I had the opportunity - how could I pass it up - to audition in good conditions (along with
@lafeuill) PMG Audio first IEM, the APX
Thanks to
@gmfg1 for this
(Note that the shape fo the shell might not be for everyone... @lafeuill struggled a bit with it. YMMV)
APX is summed up this way on PMG Audio's website :
"PMG Audio’s Apx (read Apex) is a culmination of all of our experience in designing, tuning and building In-Ear Monitors. It is our answer to the question of an ultimate product if there are no constraints or limitations in design or technology and price is no object."
Let me say as a long standing Custom Art (happy) customer I had high expectations for
@piotrus-g latest creation and first foray into somewhat of a SummitFi segment for IEMs. This is a ultra limited edition since there will only be 25 of those... I am betting it's just a first and somewhat of a test run
I can only hope custom IEMs will also be part of PMG Audio furture lineup.
For those who are not familiar, here are the specs :
SPEC AND PACKAGING
- 11 Drivers - 1x Rectangular Planar, 1x 10mm DD, 8xBA, 1x Round Planar (all drivers are custom built to PMG Audio's spec)
- True 7-way passive crossover
- Flat Impedance technology
- Imp 5 Ohm ±1 Ohm
- SPL 107dB @1kHz
- Response 3Hz-20kHz
"Apx has been equipped with all custom-spec drivers, coupled with in-house developed technologies which place this IEM at the forefront of the audio reproduction. Unique rectangular Planar Speaker in combination with 10mm PEEK diaphragm Dynamic Driver renders the most realistic bass response with perceivable vibrations without relying on overpressurizing of ear canal or bone conduction transducers. 8 custom-designed Balanced Armatures support lower-midrange, midrange, upper-midrange, and high frequencies. Topped with a small round planar speaker for natural-sounding, extended highs."
But enough rambling, how do the APX sound?
I listened out of N30 varying modes (A/AB, Tube on off both classic and modern settings).
APX is not hard to drive I only needed low gain but requires to push the volume a bit, I am running 10 clicks above most my IEMs except for Elysium which itselft runs 10 clicks above.
Upon first listen :
- I clearly felt at home with the tuning which builds upon past Custom Art creation such as FIBAE7 or more recently the DD/BA/Planar of the FIBAE5. APX builds upon the hybrid DD/BA/Planar of the FIBAE5 but with a more complex 7 way, 11 drivers array featuring a unique custom built "never done before" round planar for treble.
- it's very clear APX is a clear step up in technicalities compared to Custom Art lineups, while retaining the musicality and engaging nature we all love Custom Art for
APX is a balanced and very mature tuning, clearly the product of years of experience and refining :
- bass is the best I have heard of any of Piotr's products. It's a very nimble bass with excellent mid bass slam but it's also a textured and rich bass presentation that conveys a lot of nuances (highly engaging with percussions). It's not up there with my RN6 and its kinetic bass in terms of bass quantity but it's more of a fun leaning towards accurate bass presence that is just as good.
- mids strike a balance, not full bodied per say but with plenty of substance and note weight while offering superb separation for a very articulate presentation of complex tracks. It also reaches a great balance between the required bite to be exciting and the smooth and liquid presentation that I find so engaging. It's really hard to describe when everything sounds just right, the tonal balance is spot on to my ears and timbre are superb.
- treble is where APX enters the big boys category and APX is clearly several notch up. APX has excellent extension and resolution which is up there with the best. The upper treble presence and performance brings air and resolution that makes everything better across the range. APX is impressive in how it managed to have a very natural presentation : lower treble is spot on in terms of energy providing the excitement I expect in piano notes and good weight as well and upper treble definitely is airy but with a naturalness that makes for a sense of realism and a refinement that is the hallmark of top of the line offerings.
Now, while it's helpful to slice things up, there is something to be said for
coherency and APX is
very impressive in that respect. This is the art of tuning, and some IEMs are impressive but not engaging or fail to make it about the music less than the technical performance... not so with APX : quite the contrary, it's such an engaging IEM you forget about it and time just flies by without you noticing. Anytime this happens to me, I know we have a keeper!
APX is definitely a compelling proposition and I have no doubt the future PMG lineup will be something everyone should keep tabs on.
In the meantime, the lucky 25 who can afford to get an APX won't be disappointed : it's up there with the best no doubt!
).
