Tansio Mirai Akiba

Dsnuts

Headphoneus Supremus
Tansio Mirai Akiba
Pros: An improved version of Tansio Mirais former flagship Sparks.
Reference level mildly v shaped energetic signature with a highly resolving refined dimensional treble presentation. Very good mids peformance from two high end Sonion BAs. Improved Bass performance with new Sonion bass BAs with newly reworked venting from their former flagship for improved bass impact and extension. Flagship level technicalities.
Solid all resin semi-custom build with very good passive isolation for folks that would like some passive isolation. Medium sized compact shells will fit most folks with comfort. One of the best BA based bass presentations for any BA based earphone to date.
Newly developed silver-plated higher end OCC cable included with the package.
Cons: Not really a big change from the former Sparks but enough to call it a different name and a newer model. No option for balanced with its cable. Its circular mother of pearl face plate design is a bit on the feminine in looks, which is not a big deal. Its energetic detailed nature will not be for everyone.
Tansio Mirai Akiba
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My history with Tansio Mirai started with the TSMR-2 which to this day is one of the best dual BA designed earphones. It was this earphone that made me realize these guys can not only tune but they were one of the early adopters of the switch add-on to their IEMs, which added slight tuning variations on all of their earphones. The tuning switch has become a staple of every single Tansio Mirai earphone since. I have been lucky enough to hear the progression of their earphone designs, most of which are all BA sets with the more recent Lands being their first tribrid. Some of the other higher end Tansios include the TSMR-10 the Zodiac and the more recent flagship Sparks I reviewed here.
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The Akiba announcement was quite the surprise as it wasn’t too long ago the Sparks was released. Even more of a surprise is that the new Akiba is using exactly the same driver configuration of their Sparks. The Akiba incorporates 7 high end Sonion BAs + 4 Sonion EST in an all-resin semi-custom shell, adding 3 tuning switches which slightly affects 7 different tuning variants to the overall sound. Enhancing bass, balancing and treble or a combination thereof, the tuning switch has a minor effect in the regions and is nothing that overly boosts the sound area it is taxed with. I personally prefer a bit of a bass boost and balanced mid switch on with the treble switch off as Tansio Mirai earphones in general have enhanced treble tunings with ample treble emphasis from the get-go. The overall design is very identical to the Sparks so I figured there has to be some tweaks to the formula and the tuning that would warrant an entirely new release.
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When I received the Akiba everything from the shells to how the drivers are laid out inside the shells was identical to the Sparks. So, what gives? It turns out Tansio has switched out the Sonion BASS BAs for newer Sonion drivers for better bass performance vs their Sparks and also incorporated a slight sound tweak for the new Akiba. The Spark in of itself is an outstanding offering from the onset so it was quite puzzling for me. But I get it, we want progress and the Akiba is just that. The earphone industry is all about advancing forward. I take it that Tansio Mirai has read the reviews and some of the wants from the reviews and comments. Folks wanted a more impactful, better bass performance for the Sparks.
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That is in fact what the Akiba does but more importantly this added bass presence brings the overall sound quality to yet another level in performance. The driver layout is as follows. The upgraded drivers in the Akiba are in the bass BAs. Dual BA=Sub bass, dual BA= mid upper bass, Two BA=mids, BA for lower to mid treble + 4 Sonion ESTs for upper trebles. A 4 way crossover design with 4 channels, this is exactly the same configuration as the Sparks. Besides the change in the name and reworking of the bass vents with new bass drivers. The Akiba ups the price point by $50. Also adding to the Akiba a new included cable which now lives up to the flagship status of the Akiba. No longer is the throw-in cable the standard rehashed SPC cable of Tansio Mirai past. It is now a brand spanking new customized boutique level 2 thicker cored silver plated higher end OCC litz cable that also plays a part in how the new Akiba plays out. This cable is so good I heard it might be sold separately as an item you might be able to purchase on Penon. Look for it soon.
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Standardly disclaimers. The Akiba was provided for the purpose of a review by Tansio Mirai. It was fully burned non-stop for an entire week. You can look up the Akiba on their sales page here. The Akiba has been analyzed using my IBasso DX300Max, Fiio M15,Shanling M6 pro, M5s, M3s, IBasso DX160, IFI black label, Fiio K3 2021, UTWS5.

Sound
It is amazing what a little sound tweak can do for an already great IEM in the Tansio Mirai Sparks. There is no denying how good the Sparks are but they have been replaced by the Akiba as it is more of a revision of the Sparks and not entirely a new model. The new Akiba has the same mild broad v shaped tuning of the Sparks but now has two fundamental changes vs the Sparks sound. The first thing I noticed is a more expansive head stage. It has a noticeable expansion for the width of the sound vs the Sparks slightly more intimate presentation. Usually when you add a more capable bass end on an earphone design you get the opposite effect so that was unexpected. Then there is the new bass end.
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At one point I went back and forth from the Sparks vs the Akiba and I was asking myself if I am hearing the changes that should be evident when going back and forth. To be fair this was early on when the Akiba was more or less out of the box. As the days went by with more time on the Akiba the changes started to become more noticeable. The bass end of the Akiba is now perhaps one of the best BA bass presentations I have heard. The Sparks moderate bass emphasis is not weak by any means but there were a few that wanted something a bit more impactful with better lower sub bass grunt. The new bass drivers provide this for the Akiba. Will get into this aspect a bit more in the bass sound descriptions but for now, it was these two fundamental changes from the Sparks that makes the Akiba an entirely new product to replace the Sparks.
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Trebles
The Akiba and the prior Sparks both use the quad aray Sonion EST drivers for the upper high notes. If you have never experienced EST implementations for earphones, there is a reason why Sonion EST drivers are so highly sought out by higher end IEM manufacturers. Apparently there is a difference not only in price but going from two, four and even six EST drivers. The reasoning for using a single BA to do the lower treble is due to ESTs inherent struggles with the lower treble notes. ESTs are all about the upper treble presentations providing air sparkle and shimmer. The Akiba delivers with a much higher end treble with a refinement level I would say is a true reference grade treble for earphone designs. Taniso Mirai earphones in general specialize in the treble emphasized tunings, giving them a distinctive higher end sound vs your standard all BA offerings. If you're looking for a higher end earphone that has a warm tonality with a mild or moderate treble emphasis. Tansio Mirai earphones may not be for you. However if you're looking for a highly detailed energetic BA set with a full on refined extended treble presentation, the Akiba is the new flagship for Tansio Mirai for a reason.
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Treble presentations are the forte of the Tansio Mirai IEM. You will not hear a flagship Tansio Miriai with a moderate or mediocre treble end. You get the full bells and whistles with one of the most articulate treble presentations for any IEM. Nuanced, full bodied and well executed, presenting with a ghost like crisp clean dimensional treble detail. It is arguable that the treble aspect of tunings is more difficult to get right vs the mids or the bass. It requires fine measured responses so the end user can pick out the detail they want to hear yet not to introduce undue fatigue at the same time. A good treble presence is more than just definition of both micro and macro details. It has to have air, tight transients, rangy in ability and a lingering effect when called upon aka sparkle. The EST implementation here is all that which makes the treble end of the Akiba one of the most refined trebles for earphones. As I am getting older in age, I am appreciating the more refined extended treble presentations from nicer earphones. I have no issue calling the Akiba my reference for high end treble presentations as there will be a drop off from the Akiba or even the Sparks when you go from these in ears to something else that is not as capable. Of course, this is all subjective as I can see folks that like a more laid-back treble presentation. But my point is. Why include 5 drivers to do treble to get a reserved treble end.

Treble extension is ideal, Airy sparkly yet cleanly precise for treble notes.
The Akiba does justice for the treble lovers and does it in a way where it sounds effortless. Its focus for treble is more mid to upper treble emphasis but this brings a highlighted imaging for the trebles. Jazz blues rock, and pop music just about anything that requires an agile full on treble detail the Akiba is superb for folks that want their full treble.
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Mids
The trebles to the mids presentation is liquid, cohesion for Tansio Mirai phones have never been an issue. The fluid nature of the mids presentation is handled by two very high end Sonion BAs. It is no secret some of the highest end earphones use Sonion drivers. Both the Sparks and the Akiba use the same Sonion BAs for the important mids. Why change something that works? The mids of both the Sparks and Akiba share the most similarities with the Sparks mids being ever so slightly forward in comparison. Otherwise, the mids between both these earphones are nearly identical. Which for me is certainly a good thing. Both exhibits more upper mids vs lower mids and while mids are not forward they don't take a step back in the mix either.
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One of better mids presentations for BA based IEMS, the Akiba mids exudes a euphoric emotive well layered dimensional presentation. Vocal renditions, especially female vocals just emanate with a spacial holographic rangy ability that has to be one of the best in this regard.

Akiba mids shows supremely dynamic breathy vocal renditions but also some of the best natural timbre for instruments from BA drivers especially stringed instruments. It does take some higher end BAs to show it can do more than just be detailed for the region with a distinctive layering and imaging of the mid bands, the Akiba benefits from some of the best BA drivers money can buy. Hence the Akiba shows that it is more than just a treble specialist.

The Akiba has a moderate upper mid pinna gain yet due to the ample treble emphasis has a clean and clear sound signature. I noticed with more copper based cables the tonality here can sway a bit more toward warmer so the neutrality aspect for its tonal quality is there using the included cable. If you do want more of a warmer fuller bodied signature I do recommend a nicer copper based cable. The ISN G4 shown here.
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This being said the included new cable is superb on the Akiba and I can tell the cable brings a highly transparent nature of a high end copper base with a thicker silver plating. It is too bad these cables cannot be ordered with balanced terminations when ordering the Akiba otherwise the match up with the Akiba is superb and is a huge leap in quality vs their pior cable they used to throw in with all their IEMs.

Mids shows an excellent technical ability from its spacious head stage, to its top flight imaging, sound separation, and shows impeccable detail. Due to the detailed nature of the signature on the Akiba, the Akiba pairs better with warmer sounding sources. DX160, Shanling M6pro, DX300Max, IFI black label. Basically newer IBasso and Shanling sources. They sound good out of more neutral sources but that extra warmth of the previously mentioned sources synergizes with the Akiba even better.
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Bass
Bass of the Akiba is where the change has occurred for the new design. Reading previous reviews of the Sparks there were a few comments and remarks about how folks would have loved to see a more impactful bass end from the Sparks. The Sparks were using an older Sonion vented dual bass drivers. From what I understand about the new drivers. These are an improved version from Sonion and I got word Tansio also reworked the venting for more airflow to the drivers. The end results, the new Akiba now has impact and a low-end rumbly extension that is similar to a well vented dynamic. These come dangerously close to how a well fueled dynamic sounds like for bass and while you can still tell they are BAs doing the low-end work. It is less evident the more you hear its bass ability. In fact, going back and forth from the only dynamic bass offering from Tansio Mirai in their LAND tribrid, actual impact and amount of bass emphasis is actually similar. Where the main difference is its speed with a quicker delivery and decay. It wasn’t like the Lands 10mm dynamic bass was slow by any means but going to the Akiba and you get a much quicker, snappier tighter delivery of bass. The Akiba sounds amazing for speedy bass performance as a result. Metal in particular benefits hugely from the meaty tight speedy bass presentation.


Bass comes alive when called for with a detail that is some of the best I have heard for BA bass. Its low-end rumbling capabilities are substantial as you now have an actual sub-woofer on tap. Two of them actually per ear making the Akiba very versatile.


Overall
The new Akiba is all about presenting the best of the best of Taniso Mirai. They have always made nicely capable monitors but the Akiba now incorporates one of the best articulare treble I have heard from any of their monitors. One of the best mids of any of their monitors and for BA bass the tops for bass as well. If you measure a flagship IEMs based on the best of the best of what the manufacturer can do, then the Akiba here is a success. I would have liked to have just a few DBs less mid to upper treble presence adding that to the lower mids but otherwise I get this particular signature and its tuning. It is going for a reference level of detail and is very good at it. The Akiba is not an entirely new IEM it is more of a Sparks revision but at the same time at this level of earphone a revision is actually all you need to do one better than their previous flagship which was arguably a high level earphone in the first place.
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If you have never heard a Tansio Mirai earphone and would like to dive deep and just go for their best offering. I can confidently say it is now the Akiba that is their top IEM. With premium IEM prices at an all time high, Tansio Mirai has kept their offerings grounded with a realistic price point which now also includes a premium cable. Initially I was a bit worried that the Akiba is not really doing one over the Sparks and for folks that own the Sparks currently. I will tell you to hold onto your Sparks. Get yourself a nice higher end copper cable and the Sparks will be very close in sound and ability to the Akiba. However if you are looking for an ideal EST implemented flagship that has all 3 parts of sound at a highly refined levels. The Akiba is easily one of the best IEMs I have heard for the new year. Thanks for taking the time to read, happy listening always.
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Cuz people always want comparisons.
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Vs the CA Solaris.
Both earphones do dimensional sound. The Solaris is CA highest end IEMs for a reason and since its very first iteration. I never thought slight tweaks on the Solaris formula warranted another purchase. The Original Solaris is to this day one of my all time favorites. Solaris has a comparable treble emphasis and extension but is not quite as articulate or as detailed as the Akiba treble. Akibas advantage is how resolving its treble is in comparison. While the Solaris treble is no slouch Akibas EST drivers are the leg up for its performance over the Solaris treble end showing a bit more air and micro details. By design the Akiba has more lower treble vs the Solaris treble tuning so by default it has a bit more treble energy.

Solaris mids are not as dense as I would like. Here is where the Akiba also has a leg up.. Both have good mids presence with the Solaris having just a more forward lower mid range but I will give the edge here to the Akiba as its mids sounds more grounded to me with more density. Solaris stage is wider than the Akiba with the Akiba having a bit more height and similar in depth. The surprise here is Akiba actually has a touch more bass impact than the Solaris. Solaris bass texture is where it wins but for quantity the Akiba has a bit more bass presence in general. Speedier since it is BA bass and while the quality is won by the Solaris the Akiba does not fall too far behind in the quality department even though it is BA bass.
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Vs the UM Mest
Mest just like the Solaris has seen various revisions. The original Mest has seen a fairly large following which prompted UM to make a bunch of revisions of them and while the OG MEST was the first to use a bone conduction for the group. Bone conduction has folks swearing up n down it does something for the mids that other drivers can’t do. Subtle or not the OG MEST has one of the best dimensional sounds around and was one of its trump cards. MEST is a direct competitor to the Solaris and even Sonys IER Z1R. All these IEMS have wide stage presentations and the MEST here is only slightly lesser vs the Solaris. Very comparable actually. The Akiba shows greater upper mids presence and actually has a more forward mid range in general vs the OG MEST. Trebles once again is not as articulate as the Akiba. The MEST treble here is also using two BAs for its treble and uses two EST for upper trebles. So similar level of driver count vs the Akiba. The MEST treble detail and articulation is more closer to the Akiba vs the Solaris with similar emphasis here as well. However the Akiba has a bit of extra for its sparkle that the MEST does not have. Could be due to the extra ESTs. Treble presence here is similar but it is the AKIBA that has a touch better sparkle and slightly better dimensional qualities. Otherwise similar in execution.

The main difference is the mids presentation. MEST even though it does not show on graphs actually sound like it has a scoop for the mids. The mids was addressed on their newer MK2 version but the scoop is clearly there. Akiba does not have this issue so the mids again shows more density for the AKiba. These both trade punches for technicalities, imaging and sound separation and such but the AKiba has better layering for its mids presentation. MEST has very good dimensional qualities which makes them sound exciting but the mids sounding scooped once you hear something else without this scoop that is when you realize why UM made some revisions. MEST bass has more sub bass but mid bass impact is at a similar level here with the speed again a leg up on the Akiba.
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Sony IER Z1R.
Vs the Akiba, Sony's IER Z1R is by far Sony's best IEM and one that is clearly doing well with the test of time. Others make revisions. Sony does not, they just release new IEMs every 5-8 years or so. I first heard the IER-Z1R, a pre-production unit at Can jam in Denver in 2018 and I knew I would eventually have to have a set. I bought a clean used set from our sales thread and have been enjoying them ever since. Onto the comparison. As crazy as this sounds it is the IER Z1R that shows the most similarities to the Akiba well at least for balancing. You can say the Akiba is like an all BA and EST version of the Sony IER-Z1R. Similar in how it presents the mids the Z1R does have a more natural tonality and its bass is one of the absolute best in the industry. The treble for the Z1R takes on a silkier quality vs the Akiba's more nuanced EST presentation. I like both treble presentations.

The Akiba has a slight leg up on the treble definition but the IER-Z1R sounds a touch more natural in the process. Akiba has a bit more in the way of Mids dimensional character with a few dbs more upper mids lower trebles.. Akiba shows a slightly brighter tonal quality vs a slightly warmer tonality of the IER-Z1R. I am gonna say, I doubt there will be any BA based Bass that will approach Sony's dynamic bass for the IER-Z1R. What the Akiba lacks in comparison for physical bass vs the Z1R makes up for it with a tighter speedy well-defined bass. It won't reach the Z1R level for bass quality but for using BAs it will be as good as it gets in that regard. The Akiba images a bit more precisely for its mids and that is due to the all BA layout with EST implementation. Z1R on the other hand has the edge in naturalness, a silkier tonal character for trebles and its bass which has world class texture, with a wider stage vs the Akiba. Z1R is a bit more laid back in its presentation while the Akiba shows a more forward a bit more aggressive sound profile.
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ehjie
ehjie
Thanks. Excellent review as always.
Agree on all counts on the Solaris classic, still my benchmark for a genuine flagship set, albeit the tuning may not be for everyone and that sound field dimensions and scale are still very desirable till this day...
Jacobal
Jacobal
How does this compare to the Bird?
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