This IEM is fascinating because I heard Tago's closed back, which is one I really liked when I had it! I no longer anymore. But the Tago iems are a funky one because when measured, they look wild, but I have heard those who listened to it really enjoyed! I hope to give it a go some time.
After a very brief conversation with @Charlyro222, I decided to give this one a whirl myself. Ordered from Amazon JP and it was on my doorstep within 72hours thanks to DHL! Information on this one was/is pretty thin on the internet...in English, at least. I found one Indonesian reviewer on Youtuber who enjoyed the set and praised its broad stage but admitted the thick tonality might impact enjoyment, especially for female vocal lovers. Their website claims they searched for 'the ultimate natural sound in a portable format'. While it's not entirely natural to my ears, it's most definitely enjoyable. First, the fit, it's a pretty broad IEM with a short and stubby nozzle so I need longer and grippier to get the fit right. They are also on the heavier side, sporting a part-metal shell. The cable is a 3.5mm recessed MMCX with a flimsy cable. I'm hoping to get a replacement made if the stars align...but yes, buyers have to bear this in mind.
As for the tonality, it's coloured quite heavily with a very expressive mid bass quantity that infuses an organic and thicker note that makes double bass strings 'wobble' and the resonance palpable. The bass has bloom and a slower decay. On the other side of the FR there's some semblance of air but it's what I would consider a 'close' atmosphere around the notes. Thankfully the atmosphere isn't absolutely stifled by the drop at the top with space/edges still audible.
The real star here is the midrange, vocals and instruments are eminently forward in the mix. There's a boost at about 1.5kHz that lifts vocal work close to the ear. It flatters male and female vocals with body being the focus over breath. I don't find female vocals 'too thick', they're just not wispy and I think that's what most sets tend to go for that end up gaining traction. The forward midrange could be quite overwhelming if it were not for the Tago's very good lateral stage width and wide center stage for the asking price. Vocals are very much within the head but elements of the track sit broadly around this in an oval shape with very good layering.
And now for the make or break for most people...the major colouration to the midrange is the subdued 3-6kHz. This means a loss of some string bite and presence gives the tonality a softer glow. It's not 'smeared' but it is definitely a romanticised version of reality (and perfect for vocal jazz, imo). On the other hand, this does mean that this set will never fatigue with 'shout'; even as I lift the volume way past my usual listening levels, it's very difficult to get that sensation where I would normally feel it for certain regions of the FR. The 8kHz peak on the graphs we have isn't anywhere near as egregious at it looks. I don't have any issue with sibilance here, nor does anything sound overly sharp. There's just enough heat there to keep things interesting considering the softer upper midrange and I wouldn't change this area at all. Resolution is still plenty sufficient to pick out much of the nuances of vocal and instrumental music.
There has been some very purposeful choices with the tuning of this IEM and ones that are not common place. It's going for a thick, warm and detailed sound that is happily removed from reference. At this stage I feel the strongest appeal is as a very well executed warm vocal specialist with some legitimate instrumental remit. However, if you're looking for instrumental accuracy, I would look elsewhere. There is significant deviation here for strings. Previously, I've preferred that accuracy but there is always an element of fatigue that comes with that upper midrange activity over longer periods and at the louder volumes that I tend to listen. There is no fatigue in sight for me with the Tago and these are very much tuned for ultralong listening. Sitting down this evening with the T3-02 is like coming back into my living room after a ramble in the cold and wet British weather. It's just super comforting.
I'm reminded of the Oriolus Isabellae. That convincing DD timbre with a full note. If Isa was the Yang, the T3-02 would be the Yin. They are cut from the same cloth despite handling the upper midrange very differently. I am also reminded of my favourite earbud the Asura Pure White Shining. A set that could be considered tonally 'unbalanced' and even so, when vocals and instruments are offered through that lens to which no reference curve aligns, it all sounds beautiful to me. This is the same with the T3-02. Brave decisions may upset some but they have the potential to bring a beaming smile to others. Thank you Tago Studios for making some brave decisions and taking a different route to get somewhere special, somewhere luxuriously rich and enjoyable.
