Tangzu WAN ER SG

Hoping to shake up the ultra-competitive budget IEM market, the new Tangzu Wan'er SG packs a surprising sonic punch for its paltry $20 price tag. This compact single-dynamic driver earphone goes for an enjoyable, musically engaging sound rather than ruthless technical prowess.

Aesthetically, the Wan'er SG keeps it simple, with a lightweight plastic build in smooth or transparent flavors. The angular shape offers a secure and comfortable fit for long listening sessions. The included cable is nothing special, so an upgrade may be in order.

Sonically, these IEMs live up to their name, with a playfully musical tuning. There's a mild V-shaped signature at play, with a mid-bass bump lending a pleasing warmth and weight. The low end shows decent impact and extension but skimps on textures.

The midrange takes on a natural timbre but lacks crisp clarity and detail due to the warmer orientation. Lower mids avoid thinning out, while an upper mid dip results in smooth, if not totally transparent, vocals. Treble is politely relaxed, losing sparkle and air but gaining listenability across a wide variety of tracks.

Technical performance is merely passable, with an intimate soundstage and average levels of imaging precision, detail retrieval, and resolution. The dynamic driver keeps up well enough but won't impress purists.

The Tangzu Wan'er SGs make sensible sonic sacrifices to deliver a smooth, fatigue-free listening experience well beyond typical budget offerings. If you value engagement over analysis for not much money, their charming sound should bring a smile to your ears.

Source(s)

• Conexant (CX-Pro) CX31993
  • Adds some brightness and sparkle in the treble.
  • Reduce a little bit of warmth in the midrange, making the bass cleaner.

Ear tips

• Acoustune AET07
  • Fairly neutral ear tips with a decently hard stem for a comfortable fit.

Packaging

• Comes with a decent amount of accessories
  • IEM.
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Wide selection of ear tips.
    • 3 pairs of narrow bore silicone tips (S, M, L)
    • 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
  • Cable
    • Decent, thin and braided but tangles a little bit sometimes.
    • Should be a slight improvement over the clear/black version from what I remembered when I tried the Wan Er in my local store.

Build Quality

• Lightweight.
• Plasticky body.
• Build quality is only average and cheap.

Fit

• Nozzle width and length is average.
• Shell does not have an ergonomic design to complement the ear cavity shape like the Moondrop Aria or the Letshuoer x Gizaudio Galileo. Unfortunately, this does affect the overall comfort for me.
• I was able to listen on short period of time comfortably but it gets a bit uncomfortable and painful after extended use (3-4 hours).

Tonality

• Mild V-shaped.

Bass

• Bass is quite balanced with the mid bass taking a slight lead.
• Impactful, has good mid bass slam, decent rumble and depth, texture and definition is more on the average side but not bad by any means.
• However, the speed is a little on the slower side and it is not the most well controlled bass, which bleeds a little bit into the midrange but not necessarily a bad thing.
• Good amount of bass, very satisfying but never too overpowering.

Midrange

• Midrange is warm and natural.
• Vocals has a nice weight and body to the, which makes them sound full and lush.
  • Female vocals are a step more forward and energetic compared to male vocals, but is a little fatiguing and shouty to me after long listening sessions, depending on tracks too.
• Most of the instruments sounded natural, but due to the thicker note weight, strings like acoustic guitars is affected a little more by that thickness.

Treble

• Treble is sparkly on the lower region but rolls off in the mid and upper region.
• Overall, it is quite smooth and not harsh.
• However, it does lacks a sense of airiness since it doesn't extends well into the upper region.

Technicalities

Resolution

• Resolution is decent and competent for the price but not the best in this bracket.
• It sits somewhere in between the Truthear Hola and the 7hz Salnotes Zero, differences between the 3 are minor but noticeable in my opinion.

Soundstage

• Soundstage is average, which sounds a little compressed and in your head but not a huge problem for an IEM at this price point.

Imaging

• Imaging and accuracy is also average, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals come from but only roughly.
• Gaming:
  • Apex Legends: Sound of footsteps and gunfire can be pinpointed in the correct direction but hard to pinpoint it exactly.

Separation

• Separation and layering is quite decent for a single DD budget set. Most instruments in busier tracks are layered well enough without feeling too overwhelmingly congested.

Conclusion

• Great starting point as a first IEM as it is very well balanced, versatile, and affordable.
  • Truthear Hola leans towards the warm and relaxing side.
  • 7hz Salnotes Zero leans towards the bright and sparkly side.

• This is my absolute favorite budget set of all. Fun, exciting, while being not too offensive at the same time. Very enjoyable, easy to listen tonality and decent technicalities, what else could I have asked for at this price range?
  • Have spent almost 3 weeks using the Wan Er daily and I genuinely enjoyed listening to it a lot.

Thanks for reading!

​

Introduction​

TangZu has a tradition of naming their IEMs after notable figures from ancient China, with a particular emphasis on the Tang Dynasty. Previous names have included Shimin Li, Wu Zetian, and Li Yuan, and now the latest addition to the lineup is the Wan'er IEM, which is named after the renowned Tang Dynasty poet and princess, 上官婉兒, Shàngguān Wǎn'ér.


I think the Wan'er is a wonderful name to call this IEM since Wan'er was an author of literature. The Wan'er IEM shares Wan'er's expressive spirit by delivering rich, immersive sound that captivates the listener's senses, much like the way her poetic verses probably captivated the reader's imagination.



TangZu has opted to use plastic as the material for Wan'er, which may not provide the most premium sensation, but it does offer an aesthetic appeal. The choice of plastic allows for the dynamic driver to be visible, adding an element of intrigue and interest to the design. Additionally, the faceplate design is both attractive and artistic, contributing to the overall appeal of Wan'er. Between the available color options of black and white, I find the white ones to be more visually appealing. Some retailers are even offering both colors in a single pair, one on each side. Additionally, TangZu seems to be capitalizing on the popularity of Wan'er by planning to release a green version with an upgraded cable in the near future.

Information​

Driver setup: 1 Dynamic Driver (DD)
Price: US$19.00
Connection: QDC 0.78mm 2-pin
In Box:

• TangZu Wan'er S.G IEM
• White 4 core braided cable with 3.5mm straight termination
• 3x narrow-bore black silicon tips
• 4x wide-bore white silicon tips
• Cleaning cloth

Comfort and Fit: Good fit with decent isolation - no discomfort after long sessions.
Tips used: Spinfit CP145 (M)
Source: Ifi Zen DAC v2, Tempotec E44

Case: There is no case, enjoy a picture of the Wan'er instead.


Cable: The cable is nothing special, it tends to tangle easily and develop creases over time. It is however very light and braided well. Reminds me of KZ cables.


Packaging & accessories: Despite its price of $20, the IEM comes with an impressive packaging that includes a cleaning cloth and two different sets of ear tips: wide bore tips that provide enhanced treble energy and soundstage, or narrow bore tips that emphasize bass but narrow the soundstage. The packaging is beautifully presented, featuring a stunning box cover art that adds to the overall appeal of the Wan'er.

Sound​

​

Bass​

Definitely not for bass-heads, the bass here feels very daring yet fragile - shallow rumbling and punches but lacks control. The Wan'er has a focus on the mid bass more that works well enough to give the whole presentation a dark energy. However, it lacks the technicalities that brings life to tracks, and I partly believe its due to the physical ability of the dynamic driver not being able to handle the tuning that TangZu has given it. While there is some texturing and bass bleed present, it is not the worst in this price range. Nonetheless, for a $20 set, the Wan'er offers a unique and daring approach to bass compared to other IEMs, and TangZu deserves credit for pushing boundaries and delivering a product that stands out in its price bracket.

Mids​

The mids on the Wan'er IEM are close to meeting my personal preference, with sufficient thickness to satisfy my needs. Although they are slightly recessed, they never feel missing, and the mid-bass emphasis contributes to a weighty note presentation. The upper mids are also pleasant, being slightly forward without becoming overly pronounced or overwhelming. Both male and female vocals are similarly powerful, providing enough energy and clarity to make tracks sound lush.

Treble​

As someone who is sensitive to overly bright treble, I am happy to report that the Wan'er IEM does not suffer from excessive brightness. However, I find the higher frequencies to be lacking in density and somewhat unbalanced with the lower frequencies. While some individuals may find the treble acceptable and sufficient, I personally feel that it lacks extension and air. Nevertheless, given the affordable price of only $20, it's hard to complain about these minor shortcomings. Overall, I find the Wan'er to be laid back and well-suited for those who are not treble enthusiasts, and they work well enough for my own preferences.

Technicalities​

The Wan'er IEM offers a decent amount of details and imaging, but its soundstage is somewhat narrow. Nonetheless, the overall presentation is warm and captivating. TangZu has clearly pushed the limits of a dynamic driver, and this effort shows in the daring tonality. However, there are some trade-offs in terms of technical aspects. Despite this, I believe that the Wan'er is definitely worth the investment, given its exceptional price-to-performance ratio.

Personal​

In conclusion, I would highly recommend the Wan'er IEMs to anyone on a tight budget or simply looking for an affordable set of earphones. These IEMs offer a wonderful mild V-shaped tuning at a very reasonable price, and they are well built too. They offer a fun and enjoyable sound without being annoying or fatiguing in any way. As someone who listens casually, I find these earphones to be amazing, and I believe that they will be a hit among casual listeners as well. Kudos to TangZu for creating such a fantastic product; I like these earphones even more than the 7Hz Zero, which has a more neutral tuning.

Test Tracks​

Background instrumentals seem faint while Justin and Khalid's voice comes in with sufficient heft and clarity. Bass punches and rumbles well in this track, but at times it overpowers the higher frequencies, resulting in an imbalance in the overall tonality. Generally well replayed but there is an imbalance here in terms of tonality.

Unholy (feat. Kim Petras) - Sam Smith, Kim Petras​

The bass is strong and deep, providing a powerful rumble. The vocals of both Sam Smith and Kim Petras are clear and forceful, and even the background cow bell can be distinctly heard. Apart from the lack of details, the track is reproduced without any notable flaws.




The Wan'er offers an overall pleasant replay with WeiBird's vocals delivering an emotional impact. The instrumentals exhibit impressive separation, complementing the vocals well. The track maintains a smooth sound due to the lack of a bass. However, the limited resolution leaves something to be desired.




The Wan'er performs well even in busy tracks without sounding cluttered or thin. However, the overall reproduction lacked a certain "fun" factor and the vocals were somewhat drowned out by the background instruments. Nonetheless, the playback was still decent overall.





This song is free from the piercing or fatiguing sounds that are common on brighter IEMs. The tonal balance is well-executed with no significant flaws. In fact, I found the replay of this song on the Wan'er to be particularly enjoyable, likely due to its darker treble signature.





The Wan'er performs well with my preferred genre. Although there is some noticeable mid-bass bleed, the bass is impactful, and the instrumentals have enough energy. The vocals still feel distant and lack technicalities. Overall, the Wan'er executes this song wonderfully.

Conclusion​

There are no major criticisms to be made about the TangZu Wan'er S.G, especially considering their price of just $20! If you're in the market for a fun and budget-friendly set of earphones, these are a fantastic option. With an eye-catching design and warm tonality, they are sure to be a hit among casual listeners, being a decently fun IEM. It's fitting that they're named after a Chinese poet, as they truly capture the essence of her name.

A Modern Take on Laid-back Listening - Tangzu Wan'er S.G. Review

2022 wasn't complete before TangZu shook the audio market with a new 20$ budget competitor, presenting us with the Wan'er S.G. A lot of jokes regarding its name have come by and got stale, but what has stood heroically untouched was its great performance.

This single dynamic driver IEM has lifted up the bar considerably, not only in terms of price to performance ratio, aesthetics, as well as the unboxing experience, which is somewhat unique and unexpected at this price range. I usually just discard the boxes and accessories right away, but this time I took the time and even had to repeat the process just to show friends how ingenious the packaging looks and how much credibility is to be earned here.



As you open the box you are presented with a cleaning soft fabric with a beautiful non-anime printed art on both sides (!), to be followed by a thick foamy IEM receptacle, which then stands on top of two smaller boxes that contain the cable and accessories. I was happy to get a set of 07 tips to complement the set, as these are one of my favorites.
I won't dwell much on specs nor presenting the unit as that is already accessible information at any retailer.

This single dynamic driver IEM set is one I could easily recommend to every audiophile and non-audiophile person, despite me not knowing about their music library. Yes, you can blindly purchase this set and gift it to your grandma. It redefines the notion of fun, without sacrificing tonality by using a versatile U-shape tune that doesn't benefit some musical genres over others. Mind that its tuning is more on the warm side whilst keeping the midrange clean and packing a safe and calm treble.

Bass Domain

This is where it firstly slaps your head into a bobbing motion. The 07 tips that come readily attached to the IEM do bear considerable influence on this domain, so keep in mind that you can shape this bass to your liking by tip rolling.
The Sub-bass is evident, you do get an extra dose of rumble, but without any distorting, rattling or loss of definition.
It has abundant Midbass, right on the verge of becoming boomy except it doesn't. It's smooth and without preliminary tucks, doesn't bleed into the lower mids, so no muddiness to be found.
Although it has a fast attack on bass, I find its decay to be somewhat slow which, alongside considerable midbass amounts, can culminate into a feeling of sluggish details, not to be confused with muddiness. On a busier track, with a lot of instruments with overlapping frequencies, this can translate into a "pasty/slurry" experience. Nonetheless, I consider the Wan'er average in terms of speed and details in this domain when compared to other similarly priced IEMs.

Midrange

Lower Mids are clean as stated before, no noticeable midbass leaks into this area. There is no boxiness nor cheap guitar timbres, even having a considerable dip in this region - the apex of the "U" shape curve.
As we have been accustomed during the past year, we get forward Upper Mids here, so all your vocals and percussion have clarity, are not shy, and are delivered with a lush vibrant presence. I can't find any disparity between male and female vocals. Cymbals are not harsh, but when orchestral strings go into higher frequency registers, entering the lower treble, you start noticing the drawbacks of laid-back tunings, to be described ahead.

Treble

Calm down treble sensitive fellows, this one is a safe haven for you. Now for the treble enthusiasts, this set might not be your cup of tea. For me this is the least interesting part of the set, but on the other hand it's the tame treble that makes it a good all-rounder and a suitable introduction to HiFi. Although, don't expect crisp details in this region.
Overall the mid treble is on the verge of sounding veiled, but once again it doesn't, and seems to sit very comfortably with no sibilance, no fatigue, making it "daily driver" material. But one can notice how higher register piano note attacks weigh less than lower register ones so there is some unbalance here. In contrast, for me it could use a bit more treble air (over 10kHz) so it would improve the instrument layering perception as well as promoting a feeling of a taller and deeper soundstage.

Technicalities

The Soundstage is above average for this price point, specifically on the width. The height and depth are average, still a good bargain for the price.

For the Imaging, I find the layering/separation to be a bit lacking, quite possibly explainable by the combination of tamer treble and intense yet slow'ish bass. Still, I need to bring up the price point and technology factors once again, as these statements are almost nitpicks, because if it had such technicalities along with its warmer tuning, it would have to be a more expensive set. Don't get me wrong here, you are still getting a great stereo non-claustrophobic experience, able to greatly reproduce song dynamics and also capable of a reasonable "outside of the head" effect, but if you were to pick a critical listening budget set, there would be other better choices.


Exploring other uses:

Gaming: I would recommend this set to be used in immersive gaming, as in narrative and action single/multi player content, literally contrasting it with not being suitable for competitive online first person shooters. The extra warmth may indeed bring out the feeling of being drawn into the game, which is also a perk for watching movies, nevertheless it becomes deleterious when trying to isolate and pinpoint footsteps in competitive FPS. It is still suitable for FPS games if you are not playing competitively.

Instrument Playing and Music Production: not suitable. It has added coloration on the bass domain, slow bass decay and slightly attenuated higher register note attacks. Your mixes will sound bright when running them through any reference (or neutral) setup.

Smartphone Daily Use: the sets' timbre is natural so all voice calls, interface sounds and video reproductions will be accurate.

Modding: benefits from silver plated or hybrid replacement cable; slightly wider bore tips than the 07's (for now settling on the Xelastec Azla but will update with more tip rolling as I get a hold of them). Tried Clarion Tips but they ate too much of the midbass' body, yet it did fix the bass' sluggish decay while also amping up the treble. Paired well with Hiby FC1 and Jcally AP10 as both are quite "uncolored" dongles that add power and consequently raise the headroom and widen the soundstage allowing space for ampler dynamics, all this without adding "analogue tint" like other dongles like the Ibasso DC05 do and don't suit this already warm IEM.

Honorable Comparisons

Excuse me for this one but hype exists for a reason and, after being peer-reviewed and confirmed, some IEMs deserve being deemed "Budget Kings". As such, comparisons between Kings are also inevitable so, in today's showdown we present the brave contestor 7hz Salnotes Zero!

In short, one doesn't invalidate the other.
The Zero is an alternative for when you are pursuing a neutral and brighter tune, in which you will get: considerably leaner yet tighter bass, similar mids, more noticeable details and air on the treble domain, a feeling of a taller soundstage, better layering/separation, and a more balanced note weight distribution across the frequency spectrum. This can be useful when you are critical-listening to music or mixes and playing competitive fps games (more focus on mids and treble, better sense of depth in positional audio).
However you will be trading off Wan'ers' most precious perks that you won't find on the Zero: the musicality and smoothness of the tuning, becoming way less fatiguing than the Zero. You can throw anything at it and it will sound engaging, rich sounding and fun whilst not compromising a natural timbre and correctness. This allied to a comfortable fit, the Wan'er wins in terms of versatility and qualifies better for an all rounder daily driver.

Final Comments

Although my personal taste has been diverging from warm tunings for a while now, this set was a pleasant surprise. I'm glad to know laid back sets are still evolving and no longer have to sacrifice basal technicalities in order to provide for fun. Bass doesn't have to be boomy nor muddy on this price range and you can definitely get admirable treble extension out of the same package. Single Dynamic Drivers have been mastered by companies and TangZu Audio gets my sincere congratulations for the work done here.

The cons are ultimately nitpicks given the very low price, no one is going to expect a $20 IEM to have good technical performance

Easy buy for anyone, I personally use mine fairly often despite having much more expensive gear on hand.

Disclaimer - Please note that all opinions expressed in this review are strictly subjective and based solely on the personal experience. Sound is an incredibly subjective experience, and everyone may perceive it differently. Results of this review should not be taken as a blanket statement for all listeners.





Price - $ 19.9

Buy here (non-affiliated) -
1) https://hifigo.com/products/tangzu-wan-er-sg
2) https://www.linsoul.com/products/tangzu-waner-s-g?variant=43530411180249

Features -

>Strong PET Diaphragm Dual-Cavity Dynamic Driver.
>Powerful Neodymium N52 Magnetic Architecture.
>Professional Tuning Adjustments For Smooth Balanced Sound.
>Ergonomic, Comfortable Ear Shells.



( Credits - @TimmyVangtan )

Sound Impressions -

The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM is an economical in-ear monitor that delivers exceptional audio quality for audiophiles. The balanced bass on this IEM is neither too overpowering nor too underwhelming, which makes it an excellent choice for audiophiles on a budget. Despite its budget-friendly price tag, the Tangzu wan'er SG IEM delivers an immersive listening experience thanks to its warm, lush mids and smooth treble. The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM, boasting an average soundstage and technicalities, is a fantastic choice for audiophiles on a budget.



When you put on the Tangzu wan'er SG IEM, you'll notice the bass first. It has a good amount of mid bass and just the right amount of sub-bass rumble. The bass is well-rounded and does not overpower the other frequencies, making it a great choice for those who enjoy music with a strong bassline. It is satisfying, but not overwhelming, creating a natural and balanced sound.

The mids are well-balanced and natural, making for a smooth sound. However, there may be some bass leakage in the mids that might affect the sound quality. Nevertheless, the sound is still enjoyable. The treble is smooth and detailed, delivering an good laid back listening experience. It extends smoothly, providing you with a distinct and clear sound. The treble is well-balanced and maintains its clarity without becoming harsh.

The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM's soundstage is average. While the soundstage is not as large as some of the higher-end IEMs, it still provides a fun experience. The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM's technicalities are average, but that doesn't mean that it's not a great choice for audiophiles. The IEM provides you with a clear and precise sound, and it has a decent amount of detail. Even though the IEM has a good level of detail, you can still distinguish between different instruments with ease. The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM has a decent soundstage, providing you with a wide sound. The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM has a good imaging as well, which makes it easy to understand.

The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM is an inexpensive in-ear monitor that audiophiles will cherish. While the bass is satisfying, it is not overwhelming. The mids are lush and plush, and the treble is smooth. The soundstage is average, but the IEM's sound is still crystal clear and accurate. The Tangzu wan'er SG IEM is a great option if you want an immersive audio experience without spending a fortune.

Tracks used -

-"Saawariya" by Shail Hada and Richa Sharma
-"Mitwa" by Shafqat Amanat Ali and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
-"Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera" by A.R. Rahman
-"Ae Ajnabi" by Udit Narayan and Mahalaxmi Iyer
-"Pee Loon" by Mohit Chauhan and Irshad Kamil
-"Sajda" by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shankar Mahadevan, and Richa Sharma
-"Mera Mann" by Falak Shabir and Gourov-Roshin
-"Khwaja Mere Khwaja" by A.R. Rahman
-"Tose Naina" by Arijit Singh and Pritam
-"Hotel California" - Eagles
-"Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
-"Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen
-"Sultans of Swing" - Dire Straits
-"A Whiter Shade of Pale" - Procol Harum
-"Money" - Pink Floyd

Conclusion -

In short, the Tangzu wan'er SG IEM is a fantastic choice for budget-conscious audiophiles. It offers a balanced and satisfying bass, warm and lush mids, and smooth treble for an immersive listening experience. Although the soundstage and technicalities are average, they are still more than adequate for the price. Despite a slight bass bleed in the mids, the overall sound quality is excellent. All in all, the Tangzu wan'er SG IEM is an exceptional value for money and is highly recommended for audiophiles on a budget.

First of all before I begin this review, sorry for my weird English and grammatical mistakes.
The Tangzu Wan'er SG is a loaner unit from my friend and the review is my personal opinion for this IEM.

lets start with the Unboxing Experience
inside the gorgeous packaging you get :

• Waifu Cloth for cleaning your IEM
• the IEM (obviously?)
• SML Eartips Wide and Small Bore
• Cable

lets start to the Build Quality of the IEM, to be honest it build just like super budget QKZ IEMs the shell is completely made of plastic, tho the faceplate has interesting and beautiful design, also the driver housing inside is branded "Tangzu" nice little touch there.





the cable also looks like build from the same material that you get from old KZ ZSN times, super tangly but it works.

Fitting : fits nicely on my big ears
SOUND

Gear I use for testing the Wan'er SG : Redmi Note 9 Pro, Moondrop Click, FiiO K7, Stock small bore eartips and Stock cable
Music Source : Apple Music Lossless and FLAC files
Genre : J-Pop, J-Rock, Anisong, EDM, Metal, Jazz, Rap

General Tonality :
the Wan'er is bass boosted, warm, with lower treble sparkle and smooth rolled off upper extensions.

for this IEMs I recommend you to try eartips rolling since it has noticeable effect on how it sounds.

BASS : is more focused on the Midbass area, it has noticeable boosted quantity, but still on the allrounder category (bassheads probably won't be satisfied), bass has nice punch, also speedy enough for double pedal and metal music, tho i notice some masking effect / bass bleeds to the midrange.

MIDS : note weight for the mids is on the thicker side, probably the effect from the forementioned bass bleeds. Male and female vocals sounds warm and lush, no noticeable shoutiness and sibilance. For things like instrument and vocal placement is positioned a bit behind the bass.

Treble : the lower treble is sparkly, not sharp, it makes the overall sounds of this IEM fun, extension is a bit rolled off.
Sounds like cymbal and hi-hats has more sparkle on the Wan'er if compared directly to the similarly priced Salnotes Zero, tho Zero has better treble extension but presented on more lush and laidback / relaxing manner.

Timbre : sounds normal and natural

Transient and Decay : attack transient is snappy, it also makes the IEM sounds more dynamic and fun, for the decay is a bit on the shorter side.

Technicality

Detail Retrieval : not the best, its just average for the price.
Stage : not claustrophobicly small but not huge either, the stage is like small space without exact wall placement but has symmetric size on the width and depth.
Imaging : also "average" for its price, its not like your ultra cheap convenient store buds 2D sounds, but its not great either
Positioning and Separation : its Decent, tested for gaming (Valorant) I can hear foot steps easily, for music I test the track such as Plini - Pan, the positioning for left and right panning is ok, separation is also decent, sound is not jumbled up together

Pairing : just plug it to your phone and enjoy, tho i must mention that technical scalability on this IEMs is not that great

Comparison :

Moondrop Chu : Chu has less bass quantity, but has a bit more punchy bass, mids on Chu is more forward and lean sounding, treble on Chu has more extension and more sparkle, for technical capabilities, Chu is better on all aspects compared to the Wan'er.

7hz Salnotes Zero : Zero has more balanced and neutral sound. Bass on Zero is more focused on the Sub-bass area, the mids position is parallel with the bass, treble has more smooth and laidback presentation but more extension compared to Wan'er. If you prefer more fun and dynamic sound, Wan'er is your best bet. For technicalities, Zero and Wan'er is really close, tho i must give Wan'er slight edge here than Zero because Wan'er has more dynamics and Zero is almost too smooth and close to being sound dull for my ears.

Conclusion / TLDR ;
The Tangzu Wan'er is great choice for individual who's :

• On limited budget
• Want warm, fun and dynamic sounding IEMs
• Want allrounder IEMs for all kind of music genre

The Tangzu Wan'er is not really recommended for if :

• You prioritize technicalities but have limited budget (Chu is your best options)
• Want more laidback and relaxing IEMs (get Zero)
• Want more Neutral IEMs (also get Zero)

that's all for now, thanks for reading this far, and again, forgive my weird English and grammatical mistakes.

-littlenezt.

Wan'er S.G


Tangzu Wan’er S.Gs are the entry level IEMs of Tangzu, the Wonderkid of Chifi last year. Well as I mentioned earlier in my Tangzu Zetian Wu Review, which you can read here, they are not really inexperienced but after changing their name they became more active and aggressive. Anyway Wan’ers are priced at 19$, although they are all over the place since last two months there were a lot of sales and promotions.

Pros​

• Tuning Masterclass
• No Real Sibilance unless the Recording is Sibilant
• Forward mids like other Tangzu earphones
• Lovely Packaging at this price

Cons​

• Technically Average
• KZ-like cable

Disclaimers​

Without boring you too much, I don’t necessarily have a sound preference. I tend to enjoy different sound profiles as long as they do well at what they intend to do. I try to be critic in my reviews but I might be somewhat biased one way or another (Recency bias, buyer’s bias etc.). Please keep these in mind. I bought Tangzu Wan’er S.Gs with my own money. Other iems mentioned here are my own which I also bought with my own money. If a unit I reviewed is given or loaned to me in the future, I will say so here.



All the Box Contents

Build, Comfort and Trivia​

I dwelled upon Tangzu’s past in my Zetian Wu Review earlier. They like to name their IEMs after Tang Dynasty members. Wan’er S.Gs are, being the budget members they are, named after the secretary and advisor of Empress Wu Zetian; Shangguan Wan’er, hence Wan’er S.G. Clever I say, Shangguan is hard to spell and even harder to pronounce I assume.
Buildwise, there is nothing to write home about Wan’ers. They are made of plastic and build a lot like cheap KZ and similar stuff. Cable is removable with 0.78 mm 2 pin QDC connection. Usual 2 pin cables work but they stick out a lot and ear hooks can get uncomfortable. I could also use my TFZ cable so wanted to make note of it.
They come with two colors: black and white. Both colors have different patterns and to be honest and I love them both. In the end I ordered both colors and sent the black ones to Mahir after taking some photos. Accessories are decent too in this price range. Stock tips include one of my favorite tips, 07s and another set of black generic tips with narrower bores. There is also a handkerchief with a picture of Lady Wan’er S.G herself. And that’s all for the packaging and accessories. While it is better than most of the IEMs in their price range, there is nothing really much to say.



Tangzu Wan’er S.G

Sound​

Tangzu Wan’er S.Gs are exceptionally tuned IEMs with satisfying bass, lovely mids and vocals, both male and female and decent treble. I’d say they are a product of Tuning Masterclass. However, like everything in the world, they are not perfect. Let’s take a look.

Bass​

I really don’t want to start on a low note so I’d say Bass on Wan’ers tuned great, for a more expensive IEM than they are. Man, bass makes this IEM but also almost broke it. While 7hz Salnotes Zero praised highly by many, they were also critised for their lean tonality. Wan’ers took a leap of faith and loved by even more people. Bass, in the sense of quantity, is just right. They extend deep and have good rumble. Wan’ers are impactful and engaging in the lows. However, driver is cheap, there is no denying that and it can only do so much. Bass is loose and uncontrolled. While in isolation, it is a great experience listening to Wan’ers. But when you start to dig a bit, you feel the drivers drag their feet and hamper the overall technical capability of the set. I think guys at the 7hz didn’t want to go there but Tangzu apparently though otherwise. Long story short, the attack is good, the decay is lacking.

Mids​

Mids on Wan’ers are the classic Tangzu sound. At least that’s what I think. They might not have a house sound yet, but they always put the utmost care at mids. Yes, again Wan’ers mids are forward, which I like. I don’t think anyone would be bothered by them since they are not as pushed as Shimin li mids. Unfortunately, bass bleeds into the mids a bit, not because of their quantity, but their lack of quality. However being forward and all, harm is minimal. Both male and female vocals have good energy.

Treble​

Treble amount is just right on Wan’ers. They didn’t come as fatiguing in the period I used them. If you find 7hz Salnotes Zeros’ treble a bit too much, Wan’ers might suit you better. They aren’t too splashy and sound very neutral. If I didn’t know better, I’d say there should be more treble to balance out the bass but that is not really the case here. They also extend pretty good for a single dynamic driver pair.

Technical Performance​

I’d say everything about technical performance of Wan’er S.Gs is average at best. They are not bad per se, but we all are spoiled by 7hz Salnotes Zeros. But if you are after technicalities, there is nothing you can do about it but spend more.
Wan’ers have average headstage and decent imaging but not great. Layering is also lacking a little. They don’t particularly sound blunted but not very resolving and detailed either. Again, like I said, a cheap driver with this kind of bass only can do so much so it is really up to the listener to choose their path.



Tangzu Wan’er S.G vs. 7Hz Salnotes Zero

Comparison with 7hz Salnotes Zero​

Zeros are harder to drive.
Zeros are leaner and dryer, Wan’ers are warmer and wetter.
Bass is more powerful and rumbly on Wan’er but also looser.
Mids, especially vocals are more forward on Wan’er.
Neither is sibilant, S, T and Sh sounds are emphasized similarly. Maybe Zeros are a bit more prone to sibilance but there is not really a big difference.
7hz Zeros sound more even and neutral. In the Hours of Wealth by Opeth (one of my favorite songs) Ambient Sound masked guitar plucks a little bit more on Wan’ers.
Treble is similar but Zeros might be a bit more treble also sound splashier. Then again it might also be contributed to the higher amount of bass on Wan’er is balancing out the treble more evenly.
Technically Zeros are superior IEMs almost in every aspect. Imaging and separation are better on 7hz Salnotes Zeros. Perceived sounstage or headstage is also a little bit wider and deeper. Detail and Resolution is noticeably better on Zeros. Timbre is more natural on Zeros, at least to my ears. Wan’ers sound fuller and a bit hazier compared to that.



Lady Wan’er S.G

Conclusion​

I like Tangzu Wan’er S.Gs a lot. But they are not perfect, nothing is. People criticized Zeros for not having enough bass, but those guys knew what they did by not wanting to risk overall sound quality. Tangzu took that risk, sacrificed some of the qualities that made Zeros great, but loved by more people. I can totally understand that. While I think Zeros sound cleaner and technically are superior, in isolation Wan’ers give a more enjoyable listening experience. The audience of this price segment don’t have the luxury of having multiple iems and compare them, so they would probably be more happy if they got Wan’er S.Gs.

The Tangzu Wan’er have been sent to me by Linsoul in exchange for the publication of this review. They have not made any comments or requested anything, therefore, my review will aim to be as sincere and unbiased as possible. Saying that, as always, it is worth considering the fact that these IEMs did not cost me anything.

You can find a link to the Wan'er vua Linsoul by visiting the version of this review published on my blog (link at the end of this post).

As always, it is a non-affiliate link.



Intro…

I have said it a lot recently and this set of IEMs is more proof of the point, there is a hell of a lot going on in the 20€ price bracket at the moment!

Not too long ago (earlier in 2022) I reviewed the Shimin Li, a set of 30€ IEMs from the brand which was the second part of a trilogy (although the first part was branded as T-Force). I can’t say I was overly excited by the Shimin Li, although they were not a bad option for the price at the time. Since then, there have been a lot of sets around the same price (or cheaper) that have really raised the bar in this extreme budget range. Although this may be a spoiler, I believe that the Wan’er has just raised that bar a bit more, becoming probably the best set of IEMs I have heard in this price range, in fact, maybe even at double or triple the price.

Of course “best” is subjective and my “best” will not necessarily be your but I am going to try and explain what it is that makes these IEMs such a great option in my opinion.



Presentation…

Although I have always said that the presentation is the least of my worries with a budget set of IEMs, and I maintain it, there are a few brands/models that are getting quite impressive with the presentation and accessories even at this low price point.

The presentation of the Wan’er may not be the most impressive in the ultra budget category but it is still way above average. The box itself stays with the classic chinese artwork that we have seen on the previous models. Upon opening the box, we are greeted with a cleaning cloth that has artwork matching the box cover.

Underneath this we find the IEMs, sitting in simple cutouts but with some designs and the model name printed on the card, nothing special but that one step more over simple white card.

Underneath the top layer we get the cable and 7 sets of silicone tips, again, nothing super out of the ordinary but in general I feel that it is a presentation that is a step above adequate for the price range.



Build and aesthetics…

The shells are made of plastic, using a semi transparent inner shell with a dark faceplate, although they are also available in white. There is nothing really special about the design but a closer look does reveal a nice design on the face plate which again, shows the put a little more effort into them.

The IEMs are extremely light and I find them very comfortable also, being able to completely forget about them while wearing them for extended periods.

The cable is a simple white and cheap feeling cable which uses plastic hardware and has the recessed connectors on it (QDC). I am not overly keen on the cable as I find the pre-molded ear hooks to be at too sharp of an angle and too stiff for my tastes. Also, the choice of the connectors means that any of the aftermarket cables which are normal 2 pin will protrude from the sockets a fair bit. Saying this, this is really nitpicking as the cable does its job and is not that bad. I mean, come on, this set of IEMs costs less than 20€!



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Spotify, etc.)

While the above so far has been decent, it is the sound section that has really impressed me with the Wan’er. As usual, I receive a set of IEMs, plug them into my burn-in rig, listen for a few moments to make sure they work ok and then don’t listen to them again until I get around to testing them for review.

I pulled them out for testing this week, plugged them in and just hit play. The first track happened to be “Drum Solo” by Maun Katché (with Luca Aquino, Tore Brunborg and Jim “James” Watson). I was immediately mesmerized by the sound of the Wan’er. Now this track is not on my test track list (although it probably should be) but the lifelikeness of the drums was just so impressive during the first few minutes of listening to the Wan’er that I felt it had to be mentioned.

But anyway, for the sake of consistency, Let’s get on with the review of the Wan’er and how they perform with my usual reference test tracks.

Here is the graph of the Tangzu Wan’er in comparison to my personal preference target:



Starting off with the subbass, there is plenty for my tastes. This is not an overly bass focused set and I feel that the amount of subbass works well for the tuning in general. “Chameleon" has plenty of low note presence without it becoming the center of attention, well, at least not more than usual as this track already has the low bass as a focus point.

Subbass is also kept clean and defined, with Lorde’s “Royals” being just “dirty” enough for me to feel that it is a good representation of the track. “No Sanctuary Here” has the bass focus more on the upper subbass / lower mid bass and again, the Wan’er keeps it clean, with the notes showing definition and control throughout the track.

This is not a set of IEMs for the bass heads out there but it is still not lacking bass. Personally I wouldn’t put this at the top of my list for EDM, I feel that something like “Sun Is Shining” could maybe do with a little more to please those who listen mostly to this genre but when moving over to less electronic and more instrument focused tracks, I feel that these IEMs really come alive.

The bass guitar in “Bombtrack” has just the right amount of warmth for my preferences while still being capable of transmitting the effects of the track. Things like “Seven Nation Army” or “Crazy” have the necessary body at the lower end of the guitar but stay away from that boominess that can be found in sets that put too much emphasis on midbass and lower mids.

Vocals are well presented, with clarity being good although I do feel that things like Monica Naranjo in “Sobreviviré” could take just one step further forwards, the same goes for Eric Clapton in “Tears In Heaven”. Having said that, they are not bad in this regard, far from it, I just feel that this is not the strongest point of the Wan’er.

I feel that in the mid range, the instruments are the actual strong point of this set of IEMs. With good separation and a nice tonal balance, I really enjoy the mids. On tracks were the vocals are actually the center of attention, such as in acapella tracks like “Hallelujah” or even “Billie Jean” by The Civil Wars (which does have instruments but vocals remain the focus), the Wan’er do a good job and vocals don’t seem out of place or to be missing anything.

The climb in the higher mids is smooth and I feel it works well, although I do think that the extension of the plateau could reach just a little further. However, there is no harshness in this area and, while it could take one step further forwards, I have no real reason to complain.

In the upper ranges, the extension is not terrible although it is not amazing either. There is enough extension for it not to give the impression of being rolled off in these upper ranges but a tiny bit more air would have been a positive. Again, this is something that is not an issue, remember these are a set of 20€ IEMs and are more impressive in these ranges than many other more expensive sets.

Sibilance is also very much kept in check on the Wan’er, with my usual “Code Cool” test placing Patricia Barber just beneath the verge of sibilance. This means that these IEMs are dampening that sibilance range just a little but not enough for it to become noticeable without direct comparisons. I am sure most people will prefer this slight reduction in sibilance than a slight increase in sibilance.

Details are pretty impressive also, not amazing but still impressive for a set of IEMs in this price range. There is a bit of roll off to the reverb in things like the into of “All Your Love (Turned to Passion)” but by no means do these leave you feeling like there are details missing (unless you are directly comparing them to more detailed sets).

Soundstage I would also place on the higher side of average. It is not a huge soundstage (very few IEMs are) but there is enough space for things to spread out and the image placement is also decent, making for a nice presentation in this regard.



Isolation is also pretty good on the Wan’er, being above average in most of the frequency ranges except for the bass. Low rumbles will make it through but they will work well for most generally noisy areas, such as cafeterias, offices etc.



Conclusion…

The Wan’er are a very impressive set of IEMs and I feel that they have raised the bar even more in the 20€ bracket that seems to be exploding at the moment. Until now, I would have probably voted the 7Hz Zero as my top pick in this category but I feel that the Wan’er have just entered the race and are immediately competing for first place.

While they are not perfect, there are things that can be improved upon, as soon as we remember the price, there are no complaints that can really stand. Yes, there may be other tunings that you prefer personally, we are all different, but if you are someone looking for a balanced set of IEMs with a great performance in the extreme budget section, these are something that should be one of your first considerations.

It really is amazing how much we can get for so little at this time!

_______________________________________________________________________

To not break tradition, this review is also available in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

TONALITY: 9/10
TECHNICALITIES: 7.8/10
CONSTRUCTION: 7.5/10
SOUND VALUE: 9.5/10

Intro
Tangzu, know as Tforce in their begining, is a chinese audio company that focus on IEM making. It seem they focus on single driver approach too, since all thier IEMs are either single dynamic driver or single planar driver. Their first IEM, the Yuan Li, was surprising in sound quality and organic balance, for a first offering from an audio company, this was sure a positive promise. Then come the Shimin Li, with high expectation that weren't met in term of tonality for numerous people that find them too sharp sounding, yet for about 30$, the construction-design was incredible and technical performance superior to the average. And then, the Zetian Wu was release and earn alot of praise and a solid fan base i'm pround to be into, since it's my fav planar IEM of 2022 out the 8 I own.
But what can we expect from a sub-20$ single dynamic driver IEM name Wan'er SG? Let see in this review and for further details and comparisons, give a look to my bonus video!

CONSTRUCTION-PACKAGE

Construction have an elegant look, but it's made of basic plastic and feel a bit cheap in hands. It have 2pin connector and metal nozzle, body is very ligh and comfortable. The cable included is silver plated which is nice.
In term of packaging, again, it's an elegant look, refreshing since it give sens of seriousness to the product unlike Waifu childish imagery that begin to invade chifi market, this type of detailed colorful art is more adequate for wider type of consumer and honor CHinese culture instead of Japanese culture, which is more logical for a product pround to be made in China.
Accessories are rather generous, and include most beautiful cleaning clothes, a very nice idea of Tangzu

SOUND IMPRESSIONS

Balanced neutral with hint of warmth, juicy well rounded bass, lush full mids and smooth full sounding treble. Timbre is dense, natural and sweet. Vocal are full bodied both male female way. Their hint of extra low harmonic that thicken presence of those beautifull vocal.

Low end hit sweet spot in sub bass and mid bass balance, with slight boost that thicken body and give a slow sens of weight, it doesn't punch hard and tight, but in a mellow way with pround dynamic presence and hint more sub bass vibrance and juicyness. It offer chunky slam when needed, you feel it, you hear it but it doesn't go basshead or out of control way. Their minimal resonance but a warm sustain that serve as sit for mid range, its really well done and cohesive, and safe.

Mid range is thick, natural with euphonic edge and nuance timbre that permit realist tone, this will be more rewarding for not too busy or fast track since its a mid range to be contemplate. Vocal have unforced presence, which is wide and thicken with low harmonic that will benefit female breathy non-soprano vocal and most male vocal, upper mids in sibilance section is smoothed, yet not too dark, so the lips can form words correctly. Pina gain isn't to high, so even loud high pitch female vocal will sound gentle and musical. Sure, the resolution is average here since attack edge is polished and overall presentation have an organic warmth that stole air that could have occur between shaply carved instrument definition and presence. It's a colored mid range, in minimal way, tone wise we have extra butter and tamed texture grain, yet, it isn't dark nor recessed and this is what hook us when we listen to the Waner.

Then the understated treble come in, without being notice, then we don't feel the Waner is lacking in details that much since everything is fully covered until upper treble roll off. This treble remind me the Zetian Wu planar, but hint darker and less fast and snappy. The Waner aren't IEM tuned for wow effect, nor technical peformance king, yet, for 20$ they can easily compete with anything sub-50$ and tonaly wise can learn lot of things to way pricier earphone. We are in budget tuning balance masterclass territory here, since it's safely balanced in dynamic loudness, yet never boring, mature, yet never too serious or cold. If we praise Tanchjim Tanya, the Waner offer superior technical performance with less excited balance, its both cleaner and smoother too.
But i disgress, back to treble, it have that minimal crunch and bite we need, with hint of tamed decay. It's not sparkly, not impressively snappy, not airy and not fully extended. Brilliance is minimal and feel foggy. Clavichord doesn't sound resonant and metallic enough (one of those rare instrument metallic timbre is needed). Splash cymbals feel scooped. Again, its not a treble that wow you, he's subdued by bass and mids but can affirm it's presence when the track isn't too fullfill with complex percussions and high amount of high pitch instruments.

Soundstage is wide, not very deep, center stage feel wider than left right openess. We can say the Waner are a bit intimate, yet don't sound stock in your head.

Imaging is average, layering which is more dependant to dynamic projection is quite good but since transparency isn't crystal clear it will benefit simple tracks. Yet, it's far from being an IEM that permit you to pin point every part of a jazz drummer for example, or every violins etc in a symphony, this is where it's price tag is underline.

So yes, technical performance are average, attack speed isn't the fastest nor the snappiest yet don't go shouty or all messy too. Resolution isn't sharp nor impressive. Definition isn't clean nor precisely shapen. Bass extend more than treble. Layering and dynamic are nice, so perhaps attack speed isn't that bad too? The Waner don't try to impress me with technical bravado, it sing to me with soul and joy. So i get lost in music, not details or SFX.

COMPARISONS

VS MOONDROP CHU

Let say it was a shock of how clinical and not musical sound the Chu just after hours of enjoying the Waner, then brain burn in make it bearable, but let say everything sound boxy and distant, thin in timbre and more sibilant. Its notably more DF neutral tuned, way less good in term of versatility due to niche trebly tuning. Bass is thinner, dryer, more about texture presence and have a loose resonant hollow punch, Waner is more bodied and fuller, mids are lusher, thicker more natural and less recessed, its less generous in micro details which can be distracting and out of lace with Chu. Vocal are plain horrifious with Chu i just can't handle them for long, pina gain is too high and shouty, their timbral imbalance...soundstage is way wider with Waner too, layering is less compressed, tonal balance is natural, way more cohesive compared to wonky Chu. Sincerly, if you love the Waner i don't think you can handle the Chu...it's just from another league in all level, but mostly in tuning aspect. To make it even more cumbersome, the Chu is way harder to drive…less comfy and cabled.
Run away from the Chu asap, Waner is there!

VS Tangzu Shimin Li

Now, the Shimin Li is like a smoother Chu with better technicalities, so it's less catastrophic but very different in tonality. The Li is more crisp neutral, leaner in dynamic, more open sounding airy and sparkly, with superior clarity and imaging yet thinner dryer brighter timbre.
Bass is lighter, looser and lack proper weighty punch, mids are more lean and recessed, vocal feel overly damped in dynamic lacking sens of foward openess. We can say mid range is cleaner clearer too. Treble is center of the show of Shimin Li and notably more extended and refined than the Waner, its cleaner, airier and more brilliant, snappy and sparkly with less tamed decay. Acoustic guitar doesn't sound scooped and too mellow like the Waner, so perhaps for instrumental and folk the Shimin offer more refinement. Both soundstage and imaging is superior with Shimin Li, it sound taller and more open and notably deeper too.

All in all, the Shimin Li win technical performance and unlike the Chu, complement well the Waner warmer thicker bassy neutral sound signature.

VS Tanchjim Tanya

Tanya is more of a balanced V shape, sub bass is more roll off, mid bass more textured, mid range more recessed and treble more textured, so for those that find Tanya too dark, the Waner will not cut it for them. Bass is thinner and less beefy in slam with the Tanya, timbre is more transparent but less dense, natural and lush, kick drum have more texture and presence, male vocal feel distant and lean apart for female vocal which have more upper mids and pina gain. Waner sound a bit more muddy with busy track, thicker as a whole. Bass and mids are more fowards, lush and bodied while treble take back stage with Waner. Soundstage while wider and taller than Tanya isn't as clean in openess and deep. Imaging is about on par, both being average. Tanya isn't as versatile as Waner.

All in all, these are on par technicaly yet Waner have more natural and cohesive balance, its more mid centric and bass have more rumble and warmth.

CONCLUSION

Tangzu tuning experience is begining to pay off and the Waner is prime example of this and polar opposite of Shimin Li that favor technicalities over tonal balance and magnify sens of musicality.

Here we have a very accessible tuning where bass and mids take all our attention in a lush, full bodied way without affecting sens of immersive openess, this is an highly musical sounding IEM that offer a versatile all arounder sound.

Easy to love, but not to forget due to its ultra budget price, the Waner is now my new benchmark in pure musical bliss under 20$. Yes, it's that good but not made for treble head or those the are more hooked by technical performance like imaging and detailed over fun laidback smoothly balanced musicality with warm timbre.

A must have imo. Very highly recommended!

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You can order the Tangzu Waner for 20$ from this store: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tangzu-waner-s-g?variant=43530411180249

Video version of this review can be found on my No Borders Audiophile channel here:


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DISCLAIMER

I purchased the Tangzu Wan'er IEM at a discounted price. It can be gotten here (no affiliate links): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004906244121.html





INTRODUCTION

Tangzu Audio (previously known as Tforce Audio) names their IEMs after famous historical figures of ancient China; storied characters such as Li Shimin, Li Yuan and Wu Zetian are all IEMs gracing the Tangzu Audio stable.

Today's IEM is named after Shangguan Wan'er (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangguan_Wan'er).

Wan'er was a female prime minister who served under Empress Wu Zetian (for which the Tangzu planar IEM is named after). The former rose up the ranks from her very humble background as a servant, all the way to become the right hand woman of Wu Zetian, who incidentally was the first female empress of ancient China.

Wan'er was responsible for handling imperial documents and was also well known as a poet. She even continued her royal capacity when Wu Zetian's son (Emperor Zhongzong) inherited the throne subsequently.


SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 10 mm single dynamic driver (PET diaphragm)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 40000 Hz
• Impedance: 20 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 107 dB (no units provided) (@ 1 kHz)
• Cable: 2 pin, 0.78 mm 5N OFC 4 braided cable
• Tested at $19 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:

- Cable
- 3 pairs of wide-bore eartips
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore eartips
- Cleaning cloth



The packaging is really elegant and refined, with Wan'er's beautiful portrait gracing the front. This is quite mature compared to the dime-a-dozen (and stale) anime waifus we see nowadays!




For sub $20 USD, the accessories are really generous, I've seen pricier IEMs with fewer goodies. The packaging even comes with a neat cleaning cloth with Wan'er's face on it!

While no foam tips are included - I can close an eye considering the cheap price this IEM is retailing for - there are 2 variants of silicone tips provided. The wider-bore (white ones) increase soundstage and boost the higher frequencies. On the other hand, the narrow-bore (black) tips increase the bass but compress the soundstage a bit.



The included cable is a 5N OFC 4 braided cable. It is thin and tangles easily, with some microphonics (and no chin cinch), but I've seen pricier IEMs still retailing with non-detachable cables in this day and age. Thus, it is a nice touch that for such a cheap IEM, the Wan'er comes with a detachable cable with a 2 pin connector.

I'm not a fan of MMCX connectors in general, as they tend to be less robust with frequent cable changes. Tangzu advertises that the Wan'er's 2 pin socket is rated to last 50000 cable swaps! Indeed, that should not fail in theory, since a new IEM hypetrain is probably gonna come in the mail way before any metal fatigue is experienced!

A carrying case or pouch would have been a cherry on top of the cake, but I'm not pushing it since this IEM is so cheap to begin with!

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


BUILD/COMFORT

The Wan'er's housing is made of plastic. During ordering, one can opt for white or black coloured shells. There's a marble like motif on the faceplates of the black version, which I got.



The shells are light and ergonomic, no issues with long listening sessions in terms of comfort. There's a small concha protrusion in the design to add additional grip during usage. Tangzu says the Wan'er housing was designed based on accumulated data of a large number of ears, and perhaps this is no hyperbole.




I didn't find any driver flex on my set, but this is partially dependent on ear anatomy and type of tips used.




On the inner aspect of the housing, one can see the innards, including the single DD and wiring. There's a R and L lettering on the housings to delinate the right and left sides respectively.


ISOLATION

Isolation is average, but this set is capable of being used outdoors for sure.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the Tangzu Wan'er with:
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- 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
- Tempotec Sonata HD Pro dongle (BHD firmware)
- Smartphone

The Wan'er is very easy to drive. Amplification is not necessary, but the Wan'er scales with juice, in terms of increased dynamics and a tighter bass.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

The Wan'er can be described as warm neutral, with a mid-bass boost. The tuning is relatively well-balanced and natural, and should be a good match for most music genres.


Frequency response graph of the Wan'er via IEC711 compliant coupler. 8 kHz region is a coupler artefact peak.

The bass is just slightly north of neutral, but not at basshead levels. It is mostly focused in the mid-bass, thought there is a moderate rumble heard on sub-bass heavy tracks. The mid-bass hits with quite a good punch, though in terms of quality, the bass is on the slower side. There's some smearing noted in complex bass movements. Texturing is below average and there is some mid-bass bleed, with an undefined bass heard.

The midrange is a tinge recessed. The lower mids are warmed by the aforementioned mid-bass bleed, adding some heft and density to the note weight. The upper mids are well dosed, it is at the edge of getting vocals forwards without veering too much to shoutiness.

The treble rolls off pretty early, and is on the darker side. There's not much air and sparkle, so trebleheads might want to look elsewhere. The treble is hence fatigue-free and smooth, with minimal sibilance, though resolution and micro-details might be dampened due to this tuning choice.

Timbral accuracy is excellent, vocals and acoustic instruments sound very natural, no complaints on this front.

In terms of technicalities, the Wan'er is no tour de force, as expected of something at this price bracket. Soundstage is decently wide, though depth and height are below average. Micro-detailing, instrument separation and clarity are not the best. Imaging and layering are acceptable for something this cheap, though the more intimate soundstage might make music sound a bit congested, especially when it comes to fast or complex tracks.


COMPARISONS



Considering the Wan'er costs the price of a restaurant meal, I won't beat it with a stick for their technical chops. But the proof is in the pudding: we will need to see how it stacks against other $20ish single DD sets, which we will dive into now.

Planars, multi BAs, hybrids and other driver types were left out, due to the different transducers having their own pros and cons.


BLON BL-03

No budget segment royal rumble would be complete without mentioning the big Kahuna of this price bracket, the venerable BLON BL-03.

The BL-03 sports a harmanish tuning with a mid-bass bump - it is more V-shaped than the Wan'er. The BL-03 has a more boomy mid-bass, which is less tight, with a more marked mid-bass bleed. Both sets are relatively fatigue-free and smooth in the upper frequencies, though the BL-03 has a bit more air and treble extension.

Timbre is slightly better on the BL-03. In technical performance, the soundstage of the BL-03 is slightly more expansive, but micro-detailing, imaging and instrument separation are better on the Wan'er.

The biggest issue with the BL-03 though, is the fit, due to very short nozzles on the earpieces. Many consumers struggle with the fit, and need to resort to aftermarket longer nozzle eartips or mods to optimize the ergonomics, so this can be a deal-breaker, or even if not, it translates to added costs when getting the BL-03 (it won't be a $20 USD IEM in that case).


7Hz Salnotes Zero

The Salnotes Zero is a neutral bright set with a thinner note weight than the Wan'er. The Zero sounds more sterile and analytical than the Wan'er as such.

The Salnotes Zero has less bass quantities, but the bass is cleaner and tighter. Transients, micro-details, soundstage, instrument separation and clarity are better on the Zero, but the Zero has a harsher and more sibilant treble.

Timbre is slightly less natural on the Zero, and the Zero's fit is more uncomfortable due to the perpendicular edges in the shells.


Moondrop CHU

The CHU is tuned to Moondrop's virtual diffuse sound field (VDSF) tuning philosophy (which is their in-house variant of the Harman curve).

First up, the CHU comes with a non-detachable cable, which can be a deal-breaker for some. The fit is also iffy, as the earpieces tend to drop out of the ears without using the provided earhooks.

The CHU has less bass quantities, though like the Zero, the CHU has better bass speed and texturing than on the Wan'er. The CHU however, has a more boosted upper midrange and lower treble, that can veer to fatigue and shoutiness.

Technicalities and resolution are better on the CHU, but there is more sibilance than on the Wan'er, and the timbre is less natural too.


CONCLUSIONS



In a nutshell, the Wan'er gives excellent value proposition for the asking price, and I wouldn't mind skipping 2 or 3 Starbucks coffee drinks to get it.

The Wan'er, being a sub $20 IEM, is aptly named after this historical namesake, in tying in with her very modest upbringing as a servant getting promoted all the way to be the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.

While the Wan'er may lose out to some budget rivals in terms of technicalities, as a whole package, the Wan'er does at least above average in most other departments, and I think it should be able to hold its own against the other ultra budget brethren.

With every week bringing a new release, many budget contenders have their 15 minutes of fame and are then forgotten after a few weeks. The Wan'er, in contrast, is quite a nice addition to the cut-throat ultra-budget CHIFI market, as it boasts nice aesthetics, a comfortable fit, generous accessories and an agreeable tonality and a very natural timbre.

Having said that, the Wan'er is not a giant killer by any means, and folks who have been around the block and own higher end gear will probably have heard something better. Nevertheless, I would recommend the Wan'er for those new to the hobby who are looking to get their first IEMs, or as perhaps Christmas gifts, or even for those curious to what sound $20 can get you nowadays.

ok ok...wow. Where do I begin? So much to say...
Preface: I bought every single headphone and iem including this one with my own money. I have been a casual "audiophile" for about 10 years and seeing how the hobby has changed over this period of time, especially recently is just insane. I will only be reviewing the sound(build is fine too, great even)

So the Wan'er...the Tangzu wan'er. How do I begin to describe this thing? Let me start with a graph because this picture is worth 1000 words, certainly in this case

LOOK AT THIS GRAAAAPH


(image thanks to Vortex reviews. He's a good measurer!)

If you're wondering "hey! that looks pretty flat". Well yes, yes it is. The Wan'er has a tuning almost identical to the etymotic reference target, and very similar to their own er2xr(maybe even slightly closer). This sound signature is quite frankly *the* definition of flat since 1990 + added benefit of a mild bass boost to thicken the overall sound and get a nice low end shelf. The Tangzu Wan'er physically looks and measures like a set that hasn't really existed until about 2-3 years ago? There are sets that cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars that objectively have a worse tuning than this. That is not a joke. This is a top 1% IEM. So now the question becomes: Does it sound as good as it looks like it sounds?....
.
...
.........yes

Sound signature:
If there is a single word to describe the signature it is just simply *sound*. The overall tonality of this IEM probably can be described best as neutral with a tinge of warmth and low end. The wan'er tends to take on the characteristics of whatever is playing through it. Your song is shrill? it's shrill-ish. the song is muffled? the wan'er becomes muffled. It is a chameleon of *sound*. As a fair warning, I've never truly experienced hi-fi TOTL IEMS or even headphones or speakers so I cannot comment on those but I will give my impressions compared to gear that I have and use or have used on a daily basis.

Almost every other single headphone or IEM I have has it's own "characteristic". For instance, no matter what plays through the Chu it tends to be a little leaner and lighter in body and bass. The CRA has this glassiness across every note and is thin in its own way too. The moondrop quarks and even my HD650s are neutral-ish? but have this "lovely" tone to them where things are smoothed over just a tad and it creates this soft and very famous Sennheiser "veil". Is it a problem for 99.999% of tracks? no. Does it exist? yes. The wan'er has no such characteristics. The tone is perhaps most similar to quarks/hd650s but still different enough to where it does not exhibit the same lovely tone that the quarks/sennheisers do.

Lows:
Lmao so right off the bat this is where things get hilarious. Graphically speaking this little $20 dollar...device, has a cleaner yet bigger bass shelf than Aria. This is confirmed on many people's squig charts.
Granted, the change is very subtle by like .5dbs and overall I have *not* listened to Aria but it is not out of the stretch of imagination to assume that the overall tuning of the lows is very similar to IEMs like the Aria or maybe the KZ EDA balanced.
Impression wise? No surprise. It sounds like it looks. The bass has authority and slam but also texture and feel. The bass never overstays its welcome, never really intrudes despite how decently loud it can get to my ears. Idk if this can be classified as "detail" per se but the bass never bleeds and a distinct note can always be heard. Other than Chu this is probably the cleanest bass I've ever heard. It also has much more rumble than Chu and overall can hear more of that low end in terms of quantity. Very very well done.

Mids:
This goes back to overall tonality really. The wan'er's mids are, correct. . When I listened to crinacle's review of Chu I actually disagreed overall. I'm no hi-fi expert but IEM's like Chu and CRA sound like detail MONSTERS yet have a brighter and thinner tonality to the mids. The tangzus do not exhibit any thinness nor are they overly thick or bloated. It is the goldilock's zone. Slightly warm due to that surprising bass maybe? but overall instrumentation sounds very nice

Highs:
If I had to nitpick perhaps things like vocals exhibit a little more grain than on something like the HD650. Not a surprise or even a terrible thing, most IEMs have a lot of low/mid treble. However this is extremely controlled and has a good amount of what feels like upper treble too.

Technicalities:
Uhhh. it's 20 bucks. who cares lmao? just kidding.
So obviously soundstage width is nothing crazy, not like an open back like the HD650 or anything. But the imaging? As far as I can tell it's accurate. At least as accurate as any other IEM I’ve tried
Details and separation? Apart from chu this is the most detailed songs have ever been. Even then I think it tends to have more details in bass so overall, very very good. None of the frequencies are masking each other. """""speed""""" of the driver is more than fine

Conclusion:
I'm trying my best not to hop blindfolded here on the hype train but man it's chugging. The wan'er is neutral and smooth. it plays every sound that's thrown at it. Plays it well. What more can you ask for?

The point of this review is not simply to gush over this single IEM. it is to show you a small piece of the journey. Within a single year, maybe two, IEMs have SERIOUSLY become incredible. This hobby used to be one where if your iem could even reproduce frequencies from 50hz below and 15khz up you were privileged. Nowadays? The TUNING that people can get now for cheap? it's nothing other than jaw dropping. Listen, if you have a crazy $5000 end game 26 BA + 12 EST freaking Area 51 iem will this little tangzu impress you? maybe not. But the fact that this sound is available at this price? and it's not the only one either! But the wan'er itself has set the expectations and bar very high. Do yourself a favor and don't ever settle for less than this. Buy these as stocking stuffers, for kids, adults, musicians(especially), whoever and whatever. Because this is what music is supposed to sound like. And it should only get better from here. This hobby is ridiculous.

Fun fact: (Shangguan Wan'er (664–21 July 710) was a Chinese politician, poet, and imperial consort of the Wu Zhou and Tang dynasties. Described as a "female prime minister," Shangguan rose from modest origins as a palace servant to become secretary and leading advisor to Empress Wu Zetian of Zhou.)

Disclaimer/s:

• This unit was sent to me by Tangzu themselves in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• Tempotec Sonata HD V
• Venture Electronics Megatron
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018))
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: medium eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain, without extra amplification.

Sound signature:

• The Tangzu Wan’er S.G. is quite different from the previously released IEMs by the company, as it is the most "neutral" in terms of sound signature. If we’ll describe the signature in exaggeration, this exhibits a mild-u, borderline-bright sound, tastefully done as it avoids any form of harshness, peaks, and sibilance.

Lows:

• The lows here in the Wan’er S.G. are almost linear to my ears, but well done. It never sounded out of place in my preferences or library, but that doesn't mean it's a basshead or a bassy IEM. Far from it, actually. There are times that the midbass is dominant over the subbass, creating that punchy bass presentation. The decay is average with a little bit of quickness to it, especially on metal tracks.

Mids:

• Moving on to the mids, it is "naturally placed" or mildly recessed, depending on the track. At first, I thought it managed to go toe-to-toe with my Etymotic ER3SE in terms of linearity. Still, it isn’t as linear, but the coloration of the Wan’er S.G.s is very minimal. The lower mids exhibit very good thickness and depth while keeping the majority of the detail, such as raspy male vocals and instruments, within this region. Upper mids are slightly elevated, just enough to give them that "airy," "clear," and "sparkly" quality while avoiding any peaks, harshness, or sibilance. Vocals may sound intimate at times, especially on vocal-oriented tracks, but they never gave the impression of being "claustrophobic."

Highs:

• The treble is well extended, almost as much as the level of elevation of the upper mids. It is airy and sparkly. Cymbal crashes sounded really satisfying to my ears. Detail retrieval is average and manages to pick up most of the details needed easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• As for the technical performance, everything sounds average to my ears. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t bad at all compared to the other budget IEMs I've tried, but the technical performance here will not blow your mind either. It's more than enough for daily listening and has never sounded choppy, even on my busiest tracks. The soundstage is wider than deep, with average expansion. The separation is also average and may suffer some congestion on very heavy passages, particularly with metal tracks. Imaging is also average, with most spatial cues rendered fairly.

Pros:

• One of the most “balanced/neutral”, smooth sounding IEM under 20 USD.
• The most “tonally correct” IEM under 20 USD to my ears (subjective).
• Controlled, well-done lows.
• “Naturally placed” mids.
• Well-extended, non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
• Decent technical performance.
• Excellent two sets of eartips; does not degrade the full potential sound of the IEM. It even has a cleaning cloth!
• Easy to drive to its full potential.
• Very good fit and comfort (subjective).
• Decent build quality and aesthetics.
• Enticing, motif-driven design cues and box art (subjective).

Cons:

• May sound “bright” to some (subjective).
• Technical performance is average (nitpick).
• QDC connection kinda ruins the looks of the IEM (subjective)
• A pouch or a case would be a good treat for everybody (subjective)

As of now, the Tangzu Wan’er S.G is now my top recommendation under 20USD, if you are looking for a neutral sounding IEM, but with removable cable. It is almost as “flat” when compared to the Tanchjim Zero, the most flattest IEM under 20 USD yet, but with more dynamic bass response and well-controlled treble. The Wan’er S.G. also by far is the most “tonally correct” sounding IEM for me under 20USD. This IEM is literally the embodiment of a quote I try to live by: “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” Well done, Tangzu!


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The Wan’er S.G is easy to be driven to its full potential. Any dongle, neutral or warm sounding dongle will do.
• Eartips: It all has the eartips you need included but you can always use your preferred eartips. Tip: try Final E eartips for pleasing results.
• Cable is more than enough for the most part, but you can always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos here:

Foreword

1. At the point of this article, my Wan'er S.G has undergone over 120 hours of runtime
2. I don't do measurements, I just describe what I hear, from my own POV
3. My preferred sound tuning, Diffused Field Neutral (Etymotic)
4. The entirety of my impressions was done with my own Misodiko MIX 460 tips
5. Ultimately, my reviews are purely subjective and biased to my personal preference in sound

The Build


Tangzu Wan'er S.G is a budget IEM, that's pretty evident with the $19.90 price tag. Meant to be highly affordable to the masses. As such, the construction is pretty much very modest with simple transparent acrylic shells. Offered in two choices of color, Wan'Er S.G comes in either Transparent White Motif or Black Opaque theme - resembling Yin and Yang.
The overall build of the shells felt firm enough. It is very lightweight and smooth edged.

Wan'er S.G IEM shells boasted dual cavity chambers for sonic tuning purposes, this can be observed clearly especially with the fully transparent white version. The single Neodymium N52 PET diaphragm dynamic drivers anchored close to the nozzle port with generous chamber behind it.


Accompanying Wan'er S.G, set of accessories including OFC cable with QDC two pin termination, silicone tips and a very artistic piece of cleaning cloth depicting Wan'er S.G herself.

The selection of stock tips, both narrow and wide bore included. Normally wide bore for Treble focus and the narrow bore for emphasis on lower frequencies. For my own usage, I opted not to use any one of them, preferring my own Misodiko MIX460 hybrid tips.



Wearing Wan'er S.G is a straightforward affair. It is very comfortable and lightweight. The shells rest comfortably on my ear concha. I can use Wan'er S.G for 3-4 hours without experiencing any hint of wear fatigue. My only concern would be the stock cable, the ear hook section in particular - the curved hooks kind of looping a bit wider than my ear inner tips, and without a chin slider on the cable, it can appear as if my ears has become like an Elf pointy piece visually - swapping it to Kinera Leyding Cable solved that.

Equipment Used

• Sony Xperia 1 iV
• Windows 10 with Native USB Drivers
• USB Exclusive Mode with FLAC files
• CEntrance DACport HD
• Cayin RU6
• Ovidius B1
• 7Hz 71
• VE Abigail

Test Audio Playlist


Sound Impressions


Before I proceed any further with Sound Impressions, it is best to clarify that 90% of my review for Wan'er S.G will be based on combination of Misodiko MIX460 tips and Kinera Leyding Cable. After some tweaking and swapping, I have discovered that Wan'er S.G improved dramatically with that combo as compared to using stock tips and cable.

Out of the box, Wan'er S.G sounded fairly natural with good sense of organic temperament to the overall sound. I would regard the overall tuning edging closer to neutral territory, with an exception that there's audible elevation of lower frequencies with Bass sounding stronger and denser than true neutral sound curve. It's pretty much the trend nowadays, IEM's tuned with heightened lower frequencies to sate the demands of consumer which has grown fond of thicker and denser lower frequencies. Otherwise, Wan'er S.G would have been quite neutral with the Mids and Treble seemingly uncolored for the most part. To tone down the boosting of lower frequencies, I used the Misodiko MIX460 hybrid tips which has proven quite effective at tidying up Bass responses (more on this later).

Dynamic characteristic of Wan'er S.G can be best described as fairly extended and well balanced. Nothing too extravagant. Dynamic transients largely being clean and smoothly rendered. It has enough energy and pace to the flow of harmonics, as to be expected of sensibly tuned single DD. The vibrancy level being well controlled and mature - in contrast, the likes of HZSOUND Heart Mirror would appear highly energetic and euphonic. Wan'er S.G on the other hand resonate closer to Tangzu' s debutant of Yuan Li (which I really like until today).

Timbral and tonal characteristics of Wan'er S.G being highly organic and musical. End to end from lower frequency to the uppermost region, it is faithfully natural sounding and realistic. The only caveat I would complain would be the strength and depth of timbre imaging which can appear a bit fuzzy (due to preferences for overall smoothness). It is neither warm nor it is bright - just about right. The sort of natural tone and timbre to be heard from the likes of Shure KSE1500, Kinera Idun Golden or Sennheiser HD600 - of course the said devices being highly superior to the actual implementation - but you get the idea, Wan'er S.G hovers close to those sort of sound. It is non-offensive, smooth and flowing. No hint of being digital-ish or metallic - in my book, this is highly favorable to my taste subjectively.

The Midrange of Wan'er S.G is quite impressive actually. The staging and placement being amply forward, properly moderated to appear bold yet never too frontal. It is transparent to the intended nature of the sources - depending on the sort of mixing done on the subjected audio tracks. For example, on Jazz, Pop, Folk and Ballads, Wan'er S.G will appear audibly upfront, taking centerstage with Mids dominance as how it was intended. With Rock/Metal music, which are typically mixed with V curve tuning, the Mids will then appear stepped back appropriately.
Wan'er S.G offer rich and dense Mids, the texture felt wholesome and engaging, organic theme evident with the attack and decays, the pace being moderate and believable. It's absolutely at home for easy listening that impart musical emotions especially for Jazz and Ballads.
Instruments for the most part, sounding smooth and well defined - lacking only some clinical precision and depth as would be heard from higher end IEMs. I like the fact that Wan'er S.G handles stringed instruments and percussions with realistic tone and timbre, electric guitars offering ample bite while keeping the smooth theme still. Perhaps not as strong edged as some of the competitors but this also mean Wan'er S.G offer more musical experience over technical precision.

Vocals wise, Wan'er S.G is highly versatile and adaptable. Does not matter male or female, Jazz or Rock, Wan'er S.G offer good transparency to emit neutral sounding vocals that remained organic - perhaps some small hint of warmth especially for Baritone/Tenor (males) or Contralto type of voices. This in turn helps with imparting good emotions to savor the music with sensible vibe and nuances. Again, I wish the imaging would be slightly crisper here, I felt that the smoothing of Mids in general imparted that tingling sense of fuzziness on lesser quality recordings - but works quite well on the good ones.

Treble of Wan'er S.G is modest, yet sparkly and smooth. Non-offensive tuning that still offer good vibrancy and shimmer. The extension does feel a bit rolled off, with micro details barely audible. The most important part, Wan'er S.G Treble remains natural sounding with no hint of being plasticky or metallic. There's also good air and smooth transients with the flow of Treble timbre, soothing even. Largely attributed to the pairing of Misodiko MIX460 tips and Kinera Leyding Cable.
It is worth to mention as well, despite the decays being somewhat rolled off, it is still admirably clean and crisp - again with polished edge to disperse naturally, clearly evident with highly energetic recordings that contains lots of Hi-Hats and cymbals. What is certain, the range between upper Mids to Treble is free from any Pinna glare element, which means Wan'er S.G will not exhibit any upper frequency sibilance - ultimately offering non fatigue listening even for hours on end.

On the lower frequency, Wan'er S.G exhibited pronounced boosting for Midbass, with ample density on Subbass. After 100 hours of burn in, it is totally free from any element of Bass bleeds (of which up to 40 hours, there may be some occurrences of Midbass messing up with lower Mids, imparting minor element of bloat on some Bass heavy tracks). The good thing is, being a DD, Bass settled in admirably well - now it is very clean and disciplined. The vibrancy seemingly mature and sensible.
Midbass offer good texture and depth, the impact and slam being moderate - which means this may not be dense or heavy enough for Bass lovers, Basshead will still find Wan'er S.G Bass performances being leaner. However, for those preferring more uncolored sound, Wan'er S.G Bass is quite abundance and rich - especially for Midbass presence.
Bass overall texture while seemingly rich, I feel that it still lacks some depth and macro details, it is smooth yes, but then on some music it will appear slightly opaque sounding. This is just me being critical, the truth is, without critical comparison, Wan'er S.G Bass performances are quite good for casual musical indulgences. In fact I normally prefer less Bassy audio equipment. Wan'er S.G offer just about right amount of Bass overall density and body mass.
On Subbass, the decays are quite crisp and smooth - not exactly far reaching like how it is normally heard from Harman tuned IEMs, but Wan'er S.G has ample density to offer satisfying and realistic seismic sensations for the lowest range of Bass frequencies.

Technicalities
Wan'er S.G has wide and open sounding presentation of Headstage, which in turn impart good sense of expansive Soundstage that is spacious and airy. Separation lines being amply clean, not exactly clinical but I would not complain for it being fuzzy as well. Not difficult to track individual layers.
Spatial positioning and projection admirably holographic for a single DD, the imaging crisp enough and smooth. On the aspect of transparency and details handling, Wan'er S.G proved to be a competent unit - again not exactly an analytical set, with the retrieval of Micro details seemingly slightly subdued. Otherwise, it is still very good for casual usage - for enjoying music (not analyzing it). Wan'er S.G, transparency and resolution being quite good too, it renders the source faithfully with natural tone and accuracy - moderately if I must add.
Speed is average for Wan'er S.G. Not exactly as speedy as some of the competitors - with Wan'er S.G preferring the languid smooth attack over prompt precision. At least it is agile enough to avoid being congested or muddy sounding on some of the more complex audio tracks I thrown at it. So that's already a big plus in my book.

Scalability

Just like Yuan Li and Zetian Wu, despite being rated 20 Ohm with 107dB of sensitivity. Wan'er S.G scales really well with power. Yes is does sound already good directly connected to my Sony Xperia 1 iV, the output being rich and highly musical. Subjecting Wan'er S.G to higher powered partners will help to improve some technical aspects like stronger imaging and crisper note weight. Wan'er S.G seems to work really amazing with Cayin RU6, CEntrance DACport HD and Ovidius B1 - with technical element being heightened audibly. Worth to mention that Wan'er S.G remained stable with all the power fed into it without any hint of getting shouty.

Final Words
TANGZU Wan'er S.G is easy to like. The biggest value proposition, Wan'er S.G is a well balanced performer that is sensibly modest and easygoing. Even for certain degree of analytical listening, Wan'er S.G will prove to be competent enough to satisfy technical element of sound - for as long as it is connected to an equally competent partner that offer great technicalities. Not forgetting gearing up Wan'er S.G with good cables and tips. In stock trim I would say Wan'er S.G is more than enough for casual use, pimp it up a bit more and then the versatility will pay dividends with satisfyingly articulate output that remains musically well balanced.

Ultimately, for something that is priced just $19.90, Wan'er S.G offer amazing Bang for the Buck value that is hard to ignore. For the most part, it does not sound like a budget IEM at all. It will appeal greatly for those seeking close to neutral sound with sensible amount of lower frequency boosting. Without a doubt Wan'er S.G falls into something that I would recommend for anything below $20.

Tangzu Wan'er S.G is available at:
https://hifigo.com/collections/new-arrival/products/tangzu-wan-er-sg