Tansio Mirai X

Why is it guilty pleasures become even more fun when we share them?

If you've been reading my reviews awhile you'll know I've discussed bass as one of those things many audiophiles love to pretend they only enjoy in moderate doses... yet secretly can't get enough of.

This goes back to the old days when earphones were often either bassy & fun, or lean & technical. So if you wanted big bass you had to give up niceties like resolution, imaging & soundstage for it.

Times've changed, now we're so spoiled we expect monstrous bass and superb technical performance.

Which is exactly what the TSMR X IEMs I was sent in exchange for my opinion supposedly deliver - massive gobs of thunderous bass, without compromising anything else.

So do they? If you're as guilty for bass as I am then get cozy while I share what I've learned...

Packaging​

The USD $399 TSMR X are delivered in a flash looking box with 10th Anniversary embossed in gold lettering, and inside is a similarly stylish leather case that's rather small but feels quite nice.

There's also two sets of silicone eartips in three sizes, an IEM cleaning tool, a leather cable holder along with two small metal tools you can use to flip X's set of tuning switches.

The 2 wire stock cable is very attention grabbing, and is terminated in your choice of 4.4, 3.5 or 2.5mm plug. It doesn’t tangle easily but isn’t as supple as thinner 4 wire stock cables, but is unobtrusive to use.

Ergonomics​

The Xs 3D-printed resin shells are on the larger side and stick out a fair bit. Not only are they vented, but also come with removable modules reminiscent of the 64Audio & FiR Audio venting systems. Sadly replacement modules offering differing isolation levels aren't available, or haven't been released yet.

I find the X shells very ergonomic & comfortable, and their size helps block an above-average amount of background noise. The nozzles are quite short, which may be an issue if you have smaller ears.

The Xs also come with three tuning switches per side, which I'll discuss later.

Sound Impressions​

I used a Luxury & Precision P6 Pro set to hi-gain mode at 8/60 volume to evaluate the Xs, as I listen at lower volumes. This is the Tidal playlist of tracks I use to evaluate IEMs.

The Xs boast 2x 8mm DDs for bass, 2x Knowles BAs for midrange and 2x Sonion BAs for treble and a "custom film retarding driver" for 'full frequency effect'. The Xs are very bass dominant and slightly v-shaped with impressive technical performance & three switches to tune bass to your taste.



Bass

Impressive as the Xs' other areas are, bass is no doubt their standout attribute. Even with the switches in default positions, bass reverberates spectacularly with overwhelming quantity & superb texture.

Those twin-DDs really pound out bass notes with aplomb, and better yet sub bass is emphasised over midbass which is definitely my preference. Sure the midrange is overshadowed to some degree, but with bass-heavy genres like EDM you'll probably enjoy the bass way too much to care.

Bass texture is really meaty with tons of rumble, which is an area IEMs using single-DDs for bass have often satisfied me more than those with double-DDs, but the Xs are a notable exception!





Midrange

I've been pleasantly surprised by the Xs' midrange. Despite this being their weakest area in terms of both quantity & quality of reproduction, Xs vocals are delivered with satisfying articulation & presence.

They're set back slightly to help generate the feeling of a larger stage, but are definitely not recessed. Nor do they particularly suffer from poor tonality like those of many IEMs using BAs in this area, though I wouldn't quote tonality as a strength either.

What helps is the balance between the lower & upper midrange is delicately poised, lacking the thickness of an IEM like the Quattros, yet avoiding the whispy upper-midrange focus of Harman-tuned IEMs.



Treble

I labeled the Xs as v-shaped earlier which is how I hear them, but despite being quite prominent treble is rarely excessive. Cymbals and the like come through distinctly, without being overly distracting.

As to the treble quality, it feels a small step down from expensive IEMs with EST drivers but about as good as you can expect under $500 from IEMs lacking huge numbers of BA drivers. I don't mind living with little more treble than I'd prefer if the quality is agreeable, which is the case here.

Do bear in mind a lot of the extra treble seems to originate from the stock cable, so swapping it out for a copper alternative can dull this area if you're very treble sensitive.

Technical Performance​

The Xs are exceptional technical performers under $500 - particularly impressive given their enormous bass quantity, and that tonality hasn't been sacrificed to achieve it.

To begin with they're very dynamic, not the most dynamic IEM I've heard at this price (that'd be the Neo5s) but not far off either. Resolution is very good, particularly on tracks where that massive bass isn't clouding the midrange. Sadly that also prevents imaging being top notch, but it's quite solid.

They're also very cohesive by hybrid standards, though the bass sometimes feels like it's lagging a little purely because there's so much of it - forgivable when bass texture is so satisfying I think.

Oh, and the soundstage. By the standards of IEMs under $500 it's massive, especially width which is seriously impressive but even depth is very good. Overall I'm very pleased with the Xs' technical chops.

Tuning Switches​

The Xs feature three switches per side, which essentially allow you to control bass output.

Going from left to right, each switch triggers a higher level of bass quantity and flipping ON more than two at once simply triggers whichever setting is highest. So you'd flip Switch 1 to ON for max bass, or turn them all OFF for the most anaemic sound possible.

Switches in the stock position (shown above) activates the second-highest level of bass output which is very bassy, already overshadowing the midrange. Going to the max bass setting things get pretty crazy, enough bass to give me a headache - which admittedly will excite some of my basshead friends.

With all settings OFF nearly all bass is gone, which may work for classical music for maximum clarity.

IEM Comparisons​

I compared the Xs to other IEMs using a Luxury & Precision P6 Pro set to hi-gain at 8/60 volume.



TSMR Feat – 2xDD 2xBA (USD $239)



The Feats are a bit less aggressive than the Xs being slightly less v-shaped, with a thinner midrange containing less lower midrange warmth. X are slightly brighter & more resolving with higher quality treble, and bass is also deeper & more impactful.

Bass on the Feats emphasises midbass more and can feel pillowy at times, but they do sound smoother and I prefer their tonality over the Xs.

However the Xs are better technical performers with superior dynamics, a slightly deeper stage, and better instrument separation.



ISN Neo5 – 4xBA 1xDD (USD $289)



The Neo5s use a single DD for bass which is more sluggish than the 2DDs of the Xs. The Neo5s can't keep up with fast music quite as well, but their bass decay is a bit slower & more satisfying.

The Neo5s have marginally higher bass quantity (both reaching basshead levels) but it isn't as integrated as seamlessly into the rest of the presentation, perhaps due to coherency with the slower DD.

However the Neo5s emphasise the lower midrange more and I find their tonality & midrange in general more satisfying. They're also brighter but can be more fatiguing as a result, where X are a little smoother.

Do bear in mind both IEMs are fairly v-shaped and actually sound quite similar, but I find the Neo5s more dynamic, raw and engaging, but less coherent. The Xs have a deeper stage with a blacker background & sharper imaging and feel a bit more polished overall, and slightly more resolving.



Penon Quattro – 4xDD (USD $399)



The Quattros are quite different from the Xs, much darker with a more natural tonality that's considerably warmer & earthier. They sound slower with superior note weight, and are less fatiguing.

By contrast the Xs have a more 'hi-fi' sound with higher quality treble that's more prevalent, greater resolution and a more precise sound with a deeper stage, and Xs bass goes deeper with better texture.

The Quattros' strength is their phenomenal tonality, exposing how unnatural BA drivers can sound by comparison. I would value that ahead of the Xs superior technical performance with genres that use a lot of natural instruments, for others like EDM or fast pop music the Xs probably come out ahead for me.



ISN EST50 – 2xBA 1xDD 2xEST (USD $449)



Like the Neo5s, the EST50s are another v-shaped IEM with elevated levels of bass. Unfortunately their single-DD is even slower than the one in the Neo5s, which results in coherency issues.

As a result the EST50s can feel congested keeping up with fast music, and even their bass texture is mushier so they can feel sloppier by comparison.

The EST50s have a more forward midrange, and thanks to those EST drivers their treble does feel a bit smoother & more refined.

Whereas the Xs are slightly bassier and a little more v-shaped, but also more precise with a far deeper stage and better dynamics & instrument separation.

Cable Comparisons​

I tested the Xs with a number of aftermarket cables to gauge how effectively they scale.



NiceHCK DragonScale (USD $157)



This pairing is a mixed bag. On the one hand bass is slightly deeper and imaging feels a little bit cleaner, but although the stage seems a little deeper it's also slightly narrower and dynamics are poorer.

The stock cable's brightness is reduced, but I don't care for the tonality of this pairing as it feels muffled.



Effect Audio Ares S 4 Wire (USD $179)



Ares S makes midbass feel a little more prominent, the stage deepens slightly, and imaging is a sharper.

The tonality is bit smoother & warmer with some of the brightness of the stock cable removed. It's a satisfying pairing without being amazing.



Penon Renata (USD $269)



Renata produces a much deeper three-dimensional stage, with sharper imaging, a blacker background & slightly higher resolution.

Tonality is less bright than the stock cable, I mostly notice Renata resolving details more effortlessly in this impressive pairing.



12 Wire Penon ASOS Prototype (TBD)



Penon were kind enough to send me this huge, 71 gram hand-braided prototype 12W version of the 8W ASOS+ cable I reviewed, and I believe are considering selling a commercial version in future.

This cable performs on a completely different level. Bass goes much deeper, the stage is massively wider & deeper, dynamics are much improved, resolution is appreciably higher and the background is blacker.

Even treble is smoother than the stock cable despite more detail coming through. It makes the Xs sound similar to TOTL IEMs, with perhaps the most impressive bass, staging & resolution improvements of any cable I've heard under $1000.

The cable is very heavy, but quite flexible and I find it practical to use. I really hope Penon sell them.

Conclusion​

The TSMR Xs are a basshead's delight that are equally impressive on the technical front.

Years ago you had to spend thousands for really bassy IEMs deft enough to handle a multitude of genres, so at $399 I can't help but marvel how far the hobby's come - it's getting harder to justify spending more.

Nitpicks? They're a bit v-shaped so treble may be an issue at higher volumes, which the stock cable won't help as I find it fairly bright. The tuning switches I could live without too as stock bass levels are the most satisfying for me, and it's a shame there's no swappable modules for those isolation ports.

Oh, and the resin shell nozzles are fairly short which could be an issue if you have smallish ears.

Overall though, it's tough to complain when you're getting genuinely impressive technical performance along with a mountain of bass for under $500. EDM fans will be right at home with these.

The great thing about earphones like this is how much unnecessary basshead guilt they alleviate, since we no longer have to compromise on anything else for bass we can feel.

Intro:
I got this IEM on loan from the Indonesian tour which was sent from the BTM Store.

When the iem arrived to me it was in incomplete packaging, because I was only sent the case and the iem without any tips. The cable used in the iem is a Jack 4.4 cable with good and thick material.
The housing material is considered solid with materials that feel premium. It feels expensive when you hold it.

As for the fitting itself, I think it's quite comfortable, although I have to adjust it first before fitting it to my ear.
Because when it was sent to me there were no tips, so I used Divinus Velvet tips.

This IEM is relatively light to use using a weak source. This IEM is a multi driver hybrid IEM with a 2dd+4ba+1 custom film configuration.
With this 7 driver configuration, we also add the option of 3 switches which makes it easy for us to change the sound. Switches that we can set for example:
100: The bass is boomy and tends to have a warm vshape sound character. Enter for bassheads
010: Tends to balance with a mild vs warm sound direction
001: Tends to be a bit warm with a focus on the treble. Even though the focus is on treble, it's still not enough for trebleheads

This combination of switches can be further tweaked, for example like switch 011 which makes the sound bassy but also ringy. In this review I used a balanced 010 switch.

What's a more complete impression of the sound? Check it out...

Bass:
This IEM has a mild, warm sound direction with a focus on really deep sub bass. The bass quantity feels a bit big. The quality that is highlighted in this IEM is in the sub bass which has rumbling vibrations and a steady texture from the combination of the custom film and DD drivers. These subwoofer flavors make a magnificent impression in the sound presentation.

The mid bass isn't as big as the sub bass, but it still has good quality and texture. Yes, although for people who are fans of mid bass, it definitely feels like the bass lacks impact. It feels like it's holding up with the big sub bass.

The sub bass decay feels long, but the control is still quite good at fast speeds. Even though it's a bit bleak on other instruments, fortunately it only feels like this in songs that have a rich combination of sub bass and bass, like the Abyss-Yungblud song. If it's for pop, rock and top 40 songs, it's still safe.
Overall, the bass presentation helps make this Mirai X feel fun and musical.

Mid:
The mid position feels behind the bass. The weight is thick with equal male and female vocal positions. The uppermid is slightly boosted to make the vocals seem clearer and looser. So the vocal presentation can be clear and sweet with a smooth sensation.
Sibilance and peaks feel minimal here.

But unfortunately the vocals feel a bit less swinging, so it feels like it lacks emotion and fun. But I can understand this because this IEM really focuses more on bass quality.
As for the timbre in the mid, because it uses a good BA driver, it feels natural and not too plasticky. When I listen to acoustic guitar, piano, etc., it feels like the weight and timbre are right.
Even my Juzear 41t feels a bit plasticky after listening to Mirai x, because the BA presentation is so natural.

Treble:
The treble of the Mirai X tends to be laid back, smooth and relaxed in presentation. The cymbal ring feels a bit thin in weight, with pretty good extension even though the ends roll off a bit.
The aggressive impression of the cymbal hits is a bit lacking for trebleheads, but for other people it feels right. Peaks and grainy are also safe in this treble with a quite natural timbre from the good BA driver. The plasticky impression in the treble is only felt in songs where the treble is dominant and aggressive.

Technical:
One of the things that Mirai X stands for is its good technical skills. The stage is quite wide even though it is not a wide stage.
The stage presentation relies more on balance. So it feels like the width, depth and height of the stage are the same.
Make precision instrument imaging and get a 3D impression

The detail, resolution and micro details are really great. In my opinion, it is at the same level as Blessing 3 and slightly above S15, MP145, Wind, and P1 Max 2. The clarity is also quite clear. So it makes the musicality of Mirai X even better.

The transient speed is fast even though the bass is a bit big. It's still suitable for metal songs that are a bit heavy, although it will feel lacking in rock songs that rely on sub bass, because the sub bass is a bit long.

Actually the sound layering is good, but unfortunately the separation is a bit lacking in my opinion in songs that are busy with loud sub bass and mid bass booms like the song Abyss - Yungblud. But in songs that don't have dominant bass that responds, the separation is good.

Outro:
I can say that the Tansio Mirai
The price is affordable (around 400), it can be used as an option for straight end games for fans of warm IEMs that can go all around, or for non basshead maniac

The flexibility in the switch function which is not a gimmick is also interesting to try. There is no ivory that doesn't crack, and so does Tansio Mirai x.
The vocals are a bit less swinging and the separation is less separable in bass-dominant songs, which can also be taken into consideration for those who want to buy this IEM.

Intro


This TSMR - X immersed me to sonic bliss for almost 2 weeks now. This is the first time I audition a 400$+ IEM it is different from the budget-fi experience I can simply say this TSMR - X is one that I want to keep as reference IEM. One thing is to take note is the tuning switches which customized the IEM in 3 different personalities.


Disclaimer


I would like to thank bhai Sandeep Agarwal for loaning this incredible gear for me. My opinions are unbiased, and I haven't been influenced or instructed to praise these IEMs. Every detail in this review is actual experience made by listening for hours everyday.



Specification


Driver: 2 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 1 x custom film retarding driver

Material: 3D printing high quality resin shells.

Frequency response: 5-30kHz

Impedance: 10Ω

Sensitivity: 103dB

Connector:2pin 0.78mm

Cable: SPC OCC Cable 4.4mm Balanced

Cable Length:1.2m





Build and Comfort


The build is sturdy made in crystal green resin it gives a more premium feel. Its unique design in the faceplate makes me always amazed whenever I see it. It is also comfortable enough without discomfort in long listening session.





Sound Aspects


Source used :


Realme 9 Pro

Kiwiears Allegro

Ibasso DC04 Pro


This iems spend 7 days with me before taking details of this review

The TSMR X is a Balanced set in my taste. With Deep, full, visceral, well textured bass (Reference grade), nicely smooth and tranparent midrange, great treble response without the sign of fatiguing. I'm really enjoying this set.

To take note

I haven't touch the tuning switches. The tuning 020 is enough for me to evaluate this gear.






PENON Lacquer Orange

This is my favorite tips as of now. It adds bass and warmth to my gears without compromising the clarity.

PENON Lacquer Black

It adds treble energy ,clearer vocals and great resolution without reducing the bass quality.



Bass


The bass is the specialty of TSMR X. It shows clean, full and realistic bass response with enough impact. It's satisfying rumbles makes me wanting more when I'm listening to some EDM music it got my taste in every impact it leaves a trail in the presentation. I never heard an IEM as good as this. This is definitely a reference grade.


Mids


The mids is smooth, airy and transparent, the male vocals sounded a little lacking in texture. I prefer female vocals here it does sound fuller and richer compared to male vocals. The midrange instruments are lush , clear and detailed the strums of guitar is tastefully done. The realistic timbre of instruments here is addicting imo.


Treble


It is exceptionally refined In a sense it has enough sparkle, air and extension without sounding harsh or sibilant. One more thing impressed me is the treble good note weight it provides enough energy and shimmer to the presentation to become engaging enough to enjoy the music.


Technicalities


The soundstage, layering and separation I can't flaws here tbh. It is exceptionally good to portrait the music. Soundstage is wide and spacious. Layering and separation is good you can easily pinpoint where the instruments is placed in the stage without feel congested itt makes a clear picture of the presentation.





Conclusion


This TSMR X gives me chills everytime I play my entire music library it is definitely an all rounder. Its realistic timbre across the presentation is one thing to take note it gives you pure bliss you didn't noticed the time 5 hrs had passed because how good it is. If I have the chance to purchase one I will do it without hesitation. This is a Must Buy.