AudioSense T180 Review

Price: 40$

Where to buy: https://aliexpi.com/wigv

Specifications:

• Impedance: 24 Ohms

• Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW

• Frequency response: 20-20k Hz

• Noise reduction: 30 dB

• Driver: Knowles RAF-32873 (1 per side)

Many thanks to AudioSense for providing this review sample.

Unboxing and first impressions

My first AudioSense product was their TOTL: the 8 balanced armatures T800 (review here). That unboxing experience was overkill, but this one is nothing less impressive. In fact, for the ridiculous price of 40$ you get a really nice packaging: a carrying case hosts the cable – I got both the 16 core upgrade cables from them so I don’t have the stock one you get if you buy them alone; however, my T800 come from the first batch with that same cable, so I have one anyway -, and the ear tips. Two of them are already on the nozzle of the IEMs, which are placed on a hard foam. One of these tips was broken when I took it out. I got no foam tips, while the retail package should have a pair – remember mine is a review sample, so it may vary. The shape of the buds is identical to the ADVANCED Model 3, which I don’t know how different it may be from the Shure SE215. That shape is wonderful: the fit you can get is amazing even with small ears, and the isolation with the right tips becomes unbelievable. I have a pair of red Comply foam tips which are perfect even for a color match with the T180, and provide an unmatched seal. And I can even sleep wearing them, because they don’t protrude at all from the ears. A Knowles BA is all you get inside the shell: a strange choice, because it’s difficult to get a decent sound with this driver configuration. Brainwavz KOEL – which I reviewed well – actually never reached my ears again after the review (apart from the time I understood they were defective). The FiiO FA1 are fair but nothing more, and their shell is senselessly big. Well, we’ll talk about some comparisons after the sound impressions. A little excursus about the drivers: a pair of RAF-32873 by Knowles costs alone 11$. That means that you pay 30$ for the shell, the cable, the tips, the case and the packaging. I believe they have a paltry gain by selling these IEMs. Because they even sound good. I used them with their copper upgrade cable (non-affiliate link: https://aliexpi.com/6pxT).

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).

I didn’t love the T180, at first. I’m a supporter of flat tuned earphones, I love the ADVANCED M4 for ever. However, the T180 were kind of disappointing because of their lack of life. A single balanced armature is not as capable as a single dynamic driver, I’m pretty sure about that after trying some single BAs. These clearly are flat IEMs, as neutral as possible, and now I learned how to appreciate them. They are not really extended in the sub-bass nor in the treble region; the spectrum they cover, however, is really well reproduced: I hear no emphasis anywhere. That’s the reason I miss some vividness, but that’s also why those are perfect for music production. They may be considered something similar to the Yamaha NS10, not because they sound horrible but due to their limited frequency response. Bass is mainly focused on the mid side, with a fair presence, considered the driver configuration. You can’t expect too much, though. These are monitors for stage use on a budget and neutrality lovers – also on a budget – and a fat bass is not a prerogative for none of them. Midrange is okay, a bit thin for my taste, but fairly well separated and surprisingly clear and airy for a single BA. Vocals sound nice, even if I get a timbre which is kind of artificial – but that’s an aspect of BA earphones which regards even thousands of dollars products. Treble is as enjoyable as the rest: not picky nor rolled off, but neither extremely extended. It is detailed and clear, on a brighter side. Soundstage is average in width, and not very deep. Imaging is precise, so in the end you get a pretty decent tool to monitor. I honestly don’t believe this set is the best choice if you want to enjoy your music as a listener, but as a creator you may find it really accurate and perfect even as a primary tool. Not to mention how convenient it is for isolating you from external noises: the low-key fit and the passive noise cancelling you can achieve with the T180 make them perfect for sleeping – though I wouldn’t recommend sleeping with a cord near your neck.

Comparisons (kind of)

Now this is the time to say an important thing. I did try 4 sets of single balanced armature earphones, as I’ve previously said: these T180 by AudioSense, the KBEAR F1, the BRAINWAVZ KOEL and the FiiO FA1. The KOEL are bad. Even if I released a good review, I will change it because I have totally mistaken in their judgement. The F1 have QC issues and even though they are a nice product overall, they don’t feel solid enough to recommend them. The FA1 are salvageable (really well built and with a lot of accessories), but too big for that kind of driver configuration. The T180 in the end are the best set of this kind that I’ve tried, for fit and sound quality. Also, they are very cheap. I like them, even though I don’t find myself using them so much – it’s true that I have dozens of IEMs, but some are on my ears more often than others.

Conclusions

I’ve been critical about this set, because I read a lot of reviews praising this product as amazing. It is a good product and it has very few cons, it’s true. And all things considered, it is a solid product, with the only real disadvantage of being limited in sub-bass and higher treble because of its driver configuration. Mounting a single BA is usually not a wise choice. But they nailed it. As a music creator, I can recommend them without too much hesitation. So far, AudioSense has been an incredible brand.

The right compromise: IKKO Meteor OH1 Review

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

TOPPING NX4 Review

Price: 159.99$

Where to buy: https://apos.audio/collections/headphone-amps-preamps/products/topping-nx4-dsd-dac-amp?sca_ref=18623.xANORz4mHs

Specifications: well they are so many that I suggest going visiting their website. The DAC is the Sabre ES9038Q2M, though.

Thanks to Apos Audio for providing this review sample. They are a great team with a nice customer support and an amazing warranty service (24 months). Also, they sell fantastic products and they usually guarantee the best prices available. And they ship lightning fast, believe me.

Unboxing and first impressions

First thing: the rationality. This box is as big as it needs to be. It’s black (and you know how we love that), it’s elegant, it’s minimal. No information on the box but a Hi-Res sticker. Inside of it, there’s the main character, the NX4, as well as its accessories: a set of cables (Micro USB – Micro USB, Micro USB – USB Type C, Micro USB – USB Type A, jack to jack), two rubber bands to stack it, some pieces of Velcro and an anti-slip piece of rubber which reminds me of the XDUOO XP-2 one. To be honest, this product is somehow similar to that one, and the accessories are too. There are, as well, some papers – aka instruction manuals – even though they are not so necessary due the intuitiveness of this device.

The device itself is handsome, with a matte black finish, a great build quality and an amazing design. It has rounded corners, solid switches and the volume knob has a good feedback (the first “click” turns on the device). The switches are two: one for the bass booster, another for the gain. There are two 3.5mm jacks on the front: the left one is for your headphones, the right one is for a line input. The back has two micro USB (one to charge and one to connect via USB). Nothing else. This device has no wireless connection (that’s the main difference compared to the XP-2), so there’s no need to have a switcher. If you connect both the USB and a line input device, this last one will have priority.

Features

This device supports native DSD. I used Audirvana on my MacBook Pro which lets me choose the NX4 as output device (note that when you choose it on Audirvana, the system settings won’t let you use the NX4 for other applications, and vice-versa). On my Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 I used Onkyo HF Player Premium with OTG support to support DSD; even if the device itself recognize the NX4 as output device, the default music app won’t reproduce DSD and even other applications would convert it to reproduce such files. However, I’m not the most assiduous DSD user, because they are pricy files or supports (SACD) and they are very heavy on the storage side, while the sound quality is not crazily improved by the human hearing possibilities, by comparing it to the best FLACs. Also, my phone does not support micro SD expansion, so I’d rather use a DAP to have a portable device. But I have to say an important thing: the DSF file of Bohemian Rhapsody via this NX4 is the only one I have which doesn’t crack on the guitar solo, and I tried all files from all sources with all my earphones before. So, this device is actually the best DAC/Amp I have, at least for reproducing that particular track which is not gentle with gear. The NX4 works flawlessly as a desktop DAC/Amp with my Mac and has no issues at all even with my smartphone. Speaking of DAC+Amp, the device gives its best when used this way. You can also use it just as an Amp, but the output volume will be lower – the battery, on the other hand, will last longer. An amazing feature is that I can use it as a DAC even with my FiiO M7 (the XP-2 doesn’t work this way) and the combo is absolutely amazing. I was afraid it wouldn’t have worked, but it actually does and gives a great mobile experience. This portable setup is better than ever for my use, because I have my library inside the FiiO – my phone doesn’t have so many albums inside because it doesn’t have storage expansion capabilities.

Gain

I mostly use IEMs, so most of the times I don’t need to use high gain on my sources. However, something like the Tin HiFi P1 needs a lot of juice to sound as its best and here’s the case too (I actually can go at maximum volume with those planars!). To avoid turning the volume up too much, with classic earphones, the high gain switch gives a consistent boost to the output volume. I also turned it on to use my Sennheiser Momentum On ear, even though they are pretty moderate on the driveability side; they won’t distort when you pump it a little bit more than necessary, so it’s nice to have a strong output for those.

Bass booster

Unlikely the iFi xDSD, the NX4 really gives a boost to the bass with this mode turned on. Something like the already mentioned Tin P1, whose bass is pretty soft, will sound as their absolute maximum capabilities with both switches activated. I really like when the switches are functional and useful – yes, I’m very critic about the super overrated xDSD by iFi which has ridiculous switches for stage virtualization and bass boosting which actually almost make no difference.

Sound and comparisons

Among the XP-2, the NX4 and the xDSD, the TOPPING contender is my favorite. While XDUOO (100$) and iFi (450€) provide wireless capabilities, TOPPING focuses on maximizing the wired performances on their NX4, a product that shines in every aspect. Its design, its easiness of use, its honest use of input ports are features that put it over the other two: no useless LEDs, no stupid colors which cannot be seen by colorblind people like me. The NX4 is a machine that’s suitable for everyone who needs a DAC/Amp which is perfect both for desktop and mobile use. While the Bluetooth function could have been a plus, I believe that’s a choice they’ve made to keep the final price lower – that’s also why they put micro USB ports instead of USB type C ones.

As I’ve already said, I’ve been really surprised to find out this device is the only one which can reproduce “Bohemian Rhapsody” without distortion on the guitar solo. Ergo, this device can handle the most difficult tasks better than my Focusrite 2i2, my XDUOO XP-2, the FiiO M7 and the iFi xDSD (yes, this one too), as well as my phone and other occasional devices I’ve tried. It may be also due the DSD file, which for the first time I’ve understood the sense of. It is actually better than a classic FLAC24 and obviously better than MP3 and MQA too. But if you have a good master (and previous steps), I still believe it’s not necessary to have a super heavy DSD (DXD, DSF, ecc..) file.

Let’s rank the three devices I’ve mentioned earlier. The XP-2 is a great analytical device, with a flat signature and a nice attention to details. I prefer it over the xDSD because the iteration by iFi tends to heavily color the sound, giving a good listening experience (and a very powerful output) but nothing I would call reference. The TOPPING NX4 is something I would put in the middle. It is less colored than the xDSD, but its bass booster can give more character to the low end without sacrificing a flat nature. There’s a great detail on the NX4, and it sounds more lively than the XP-2, which is also less powerful. Generally, I find the TOPPING product capable of pushing on the extreme frequencies more than the XP-2, without any doubt or distortion. It’s true that the price is higher and this would be to expect, but well… It works as predicted. Sound-wise it is my favorite device of its kind (I’m obviously comparing all of them to the lowest common denominator, so as wired DAC/Amps).

Actually, my NX4 is stacked with my FiiO M7 and this match is so wonderful that I don’t feel the need of upgrading my mobile setup. But I believe the output wouldn’t be enough powerful for some kind of headphones, since it sometimes struggles even with the in-ear planars by Tin Audio (if you just use the NX4 as an Amp). 

The battery life is great, I can use it via USB for more than 6 hours, while the Amp mode can grant me so much time that I’ve lost count. I mostly use it as DAC too, though.

Conclusion

I’m enthusiastic about the NX4. This is the first product by TOPPING that I try and I honestly understand why it is so appreciated as a brand. Not only a great build quality and design, but also a versatile product for both portable and desktop use and compatible with FiiO products (not granted as XDUOO does not support them). I love this device and it actually is one of my favorite pieces of gear. For the price, the audio quality is outstanding, the accessories cover every device you may need (for iDevices I think it’s necessary a camera adapter by Apple) and if you buy it from Apos Audio, you’ll have an amazing customer service as well as a second year of warranty. Oh, and if you don’t like it – I strongly doubt – you have one entire month to return it. Absolutely recommended.

Pros

• Accessories

• Design and build quality

• Sound quality

• Compatibility

• Battery life

• Price

Cons

• Output power could be not enough for headphones and planar IEMs

Pai Audio DR2 Review

Price: 45 - 49$

Where to buy: https://it.aliexpress.com/i/33000545131.html

IT: https://amzn.to/2pObMUB

Cable alone: https://aliexpi.com/V331

Specifications:

• Frequency response: 20-20k Hz

• Sensitivity: 110±2db

• Impedance: 30 Ohm

Thanks to Pai Audio for the review sample.

Unboxing and first impressions

This is a simple but concrete package. A hard plastic box contains the IEMs, already attached to their cable, and some accessories, such as a clip and 4 pairs of ear tips (2 white, 2 gray). I really like the white tips, while I don’t love the cable, which I assume from the color to be made of copper. Because of the beautiful jet black finish of the buds, I decided to pair them with a FiiO black cable which is absolutely a great match. The DR2 are made of resin, poured around a single dynamic driver. The quality is magnificent, while the build has some flaws (for example, one of my buds has the driver protruding a little bit outside the shell. Not a big deal, for the price they are amazing. Nothing worse than the FiiO FA1 or the BGVP DM6 in terms of materials or connectors. And these cost less than 50$. The nozzle is made of metal and has a nice gold finish which looks great with this black color. There are also different colors to choose when you buy the DR2, which I also appreciate (like the bordeaux one). I would have appreciated a carrying case, because the plastic box in which these earphones come cannot replace it, but it’s a matter of a few bucks, so I’m good for the price. The fit is really good for my ears, I have no complains about it. It is better than the FiiO FA1, which have a slightly different shape, even though the concept is the same. I like the logo which is not low-key but it’s nice enough to show itself without looking ridiculous.

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).

It’s pretty obvious that these IEMs haven’t got a reference tuning. This is fine, but I immediately have to say that I can’t recommend these to producers, because the sound coloring is intense here. If you are a stage performer, you won’t suffer that much.

Bass is prominent here: the sub is noteworthy and the mid is solid and punchy. This is a real dynamic driver bass. You’ll enjoy it with some Billie Eilish, believe me. I really like The Bloody Beetroots’ heavy bass tracks too, with the DR2. The tuning is cleverly done, so the midrange is not buried under the fat bass. However, it is clear that there’s a consistent V in the sound signature, so the overall volume of the mids is lower than the bass and the treble. This luckily won’t affect vocals that much, so while you hear a fun character, you won’t suffer of a sense of congestion. You may hear the V when listening to piano tracks (try with some Mozart, like his Rondos concertos for 2/3 pianos). It’s a natural sound, with a good instrumentation separation and a fair space for male and female vocals to shine. Treble is really nice: very detailed, open but controlled, vocals are airy and drums are pleasant. I’m very sensitive to treble, but I have nothing bad to say about this one. I think it has the right picks to give a perception of width, talking about space. I feel the stage is wider and deeper than average, which is something I don’t usually find in earphones of this price range. Imaging is good. I feel this product is very coherent about its signature and it’s really well-tuned. Honestly, a more famous brand could sell something like this for much more money. And this is a sign of how mature is the Chi-Fi market nowadays.

By using the grey ear tips, the sound gets less bassy and more balanced, while mantaining the same characteristics as using the white tips, such as good vocals, space and instrument separation. The issue is that one of the two pair of dark tips have a different size.

Comparisons

Tin HiFi T2: another dynamic, but a really different product. I prefer the sound of T2, with a way more controlled bass, more balance, more detail. However, the fit is better on the DR2, and if you like bass you’ll find the T2 lacking, while the DR2 have a strong one. T2 have better accessories and a lower price, but I think that you must choose because of the sound. One is more reference (T2) and the other is heavily V-shaped.

BLON BL-03: these have a similar bass, really solid and airy, while the signature is different. BL-03 are less fun, more balanced and even more coherent than the DR2, which sometimes exaggerate by coloring too much some areas. But I think they are absolutely comparable, not only for their price which is similar but also for the taste: if you like one, I may say you can appreciate the other. With the grey tips on the DR2, the sound become even more similar to the BLON’s.

ADVANCED Model 3: similar concept here. A dynamic driver which manages all the frequency range, MMCX, all-black design, a fun tuning. I’d rather the fit of the Model 3, but the tuning is more refined on the DR2, which are way less congested and widen the soundstage. I also think Pai Audio’s materials are better, so I believe they are more durable.

Conclusion

I absolutely recommend this set to the ones who love bass and do not need a reference pair of IEMs. For listening to music, it’s a very pleasant set, which colors some frequencies and really gives a tone to our favorite tracks. However, it’s not recommendable for mixing and mastering, because it’s far from being a flat monitor. For the price it is surprisingly lacking defects. I would love to see how Pai Audio’s premium IEMs perform, like the 8BA which would rival my AudioSense T800.

Pros

• Fit

• Materials

• Ear tips

• Fun tuning

• Bass

• Treble

• Coherence

Cons

• Cable could be better

• Build is not the most refined

NiceHCK EP10 Review

Price: 10$

Where to buy: [link]

Specifications:

• Impedance: 32 Ohm

• Frequency response: 20-40k Hz

• Sensitivity: 95 ± 3 DB/mW

 Thanks to Jim from NiceHCK for providing this review sample.

Unboxing and first impressions

This could be your usual box. If you are familiar with NiceHCK products or Yinyoo ones, you’ll know this feeling. But this is a crazy cheap product, and I wouldn’t expect something like this. For 10$, you have a really nice hard carrying case and a complete set of accessories: 4 measures of silicon eartips, 2 pairs of double flange ones (with just a different color) and an amazingly built set of ceramic earphones with a non-detachable cable, which is however braided and very high-quality. The buds come protected in some plastic bags. I can say this is the best packaging you can find for the price.

The buds are very similar to the shape of an earbud, but they actually have nozzles to put ear tips on. This hybrid choice is good because the design remains unobtrusive, while the fit is a bit more secure than a classic earbud. The nozzle, however, is not that long, so you could need some memory foam tips to improve the stability, or use some longer tips – the ones which come in the box actually already are longer than average. I like the Tin HiFi P1 small foams here. The design and the build quality look and feel really premium, thanks to the weight, too, which is heftier than average. The cable comes with a microphone – but you can get a version without it. There’s one button which can be used for multiple commands (play/pause, answer, skip tracks). The cable itself is really good and has a chin slider which is not so useful because of the microphone which stops it from reaching your chin. All the inserts are made of metal.

Sound

My sources: FiiO M7 (standalone; to XDUOO XP-2/iFi xDSD via Bluetooth; to XP-2 via line-out; to xDSD via USB), Dodocool DA106 (mainly to XDUOO XP-2 via line-out); Mi MIX 2 to XP-2 and xDSD (via Bluetooth and 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), ecc..

My files: MP3, M4A, FLAC, ALAC, few DSDs (Pink Floyd).

Let’s talk about the microphone, which is impressive: clear and loud, a bit metallic and thin but better than every KZ counterpart I’ve encountered. If the mic sounds thin, this isn’t the case of the earphones themselves. Instead, they offer a good V shaped signature, which however isn’t so notched in the midrange and suffer of undertone vocals just in some cases. The EP10 have a general sound that I’d describe as punchy: the bass really does justice to dynamic drivers, with a good extension, a quick response and a noticeable body, which luckily never falls on the midrange. The tuning on these earphones is really well-made. I like the mid bass rumble as well as the sub bass extension, which is not crazy but it’s clean.

The mids are a bit recessed, which however doesn’t bother me that much, because most of the times voices are airy and not congested, instruments are well separated and percussions are “kicky” but moderate. Sometimes the piano feels less “on par” on some frequencies and certain instruments feel a bit thin, but I generally like the tuning, which is balanced. Sometimes the sound feels a bit artificial on the mid and treble area; I can assume this is due the ceramic body which can be less ideal than a heavy metal for the resonance (I remember the Xiaomi Half Ear with ceramic drivers, which were thin and artificial sounding, so maybe this could be related). Mids are not the focal point of this set, yet they are enjoyable even if recessed. Vocals are good, but not great: they don’t shine over the instruments, they just are on par when they are well mixed and mastered. I don’t find them the most linear, due to the non-flat tuning. I hear a pick on the upper midrange on my own voice when I hear some of my recordings which I’m not sure should be there. I’m not a technician, so I don’t know – and I don’t believe it’s important for the ones interested in this price range’s products – which frequencies are interested. So, vocals are just nice, a bit muddy, not very airy.

Treble is a bit emphasized, especially on the lower range. Unfortunately, I can hear some sibilance, but this is not – in this case – the sign of a bright signature. There’s no harshness here and the only against here is the poor control on some treble vocals which are a bit sharp.

The picks on the high range, however, are positive for the perceived stage, which is wider than average; not very deep, though. Imaging is average, too: not too sectorized but precise enough.

Comparisons

While I believe these are the exact same IEM as the BLON BL-01, I can’t verify because I don’t own this one. However, I find it difficult to compare something to the EP10, because of the extremely low price. I just have one in mind, which I don’t own anymore, though, which is the Xiaomi Dual Dynamic Driver. That sounds worse than the EP10, even though it has a dual driver configuration, because it handles much quieter volumes, then it crackles and sounds harsh. The punch is also much better on the EP10, as well as the tuning. However, I appreciate the mids of the Xiaomi more, because they are more U-shaped than V, and their notch is softer, so vocals are less buried.

Conclusions

I have to say that if I didn’t know the price of these earphones, I would have paid at least 3 times more; not only for the build quality and the materials, but also for the quality of the mic and for the amazing sound they can offer. This is absolutely the set I would recommend the most, having a low budget while needing the best offer.

Pros

• Price

• Build quality and materials

• Microphone quality

• Cable

• Bass

Cons

• Sibilance

• Sound is a bit muffled

• Vocals suffer the V shaped signature

YinYoo Topaz Review

Price: 100€

Where to buy them: [link]

Specifications:

• Frequency response: 20-40k Hz

• Impedance: 12 Ohm

• Sensitivity: 106±3dB

• Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm

• Driver configuration: 1DD+4BA

Many thanks to AK Audio for providing this review sample and an upgrade cable. You can always get a little discount by buying earphones by them, if you write “techinblack” as a message for the seller before paying anything. This is not an affiliation: techinblack doesn’t get anything if you do like that, but you can pay a little less. It’s all for the music. Peace.

Unboxing and first impressions

Similarly to other YinYoo earphones, the Topaz come in a shiny blue cardboard box, which contains a classic hard case, which in turn contains the buds, the cable, a clip and the eartips (S-M-L wide bore and S-M-L small bore: 6 pairs in total). AK Audio sent me an upgrade cable, which you can buy together with the Topaz. As always, there’s a complete set of accessories; the only thing I would have added is – at least – a pair of foam ear tips: this is a 100$+ contender and the others usually have a pair of them (BGVP/NiceHCK/BRAINWAVZ…). The stock cable is the same cable as the YinYoo D2B4 (here is not MMCX but 2pin), surely a tool but honestly bad looking and too rubberish. The upgrade cable you can choose is very similar to the BGVP DMG silver cable, a very good one overall, especially for the price. The buds themselves are amazing: great looking, with a nice choice of materials. They are made of metal and they may be an answer to IKKO’s OH1/OH10 in terms of design, even though the Topaz are more regular in their shape. You can see the vents for the dynamic driver precisely cut on the shell. I don’t know why YinYoo tends to produce different models with different connectors, but as long as there are compatible upgrade cables, it doesn’t bother me at all. In the end, I’ve paired them with a TRIPOWIN C8 cable, which is fantastic. For the eartips, I enjoy the foams which come with the AudioSense T800, they improve the fit and the isolation, which are not the stronger points of the Topaz.

Sound

My sources: FiiO M7, Mi MIX 2 with DAC Zorloo ZuperDAC-S and MacBook Pro 2012 with USB audio interface Focusrite 2i2 first gen, iFi xDSD and XDUOO XP-2

My files: DSD, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, M4A

My music: “Colour the Small One” by Sia, “Djesse Vol.1” by Jacob Collier, “Where are You?” by Frank Sinatra, “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay, “O” by Damien Rice, and many other tracks by Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Radiohead, Billie Eilish, The Bloody Beetroots, …

I didn’t have the highest expectations for these Topaz, because the last YinYoo I’ve tried (D2B4) really left me a sour taste. Instead, I actually found one of the better sounding earphones of my entire collection. I didn’t expect a sound that balanced and close to neutral for an earphone that’s still mass-oriented. If you’re familiar with the Tin HiFi T2, you’ll understand this sound. It’s extremely clear and transparent, airy and spacious. The Topaz are a little more bassy than the T2, and they are superior detail-wise. That being said, the bass is extremely controlled, the mid-bass is not emphasized at all, and you can hear a good sub-bass rumble. The speed of it is pretty standard, for a dynamic driver you may expect a little more body, but again: this is a close-to-neutral IEM, and it can be recommended for music production thanks to its flatness. Mids are great: comfortable, a little notched, but pleasantly airy for vocals, and well layered for instruments. I like how everything sounds very balanced, without any emphasis on certain frequencies or instruments. Earphones like the AudioSense T800 – which I borrowed the foam tips to – are much more vocal-oriented, even though the instruments don’t feel undertone. This is a really different tuning, and in my opinion for a hybrid it’s a very well-done one. Treble is clear and airy. No noticeable sibilance there, no harshness, but a touch of brightness which is good as long as you need to hear the details and perceive the stage. Vocals are pleasant and feel natural even on the high range. The soundstage is wider than average, while just average in its depth. Imaging is very good: even though there’s not a crazy wideness, the precision of the position of the parts is impressive. Speaking of isolation, the shape is not particularly ergonomic like it may seem, so it’s not that easy to get a good seal with the stock tips. Yet, if you use a good pair of foams, that helps a lot on improving the fit and the seal and you get less leak on the bass side.

Comparisons

YinYoo D2B4: they are much more bassy and V-shaped. The sound of D2B4 is congested, too much for my taste, it resembles a bad version of the BGVP DM6 tuning. Luckily, the Topaz are a giant step up from the D2B4 in terms of tuning, clarity, stage perception. These two share the same difficulties in ergonomics, for my particular ears, but it’s a side issue because you can improve that with some foams. I wouldn’t recommend the D2B4 to many, because I feel like there are better choices on the same price range, with the same (good) build quality, like the NiceHCK M6 or TinAudio T3. Instead, I would recommend the Topaz to the ones who need a good tool for production or need to listen to music with a high fidelity. Absolutely not for bassheads.

Tin HiFi T3: their tuning is different from the T2’s one, which is closer to the Topaz’s one. But the T3 are more comparable due to their improved detail and bass. I personally don’t think there’s one absolutely better than the other, but they are different products. T3 are more sibilant, or let’s say less gentle in the high range. And they are more bassy. If you like a balanced, yet fun listening, they would be a better choice over the Topaz, which are much more on a neutral side. My personal choice, because of my needs, would be the Topaz (but make sure you get a nicer cable; the stock one does these IEMs no credit).

BGVP DMG/NiceHCK M6: these two siblings are just fun. Very bassy, heavily U-shaped, I love them but they are not meant to be used as tools for production. They are good live stage monitors, though. But if you need something for mixing, the Topaz are more useful. The fit is worse on the Yinyoo, but this could be a personal factor. Build-wise, we are at the same level. I also think the upgrade cable which you can order with the Topaz is the same as the other two, just with different colors and details. Still, if I had to recommend something, if you need a flat sound, go for the Topaz; if you want a versatile IEM for various genres and situations, and especially a fun one, go for the M6: they are very cheap for their offering.

BGVP DM6: strange comparison? 200$ is twice the price of the Topaz. But I’m here to say I’d get two Topaz instead of a single DM6. Or even a single Topaz because their value for money is way higher than the DM6’s one. DM6 are too congested and their stage is too close. Clarity and tuning of the Topaz win over the superb detail of the DM6’s Balanced Armatures. And this is a personal opinion, obviously. I wouldn’t choose the D2B4 over the DM6 as other reviewers said, but I’d go for the Topaz because of their balance. Build quality, tuning, accessories, design: the Topaz are phenomenal monitors for their price.

Simgot EM1: maybe my favourite earphones. Single dynamic driver, an incredibly versatile IEM with a fun yet balanced tuning. They are much more musical than the Topaz, but less precise. And they are a little bit sibilant. Don’t ask me to choose between the two, please. They are so different, but I love them both. No, I choose the EM1.

Conclusions

I don’t have much to say: these are convincing In Ear Monitors. Actually one of my favourite ever. They look amazing, they are crazy well built, their sound is the one I usually search for, and if you find the right eartips, you’ll also find them comfortable and sealed. The price tag of 100$, considered the actual market, is pretty fair. With a better stock cable and some foam tips in the box, I would have paid much more, considering how solid the Topaz are. With the Simgot EM1, they actually are the overall most convincing earphones I’ve tried on a budget. If I had to pick a fun one and a flat one under 100$, these two would be my choices.

Pros

• Accessories

• Tuning

• Clarity

• Natural timbre

• Flat sound signature 

Cons

• Stock cable

• No foam tips

• Bass may be lacking for some

KB EAR Opal Review

Price: 25/30€

Where to buy: [link]

Specifications:

• Impedance: 16Ω±10%

• Sensitivity: 102±3dB

• Frequency response: 20Hz-20 KHz

KB EAR is a new contender in the sub-50$ Chi-Fi market. I had the chance to try their Opal, which is one of various products they launched to start. Others (I have some and I will review them later) are the F1 (single balanced armature IEM) and an 8 core upgrade cable, but there are also a 16 core cable and a KZ-like 5 BA IEM. I want to thank KB EAR for this review sample.

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Unboxing and first impressions

The box is simple but elegant, similar to the RevoNext QT5 or the BQEYZ BQ3 ones, in a black color with the logo, a picture and some information around its faces. There’s a good selection of soft silicon eartips (6 pairs) and a surprisingly good MMCX cable (for its build quality, less for the isolation). The IEMs themselves are all made of plastic, with a very nice design which reminds me some IBasso In Ear Monitors. The faceplate has a carbon look with the KB EAR logo on it. Impressive, good looking, even though I would have put a metallic nozzle. The quality of the plastic is high, and the MMCX connectors are gold-plated and the cable can rotate very easily when attached. The cable has pre-formed hooks to put over the ears, which are great, and the plug is L-shaped. With a carrying case, even a soft one like BQEYZ does, the package would have been spectacular.

Sound

My sources: FiiO M7, Mi MIX 2 with DAC Zorloo ZuperDAC-S and MacBook Pro 2012 with USB audio interface Focusrite 2i2 first gen, XDUOO XP-2 in various wired/wireless configurations

My files: DSD, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, M4A

My music: “Colour the Small One” by Sia, “Djesse Vol.1” by Jacob Collier, “Where are You?” by Frank Sinatra, “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay, “O” by Damien Rice, and many other tracks by Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Radiohead, Billie Eilish, The Bloody Beetroots, …

I’ve previously mentioned some problems with the isolation. In fact, the cable suffers from electric noises by a disturbed source (like my Mac’s jack output, which is close to the hard drive). I’ll verify if their upgrade cable would resolve this problem, because my 8 core by NiceHCK doesn’t suffer from that issue, thanks to its great isolation. Speaking of which, the isolation of the IEMs themselves is just average: the shape is not particularly ergonomic, and if you have medium sized ears like me, you could have some air coming through a little bit too often. That being said, the fit is average and you can adjust it with the best tips for your ears, obviously.

I’m not fully convinced about the sound of the Opal. KB EAR told me to burn them in 72 hours. I’m not a true believer in burn-in, but I followed the suggestion, because this is a dynamic driver earphone. Even after the burn-in, I felt like they are not very lively. There’s a sense of unnaturalness that I believe it’s the sum of different factors: the soundstage is narrow; the tuning has to be improved, because it’s balanced but it sounds muddy in the low range and thin in the midrange; vocals are a bit harsh. I’m not saying they sound terrible, but there are some albums that I can’t listen to with them (“Urban Hymns” by The Verve, or “A Fever Dream” by Everything Everything). That last album is often hard to listen to with bright earphones. I would consider the Opal as bright sounding, they have some aspects of harshness and sharpness. For example, they are not gentle with the sibilance, nor they are not smooth sounding, in any way (“The bends” by Radiohead is unpleasant to listen to for the sibilance). The bass is undertone: by listening to the Bloody Beetroots’ “My name is Thunder”, the intro is enough to understand that the treble is super enhanced, while the bass is lacking. This aspect reflects the tuning in every song, so you can choose the Opal for bass-heavy tracks and not feel that bass (it reminds me the BRAINWAVZ KOEL, or the Tin HiFi T2/T2 Pro, they are pretty light on the bass). I’ve tried different sources with the Opal, to find the best synergy. I found that warmer sources are preferable, but here’s the thing: it’s easy to get a better sound if you use the iFi xDSD, but I don’t think that people interested in buying something like the Opal would spend that money for a DAC/Amp. We are talking of budget earphones, and it’s more honest thinking of a cheaper source like my Dodocool DA106 DAP. They match pretty well together, but you must understand the Opal are not surprisingly good, even with good files, even with good sources; they are just honest sounding for the price, not so natural, not so lively. Their sensitivity must be very high, because even with my Focusrite 2i2 I hear a lot of background noise, which is not something I’d expect (if you look at the specifications, it’s just slightly over the average 100 dB). Vocals are a bit robotic and lack harmonics, so the effect is hearing recessed mids, while they are not. Try with Radiohead’s “High and dry”, for example: the voice covers a large spectrum of the midrange to the high range, but here it sounds thin and unpleasant. Guitars are not the best, too. Percussions are more enjoyable. Then, if you listen to tracks that fade out you won’t hear a smooth volume change but some steps; I can say the same for the imaging: it’s pretty precise but not smooth, and the soundstage, while being narrow, is strangely uncentered, unbalanced. I hear more sounds on the left earphone, like the instruments were positioned that way. The instrument separation is average, not bad. I don’t understand the sound signature of these IEMs. For a dynamic driver, they have a ridiculous bass, but I think they are meant to be V-shaped. In the end, they are just close-to-flat-until-the-upper-midrange earphones with a lot of picks and notches in various zones, even in the midrange. I honestly never heard anything like that on “serious” earphones. It’s like they have problems with their polarity.  

Comparisons

ADVANCED Model 3: personally, a difficult earphone to appreciate initially, but now I understand its fun tuning and its darkness. True, they have recessed mids, they are not fantastic IEMs for vocals, but they are coherent. I’d rather them to the Opal, which have the only advantage of having a better stock cable. The fit, the packaging, the tips, the sound, everything is superior on the Model 3. Review here. 

TRN IM1: am I really comparing two disasters of monitors? Okay, I have two pairs of IM1, they sound terrible. Incoherent, thin, bright, muddy. Just like the Opal! I don’t want to be too brutal, the Opal are superior to the IM1 for me, but I cannot say I like them or even save them. Well, I don’t want to talk about these anymore. Review here. 

KZ ZSN: strange enough, this is one of the few times I can say that I’d rather a KZ to another earphone. The ZSN are good, surprisingly good for being a KZ. They sound balanced, with their expected U-shape and the color needed for a mass-oriented IEM. Here, again, I talk about coherence, because that’s the point that lacks the most in this review. I don’t hate sound signatures. I’m a flatness lover, but sometimes I need that bass. I’m not a fan of brightness because it’s usually a friend of harshness. But I can stand everything if I understand the will of the earphone. I don’t understand the will of KB EAR, with the Opal. We’ll see if the single BA (F1) by the same company is different. ZSN review here.

Conclusions

If I weren’t a reviewer, with all these earphones to try every day, I’d be way less critic about the Opal. They are not terrible, but the Chi-fi market nowadays is a sea full of sharks and you have to be careful before selling a product with an immature tuning. To be gentle, I’d say the Opal are not my cup of tea. I love their design, I like their cable, I appreciate the MMCX connectors, but in the end it’s the sound that matters, and this is not something I would recommend.

Pros

• Design

• Accessories

• Cable

Cons

• Average fit

• Incoherent tuning

• Unnatural sound

KZ ZS7 Review

Price: 50$ (Amazon), 35$ (AliExpress special deals)

Where to buy: https://amzn.to/2UcVMta (US) or https://amzn.to/2UZ7O6v (Italy)

Specifications:

• Impedance: 24Ω

• Earphone sensitivity: 105dB/mW

• Frequency range: 20-40000Hz

• Driver configuration: 1 DD + 4 BA

Thanks to Easy Earphones (YinYoo) for providing this free unit to review.

So, here I am with my first KZ review in English. My previous experience with this brand wasn’t that happy (ZS3 and ES4, which I didn’t really appreciate). The first was too bassy, the second was too big and the sound – even if more balanced – wasn’t my cup of tea. Now I have the ZSN and the ZS7, and I can appreciate the progress of Knowledge Zenith. I wouldn’t expect this quality from a brand which didn’t surprise me in the past, at all.

Unboxing and first impressions

Like most of the people who want to start their IEM journey, KZ was one of the first brands which came to my ears. I was interested in trying the ZS6, but I changed my mind for the RevoNext QT2, a similar pair that I believed was superior. Since then, I hadn’t the opportunity to try the ZS6 nor to compare them, obviously, to the QT2; but I’m here now with the new model, the ZS7. The ZS7 share the same design as the ZS6, but the internals are the one you can find in the ZS10. So, even if this can make you confused, we are talking about a hybrid earphone, with 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures per ear. This is a similar configuration as the BGVP DMG, NiceHCK M6 (which I both reviewed here, in Italian) and the YinYoo D2B4 (yes, the “D2” name is a little tricky, but it may be actually a double diaphragm single dynamic driver). The fact is: the price of these multi-balanced hybrid earphones is actually really low. For 50$ on Amazon and even less on AliExpress, you can have a really solid model. Starting from the box, which is an elegant black cardboard with a book-like opening. Inside you find the buds, in their amazing electric blue, and underneath the foam you find the manuals, the eartips (unfortunately, the classic KZ ones) and the cable – which is so bad that I didn’t even open it, because I know it and I hate it. Luckily, YinYoo sent over a cable by themselves, which is perfect for this situation (if you want, you can find my review of it in Italian here). I have a color disease, but for me this coppery/pinkish color of the cable is a great match with the blue buds. The metal shell is really solid and very well assembled – I saw some macro photos before having my pair, and they looked kind of summarily assembled, but mine are actually well done. The back of the buds is black, but still metal; even the nozzle is made of aluminum. Because I put a cable which isn’t the stock one, I’ve also used some different eartips: I took the ones of the BGVP DM3, which I don’t use because they fall off my ears too easily. They are white too, which I prefer to the classic gray tips. The fit is strangely good, and not fatiguing. I can’t stand the QT2 which are similar, but these are better shaped, maybe.

Right message, wrong language

Sound

My sources: FiiO M7, Mi MIX 2 with DAC Zorloo ZuperDAC-S and MacBook Pro 2012 with USB audio interface Focusrite 2i2 first gen.

My files: DSD, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, M4A

My music: “Colour the Small One” by Sia, “Djesse Vol.1” by Jacob Collier, “Where are You?” by Frank Sinatra, “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay, “O” by Damien Rice, and many other tracks by Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Radiohead, …

Considering my previous experience with KZ, I thought I would have found a disappointing sound. I didn’t. These are my favorite KZ among the ones I’ve tried, and also among all the earphones I have. I’m a design lover, a music lover, I pay attention to various things. You can propose me the best sounding earbuds in the world, but if they are made of plastic, the fit is bad and they look ugly, I can’t appreciate them. Earphones are tools, but they are also jewelry nowadays. I can talk about them through the eyes (and ears) of mine as a musician or as an entire person with a lot of interest. KZ ZS7 are good. Good-looking, at first. Good-sounding, at last. I don’t usually like this sound signature: everything is in its right place, until you hear an exaggerated enhancement in the mid-bass area. But this is actually good. Once you understand that you can’t monitor your recordings with them and you have to pair them with particular genres, the way is clear. They are fun, exactly the same way as they look. You can chill with them, you can relax with them. The sound doesn’t reflect the angular shape, though. It’s not sharp, not harsh, not sibilant. This may sound like heaven, for someone like me. It’s not heaven, but it’s absolutely an enjoyable place.

Bass: not the best here. Sub-bass is lacking, mid-bass is emphasized. If I had to find the issue with these IEMs (apart from the cable), it would be this one. Once you get used to this, though, you appreciate the bump. Bassheads will be fairly pleased with this pair. I would rather have more speed and less oomph, because the mids may suffer from that. But I’m okay with the extension and I can survive with the emphasis.

Mids are great. Even with the “invasion” that sometimes comes from the bass. I like voices, I like the space between the instruments, their layering. Maybe you can expect more detail by a set of four BA, but I don’t feel I miss any main focuses in my music. Vocals aren’t sibilant. This is something I’ve waited for since a long time, for a KZ earphone. I like everything of the sound, honestly, apart from that bass. Treble is smooth, not extreme but luckily not harsh. I enjoy it, and I’m not an easy person to satisfy when it comes to high frequencies. Even the highest voices are well controlled, and don’t miss any air or space. The soundstage is average. Not the widest, not the deepest. But the imaging is very precise, so you can enjoy your perceived little room and be happy. The intimacy is achieved. I wouldn’t call this stage “small” in a negative way. It actually opens up when the recordings are well done. But I’d call it intimate, because it’s very in-your-head sometimes, without being intrusive. And the mid-bass presence actually gives a very warm color to the signature which is really emotional. I have to say, I’ve wanted to like KZ since a long time, but it’s been hard, until now. ZS7 are a game changer for this brand.

Comparisons

This is a very interesting moment: the price range is challenging and I have a lot of competitors. I’ll write some, but if you need others, write me on the comments or contact me anywhere.

YinYoo V2: they are among my favorites IEMs. I still prefer them over the ZS7, because they come with better accessories (carrying case, better cable, better tips). Even the sound signature is suitable for more genres, because its bass is more controlled. I’d rather the ZS7 design. I say it now: it’s neary a 1:1 clone of the Campfire Audio Andromeda (and Polaris). I don’t appreciate brands which clone stuff, of every genre. They are even more similar to them than the RevoNext QT2. That said, I love the Andromeda design, so I cannot dislike the ZS7 that way. It’s not ethical, though. If I had to choose, I’d take the V2.

ADVANCED Model 3: they are similarly tuned. But the mid-bass bump is more exaggerated on the Model 3 (strange to say!). I love the Model 3 because of their design, their accessories, their shape and their fit. That said, the ZS7 are better built and to my ears they are more finely equalized. OT, I’m curious to try the new models of ADVANCED, because they have the perfect shape for me, and a more similar driver configuration to these ZS7 (even though I continue to like the dynamic vibes). I’d choose the ZS7 between the twos (I’m talking about the wired version of the Model 3 in this comparison).

RevoNext QT2: I like them, I don’t like them as much as the ZS7. They are very differently tuned, QT2 are on a reference side and they are bright, while the ZS7 are dark and fun. Same accessories here, so I can give you my preference: ZS7, because QT2 are too sibilant and I can’t stand that. And ZS7 are more comfortable.

Conclusions

This time they did it: Knowledge Zenith is improving. I (more than) like the ZS7, and they are on my top list now. If they put a better cable instead of that crappy memory wire one, the improvement will be complete. And they could compete with the bigs. They just need a little bit of refinement in the tuning. But the ZS7 are solid, and I’m happy to recommend them.

YinYoo Y1 Review

Price: 25€

Where to buy: [link]

Specifications:

• Impedance: 16 Ohm

• Sensitivity: 96±3db

• Frequency response: 5-40k Hz

• 1 Dynamic Driver

Thanks to AK Audio for the review sample. I have the black version with mic. You can choose it without the mic and there’s a rose gold option too.

The foam tips are not included

Unboxing and first impressions

If you are familiar with YinYoo and NiceHCK, you will know what to expect by their packaging. Here we find a cardboard box, which contains a carrying hard case, which in turn contains the earphones and the eartips. Very simple, but functional. The cable is not removable, and it has some controls on the wire (one button, which can play/pause and skip tracks with different actions). The button has a good click and it works perfectly. There’s a nice working microphone too. The problem is: I really don’t know which earphone is the right one, because they are both marked as left. With a simple test, I understood the right one is the one with the wire controls. Apart from that, I love the design, the materials and the build quality of these earphones. They are made of metal and ceramic, and the cable reminds me of the Meze 11/12 series. There’s a mesh filter, which I believe it’s made of tissue. On the connector and on the Y split there are some reinforcements, so I’m 100% satisfied with the build quality and I’m not worried about the resistance of these buds. The fit is average, for my ears which aren’t easy to match with classic in ears. With some foam tips they are more stable. It’s a bit better than the fit I had with the Meze 12 Classics, which I really cannot wear without them falling.

Sound

My sources: FiiO M7, Mi MIX 2 with DAC Zorloo ZuperDAC-S and MacBook Pro 2012 with USB audio interface Focusrite 2i2 first gen.

My files: DSD, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, M4A

My music: “Colour the Small One” by Sia, “Djesse Vol.1” by Jacob Collier, “Where are You?” by Frank Sinatra, “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay, “O” by Damien Rice, and many other tracks by Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Radiohead, …

I don’t think these earphones have been successful. I didn’t read any reviews (because I didn’t search, but even on social networks nobody seems to have shared his review). So, I guess it’s something that sounds unusual and doesn’t encounter people’s taste. After trying these earphones, I’m not sure if this is true. I liked them. They are cheap and they are meant to be considered a first buy, or just an upgrade from your phone’s stock earphones. But even by choosing these consciously, for me they would be very nice sounding. They are, actually.

They can be considered V-shaped. It’s nice to have this signature in a consumer-oriented pair of earphones. They can suit a lot of genres and answer to the needs of everyone. Sure, I’d prefer a flat signature if I could choose, but I’m perfectly fine with this one. Especially because the driver (a single dynamic) has a really good quality and the tuning is good. I tried the V2 by YinYoo before, and they still are one of my overall favorite earphones. It seems that these ones could be good too, in a different way. I don’t generally like non-detachable-cable earphones, neither classic in ears (I’d rather have an IEM style); but the general quality make me appreciate these Y1 as a whole.

The first thing I liked is the soundstage: I generally like a wide, extended perceived stage; the Y1 are not crazy wide, but they don’t feel congested and the imaging is pretty precise, so you have a sense of immersion which is enjoyable and far from the bad holographic try of the KZ ES4, for example. The sub-bass is smoothly reached and give a nice background to these earphones; the mid-bass is luckily controlled and it doesn’t fall on the midrange, which I’m surprised of, because cheap earphones tend to have issues on that area. Mids are a bit recessed, but lively enough. The instrument separation in that area is better than average, and there’s a good layering. The best thing of the whole play is the sense of space, which feels true. Vocals are relaxed, not sharp at all (which I like), even on tracks which are often critical with some sets. Treble is very nice, with nearly no sibilance nor harshness. There could have been the classic pick on the upper midrange to give a touch of color and clarity and widen the stage; there isn’t, but I don’t miss it, though. It could have ruined this relaxed tuning, which at the same time doesn’t miss any energy.

Comparisons

I’d like to compare some models differently from the other times. Considering this is barely “moddable” (not having a removable cable), I will put them face to face with other similar earphones in their concept.

BGVP Sidy DM3: really capable, but immature. Y1 are better, even though DM3 (which are pretty old I think) were trying to surprise with vocals and space. The tuning was really bad, though, because they wanted to enlighten certain aspects, by sacrificing others – maybe more important. So, the tuning is very strange on DM3, but you can like them as you like, for example, the Simgot Meeture MT3: for vocals. Y1 are an overall better choice, because they are tuned in a more mainstream way.

Meze 12 Classics: they are better in an absolute way, but considering the price range I’d go 100% on the YinYoo. Same qualities on the outside, different ones on the inside. I don’t love the darkness of the 12 Classics, neither their congestion. Y1 are closer to my taste.

ADVANCED M4: considering these are among my all-time favorites, it would be hard to make them lose. They are pretty different in their sound signature, much flatter than the YinYoo. I won’t say the Y1 lose here, though: they are cheaper and they are absolutely worth the money. I prefer the M4 because they are more suitable for my needs (music production, ecc..).

Conclusions

Even though they don’t make the best impression with that poor quality control (both buds are signed as left), the YinYoo Y1 look gorgeous and they are perfectly crafted with premium materials. I like the sound too, for me it is solid and mature enough to suit the needs of the majority of people. The stage is impressive, not for width but for precision and imaging and they really provide a pleasant overall sound that I couldn’t but recommend.

NiceHCK P3 Review

Price: 37$

Where to find them: [here]

Specifications:

• Frequency response: 20-40k Hz

• Impedance: 12 Ohm

• Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW

• Driver: Hybrid 2BA+1DD

This is the second IEM I try by NiceHCK, after the M6. I’ve really appreciated the first one, starting from the accessories. I’m glad they included nearly the same ones here, considering the price range that’s really different between the twos (more than 50$).

Unboxing and first impressions

I like this simple but functional unboxing experience: a white box with some information, which has inside a good hard carrying case; inside there are a lot of tips (three pairs of silicon, two pairs of silicon double flange, a pair of foams) and the earphones, already attached to the cable. The cable itself is the same of the M6, which is good in quality – I don’t really like the color, but it’s subjective. This, for me, should be the package of every earphone. Small, simple, rigid, complete.

The buds are good looking, with a translucent blue plastic build. The plastic quality is average, a little bit better than the KZ ES4; comfort, though, is way superior on P3, thanks to its shape and the better ear tips. The connector is MMCX. I’m impressed for the price – more than TRN IM1, which has way less accessories in a similar range.

Sound

My sources: FiiO M7, Mi MIX 2 with DAC Zorloo ZuperDAC-S and MacBook Pro 2012 with USB audio interface Focusrite 2i2 first gen.

My files: DSD, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, M4A

My music: “Colour the Small One” by Sia, “Djesse Vol.1” by Jacob Collier, “Where are You?” by Frank Sinatra, “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay, “O” by Damien Rice, and many other tracks by Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Radiohead, … 

Sometimes it happens that you listen to a set and you can’t find nothing wrong. It’s difficult to judge something that doesn’t really fall on any area. You have to rationalize and carefully try to understand what part of your impressions is driven by your personal taste and what’s an objective way to explain the product capabilities. So, I will start saying this is a set that matches my taste, because the treble is pretty rolled off. You hear no sibilance at all, neither any kind of harshness with the P3. That’s the first thing I can say, that’s pretty positive to me, but it mightn’t for treble heads. If you search for a “Tin HiFi like” signature, that’s totally opposite. And it’s fine, because some people don’t like it. So, starting from “the bottom”, the bass is really good. It may be a little lacking of body in the sub-bass area, but the overall scene feels warm and there’s the right amount of punchiness. It’s pretty quick too: comparing the P3 to the KZ ES4, which also are pretty bassy, the P3 provide better layering and resolution. This isn’t a congested bass, nor a boomy bass, nor an over-emphasized bass: it’s enjoyable and it’s one of the better things of these earphones. Mids are honest, with the right space for vocals and a pretty good instrument separation. The signature feels pretty balanced until the upper midrange, which has kind of a notch and falls when it comes to treble. So, I don’t feel mids lacking presence, they just don’t shine. Treble, as I’ve said before, is very relaxed. These earphones are meant to be for the ones who can’t stand any brightness. This means, though, that you have to accept a detail that’s just average and a sound that wants to be fun and doesn’t even try to be analytical. It’s perfectly good. The “problem” is that this sound isn’t really “fun”: it’s pretty boring, even though for my taste it has nothing wrong. There’s a lot of people who just want to listen to music and don’t really need a particular sound signature: this set is honest, and it’s a really good start for upgrading from a casual earphone. Let’s talk about soundstage. There’s an average width that’s kind of holographic, which is good, summed to that bass, if you need something enough precise for gaming. That means that imaging is pretty precise too. So, it’s kind of difficult to explain: the stage is not that wide; however, its depth is discrete, so the immersion in the scene is pretty comfortable. This is a sound which doesn’t fatigue.

Comparisons

TRN IM1: I’m kind of confused about this set. At first, I thought it was good. Then its slight brightness became too fatiguing. Then I realized that wasn’t a great sound, honestly. It’s more detailed than the P3 one, it’s pretty analytic, but it’s not a solid sound at all. Some songs are pretty good on that, many others sound just too congested and sharp. Let’s say IM1 is not a gentle set. I prefer P3. You can find the IM1 here.

KZ ES4: this is a set which sounded honest before I compared it to other ones. It’s kind of similar to the P3, even though it has more presence in the treble and more sibilance. The bass is less precise, but its body is comparable to the P3 one. They also have the same tendency of virtualizing the scene, which is something that I think the average consumer could enjoy. Well, between the two I choose the P3: you have more accessories, a better fit, a better cable (in my opinion) and an overall sound that’s more convincing. You can find the ES4 here.

RevoNext QT2: a strange comparison, I admit. QT2 are a bit pricier, but I put them here because if you like their signature, you’re not going to like the P3 one. QT2 are balanced but become very bright and sibilant since the upper midrange. P3, instead, are very warm and more fun to listen to. QT2 are an analytical set from what I hear. You can find the QT2 here.

Conclusions

While it’s true that I can’t find any particular reason to recommend this set, neither I can’t find one to not recommend it. It’s comfortable to wear, it’s not fatiguing, and it suits honestly every genre. Not brilliantly, but neither bad, at all. I found the KZ ES4 to sound bad for my taste. Not the P3, which have some good pros. And they are really good for gaming. I can recommend them if you are not searching for any particular feature, even though I believe the price could be a little bit lower. And you get one of the better packages, in terms of accessories.

Pros

• Accessories

• Fit

• Not fatiguing

• Relaxed sound signature

Cons

• Average materials and build quality

• They don’t shine anywhere

BRAINWAVZ KOEL Review

Price: 70$

Where to buy them: https://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/koel-balanced-armature-earphones

Specifications (from the website):

• Drivers: Single Balanced Armature

• Rated Impedance: 30Ω

• Frequency Range: 16 Hz ~ 22 kHz

• Sensitivity: 105 dB at 1 mW

• Cable: Detachable

• Cable Connector: MMCX

• Plug: 3.5 mm, Gold plated

This is the first BRAINWAVZ earphone that I try. This is also the first single balanced armature earphone that I try. This is an interesting coincidence, because I’ve tried a lot of earphones. To be fair, this is also my first 3D-printed IEM! As you can understand, there are a lot of curious things about these monitors, and we’re just at the intro.

Unboxing and first impressions

This box has been a struggle to open. That being said, this is a modern yet classy unboxing experience. The internal box has a book-like shape and contains a hard case (which is a serious hard case, one of the best I’ve held), which in turn contains the IEMs and the accessories. There are a lot of tips (6 pairs, 3 measures doubled, and a pair of T100 red Comply foam tips). There’s a clip, a manual, and the cable already attached to the buds. The cable is good and it feels like a tool – much better than the ADVANCED Model 3 (wired) cable, which I find to be a similar pair of monitors in their will. If you look at some KOEL pictures, you don’t have the same good impression as seeing them in person. They are “lucid” to the touch, and I thought they were “matte” by looking at the photos. The shape is very interesting because it’s a bit unusual, with a grip on your lower ear. I have to admit that – even though the fit is really stable – I find the buds to be a little bit too big for my ears, so I can use them for half an hour but after that time I feel fatigued. With the Comply tips on, the comfort is surely improved, because you can leave the IEMs less deep, but still having a fair grip. If you have bigger ears, these will be not just stable but also very comfortable to wear in my opinion. Anyway, the cable has very low microphonics and its 45° plug is perfect for strain relief. I like everything about the design, the look and the build quality of the KOEL. And I appreciate the attention they put on the presentation.

Sound

My sources: FiiO M7, Mi MIX 2 with DAC Zorloo ZuperDAC-S and MacBook Pro 2012 with USB audio interface Focusrite 2i2 first gen.

My files: DSD, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, M4A

My music: “Colour the Small One” by Sia, “Djesse Vol.1” by Jacob Collier, “Where are You?” by Frank Sinatra, “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay, “O” by Damien Rice, and many other tracks by Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Radiohead, …

First thing first: I noticed that these earphones generally require more power than average to be driven. Just a few steps more on my FiiO M7, which I primarily use.

It’s important to understand the will behind these earphones. As you can imagine reading the driver configuration, this single balanced armature IEM is not for casual users. As casual users, I mean the average consumers who want a “fun” sound, colored; a sound which makes you wince, an emotional kind of sound. You won’t have that with the KOEL. They are meant to be analytical and detailed. That means their use would be not just music listening, but music production too. As a music lover and as a musician, I liked these earphones. A lot. And my love for them is very different from my love for my Sennheiser Momentum, for example. Because their signatures are very different. The KOEL signature is very balanced and flat, it reminds me the one of the ADVANCED M4. It may sound less “natural” than other earphones, because I feel they are meant to precisely monitor your recordings or live stages. When you listen to music, you may like a touch of color, a slight “V”, and there are a lot of choices for that kind of use. However, I feel the KOEL are really different in their purpose. Even though I still enjoyed them with my music, I didn’t feel the emotion of other sets – like the Simgot EM1. Why? Because balanced armatures are not meant to “move” you, they are supposed to be precise, quick, analytical. This is exactly what the KOEL sound like. There is more. At first, listening to “Magic” by Coldplay, I heard some bad noises on the right earphone. Like there was sort of a driver movement when the kicks were punchy. I’ve never heard anything like that on any of my earphones. Then I’ve searched for the same song – mine is a CD rip-off – on YouTube and Spotify and those versions didn’t have those noises! I guess these earphones are so analytical and “raw” that a bad master (or rip, or something) immediately comes to light. This is crazy, in my opinion. Neither my ADVANCED M4, which I find very similar to the KOEL, have this level of detail and precision. It’s important mentioning that “Magic” was the only song which had this problem. I still don’t understand why I’ve heard that just on that particular song, when I can’t hear any strange things by using other earphones or – using the KOEL themselves – with the same track from another source. I don’t think the problem is on the earphones, because no other track has any issues. But I will deepen that aspect in the future, by trying other Brainwavz models and hearing if that aspect still remains.

So, in a general way, the sound signature of the KOEL is similar to the M4 one, but with a more refined treble. The bass remains that neutral, uncolored bass that I found there, yet being well extended. Some may find it lacking: I think you have to think of the KOEL in another way. They make you hear exactly what the artist recorded. Every mainstream earphone has enhanced bass, and even treble sometimes; the KOEL are absolutely not meant to entertain: they are meant to monitor. The mids are phenomenal – I would say this is a “mid-centric” earphone, but it’s just an impression based on a comparison to more fun earphones. Even though the mids are very well-layered and vocals and instrument parts are perfectly reproduced, that doesn’t mean that bass is lacking quality or treble is rolled off. It’s just a signature that puts balance over fun. So, your treble detail is still there, with nearly no sibilance, but it doesn’t make the overall sound bright. Neither that good bass make the signature warm, because it’s very controlled. And the soundstage feels very wide comparing to my other sets. Only the M4 – I continue talking about them because they are similar – feel that wide and have the same precision in imaging. Overall, you won’t get these earphones for the craziest sub-bass extension, nor for the punchiest mid-bass. You will get them for the balance, the airy vocals, the precision in treble. And I believe that spending 20/30$ more than the ADVANCED M4 could be reasonable for the better treble and the interchangeable cable.

Comparisons

ADVANCED M4 (to summarize): they are very different in every way but the sound. M4 are made of metal, they have a non-detachable cable with a microphone, an L shaped jack and they have a single dynamic driver; KOEL are made of 3D-printed resin, they have a removable MMCX cable with no microphone, a 45° jack and they have got a single balanced armature. Totally different specs, totally similar sounds. It’s pretty strange, considering the different drivers. I’d say, there’s some dynamic spirit on that balanced armatures inside the KOEL. The only real difference I can hear between the twos is the better treble on the KOEL, which is clearer and more detailed. The bass may be a little more present too. I really can’t choose between these two earphones.

ADVANCED Model 3: they are very similar in every way but the sound. I’m not joking, and I usually don’t use earphones of the same brands to do comparisons, but here I have to. Model 3 and KOEL have a similar shape, the same connectors, a similar fit (personally Model 3 are a bit more comfortable), similar build quality but very different sound signatures. So, I’m not saying that M4+Model3=KOEL, but the equation is not so different. Model 3 are made for a fun listening. Mid bass is very enhanced and mids are recessed, treble is fair. The soundstage is way more intimate. So, the Model 3 could be an option for those who don’t appreciate the flatness of the KOEL. I would choose the KOEL, though.

Simgot EM1: I compare them and not the MT3 (which have a closer price to the KOEL) because I fairly appreciated the EM1 and the KOEL, while I’m not totally convinced about the MT3. That said, even though the EM1 are among my favorite earphones, they are pretty different in sound compared to the KOEL. I don’t feel the EM1 as heavy colored or too bassy. They are pretty balanced and neutral, but more comfortable and more fun to listen to, rather than the KOEL. Between the two, because of the better fit, I would choose the EM1. They are different, I like them all, but if I had just a choice, that would be my personal one.

Conlcusions

So, it’s important to understand this kind of sound signature: I have a lot of earphones, but the ones with that flatness and balance are just these two that I’ve mentioned (KOEL and M4). While I love many sets for different reasons, I can’t deny that while I need to record and mix my songs my choice couldn’t fall upon a fun sounding earphone: here I choose something like the KOEL. Not for chilling, not even for comfort. When I need balance, clarity, sense of space, I rely on them. That’s good in a way, not-so-good in another. Because if I try to recommend them to you, it can be difficult. I may have your same taste, but not your same needs. If you record or monitor music, these are perfect for the money. And even if you are crazy about high fidelity. If you want something more relaxed, more bassy, there are plenty of options. But I think you must give a try to the KOEL, or another flat earphone, to really enjoy the details usually left behind the bass. You may not have that punch. You may not have that fun. But overall, you have something more real and close to the will of the artist. Think about it. I recommend the KOEL and I’m glad to have found a brand that provides a non-mainstream sound signature.

Simgot EM1 Review

Price: 80$

Where to buy them: https://amzn.to/2DWO4ch

Specifications:

• Transducer unit: 10mm high magnetic composite dynamic driver

• Diaphragm: Polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm

• Frequency response: 15Hz-40kHz

• Sensitivity: ≥101dB (at 1000Hz)

• Impedance: 16Ω

• Distortion: <1%  101dB（20μpa）

• Channel imbalance: <1.5dB（at 1000Hz）

• Rated power: 10mW

Thanks to Simgot for the review sample.

It’s been awhile since I’ve tried my first Simgot set of earphones, the Meeture MT3 (here my Head-fi review). I kind of liked that monitors, with a particular vocal-centered tuning which makes them perfect for singers’ live stages. They were comfortable too, so with the right eartips they were a really capable IEM. However, the tuning was a little bit unorthodox, that’s not a bad thing, but it’s something you need to get used to. These EM1, instead, are very well-tuned and easier to appreciate. Let’s see why.

Unboxing and first impressions

As you can see, the difference between the boxes is noticeable: I liked the rational small white box of the MT3, but this bigger black one of EM1 is classy and more elegant. There’s a High-Res certification and some black-on-black pictures and specifications on the various faces of the box: I like this style, but I have to say it’s a bit difficult to read what’s written.

As always, we find a soft carrying pouch with a good number of silicon eartips: 3 wide bore ones, 3 small bore ones. They really change the sound a lot, so be careful to try them all before judging the set. Like on the MT3, I prefer using the wide bore tips, because the sound is more balanced and less “boomy” than the sound provided with the others. It’s nice to see a description of how the sound changes depending on the eartips used, not just because they help with your choice, but because it’s very accurate. Unfortunately, there aren’t any foam tips, but the nozzle is pretty standard: I’ve tried both the Tin HiFi foams and the NiceHCK foams and they all fit very stably. The cable is really good: the same as MT3, a really well-made braided one. It’s oxygen free, 4 core, 6N of purity; a standard single-ended 3.5mm gold-plated jack and 2-pin 0.78mm connectors for the buds. There are pre-curved hooks and they are very comfortable, and there’s a chin slider too. The IEMs themselves come in a beautiful choice of colors: even though you can buy an all-black model, mine has the right earbud in red and the left one in blue. This makes it way easier to recognize which way to wear them. And the eartips are red/blue too, so it’s a beautiful touch. The buds are made of metal and plastic and they are actually the best plastic earphones I’ve ever tried regarding the build quality. It’s a translucent colored plastic, so you can still see the internals: you can notice the dynamic driver, which is the only one used in this set. The nozzle and parts of the faceplate are made of metal. There are some elegant writings. Overall, design wise this set is one of my favorites.

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Sound

My sources: FiiO M7, Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 with Zorloo ZuperDAC-S as DAC/Amp, MacBook Pro 2012 with Focusrite 2i2

My files: DSD, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, M4A

My music: “Colour the Small One” by Sia, “Djesse Vol.1” by Jacob Collier, “Where are You?” by Frank Sinatra, “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay, “O” by Damien Rice, and many other tracks by Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Radiohead, Jack Garratt…

When you try a lot of earphones, it’s difficult to get surprised: some sets have a good tuning, but they lack of detail, or vice versa. Some others have a really good bass, but they fall on mids and highs; it’s difficult to find a 360° convincing IEM, because brands obviously have to aim at a particular feature, especially on the budget area. Well, for my taste, this is one of the most convincing earphones under 100$. I may say this now is my favorite IEM.

Usually, when I start trying an earphone, I immediately understand a general tuning of it. Whether it’s a flat one or a “V” one, a balanced or a flat. In this case I needed more time to understand. First, I thought this was a warm set. Because bass sounded very punchy, quick, perfectly controlled with a dark background. Then I thought this was a bright set, because I started hearing some sparkles and a slight sibilance. So, I started thinking about a classic V-shaped signature, but I heard no evident fall on mids. Well, this became a really interesting set. I’d say, after listening to them for some time, that I’d remain with the initial impression of a dark background: the overall bass area is solid and gives warmness to the scene. That being said, the treble is surprisingly capable with a great detail and some sparkles, which however don’t bother me, as a really treble-sensitive person. I still hear some sibilance, which it’s not a characteristic of this set, but it’s an evidence of some not-so-well recorded songs: exactly like on Tin HiFi T3. Mids are great: I think they are slightly recessed, because the final impression I have is having a smooth U-shaped signature, which isn’t lacking of body nor lacking of air, though. I hear a very good separation between instruments and a pretty airy sound, with good detail and resolution. Soundstage is average: it doesn’t feel very wide, but neither inside your head. It’s something close to holographic which however doesn’t give the impression of a “virtualization”. And imaging, through this perceived small room, is actually pretty accurate.

To summarize: bass is very well-extended on the sub-bass area, present but controlled, punchy and pleasant. Mids are clear, with airy vocals and a good layering between instruments. Treble is solid and absolutely not rolled off, with a precise and analytical feel. Soundstage is average in width and depth, but imaging is really believable.

Comparisons

Simgot Meeture MT3: while they share the same accessories, materials and build quality, sound wise they are pretty different. Depending on the tips, MT3 can sound really V-shaped (small bore) or mid-centric (wide bore). EM1 are more balanced and provide an overall signature that’s more classic and pleasant. I could recommend the MT3 to singers for their live stages; but I can really recommend the EM1 to anyone, whether for music listening or music production or exibitions. These are really solid universal IEMs with no compromises. You can find the MT3 here: https://amzn.to/2GTFyxN

Tin HiFi T3: when I said that most of the times brands need to make decisions, I meant that earphones like Tin T3 are amazing under certain ways, but average on some others. T3 are fantastic if you need detail, they have a really good bass yet remaining bright and they absolutely don’t fall on mids. And they have the best cable on a budget, too. But they are less comfortable to wear and more fatiguing to listen to. I feel that EM1 are more cohesive in their frequency distribution – but it’s easily because of their only dynamic driver, while T3 are a hybrid solution. I personally choose EM1: they may be meant for a more casual listening, because of their less-analytical signature, but they are more pleasant to my ears and they don’t really make compromises. T3 do maybe “too much”: they need to smooth their treble a little bit. Still a great set, though, with a stunning design. In absolute terms, they may be superior. For my personal taste, which requires a more controlled treble, EM1 are a better choice. You can find the T3 here: https://amzn.to/2XcI206

BGVP DMG: very different in terms of drivers (it’s a 5 or 6 drivers hybrid), and also in terms of sound. DMG are more sibilant, and provide a less smooth sound through the frequency range. They are warm too, but they aren’t as punchy neither as controlled as the EM1. I like EM1 treble more, too. Mids are similar and soundstage depth too. Fit wise, they are both great and not fatiguing. I like them both, honestly; DMG may be a little bit more detailed thanks to their multi-balanced configuration, but the overall experience of EM1 is closer to my taste. You can find the DMG here: https://amzn.to/2EltqUJ

Conclusions

EM1 are an easy recommendation for me. I wasn’t so sure about MT3, but this set here is close to perfect for my taste. If you search for the most balanced choice in every way, consider this set. If you are more into crazy detail or very wide soundstage, there are better earphones, which aren’t that solid though, at least for what I think. This actually is one of my favorite IEM ever – and it proofs what you can do with a single dynamic driver, even on a budget. Highly recommended, in the end.