ROCK JAW KOMMAND BA + Dynamic hybrid

General Information

ROCK JAWs latest hybrid the all new KOMMAND. The KOMMAND is a hybrid balanced armature + dynamic. Constructed from wood and aluminium and features 3 tuning filters for high frequency, neutral and enhanced bass.

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BillsonChang007

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: flexibibility, comfort, build, value, ear hook, exchangeable filter price to performance ratio
Cons: ear hook for some, the reference clas/black filter is kinda weird
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In my last review, I reviewed the RockJaw Arcana V2 and the Hydra V2 they are both pretty amazing for the asking price but in this review, moving onto the flagship of RockJaw, Kommand. It is a pretty clear step up from the Alfa Genus sharing the same feature while adding some extras both physically and “mentally”. I can’t remember exactly why they choose that name for their flagship, but it was given by a user on Head-Fi, penmarker when Bob, of RockJaw open a threat for name suggestion. Thanks again to Bob of RockJaw for sending in the Kommand all the way from the UK for this review!



The Kommand finishes in a very luxury design and even the packaging looks special. RockJaw definitely does not want to make a flagship because they needed one but instead, they put in real effort into this. The Kommand clearly shown what the RockJaw is really up to and it does everything right with the help of the three filters. As for level of impressiveness, I am just going to describe it from soup to nuts now.

Starting from the design, the Kommand looks sleek. It stays away from typical plastics, or full metal design but instead, some beautiful wood finishes. The fact that, it uses natural wood, the contrast on both the earpiece may not be the same and that is why I love the design. Uniqueness! This time, RockJaw got the “L” and “R” labeling right as it is much much easier to see than the current Arcana V2 and Alfa Genus.  At the end of the earphone, the metal finish was nice and keep in mind, there’s no plastic on this wood. They just don’t match! And RockJaw knew it so they avoided plastic.

Another features that the Kommand adopts besides the in-line mic and control is, an ear hook. Like it or not, I do not think it’s removable but RockJaw got my hook upside down so I uses a screw to do the work but the metal that extends out from the earphone is not removable without damaging the wood [I think?] nor would I like to risk it by trying to remove it. To maximize comfort, which is the entire aim of the hook, it is coated with thin, black silicone and to be honest, it does took me some time to get used to it. Surprisingly, my friend who happened to try it loves it and got used to it immediately at first trial. Once I did, I start to realize the goodness of this hook! I can wear them and run around jump, skip whatsoever without having to worry that the earphone will fall off or anything.



Other than its secure fits, the Kommand is bigger than typical earphones but thanks to its airplane’s engine-like design, it does not hurt my ears for long term listening nor did it cause any discomfort. I think this could be da beast earphone for sports audiophiles! The cables contributed to this too. It’s free of microphonics so you can jump and skip but the ears won’t hear a thing rubbing but if you are afraid that the cable may start skipping with you, RockJaw included a shirt clip to avoid that, when you’re done, there’s a pouch which is of twice the size of Arcana V2, Hydra V2, and Alfa Genus’s pouch size [length wise]. It’s about the size of an iPhone 6… not Plus.

When it comes to isolation, RockJaw leaves most outside sound behind. It perfectly isolates you from the outside world and allows you to totally focus in the music and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how good the isolation with the right eartips provided. There are of 3 pairs, S, M, and L respectively. Really good quality eartips and comfortable. I tried on some ComplyFoams on these babies and I melted so I asked Bob why not include it, the answer surprised me! RockJaw is silently working at the backstage for their very, very own foam eartips. Ya heard that! Their own foam eartips! #WhyILoveRockJaw

Moving on to the sound impression…

So as mentioned, the RockJaw Kommand comes with 3 filters and they are great but you want to make sure that, you don’t lost any of them, otherwise, you will either have to suffer the imperfection of the Kommand or purchase it again for the fast delivering service of RockJaw replacement part to arrive. The RockJaw Kommand filters are actually larger than the Alfa Genus so I have less worries about losing them. The filters are very shiny, and coloured in a very beautiful matching color with the Kommand itself. The colors are, champagne, silver and grey [although RockJaw call it black]. Depending on what music I am listening to, I would choose a different filters. The champagne is "neutral", the grey/black is "reference" and the silver being "bassy" but I do find it not true to a certain extend.



Interestingly, unlike the RockJaw Alfa Genus’s filters, I find that, the Kommand’s filters are more dependent on the album that you are listening to instead of genre. I find all the three filters to be able to compensate each other well and I like… sorry, LOVE. The whole idea of exchangeable filters but, that is not all about the Kommand. The Kommand is a hybrid IEM using 8mm dynamic driver and a single balanced armature. I personally love hybrid IEMs. While balanced armature delivers great sound, I often find myself missing the punches that most dynamic drivers offer and I must say, the Kommand represents a great example on how good this hybrid fusion could be bundled up with exchangeable filters.

Like the Alfa Genus, there is the bass, midrange and treble filter respectively although RockJaw names it differently as mentioned earlier. However, I find the Kommand are more refined, better soundstage, instrumental separation than the Alfa Genus. It’s an immediate upgrade over every aspect with sound that is more towards the audiophile. The Alfa Genus’s filters while great but for example, when using the treble filter, it focus too much on treble that some other frequency are ignored, midrange was well balanced while the bass filter has too much focus on bass that sometimes, the other frequency are put to the background as well! This definitely does not happen to RockJaw’s flagship, the Kommand.

When using the bass filter [silver], the Kommand still manges to give spot for the mids and the treble instead of focusing all the glory at the bass region. The bass was evenly boosted, and it goes deep down. It does not feel like its bleeding into anywhere else either. I could hear every single beat drop even in the fastest phase therefore, good handling over there. And no, no awkward v-shaped sound, maybe the midrange is a ted small tiny bit behind the bass in comparison to other filters but its still nice and clear there. While the bass is not as loud as the Alfa Genus, control, stability, depth is the key over here. The treble is dark but is not nightmare dark. Details are there and biting silently behind the music when heard well. My only concern with this filter is that, the vocal is chesty and the music sounds too thick with certain tracks but not all and there are sometimes, a little bloated but nothing massive. Otherwise, it’s a very creamy smooth filter. I tend to like this for most top hit tracks.

The neutral filter[champagne] did it right this time on the Kommand! It doesn’t feel like as if it is cutting my hair off. The bass doesn’t have absolutely no existence and midrange does not sound crinkly. In fact, this filter on the Kommand focus the right amount of treble and I think that, many treble head will like this. It’s detailed, and there are no awkward spikes anywhere to be found. Bass still has its presence but definitely not strong [it has the least bass of all the filters]. Like the Alfa Genus, due to the less amount of bass punching, the soundstage seems to be the widest with this filter. So again, if you are a detail / treblehead, definitely look into these but warn you thought, female vocals can still sound bright if you are not used to it. The midrange as mentioned, is not crinkly, its there and sits nicely between the bass and the treble.

Lastly, the reference/grey/black filter. I find slight disappointment in this filter as everything seem to sound a tiny bit veiled. I am guessing it to be due to the filter in the chamber of the filter itself as it is blocking some frequencies from passing through and I am sorry to say, it does not do its job as good as the other two filters. However, though, if you prefer a more veiled sound, this filter could be for you but definitely not for me. The bass quantity sits nicely between the two filters with the treble being put way behind existence with some tracks. Everything sounds a little closed up than it should with this filter. Sort of like listening to music in the pub.

Soundstage overall, is great with all the filters. It has a large hall room but why make all the instruments congested together at one point in the middle? The instrumental separation on the Kommand is not what I would have preferred but nevertheless, I enjoy listening to music with the Kommand. The details are great and shows great presence. My only grid is the grey filter, I hope RockJaw can somehow fix it in the coming future, otherwise, a 10/10 recommended product given its price!

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Dickymint
Dickymint
Nice, I am glad someone has now done a review, either that or I have missed it!
On the subject of bass, a lot of people seem to find bass a bit naughty but to me, bass is the main substance and the building block for all music, no bass, no depth to the music, IMHO! Do these headphones produce bass? Not, it's in there somewhere, I am asking do they rock?
Pros: Build quality, easy fit (albeit shallow), mobile enabled cable, stunning looks, tuneable sound via filter system, good clarity, 3 year warranty
Cons: Ear-hooks may not be liked by everyone, accessory pack is sparse for price range, needs hard carry case.
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For larger views of any of the photos (1200 x 800) - please click on the individual images

INTRODUCTION

I’ve been working with RockJaw UK for the last 12 months giving feedback on their IEM line, and providing reviews as they get to release point. So it was with great pleasure that I received a courier pack from Bob containing the Arcana V2, Hydra V2, and also their flagship Kommand IEM.  I’ve posted a review on both the Hydra and Arcana earlier – and for the past week and a bit I’ve been able to now concentrate on the Kommand.
 
RockJaw’s original flagship was actually called the Kontrol – and was supposed to be a dual driver IEM. Unfortunately, when I received them around a year ago, they looked stunning, were really well built, but they sounded pretty average. After a bit of discussion with Bob, he informed me that they were going back to the drawing board with a lot of their range, and would keep in touch with progress along the way.  Fast forward to late 2014, and the Kontrol had been replaced by the Kommand, the dual driver had become a single driver with tuneable filters, and RockJaw was once again ready to see what we thought.
 
I won’t say too much until the body of the review – but yes, they’ve achieved most of what they set out to do.  The Kommand (IMO) does have a sound signature worthy of its status in their product range.
For those who aren’t aware, RockJaw is an English based audio company which although relatively new to the Head-Fi scene, has already released four IEMs and a full sized headphone. RockJaw’s service and communication in that time has been exemplary, and I really like how they have been interacting with this community to develop their product range.
 
RockJaw’s philosophy (http://www.RockJawaudio.com/our-story/) is that really good sound shouldn’t be unaffordable, and build quality can be obtained even at budget friendly pricing. A fantastic example of this is their Alfa Genus (http://www.head-fi.org/products/rock-jaw-alfa-genus/reviews/11243), and Arcana V2 (http://www.head-fi.org/products/rock-jaw-arcana-v2/reviews/12330) IEMs – both of which I believe are very good at their price points.
 
The Kommand arrived almost 2 weeks ago, and especially in the last week, I’ve spent a lot of time with these in my ears – simply because they are a lovely sounding IEM. I’d estimate I have around 30 hours listening time with them so far.
 
Read on to find out my personal thoughts on the Kommand and who might find them to their tastes.
 
DISCLAIMER
 
I was provided the Kommand as a review unit from RockJaw. I am in no way affiliated with RockJaw - and this review is my honest opinion of the Kommand. I do want to take this opportunity to thank Bob – he exemplifies RockJaw’s excellence in customer care in every communication we have.
 
PREAMBLE - 'ABOUT ME'.   (or a base-line for interpreting my thoughts and bias)
 
I'm a 47 year old music lover.  I don't say audiophile – I just love my music.  Over the last couple of years, I have slowly changed from cheaper listening set-ups to my current set-up.  I vary my listening from portable (Fiio X5, X1 and iPhone 5S) to my desk-top's set-up (PC > coax > NFB-12 > LD MKIV > HP).  I also use a portable set-up at work – either X5/X1 > HP, or PC > Beyer A200p > HP.  My main full sized headphones at the time of writing are the Beyer T1 and Sennheiser HD600.  Most of my portable listening is done with IEMs - and up till now it has mainly been with the Fidue A83, Dunu DN Titan and Altone200. A full list of the gear I have owned (past and present is listed in my Head-Fi profile).
 
I have very eclectic music tastes listening to a variety from classical/opera and jazz, to grunge and general rock.   I listen to a lot of blues, jazz, folk music, classic rock, indie and alternative rock.  I am particularly fond of female vocals.  I generally tend toward cans that are relatively neutral/balanced, but I do have a fondness for clarity, and suspect I might have slight ‘treble-head’ preferences.  I am not treble sensitive (at all), and in the past have really enjoyed headphones like the K701, SR325i, and of course the T1 and DT880.
 
I have extensively tested myself (abx) and I find aac256 or higher completely transparent.  I do use exclusively redbook 16/44.1 if space is not an issue.  All of my music is legally purchased (mostly CD – the rest FLAC purchased on-line).
 
I tend to be sceptical about audiophile ‘claims’, don’t generally believe in burn-in, have never heard a difference with different cables, and would rather test myself blind on perceived differences.  I am not a ‘golden eared listener’.  I suffer from mild tinnitus, and at 47, my hearing is less than perfect.
 
For the purposes of this review - I used the RockJaw Kommand straight from the headphone-out socket of my iPhone 5S, X5, and X1.  I also used my Beyer A200p and also the E11K amplifier, but IMO they do not benefit from additional amplification.  In the time I have spent with the Kommand, I have noticed no change to the overall sonic presentation (break-in), but am aware that my impression of their sonic footprint may have changed over time with use (brain burn-in).
 
This is a purely subjective review - my gear, my ears, and my experience.  Please take it all with a grain of salt - especially if it does not match your own experience.
 

THE REVIEW

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES          
 
The Kommand arrived in RockJaw's new retail packaging, which has the same colour combination as the Hydra and Arcana, but a different design. The retail box (140 x 115 x 50mm) consists of a retail outer with a large window at the front, and an inner compartment. A quick note about the outer box – it arrived with a protective screen over the window, to keep it in pristine condition. RockJaw keeps surprising me with little touches like this. They understand about presentation.
 
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Front of retail box
Rear of retail box
 
It’s nice to see. The front of box shows (through the window) the Kommand nestled safely in its fitted foam inner, and the front print just simply states its name, and the fact that it is a hybrid IEM.  The rear of the box has information on the specifications, and sound characteristics.
 
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Box design - hinged lid with magnetic clasp
Foam top inset with Kommand, hooks and tips
 

Lifting the hinged lid on the outer box reveals a fitted foam insert holding the Kommand, tips and filters. Lifting the foam insert out, reveals a lower compartment which has a large felt RockJaw bag, shirt clip and instruction manual.
 
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Lower compartment
Full package - Kommand + accessories
 

The included carry pouch is essentially a draw string felt type bag – but it appears well made and I’ve found a use for it – being around the right size for my X1 and E11K when they’re not in use. Sadly – it isn’t an ideal case for the Kommand – simply due to the ear-hooks. Whilst they are very sturdy and well made, they aren’t removable, and really need more protection than a soft case can provide IMO. Fortunately a standard Brainwavz case is a perfect size, so I’ve been using one since I received them.
 
 
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Accessories included bag, filters, tips, clip and manual
Silicone tips
 

The accessory pack includes 3 pairs (S, M, and L) single flange silicone tips, a shirt clip, and of course the 3 filters (which I’ll go into more detail on later). The tip selection is very frugal – especially considering the price point (120 GBP or 180 USD). An opportunity missed.
 
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
 
(From RockJaw)
Type
Single BA and single 8mm dynamic driver hybrid inner ear monitor
Frequency Range
20 Hz – 20 Khz
Impedance
16 ohm
Sensitivity
110 dB +/- 3dB
Plug
3.5mm gold plated, right angled
Cables
1.2m twisted and PVC sheathed, and includes inline mic + button control
Weight
18g
IEM Shell
Cartridge shape, tone wood and metal cap (for filters)
Other
3 tuning filters included – bass, reference, neutral
 
FREQUENCY GRAPHS
 
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Silver (bassy) filter
Black/grey (balanced) filter
Champagne/gold (treble) filter
 
I have included 3 graphs provided by Bob from RockJaw which detail the different tuning of the filters. I’ve combined the 3 into a single graph below so that you can see how they differ. Probably the biggest difference between the Kommand and Alfa Genus (which also has a filter system) is the targeted tuning of the Kommand.
 
filtercomparison.png
 
I’ve preferred to call the 3 filters “bass”, “reference” (or if you like ‘balanced’), and treble – because that is how they appear to me. Rather than discussing signature in this section, I’ll do so in detail under the sound section below.
 
BUILD QUALITY
 
When I first saw the Kommand in person, what immediately struck me was an impression of quality and craftsmanship.
 
The Kommand has a tone wood body with a metal cap (at the nozzle end) and a rotating ear rest/clip at the back. The wood body is stunning – really beautiful finish, with a nice finish which accentuates the grain in the wood.  It is very smooth. There is a single port/vent in the wood body adjacent to the cable exit.
 
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Wood colour and texture is gorgeous
Looking down on top of filter/nozzle
 

The metal cap at the front has an internal thread, and this is where you screw in the adjustable filters. The metal is nicely polished, smooth, and melds well with the wooden body. The filters screw into the metal cap, and essentially become the nozzle of the IEM.
 
 
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Cable exit and another view of the wood grain
Ear-hook mechanics are precision engineered
 

At the rear of the Kommand is RockJaw’s “ear-hook” assembly. This consists of a single arm from the back of the IEM, joined to another arm with an ear shaped hook (much like a pair of glasses). This is fully adjustable, very sturdy, and incredibly well machined.  It screams quality.
 
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Kommand body vent
Print (white on gun-metal) is easy to see
 

The actual body of the Kommand is approximately 12mm in diameter, and 20mm long from cap to base (without the nozzle/filter – which adds another 5-6mm).
 
There is a very sturdy metal exit for the cable, and this in term has good strain relief protection – however, I do wish RockJaw would affix the strain relief better to the metal (my right side has already pulled clear once, and will need to be glued - *side note* - I raised this with Bob and they are already looking into it). This is the only blemish I’ve seen so far with build quality.
 
The L/R markings are in white type on the gun metal cable exits and easy to read. The left ear piece is the only one to have the mic/button control which makes it even easier to locate the correct earpiece.
 
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Side view of Kommand body sans filter
Filter removed exposing internals
 

The nozzles/filters have a generous lip, and are also meshed to protect the drivers. One of the things I love about RockJaw’s nozzles is that they are slightly tapered at the front – which means it is a little easier to get tips in place.
 
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Included filters
Filter internals - only "balanced" filter has damping
 
The cable is brilliant, and again I wish more manufacturers would adopt something similar. It is a twisted pair encased in a smooth flexible PVC sheath which is very pliable, very non-microphonic, and appears to be very strong.
From the left earpiece there is a combined mic and single button control device (1 click pause/play, 2 fast clicks track +1, 3 fast clicks, track -1). This hangs (when worn over ear) about half-way between my jaw and shirt collar.  The microphone is a good for audio and in my testing voice came through loud and clear. For those preferring a chin slider/cinch, the mic unit is the reason it is missing – but a shirt clip is included instead. Small note here – the button control works well with my iP5S, and (surprisingly) also with my Fiio X1 (although it was occasionally flaky with the X1).
 

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Very good quality cable
Microphone and remote button
 

The Y-split is very generic / no frills, but has reasonable strain relief at the single exit.
 
The jack is right angled, 4 pole, very slim (ideal for smartphones with cases) and at my preferred 90 degree angle.
 
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Jack and Y-split
Combination of modern style, and industrial precision
 

Overall the build quality is an extremely good standard.  Apart from the strain relief issue, I can’t really fault them at all.
 
 FIT / COMFORT / ISOLATION
 
I have one ear canal slightly different to the other one (my right is very slightly smaller) - so I tend to find that usually single silicon flanges don't fit overly well.  I initially tried the included large silicone tips, and couldn’t get a seal (at all). Because there are no other tips included by RockJaw, I immediately reverted to my large tip collection, and tried some large bore silicones, large dual flange, large Sony Isolation tips, and also some large Comply tips.  The reason I was using large rather than medium was simple – the ear-hooks don’t allow (for me anyway) a deep seal. Anyway – the best seal (and sound) for me was a pair of Comply tips or the Sony Isolation tips – so I used these for the remainder of the review.
 
Comfort is actually very good and they are light weight, and easy to fit (once you have the right tips, and master the ear hooks). Surprisingly, I can wear these lying down, but they aren’t as comfortable as my A83 or Altones when lying on my side.  Although I have slept with them in, a lot will depend on your ear shape and how well these fit.
 
Cable down and ear hooks engaged
Cable up and ear hooks engaged
 
The ear hooks for many are going to be a love ‘em or hate ‘em relationship.  For a start, I found them cumbersome, unwieldy and frustrating.  However, once I got my tip selection right and mastered the knack of correctly twisting the hooks over my ears, fitting became rapid, consistent and comfortable. It takes a little adjusting first to get the angles of the arms correct, but once you do, the set-up stays nicely and firmly in place.
 
The Kommand can be worn cable over ear or cable down – simply by rotating the nozzle to point the cable exit up or down. This is shown by my daughter Emma in the photos above. If you look closely at the right exit, you can see where the relief has come out of the exit tube – and it’s this that I need to fix with a little glue.
 
Isolation with a good insertion and correct seal is average for an IEM, mainly due to the dynamic driver port and shallow fit. With music playing, most ambient noise is filtered out, and there is not a great deal of noticeable leakage at normal listening volumes. These would not be my choice for a long haul flight though.
 
REMOVAL OF THE EARHOOKS
 
I asked Bob if it was possible to remove the ear hooks, and he showed me how (see photos).  Effectively you’re breaking the screw into the rear cap – which then allows the arms to be removed. Because the screw is attached from the inside, the remainder is left exposed through the rear of the IEM.  A small drop of hot-glue seals the hole, and effectively holds the remaining screw piece in place.
 
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Tool required
Engage at the base of the Kommand 
Screw broken, hooks removed
 
The Kommand (for me at least) was then very easy to fit, very easy to get a deeper seal, and still sounded as good. Now please note – my Kommand (despite the photos) is still in one piece.  I had a faulty earlier model which I removed the cap from to take these photos. I wouldn’t dream of doing it to the sample I have now because IMO the ear hook assembly (now that I am used to it) actually works pretty well.  But the option is there if needed.  Just remember though, it probably kills your warranty – and it is definitely non-reversible.
 
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Dab of hot glue to secure remainder of screw
Komamnd minus hook assembly
Hooked vs non-hooked
 

I have spoken to Bob about researching a design where the ear-hooks could be removed or reattached easily – and hopefully this might be a change coming for the future. To me it would definitely add value.
 
THE FILTER SYSTEM
 
Like RockJaw’s Alfa Genus, the Kommand comes with 3 different user-fitted filters. Just a small note here – RockJaw lists (on the plate inside the packaging) the black/grey as reference and the gold as neutral. The 3 filters are actually what I would call:
  1. Silver = bassy, and most V shaped
  2. Gold = very bass light, treble oriented – clearly the “treble” filter (I wouldn’t call it reference)
  3. Black/grey = most balanced filter – still a little bassier than neutral, but not over-done.
 
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Silver bassy filter - no vent
Black/grey "balanced" filter - with damping
Champagne/gold treble filter - no damping but vented
 

On all 3 filters, the mid-range is very similar (this shows in the graphs too) with the biggest changes coming in the bass (mainly in sub-bass, but some effect in mid-bass as well), and also in the upper mid-range. On all 3 I have noticed a comparative dip in the lower mids (compared to other frequencies) and this has the effect of making vocals sound a little more relaxed or further back in the mix. This dip is least apparent with the gold filter, and occurs more with male vocals than female.
 
The bassy silver filter is actually one of the first bass filter systems I would have no problems living with. It just has a clear nozzle with no internal acoustic damping, and no vent. It effectively adds a lift in both bass (mainly sub, but some mid) and also upper mid-range. This gives a subtle nudge to bass impact, but also maintains a lot of clarity through the vocal area, and makes quite a V shaped sound, but one which sounds both smooth, and clear at the same time.
 
The bass-light gold filter is the one filter (this time) that definitely wasn’t to my taste. Like the silver filter, it has a clear nozzle with no internal acoustic damping – but this time has a small vent. It has very clear vocals, and sounds very fast. But the bass is just AWOL.  I mean it’s still there, but it has no real impact, and kind of reminds me of the old ATH A700.  You can get used to it – but it always sounds as if something is missing. For me (as a borderline treble-head) to not really like this filter is a telling sign. It just needs a little lift in the bass (a small adjustment).
 
The grey/black (sort of gun-metal) filter is the only one with a filling inside it. This looks like a convex membrane of some sort. It also has a small port/vent. It is a nice balance between the two other filters having a good bass presence, but also a little less peakiness in the upper mid-range. The sound is still mildly V shaped – but impressively clear.

SOUND QUALITY

The following is what I hear from the Kommand.  YMMV – and probably will – as my tastes are likely different to yours (read the preamble I gave earlier for a baseline).  Most of the testing at this point was done with my Fiio X5 as source, no EQ, and Comply tips. From this point on, all testing was done with the grey/black balanced filter.
 
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Tracks used were across a variety of genres – and can be viewed in this list http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks.
 
Thoughts on General Signature
 
I already covered a little of the signature descriptions above in my filter summary – but if I was to describe the default signature with the black/grey in a few words – I’d choose the words “clear”, “smooth”, and “organic”.
The Kommand has a signature which mixes clarity in the mid-range with nicely balanced but impactful bass and a smooth top end. The resultant combination is a nicely balanced overall presentation which has plenty of detail and clarity, but is also quite smooth.
 
Overall Detail / Clarity
 
For this I always use both Steely Dan’s “Gaucho” and Dire Strait’s “Sultans of Swing” as there is a lot of micro detail in both tracks, and the recording quality for both is excellent.
 
First up was Gaucho, and what a lovely presentation. The sax intro is nicely detailed, and all the normal detail of the track is there, and more importantly separated nicely. Bass is very good on this track – perfectly balanced.
Moving onto “Sultans of Swing”, and once more the separation of instruments, clarity, and overall presentation of the Kommand is brilliant.  The bass is quick, sounds natural and compliments rather than overpowering. Bass guitar is perfect.  Vocals are clear – just slightly back a little – but easy to follow. Knopfler’s guitar sits out in front, and has good edge and crunch. Cymbals are there but not overdone. There is no evidence of smearing on any track I’ve listened to so far.
 
What I am noticing (after listening to Lofgren’s “Keith Don’t Go”) is how well the Kommand portrays guitar – especially acoustic. It’s certainly an organic sound.
 
Sound-stage & Imaging
 
For this I use Amber Rubarth’s binaural recording “Tundra”.  I use this because it’s a pretty simple way to get comparative data on sound-stage.
 
It’s usually difficult to get a reasonable stage size from an inner ear monitor.  The stage is often quite small / close – with an average impression of space.  The Kommand has an average stage for an IEM, and with this track extends just out of head (not by a large margin though).  There are good directional cues and both width and depth are represented well – just a little closer and more intimate.
 
Next up was Loreena McKennitt’s “Dante’s Prayer” and the Kommand shone once again here. Not so much the impression of stage/space – because that was merely average / intimate. But the portrayal of piano, cello, and Loreena’s vocals together was captivating. Imaging in this track is OK, nothing stunning, but clarity and separation (without losing that sense of smoothness or refinement) remains very good. A beautiful and natural rendition of tone and timbre. In this track, the applause at the end can be so well presented that with some headphones (HD600) I can actually close my eyes and imagine myself in the crowd.  With the Kommand, I’m definitely in the crowd (the applause is around me). It is close, but it feels real, and it’s pretty impressive.
 
Bass Quality and Quantity
 
The Kommand has bass that is slightly north of neutral in quantity but quite agile and generally clean. It’s definitely not overdone, and hasn’t overpowered any tracks I’ve listened to so far. It does seem to present a quite natural sounding decay – especially in the very low bass, and this just gives it an added sense of realism – although it can make really bassy tracks a little boomy (this is pretty infrequent though). When the bass is present in a track though, the Kommand can go impressively low, and it has good impact (even better with the silver filters).
 
Amongst my test tracks is “Muddy Waters” by Mark Lanegan.  This blues rock track is quite dark and brooding anyway – and is often a good test of bass bleed. The Kommand had impressive thump with a little bloom, but didn’t impact on Mark’s vocals (which had great timbre and plenty of the “gravel” he’s well known for). The bass delivery is controlled, and enjoyable.
 
Switching to Lindsay Stirling, and the Kommand is really good with this electronic/dub mix. This time the bass is tight and punchy with very good depth. And it really contrasts nicely with the clarity of the violin.
 
Female Vocals – A Special Note
 
I have added this section simply because around 60-65% of my music revolves around female vocals – be it jazz, pop, rock, electronic, or even opera.  I’m an unabashed fan.  For me the sign of a successful IEM is how successfully it conveys emotion and timbre with my female vocalists. Other IEMs I’ve owned in the past had sometimes struggled with some of the artists I like – and this includes IEM’s like Shure’s SE535 LE (upper-mids on the SE535 LE are quite forward).
 
This was always going to be an interesting test for the Kommand because whilst they have an upper mid-range bump, it also seems to have a bit of treble roll-off (perhaps this is why they are quite smooth), and I wasn’t sure how the recession in the lower mids would translate to some artists I have. Artists like Agnes Obel can become quite strident or shouty if the mids aren’t presented quite right. With Aventine, her vocals were very good – but some of the opening background music (centered mainly on the lower mids) was a little hollow sounding. It is forgivable though as it is such a hard track to get perfect. Obel’s vocals weren’t quite as euphonic as my A83 or Altone200, but no problem to listen to overall with the Kommand.
 
I then proceeded to play my normal medley of other tracks from artists including Christina Perri, Julia Stone, Gabriella Cilmi, Florence and the Machine, Feist, and Norah Jones. In each case, the Kommand was a joy to listen to, though if I was comparing side-by-side with my big 2 for female vocals (A83 and Altone200), the Kommand would not beat either for my tastes. It is still a hugely enjoyable listening experience with female vocals though – and both Feist’s and FATM’s tracks were hugely enjoyable (mix of great vocal presentation and almost perfect bass contrast). Cilmi’s “Safer” was a standout though – great tonality, and so smooth.
 
Male Vocals
 
At the other end of the scale sits a lot of my rock tracks. 
 
The Kommand was very good with pretty much everything I queued. Vocals were clean and clear, guitar had good edge, and the bass was fast and had some nice impact. With acoustic rock, the Kommand seemed to go into another gear, and once again with Seether’s “Immortality” I was struck by how natural and organic it sounded.
 
I went through my usual track list and even the faster paced Diary of Jane couldn’t upset RockJaw’s Kommand performance (excuse the pun). Smearing was nowhere to be heard, and that is quite an accomplishment with this often congested track.
 
Time for what has become my litmus test with male vocals – Pearl Jam. The Kommand aces it – great tonality, and the ability to convey emotion.  Detail contrast is very good.  Bass is there and in perfect proportion. This is definitely my kind of sound.
 
Genre Specific Notes
 
Again for tracks, albums, artists – please refer to this list:  http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks
 
My reviews have tended to get a bit long winded recently so I’m going to try and condense this section to very short summaries.
 
Rock – already covered with the Male Vocal section above.  The Kommand does rock well. Especially anything acoustic.
 
Alt Rock – Very good with Porcupine Tree’s “Trains”. Great impact. Nice tone. Very smooth, but not lacking any detail. Bass was tight and quick – the way it should be. Floyd’s “Money” was good – but slightly hollow. Easily fixed by bumping the low treble a bit. Sax presentation was brilliant though.
 
Jazz / Blues – Both Portico Quartet and Miles Davis were very easy to listen to. Very good contrast and nice presentation of micro detail. Davis was exceptional, although when comparing the filters, Jazz was one of the genres I preferred the silver filter. With Blues, Beth Hart’s “Lift You Up” was raw, emotional and powerful – the way it should be. Really nice backbeat with this track too – and once again guitar was presented beautifully. Likewise Bonamassa’s guitar and vocals shone with the Kommand – enough for me to queue his entire “Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House” double album, and listen to it twice!
 
Rap / EDM – Absolutely shines with these genres – but again the silver filter was my preference. There is something about a V shaped frequency response and EDM. Little Dragon was magic – as was the Flashbulb.
 
Pop / Indie – Pretty good with mainstream artists like Coldplay and Adele. Norah Jones “The Fall” album was pure liquid joy for the ears. Yesper’s “Cannibal King” was equally as enjoyable, proving to me once again that the Kommand really does guitar stunningly well. The Kommand (like the Arcana before it) does Indie incredibly well.  There is something about its mid-range which is captivating with this genre.
 
Classical / Opera – Not really surprising, but the Kommand aced this as well. Standout for me was Kempff’s piano solos and Zoe Keating’s cello. Both had amazing timbre, and very easy to lose yourself.
 
AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 
I covered this in the introduction – but to me the Kommand definitely don’t need any extra amplification. They were easily powered out of all my portable devices, and with the X5 I rarely go above 30/120 in terms of volume for mainstream music. With classical I had to bump the volume a little – but nothing onerous (around 45/120 for Fischer), and even the iPhone was nowhere near maxed in all the time I used it. I also performed my standard test and volume matched, and then compared the X1 and X1+E11K. Apart from a slight change in tonality (minimal) there was no real change in dynamics to these ears.
 
WHAT ABOUT EQ
 
The Kommand don’t really need it, and most people will simply change the signature by changing the filters. But I did try EQ with the treble filter (lifting the 30-150 Hz range a little – more sub, a little less mid), and it responded well.  Likewise, little adjustments when I thought it was needed (bumping the low treble for a little more contrast with “Money”) gave great response.  In Kommand, RockJaw has a driver that copes really well with tweaking.
 

KOMMAND - SUMMARY & THOUGHTS ON IMPROVEMENT

Sonically, the RockJaw Kommand is a well-tuned and versatile IEM. It portrays most genres very well, and IMO excels with both acoustic and also EDM or other electronic based genres (especially with the silver filters).
It has a reasonably solid build and is stunning aesthetically (love that wood and metal combo with the ear-guides).  It has a very good cable, fits nicely (once you master the ear guides), and is both light weight and looks to be reasonably durable in the long term.
 
The ear-guides are going to be a question mark for many – I hope people do give them a decent go though, because once you get the hang of the fit, it actually is pretty easy to maintain.
 
The “not so goods” are pretty minor, and exist more around what is missing rather than something implemented badly. First up – a hard case is needed – especially to protect those ear hooks. Next, at $180 USD I personally would expect a better tip selection – especially if you consider what RHA offers with their T10i for similar money. Of course I much prefer the Kommand’s tuning – but even with its superior sound, the accessory pack should be better. Lastly – please – glue those strain reliefs properly. I had the same issue with my Alfa Genus. It’s not something I should have to fix myself.
 
As far as future improvements go – it would be great to have the ear guides as both easily removable and re-attachable. This would add a measure of versatility that would definitely be ahead of the competition. Secondly – I’d look at slightly retuning the gold filter. I just can’t see anyone using it in its present form. It doesn’t need much – just a touch more bass.
 
Otherwise the Kommand is very good.  Fix the accessory package and the strain relief and you definitely have an IEM that is worth the asking price, and is comparable to the competition.
 
Thanks once again to Bob and the RockJaw team for giving me this opportunity.
 
kommand37.jpg
Pros: Adorably sumptuous. Look impressively premium.
Cons: The stupid ear guides.

ROCKJAW KOMMAND Quick Review
 
Thanks to ROCK JAW for the sample.
 
Full review can be found here http://www.head-fi.org/t/752136/rockjaw-kommand-review-by-mark2410
 
Brief:  Effortlessly grand with ear guides.
 
Price:  £120 or about US$180   N.B. currently going for just £99 somewhere
 
Specification:  Drivers: Balanced armature + 8mm dynamic, 3x Interchangeable tuning filters, Impedance: 16Ω, Sensitivity: 110+/-3db, Frequency response: 20 – 20000Hz, Cord Length: 1.2M, MIC with pause/play button – (iOS & Android compatible), Jack type: Gold plated 3.5mm
 
Accessories:  3 pairs of tips, 3 pairs of sound tuning filters, a shirt clip and a little baggy for keeping it together.  Pretty disappointed with the baggy.
 
Build Quality:  Very nice.  A combination of ebony surrounding the IEM and the rest being metal it feels premium and it looks premium too.
 
Isolation:  Meh. They sit shallow, the have a dynamic in them and 2 of the 3 filters have additional venting.  You’ll get by for normal out and about or on a bus use but you’ll be steering away from quiet classical pieces.  Not one you’ll want for Tube commutes or flights.  With music on though, still enough to obscure that car that’s about to hit you.
Comfort/Fit:  Err, well the ear guide just got in my way but with some fiddling I got it positioned so I could wear them up and fitting me well.  Once done comfort was great.  A bit awkward getting on and off but fine once set.  I’d have greatly preferred no ear guide.
 
Aesthetics:  They look pretty great.  Wood and metal scream fancy yet reserved. Tre posh.
 
Sound:  Adorable.  Yes you can alter the sound signature with the filters.  The silver is the closed and no high filter so its bass is more hard and punchily aggressive.  The gold is open and no high filter so, its bass is just like the blacks and its highs like the silver.  Both their treble is light and sprightly, being a BA it’s a hint over crisp and its extension trails off quite sharply once you get very high.  Still for a BA it’s got a good level of delicate refinement.  Mids tend to be a little over shadowed on the golds and by highs and bass on the silvers.  On the black though, they are more prominent and are lovely.  The bass is a hint soft and sumptuous, the highs are gently tamed and the mids become more noticeably creamy and flowing.  It’s not an attention grabber but I found it grew on me without me barely noticing and finding that I actually love it.  It’s just so effortlessly easy on the ear I was happily spending the whole day with it and finding myself reluctant to remove them.  It’s a beautifully organic and warmly natural feeling IEM and you could absolutely forget there is a crossover in them.  It’s all so beautifully and smoothly integrated.  I know on paper it’s not “better” than its competitors but I find I am enjoying this much more than its on paper attributes would suggest.  Tonally it pushes all of my buttons, I just love it.
 
Value:  Well it’s a bit costly, I’m sure you’re paying for its fancy construction, the filters and that ear guide.  So on paper others are “better” value.  However you do get a more probably sound sig match with the filters of your not 100% sure what sound is you.
N.B. I’ve just found them going for £100 to which I say, oh hell yes!
 
Pro’s:   Adorably sumptuous.  Look impressively premium.
 
Con’s:  The stupid ear guides. 
 

rgwrjs
rgwrjs
Nice review. Thank you

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