Shozy AVA TWS Universal IEM
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Shozy AVA TWS
The wireless audio industry is seeing a boom. With the need for wireless connectivity via bluetooth using all of our phones and devices we carry. Wireless devices make using earphones more convenient. I saw a random post recently remarking on a wired IEM review where the comment said. “ Wired IEMs are so yesterday.” I laughed out loud at that remark. But there is some truth to that post as your average non audiophile would probably prefer not to be tethered with wires hanging out of their ears. Seems everything is going wireless nowadays cus it is so modern. Then there is the convenience of not being physically wired. With enough years of bluetooth innovation using newer advanced codecs and wireless transmission. Just from my own stint with more recent wireless IEMs. Bluetooth is clearly making gains when it comes to sound. No matter how you see it, bluetooth wireless phones are here to stay.
Just about everyone in the industry either has TWS products out in the market or are making them as I type. The AVA is Shozys version of the TWS IEM and while this is their first TWS product, The AVA is surprisingly a mature product that comes to the masses with some pros and cons of its design. Which I will get into in this review. This being said, I can see them making even better ones in the future. For now we have the new AVA TWS from Shozy. Shozy tuning has a specific house sound which actually translates well to a wireless product. Even without knowing it was from Shozy I can clearly tell these were tuned and made by Shozy.
Shozy is all about a warm, somewhat old school musical style of sound tunings. If you're looking for harmon neutral analytical tuned sound, Shozy has nothing to do with harmon based tunings just so you know. Musical warm bassy full bodied sounding IEMs is your jam? Shozy tunings are just this. I equate Shozy house sound to be the Chinese equivalent to a Bose type sound. Very similar in tuning approaches actually.
With that I would like to thank Penon audio and Shozy for the review sample of their latest creation in the Shozy AVA. If you feel the need to get yourself a set of AVAs you can buy them here on Penon audio website. I have used the AVA daily to break them in for the past month and to test out their battery capacity. Connected them to 3 main sources for sound and function testing. My Laptop, my Samsung Galaxy phone, and my Fiio M15 for music listening.
Build wise, the AVA is made of hard plastics which in of itself is OK but I don’t have the best confidence these will take a fall from the head onto a hard surface. Banging your head to a heavy metal track would not be a good idea is my point. They fit secure enough for my medium sized ears but the included tips are just standard silicones with no real benefit to their existence besides being the tips that were included with the AVA. So what makes matters a bit worse is that the ear pieces are a touch smaller in stature. You have to have a secure 3-4 fingers on the housing to put into the ears or to take them out otherwise they might actually see an early death just a warning. Otherwise the cradle and the earpieces fit well and have no issues charging the internal battery of each piece. The Cradle itself is a nice porcelain white color that seems sturdy enough. Comes with 3 led green lights that indicate the internal charge of its battery.
I also found it a bit strange that my review sample of the AVA did not come with any instructions at all. So far I figured out how to turn on and off, pause, play, FF, and restart the current track via touch controls on the outer shells but otherwise you are left to figure things out for yourself. I still haven’t figured out if there is volume control at all. You can raise the volume from your source and that is what I am doing. So far single touch pauses music, double tap and it FF or Rewinds, longer press turns off the ear pieces. Music pauses automatically when getting phone calls.
The earpieces connect easily enough out of the cradle it starts to look for bluetooth pairing so not too confusing there.
Testing the parameters for the signal. It's not bad at about 30 ft without distortion or music cutout indoors. So yes you can leave your source/phone in the center of a room to do chores. I have had better but it is certainly decent. The stated battery time when using them outside of the charging cradle is supposedly 6 hours. Real world use is closer to 5 hours. Its relatively short listening time is ok. When put back into the cradle, the earpieces charge to max capacity quickly in roughly 45 minutes to an hour. You can repeat this process for the allowed 55 hours worth of charge time the cradle handles.
AVA comes with a set of silicones and a usb charging cable, a good looking all white charging cradle and that is really about it. No instructions as mentioned above. This is forgivable for a review sample but for a prospective buyer that spends on a new TWS IEM? Not so much. I asked @recdarmoose, the other reviewer of the AVA if he got some instructions and the answer to that was no. So there is a very good chance you will have to wing it for how to do things with the AVA.
Sound.
So this is where Shozy AVA makes up for its shortcomings. Shozy house sound is a bit like listening to a warmed up pair of old high end speakers. This can be good and it can be bad depending on what your audio sensibilities are when it comes to sound. It is one thing to be sitting at home and using your favorite pair of headphones or IEMs for critical listening but it is entirely another to be going on with your daily commute, working or walking about among a crowd of people.
For outdoor use the AVA has no ANC or does it have transparency mode for conversing with others while using the AVA. Its simple phone functions work as intended with clear vocal calls. Of course your music drops out when speaking using a phone. It is missing some of the higher end codecs like LHDC or LDAC and aptX is the highest end codec that the AVA uses. The other two being AAC and SBC codecs.
The sound quality of the AVA leans more toward a musical big dimensional full bodied sound production with a beefy bass note. A type of tuning common among Shozy IEMs actually. How that type of sound translates into a TWS IEM is actually something that actually ends up being enjoyable for your out and about excursions.
Nothing wrong with getting a TWS sound that mimics wired neutral harmon reference tuned sound I suppose but one issue with that is, when you're out and about without ANC, bass will drop off the face of the planet when listening to music. So having a beefier bass note is actually a good thing especially when you're outdoors. Due to the AVA shells being stuffed with electronics, it has much better passive isolation than you would imagine. Which again helps you shut out the rest of the world and gets you into your music.
The tuning of the AVA is more consumer than audiophile. Meaning it has a big bass end that comes alive with its 3D virtual sound processing. This processing is a bit unique in that it brings more of a diffused sound field to the sonics of the AVA vs sounding closed in. Its encompassing musical full bodied sound is a bit like having a dolby type processing for its sound. A big warm thick, rich and meaty dimensional sound signature. The balance is there but it has one aspect that might be a deal breaker for some. It uses a 6Khz spike in its treble presentation which is both good and bad at the same time. Let me explain.
Technicals.
The AVA is not the most technical sounding TWS IEM, It relies heavily on its full bodied dimensional sound. There is a certain wall of sound effect from how they tuned the AVA that again is both good and bad. Its sound separation, detail and imaging could be better, could be its warmer tonal quality with a big mid bass emphasis masks some detail for the sound but overall certainly not bad at the price point. Think old school jukebox sound quality and I think you might get a good idea what I am talking about here.
They sound nothing like a wired IEM at the same price point due to its unique dimensional processing and Shozy’s old school type tuning. Its imaging is unique in that it was tuned to be dimensional and for the most part it succeeds which will actually WOW folks when you hear music through the AVA for the first time. Its timbre suffers a bit due to the ample coloration in the tuning but heck who cares when you want to get your music on with a full thick warm bassy signature going on for your outdoor excursion. To be honest this is the type of tuning I personally like for outdoor endeavors. Nothing says you're having a good time like camping using the AVAs and getting your thump on.
Trebles
Is a bit uneven. Mid trebles are where the main point of emphasis is in fact it is deliberately tuned with a 6Khz spike. A bit unconventional and will be an issue for folks that are sensitive to the region. Most wired IEMs nowadays stay away from that region. Not Shozy. I know some are very sensitive to the region and the treble tuning can get a bit splashy for drum accents and a bit neutered for higher level treble notes. It seems whoever is at the helm at Shozy tunes more by ear vs following an established harmon curve. If you're a fan of old school speaker sound I think you would love how the AVA sounds. 6 Khz treble emphasis and all, it makes the treble sound a bit like speaker tweeters. If you're sensitive to the region then consider this a warning.
However the spike and its unevenness and all, kinda works with the rest of the tuning. It has enough treble presence to balance out the big bass it's got so not all is lost in the way Shozy tuned these. These mimic a speaker sound experience and I think that is what Shozy was trying to do with the tunging. Its virtual processing manages to spread out the sound in a dimensional manner and seems to bring a bigger diffused sound field than your average wired IEM sound. The upper trebles is lacking so not the most airiest of treble notes but for what it's got, it does pick off details well enough to call the sound complete.
The coloration of the trebles means anything close to the mid treble bands will be highlighted but the treble tuning could be more even and better balanced. I am ok with the treble presentation as it forcefully highlights treble notes at times and with tunes that don't have much emphasis in the area it sounds more balanced to my ears. So it will be a matter of how brightly recorded your tracks and how much treble your tunes have in them in the first place. For the most part works to convey the trebles but not my favorite type of treble tunings.
Mids
Has a male vocal bias as it has some thicker lower mids than your traditional upper mids emphasis for most IEMs nowadays. Again this is how Shozy likes to tune their IEMs and just about all of them have some type of warmth due to the thicker lower mid profile. Music notes in general has a full note weight as a result. This is where that old school tuning comes into play. Its mids production has a very good body of note and there is nothing that sounds thin or recessed compared to your traditional v shaped IEM. I can say the AVA is more of an unconventional V shaped IEM in that it does have that treble spike to balance out the big mid bass of the AVA.
Mids layering I find to be a strong suit of the AVA. That meaty sound is on full display when walking around. It is quite immersive in the process. As mentioned above its technicalities are not the best but when you have a big full rich sound that envelopes your hearing and your listening to enjoy the music vs analyzing. Hey, this works. While it lacks a bit in an accurate timbre or does it have a crystalline imaging aspect to it. It makes up for it in sheer musicality, fullness with that rich tonal character.
Bass 10dbs of beef chuck.
Is the aspect that is intriguing with the AVA.
Nothing wrong with a bit of rumbly beefy bass for your outdoor excursions. Especially tuned for the younger set as these have a big dose of bass for its sound signature. Much like the rest of the sound we are not talking audiophile bass but something a bit more trunk of funk in the type of bass. Mid bass is big on the AVA and it does cast a shadow on the tuning causing warmth. Not overly so but it's there. Its tonal character is clearly leaning more so on the warm side of neutral. It's not that the bass is overly cooked or has a bit too much. We are talking roughly 10dbs of boom. Which again means the AVA is a very colored sounding IEM. Bassheads especially would enjoy the beefy slabs of bass that are included in its sound signature. The AVA reminds me of Shozy’s B2 IEMs I did a review for here.
Much like the Shozy B2 The AVA will clearly satisfy a bass fan. More mid bass than sub bass but since it has plenty of mid bass the roll off is not severe towards the sub notes. In fact it is very surprising the power you get with its deep rumble. It clearly has some power behind its bass notes. Actually using the AVA outdoors the bass ends up balancing the sound much more so than being indoors. The AVA most definitely has more of a fun type of sound signature than anything that I would consider enthusiast or audiophile. But again who is actually doing sound analysis using a TWS IEM outdoors anyhow is my point. Don’t know about you but I actually require and demand a full bass end when outdoors which the AVA clearly provides.
In the end
The AVA ends up being the type of sound that is very enjoyable for outdoor use. Its usability is intuitive and while it could use some better battery times. It makes up for it with a sound design way more suited for outdoor use. These are TWS IEMs for bass fans but it is how they present that bass with its dimensional processing that makes the AVA sound unique for TWS IEMs. For their very first TWS IEM Shozy has applied their trademark warm full bodied bassy sound tuning for the AVA that ends up being much more enjoyable than you would imagine. Especially for old timers that enjoy this type of musical sound signature. If your in the market for a new TWS IEM that don't conform to what is the norm nowadays. These might be what you're looking for. As always, thanks for taking the time to read. Happy listening always.
The wireless audio industry is seeing a boom. With the need for wireless connectivity via bluetooth using all of our phones and devices we carry. Wireless devices make using earphones more convenient. I saw a random post recently remarking on a wired IEM review where the comment said. “ Wired IEMs are so yesterday.” I laughed out loud at that remark. But there is some truth to that post as your average non audiophile would probably prefer not to be tethered with wires hanging out of their ears. Seems everything is going wireless nowadays cus it is so modern. Then there is the convenience of not being physically wired. With enough years of bluetooth innovation using newer advanced codecs and wireless transmission. Just from my own stint with more recent wireless IEMs. Bluetooth is clearly making gains when it comes to sound. No matter how you see it, bluetooth wireless phones are here to stay.
Just about everyone in the industry either has TWS products out in the market or are making them as I type. The AVA is Shozys version of the TWS IEM and while this is their first TWS product, The AVA is surprisingly a mature product that comes to the masses with some pros and cons of its design. Which I will get into in this review. This being said, I can see them making even better ones in the future. For now we have the new AVA TWS from Shozy. Shozy tuning has a specific house sound which actually translates well to a wireless product. Even without knowing it was from Shozy I can clearly tell these were tuned and made by Shozy.
Shozy is all about a warm, somewhat old school musical style of sound tunings. If you're looking for harmon neutral analytical tuned sound, Shozy has nothing to do with harmon based tunings just so you know. Musical warm bassy full bodied sounding IEMs is your jam? Shozy tunings are just this. I equate Shozy house sound to be the Chinese equivalent to a Bose type sound. Very similar in tuning approaches actually.
With that I would like to thank Penon audio and Shozy for the review sample of their latest creation in the Shozy AVA. If you feel the need to get yourself a set of AVAs you can buy them here on Penon audio website. I have used the AVA daily to break them in for the past month and to test out their battery capacity. Connected them to 3 main sources for sound and function testing. My Laptop, my Samsung Galaxy phone, and my Fiio M15 for music listening.
Build wise, the AVA is made of hard plastics which in of itself is OK but I don’t have the best confidence these will take a fall from the head onto a hard surface. Banging your head to a heavy metal track would not be a good idea is my point. They fit secure enough for my medium sized ears but the included tips are just standard silicones with no real benefit to their existence besides being the tips that were included with the AVA. So what makes matters a bit worse is that the ear pieces are a touch smaller in stature. You have to have a secure 3-4 fingers on the housing to put into the ears or to take them out otherwise they might actually see an early death just a warning. Otherwise the cradle and the earpieces fit well and have no issues charging the internal battery of each piece. The Cradle itself is a nice porcelain white color that seems sturdy enough. Comes with 3 led green lights that indicate the internal charge of its battery.
I also found it a bit strange that my review sample of the AVA did not come with any instructions at all. So far I figured out how to turn on and off, pause, play, FF, and restart the current track via touch controls on the outer shells but otherwise you are left to figure things out for yourself. I still haven’t figured out if there is volume control at all. You can raise the volume from your source and that is what I am doing. So far single touch pauses music, double tap and it FF or Rewinds, longer press turns off the ear pieces. Music pauses automatically when getting phone calls.
The earpieces connect easily enough out of the cradle it starts to look for bluetooth pairing so not too confusing there.
Testing the parameters for the signal. It's not bad at about 30 ft without distortion or music cutout indoors. So yes you can leave your source/phone in the center of a room to do chores. I have had better but it is certainly decent. The stated battery time when using them outside of the charging cradle is supposedly 6 hours. Real world use is closer to 5 hours. Its relatively short listening time is ok. When put back into the cradle, the earpieces charge to max capacity quickly in roughly 45 minutes to an hour. You can repeat this process for the allowed 55 hours worth of charge time the cradle handles.
AVA comes with a set of silicones and a usb charging cable, a good looking all white charging cradle and that is really about it. No instructions as mentioned above. This is forgivable for a review sample but for a prospective buyer that spends on a new TWS IEM? Not so much. I asked @recdarmoose, the other reviewer of the AVA if he got some instructions and the answer to that was no. So there is a very good chance you will have to wing it for how to do things with the AVA.
Sound.
So this is where Shozy AVA makes up for its shortcomings. Shozy house sound is a bit like listening to a warmed up pair of old high end speakers. This can be good and it can be bad depending on what your audio sensibilities are when it comes to sound. It is one thing to be sitting at home and using your favorite pair of headphones or IEMs for critical listening but it is entirely another to be going on with your daily commute, working or walking about among a crowd of people.
For outdoor use the AVA has no ANC or does it have transparency mode for conversing with others while using the AVA. Its simple phone functions work as intended with clear vocal calls. Of course your music drops out when speaking using a phone. It is missing some of the higher end codecs like LHDC or LDAC and aptX is the highest end codec that the AVA uses. The other two being AAC and SBC codecs.
The sound quality of the AVA leans more toward a musical big dimensional full bodied sound production with a beefy bass note. A type of tuning common among Shozy IEMs actually. How that type of sound translates into a TWS IEM is actually something that actually ends up being enjoyable for your out and about excursions.
Nothing wrong with getting a TWS sound that mimics wired neutral harmon reference tuned sound I suppose but one issue with that is, when you're out and about without ANC, bass will drop off the face of the planet when listening to music. So having a beefier bass note is actually a good thing especially when you're outdoors. Due to the AVA shells being stuffed with electronics, it has much better passive isolation than you would imagine. Which again helps you shut out the rest of the world and gets you into your music.
The tuning of the AVA is more consumer than audiophile. Meaning it has a big bass end that comes alive with its 3D virtual sound processing. This processing is a bit unique in that it brings more of a diffused sound field to the sonics of the AVA vs sounding closed in. Its encompassing musical full bodied sound is a bit like having a dolby type processing for its sound. A big warm thick, rich and meaty dimensional sound signature. The balance is there but it has one aspect that might be a deal breaker for some. It uses a 6Khz spike in its treble presentation which is both good and bad at the same time. Let me explain.
Technicals.
The AVA is not the most technical sounding TWS IEM, It relies heavily on its full bodied dimensional sound. There is a certain wall of sound effect from how they tuned the AVA that again is both good and bad. Its sound separation, detail and imaging could be better, could be its warmer tonal quality with a big mid bass emphasis masks some detail for the sound but overall certainly not bad at the price point. Think old school jukebox sound quality and I think you might get a good idea what I am talking about here.
They sound nothing like a wired IEM at the same price point due to its unique dimensional processing and Shozy’s old school type tuning. Its imaging is unique in that it was tuned to be dimensional and for the most part it succeeds which will actually WOW folks when you hear music through the AVA for the first time. Its timbre suffers a bit due to the ample coloration in the tuning but heck who cares when you want to get your music on with a full thick warm bassy signature going on for your outdoor excursion. To be honest this is the type of tuning I personally like for outdoor endeavors. Nothing says you're having a good time like camping using the AVAs and getting your thump on.
Trebles
Is a bit uneven. Mid trebles are where the main point of emphasis is in fact it is deliberately tuned with a 6Khz spike. A bit unconventional and will be an issue for folks that are sensitive to the region. Most wired IEMs nowadays stay away from that region. Not Shozy. I know some are very sensitive to the region and the treble tuning can get a bit splashy for drum accents and a bit neutered for higher level treble notes. It seems whoever is at the helm at Shozy tunes more by ear vs following an established harmon curve. If you're a fan of old school speaker sound I think you would love how the AVA sounds. 6 Khz treble emphasis and all, it makes the treble sound a bit like speaker tweeters. If you're sensitive to the region then consider this a warning.
However the spike and its unevenness and all, kinda works with the rest of the tuning. It has enough treble presence to balance out the big bass it's got so not all is lost in the way Shozy tuned these. These mimic a speaker sound experience and I think that is what Shozy was trying to do with the tunging. Its virtual processing manages to spread out the sound in a dimensional manner and seems to bring a bigger diffused sound field than your average wired IEM sound. The upper trebles is lacking so not the most airiest of treble notes but for what it's got, it does pick off details well enough to call the sound complete.
The coloration of the trebles means anything close to the mid treble bands will be highlighted but the treble tuning could be more even and better balanced. I am ok with the treble presentation as it forcefully highlights treble notes at times and with tunes that don't have much emphasis in the area it sounds more balanced to my ears. So it will be a matter of how brightly recorded your tracks and how much treble your tunes have in them in the first place. For the most part works to convey the trebles but not my favorite type of treble tunings.
Mids
Has a male vocal bias as it has some thicker lower mids than your traditional upper mids emphasis for most IEMs nowadays. Again this is how Shozy likes to tune their IEMs and just about all of them have some type of warmth due to the thicker lower mid profile. Music notes in general has a full note weight as a result. This is where that old school tuning comes into play. Its mids production has a very good body of note and there is nothing that sounds thin or recessed compared to your traditional v shaped IEM. I can say the AVA is more of an unconventional V shaped IEM in that it does have that treble spike to balance out the big mid bass of the AVA.
Mids layering I find to be a strong suit of the AVA. That meaty sound is on full display when walking around. It is quite immersive in the process. As mentioned above its technicalities are not the best but when you have a big full rich sound that envelopes your hearing and your listening to enjoy the music vs analyzing. Hey, this works. While it lacks a bit in an accurate timbre or does it have a crystalline imaging aspect to it. It makes up for it in sheer musicality, fullness with that rich tonal character.
Bass 10dbs of beef chuck.
Is the aspect that is intriguing with the AVA.
Nothing wrong with a bit of rumbly beefy bass for your outdoor excursions. Especially tuned for the younger set as these have a big dose of bass for its sound signature. Much like the rest of the sound we are not talking audiophile bass but something a bit more trunk of funk in the type of bass. Mid bass is big on the AVA and it does cast a shadow on the tuning causing warmth. Not overly so but it's there. Its tonal character is clearly leaning more so on the warm side of neutral. It's not that the bass is overly cooked or has a bit too much. We are talking roughly 10dbs of boom. Which again means the AVA is a very colored sounding IEM. Bassheads especially would enjoy the beefy slabs of bass that are included in its sound signature. The AVA reminds me of Shozy’s B2 IEMs I did a review for here.
Much like the Shozy B2 The AVA will clearly satisfy a bass fan. More mid bass than sub bass but since it has plenty of mid bass the roll off is not severe towards the sub notes. In fact it is very surprising the power you get with its deep rumble. It clearly has some power behind its bass notes. Actually using the AVA outdoors the bass ends up balancing the sound much more so than being indoors. The AVA most definitely has more of a fun type of sound signature than anything that I would consider enthusiast or audiophile. But again who is actually doing sound analysis using a TWS IEM outdoors anyhow is my point. Don’t know about you but I actually require and demand a full bass end when outdoors which the AVA clearly provides.
In the end
The AVA ends up being the type of sound that is very enjoyable for outdoor use. Its usability is intuitive and while it could use some better battery times. It makes up for it with a sound design way more suited for outdoor use. These are TWS IEMs for bass fans but it is how they present that bass with its dimensional processing that makes the AVA sound unique for TWS IEMs. For their very first TWS IEM Shozy has applied their trademark warm full bodied bassy sound tuning for the AVA that ends up being much more enjoyable than you would imagine. Especially for old timers that enjoy this type of musical sound signature. If your in the market for a new TWS IEM that don't conform to what is the norm nowadays. These might be what you're looking for. As always, thanks for taking the time to read. Happy listening always.
SHOZY AVA TWS Qualcomm QCC3040 Dynamic Driver True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Aptx HiFi In-ear Earphone
Who is SHOZY?
Founded by an experienced engineering and designing team, SHOZY performs amalgamation with aesthetics and sound design. SHOZY is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong and registered in China and Hong Kong. They make desktop amplifiers, DAPs and IEM/Earbuds.
Here is a partial list of what they make:
They make the Magma IEM, the Ceres IEM, the ELSA IEM, the Black Hole Mini, the Black Hole IEMs and the Rouge IEM. They also make the Form 1.4 and Form 1.1 IEMs, plus the V33 and V33 Pro IEMs. They make the CP 3ba iem, and the CP 5ba iem. They collaborated to introduce the POLA39 IEM and make the Alien Gold Edition DAP.
$169.00 Get the SHOZY AVA here.
https://penonaudio.com/shozy-ava-tws.html
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the AVA review sample.
Why am I reviewing this? I normally don’t do TWS reviews, not that I am not interested in the technology, It’s just I focus on audiophile IEM reviews normally. So…………why did they send this to me? Probably to get a take on how an audiophile IEM reviewer stands on accepting a level of IEM sound regardless of wires or not. Also who better to review a TWS IEM, that a wired IEM reviewer? Let me fill you in on my take of wireless……..OK? I have done tests as to how I can achieve complete wireless fidelity. On the test bench was two LDAC Walkmans, well they were regular Walkmans though in LDAC wireless mode. The WM1A was the LDAC sender and the Sony WM1Z was the LDAC wireless receiver. And guess what…..listening to wired IEMs provided with-out a shadow of a doubt that wireless is comparable to lossless in regular use, not comparable to Hi-res, but losssless 44.1 kHz - 16 bit none the less. So any loss of sound quality here probably has to do with the amplification and the differences in actual decoding of the “in-air”/“through the air” signal inside the TWS IEMs. It has nothing to do with the signal here, or quality there of. With that I want you to know in general the SHOZY AVA doesn’t sound like a wired IEM. But remember, there are a wide variance to IEM replay, so while it doesn’t sound exactly like a wired IEM, it sounds better than some ideas for wired IEMs to sound. So to simplify here, the AVA sounds better than a lot of wired IEMs, it’s just it also sounds just slightly different than all wired IEMs. Simple! So this is an example of 2022 progression in technology, where in reality TWS is a very young field, especially in comparison to wired headphones that were invented in 1910.
While after a little research I found this to be SHOZY’s very first TWS ear-monitor. TWS stands for “true wireless sound’. Now while $169.00 isn’t that expensive for regular IEMs……it’s in the upper echelon of pricing for TWS ear-monitors. I’ve only reviewed one SHOZY IEM before, yet it seems there is a specific focus on design and sound. Meaning these are little art pieces, as well as a sound experience. Is the art what we are paying extra for? Truly I don’t have the answer to that question, as I have only heard one other TWS IEM besides the Apple AirPods 2, which pretty much everyone has heard, including their Mom. My other TWS IEM is the TINHIFI Tin Buds 3, which sell for $89.52 and coincidentally use the exact same Qualcomm QCC3040 Bluetooth Chip. Yet, that’s where the similarities end. At double the asking price you will hear where your money is going, not only that but the look and feel of the experience is on a whole different level. The charge case, the feel of the IEMs themselves, also the smoother more audiophile sound, it simply sucks you in, and becomes a more expensive provocative experience. This is the last I will reference the Tin Buds 3, due to the two products being no-way related, even though you may guess otherwise. But what is the AVA? It’s a combination of superior sound and design factors. They combined a new and radical IEM shape, a unique build process, and a fully functional charge case………to take this whole shebang to the next level. While Nobel Audio also builds (even more) high-end TWS IEMs….I have not heard them. Though reading through the Noble thread here at Head-fi enlightened me to details as to wireless functionality and use. See the main thing (besides sound and looks) is do these little guys actually work correctly? Luckily the AVA is trouble free, and a joy to use……no drop-outs, no charging issues, no fit issues……….no nothing……they work just as intended, and better than expected if you factor in the sound quality for what they are.
The AVA Audiophile Sound:
Typically TWS in general is a drawback for me. I’m from the old school where I like and prefer wires to my IEMs. It’s just that yes, there is a place for TWS, only the sound they ofter a compromise…………at least that’s what I thought prior to the AVA experience. It seems SHOZY has set its sights on a whole new level of TWS playback……….a sound that could in-fact revolutionize the IEM industry. Remember I don’t have comparisons to other high-end TWS playback. Also remember they are not known as a TWS manufacture, but an audiophile manufacture, with years and years of audiophile experience. The one other SHOZY IEM I’ve heard the “SCB2 IEM”........a collaboration with the ISN cable company. Joining the SHOZY B2 IEM with the ISN SC4 cable resulted in the SBC2 IEM. While the AVA is totally audiophile……………SHOZY has created even more questions in the audiophile community. The AVA is many times different/better sounding than the Apple EarPods 2!
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MV7N2AM/A/airpods-with-charging-case
$129.00
Why can’t Apple do better? The Apple AirPods are almost a joke. For only $40.00 more your getting the entire AVA audiophile experience. But can you list the reasons why? Sure I can………let’s start with the sound. By the way these side by sides are a super fast process, where you simply place the Apples in your ears and click it in BT, then switch back to the AVA and again switch back with flying colors. This is not any style of mystery or in-fact subjectivity at hand……..no anyone and their Mom will easily recognize the change, it’s plain as day………..but more than that, it’s comfortability.
Comfortability:
SHOZY saw a window of opportunity for success. They saw a way to simply create a hit by using what they know, to build a better audiophile TWS IEM. The sound from the AirPods is forced and too upfront. It’s stark and unpolished. It’s staticy and brutish, it’s too forward and just not comfortable at all. So in order to create this AVA sound they stepped back…..like creating a room with-in the headphones. Maybe this is what they are referring to with the buzz-word “Virtual Soundstage” I mean it has to be that right? Sorry, half this stuff I don’t understand, and no one gives me even a small pamphlet of specs with these IEMs. So in many ways I’m just like you, only I’m now listening to these things. But I didn’t truly understand what was going on until I did the side by side tests……….meaning it was drastic going backwards to the AirPods 2 in comparisons. As in truth these are not exactly like wired headphones in that they aren’t as detailed as your going to find with same price bracket in wired…….that there is this overall sound…….that to me sounds like FM. Yep……..Frequency Modulation, it’s a radio broadcast baby! Yet just like you can find a whole bunch of different levels of amplifying and representing that broadcast sound….the AVA brings a new dimension to the table. At first before burn-in they were terribly bass laden…….in that there was a bounce and a pace, yet the spaces between the notes were filled in with bass energy. Such energies started to go away with 150 hours of burn-in. The comfortability is derived by both the physical feel of the AVA and the sound quality in general. It’s the AVA experience, and so far in my uses there is nothing like it. I had to check if they were using just a DD and yes, it’s only a dynamic driver, but there is such a nice separation and treble/midrange balance that it had me wondering. It’s not all clustered together, but gets its musicality by offering a style of wideness and immersion specifically specific to the AVA. Yep, I mean these aren’t the very best IEMs I’ve heard, but they are the best TWS I’ve heard…….which in truth is not saying much as laughably they are the most expensive TWS IEMs I’ve heard.
The Sound:
It’s no wonder I like them, simple really they provide my sound signature here. Where other TWS IEMs I’ve tried are thin sounding, these are think and robust sounding, almost to the point of being too thick, but they’re not. That’s the magic……in that they have generated a thick response that’s forgiving yet docile and musical……….like decadent chocolate that belongs to someone else in your household...........that you’re not suppose to touch. You know what I’m talking about, you chocolate thieves out there! So the AVA walks that line, that line of being bass heavy yet not at all way too much. And just like that chocolate, too much of a good thing can end bewildering and simply too much. But if you have a sweet-tooth and know you can get away with this heist……this chocolate heist, the AVA is a guilty pleasure you will cherish and not bore of. In fact you kinda go through a learning curve where at first the sound can be too laid back……too almost big, and too forgiving. That’s the thing……..these are using some kind of sound processing, yet this is the most non-audiophile thing…….in that there is no way to adjust it……that this is what you get. There is no phone-plug-in that gives you control over the experience, to dial back any of the chocolate! If there wasn’t this balance of treble and midrange these would definitely be too dark, and if anyone has opposition to this indulgence, it would be the darkest at hand. Some are obviously going to interpret this sound as bass heavy.
Bass:
These are thick and smooth sounding there is no going around that. Yet it's probably much like the Sony house sound in that note weight is found everywhere, all over the place? There is the sub bass which takes precedence and offers thrills, it's just like the theater, which makes these perfect for enjoying movies from your laptop. I seem to always be judging IEMs by emotional bass impact, as if they don't offer it, then something is missing. Now, I don't have one single FR response curve like many reviewers have, so I can totally get behind what the SHOZY AVA is up too. Yet as far as fun, these definitely provide it. It's just with this much bass, there has to be some occlusion of information.....there has to be. In many ways the AVA is the ultimate consumer tune, the one that audiophiles used to complain about till Sony came along and ate their lunch for them. Where we used to not call this "audiophile", but now we do! That's right, there is a form of room response here that isn't the only avenue to sonic success, but here in this application, it's the right road to take. Especially when you consider that most of the "out-and-about" noise pollution is of lower frequency.......and the sound of the AVA blocks all that, regardless of the passive noise occlusion ability. The bass is big and round and totally satisfying. One of the issues that can start to take place with this style of response is mental acclimation. But I am taking about the wrong style mental acclamation here.....it's when a signature is warm and fun at first, but due to the lack of completeness, and evenness, the sound will start to take on a lackluster tone after a few hours of listening. Once you brain does this, typically there is no going back to hear the sound when you first started with the IEM. This IEM walks the line of doing that, in that there is a bunch of heavy warmth, yet surprisingly it never goes there, so after a week of listening I'm still totally smitten with AVA!
The interesting paradox here is bass energy takes amplification, and the tiny amplifiers in regular TWS IEMs typically avoid such heavy resource use. SHOZY flipped it upside down with taking a drastic new approach, they dialed up the bass frequencies regardless of the power restrictions. Such a bass has authority but not the best clarity in regard to note texture, there is an area of non-disclosed bass information, when compared to comparably priced wired IEMs, it just is what it is. Yet of course the bass is better just the way the AVA is in comparison to some other wired IEMs, still the AVA offers this very specific TWS sound. Part of that sound could be the Virtual Soundstage Processing which comes in and affects everything. So the bass is thrilling yet not the most detailed or textured, but better than I have heard from any TWS before.........this single trait makes the AVA unique and an IEM you can’t begin to find anywhere else.
Mids:
This L shape signature leaves a specific stance for the mids to arrive at. And while no way would anyone consider these midrange IEMs, or even offer any surprising gifts from the midrange, it's probably where they have placed this midrange with how the whole signature takes place. There is still a nice full featured, smooth take on what elements inhabit the mid-universe. Meaning these aren't so bad they are boring in any way........it's just.....thanks to the imaging, we actually get separation and relief of such midrange elements.......while bathing in note-weight, they have a darker and half-way distorted character that leads to the ultimate form of forgiveness.
Treble:
Rolled-off and not sparkly in any fashion, the treble seems to be attached at the hip to the midrange. Almost a sonic cream that is just there and doing its job, but in no way a focus or even a concern by SHOZY. The lack of luster would seem on paper to be the ultimate party-pooper, yet this all works smoothly......as some mad scientists twisted dream of TWS playback, but the thing is, normally single full range dynamic drivers have a too close to home effect, and I'm not hearing that. It's like they have combined a single full range dynamic with the expansion properties of Virtual Soundstage Processing to arrive at a correct and entertaining soundstage filled with the AVAs own ideas of correctness. I'm sure there will be some dyed in the wool classic audiophiles which will try the AVA and roll their eyes in the absurdity of the sound, but still there exists the other half of audiophile-dom which will cheer the sound response on, wanting everything it offers regardless any questionable character.
SHOZY AVA TWS Qualcomm QCC3040 Dynamic Driver True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Aptx HiFi In-ear Earphone
Description
AVA Audiophile Grade True-Wireless Earphones
Unleash Wireless Fidelity:
Every set of AVA true-wireless earphones are hand-assembled and built the same way like custom monitors.
The design has been tested and modified countless times with Audio Precision benchmarking tools to ensure the highest fidelity is delivered.
Qualcomm ⑧ aptX audio solution:
Chosen for consistent, high quality streaming
Bluetooth 5.0:
4x range, higher bitrate streaming
Up to 2 Mbps bandwidth
55+ hours total on the go:
6 hours of high quality playback per charge
Touch control support:
Tap to control playback functions
Virtual Soundstage
3D staging experience with enhanced phase control
Ergonomically designed:
The design of the AVA wireless earphones is derived from custom monitors, ensuring excellent comfort and passive noise isolation.
Aluminum-alloy tuning nozzle:
The AVA could be one of the most prestigiously built wireless in-ear monitors with premium metallic filtering nozzle and imported tuning materials used to control the pressure and “resonance within the front chamber" The result is an unprecedented natural, powerful and detailed sonic feast.
Gloss white charging cradle:
Designed to complement the hand-polished AVA earphone units, the charging cradle comes in a smooth, piano-key colored finishing.
Every charge gives you 6 hours of music enjoyment with the earphone units, and total recharge capacity of the cradle supports 55+ hours playback.
Specifications:
Frequency Response: 20Hz 20kHz
Impedance: 15ohm
Sensitivity: 100dB
THD: <0.08%@1kHz
Bluetooth solution: Qualcomm QCC3040
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Codecs Support: aptX, AAC, SBC
Battery Capacity: 80mh
Charging Time: 1.8hrs
Connector: Type-C
Dimensions: 75*45*30mm
Functionality:
Probably the biggest concern here is wireless distance. Inside I could walk as far as needed in a big room, like to the other side of a 50 foot room and have a signal. Outside in the yard I also could walk down a staircase of about 50 feet before they started to cut out. Inside I could actually walk 50 feet and behind a wooden door or even a cinderblock wall and still get the signal before it just started to cut out. Also there are two styles of losing the signal, one is retainable and the other is going so far out of reach, like going to a different floor and have the IEMs disconnected from the source.
The charge case with the IEMs weights 83 grams, the IEMs by themselves weight 12 grams total for both. The charge case has three forward placed mini-led lights which go to show the battery capacity and I got about nine full charges, but the case was not fully toped off when I got it, even though showing all three lights. It’s suggested to be able to case-charge the IEMs for a total of (at least) 55 hours of playback, with 6 hours playback per single IEM charge. The IEMs light up red to show they are making charge contact, and will flash blue and red when showing open for joining a BT device. Union of the device was easy as 1 then 2, though once in a while I would touch the IEMs and pause the music, in that case either touching the IEMs or phone worked to start the music again. I found an easy join to my MacBook Air without any trouble or delay. The way the case works is the lid has a latch which lowers down and in fact (due to shape) seems like you can open it from either side, almost. Yet the playability of the latch lets you realize you’re attempting to open in from the wrong side. Believe me this is simply the user not paying attention closely as there is a bevel and mini-USB charge input, as well as the mini-LED lights to cue you in on the front opening door of the charge case. If you look closer both the lights and bevel in front of case give you orientation, but often you are not interested to take the case all the way up to eye sight, so the dual opening of the lid on both sides makes the EVA charge case an ergonomic wonder…… really a smart design! At 83 grams the case is a beast, seemingly made out of iron and joyously covered, enameled in glass.
Enameling is a traditional technique for the production of glass coatings. This process is relatively simple and cheap and enables good control over the thickness of coatings. During the enameling procedure, a thin piece of glass or a suspension containing the glass powder is deposited onto the substrate.
Upon opening the case you can see under the top which reads “Virtual Surround Stage” under the lid. When the IEMs are still charging they emit a red light which turnoff upon fully charged. The weight of the lid (leaning back) holds the case open upon use, with the single hinge allowing the lid to basically hover out-of-the-way, but then center as in comes down in almost a parallelogram style. Upon closing the lid you get confirmation of case charge ability with a set of three lights to show full-charge. After 1/2 a second then lights go out. Truly the amazing thing is how fast the case charges with-in a matter of an hour and a half or so! Probably my favorite feature is the woman’s voice (AVA) which lets you know they are joined or disconnected. Normally such robots are annoying, but in this instance the voice is both in stereo and of a quiet tone……….I think she may be British? Once the case is in your pocket you can totally get that this whole set-up has been meticulously thought out. While slightly heavy, the size and smoothness make for a perfect fit. No rough edges or protrusions found. Even the bottom has been furnished with an anti-slide texture to guarantee you use will flow smoothly. Such textured material is also the underside of the lid and seems to match the actual IEM cradles inside, but obviously those are super hard-plastic. Looking down into the actual cradle area we are presented with 4 contacts on micro-springs, which giveaway to the underside recessed contacts on the IEMs.
Usability:
The cradle simply charges the IEMs. After taken out we have the freedom to leave the cradle to go about our daily lives. Such freedom means you can quickly change bluetooth sources on the fly, while still leaving the AVA inside you ears. One you leave your old source, the new source activates………and can even be on back-up, if set up prior. Then a quick comeback finds your old source waiting. An example of this would be listening to music off your phone, then quickly switching to a laptop to watch a quick video, then back to the regular scheduled programing on the phone playback. While there is the AVA voice, it’s not too loud or even bothersome in use, as there is no real way to verify the source changes easily with-out her helpful voice. (other than the BT source log on your phone or computer screen)
IEM Construction:
Such design is truly a first here at Redcarmoose Labs. Where the shape seems strange and big, yet at 6 grams a piece fits wonderful in ear. Normally with the blue and red LED utilitarian lights shining out from the inside, you would be forgiven to think these are smoked resin, but no, there is very little to be found upon using a high powered light to investigate the inside. While the markings C2978 are on the right nozzle, a the numbers SN/011 is found on the left with my pair. Other than the letters AVA on the front, no other marking are to be found. As noted besides the charging contacts, two vent holes can be found, as shown in the pictures. Also a single vent is situated at the base of nozzle. The nozzle’s inner diameter is recessed with a black fine mesh screen, and while appearing gold in color is actually aluminum. Probably the most surprising thing has to be the smooth form-factor going along to provide a comfortable fit. Really if I was to use one word here to describe the total experience it would be comfort. A comfortable case, a comfortable sound and a comfortable fit.
The AVA IEMs are magnetically held in cradle, you can turn the cradle upside down with the AVA IEMs inside, and they will not fall out. Also since the case in solid metal coated in porcelain, they made the lid attach magnetically when closing.
Conclusion:
While many of us may see TWS come of age in our lifetime, it’s still not equal to wired sound………if it ever will remains to be seen? Though the sheer ease of daily use has a way of making the SHOZY AVA a close friend. Part of AVA’s charm is the way it goes about its life, seemingly apart of your own life. Or really only at times when you notice that she is there? Meaning with no wires and with a comfortable fit, it’s almost like the IEM that’s not an IEM, not even present in your daily life…………the music is simply arriving……..to your ears.
I’ve never witnessed the sound of wireless to be of this caliber. In fact it’s kinda like a swimming pool, big enveloping and just the right temperature. Such smoothness of sound is also combined with an ergonomic physical edge. These so-called edges go to give a splendid style of grip to the AVA. As when you grip the AVA you’re only handling it by the vary edges. Or better yet, you are given a slot with-in the form-factor for your finger-tip to fall-into. Truly just like the sound, these edges are a first for me. When that’s combined with the custom universal form factor, you are witnessing art, an artistic statement of what a TWS could eventually be. Now what brings fascination is how the sound sounds at low volume. That’s right, I’m centered on the possibility of low volume listening sessions, due to travel or work there is a different kind of experience that comes with lower than average listening levels. Against what you would guess, the soundstage is all still there….almost. And due to the bass excesses, the bass is also along for the ride, giving a truly unique sound when combined with this “Virtual Surround Stage”? It’s like those people you visit that have a really good stereo playing at low volume (in the background) all the time……..this mood music is special and unique. Unique because the soundstage is still there and somehow we hear both the midrange and treble. It’s just the room response is there making everything seem like we are visiting a large room, a large virtual room………with our favorite songs playing………..what more do you want?
There is one additional set of large tips already on the IEM from the factory, for a total of 6 sets.
Who is SHOZY?
Founded by an experienced engineering and designing team, SHOZY performs amalgamation with aesthetics and sound design. SHOZY is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong and registered in China and Hong Kong. They make desktop amplifiers, DAPs and IEM/Earbuds.
Here is a partial list of what they make:
They make the Magma IEM, the Ceres IEM, the ELSA IEM, the Black Hole Mini, the Black Hole IEMs and the Rouge IEM. They also make the Form 1.4 and Form 1.1 IEMs, plus the V33 and V33 Pro IEMs. They make the CP 3ba iem, and the CP 5ba iem. They collaborated to introduce the POLA39 IEM and make the Alien Gold Edition DAP.
$169.00 Get the SHOZY AVA here.
https://penonaudio.com/shozy-ava-tws.html
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the AVA review sample.
Why am I reviewing this? I normally don’t do TWS reviews, not that I am not interested in the technology, It’s just I focus on audiophile IEM reviews normally. So…………why did they send this to me? Probably to get a take on how an audiophile IEM reviewer stands on accepting a level of IEM sound regardless of wires or not. Also who better to review a TWS IEM, that a wired IEM reviewer? Let me fill you in on my take of wireless……..OK? I have done tests as to how I can achieve complete wireless fidelity. On the test bench was two LDAC Walkmans, well they were regular Walkmans though in LDAC wireless mode. The WM1A was the LDAC sender and the Sony WM1Z was the LDAC wireless receiver. And guess what…..listening to wired IEMs provided with-out a shadow of a doubt that wireless is comparable to lossless in regular use, not comparable to Hi-res, but losssless 44.1 kHz - 16 bit none the less. So any loss of sound quality here probably has to do with the amplification and the differences in actual decoding of the “in-air”/“through the air” signal inside the TWS IEMs. It has nothing to do with the signal here, or quality there of. With that I want you to know in general the SHOZY AVA doesn’t sound like a wired IEM. But remember, there are a wide variance to IEM replay, so while it doesn’t sound exactly like a wired IEM, it sounds better than some ideas for wired IEMs to sound. So to simplify here, the AVA sounds better than a lot of wired IEMs, it’s just it also sounds just slightly different than all wired IEMs. Simple! So this is an example of 2022 progression in technology, where in reality TWS is a very young field, especially in comparison to wired headphones that were invented in 1910.
While after a little research I found this to be SHOZY’s very first TWS ear-monitor. TWS stands for “true wireless sound’. Now while $169.00 isn’t that expensive for regular IEMs……it’s in the upper echelon of pricing for TWS ear-monitors. I’ve only reviewed one SHOZY IEM before, yet it seems there is a specific focus on design and sound. Meaning these are little art pieces, as well as a sound experience. Is the art what we are paying extra for? Truly I don’t have the answer to that question, as I have only heard one other TWS IEM besides the Apple AirPods 2, which pretty much everyone has heard, including their Mom. My other TWS IEM is the TINHIFI Tin Buds 3, which sell for $89.52 and coincidentally use the exact same Qualcomm QCC3040 Bluetooth Chip. Yet, that’s where the similarities end. At double the asking price you will hear where your money is going, not only that but the look and feel of the experience is on a whole different level. The charge case, the feel of the IEMs themselves, also the smoother more audiophile sound, it simply sucks you in, and becomes a more expensive provocative experience. This is the last I will reference the Tin Buds 3, due to the two products being no-way related, even though you may guess otherwise. But what is the AVA? It’s a combination of superior sound and design factors. They combined a new and radical IEM shape, a unique build process, and a fully functional charge case………to take this whole shebang to the next level. While Nobel Audio also builds (even more) high-end TWS IEMs….I have not heard them. Though reading through the Noble thread here at Head-fi enlightened me to details as to wireless functionality and use. See the main thing (besides sound and looks) is do these little guys actually work correctly? Luckily the AVA is trouble free, and a joy to use……no drop-outs, no charging issues, no fit issues……….no nothing……they work just as intended, and better than expected if you factor in the sound quality for what they are.
The AVA Audiophile Sound:
Typically TWS in general is a drawback for me. I’m from the old school where I like and prefer wires to my IEMs. It’s just that yes, there is a place for TWS, only the sound they ofter a compromise…………at least that’s what I thought prior to the AVA experience. It seems SHOZY has set its sights on a whole new level of TWS playback……….a sound that could in-fact revolutionize the IEM industry. Remember I don’t have comparisons to other high-end TWS playback. Also remember they are not known as a TWS manufacture, but an audiophile manufacture, with years and years of audiophile experience. The one other SHOZY IEM I’ve heard the “SCB2 IEM”........a collaboration with the ISN cable company. Joining the SHOZY B2 IEM with the ISN SC4 cable resulted in the SBC2 IEM. While the AVA is totally audiophile……………SHOZY has created even more questions in the audiophile community. The AVA is many times different/better sounding than the Apple EarPods 2!
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MV7N2AM/A/airpods-with-charging-case
$129.00
Why can’t Apple do better? The Apple AirPods are almost a joke. For only $40.00 more your getting the entire AVA audiophile experience. But can you list the reasons why? Sure I can………let’s start with the sound. By the way these side by sides are a super fast process, where you simply place the Apples in your ears and click it in BT, then switch back to the AVA and again switch back with flying colors. This is not any style of mystery or in-fact subjectivity at hand……..no anyone and their Mom will easily recognize the change, it’s plain as day………..but more than that, it’s comfortability.
Comfortability:
SHOZY saw a window of opportunity for success. They saw a way to simply create a hit by using what they know, to build a better audiophile TWS IEM. The sound from the AirPods is forced and too upfront. It’s stark and unpolished. It’s staticy and brutish, it’s too forward and just not comfortable at all. So in order to create this AVA sound they stepped back…..like creating a room with-in the headphones. Maybe this is what they are referring to with the buzz-word “Virtual Soundstage” I mean it has to be that right? Sorry, half this stuff I don’t understand, and no one gives me even a small pamphlet of specs with these IEMs. So in many ways I’m just like you, only I’m now listening to these things. But I didn’t truly understand what was going on until I did the side by side tests……….meaning it was drastic going backwards to the AirPods 2 in comparisons. As in truth these are not exactly like wired headphones in that they aren’t as detailed as your going to find with same price bracket in wired…….that there is this overall sound…….that to me sounds like FM. Yep……..Frequency Modulation, it’s a radio broadcast baby! Yet just like you can find a whole bunch of different levels of amplifying and representing that broadcast sound….the AVA brings a new dimension to the table. At first before burn-in they were terribly bass laden…….in that there was a bounce and a pace, yet the spaces between the notes were filled in with bass energy. Such energies started to go away with 150 hours of burn-in. The comfortability is derived by both the physical feel of the AVA and the sound quality in general. It’s the AVA experience, and so far in my uses there is nothing like it. I had to check if they were using just a DD and yes, it’s only a dynamic driver, but there is such a nice separation and treble/midrange balance that it had me wondering. It’s not all clustered together, but gets its musicality by offering a style of wideness and immersion specifically specific to the AVA. Yep, I mean these aren’t the very best IEMs I’ve heard, but they are the best TWS I’ve heard…….which in truth is not saying much as laughably they are the most expensive TWS IEMs I’ve heard.
The Sound:
It’s no wonder I like them, simple really they provide my sound signature here. Where other TWS IEMs I’ve tried are thin sounding, these are think and robust sounding, almost to the point of being too thick, but they’re not. That’s the magic……in that they have generated a thick response that’s forgiving yet docile and musical……….like decadent chocolate that belongs to someone else in your household...........that you’re not suppose to touch. You know what I’m talking about, you chocolate thieves out there! So the AVA walks that line, that line of being bass heavy yet not at all way too much. And just like that chocolate, too much of a good thing can end bewildering and simply too much. But if you have a sweet-tooth and know you can get away with this heist……this chocolate heist, the AVA is a guilty pleasure you will cherish and not bore of. In fact you kinda go through a learning curve where at first the sound can be too laid back……too almost big, and too forgiving. That’s the thing……..these are using some kind of sound processing, yet this is the most non-audiophile thing…….in that there is no way to adjust it……that this is what you get. There is no phone-plug-in that gives you control over the experience, to dial back any of the chocolate! If there wasn’t this balance of treble and midrange these would definitely be too dark, and if anyone has opposition to this indulgence, it would be the darkest at hand. Some are obviously going to interpret this sound as bass heavy.
Bass:
These are thick and smooth sounding there is no going around that. Yet it's probably much like the Sony house sound in that note weight is found everywhere, all over the place? There is the sub bass which takes precedence and offers thrills, it's just like the theater, which makes these perfect for enjoying movies from your laptop. I seem to always be judging IEMs by emotional bass impact, as if they don't offer it, then something is missing. Now, I don't have one single FR response curve like many reviewers have, so I can totally get behind what the SHOZY AVA is up too. Yet as far as fun, these definitely provide it. It's just with this much bass, there has to be some occlusion of information.....there has to be. In many ways the AVA is the ultimate consumer tune, the one that audiophiles used to complain about till Sony came along and ate their lunch for them. Where we used to not call this "audiophile", but now we do! That's right, there is a form of room response here that isn't the only avenue to sonic success, but here in this application, it's the right road to take. Especially when you consider that most of the "out-and-about" noise pollution is of lower frequency.......and the sound of the AVA blocks all that, regardless of the passive noise occlusion ability. The bass is big and round and totally satisfying. One of the issues that can start to take place with this style of response is mental acclimation. But I am taking about the wrong style mental acclamation here.....it's when a signature is warm and fun at first, but due to the lack of completeness, and evenness, the sound will start to take on a lackluster tone after a few hours of listening. Once you brain does this, typically there is no going back to hear the sound when you first started with the IEM. This IEM walks the line of doing that, in that there is a bunch of heavy warmth, yet surprisingly it never goes there, so after a week of listening I'm still totally smitten with AVA!
The interesting paradox here is bass energy takes amplification, and the tiny amplifiers in regular TWS IEMs typically avoid such heavy resource use. SHOZY flipped it upside down with taking a drastic new approach, they dialed up the bass frequencies regardless of the power restrictions. Such a bass has authority but not the best clarity in regard to note texture, there is an area of non-disclosed bass information, when compared to comparably priced wired IEMs, it just is what it is. Yet of course the bass is better just the way the AVA is in comparison to some other wired IEMs, still the AVA offers this very specific TWS sound. Part of that sound could be the Virtual Soundstage Processing which comes in and affects everything. So the bass is thrilling yet not the most detailed or textured, but better than I have heard from any TWS before.........this single trait makes the AVA unique and an IEM you can’t begin to find anywhere else.
Mids:
This L shape signature leaves a specific stance for the mids to arrive at. And while no way would anyone consider these midrange IEMs, or even offer any surprising gifts from the midrange, it's probably where they have placed this midrange with how the whole signature takes place. There is still a nice full featured, smooth take on what elements inhabit the mid-universe. Meaning these aren't so bad they are boring in any way........it's just.....thanks to the imaging, we actually get separation and relief of such midrange elements.......while bathing in note-weight, they have a darker and half-way distorted character that leads to the ultimate form of forgiveness.
Treble:
Rolled-off and not sparkly in any fashion, the treble seems to be attached at the hip to the midrange. Almost a sonic cream that is just there and doing its job, but in no way a focus or even a concern by SHOZY. The lack of luster would seem on paper to be the ultimate party-pooper, yet this all works smoothly......as some mad scientists twisted dream of TWS playback, but the thing is, normally single full range dynamic drivers have a too close to home effect, and I'm not hearing that. It's like they have combined a single full range dynamic with the expansion properties of Virtual Soundstage Processing to arrive at a correct and entertaining soundstage filled with the AVAs own ideas of correctness. I'm sure there will be some dyed in the wool classic audiophiles which will try the AVA and roll their eyes in the absurdity of the sound, but still there exists the other half of audiophile-dom which will cheer the sound response on, wanting everything it offers regardless any questionable character.
SHOZY AVA TWS Qualcomm QCC3040 Dynamic Driver True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Aptx HiFi In-ear Earphone
Description
AVA Audiophile Grade True-Wireless Earphones
Unleash Wireless Fidelity:
Every set of AVA true-wireless earphones are hand-assembled and built the same way like custom monitors.
The design has been tested and modified countless times with Audio Precision benchmarking tools to ensure the highest fidelity is delivered.
Qualcomm ⑧ aptX audio solution:
Chosen for consistent, high quality streaming
Bluetooth 5.0:
4x range, higher bitrate streaming
Up to 2 Mbps bandwidth
55+ hours total on the go:
6 hours of high quality playback per charge
Touch control support:
Tap to control playback functions
Virtual Soundstage
3D staging experience with enhanced phase control
Ergonomically designed:
The design of the AVA wireless earphones is derived from custom monitors, ensuring excellent comfort and passive noise isolation.
Aluminum-alloy tuning nozzle:
The AVA could be one of the most prestigiously built wireless in-ear monitors with premium metallic filtering nozzle and imported tuning materials used to control the pressure and “resonance within the front chamber" The result is an unprecedented natural, powerful and detailed sonic feast.
Gloss white charging cradle:
Designed to complement the hand-polished AVA earphone units, the charging cradle comes in a smooth, piano-key colored finishing.
Every charge gives you 6 hours of music enjoyment with the earphone units, and total recharge capacity of the cradle supports 55+ hours playback.
Specifications:
Frequency Response: 20Hz 20kHz
Impedance: 15ohm
Sensitivity: 100dB
THD: <0.08%@1kHz
Bluetooth solution: Qualcomm QCC3040
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Codecs Support: aptX, AAC, SBC
Battery Capacity: 80mh
Charging Time: 1.8hrs
Connector: Type-C
Dimensions: 75*45*30mm
Functionality:
Probably the biggest concern here is wireless distance. Inside I could walk as far as needed in a big room, like to the other side of a 50 foot room and have a signal. Outside in the yard I also could walk down a staircase of about 50 feet before they started to cut out. Inside I could actually walk 50 feet and behind a wooden door or even a cinderblock wall and still get the signal before it just started to cut out. Also there are two styles of losing the signal, one is retainable and the other is going so far out of reach, like going to a different floor and have the IEMs disconnected from the source.
The charge case with the IEMs weights 83 grams, the IEMs by themselves weight 12 grams total for both. The charge case has three forward placed mini-led lights which go to show the battery capacity and I got about nine full charges, but the case was not fully toped off when I got it, even though showing all three lights. It’s suggested to be able to case-charge the IEMs for a total of (at least) 55 hours of playback, with 6 hours playback per single IEM charge. The IEMs light up red to show they are making charge contact, and will flash blue and red when showing open for joining a BT device. Union of the device was easy as 1 then 2, though once in a while I would touch the IEMs and pause the music, in that case either touching the IEMs or phone worked to start the music again. I found an easy join to my MacBook Air without any trouble or delay. The way the case works is the lid has a latch which lowers down and in fact (due to shape) seems like you can open it from either side, almost. Yet the playability of the latch lets you realize you’re attempting to open in from the wrong side. Believe me this is simply the user not paying attention closely as there is a bevel and mini-USB charge input, as well as the mini-LED lights to cue you in on the front opening door of the charge case. If you look closer both the lights and bevel in front of case give you orientation, but often you are not interested to take the case all the way up to eye sight, so the dual opening of the lid on both sides makes the EVA charge case an ergonomic wonder…… really a smart design! At 83 grams the case is a beast, seemingly made out of iron and joyously covered, enameled in glass.
Enameling is a traditional technique for the production of glass coatings. This process is relatively simple and cheap and enables good control over the thickness of coatings. During the enameling procedure, a thin piece of glass or a suspension containing the glass powder is deposited onto the substrate.
Upon opening the case you can see under the top which reads “Virtual Surround Stage” under the lid. When the IEMs are still charging they emit a red light which turnoff upon fully charged. The weight of the lid (leaning back) holds the case open upon use, with the single hinge allowing the lid to basically hover out-of-the-way, but then center as in comes down in almost a parallelogram style. Upon closing the lid you get confirmation of case charge ability with a set of three lights to show full-charge. After 1/2 a second then lights go out. Truly the amazing thing is how fast the case charges with-in a matter of an hour and a half or so! Probably my favorite feature is the woman’s voice (AVA) which lets you know they are joined or disconnected. Normally such robots are annoying, but in this instance the voice is both in stereo and of a quiet tone……….I think she may be British? Once the case is in your pocket you can totally get that this whole set-up has been meticulously thought out. While slightly heavy, the size and smoothness make for a perfect fit. No rough edges or protrusions found. Even the bottom has been furnished with an anti-slide texture to guarantee you use will flow smoothly. Such textured material is also the underside of the lid and seems to match the actual IEM cradles inside, but obviously those are super hard-plastic. Looking down into the actual cradle area we are presented with 4 contacts on micro-springs, which giveaway to the underside recessed contacts on the IEMs.
Usability:
The cradle simply charges the IEMs. After taken out we have the freedom to leave the cradle to go about our daily lives. Such freedom means you can quickly change bluetooth sources on the fly, while still leaving the AVA inside you ears. One you leave your old source, the new source activates………and can even be on back-up, if set up prior. Then a quick comeback finds your old source waiting. An example of this would be listening to music off your phone, then quickly switching to a laptop to watch a quick video, then back to the regular scheduled programing on the phone playback. While there is the AVA voice, it’s not too loud or even bothersome in use, as there is no real way to verify the source changes easily with-out her helpful voice. (other than the BT source log on your phone or computer screen)
IEM Construction:
Such design is truly a first here at Redcarmoose Labs. Where the shape seems strange and big, yet at 6 grams a piece fits wonderful in ear. Normally with the blue and red LED utilitarian lights shining out from the inside, you would be forgiven to think these are smoked resin, but no, there is very little to be found upon using a high powered light to investigate the inside. While the markings C2978 are on the right nozzle, a the numbers SN/011 is found on the left with my pair. Other than the letters AVA on the front, no other marking are to be found. As noted besides the charging contacts, two vent holes can be found, as shown in the pictures. Also a single vent is situated at the base of nozzle. The nozzle’s inner diameter is recessed with a black fine mesh screen, and while appearing gold in color is actually aluminum. Probably the most surprising thing has to be the smooth form-factor going along to provide a comfortable fit. Really if I was to use one word here to describe the total experience it would be comfort. A comfortable case, a comfortable sound and a comfortable fit.
The AVA IEMs are magnetically held in cradle, you can turn the cradle upside down with the AVA IEMs inside, and they will not fall out. Also since the case in solid metal coated in porcelain, they made the lid attach magnetically when closing.
Conclusion:
While many of us may see TWS come of age in our lifetime, it’s still not equal to wired sound………if it ever will remains to be seen? Though the sheer ease of daily use has a way of making the SHOZY AVA a close friend. Part of AVA’s charm is the way it goes about its life, seemingly apart of your own life. Or really only at times when you notice that she is there? Meaning with no wires and with a comfortable fit, it’s almost like the IEM that’s not an IEM, not even present in your daily life…………the music is simply arriving……..to your ears.
I’ve never witnessed the sound of wireless to be of this caliber. In fact it’s kinda like a swimming pool, big enveloping and just the right temperature. Such smoothness of sound is also combined with an ergonomic physical edge. These so-called edges go to give a splendid style of grip to the AVA. As when you grip the AVA you’re only handling it by the vary edges. Or better yet, you are given a slot with-in the form-factor for your finger-tip to fall-into. Truly just like the sound, these edges are a first for me. When that’s combined with the custom universal form factor, you are witnessing art, an artistic statement of what a TWS could eventually be. Now what brings fascination is how the sound sounds at low volume. That’s right, I’m centered on the possibility of low volume listening sessions, due to travel or work there is a different kind of experience that comes with lower than average listening levels. Against what you would guess, the soundstage is all still there….almost. And due to the bass excesses, the bass is also along for the ride, giving a truly unique sound when combined with this “Virtual Surround Stage”? It’s like those people you visit that have a really good stereo playing at low volume (in the background) all the time……..this mood music is special and unique. Unique because the soundstage is still there and somehow we hear both the midrange and treble. It’s just the room response is there making everything seem like we are visiting a large room, a large virtual room………with our favorite songs playing………..what more do you want?
There is one additional set of large tips already on the IEM from the factory, for a total of 6 sets.
Redcarmoose
I use the AVA more than any single IEM I own as it goes to goes with me to the gym, being my favorite TWS. I’m using it roughly 4 or 5 days a week, 2 hours a day at the present time.
The sound is large and slightly diffuse, but somehow becomes clearer and clearer with extended use? My friends heard mine and purchased 3 pairs from Penon, one for each person and a third as a Christmas gift for their son!