Firstly i would like to start by thanking @RikudouGoku for having been kind enough to send me these two earbuds , The Alter Rider 3 and Saber 3.
Also I feel privileged that he deems my opinion worthy and as such it was with enthusiasm that I made this review.
For further information concerning purchasing please note the following links:
https://rikubuds.com/generation-3/
https://www.instagram.com/rikubuds/
Secondly let me say I am no expert when it comes the earbuds, truthfully I don't consider myself an expert in IEMs either, I simply listen , confirm if what I have shoved into my ears pleases my senses and then proceed to express my opinion as best as i can using my musical preferences, my equipment and obviously my ear anatomy!
When it comes to Earbuds the make or brake moniker is very true, as the fit will determine the success or failure of the listening experience.
With regards to this I can say I am lucky, my ears are receptive to earbuds and as such I was able to make a correct judgement concerning the Alter Rider 3 and Saber 3.
The accessories that the earbuds are provided with, are ample and satisfied my needs:
White foams , High density, add warmth/bass
Red foams , Med density, balanced sound
Black foams , Low density, make the sound brighter.
All that's left is to foam roll and see what suits your preferences better.
The cable provided is of good quality even if non detachable and that leads to a 15.4mm driver which is either Titanium diaphragmed in the Alter or LCP in the Saber.
There's also a impedance variance between the two models, Alter is 32ohm and Saber 64ohm.
Now what makes the Alter 3 and Saber 3 special is the Soundsphere technology.
To not overcomplicate , the inside of the 3D printed shell has some baffling, cleverly designed to reduce unwanted resonances, by braking down and or re orienting the sound waves created by the drivers motion.
This has the effect of increasing the clarity with which the drivers play, but also improves imagining and Soundstage.
In my books, this sort of technical prowess sits right along side the wave guide system that Smabat uses, and although both are very unique, I'll give Riku the win, the guy is a small diyer...respect!
The Alter 3 and Saber 3 are exceptional when it comes to tonality, meaning that both are quite versatile in the music genres they can support, although the darker nature and bass richer Alter 3 can make it shine with EDM , Rock, while the Saber 3 will feel at home with Jazz and Classic.
Bass of this duo is of excellent quality while quantity is ample, the Alter 3 sounding a little warmer due to slightly less uppermids and treble energy.
Either way the sub-bass is present but focus remains on mid-bass which is truly exceptional.
Both exhibit very good texture, speed, no noticeable bleed into the mids, just very engaging and well executed bass.
The mids are the star of the show, and with the almost absence of bass bleed , they come across clean, full bodied , providing that typical earbud musicality.
The Alter 3 is a smidge darker while the Saber 3 a little brighter, but whichever one you choose , vocals are always simply amazing.
The highs complement the mids , by offering the right energy, minimal sibilance and no harshness.
Instruments have a natural sound to them, with everything just being very musicaly correct.
Worth mentioning that the Saber 3 with its extra amount of treble can edge out slightly the Alter 3 when it comes to detail retrieval and that sense of Air.
Technicalities are another area which impressed me.
Soundstage is as expected from earbuds, large, more on the Saber than in the Alter Rider , although the difference to my ears seems to be more in the height.
Imaging on either one is again good , most tracks being easily resolved and broken down, even when complex.
But for me the technicality that stands out is how good timbre and tonality are.
They just sound so organic and real that it definitely makes them stand out.
Comparisons where made with some of my favourite earbuds, KSEarphones LBBS, Smabat M4 + Super One Module , VE Asura 3.0FE, Dunu Alpha 3, among a few others.
All have their magic, some being a true earbud representation, Asura, while others give me some IEM vibes, Smabat.
The Rikubuds are in my opinion and considering my personal taste an almost perfect pair of earbuds, the Alter gives me the Bass and warmth I like , the Saber the vocals and openne
ss I appreciate, both bring a huge smile to my face!
Also I feel privileged that he deems my opinion worthy and as such it was with enthusiasm that I made this review.
For further information concerning purchasing please note the following links:
https://rikubuds.com/generation-3/
https://www.instagram.com/rikubuds/
Secondly let me say I am no expert when it comes the earbuds, truthfully I don't consider myself an expert in IEMs either, I simply listen , confirm if what I have shoved into my ears pleases my senses and then proceed to express my opinion as best as i can using my musical preferences, my equipment and obviously my ear anatomy!
When it comes to Earbuds the make or brake moniker is very true, as the fit will determine the success or failure of the listening experience.
With regards to this I can say I am lucky, my ears are receptive to earbuds and as such I was able to make a correct judgement concerning the Alter Rider 3 and Saber 3.
The accessories that the earbuds are provided with, are ample and satisfied my needs:
White foams , High density, add warmth/bass
Red foams , Med density, balanced sound
Black foams , Low density, make the sound brighter.
All that's left is to foam roll and see what suits your preferences better.
The cable provided is of good quality even if non detachable and that leads to a 15.4mm driver which is either Titanium diaphragmed in the Alter or LCP in the Saber.
There's also a impedance variance between the two models, Alter is 32ohm and Saber 64ohm.
Now what makes the Alter 3 and Saber 3 special is the Soundsphere technology.
To not overcomplicate , the inside of the 3D printed shell has some baffling, cleverly designed to reduce unwanted resonances, by braking down and or re orienting the sound waves created by the drivers motion.
This has the effect of increasing the clarity with which the drivers play, but also improves imagining and Soundstage.
In my books, this sort of technical prowess sits right along side the wave guide system that Smabat uses, and although both are very unique, I'll give Riku the win, the guy is a small diyer...respect!
The Alter 3 and Saber 3 are exceptional when it comes to tonality, meaning that both are quite versatile in the music genres they can support, although the darker nature and bass richer Alter 3 can make it shine with EDM , Rock, while the Saber 3 will feel at home with Jazz and Classic.
Bass of this duo is of excellent quality while quantity is ample, the Alter 3 sounding a little warmer due to slightly less uppermids and treble energy.
Either way the sub-bass is present but focus remains on mid-bass which is truly exceptional.
Both exhibit very good texture, speed, no noticeable bleed into the mids, just very engaging and well executed bass.
The mids are the star of the show, and with the almost absence of bass bleed , they come across clean, full bodied , providing that typical earbud musicality.
The Alter 3 is a smidge darker while the Saber 3 a little brighter, but whichever one you choose , vocals are always simply amazing.
The highs complement the mids , by offering the right energy, minimal sibilance and no harshness.
Instruments have a natural sound to them, with everything just being very musicaly correct.
Worth mentioning that the Saber 3 with its extra amount of treble can edge out slightly the Alter 3 when it comes to detail retrieval and that sense of Air.
Technicalities are another area which impressed me.
Soundstage is as expected from earbuds, large, more on the Saber than in the Alter Rider , although the difference to my ears seems to be more in the height.
Imaging on either one is again good , most tracks being easily resolved and broken down, even when complex.
But for me the technicality that stands out is how good timbre and tonality are.
They just sound so organic and real that it definitely makes them stand out.
Comparisons where made with some of my favourite earbuds, KSEarphones LBBS, Smabat M4 + Super One Module , VE Asura 3.0FE, Dunu Alpha 3, among a few others.
All have their magic, some being a true earbud representation, Asura, while others give me some IEM vibes, Smabat.
The Rikubuds are in my opinion and considering my personal taste an almost perfect pair of earbuds, the Alter gives me the Bass and warmth I like , the Saber the vocals and openne
ss I appreciate, both bring a huge smile to my face!
