Apologies for the tease/delay
I was fortunate enough to spend a few days with the MAD10, MAD16 and MAD24 IEMs from Ambient Acoustics as part of a UK/Europe tour.
First up I'd like to thank @MrLocoLuciano and Yuliya at Ambient Acoustics for organising this - I know what a pain in the butt these can be first hand, so it's much appreciated, especially with lockdowns limiting our opportunities so much. Big thanks to both of you (and anyone else in the background who is helping to make this happen).
Some quick info - I'm into all sorts of music, rock, metal, house, techno, world music (lots of southern African stuff), some classical and jazz (not very much), bits of pop...ermmmm...whatever is good really.
My frame of reference is the Erlkonig, Thummim, Legend X and a few others.
Now as these are a set of tour units, I won't be commenting on peripherals like packaging, tips, cables etc. What I can say is that the cables shipped with the product don't look like the ones one their website, so I dispensed with them and used a series of other cables. Beyond, that, there are other reviews scattered around which can help more with accessories insight.
Also - fit is pretty much the same across all three IEMs. They're on the larger side, and while I didn't find them uncomfortable, I am a larger than average person, so this is something to flag and be aware of - these will almost certainly be too bulky for some ears.
Right, let's listen to some music.
I started with the MAD24 because....well why wouldn't you?
The first thing that struck me is how revealing these IEMs are.
They have excellent technicalities, to the point where it's obvious that people who are averse to an analytical signature might struggle. (Don't worry, if this is you, we have something for you later in the piece.)
I quite enjoy this sound - but I'll be blunt and say that's not my usual day-to-day preference.
Still, I am in awe of how certain IEMs manage to drag up oodles of detail and this IEM can play among the best here.
Of the three IEMs I auditioned in the range, the MAD24 also has the best layering, soundstage and imaging - it's not just a one trick pony.
To often "analytical" can be a byword for my own pet-hate "bright" - but in this instance that's not the case. It's never fatiguing to my ears, sounds great and everything is impressive. If you think there's a "but" coming, you'd be wrong.
Erm...however. The technicalities on this, while not too sharp, still wear me out eventually. The sound isn't as full and musical as I prefer (my preference is coloured for sure, so that's not exactly the worst insult one can sling at an IEM.)
Meanwhile on my test tracks, while I've enjoyed running through them, I feel the slight "thinness" to the sound vs my own preference removing me from the music and constantly assessing new sounds I've not heard. A great achievement in an IEM, but not what I lust after....so I switched to....
I won't faff around here, this is my favourite of the range. Yes, it has fewer drivers and yes, it doesn't have the technical chops of his showier brother. But what it lacks there, it makes up for in a tuning that is far more up my street.
Listening through the same set of test tracks again, I don't remember once thinking "ooh, that's a new sound" - but before I knew what had happened, my test playlist was finished.
The MAD16 is more forgiving, less analytical, more engaging and more musical.
Don't be fooled, it's hardly a slouch when it comes to reaching down and picking out the details. But while the MAD24 presents them to you, here you need to go digging if you want to notice them. If you just want to listen to the music as a package, then the MAD16 stands above its elite stablemate.
Most of this is to do with a fattening out of the sub and mid bass - presenting a warmer signature that focuses more on rhythm than anything else.
Granted, the bass is just a shade less taut than that of the MAD24, particularly on Braids' "Miniskirt" - there's no bleed as such, but it loses a tiny bit of composure around the 3min05 mark when everything hits at once. But this is nit-picking, it's a thoroughly enjoyable listen and on that had me flicking through more extra tracks than I had done while listening to the '24.
For those who care about these things, I'd also say that the staging is more recessed - vocals are a couple of rows back vs the MAD24 and, I suspect, this is due to a slight dip around 4kHz or so (I'm not the best at picking these ranges so apologies if I'm not precise here). Again, I'm not averse to this so I enjoyed it, but it's certainly not the upfront signature I'd been experiencing a few minutes before.
All in all, this is a fine IEM and the one I'd happily recommend in the range with the caveat that one would have to value warmth, texture and that elusive "musicality" over the accuracy and neutrality of the more expensive flagship. This is the one I'd choose and happily so.
From there I moved on to the MAD10
Now to be honest, I have a set of notes on this IEM, but I don't think I'm going to go into great detail here. My notes are broadly negative (please bear in mind again, this is vs my own personal preferences). I will mention a few things because I feel it's important - if I'm honest about negative things, hopefully you will trust that I'm also being honest about the positive things I've had to say.
Listening to Sagat's "Few Mysteries Solved In A Year Of Contact" I'm immediately concerned about the tonal balance, it's a bit sibilant and strident sounding. The bass is an issue for me and sounds a little hollow on EOB's "Brasil", while Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" is a struggle for me to get through as there are crashing and shimmering cymbals that hit in a way that takes me out of the music.
However, I'm pleasantly surprised at how good Pink Floyd's "Time" and Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" sound - both move along at a rollicking rate. But this brings me to my main criticism of the IEM, which is that it's actually really good with some things, but too fussy with others - and there doesn't seem to be a pattern. I couldn't say "this is great for classical but terrible for dance music" as I really have no idea. That said, because it wasn't my preference, I don't think I gave it quite as much time, but why would I when there's so much to enjoy on the two other tour units?
All in all - I'd say I'm pleasantly surprised by the IEMs I've heard in the AA range. I'm fortunate to have some great IEMs already, which makes it unfortunate for any IEM crossing my path, because I can't help but compare it to what I have. I absolutely suck at the whole "well compared to other things in its price range" - I just compare it to what I'm used to, and being a spoilt little brat, I'm used to good sound. (Or at least what I consider good sound, these things are arguable.)
So compared to what I already have, the MAD16 sits comfortable alongside them. I'd place the MAD24 in the "U18t" territory. Slightly less bass - but the same analytical sound.
These are very accomplished products and I'm very pleased and thankful to have been able to spend some time with them
I was fortunate enough to spend a few days with the MAD10, MAD16 and MAD24 IEMs from Ambient Acoustics as part of a UK/Europe tour.
First up I'd like to thank @MrLocoLuciano and Yuliya at Ambient Acoustics for organising this - I know what a pain in the butt these can be first hand, so it's much appreciated, especially with lockdowns limiting our opportunities so much. Big thanks to both of you (and anyone else in the background who is helping to make this happen).
Some quick info - I'm into all sorts of music, rock, metal, house, techno, world music (lots of southern African stuff), some classical and jazz (not very much), bits of pop...ermmmm...whatever is good really.
My frame of reference is the Erlkonig, Thummim, Legend X and a few others.
Now as these are a set of tour units, I won't be commenting on peripherals like packaging, tips, cables etc. What I can say is that the cables shipped with the product don't look like the ones one their website, so I dispensed with them and used a series of other cables. Beyond, that, there are other reviews scattered around which can help more with accessories insight.
Also - fit is pretty much the same across all three IEMs. They're on the larger side, and while I didn't find them uncomfortable, I am a larger than average person, so this is something to flag and be aware of - these will almost certainly be too bulky for some ears.
Right, let's listen to some music.
I started with the MAD24 because....well why wouldn't you?
The first thing that struck me is how revealing these IEMs are.
They have excellent technicalities, to the point where it's obvious that people who are averse to an analytical signature might struggle. (Don't worry, if this is you, we have something for you later in the piece.)
I quite enjoy this sound - but I'll be blunt and say that's not my usual day-to-day preference.
Still, I am in awe of how certain IEMs manage to drag up oodles of detail and this IEM can play among the best here.
Of the three IEMs I auditioned in the range, the MAD24 also has the best layering, soundstage and imaging - it's not just a one trick pony.
To often "analytical" can be a byword for my own pet-hate "bright" - but in this instance that's not the case. It's never fatiguing to my ears, sounds great and everything is impressive. If you think there's a "but" coming, you'd be wrong.
Erm...however. The technicalities on this, while not too sharp, still wear me out eventually. The sound isn't as full and musical as I prefer (my preference is coloured for sure, so that's not exactly the worst insult one can sling at an IEM.)
Meanwhile on my test tracks, while I've enjoyed running through them, I feel the slight "thinness" to the sound vs my own preference removing me from the music and constantly assessing new sounds I've not heard. A great achievement in an IEM, but not what I lust after....so I switched to....
I won't faff around here, this is my favourite of the range. Yes, it has fewer drivers and yes, it doesn't have the technical chops of his showier brother. But what it lacks there, it makes up for in a tuning that is far more up my street.
Listening through the same set of test tracks again, I don't remember once thinking "ooh, that's a new sound" - but before I knew what had happened, my test playlist was finished.
The MAD16 is more forgiving, less analytical, more engaging and more musical.
Don't be fooled, it's hardly a slouch when it comes to reaching down and picking out the details. But while the MAD24 presents them to you, here you need to go digging if you want to notice them. If you just want to listen to the music as a package, then the MAD16 stands above its elite stablemate.
Most of this is to do with a fattening out of the sub and mid bass - presenting a warmer signature that focuses more on rhythm than anything else.
Granted, the bass is just a shade less taut than that of the MAD24, particularly on Braids' "Miniskirt" - there's no bleed as such, but it loses a tiny bit of composure around the 3min05 mark when everything hits at once. But this is nit-picking, it's a thoroughly enjoyable listen and on that had me flicking through more extra tracks than I had done while listening to the '24.
For those who care about these things, I'd also say that the staging is more recessed - vocals are a couple of rows back vs the MAD24 and, I suspect, this is due to a slight dip around 4kHz or so (I'm not the best at picking these ranges so apologies if I'm not precise here). Again, I'm not averse to this so I enjoyed it, but it's certainly not the upfront signature I'd been experiencing a few minutes before.
All in all, this is a fine IEM and the one I'd happily recommend in the range with the caveat that one would have to value warmth, texture and that elusive "musicality" over the accuracy and neutrality of the more expensive flagship. This is the one I'd choose and happily so.
From there I moved on to the MAD10
Now to be honest, I have a set of notes on this IEM, but I don't think I'm going to go into great detail here. My notes are broadly negative (please bear in mind again, this is vs my own personal preferences). I will mention a few things because I feel it's important - if I'm honest about negative things, hopefully you will trust that I'm also being honest about the positive things I've had to say.
Listening to Sagat's "Few Mysteries Solved In A Year Of Contact" I'm immediately concerned about the tonal balance, it's a bit sibilant and strident sounding. The bass is an issue for me and sounds a little hollow on EOB's "Brasil", while Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" is a struggle for me to get through as there are crashing and shimmering cymbals that hit in a way that takes me out of the music.
However, I'm pleasantly surprised at how good Pink Floyd's "Time" and Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" sound - both move along at a rollicking rate. But this brings me to my main criticism of the IEM, which is that it's actually really good with some things, but too fussy with others - and there doesn't seem to be a pattern. I couldn't say "this is great for classical but terrible for dance music" as I really have no idea. That said, because it wasn't my preference, I don't think I gave it quite as much time, but why would I when there's so much to enjoy on the two other tour units?
All in all - I'd say I'm pleasantly surprised by the IEMs I've heard in the AA range. I'm fortunate to have some great IEMs already, which makes it unfortunate for any IEM crossing my path, because I can't help but compare it to what I have. I absolutely suck at the whole "well compared to other things in its price range" - I just compare it to what I'm used to, and being a spoilt little brat, I'm used to good sound. (Or at least what I consider good sound, these things are arguable.)
So compared to what I already have, the MAD16 sits comfortable alongside them. I'd place the MAD24 in the "U18t" territory. Slightly less bass - but the same analytical sound.
These are very accomplished products and I'm very pleased and thankful to have been able to spend some time with them
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Nice.
