2024-04-28: Simgot EA500LM & DEW4X
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EW200 |
Sub-bass | + | - |
Mid-bass | + | - |
Lower-mids | = | = |
Upper-mids | + | - |
Treble | + | - |
Upper-treble | + | - |
Soundstage | = | = |
Imaging | + | - |
Separation | + | - |
Macro-detail | + | - |
Micro-detail | + | - |
Timbre | = | = |
Bass overall is extremely similar with the LM having a bit better texture and extension. Male vocals are ever so slightly warmer on the LM but otherwise is near identical. Female vocals are warmer on the LM and shoutier as well as a tiny bit more forward on the EW200. Extremely similar treble but peakier and more fatiguing on the EW200 and a little bit brighter. Technicalities are all a bit better on the LM except soundstage and timbre which are very similar. Overall the EA500LM is pretty much a direct and true upgrade over the EW200, although value wise the EW200 is for sure the better value at less than half the price of the EA500LM (40 vs 90 usd)
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EA500 (red nozzle) |
Sub-bass | = | = |
Mid-bass | + | - |
Lower-mids | - | + |
Upper-mids | + | - |
Treble | - | + |
Upper-treble | + | - |
Soundstage | = | = |
Imaging | + | - |
Separation | + | - |
Macro-detail | + | - |
Micro-detail | + | - |
Timbre | + | - |
Mid-bass is a bit more textured and has a bit more quantity on the LM as well as being a bit tighter. Sub-bass rumbles a bit more on the OG with similar extension but punchier on the LM a bit better texture. Male vocals are a bit more forward as well as warmer and more natural on the OG but cleaner on the LM. Female vocals are more forward and brighter on the LM and is cleaner but can be shouty in comparison to the OG. Treble is brighter and airier on the LM but can be a bit much compared to the smoother and warmer OG. Stage is a bit wider on the LM but deeper on the OG, imaging, separation and detail are a bit better on the LM (due to tonality advantage) and timbre is also a bit better on the LM. If you already own the OG, then it is not really worth to have both of them IMO, but if you have neither of them then the LM is the better deal, unless you want something warmer and more balanced.
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EM6L |
Sub-bass | + | - |
Mid-bass | + | - |
Lower-mids | + | - |
Upper-mids | = | = |
Treble | - | + |
Upper-treble | + | - |
Soundstage | + | - |
Imaging | = | = |
Separation | - | + |
Macro-detail | + | - |
Micro-detail | = | = |
Timbre | + | - |
LM has more mid-bass quantity and a lot more texture, while the EM6L is a bit tighter and faster. Sub-bass rumbles a lot more on the LM, extends lower and is more textured while the EM6L barely rumbles in comparison but it is cleaner due to the tightness/speed. LM Male vocals are more forward and has some warmth and is more natural in comparison to the EM6L. Female vocals are kind of similar in quantity but buttery smooth on the EM6L but peakier/dynamic on the LM and can be shouty while the EM6L does not get shouty. Treble is a LOT smoother on the EM6L and somewhat warmer in comparison to the peakier LM which also has better dynamic range and is airier. Stage is deeper in the LM and a bit better macro-detail but better separation in the EM6L and similar micro-detail. Timbre is better on the LM. Overall, they are quite different, the EM6L being the more neutral, smoother and less “fun” compared to the more dynamic, U-shaped and peakier LM. Personally, the LM leans a lot more towards my preferences but the LM treble is exceptionally well done with how smooth it is and still detailed, so if you want something more special then I say the EM6L is the better choice, but otherwise I would go for the LM as it is overall the better iem to me.
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EA1000 (red nozzle + 2x high density foam 4x3mm) |
Sub-bass | = | = |
Mid-bass | - | + |
Lower-mids | + | - |
Upper-mids | + | - |
Treble | - | + |
Upper-treble | + | - |
Soundstage | - | + |
Imaging | + | - |
Separation | = | = |
Macro-detail | + | - |
Micro-detail | = | = |
Timbre | + | - |
Very similar mid-bass but just a bit more textured on the EA1000 although just a bit tighter on the LM. Sub-bass rumbles a bit more on the LM but is a bit more textured on the EA1000 with similar extension. Male vocals are warmer and thicker on the EA1000 but is more natural and cleaner on the LM, similar quantity. Female vocals are similar in quantity but is cleaner and more natural on the LM while it is a bit warmer on the EA1000. Treble on the LM is airier and peakier while it is a bit warmer and smoother on the EA1000, tonality wise I prefer the EA1000 but the timbre is a lot better on the LM and ends up sounding a lot more natural. Stage is slightly bigger in the EA100 but other than that the LM is on par or slightly better in technicalities (tonality advantage) with a lot better timbre than the EA1000. Overall, the only advantage the EA1000 has over the LM would be the bass, other than that the LM is the better iem IMO (and this is compared with the modded EA1000, let alone stock).
Conclusion: The EA500LM is a solid iem, with fantastic timbre and is a fun U-shaped iem. If you do not own any iem from Simgot then this is a good pick, although if you already own the EW200 then you should probably skip this one and go for the EM6L instead for no redundancy and a bigger change. Compared with the OG EA500, this LM version is overall the better iem and also a better iem than the much more expensive EA1000.
Rank: A+
Jcally JA3 - Moondrop Dawn - Simgot DEW4X
Simgot DEW4X: Aluminum build that feels well made in a decently small form factor with a cable that might be a bit too long at around 12cm from tip to tip. Has 2 buttons that control the volume +/- (which is independent from the host it is connected to and with 30 steps which is a bit low) and can switch between high and low gain by pressing both at the same time (with memory, so if you used it on high gain last time, it will still be high gain the next time you use it), with the low gain having a red light and high gain a green light. Heat generation is very low as it is very lukewarm. There are no notification lights on the outside but the lights are visible from the 3.5/4.4mm ports. Measurement wise:
It measures like a CX43131 based dongle should, although ever so slightly less powerful than the Moondrop Dawn (3.5mm) which I measured at 2.062vrms compared to 1.935vrms on the DEW4X on high gain with 3.5mm (the oi difference is negligible). While I cannot measure the 4.4mm, generally it should be 2x more powerful and also 2x higher output impedance than the 3.5, putting it around 3.87vrms and 0.44ohm OI on high-gain and 1.91vrms and 0.46ohm OI on low-gain.
Overall, the 80 usd DEW4X does nothing wrong but nothing stands out for it in the very saturated 50-100 usd dongle market, especially with its relatively low 30 steps volume count (Moondrop Dawn pro has 100 steps) and no play/pause or track control buttons only the volume up/down feature.