EDIT 2023-08-25: If you are not aware, I am selling my own Earbuds, called RikuBuds: https://rikubuds.com/
Disclaimer: I received this review unit for free from Smabat themselves. Thank you very much.
Price: 64 usd
Specifications:
Drive unit: 15.4mm titanium-plated diaphragm material
Impedance: 40Ω
Frequency: 10Hz-22kHz
Sensitivity: 110±3dB
Accessories:
1 pair of full foams
1 pair of donut foams
Cable: 4-core copper cable measuring at 0.57 ohms with metal connectors and dividers. Not really a good cable in terms of measurements but is pretty thin and lightweight so it does not impact the fit negatively.
Build: All metal build with replaceable MMCX connectors. There are some sharp corners near the mmcx connectors though.
Fit: Average sized bud and does fit me pretty good. Although not as good as an MX500 shell for me.
Comfort: Pretty good and it is pretty lightweight for a metal bud, although there are some sharp corners (near the mmcx connector) that sometimes stab my ears a bit when I put them on.
Isolation: None, its an earbud after all.
Setup: Schiit Asgard 3 (low-gain, volume around 9´o clock), full foams, stock cable 3.5mm
Lows: Both sub and mid-bass are elevated but it is mostly a sub-bass focused bud. It is very clean due to the speed and tightness and has excellent texture. It has actual rumble as well and extends very deep.
Mid-bass: Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), clean because of the fast and tight bass while the quantity is a little bit elevated and well textured. The (02:55-03:01) section with the chopper is hearable and clean.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), Very good texture and quantity isn’t as much as I would like it but is pretty good for a bud. Tightness and speed are very good so it is quite clean.
Sub-bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extension is very good for a bud and has actual rumble as well but not that much though. Punch quantity could be higher but is very well textured as well as tight and fast.
Will Sparks – Sick like that (03:08-03:22), very well textured and quantity is elevated but still very clean due to the tightness and speed.
Mids: Very well balanced male and female vocals and quality with both are very good. Forward vocals that are clean and without bass bleed.
Female-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), instrument and vocal tonality and timbre are excellent and vocals are forward as they should be. Detail and clarity are also very good.
Yuki Hayashi – MightU (01:58-02:55), very good instrument and vocal tonality without being fatiguing. Timbre, detail and clarity are excellent.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), tonality is correct but is a bit fatiguing and somewhat shouty due to the 3k peak (my weak spot!).
Hiroyuki Sawano – Crescent (02:07-02:26), fatiguing and shouty due to the 3k peak.
Male-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (00:57-01:17), very good vocal and instrument tonality as well as timbre. Detail and clarity are also very good.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), instrument tonality and timbre are good but vocals need some more warmth. Very clean and detailed though.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars are a bit fatiguing but tonally correct.
Deuce – America (03:03-03:16), fatiguing but otherwise good separation and imaging.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello timbre, texture and detail are very good but could be warmer. Violin tonality, timbre, texture, detail and treble-extension are very good.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), very good tonality, timbre, detail and clarity.
Soundstage: Holographic because of it being very wide and deep.
Tonality: Bass-boosted (sub-bass) neutral with a tonality that leans slightly towards brightness due to its small 3k peak (again, my weak spot, but if you aren’t sensitive there, it could be a warmer bud for you).
Details: A lot of details.
Instrument Separation: Both separation and imaging are very good.
Songs that highlight the Earbud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2sXnZTOr1A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbjiEJyBKbQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0CqY27IFyo&t https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS6uI7keuTg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7lNeeDNbzQ
Good genres: Trance, EDM, Pop, Rock/metal, Yasuharu Takanashi, Hiroyuki Sawano, Classical
Bad genres: Very versatile bud, but hip-hop is less suited for it due to it needing more rumble
Comparisons:
Earbud: NiceHCK MX500, Full foams, stock cable 3.5mm
Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), lower extension and more rumble on the M2S Pro. Punch quantity is also a bit higher on it but similarly tight and fast while it is more textured. More tonally accurate on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), very similar quantity, speed and tightness but more textured on the M2S Pro.
Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), very similar quantity, speed and tightness but more textured on the M2S Pro. But cleaner on the M2S Pro due to it having better separation.
Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), very similar vocal tonality and forwardness but better timbre on the M2S Pro. Instrument tonality and timbre are better on the M2S Pro. More detailed (micro-details) on the M2S Pro.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), similarly fatiguing, although the M2S Pro is a bit sharper to me due to the 3k peak.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), a bit better tonality (vocal and instruments) on the M2S Pro due to it having some of the needed warmth and also better timbre.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), more fatiguing on the MX500.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre, texture and detail are better on the M2S Pro. Violin tonality and texture are similar but better timbre, detail and treble-extension on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), similar tonality but better timbre and details on the M2S Pro.
Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage width is similar but deeper and therefore more holographic on the M2S Pro. Detail, imaging, instrument separation and timbre are better on the M2S Pro.
Overall: The M2S Pro is the upgrade to the MX500, very similar tonality but with actual rumble in the sub-bass (when the track calls for it) and better extension both ways.
Earbud: Yincrow X6, full foams, stock cable 3.5mm
Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), very similar rumble but a bit lower extension on the M2S Pro. A lot more punch quantity though on the X6 while speed, tightness and texture are better on the M2S Pro. More tonally correct on the X6.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), a lot more bass quantity on the X6 but similar texture while it is a lot faster and tighter on the M2S Pro. More tonally correct on the X6.
Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), a LOT cleaner on the M2S Pro due to it having a lot faster and tighter bass as well as a lot lower quantity. Separation is also a lot better on it.
Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocals have better tonality, detail, timbre and more forward on the M2S Pro. While instrument tonality is better on the X6 with similar timbre although a lot cleaner and detailed on the M2S Pro.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), a lot more relaxing and fatigue free on the X6.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), better tonality with both vocals and instrument on the X6 but better timbre, detail and clarity on the M2S Pro.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), a lot more relaxing and fatigue free on the X6.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and texture are better on the X6 but better timbre and detail on the M2S Pro. Violin tonality, timbre, texture, detail and treble-extension are a lot better on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality on the X6 but better timbre, detail and clarity on the M2S Pro.
Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), wider soundstage on the M2S Pro but similar depth and both are holographic. Detail, imaging, instrument separation and timbre are a lot better on the M2S Pro.
Overall: They are both quite different despite both having a bass boosted neutral signature. The M2S Pro is the more reference tuned bud while the X6 is the more fun one. So, if you want a more fun and relaxing bud the X6 is the better one. Although the M2S Pro has a lot better technicality so there is that.
Earbud: Yincrow RW-2000, full foams, stock cable 4.4mm
Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), a lot lower extension and has a lot more rumble on the M2S Pro. Punch quantity is also higher on the M2S Pro and is more textured, but a bit tighter, faster and cleaner on the RW-2000. More tonally correct on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), similar quantity but more textured on the M2S Pro while it is a bit tighter and faster on the RW-2000.
Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), similar speed, tightness and quantity but individual strikes are more distinct on the M2S Pro and is more textured on it.
Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), instrument tonality and timbre are better on the M2S Pro. Vocal tonality is a bit better on the M2S Pro while timbre and forwardness are similar. Detail and clarity are very similar.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), a bit sharper on the M2S Pro (3k peak) but otherwise similarly fatiguing.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), similar tonality both vocals and instruments as well as timbre. Similarly detailed and clean as well.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), a bit sharper electric guitars on the M2S Pro and a bit more fatiguing on it as well.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, texture and detail are very similar but slightly better timbre on the M2S Pro. Violin tonality and texture are better on the M2S Pro but similar detail and treble-extension.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), a bit better tonality on the RW-2000 but similarly clean and detailed.
Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), a bit bigger and deeper soundstage and more holographic on the RW-2000. Detail, imaging and instrument separation are very similar but timbre is slightly better on the M2S Pro.
Overall: They are both quite similar in that they are both bass boosted neutral but they are also different in that the M2S Pro is more sub-bass focused (similar mid-bass quantity though) while the RW-2000 is more mid-bass focused. So, the M2S Pro is better for genres such as EDM, Hip-hop and trance. While the treble is a bit less peaky (does not have the 3k peak that I am weak to) on the RW-2000. So, if you want better treble, the RW-2000 is the better one, but if you want better bass, the M2S Pro is better. They are also on the same level in terms of technicalities and mids are also similar in quality and quantity. My personal preferences align more with the M2S Pro and I do actually prefer it a bit over the RW-2000, both of them are great though but the obvious value set goes to the M2S Pro.
Earbud: K´s Samsara K300, full foams, stock cable 4.4mm
Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), very similar extension but a bit more rumble on the M2S Pro. Punch quantity is a bit higher on the Samsara but faster, tighter and more textured on the M2S Pro. Tonality is a bit more accurate on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more quantity on the Samsara but more textured, faster, tighter and cleaner on the M2S Pro. Tonality is a bit more accurate on the M2S Pro.
Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), more quantity on the Samsara but a lot cleaner on the M2S Pro due to it having a lot faster and tighter bass. Texture is also better on the M2S Pro and individual bass strikes are a lot cleaner on it, while it is bloated on the Samsara.
Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), instrument tonality is better on the Samsara but a lot better timbre on the M2S Pro. Vocal tonality and timbre are a lot better (and more forward) on the M2S Pro and is cleaner and more detailed.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), more relaxing and fatigue free on the Samsara.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality are better on the Samsara but better timbre on the M2S Pro. Cleaner and more detailed on the M2S Pro.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), more relaxing and fatigue free on the Samsara.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and texture are better on the Samsara but more detailed, cleaner and better timbre on the M2S Pro. Violin tonality, timbre, texture, detail and treble-extension are better on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality, timbre, detail and cleaner on the M2S Pro.
Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is wider on the M2S Pro but deeper and more holographic on the Samsara. Detail, imaging, instrument separation and timbre are all better on the M2S Pro.
Overall: The Samsara is a lot warmer and is the more fun bud while the M2S Pro is the more reference tuned but still pretty fun because of the sub-bass and also a lot more technical than the Samsara.
Earbud: NiceHCK EBX21, full foams, stock cable 4.4mm
Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), rumble is pretty much nonexistent and has very poor extension on the EBX21 compared to the M2S Pro. Speed is a bit faster (specifically the decay) on the EBX21 as well as tighter but a lot more textured on the M2S Pro and is a lot more tonally correct on it.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more quantity and a lot more texture on the M2S Pro but a bit faster and tighter on the EBX21.
Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the EBX21 due to the faster, tighter and a lot lower bass quantity.
Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), similar vocal timbre but a bit better tonality on the EBX21. Instrument tonality and timbre are better on the M2S Pro though. Clarity is better (due to the brighter tonality) on the EBX21 but similar details.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), a lot more fatiguing and sharper on the EBX21.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), Vocal and instrument tonality and timbre are a LOT better on the M2S Pro.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), similarly sharp but more fatiguing on the EBX21.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre and texture are better on the M2S Pro but similar details. Violin tonality is better on the EBX21 as well as detail but better timbre on the M2S Pro while texture and treble-extension are similar.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality and timbre on the M2S Pro. While detail is similar.
Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), width is similar but deeper and more holographic on the M2S Pro.
Overall: The M2S Pro is a lot more suited for my library and pretty much beats the EBX21 in all aspects except for female vocals. But if you dislike bass and want something brighter the EBX21 will suit you more.
Earbud: Moondrop Chaconne, full foams, stock cable 4.4mm
Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), rumble is pretty much nonexistent and has poor extension on the Chaconne compared to the M2S Pro. Speed is faster (specifically the decay) on the Chaconne as well as tighter but a lot more textured on the M2S Pro and is a lot more tonally correct on it.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more bass quantity and texture on the M2S Pro while it is a lot faster, tighter and cleaner on the Chaconne. More tonally correct on the M2S Pro.
Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner and more detailed on the Chaconne due to the faster, tighter and lower bass quantity.
Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), instrument tonality is better on the M2S Pro but timbre is better on the Chaconne. Vocal tonality and timbre are a lot better on the Chaconne (similar quantity though). Detail and clarity are a lot better on the Chaconne.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), more fatiguing because it is sharper on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), Vocal and instrument tonality are a lot better on the M2S Pro while timbre is better on the Chaconne. Detail and clarity are also a lot better on the Chaconne.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), sharper electric guitars on the M2S Pro and is a bit more fatiguing.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and texture are better on the M2S Pro but timbre, clarity and details are better on the Chaconne. Violin tonality, timbre, texture, detail, clarity and treble-extension are a lot better on the Chaconne.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), tonality is better on the M2S Pro but cleaner and more detailed on the Chaconne.
Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is wider on the Chaconne but a bit deeper on the M2S Pro, although the Chaconne is still more holographic. Detail, imaging, instrument separation and timbre are in another league on the Chaconne.
Overall: The Chaconne is still the king of upper-mids and treble. But the M2S Pro has better bass for my library as well as lower-mids (male vocals).
Earbud: Smabat Super One, full foams, cable A12 4.4mm
Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extension is a bit lower on the Super One and rumbles a lot more. Punch quantity is also a lot higher on the Super One but tighter, faster and more textured on the M2S Pro. Tonality is a bit more correct on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), a lot more quantity on the Super One while it is tighter, faster and more textured on the M2S Pro. More tonally correct on the M2S Pro.
Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the M2S Pro because of the faster, tighter and less quantity bass. Texture is also better on it.
Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality and timbre is a lot better on the M2S Pro along with more forward vocals. Instrument tonality is a bit more accurate on the Super One (but too warm) while timbre is better on the M2S Pro. Detail and clarity are better on the M2S Pro.
Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), similarly fatiguing but cleaner on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), a lot cleaner and more detailed on the M2S Pro along with more forward vocals. Although the tonality is a bit better on the Super One while timbre is better on the M2S Pro.
Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), sharper electric guitars on the M2S Pro but more tonally correct as well as more natural timbre.
Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and texture are a bit better on the Super One but better timbre, clarity and details on the M2S Pro. Violin tonality, timbre, texture, detail, clarity and treble-extension are better on the M2S Pro.
Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality, timbre, clarity and details on the M2S Pro.
Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is a lot bigger on the M2S Pro. Detail, imaging, instrument separation and timbre are also a lot better on the M2S Pro.
Overall: The M2S Pro is the better tuned bud and has better technicalities.
Conclusion: Yeah, I very much recommend it. It competes in the high-tier area but is priced at around mid-tier. If you want something reference tuned but with some bass boost (sub-bass) to make it more fun and is also very technical, this is a very good bud and it still has possibilities for changes due to its modular driver structure (you only get one driver with it though, so if you want to play around with different drivers you need to buy them separately). Thanks for reading.
Cable source: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...zTm4ei7HEfP8AI1zxswrMw2ho/edit#gid=1801072063
Reference/test songs: