FATfreq
(AKA Fat Frequency) is a
Singaporean boutique brand specializing in high-quality, handcrafted in-ear monitors (IEMs) for musicians, engineers, and audiophiles. FATfreq’s pro IEMs are generally custom in ears and tuned to be neutral, while their consumer-focused universal fit IEMs fall under their
“Maestro” category of IEMs.
FATFreq has always been a rather unique brand doing unique things. The founders have a clear penchant for thunderous sub-bass, and even the tamest Maestro series IEM,
Grand Maestro, is a monster when it comes to sub-bass rumble (It is also the current FATfreq flagship). So what happens when the brilliant and innovative engineers at FATFreq add a massive
30 dB sub-bass shelf? Well, the result is right here:
The "Scarlet Mini" from FATFreq is Basshead spirit incarnate.
Price
$629 (default cable) or $786 (upgraded silver-red cable)
Specifications:
Using proprietary dynamic woofers, bass chambers, and acoustic damping networks, FATfreq has tuned the
Scarlet Mini to achieve the deepest and most elevated bass response ever recorded in an audiophile IEM at over 30 dB. It is also meticulously controlled below
200Hz with
zero mid-range bleed. This innovation was pioneered and perfected for one singular focus:
Sheer bass monstrosity.
FATfreq uses proprietary circuits inside the
Scarlet Mini to correct the non-linear impedances of multi-driver systems. According to FATfreq, the different output impedances across all your devices cause frequency response to vary. This tech ensures consistency in frequency response for all our IEMs when plugged into any device—be it your PC front panel, phone audio jack, or dedicated DAP.
However, in reality, the source is a crucial factor for the
Scarlet Mini to perform optimally, which I will shed light on later in this review. , FATfreq also uses exponential horn curvature for gain-control and to improve treble tonality via acoustics, drawing inspiration from a traditional French horn.
Disclaimer: I am an audiophile and a reviewer who works with Mr. @Sajid Amit of Amplify Audio Reviews. Amplify generally covers high-end IEMs, Accessories, DAC Amps, and Headphones, with occasional reviews of some budget products. Check out our video reviews at: https://www.youtube.com/@amplifyaudioreviews
Build and comfort:
Scarlet Mini features super tiny earpieces, identical to the cheaper
Maestro Mini, which costs roughly half. The earpieces feature a beautiful shade of red,
“Scarlet,” to be precise, alongside gold accents featuring FATfreq's insignia. Thanks to the super tiny footprint and almost non-existent weight, comfort is exceptionally good.
The unboxing experience remains impressive, as always with all FATfreq IEMs.
Scarlet Mini comes with a sizeable red pelican-style case, aptly named
"FATBOX" by FATfreq themselves. The first thing that grabbed my attention upon opening the case was the big silica gel container box smack in the middle of the case. Rest are pretty standard affair. There was the IEM itself and the upgraded
silver-red cable
(which is optional; you can order the regular package with a simpler cable for a reduced quote). The tips FATfreq provides with this IEM are generic grey tips with red core. They are very comfortable, hypo-allergic, and work fine with Scarlet Mini. Thanks to its regular-sized nozzles, the
Scarlet Mini is highly tip-roll friendly as well. The upgrade cable is modular and is a bit on the stiff side, though It is lightweight and does not tangle at all, so zero issues from a comfort standpoint. The upgrade cable also has screw-in shrouds covering the modular connection, which protects the cable from accidental detachment in case of sudden tugs or pulls.
Sound
"Measurement by Timmy Vangtan"
Scarlet Mini is bassy and
brutally, unabashedly so. Its 30 dB sub-bass shelf is not something to scoff at. Interestingly, It remains strictly controlled just under the 200 Hz mark and does not cloud the lower Mids in any circumstances. The bass here is also more rumbly than punchy. It vibrates and rocks the back of your brain. The immediate, sharp punch is also pretty present, but the low rumble is the star of the show here. Midbass still has a commendable presence and authority, but the bass lift is skewed more towards the lowest registers; otherwise, there would have been bleeds into the lower midrange. This sort of bass presentation highly favors electronic music, R&B, hip-hop, or any bass-boosted modern music in general.
Power by
Kanye West is one of my benchmarks for sub-bass test. I am yet to find an IEM that can create that
subwoofer in your head impression like the
Scarlet Mini while playing this track.
Scarlet Mini is quite nicely extended in the air frequency range, just like the rest of the
Maestro lineup, especially when amped properly. Without proper amplification, the leading edges of notes can become ultra smooth and non-offensive, so amplification is a crucial factor here.
Scarlet Mini loves power, and giving it what it demands rewarded me with a sufficiently airy, sparkly top end. Dongles will not cut it, not even the flagship ones. I would suggest proper portable DAC Amps like the iFi Gryphon, Mojo 2, or CMA 18P for this IEM. There is no sibilance or harshness whatsoever. The treble is one of the most sophisticated or refined in this price category if properly amped.
Midrange has always been FATfreq's forte, and
Scarlet Mini's midrange is actually on par with other kilo-buck midrange masters like the Sony IER M9 and FlipEars Aether. It is a vocal specialist, and I actually enjoyed Scarlet Mini's vocals more than neutral/near-neutral sets like the Bellos Audio X4 and Campfire Ponderosa. The overwhelming bass focus can take attention away from the marvelous mids at times; it is truly the
unsung hero of
Scarlet Mini's overall tuning.
Detail retrieval is decent for the price. With proper amplification, finer background nuances come alive to their full potential.
Scarlet Mini has a resolution similar to other sub-$1000 sets. The soundstage is on the intimate side but never feels closed in or claustrophobic. Imaging and separation prowess are pretty decent; I faced zero issues playing multiplayer games with it. Footsteps and directional cues were easy to pinpoint.
Dynamics are through the roof and is one of the key selling factors of this IEM. Ironically, metal and rock tracks also sound awesome with the
Scarlet Mini alongside the usual suspects, AKA Hip-hop, trap music, and EDM, as I have already mentioned once. I thoroughly enjoyed
Megadeth, Mastodon, and my
Power Metal playlists with the
Scarlet Mini. Thanks to the marvelous midrange and sparkly, airy top end, it is also quite enjoyable if you primarily listen to orchestral music, instrumentals, or smooth jazz. The bombastic bass adds a different flavor to these genres compared to more neutrally tuned IEMs.
Comparison
Campfire Audio Cascara and Ponderosa
The Cascara is also a bass monster, though the presentation is different. It has a more emphasized midbass and punches hard, while the
Scarlet Mini is the rumble king. Cascara has a warmer treble response as well. Ponderosa is a more neutral and resolving set than both. It still has great bass, but not as much as the Cascara or the
Scarlet Mini. Both Ponderosa and Cascara are more intimate-sounding.
FatFreq Grand Maestro
It's not a fair comparison, I know. I would compare the tuning profile only. The Grand Maestro, while still quite bassy, is more of a calm and collected individual rather than a rowdy rocker boy like the
Scarlet Mini. The GM is a champion allrounder with a more u-shaped generalist tuning. The Scarlet Mini, on the other hand, is primarily a bass specialist.
Sony IER M9
M9 is a warm-neutral professional IEM aimed at musicians. It is also a fantabulous IEM for general listening as a bonus. M9 is the master of precision and timbre, yet
Scarlet Mini's strength is M9's Achilles heel, as the M9 is noticeably rolled off in the low sub-region. I also feel the resolution level of M9 is beginning to show its age, as the Scarlet Mini can showcase more nuance when A/B ing.
FlipEars Aether
Aether is tuned very similarly to the M9 but with far superior bass and a lush, velvety midrange. While Aether is also a master of bass despite its all-BA underpinnings, it is not nearly as bassy and tactile as the
Scarlet Mini. Aether is a specialist but in a different way, with a dedicated concentration on the midrange.
Scarlet Mini is kind of reverse as it concentrates on bass while retaining a great midrange tonality.
Scarlet Mini is pretty versatile, though bass is its primary focus. The fantastic coherence and non-interference between frequencies make it a viable choice for a broad array of genres. It is a unique yet highly organic-sounding, collectible IEM that is a great addition to anyone's arsenal
As a Xenns Up owner I'm not that intrigued haha. I also think that the sub bass is already pretty good. The only set I owned that beat it was the Monarch Mk3.