Disclaimer: This review was originally published at http://headflux.de/inear-prophile-8 on September 24, 2016 in German. We've been invited by InEar to test the prototype for the purpose of writing a review for headflux.de that we published at the same time the ProPhile was officially unveiled.
A few weeks ahead the official launch date of the ProPhile 8 we’ve been invited to write an exclusive review of the new InEar.
Within the usual denomination of InEar the ProPhile 8, with it’s 8 Balanced Armature Drivers, would have been named StageDiver 8. On purpose InEar decided to deviate from their usual name pattern, because the ProPhile 8 differs significantly from it’s siblings. The ergonomic shape of the housings is similar to the StageDiver series, but the embedded switches already hint that this is not a “normal” InEar. The special thing about the ProPhile is a switchable crossover which allows 4 different sound settings to be accessed by the user.
Apart from its special status in the line-up of InEar the PP-8 with its 8 Balanced Armature Drivers marks itself as the flagship of the brand InEar-Monitoring. They used 4 double-BA receivers of Knowles and Sonion that are divided in 4 ways.
The idea to allow the user to switch between multiple sound settings is nothing never seen before. A system with interchangeable filters is already known from earphones like the Shure SE846 or the RHA T20. The pinnacle is marked by the FLC8s of FLC Technology which allows up to 36 different setups. But the technology found in the ProPhile 8 sets apart from the just named and is rarely found these days: It’s more like 4 individual earphones put together in one housing, that can be selected by a switch. Instead of just one ordinary crossover InEar designed 4 complete crossover circuits and merged them together.
For the MSRP of 1298€ the package includes the InEar itself as well as various silicone and foam tips, an adapter and cleaning wipes. Furthermore, you get a set of cerumen filters and all packed in a solid Pelican case that InEar calls IE13.
Build and fit:
Please note: We’ve tested a pre-production unit, so the design might vary from the final product.
Personally we would have liked the prototype to have more flagship-appeal. Unlike the regular StageDiver the ProPhile doesn’t wear a black high gloss finish but appears in an unpretentious matt black color. The surface structure itself is achieved by sandblasting next to the additive manufacturing process. In contrast to the StageDiver series the ProPhile will not be dip painted afterwards to remain that velvet look. Tastes differ, but speaking of quality InEar did a fantastic work as usual. Haptically the surface feels great and doesn’t attract fingerprints like the glossy StageDivers. Just like a StageDiver the ProPhile remains the well-known custom like shape. Hence the 8 drivers and the additional tech need more space the housings had to grow in depth and now stick out slightly more. As well the area surrounding the nozzle gained some material. In most cases the ProPhile will fit, if a StageDiver does. Unusually shaped ears will have to wait for the upcoming custom version. The isolation is as great as with a StageDiver and nearly mutes environment noises.
The recess on the inside of the earphone, that houses the switches, doesn’t affect comfort. Albeit it collects dirt easily. The ProPhile’s cable is exactly the same that will be delivered with every StageDiver. It’s twisted, solid and connects via the 2-pin connector that doesn’t rotate. Thanks to the over-ear wearing style microphonics are minor. From our point of view, we’ve liked to see InEar using a different cable to stand out from the StageDiver models.
Sound:
The ProPhile 8 is a shapeshifter. Thanks to the switchable crossover it covers 4 individual sound signatures that can be accessed by 2 switches located on the inside of the housings. Switch number one raises the low end while switch number two adds a few dB to the treble. By shifting both switches bass and treble will be enhanced simultaneously. The ProPhile 8 covers the whole range of frequencies that can be heard by humans. This is not affected by the position of the switches. Bass can be perceived well under 30 Hz; high frequencies extend to the upper threshold. So the PP 8 does lead its flagship qualities and does show the payoffs of its 8 balanced armatures drivers.
Default setting: With both switches in their default setting the InEar sounds close to neutral. The low end is slightly enhanced from deep to the middle bass – the manufacturer InEar calls it a linear tuning, while we hear about 2-3 dB more bass than neutral. Considering a few dB of bass might lack when listening to headphones compared to loudspeaker listening, the ProPhile might be described as neutral, but not Etymotic ER4S neutral. The upper bass though remains completely neutral and doesn’t affect the mids. So voices sound uncolored and neutral as well. The upper midrange is unobtrusive. While the prototype we listened to had a peak between 5-6 kHz, InEar decided to get rid of it for the final production unit, hence it caused a slight harshness with bad recordings. In return they mildly increased the highest treble which was a tad too shy. At around 8 kHz there is another shallow enhancement that creates crispness and wasn’t effected by the rework. Altogether the sound feels very homogeneous and coherent without any sharp peaks. So the default setting delivers a smooth and balanced sounding that is close to neutral.
Production unit
Bass setting: After operating the bass switch, the low end rises by 3 dB. The enhancement extends from sub- to midbass, while only sparsely raising the upper bass. Just like in the default setting the midrange stays neutral and won’t be colored by the bass. The additional amount of bass doesn’t make the ProPhile a basshead’s earphone but will raise the bass-level quite noticeable. In terms of quantity the bass will remain less than what a StageDiver 4 delivers, while the SD4 notably offers a more present upper bass.
Production unit
Treble setting: The treble setting adds a high frequency boost of 2 dB to the frequencies above 7-8 kHz. This option was very welcome with the slightly treble-shy prototype, because it elevated the upper treble just a tad above neutral. The archived brilliance caused the feeling of gaining even more resolution without causing sibilance.
Production unit
Both switches activated: Apparently this setting will combine the bass- and trebleboost and therefore result in a classical v-shaped signature. Due to the structure of the crossover the midrange will be reduced slightly as well. Combining the two switches will not baffle the ProPhile that remains playing at ease like in every other setting.
Production unit
In comparison to a StageDiver 4’s tuning the ProPhile 8 is tuned subtler. While the SD 4 tends to emphasize the lower heights and upper bass, the ProPhile accentuates the upper treble and lower bass in a more understated manner. As a result, the SD 4 feels more engaging as the PP 8 preserves its HiFi claim even in the v-shape setting.
Speaking of sound quality, the ProPhile’s 8 drivers and premium price tag promise flagship performance – and it lives up to this. Bass sounds noticeably dry and precise. The overall resolution is on a very high level as expected. Midrange and highs don’t miss a single detail; especially the treble setting reveals a high richness of details. The activated bass setting lets the low end feel a smidge softer, what may simply be caused by the higher bass quantity. Yet the bass keeps being very precise. Generally speaking, the 4 different modes deliver the same amount of performance – so there’s no risk to tradeoff soundquality by operating the switches.
The ProPhile sounds very spacious. Just like the StageDivers it presents a wide soundstage. While the ProPhile’s soundstage doesn’t extend to more wideness, deepness or height, separation is noticeably better. As a result, the PP 8 presents a very realistic, three-dimensional soundstage that makes locating voices and instruments easy.
Conclusion:
The StageDiver-series was designed for monitoring requirements in first place, like the name might suggest. Nonetheless especially StageDiver 2 and StageDiver 4 are well regarded among audiophiles. Now the new ProPhile specifically targets HiFi-enthusiasts and goes flat out. In addition to its 8 BA drivers it packs a switchable crossover that allows 4 different soundings. The shells have been inspired by the StageDriver-series and therefore promise outstanding universal comfort and isolation. Color wise InEar chose a subtle matt black - in our opinion they could have risked a more extravagant look. Sound wise the PP 8 lives up to the flagship qualities it’s specs promise. Thanks to the switchable crossover it will serve different tastes and moods. Leaving the switches in the default setting the InEar delivers a reference sound signature close to neutral. Bass and treble quantity can be added by demand without losing quality.
A few weeks ahead the official launch date of the ProPhile 8 we’ve been invited to write an exclusive review of the new InEar.
Within the usual denomination of InEar the ProPhile 8, with it’s 8 Balanced Armature Drivers, would have been named StageDiver 8. On purpose InEar decided to deviate from their usual name pattern, because the ProPhile 8 differs significantly from it’s siblings. The ergonomic shape of the housings is similar to the StageDiver series, but the embedded switches already hint that this is not a “normal” InEar. The special thing about the ProPhile is a switchable crossover which allows 4 different sound settings to be accessed by the user.
Apart from its special status in the line-up of InEar the PP-8 with its 8 Balanced Armature Drivers marks itself as the flagship of the brand InEar-Monitoring. They used 4 double-BA receivers of Knowles and Sonion that are divided in 4 ways.
The idea to allow the user to switch between multiple sound settings is nothing never seen before. A system with interchangeable filters is already known from earphones like the Shure SE846 or the RHA T20. The pinnacle is marked by the FLC8s of FLC Technology which allows up to 36 different setups. But the technology found in the ProPhile 8 sets apart from the just named and is rarely found these days: It’s more like 4 individual earphones put together in one housing, that can be selected by a switch. Instead of just one ordinary crossover InEar designed 4 complete crossover circuits and merged them together.
For the MSRP of 1298€ the package includes the InEar itself as well as various silicone and foam tips, an adapter and cleaning wipes. Furthermore, you get a set of cerumen filters and all packed in a solid Pelican case that InEar calls IE13.
Build and fit:
Please note: We’ve tested a pre-production unit, so the design might vary from the final product.
Personally we would have liked the prototype to have more flagship-appeal. Unlike the regular StageDiver the ProPhile doesn’t wear a black high gloss finish but appears in an unpretentious matt black color. The surface structure itself is achieved by sandblasting next to the additive manufacturing process. In contrast to the StageDiver series the ProPhile will not be dip painted afterwards to remain that velvet look. Tastes differ, but speaking of quality InEar did a fantastic work as usual. Haptically the surface feels great and doesn’t attract fingerprints like the glossy StageDivers. Just like a StageDiver the ProPhile remains the well-known custom like shape. Hence the 8 drivers and the additional tech need more space the housings had to grow in depth and now stick out slightly more. As well the area surrounding the nozzle gained some material. In most cases the ProPhile will fit, if a StageDiver does. Unusually shaped ears will have to wait for the upcoming custom version. The isolation is as great as with a StageDiver and nearly mutes environment noises.
The recess on the inside of the earphone, that houses the switches, doesn’t affect comfort. Albeit it collects dirt easily. The ProPhile’s cable is exactly the same that will be delivered with every StageDiver. It’s twisted, solid and connects via the 2-pin connector that doesn’t rotate. Thanks to the over-ear wearing style microphonics are minor. From our point of view, we’ve liked to see InEar using a different cable to stand out from the StageDiver models.
Sound:
The ProPhile 8 is a shapeshifter. Thanks to the switchable crossover it covers 4 individual sound signatures that can be accessed by 2 switches located on the inside of the housings. Switch number one raises the low end while switch number two adds a few dB to the treble. By shifting both switches bass and treble will be enhanced simultaneously. The ProPhile 8 covers the whole range of frequencies that can be heard by humans. This is not affected by the position of the switches. Bass can be perceived well under 30 Hz; high frequencies extend to the upper threshold. So the PP 8 does lead its flagship qualities and does show the payoffs of its 8 balanced armatures drivers.
Default setting: With both switches in their default setting the InEar sounds close to neutral. The low end is slightly enhanced from deep to the middle bass – the manufacturer InEar calls it a linear tuning, while we hear about 2-3 dB more bass than neutral. Considering a few dB of bass might lack when listening to headphones compared to loudspeaker listening, the ProPhile might be described as neutral, but not Etymotic ER4S neutral. The upper bass though remains completely neutral and doesn’t affect the mids. So voices sound uncolored and neutral as well. The upper midrange is unobtrusive. While the prototype we listened to had a peak between 5-6 kHz, InEar decided to get rid of it for the final production unit, hence it caused a slight harshness with bad recordings. In return they mildly increased the highest treble which was a tad too shy. At around 8 kHz there is another shallow enhancement that creates crispness and wasn’t effected by the rework. Altogether the sound feels very homogeneous and coherent without any sharp peaks. So the default setting delivers a smooth and balanced sounding that is close to neutral.
Production unit
Bass setting: After operating the bass switch, the low end rises by 3 dB. The enhancement extends from sub- to midbass, while only sparsely raising the upper bass. Just like in the default setting the midrange stays neutral and won’t be colored by the bass. The additional amount of bass doesn’t make the ProPhile a basshead’s earphone but will raise the bass-level quite noticeable. In terms of quantity the bass will remain less than what a StageDiver 4 delivers, while the SD4 notably offers a more present upper bass.
Production unit
Treble setting: The treble setting adds a high frequency boost of 2 dB to the frequencies above 7-8 kHz. This option was very welcome with the slightly treble-shy prototype, because it elevated the upper treble just a tad above neutral. The archived brilliance caused the feeling of gaining even more resolution without causing sibilance.
Production unit
Both switches activated: Apparently this setting will combine the bass- and trebleboost and therefore result in a classical v-shaped signature. Due to the structure of the crossover the midrange will be reduced slightly as well. Combining the two switches will not baffle the ProPhile that remains playing at ease like in every other setting.
Production unit
In comparison to a StageDiver 4’s tuning the ProPhile 8 is tuned subtler. While the SD 4 tends to emphasize the lower heights and upper bass, the ProPhile accentuates the upper treble and lower bass in a more understated manner. As a result, the SD 4 feels more engaging as the PP 8 preserves its HiFi claim even in the v-shape setting.
Speaking of sound quality, the ProPhile’s 8 drivers and premium price tag promise flagship performance – and it lives up to this. Bass sounds noticeably dry and precise. The overall resolution is on a very high level as expected. Midrange and highs don’t miss a single detail; especially the treble setting reveals a high richness of details. The activated bass setting lets the low end feel a smidge softer, what may simply be caused by the higher bass quantity. Yet the bass keeps being very precise. Generally speaking, the 4 different modes deliver the same amount of performance – so there’s no risk to tradeoff soundquality by operating the switches.
The ProPhile sounds very spacious. Just like the StageDivers it presents a wide soundstage. While the ProPhile’s soundstage doesn’t extend to more wideness, deepness or height, separation is noticeably better. As a result, the PP 8 presents a very realistic, three-dimensional soundstage that makes locating voices and instruments easy.
Conclusion:
The StageDiver-series was designed for monitoring requirements in first place, like the name might suggest. Nonetheless especially StageDiver 2 and StageDiver 4 are well regarded among audiophiles. Now the new ProPhile specifically targets HiFi-enthusiasts and goes flat out. In addition to its 8 BA drivers it packs a switchable crossover that allows 4 different soundings. The shells have been inspired by the StageDriver-series and therefore promise outstanding universal comfort and isolation. Color wise InEar chose a subtle matt black - in our opinion they could have risked a more extravagant look. Sound wise the PP 8 lives up to the flagship qualities it’s specs promise. Thanks to the switchable crossover it will serve different tastes and moods. Leaving the switches in the default setting the InEar delivers a reference sound signature close to neutral. Bass and treble quantity can be added by demand without losing quality.
