Linsoul BLD 150ohm

Pocket stage - Linsoul BLD Earbuds



Linsoul BLD Earbuds are a pair of earbuds made by linsoul, costing around 40 USD at the moment of writing this review. They have a few enemies, and they come with a Balanced 2.5mm Balanced connector, rather than a 3.5mm Single Ended connector.




Introduction

Linsoul BLD is the first earbud / product branded as Linsoul that I am reviewing from the mighty shop, one that's really quite interesting. The shop, Linsoul, is basically one of the largest shops from China, selling Chi-Fi IEMs and earbuds, or even headphones and DAPs (Digital Audio Players). They speak English very well, and are very friendly, and they'll surely solve any warranty issues, if they are to arise, being a really trustworthy shop to order products from.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Linsoul, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Linsoul or anyone else. I'd like to thank Linsoul for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Linsoul's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal experience with Linsoul BLD Earbuds. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Linsoul BLD Earbuds find their next music companion.

Product Link (AliExpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lin...arphone-4-4mm-2-5mm-Balanced/32869327378.html

Product Link (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Impedance-Balanced-Fidelity-Earphone/dp/B07CHC4RTC



About me

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/p/about.html



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:







Well, this time there ain't no package, the Earbuds just came coiled in a carrying case. I'm not sure if this is the final version of the package, or if there will be a full package, but either way, for an entry-level Earbud, I don't really mind.



What to look in when purchasing an entry-level Earbud

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/p/what-to-lookl.html



Technical Specifications

Brand Name:Linsoul
Resistance:150Ω
Line Length:1.2m
Plug Type:Line Type
Sensitivity:110dB
Frequency Response Range:20-20000Hz
Vocalism Principleynamic
Impedance:150 ohm
Connector:2.5mm/4.4mm Balanced



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Linsoul BLD is an earbud that on the outside looks pretty much like every single earbud you've seen before, besides the red foams, and the cables, they have very few features to talk about.



The foams provide some support for your ears, and they are actually quite comfortable in long-term wearing, thing which I couldn't say about BGVP DX3S, for some reason, the shape and size of Linsoul BLD simply fits much better with my ears.

BLD has two openings at the back, which act as both ventilations, and sound ports, the sound changes if you cover them up, so keeping them open provides the best sound possible with BLD.

The cable is quite interesting, it looks pretty well made, and quite interesting, it is ended in a 2.5mm Balanced jack, Linsoul BLD being the only earbud that comes like this.



The cables are only a bit microphonic, which is still a downside, and wearing them over-the-ear is possible, but doesn't look very pretty.

All in all, the build quality is fair, plastic all around, but they have good comfort, and a fancy-looking cable with a fancy jack.



Sound Quality

Please note that with earbuds, it is normal for the sound quality to vary more between users than with IEMs, because earbuds do not have a perfect seal.

This being said, the poor seal of earbuds, which is typical, also means that with most earbuds the bass rolls off below 80 Hz or so.



Now, ith Linsoul BLD, the sound is warm, very wide, quite dynamic, detailed, and clear, the midrange is in focus, but they have a good musical note weight, and they sound rather good at both medium and louder volumes.

The bass is actually well extended for an earbud, down to about 65 - 70 Hz, it has good presence and thickness. The bass impact is fairly good for a 40 USD Earbud, and so is the overall detail. The bass also colors the midrange a bit with a pleasing warmth, without making the whole sound too thick or veiled.



The midrange is warm tuned, and has a nice musicality to it, there is a good sense of space and depth with Linsoul BLD, they have a good amount of dynamics, especially for a 40 USD Earbud, and they have a nice instrument separation. The detail levels are also pretty good, with a nice nautral overall presentation of both male and female voices.

The treble goes until about 9 kHz, but doesn't have any peaks or dips that would color it, it is a natural treble, and they feel quite airy. There is little cymbal energy and texture, there is almost no grain, and they are neither metallic nor harsh.

The rather amazing dynamics and detail, along with the wide and airy sound are most probably powered by the fact that I'm powering it from a rather high-end source, like FiiO Q5 + AM03A, which is really good, and since I'm kind of forced to use Linsoul BLD with high-quality balanced outputs, you'll be as well, and they will perform better than most Earbuds in this price range, especially compared to earbuds that would come with a Single Ended Output.

Overall, they are a pleasing surprise if you're looking for a pair of earbuds, I was actually amazed by their sound for the low price and for the rather non-eccentric aesthetics.



Portable Usage

The portable usage is average.

Wearing Linsoul BLD portably has one or two disadvantages, namely the fact that they have driver flex, and the fact that they have a 2.5mm Balanced output, so you'll basically require a dedicated DAP to power them, as no smartphone and no Bluetooth module doesn't come with a 2.5mm Balanced output.



This makes the decision to design them like this a touch questionable, like, even the most affordable DAP with a 2.5mm balanced output is fairly pricey compared to the price of those Earbuds, and even if you wanted to get earbuds, you may look at something more expensive, based on the 2.5mm Balanced output.

Also, they are fully open, so there is little isolation, you need to either crank the volume really high, or accommodate hearing a lot of noise from the outside world, if wearing them portably.

They leak sound quite a bit as well, so you probably won't want to listen to technical death metal or grindcore while taking a nice sunday bus trip while wearing Linsoul BLD.



Comparisons

The main competitor of Linsoul BLD is BGVP DX3S (50 USD), as I simply haven't tested that many other Earbuds in the more affordable price range yet. Comparing BLD to IEMs is possible but not really the point of this review, since they are earbuds and the better seal of IEMs would provide a much better sound. I can say this though, compared to most sub 50 USD IEMS, Linsoul BLD manages to sound more open and have a warmer, more pleasing midrange, but lacks the bass depth and treble sparkle of most.

Linsoul BLD vs BGVP DX3S - Starting with the package, DX3S wins hands-down. They come with an actual package, they come with accessories and with many of them. DX3S also has detachable cables. The price between the two is the same, but DX3S also has better build quality, better cable, and better accessories. This being said, Linsoul BLD is much more comfortable, where DX3S barely say in my ears. BLD has a much sweeter, more warm, more pleasing midrange, a more euphonic experience with more bass, where DX3S is considerably colder, more wide and airy, sounds more open, but the bass rolls out quicker, they have less bass presence and less impact, and less note weight, where BLD sounds much more natural, with a more spot-on tonality for both male and female vocals. Overall, Linsoul BLD is made to be listened, it is not fancy, but it sounds really pleasing and euphonic, it sounds warm and happy, where DX3S is cold and lacks bass, it is uncomfortable, although it has a much better package and build quality than Linsoul BLD.



Value and Conclusion

Linsoul BLD is a 40 USD Earbud from China, sold by Linsoul, you know it will have a good value, and an excellent warranty, and although it doesn't come with much in terms of package, it has a nice comfort, and a really warm and pleasing sound.



They aren't the most portable though, and you will require a source with a balanced output, they will leak a lot of sound, and they won't isolate very well, but the sound is very open, warm, and pleasing, and they are a pleasure to listen, especially with warmer, more happy music.

Since you'll need a Balanced source, you'll also be taking advantage of better DAPs, but then again, at 40 USD, those are probably going to be your emergency Earbuds, as if you've spent about 150 USD on a DAP (Digital Audio Player), I would highly recommend purchasing at least a 150 - 300 USD IEM / Headphone to pair it with, the earbud / IEM / Headphone is really important in your listening setup. But then again, even if stacked against IEMs in the 100 USD price range, if you don't mind the bass roll-off, Linsoul BLD still has a really sweet and nice midrnage, and a good amount of detail and dynamics.



If you're looking for an entry-level earbud with a 2.5mm Balanced Jack, you'll surely want to take a look at Linsoul BLD, for their warm midrange, rather pleasing bass experience, and for their hassle-free, fatigue-free and smooth treble, which is sure to never stress you.

Product Link (AliExpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lin...arphone-4-4mm-2-5mm-Balanced/32869327378.html

Product Link (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Impedance-Balanced-Fidelity-Earphone/dp/B07CHC4RTC



Full Playlist used for this review

While we listened to considerably more songs than those named in this playlist, those are excellent for identifying certain aspects of the sound, like PRaT, Texturization, Detail, Resolution, Dynamics, Impact, and overall tonality. We recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you're searching for new most, most of them being rather catchy.

Tidal Playlist

https://tidal.com/playlist/64555551-ec3c-4279-ae44-248fdfcf6c4b

Song List

Bats - Gamma Ray Burst: Second Date
Eskimo Callboy - Frances
Incubus - Summer Romance
Electric Six - Dager! High Voltage
Kishida Cult - High School Of The Dead
Dimmu Borgir - Dimmu Borgir
Breaking Benjamin - I Will Not Bow
Thousand Foot Krutch - The Flame In All Of Us
Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
Infected Mushroom - Song Pong
Attack Attack - Kissed A Girl
Doctor P - Bulletproof
Maximum The Hormone - Rock n Roll Chainsaw
Rob Zombie - Werewolf, Baby!
Escape The Fate - Gorgeous Nightmare
SOAD - Chop Suey
Ken Ashcorp - Absolute Territory
Machinae Supremacy - Need For Steve
Ozzy Osbourne - I Don't Wanna Stop
Crow'sclaw - Loudness War
Eminem - Rap God
Stromae - Humain À L'eau
Sonata Arctica - My Selene
Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back
Metallica - Fuel
Veil Of Maya - Unbreakable
Masa Works - Golden Japang
REOL - Luvoratorrrrry
Dope - Addiction
Korn - Word Up!
Papa Roach - ... To be Loved
Fever The Ghost - Source
Fall Out Boy - Immortals
Green Day - Know The Enemy
Mindless Self Indulgence - London Bridge
A static Lullaby - Toxic
Royal Republic - Addictive
Astronautalis - The River, The Woods
We Came As Romans - My Love
Skillet - What I Believe
Man With A Mission - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Yasuda Rei - Mirror
Mojo Juju - Must Be Desire
Falling Up - Falling In Love
Manafest - Retro Love
Rodrigo Y Grabriela - Paris
Zomboy - Lights Out
Muse - Resistance
T.A.T.U & Rammstein - Mosaku
Grey Daze - Anything, Anything
Katy Perry - Who Am I Living For
Maroon 5 - Lucky Strike
Machinae Supremacy - Killer Instinct
Pendulum - Propane Nightmares
Sirenia - Lithium And A Lover
Saving Abel - Addicted
Hollywood Undead - Levitate
The Offspring - Special Delivery
Escape The Fate - Smooth
Samsara Blues Experiment - One With The Universe
Dope - Rebel Yell
Crazy Town - Butterfly
Silverstein - My Heroine

I hope my review is helpful to you!

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Contact me!











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Greetings,

Today we're checking out Linsoul's in-house creation, the BLD.

The ear bud renaissance is over, leaving the form factor in a great position. They are a reliable and viable purchase for those who want something less intrusive than an in-ear earphone, more portable than a headphone, or that simply prefer the design and fit. It's not hard to find an earbud that offers up excellent performance for the price, and the BLD is no exception.

Let's take a closer look!

Disclaimer:

The BLD unexpectedly arrived on my doorstep about a month a go. It was sent over for the purposes of review by Lillian at DD Audio/Linsoul Tech. The thoughts within this review are my own and do not reflect those of DD Audio, Linsoul, or any other entity. No financial incentive was provided to write this review.

The BLD can be equipped with a 2.5mm or 4.4mm balanced jack and retails for 39.99 USD or 44.99 USD respectively; https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...12010612/itm2home-1.8148356.48.740d67a7Qomea1

Source:

The BLD spent nearly all it's time powered by the Radsone ES100 which provided more than enough clean power to run it, regardless of whether it was running in Bluetooth or USB DAC modes. My other balanced source is the Walnut F1 and to be frank, it sounded horrible with the BLD (harsh and grainy), so I stopped using it after a couple songs. The BLD is a 150 ohm bud, but it is also quite sensitive at 110dB so you shouldn't need anything too powerful to run it adequately. Sourcing music to the ES100 was either my LG G6 (via Bluetooth) or Asus FX53V laptop (USB or Bluetooth).

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer examples of signatures I enjoy. I generally listen at very low volumes, so keep this in mind when reading my thoughts on how an earphone sounds.

Specifications:

• Drivers: Dynamic
• Frequency Response: 20-20,000Hz
• Sensitivity: 110dB
• Impedance: 150ohms

Packaging and Accessories:

The BLD didn't arrive with any formal packaging, but it did come with a pleasant accessory kit. In all you get:

• Linsoul BLD earbuds
• Semi-hard clamshell carrying case
• 4 pairs of full-foams (2x black, 2x orange)
• Shirt clip

I would like to see one set of each color foam replaced with a donut option for some more variety, but you really can't complain about what you get. Four sets of foams, should you opt to use them, will last a while before needing replacement and the case is plenty large enough to hold everything. Plus, if you have a compact device to use it with, such as the ES100, you can squeeze it in there too.

Build and Comfort:

The BLD's shells are all plastic molded in the curvaceous style of Yuin's excellent shells. The visible mold lines and matte surface don't look particularly premium, but it all feels very solid to the touch. The L/R markers could also be printed on with a more permanent paint as they're already showing signs of rubbing off. Regardless of the visual averageness, I'm confident these shells could take some abuse if levied their way. The cable could too, as it is absolutely stellar.

The sheath is a little on the stiff side but feels quite dense and tough. This isn't something you're going to cut or tear by accident. Inside, the vibrant copper is offset by a black highlight that snakes it's way throughout. It's a very visually impressive cable. The y-split on the other hand is two chintzy pieces of plastic glued together that, unlike the rest of the build, is not very confidence inspiring. At least there's a useful chin cinch above it that helps ensure a secure fit if you're having issues keeping the BLD in your ears. The 2.5mm straight jack is mostly metal sans the attractive carbon insert. You can screw it apart should you need to do repairs or wish to replace it with something else. Taking it apart also shows off the neat construction with a piece of heat shrink protecting the soldering job. HiFiman could learn and thing or two here. Head over to my RE800 review if you want to see how they did it.

Comfort is outstanding, as is always the case with this style of shell. They're impossibly light and low profile when in the ear which making for a fantastic wearing experience. These are a bud I can toss in and wear for hours with zero discomfort, something that's hard to achieve with this form factor. I'm also taking into account you've got ears large enough to carry them appropriately as the driver cover is 16mm across, about standard for an earbud in my experience.


Sound:

Foams: Foams didn't make as much of a difference here as I've experienced with other ear buds. Full foam make the mid-range a bit thicker than donuts, and no foams sound a little thinner than everything else. I recommend just going with whatever feels most comfortable to you. For me, that was the pre-installed orange full foams.

Earbuds tend to do neutral quite well and quite often, and the BLD is no exception. It's a great example of a near-neutral signature, though not one you're going to be using for critical listening. Roll of on both ends is present giving them a smooth. mellow, slightly mid-forward signature.

Treble is evenly emphasized without any sharp peaks that I could detect. Roll off is present and as such there isn't a ton of sparkle to your tunes. Emphasis is placed on the lower treble regions which helps with upper frequency definition and with keeping the mid-range clear and articulate. Micro detail is somewhat smoothed over which helps play into their easy going presentation.

The mid-range is slightly forward and has a good thickness and weight to it. Vocals sound especially good and have a strong presence making them awesome for vocal-focused media. Everything sounds realistic too, without anything coming across overly light or unnatural. Once again, micro-detail is a little lacking so subtle track nuances are smoothed over, such as the tiny snaps of saliva shifting in the mouth of Paul Williams while he sings on “Touch” from Daft Punk’s album Random Access Memories.

Bass is quite polite. Sub-bass roll off is very much present, though it's not entirely absent. While definitely not an ideal pairing for Kavinski's “Solli” you do still get some physical feedback during the opening basslines. Mid and upper bass is kept in check without any bleed into the lower mid-range. Speed is decent with good control. Texture and impact are limited making the overall presentation is touch too smooth for my tastes. It does make for a nice pairing with tracks like Dillon Francis' “We The Funk (ft. Fuego)” which sounds stellar with refined products like the BLD.

Sound stage is quite good with lots of space present between instruments and effects. Depth could see some improvement though. Instrument separation is pretty decent, but I did find King Crimson's “Starless and Bible Black” a touch congested during the final semi-improv jazz session. Layering is also solid. Overall the sound stage is spacious, but not quite as dynamic as it could be.

Select Comparisons:

Kinera Earbuds: The 32ohm Kinera is more extended at either end with a less prominent, leaner sounding mid-range. It's more v-shaped and as such offers up a more vibrant sound that works better than the BLD with less vocal-focused, bass-heavy tracks, such as Pegboard Nerds x Quiet Disorder's “Move That Body (Soltan Remix)”. Sound stage is larger too, though that is partly due to the dials back mids and thinner sound. They both use a Yuin style shell but Kinera's is painted with a gorgeous metallic black that looks phenomenal. It's definitely the looker of the two. The BLD's cable is much nicer though. The Kinera's braided cable retains tons of little micro-bends and doesn't feel particularly durable. Comfort is identically outstanding.

HE 150Pro: The HE 150Pro is also a 150ohm bud, but it's lower sensitivity (103dB) makes a big difference in terms of raw volume. You need a lot more power to get the 150Pro to the same loudness. Once there, I found the 150Pro to have a much more textured bassline with significantly greater extension. It also felt faster and better able to deal with greater track and genre variety. The mid-range isn't as forward as the BLD's, nor as thick, but outputs more detail. Treble sees greater extension through the 150Pro too, though I can see it verging on being a touch bright for some. For me it is near perfect, bring sparking and shimmer to cymbals and chimes without being harsh. Sound stage is similar to the BLD but with greater depth and improved separation. For my personal preferences, the HE 150Pro is still the bud to beat, though it's signature is notably less balanced than the BLD's, and it's more lively, vibrant sound more fatiguing.


Final Thoughts:

I have really enjoyed my time with the BLD and found it to be an excellent earphone for everyday listening. It's extremely comfortable and durable with a beautiful cable and a signature that is great for long sessions, be they at home, work, or where ever. It would be nice if it had better low end extension and a bit more micro-detail, but that would take away from the generally inoffensive, neutral nature of it's sound. It would also distract from that gorgeously lush mid-range.

If you're looking for a near-neutral, sub-50 USD earbud, the BLD would be a wonderful choice.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock - Skelethon (Album)
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (Album)
Elton John - Yellow Golden Brick Road (Album)
King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Converting Vegetarians (Album)
Infected Mushroom - Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack - Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco - screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt - Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bone) (Album)

I got the opportunity to test the new Linsoul BLD 150ohm balanced earbuds. They come in either 2.5mm or 4.4mm. I opted for the 2.5mm.



Pricing for the 4.4mm version is currently at $40.49 USD.
Pricing for the 2.5mm version is currently at $35.99 USD.

*I did purchase the Linsoul BLD 150ohm, though at a discounted rate.

Both types can be found here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lin...arphone-4-4mm-2-5mm-Balanced/32869327378.html

Specifications:
- Impedance: 150Ω
- Earphone sensitivity: 110dB/mW
- Frequency range: 20-20000Hz

At the time I am writing this, I seem to have the one and only order of this new earbud.

With a first glance you can tell it is built with quality materials that are also very pleasing to the eye. The cable and plug are both Particularly handsome



There is not much in the way of accessories, just a basic case and a few foam tips. For this price point, it seems everything went into the design and sound production.

For pairing, I mostly used the Earstudio ES100 with my LG V20, because well, it sounds awesome. I will say it is a fantastic portable setup.



The Linsoul BLD 150ohm has a very close to neutral signature. If it did have any bias, it would be ever so slightly towards the mids. Bass is reserved, but still present. Highs are rolled off just a tad early, giving them a smooth aftertaste. There is plenty of detail through out the audible range, though I would not say these are reference buds. Instead they seem to play well with all genres with an overall enjoyable sound.

Because of the comfort of the Yuin type shells and the ease of the playback, the Linsoul BLD 150ohm is well purposed for extended use.

I really do there is good value with the current pricing. I look forward to seeing others getting their hands these earbuds and reading future reviews.

Personally I can easily recommend the Linsoul BLD 150ohm and I hope more people will enjoy them as much as I do.

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