimilate that its quality is not in quantity or exuberance, but in its depth and other intangibles that we audiophiles appreciate, or begin to appreciate, thanks to IEMs like these. However, the mids do not require anything of that, because their virtues are instantly perceived. Just like that clearly analytical character with a great deal of transparency, detail and refinement.
The Ikko Oh1 are a clear difference, a valuable alternative to de-numb the ears and train them for an exercise of precision and micro beauty.
Sources used during the analysis
· Burson Playmate
· F.Audio S1
· Sabaj Da3
Purchase link
https://penonaudio.com/ikko-oh1.html
Link to the Store
https://penonaudio.com
You can read my full review in spanish here:
https://hiendportable.com/2019/02/17/ikko-oh1/
The OH1 are IEMs manufactured by Ikko, a brand based in China, totally unknown and new to me. Looking for information about it I found that it is a recent brand, which has only one product, the OH1, although they say they have quite a lot of experience. My interpretation of their philosophy is that they try to integrate their products in the current digital era, through their particular conception of design, trying to maximize sound quality to offer the best musical experience.
Specifications
· Type of Drivers: 1 DD + 1 BA.
· 1 Dynamic Driver 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm.
· 1 Balanced Armature Knowles 33518.
· Frequency Response: 20-40kHz
· Sensitivity: 106dB
· Impedance: 18 Ω
· Cable length: 1.2m
· Jack connector: 3.5mm angled
· Capsule connection type: 2 pin 0.78mm
· Cable type: 4 strands of 8 high-purity oxygen free copper-plated 5n silver-plated
· Weight: 6 grams per capsule
Packaging
The OH1 come in a box of dimensions 158*88*49mm. It is completely matt black, with the brand logo inscribed in the centre, in a darker, smoother and shinier black. On the back there is a white sticker with the model name and specifications in Chinese and English.
Inside it is found:
· A black cardboard envelope containing the user's manual and the warranty card.
· The capsules embedded in a hard foam mould.
· The cable, located inside a soft foam mould, under the capsules. It is wrapped up with a velcro tape, which is attached to the cable itself. The 3.5mm Jack connector is protected by a translucent plastic cover.
· A black cardboard box with the logo on the front, inside which is a velvet simile bag, where you can find a blister with three pairs of tips translucent white silicone, whose core is blue, SML sizes. There is a small bag with two more tips, medium size and dark color.
Although the presentation is soberly elegant, the content is the minimum required. The carrying bag is soft and offers little protection. Only 4 pairs of tips come from a single material, silicone.
Construction and design
As stated in the features, Ikko use an aviation grade alloy acoustic cavity, to reduce the internal harmonic resonance distortion to offer a sound more delicate and natural.
The front shape of the capsule reminds me of the African continent, but somewhat narrower at the bottom. The surface of the capsule has dents of questionable taste. The inside, however, is completely smooth and ergonomically rounded. The capsules are not thick. The nozzles are made of the same material and have a metal filter. Their length seems longer than it really is. The diameter is 6mm.
For the connection a transparent plastic insert is mounted to protect the two holes, both gold-plated.
The cable has 4 fine strands, covered with rugged plastic. It is quite flexible and the memory effect is low. The connector is in L, of mixed material, plastic in the elbow, metallic next to the plug, of the same color that the capsules.
The splitter is a metal cylinder, also of the same colour as the capsules. The connectors follow the same line, metallic and of the same colour, with a blue or red ring to distinguish the side. The two gold-plated pins are also finished in another plastic insert, very similar to those protecting the capsule connections. The cable close to the connectors is protected by a semi-rigid plastic sheath, shaped to facilitate its use on the ear.
The cable is simply good, not microphonic or very thick. It's easy to handle. But the strands that start from the splitter to the capsules, two on each side, give a fragile appearance, because they look fine and delicate. The ear hooks are fixed, they cannot be molded. There is no ring to adjust the cable under the chin.
In my opinion the cable, as a whole and finished, is of inferior quality than others that can be found in products of similar price.
The capsules, in spite of the particular finish on the front, have been designed to offer the highest degree of fit, isolation and comfort. They are very light, weighing only 6 grams each, despite the fact that they are metallic. The material used gives them a strong sensation of durability, as well as their finishes and connections.
Adjustment and ergonomics
The fit is very good, although the size of the nozzles does not allow deep insertion, but rather superficial. Although it would have improved if they were a little thinner and longer. In this case, the search for the right tips to achieve the best fit is the key. Once the optimal fit is achieved, movement is minimal and no readjustment is required due to its ergonomic shape. As there is no movement the sound is not modified, this makes them very suitable for use in everyday life, in addition to its lightness.
Sound
Profile
The sound is balanced, with some emphasis on the sub bass, but with more presence of the mid zone and low treble.
Bass
The sub-bass is quite linear and compact, it has a good presence compared to the rest of the area. This particularity gives the lows a generous feeling of depth. However, the rest of the bass has no great punch and are very neutral, far from satisfying bass-heads.
Thanks to the sub bass, the bass is not anemic at all and its texture denotes quality and naturalness. Also, the area has great control and articulation, being the speed and recovery quite good.
The notes of the lows are tight and fine, have very good definition and detail, never meddle in the mids.
From my point of view, declared bass lover, as a whole, the body offered is somewhat limited, as well as its global impact, compared above all with the mids. But for those who prefer balanced profiles, this area could be catalogued as very good, since, except for presence and punch, the rest are virtues.
Actually I have something that pushes me to keep talking about the lower zone of the OH1, it's like a love-hate relationship. I have tried to describe this zone previously in an objective way, starting from my own subjectivity. Something that is really condemned to failure in itself, as well as expressing an opinion about sound. But the idea is to try to isolate the lower zone from the rest of the sound spectrum. And this is easy, and that's where I have to properly ponder the bass of the OH1s, that's where the love relationship is born: the deep sub-bass dawns, the dry blow and content of the lower middle, the precise vanishing of the upper low towards the mids... But the hatred appears when the mids pass the hand in front of it...
Mids
Clearly this area is the most prominent of all sound. The mids are completely luminous, not brilliant. They enjoy great clarity and are placed above the bass in the presence. The cleanliness with which they are executed is remarkable and the resolution is great. The precision is equally impressive, as is the level of detail. But my feeling is that they show more natural than shamelessly analytical, because the micro detail is revealed moderately. Even so, the mids do not have that point of sweetness offered by other IEMs, but have a hint of coldness. The notes are fine but not sharp, but the origin of a very well tuned BA is noticeable. Technology and design seem to play a fundamental role in this sense, getting the best out of it. But it doesn't stop sounding like BA, a good BA, but BA after all. And this translates into what has been said, a millimetric sound that is lacking in passion and musicality. Bad? Of course not, it's another kind of pleasure or like acupuncture needles, which are inserted to heal.
The section on high mids and wheezing deserves extra mention: extra, above all, for control. The wheezing has passed, with a note, the cotton test. And never better said, something else must have been used to keep a prominent area like this stocking at bay.
Treble
The reason for this is the treble or the BA, more focused than extensive in very highs, but I do not blame him, I rather thank him. And the descent in the presence of this area can be appreciated above 5kHz, as if it were an aluminium staircase, with very narrow and infinite steps, precise and delicate, which are not soft but neither sharp nor metallic.
Soundstage, separation
Let's start with the separation: ultra, mega, hyper...? No. Let's go to the other topic: the sound is crystalline, the separation is obvious due to the thinness of the notes, the transparency is appreciated with the naked eye. But the air does not expand the scene as one might expect, it gives it depth but not so much width. Nor does it enjoy a very evident three-dimensional stage, despite the high dose of transparency. The positioning is good and detailed, but I miss something more dynamic or depth that finally widens the scene.
Comparisons
Fiio FH1
Both the Fiio FH1 and the Ikko OH1 share the same Knowles 33518 BA driver, but the difference in profile between the two is abysmal. The FH1 have a bass and dark profile, with a very evident and thick bass, The mids are recessed in relation to its low area, in addition to having quite little brightness, definition, detail and air. The difference between the mids of both are night (FH1) and day (OH1), is so great, it seems to lie that they share the same BA.
BQEYZ KB100 (Bass mod)
The KB100 are a triple driver (2 DD + 1 BA) of 50$, whose profile could be reminiscent of the OH1. After applying the Bass Mod to the KB100, the presence of the lower zone is shot against that of the OH1, offering greater presence and body, generating something more dynamic and fun. But again, the sub-bass of the OH1 is there to offer that differential point that the KB100 cannot counteract, at the level of depth and execution of the zone. Regardless of the level of presence of both, the lower zone of the OH1 is shown to be richer in nuances and texture, definition and control.
However, the big difference is still in the mid zone. The voices are presented in a closer plane and stellar, in the OH1. In KB100, voices sound warmer, but do not enjoy the resolution and level of detail offered by OH1, air, definition, luminosity ... The big difference in price is clearly noticed here, the qualitative leap to sound level is based on the sub bass and quality in the execution of the low zone, in the mids in general and in the treble too, because they have better definition, a more active and precise presence, especially in the low treble, where they extend clearly more.
But the difference is not only in the sound, but also in the comfort and ergonomics of the OH1, offering a more optimal and pleasant fit.
As a clear plus point, KB100s are easier to move than OH1.
Dunu DN-1000
The classic DN-1000, triple drivers that do not need any presentation, use BA drivers also from Knowles.
The first thing that is noticed is the difference of profile, more in V in the DN-1000, more balanced in the OH1. The sinking in the central zone of the mid to high frequencies is accused in the Dunu, offering a dark sound comparatively speaking, lacking in resolution, nuances and details. There is a feeling of musical loss in that area, something that the DN-1000 do not offer, is demonstrated with all luxury of details in the OH1. From this derives a sense of openness, greater scene and separation that is not appreciated in the Dunu.
But if there is one thing I have to emphasize about the DN-1000, it is its low zone, sub bass included, since it offers a global power that the OH1 cannot compete, in spite of its great quality.
Anew U1
The Anew U1 are clear competitors of the OH1 in their price range. But really the decision to buy one or the other is not based on its quality, but on its features: If you are looking for a V-sound with powerful bass, warm and detailed mids, although somewhat distant, with some good treble presence, but under control, you would choose the U1. If on the contrary one seeks a more balanced sound, with mids with greater resolution, presence and richness, as well as greater extension in highs, would buy the OH1.
At scene level, despite the great separation offered by the OH1, is wider in the U1, I have a feeling of greater expansion with them, perhaps due to the greater extension offered by the lower U1.
In ergonomics and adjustment the OH1 are better, fitting in a firmer and safer way than the U1.
As for the cable, the U1 comes with a cable that I love, at the height of the beauty of the capsules. Meanwhile, the OH1 bring a more conventional cable, where the most remarkable are the connections, apart from its great flexibility.
In short, both IEMs could be easily complementary, having both it would be easy to use one or the other depending on the musical genre to reproduce, in order to maximize the qualities of each one.
Conclusion
I've needed more brain training time with Ikko OH1 than hours of burning. After enjoying other more visceral profiles, the OH1 require a listening that demands pause and detailed analysis. Concentration to enjoy the bass, to assimilate that its quality is not in quantity or exuberance, but in its depth and other intangibles that we audiophiles appreciate, or begin to appreciate, thanks to IEMs like these. However, the mids do not require anything of that, because their virtues are instantly perceived. Just like that clearly analytical character with a great deal of transparency, detail and refinement.
The Ikko Oh1 are a clear difference, a valuable alternative to de-numb the ears and train them for an exercise of precision and micro beauty.
Sources used during the analysis
· Burson Playmate
· F.Audio S1
· Sabaj Da3
Purchase link
https://penonaudio.com/ikko-oh1.html
Link to the Store
https://penonaudio.com
You can read my full review in spanish here:
https://hiendportable.com/2019/02/17/ikko-oh1/
