SHUOER TAPE

Shuoer Tape ($129): Electronically charged!



Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/collections/headphones-iems/products/shuoer-tape

I thank Linsoul for the review sample, and it is our understanding that the unit may be asked for back at any time. It is also understood that the unit is mine to keep until and if that were to happen. Also, don’t sell review samples, that’s really unethical, uncalled for and uncool.

From Prime Audio’s review: Shuoer Electronics is a Chinese manufacturing company based in Guangdong, China. Founded in 2016, its aim is to provide innovation and value with the use of science, product research and strict quality control.



PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver Configuration: Low-voltage Electrostatic Dynamic Driver
Sensitivity: 104dB/mW
Impedance: 18 ohm@ 1KHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz- 30KHz
Plug: 2.5mm Balanced Plug With a 2.5 to 3.5 Adapter
Connector: MMCX


More:

New technology with Low-Voltage Electrostatic Dynamic Driver
5-Axis CNC Carve Metal Body
High Purity 6N Single Crystal Copper Cable
High Quilty MMCX Connector
Coming with 2.5mm Balanced Jack and 2.5-3.5 Adapter


In the Box:

Electrostat driver IEM
2.5bal MMCX copper cable
2.5bal to 3.5se adaptor (different than one in picture, mine has a cable between jacks)
2 sets of s/m/l silicon tips (one wide bore, one smaller bore)
Instruction card
Silly M&M shaped two-part case



Comparisons:

TinHiFi T4 ($109)
IKKO OH-1 ($139)
Simgot EN700 Pro ($149)



Unboxing:

Coming in a round lidded container, which mimics a small Scotch case, the Shuoer has a piano keyboard wrapped around the bottom. Orange in color, one removes the lid like you would with the Scotch. Inside you find the IEM cradled in form fitting foam, with the instruction card bent over the top. Underneath you find the M&M-style case along with the tips and cable inside. A tidy container, and different for sure.

My one big dislike here is with the case. It has to be a joke. Threaded in two parts, when closed it indeed looks like a large forest green M&M. But to open, you must grab it fairly tight and unscrew. Herein lies the problem. It is slipperier than a greased pig in a high school, and not only flies out of my hand, but is ungodly hard to unscrew as well. These old hands had multiple problems opening the case to the point, where I left it barely screwed on. Surely this will lead to a failure of the threads or the lid will come off. Plus, one must wind the cable, adapter and IEM fairly tight in order for the unit to fit inside the case. Either way, this is the absolute worst case I have ever seen. Take the IEM and cable out and throw the case away. Or fill it with sand and use it for hockey. It would work.

Once you get past that horrid case, the Tape presents itself much like an older cassette tape. Hence the name. And it does look different and kind of cool. With a low voltage electrostat driver, one can see how the technology of higher end electrostats is working down to the mainstream.



Fit-n-finish:

Made of two pieces, the CNC machined, and powder coated “halves” fit together well, mimicking the angular shape of each half well. No mismatches to speak of, and the powder coating aids in keeping fingerprints off the IEM. A nozzle with a large protruding lip is press-fit into the inside half and is not overly long. It is a bit wider of bore, especially when putting tips on (a real PITA actually). Good finish exudes overall, with two Philips head screws of black and red adorning the back, while a small vent hole gives bass breathability below the nozzle on the inside.

Solid fitting MMCX cables adorn each side of copper wire. Nicely wound, with a tight plastic cinch at the gray metal y-splitter gives way to 4-braid evenly wound wires below. The standard 2.5bal jack is also of gray metal with a “tiered” sleeve protection of two layers. A first in my book. Easy to grip and functional, the cable is quite attractive. I also like the benefits of copper as a slightly warmer signature than silver. The adapter is 4-braid thicker copper between jacks with a length of cable about 6” long. Newer models have a right-angled jack included, so I consider myself lucky with the added good-looking adapter. I do wish the adapter was also of the gray color as well. But the silver looks acceptable.

The unit fits deeper into my ear than others of late. And the overall angular shape mimics Campfire Audio and their models somewhat. But, due to the small size, I found I could listen for extended time without pain. I also found that isolation was very, very good even with the included silicons. So much so, that I left those tips on for the duration.



Sound:

The Tape have a pleasant enough tonality overall, with good timbre. Mostly. Normally I have not heard timbre broken down, since it is reserved for the overall tendencies of the unit; but here I believe it warrants that separation. Bass & treble are good, with good deep reaching sound and a push up top, which is quite amiable, airy and crisp. Neither are offensive as they promote the music pretty straightforward and honestly. The bass can be a bit ungainly in control, bleeding into the mids, and hence bloom. It still has fairly fast decay, but that bleed carries over into the mids regardless. But taken separately the two hold down the ends well. The electrostat working well in an affordable manner, that is neither piercing nor sibilant, would be a definite plus with the treble.

Some have gushed over the presentation and clarity. And they are mostly good. Detail retrieval is good. But I would not call it great. There is air between notes, which aids in the clarity, but one thing holds the overall character back…the mids. To me, the mids sound like they were lifted from an old cassette and placed between the treble and bass hoping no one would notice. Well, that artificiality of mids cannot be missed. They sound scrunched and flat at the same time. I’m not sure how that works, but the mids and I do not get along. Snare hits like on Chlorine sound like the drum is 2” deep. There is no depth there, which hinders the ability to present those mid-level instruments. But and here is where the mids pull off somewhat of a miracle; the vocals are quite tangent from that character. Tyler’s voice sounds like it should. Clean, piercing (in a good way) and present at the right depth they just work. Normally his voice tends to be quite forward, but here it does not overpower. Call this a reaction to that scrunching and flattening of the overall mid character. It works anyway.



Sound stage/imaging/instrumentation:

You might think that based upon my analysis above that I do not like the Tape. Nor is it acceptable. Well, that would be wrong. For some reason, I still like the Tape. Maybe it is the bass quantity, and the inoffensive treble or the vocal presentation, but there are good points. The Tape has a wide sound stage, with adequate depth and height. Not quite a square, but wider than tall and deep. This width gives good instrument separation as well. You can pretty clearly hear where all are and where they should be. This is quite good, especially when you consider that there is an electrostat shoved into a package for less than $130usd. As a result, imaging is very good as well. This could be a case of the sum of the parts overcome the weakest link. It might be. Again, I fall back upon “pleasant” as a descriptor.


Comparisons (all prices USD, unless stated otherwise):

Shuoer Tape ($129) v TinHiFi T4 ($109):

The latest iteration of the T-series is their best. Except for the cable, everything else is an upgrade. In fact, I broke the MMCX cable on one, so I subbed in the cable from the T2 Pro for this. It sounds just as good as the original.

The mids are definitely the highlight of the T4. Clean, clear and crisp, they set the tone for an overall very good sound. Not as much bass as the Tape, and a bit more “splashiness” up top, gives a cleaner overall sound, but not piercing or peaky. On Stressed Out, the difference is clearly heard. No artificiality to the mids, like on the Tape. Presented the way it was meant to be. But the two go about their business indifferent manners. The T4 presents open and airy cleanliness. The Tape presents much more bass reach, and a treble with the electrostats, which is not unpleasant, nor peaky. Two different approaches, and you must decide whether you want a darker sound (Tape) or a cleaner, crisper sound (T4).


Shuoer Tape ($129) v IKKO OH-1 ($139):

There comes a time when you receive review units, which seemingly go under the radar. Or come and go quickly as today’s push often does. The OH-1 would be a case in point. With much more forward mids, and bass equivalent of the Tape, the OH-1 is one of my under the table favorites. Is it perfect? No, the cable tangles easily. The mids can be a bit shouty, but the treble and bass just hit my sweet spot with regard to my favored signature. Good rumble down low, as attested by Ride. When that thrust hits, it rumbles. Good reach up top, without piercing qualities or sibilance, like on the vocal parts of Ride. The OH-1 works well.

This would be another case of whether you want scooped out mids with good rumble down low, even if ungainly at times (Tape) or whether you want superbly controlled bass, vocals which are more forward, and treble, which while bright are never too bright (to me, and yes that is the OH-1). I know which one I would take…


Shuoer Tape ($129) v Simgot EN700 Pro ($149):

Over the years, I have reviewed many Simgot items. By and large I like them all. Probably my two favorites are the EM5 and this, the EN700 Pro. This to me is another model or even brand that has slipped under the radar. Providing consistent quality and affordability, Simgot pretty much set the tone for mid-fi ChiFi back in the day (all of five years ago). Another cult-classic to me, the EN700 Pro is quite good.

When Simgot asked me to review this unit, there were not many reviews out yet. Once I listened, I did not understand why. Other than a tangly cable, the Pro has as good of a reach as the Tape, with much better control. Up top, it can get a bit bright, but nothing that bothered me too much. Vocals are strong and present. Pushed forward a bit (or maybe just because the Tape is so withdrawn), the mids are open, airy and tie together both ends better than anything here, save the T4; which has much less bass, so it has an easier job.

Fit and finish is superb on the Simgot, and so too the Tape. This comes down to whether you want an electrostat for the top end, with scooped out mids; or if you want a more complete package, with slightly raised treble, and a different look. This would be the closest of comparisons here, and a tough call. I know which one I would prefer here as well.



Sources:

This section will be short and sweet. The Tape worked with all of the units I threw its way. From the ultra N6ii, to the “budget” M2x, and superb sounding DTR1; the Tape did not seem to care. Easy to drive, it came along happily and did not seem to offend from any of the sources. Like I said, short and sweet.


Finito:

We are left with one of the latest flavors of the month. Oftentimes I eschew reading others reviews before listening and making my own judgements. This would be a case of the opposite. I read many reviews and reread some. By and large, those reviews were positive all the way to gushing. I guess this is what makes it hard. I can be neither. The Tape has good bass reach (but uncontrolled) and rumble (a bit), but it bleeds into the mids, leading to bloom. The treble can become fatiguing and almost blisteringly hot at times as well. And this to me is the worst-case scenario. Why? Well, because those mids are pretty non-existent on top of the above. Recessed like few I have heard before, they are scrunched and flattened like a car in a junk yard being turned into a cube. You are left with only a hulking mass of metal. No character, only memories if you knew what the car was before.

And this is a shame to me, for the Tape has some laudable attributes, such as that good bass reach and an electrostat in a tiny package. It is also “affordable.” It has a wide sound stage, which gives good air between the notes. But to me the negatives outweigh those good aspects. The mids are so far behind that they are almost getting lapped by the bass and treble like a back marker at a NASCAR race. Plus, that case has to be a joke. Aesthetically pleasing at which to look, functionally unschooled to use. So, what it comes down to is whether you like the sound enough to put up with the shortcomings I mention. Or take the word of others, who like it and find ways to like the Tape. There are many who do. But alas, I am not one.

I thank Linsoul for the sample and continued support. Plus, from what I hear, the latest models from Shuoer are pretty decent.

Firstly I would like to thank Linsoul for sending me the Tape to review. I had not heard of Shuoer before but the Tape seemed to be getting some attention so I was looking forward to checking them out.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings

Gear Used:
Audio Opus #2 > Tape
JDS Labs Element II > Tape



Tech Specs:
Driver Configuration – Low-voltage Electrostatic Dynamic Driver
Sensitivity – 104dB/mW
Impedance – 18 ohm@ 1KHz
Frequency Response – 20Hz- 30KHz
Plug – 2.5mm Balanced Plug With a 2.5 to 3.5 Adapter
Connector – MMCX
MSRP – $129.00

Shuoer Tape

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The Tape come in a cylindrical box with the branding on the outside and the IEM’s inside along with the accessories. The box is a little different, and I like it, but it doesn’t allow you to see the product without opening the box. The IEM’s are tightly held in a foam inlay to protect them during shipping.

Build quality is great overall, the cable is copper and consists of 4-braids with good strain relief and connectors. Mine are the earlier version that came with a 3.5mm single ended jack. The housings are CNC machined and feel tough, and everything feels well put together. I have seen some people have issues with the MMCX connectors, however I am happy to say mine do not have any issues.

They come with 6 pairs of regular silicone tips but the nozzles are fairly accommodating of third party ones. They also come with quite a cool little metal case, very similar to some HiFiMan offerings. I really like the case and the Tape included all relevant accessories, nothing special to report here.

Comfort and Isolation:
The housings are an odd shape however they fit really well, once you get the right tips you can easily wear the Tape for hours on end. They are quite heavy but I haven’t had an issue with this so far.

Isolation is fairly average, the housings are vented from what I can tell but they still offer a fair amount isolation for general everyday use. They also leak a tiny bit if turned up loud.



Sound:
The Tape use an interesting sort of mini, low voltage electrostatic driver along with a dynamic driver to reproduce sound.

Lows: The Tape has a well balanced low end that has an impressive ability to extend deep into the sub-bass without causing bloat. The lows are always tight and controlled however they are not lacking in terms of quantity with good body to the sound. There is a definite emphasis on the sub-bass with a slightly reserved mid-bass that doesn’t punch all that hard. They sound well rounded and should offer up enough quantity for most listeners, but they are far from being a bass oriented IEM.

Midrange: The midrange has a dip in the lower section that causes some male vocals to sound mildly recessed however it gradually rises pulling out female vocals and guitar riffs with ease. There is not a lot wrong with the midrange, the lower mid recession doesn’t make them sound overly v-shaped and there is plenty of detail present. The detail is the standout quality of the Tapes midrange, they manage to extract detail other IEM’s for a similar price struggle with. The Tape do however have a peak around 3-4kHz that can bring out a little harshness. This peak is there, and how severe depends on your ears and tips used, however many people do choose to EQ this peak down. I personally don’t find it too problematic however I am possibly more tolerant of higher frequency peaks than some.

Highs: The highs are airy and spacious with good extension and detail, cymbal crashes are precise but never sharp. Every tap is heard with ease but they are not pushed forwards to bring out an artificial sense of detail. This means they round off the every so slightly v-shaped sound of the Tape perfectly and don’t overstep the mark. They roll off gently and sound smooth yet detailed, it is also easy to pinpoint where instruments are placed in the recording, especially in the treble due to the better than average layering.

The soundstage on the Tape is wider than average, you can easily pinpoint instruments within the stage, however it is wider than tall. Layering and instrument separation are better than average due to the Tape showing expert control over the drivers.



Conclusion:
I have a lot of good budget IEM’s come my way and there are a select few that deserve more praise than the rest. The Tape are one of those in my opinion, they have such a controlled, detailed and expansive sound for the price that they really have surprised me. They do roll off a little early in the highs, the lower midrange is a little recessed but overall I really like the sound and they offer up a lot of detail for the money. They seem to favour higher powered sources, and the Element II really makes them sing. If you like a clean and open sound signature that doesn’t lack low end the Tape are well worth looking in to.

Sound Perfection Rating: 7.5/10 (lower midrange dip, upper midrange peak, but overall a well built and great sounding IEM)

Introduction
Hi everyone, this a review of the Shuoer Tape, a $130 IEM that has recently garnered some fame for it's sound quality at an affordable price. While the Shuoer Tape advertises that it utilizes an electrostatic driver, it is actually a magnetostatic driver. Full disclaimer: I was sent the Shuoer Tape from Linsoul as a review unit in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Shuoer Tape has a black full metal shell with a shape that is reminiscent of the Campfire Andromeda. It appears to be vented in the back but rest assured there is very little sound leakage. The Tape utilizes an MMCX connector and comes with a braided 2.5mm MMCX cable. Included is a short 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter. Just like the Shuoer Singer, it's interesting that Shuoer has decided to include a 2.5mm cable with an adapter instead of just a 3.5mm cable.

In terms of accessories, the Shuoer Tape comes with a circular green metal screw case. Accessories are limited to two identical sets of silicon S, M, and L tips. I'm not a big fan of the quality of these silicon tips but they work well enough.

The fit of the Tape is fine for me though it does feel a little shallow. Isolation is decent enough for being vented but likely won't be enough for those in very loud environments.



Sound
Overall Sound Signature
The Shuoer Tape sounds classically V-shaped to me with a notable bass and treble presence while having thin mids. What's interesting with the Tape is that they manage more treble extension than a lot of IEMs do and adds an interesting dimension to it's sound. One thing that I did note was that the Tapes felt compressed to me; large choruses and outstanding transients feel a tad squashed and lacking it's usual energy. It's not bad but enough to make me think of it.

Bass
The Shuoer Tape's bass is tastefully elevated for a V-shaped IEM. I think it finds a nice balance between overtly bassy while still remaining a solid bass presence. Additionally, the Tape's bass is well controlled and does not bleed into the mids; it's quick and a little light. Despite the magnetostatic driver, the timbre of the bass feels quite close to a traditional dynamic driver. The Tape has good subbass rumble and doesn't roll off at the lower ends. Bass quantity does slope down as it approaches the mids but still enough remains to keep mid-bass clarity for bass guitar lines. If I had to nitpick, I'd say the Tape's bass is a little on the soft side and does slightly blurry at times.

Mids
There isn't much to say here. It's thin. Other than that, can't really complain about instrument tonality. The magnetostatic driver continues to show good speed and prevents the Tape from sounding muddy. There is a larger upper mid elevation that gives the Tape have a forward slant to it. The upper harmonics of stringed instruments are slightly exaggerated and brings out a good amount of clarity while vocals stand out clearly in the mix.

Treble
The most notable thing about the Shuoer Tape is its treble. It's immediately apparent that it has a solid amount of treble extension. There is a "sparklyness" to the sound that may be a little understated but present nonetheless. I quite like it as it adds flavor to music that partially goes missing as the vast majority of IEMs that start to roll off at the upper end. Yet at the same time, I wouldn't call the Tape bright. It has a minor dip in the lower and middle treble compared to the large upper mids boost. This prevents the Tape from having sibilance in the vocals or sounding shrill. While the dip in the lower treble does mean the crisp attack of the hats/cymbals are diminished, the Tape makes this up with a clearer shimmer and decay. That said, the Tape does sometimes sound a little brittle in the treble.

Staging and Imaging
The Shuoer Tape has a surprisingly wide stage, likely thanks to it's vented nature, but lacks adequate height or depth to have a well rounded stage presentation. Imaging makes good use of the wide stage and places different instruments in the stage nicely with good nuance.

Resolution and Separation
Resolution is solid for the price. The extended treble response adds small details that are normally hidden (whether or not this is "fake" resolution is another topic). The upper mids boost additionally accentuate note definition. Separation is quite good as well especially when combined with the wide soundstage.





Comparisons
MoonDrop Starfield
The MoonDrop Starfield is bassier and much more thicker than the Shuoer Tape. Resolution is also a clear step up on the Starfield despite its very tame treble response. Tonality in the Starfield also feels more realistic, if a lot warmer. Where the Tape gains an edge is in the wider soundstage it brings to the table and of course, its treble extension. The Starfield's staging is more well rounded with height and depth if smaller.

Tin Audio T4
While the Tape is thin, the T4 is lean. I find that the T4 has better clarity and resolution compared to the Tape. Treble wise, the T4 sounds brighter in comparison to the recession in the lower and mid treble in the Tape that keeps it tamed. While the T4 is no slouch when it comes to treble extension, it can't beat out the Tape.

Shuoer Singer
While the Shuoer Singer doesn't compete in the same price bracket, I thought I'd compare the two Shuoer budget IEMs. Overall, the Tape beats the Singer pretty handily. It has better resolution, better sound stage, and better tuning. The only place where the Singer has a bit of an edge is in a heavier hitting bass response.

WG T-one
To me, the WG T-one is the closest comparison to the Shuoer Tape. They have about the same technical ability in terms of resolution and separation. The WG T-one trades a wider soundstage for a more well rounded one much like the Starfield. Treble wise, while I like the Tape's treble extension, the WG T-one does a better job of presenting the delicacies of the hats/cymbals. Thus the choice between these two IEMs comes down to the tuning. I enjoyed the balanced tuning of the WG T-one more than I did the V-shaped nature of the Shuoer Tape during the week I spent listening to the two. That said, the Tapes do sound more unique compared to the WG T-one which can sound a little generic. While they both sound pretty good, they don't quite match live up to the sound quality presented by the Starfield or the T4.

Should you buy it?
If you like a V shape signature and "sparkly" treble, the Shuoer Tape is a good choice. I do want to go back to the start of the review where I mentioned it sounds slightly compressed. This slight compression makes the Tape feel less lively to me than it's competitors, making it easy to tune out at times. Otherwise, the Tape does bring good to the table. It has solid technical ability for it's price, treble extension beyond the vast majority of IEMs, and a wide soundstage. I don't think it's the standout choice for $130 but does establish itself as a reasonably competitive option.