Etymotic Evo Triple Armature MSRP: $499 Evo was provided by Etymotic as a review loaner In many firsts for Etymotic, they have introduced a triple armature, concha filling, over-ear fit IEM with a Linum BaX T2 cable. Makes me dizzy just typing all that out. This is a huge departure from the standard Ety formula and no doubt an exciting one for Ety fans across the globe. The triple armature configuration is dual low frequency drivers and a single midrange/treble driver in a 2 way configuration. Impedance is listed at 47 ohms, so while not as power...

Simgot EN700 Pro msrp $149.99 disclaimer: Simgot provided the EN700 Pro free of charge Aesthetics The housing shape is rounded and free from sharp edges. Fit is easy and very comfortable. Housing plates are plastic, designed to look like a metal grill. The effect is either stately or tacky bling, whichever really depends on my mood. Supplied tips are plentiful and pretty decent, but I preferred JVC Spiral Dots for their larger aperture, allowing maximum treble response and shallow fit. The leather like case is a good one, with a magnetic flap...

Today Massdrop is announcing their own branded iem, designed and tuned from the ground up. It’s a triple Sonion armature universal with custom-like fit, for only $299. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-plus-universal-iems The Massdrop Plus tuning approach reminds me a little of what Sead Smailagic of Sony was trying to achieve with their MH1 and MH1C dynamic driver iems. The basic approach is a diffuse field accurate iem with a healthy deep bass boost. The problem with the Sony is that they boosted the bass entirely too much, with approximately...

Note: Mee Audio graciously provided the Pinnacle P1 free for review MEE Audio has been without a flagship for a couple of years, since the discontinuation of the very well received A161p. The A161p was single armature design with a balanced signature leaning to the slightly warm side. The A161p, along with the venerable Audio Technica CK10, were my gateway in-ears into a more neutral frequency response, and accordingly preserve fond memory in my portable audio journey. Consequently, I’ve been looking forward to the day MEE Audio found a worthy...

Note: The D2 used for this review was graciously supplied free of charge. The Alpha & Delta D2 is the newest in-house branded in-ear from Lend Me UR ears. Marketed for active users, the D2 is very affordable at an MSRP of only $25.92. It’s IPX4 sweat resistant design makes it perfect for outdoors, workouts and pool/beach-side usage. Specifications: • Driver unit: 10mm dynamic driver • Impedance: 16 ohm • Rated power: 1mW • Frequency Response: 10 Hz- 20 Khz • Speaker Sensitivity: 95 +/- db/ mW •...

Rhapsodio Solar Note: The custom in-ear in this review was provided at a discounted rate. Rhapsodio is an up and coming manufacturer of both custom in-ears and custom-like universals. The owner and primary voice of customer service, Sammy, is a very friendly and passionate audiophile, who is quick to respond to inquiries and questions, particularly over Facebook messenger, which seems to be the communication method of choice. While not necessarily a new company (Sammy and team have 3+ years in business), it wasn’t until the introduction...

Note: MusicTeck graciously provided the Miracle and Maestro samples for review. Originally published at CYMBACAVUM. Based in New Jersey, MusicTeck is an official distributor for some of the best-known manufacturers of high-end in-ear monitors, such as Unique Melody, Vision Ears, AAW, InEar and Earsonics to name a few. When they contacted CYMBACAVUM to see if we would be interested in reviewing two of Unique Melody’s in-ear monitors: the Miracle and the Maestro, of course we jumped at the opportunity. Links to MusicTeck, their store and Unique...

Note: Perfect Seal graciously provided the AR6 in this review. Perfect Seal Laboratories, based in Wichita Kansas, is a relatively new company in the increasingly popular custom in-ear market. The company is run by Mike Martinez, and while Perfect Seal might be new to the Head-Fi community, Mike is certainly not new to the industry. He previously worked for an early industry lab that made monitors for Sensaphonics and Fireside, in which everything was dynamic driver based at that time. Before getting into the model being reviewed here, I wanted...

Originally posted on CYMBACAVYM in April 2014. See http://cymbacavum.com/2014/03/23/customart-music-two/ for full review including pictures and manufacturer frequency response. CustomArt is a relatively new player in the custom in-ear monitor (CIEM) market, specializing in silicone CIEMs, remolds of customs and universals, universal custom tips and custom made cables. At the helm of CustomArt is Piotr Granicki (also known as piotrus-g, or Peter on head-fi.org). Peter is a personable, easy going and patient man, who won’t hesitate to...

Originally posted on CYMBACAVUM in April 2013. See full review with pictures and science editorial here: http://cymbacavum.com/2013/04/07/btg-audio-fitear-starlight-cable/ The FitEar TO GO! 334 has been my favorite IEM for quite some time. My only complaint has been that the tubby, heavy housings tend to pull away from my ears, causing me to constantly feel the need to push them in more snugly. The stock 01 cable is no help in this regard — the memory wire has virtually no holding power and might as well not even exist! In addition, while...

Disclaimer: The Echobox Finder X1 was provided to me as a review sample. The X1 contains a 9.2mm dynamic driver and is very well made. It has small and unobtrusive housings made from titanium. The housing shape is reminiscent of the Final Audio Piano Forte series but unlike those, the X1 is designed to fully seal the ear and can almost disappear from view depending on your ear canal shape. The small, titanium bell shape is quite attractive and comfortable. The X1 cable is silver plated copper wire and by all appearances seems pretty durable...

Big thanks to Hifiman, as I was able to audition the HE400S in my house for a couple of weeks! The stock cable is covered with a nylon braided sleeve. While attractive in its black and silver patter, its one of the stiffest, more stubborn and annoying cable I've ever used. It tends to want to stay in a coiled, snake like shape most of the time. The right angled plug is a nice touch for use with a mobile phone in the pocket. The cable plugs into both the left and the right cups with 2.5mm connectors and Y-split is very low on the cable. I would...

Brainwavz Jive - A Modification Away From Excellence Disclaimer: Brainwavz provided the unit used for this review. Brainwavz sure are one busy company. It seems that every few months they are releasing new or updated products. The Jive is one of the newest releases. The Jive is a budget dynamic driver in-ear market with an MSRP of just $28. Originally marketed as having balanced armature sound in a dynamic driver, current marketing expresses the Jive as having incredible liveliness and wide soundstage to bring right into the music. I...

Axgio Sprint Bluetooth Headset Disclaimer: The Axgio Sprint headset reviewed here was supplied free of charge I’ve never heard of Axgio, much less their Sprint Bluetooth headset. A quick Google search turns up a company that specializes in smartphones and smartphone accessories. Apparently Axgio not only makes smartphone hardware but has designed their own Android based OS named Neonado. The Sprint is an in-ear monitor headset that boasts an IPX4 rating for water resistance, thus it’s marketed as sports headset that is ultimately sweat-proof...

Brainwavz BLU-100 Bluetooth In Ears Foreword When Brainwavz contacted me about reviewing a set bluetooth in-ears, I have to admit I was bit apprehensive. Having never used bluetooth in ears but having used plenty of portable bluetooth iPhone speakers and in car audio set ups, bluetooth, while convenient, to my ears has been clearly a step back from a wired connection. Could Brainwavz change my mixed bag of feelings towards bluetooth? Accessories MSRP pricing for the BLU-100 is $44.50 but mp4nation is currently running a pre-order...

Brainwavz M1 – Clean and Clear     Disclaimer: Brainwavz supplied the M1 for this review   Brainwavz markets the M1 as “having a wide sound stage, accurate sound reproduction, good separation. The M1 are designed to reproduce sound with clarity and cleanness…”. I’m impressed! This is pretty much a spot on description of what the M1 sonically has to offer, but before I add my two cents on its sonics, let’s explore the other aspects of the M1.   Specifications   - 10.7mm dynamic driver - Impedance: 32 ohm - Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz -...

The Supra reviewed below is a production sample from the Kickstarter campaign and further details on the specs and configuration can be found there. This review consists of some comparisons and tip recommendations. Manufacturer specifications: Driver Configuration: Single High, Single Low. 2-Way, Passive Crossover Network. Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz Impedance: 23 ohms @ 1 kHz Sensitivity: 126 dB @ 1 kHz Noise Isolation: 28 dB, +/-2 dB Input Connector: 1/8" (3.5 mm) Gold Plated EarWerkz Supra vs Aurisonics Rockets...

Brainwavz S0 Full Disclosure: Brainwavz supplied the S0 for this review It seems Brainwavz has been cranking out the new releases in their IEM line up of late. This time they’ve entered the fray with a new entrant into the $50 market tier; the Brainwavz S0 has an MSRP of $49.50. Competition in this tier is stout, with a veritable flood of options. Lately Brainwavz seems to be going after clientele that would place value and durability at the top of their shopping list, especially in the “S” range of their line up. Let’s find out how the...

Brainwavz S5 Disclaimer: I’d like to thank Brainwavz for contacting and offering the review sample. The Brainwavz S5 is the latest addition to the Brainwavz stable of in-ears. It takes design cues from is sibling S1 but refines them for a more elegant and cohesive aesthetic. It eschews the flashier colors of previous Brainwavz models for a more traditional but stately scheme of simple black and gray. Design/Build The S5, like the S1, is built like a tank. The dark gray, slightly rubbery cable is a wide and thick flat cable...

Disclaimer: I’d like to thank Beyerdynamic for loaning me the A200p for review. The sample will be returned to Beyerdynamic following evaluation. Reprinted from: http://cymbacavum.com/2014/06/02/beyerdynamic-a200p-portable-digital-amplifier/ The Beyerdynamic A200p is a very small DAC/Amp combo for portable use with computers, iPads, iPhones, and Android phones. The device itself is 55×55×13 mm and the included leather case with belt strap adds minimal bulk. It features and on/off/lock switch, headphone out, play/pause/forward/reverse...