Price: 140$ (100$ discounted)
Where to buy: https://amzn.to/2XP0w7t
Specifications:
Driver configuration: 1DD (10mm) + 1BA (Knowles 33518)
Sensitivity: 106 dB
Frequency range: 20-40kHZ
Impedance: 18 Ohms
Thanks to IKKO Audio for providing this review sample.
Unboxing and first impressions
Meteor (codename OH1) is the name of the first IEM by IKKO, a Chinese company founded in 2018 which chose to work on few products by focusing on quality. Obsidian (OH10) is their second IEM, which shares the driver configuration with Meteor, but has different materials, to give a better resonance. I have the revisited version of the OH1, which has a nicer box inspired by some kind of anime (I think) and a different carrying case. The unboxing experience is high quality – similar to the new Tin HiFi products, which reminds me jewelry – and the provided accessories are too. The included ear tips – vocal centered or balanced – are great silicon tips. There’s also a branded metal pin. The cable is good, but not my favorite. I replaced it with a KBEAR 16 core copper cable and I’ve also tried a high-end boutique cable, the Kasai X by Ares Audio. If you think a 450€ cable is senseless on a 150€ earphone, you are right. But I did it anyway.
The provided carrying case is different from the past: now it’s made of real leather and honestly, it’s a premium touch but it’s not so protective. I’d rather a classic hard case which gives some more protection.
The shape of the IEMs is pretty comfortable: it doesn’t enter deep in your ear canal, so you may need to use foams (not included) for a better seal and stability. This model is called Meteor because the shell is similar to a rock. It has a beautiful blue paint and the build quality is unexceptionable.
Sound
My sources: FiiO M7 (standalone; to XDUOO XP-2 via Bluetooth; to XP-2 via line-out; to TOPPING NX4 via line-out), Dodocool DA106 (mainly to XDUOO XP-2 via line-out); Mi MIX 2 to XP-2 (via Bluetooth and USB) and NX4 (USB), to Zorloo ZuperDAC-S, to Audirect Whistle; MacBook Pro 2012 to Focusrite 2i2.
My music: Jon Hopkins, “Singularity”; Billie Eilish, “When do we fall asleep, where do we go?”; Coldplay, “Ghost stories”; Bon Iver (Discography); Jack Garratt, “Phase”; Jamie Cullum, “Taller”; Sia, “Colour the small one”; The Bloody Beetroots & Jet, “The great electronic swindle”; Jacob Collier, “In my room” and “Djesse (Vol.1)”; John Coltrane, “Giant steps”; Lauv, “I met you when I was 18”, Oh Wonder (Discography), Radiohead (Discography), a lot of Mozart, ecc..
My files: MP3, M4A, FLAC, ALAC, few DSDs (Pink Floyd).
OH1 are good. Not perfect. The dual driver hybrid configuration with a dynamic driver and a Knowles balanced armature is something already appreciated in models like the Tin Audio T3. I’m a fan of the RevoNext QT2 which have a similar configuration but with cheaper BA drivers. KZ ZSN also have a dual hybrid configuration, but I digress. What I want to say is that while I’m not convinced at all about single balanced armature IEMs, and I’m totally convinced about single dynamic ones, these simple hybrids surely have something to say. And the OH1 is no exception here.
Bass is really good. The dynamic driver is capable of body and punchiness, which however doesn’t reflect in a bleeding sound. Instead, you get a controlled yet full low range, which extends pretty deeply in the sub-bass area. Mid-bass is not too emphasized, but still prominent. If I had to underline something, I’d say that I prefer more air in the bass – something like the BLON BL-03 low range – and a bit more width. However, this is a very tip-dependent matter, and I’m struggling to find a decent fit with these earphones, unfortunately. I’m now trying COMPLY foams, but still I always get to feel the IEMs falling. I find the bass to be better with foam tips, in general the sound for my ears is more controlled.
While I don’t find the OH1 to be the most linear sounding IEMs ever, I enjoy their midrange because it’s always clear and vocals are able to shine without issues. It’s a bit artificial, though, as I hear some thin and metallic voices which should be fuller and more natural. Instruments are well separated and create a good background, also well distributed in the space. I wouldn’t say they are mid-centered earphones, but, in the end, I think they are one of the more pleasant sets for midrange lovers.
Treble has the right picks to make us perceive a wide soundstage, but some are a bit too emphasized. I’m just a little sad because I didn’t expect sibilance, and there is some here. It is not harsh at all as a high range, but it isn’t gentle with “s” and “t” sometimes. It may sound strange because overall I don’t hear an enhanced treble, it’s more “tamed”. Percussions are enjoyable, vocals are nice. There’s enough air to not feel any congestion. However, I heard clearer sets, for sure. I honestly like a lot the highs, but they are a bit bright and you have to appreciate this kind of tuning.
I just find this set a little boring. I was expecting a fun pair of IEMs, but the stage is not crazy deep (it’s pretty wide, though) and imaging could be more precise. I feel like there’s a place where you can hear the crossover. Okay, here’s the thing: usually brands try to embrace a characteristic and build a product around that. That’s why you can catalog products and label them as “fun”, “balanced”, “neutral”, ecc.. I find it difficult with this IEM by IKKO: they bass is not punchy enough to sound fun, the signature is not linear enough to be labeled as balanced or neutral. I find them reliable: they are like “more-fun-tuned-analytical-earphones”. They are easy to enjoy, don’t get me wrong; they are just difficult to label or to recommend to certain people. It’s easy to appreciate a set like this, that’s what I’m saying. It’s the right compromise. Bassheads can be satisfied, as well as who need more balance. The included ear tips can also enhance some features, like bass or vocals, so you are covered. This is a versatile product. I like that. And that’s the point of it: not the best fit, not the most understandable tuning, but I really don’t have any reasons not to recommend it. It does a lot of things well, and the design is amazing. That’s maybe labelable as jewelry, too.
Comparisons
Tin HiFi T3: while a lot of people really like T3, I still find their previous iteration better: the T2 still is my favorite “T” series IEM. The T3, however, is the only Tin HiFi product which shares a driver configuration with the Meteor. OH1, in my opinion, sound better. It’s true, if you get them full priced they cost twice as the T3, but for 99$ I’d go for the IKKO. Their treble is more refined, the overall high range is way less bleeding and controlled. They are comparable when it comes to mids, and the bass is more bodied on the OH1, but punchier on the T3. Stage and imaging are not so different. T3 are much brighter, for sure.
BGVP DMG: this set is a hybrid too, with a lot of BA drivers, though. I like it, but its bass is too prominent and bleeding and it badly suffers of sibilance. Even though the crossover should be more difficult to handle, I think there’s more coherence and smoothness when it comes to the sound signature of the DMG. The fit is also way better. I wouldn’t blindly choose one or another: if you need a fun set, get the BGVP one; if you need something less fatiguing, with a slightly better detail and a more premium set of accessories, go for IKKO.
YinYoo Topaz: this is one of my favorite sets. It’s a hybrid - with a similar configuration to the DMG - which has a flat tuning. Their bass may be lacking for some, in comparison to the OH1 which are really capable in the low range. However, the balance is impressive and their clarity makes me enjoy everything more. I’d take the Topaz with no doubt. It’s also similar when it comes to design – the IKKO Meteor’s body is smoother while the Topaz one is sharper.
Conclusions
At full price I may not consider this set because the giant steps (hi Coltrane) of the ChiFi world this last period. However, for 99$ the OH1 are impressive: if I had to check all the sound characteristics that needs to be there, they would have almost everyone ticked. Bass, midrange, treble, stage and imaging surely are at least average to me. It’s not common for a set that’s considered cheap in the audiophile world. It wouldn’t be my first choice, because the competition has improved a lot lately, but I’m sure that IKKO itself has already improved with the OH10 Obsidian. The OH1 are really good, they just need some refinement. If they had some longer tips and/or some foams, they would have helped with the fit.
Pros
Accessories
Design
Build quality
Bass
Midrange
Stage
Instrumentation separation
Cons
The carrying case is kind of useless, yet beautiful
Difficult to collocate (fun? Neutral?)
Not the most coherent tuning