SIMGOT EA500

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Simgot for providing this review unit. The EA500 can be obtained here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea500 (no affliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS

Driver configuration: 10mm dual-magnetic-circuit and dual-cavity driver, utilizing 4th Generation DLC Composite Diaphragm
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 200000 Hz
Impedance: 16 Ohms
Sensitivity: 123dB/Vrms (@1kHz with red nozzle), 124dB/Vrms (@1kHz with black nozzle)
Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm, silver-plated OFC wire
Plug: 3.5 mm
Tested at $79 USD


ACCESSORIES



Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
- Cable
- Carrying case
- 2 pairs of tuning nozzles
- 7 pairs of red marker bands for tuning nozzle
- 7 pairs of black marker bands for tuning nozzle

The accessories are more than decent for a budget pair of IEMs, perhaps other than a dearth of eartip choices. There are no foam tips included, and only one type of silicone tips are packaged.



Said silicone tips are thankfully quite comfortable, though they make the sound signature a tinge shouty. If you have aftermarket eartips, please try tip-rolling, as this may improve the sonics to your preference.

The stock cable is made from silver-plated OFC. It is one of the better stock cables I've encountered in a budget pair, being quite supple and tangle-free. I appreciate that it has zero microphonics, and there's a chin cinch to give added stability. 2-pin cables are always my preference, as MMCX connectors may become loose with frequent cable changes, YMMV.




The provided semi-rigid ovoid case is made of PVC and is quite generic looking, but is very spacious to hold multiple contents. The innards have a soft covering, with webbing. There are 2 pairs of tuning nozzles, which we will go into further detail below, and there are additional coloured bands provided as spares.



The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT

The EA500 housings are produced via high-density alloy metal melting/casting and CNC engraving. Indeed, the shells are really alluring and refined, featuring a mirror-like finish. Do take care of these babies, as the mirror-like finish can be easily marred by fingerprints, or worst still, scratches!



Comfort is top-notch. The housings are ergonomic, with no awkward protrusions. I've used them for marathon listening sessions with no issues. I encountered no driver flex on the EA500, but this is partially dependent on ear anatomy and/or type of eartips used, so YMMV.


ISOLATION

Like most DD IEMs, the EA500 is vented, and isolation is below average, though it should still be usable outside.




DRIVABILITY

I tested the EA500 with:
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Creative Sound Blaster X5
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Shanling M0 Pro DAP
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Apple dongle
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Truthear SHIO DAC/AMP dongle
- Tempotec Sonata HD Pro dongle (BHD firmware)
- Smartphone

The EA500 is very easy to drive, though this set scales with juice, in bass tightness, soundstage and dynamics. Interestingly, the red nozzles are more difficult to drive than the black nozzles (probably more damping material), which we will talk about below.



SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

The EA500's selling point, is its versatility in view of the two tuning nozzles providing a subtly different flavour. On the black nozzle, the EA500 has a neutral bright lilt. Whereas there's a warmer Harmanish tone on the red one.



Graphs of the EA500, using an IEC711 compliant coupler. 8kHz area is a coupler artefact peak.

I'm glad to report that other aftermarket tuning nozzles (eg from Moondrop Kato and Hidzis MS5) are compatible with the EA500, so this increases permutations exponentially - please tinker to your heart's content! For the purpose of this review, we will be keeping to just the stock nozzles.

Back on point, the tuning nozzles really work, and are not gimmicks (cough cough, looking at you Moondrop Kato). Essentially, the black nozzles give a neutral bright analytical signature, with superior technicalities, albeit with a thinner note weight. However, the black nozzles can be somewhat fatiguing/shouty and sibilant in the treble.

In the big scheme of things, with the black nozzles installed, the EA500 is top-notch in technicalities, for a sub-$100 USD single DD set, with just the soundstage being on the more intimate side. Imaging is quite good, with stellar instrument separation, clarity, micro-detailing and transients noted.

The red nozzles on the other hand, provide a balanced, warmer, and more laid back soundscape, with minimal fatigue, though at the expense of bass tightness and technical chops. The technicalities with the red nozzles on board hits just above average when compared against other single DD peers. Note weight is thicker with these red nozzles.

Timbre on both nozzles is quite natural sounding, especially for vocals and acoustic instruments.

Bass on the EA500 is just a tinge north of neutral, and is mid-bass focused, with just slight mid-bass rumble/extension. The bass is lesser in quantity on the black nozzle, but it is tighter and cleaner on the this nozzle, with a fast and agile bass line heard with minimal mid-bass bleed. Once the red nozzle comes into play, the bass is slower, with some smearing, loss of texturing and mild mid-bass bleed noted on complex bass tracks.

The lower midrange is a tinge depressed. Upper mids are boosted on both nozzles - this region can be quite shouty, especially at higher volumes (Fletcher Munson curve) with the stock tips. Playing the EA500 at low to moderate volumes, or perhaps tip-rolling with other eartips may help mitigate this region thankfully.

The lower treble is boosted on both nozzle settings, more so on the black nozzle. There's quite decent treble extension and air on the black nozzle, with the red nozzle more conservative in the upper frequencies. The black nozzle does unfortunately result in a bit of splashiness with cymbals and high-hats, and sibilance is displayed. The red nozzles are sibilant-free and quite safe for treble sensitive folk.

Thus, if one desires something for critical listening and to analyze music, or if you are a treble-head, then the black nozzle would be the perfect option. For a more chill pleasant tuning (with still acceptable technicalities), with a thicker note weight and a more "balanced" profile, the red nozzles will be the go-to.


COMPARISONS

The EA500 will be compared against some other well-known DDs at the sub $100 region. Pure BA, planars and hybrids are left out, as the different transducers have their own pros and cons. Comparisons are done with the black tuning nozzles installed on the EA500.




TRI Star River

The Star River is a dual DD with tuning switches. On paper, there are purportedly 4 tuning options, but on independent measurements, there are only 2 tunings, so it is quite scammish.


Graphs of the TRI Star River, using an IEC711 compliant coupler. 8kHz area is a coupler artefact peak.

The QC on the Star River is questionable - on one of the housings on my set, the switch is almost stuck, and needs great force to be toggled - it probably won't survive a few more activations.

Dodgy QC and switcheroo shenanigans aside, the Star River features old school shouty V shaped tunings, with fatiguing pinna gain. Timbre is artificial and technicalities are below par.

The Star River is a disaster all round, and the Simgot EA500 is the undisputed gold standard for a tunable DD IEM at this price bracket. The Star River seems to be forgotten after the initial hype, but I'd stick my neck out and say the EA500 will arguably still be in the conversation for best budget DD IEM come end of this year.


HZSound Heart Mirror (original)

The Heart Mirror (original) is a neutral bright IEM, and also has a nice mirror-like finish. The Heart Mirror is notably more difficult to drive.

The Heart Mirror is more sterile sounding, and is more fatiguing/sibilant in the treble region, with less bass. In technicalities, the Heart Mirror have the upper hand, with better imaging, instrument separation, clarity and micro-detailing, though soundstage is better on the EA500.

Timbre is more organic on the EA500, with the Heart Mirror having a nasal whiff. The Heart Mirror does not have tuning options unlike the EA500, so versatility goes to the latter.


DUNU KIMA

The KIMA is a very safely tuned Harmanish single DD.

The KIMA has a wider selection of tips in the packaging, and also has quite good timbre, though the EA500 kills the KIMA in technicalities (soundstage, imaging, instrument separation and micro-details), and it isn't close.

The KIMA cannot be tuned.

At this price bracket, the KIMA is kind of a jack of all trades, master of none IEM, and is nothing too special.


Tripowin Olina SE

The Olina SE is Harmanish with a slightly more artificial timbre.

Technicalities wise, it is a wash, and these 2 budget kings are very close, the Olina SE has a slightly bigger soundstage and a tinge better imaging, though micro-detailing and instrument separation are a hair better on the EA500.

The EA500 has tuning options, unlike the Olina SE, and the Olina/Olina SE seems to have complaints of the nozzle mesh trapping moisture and causing issues, which isn't the case with the better build on the EA500.


Moondrop Aria 2021

The Aria 2021 is bassier (boomier) and less bright. The Aria 2021 lags behind in technicalities, with markedly inferior imaging, micro-details, instrument separation and clarity.

The Aria 2021 also has a metallic timbre, and it is quite outclassed by some modern day single DDs, not to mention the EA500. The Aria 2021 is also not tunable.


DUNU Titan S

The Titan S is a neutral bright IEM. It is a bit uncomfortable due to long nozzles.

The Titan S has a more rolled off sub-bass, and is a bit more biting in the lower treble. In technicalities, both pairs are quite technical at the sub-$100 range for a single DD, though the EA500 shades it a bit, and on A/B testing, the EA500 wins slightly in soundstage, micro-detailing and instrument separation.

The Titan S is not tunable, so the EA500 is a more versatile set.


Toneking Ninetails

Last but not least, we pit the EA500 against another tunable single DD cult-classic in the Toneking Ninetails.


Graphs of the Toneking Ninetails, using an IEC711 compliant coupler. 8kHz area is a coupler artefact peak.

The Ninetails are named after an ancient Fox Spirit which can shapeshift. Indeed, the namesake is quite on-point, as this IEM has front and rear tuning nozzles, giving a total of 9 permutations for tuning. Hence, it can be a basshead headache inducing monster, to something neutral, to even a treblehead's dream.

So in terms of versatility, the Ninetails is better, though it has a more uncomfortable fit due to a weird gourd shaped design. Timbre is very organic, in keeping with its single DD roots, but in technical chops, the EA500 wins hands down, with better bass tightness, faster transients, and superior imaging, instrument separation and micro-detailing.


CONCLUSIONS

The EA500 is one of the stand-out releases of this year so far. It easily punches above its weight, and excellently melds the 3 Ts of timbre, tonality and technicalities into a very pretty chassis. In addition, the EA500 is extremely easy to drive.



Unlike some other tunable IEMs that are gimmicks, the EA500's tuning nozzles work, and it can veer from a neutral bright technical animal to a more chill Harmanish smooth set, so the versatility is another feather in its cap. One is essentially obtaining 2 IEMs with the EA500 in view of this, so the value proposition is nothing to be sniffed at!

There are some minor nitpicks, such as a dearth of eartip options, and there are slight compromises in both tuning nozzles (the black may be slightly fatiguing/sibilant, and the red may not be the tightest in the bass or most technical), in addition to the EA500 not suiting bassheads, and having some shoutiness.

I would say these are small trade-offs in the big scheme of things, compared to the overwhelming benefits the EA500 brings to the budget CHIFI table. Indeed, I do think the EA500 will be a benchmark among budget single DDs for 2023, and will be the standard that new releases should aspire to meet, instead of the weekly hackneyed sidegrade spam that are forgotten after a couple of weeks.

The EA500 has my stamp of approval, and is definitely a pair to consider if you are intending to join the budget CHIFI bandwagon.

TONALITY: 8.5/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.7/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9/10
SOUND VALUE: 10/10

Intro
Simgot is a chinese earphones with more than 5 years of experience. Their first best seller was the EN700, then they go in a hiatus due to pandemic.
Then they come back more experienced and focused than ever, releasing excellent IEMs after IEMs. This new revival begin with their budget hybrid IEM, the EM2 that receive great acclaim. Then I regret not having review those and ask for their single Dynamic driver, the EN1000 king wonder. An IEM like no other both in musicality, construction design and tech used, since it include a cable with modular tuning plug, and well, sound fabulous. Again, it was a hit from Simgot, but priced around 200$ they didn't get the attention they deserve. Why? Well, you can read my review, but Simgot follow it's own musicality vision, wich is all about crisp open and natural sounding earphones. They don't need waifu nor irrealist sound promise to earn confidence of consumers, since they are all about sound quality and nothing else.

And then come the Simgot EA500, which was release in China in 2022 and just pop in western market lately. For 2 months I was waiting eagerly my package to arrive, then see an hype about those growing and growing.
For once, Simgot finally get some recognition! I was happy, but sad to wait and wait...which make my expectation about them grow and grow too.
Then it arrive when I was invade with TOTL IEMs like Aroma Thunder, Mangird Xenn Up, GSaudio SE12 and Fir Audio Xe6. But they don't overshadow them and I was in awe.
I will try to explain why in this review that I just spoil.

Priced 70$, the Simgot EA500 use a 10mm dual magnetic circuit and dual cavity 4th generation DLC (Diamond like composite diaphragm) dynamic driver. It have a changeable tuning nozzle and is all metal built.

Let now begin this review.

CONSTRUCTION



The construction of EA500 is simply mind blowing in quality and design. It's scream quality and for once the metal mirror finish isn't too easy to scratch, but it's a finger print magnet and I suggest taking care of them still. Yet, durability wise, they seem near invincible, the metal is thick and nozzle screw is solid. Talking about those nozzle, its make of thick metal too, not thin alluminium.



Since these are a hint heavy, its suggested to use cable with earhook. But the smooth curvy shape of the housing make them very comfortable, even more so with long bore eartips.
The cable included is OK, nothing more. Its a 4cores silver plated cable. This is the only accessories with smal basic carrying case and just one model of eartips, the right one seen above. I would love to see at least 3 models of ear tips since those aren't the best to achieve a smooth balanced tonality, the left one is way better so my no1 advice about EA500 is to play with eartips until you achieve your favorite dynamic balance.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS



Oh boy oh boy, the hype is loud about this one enh? But is it legit. Hell yes, as much for treble head than prudent basshead and bright balanced tuning lover.

Why is the hype is so loud? I don't think it's due to audio distributor hyping agenda, at least, not from me since I get these directly from Simgot as a follow up of my great interest (and praise) of their very good EN1000 IEM.

The hype is real because we are in this miracle budget audiophile territory where great technicalities meet great tuning balance, where fun meet maturity and even high fidelity. Yet, I would not suggest those for mid-centric listener, nor for warm or dark sounding musicality....but the EA500 have changeable tuning nozzle too that permit to go from one of best harman target U shape tuning to warmer W shape with thicker more euphonic mids.…

And then, you can play with all nozzle tuning you find around, like the one include with Moondrop Kato or Hidizs MS5. Audio discoveries with the EA500 just have no end because eartips too greatly inflict on the tonal balance, for ex, the included ear tips make it bassier and more upper mids fowards, so, hint more shouty too. Which will perhaps explain different appreciation of those.

For this review, i will mostly describe the RED nozzle filter sound, because black filter have a foam in it and it's easy to imagine what you can get: smoother, warmer, thicker musicality with less treble crispness, mid range openess and bass clarity (and resonance, so, bass hit in a chunkier thumping way).

Let's begin by saying what the EA500 aren't: they aren't plain neutral, they aren't mid centric, they aren't extremist basshead or treble centric, nor have the most natural and thick timbre out there.

The EA500 are very open sounding, airy, heavy in sub bass punch, softed in attack edge, fowards but smoothed in upper mids, very fast in attack speed, very snappy in treble, very well balanced within their W shape to U shape tonal balance.

The bass presentation of the EA500 doesn't follow typical boring harman tuning, and offer a good balance between sub and mid bass boost that complement each other to offer extra dynamic slam with beautifull natural sub bass resonance that add extra bass richness layer. This is quite unexpected to have this kind of acoustic presentation in sub-100$ price range but thats far from being only thing making the EA500 standing apart. The kick hit with thick physicality, it have this chunky thumping that add sens of dynamic and engagement to the music without emphasis on kick presence and texture and avoiding problematic bleed with a fast attack that keep this sustain resonance at the back of vocals, yet can thicken male vocal too. The rumble is deep, vibrant and transparent while the slam is more chunky and rounded, its a tactile juicy bass, with heavy weight and realist impact. I can't underline enough how fast, flexible and well controlled is the bass, with a very bassy and fast track like ''Dj Camo Bro'' from Skee Mask, where their sub bass and kick hit that need good layering and speed, the EA500 articulate the sub bass tone effortlessly while let the thumping been felt with its punch and doesn't loose it's definition. Percussions are super crisp and fast too, nothing go into muddy mess. And again, we talk about a sub-100$ that deal with a track that even good 100-300$ IEM struggle too.
But if i go nitpicking for some limitation, it will be due to texture and presence, acoustic kick drum can be dominate by electric bass line for ex, but never in plain muddy way and well, i complaint about this with way pricier IEM too, good one.
So the main quality of bass is it's speed and dynamic impact, not it's well carved and resolve definition, you will not hear every details of contrabass or cello with those, yet, you will not feel it's lacking too since it's not plain warm and dark low end at all.

And then the mids, this is where i'm a bit less hysterical in praising even if they are excellent within the tonal balance offering, let just begin by saying bass and treble are more boosted here but the mid range isn't plain thin or lean. It's a versatile enough mid range where both male and female vocal are bodied and have presence boosted, male vocal can bit more unbalanced in upper register loudness than female which are more naturaly boosted in this region. Johnny Cash doesn't struggle to show its fowards presence with the EA500 and listening to ''I walk the Line'' is pure pleasure even if the recording quality isn't top notch, but then, Agnes Obel sure feel more wide in presence and fowards, ok, this is due to the recording but their an airy density and lushness to her voice too, no intense sibilance even if the ''S'' spelling have bite. To note that the black nozzle will thicken and soften upper mids bite with this very singer, making timbral balance fuller and even lusher. So, the EA500 are certainly a good choice for female vocal lover and put to shame Moondrop Aria in that regard. Yet, female vocal benefit from upper mids presence, and some soprano singer can have extra loudness that might be too much at high volume for people sensitive about pinna gain.
Sometime, the EA500 can feel a bit light in note weight, especially with piano, which lack a bit of well define note stroke too, in that regard, violin is better presented both in resolution, texture and attack bite lead. It's not the full range of piano that lack note weight, its more about lower mid range here. But this doesn't mean it lack energy or dynamism, we just don't feel the hammer hit weight on piano strings.
In other word, we have a crisp velvety mid range with fowards vocal and woodwinds instrument and lively realist presence of instrument, that are slightly creamy in definition edge yet highly resolved still.

The treble is another highlight of the EA500, its airy, snappy and sparkly but not thin sounding, nor too crunchy or textured. Extremely refined, the highs tend to magnify acoustic guitar and percussions without making it feel unbalance due to vast spatiality and not too recessed mid range. Attack bite is just a hint softed, so the dosing doesn't make violin or guitar lead attack too blunted, it tend in fact to add a hint of euphonic density, explaining why it doesn't sound thin perhaps. We have natural decay too, wich blossom in they air quite long, another sign of treble superior talent. This is very clean highs too even if a hint colored with polished sharpness. Tough snappy and brilliant, tt's not a too spiky nor too lean treble here, the balance within this range is beautiful, with softed texture noise part but liquid brilliance to definition. It's generous in micro details, but not unpermissive of bad recording with background hiss, it will not boost this section like overly analytical IEM can do, again, underlining the colored texture which doesn't affect tone rightness at all and in fact emphasis tone over plain boosted presence.
Wow, i'm so fascinated by this treble....and this is without thinking about the price of these IEM, it could be 100 or 500$ and i would still be in total bliss.
This treble extend far pass 10khz, and can clearly present wide range of percussions and high pitch instrument with such accurate precision and dynamism, yet if i can nitpick micro imperfection it will be for example that while it can extend full high pitch range of the harp, in lower register some resonance can blur snapyness, which will result in less clean rendering than higher note, which are beautifully crisp with natural long decay.
Nonetheless, the EA500 deal with classical music beautifull, especially chamber orchestra which have immersive, spacious sound layering with lively musicality.

Spatiality is phenomenaly open, immersive clean and airy with the EA500, its very wide tall and deep, yet, doesn't make the music feel distant due to an holographic surrounding that make you near a stage curved around you. Sure, eartips will inflict on headroom presentation but none of them will make it feel in your head or closed sounding. You can easily let yourself get lost for long listening pleasure with the EA500.

The imaging is excellent too even if not what I would call analytical or monitoring like since we are in middle of music surrounded with well extracted sound layers, so the headroom being huge their lot of space between instrument but not the sharpest position, yet presence being tactile and well resolve, we don't struggle pin point the space where the instrument belong.


SIDE NOTES

Firstly, these are a bit sensitive at 124db of sensitivity and scale up with clean source that have low impedance, with high gain source the EA500 can go more energic and bright.
Ear tips included are not enough since their just one model, so I highly suggest to try other model too, for ex, Symbio balance the sound and tame bass dynamic, upper mids as well as attack sustain-release resonance. For this review I use BGVP A07 blue eartips which offer crisp balanced sound with clean imaging and extra spakle brilliance decay.
As said, i use mostly the Red Nozzle, which is suppose to be harman but isn't like Moondrop harman target at all, to my ear it's more of a W shape to vivid neutral with slight bass boost, and this nozzle offer highest resolution and transparency and deeper stage too. Black nozzle thicken and warm a bit timbre, make the mid bass more chunky and heavy and less rumbly and concentrate our attention more to mid range by taming treble extension and air.
For this review I mostly use and enjoy pairing the EA500 with Hiby RS6 (more mids presence and dense timbre, hint less crispness on top) and Moondrop Dawn4.4 at low gain(extra headroom and openess, more airy crisp treble, hint more upper mids focus).

COMPARISONS



VS SONIC MEMORY SM2 (1DD-220$)

SM2 are brighter, edgier and more (DF) Neutral than the EA500. The bass is cleaner, more textured and more mid bass focused than warmer more sub bass boosted EA500, which have louder slam but a rumble that can darken kick drum presence a bit more, so the bass is less thight but more extended.
Mids are more fowards, full and smooth with the EA500, SM2 upper mids is more agressive and give more bite to instrument like violin and electric guitar, which seem a bit more softed in attack edge with the EA500. Timbre is dryer and thinner with SM2, which make tone more natural with EA500 even with the harman target nozzle choice. Treble of SM2 is very unique and hard to describe due to darken zone but sharp and loud highs snap, while if feel a bit faster and more controlled it doesn't extend as far as the EA500, or at least doesn't feel as full and generous and micro details variety. Percussion feel more thin and half cook with SM2, as well as less textured, surely due to this darken treble section that try to add air but fail too since the EA500 sound more spacious and open. Something to note is the dynamic presentation which feel leaner and more distant with SM2, while more varied and accurate in amplitude with the EA500. Spatiality is notably wider and taller, while it feel deeper with SM2 due to more recessed center stage (mids). Imaging seem concentrate and compressed in the middle with the SM2, making the holographic instrument placement more realist and well layered with EA500.

Well, OK! It seem the EA500 beat the SM2 both technicaly and tonal balance wise, SM2 feel trebly, thin and distant and very cold sounding compared to EA500 and that, even with less warmish, bassy and mid fowards tuning nozzle choice.

VS HZSOUND HEARTH MIRROR (1DD-50$)

Ok, well, this is it, the EA500 are the HZ Mirror upgrade we were waiting for but it doesn't mean its notably superior in technical performance, in that regard, they are rather on par but, and this is a big BUT: soundstage is drastically more open and holographic, note weight is heavier, timbre is thicker and more natural and bass have more punch and body.
The EA500 are notably easier to drive too. Tonality is similar with main difference being less vivid treble presentation and just a hint less transparent, and well, the bass boost. About the bass we have more warmed mid bass slam, more resonant rumble which is less linear and clean and lean as HZ, so kick drum and acoustic instrument are a bit more textured and well define with the HZ but less bodied. HZ have faster and better define mid bass hit. Overall clarity of HZ is more boosted and crisp. Mids are a bit thinner, more transparent and textured with HZ as well as leaner, more compressed but not in a muddy way, with EA500 vocal are hint lusher, thicker and warmer, so more natural and pleasant, bot male and female vocal sound wider in presence too, but for classical music the HZ is cleaner and offer crisper imaging, again due to this 0.1% extra transparency.
But it mean mid range is colder with the HZ too. Then the treble, HZ is sharper here, a hint more sparkly and brilliant too, more edgy and snappy in attack but EA500 is far from lacking edge and both are super speedy, EA500 treble is thicker and fuller sounding, less thin and better balanced for a cohesive musicality, not prompt to slight treblyness like HZ. It's more open and airy too.
Spatiality is from another universe with the EA500, it's wider, taller and deeper. Imaging have more spacious layering but isn't as analytical and crisp as the HZ, which have more compressed layers and less space between instrument but sharper separation accuracy still.

All in all, these are 2 crazy good IEM and I can't choose a winner, i would say treble is faster, cleaner and superior with the HZ, but HZ tend to magnify presence clarity and lack body compared to EA500, which at they end is more musical and immersive to my ears due to way more open and holographic soundstage and fuller sounding vocal and bass, as well as less agressive and fatiguing treble.

VS TRIPOWIN OLINA (1DD-100$)

Another one of best sub-100$ IEM technical performance wise, the Olina isn't similar to EA500 and sound more dry neutral with smooth upper mids boost. Bass is more mellow in impact and lack dynamic, in fact, whole spectrum lack dynamic and feel tame in diversify loudness amplitude. So, the Olina feel more neutral but a bit more mid centric too, in the sens piano have more bodied presence and natural resonance and upper mids are different too, the EA500 female vocal are notably more fowards and bodied, and i can say the same (to a less extend) for male vocal, so I think it's more about mid range presence that is more textured and fully resolve with Olina, yet presented in a leaner way that feel more distant and compressed in dynamic, we have more details going on but no sens of openess like the EA500 so mid range is less engaging, more contemplative. Olina is more prompt to sibilance, while EA500 to slight shoutyness or pinna gain fatigue (especially with stock eartips). Treble is thinner and more textured with the Olina, violin for example are more polished in texture but thicker sounding with the EA500. EA500 highs are more snappy, brilliant and sparky, as well as more airy and less compressed in dynamic. Sustain-release of Olina is more tamed-blunted, so splash cymbals sound less natural for ex, it dig more texture noise and detail, which is more prompt to timbral imbalance than more refined treble tuning of the EA500.
Spatiality this time is similar in wideness,but taller and deeper with the EA500. Imaging is less lean and compressed, making sound layer more articulated in deepness, presentation more 3D and holographic.

All in all, i just can't enjoy the Olina after having listen to the EA500 which is more dynamic sounding, have better vocal and note weight as well as notably more open, natural and engaging musicality.

CONCLUSION


It make years i'm waiting for something that will truely impress me in Chifi sub-100$ IEMs release, and it's deception after deception after my overwhelming admiration for the HZsound Hearth Mirror.

And finally something arrive out of the blue: the fabulous Simgot EA500. So, I will sure not hide my enthusiast about them even if the hype explode from every side of audio communities!
Did this mean EA500 are 100% perfect? Hell no, read my last review about the Aroma Thunder to understand their no IEMs that are truely perfect for all music genre on this audiophile planet. Whatever their insane price range.

No, It mean it hit way way above it's price range, have a refined musicality with excellent technical performance, offer a well balanced crisp sound that doesn't feel stock in your head or compressed and most of all: immerse you in music in an engaging, dynamic and revealing way.

As an insider with lot of experience in chinese audio market, i'm very lucid about marketing strategy of IEM maker when it come to sound value: they are aware of it and tend to even tweak an IEM so it sound not as impressive as their higher range one.

Simgot doesn't follow this secret rule and well, the EA500 might be even superior to EN1000 in fact (ouch, I hope I will not get punish for writing this).
If you seek for a mature crisp near neutral tuning with thumping bass, very open soundstage, great imaging, clarity, fast treble attack and versatile tuning that can be custom to your taste: the Simgot EA500 are no brainer.

Intensely highly RECOMMENDED.




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For more discoveries, or to see the EA500 hype growing until it explode (as well as some mebers disliking them i hope), join the Chifi Love group here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/517665269706033

The SIMGOT EA500
"Every once in a while along comes something special."
The Positives:
1) Single full-range dynamic driver, though almost sounds like BA+DD Hybrid.
2) Included two tuning nozzles, one red rubber ring, and one black rubber ring. The 5.5 kHz is accented by 3dB by the black rubber ring nozzle.
3) Tuning red rubber ring is Harman Tuning. Tuning black rubber ring reminiscent of SIMGOT EN1000 and EA2000 past IEMs.
4) Fourth generation Diamond Like Carbon 10mm driver Composite Diaphragm.
5) Impressive N52 magnet.
6) Silver plated OFC cable 0.78 2Pin.
7) CNC solid metal shells weighing 10 grams a piece.
8) Nice included set of silicone ear-tips X 3 sets with fully functional shape and design (for me anyways).
9) Zippered carrying case.
10) Note weight in droves.
11) Fancy natural timbre across the board.
12) 2.7kHz pinna gain peak makes these vocal specific with both lower and upper spice.
13) May need an OCC pure copper cable to actualize the full-on experience?

The Negatives:
1) Slightly forced and uneven treble experience, yet (almost) fully remedied either with an aftermarket cable and/or different ear-tips.

Summery:
The SIMGOT EA500 is a single 10mm dynamic driver with exceptional treble response into the stage, though it may be too intense for some. Replacing the included silver plated copper cable with a pure copper cable seemed to align the FR to my liking. Such Harmanish (red rubber ring nozzle) offers a total (complete) sound consisting of more mid-bass than sub-bass. Still the bass that’s there is fully robust and satisfying. As such the (black rubber ring) SIMGOT tune offered an even brighter event, which may be even farther from you desires depending on who you are. This is very much a vocal competent tune, along with real (treble) itemizations into objects found imaged well into the stage, transcending the old ideas of single full-range DDs lackluster tone. Maybe a breakthrough product for SIMGOT, offering great contrasts and bouncy rhythms in which note weight prevails on all fronts?

Giant staging, fast imaging and size? What yep, the pure size of it all…….that is what brings reality in playback. That and correct timbre. A correct FR (with a copper cable) a natural bass, yet deep and fast, clarity into which both the midrange and treble bask in. Clear, correct (somewhat even) and bouncy……it’s the bounce why you get these! While not really putting out the sub-bass, the bass that’s there is so well orchestrated and paced, you are in! In like Flynn! Just buy these, as they are market disrupting at a buck under $80.00. You won’t be sorry, unless you’re sensitive to treble, then maybe there would be some concern?

Specifications:

• MODEL: SIMGOT EA500
• IMPEDANCE: 16Ω
• SENSITIVITY: 123dB
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 50KHz
• CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
• PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
• PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
• DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

Sound:
Bass:
Amazingly proficient and fun involving IEM. A mid-bass focused sound signature. Such warmth welcomes emotions as maybe one of the single greatest features here? With such woody darker tones you can’t help but become someone focused......then eventually taken away. While there is a slight loss is lower midrange detail due to all this excess, it is sinfully aloud and in many ways becomes the quintessential consumer tune! In fact such weight takes and travels pretty much all the way up the frequencies delivering that emotional and satisfying (real) note weight.

Treble:
Both slightly peaky and just slightly uneven. But you can totally tell the style of treble they were going for……the EA500 trying to replicate a Hybrid set-up in somehow creating separations and contrast. The much included treble-air goes and grabs itemizations of treble and aligns them to the outside of the stage, often possibly due to frequency but also due simply to well done technicalities. Timbre is great, performing down-to-earth tonal recreations despite the FR balance. Itemizations abound as separation and “air” go hand and hand showing contrast from the down-lows.



Midrange:
The 2.7kHz pinna peak is the whole focus of this IEM tone. Still remember, both the mid-bass enhancement and treble (bolt-on) do their share to both balance and make way to showcase such pinna. Despite any (treble) issues or trash-talk about over-all balance……really the SIMGOT EA500 offers a style of true balance that I can’t help but hearing. Going through (all the) motions and finding song examples in both OSTs and Rock, a completeness was truly arrived at. Such tricks are not always found in the under $100 price point.

One way to fix the overall signature:
Keep in mind whatever you do (ear-tip or cable wise) with the EA500, you have to keep the treble peak in mind. A quick switch over to the Sony EP-EX11 dual-density IEM ear-tips seemed to even-out the treble affair slightly? Here with the EP-EX11 tips smoothing the treble and letting the bass simply fall where it may. Because the EA500 is not sub-bass focused, we are left with the Sony “bass-tips” kind-of adding slightly to the mid-bass, and while there is a little lack of detail ultimately covered in the process, it’s fine and continues with this consumer tune experience.

Cable rolls:
Now here is the thing! Most of the time I’m using cable rolls to attempt to get something extra out of an IEM.

Here are some metallurgy cable features by way of fellow member and personal mentor Dsnuts.

• Silver for its highest transparency and stage enhancing.
• Gold for that rich tone and depth.
• Palladium for that remarkable imaging and detail.
• Copper for body and warmth.

Extras?
Now here I was doing the opposite, yep. I was attempting to use pure copper to try and diminish the treble peak. But even more than than I wanted to see if I could effortlessly smooth-out the deep end…..all the while keeping the signature interesting. After attempting a few cables I landed on one that not only sounded dynamite but didn’t cost much either. The FAAEAL Hibiscus consisting of 4 stands and 224 cores, the Hibiscus cable came with the IEM it’s named after, but you can also just get the cable by itself……for a song.

https://id.aliexpress.com/item/1005004306512394.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2idn

About $14.00 and anyone who knows this cable talks about the great sonic value it represents. At times (with a few IEMs) the Hibiscus cable isn’t the most resolving in the upper end, though here it is exactly what the EA500 was asking for. Yep, perfect. In fact I went over a few cables with the EA500, but the Hibiscus did everything right. The pure copper hand woven Litz design is totally correct for what we are trying to do here. If you want to spend more money, there is also this route……

http://www.hansoundaudio.com/Produc...d23ff&ID=9890fc2e-6db9-4d1b-8fb8-e7706b782d52

ZENTOO (ZEN 2nd generation)
Features
◆ 4-wire OCC copper Litz with unique spiral T-twisted tech
◆ Gauge: 24 AWG / each wire
◆ Softness: ★★★★★
◆ Standard plug: HanSound's own plug 2.5/3.5mm
◆ Compatible with 2P IEM, MMCX(incl. AKG), QDC, UE, Fitear, A2DC etc.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/han-sound-audio-zentoo.23993/reviews#review-22783

This is a rare cable in my uses, but comes in handy when you need a pure OCC Copper Litz cable, about $160.00 with 4.4mm plug. And while there wasn’t a ton of difference between the two, really I suggest going with the Hibiscus, that is unless you want to splurge, go for the Han Sound. Though really any 4 wire OCC would probably work here? The reason being is we are really looking for a slight adjustment into how the treble peak responds……and after that is smoothed out, really the EA500 becomes totally lovable and well rounded.


Included ear-tips:
Often during this review I ended switching back to the included L ear-tips and found them incredibly good fitting and accenting the stage to boot. And in-fact with this particular IEM, the more you listen to it and the more you slowly adapt to the sound, the more you can accept it, for all it does. The peaky treble is still there no-matter-what but this style of artifact is more of a zone that an on-and-off form of issue.

Note-weight:
The only other SIMGOT IEM I’ve tried is the EM2R, which I reviewed in early November of last year. I only gave it 3 stars due to lacking physicality, authority and being file (quality) dependent due to such. My introduction to the brand here was (in-total) a lack of note-weight. And I’m happy to report the EA500 regardless of any trash-talk here, excels to a better score and overall composure stance! Why? Thickness, yep……it means a lot to me. Such items of character go ahead and add reality to the sound, a filled-out (smoother) tone, just goes ahead to make listening right!



Comparisons:
1) 7Hz Salnotes Zero was $19.99, now $25.99
2) Seek Real Audio Airship $179.00
3) SeeAudio Yume II $199.00


7Hz Salnotes Zero (Single 10mm Metal Composite Dynamic Driver) (release date August 2022)
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/7hz-salnotes-zero-universal-iem.25980/reviews
https://www.linsoul.com/collections/featured-home/products/7hz-salnotes-zero?variant=43091260866777

Ahh, the Zero! A phenomena……and for good reason, I mean who would not like the style of technicalities and FR? Setting the benchmark of what was possible in 2022, you have to give it respect, and I am by putting it right here in comparison to a way more expensive IEM. So the question is how do we quantify such examples of the IEM art? Should we talk about what each leaves out, or what things each does which is special? Maybe best would be to look at them on equal terms……why? SIMGOT may not like me comparing a $19.99 IEM (when it came out) to the EA500? But it is through side-by-sides that reality or a portion of reality can be perceived. Obviously the EA500 looks the part, I mean it really looks like a $79.00 IEM, and it feels more substantial in your ear. Where the Zero is only 6 grams……almost 1/2 the weight.

Besides the bass reserve in the Zero, the more flat, even tone becomes the 2nd most noticeable “thing”! Way less troublesome treble, only a funny thing happened, yep…..the milk-toast response of the Zero had me hankering for more. Don’t get me wrong, the Zero is special.......except there was electricity........in the EA500, the part of the sound that I wanted back. Is this the difference between a $20.00 IEM and a $79.00 IEM? Maybe? And while the treble is where the balance is in the Zero….it only goes so far to offer contrast, let alone the lacking contrast left out below! Just more cohesive and condensed this Zero. The midrange has a spacial placement where stuff is separated yet we are at loss to find the total definition of fire like the EA500 contained? On to round two of the comparison, see the thing is…the crispness here….the Zero can’t touch it. And this crispness I’m in love with, backed by a slamming bass, that is fast and punchy. But the killer here is absolutely the EA500's mids, and not just the FR but the separation and largeness. The EA500 is way way bigger in playback! Just the size of it all is the thrill. Bigger and clearer! The added vibrancy and contrasts……..I could go on and on…….but in final….it’s again the vocals and vocal effects that push the EA500 over the top!


Seek Real Audio Airship (Single 10mm CNT Dynamic Driver) (release date, August 2022)
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/seekreal-audio-airship.25937/reviews
https://www.linsoul.com/products/seekreal-airship?variant=42849389314265

So maybe I could use more popular examples? Still I’m going with the Seek real Audio Airship because I know a few were sold and the “Airship” is way more money! In fact it’s $100.00 more money at $179.00. So the method to my madness is that the 10mm CNT driver placed into an aluminum shell is way smaller and more uniform in music production. It’s got a 4.5 star review (well deserved) due to playing all genres of music, sounding great and fitting superbly! Still, I like the EA500 better? Where the Seek Real Audio has a slight reservation both in treble tuning, contrasts and low-end………..plus size of imaging! Schiit…….this is really happening? The EA500 is doing the bestest mostest fun here today! The EA500 has the most personality, where the Airship wasn’t boring at all, the EA500 had more entertainment……it just brought it over. In truth the EA500 did the basics better starting with all the technicalities, perceived into size of stage, transients, the spacial orientation was more open-bigger and the tone had more pizzaz. From memory I was not sure about bass, but the bass was bigger and better with the EA500. Still the events that took the EA500 over the top was the actual imaging into the stage and tonality of the midrange vocals and instrumentation………I could go on but I’d probably start to sound like a fool, if I don’t already?

OK, finally a new contender to the battle:
SeeAudio Yume II (3-way Hybrid )(Knowles RAD Series Tweeter, Sonion 2300 BA and undisclosed DD) (release date around December, 2022)

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/seeaudio-yume-mk2-universal-iem.26369/reviews#review-30282
https://www.linsoul.com/products/seeaudio-yume-ii

Really this one? Again way more money!
So in many ways these look the same, both fingerprint magnets of the highest caliber. The same CNC metal construction and hand polishing. In contrast to Yume I, Yume II added this new CNC shell. They also were able to get a slightly different sound from name-brand BA drivers. In comparison to Yume 1’s no-name custom driver set, Yume II goes and provides famous drivers, but walks away from the previous midrange density that was the hallmark sound of the original Yume. What SeeAudio did for Yume II was create a slightly forward lower midrange which completely changed the overall sound from the Yume I's sucked-out lower mids.


SIMGOT EA500 v SeeAudio Yume II
Now we have a way more efficient playback with the SIMGOT EA500. Probably 30% more loud at the same volume. But here is the wild part (better sit down for a moment).....the treble and mids are more contrasty with the EA500, they are simply clearer. They aren’t quite as smooth, but this show of strength is undeniable and real. The fact is in many ways the bass is exactly the same between the two, and of course the Yume II mids/treble are more balanced and not as slightly crazy as the EA500. The Yume II is BA character (totally) as well as the timbre that goes along with BAs. But the wild thing is the EA500 has even more separation (and while not as even) sounds more vivid and maybe more entertaining? That’s the kicker here.........that a single full-range DD is out doing the Hybrid sound of an actual Hybrid? There is less polish with-in the EA500 notes, but those notes exist farther-out into the stage and are more dense, yet less totally even. It’s the high school girl scenario. Where the Yume II is fun but offers a more evenly constructed style of midrange and treble. Where the EA500 is the wild one, always late to class, wearing skimpy out-fits, you know which one your heart lusts after! Maybe Yume II is the one you show your friends at a Head-Fi meet, except while alone at home……..the slightly uneven treble EA500 is simply more fun.The difference here also is that for the treble sensitive, the Yume II has much of the same overall sound without going into the treble zone. So in that regard the Yume II is the safe purchase. While the timbre of the Yume II is great for a Hybrid set-up, the EA500 has slightly better timbre that naturally comes with full-range DDs.

Packaging and build quality:
The over all presentation statement is fine. And while there are really two ideas as to packaging. One that you are paying close to $100, so they need to make you feel special. I do totally understand this point. The other camp believes that excessive packaging is money that could be spent towards better sound. I mean really (to me) it’s a balance as we have all had different box opening experiences. Some people keep their boxes and some people throw them out. Some believe you can save the environment by including less waste. The more I do this the more I start to notice every small thing. Meaning I notice what the writing is on the box, the way the presentation flows........and take into account if the IEMs are protected in shipment. There are also phycological issues that possibly many don’t consider, like what if the SIMGOT SE500 is actually purchased from a brick and mortar store-front? The size of the box actually goes along with being noticed, don’t forget the very first item of advertising is in reality the box! But the size I feel still needs to be thought about when protecting the IEM. The SIMGOT box is probably middle/small in size. Though looking at how the IEMs were protected, they actually come in a very thought-out manner. The extras are not excessive nor do you feel short-changed upon finding the IEMs. Yes, there is a few false boxes to the EA500, but they are functional in that they add a barrier against shocks. While the tip selection is limited, at the same time they are 1st rate tips, at least I found them special? You are never going to please everyone, but at this exact price-point the items which come with the EA500 and the over all package seems correct? There are two printed instruction/warranty booklets which contain 4 languages and one is in-fact (9 pages) of fluent English! Probably one of the most charming aspects of the booklets is in-fact the cover which reads (in English) “Dual Vector Foil” this in-fact is the only sales nomenclature description found in the packaging for the product. Not (anywhere) else on the box or in any of the convoluted (on-line) marketing script? Nothing describing "Foil" inside the EA500 on SIMGOT’s actual product page? Only magnetic flux density, the three types of 4th generation DLC driver material, but no mention of this “Foil’ at all, yet it is the very title of this user manual? Go figure? Charming!





The nozzle filters:
Yes, they work but don’t totally align the FR to the (totally perfect) response? I had to do that by not using the included silver plated copper cable. Maybe the ability to charge tone through the use of filters is partially marketing tool? While there really is truth in that the black rubber gaskets nozzle bring about a more treble centric tune, and the red gaskets nozzle do in fact subdue the peak by around 3dB. You have to realize that the 2kHz to 6Khz hearing area is by far the most sensitive in the whole spectrum, so even the smallest change of even a dB, will be noted. Such qualities are designed to allocate attention when called for dinner by our Mom’s speech tone.....that or if a wild bear enters the homestead? But besides the survival mechanism, it’s also the prime area of speech. Still I totally understand why they were able to included such changes and find the red rubber gasket nozzle to be the preference. Who knows where this idea started at SIMGOT Labs….maybe the engineers thought marketing could use a way to make the product more accessible to more people? Just the option is a choice and yes, you can hear it. Still I would have liked a green rubber gasket with even more attenuation at that exact same 5.5kHz peak. The 2.7kHz pinna gain vocal placement seems fine, really a blessing here?

Disclaimer:
The nozzles changes are purely my own interpretation of what is changing due to how I hear the changes and graphically interpret the changes.

The included cable:
While the included cable did work with after market ear-tips, the cable change to pure copper really did the trick.

High purity silver plated OFC



Build:
SIMGOT explained how there may be small surface irregularities but I don’t seem them, any marks in my photographs, I put there. Really these are a beautiful and rewarding build. Three pieces if you included the nozzles; the EA500 looks the part. But besides that, the over-all shape is incredibly ergonomic. Smooth metal always feels nice next to the ear, unless it’s cold out. The nozzle length and angle are just right. The 0.78 2Pin socket is ever so slightly set-back taking the two pin into placement really easy, finding cable-rolls both firm and easy to join. There are two vents (facing the listener) and a vent-mod for making the EA500 more bass specific, though I haven’t tried it. Probably the EA500’s ticket to success in fitment is that wherever of the 10 grams in weight is.....it seems to lay closer to your ear in placement? I could see this IEM going the complete opposite route in comfort, if in fact the weight was distributed farther outward like some IEMs sit? And while these are fingerprint magnets, they are not as troublesome as the Yume MK 2 I just reviewed. The only markings are R and L on the center inside, the SIMGOT symbol on the faceplate……and EA500 on the side. I'm not sure I would go jogging with these, an experience at the gym would be fine though.



Music test:
The fun section of the review. I mean really this is what reviews are about. The rest of the review (above) are the formalities, yet with-in the music we are truly alive!

“Don’t try to add more years to your life. Better add more life to your years.”
Blaise Pascal

This single sentence is quoted inside the box right when you take off the lid. While taken the wrong way (maybe the right way) it could mean to spend your rent money on hookers and cocaine, but in down-to-earth values, it simply means to enjoy your life. If using headphones adds to that enjoyment…..so be it.



KMFDM
“Oh My Goth”
Paradise
44.1Khz - 24bit

So this is one of my favorite tracks to test headphones. Reason being that it kind-of slowly opens-up and continues to showcase playback elements (as it moves onward) and that’s important. At times I will use difficult music which is troublesome due to extreme sounds or muddy production, but not here, no this is a time for rejoicing in actual playback pace and the reality of musical sounds found inside of that playback. Why did I first mention Pace? Maybe it’s the missing sub-bass, maybe it’s the mid-bass being the exact personality it is? The bass really starts this number off laying the quintessential groundwork for the song. The important thing is if there is enough, and there is. This style of bass has a 3D form and texture, it’s actually mixed to hold extra harmonic string sounds, this clacking mixed with added keyboards in union. In fact we can hear the full-extent of the bass personality. There is a pushed distorted texture stating that this isn’t your Mom’s bass, unless she of course has tattoos, then it is. Rewinding to the start, there are some wolf-howls in the opening, and the prize is that that they come with echo. Yep, you may think the echo is a small and meaningless add-on here, when in fact the sound of the echo pretty much defines this (extra) personality in-which we are about to be gifted. DDs do decay better than any other methodology. Better than BAs and Planar IEMs, better than Hybrids, except when done super correct and stelar (with Hybrids) you get the decay…..but often it will cost you.

Back to the song…….
At around the 00.20 mark there is a reverse keyboard or sampled atmosphere, and here is your first clue that we are witnessing greatness. Reason being the sound is truly encompassing the far-out left and right to the stage…..we are at the moment witnessing our soundstage. Part of this technical ability could in-fact be from tuning, as we know a full midrange will often expand the stage. At 00:22 the guitars hit. I have heard these guitars 20 or 30 different ways but this is one of the good times. Why? Well they are not the most separated (DD?) but they are clear and holding totally correct timbre. At 00:30 the song is officially “ON” yep, we had 30 seconds of lead-up unto which we are now face to face with what-ever artistic statement they are going to throw at us. But the true nature of this change is obviously the introduction of the synthetic drums. The beat. Never underestimate the importance of the beat in music like this. Really in so many ways it’s everything here. But the entire matrix now comes together, as at first we were given clues as to the songs make-up….ideas as to the possible character of the song……but now we are experiencing it. The very reason this song works so well is the pace of the drums……the fastness. It’s the spicy blast-beat of the tonal texture that is moving. The actual tone of the drums, being somehow there is nothing left out here. I don’t want to get into it, but these hold pace just as good as $1000 IEMs, in fact maybe it’s the metal shells or the driver capabilities that are providing the magic…….I don’t know what the reason for it……except it’s here……all of it.

Vocals:
Can you guess what additive comes to the song at same time as the drums to boost the involvement? KMFDM have been doing this longer than long, they know these tricks……at 00:31 the vocals arrive. Yet we also can hear the vocal effects falling off to the side. Then it happens…………..the ultimate groove. Right in the middle of the 00:49 place “the hook” yep, this is what this whole song is about, the interrelationships of musical elements and how it is all puzzle-pieced together. There is ultimate emotion here...............if you’re a fan of this style of music. And the SIMGOT EA500 is down for the task…..more than down......…actually this is the best I’ve ever heard $79.00 sound for this song. Why? The stage, the timbre, the pace, the detail in the reverberations. Yep, it’s all here, but most of all the tone of the electric guitar. That and the contrast (among instruments) and the silky smooth vocals of Lucia Cifarelli. So by now you have to be wondering about the lead guitar? The guitar starts at 03:29......and I mean surly with the treble (and talk of treble) this must be at least noticeable, or maybe problematic? Nope, perfect, as the guitar has effects which kind-of de-tune it, to not be so potent. Really the crunchy rhythm and main drum beat is what moves this song along. Except one more super important aspect……the bass. The main bass needs to be heard, and by that I mean it must be separated in the mix, tight and be textured to pull-off its magic. Not all headphones have the innate ability to do this song correctly……but the EA500 does!



Conclusion:
Do we really need a conclusion here, haven’t I gushed enough? Truly I don’t know what more to say? I spent 15 days getting to know the EA500 and along that time came to somehow adapt to the treble? What was different and unusual at the start, became something I was in-bed with at the end. Simply buy the EA500 while you can, or before they raise the price.

$79.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea500

Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C

Simgot Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS9D3ZTK?linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&tag=sofferscom888-20

Disclaimer:
I want to thank SIMGOT for the love and the EA500 review sample.

Disclaimer:
These are one persons ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
Shanling UA3 Dongle DAC/Amplifier 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Samsung Android Smartphone 3.5mm output

The brand SIMGOT piques my interest since 2018 when I read about the EN700 reviews that were circulated in Head-fi and other portable audio reviewer sites. Its metal shell along with its design aesthetics really pays my attention and I'm somewhat taking a liking on it. I actually yearning to have it at that time but it is quite unfeasible due to budget constraints.


After 5 years, In my leisure time, I do publish some review write-ups about portable audio products. I was offered to do a review for a new product from SIMGOT and I didn't hesitate to accept the offer as it is my chance to own a SIMGOT set.




What I have here is the SIMGOT EA500, their latest model for the entry-level portable audio market. This set has a single dynamic driver on its interior. The transducers that were implemented inside was a 10mm dual cavity dynamic driver with DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) diaphragm on which SIMGOT's claimed as a 4th generation. We are aware of the capabilities of DLC drivers like faster transients due to less distortion, tighter and a more precise bass, a good clarity on midrange and a shimmering highs.




The internals were housed in a shell chassis made of a solid aluminium alloy with a polished chrome-like finish surface in its cavity base. It also has well-placed vent holes on its cavity base. It has an innovative feature that it has a removable nozzle system where you can simply detach it and the good thing was the SIMGOT offers two types of nozzles with different tunings on which you can choose from based on your preferred closest target curve. The red ring nozzle tuning filter follows a typical Harman target curve while the black ring one has a signature SIMGOT tuning which is a modified Harman target. Another good thing of SIMGOT EA500 was its type of detachable interlocking system, it uses a proven 2-pin receptacle connector.




As for fitting and comfort, despite its all-metal built shell chassis, it perfectly rests well on my lug holes as I can wear it for a long listening session. We should expect a bit of weight on it as it is a metal shell but I can assure you that I don't feel any ear fatigue or other discomfort.





The product packaging of SIMGOT EA500 is rather utilitarian for its price bracket, it has a substantial amount of inclusion inside its medium-sized, square black coloured box. The presentation of contents inside are compartmentalised and well-organised, the pair of IEM shells are placed in a foam material, the eartips have its own box and while the rest of accessories are in a separate box.





The contents of inclusions are the following:

● Pair of SIMGOT EA500 IEM.
● a 2-core white coloured silver-plated OFC cable in a L-shaped 3.5mm termination plug.
● Velcro cable organiser.
● Capsule-shaped IEM zippered case.
● 3 pairs of medium-bored white ear tips of different standard sizes.
● Instruction manuals.
● Detachable nozzle filter for "Harman curve target" tuning.
● Detachable nozzle filter for "Simgot-Classic" tuning.
● Some spares ring indicator for detachable nozzles



SIMGOT EA500s are easy to amplify because it only needs a decent amount of power output from multimedia devices to be able to drive it to its fullest performance. You will be able to hear a dynamic, full-range sounding experience from EA500.





When it comes to tonality, SIMGOT EA500 has two detachable nozzle filters on which sound profile you choose from. Both of them are of a mild-U shaped sound signature. The one with the red nozzle ring is more closely aligning to the currently popular tuning, the Harman target curve, and the other one is the Simgot target curve with their own interpretation of their in-house and modified Harman target curve. Both sound profiles aim to sound more balanced and smoother response with some slight differences on the upper mids to brilliance treble.






LOWS/BASS:

Punchy, clean and accurate, those are the initial impressions that I hear on the EA500. The sub bass is more prominent on red-coloured ring nozzles as it gives more reverberations on synth-pop, old hip-hop, some pop and classic rock tracks especially with synthesisers, electronic drum machines and low-tuned bass guitars.

On the mid bass part, The black-coloured ring nozzles have more texture with ample note weight on how it will influence the sound characteristics for each bass-focus instrument and vocals.


Bass Guitars:

● Red ring nozzle - a bit hollowed, mellow sounding and with some raspiness on every pluck.

● Black ring nozzle - it has a sufficient heft, broader and has a sombre characteristic that gives a decent roar and growl.


Bass Drum Kicks:

● Red ring nozzle - once again a tad hollow, soft impact and with some rumbling sound.

● Black ring nozzle - Resonant and with a well-placed thud sound, At least more fuller sounding compared to the Red ring nozzle.


Bass-Baritones:

● Red ring nozzle - less darker, smoother and clearly more articulate, similar texture with lyrical type of baritone, "Noble Baritone".

● Black ring nozzle - At least, it has richer and fuller sound with sufficient depth. I'm basing it on the voice qualities of Barry White and Andrew Eldritch on this particular comparison.


Another surprisingly good attribute on its bass was its projection on the separation between the sub bass and mid bass.


MIDRANGE:

The midrange of EA500 has a tad recession in the overall sonic frequency presentation. Despite that notch presentation, it stays neutral, with an ample amount of warmth, smooth delivery (red ring nozzle) and clean sounding (black ring nozzle) that sounds more balanced to listen upon depending on your tuning preference. Both male and female vocals will have some slight differences depending on the nozzle and it also extends up to the instruments' tonal colour.


● Red ring nozzle - It gives less textured depth on male voices to give a bit leaner presentation as it prefers more on lyrical baritones to have lighter, sweeter and smoother quality like Chris Cornell and David Bowie. On female vocals, Mezzo-sopranos fare better on this one as they have this velvety, tender and warmer tone like Annie Lennox and Andrea Corr. Strings like acoustic guitars sound a bit buttery and mellow with just enough sheen on every pluck while violins' sounds lustrous yet solemn and with a good sustaining sound, at least it doesn't sound muffled after all. Brass like trombones sound smoother with sufficient intensity and then the trumpets sound a bit rounded and darker. Percussive like snares and toms drums sounds sombre, substantial and rounded.


● Black ring nozzle - it has a considerable amount of texture and warmth to give more versatility on both male and female vocals and most instruments especially on woodwinds and strings. Baritone either dramatic or lyrical types have its lusher, velvety and quite prolific sounding, Eddie Vader of Pearl Jam and Alex Band of The Calling voices sound has its strength and depth. Countertenors like Lenny Kravitz, Geddy Lee of Rush and Robert Plant have their strong falsetto ranges to sound light, ethereal and vibrant. While tenor voices have these qualities of being brassy and bright that gives a penetrating and boisterous way of conveying its delivery from the famous Three Tenors to Freddie Mercury. On female vocals, Contralto has its sufficient richness and "bronzy" sound quality like Tracy Chapman and Toni Braxton. Mezzo-sopranos have a more musky, broader and even warmer sound on both dramatic and lyrical types like Annie Lennox, Sharon Den Adel of Within Temptation and Barbra Streisand. On Sopranos, it has this sense of openness, fairly energetic and ringy to give that crystalline, silvery and agile sound that even coloratura vocals like Diana Damrau and Olga Peretyatko will sound clearly and detailed. On instruments like woodwinds, it added a more airy and bright sound on flutes and a sonorous and lively sound on saxophone. Strings like acoustic guitars have these lingering resonant and crisp sounding on every pluck and strumming while violins have these vibrant, sparkling with a hint of shrill. Black nozzle added up some more brassy, eruptive and intensity on brilliance on trumpets, horns and trombones. As for percussion instruments, both toms and snares drums have sharper and more penetrating sound while pianos have a bright and silvery tone on it. Celestas have this bell-like and soft sounding which gives that distinct "heavenly" or in a royal court ball vibe.



HIGHS/TREBLE:

I'll sort out the comparison of treble quality of EA500 between its two types of detachable nozzles.

Red ring nozzle - Smooth, balanced but it is less airy. I hear those overtones of instruments or vocals are a bit lacking in my liking but at least it has no hint of sibilance and stridency.

It gives a more lustrous and duller sound on hitting cymbals. Hi-hats were depicted accurately on how EA500 exhibit its distinguishing sound of having shortened sharp buzzing sound.


Black ring nozzle - it added more emphasis on upper mids to brilliance treble to give a more glean, crisp and better treble extension which gives a more detailed and sparkle. It also has a tad of sibilance especially on sibilant-laden tracks that I've tested (Seventh Son of the Seventh Son by Iron Maiden is one example).


It gives more shimmer and sizzle on the cymbals strikes to give a good airy extension (for a single DD).



SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

In general sound/speaker stage dimensions, it has an above average width, decent height reach and sufficient depth on its perceived position between front to rear. It gives me a good head room with its more concave presentation as it has more depth in front.

Imaging on EA500 is probably one of its strongest asset on its technical capabilities, as I was able to locate the placement of instruments and vocals on both sides of the channel in such a pinpoint manner. Separation and layering are also laudable on this set given my impressions on most single DD IEMs that I've tested doesn't deliver and usually fail on this particular technical performance (only the TANCHJIM Oxygen and SOFTEARS Twilight really impresses on the single DD IEMs). It has a good spacing on each element and it has its own distinct frequencies and good dynamic layering in a black sonic canvas for a single dynamic driver set which really amazes me.

On driver coherency, you will be able to gauge that SIMGOT uses a high-quality DLC diaphragm dynamic driver as it delivers a faster transient response without any sort of being out of phase or distortion sounding.

In resolution proficiency on both macro-dynamics and micro-detail on EA500. On a red ring nozzle, it exhibits a more firm macro-dynamics but its detail retrieval isn't that resolving and somewhat a bit blunted on parsing its nuances and subtleties of information from an audio track. While the black ring nozzle seems to fare better on micro-detail retrieval on how it was extracting and revealing some information due to its emphasis on the upper-mids which give an edgier definition.

Tonal colour seems to be natural and balanced on SIMGOT EA500 but when using a black ring nozzle, it gives a bit brighter timbre.



PEER COMPARISONS:


DUNU KIMA

■ Both IEMs have newer generation DLC dynamic drivers on their internals that were also housed in metal alloy shell chassis. While the EA500 has a mirror-plating surface, KIMA has a sandblasted surface to give a grip and texture while touching it. KIMA has better accessories inside the packaging box in quantitative and even quality but a bit pricey compared to EA500.

■ Both have similar sound signatures which are U-shaped. It has a bit tighter bass, a tad leaner and more transparent midrange and a safer treble response which is a bit laid-back sounding and less airy especially on comparing it to SIMGOT-target curve nozzle.

■ Technicalities-wise, KIMA has an average to above average sound/speaker stage dimensions on width, depth and height. It has a more 3D-like presentation compared to a concave spatial presentation on EA500. Resolving capabilities are similar on both sets.




MOONDROP ARIA

■ On its transducers, it uses an LCP (diaphragm dynamic and it is also enclosed in an aluminium alloy shell chassis. On packaging and its included accessories, Aria fare better on number of inclusions has more ear tips, nozzle filters to choose from and even a tweezer.

■ On tonality, both have a U-shaped sound signature, Aria focuses more on sub bass rather than mid bass, a more recessed and even leaner midranger which gives a less dynamic sound and even an odd presentation which has an emphasis on the upper mids then a sloped and dips on presence to brilliance region which gives a less brighter and subdued sparkle which affects the detail and clarity.

■ It has an inferior technical capabilities, from a mere average soundstage width, just a basic two-dimensional stereo panning, decent separation and poor rendering on layering which gives a more congested and disorder presentation on some complex tracks like orchestras and musical movie scores. It even has a curdled macro-dynamics and a less construe on detail retrieval.


As I put up a conclusion of this review, this is a few moments where a single DD set impresses me and on how it outweighs its flaws with more impressive capabilities on tonal and technical aspects. SIMGOT EA500 is a one of the marvellous and truly an exceptional set that is quite a rarity on under US$100/£81.

For sure that its tonality doesn't reach the quality level of some mid-rangers and TOTL single DD sets but its technical aspect gives you an idea and probably a prelude towards the best possible technical performance that most mid-rangers and high-end single dynamic driver sets can only achieve.


SIMGOT EA500 is currently available at LINSOUL, Just click the link HERE and I can guarantee it that it is a non-affiliated one.





SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: SIMGOT EA500
IMPEDANCE: 16Ω
SENSITIVITY: 123dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 50KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER


Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*



P.S.

I am not affiliated to SIMGOT nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to LINSOUL especially to MS. KAREENA TANG for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.

General/Build/Packaging/Comfort
SIMGOT has been on fire lately with their releases, make no mistake that the releases are not a hit and miss, rather more of a quality release that received numerous positive feedbacks from the audiophile community. I have not heard their previous release, hence the EA500 is my first experience with SIMGOT’s product.

Let’s talk about the packaging and build quality, in my opinion, it is a wise move for SIMGOT to not follow the “waifu” trend on the packaging, i personally is not fond of those and most of the Chi-FI brands starts to use the “waifu” printing on their packaging box and its getting out of hand. I have to say, this is a rather positive unboxing experience as I rarely write that much about the unboxing part. I am greeted with Pascal’s quote “Don’t try to add more years to your life. Better add more life to your years.” in which i totally agree with, quality rather than quantity. The box contains the IEM itself, OFC cable, a roomy storage case, the additional tuning nozzle, extra black and red silicon ring.

Build quality is solid on the EA500, doesn’t feel heavy and fits very well in my ears, and I wore them for several hours without feeling any discomfort. The only downside is that it is a fingerprint magnet



Gears used for this review

• Earmen Angel Dac/Amp
• iFi Gryphon
• Macbook Air M2 3.5 Out
• iPod Touch 5th Gen
• EA500 with stock cable and stock eartips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression ( Stock Nozzle with Red Silicon Ring )
EA500’s tonality is leaning towards neutral with slight warmth to my ears. Timbre sounds very natural to my ears and it has quite a good body to it overall with sufficient note weight to it. Good tuning in my opinion, musical sounding at the same time with good technicalities.

Bass

• Bass on the EA500 is not lacking by all means, maybe just a touch light but overall it has good quality bass with sufficient quantity, but still will not please bassheads
• It has good textures and body to it, doesn’t sound loose and thin
• Mid bass has good slam and punch to it, listening to Metallica’s Lux Aeterna is very pleasing as every hit on the drum be can felt
• Sub bass rumble is there when the track calls for it, doesn’t really extend that deep, it is evident in Hans Zimmer’s Why So Serious, slightly lacking the rumble
• The speed is also excellent on the EA500, handling complex tracks with ease without sounding muddy and bleeding into the mids

Mids

• The midrange is good with sufficient note weight, not sounding too thin and quite lush to my ears, this is based on my listening experience with EarMen Angel’s DAC/AMP, switching it to iFi’s Gryphon, it doesn’t sound as lush as the Angel
• Vocal positioning is not too forward nor laid back
• Female vocal has the energy to it and good texture
• Male vocal that has low baritone voice such as Zhao Peng retains the warmth and texture to it, it doesn’t sound thin at all, very pleasant experience
• The upper mids are not shouty at all and it does very well in terms of giving the female vocal a slight boost

Treble

• Treble response on the EA500 is crisp and smooth, no hint of darkness within the range
• Non sibilant nor offensive even when you crank up the volume
• Good amount of air and presence and contributed to good sense of staging and imaging as well
• Detail retrieval is good and i can hear the nuances distinctively without having to try hard, an example of such track is Faye Wang’s 旋木，the finger slides from the guitar can be heard easily

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage for EA500 is good for the price, having a good sense of width, depth, a little lacking in height but very good overall. It is quite spacious sounding, listening to orchestral or live tracks is very enjoyable on the EA500
• Imaging is also a strong point for EA500 as well, instruments can be pinpointed easily even on complex tracks such as Slipknot’s People = crap!, well layered and good separation

Driveability

• EA500 is not hard to drive, give it something like Apple’s Dongle is actually sufficient to get good sound and listening volume out of it
• However, when you feed it with more power, it sounded even better, tighter bass, and a little more punch, also sounded more open, this is when i turned on the gain+ mode on Earmen Angel, feeding it with 7.2 vrms via the SE out and extracting more “sonic performance” out from the EA500, impressive scalability

Sound Impression on Black Silicon Ring Nozzle

• From the bass response to the mids, it is more or less similar sounding to my ears
• Vocal positioning however is more forward compared to red ring nozzle
• Female vocal is even more lively compared to red ring nozzle, this is due to an early rise on the upper mids, i find the female vocal to be very enjoyable on this nozzle, but i can’t say the same for those who are sensitive with the upper mids boost, do take into consideration that your experience might vary
• Soundstage is slightly smaller on this nozzle, but imaging capability is excellent
• The treble is also being boosted to give more resolution and better perceived detail retrieval capability
• I would say this is a more of an analytical kind of tuning compared to the red ring nozzle which is balanced or safe

Final Thoughts
I have a very positive experience with EA500 and I definitely look forward to trying out their upcoming products when I have the chance. EA500 is a solid product overall that offers versatility with the swappable nozzle, although this is nothing new in the industry, but it does offer the user to switch to different kinds of tuning whenever they feel like it. With all things considered, this is not to say that EA500 is perfect and without flaws, or perhaps i shouldn’t say flaws because i’d be instilling my own preferences instead of properly reviewing the IEM itself, i would say if the bass quantity is slightly boosted while retaining the same quality and control over it, it would make the overall listening experience more “musical”. EA500 gets an easy 4.5/5 from me.

*EA500 is being sent over for the purpose of this review. I thank LINSOUL and SIMGOT for the opportunity. I am not influenced in any way to produce this review nor do I receive any monetary compensation.

Head over to the following link if you are interested in getting a pair!

SIMGOT EA500 - Non affiliated

Yet again Simgot has proved that they know the business of IEMs tuning. Like the predecessors which I personally loved, this EA500 was easy to like from the get go. The sound itself being faithful to traditional dynamic drivers neutral organic timbre, with some hint of modern vibrancy.

Not forgetting the versatile, two sound profiles by just simply swapping the nozzles. I must admit I like the stock red nozzle better, but for some music genres where flatter and crisper upper frequency is needed, like for classical and instrumentals, the Black nozzle will suit just fine. The key thing is, it is easy to swap the nozzles.


Simgot Audio Discord: https://discord.gg/YWfvwSzzvN
EA500 on Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea500

SIMGOT EA500 - Full Metal Jacket.

SIMGOT EA500 SPECS:
4th Generation Single 10mm Custom DLC dual-magnetic-circuit & dual-cavity driver.
Full CNC Shell
High quality mirror plated finish
Dual Detachable Tuning Nozzle's
Silver Plated OFC 3.5mm Cable
Semi Recessed 0.78 2 Pin receptacle.
Easy to drive 16 Ohm resistance
Very High 123-124 db/Vrms sensitivity needs very little power to get loud
Frequency response range is listed as 10Hz-50KHz
Useable Frequency response rage is listed as 10Hz-20KHz

SHOUT OUT TO SIMGOT for providing me this review sample.
More information can be found here and non-affiliated purchase link: https://amzn.to/3lTSPgl

YouTube Video Review can be found here:

Subjective Part of my Audio Review -

I share my impressions as I hear them with my ears.
As all our ears are different shapes & size so what I hear as bright or bass heavy -you might hear as dull and Vise-Versa; just something to be mindful of.

My version of what my perfect balanced IEM is: Good Sub Bass, with a warmer tone weight but faster and a nice transition into lower bass that adds the correct note weight to male vocals without too much bleed to effect female vocals with too much added thickness. I want to hear guitar plucks sounding with good intensity and tone.
Male vocals should sound correct and female vocals not to thin or forward.
Highs need to good extension and no sign of sibilance.
Instruments need to have correct tonality and sound natural.

For reference my favorite IEM is the Xenns Mangird UP with it's EST drivers that add sparkly enhancement only and not forced in a smooth natural way I prefer the fast speedy bass of the Beryllium Coated Driver.

My music Library is widely varied from; Metallica, Great White, Cowboy Junkies, Pink Floyd, Adelle, Melisa Ethridge, Fleetwood Mac, Five for Fighting, Manskin, Poncho Sanchez, Jimmy Smith, Chopin, The Crystal Method just to name a few. When not listening to my test tracks the majority is Jazz or Alternative Rock especially Female Rock. Lorde, Halsey, Alanis Morrisette, Evanescence.

All depends on my mood. If I want to chill out I listen to artists like the, - The Who, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Dire Straits and Dead Can Dance just to name a few.
If I want to have a beer and just get lost then some Jazz , Miles Davis, Poncho Sanchez, Jimmy Smith, Ray Brown Trio.
If I want to rock out then some AC/DC, Bad Co, Great White, Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Metallica.
And Those Times I want to get into vocals then Lorde, Halsey, Biff Naked, Alanis Morrisette hit the spot.
I mention all this so you get a sense of my library and what I like when I make my audio impressions other than the playlist

Sources: E1DA SG3, Shanling UP5, Geshelli JNOG J2 with AKM4493 chip. Truthear SHIO (Dual Cirrus Logic 43198 DAC Chips)
DAP/TRASPORT: From Lenovo Laptop with Tidal, iBasso DX160 (Dual Cirrus Logic 43198 Dac Chips), Samsung S22 Ultra with DSD Files.
Amps: LoxjiP20 & XDUOO MT-604 tube hybrid amps and Topping A90D Amp 4.4 Pentagon Balanced Out - Unless stated
Tips Used for the EA500 were the JVC FX09 Spiral Dots that are very wide bore.
Cable I used Stock and Hakugei Joyful voice Tri-Element 4.4 Balanced

My Format that I like to use is that I will list the music tracks I used & why with my musical impressions of the playback using that track with the notes I took during my time with the EA500

*My Notes are not meant to be full sentences just my thoughts written down at the time and transposed.
**Remember these are critical listening notes write it as I hear it, not overall impressions**
***Listening done with RED NOZZLE and 4,4 balanced off of Topping A90D, Geshelli AKM J2 Dac as source with iBasso DX160 as transport only 3.5mm to COAX Dig out.

Total Time 2:34:29 - 33 Tracks

#1 "Beautiful Blue" by Holly McNarland
(I love Holly's vocals should be crips clear vocals with the right edge to here vocals)
"A bit thin on ESS and super clean dacs doesn't need it already resolving enough, perfect voice"

#2 "Give Me One Reason" Tracy Chapman
(I love her voice and the way it is recorded listen for the strums on the guitar - I have seen Ms. Chapman live a few times; so In my mind, I try and remember how she sounds like 5ft from me as I was blessed to experience)
" Guitar was bang on tone and perfect vocals, tons of air and extension, backup singers were nicely presented in the mix"

#3 "Paradox" by M.E.B.
(Great female vocals listening for accurate piano at 0:11, bass hits at 0:28 and vocals at 2:00)
"Bass hits were nicely done fast with a surprisingly warm decay"

#4 "Rock Me" by Great White
(80'S Baby, Double Kick drums at the beginning of the first track I am listening to how fast it hits how solid is the bass and what's the decay like. An ideal replay here would be fast, powerful bass with nice note weight to feel it in your chest so to speak if you were at a concert.) ( With "Rock Me" same thing but I am listening for the bass guitar drops on this track it should be quite low)
"Bass had some nice note weight on RED nozzle Not as much with Black one, Bass goes lower than graph would suggest. Intimate stage very open still and the bass hits were faster."

#5 "Wheat Kings - Remastered" by The Tragically Hip
(Sense of stage and Male vocals)
Very 3D stage , nice extension in the highs lots of wicked vocals and guitar details."

#6 "Chemical Mentalist" The Crystal Method
(Bass, more bass fast and lots of it - How does it do end of the story - Huge Smile or poo emoji?)
"Love the hits , so sweet with this track, can be played very loud great for music like this."

#7 "Its Time" by Labrinth, Sia, Diplo
(3 very different singers and their voices come together. I use this because it’s a cool track and at higher volumes lesser IEM's get sibilant. Piano doesn’t get washed out and Vocals at 2:30 should blow your little mind)
"Good separation + Back up details , clear separation and tonality of all three vocals. You could tell when there was one singer or all in the mix. One of the best presentations of this track I have heard. Piano has the correct sound and could clearly be heard in the mix and did not get washed out"

#8 "All My Friends Are Here" Joe Satriani
(In this track you can hear Joe playing dead Center with the busy and very separated L & R licks added in and then he brings you back to center with some crazy and very hard-to-play Descending A Major rifts! As Joe described this song as "A rock guitarist trying to control a wild beast"
"Massive width + good depth you can hear L + R effects closer to the front and main track in center farther back. Descending A Major rift was perfect and clearly discernable!"

#9 "The Antidote Is In The Poison" GoGo Penguin
(Modern Jazz at its best. Powerful, Dynamic track full of emotion and snappy bass. Fantastic track to listen to how well Micro Dynamics are conveyed and get a good sense of the IEM's ability to convey that to the listener.)
"Very 3D , plucks + air are nice bass was surprisingly present because the resolving power is fantastic of the dynamic driver brought it out effortlessly."

#10 "Angel" by Massive Attack
(Say it with me - massive textured bass drops )
"The EA500 didn’t have the lowest extension this song deserves , but and a big one - the bass and droning , cascading hits were presented with very nice texture well done SIMGOT - Metal Cavity magic ?"

#11 "Bring Me Some Water" by Melissa Ethridge
(I like this track to hear Melissa's voice and see if the transducers (speakers) reproduce her voice to how edgy I think it should be.)
"Guitar and bass at beginning was epic, OMG Vocals!"

#12 "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" Annie Lennox
(A Bach-inspired Hammond Organ M102, I seriously love it and its unique sound with Annie's voice this is so cool)
"Amazing Extension and sparkle."

#13 " So Cold " Holly McNarland
( Vocals on this track are further back in the track and L & R upfront good track for testing depth of stage and vocals - Sub Bass at the very beginning has a nice drop.)
"Very Well done"

#14 "Shape Of My Heart" Sting
(in this track I am listening to the sound of the guitar pulls and slides. How well does the IEM give an emotional presentation of the mix between the vocals and the bass.
"Perfect Pulls , as was Sting voice."

#15 "Wishing You Would Stay" by The Tea Party with Holly McNarland
(Love this track. With this song and this band, it was the first time having a guest vocalist. Holly McNarland has a great voice and I have seen her live a few times front and center getting sweat on. Listening for Holly's voice being forward in the mix and not sibilant.)
"Vocals were wicked but the dynamics and playback were outstanding in every song I get the felling the E500 presents with huge passion as long as it is instilled into the mix"

#16 "Avenue A" Tom Cochrane and Red Rider Live from the Symphony Sessions
(This track with more resolving IEM'S you can hear the guitar pulls and slides with a sense of open spaciousness and grandeur)
"Big stage so natural like you are in the middle of concert 100' from stage . Tom's voice was real. Strings at 1:30 so nice!"

#17 “Eden” Hania Rani
( The way Hania has recorded this track with the mics on the strings in the body of the piano is incredibly unique and such a unique presentation you can hear the string's tension at the beginning, Bass kicks in at 1:40 and goes low that’s what I am listening for)
"Piano notes were perfect , the secondary mics were clearly noticeable with the special way Hania Rani records her music not a easy thing to pick up."

#18 “Summertime” Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald
( This Track has both legendary artists Simply listening to Louis and Ella’s voices and of course, the Piano and trumpets how accurate and lifelike )
"Trumpets have perfect bite + tone , Ella + louis were perfect."

#19 “Blue Train” Poncho Sanchez
( Trumpets here are silky or should sound that way with good timbre, overall mix how does it present, and of course Poncho’s drums )
"Macro-dynamics were huge Drums are so great."

#20 “ My Girl “ Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
(Listening for instrument placement and stage and this track gives a good sense of dynamics and excitement with lots of dynamics in the mix)
"Xylophones were cool in the mix really came out at the beginning , Big stage and so smooth yet dynamic. What a great listen, volume keeps going up."

#21 "Iconic" by Alanis Morissette
(More edgy female vocals to give you the chills)
"Oh yes , Amazing at 0:38 Alanis's voice changes with the mic position. This so cool first time I heard this and not will be listening for it on everything."

#22 "The Day That Never Comes" Metallica - Live with the SFO from S&M2
(Big open stage good depth of stage excellent recording with a excellent orchestral opening)
"Yeah huge stage 3D 0:56 Bass hits fast + nice weight."

#23 "Tricycle" by Flim & BB's
(Turn this one up and wait till 0:28 seconds- Have Fun Dynamics test)
" Not the best replay missing some authorities at high volume was very good almost there."

#24 "Thriller" by Michael Jackson
(Great song to listen for stage and imaging)
" Great 3D stage not sibilant on RED at beginning on Black YES."

#25 "Team" by Lorde
(Female vocals if your lover of those this is a great track)
"Very unique presentation SIMGOT House Sound coming to life."

#26 “ Wake Up “ Oliver Mtukudzi
(Oliver Mtukudzi is an African Musician and prolific guitarist and Vocalist. He sings with a mix of South African styles sometimes in English sometimes mixed like in this track and includes the traditional drumming styles of the Korekore. TUKU MUSIC at its finest – Listening for vocals, bass lines, and clarity – and because it is just fun! Right at the beginning you have some very cool snaps and instrumental)
"Natural vocals at beginning + Oliver's voice was perfect , good depth between singers front Back Up female vocals and Male Main."

#27 "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits
(Intro and dynamics or distant thunder, and Iconic Mark Knopfler's vocals Bass hits at 2:12)
"Thunder at beginning was well presented not droned out + Mark Knopfler was perfect again."

#28 "Keith Don't Go" - Live Version by Nils Loftgren
(Acoustical Guitar absolutely amazing recording - Tonality and male vocal clarity)
"You have to listen to this live recording , the Music that belted out of EA500 was breathtaking to listen to."

#29 "Somebody I used To Know" by Goyte & Kimba
(A huge stage and Vocals listen for excellent separation and stage, Vocals at 1:38 and female 2:38 and micro-dynamics
" Just Wow love vocals the unique way it is replayed back on the EA500 just love the way it does the stage."

#30 " Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo" by Bélla Fleck & The Fleckstones
(Excellent recording and Bango bass should hit hard and low with nice mic of piano weight)
" The EA500 going to make me a banjo fan."

#31 " New Orleans Is Sinking " By The Tragically Hip."
Listening to Gord's Voice without enough MB his voice will sound thin on this song.
" Great male vocals as well know Canadians rep so well! EH!."

#32 " T.V. Song" By The blue Man Group
The whip at beginning has to sound real, then the PVC B.M.G. stereo separation and then 10' big ass drum hits at 1:26
" Not bad but showing the EA500 one weakness for sub bass big hits"

#33 "Electrified II" by Yello
How well does the playback just trip you out and pull you into the stage and presentation think Ferris Bueller's` Day Off on LSD
"Yello oh hell YES!"

COMPARISIONS FOR REFERENCE:

Sennheiser IE200: $200
On the IE200 the stage is more L+R , more intimate yet the stage sounds closer to you and more like a studio recording rather than live. Whereas the EA500 changes its stage per song and is more true to the recording.
The IE200 plays lower in sub frequencies but not nearly as authoritive in its bass texture.
Vocals more recessed on the IE200 whereas the EA500 vocals are slightly forward in comparison to the two.

IKKO Obsidian OH10: $120-$150 now FEB 2023
The OH10 has a wider stage not nearly as 3D as the SIMGOT.
Both ends of the music spectrum Bass and certainly more high frequency energy you can expect from the OH10.
The OH10 has more bass and with greater speed.
The EA500 plays with a more neutral playback whereas the OH10 sounds more colored.
The EA500 beats the OH10 in detail retrieval and resolution.

AUNE Jasper: $299 Thanks Eric Lab "NymPHONOmaniac" for your loaner for this comparison.
The EA500 has a tad more bass , but with more texture.
Vocal clarity is just slightly more resolving and natural because of the added mid bass on the EA500 with a slightly more forward presentation both have outstanding vocals.
The Mids are slightly warmer on the Aune Jasper - my personal preference.
There sounds like a bit more air and extension in the highs of the Simgot EA500 making female vocals clearer.
The Jasper cant quite keep up with the 3D stage of the EA500 both are excellent but I give the nod to the SIMGOT here.
The shorter nozzle of the Aune Jasper makes it harder to get a good seal and more tip dependant.
The Jasper needs twice the power to get to the same volume level defiantly harder to drive.

SUMMARY & FINAL THOUGHTS FOR: SIMGOT EA500
I reached out to Simgot for this one in part because I saw it online , It looked so premium and well built and it peaked my curiosity so Simgot sent me one and I am sure glad they did and here we are 5 days later 16 Hours in ears and 100 hours burn in.

First thing I will say about the EA500 is that is not a Harman tuned typical sound , well it sort of is but throw in a bit of house SIMGOT sound tuned two alternate ways and you have this wonderful IEM being born.
I saw these IEM's and what can I say there is a special place in my heart for full on metal shells, it certainly does something special for the IKKO Obsidian OH10 and the same exact thing can be said for the EA500!
There should not be as much bass with the weight it has looking at the graph curve.

The vocals both male and female on a warmer source is perfectly weighted and hits a very rare balance between weight and airiness.
At first listen I thought the EA500 sounded warm, after lots of hours they seemed to become more natural in a very neutral balanced way and my favorite tuning was the RED Nozzle's sound signature.
I am treble sensitive and the EA500 hits the perfect mix for me of highs without and fatigue or sibilance.
Stage is very 3D and the EA500 presents it in a very Intimate in your head space with nice depth and width as well as good height if the tracks was meant to be played back like that.

Whatever the EA500 uses for its DD it’s a wonderfully resolving unit. Very rare from my observation to find such as driver and certainly not at this price point. If you can pick out the micro dynamics and emotion of the music with a neutral clean playback, true to its recording and without adding or changing the music - that’s special in my opinion.

Rock, Jazz, EDM, Orchestral, Vocal, all great on the EA500 , you noticed I left out some bass heavy genre for good reason its not for those and wont give you the correct playback.

Final takeaway: I has been a very long time when reviewing a IEM where I just zoned out because I was enjoying the music and forgot I have something in my ears. When listening to the EA500 that happened more than once. That’s a very powerful statement and the ultimate testimonial to how much I enjoy these IEM's.

I can see a EA500 CULT being born and have a following like the OH10 a IEM that you wont ever sell.
Thanks so much, Cheers from the Tone Deaf Monk.