Soundz Avant

SOUNDZ AVANT: A MODERN TAKE ON REFERENCE-TUNED IEMs​

Introduction: -

Soundz Custom is a Greece-based company that was founded by the hearing aid professional Mr. Alexios Papatasios in 2016, primarily to manufacture premium custom earplugs for professional DJs and musicians. Mr. Papatasios has studied “Professionals in Hearing Health Sciences” at the International Hearing Society IHS – Michigan America. He is also a graduate of the Post-Educational Program of “Audiology – Neuro-otology” at the Medical School of Athens. In 2019 they built one of the most modern 3D-printing labs in Greece. Fast forward to 2021 after spending more than one year due to the COVID-19 quarantine period, they come up with 3 in-ear models: Boost, Pure, and Ultra.

Soundz Avant launched in late 2023, is a flagship IEM offering from Soundz Custom. Soundz Avant is powered by SoundzCore2™ technology, which primarily means that Avant is equipped with 10 latest Sonion-designed Balanced Armatures (BA) Drivers. Each shell of Avant is equipped with 4 custom-tuned advanced Sonion BA woofers that offer deep lows and tactile mid-bass, with fast transients and satisfying roundness. The low mids are palpable and rich in timbre. The aim was to achieve high-quality bass texture blurring the difference between BA and DD Bass, 2 BA drivers are responsible for highly resolving upper mids with remarkable resolution and realistic definition, presenting full, accurate vocals and instruments and the remaining 4 BA drivers handle the highs and ultra highs with masterful execution and finesse, offering an abundance of details without unwanted harshness.

Today we will be reviewing the universal version of SOUNDZ AVANT at Aural Café, which is priced at 1390 € for universals and 1590 € for custom versions.

As per SOUNDZ, Avant is the ideal companion for on-stage performers who desire nothing else but ultra-high fidelity on stage, music lovers who pursue an enveloping and captivating listening experience as well as sound engineers seeking a precise and accurate monitoring tool. After listening to Avant for around one week continuously we can confidently say that Avant is Soundz's take on the world of reference-tuned IEMs.

Soundz Avant features proprietary technologies such as Complex™ which as per Soundz is a crossover design technology, eliminating issues such as Phase difference, THD and matching L&R, thus resulting in optimal usage of the latest BA drivers in Avant. Avant also features technologies such as Immersive Mode™, which provides the user with to control the bass for a more visceral and powerful low-end experience via a switch on each faceplate while listening to different genres of music. Soundz Avant custom models come with a revolutionary Flex Fit Pro technology achieved by employing a flexible resin material in each custom in-ear stem. This unique resin is fully adjustable to ear temperature within a few minutes of usage becoming cooler, softer, and considerably more comfortable compared to conventional custom moulds. Since we will be reviewing the universal Avant, we could not say much about this technology but going by our experience with custom IEMs we feel this technology will surely add to the comfort of the users using the custom version of Avant.



Specifications: -

• Driver Configuration: 10 Sonion BA Drivers Per Side
• Crossover: 4-Way Electrical Crossover
• Impedance: 16.2Ω ± 10%
• Freq Response: 5Hz-24Khz
• Sensitivity: 105dB/mW @1kHz

Disclaimer: -

We decided to purchase this unit after going through the impressions on the Head-fi CanJam London 2023 section. We have received a discount, and we are thankful to the amazing team at SOUNDZ for that. We were also delighted with the opportunity to review it. However, the review reflects our honest opinions as always.

Packaging & Accessories: -

• Soundz Avant Universal IEMs
• 6 pairs of Ear-Tips (Silicone and Memory Foams)
• IEM Cable with 3.5mm Termination
• Metal Carry Box and Cleaning Tool
• Documentation

Check out the full unboxing video here,







IEM Build, Design & Fit: -

Soundz Avant sports 3D-printed shells. The resin that is used is 1.4 mm in thickness offering enhanced impact and shock resistance, perfect for professional and audiophile usage. The semi-custom designed shells are surprisingly small and light in weight despite having 10 BA drivers on each side and thus are very comfortable to wear for longer duration. We at Aural Cafe have been in this hobby for around 8 years and can say that the shells are one of the smallest we have come across for 10 BA (matter of fact for this high BA counts) IEMs. The design is fully sealed resulting in fantastic passive isolation. Soundz Avant comes with simple minimal packaging. A matte plastic outer sleeve makes way for a black rectangular cardboard box. The box contains a high-quality round Aluminum case, 2 pairs of hybrid ear tips in S-M-L size, 3 pairs of silicone ear tips of the same, cleaning tools, a collectable plectrum for guitar, Soundz stickers and lastly warranty card. Soundz Avant comes with high-quality Null Audio Ethos cable which is a flexible lightweight 4-core 28awg UPOCC silver-plated copper wire using a Litz Type 5 geometry with oversized single-stranding and a beefy cross-section size to reduce impedance issues which is quite important for reference tuned IEMs. We have previously used Null audio cables, so we are happy to see that Avant comes with high-quality Null audio SPC cable.




Sound Analysis: -

Credits: hobbytalk

• Tonality: - After listening to Avant for nearly a month with different sources and cables we feel that the Avant showcases the SOUNDZ team's modern approach towards a reference neutral tuned IEM. The “Soundz” signature is fresh, neutral, and referenced with a controlled bass boost to offer a musically enjoyable listening experience. Engaging the immersive mode adds up a smooth layer of warmth for those seeking a more musical audio presentation without overpowering the low-frequency bands. So, with Avant, you can listen to various genres of music solidly depending on your mood.

• Lows: - With the immersive mode turned off the Avant showcases tight textured controlled bass with just the right body, speed, resolution, and depth which becomes useful while listening to rock and metal genres. The Soundz Avant beautifully controls the lows while listening to complex rock and metal tracks. With the Immersive mode turned on seems to add around 3-4 dB of bass resulting in more tactile midbass with a warmer tonality across the frequency. While listening to “Heartless” by Weekend on Avant (Silicone ear tips) with the bass boost switch on the midbass is more immersive, Sub bass goes really deep with beautiful low-end depth making the whole presentation more fun. The Avant excels at showcasing excellent control across the low frequency. The same is again showcased while listening to “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen.

• Mids: - With the Immersive mode turned off, the mids on Avant are neutral, balanced, and revealing. This makes the listening experience a lot more intense with the songs that are not recorded and mastered well. The transition from lows to mids in Avant is seamless with just the right control on detail retrieval. The female vocals especially sound with more soul with the immersive mode turned off. With the immersive mode turned on the mids sound a bit less revealing and forgiving with more musical tonality. The mids become a bit forward and fun with the right balance between the male and female vocals (Due to the better balance between upper and lower midrange). The notes have better body and authority in male vocals which is clearly audible while listening to “Godzilla” by Eminem. The vocals on Avant are refined irrespective of the mode one is listening to. This just shows the focus that the Soundz team had while building Avant. The timbre across the mids is natural, organic, and real. This is beautifully showcased while listening to Indian classical and fusion-based songs while producing just the right natural timbre of instruments which is showcased while listening to “Mausam and Escape” from Slumdog Millionaire OST. Here we would like to add that lower mids on Avant could have been a bit better.

• Highs: - The Highs on Avant are tuned in a very refined and balanced way. The treble is decently extended and airy keeping in mind the reference tonality of the IEMs. The immersive mode doesn’t add much to the mid-treble on the Avant which remains organic across the high frequency without any sharpness, but the upper treble has a touch more energy with more micro details showcased more effortlessly. The transient response isn't quite as sharp with just right and controlled mid-treble. We at Aural Cafe believe that the team at Soundz tuned the Highs on Avant with a reference focus and control and thus doesn’t try to add extra energy which can sound a bit less exciting and fun, especially for the newbies in this hobby.

• Soundstage & Imaging: - The soundstage on Avant is truly referenced with width and depth. Every note across the frequency is revealed in a very immersive and effortless manner. The soundstage both in terms of width as well as depth just sounds right. With the immersive mode on there is a tinge of more space and air between the instruments without affecting the whole immersive experience. This ability of Avant becomes helpful while listening to the rock and metal genres. The imaging with everything at the right place with the right balance between the lows mids and highs makes it really good for mixing and monitoring. The imaging ability of the Avant is beautifully showcased while listening to “Hotel California” by the Eagles. Every instrument is audible distinctly without overpowering each other while leading you to a more “flow” mood, especially in the last minute of the song.

• Synergy: - The Avant comes with a decent 105dB of sensitivity per mW which makes it really easy to drive. We can confidently state that Avant is one of the few TOTL-grade IEMs that can be driven very easily. But due to its intense revealing nature, Source matching becomes of prime importance and fun while listening to hi-fi music. After using different sources and dongles we concluded that Avant loves clean and pitch-black background sources. In our case, it really went well with Aune Yuki, Dethonray Dtr1+ and Aune M1p. Whereas when the ear tips are concerned, we strongly feel that Avant is again very sensitive to ear tips as well. The air and space across the frequency increase while using Avant with stock hybrid ear tips and more balance with stock silicone ear tips, but it’s the Spinfit CP145 and JVC Spiral Dots that showcase the true capability of the Avant. When it comes to the cables the stock cable with the Avant just sounded right but with a high-quality copper cable such as Modular Workshop cable, the tonality becomes a tinge more musical and with subbass has more authority and body which was audible when listening to “Come and See Me” by partynextdoor and Drake. Aural Cafe just received a high-quality portable desktop source, Dethonray Listening M1 which is still in the testing phase. We will add to this review to keep you updated on how Avant performs with Dethonray Listening M1.

Conclusion: -

After owning and listening to many High-End reference-tuned IEMs such as InEar Monitoring PP8, Oriolus Mellianus and 64 Audio U18 Tzar, we are really happy with what Soundz have achieved through the Avant. Soundz Avant is like an old-aged wine that becomes more addictive and immersive with time. We believe that the team at Soundz have tuned the Avant with lots of focus and control to achieve a high-quality reference IEM which can be used for monitoring and mixing purposes with the immersive mode off and can also be a very fun-sounding and musical with the immersive mode on. The balance across the lows, mids and highs is top-notch notch with just the right space and control. All this said we at Aural Cafe would love to have more sharp transient attacks along with better quality ear tips on board. So, if you are in the market in search of more modern reference-tuned IEMs that showcase music in a very effortless manner we would suggest you go for Soundz Avant and probably would suggest you go for a custom version.

Non-Affiliated Link: -
- https://www.soundzcustom.com/product/soundz-avant/

This is a brief summary of my Soundz Avant review. Click the link to read the full review.





Executive summary

Soundz is an in-ear monitors manufacturer based in Greece where all earphones are handmade in their own private facilities. Soundz is well known both in the domestic and international pro-markets where some of the best singers and musicians are using their in-ear monitors.

The company is now expanding their line to reach deeper into the audiophile community. Two such products are the brand new, 8-driver Flame and their flagship, the 10-driver Avant.

All earphones can be made with both a universal and custom fit.

The Avant is Soundz’s flagship in-ear monitor that features 10 balanced armature drivers per side together with an advanced 4-way crossover.

4BA drivers for the lows and mid-bass, 2 BA drivers for the upper mids and 4 BA drivers to handle the high and ultra high frequencies. All drivers are made by Sonion.

One unique feature of the custom edition is the Flex Fit Pro™ technology that employs a revolutionary flexible resin material in each custom in-ear monitor stem. This unique resin is fully adjustable to ear canal temperature within a few minutes of use.

The Avant comes equipped with the newly-developed Immersive Mode, a feature that alters the internal impedance of the circuit and acts as an analog bass boost. The function is engaged by a micro-switch at the faceplate.

The Avant is lightweight, well made and extremely comfortable. The appearance of the Avant is fully customizable through Soundz website where you can choose colors, engrave your favorite logo etc.

The high quality cable that comes with the Avant is the Ethos MKV premium upgrade cable from the famous manufacturer Null Audio.

The Avant is very easy to drive but is also very sensitive to source noise and it scales incredibly well so it should be only matched with high quality sources.

The sound signature of the Avant is neutral - balanced with reference bass, engaging and highly resolving mids and the most refined treble which is just slightly sharp. But you can the treble smoother and the bass to sound fuller by just using the immersive switch. Technicalities, transparency, fidelity and clarity are class leading and among the best in the market.

The Avant might be crystal clear, resolving and detailed but is not analytical, clinical or boring. It manages to combine state-of-the-art technicalities and transparency with a musical and engaging nature. Of course the high revealing nature means that you should be careful with source matching and recording quality.

The soundstage is wide, expanded and spacious with excellent imaging and pinpoint positioning. The soundstage is immersive and holographic with plenty of ambience.

The Avant is an earphone with flagship sound quality and technicalities that has nothing to fear from the competition. It is also very lightweight, well made, extremely comfortable and so right priced that it should be considered as a TOTL bargain.
Give it a try and, trust me, you will not be disappointed.