Introduction/Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Sendiy Audio for the opportunity to review the M1221 in ear monitor headphones. They provided me a free sample in exchange for my honest opinion. The current price for these excellent IEMs on Aliexpress is approximately $199 USD. Here is a link to purchase:
Sendiy M1221 Aliexpress
IIRC, the price a few weeks ago was around $150. I believe the recent price increase is due to the addition of an upgraded audiophile cable mentioned about half way down the web page. The above Aliexpress link has some excellent pictures of the IEMs and accessories.
My Background and Sound Preference:
I joined Head-Fi back in 2009 when I started researching headphones for travel. Thousands of dollars later, I’ve built up a collection of mostly budget (under $200) IEMs and headphones. I’m not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. Just a music lover. Starting out, I was definitely a basshead. However, the last couple of years or so I’ve come to appreciate other aspects of good sound like vocal clarity, instrument details/separation and bass quality that doesn’t overwhelm everything else. I prefer vocals a little closer rather than behind all the instruments.
Specs and Accessories:
From Sendiy’s Aliexpress page:
Build Quality and Accessories:
When I first saw the box, the first thing that came to my mind was V-Moda. I believe Sendiy was inspired by V-Moda with the packaging. High quality presentation and packaging all the way down to a leather handle on the box lid. Also, a cloth ribbon has to be cut to get the lid open.
Inside the box, the IEMs and all accessories were tucked away in a hard plastic case. It is my understanding that this case is waterproof. It has a tethered handle for carrying around and is quite large. Plenty of room for everything plus extras. Sendiy also included a smaller, more portable soft case in the shipping box. Caution: opening the plastic case requires an excessive amount of force (at least the one that came with my set). Use care or injury can occur (like a bloodied fingernail LOL).
Inside the case are the IEMs, two sets of silver cables (standard + audiophile), several sets of silicon and foam ear tips, a shirt clip and 6 sets of filters. Note that there are only 3 actual types of filters to tweak the sound (silver, gun metal and black). However, an additional set of filters has been provided that are approximately 1/8” longer than the others. Therefore, one has two length options to choose from which provides greater flexibility for different types of ear canals. I thought this was a nice touch since I have larger ears and chose the longer filters. The filter sound options are as follows:
The included ear tips are ok, but nothing special. None of them ended up working well for me. Sony hybrids ended up providing the best fit and seal. Thus, they are the ones used for this review. Isolation is slightly above average for an IEM.
Sound Quality:
Black Filter - Treble Enhanced
I’m not a treble head that’s for sure. I listened to these only briefly with the black filters. If you love treble, this filter is for you.
Gun Metal Filter - Natural
I found this filter to be enjoyable, but still not my favorite. Treble, mids and bass in almost equal portions. I’m sure this would appeal to the majority of audiophiles. I’ll comment here that I don’t notice any sibilance or harshness with the gun metal or silver filters. The bass, while reduced, still provides adequate “thump” for most genres.
Silver Filter - Bass Enhanced
This is my personal preference and will be the focus of this review. The silver filters present an elevated bass response and make the M1221s more “v” shaped. The bass has nice texture and is authoritative. It remains pretty tight though and isn’t loose like some bass enhanced IEMs are prone to be. Mid-bass is present but not overdone. Bass is still less in quantity as compared to IEMs like the Sony XB90EX or Pioneer SE-CL751. I would like to comment here that going from gun metal to silver increases sub-bass mostly rather than mid-bass. This is a big plus IMO.
Mids sound good and have decent clarity. They are more prominent with the gun metal as compared to the silver of course, but I don’t find them left in the dust or drowned out. This is a case where genre comes into play. For classical, folk, instrumentals (e.g. bluegrass), classic rock, metal, etc. I think the gun metal would be the filter of choice. For EDM, pop, rap, hip hop, etc. silver would be the way to go.
The treble, IMO, is the M1221s weakest link. On the plus side, it is non-fatiguing and somewhat smooth. On the downside, it just doesn't excite. Cymbals lack enthusiasm. Higher registers seem to lack some sparkle.
General Sound Comments:
The stage of the M1221 isn’t expansive or open. You’ll get a more “in your head” experience. Some tracks can even sound congested.
I did notice that track quality comes into play with the M1221s more so than other IEMs I have. Some older tracks can sound dull and lifeless while putting on something like Infected Mushroom really livens things up. This, of course, is noticeable on my other IEMs, however not to the degree that is heard with the M1221s.
Resolution and clarity are very good which is what one would expect out of a 1 DD + 2 BA IEM.
Conclusion:
Overall, I’m impressed with the M1221s. Especially the build quality and accessories. I find them to be an enjoyable listen. At $150, I would heartily recommend them. However, at the current price of $200, they have some stiff competition (e.g. LZ A4 and Pinnacle P1). One is still getting good bang for the buck though even at that price. YMMV of course.
Thanks for reading!
Notes:
This review was performed using 320 Kbps MP3s and FLAC files of various genres (mostly classic rock and EDM (e.g. Infected Mushroom)). Listening levels were moderate to moderately loud. DAPs used were Rockboxed Xduoo X3 (flat EQ) and Cowon Plenue D (rock setting).
I would like to thank Sendiy Audio for the opportunity to review the M1221 in ear monitor headphones. They provided me a free sample in exchange for my honest opinion. The current price for these excellent IEMs on Aliexpress is approximately $199 USD. Here is a link to purchase:
Sendiy M1221 Aliexpress
IIRC, the price a few weeks ago was around $150. I believe the recent price increase is due to the addition of an upgraded audiophile cable mentioned about half way down the web page. The above Aliexpress link has some excellent pictures of the IEMs and accessories.
My Background and Sound Preference:
I joined Head-Fi back in 2009 when I started researching headphones for travel. Thousands of dollars later, I’ve built up a collection of mostly budget (under $200) IEMs and headphones. I’m not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. Just a music lover. Starting out, I was definitely a basshead. However, the last couple of years or so I’ve come to appreciate other aspects of good sound like vocal clarity, instrument details/separation and bass quality that doesn’t overwhelm everything else. I prefer vocals a little closer rather than behind all the instruments.
Specs and Accessories:
From Sendiy’s Aliexpress page:
- Function:For Mobile Phone,Monitor Headphone,Sport,For Routine Office Work,Common Headphone,Supports music,for Video Game,Noise Cancelling,Portable,HiFi Headphone,For iPod
- Support Apt-x:No
- Resistance:20Ω
- Frequency Response Range:20-20Hz
- Line Length:1.2m
- With Microphone:No
- Vocalism Principle: Hybrid technology
- Sensitivity:110±5dB
- Is wireless: No
- Connectors: AUX
- Waterproof:No
- Plug Type:L Bending
- Model Number: M1221
- Communication: Wired
- Style:Ear Hook
Build Quality and Accessories:
When I first saw the box, the first thing that came to my mind was V-Moda. I believe Sendiy was inspired by V-Moda with the packaging. High quality presentation and packaging all the way down to a leather handle on the box lid. Also, a cloth ribbon has to be cut to get the lid open.
Inside the box, the IEMs and all accessories were tucked away in a hard plastic case. It is my understanding that this case is waterproof. It has a tethered handle for carrying around and is quite large. Plenty of room for everything plus extras. Sendiy also included a smaller, more portable soft case in the shipping box. Caution: opening the plastic case requires an excessive amount of force (at least the one that came with my set). Use care or injury can occur (like a bloodied fingernail LOL).
Inside the case are the IEMs, two sets of silver cables (standard + audiophile), several sets of silicon and foam ear tips, a shirt clip and 6 sets of filters. Note that there are only 3 actual types of filters to tweak the sound (silver, gun metal and black). However, an additional set of filters has been provided that are approximately 1/8” longer than the others. Therefore, one has two length options to choose from which provides greater flexibility for different types of ear canals. I thought this was a nice touch since I have larger ears and chose the longer filters. The filter sound options are as follows:
- Silver - Enhanced Bass
- Gun Metal - Natural
- Black - Enhanced Treble
The included ear tips are ok, but nothing special. None of them ended up working well for me. Sony hybrids ended up providing the best fit and seal. Thus, they are the ones used for this review. Isolation is slightly above average for an IEM.
Sound Quality:
Black Filter - Treble Enhanced
I’m not a treble head that’s for sure. I listened to these only briefly with the black filters. If you love treble, this filter is for you.
Gun Metal Filter - Natural
I found this filter to be enjoyable, but still not my favorite. Treble, mids and bass in almost equal portions. I’m sure this would appeal to the majority of audiophiles. I’ll comment here that I don’t notice any sibilance or harshness with the gun metal or silver filters. The bass, while reduced, still provides adequate “thump” for most genres.
Silver Filter - Bass Enhanced
This is my personal preference and will be the focus of this review. The silver filters present an elevated bass response and make the M1221s more “v” shaped. The bass has nice texture and is authoritative. It remains pretty tight though and isn’t loose like some bass enhanced IEMs are prone to be. Mid-bass is present but not overdone. Bass is still less in quantity as compared to IEMs like the Sony XB90EX or Pioneer SE-CL751. I would like to comment here that going from gun metal to silver increases sub-bass mostly rather than mid-bass. This is a big plus IMO.
Mids sound good and have decent clarity. They are more prominent with the gun metal as compared to the silver of course, but I don’t find them left in the dust or drowned out. This is a case where genre comes into play. For classical, folk, instrumentals (e.g. bluegrass), classic rock, metal, etc. I think the gun metal would be the filter of choice. For EDM, pop, rap, hip hop, etc. silver would be the way to go.
The treble, IMO, is the M1221s weakest link. On the plus side, it is non-fatiguing and somewhat smooth. On the downside, it just doesn't excite. Cymbals lack enthusiasm. Higher registers seem to lack some sparkle.
General Sound Comments:
The stage of the M1221 isn’t expansive or open. You’ll get a more “in your head” experience. Some tracks can even sound congested.
I did notice that track quality comes into play with the M1221s more so than other IEMs I have. Some older tracks can sound dull and lifeless while putting on something like Infected Mushroom really livens things up. This, of course, is noticeable on my other IEMs, however not to the degree that is heard with the M1221s.
Resolution and clarity are very good which is what one would expect out of a 1 DD + 2 BA IEM.
Conclusion:
Overall, I’m impressed with the M1221s. Especially the build quality and accessories. I find them to be an enjoyable listen. At $150, I would heartily recommend them. However, at the current price of $200, they have some stiff competition (e.g. LZ A4 and Pinnacle P1). One is still getting good bang for the buck though even at that price. YMMV of course.
Thanks for reading!
Notes:
This review was performed using 320 Kbps MP3s and FLAC files of various genres (mostly classic rock and EDM (e.g. Infected Mushroom)). Listening levels were moderate to moderately loud. DAPs used were Rockboxed Xduoo X3 (flat EQ) and Cowon Plenue D (rock setting).