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The final episode of FitEar Hybrid Phase 1! Electrostatic tweeter + dynamic "FitEar DC" appeared!
2019/08/15 Atsushi Takahashi
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The final episode of FitEar Hybrid Phase 1!
Since "FitEar Air" announced at the headphone festival in the fall of 2015, FitEar has been working on a hybrid driver configuration with a unique approach. The fact that each model, "Titan," "Air 2," and "EST," attracted attention for their uniqueness and their respective sounds, will be clearly remembered by earphone fans.
Another new announcement from FitEar is "FitEar DC". The pre-test sales received at the previous pota lab will start shipping sequentially from mid-August. After reflecting the feedback from there, it is expected to be officially released from the end of the year to the beginning of the year.
FitEar DC decorates the end of FitEar hybrid phase 1!
Familiar looks including short leg shell
According to Mr. Suyama, "The hybrid machine that started with FitEar Air will be stopped once with this FitEar DC."
This time, let's review the FitEar DC, which is a model like the "FitEar Hybrid 1st and Final Round", with a preceding sample.
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FitEar hybrid driver configuration summary
The hybrid configuration adopted for the FitEar DC this time is "full range inline double dynamic driver + electrostatic tweeter". First of all, including that, let's explore the positioning of this model and summarize the driver configuration of all FitEar hybrid models in terms of looking back on the first phase of FitEar hybrid.
First of all, it is like this when arranging in order of release date.
And here's what it looks like when organized by element:
Looking at this table, first,
Air: Dynamic + BA
Air 2/Titan: 2 dynamic series + BA
DC: 2 dynamic series + electrostatic
EST: BA + electrostatic
I think you'll understand. Roughly speaking, the content and purpose of each are as follows.
[Air] Full-range dynamic + BA tweeter
By combining a Foster Electric dynamic driver that exerts power even in a completely closed shell with a short leg shell that can secure a large amount of air volume in the ear canal, sufficient characteristics as a full-range are secured. Furthermore, it is finished by correcting the high range with the BA tweeter.
[Air2/Titan] 2 full-range dynamic series series + BA tweeter
In addition to the main dynamic type, another dynamic type is added to support its operation in a pair, and the driver configuration aims to improve linearity and damping. Tweeter is BA.
[DC] 2 full range dynamic series + electrostatic tweeter
The full range is 2 dynamic series like Air2/Titan. The tweeter is an electrostatic type similar to EST.
[EST] Full-range BA + electrostatic tweeter
An electrostatic tweeter is added to the full-range BA driver to enhance the expression of high-frequency textures.
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Is it appropriate to see DC as an "Air2/Titan series" rather than an "EST series"?
In other words, DC will be the electrostatic type of the EST series if you pay attention to
the dynamic tweeter side of the Air2/Titan series if you focus on the full range side . Then, the "electrostatic type" still has an impact, so there may be people who are attracted to it and get the impression that "DC is a dynamic variation of the full range side of EST." However, this is my judgment, not the company's opinion, but I think it is more appropriate to understand FitEar DC as "a variation in which the Air2/Titan tweeter has been changed to an electrostatic type." The "full range" driver is responsible for most of the music playback band. What they have in common should be greater than what the tweeter, which plays an auxiliary role, has in common, no matter how distinctive the electrostatic type is.
The sound guide holes are two holes common to both the Air series and the EST series.
Nonetheless, it is just a matter of ``Is it appropriate to understand it as such from a mechanical point of view?'' DC is the latest high-end model of the Air2 series! It's nothing. It would be better to consider it as a "new variation that should be compared equally with all existing lineups".
Mr. Suyama's design intention
On the other hand, Mr. Suyama of FitEar himself told us on Twitter about the actual development and design intention.
The following three points are extracted from the contents of the
Twitter moment “FitEar DC Custom” . ▽
[Comparison with EST] In the BA full range, there were scenes where it was relatively difficult to keep up with the lightness of the movement of the electrostatic tweeter, but by using an inline double dynamic driver, it was possible to follow changes in the time axis. heightened. ▽ [Comparison with Air/Titan] The BA tweeter required an acoustic filter to suppress peaks, but the electrostatic type does not require that, allowing for better sound clarity and smoother expression with a high degree of transparency. rice field. ▽ [About the electrostatic tweeter] EST uses an electrostatic tweeter in the upper band from around 7kHz, but in DC, by using it in the upper band from around 10kHz, which can obtain even flatter characteristics, the high frequency is improved. Elongation and connection were made smoother. However, for that reason, the overall efficiency is low as a FitEar product, and it is necessary to increase the volume of DAP etc. compared to before.
Sound quality review! Crisp response and natural texture!
Let's listen now! First of all, to summarize my impressions while comparing the Air2 and EST from time to time,
"The texture expression in the high range is an exquisite touch!" (Not as natural as EST, not as hard as Air2/Titan
) (Similar to Air2) It's sharp!"
"Tight sound image and space expression with plenty of margins!
"
Comparison with general long leg MH335DR SR
A little shorter than the middle leg EST
First, I checked the sharp components of the high frequencies with the female vocals and hi-hat cymbals of Aoi Yuki's "Rezétoile" and the theory of relativity "Summer Solstice." In terms of existing models, Air2 is a type that takes advantage of the ringing of those bells and delivers a hard click, while EST is a type that moderately loosens and delivers with a moist touch.
Basically, the DC also has a moderately hard touch, just like the Air2, which has a common full-range driver side. However, perhaps due to the combination with the electrostatic tweeter, the hardness is subtly softened, resulting in a tone that feels more natural.
The trend in the mid-low range was confirmed with Band Sound's Saori Hayami's "Metro Night" and Club Sound's Robert Glasper Experiment's "Human." Overall, the sharpness of the sound is wonderful, such as the speed of the rise of the sound and the goodness of the sound leaving without leaving any unnecessary reverberations. The power of the in-line double dynamic driver configuration common to Air2 etc. will be great here.
I think that the sharpness of the mid-low range can be felt not only with bass instruments, but also with rap-style vocals, for example. It is also wonderful that the deep bass that sinks into the ultra-low range of the club system is not loosened at all and is tight and deep.
In addition, while EST has a smooth feel to the bass and drums, this DC expresses the roughness and strength with a strong attack and core. It has a more rock-like impression.
And the sound doesn't swell or stay in the air for no reason. With the blank space as the background, you can enjoy a good view of the detailed reverberation of the sound and the processing by the spatial effect.
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Check it out if you like Air2/Titan or EST!
What kind of position will this sound of FitEar DC have for users when lined up with the existing Air2/Titan and EST?
Air2, DC, EST from the left. The thickness of the DC seems to be the largest in the series, but there is no problem with the sense of stability when wearing it! That is FitEar quality
For those who like the sound of the Air2/Titan, DC, which can be said to be a variation that maintains the basics but adds a more natural feel to the high frequency range, will be a really annoying choice. For those who like the sound of EST, the DC, which has a bit of EST-like smoothness but a punchy power that EST doesn't have, is just right when you think about how to use it differently from EST. I wonder.
Of course, it's not just a model that existing FitEar users should check out. The sharp powerfulness unique to the dynamic 2-unit series configuration is especially suitable for today's rock sounds and electric sounds. At the same time, the high-frequency side prepared by the electrostatic tweeter is easy to hear, and the vocals have a straightforward feel.
In other words, this FitEar DC has a high degree of perfection as a modern all-rounder. This is a model that everyone who wants good earphones should consider.
And now that the “FitEar Hybrid Phase 1” has come to an end with a splendid finale by FitEar DC, I can't help but say this line...
Please look forward to Mr. FitEar's next work!
Note) not discontinued