SONIC MEORY SM1 Lite

Introduction​

Soncie Meory (Sonic Memory for many, can’t understand what’s wrong with the naming) isn’t among the most chit-chatted brands out there but they sometimes come out with interesting units.
The SM1 Lite is the first IEM I have been able to try from their company and after some weeks of usage I am ready to share my impressions on them.

Disclaimer: the Soncie Meory SM1 Lite were sent to me by ShenzenAudio so that I could write an honest review. This review represents my personal opinion on the set, it isn't promotional or paid content and I don’t get any revenue from the sales of this product.
At the time of the review, the Soncie Meory SM1 Lite were on sale for about 18.99$ at ShenzenAudio.

Technical Specifications​

• Driver Configuration → 10mm Dynamic Driver
• Impedance → 16Ω@1kHz±15%
• Frequency Response → 20Hz-20kHz
• Sensitivity → 103±3dB/Vrms@1kHz
• Rated Power → 8mW
• Max Input Power → 15mW
• Cable → 1.2m Detachable Silver-plated OFC Twisted Cable
• Plug Type → 3.5mm

Packaging​

The packaging of the Moondrop Quark 2 Is very small and looks very minimal. It only contains:

• The SM1 Lite
• One set of wide bore tips in 4 different sizes
• 6 Black Dampers
• 6 Metal Mesh Filters
• Type-C dongle
• Earphone carrying case
• User manual and warranty card

Design, Build Quality, Comfort and Isolation​

The build quality is nothing to write home about: simple, very lightweight square plastic shells that look very good in terms of design.




The nozzle is detachable because the nozzle filter is unscrewable: the SM1 Lite come black dampers to compensate for slight sound deviance between the two earpiece, that may occur out of the box or in the future.



The isolation is average and the comfort is not bad considering the square-shaped housings. The fit is not deep and this is both because of the short nozzle size and its diameter.

When the blue adhesive film on the faceplate has been removed, this is what they look like:

Cable​

The cable is pretty good for the price. There is also a version with microphone, but the sample that was delivered to me doesn’t have it so I cannot speak about it.

About the included Type-C dongle​

The included Type-C dongle is not very powerful, and unfortunately does not work on any of my devices (one Windows laptop, one Windows desktop PC and my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra). I have tried it on several other devices such as the Redmi Note 8T, the POCO F4, the Xiaomi Mi A3 and the Oneplus 10 Pro, and it worked out with no issues, whereas it didn’t work on my girlfriend’s Samsung Galaxy S23 (just like on my Ultra variant).
Having compatibility issues is unfortunate for a product that comes with an included dongle.

Sound​

GEAR USED FOR THE TEST

• DAC: Topping E30
• AMP: Topping L30, Fiio A3
• Mobile phones: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Xiaomi Mi A3, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Moondrop May’s DSP cable with PEQ=0
• Dongle: Apple Type-C dongle, Fosi DS2, Hidizs XO
• Portable DAPs: Benjie S8/AGPTEK M30B
• Bluetooth Adapters: KBEAR S1, KZ AZ10
• Other sources: Presonus AudioBox iONE, Elgato Wave XLR

Do they need an amplifier?
They don’t strictly need an amplifier as they are relatively easy to drive, but I’ve noticed that a good/cleaner source slightly improves the sound (they pair well with brighter sources).

Sound signature
Warm, V-shaped sound with noticeable treble roll-off.

Lows
The sub-bass is presente, but the mid-bass is the star being pretty tight and very punchy, even though it lacks some physicality and cleanness that lead to an unrefined feeling. It’s not the fastest bass around too, and one just needs to play a few D’nB tracks to hear the bass struggling a bit.
Not for bassheads for sure.

Mids
The midrange is recessed, warm, with the lower-midrange being helped by the midbass even though that is not enough to make male vocals stand out from the rest. The upper-midrange is boosted yet vocals don’t have a very natural timbre, also probably because of the combination between the treble roll-off and the bloated mid-bass.

Highs
The treble is very safe and lacks sparkle because of the upper-treble roll-off. The detail retrieval is just ok for the price tag and in fact the perceived resolution is not up to the competition, but this is also explained by the dark timbre of the IEM and the overall tuning.

The soundstage is average for the price, but the instrument separation and the imaging are surprisingly good.

Gaming performance
Since Soncie Meory promoted these as “Soundcrafted for eSports”, with a particular mention to the “Acoustic design optimized for FPS gaming”, I thought playing with them for a while could be a good idea.
Believe it or not, they surprised me with very nice pinpointing in game, as I didn’t struggle to locate enemies around in PUBG Mobile and even in games like Rainbow Six Siege on PC (different heights are still difficult to recognize, but this is a very common thing and happens with much more expensive headphones too).

Some comparisons:​

Soncie Meory SM1 Lite vs Moondrop Quark 2
In terms of music, there’s no comparison to make: the Quark 2 are superior in terms of resolution, bass quality, sub-bass extension, vocals representation, and so on. The SM1 Lite compensate with slightly better pinpointing, but that’s it.
In terms of staging, none of them really provide for a very open stage feeling, but I think that the Quark 2 take the lead.
The build quality is a touch better on the Quark 2 but the SM1 Lite come with a better cable. Comfort-wise, the Quark 2 could have some pressure issues, whereas the SM1 Lite have short and large nozzles and square-shaped housings. None of them is a comfort champion, but both are ok in the ears once the right tips are found. Maybe, the Quark 2 win because of the bullet-shape. Isolation is better on the Quark 2 thanks to their deep insertion.
Overall, if you’re into music, the Quark 2 are just better, whereas if you are a gamer the slightly better pinpointing of the SM1 Lite may be a reason to give them a try.

Soncie Meory SM1 Lite vs Celest Wyvern Abyss
Let’s address the main difference again: tuning. The Wyvern Abyss are Harman-2019 tuned and they just sound better in terms of timbre, tonal balance and end to end extension.
The imaging is very similar and in some cases the SM1 Lite were more precise at pinpointing enemies in the map, but the Abyss have a slightly more spacious perceived stage and in most occasions they behave better.
Build quality is better on the Wyvern Abyss whereas the cable is of similar quality.
Comfort-wise, the Wyvern Abyss are slightly bigger but fit like a glove, and they also insulate much better.
Considering that the Wyvern Abyss are good for gaming and also for music, whereas the SM1 Lite are a hit or miss when it comes to music listening, I would pick the Wyvern Abyss hands down, and with a few more dollars you can also get a boom microphone that works wonders.

Final Thoughts​

Soncie Meory writes “Perfectly suitable for both music and eSports. HiFi and Gaming”, but I don’t really agree with this. They are very good for gaming, but I don’t think they really shine with music and it's also very easy to find alternatives.
In fact, I think I will keep using them for gaming along with some other IEMs like the Wyvern Abyss and Moondrop SSR, but I don’t think one should buy them for music, if not for their dark and safe treble and their warm and punchy sound. If you instead seek for a natural sound reproduction and proper resolution or if you seek for the highest value for money for music listening, I think you should look elsewhere.

Introduction​

The Soncie Meory SM1 Lite is a single DD IEM that are designed to deliver high-quality audio experience targeting both gamers and audiophiles.




Note: I would like to thank Shenzenaudio for providing the SM1 Lite for the purposes of this review. It currently retails for an incredble $18.99. Check out more details on Shenzenaudio via this non-affliated link: Soncie Meory
Note: There are 2 options available the $18.99 was the one I received and does not include a microphone but the $19.99 version does include a microphone.

Packaging and Accessories​

I was really impressed with the premium packaging and accessories you get for an IEM this cheap. It easily looks as well as a $50 or even some $100 IEMs.

The SM1 Lite comes in nice looking box:



Interesting you can see the IEM but on the back of the box:



Opening it up:



Still a nice clean experience:



Taking everything out of the box - you get allot for $18:



You get an extra set of ear tips as each IEM has a medium tip pre-installed:



The cable isn’t bad and the fact it comes with a usb-c dongle for this price is amazing:



And finally getting to the IEM itself - it looks great for every angle I think:







Cable is maybe a bit long but that is a minor quibble:



I am really astonished by the hardware quality for this price:





Even the 2-pin connector looks pretty good though I personally feel the recessed connectors are better longer term:

Comfort and fit​

I found it to be an excellent fit for my ears. I liked how lightweight they are (weigh approximately 10g) and the angle of the nozzle meant I never felt I had to adjust the IEM in my ears even after hours of use. The cable is also excellent for the price almost as good as the cable in the Truthear Gate. So I have no complaints at all with using the SM1 Lite.

Accessories List​

• Earphone Units: x2
• CUP TIPS: x8
• Spare Black Dampers: x6
• Spare Metal Mesh Filters: x6
• Type-C Analog Audio Adapter: x1
• Earphone Cable: x1
• Earphone Carrying Case: x1
• User Manual: x1
• Certificate of Conformity: x1
• Safety Warning Card: x1

Features​

The 10mm Driver​

The SM1 Lite is equipped with a high dynamic 10mm driver unit featuring a multi-layered fiber composite diaphragm. This driver is specifically tuned to enhance spatial cues in gaming, such as footsteps, gunshots, and environmental sounds, providing gamers with improved auditory precision and a competitive edge.

As you will see in the measurement section there are certain areas of the frequency response tuned specifically for gaming.

USB-C Adapter​

The SM1 Lite as well as including a 3.5mm analog connector includes a standard Type-C analog audio usb-c adapter, supporting direct connection to smartphones with analog audio output capability.

Note: I did have some trouble with my usb-c dongle, so I did not use it for the purposes of this review, I mainly used my Apple usb-c, but I also used it on a few desktop headphone dac amps including the FiiO K11-R2R. The SM1 Lite is very easy to drive so there is really no special equipment needed to use this IEM but the inclusion of the usb-c dongle is a nice touch.

Hi-Fi Sound Quality and Customization​

Something I think is quite unique especially at this price point is support for a multidimensional acoustic expansion kit interface designed by MAE KITS. This looks to me like alternative ‘filters’ that can be applied to the nozzle.

While SM1 Lite comes with some replacement filters, I did not have any alternative MAE kits, so I could not test this feature, but I thought it was worth mentioning and something you definitely do not expect at this price point.

Sound impressions:​

Bass​

The bass on these headphones is particularly pronounced, offering a deep and powerful response that is ideal for bass-heavy genres like electronic music or hip-hop. The sub-bass extension is impressive, delivering a rumbling low-end that adds a visceral quality to tracks like “Royals” by Lorde. However, this emphasis on bass can sometimes overshadow the midrange, making the overall sound signature more suited to those who prefer a V-shaped tuning. The bass remains controlled, avoiding excessive bloom, which is a testament to the headphones’ design.

Midrange​

The midrange is slightly recessed compared to the bass and treble, which can make vocals and instruments feel a bit pushed back in the mix. This tuning choice enhances the perception of depth, but it might not satisfy listeners who prefer more forward mids. On tracks like “Hotel California” by Eagles, the guitars and vocals are clear, but they don’t command as much attention as the bass does. While the mids are not as prominent, they still maintain clarity and detail, avoiding muddiness.

Treble​

The treble is extended, providing a crisp and detailed top-end that adds sparkle to the music. However, as the frequency rises, the treble starts to roll off, which does helps prevent any harshness or sibilance. This makes it easier to listen to brighter recordings without fatigue. For example, on “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits, while the guitar riffs are lively and energetic, the cymbals were recessed but overall I thought the sound was still well controlled. In summary, the treble adds to the overall clarity of the sound without becoming overly aggressive.

Soundstage & Imaging​

The soundstage on these headphones is somewhat narrow, which is typical for an IEM with this tuning. The imaging though, was very good for this price, given this sound is tailored for gaming, it should not be a surprise that the imaging precision you need for gaming is there. On “Bubbles” by Yosi Horikawa, the placement of different elements in the mix is clearly defined, allowing you to easily pinpoint where each sound is coming from.

So, while the soundstage isn’t wide, the accurate imaging compensates for it, providing an immersive listening experience, especially in competitive gaming scenarios.

Specifications and Measurements​

Measurements​

Here is the frequency response of the SM1 Lite:



You can see that SM1 Lite has been more tuned to be tailored for a gaming experience than a typical audiophile sound signature, i thought it was more V-Shaped but even the treble does roll off significantly after 4K.

If you are looking for a neutral or harman like tuning you should either look elsewhere or use some EQ. Though possible there will be some tuning options available via the nozzle filters which can be used to provide a more balanced sound for audiophiles.

Here is the distortion which is well controlled so EQ should be relatively straight forward for those wanting to EQ this back to a balanced sound signature:


Even when playing at crazy volumes like 100 dbSPL the distortion is below audible limits:


Note: I was going to measure the usb-c dongle separately but sadly my usb-c dongle stopped working.

Rating​

I have given the SM1 Lite a pragmatic rating of 4, I feel the tuning is more gaming centric and really lacks upper treble without EQ. The distortion is very low so with some simple EQ you can have a very comfortable and nice looking V-shaped sounding IEM and obviously with more extensive EQ you can make it sound as you want. It also has excellent build quality, and it is very impressive accessory package especially with usb-c dongle.

Conclusion​

In conclusion, this is an exceptional good-looking IEM with a V-shaped sound signature that comes with a great set of accessories and has a couple of unique features at this price range. While I didn’t have the opportunities to try the SM Lite with the MAE “multidimensional acoustic kit”, I do love that it comes with some nozzles filters as this opens it up to many possibilities for those wanting to customise the sound.

If you are looking for a very comfortable V-shaped IEM I would recommend the SM1 Lite especially with the quality accessories at this price.

Sonic Memory is a sub-brand of NF Audio, specializing in single dynamic driver (1DD) IEMs. SM1 lite Released as an entry-level IEM priced at $19, does it compete with many of the entry-level IEMs around? Let’s find-out, start with

Packaging & Accessories:



First time notice: The brand name is mistakenly written as "Soncie Memory" on the packaging; it’s the same in every store that sells it too. This iems offers generously amount of accessories for its price, Inside:
There are the IEMs, decent cable for its price, a dongle ‘quite generously, for the price’, Three sets of eartips, Six replacement filters, A fabric pouch
Also, what I like about it is that it has a pleasant, strong scent after opening the box, which makes the IEMs smell nice when used as well. There is some kind of freshener paper inside the packaging.

Design & Build Quality:



The design is quite minimalist and unique rectangle shape. Another point to note is that the internal nozzle of the SM1 LITE is made from stainless steel and can be removed as per instructions. The nozzle consists of two parts: the filter ring and the sound tube (which has a bit of foam inside it).



Sound Quality:



The SM1 LITE delivers a V-shaped sound with a touch of warmth maybe toward darker sounding.
The Bass is tight and punchy but can feel a bit bloated, lacking the detailed quality compared to something like Tinhifi C2 even lowered price KZ Castor Harman. it’s still decent and quite fun, with good tumpy but not exceptionally refined.

The midrange has a typical V-shaped profile and is somewhat submerged, possibly due to my preference for brighter IEMs with forward midrange. with this particular tuning mid–but the upper frequencies feel slightly boosted, which can make them a bit recessed and prone to sibilance at higher volumes 'changing aftermarket eartips is kinda must for more refined midrange'

If you prefer extend treble, this IEM might not be appealing. However, for those sensitive to treble frequency and who enjoy a warmer, toward darker sounding, it could be a good choice for newcomers or those looking for affordable IEMs.
The soundstage is average, with decent detail and separation. It performs well for its price.. but the resolution doesn’t match the clarity of more expensive models.

Pros:
+affordable price point with comprehensive accessories
+warm and safe tuning
+safe treble for sensitive listeners
+decent imaging & instrument separation.
Cons:
-lack of detail and clarity, not for people who likes bright sound
-treble roll off
-maybe tuning is too safe for some, including me
-average soundstage & resolution

Where to Buy? Its available from various online retailers, including
shenzhenaudio.com

Conclusion:
A good choice for newcomers with comprehensive accessories. While it may lack clarity compared to higher price IEMs, it’s solid for those seeking a safe, warmer sound. It offers a slight improvement over the Chu 2 and Truthear Hola, in my opinion, which have similar warm sounding profiles.