Simgot EM6-L

Simgot EM6L review and comparisons.
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Better late than never, I'm delighted I was asked to evaluate the Simgot EM6L ($110 USD), as I'd always been intrigued about the sound quality of these popular in-ear monitor (IEM) headphones within the audiophile community. I'd want to thank Simgot and the review tour organization for having me as a reviewer.
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Simgot is a relatively new name in the audiophile world and has been producing great sounding IEMs model after model in recent years. I own two of their products, the EA500 and the EA1000, both of which have excellent sound quality. The EM6L, which consists of one dynamic driver or DD and four balanced armature or BA driver configuration, will be the third Simgot IEM I'll try; let's see if it lives up to my expectations.
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My unboxing experience with this review unit was positive; the packaging and presentation look and feel classy for the price; it includes three pairs of eartips, a manual, a good 3.5mm cable, and a practical carrying case; I used the included medium tips for this review because I found them adequate; I tried other tips and heard no improvements or changes that I preferred. I also used the default cable for my evaluation.
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The graph:
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It has about 1 Db of channel imbalance (see photo) in most of its frequency range, but I don't find it that bad in my listening test, and in my opinion, it is negligible for daily use. Only when I came from listening to a perfectly balanced set did I hear a slight imprecision in the imaging. The graph generally looks smooth.
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Sensitivity, drivability, power handling, and distortion.
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It has an slightly below average sensitivity but it is easily driven to a high levels and stays clean without obvious distortion creeping in.

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Synergy:
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The EM6L is not choosy when it comes to sources. I tried it with the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha, Moondrop Dawn Pro, Moonriver 2, and Tooping G5 without any issues, but for this review, I used my Fiio M15s the majority of the time.
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Sound signature and dynamics:
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Slightly V-shaped with good extension on both ends of the spectrum. It also has good energy across the frequency range. The detail retrieval is good for the price.

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Sound stage and imaging:
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It has a decent but average sound stage size for the price, and the imaging is good but average for the price.
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Bass:
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The bass is slightly boosted and has good dynamic energy; it is not technically the best, but good enough to be enjoyed by most people.
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Midrange:
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The midrange sounds natural and clear; it's not the smoothest I've heard, but it's not boring either. The midrange has the liveliness that makes me really enjoy listening to this set. In my opinion, the midrange is the best part of the EM6L.
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Treble:
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It has good air and an adequate extension; the detail retrieval is good for the price; however, despite having a smooth graph, I hear some roughness in the treble when listening loud to some songs, indicating non-linear distortion. I can also hear a faint and peculiar coloration in the treble that some people call the BA timbre, but it is very slight.

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Compared to the Kinera Celest PhoenixCall (130 USD):
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Among the IEMs included in the comparison, the PhoenixCall, which is composed of 1 DD, 2 BA, and a microplanar mix configuration, is the closest competitor to the EM6L.

Bass: The PhoenixCall has better bass detail and resolution; the EM6L sounds muddy at times in comparison to the PhoenixCall's bass; I prefer the PhoenixCal in this regard.
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Midrange: Due to the uneven midrange response of the PhoenixCall, and I'm not just reading graphs, I actually hear this when comparing the two: the EM6L has a more natural-sounding midrange and vocals. The EM6L wins here.
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Treble: When listening at medium to loud volumes, the PhoenixCall wins hands down; it has more air, extension, detail, and finesse; the EM6L sounds piercing during loud listening sessions on some songs, indicating distortion.
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In terms of sound stage and imaging, they are just about equal, and they are both average for the price.
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Compared to the Simgot EA500 (70 USD):
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A single DD configured IEM sounds more coherent by comparison; it was only when I compared it to a single driver set that it became noticeable to me the slight incoherence between the multiple drivers in the EM6L.
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The note weight in the EA500 is thinner, and the treble extension is inferior compared to the EM6L.
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The EA500 can go louder without becoming shrill on the treble and has a more natural sound overall.
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In terms of sound staging, the EM6L has an obvious advantage, but in terms of imaging, they are about equal in performance; perhaps the EM6L has a slight edge; both cannot achieve the high level of holography that other, much more expensive sets can.
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Pros:
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- good price to perfomance ratio.
- excellent sounding midrange for the price
- small, light, and comfortable to wear.
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Cons:
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- There are instances of piercing highs on some songs at loud volumes.
- There is a slight BA timbre.

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To conclude this review:
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The Simgot EM6L is a very good value for money, and considering its driver configuration's technical sound quality advantage over other sets and its excellent midrange sound quality for its price range, it is highly recommended. Cheers and Happy listening!
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thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This set was provided by Simgot in exchange for my honest and impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gear used:
●LG v30+
●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
●Samsung dongle
●Hiby FC4
● Kiwi Ears Allegro
● iFi GO bar Kensei

Source:
Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:
Simgot is a Chinese manufacturer that's become a very prevalent player in the lower budget tiers the last couple of years. Some of their offerings include the EA1000, EW200, and EA500LM, all of which have garnered a lot of praise and attention. They have even recently branched out and released a dongle DAC/amplifier as well. The EM6L, also called Phoenix, is a hybrid iem composed of a single dynamic driver and 4 custom balanced armature drivers. It debuted in the late summer of 2023 and has received mostly positive reviews. It is currently available on Simgot's website and Amazon for $109.99. Let's see if the Phoenix soars above other offerings in today's market.



Build, fit, ergonomics:
The unboxing of the EM6L is quite satisfactory considering the price point. The packaging exudes a sense of elegance and quality. Upon opening the box, the earphones are neatly nestled in the foam cutouts. Beneath them, a smaller box contains the zipper carrying case, the cable, and three pairs of silicone tips. The shells are black in color and are composed of solid resin with a metal faceplate. They feature an understated, elegant, and mature design. The EM6L faceplates feature the Simgot logo on one and the Phoenix symbol on the other. They utilize QDC connectors which is a bit of a letdown. In my opinion, the shells would look much better and more sleek with flat 2 pin connections. They are very lightweight and easy to wear for long periods but they don't quite feel as sturdy or premium as the EA500LM or even the EW200. The metal nozzle is maybe a bit on the wide side but the fit and insertion depth for me is perfect. Unfortunately, they don't have a lip for the tips to grab onto, although I had no issues with tips staying in place. There are only 3 generic silicone tips included which is pretty mediocre for a set upwards of $100. For audiophiles like me who tend to try a variety of tips, it's not a big deal, but I still think it's best to include more than the bare minimum for the average consumer. I found the best fit and seal using my trusty large size Penon Liqueur tips (seriously I can't recommend these enough, they are fantastic). The stock cable is similar to the one included with the EA500LM but with QDC connectors instead of the standard 2 pin. It's a serviceable enough cable but it feels a bit thin and rubbery for my tastes. A solid black cable would have paired really well with the shell aestetic. There is also a generic, black, semi-rigid zipper case in the box. It's a nice inclusion but the addition of either the Phoenix or Simgot emblems to the case would have been a great way to take it up a notch.


Sound impressions:
The frequency response of the Phoenix graphs very close to the H2019 target curve. It's essential a V-shaped profile with a boost in the bass and upper mids/lower treble with a fairly well extended treble roll off. The soundstage width is above average with nice depth as well. Detail retrieval is excellent for the price tier. It's not on the same level as the EA500LM but definitely better than a lot of sets in the same price range. The EM6L have a very musical and engaging tuning but still have great details. They are fairly easy to drive but will need extra power to get to very high volumes and they do scale well.

●Lows - The sub bass doesnt extend super low as the Phoenix features a more mid bass focused tuning. A bit more sub bass rumble would be welcome but to my ears it is sufficient as it stands. The bass is punchy with a good rumble and texture. There is fast attack and the decay could be consider a bit on the slow side. This can lead to the bass lingering a bit long on busier tracks where the decay isnt long enough for each thump to quite end before the next begins. There is minimal bleed into the lower mids but I think my nitpicks would have been alleviated with slightly better separation. The bass presentation isn't muddy or blooming per se but I think just draws my attention and is more prominent at times. To my surprise, I actually found that the bass can be ever so slightly fatiguing over longer sessions due to this constant mid bass energy. Although that will really depend on the musical genre of choice and each individuals affinity for mid bass. For me it never really detracted top much from the music and the mid bass adds a nice warmth to the overall tuning that I enjoy.

●Mids - The upper mids/lower treble is accentuate but stays clear of being shouty or overbearing. Vocals are very smooth and slightly pushed forward, females a bit more so compared to males due to the prominent midbass. I typically prefer a vocal presentation that's better seperated from the midbass but overall I really enjoyed the vocals on the Phoenix and there's little to complain about here. The timbre of instruments and vocals is mostly natural and organic with a very slight, occasional BA timbre. I couldnt hear it that often so for me it's easily overlooked. Theres plenty of details and nuances to be heard but overall it leans towards a more musical presentation over a resolving one.

●Highs - Treble is elevated to balance the boosted bass frequencies. There is good extension with plenty of air and sparkle for me, but trebleheads will most likely be asking for more. Sometimes the edges of certain words and notes have a bit more energy and could be considered slightly harsh but it doesn't quite approach true sibilance. Again, I could pick up on some slight BA timbre, mostly on string instruments and percussion but still an enjoyable presentation. To my ear, the note weight does present a bit thin on some tracks but that could just be my preference for warmth.


In conclusion:
In folklore, the phoenix is said to rise from the ashes to be reborn. In a similar vein, the EM6L has proven to be a transformative experience. Other Simgot iems that I've tried tend to have a brighter sound signature, which doesn't align with my personal preferences. As a result, the EM6L has reignited my curiosity in the brand. There is very little to complain about with its mature tuning. The bass is fun and punchy, the mids are mostly clean with excellent vocal timbre, and the treble is well extended without being sibilant. The soundstage is large and the detail retrieval is great, though not quite on par with the EA500LM. The little nitpicks I do have are the occasional BA timbre, the separation between bass and mids could be better defined, and the shells and stock cable could be of higher quality. Also, the extra midbass presence can be a bit much at times but this is still my favorite Simgot to date. The extra warmth in the low end goes a long way to tame the highs without losing their extension and sparkle. In my opinion, they sound great for pop, rock, R&B, and soft rock/pop. I also think they are a decent enough all-rounder too, as long as you don't find the extra mid bass thump too fatiguing. I give the EM6L a solid recommendation. In my opinion, the Simgot Phoenix has risen and allows the music to soar.

In the world of IEMs, finding a blend of excellent sound quality and appealing design at an accessible price point can be a challenge. The Simgot EM6L rises to this challenge with grace and expertise, establishing itself not merely as a contender but as a standout performer in the audio landscape

Design Elegance

The Simgot EM6L represents a paradigm of modern headphone design—sleek, minimalistic, and elegantly understated. Crafted with a keen eye for detail, the housing is designed to be both visually appealing and comfortable for long listening sessions

The overall look is one of sophisticated restraint, making these headphones as much a fashion statement as they are a piece of audio equipment.
This minimalist approach does not detract from the device’s allure but rather enhances it

Acoustic Performance

Turning to the sound, the Simgot EM6L offers an auditory experience that is as rich as it is refined. The balance in the sound profile is masterfully achieved, with a slight V-shaped tuning that accentuates the highs and lows subtly while maintaining a full and present midrange. The high frequencies are a particular highlight, with a clarity and precision that surpass many models at higher price points. Each note in the upper registers sparkles with clarity, making classical compositions shimmer and pop tracks sizzle with energy

The mids, while not as forward, are no less impressive. They present a textured soundscape where each instrument and vocal line is rendered with distinct clarity and warmth. This quality makes the EM6L particularly adept at handling complex tracks where multiple instruments must be distinctly heard without blending into a muddy acoustic environment

The bass is tight and controlled, extending deep into the lower frequencies without ever overwhelming the other elements of the sound profile. This velvety bass response ensures that the foundation of the music is solid yet unobtrusive, providing a backbone that supports but doesn’t smother

Technical Characteristics

Driver Configuration: It uses a hybrid driver system that combines balanced armature drivers for an articulate response in the highs and mids, with dynamic drivers that provide a powerful yet controlled bass

Frequency Response: The headphones offer a broad frequency response, ensuring that from the deepest bass to the highest treble, every part of the audio spectrum is well-represented

Impedance and Sensitivity (32 Ohm): They are crafted to be highly efficient, suitable for use with a wide range of devices from mobile phones to dedicated high-resolution audio players

Purchase Recommendation

Priced under $120, the Simgot EM6L stands out as one of the best values in the hybrid IEM market. They are an excellent choice for both budding audiophiles and seasoned listeners. The high-level performance in processing high frequencies, combined with the exceptional handling of female vocals, makes the EM6L a competitive and compelling option, giving more expensive models a run for their money

Conclusion

Overall, the Simgot EM6L is more than just an attractive pair of headphones, it is a comprehensive audio solution that marries exceptional sound quality with impeccable style and solid construction. For those who are in the market for an affordable entry into high-quality audio, the EM6L represents a wise and rewarding investment, sure to enrich any musical experience. Whether your playlist includes symphonic movements, intricate jazz ensembles, or dynamic pop anthems, the EM6L is equipped to bring out the best in your music, making every listen a deep dive into the art of sound

#SimgotEM6L #Simgot