TangZu Audio XuanWu Gate

Tangzu XuanWu Gate: Tangzu’s Take on Neutrality

DISCLAIMER: The Tangzu XuanWu Gate was on a tour organized by Tangzu Audio and @machinegod , we are thankful to them for arranging it. The review reflects our honest opinions as always. However, our evaluation is based on a comparison of the price of the item.

Introduction: -

Tangzu is a China-based company founded initially by the name of Tforce Audio back in 2021. They have debuted with IEMs named Yuan Li. Due to some reason; they have rebranded themselves as Tangzu Audio in 2022. They have always commemorated their IEMs with the golden era of China, the Tang dynasty. This time they have named the IEMs as XuanWu Gate. It’s also an important incident in the history of the Tang Dynasty. Tangzu identifies itself as “A Traditional Aesthetic Company” specializing in portable earphones and drivers.

Tangzu XuanWu Gate is Tangzu's flagship offering and features a tribrid setup with 1DD+4BA+2EST. Each shell of XuanWu Gate is composed of a single custom 10mm Carbon-composite Diaphragm Driver for handling the lows, four custom-made high-quality Balanced Armature (BA) units for handling the mids and the highs and two Sonion Electrostatic Drivers (EST) for handling the ultra-highs. XuanWu Gate's utilization of 1:2 electrostatic speaker units optimizes the balance between dynamic drivers and balanced armatures. This configuration enhances detail amplification, The Tangzu team through this setup insist on achieving a mellower and more transparent sound, while improving separation and density. The production process of Xuanwu Gate took more than six months. After numerous overseas exhibitions, shows and feedback collection, with repeated adjustments, they aimed to create a mature and balanced solution.

This is our first introduction to the brand Tangzu Audio. Tangzu XuanWu Gate can be bought for 649 US$ from Tangzu's official website.



Specifications: -

• Driver Configuration: 1-Dynamic Driver + 4-Balanced Armatures + 2-Electrostatic Drivers
• Impedance: 10.5Ω ± 20%
• Freq Response: 7Hz-20Khz
• Sensitivity: 103dB/mW @1kHz
• Cable: 1.2 m Single crystal copper silver-plated Modular Cable
• Socket Interface: 2-pin 0.78mm

Packaging & Accessories: -

However, the item we received came without the official package, but we have seen in various sources that the Tangzu Audio team left nothing to pamper the soul of an audiophile. The unboxing experience of the retail box should be one of a kind. One can see a high-quality Leather case inside which the IEM cable and accessories are reliably kept. The case consists of IEMs, Single crystal copper silver-plated Modular cable, 3 pairs of Tang Sancai Wide-Bore Eartips, 3 pairs of Tang Sancai Balanced-Bore Eartips and Modular Terminations of 3.5mm and 4.4mm. The cable features 98 cores, 8-strand design in a finely woven structure. The silver colour ultra-soft insulation on the cable goes hand in hand with the elegance of the XuanWu Gate. The 1.2-meter cable also features high-quality gold-plated 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and, an anodized alloy modular plug case. It can be terminated as both 3.5mm and 4.4mm. With the given accessories and the quality, the team at Tangzu Audio impressed us as this is our first interaction between.




Build & Design Concept: -

The shell of XuanWu Gate is made using high-quality aerospace-grade aluminium alloy CNC, curved in delicate lines. The design of the shell is quite ergonomic but on a larger size which provides excellent passive isolation, but we are not sure it will be comfortable enough for everyone for longer sessions. The panel looks premium and sophisticated, smooth, and exquisite. The Aluminium Alloy effectively reduces internal resonance, making the sound output more stable and cleaner. The diameter of the nozzle on the XuanWu Gate IEM is a bit big but it gets comfortable during usage. The line design on the exterior of the case gives Xuanwu Gate a three-dimensional appearance. The overall build quality and craftsmanship is worth mentioning.




Sound Analysis: -

Credit: @therollo9

• Tonality: - After listening to the IEMs with various sources we have at Aural Café we can say that when it comes to the tonality of the IEMs, XuanWu Gate features a very neutral tonality. The custom 10 mm carbon-composite diaphragm Dynamic Driver is tuned to provide lower-end warmth to the neutral. The Tangzu Audio team ends up achieving a neutral yet smooth tonality. They wanted this IEM to be presented in the most balanced way possible and we also feel that the given cable adds up to achieving neutrality. On using the high-quality copper cable (PWAudio Monile Shielding in our case) the tonality surprisingly becomes more musical and soulful.

• Lows: - The lows in XuanWu Gate are tuned using the custom 10mm Carbon-Composite diaphragm Dynamic Driver contributes to a balanced bass. The lows are tastefully tuned providing a very natural texture to the bassline. The bass has decent slam and rumbles without hindering the Mids. Although we feel at Aural Café, this IEM is not meant for bass-heads. The mid-bass sounds fun when listening to popular pop numbers like “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa. The bass's speed is balanced at best to keep up with the neutral tonality. That’s due to the lightweight and rigidness of the dynamic driver. But we at Aural Café would love to get more Sub-Bass emphasis. Sometimes we felt that it was on the lighter side when we listened to tracks like ‘Angel’ by Massive Attack.

• Mids: - Mids of the XuanWu Gate are the most emphasized aspects and certainly the star of the show. Tangzu makes use of two custom-designed BAs for the mids. The mids are just balanced and neutral to merge smoothly with the low and high frequencies. The lower mids are on the thinner side while the upper mids are smooth and intoxicating without any shoutiness. The female vocals sound sublime while listening to ‘Skyfall’ by Adele and listening to ‘Listen Before I Go’ by Billie Eilish while the male vocals are not too far in comparison and the same can be felt while listening to ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson, but it is the female vocals which are a bit ahead in texture in comparison to male vocals. The timbre of the string instruments like Acoustic Guitar, Violin and Harp are lifelike. Whereas the instruments like Vina, and Electric Guitar fall a bit short in comparison to the previously mentioned instruments. The transient response is above average to complement the smooth and neutral tonality of the IEMs.

• Highs: - The highs on the Tangzu XuanWu Gate are tuned using two custom-designed BAs as well as two Sonion ESTs. The highs on XuanWu Gate have a tinge of spices, natural, and airy without any dryness. The upper treble is specially tuned very tastefully with the help of two Sonion ESTs which are well extended without any thinness. We loved listening to ‘Variations’ by Submotion Orchestra where the female vocals are natural and complete along with the beautiful extension as well as listening to ‘In Your Eyes’ from the Weekend. The Sonion ESTs are tuned very technically and showcase their calibre while listening to Western Classical and Jazz. However, the sparks in the trebles might be sensitive for some.

• Soundstage & Imaging: - The Soundstage on the XuanWu Gate can be described as decent with the width being average and with decent stage depth as we felt it could be a tad bit more cohesive. The same can be felt while listening to ‘Hotel California’ by the Eagles and ‘Thriller’ by Michel Jackson showcases its imaging as a very precise one. We enjoyed listening to ‘Game of Thrones-Soundtracks’ composed by Ramin Djawadi for the series. The microdetails are retrieved effortlessly by this tribrid beauty.

• Synergy: - The XuanWu Gate is easy to drive but the lows and high frequencies really shine with powerful high-quality portable sources such as iFi Hip DAC 3 amd Dethonray Pegasus SG1 Gold and desktop sources such as Dethonray Listening M1. Dongles capable of clean sound such as Aune Yuki can also be used if one likes to use the XuanWu Gate with their mobile phones on the go. So, we at Aural Cafe will suggest using a clean warm source to match with the tonality. Sources like iFi Hip DAC 3 recover the warmth and thickness of male vocals we we listen to Muddy Waters ‘Captain Captain’. The stock premium cable complements well with the overall tonality of the Tangzu XuanWu Gate and adds a hint of more energy to the upper treble. We would here like to add that the stock cable is enough but if you are treble sensitive and looking for a warmer laidback sound, we would recommend pairing it with a high-quality copper cable like Rhapsodio Copper Wizard Mk. II. When it comes to the tips the supplied Sancai Matte Tips have done a great job with the IEMs.

Conclusion: -

The XuaWu Gate sounds like the way the team at Tangzu Audio wanted them to be. Each part from lows to highs is tuned very carefully to reflect Tangzu's take on neutrality. We at Aural Cafe are honoured to own and listen to many EST-based IEMs such as Shozy Pola, Shozy Pola 39, Penon Audio 10th AE, Hisenior Mega5EST and many more IEMs in this span. But we can say that dual Sonion ESTs are beautifully implemented to achieve a superb extension in the upper treble and detail retrieval section. However, it might face solid competition in the tri-brid market whereas some of the others not only have a value advantage but also offer customizations. We would love to have more sub-bass presence and more bodied male vocals out of the box. Also, more cohesiveness would be welcomed. However, if anyone looks for a neutral and detailed sound experience and premium build certainly look out for this one.

Non-Affiliated Link: -

• https://tangzu.net/products/tangzu-...-0-78mm-3-5-4-4mm-cable-hybrid-driver-headest
• https://hifigo.com/products/tangzu-xuanwu-gate

Introduction
Introducing TangZu Audio, the wildcard entry of this brand in the audio world with their Wan’er. Their latest and greatest creation, the TangZu Xuanwu Gate has 1 Dynamic Driver, 4 Balanced Armature and 2 Sonion Est Drivers. Constructed with Aerospace-Grade Aluminium Alloy CNC, feels incredibly premium in hand, and even looks like it is something, there is Terraced Field Line Design all over the IEM. I recieved this IEM as a part of a review tour held locally, desipite I would like to mention at first that by no means this review is being influenced in any way.

Build and Comfort
The TangZu Xuanwu Gate is a pair of headphones that truly showcases the brand's dedication to quality craftsmanship and user comfort. Made with a sturdy aerospace-grade aluminium alloy shell, the Gate feels durable and expensive in hand; it exudes a sense of sophistication. The intricate terraced outlines inspired by rice terrace fields add a touch of elegance to its design, showing the attention to detail put into its creation. However, the large shell size may be a bit of a challenge for users with smaller ears. Once adjusted properly, the Gate sits securely in place, reducing the problem of slippage during long listening sessions. The modular cable allows for easy interchangeability between single-ended and balanced outputs, adding to its versatility. The luxurious PU-leather carrying case ensures that the Gate remains protected during transport, keeping it in pristine condition when not in use. Overall, while there may be some initial adjustments needed, the Gate's thoughtful design and premium materials make for a comfortable and enjoyable listening experience, making it a great companion for extended use. The cable that comes with these IEM’s are excellent, looks like the Effect Audio - Cadmus, comes with quality plugs, also modular, basically there is no need to replace the cable of these, the stock is an excellent cable in my opinion.

Sound
Let's start with the lows. The bass response of the Gate is precise and controlled, striking a fine balance between impact and texture. The sub-bass presence is notable, providing a deep and rumbly foundation without overpowering other frequencies. Instruments like bass guitars and kick drums sound fantastic, with a satisfying resonance and articulation that adds richness to the overall sound. However, if you're someone who loves a pronounced bass slam, you might find the Gate falling slightly short compared to other bass-centric IEMs.
Moving on to the midrange, the Gate truly shines. The midrange is characterised by clarity, coherence, and natural tonality. Vocals are rendered with exceptional detail and accuracy, allowing the nuances in the singer's performance to shine through. Whether it's male or female vocals, each note is delivered with precision and warmth. Instruments like guitars and pianos sound lifelike, with a captivating presence that enhances the listening experience across different genres.
Now, let's talk about the highs. The treble response of the Gate is smooth and shimmering. The treble remains articulate and well-defined; the details are best in this price range competing with the likes of mk2. Cymbals have a sparkling clarity, and string instruments possess a delicate yet lively presence. The transition between the midrange and treble is seamless, creating a cohesive and engaging soundstage that is free from any harshness or fatigue.

Overall sound characteristic of Gate is neutral with slight more yet controlled bass, the midrange is on the baseline and treble feels a bit more sparkly, it has tons of air and feels very incisive, it's more of an analytical listening, so not very smooth or musical, it will sound excellent with good tracks and with poor recordings it will not forgive. Otherwise this IEM is very enjoyable.

Soundstage
The TangZu Xuanwu Gate presents a commendable soundstage, It gives an immersive and expansive auditory experience. Despite its in-ear form factor, the Gate manages to create a sense of spatial depth and dimensionality that belies its compact size. The soundstage of the Gate is wide although not in the realm of mk2, with instruments and vocals positioned across a broad lateral expanse. This width allows for a sense of openness and airiness in the presentation, enabling individual elements of the music to occupy distinct spatial locations within the listener's perceptual field. Additionally, the Gate demonstrates impressive depth in its soundstage, with instruments and vocals projected forward and backward along the depth axis. This depth adds a layer of realism to the listening experience, creating a sense of distance and proximity between the listener and the performers. Moreover, the Gate excels in imaging accuracy, with precise placement and localization of sound sources within the soundstage. Instruments are rendered with clarity and precision, allowing listeners to discern subtle nuances in instrument separation and layering.

Comparison with Monarch Mk2
Comparing it with the renowned mk2, it is more similar that it is different, the Gate is already up to the the marks and hanging there with the big boys, it can even go head to head with the mk2, overall if talking about the differences, the build is there, Tangzu being metal and the other being resin. Tangzu feels more premium tbh, anyways coming to the sound experience the Gate sounds more balanced in the mid range, the bass of both of these IEM are on the same page but gate bass sounds to have more quality and control over the mk2, the treble section I would say the gate has more sharpness, but the details on both of these IEM are on par. Soundstage is the one difference that is noticeable, Gate even though it has an ample amount of soundstage the mk2 has a better sense of space, feels wider.

Comparison with Performer 8
An unfair comparison as performer 8 costs half the price of gate. Coming off to the build quality it's again the same story resin and metal difference, the size is a huge difference, the gate is almost twice as big as P8 (not really twice). The sound quality, starting off with the lows, the gate has a bit more punch and better authority. Basically the quality of the bass is slightly better than P8, quantity wise also the gate feels a tad more. The mids section on both IEM’s are great but again gate feels more natural where P8 at times could feel artificial, and lastly the treble both IEMs are again similar P8 Being slightly more sharper, it lacks the finesse of the EST drivers, although the P8 has excellent treble for the price, it competes with the likes of Gate and Mk2, but then yes obviously the EST drivers can do treble a lot more smoother than BA that is lacking on the P8. Basically P8 is a great IEM, but if you have the funds for Gate, it is an excellent choice.

Rating Scores:
Sound Quality:
Low Frequency (Bass): (4.5/5)
Mid Frequency: (5/5)
High Frequency (Treble): (4.5/5)

Comfort:
Fit and Ergonomics: (4/5)
Prolonged Wear Comfort: (5/5)

Soundstage and Imaging:
Soundstage Width: (4/5)
Soundstage Depth: (4/5)
Imaging Accuracy: (5/5)

Overall Rating: (4.5/5)

Gallery:

TangZu products have been creeping up in price lately! We had the Nezha which was 400 USD and now the Gate is 650 USD. But still, considering its their flagship, the price is not absurd. The Nezha was amazing, fantastic actually. Let's see what the Gate is up to!

Build and Fit
The unboxing experience is what you'd expect from a 650 USD product: it is a show! The box is huge, heavy and beautiful. The entire theme of the product is the rice paddy lines. Now coming to the actual product- the build is really solid, no surprises there. But what is surprising is the size of the shell. Its big! Out of all the earphones I have had the pleasure of wearing- only the Blessing 2 was too big. And now the Gate! I had to insert it by stretching my ear. The nozzle size is not too wide but the shell itself is larger than average. I do get some discomfort after wearing them for an hour or so before I need to re-adjust it. Granted, my ears aren't too big, but it's needed to be mentioned.
The included Tang Sancai tips are really soft and non-irritating on the skin, and with these tips the fit is quite good. With harder stem tips/stiff tips the insertion may be painful for some. The paddy line is engraved on the back side of the shell as well and this is a design overlook, I feel because the lines collect dust, grime pretty easily and it may even capture earwax. It does need to be cleaned frequently. You get the same luxurious and over-engineered carry case as you get with the Nezha, along with a similar modular cable- which is great.




Amp Needs
At 10.5 ohms and 103dB @1kHz sensitivity this is quite sensitive and easy to drive, no dedicated amplifier needed. But as is the case as always; a good usb dac will go a long way.

Sound Quality
At first, I was hoping it would be Nezha but on steroids- but it's not. Not at all. It's totally different to Nezha. Where Nezha was open and agile and very resolving, the Gate is softer, laid back, easy going, and slightly warm. I had to re-adjust my expectations on first listen as it was such a different sound. And then it grew; the more I heard it, the more addicted I became. The smoothness to the sound is very forgiving of even the worst possible kind of recording- making everything pleasurable. And yet it maintains a very natural tone. You can say that the Gate is very refined sounding. The star attraction is the midrange, which is very resolving, and the vocals are extremely "legible". I know, pointing out the legibility of vocals seems like a stupid observation but hear me out: the Gate is very good at isolating the midrange from the mix and its great resolving characteristics help enable this. It really does draw your attention.
Compared to Nezha, the Gate has a more refined midrange while Nezha is more raw and uncolored - it's rougher sounding as well. The edges aren't as smoothed. This can be a double-edged sword depending on the music you are listening to. In my previous review I did point out that the bass of Nezha did show slight characteristics of the "BA Timbre" where the impact and depth felt lacking. Thankfully the bass of Gate is a very significant upgrade; it's much deeper and slams harder and bigger as well. Now coming to the treble: this is where the opinions are going to be divisive. Nezha's treble was very open sounding with great extension and resolution and yet it was smooth. It was one of the standout features that is rare to find in the earphone industry. The Gate's treble is noticeably warmer, and it is not as high extending as the Nezha's. BUT! The midrange-treble transition region is remarkable and indeed more coherent than that of Nezha. It's quite detailed; just that the details aren't shoved at you. Everything is there, just chilling.
I am never left wanting for more. The forgiving nature of the tuning makes it very versatile and pleasurable for all kinds of genres.





Conclusion
Let me draw a parallel that many folks will relate to, the Gate is like HD650 of earphones. It's very similar in terms of presentation indeed. It doesn't aim to wow you with jaw dropping specific technicalities; it is an earphone that makes anything and everything sound pleasurable all the time. It really is something you can rely on, no matter what. What more do you want?
While yes, the price tag is definitely high and higher still than that of the Nezha- I would still pick Gate over it. Because to me, it is more refined and mature sounding. Great job again, TangZu!