Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
So my UiiSii CM5 arrived today (bought for $19.99 from Amazon, although it can be found on sale for less).
This is my first UiiSii, and if this is representative of the brand I guarantee it won't be my last.
Here's my impressions.
Build:
Fitment:
Accessories:
Sound:
The CM5 has a 32ohm impedance. My iPhone had no problems driving it, and it sounded good whether it was on the phone, my DAP, or my DAP+amp.
The bottom line is that from the packaging and accessories to the build quality and sound, color me impressed! These are a literally a no-brainer for <$20.
Again, the CM5 are highly tip dependent (moreso than most IEMs), which you can seriously use that to your advantage for tuning possibilities if you are willing to do some tip rolling.
** Some seller listings incorrectly list the CM5 as a hybrid (DD+BA). This is incorrect - CM5 is not a hybrid.
This is my first UiiSii, and if this is representative of the brand I guarantee it won't be my last.
Here's my impressions.
Build:
- The CM5 uses a single 10mm dual-diaphragm graphene driver**. I think I'm really growing to like graphene drivers. Graphene has a certain unique sound quality to them vs other IEM drivers (titanium, PEEK, PET).
- The wire is TPE, which makes the cable feel soft and slippery (even though the cable itself is a little stiff). If you're familiar with the Xiaomi Pro HD cable, it's similar.
- The 3.5mm plug is an offset angle type, which I like (it's a cross between a straight and 90 degree plug). The plug has a fairly compact width, which barely fits my phone case (YMMV).
- The cable has a single button control with mic (no volume), which worked on my Android as well as iPhone. The button itself is small, but since there's only 1 button you can find it by feel only. Mic is clear and effective.
- There are adequate cable strain reliefs at the shells, Y split, and 3.5mm plug.
Fitment:
- The shells are made of plastic. The outside of the shell is transparent, with tiny sparkles which I could do without. The outside of the shell has a 'carved' style, reminiscent of a seashell. I would have preferred a plain outer shell, but they are stylish. Multiple colors are available (black/blue/red - I got black).
- The back of the shells are coated with a nanotech/rubberized coating found on some phone cases.
- They have a very organic ear shape. UiiSii obviously did their homework on the shell shape. They feel natural and comfy in the ear, with no odd protrusions or sharp edges that can lead to hot spots.
- The insertion with the stock tips is shallower than I prefer, and as a result the bass and soundstage suffers due to an unreliable seal. I wish the nozzles were a few mm longer. They may fit your ears differently, but in my ears the shell body bottoms out, and whatever insertion seal you get is it. I later tried some KZ Starline tips and Comply style foam tips and was able to get an improved fit/seal.
- The 'memory wire' ear hooks is one of the best features of the CM5. I love them. It's very comfortable, stays out of your way when you take the CM5 on/off, yet snaps right back into position. There's no wire in the earhook section - it's a pre-formed clear rubber covering that I've seen before on a few other IEMs.
Accessories:
- A total of 5 pairs of silicone tips are included (2 different types in multiple sizes each). One of the tip shapes is slightly different than I've seen before (a "long dome" shape, like you chopped off the bottom of a test tube)
- Nice velcro cable wrap (not the tiny minimalist one KZ used to provide)
- Hard EVA foam zippered carrying case
Sound:
- Bass is controlled, and has good quality and extension. There's no bleed into the mids. The bass is heavily influenced by the tips you choose (stock or tip rolling) and the insertion/seal. With the stock tips (and shallower insertion), bass was reduced. I later tried some KZ Starline tips and Comply style foam tips and was able to get an improved fit/seal resulting in a significant increase in bass. As user @jant71 pointed out: "I have been trying out a few different tips and the way they fit can give various amounts of bass or even a closer to neutral sound."
- Mids sound clear, but are recessed as expected with a v-shaped signature.
- Treble is bright, but with no sharpness or sibilance (like the KZ ZST has for example).
- Instrument separation is good
- Clarity is above average
- Soundstage is excellent, with an open and airy quality
- Isolation and external leakage is excellent
- Dynamics are excellent
- I did not experience any fatigue, even after hours of continuous wear
The CM5 has a 32ohm impedance. My iPhone had no problems driving it, and it sounded good whether it was on the phone, my DAP, or my DAP+amp.
The bottom line is that from the packaging and accessories to the build quality and sound, color me impressed! These are a literally a no-brainer for <$20.
Again, the CM5 are highly tip dependent (moreso than most IEMs), which you can seriously use that to your advantage for tuning possibilities if you are willing to do some tip rolling.
** Some seller listings incorrectly list the CM5 as a hybrid (DD+BA). This is incorrect - CM5 is not a hybrid.
Last edited:
i need some well built, warm/fun sounding, cheapo iem's with a mic for viber/skype calls and occasional outdoor activities like lawn mowing (good isolation is a must). rock zircons did the trick, so unless you have some other ideas, i'll just get an other pair.
If you notice the butterfly tips fit shallower than you'd expect since the core is inset some. Tips where the core and back edge of the tip are even worked better for me. Not sure what the butterfly tips are about since making the front less tapered should help with shallow fit earphones cause they fill out to full edge quicker than a narrow taper but you shorten the back of the core and take away from what the front shape is trying to do.
