At the time this review was written, the Shozy Zero in-ear monitor was for sale at Amazon.com. Here is a link for purchase:
 
http://www.amazon.com/SHOZY-Zero-HIFI-In-ear-Earphone/dp/B01EHT6Z6C?ie=UTF8&keywords=shozy&qid=1464531193&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
Introduction
Being on Head-Fi for the last three years, I’ve learned whose opinions and impressions of products I should trust. One of those opinions is my good friend Tamal’s. When he said that Shozy was releasing a new in-ear monitor and it sounded great, I knew it would be something I should check out. Needless to say, the Zero sounds excellent. Today we will go over it with a comprehensive review
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the Zero in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Shozy. I would like to take this time to personally thank the good folks at Shozy for the opportunity, and my friend @RedJohn456 for the recommendation. If you are unfamiliar with Shozy, they make some really good portable DACs, amplifiers and a unique screenless DAP called the Alien. Here is alink to their site if you’re interested:
 
http://www.shozy-hk.com/
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me. I want to hear any earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I can share my impressions with  enthusiasts and help them find the audio product they’re looking for. My Head-Fi profile has a list of audio products ranked from favorite to least favorite. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, while having a variety of different gear to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are solidly built, with ergonomics and sound that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
Because I received a beta unit, I don’t have the retail packaging and all of the accessories. Because of this we will skip the unboxing section of the review.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications
Sensitivity(at 1khz)94dB
Frequency Response 20Hz-18kHz
Input connector 3.5mm/1/8 inch gold-plated stereo TRS plug
 
Accessories
Zero earphone *1
Earphone bag *1
High quality rubber lining *3 Pairs
instruction book *1
 
Housings

The housing of the Zero are a combination of real rosewood and plastic. They are a relatively standard shape housing.
 

The nozzle is slightly wider than average and has a small notch missing from the bottom ring of each nozzle. The width and shape of the nozzle makes tip rolling a bit trickier than the standard in-ear monitor.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The Shozy cable is a thin and rubbery cable that seems fairly durable. There is a small amount of spring and memory. The cable will be subject to tangled if not handled in a manner that prevents this from happening. Zero’s Y-split and cable jack are both made with the same real rosewood material as the housings. The cable jack is a straight style gold plated 3.5 mm plug. Strain reliefs are subtle and adequate.
 

While I know that real rosewood and awesome sound quality are great aesthetics for an in-ear monitor in this price range, the Zero cable is on the cheaper side of things. I would have rather seen Shozy charge an extra twenty dollars for a more premium attached cable with a chin slider.
 
Functionality
The Zero has no microphone or remote. They are a plug and play device. Plug in, play music, enjoy the sound, repeat.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
First things first, getting a proper fitting tip that seals well can be a challenge. None of the stock tips worked for me. I ended up using a gray and red tip purchased from Lunashops. The bore is wide enough to fit over the nozzle and they sealed well. Make sure to try and accomplish the same with your Shozy Zero and you will be rewarded with some great sound.
 
The Zero is a very standard fit that works both over and under the ear. Because there is no chin/neck slider, when wearing them over the ear I prefer to use aftermarket ear guides. This  prevents the cable from unlooping from over the top of my ears.
 
Wearing them under the ear, I get a considerable amount of cable noise. Wearing them over the ear, microphonics are pretty much a non-issue.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-V10 for smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192 kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS), and also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
Shozy doesn’t share any specifics in terms of impedance or driver size. If I had to guess, I would say they fall somewhere between 25-35 ohms. They work good through just about any portable source I used. They sound great with a smartphone, and scale up well with DAPs and portable DACs and amplifiers. The better files and sources you use, the better the Zero will sound.
 
A neutral and more linear source will make them sound very natural with a warm tilt. Using a warmer and bassier source will make them follow suit. A very minor warm tilt isn’t pushed overboard by colored sources.
 
Plug Zero into your favorite source and play your favorite music. I can almost guarantee you’ll enjoy their sound with any quality source you use.
 
Sound Signature
The Zero has been reported as bassy and smooth. While I agree with this to a certain extent, I feel the Zero is a very natural and relatively balanced sound. Rather than say bassy, I would classify them as slightly warm tilted and non-sibilant. They are spectacular for their price, and beat many earphones that cost twice as much in terms of sound quality.
 
Putting price and performance into perspective, the Zero is fabulous. In this hobby, budget earphones often times perform at a level that ALMOST matches and rivals the summit-fi gear. If there’s anything that would make me say that Zero doesn’t do that many of my favorite (and usually much more expensive) earphones do, it doesn’t have the same airiness, detail and clarity I’ve heard from the best earphones available. Still, the Zero rocks in these regards, it’s just not on the most elite of elite levels. Simply put, the Shozy Zero gets my approval as being flat out awesomesauce. They are hard to fault. People are going to really like these things.
 
Bass
Bass on the Zero is very balanced and packs equal amounts of punch and rumble. There is a slight tilt towards a bass emphasis, but it’s tastefully done.
 
Sub bass tones extend well and will satisfy a diverse range of music lovers. When listening to bass lines of various genres of music, the Zero handled all tones with a quality level of resolution and response. Nothing seemed lacking. The Zero has deep soundstage that sounds very natural.
 
Midbass is in good proportion with the sub bass response and well done. There’s enough midbass to give them good dynamics, and not enough to be boomy or sound unnatural.  
 
Midrange
A slight downward tilt from midbass tones leads to a dynamic lower midrange. This theme continues in slight downwards slope until reaching a small bump at upper midrange frequencies, giving vocals a nice sense of energy. All vocals and instruments have a warm tilt and nice bite at upper frequencies, making the Zero a very entertaining earphone.
 
Treble
Zero’s treble will be a hit with most people who listen to them. Simply put, the Zero has a pretty sizeable drop off at sibilant sounds. The dip takes place at a frequency range that makes the dip seem natural and far from harsh. Treble picks back up after 10 kHz, giving the Zero a sense of good extension. For me, the treble presentation of the Zero was probably my favorite part of their tuning. Their smooth and extended response in combination with the slight warm tilt and extension at sub bass tones makes them incredibly fun and non-fatiguing listen.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The nice sense of depth and extension makes the Zero’s soundstage above average. A decent sense of clarity and balance gives them a decent sense of imaging, but the warm tilt prevents this from being elite.
 
Comparisons
VSONIC GR07BE ($85 to $150 USD on many sites)
The GR07BE is a hall of famer, sporting a bio-cellulose driver, articulating nozzle, and secure over the ear fit. It is a sentimental favorite, as it was the first earphone purchase I made that eclipsed the hundred dollar mark.
 
Comparing the two, I give a slight edge to the GR07BRE in terms of bass response. There’s something about the GR07BE combination of soundstage depth response that to this day is world class. Still, the Zero is no slouch, and is edged out by the slightest of margins. Midrange of the GR07BE is much drier and recessed as compared to the Zero. I prefer the warmer and more dynamic lower midrange of the Shozy offering.  Treble on the Zero is much smoother than the somewhat sibilant GR07BE. My ears need a minute to adjust with both earphones when bouncing back and forth. The Zero is definitely the less fatiguing earphone of the two. Overall, this is an incredibly close contest that comes down to what I’m listening to and source I’m using. I’m going to end this by saying it’s a tie in terms of sound quality.
 
Build quality, accessories and fit/comfort goes to the GR07BE. I wish Shozy would have increased the price and put a more premium cable and chin/neck slider, and also offered more in terms of tips and accessories.
 
At the end of the day, the Zero is a smoother and less fatiguing earphone that can be worn under or looped over the ear. They come in at a much lower price tag, which leaves it up to the consumer whether the GR07BE tuning and over the ear fit is worthy of the increase in price.

 
Trinity Hyperion-Discontinued ($65 USD when for sale)
The Hyperion is a titanium microdriver earphone with a V-signature. They have an incredible cable and small metal housing.
 
Comparing the two, the hyperion has more sub-bass to my ears. Although it has tremendous depth that trumps the Zero, it can also be a bit boomy with some tracks. Although being a V-signature, the hyperion has some rich and full bodied midrange that is very entertaining. Still I give a slight edge to the Zero mids, as they are a bit more airy and balanced with the rest of their frequency ranges. Treble on the Hyperion is a bit crisper and more natural on the Hyperion, but can also be harsher at louder volumes. In terms of entertainment factor, I prefer the Hyperion. In terms of being non fatiguing and for long listening sessions, The Zero gets the upper hand.
 
Build quality and accessories goes to the Hyperion. Their cable is awesome, and tiny metal housing is very cool. In terms of which one to get, Zero is the only option at this point. Again, if being forced to pick one or the other, I can’t. They are both excellent in their own way.
 
Conclusion
The Zero is one of the best sounding earphones in the sixty dollar range. The real rosewood they used is awesome. The cable they used isn’t the greatest and leaves room for improvement in their next earphone release. Their sound is fatigue free, relatively balanced and dynamic. Their sound quality will impress many who listen to them.
 
Shozy has already established a great name for themselves with the Alien DAP and portable DACs and amplifiers. It’s very cool to see they can manufacture an very nice pair of in-ear monitors as well. I highly recommend the Zero IEM. They are a universally great tuning that will work with any source.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Cleer Audio DU dual driver headphones were for sale on Amazon.com. Here is a link for purchase:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Cleer-DU-High-Definition-Driver-Headphone/dp/B010NN74XE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1464448476&sr=8-2&keywords=cleer
 
Introduction
The Chicago Axpona Audio Convention may have ended in April, but the experience has not yet ended for me. I was able to get my hands on some nice review samples which I will be covering in the upcoming weeks. One of them is the dual driver headphone I will be covering today, the Cleer Audio DU..
 
During the convention, I didn’t take much notice to the Cleer Audio booth. For starters, they are rarely discussed on Head-Fi forums. Having not heard of them, I decided to save my visit for later on that weekend. I visited all of my predetermined “hot spots” based on the vendors list first, then stopped by their booth to chat about their headphones afterwards.
 
The gentleman I spoke to was named Tom. I asked him to tell me a little bit about what he has displayed. The first headphone he showed me was the Cleer Audio DU, a dual driver headphone. When asking him where these can be purchased and why I don’t see them in any retail stores, his response was that they sell rather successfully in airports and on Amazon, therefore retail sales aren’t necessary.
 
I don’t say this to sound arrogant, but when I speak to vendors I like share an honest initial impression on what they are offering. This isn’t done with the intention to make things awkward, but more to share an honest opinion of their product so they can get a general idea of how their lineup compares to the competition. Some people will take things I say personally, while others will take it as constructive criticism.
 
When I sampled the Cleer Audio DU, most of what I had to say was positive. We discussed Cleer Audio’s status in the headphone industry, and what I did in terms of reviews on Head-Fi. Tom appreciated the feedback, and was kind enough to offer a sample in exchange for a unbiased review.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me. I want to hear any earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I can share my impressions with  enthusiasts and help them find the audio product they’re looking for. My Head-Fi profile has a list of audio products ranked from favorite to least favorite. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, while having a variety of different gear to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are solidly built, with ergonomics and sound that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
Review

The DU comes in a White box with red and black accents and lettering. A side side shot of the headphones is on the front of the box, along with a brief description of the product.
 

The back of the package has another picture and description.
 

Opening the package reveals a certificate of acoustic calibration and serial number. This is a very nice touch that shows the attention to detail that went into their production. Also included is a thirty day free trial for Tidal music streaming. Register your product at Cleer Audio and you will receive a voucher for a free month of service. Add this to the already free first month, and you have two months of free FLAC streaming. Very nice! Also included is a owner’s manual.
 

As far as accessories is concerned, the DU comes with a synthetic leather carrying case with a zippered top. Also included are two cables, one with a three button microphone and remote for Iphone (only center button works for Android), and a single button microphone and remote that works for both Android and Iphone. Both cables are constructed from a heavy duty flat cable and have a ninety degree gold plated 3.5 mm jack that is slim in profile and will work with most smartphones with cases installed on them. Both cables are approximately four feet long and geared for portable use.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications:
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 102dB
Impedance: 32 / 38 Ohm
Speaker Diver: Custom dual driver, 40mm
Magnet Type: Neodymium
Distortion: <1%THD IEC3181mW at1KHz
Audio Connection: 3.5mm stereo jack socket
 
Accessories:
1X Carrying pouch
2X Audio cables with inline remote (1.2m)
 
Build Quality
The first thing I said when Tom handed me a pair of the DU was “Wow, these are built like a tank.” The DU is made of what appears to be mostly aluminum, with a few components being very durable plastic (which you wouldn’t even notice unless closely inspected).
 

The top of the headband is a curved piece of flexible metal with a soft piece of padding where the headphone makes contact with the user’s head. The padding exterior is a synthetic protein material that feels very premium and comfortable. The headband ends at two solid metal components with left and right channel markers.
 

The headband adjusts via two metal arms that slide in and out of the headband. The slides are durable metal and seems very sturdy. At the end of the slides, two metal hinges connect the slides to the arms that lead to the cups. Again, the arms of the DU are made of heavy duty aluminum.
 

The cups of the DU are connected to the arms via a single oscillating hinge that allows the cups to swivel inwards. Guess what the outer rings of the cups are made of? If you guessed heavy duty aluminum, you are correct! The exterior plate is the only part of the cup exterior that consists of plastic. Had I not tapped on it to see what material it was made of, I would have said it was also metal. The outside of the cup displays the Cleer Audio C along with the words “high definition” in small print.
 

The pads of the DU are detachable. They unscrew from the cups, revealing two angled drivers. The cups are made of the same padded synthetic protein membrane that is attached to the headband. I really like the material used. It sits comfortably, and never seemed to make my ears overheat (unless used on a hot day).
 
Comfort

Although a little bit heavier than the likes of the Audio Technica  ATH-M50 or Soundmagic HP150, the DU manages to be very comfortable thanks to it’s well thought out design and ergonomics. Weighing in at 320 grams, they aren’t light, but but the weight is distributed evenly, making them as comfortable as any closed pairs of headphones I’ve worn. DU’s headband is very flexible, so clamping force is a non issue. Unless you have a head the size of a beachball, you shouldn’t have a problem with this either.
 
The synthetic protein pads are somewhat breathable and never seemed to cause my ears to overheat. Even during long listening sessions I didn’t need to adjust them very much. One thing to note about the DU pads, they don’t have a large circumference. Although they fit my ears almost perfectly, I can imagine some people with big ears having an issue with where the pads make contact with them.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-V10 for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktops I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
Coming in at 32 ohms, the DU is very easy to drive and universally works with a smartphone or DAP. Their forgiving signature makes them work with just about any source I used. They are pretty forgiving with poor recordings and low bitrate files. Although they will benefit from higher quality recordings, I don’t consider it to be a significant improvement that makes it worth your while to listen to FLAC and DSD exclusively.  
 
The forward midbass and lower midrange of the DU is further emphasized by warmer and bassier sources. Use a neutral and more linear source for best results. The DU sounded great when testing them with my LG V10 and Iphone 4S. Adding a more linear portable amplifier like my VE Runabout or Topping NX-1 seemed to make the DU drivers have more definition and tighter dynamics. I made sure to volume match before reporting this. I will conduct my sound impressions using my Iphone 4S and VE runabout amplifier, as this seemed to yield the DU’s best sonic capabilities.
 
Sound Signature

The DU is a midbass and lower midrange forward tuning with good detail and top end sparkle. The forward lower frequencies make the DU a dynamic listening experience that works well with modern genres of music. While I don’t think these will appeal to those looking for a neutral and airy presentation, they are ideal for someone in the market for a entry level headphone that rivals the likes of the ATH-M50 or any closed cans in the $100-$200 price range.
 
The DU retains a good amount of clarity despite a slight veil in the lower midrange. Thanks to their crossover and dual drivers, they separate the frequencies well while preventing the DU from the dreaded midbass bleed you would normally hear with this type of tuning. I really enjoyed the DU with band pop, rock, hip-hop and EDM. With acoustic and live performances, there was a thick note presentation and lower midrange resonance that prevents me from being able to say they work well with these genres.
 
Bass
Sub bass isn’t the star of the show but it’s adequate. You won’t feel like it’s lacking, as there’s just enough to keep listeners satisfied. During Daft Punk’s “Doin’ it Right” I could hear the lowest of low notes, but not with the boosted presence of the mid bass frequencies.
 
Midbass is the most prominent thing you will hear with these headphones. Although it’s forward and carries a slight resonance in its tone, it still manages to be somewhat controlled. It’s hard to explain because I haven’t experienced this type of sound outside of some hybrid in-ear monitors the likes of the Sidy DGS-100 or T-Peos Altone 200. If you’ve heard either of these earphones, the midbass response is somewhat similar in terms of how it impacts the rest of the sound. You get a forward midbass that puts extra emphasis in this range without losing the detail and clarity at upper frequencies. At loud volumes with the wrong source and genres of music, the DU midbass and lower midrange can get fatiguing.
 
Midrange
Lower midrange carries on from where the midbass leaves off, making things like male vocals a weighted and somewhat unnatural presentation. Although this might turn some people away, the tuning works fantastic for modern genres like hip-hop, pop and EDM. The weighted 50-200 Hz range make for a dynamic and engaging experience with these headphones.
 
NOTE: Using an EQ adjustment to reduce the midbass and lower midrange makes the DU sound pretty incredible and addresses the veil, while making male vocals sound much more natural.

 
Moving to upper midrange, things get a bit more relaxed and and natural sounding. There is an incredible amount of clarity and detail in this range. Listening closely, the upper frequencies of the DU seem to outperform the lower frequencies in terms of clarity and natural presentation. To my ears, the DU would benefit from adding resistance to the low pass, or a boost to the high pass. Even still, I don’t find this to be a deal breaker. The way these are tuned I can see many people enjoying the current tuning. Fortunately for me, a EQ adjustment like the one above helped me get the most out of my DU experience.
 
Treble
Treble carries a nice tone with plenty of sparkle and detail. You can hear pronunciations of the letters S and T without it being harsh or fatiguing. Cymbal crashes sound natural and not overdone. To my ears the upper midrange and treble tuning was the DU’s best aspect to their tuning.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
DU’s midbass and lower midrange hinders its ability to create a large stage. The fact that it jumps out in front of their sub bass response, it prevents them from much in terms of soundstage depth.  Add this to a somewhat relaxed upper midrange and treble frequency range and we have a headphone whose strongsuit definitely isn’t soundstage. It isn’t horrible, just know it isn’t going to be the DU’s biggest strength. The slight lower midrange veil takes away from there being a sense of space. The upper frequency range helps with this however. I would say that the DU imaging is slightly above average when used with a neutral or more linear source.
 
Comparisons
 
Audio Technica ATH-M50 ($120-$150 USD on many sites)
The M50 is a gateway drug in terms of high fidelity headphones. They are a reasonably priced pair of closed cans that provide a pretty neutral tuning with slight lower frequency emphasis. They remain a staple in my collection and are used as a reference pair of headphones, especially when comparing them to headphones similar to the the Cleer Audio DU.
 
Comparing the two, the M50 is thinner in the midbass and lower midrange areas. Upper midrange and treble responses are very similar, with the M50 being just a touch more emphasized and extended in the treble region. Because of the more balanced tuning, the M50 has a better sense of soundstage and imaging. The M50 is geared more towards being a reference studio monitor, with the DU being tuned more for music enjoyment.
 
Build quality on the DU trumps the M50. Their almost all metal makes the M50 feel cheap and flimsy in comparison. The DU has two detachable cables while the M50 has a fixed cable that is ten feet long and comes in either straight or coiled variations. Audio Technica now carries a M50X which has a detachable cable. Comfort is a draw.
 
Torque Audio T402V ($399 on Torque Audio’s website)
Torque Audio’s T402V headphone is an incredibly well built pair of earphones with magnetically removable pads that alter the headphone’s bass response. Although they are bass heavy in just about every setting, the leanest bass setting on their over the ear pads yields a sound that I thoroughly enjoy. I will do this comparison with the pads set this way.
 
Comparing the two, they have similar sound signatures. The T402V is a little more extended at sub bass levels, offering a deeper soundstage. The mid bass of the DU is just a bit more forward, and treble slightly more relaxed. The T402V midrange seems lifeless in comparison to the DU’s dynamic and musical presentation. Still, overall the T402V seems to be slightly more refined and detailed.
 
In terms of build quality I give them a draw. Both of them have phenomenal build quality and replaceable pads. Accessories goes to the T402V, thanks to their interchangeable over and on-ear pads, and neoprene carrying case. Comfort goes to the DU. They have less clamping force and are easier to wear for long listening sessions.
 
At the end of the day, I consider the T402V to be a slightly better headphone. The question to ask is if it’s worth a $270 leap in price. In this hobby we pay a lot for minor improvements. This is a classic example of this. I can’t answer this because it depends on a buyer’s preference and budget.
 
Conclusion

The Cleer Audio DU is an incredibly well built headphone with a musical sound signature that makes the most of modern genres.  It is musical and dynamic, with slight veil at lower midrange frequencies, and has a respectable level of detail and clarity at upper frequencies. While I don’t think the DU’s tuning will make it a game changer, it’s good enough to be a very competitive product at its price range.
 
In ranking these headphones, I think Cleer Audio’s DU headphone has five star build quality, four and a half star comfort, and three and a half star sound (four and a half star after an EQ adjustment). Averaging the three, the DU gets four stars. They are a great headphone for their asking price.
 
If you are looking for a great all around headphone for home and the road for under one hundred fifty dollars, consider the DU from Cleer Audio. They are built for the long haul, and offer a musical tuning that will make listening to them a fun experience.
 

 
Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the Cleer NC noise canceling headphones were for sale on Amazon's website. Here is a link for information and purchase:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Cleer-NC-Noise-Cancelling-Headphone/dp/B010SR24BW?ie=UTF8&keywords=cleer%20nc&qid=1464664814&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
Introduction
Anyone who travels understands the convenience of a good pair of noise canceling headphones. There’s nothing worse than the sound of crying babies, loud engines and chatterboxes during a commute.  Whether it’s on a bus, train or airplane, being able block out a majority of unwanted  ambient noises can be a tremendous convenience.
 
There are several options for noise canceling headphones. Sony, Audio Technica and a few other brands offer some affordable options, but can’t cancel noise and offer a level of fidelity that Bose has been able to accomplish for the last few years with their QC series headphones. I’ll be honest, a pair of QC25 has been on my radar for some time.
 
Although Bose has essentially cornered the market, they aren’t what I would consider to be a perfect product. They have the stigma of being “No lows Bose” because although they have respectable bass, for the most part they don’t offer incredible soundstage depth and low end extension. Newer models have improved on this, but they still don’t have the deep visceral bass some people would hope for. Also, Bose’s QC series of headphones offer decent build quality, but they are not as sturdy as I would hope for in a commuting headphone. Sit on a pair of QC series headphones and they’re probably going to break.
 
When Tom at Cleer Audio was showing me a pair of their noise canceling cans called the NC, I had some initial impressions that made me wonder if these could rival or best the Bose flagship. Tom was kind enough to loan me a pair, giving me an opportunity to put them to the test. Let’s see what the NC is capable of, and go over them with a comprehensive review.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the NC noise canceling headphones in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Cleer. I would like to take this time to personally thank Tom for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me. I want to hear any earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I can share my impressions with  enthusiasts and help them find the audio product they’re looking for. My Head-Fi profile has a list of audio products ranked from favorite to least favorite. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and having a variety of different gear to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are solidly built, with ergonomics and sound that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The Cleer NC comes in a white box with red and black accents and lettering.  A nice side view picture of the Cleer NC can be seen on the front, along with brief description of the product. A logo noting their CES innovation award is also displayed.
 

The back of the box has another picture of the product, along with notable features in three different languages. The sides of the box lists the NC’s accessories and some other key features.
 
Specifications and Accessories

Specifications
Frequency Response:    20 Hz to 20,000Hz
Sensitivity:    110dB
Impedance:    16Ohm
Speaker Diver:    40mm
Magnet Type:    Neodymium
Distortion:    <1%THD IEC3181mW at1KHz
Audio Connection:    3.5mm stereo jack socket
Music Playback Time:    22 hours
Battery Charging Time:    3 hours
Battery Type:    Lithium ion polymer
 
Accessories

1X Hard carrying case
1X USB charging cable
1X Flight adaptor
2X Audio cables with inline remote (1.2m)
1X USB charger
 

The NC case makes them a great travel companion. The inner net allows users to store cables, chargers and other goodies. The headphones fold so a DAP or smartphone can be stored in the case as well.
 
Overall Build

Every single component of the NC is made of premium materials. If it's not coated in padded in high quality synthetic leather, it's polished metal. I thoroughly inspected to build of every part of these things and there's no corners cut. The only plastic used in their build is in areas where it is a benefit over using metal parts. It's exquisitely built from top to bottom. Weighing in at around four hundred grams it isn’t light, but this is due to the fact that Cleer has gone the extra mile with every single part used in the production process.
 

The headband is constructed of bendable metal and wrapped in a padded synthetic protein material. The band is very flexible and strong. Each side of the headband ends in a polished metal clasp with the Cleer logo, and desgnated left and right markings on the inside of each of these pieces.
 

The slides are made of the same polished aluminum. They slide in and out of the headband smoothly. There are markings on the inside to measure how far out each slide is extended.
 

The slide and arms are connected by two cleverly placed hinges that allow the NC cups to fold up for storage and transport, and also articulates to fit the user’s ear.
 

NC’s arms are made of the same polished metal and connect to the cups via another hinge that allows the cups to oscillate up and down a bit, making it easy to get an ideal fit.
 

A flat round cup is used, and displays the Cleer “C” on each side. A switch is located on the bottom of the right cup. Flip this switch and the letters will light up with a red tint. Even more importantly, the back and bottom side of the right cup displays a battery indicator, showing you how much charge is left in the headphone’s battery. NC’s battery is used when you are in PASC mode (more on this in a bit), Noise cancellation mode, or to illuminate the letters on the side of the cups and battery indicator. While many feel the LED lights is a cosmetic feature that isn’t necessary, I think the luxury to flip a switch to see where your battery at is an awesome concept. Simply put, you aren’t wasting battery to see how much juice is left. The NC earpads are removable. They are attached to a plastic plate that twists off. Doing so reveals the Driver overlay, and a microphone used in its noise canceling technology.
 
Cable, Cable Jacks, Strain Reliefs

Two removable 3.5 mm cables come with the NC. Both are equipped with microphones and remotes. One is a three button variant that works with Iphone. The other is a single button remote that works with Android. They are a flat noodle style cable that is about four feet in length. Their microphone quality is pretty standard. When talking to friends and family, most of them reported my voice coming through at a four on a scale from one to five.
 
Functionality

Depending on how much charge is remaining, the NC needs about three to four hours to charge from an empty/almost empty battery. Their running time based off of a fully charged battery comes in a whopping twenty-two hours. I was able to use the NC with the noise canceling feature for three to four days with regular use before needing to charge them back up. Even still, with a depleted battery the NC can be used for music playback and still block a considerable amount of noise.

PASC
Before we begin, let me quote the Cleer website. Their definition trumps anything I could say about them:

“PASC (Psycho-Acoustic Spectral Compensation)”
“Human ears hear less bass frequency at low sound levels than at high sound levels. Bottom-end bass frequencies usually get lost when the volume is set at a low level.

To counteract this deficit, PASC™ (Psycho-Acoustic Spectral Compensation) sound technology inside the digital signal processor can boost the bass levels by emphasizing the bass content of the music. So Cleer headphones recall the true bass sound at low and high volume levels enabling you to enjoy consistent sound, regardless of the volume setting.”
 
My Take
To my ears, this is not too much more than a bass boost feature that is built into the headphones. Although it doesn’t make a sloppy mess of things, lower tones do flirt with being boomy in this setting. If I had to choose between listening to the NC in the PASC mode or in their stock tuning, I would probably save my battery for when noise cancellation is needed and listen with no low end boost. I will say however, there is an added benefit from PASC when listening at lower volumes.
 
Noise Cancellation
Again, let me quote Cleer with their explanation before I add any comment on this:
 
“Hybrid Noise-cancelling Solution”
“Silence is essential to a great music experience. However, when on the move background noise leads to a poor music reproduction, in particular in the bass range.

Having reasonable isolation of the environmental noise is essential to achieving the best user experience, both when listening to music and making a telephone call. In these circumstances, active noise control is designed to circumvent this issue by actively attenuating the external noise at a low frequency.

Cleer's Hybrid noise cancellation technology is a total solution featuring a noise-cancellation processor. With four microphones, the Hybrid noise cancellation system captures unwanted noise and then produces an inverted phase of identical sound which cancels them both out. Together with the full circumaural design employing superior passive noise isolation to block out almost 99.5% of environment noise, the Cleer NC creates the best listening experience around.”
 
My Take
The noise cancellation on the Cleer NC is awesome. I can turn these on with some music playing, and in order to hear myself I have to literally be yelling to so much as faintly hear my own voice. They don’t block out SOME noise like other noise cancelling headphones, they block out almost ALL ambient noise. The NC noise cancelling feature isn’t a gimmick like many others, it’s a useful tool that takes you out of the environment you’re in and submerges you in whatever music you’re listening to.
 
NOTE: Something I have to mention about this pair of headphones is the pressure sensitivity. The driver doesn’t seem to be vented and has occasional driver flex when there are air pressure changes inside the cups. When air pressure is applied to the driver by pressing on the cups, there is a slight popping/clicking noise and the sound will be somewhat muted until the pressure evens out inside the cup. Avoid putting pressure on the cups, and this can be avoided.

 
Comfort

Cleer has manufactured a solidly built and somewhat heavy pair of headphones. I have a fairly average sized head, and I’ll say that for me these have a considerable amount of clamping force, but not to the point that it would be a dealbreaker. Their squeeze might be an issue for someone with a watermelon size cranium. NC’s synthetic protein pads and headband have nice cushioning. They aren’t the hottest things I’ve ever worn, but they will get warm. I was able to wear them for long listening sessions without things overheating. Still, they will make you sweat a little bit wherever they are in contact with your skin for an extended period of time.
 
The NC pads have a slightly smaller than average diameter. My ears fit inside of them just fine, but people with large ears might have an issue with how the pads make contact with their ears.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-V10 for smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192 kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS), and also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
At sixteen ohms, the NC is very easy to drive and will sound great through a cell phone. They will also sound very well with dedicated DAPs and portable rigs. High power desktop rigs are overkill.
 
NC is forgiving with poorly recorded music and high bitrate files, but has a level of fidelity that scales up well with better quality and higher bit rate music files.  
 
As far as source is concerned, I found that a neutral source sounds best. The NC sounds great with my Iphone 4, and LG V10. For best results, listen to your best music files through your best neutral portable music sources.
 
Sound Signature

The NC is three sound signatures in one headphone. Rather than break them down into single categories of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, I will explain each one based on their setting.
 
Passive Mode
Without the PASC or noise cancelling settings applied, they are a pretty balanced signature with a warm tilt. Bass seems to lean more towards mid bass tones, and low end extension is average at best. They are much more neutral and bland without any added settings applied. Some are going to find them very enjoyable in this setting, while others will find them a bit bland and lacking definition, extension and sparkle. I personally liked them in this setting, and especially enjoyed them when paired with a portable DAC/amplifier in this setting.
 
Lower frequencies are a little slow in decay and linger a fraction of a second longer than I would like, making them have a slightly closed in and intimate sound. It isn’t significant and still provides a level of fidelity that avoids being overly stuffy or congested sounding. At loud volumes and long listening sessions, the mid bass and lower midrange was a bit much for my preference, but not to the point that they were unlistenable.  
 
Midrange definitely has a warm tilt. Some male vocals will have added weight, especially deeper sounding male voices. Female voices have a warm tilt, but not to the point that they sound sloppy. Guitars, lower piano notes and bass guitars will all have added dynamics. Things begin to smooth out around the range of female vocals. There is a dip in the middle of the midrange frequencies, then a lift at upper midrange tones, adding a nice sense of energy and preventing it from being overly warm and smooth.
 
Treble is somewhat smooth and nice balance with the rest of the tuning. Their upper frequency tuning doesn’t extend very far, but NC still offers enough top end to keep me from wanting to fault them for it.
 
All-in-all, the NC isn’t perfectly tuned in its passive setting, but it’s good enough for me to say that it’s very formidable and I am able to enjoy them quite a bit.
 
PASC
PASC is basically the the noise cancellation mode without the noise canceling feature. Please read the next section and apply everything I said to this category. Subtract the noise canceling features and you have the PASC mode.
 
Noise Cancellation Mode
Flipping the switch over to noise cancellation, the NC seems to not only have more bass, they are more of an all around entertainer. Bass tones seems to extend much more into sub bass ranges. Midrange and upper frequencies seem to be more defined and extended as well. Soundstage also improves.
 
Bass on the NC goes from mid bass focused in passive mode to a sub bass focused headphone with a deep rumble that I thoroughly enjoy. Decay is still a bit on the slow side, but it takes place at a low enough tone to make room for lower midrange sounds to be much more responsive and natural. Kick drums and deep bass lines come through with tremendous depth. Midbass is much more controlled, leaving room for the rest of the sound frequencies to perform at a level that is superior to passive mode.
 
Lower midrange still carries a warm tilt, but is much more controlled. Male vocals (especially deeper male vocals) sound much cleaner in this setting. Guitar chugs and piano notes come through with plenty of timbre and dynamics. Female vocals are a little more distant than men’s but still very adequate. Both male and female vocals finish with a nice bite thanks to what sounds like a lift at 4-5 kHz.
 
Treble has some decent extension and there is a crisper feel as compared to passive mode. The letters S and T are slightly more emphasized, and cymbal crashes have more shimmer. All in all the added sparkle  is a nice and welcomed touch. Combined with the impressive amount of depth, the NC soundstage is great, and imaging is well above average.
 
NOTE: The NC works fantastically for movies. Their dynamic presentation and ability to render voices naturally and block ambient noises in this mode makes them a great option for watching movies.
 
Conclusion

The NC is a superbly built pair of headphones that offers noise cancellation features and two distinct tunings (both of which I enjoy). They have excellent battery life and come with all the accessories needed to make them a great travel companion.
 
In all honesty, I’ve lost the urge to pick up a pair of Bose QC series headphones. The Cleer NC not only blocks out ambient noise just as good as any noise cancelling headphones I’ve heard, their soundstage depth and build quality is superior to any Bose headphone I’ve experienced. Bose is a great product don’t get me wrong, but the Cleer NC needs to be a part of the conversation for the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy.
 
I used to grab a few pairs of in-ear monitors and a closed pair of headphones before a flight or long road trip. Those days are behind me. I now have one pair that meets my traveling needs.  
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the 1MORE Triple Driver was on sale on Gearbest’s website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://www.gearbest.com/earbud-headphones/pp_337047.html
 
Introduction
I have recently had some awesome opportunities to try some of the best earphones money can buy. It’s been awesome to see what top dollar can buy in the world of personal audio. Still, one thing is very apparent. Many of the more established brands with higher priced products are offering build and sound improvements that aren’t significantly superior to some products that cost a fraction of their MSRP. The further up the ladder you go, the more you pay for minor, if any improvements. Most of the time a thousand dollar earphone doesn’t sound ten times better than a similarly designed hundred dollar model. It’s more of a fraction of difference, depending on what you’re comparing.
 
The earphone market is a game of cat and mouse. Just a year ago, the market for great hybrid in-ear monitors was much different. In order to get a great sounding hybrid, it would cost a few hundred dollars. Nowadays I can go online and there are several options, many of them coming in a budget prices and offering a level of build and fidelity that rivals earphones that cost many times more.
 
The LZ-A2 was a monumental product in my opinion. It was the first hybrid monitor that fell under the hundred dollar mark and had sound that rivaled much more expensive versions. Since then there have been some others that came along and sounded just as great. Hybrid in-ear technology is becoming more and more mainstream.
 
There is a recent explosion of companies releasing these budget hybrid monitors. I have had the pleasure of sampling and reviewing quite a few of the more popular ones. There were some pleasant surprises that caught me off guard. One of them was the E0323 from 1MORE. In my opinion, the E0323 is still the best hybrid to come in under the seventy-five dollar mark. Here is a link if you are interested:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/1more-eo323-multi-unit-earphones/reviews/15105
 
When George asked if I would be interested in reviewing the new three driver hybrid from 1MORE, I jumped at the chance. I knew that if 1MORE could make an earphone that sounds better than the E0323, it would be something I have to hear for myself. Let’s take a closer look and listen to the new hybrid champ in the hundred dollar weight class.

 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the 1MORE Triple Driver in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with 1MORE. I would like to take this time to personally thank George for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me. I want to hear any earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I can share my impressions with  enthusiasts and help them find the audio product they’re looking for. My Head-Fi profile has a list of audio products ranked from favorite to least favorite. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, while having a variety of different gear to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are solidly built, with ergonomics and sound that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The front of the package has the 1MORE logo and Hi-Res logo.
 

The Back of the package has a description of the earphone in several languages. There is also specifications listed.
 

The 1MORE arrived in a box the size of a relatively average sized hardcover book. Not only is it similar in size, the package itself is made to resemble a book. Just like the E0323, 1MORE doesn’t cut any corners with their packaging. The packaging is so nice, I almost find it to be excessive. Any way you look at it, it’s phenomenal.
 

The Package opens Up to a beautiful display of the Triple driver earphones and a great read about the 1MORE company. The tab operates as a page that opens up to reveal some more small boxes that hold the Triple Driver accessories.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications
Frequency response: 20 - 40KHz
Impedance: 32ohms
Sensitivity: 99dB
 

Accessories
1X Pair 1MORE earphones
1X Magnetic clasp carrying case
6X Pair wide bore tips with protective grill (2X small, 2X medium, 2X large)
3X Pair foam tips (S,M,L)
1X Airline Adapter
1X Shirt Clip
1X Owner’s Manual
 
Housings

The Triple Driver definitely resembles its cousin, the E0323. They have pretty much the same housing design. It’s a not only hybrid in terms of drivers, but also in the housing shape. It’s a lovechild between earbuds and in-ear monitors. The housing rests in the concha of the ear, and a nozzle is angled from the housing into your ear canal.
 

The triple driver is an all metal housing. They have a nozzle that is wider and longer than the average in-ear monitor. This makes tip rolling somewhat difficult, and prevents narrow bore tips from being used with the 1MORE earphones. Wide bore tips work great.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

A cloth covered cable spans from the cable jack to the Y-split, then splits into two rubber coated wires that lead to each housing. The cable is pretty standard in terms of it’s build quality. There is very little if any spring or memory. One thing to note, if you twist the cloth cable enough, it will eventually get a kink or two in it. Be careful not  to let the cable twist too much and this can be prevented.
 
The Y-split is a basic black metal jacketing that with rubber internals. The cable jack is straight 3.5 mm gold plated plug with a black metal jacketing. Strain reliefs are subtle but effective. If handled with a reasonable amount of care you should have no problems with the Triple Driver wiring.
 
Functionality

The Triple Driver comes with a very nice three button microphone and remote about six inches down from the right channel housing. I tested the controls for both Android and Iphone. All three buttons work for both devices. The buttons are all the same size and are easy to locate and use. The microphone is average. When talking to friends and family, they confirmed that my voice came through at a three or four on a scale from one to five.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation

The Triple driver has a very nice under the ear fit. The rounded earbud shape and in-ear nozzle creates a snug fit that doesn’t require much adjustment. They were easy to pop in and out with minimal hassle. Although I prefer an over the ear fit, I really enjoyed how easy these were to use.
 
The combination of wearing style and cable design do not mesh well in terms of microphonics. I couldn’t use the 1MORE for physical activities because of this. Any time the cable rubs against a surface it creates enough microphonics to alter the listening experience. Constant movement made the Triple Driver almost unlistenable for me.
 

With a good seal, the Triple Driver has better than average isolation for a universal monitor. The stock tips work great, but their shallow fit is in close proximity to the mesh grill of the nozzle. This creates concern about how it would impact sound down the road (because of ear wax build up). I did some tip rolling and found the JVC spiral dots to work great. They fit the nozzle easily, have a bore as wide as the nozzle and seemed to create a shallow vacuum like seal. Your mileage may vary
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-V10 for smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192 kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS), and also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
The Triple driver comes in at a comfortable 32 Ohms, making it universally compatible with DAPs and smartphones. Because of their warm tilt and robust lower frequency range, they benefit most from a more neutral/linear source. A colored or bass boosted source will further emphasize an already somewhat bassy tuned earphone.
 
With my V10 and Shanling H3, the 1MORE was a dynamic and warm tilted earphone with plenty of clarity and detail at midrange and treble frequencies. With the iBAsso DX80, they sounded much more “middy” and smooth.
 
The forward bass tones of the Triple Driver makes these forgiving with poorly recorded music. They will scale up with better quality recordings and high bitrate files. Upgraded music files sound like they have more texture and increased soundstage. The 1MORE sounded excellent in combination with my LG V10 in HIFI mode. For best results, use the Triple Driver to stream music with your smartphone, or use them with your most linear sounding DAP  and high bitrate files in low gain.
 
Sound Signature

Big bass and clear mids/treble sum these up in a single sentence. They have that combination of slam and sparkle that makes them a joy to listen to. I would describe them as very musical without losing the micro details.
 
The 1MORE tuning almost falls into the basshead audiophile category. It is a very easy on the ears and I it works great for long listening sessions. They have a fatigue free sound that avoids being harsh or sibilant, while still sounding very adequate and extended at higher frequencies.
 
Over the course of using them, I found them to be a great tuning for commuting. Their superior isolation and bass forward signature helps drown out exterior noise. Throw in some very nicely detailed and textured upper frequencies, and we have a real winner here.
 
Bass
The Triple driver doesn’t shy away from the low notes. There’s a responsive and dynamic subwoofer-like low end. Those looking for a more linear tuning will find these to be overly bassy. Those who prefer a more musical and powerful sound will like the combination of slam, tone, and texture. The 1MORE has fairly equal amounts of punch and rumble that I thoroughly enjoy.
 
The Triple Driver's sub bass tones are presented well. For a dynamic driver they are on the more responsive side of the spectrum. With a warmer source or bassy music, the 1MORE borders on being boomy. Fortunately, for the most part they push that boundary without going overboard.
 
Mid bass takes a small step forward from lowest of audible frequencies. It doesn’t seem to have any bleed, but it will occasionally cast a slight shadow over the lower midrange.
 
Midrange
Starting with the lower midrange, the 1MORE has a warm tilt with some nice dynamics. The way the dynamic and armature drivers are tuned, the lower midrange sounds manage to be dynamic and natural at the same times. All tones in this range are audible and things like deeper male vocals avoid the being overly weighted or veiled. Piano notes and guitar chugs sound really good to my ears.
 
The 1MORE tuning has a slight recession from lower midrange down to about 1kHz, then has a plateau at around 3-4kHz. This lift gives the 1MORE a certain shimmer and energy to things like vocals (especially female vocals). High notes from pianos and strings instruments have an energy that is very enjoyable.
 
Treble
If there’s one thing I feel 1MORE has figured out, it’s how to tune treble in an in-ear monitor. Just like the E0323 I previously reviewed, the Triple Driver has a treble response that is relaxed and extended at the same time. Looking at the graph, you would think that the dip at the 7kHz range would cause them to sound unnaturally smooth but that isn’t the case at all. The dip is masterfully done, preventing sibilance then rising back up at the 11 kHz range. The harshness from pronunciations of the letters S and T are eliminated, but cymbal crashes still sound fantastic.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The Triple driver bass sounds really good for its price range. The nice sense of extension on both ends and nicely detailed upper frequencies give them a better than average soundstage. Even still, the slightly boosted bass and dip at 7kHz prevents the stage from being massive.
 
Imaging is solid, but not what I consider to be elite. Your experience in terms of soundstage and imaging will depend on what source, music file and volume you listen at. At louder volumes the Triple Driver seemed to create the best sense of space. Your mileage may vary.
 
Comparisons
1MORE E0323 ($70 to $USD USD on many sites)
The E0323 and Triple Driver have more similarities than differences. First off, they both have almost identically built housings, with the Triple Driver being a fraction larger and consisting of higher quality materials. The cables, remotes, plugs are nearly the same, with the Triple driver being slightly higher quality materials used in this criteria as well.
 
Comparing the sound of the two, they measure somewhat similarly. They have similar slopes, accentuating the same frequency ranges while subduing others. Both earphones sound fantastic, but much similar to the A73 and A83 hybrids from Fidue, the extra armature of the Triple Driver creates an added level of extension and detail that the E0323 doesn’t offer. It isn’t significant but it’s definitely noticeable. Also, the Triple Driver has a slightly warmer and bassier sound.
 
Packaging and accessories on both are great. The Triple Driver gets a slight edge, offering some more tips than the E0323. In terms of looks, I far prefer the black/brass/charcoal finish and cable of the Triple Driver.

 
LZ A2 (Discontinued)
The A2 is a legend in terms of price to performance. Sadly they have been discontinued. On a more positive note, there are rumors that a revised version of the A2 is in the works.
 
Comparing the two, The A2 has a little bit more sub bass and soundstage depth. Midrange on both earphones is eerily similar. The A2 has a slightly more relaxed treble region. Honestly, both earphones are excellent. At the moment this is a close contest, but at the moment I prefer the slightly crisper and more natural treble response of the Triple Driver.
 
In terms of packaging and accessories it isn’t even a contest. The A2 comes with no packaging and minimal accessories. The Triple Driver is the opposite, offering custom tips and plenty of extras.
 
Conclusion
I knew the Triple Driver was going to be an excellent product, but the question that needed to be answered is how it would rank with the best earphones in its price range. At the time of writing this review, I consider it to be the best hybrid to fall under the hundred dollar price tag. 1MORE definitely has my attention. Not only do I highly recommend both of the 1MORE products I’ve reviewed, I am looking forward to seeing what else they can come up with in the future.  
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the Campfire Andromeda was recently listed for preorder/sale at Campfire Audio’s website. Here is a link for purchase:

https://www.campfireaudio.com/product/andromeda/

Introduction
The 2016 Axpona Audio Exhibit was a great turnout. Notable earphone displays were Empire Ears, Etymotic, Onkyo, Shure, JH Audio, Campfire Audio and many more.

It’s pretty epic to be in a giant room with a large array of the world’s finest earphones. They’re lined up on display tables, being driven by some of the world’s finest sources. In one room, we had summit-fi earphones the likes of the Noble K10U, Siren Series from JH Audio, Shure KSE-1500 and SE846, Vibro Aria, Etymotic’s new ER4 lineup as well as many more.

If you are reading this, I would assume you most likely have some type of interest in headphones. If you have an opportunity to go to an audio show in your area, be like Nike and JUST DO IT!

It’s an awesome experience that helps YOU find what type of sound signature and earphones you’d like. Not only that, you get to meet the people behind the products.

What I like to do at these types of events is come up with my own personal best of show for each type of gear that is presented. Being a fan of in-ear monitors, I spent most of the weekend listening and evaluating them in particular. After three days of listening to all the earphones there (some of them several times), I have to say that the best of show this year for me was the Campfire Andromeda. Allow me to explain why.


The first day I plopped down into chair at the Campfire booth and met Caleb. They had the whole lineup available to listen to. Caleb explained the models to me, including their “New Flagship Prototype” named Andromeda. These were the initial impressions I noted in my phone while checking them out:

“CAMPFIRE ANDROMEDA”

*Solid build with lightweight aluminum all metal housings. Even the nozzles are metal.
*Cable has no spring or memory. It’s a Litz braided rope with MMCX connectors that swivel at the housing. Very sharp looking and works well.
*MMCX connection seems very solid and was confirmed with brand rep to be a stronger than standard connection.
*Five balanced armatures, unique tubeless set up replaced by metal “Resonator box.”
*Sound is... WOW! *clear and spacious *detailed and responsive *crisp without being harsh, INCREDIBLE! LISTEN TO AGAIN!!!

After about ten minutes of listening to them, I put the Andromeda down, looked at Caleb and said “Dude, these are incredible!” Caleb smiled, agreed with me, then introduced me to his colleague, Ken. I explained that I would love to be one of the first to review them on Head-Fi. I gave them my Head-Fi credentials and continued to listen to the rest of the lineup. Everything Campfire had to demo sounded great, but there was an added dimension the Andromeda had which I particularly liked.

That weekend I listened to many of the best in-ears the world of audio has to offer. Just about anything I tried sounded excellent, but there was something about the Andromeda that kept me coming back for more. Before the weekend was over, I think I listened to them four or five separate times. Every time I was finished listening, it left the same overwhelmingly positive impression.


Over the course of that weekend, the Andromeda sound had catapulted its way towards the top of my list of all time favorites. Impressions were shared with friends at Axpona, and many who listened to them agreed. To my ears they sounded as good or better than any other IEM at the show.

A few days after the event Ken contacted me to see if I was still interested in covering the Andromeda. Without hesitation I agreed. I’ve had them for the last few weeks and listened to the them almost exclusively. It’s an honor to share the good news on the Andromeda flagship from Campfire with the Head-Fi community.

What is Campfire Audio?
Campfire Audio is a branch from ALO Audio. The letters ALO are abbreviated letters for “Audio Line Out” which is the company that Ken started years back. His roots were in earphone modifications and cables. To this day he still has a large assortment of high quality cables listed for sale on his website.

Somewhere along the way, Ken lost the domain name of “Audiolineout.com” and renamed it ALO Audio. The name has stuck and to this day ALO Audio has a steady stream of online traffic and sales.I had a chance to check out their hand built portable amplifiers, the RX and Continental Dual Mono. Long story short, they both rock, particularly with in-ear monitors. The cables Ken had on display looked premium as well.

Ken’s success in selling cables and doing earphone modifications paved a way for him to start his most recent endeavor. Ken told me it has been a dream of his to have his own line of premium in-ear monitors. The Campfire Audio lineup is a product of that vision.

Review

Andromeda comes in a small and modest green and blue box with white lettering. There is nothing exquisite or flashy about the packaging.


Flipping the box open, I’m greeted with a premium brown leather rectangular clamshell zipper case.


Unzipping the clamshell case revealed the Andromeda earphones and cable. If you thought the leather case was already premium, the inside of it is lined with what appears to be a wool material. This provides the Andromeda with padding and prevents the earphones from wiggling around when transporting them. Underneath the case and earphones a cardboard tab can be removed, revealing a few bags that hold the accessories.

Specifications and Accessories

Specifications
Frequency Range: 10Hz-28kHz
Sensitivity: 115 DB SPL/MW
Impedance: 12.8 Ohm @1kHz
Cable: Silver Litz cable, MMCX connection

Accessories


1x Pair Andromeda earphones
1x Silver Litz cable with exclusive MMCX connectors and memory wire
1x Leather carrying case
3x Pair Comply Foam tips (S, M, L)
3x Pair memory foam tips (S, M, L)
3x Pair silicone wide bore tips (S, M, L)
1x Owner’s manual

Housings


The Andromeda is a made from a single block of high grade machined aluminum. They are an all metal design that is relatively lightweight. The Andromeda currently comes in a metallic emerald green tint. While some would think it would make them an eyesore, or something that will clash with much of their wardrobe, I find them to be a very sophisticated.


From housing to jack, the Andromeda has a very high end look with an almost jewelry like appearance. The machine screws and clear MMCX connectors add an extra sense of quality and craftsmanship.


The Andromeda fit is reminiscent of many over the ear monitors. I consider it to be a bit more on the bulky side of things. The size doesn’t bother me as much as some of the design aspect. I will go over this in the fit and ergonomics section of the review.

Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The cable is awesome. It’s a four strand braided Litz wire with swiveling MMCX connectors and memory wire. The flexible cable has virtually no spring very little memory. The Y-split is a metal jacketing that splits the four strand braid into two twisted lines that lead to each channel. A clear rubber chin/neck slider is attached to the cable and works well. The Cable Jack is a gold plated 3.5 mm jack, and ninety degree solid frosted clear rubber jacketing. The Andromeda has two inches of memory wire that lead to two MMCX connectors.They are covered in the same frosted clear hard rubber coating found at the jack. Every aspect of this cable is premium and Find it an upgrade in terms of quality and performance over most of what I own.

Functionality
The MMCX cable that comes with the Andromeda doesn’t have a mic/remote. Replacement MMCX cables can be purchased and used with the Andromeda housings. I tested and confirmed that this is possible.

Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation

If there is one thing about that Andromeda that might be a dealbreaker is the shape of the housing, and how it may impair some people from being able to wear them comfortably. The machined housings are constructed of many planed surfaces that leave the Andromeda with some edges and corners that might irritate some user’s ears, depending on what tips they are using. Regardless of how the Andromeda fits the user's ear, I don’t think anyone will be able to comfortably lay their head on a pillow while wearing these.

The key to getting a cozy fit with the Andromeda is tip selection. When tip rolling with the Andromeda variances in insertion depth would cause edges of the housing to rub against parts of my ear and eventually cause irritation. Finding a tip that seals well without narrowing the bore diameter of the nozzle, and at the same time forcing the Andromeda to stick out farther from the ear seemed to work best. I was lucky, the tips that seemed to work best in my case were the attached stock foams tips. For silicone tips, I used a pair of stock Sony MH-1 or RHA tips. Your mileage may vary.

Isolation is decent but not elite. I would say it is along the lines of the average in-ear monitor. When worn over the ear and using the included chin/neck slider, microphonics were eliminated.

Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-V10 for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktops I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.

I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)

Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.

Source Selection
Andromeda is an extremely sensitive in-ear monitor, coming in at just under thirteen Ohms. With a more powerful DAP like the iBasso DX80, I got a slight background hiss from Andromeda. They work great with a high fidelity smartphone like the LG V10 or iPhone 6. Streaming services through your phone will sound great, but your music will sound even better with high bitrate music files played through your favorite DAP in low gain. If you plan on using the Andromeda with a more powerful source, an impedance adapter will most likely help with any noise floor issues.

The best source I had for the Andromeda was the iFi micro iDSD in its most sensitive power setting. It was an incredibly clear and balanced sound that was very revealing, packing lots of texture and detail while still retaining a controlled and slightly emphasized bass presence.

Sound Signature

The Andromeda has been described as Bassy, but to my ears it depends on what source you’re using. With a Warm or bass boosted source the Andromeda sounds musical with an emphasized lower frequency range and smooth treble response. Using a colder and brighter source with Andromeda makes them sound very technical and extended (primarily in treble regions) while still keeping a little bit of low end oomph. Either way you listen to them, the general consensus is that your preferred source will be determined what you like more. For me it’s split between each, and what music I want to use.

The tuning is pretty genius. It’s a five driver design. All five of them deliver sound into what was described to me as a metal box that operates as “resonator.” What this means is that rather than have armatures attached to tubes that fire right into your ear, they have a microsecond to meet in this box and resonate into each other before it reaches your ear. The result is a VERY spacious and holographic sound that is unique and refreshing. With this technology, upper frequencies have the extension and detail without the harshness I often time get with armature drivers. To be honest, the presentation is flat out awesomesauce.

Rather than fire a particular frequency range into your ear like most armature earphones, the crossover and armatures all do their job first, pumping out each frequency as assigned, but before it reaches your ear the music has time to mesh in the exclusive resonator box, similarly to speakers in a room. We don’t mash our ears up against the grill with a funnel to listen to our favorite speakers, we stand back in the room and give the speakers some space so it can use the room around us to its advantage. Campfire’s five armatures are similar. It fires all of its frequencies into this genius little box, allowing the music to become more cohesive, spacious and less harsh.

Bass
The bass of the Andromeda is slightly emphasized and uber dynamic. You would never think the Andromeda bass came from balanced armatures because of the power and performance of its low end frequencies. It sounds more like a titanium diaphragm dynamic driver to my ears. The bass is extended, responsive, and somewhat bold. The Andromeda will definitely bring the rumble when it’s called upon. At the same time you won’t get any type of lingering bass or bass that doesn’t belong in the track. The low end response of the Andromeda sets up to work well with just about all genres of music.

To my ears the Andromeda has a bass that is relatively balanced, and maybe even leaning towards sub bass tones. Andromeda’s low end is fast, textured, responsive and has nice sense of tone and depth. In the high end market, many top tier earphones don’t carry the same sub bass presence these do.

Andromeda’s bass rocks the snot out of the bass lines of most modern genres of music like hip hop and EDM. The Sub bass lines are extended and the tone is that of a 15 inch subwoofer. With a good sealing tip, there’s a depth that makes it very enjoyable.

Midrange
This is where the magic happens with Andromeda. Starting with the Lower midrange, things get really spacious sounding. Bass guitars can distinctly be picked out from the mix. Low end guitar chucks have some power behind them. Low frequency strings would occasionally give me goose bumps. Unlike any other in-ear monitor I’ve ever listened to, Andromeda has the ability to render a sense of space that makes live and acoustic recordings sound incredibly good. The big and dynamic sounding instruments can be discerned rather than paste together like many in-ear monitors.

Upper midrange of Andromeda is natural and smooth without any sense of things being rolled off. There isn’t a whole lot to say about this range other than it is very formidable and works.

When evaluating in-ears I try to be picky and see if there is anything about its sound that some people will say leaves them with a negative impression. If there is anything I can say that about the Andromeda, it’s that when playing the most complex musical passages you can throw at it, Andromeda’s sound gets a little overwhelmed, smearing the sound or making their upper midrange sound a bit stuffy to my ears. This rarely happened and even so, it’s a small caveat in comparison to everything the Andromeda does well.

Treble
This is an area that makes Andromeda a star. If you’ve dabbled in armature earphones in the last few years, you’ve probably heard an armature that overall sounds excellent, but seems to have a sense of harshness. When certain pronunciation of the letters S or T are played, or when a cymbal crashes it will be rendered in a harsh and almost screeching type of sound. Andromeda has none of this. You will hear all cymbal crashes and the letters S and T. It will not be portrayed in a way that I would consider the Andromeda to be sibilant.

Treble is extended and polite. It’s true to the recording and yields all the details and clarity needed to say it is elite.

Soundstage and Imaging
I’ve touched on it in the sound impressions, but this criteria is why I consider the Andromeda to be one of the top earphones I’ve ever heard. When talking to people about the Andromeda sound, I’ve mentioned several times that the soundstage reminds me of a high end audio system. To me, Andromeda’s sound is like listening to a well driven pair of top of the line tower speakers in a large room.

In terms of imaging, the sound of Andromeda is very three-dimensional. Sounds come at you from all angles with plenty of texture and detail. At the time of writing this review, the Andromeda hands down THE BEST in-ear I’ve heard in terms of soundstage and imaging.

Conclusion

Normally I would do a couple comparisons to similarly priced and designed earphones before “jumping to a conclusion” but I want to generalize and tell you why the Andromeda sets itself apart from its competition. When demoing the Andromeda at Axpona, many asked for comparisons to other elite earphones in its range. Fortunately, I had the luxury to actually do these comparisons as people asked. Bouncing back and forth between earphones that sometimes cost a lot more than Andromeda did, I couldn’t help it like the sound of the Campfire flagship more. Of course source and preference plays a part in this and I can see some people liking other top of the line earphones more. Using Andromeda with my LG V10 and micro iDSD, it is tuned perfectly for my preference.

Andromeda is not what I would consider a perfect product. The machined aluminum corners can cause irritation where they regularly make contact with the user’s ear. They are highly sensitive and need an impedance adapter with most dedicated DAPs. On top of all of this, they are over a thousand dollars, which isn’t cheap. However, the Andromeda has so much upside that I can overlook all of these factors and say that they are definitely worthy of their asking price. Usually I can’t mention price to performance when things get as expensive as the Andromeda. In this case I will make an exception. The Andromeda is built like a tank and sounds as good as any in-ear monitor I’ve ever heard, including more expensive models.

Andromeda has an added dimension to its sound that makes many other earphones seem flat and lifeless. Campfire audio has produced an earphone that gives listeners something that is unique and refreshing in terms of in-ear monitors. They combine a slightly musical signature with a level of separation, extension, detail and soundstage that makes them a personal favorite. Upon the conclusion of this review, I’m going to contact Ken and Caleb and tell them that I’m buying this pair. I have plenty of earphones to listen to, but I like these enough to not let them leave. The Andromeda sound quality makes me look at other earphones that I’ve given five star reviews and makes me consider lowering it if these are the new standard. Instead, I’ll end this review by saying these have six star sound.


Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the Unique Melody Miracle V2 was was on sale at Musicteck’s online store. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/unique-melody-um-miracle-universal-six-drivers-titanium-faceplate-um-logo?variant=8380267267
 
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/unique-melody-um-miracle-universal-six-drivers-black-um-logo
 
Introduction
About a month ago, I covered the Unique Melody Maestro. Here is a link to this review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/unique-melody-um-maestro-12-driver-iem/reviews/15510
 
Long story short, the Maestro was one of the greatest and most entertaining in-ear monitors I’ve ever heard. In that review I stated it was like a beefier version of the Miracle V2. While to some they will think that means the Miracle V2 is an inferior product, the fact is they should read between the lines. Yes, The Maestro is incredible, but so is the Miracle V2 in it’s own awesome way. Today we will go over this with a comprehensive review.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the Miracle V2 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Unique Melody. I would like to take this time to personally thank my friend Andrew for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and having a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and the sound is pleasing to my ears. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
NOTE: Because the packaging, accessories and earphones/cables are identical (with the only exception being drivers/driver counts and tuning), the entire first part of this review (with the exception of specifications and a few minor edits) will be identical to my Maestro review. Please skip ahead to the Source Selection section after reading specifications if you wish to not reread information that is nearly identical to my Maestro review.
 

The Miracle V2 Universal comes in an all black box the size of a large jewelry cube. The Unique Melody logo is printed in discreet shiny black print on the top. “HAND CRAFTED WITH LOVE” is printed on the bottom of the box with the same glossy black lettering. Another interior box slides out from the package which contains the earphones. A third box pulls out from the second one, containing the Miracle V2 Universal accessories. After removing this box, I was greeted with a heavy duty black metal canister that unscrews to reveal a velvet bag which was holding the earphones.
 
Specifications and Accessories

Specifications:
Driver Tech: Six Balanced Armatures; Crossover: 3 Way Passive
Range : 18Hz - 19kHz
Driver Configuration: 2x Low, 2x Mid, 2x High
Impedance: 15.9 ohm; Sensitivity: 114dB SPL
Recommended Use: Audio Professional, Audiophile, Sound Engineer

 
Accessories:
4x Pair memory foam tips (S,S/M,M/L,L)
4x Pair black silicone wide bore tips (S,S/M,M/L,L)
1x Airline adapter
1x ¼ inch adapter
1x Earwax cleaning kit
1x Two year warranty card
1x Metal cannister
1x Velvet drawstring pouch
 
Housings

The Miracle V2 Universal housings are made of a black acrylic material that seems very sturdy. It’s bulky and has a quasi-custom-ish shape. A two pin connector is located on the upper portion of the housing. The fitting is slightly recessed into the housing, making the cable connection more secure than earphones without this feature.
 

The Miracle name is printed on the inner part of shell. The right side is printed in red, and left side is printed in blue (to mark each channel). The Miracle V2 Universal nozzles are wider than average. Looking at the end of the nozzle, they have two separate ports for sound. Tip rolling is a bit tougher than normal but for the most part I was able to fit just about every tip I had on the nozzle with a little extra effort.
 

The faceplate of the earphone is a holographic carbon fiber printing with the Unique Melody name printed in a shiny finish. Overall, the housing seems tough enough to withstand daily abuse. Because these are a loaner I refrained from using them as nunchucks to see how well they would hold up. Just know that they look built to last. I didn’t see any screws or misaligned seams. It’s honestly pretty flawless looking. If you have any concerns, the Miracle V2 Universal comes with a two year warranty.
 
NOTE: The Miracle V2 Universal comes in both a universal and custom model. Please take a look at Musicteck’s website to find out more about pricing and design options for the custom models.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

Miracle V2 Universal comes with a braided black cable that follows along the lines of many other high end in-ear monitors. A quad braided cable leads up to the Y-split which is held together by clear heat shrink tubing and separates into two twisted cables that leads to each channel’s two pin connector. There is also a piece of clear tubing that operates as a chin/neck slider to snug things into place. The Miracle V2 Universal stock cable has two inches of memory wire that help secure the earphone in place and works well. The cable jack is a ninety degree variety that has a gold plated 3.5 mm jack and plastic and rubber jacketing. Strain relief at the jack is adequate, and the memory wire offers some strain relief where the cable connects to the housing.
 
Functionality
The stock cable is plug and play. However, the fact that it is removeable opens up options for microphone and remote cables as well as upgrade cables.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
The Miracle V2 Universal is a bulky housing, but also a pretty nice fit. The tips that come with the Miracle V2 Universal are formidable for getting a good seal. I found the memory foam tips that come with Miracle V2 Universal to be high quality.
 
Unique Melody gives you everything you need to get a secure and consistent fit. Find the right fitting tip, pop them in your ears, secure them in place with the memory wire, then adjust the chin/neck slider to secure the cable over your ear. The Miracle V2 Universal is designed to go over the ear. Because of this microphonics are minimal and virtually non existent. With the right tip isolation is just a hair below custom in-ear monitor level.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
Just like most multiple driver armature in-ear monitors, the Miracle V2 Universal is a very sensitive and easy to drive IEM. With most more powerful sources (even portable sources) you will hear a faint hiss when music isn’t playing. High gain settings and powerful sources are not needed and will only hinder the capabilities of the Miracle V2 Universal.
 
Just like the Maestro, and one of the most obvious things to me since reviewing both earphones is that for multi-armature designs they sound very good with just about every portable and low powered source I used them with. The V2 Universal is very true to the source being used. What I mean by that is that they synergize well with whatever source you use. Warm sources will make them sound warm, and neutral sources will make them sound more on the linear side of things. Neither type of source pushed them to the point that they sound like a mismatch.
 
Because the Miracle V2 Universal has a very balanced signature with great detail, it will be somewhat revealing of poorly recorded music. Even still, the Miracle V2 Universal has enough musicality to prevent low bitrate recordings from being butchered.
 
The Miracle V2 scales up incredibly well. The Miracle V2 sounded great through every source, but especially good in Hifi mode on my LG V10. In Eco mode with my micro iDSD (250 mW @16 Ohms) and playing DSD tracks, the Miracle V2 Universal sounds… MIRACULOUS
 
You will get away with streaming music through your smart phone and having it sound great. To maximize every last detail, feed the Miracle V2 some high bitrate music in low gain out of your favorite DAP. Use neutral sources for a very balanced signature, or use a warmer DAP for a more musical sound.  
 
Sound Signature

The miracle has become my reference in-ear monitor since getting them. The first words that come to mind when listening to them are balanced and transparent, which I feel are their best qualities, and what makes them so excellent.
 
I had a chance to go to Axpona all three days in Chicago in April 2016. Etymotic was displaying and demoing the ER4 along with two new models, the ER4SR and the ER4XR. The XR model (stands for extended response) sounded like the ER4 with a touch more extension on both ends of the frequency response. What it also sounded like to my ears was the Miracle V2. So much so I had to take them to Axpona the second day, just to see if my memory was deceiving me. After comparing the two I have to say that the midrange and treble aren’t far off in terms of tuning with there being just a bit more midbass emphasis on the V2 (midrange and treble are similar and very natural sounding). The Miracle V2 was also an all around slightly more refined and detailed sound as well. To put the tuning into perspective, in many ways the Miracle V2 tuning has been refined to sound more natural than the first tuning, smoothing things out a touch at upper frequencies (primarily sibilant frequencies) and compares more to natural sounding earphones with just a touch of added dynamics.
 
Bass
Bass on the Miracle V2 is well done and will be beefy enough for those who prefer this frequency slightly north of neutral, and at the same time not be offensive to those looking for a linear sound. As far as sub bass is concerned, the Miracle V2 has it, but not in massive quantities. The sub bass has a respectable amount of extension, but doesn’t have the visceral rumble of some of the bassier dynamic in-ear monitors I’ve heard. To my ears the midbass seems to have just a bit more emphasis than the lower frequencies. It’s a little extra oomph to keep things from being perceived as boring. It is still very natural and not anywhere near what I would consider to be overdone. Resolution is top notch. Tones have nice resolution and decent layering.
 
Having other people listen to them, impressions varied from some people saying the bass seemed forward and impressive, while others stated that the bass could have been a little more forward and with more sub bass rumble. To me it sits somewhere between the two. Not too much, and not too little. There’s enough presence to bring “DA BASS” when the beat drops, and not so much that it ruins acoustic music.
 
Midrange
The Miracle V2 midrange is incredibly natural, balanced and displays clarity, detail and transparency at a level that is world class. It’s an ever so slightly warmer lower midrange that doesn’t make any vocals (male or female) sound colored or unnatural. Timbre is good, and lower midrange is very controlled. Upper midrange has a slightly smoother feel. I’d even go as far as saying the midrange might be considered by some as bland if not for the incredible clarity and transparency. Because of this I find the V2 midrange to be elite.
 
Treble
I find the tuning of the Miracle treble to be spot on. It’s not overly harsh and has nice extension. Nothing about the Miracle V2 treble seemed to exaggerated or harsh, but at the same time they seemed to be crisp enough to sound incredibly natural. Details are there in spades. Cymbals and pronunciations of the letters S and T can be heard without seeming harsh or distant. They are a tuning that is very complimentary to the excellent midrange.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The tuning is fantastic, as each frequency seems to be dialed in to a sweet spot so that just about anyone can appreciate their sound. However, this doesn’t translate into the Miracle V2 having a large soundstage. There is some depth and natural qualities, but listening to the Miracle the space didn’t seem big. It’s much better than the average in-ear monitor, but to my ears the Miracle V2 soundstage isn’t the best I’ve heard.
 
Because of a very well done midrange, the transparency and clarity yields some natural transients and a nice sense of instrument placement. The Miracle V2 offers a sense of imaging that will provide an added level of dimension to your music collection.  
 
Comparisons
 
Noble 6 ($1000 USD on Noble’s website)
The Noble 6 is one of the bass champions of Noble’s lineup. They are a six armature driver setup that provides listeners with a warmer and more relaxed sound signature. The Noble six is in limited quantities, as they have been replaced by the Django, which to my ears seems to be the Noble 6 in an aluminum shell.
 
Comparing the two, the Noble 6 is definitely a darker and more colored sound. The Noble 6 has more bass slam, primarily in mid bass regions.
 
The Noble midrange is warmer and doesn’t carry the same clarity and transparency as the Miracle V2. It is a more weighted and musical sound that can put some added weight on male vocals. Those who like added warmth and musicality to their sound will prefer the Noble 6. Those looking for a more natural and airy presentation will prefer the midrange of the Miracle V2.
 
The most distinct difference I could hear when comparing them is their variances in upper frequency tuning. The Noble 6 creates a nice sense of treble extension, but also seems to have a certain degree of roll off starting at upper midrange frequencies. The Miracle V2 manages to maintain a level of balance and extension that sounds more natural to me (and without ever seeming harsh or fatiguing). There seems to be a big dip at sibilant ranges on the Noble 6, making pronunciations of the letters S and T seem almost unnaturally laid back, but at the same time creates a relaxed top end that is great for long listening sessions. The Miracle V2 has more presence in this range and that seems natural, and it will reveal sibilance in recordings, albeit not in an incredibly harsh or unbearable way.
 
Build quality goes to the Miracle V2. Their acrylic shell is well put together, seamless, and has some cool carbon fiber printing on the faceplate of each housing. Design-wise, the Noble 6 offers a better fit. I give an accessories advantage to the Noble 6. I prefer the Noble clamshell case over the metal canister of the Miracle V2. Accessories pretty much a tie, with Noble getting a slight advantage in terms of tip selection.
 
Vibro Aria Custom ($599 on Vibro Lab’s website)
The Aria is a four armature handmade flagship earphone that was released earlier this year. It offers a very balanced sound with what seems like limitless extension on both sides of the frequency response. The Aria is offered in two variations, either custom or universal shells. Like other earphones like this, the fit causes minor variations in sound. The custom is a warmer and slightly beefier sound, and the universal is a leaner and cleaner sound. For this comparison I will be using the custom model. My universal Aria is borrowed out to a friend at the moment.
 
Comparing the two, the first thing I’ll say is that these two earphones have more sound similarities than differences. They offer some tremendous levels of detail and extension. Both have incredibly balanced sound with a touch of midbass lift. Bass on the Aria Custom has a bit more fullness, with the Miracle V2 being a little bit tighter. Midrange on the Miracle V2 has more transparency and detail, while the Aria Custom has an ever so slight touch of color to its sound. The Vibro Aria Custom seems to be just a touch more relaxed at upper midrange and lower treble tones. Extension and detail on both are very similar. Treble on the Miracle is bit more detailed and accurate. The Aria trumps the Miracle V2 in terms of soundstage. Imaging goes to the Miracle V2.
 
If I had to guess, The Aria universal will probably resemble the Miracle V2 sound pretty closely. When the Aria Universal is returned I will edit this comparison.
 
Accessories goes to the Aria because I like the Pelican case (Miracle V2 offers more tips however). Build quality is a draw.
 
Conclusion
The Miracle V2 universal pushes the thousand dollar mark. For that kind of money it needs to do a lot of things right. The Miracle V2 checks a lot of boxes for me and for that reason it is one of the top earphones I’ve experienced. They are balanced enough to be a reference monitor for many people, but also has a signature that can make listening to music and movies a joy.
 
There seems to be a shift from custom shells back to universal varieties. I think this has to do with the fact that our ears continue to grow as we age (changing the shape of our ears and altering the fit of custom shells), and also the fact that universals have a better resale value. For those two reasons I would probably go with the universal version of the Miracle V2. Still, if the bulkiness of the universal housing would bother you, or you are a musician looking for the most secure and isolating in-ear monitor you can get, the Miracle V2 can be purchased in a custom shell.
 
The original Miracle to this day scores stellar reviews. Unique Melody has taken the small amount of constructive criticism the original received, and did some slight tweaking to their sound. The result is an epic sounding earphone that will be end game stuff for many who want something along the lines of a refined ER4 with better bass.
 
The Miracle V2 is something more seasoned Head-Fiers need to hear. I’m going to make sure to bring the Miracle V2 to meets in my area so people can experience them. When we spend several hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars on in-ear monitors, we want the earphone that offers the best level of performance that also is tuned to our preference. The Miracle V2 is balanced with an added splash of awesome sauce. I haven’t had anyone listen to them and not say they sound great.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

 
At the time of this review, the iFi micro iDSD, iFi nano Gemini cable and iFi nano iUSB3.0 was for sale on Amazon’s website. Here are links for the purchase of these three items:
 
 
 
  
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-iDSD-Headphone-Amplifier-Octa-Speed-Double-Speed/dp/B01D40AQJ2?ie=UTF8&keywords=micro%20idsd&qid=1461553486&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
  
http://www.amazon.com/iFi-Gemini-Dual-Headed-Cable-Meter/dp/B00COJ5Z64/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461553590&sr=8-2&keywords=ifi+gemini
 
  
http://www.amazon.com/iFi-iUSB3-0-Audio-Power-Regenerator/dp/B01BMT1CVS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461553784&sr=8-1&keywords=ifi+nano+iusb
 
Introduction
When I purchased my Sennheiser HD600 headphones, I knew I was going to need a more powerful desktop rig to make them sing. I did my homework and came up with a budget solution. I picked up a HifimeDIY Sabre 9023 DAC and a Bravo Audio Ocean Class a tube amplifier. This combination created a very powerful and spacious sound that to this day I am very content with.
 
Since obtaining this rig, I have had the pleasure to attend several audio exhibits and Head-Fi meets. It’s been awesome being able to try the best headphones, DACs and amplifiers the world of personal audio has to offer. I’ve heard DAC and amplifier rigs that sound better than mine, but the big drawback and reason I haven’t picked anything else up to this day has been because of price. It seems like every time I hear something I would prefer to have over my current gear, the price tag is around two thousand dollars or more. As many of us know, in the world of top end audio we tend pay a lot for minor upgrades. The law of diminishing returns becomes more and more apparent the further we travel down the proverbial rabbit hole of audio gear.
 
When iFi contacted me to see if I would be interested in covering some of their products for a review, I was pretty excited. I decided at the time that it was going to be a challenge to see if iFi could offer a source that can rival my budget set up and fall under the thousand dollar mark. Not only does this combination trump my budget rig in terms of sound quality, I found it to be a Swiss Army Knife for audiophiles. Let’s go over these products with a comprehensive review.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review samples provided by iFi in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with iFi. I would like to take this time to personally thank Tyler for the opportunity to review these products.   

 
Micro iDSD (Octa DSD512)

http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-idsd/
 
Before I begin the discussion on this, allow me to quote the Amazon listing’s description and explanation:
 
“There is nothing like the micro iDSD. It is literally, out of this world. It is the only DAC in the world (at any price) to play True Native Octa-DSD512/PCM768/Double DxD. Its Perfect-Match means it can be fine-tuned to any headgear from IEMs all the way through to large headphones. Its 8v/4000mW output makes it one of the most powerful headamps to drive even the most hungry of headphones with ease. iFi has forged an enviable reputation for being at the forefront of computer audio technology. The micro iDSD has just made another leap, an Octa-Leap to be precise. With its special Dual-Core Burr-Brown native DSD/PCM chipset at the heart, the micro iDSD is capable of True Native PCM768, Octa-Speed DSD512 and 2x DxD; it is simply out of this world. The micro iDSD has 3 different power modes Eco, Normal and Turbo. Capable of 4000mW, 1000mW or 250mW, the micro iDSD is able to drive the full gamut of headphone and amplifiers alike. With iEMatch there to dial to suit any IEM, the micro iDSD has redefined the headphone amplifier class. Used along with the analogue volume control, the diminutive size of the micro iDSD belies its uncanny ability to drive virtually anything and everything! SmartPower is the micro iDSD's onboard recharging feature for Smartdevices. Its 4800mAH battery is able to fully recharge an iPhone two-times. Compatible with Apple and Android, phones and tablets, it is another example of iFi's commitment to customer needs - enjoy high-end audio on the go with the micro iDSD”
 
As for the background on the micro iDSD, this product was designed with the Head-Fier in mind. In fact, much of the design concepts were a product of feedback from the Head-Fi community. Search the threads for this device and you will see that this product was designed from what many felt were the things required to make the micro iDSD the ultimate all-in-one audiophile DAC/amplifier.
 
The Micro comes with the following accessories:

1x RCA cable (1 foot)
1x 3.5mm interconnect (approx. 4 inches)
1x Silicone pad for stacking purposes
2x Silicone bands for stacking portable sources
1x USB male to female type A cable (approx 3 feet)
1x USB type B female to USB type A female (approximately 6 inches)
1x Optical female input to toslink adapter
1x USB type B female input to micro USB output adapter
1x USB type B female input to USB type a female output
1x Felt carrying case
 
You get just about everything you need to hook any audio device up to the iDSD in the package. The only aftermarket cable I used outside of the package contents were the Gemini Cable, or a Toslink to Toslink interconnect.
 
Getting Started

Because the micro iDSD was used in combination with the nano iUSB 3.0, hooking the device up is a bit different than going straight into the computer. However, getting started with the software was the same.
 

Once the device has a full initial charge the software can be downloaded from the iFi website. Once the iFi software is loaded and installed, optional firmwares can be downloaded, unzipped and installed by loading it into the computer application’s firmware folder. I will admit that this process calls for someone who has a little more knowledge of computers than the average person, or someone who can follow the online instructions carefully. Figuring out the software will be a pain for some people. Let it be known that it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you don’t follow the instructions you can run the risk of bricking your micro iDSD and need to send it back to iFi to be fixed.  
 

After downloading and installing the software and firmware updates, the first thing I did was bump the output resolution. On my Windows 10 laptop the iDSD has max output at a whopping 32/192k. If you aren’t sure how good that is, just know that the output resolution and bitrate of a compact disk is 16/44k.
 
Sound in a Nutshell
Once the sampling rate was maxed out, it was time to grab my HD600 and fire up some DSD files. Even upon first listen I had perma-grin. To my ears, without flipping any switches on the unit, the micro iDSD is true to any recording and plays it with a level of resolution and detail that is very, very impressive!
 
I could ramble on and on about the sound about the iDSD, but in a nutshell the iDSD plays music with no added color to its presentation. The iDSD will play your music the way it should be heard. It is a very revealing sound thanks to its very accurate sound reproduction. I've read several iDSD reviews before writing this review, and impressions vary, sometimes significantly. Many of them are different depending on who's review you read. After listening to the iDSD for a few months, the conclusion I have about the sound is that I don't want to label the signature on the iDSD, and feel that the iDSD sound is incredibly balanced with enough minor sound adjustment settings to match just about anyone's preference.
 

The iDSD is future-proofed in terms of its resolution capability. It plays pretty much every type of music file up to double DXD. The iDSD uses dual Burr Brown DAC chips (one for each channel). After looking at the diagram, I was left wondering why iFi wouldn’t finish the deal and add dual op-amps and a balanced output. If I had to guess, iFi is probably already working on this for future versions.
 
Power Output
The most impressive thing about the iDSD is its versatility, with the most important aspect being the adjustable power outputs. The iDSD will drive my ZMF Omni and HD600 with ease, and with the flip of a switch or two I can drive my most sensitive multi-armature in-ear monitors. I have NEVER used a DAC/amp with adjustments that makes it ideal for any earphone type of earphone that I own.
 

The iDSD has three power output settings:
 
*Turbo: (8.0V max/4000 mW@16 Ohm)
*Normal:  (4.0V/1000 mW@16 Ohm)
*Eco: (2.0V/250 mW@16 Ohm)
 
Yes friends, in Turbo mode the micro iDSD pumps out FOUR WATTS at sixteen Ohms! Do you own a headphone that the iDSD can’t drive? Probably not!
 
When you don’t need that much power the Normal mode hits a sweet spot, offering one full watt. This is still plenty of power for almost every headphone in today’s market. This is the setting I used to push my headphones when using the iDSD as a portable. It’s powerful enough to make my cans sound great, and not so powerful that I’m prematurely draining my 4800mAh lithium ion battery.
 
Eco mode is the least powerful and I found it to be ideal with in-ear monitors. It also worked well for more sensitive headphones. When using this mode the battery lasts longer than the other settings.
 

If you thought the power output settings are enough, the iDSD has a “IEMatch” switch to dial things in even more with your most sensitive earphones. You can attenuate the signal from 0/12/24 dB to get the output and volume dial perfect for your earphone and preference.
 

The iDSD has a USB charger attached to side of the device as well. If your portable device or smartphone runs out of juice, you can charge it with the iDSD. One thing to note, the iDSD will not work as a DAC or amplifier and charge at the same time. It’s one or the other.
 
Desktop and Portable use

The iDSD can be used as a desktop or portable device. The 4800mAh battery not only guarantees a consistent and undisturbed power supply, it also allows the unit to be used without being plugged into a power source. The battery lasted for me for an entire day of on and off listening, and still had power to spare when I plugged it in as my desktop rig later on in the day.
 
If I wasn’t using it as my daily portable, it was on my desk being used as the main DAC/amplifier for my desktop, or charging thanks to the design of the nano iUSB 3.0 and Gemini cable (I’ll go over that more in a bit). The iDSD is bigger than most portable DAC/amplifiers on the market today. Although it is portable, I don’t consider it to be pocket friendly. If this bothers you, iFi offers a smaller version called the nano iDSD which offers a good amount of its big brother’s features.
 
Inputs and Outputs

 
micro iDSD input options:
*3.5mm analog input (on the front)
*SPDIF input (coaxial or optical via toslink)
*High Speed USB 2.0 input
 
micro iDSD output options:
    *¼ inch line out (comes with ¼ to 1.8th inch adapter)
    *RCA line with adjustable preamplifier or direct output (on the back of the unit)
    *SPDIF Coaxial output with adjustable preamplifier or direct output (on the back of the unit)
 
With these input/output options, I’m still experimenting with all of my sources and figuring out various ways to get the iDSD to work. This not only applies to my desktop and portable rigs, but also my home stereo. When used in my review laboratory the iDSD not only pushes my headphones, I also use the dual RCA outputs on the back of my unit to feed my stereo music from my laptop. The micro iDSD does this phenomenally. Not only do my headphones sound better, so does my stereo thanks to this device.
 

I was able to connect the DX80 via toslink.
 

With my Luxury and precision LP5, I was able to connect via digital coax.
 

With my LG V10, I was able to connect via OTG. All connections were simple and without any complications or bugs.
 
Fine Tuning Options
 
Filter Options:
    *Bit-Perfect
    *Minumum Phase
    *Sandard
 
To be honest, I didn’t notice a significant difference in sound when using these filters. For the most part I left the iDSD in standard or Bit-Perfect mode. From what I read, the Bit-Perfect and Minimal Phase settings are for using the iDSD in PCM, and the Standard filter was ideal for DSD and DXD. If anything, the upper frequencies seemed maybe just a bit more relaxed in Bit-Perfect mode, with virtually no change in the other two settings to my ears.
 
Another option was a switch to reverse polarity. This was another feature I could have done without. I leave the iDSD in positive polarity when I use the device.
 
Xbass
The Xbass switch is located on the front of the iDSD. While I’m usually not a fan of bass boost switches, in this case I find it to be a useful tool and utilize it quite often. The iDSD Xbass button adds a boost only to the lowest frequencies without raising the midbass or making the sound boomy. Where I found the Xbass switch to be most useful is with my more linear sounding earphones. A simple flip of a switch gave them a clean and welcomed low end boost that improved their sound.
 

 
3D Switch
The 3D switch is also located on the front of the iDSD. Although the intention of this is to create a more open soundstage (and it does so in a certain degree), I found it to be a “awesomifier” for my warmer and bassier earphones. My pair of ZMF Omni sound good with the iDSD, but add the 3D switch into the mix and they become incredible to my ears. The same results can be said for all of my warmer and bassier stuff.

 
Nano iUSB 3.0

http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/nano-iusb3-0/
 
Before I begin the discussion on this, allow me to quote the Amazon listing’s description and explanation:
 
“The Nano iUSB3.0 is small, but provides a "USB Total Solution" for audio technology. With USB3.0 Ultra-Speed (5.0 Gbps), it is future-proofed with a near-silent noise floor thanks to built-in Active Noise Cancellation®. IsoPower® separates the audio and power lines for the ultimate in audio signal transmission via USB. You will immediately notice cleaner, crisper audio from your USB DAC when using the Nano iUSB3.0. REclock® technology re-clocks and completely re-generates the USB signal. PowerStation® generates a completely new 5V USB power line including a 3-stage, 6th order RFI noise filter. The quietest of quiet is what you will get with iFi's added technologies. On top of all of this, REbalance® further purifies the audio datastream. Last, but not least, RapidCharge® means the fastest re-charge of even the thirstiest rechargeable battery powered devices. This means flawless pairing with iFi's iDSD DACs. Feature-packed? Yes. Cutting-edge technology? Check. Improves every USB audio system? You bet. In short, you can't go wrong by adding iFi's Nano iUSB3.0 to your USB Audio rig.”
 
So now that you have the information on it, let’s first start by addressing the lingering topics that go on in audiophile circles about products like this. Some will say that something like this isn’t necessary, especially if we have DACs that implement some of this same technology already. Others will say that the audible difference isn’t noticeable to the human ear, and may only be slightly traceable through measurements. While I think there is a half truth to this, what I will add to the conversation is that for under two hundred dollars I find this item to be worth every penny and more, ESPECIALLY when paired with the micro iDSD. Let me explain why.
 
The nanao iUSB 3.0 has the same shape and size body as the portable models iFi offers. Its basically a shortened version of the micro iDSD body.
 
What is Jitter?
I could try to explain jitter, but this guy does it way better than I can:

 
With advancements in digital audio technology, I don’t think jitter is as big of a deal as it used to be. We all know that some things sound better than others, and that’s usually because of the combination of a high quality DAC and amplifier. There are variables that make a DAC/amplifier perform poorly and one of these things is jitter. It's nice to have a product like the nano iUSB 3.0 that helps to eliminate this (even if it is an added safeguard when used with a high quality dac with similar “jitter elimination technology”). It’s reassuring to think that we have the added certainty that jitter will not play a big part in why we aren’t getting the most out of our sources and music.
 
Clean Power Supply

The other benefit of this device is clean power. The flow of power has a considerable impact on our audio chain. Just about all of us can remember a time when listening to music and our experience is altered because of signal noise. We hear it sometimes as electromagnetic interference, or a slight hiss when the music is quiet or paused. As audio enthusiasts, we strive for perfect sound, and a big part of this is a black background. Although many would see these as minor setbacks, in the grand scheme of things it’s a big deal. We want the music to be as clean and uninterrupted as possible.
 
Noise Cancelling (before it’s actually noise)
We’ve all heard of noise cancelling. Bose has cornered the market on noise canceling headphones. The way it operates is that for any noise that they headphone picks up, the headphone essentially creates a “counter-frequency” to cancel unwanted sound. This allows the listener to focus more on the music and less on the surroundings. The folks at iFi have implemented technology in the nano iUSB 3.0 with the same concept but in a different application. It cancels unwanted noise created by your power supply.
 
REclock/REgenerate
Have you ever listened to music through a computer or phone, and tell yourself “wait a minute, this sounds faster/slower?” Or maybe you’ve listened to music and thought something in the timing is just “off” and can’t put your finger on it? Most of our music players have internal clocks that aren’t always spot on. The data is all there, but the timing isn’t. This can be one of the biggest problems with digital audio. Modern day computers tend to do it less often than older ones, but it still happens from time to time.
 
The iFi nano iUSB 3.0 addresses this with technology that takes your audio data and re-clocks and regenerates the music, making it as natural as possible before it gets to your DAC.
 
REbalance
The claim on this is that the iFi nano will take your USB signal and make it cleaner by eliminating unwanted noise and balancing the signal. While I’m not too sure about this, I don’t think iFi would blatantly sell some magic snake oil, and I’m confident that there is some technology designed to help improve the USB signal. If it’s there, it’s not audible to my ears.
 
Separate Power/Audio and USB Charger

The iUSB 3.0 has a nine volt wall wart and a USB type B port for  inputs, and two USB type A outputs. The two separate USB outputs are split into power and audio/power. It works in two ways.
 
Option #1: The Audio out USB port can be used for both power and audio for a DAC, leaving the power output for charging external devices. One nice thing to note is that the iUSB 3.0 charging port is Bus Charge 1.2 compliant, meaning not only will it charge your portable devices, it will charge them faster than normal USB chargers. This is the way almost any DAC aside from the micro iDSD would hook up to the iUSB 3.0.
 

 
Option #2:  When using the nano with the Gemini Cable, the power and audio from each port is transmitted separately and to the same device. This makes for a “best of both worlds” type of application and maximizes the potential of the micro iDSD. It will charge the battery of the iDSD when not in use, and when in use it will power the unit while keeping the Audio and power supply separate up to the point of the connection.
 
Gemini Cable

http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-gemini/
 
I’m going to be honest here. I think spending over two hundred dollars on a double sided USB cable is pretty out there. Here’s the kicker though...
 

The Gemini cable is designed to be used exclusively with the iUSB and micro iDSD products. It looks like no corners have been cut with this cable, and no exceptions were made. It’s a very rugged cable, with excellent shielding.
 

The transmission of this cable from end to end stays around ninety ohms and only varies by one percent at most. That is incredibly efficient and basically makes the transmission from the nano iUSB 3.0 to the micro iDSD about as flawless as it can get.
 
My Opinion on the nano iUSB 3.0
I really like this device when paired with the micro iDSD (via the Gemini Cable which I will cover next) and feel it justifies its asking price. This thing isn’t going radically improve your music and send you into another dimension of audio bliss, but it will noticeably help clean up any signal noise you get with your DAC and amplifier. The most beneficial thing regardless of what DAC you have is how silent the noise floor is. When combined with the micro iDSD, the noise floor is pitch black, even with my most sensitive in-ear monitors. There is no hissing or signal noise that I noticed whatsoever.
 
I didn’t notice any kind of jitter or clocking issues with the iUSB 3.0, even when used with my nine year old Toshiba laptop (I do occasionally notice clocking issues when not using the iUSB 3.0 with this computer).
 
Another thing I will say about the nano iUSB 3.0 is that if you have a micro iDSD, it’s a must have because the two compared together makes for an incredibly awesome and convenient desktop rig in terms of functionality. Using the nano iUSB 3.0 along with the Gemini cable, it operates as a charging port if you want to use the micro iDSD for portable use. I can use my micro iDSD all day for portable use, then when I get home, all I have to do is plug into the Gemini Cable and my micro iDSD is now a complete audiophile desktop rig that charges without any needed power from my computer.
 
I went into this having my doubts about whether or not this nano iUSB 3.0 is just a gimmick that will take people’s money without offering much beyond what the micro iDSD already does. Truth be told, the nano iUSB and Gemini cable is the ultimate compliment to an already awesome DAC/amplifier from iFi. It adds to the micro iDSD (or any DAC for that matter) both in terms of functionality and performance.

 
Conclusion

I went into this thinking that this would be a contest to see how the micro iDSD would stack up against my long time favorite budget rig. I’m not even going to bother doing a comparison because it isn’t a contest. It’s in a league with things that cost much more than its current asking price. The micro iDSD/nano USB 3.0/ Gemini Cable combination comes to a cumulative total of under a thousand dollars. I say this in all honesty, at this price I find it to be one of the greatest deals I’ve come across in this hobby. I can’t think of anything that will give you this much versatility and sound quality for twice as much money.
 
The iDSD does everything just as good or better than all of my other DACs and amplifiers. The micro iDSD is everything I need wrapped up into one device. It’s a great desktop or portable rig. It’s incredibly easy to use. With the Gemini cable, the thought of charging the unit is an afterthought as long as I use it as a desktop unit that day. It pushes everything from in-ear monitors to Power hungry full size cans. The various output powers and sound adjustment switches made me revisit earphones I gave up on in the past and find new life in their sound. It may not be the only DAC/amplifier I will ever need, but for now I can say in all honesty that the iDSD offers just about everything I need to enjoy my entire collection of music and earphones.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!   

At the time of the review, the LZ-A3  was on sale on Aliexpress and Amazon. Here are links to their listings of the product:
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-Original-LZ-A3-In-Ear-Earphone-Dynamic-And-2-BA-Hybrid-3-Unit-Headphone-HIFI/32646581807.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.59.NdPnMI&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_10,searchweb201602_5_10017_10005_10006_10034_10021_507_10022_10020_10018_10019,searchweb201603_1&btsid=895dbc7c-78a7-4402-8a9f-ee405f13bb29
 
http://www.amazon.com/LZ-A3-Definition-Headphones-Earphones/dp/B01CERWT4Q?ie=UTF8&keywords=lz%20a3&qid=1460775990&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
Introduction
The LZ-A2 was an incredible breakthrough in the world of hybrid in-ear monitors. It marked the first time a budget hybrid came in at under a hundred dollars and still performed at a level that met or exceeded just about anything in the mid-fi hybrid price range. To tell you the honest truth, it was probably the top earphone in 2015 in terms of price to performance ratio. If you haven’t read the review, here it is:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/lz-a2/reviews/14722
 
If anyone wants to tell me that world class sound can’t be achieved for under a hundred dollars, I’m reaching for the LZ-A2 to dispel this type of thinking. Although it is now discontinued, it goes down in my book as the greatest sounding in-ear to fall under this price point.
 
Although the A2 sounded pretty epic, it had its downfalls. From what I’ve read, some have reported defects in how the driver sits in the housing. Some have said that too much air pressure in the housing can cause drivers to get bent out of shape and distort the sound. There were also complains about the overly wide nozzle and somewhat generic build quality. Despite this, one thing was very apparent. LZ knows how to make some great sounding earphones!
 
Upon the discontinuation of the LZ-A2, rumors began to circulate that LZ was working on a predecessor. Sellers of the A2 would clue me in, stating that LZ is going to produce an earphone that will be an improvement over the A2 in both sound and build quality/design. Knowing how darn good the A2 is, I couldn’t help it getting really excited about this.  
 
About a month ago, the rumors became a reality as the LZ A3 was released. Does the product live up to the proposed hype? Let's find out, and go over them with a comprehensive review.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the LZ-A3 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with LZ. I would like to take this time to personally thank Easy Earphones for a percentage discount in exchange for an opportunity to review and share my impressions with friends and visitors on Head-Fi.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and having a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and the sound is pleasing to my ears. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW
     
 
The LZ-A2 was about as generic as can be. They had no packaging at all and came in a clamshell case. LZ stepped things up with the A3. They come in a black box with writing in shiny purple print. The LZ logo is located on the front along with the name of the product. The back of the box has specifications in Chinese and English. Although the packaging is still slightly generic, it’s nice to see them attempt to present their product more professionally.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specification
Cable:                 120 cm, silver tinsel copper, MMCX plugs
Sensitivity:             120+/- 3db
Impedance:            16 Ohms
Frequency Response:     15/24000K
THD:                <0.5%
 
Accessories
1x Clamshell case
1x Shirt clip
1x Pair silicone ear guides
3x Pair gray/yellow narrow bore silicone tips (S,M,L)
3x Pair black medium bore silicone tips (S,M,L)
3x Pair gray/red wide bore silicone tips (S,M,L)
1x Pair black dual flange silicone tips (M/L)
1x Pair black memory foam tips (M)
 

The A3 comes with a very nice tip selection and formidable clamshell case. Although not the most premium accessories, the package is very formidable and they didn’t leave owners feeling like anything was necessarily lacking.
 
Housings

Unique and different are the first two words to come to mind. They are an all metal (I assume aluminum) gold housing in a slightly curved triangular shape. A series of rings protrudes from the triangular housing, and leads to the all metal nozzle. The A3 nozzle is pretty standard in terms of length and with, which makes it easy to do some tip rolling.
 

The A3 connects via an MMCX cable. A driver venting hole is located on the side of each housing. Right and left markers, as well as brand and model graphics are printed in faint lettering. Although the entire build of the housings are metal and feel very solid, they are also very light weight.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The A3 cable comes with a silver tinsel wire with clear jacketing. There is a twist braid from the jack to the Y-split, then a straight cable from the Y-split to the MMCX connectors. The MMCX jacks are very subtle and don’t offer very much in terms of strain relief. The Y-split is a piece of straight metal jacketing. A chin/neck slider comes attached to the cable and sits flush with the Y-split when not in use. The A3 cable jack is a very well built sixty degree angled cable with a gold plated 3.5 mm jack. The jack’s housing is a firm rubber material and has a somewhat bulky and very sturdy build for an in-ear monitor.
 
Something to note is that the MMCX connector looks suspect to my eyes. Where the connection sits in/on the housing, and how the wearing style puts a bit of strain on the housing, this raises a red flag for me. Although the connection is very solid to this point, I am weary of this design. If reports come in about their A3 connections becoming defected after extended periods of normal use, I will report back with an edit to this review. I have been wrong about this type of thing in the past, so for now please take this paragraph with a grain of salt.
 
Functionality
The A3 is a plug and play earphone with the stock cable. Because it has an MMCX connection, it is possible to purchase an aftermarket cable. I tested this with an aftermarket cable and it worked fine.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
Despite being an awkward shape, the A3 was a great fitting IEM. They can be worn both over and under the ear. The only people I could see maybe having a problem would be someone with tiny ears and trying to wear these over the ear.
 

When worn under the ear, the little bit of weight the housings had was distributed nicely thanks to how they sat in my ears. When worn under the ear, microphonics were controlled much better than the average in-ear monitor, especially when using the included chin/neck slider.
 

Worn over the ear, I need to utilize the chin/neck slider to get a secure fit. When worn over the ears, the fit was very secure for me and there was no cable noise.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-V10 for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justice for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
The A3 is a warm and creamy sounding earphone, so using a warm source will further accentuate its signature. I got best results with a more neutral/bright sounding source. Although the warm tint makes the A3 pretty forgiving with poor recordings, they are also offer a considerable amount of detail. The A3 will scale up well with high bitrate music and high fidelity sources.
 
At sixteen ohms, they are pretty standard for an in-ear monitor, leaning towards the more sensitive side of things. Amplifiers and high gain aren’t needed to make the A3 sound great. For best results, use your highest quality music files through your most neutral and high quality DAP. Doing so will compliment the stock tuning of the A3, and give you a “best of both worlds” combination of tonal balance, warmth and detail. The A3 sounded awesome through my LG V10 in the HIFI setting. They also sounded excellent through my iFi micro iDSD in more sensitive settings.
 
Sound Signature

This is a graph made with my Vibro Veritas and Arta software. Although it isn't an industry standard measuring device, it should give you an idea of what the A3 tuning is like.
 
The A3 is said to be an improvement over the A2. While to my ears I consider it to be more of a sidegrade, I know there will be many who feel the A3 is a fidelic upgrade.We live in a hobby where some people feel that the best way to listen to music is with vinyl records and tube amplifiers. Anyone who has gone to audio exhibits or known somebody who pursues this type of sound. The vinyl/tubes sound is warm, smooth and expansive. Well, LZ has accomplished this type of sound with a hybrid in-ear monitor. One thing is for sure, the LZ-A3 breaks away from the conventional hybrid sound and offers another unique tuning that will win the ears of many who listen to them.
 
Because of the awesome bass, expansive midrange and relaxed treble, I caught myself turning these up higher and higher. To be honest, the A3 sounds its best at louder volumes. Although I never encourage anyone to listen at louder volumes (especially not for extended periods of time), I will say that when my favorite songs came on my DAP, I had to give them a couple extra clicks on the volume dial because the A3 rocks at medium/loud volumes.
 
Bass
LZ uses a titanium diaphragm driver. The first thing I notice about the bass is that there is an incredible level of sub bass extension and perceived forwardness that many will enjoy. There’s no limit to how low these can go. They will dig as deep as your ears can hear. The rumble is there but not forward enough to be a nuisance. This world class depth leads into what to my ears was a slightly resonating but still responsive mid bass presence. Bass guitars are responsive and sound slightly forward to my ears. During some tracks the LZ A3 bass was maybe just a touch loose as compared to what I prefer but it is definitely entertaining.   
 
Midrange
The way the dynamic and armature drivers work together to produce the A3 midrange is pretty special. First and foremost, there is a seamless transition between the two drivers, helping create a really nice and natural sound. The A3 midrange has a very warm, spacious and expansive sensation to it’s signature and is the main reason why I would describe them as “tubey” sounding. There’s a spacious and slightly forward sound that must be heard to understand. Resolution is distortion free and musical at the same time.
 
Treble
The LZ-A3 treble is somewhat relaxed, almost too relaxed for what I normally prefer. Those who are sensitive to upper frequencies will love the A3 for this reason. The A3 midrange to treble ratios sound somewhat unnatural to my ears. To be honest it’s almost to the point that I would say they are rolled off at frequencies north of 4K. While often times I would say that this would be their downfall, in this case I feel that in a way it adds to the uniqueness of their signature. The overall feel is smooth, deep, warm and easy on the ears. LZ carries this theme throughout the entire frequency range.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The A3 depth and resolution give them a large sense of spaciousness. Although they don’t have a lot in terms of height, they score a high grade in terms of a soundstage. Imaging in the midrange is phenomenal. You’ll catch yourself wondering how they created a sense of a large stereo speakers playing through their in-ear monitors.
 
Comparisons
 
Hisoundaudio HSA-AD1 ($120 to $150 USD on many sites)
Hisoundaudio released a very nice sounding hybrid earphone earlier this year. The AD1 is a dual driver (one dynamic and one armature) earphone that carried on the Hisoundaudio sound and carried it over into a new flagship earphone. The AD1 has plenty of bass that takes center stage and some nicely detailed supporting frequencies.
 
Comparing the two, The AD1 seems more midbass forward, with the A3 being more sub bass forward. Midrange on the A3 is more forward, spacious, engaging and entertaining. The AD1 midrange is more detailed and has a more “closed in” and intimate sound. Treble on the AD1 sounds much more in balance and extended on the AD1. Overall, I give a slight edge to the A3 by a small margin. Both earphones justify their asking price and more in terms of sound quality.
 
As far as build goes, the A3 has a decisive advantage. Their all metal housings and detachable cables trump the AD1. The A3 also has more versatility, offering both over and under the ear fit. A3 also gets the advantage in terms of accessories. They offer a similar accessories package to the AD1, and come with a clamshell case (the AD1 offers no carrying case).

 
LZ-A2 (Discontinued)
The LZ-A2 is a legend. I feel blessed to have gotten my hands on a pair before they were discontinued. They offer an incredible sound that keeps me coming back for more and more. Lord forbid these ever breaking on me, I will be incredibly sad when/if they do!
 
Bouncing back and forth, the two earphones aren’t very far off from each other and carry a lot of the same traits. The A2 has a slightly thinner bass response with slightly less extension and depth at lower frequencies. The A2 also has a slightly more forward upper midrange and treble presence. Those who thought the A2 top end was a touch bright (I didn’t)  will find a solution in the A3. With the A3, LZ has given the A3 an added level of depth and smoothed out the treble presence. Both earphones have impressive soundstage. The A2 is a more balanced and entertaining sound. The A3 is a smoother and slightly warmer sounding earphone.
 
LZ-A3 gets an advantage in terms of build quality. They offered a very unique and eye catching design and build as compared to the very generic build of the A2. The detachable cables of the A3 are a nice touch as well.
 
Conclusion
When reports from the LZ camp came in that they were improving on the A2, the expectations were sky high. Do I think the A3 is a upgrade? In terms of packaging and build/design the answer is yes, absolutely. In terms of sound, I consider them a side grade to the A2. One thing is for sure, both of them offer a “giant killer” level of sound quality for their asking price.
 
I brought the A3 to the Chicago Axpona Audio Expo in mid April and had a few seasoned Head-Fiers listen to them and give their take. They all agreed that the A3 was a good earphone, stating that they sounded smooth, dynamic and entertaining.
 
The A3 is a warm and spacious sounding earphone that won’t wow you at first listen, but once your ears adjust to them, you will be thoroughly impressed with their combination of detail and musicality. While I wouldn’t recommend the A3 to someone who prefers a more linear and bright sound, I would definitely suggest them for everyone else.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the MEE audio Pinnacle was on sale on their website and also on Amazon. Here are links to their listings of the product:
 
http://www.meeaudio.com/pinnacle
 
http://www.amazon.com/MEE-audio-Audiophile-Headphones-Detachable/dp/B01A60I4P6?ie=UTF8&keywords=pinnacle%20earphone&qid=1460079506&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
Introduction
The first earphone review I ever wrote on Head-Fi was in February of 2015. I was given a chance to cover the nine dollar Meelectronics M9 classic. This opportunity came after being heavily involved in Head-Fi threads, making recommendations and doing comparisons for almost two years. After spending a lot of time and money on multiple pairs of earphones, my passion for budget audio had finally culminated into a company asking me to share my opinion of their product with the Head-Fi community. To this day I consider it a crowning achievement.
 
The whole thing came about as a part of a complaint to Meelectronics (now known as MEE audio). I had just recently purchased a pair of their A161P balanced armature earphones and was not happy with how flimsy the cable was. Having owned the M6, and A151P, I had taken it on as my personal duty to reach out to them and express my concern with the build quality of this cable and ask that they don’t use it again in future models. This complaint sparked a conversation with Mike over at Meelectronics. Mike’s response was quick and very thoughtful. We chatted about earphones and the direction MEE audio was headed. After a few back and forth emails, Mike agreed to offer a review sample of the M9 classic in exchange for my opinion and review. Just for the record, the cable of the A161P is still in tact and more sturdy than I initially thought.
 
When the review sample arrived I took this opportunity as a personal challenge. I wanted to prove that I was versed enough and capable of writing a complete and comprehensive review. The review received positive feedback from my peers, and opened up doors for future opportunities. Fast forward to present day I am going to audio shows in my area, rubbing elbows with some of the guys I used to read about on Head-Fi, receiving unreleased beta samples and also getting opportunities to sample and review products I NEVER thought I would have a chance to experience in the past. Head-Fi is awesome!
 
I’m not telling you this story to get the spotlight or make this review about me. I’m saying it more to show how this hobby and community works. The point of Head-Fi is to not only help manufacturers advertise their products, it’s also an opportunity for people with a passion for headphone related gear to help others. We all want to maximize what we get for our hard earned dollars, and I feel blessed to be able to use my experience with headphone related gear to help people find exactly what they’re looking for that’s within their budgets. A big thank you goes to Mike at MEE audio for giving me the opportunity!
 
My relationship and loyalty to MEE audio has remained strong. Not only have I purchased several of their products, I have also had a chance to review some more of their products. One thing almost always remains consistent with MEE audio, they offer a products that punch well beyond their asking price.
 
The whole time I’ve known Mike, he has dropped bits and pieces about his “undercover flagship earphone”, the Pinnacle. Knowing how well his budget model earphones and headphones performed, the Pinnacle had peaked my interest from the first time he mentioned it. To be honest for the last six months the Pinnacle has probably been the most anticipated and intriguing earphone I’ve known about. After sharing my invested interest in hearing them, I was able to secure a review sample. Just as I had hoped, the Pinnacle is an incredible product. Let’s go over them with a comprehensive review.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the Pinnacle in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with MEE audio. I would like to take this time to personally thank Mike for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and having a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and the sound is pleasing to my ears. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The Pinnacle comes in a black box that is wrapped in a white cardboard sleeve with black and silver accents. The front of the sleeve displays the Pinnacle name in silver leaf along with a brief description in black print. A very sharp high definition picture of the earphones are printed in a gloss finish as well.
 

The Back of the sleeve displays another picture and further elaborates on the product with a description of key features that cover the premium features of the Pinnacle. This information is printed also in French, Spanish, German and Chinese.  The left side of the box lists the Pinnacle specifications and accessories. The right side of the sleeve has a barcode and individualized serial number, notification of MEE audio’s two year warranty and warning about unsafe listening volumes.
 

Removing the sleeve reveals a premium black box that opens from the middle to reveal the Earphone housings, a serial numbered leather case, and two boxes labeled with its contents. Of all the earphones I’ve had the pleasure of covering, this might be the most premium packaging and displays I’ve come across.
 

Removing the carrying case and top foam layer that holds the earphone housings, I’m greeted with a quarter inch adapter and Pinnacle owner’s manual. Opening each of the marked boxes revealed the high quality accessories.
 
Specifications and Accessories


 
Housings

The Pinnacle housings are constructed of ergonomically shaped, molded and polished zinc alloy. They are heavy enough to feel incredibly high end, but light enough for me to say that their weight isn’t an issue. They have somewhat of a bean shape, and feature the MEE audio M (upside down it could be mistaken for the Westone W). To be completely honest, the polished finish gives the impression that they were handmade by a blacksmith.
 

An MMCX connection is located at the top of the housing. A Stainless steel nozzle comes out from the zinc alloy housing and is of a pretty standard length and width. I had no problem tip rolling with the PInnacle, and found several different tips that worked well.
 

The Pinnacle design is premium and sophisticated. It gives the owner a feeling of quality without any flashy gimmicks.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The Pinnacle comes with two cables. One is a braided silver plated copper cable that is extraordinary. I used to think that the Fidue A83 cable was the best stock earphone cable I’ve ever seen, but Mee audio now holds that title. To top it off, they also offer black braided version of this cable with a microphone and remote for headset use. Both cables are slightly longer than the average in-ear monitor cable. The cable is a bit on the stiff side, but I think that has more to do with the braiding and how well it's constructed.
 

Both cables feature MMCX connectors. After a few early complaints about the cables having a bit too much play, MEE audio has tightened things up. Although I’m not a huge fan of MMCX connectors, the revised connection seems flawless. The cable has a pretty seamless connection with the Pinnacle housing. The cable jack and Y-split are top notch.
 

The Y-split is made of a firm rubber material and offers plenty of strain relief. A chin/neck slider is included and works well to secure the fit. The cable Jack is a ninety degree design with gold plated ⅛ inch jack. The housing of the jack is constructed of the same firm rubber material as the Y-split.
 
Functionality

One of the two cables has a single button microphone and remote that works with both Android and Iphone. When using it for phone calls, friends and family said my voice came through at a four on a scale from one to five.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation

Pinnacle can be worn cable up or cable down. Both methods are very comfortable and it’s very easy to get a secure fit either way. Worn cable down, the cable had a considerable amount of microphonics.
 

Worn over the ear, microphonics were more under controlled but still somewhat noticeable. Isolation is better than the average universal in-ear monitor.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192k Hz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
At fifty ohms the Pinnacle needs more power than the average smartphone to sound its best. Although the Pinnacle will sound good through your cellular device, you won’t maximize their potential if you don’t use the right DAP or desktop rig. The Pinnacle scales up well. The better the recording you play, the better your Pinnacle will sound.
 
The Pinnacle is a source dependent earphone. Through a more neutral sounding DAP will sound bright and bordering on sibilant. Listening to the Pinnacle through my LG V10, upper frequencies sounded slightly emphasized. With a warmer and more powerful DAP they will sound pretty incredible. Through my Luxury and Precision LP5 they sounded awesome.
 
Pinnacle and DX80

The MEE audio Pinnacle and iBasso DX80 are a match made in audio Heaven. They synergize so incredibly well, I can say in all honesty that these two together makes for some of the best portable sound I’ve ever heard. The dual Cirrus Logic chips of the DX80 does something magical to the Pinnacle that must be heard to understand. It rocks all genres of music incredibly well with dynamics and transients that are addictive to my ears.
 
Sound Signature

*These measurements were taken using my Vibro Veritas and Arta Software. Although this is not a measurement done with industry standard testing equipment,it should give you an idea of how the Pinnacle sounds.
 
The source you use with the Pinnacle will dictate the answer to this criteria and determine your impression. For the most part the Pinnacle is an earphone that takes neutral and adds a touch of added midbass and upper midrange, reduces the sibilant ranges and still retains a level of sparkle and extension in treble regions. This is all done while maintaining a level of resolution and detail that is world class. If you think dynamic earphones can’t offer a level of detail at every frequency like a multiple armature set up, you should listen to the Pinnacle. In fact, you might turn that argument around and say that multiple driver earphones can’t sound as cohesive as a well tuned single dynamic transducer earphone like the Pinnacle.
 
Bass
Bass on the Pinnacle is a bit of a mystery. To be completely honest the sub bass isn’t that great, but adequate enough to say that it doesn’t take away from their overall listening experience. The sub bass is a bit back in the mix and to my ears it sounds just a touch loose. I think the way it is set up, it is more to compliment a slightly forward and very responsive mid bass. The responsive midbass has very natural feel in combination with the sub bass, and in some ways the tuning reminds me slightly of the Havi B3 Pro1. Rather than there being a boosted sub layer, the Pinnacle bass rolls off into a limitless amount of space.
 
Midrange
Midrange is the best aspect of the Pinnacle tuning in my opinion. A very slight warm tilt tapers off then lifts at around 3k, giving all vocals a very nice and natural bite. The incredible amount of resolution and separation makes it easy to pick out a particular instrument or vocal and follow it. With the right source I was taken back at how good guitars and bass guitars sounded. Vocals often times tend to take the front of the stage, which is how I prefer to listen to my earphones.  
 
Treble
This is the one part of the frequency response that depends greatly on what source you’re using. With a more neutral source I’ll say that treble is crisp and extended. I could see some people saying that it can become slightly fatiguing with louder volumes and extended listening sessions.
 
Just the opposite, with a warmer sounding DAP, the Pinnacle treble is darn near perfect and I didn’t find it fatiguing. Even at louder volumes it was very natural and enjoyable. Cymbal crashes and pronunciations of the letter T and S were accurate and not overdone whatsoever.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The Pinnacle manages to pull off some of the same magic as the Havi B3 Pro1 when it comes to soundstage. A detailed and high resolution mid range is complimented by some very nicely layered and textured supporting frequencies, making the soundstage seem fairly large. Combine this with some of the best imaging I’ve heard from an in-ear monitor, and the Pinnacle scores a very high rating in this criteria.
 
Comparisons
 
Dunu DN2000J (with bass rings) ($275 to $350 USD on many sites)
The DN200J has been labeled as a “baby K3003” offering what some say is ninety percent of the thousand dollar hybrid. It’s a hybrid design, utilizing two Knowles drivers and a titanium dynamic driver for bass frequencies.
 
Comparing the two, I can see why the DN2000J has the price tag it does. They have an incredibly extended and detailed sound signature. With the bass rings installed the DN2000J has superior sub bass extension and response. The Pinnacle has a more natural and spacious sounding midrange. The DN2000J seems to be more sonically capable of producing any frequency and with a slightly higher level of detail retrieval.  Although the DN200J treble is more extended, the Pinnacle treble is more relaxed and enjoyable to my ears, especially at louder volumes. Also, there was something about the DN2000J upper midrange that made them seem shouty with certain tracks when comparing the two.
 
Build quality goes to the Pinnacle. Their zinc alloy housing are built like a tank, and their removable cables with diverse applications make the Pinnacle my pick. Accessories goes to the DN2000J. It’s been a year and I’m still tinkering with the various accessories that they came with.

 
VSONIC GR07BE ($100 to $150 USD on many sites)
The GR07BE was a personal favorite for a long time. They are single dynamic biocellulose driver that has won the approval of many reviewers. For a long time they were a premier pair of earphones.
 
As much as I have loved my GR07BE, it’s bittersweet to have to say that many the new mid tier releases are just as good or better sounding to my ears. Comparing the two, the GR07BE has a more responsive and extended sub and midbass response. The Pinnacle midrange more forward and with superior micro details and clarity. The Pinnacle treble is less sibilant and more natural to my ears as well.
 
Build quality and accessories goes to the Pinnacle. Their detachable cables and metal housings trump the VSONIC offering. The leather snap pouch of the Pinnacle is better than the leather sack that comes with the GR07BE. Although the Pinnacle offers less tips, I find them to be higher quality and better fitting.

 
Conclusion
If I took the the letter M off of the housing and replaced it with the logo of a more premium brand earphone, it would sell for a lot more than the Mee audio asking price. I don’t say that to discredit more established manufacturers, but more for the purpose of making you understand how good the Pinnacle is. MEE audio has raised to bar on in terms of mid-fi price to performance ratios. The Pinnacle has awesome packaging, build quality, sound quality and a phenomenal accessories package to go along with it. And just when you thought that was enough, they also have a two year warranty to top it all off.
 
MEE audio made an incredible earphone that is definitely worthy of flagship status. Combined with a warmer sounding DAP, they are one of the best in-ears I’ve heard regardless of price. Upon the conclusion of this review I consider them to be the best two hundred dollar in-ear I’ve heard thus far.  
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the ZMF Vibro MKII was for sale on the ZMF website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://www.zmfheadphones.com/order-the-zmf/zmf-x-vibro
 
Introduction

The ZMF is a rare breed. The company was started by Zach a few years ago and has taken off since then. As the brand grows, so too does the fan base. Hearing is believing, and those who have heard what Zach can do with a pair of Fostex T50RP can understand why the brand continues to evolve.
 
Zach is a connoisseur and artist when it comes to this stuff. Not only that, he’s a “headphone bro” who has an appreciation and love for this hobby that goes beyond his own projects. The next time you go to a local Headphone meet and ZMF is there you can see for yourself. Zach will discuss the pros and cons of any headphone or amplifier just as much as he will his own stuff. He loves this hobby, and for that reason alone I have an elevated level of respect for the guy.
 
Since the day we met, Zach’s approach has been pretty consistent. He’s not trying to sell his headphones to anyone and everyone who will shell out the cash, that’s simply not his style. After several years in this hobby, he’s mastered the art of shaping sound. He’s gifted enough at it that he can turn his works of art into a profitable business. He goes to shows to share his vision and talent with people who have the same passion for audio. Once the ZMF product line gets into the hands and on the ears of audio enthusiasts, many see for themselves what makes them so special. On top of all of this, Zach is a really nice guy, which makes purchasing a ZMF headphone one of the best customer service experiences you will ever have. If you don’t believe me, ask any ZMF owner and they will tell you the same thing.  
 
The Fostex T50RP is a modder’s dream come true. It’s a planar magnetic driver headphone that’s easy to take apart and do various things to alter the sound. Altering the venting by closing the cups, changing venting on the baffle as well as applying sound dampening material on either side of the driver can change the sound to suit listener’s preference beyond what comes from the Fostex factory.
 
I’ve gone to Headphone meets and saw and heard some pretty radical modifications. I wish I could have taken some pictures of what guys have done. Everything has been used, from duct tape to old socks (ya, old socks!). Some of these mods are almost comical. If I had to compare it to something else, it would be like someone buying a Toyota Corolla and removing the back seats, taking the doors off, ripping the exhaust off, and adding a wood handle steering wheel and bragging about how they added ten horsepower. I’m sorry, but even in the privacy of my own home I wouldn’t want to wear and listen to a headphone that looks like I bought a broken pair of headphones from the thrift store and put it back together with cotton balls, hot glue and electrical tape. I want something that looks as good as it sounds. Visual presentation is important, as it forms our first impression. ZMF takes a Corolla and turns it into a Cadillac.
 
When ZMF first started out, modifications were pretty basic and resembled the stock Fostex headphone. As time progressed and Zach’s knowledge and skill improved, he joined forces with Luke from Vibro Labs and the ZMF Vibro and Blackwood was born. The headphone was a success and giant stepping stone for ZMF and Vibro Labs. To this day lots of people in my circle of audio enthusiasts feel the Blackwood is the best closed back headphone they’ve ever heard.
 
Last year Zach released his flagship headphone called the Omni. It’s a semi-open beast of a headphone. The only thing beefier than the build is the sound. It’s a music lover’s headphone that offers a rich and engaging experience. Although I personally love the sound, I can see why some wouldn’t. It is far from linear and won’t appeal to those who like a crisper sound a la many Beyerdynamics and some brighter Sennheiser stuff like the HD800.
 
I can appreciate various sound signatures. My two current favorite full size headphones in my collection are the ZMF Omni and Sennheiser HD600. To be honest, the two are pretty far from each other in terms of signature, so much so I’ve been considering my options and looking for something that falls between the two in terms of sound. I’ve contemplated getting the HD650 or Philips Fidelio X2. Both are excellent headphones and fall into the criteria of what I’m looking for. Well, for now I’m going to hold off on that purchase because I’ve found something that fits that criteria perfectly. It’s Zach’s latest headphone, the ZMF Vibro MKII. Let’s go over it with a comprehensive review.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to try out the Vibro MKII in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with ZMF headphones. I would like to take this time to personally thank Zach for the opportunity, and also for being a great contributor and resource to audio enthusiasts around the world. 
 
Review

If you are familiar with the original Vibro and Blackwood, you will recognize the cups. They are the same as the older models. You get a premium wood cup with three small holes drilled on the bottom part of the outside of the cups. These three holes act as vents to make minor changes to the headphone’s bass response. Plugging these holes with the included rubber pegs will help to tighten up the bass just a bit, decreasing low frequency resonance and overall timbre. The result is a slightly more linear tuning. Even with all the plugs installed, the MKII still has plenty of bass for my preference.
 
If the cups are the same how do these differ from the original Vibro?
The original Vibro was released in 2014. The original Vibro was modded from the Fostex T50RP MK2 headphone. Since then, Fostex has essentially discontinued that driver and now sells the T50RP MK3 headphone in its place. The MK3 planar magnetic driver is an improved design over the MK2 driver. It is a slightly more responsive and capable sounding driver than the previous version. Because of this, the original Vibro will also be discontinued, and Zach is selling the new Vibro as the MKII so the variance in drivers can be distinguished.
 
Does the Vibro MKII sound different from the first version of ZMF Vibro?
Yes, slightly different. It is still Zach tuning these things so you get a sense of the ZMF house sound, but the more capable driver installed on the MKII sounds better to my ears. It isn’t significant but it’s noticeable in my opinion.
 
Overall build

Just like all the other ZMF lineup, the Vibro MKII is built like a tank, but this tank is a bit lighter than my pair of Omnis. Without the cable, the MKII measured in at 450 grams (with lambskin pads and padded headband cover attached) which is still somewhat on the heavy side for a full size headphone. However, the way the weight is distributed this isn’t an issue for me whatsoever. I find them to be very comfortable. I wouldn’t say they make a great portable headphone, but they really are an ideal desk side companion. I’d suggest to anyone that purchases a pair of ZMF to invest in a nice headphone stand and make them a display piece that sits next to their desktop rig.
 
The slides are powder coated metal tinted to your preference along with the headband used on the Fostex T50RP MK3. between the solid slides and super flexible band, there’s very little to fault here. It works great.
 
Cables
You get a choice of stock cable for your MKII. You can go with a five foot long black rubber coated cable that terminated into a ⅛ inch jack (with an included ¼ inch adapter) or XLR jack. The headphone connects at the cups via mini XLR jacks at each channel, making balanced connection options a matter of finding the right cable. Also, upgrade cables are available on the ZMF website. If you are unsure about cables, or have any other questions about ZMF headphones, there is a dedicated chat feature where you can ask questions.
 
Ear Pads
There are three pad options. All of them are angled to help improve imaging by angling drivers to fire from a more forward angle. Here are the options explained:
 
Protein Pads- Made of a high quality synthetic material. They offer the lightest of the pads and offer the most linear presentation of all of Zach’s ear pads. The synthetic protein material would get a little warm on my ears but still was pretty comfortable overall.
 
Lambskin Pads- These are my personal favorites of the pad options. They offer a slightly higher quality membrane material over the protein pads, and the sound sits somewhere in the middle of all the options. A big plus was how comfortable and breathable they seemed to be. I could wear them for hours without them getting to hot or sweaty.
 
Cowhide Pads- These were the toughest, heaviest, and best sealing pad of the three I tried. They provide excellent isolation and gave me the richest and warmest sound of all the pad options. They were the warmest on the ears, and things got a little steamy when wearing them for extended listening sessions.
 
Sound Review

I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an Ibasso DX80,  LG-G3 in combination with a Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC running at 24/96000 Hz into a DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and also a ifi micro iDSD running at 32/192000 Hz. I also tested them with other DACs, DAPs and amplifiers as well, in hopes to find an ideal source for the gear I was testing. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service, and used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
As long as you’re using an amplified source, you should have no problem making the Vibro MKII sound great. The MKII sounds fantastic out of all of my desktops rigs and I didn’t notice a decisive advantage when bouncing back and forth between warmer/bassier and colder/linear sources. They sounded different but equally good in their own way. For my preference I might prefer the sound a bit more through my little tube amplifier. With a more linear and neutral source the upper frequencies were perceptually more forward and a little crispy at higher volumes. As with just about any high end earphone, a quality DAC to go along with amplification helps improve your listening experience.
 
The MKII needs more power than the average smart phone to sound its best. Smart phones and DAPs on low gain will make the driver sound somewhat flat, lifeless and lacking dynamics. I had no problem getting some good sound from them out of my iBasso DX80 in high gain, or through any source with a portable amplifier. Just know that they need a little extra power.
 
As long as there was enough juice to push the planar drivers, the MKII was fairly forgiving with poor recordings and low bit rate files, but it also upscaled very well with higher quality files.
 
Sound Signature

The MKII is jack of all trades type of sound. There wasn’t anything in particular that jumped out at me, and my final conclusion is that it is a great all around-er in terms of it’s sound signature and presentation. Switching sources impacted my ability to classify these headphones to a particular type of signature.
 
The MKII is definitely entertaining. The best way I could describe the MKII is that it has a dynamic lower frequency and sparkle up top to compliment the rest of the tuning. They are universally good with just about all genres and I couldn’t say one particular style of music sounds best with the MKII.
 
Bass
The first time I listened to the MKII it was through a combination of Schiit YGGDRASIL DAC and Cavalli Liquid Gold amplifier. This elite combination made the bass sound very lean and clean. It was almost to the point of me saying they sounded bright to my ears. Using my sources at home was a different story. Through my Bravo Audio Ocean set up, they had a rather authoritative bass response, and through my iFi micro iDSD they sounded cleaner but still somewhat bass forward.
 
With my sources, the MKII has a mid bass lift that is very controlled, natural and dynamic sounding. There is enough mid bass to say it adds dynamics without throwing the sound off. There is enough sub bass to say it isn’t missing, but it definitely doesn’t have the same forward nature as the mid bass. Because of how responsive the planar magnetic driver is this tuning is universally great for just about every genre.

 
Midrange
I think the MKII midrange was my favorite thing about their presentation. First things first, the midrange has very good resolution and decent separation of sounds, but it’s not elite in these aspects. It’s the natural and organic combination of tuning and dynamics that impresses me so much.
 
A forward mid bass leads into a slightly forward lower mid range that is very responsive, packing a powerful yet enjoyable timbre that is very entertaining. All vocals and mid range instruments were dynamic without seeming weighted or overly warm.
 
There is a gradual descent from lower mid range forwardness to a slightly relaxed upper mid range. This is tastefully done and contributes to their musical yet natural presentation. When talking to Zach about how he tunes his headphones, he told me “plateaus are okay, but I try to avoid spikes when I tune a headphone.” I can see why he says this. With almost all of the ZMFs I’ve heard, There’s nothing that sounds artificial or altered because of a spike in the tuning.
 
Treble
The MKII has a somewhat crisp and extended feel to its treble presentation. The source used and listening volume will determine what the overall impression is. With a neutral source at loud volumes, I could say that they border on having sibilance. With a warm source at lower volumes I could say that they could use a little more treble. Because of this my final verdict is that the treble tuning is universally polite and spot on.
 
Cymbal crashes were spot on. Pronunciations of the letter S and T sounded very natural and only had grain or harshness when it came from recording. I didn’t hear much in terms of grain or distortion at higher frequencies.
 
Sound stage and Imaging
The MKII doesn’t have incredible sound stage depth. It’s very adequate and is complimented by a powerful mid bass and extended treble presence, giving it a better than average sound stage. Where I feel the MKII excels is with its imaging. Thanks to it’s very well done mid range and natural treble response, I got a really nice sense of instrument placement. Acoustic stuff like Bon Iver and Ed Sheeran sounds spectacular on the Vibro MKII.
 
Comparisons

 
Sennheiser HD600 ($300 to $400 USD on many sites)
There’s not too much I can say that hasn’t been said already about the HD600. It has had a share in the marketplace for close to twenty years. It’s a legend in the audiophile scene.
 
Comparing the two, the MKII is a slightly beefier sounding earphone. Both headphones have similar (and in my opinion slightly lacking) sub bass presence, with the MKII offering more mid bass and powerful lower mid range. Treble on the HD600 is a touch more relaxed and rolled off as compared to the MKII. Bouncing back and forth the HD600 seems more mid centric and airier, but also more sterile in it’s presentation. The Vibro MKII sounds more dynamic, musical and has a better sense of imaging to my ears. Isolation is better on the Vibro MKII. If I want natural and airy sound, I’m reaching for the HD600. If I want a more robust and dynamic sound without going overboard, and with better isolation I’m reaching for the MKII.
 
Build quality goes the the MKII. The thing is build like a tank. The MKII is also slightly more comfortable for my head.

 
ZMF Omni ($900 to $1100 USD on ZMF website)
The Omni is my current favorite headphone that I own. I love the fatigue free, sub bass laden and musical signature. I can listen to them for hours and never get sick of them.
 
Truth be told, this is a very close comparison. Bouncing back and forth, the first thing to note is that the Omni has a level of sub bass and sound stage depth that the Vibro MKII can’t achieve. MKII has a more forward mid bass and lower mid range. The mid range of the MKII is more dynamic and engaging than the Omni. Treble on the Omni is more relaxed but just as extended. Sound stage on the Omni is much larger thanks to its tremendous sound stage depth. Imaging is better on the MKII. At the end of this battle there are things about the Omni that make me slightly prefer them over the MKII, but it definitely isn’t as far off as the price tag would indicate. To be honest I could see some people preferring the sound of the MKII, especially those who listen to acoustic music and live performances.
 
Build quality is pretty much a draw.

 
Conclusion
Some would say that I can be lenient in handing out five star ratings. In my opinion this entire hobby is based on perspective and preference, therefore we should either not have a rating system all together, or consider all preferences when ranking a product. If I feel something is arguably the best product in its respective price range I will give it a high rating. For five hundred dollars, I can’t think of any headphone that is clearly better than the Vibro MKII.
 
If you’ve been curious to try a ZMF headphone, this would probably be one that I would suggest you try first. They are the latest driver from Fostex with ZMF tweaks, and they come at a very reasonable price.
 
The MKII has cemented a place in my collection. I find their sound to be universally good for many different genres and sources. As with all ZMF headphones the build quality is phenomenal, and the customer service can’t be beaten.

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time this review was written, the JDS Labs Element was for sale on their website. Here is a link to the product which also explains their specifications and features:
 
https://www.jdslabs.com/products/151/the-element/
 
Introduction
Not too long ago, I had a chance to review Zach’s flagship headphone, the ZMF Omni. Here is a link to the review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/zmf-headphones-omni/reviews/14620
 
The Omni left a lasting impression. So much so, I purchased a pair upon the conclusion of the review. As stated in the write up, the Omni gave me a chance to also try the JDS Element desktop DAC/AMP. This write up will focus on the Element.
 
Review
I’m not going to list specifications in this review. Those can be viewed by looking at the product page link provided at the top. What I will go over in this review is the functionality, and compare it to a couple of my other DAC/AMP models.
 
The Element is a all-in-one desktop solution for those looking for a fidelic upgrade from their computer’s headphone jack. It improves not only the sound quality, but also significantly increases the output power.  
 
JDS Labs takes a “less is more” approach to its functionality and presentation with this unit. It is a minimalistic yet very stylish piece that will look great on the desk of those looking to maximize simplicity with their desktop rig. Truth be told, the Element is designed to be everything a music lover needs to listen to their earphones with the versatility to drive every earphone, from high sensitivity in-ear monitors to power hungry full size cans.
 
The Element connects to a source in one of two ways, either via a USB 2.0 plug from a computer’s USB output, or a pair of left and right analog inputs on the back of the device. Aside from whatever audio input you use, the only other plug needed is a 16 volt wall wart to provide power to the device.
 

Connecting via USB
When connecting the Element via USB cable (included) to my windows computer, the drivers uploaded and installed automatically. I was up and running as fast as my computer could load the drivers. In this mode, the Element operates as a replacement to the computer’s sound card and amplifier. When the DAC is plugged in and running a signal from the computer while the Element is turned off, the analog ports on the back of the unit are a line out to go to a receiver or pair of speakers. Turning the Element back on, the analog ports switch to an analog input.
 
Connection via Analog inputs (white and red jacks)
The Analog inputs operate in one of two modes. It can be plugged in from any source with analog or headphone outputs with the correct corresponding cable (not included).
 
Buttons
There are two buttons on the back of the device. One is for power and the other is for gain settings. There are two gain settings (High and Low). The low gain setting will power in ear monitors and less power hungry earphones. The High gain setting is monstrous and will power just about any power hungry headphone there is. One thing about the Element I find as a fault is the fact that there is no indicator letting me know what gain setting the Element is functioning at. It can only be done by switching back and forth to see which setting is louder.
 
Dial
The dial of the Element is a large disc that rests on top of the unit. When powering up the Element, a white LED light shines from underneath the dial, illuminating a ring around where it connects to the body of the unit.
 

Headphone Jack
There is one jack on the front of the unit, a quarter inch headphone jack. There’s not much more to say than use this or with a ¼ to ⅛ jack.
 
Sound
The Element sound to my ears is a rich and dynamic sound that provides an impressive and slightly emphasized lower frequency range and formidable and accurate top end. To be honest, the Element had an almost tube like sound to my ears. Not only does it rock my Omni pretty well, it was an ideal compliment to my Sennheiser HD600. In terms of sound quality and quantity, it’s leaps and bounds better than my laptop’s headphone output.
 
Here’s something very nice to say about the Element. I got no virtually no hissing, even from sensitive in-ear monitors when in low gain (high gain is a different story). There was no signal noise, timing glitches, or popping noises when turning the device on/off, or switching gains.
 
Comparisons

Hifimey Sabre 9023 (used as a DAC) + Bravo Audio Ocean class A tube amplifier + Mullard 12AU7 tube (re-manufactured in USSR)
 
(Combined total of all three items: $250)
 
When I got my first pair of what I consider to be “audiophile” headphones (Sennheiser HD600), I knew I needed to upgrade to a higher quality and more powerful source. To be honest, having just spent $350 dollars on headphones, I didn’t have a lot to spend on a desktop rig to push them. I did my homework and came up with this set up. It’s been a year and a half since obtaining this rig, and to be completely honest I haven’t felt the need to buy anything else because in order for me to get something that I consider as being better sounding, I would have to spend many times more. I love this setup, and anyone I’ve had listen to this combination agrees it sounds really, really good for the amount of money I have into it.
 
So for this total we are still one hundred dollars cheaper. Do I find the leap in price to be worth the investment? The answer is yes and no.
 
The Hifimey/Bravo/Mullard setup has two distinct advantages over the Element:
 
#1. The amount of power I get from this setup is ridiculous. I can push any power hungry headphone with ease. I can’t go past the ⅓ mark with the HD600 (300 Ohms) before they are deafening.
 
#2. This combination runs at the same bit rate (24/96k) and has a warm tilted and expansive sound with full size cans that I feel sounds just a hair more entertaining to my ears than the Element.
 
And with that being said, every other advantage goes to the Element:
 
#1 JDS Labs made an all in one solution, so there’s less wires
 
#2 The Element has a more sleek and sophisticated look.
 
#3 There is no popping, snapping, clicking or signal noise coming from the Element (even when switching the unit on/off or switching gains). I occasionally get all of the above from the other set up.
 
#4 The Element drives everything from sensitive in-ears up to power hungry full size cans. With the other rig, I can pretty much only use power hungry full size headphones.
 
#5 The Bravo amp gets HOT to the touch. If it were in the shape of a frying pan I might be able to cook an egg on it. The Element is a solid state amp, so there’s virtually no issues with heat dissipation.
 
Would I ditch the Sabre/Bravo/Mullard rig and upgrade to the Element? If I didn’t have a plethora of portable sources, DACs and Amplifiers that I can use to push my sensitive earphones, the answer would be yes.
 
iFi micro iDSD + Gemini Cable + nano iUSB3.0 ($900 total)
The iDSD is a boss. It’s a Swiss army knife with its multiple options and settings. There’s so many bells and whistles my head was spinning at first while trying to get used to it. Loading the firmware and drivers can be a pain. But man oh man, once it’s all set up, this thing is pretty incredible.
 
So we’ve now taken a leap from something a hundred dollars cheaper to something almost three times more expensive. Here’s what I can say about both devices, and how they compare:
 
*Each of them are very versatile in terms of their ability to drive any in-ear monitor or headphone. However, the micro iDSD has the ability to tweak the output power a little more, and also tweak the tuning a bit with it’s patented 3D and XBass switches.
 
*The micro iDSD is portable (kind of) while the Element is not. The iDSD runs on a rechargeable battery, and although it’s not what i consider to be pocket friendly, it does operate without the need of a power outlet.
 
*The micro iDSD runs at max 32/192k on my windows 10 computer after drivers are installed, a higher bit rate than the 24/96k of the Element. Most people won’t be able to perceptually tell the difference (especially with anything lower resolution than FLAC or DSD) but to some this will matter.
 
*The micro iDSD has a cleaner and more neutral and detailed sound to my ears. The Element sounds more dynamic and musical.
 
*The Element is much easier to use. Drivers installed on my laptop automatically. The Element only has two buttons and a dial. The iDSD needs someone seasoned in computers to download drivers and firmware. It has several switches and dials that can be tricky, and leave some questioning if they have the ideal configuration for the earphone they’re using.
 
So, does the iDSD justify its higher asking price? The answer depends on what you’re using it for. Yes, the iDSD has more features and versatility. Yes, it has a slightly cleaner sound (to my ears). Yes, it’s portable. Truth be told, usually by the time an aspiring audiophile gets to the point that they are thinking about purchasing a desk rig they already have a quality portable source. I personally think the iDSD is incredible, but I can see most people looking for a all-in-one solution saying the Element fits the bill perfectly, and leaves room in their budget for other gear.

 
Conclusion
Do I think the Element is the greatest sounding thing I’ve ever heard? The answer is no, but for it’s asking price it’s an awesome deal. The sound quality is excellent, and for some it may be the only DAC/AMP they will ever need and then some. It’s super easy to use, drives just about every earphone under the sun, and doesn’t break the bank.
 
I understand why Zach would recommend the Element. It has great specs, works pretty flawlessly and is hard to fault. It gets my vote for an ideal first desktop DAC/AMP or budget oriented all in one solution to significantly upgrade the sound quality and output power of a computer.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the Unique Melody Maestro was on sale at Musicteck’s online store. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-maestro-universal
 
Unique Melody has a great Facebook Page with lots of links to some really good reviews. Here is a link to their page:
 
https://www.facebook.com/UniqueMelodyInternational/?fref=nf
 
Introduction
Over the course of reviewing products we occasionally are given rare opportunities to cover something really special. These times don’t come around all too often, and when they do it’s an epic opportunity, not only to experience a summit-fi product, it’s also a chance to share my experience with the Head-Fi community.
 
Unique Melody has been around for a while. They hit it big around 2010 with their release of the Miracle. Since then an ongoing war has been waged, as companies continue to come up with ways to stuff more and more drivers into each channel of their in-ear monitors and jack up the price. This can be a very good thing, but it can also be nothing more than a gimmick. I’ve heard multi-driver earphones that sound worse than some single dynamic driver designs. It’s not a matter of how many drivers you can stuff inside a shell to make them sound good, it's more a matter of whether or not the manufacturer can use tubing, resistors, dampers and crossovers to make a number of drivers sound cohesive and pleasing to the listener’s ear.
 
When I was contacted to see if I could review the Unique Melody Maestro universal in-ear monitor, my excitement level was through the roof. At the same time, I didn’t want to set my expectations too high. In the summit-fi multi-driver IEM world there are models that are selling drivers rather than sound. I had to wait until I actually heard them to decide which side of the fence Unique Melody was on with this earphone. I’m happy to say that Unique Melody is selling twelve armature drivers on each channel (twenty-four total) that sound INCREDIBLE.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the Maestro in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Unique Melody. I would like to take this time to personally thank my friend Andrew for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and having a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and the sound is pleasing to my ears. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The Miracle comes in an all black box the size of a large jewelry cube. The Unique Melody logo is printed in discreet shiny black print on the top. “HAND CRAFTED WITH LOVE” is printed on the bottom of the box with the same glossy black lettering. Another interior box slides out from the package which contains the earphones. A third box pulls out from the second one, containing the Maestro Universal accessories.
 

After removing this box, I was greeted with a heavy duty black metal canister that unscrews to reveal a velvet bag which was holding the earphones.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications:
12 Balanced Armatures
4 Low, 4 Mid, 2 High, 2 Super High
4 Way Crossover
20 Hz to 20 kHz
109 dB SPL Sensitivity
20 ohm Impedance
 

Accessories:
4x Pair memory foam tips (S,S/M,M/L,L)
4x Pair black silicone wide bore tips (S,S/M,M/L,L)
1x Airline adapter
1x ¼ inch adapter
1x Earwax cleaning kit
1x Two year warranty card
1x Metal cannister
1x Velvet drawstring pouch
 
Housings

The Maestro housings are made of a black acrylic material that seems very sturdy. It’s bulky and has a quasi-custom-ish shape. A two pin connector is located on the upper portion of the housing. The fitting is slightly recessed into the housing, making the cable connection more secure than earphones without this feature. The faceplate of the earphone is a holographic carbon fiber printing with the Unique Melody name printed in a shiny finish. Overall, the housing seems tough enough to withstand daily abuse. Because these are a loaner I refrained from using them as nunchucks to see how well they would hold up. Just know that they look built to last. I didn’t see any screws or misaligned seams. It’s honestly pretty flawless looking. If you have any concerns, the Maestro comes with a two year warranty.
 

The Maestro name is printed on the inner part of shell. The right side is printed in red, and left side is printed in blue (to mark each channel). The Maestro nozzles are wider than average. Looking at the end of the nozzle, they have three separate ports for sound. Tip rolling is a bit tougher than normal but for the most part I was able to fit just about every tip I had on the nozzle with a little extra effort.
 
NOTE: The Maestro comes in both a universal and custom model. Please take a look at Musicteck’s website to find out more about pricing and design options for the custom models.
 
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-ciem-maestro-12-drivers
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

Maestro comes with a braided black cable that follows along the lines of many other high end in-ear monitors. A quad braided cable leads up to the Y-split which is held together by clear heat shrink tubing and separates into two twisted cables that leads to each channel’s two pin connector. There is also a piece of clear tubing that operates as a chin/neck slider to snug things into place. The Maestro stock cable has two inches of memory wire that help secure the earphone in place and works well. The cable jack is a ninety degree variety that has a gold plated 3.5 mm jack and plastic and rubber jacketing. Strain relief at the jack is adequate, and the memory wire offers some strain relief where the cable connects to the housing.
 
Functionality
The stock cable is plug and play. However, the fact that it is removeable opens up options for microphone and remote cables as well as upgrade cables. When talking to a fellow reviewer, they indicated that The Maestro sound benefits from an upgrade cable.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
The Maestro is a bulky housing, but also a pretty nice fit. The tips that come with the Maestro are formidable for getting a good seal. I found the memory foam tips that come with Maestro to be high quality.
 
Unique Melody gives you everything you need to get a secure and consistent fit. Find the right fitting tip, pop them in your ears, secure them in place with the memory wire, then adjust the chin/neck slider to secure the cable over your ear. The Maestro is designed to go over the ear. Because of this microphonics are minimal and virtually non existent. With the right tip isolation is just a hair below custom in-ear monitor level.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
Just like most multiple driver in-ear monitors, the Maestro is a very sensitive and easy to drive IEM. With most more powerful sources (even portable sources) you will hear a faint hiss when music isn’t playing.
 
I don’t know how it does it, but one of the things I really enjoyed was how well the Maestro could play with any source or recording and make it sound incredible. The Maestro was able to take my mp3 files playing from my clip zip and make them sound like FLAC. I heard details in tracks from this very average/mediocre source that I never heard before with any other earphone. Also, they sounded that much better with a higher quality sources and recordings.
 
The Maestro will sound great with a smartphone streaming music, and phenomenal with your best DAP playing your highest bit rate music files. For best results, use the best sources and files you have in low gain with the Maestro and be whisked away to another dimension of quality audio.
 
Sound Signature

The graph made with my Vibro Veritas. Although it isn't an industry standard device, it should give you an idea of the Maestro tuning. 
 
The Maestro is a combination of musicality and detail that you will seldom hear. It’s endgame sound in my opinion. The amount of clarity and spaciousness trumps just about all of my in-ear monitors and full size headphones. The sound is rich and dynamic. It’s definitely a music lover’s earphone. You get an incredible low end response in combination with a level of resolution that is seldom replicated. The thing I think I liked the most about the Maestro was its ability to play every frequency with ease and at a maximum level of resolution and clarity. If I had not heard the Shure KSE 1500, I might be saying that this is the best in-ear monitor I’ve ever heard (this or the Noble K10). The sound is balanced with just a touch of lift at upper and lower frequencies. Extension on both ends is fabulous.
 
Bass
Bass is impeccable in my opinion. I’ve said it before in other reviews, but these definitely have the best combination of armature accuracy with dynamic impact I've heard at the time of writing the review. Bass extends as low as I can hear and is just as responsive at 30Hz as it is at 150Hz. Truth be told I can hear kickdrums in a way that I don’t hear them with other earphones. The resolution is so good it adds a sense of realism that you have to hear to understand. I usually talk about the transition from sub bass to mid bass, but there isn’t necessarily a “transition” to speak of. The four way crossover blends the 12 drivers pretty flawlessly. Mid bass is perfectly in line with the neighboring frequencies, rendering a very spacious sensation. Its as if someone at Unique melody was able to pull the sound apart to reveal every single detail the way it should be heard. To be completely honest I can’t listen to the Maestro, then go back to listening to other earphones without feeling like the low end is either somewhat sloppy or muffled.
 
Midrange
The midrange of the Maestro is just a hair behind the lower frequency response, but not to the point that it is severely lacking or overshadowed by the rest of their sound. Just like any other part of the Maestro presentation, the level of resolution is top notch, and the sound just seems effortless, like the drivers have no problem keeping up with the music being played. There is a bit of dip at upper midrange frequencies, making vocals have a smooth finish and never allowing the signature to seem shouty whatsoever. I might have liked to see the upper midrange be just a touch more forward, but I completely understand why Unique Melody did this. This keeps people from saying vocals are “grainy” or “shouty” while still maintaining their musical signature.
 
Treble
The Maestro has a spike at around 6K, that makes cymbal crashes and hi-hats sound awesome. This spike also helps pronunciations of the letters S and T coincide with the forwardness of the lower midrange. I can see this being an issue for those sensitive to this frequency, or for those who listen to their music at louder volumes. I personally enjoyed it, and didn’t find it harsh or sibilant in any way. After trying to EQ this area down a couple decibels, I soon found out that the Maestro presentation seems somewhat lifeless without it. In fact, there was no EQ adjustment I could come up with that sounded better to my ears than the stock sound. Let that be a testament to how well the Maestro is tuned.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
This is where I give the Maestro an eleven on a scale from one to ten. The resolution and extension is awesome, giving the Maestro one of the most impressive soundstages I’ve experienced. I heard reverb and echos in vocals and instruments I simply didn’t hear before with other gear. Even with a mediocre sources and files I picked up micro details I didn’t previously notice in the past. The resolution and sense of space makes imaging on the Maestro elite.
 
Comparisons
 
Unique Melody Miracle V2 Universal ($1000 USD on Musicteck’s website)
The Miracle V2 universal is retuned version of the original. I will be reviewing this earphone in the near future.
 
Comparing the two, the Miracle is a somewhat similarly tuned earphone. The differences are minor, but make a considerable difference. The Miracle is a slightly smoother and more neutral sounding earphone with a bit less sub bass extension and smoother upper frequency presence. Midrange seems slightly more forward on the Miracle. To my ears the Maestro seems more musical and detailed, with the Miracle being more neutral and transparent. The Maestro is more of an entertainer and music lover’s earphone, with the Miracle being more of a reference monitor. I can see the Maestro being more for a drummer or bassist, with the Miracle being more for the guy mastering the track in the recording studio. Both are excellent in their own way.
 
Build quality and accessories are a draw. They are pretty much identical in this case.
 
At the end of this comparison, I can see why the Maestro has a higher asking price. If these two earphones were people, the Maestro would be the Miracle that started going to the gym three times a week, taking protein supplements and hiring a personal trainer. The Maestro is a beefier and more defined version of the Miracle to my ears.

 
Noble 6 ($1000 on Noble Audio’s website)
The Noble 6 is a bass forward earphone with a warm top end. It carries a very decent amount of detail and dynamics.
 
Comparing the two, the Noble 6 brings a much more prominent mid bass presence and lower midrange. After this the Noble six slopes into a relaxed upper midrange and treble presence that maintains a nice sense of extension. The Maestro is a more balanced sound with a brighter top end. They have a less forward but more responsive low end. Choosing between the two will be a matter of preference. I prefer the Maestro tuning over the Noble 6, but I can see how others who like warmer and bassier tunings being turned off by the 6kHz boost of the Maestro, preferring the Noble 6 as a result.
 
Build quality goes to the Maestro. Their housing feels more solid in my hands, and the recessed fitting for the two pins plug seems more solid. Accessories goes to the Noble 6 by a large margin. They offer a plethora of tips, and I prefer the pelican case over the metal cannister that comes with the Maestro.  

 
Conclusion

If the Maestro was a thousand dollars or less, I would contact Head-Fi administrators to see if they could add a sixth star to the rating system for this review (joking). When I look at a price tag approaching $1500, I have to deduct a half of a star. I've purchased cars that cost less.
 
Is the Maestro worth the money? I think that comes down to budget and how much a guy has in his wallet at the time of purchasing them. If I ran into a large inheritance I would be scooping up a pair right away, no questions asked. As it stands, I’m your average Joe who is married with a mortgage and child who needs to go to college some day. If I took this much out of my savings to purchase a pair of in-ear monitors, I might be sleeping on the couch for a while. Your mileage may vary…
 

I was able to take the Maestro to a Head-Fi meet in Chicago shortly after getting them in. I had guys listen to them who honestly didn’t think too much of in-ear monitors all together, and were primarily listeners of high end full size headphones with DACs and amplifiers that cost thousands of dollars. The consensus was pretty much unanimous. Despite their biases, they were all impressed with the performance of the Maestro.  
 
The Maestro is a legend in my book. They are a incredibly well tuned earphone that didn’t just take twelve drivers and stuff them in a shell. They took twelve drivers and a four way crossover and turned it an earphone that will be a trophy earphone in several audiophile’s collections. Their combination of dynamics and detail will give many who hear them the “wow” factor we’re all after.
 
Are you looking for an endgame earphone? See if you can give the Maestro a listen. They might check all the boxes and be the high end in-ear monitor you’ve been searching for.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the Ausdom M08 Bluetooth Headphones were on sale at Gearbest’s website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://www.gearbest.com/headsets/pp_230468.html
 
Introduction
I’ve had the honor to cover some pretty cool headphones and earphones sold by Gearbest. This review follows suit. Today we will be going over a fun little bluetooth headset, the M08 bluetooth headset from Ausdom.
 
The current market has bluetooth earphone manufacturers fighting for their share of sales. Bluetooth technology is all the rage, and with new versions of bluetooth like 4.0, 4.1 and aptx it's easy to see why. These devices can produce sound quality on par with wired devices, and they are now being sold at similar prices as their wired counterparts. What does all of this mean? It means that consumers are seeing some really nice bluetooth earphone options being sold for cheap prices.
 
The M08 falls into a category of headphones that offer many variations of the same design. Today we will evaluate the M08 and see how it stacks up against some of the competition.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the M08 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Ausdom. I would like to take this time to personally thank George at Gearbest for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The M08 comes in a white box with silver and gray accents. The front of the box displays a drawing of the headphones along with the Ausdom logo in silver print, and a brief description and name of the product.
 

The back of the box has specifications written in six different languages, including English. The sides of the box displays the company logo, and a drawing of the M08 side view.
 

The box operates as a sleeve to another inner green box that pulls out from the bottom. This reveals the M08 headset. Underneath the cardboard cutout that holds the M08 in place lies a somewhat generic 3.5 mm cable, a micro USB cable for charging, and an owners manual that explains the M08 functionality.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications:
Certificate: RoHS, CE, FCC
Connectivity : Wired and Wireless
Connecting interface : Micro USB, 3.5mm
Application : Mobile Phone, Aviation, Computer, DJ, Portable Media Player
Plug Type: AUX-IN, Micro USB, Full-sized, Bluetooth
Cable length : 1.5m
Driver unit: 40mm
Sound channel: Two-channel (stereo)
Frequency response : 20~20KHz
Impedance : 32ohms
Sensitivity : 90 + / - 3dB S.P.L at 1KHz
Microphone frequency: 100Hz - 10KHz
Microphone dimension: Diameter 4 x 1.5mm
Power supply: Built-in 500mAh lithium-polymer rechargeable battery
Output power: 20mW
Talk Time: 25 hours
Music Time: 25 hours
Standby time: 250 hours
Charging time: 2 - 3 hours
 
Accessories:
1 x AUSDOM M08 Bluetooth Stereo Headset
1 x Micro USB Charging Cable
1 x 3.5mm Audio Cable
1 x User Manual (in English, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Italian)
 

Although I feel the cables included are on the cheap side, for the most part the 3.5 mm cable is not really needed. The long battery life makes the 3.5 mm cable pretty much obsolete. More on this in a bit.
 
Overall Build

The M08 is extremely lightweight yet still has a nice build quality, especially for its asking price. They are constructed of mostly aluminum alloy and synthetic protein material, with a little bit of plastic.
 

Starting with the headband, We have a somewhat rigid shiny plastic band with minimal flex. The top portion is a shiny plastic that can be a fingerprint magnet.
 

The underside (where the headphone makes contact with the user’s head) is a padded synthetic protein material. The plastic build prevents me from seeing just how flexible the band is out of fear that I might crack the plastic top. Just know it is formidable and you shouldn’t have any problem with the headband.
 

The band attaches to an aluminum alloy and plastic hinge and sliding mechanism that allows owners to adjust both the arm length and fold them up for storage and transport. The hinges fold inward, making the M08 more travel friendly. Sadly, there is no case in the package to store the folded headphones.
 

The band has slides that click into place to adjust the band size.
 

Another nicely crafted piece of aluminum alloy attaches to the other side of the slider arms and contours down to where the arms attach to the cups. I really like the way this was designed. The alloy arms attach to the cups via hinge that has minimal rotation, but enough to pivot and provide a nice fit. The hinge leads to a ovular flat disc which houses the PCB and battery. It appears to be made of brushed black aluminum and has a plastic outer shell.
 

The right side of this piece has a three button remote layout, a small microphone hole, a small hole for an function indicator light as well as a 3.5 mm port for using the M08 straight from a music source without utilizing the battery or bluetooth.
 

The left side has a micro USB port for charging the device, and a small hole for a light to indicate if the unit is charging successfully.
 

The smaller discs attach to a larger plate that follows the same design concept. The larger plate appears to be constructed of a tough plastic made to mimic the black aluminum used in the smaller disc that attaches to the arms. This ovular plate is attached via a ball and socket concept that allows them to articulate freely to give listeners a supreme fit. This plate holds the driver and pads.
 

Overall, I think Ausdom hit the mark by making something that seems fairly durable and lightweight. Although I think the M08 would hold up if dropped, I don’t think the M08 has a chance of withstanding being stepped on.
 
Cable
The 3.5 mm cable is about as cheap and generic as can be. Because of the great battery life and relatively short charging time, I had no need for the cable. Aside from testing that it worked, I have not needed or wanted to use it.
 
Functionality

The M08 functionality is superb. Connecting the device is relatively easy (I won’t go into too much detail because at this point it is standard for connecting a bluetooth headset) and instructions are in the owner’s manual for how to do so.
 
The button layout is simple and easy to use. Although I wish they would have indicated each button with a specific symbol to help identify them, once I learned the buttons I was able to use them without having to take the headphones off. Here is how each button works:
 
Power/Enter button: is the furthest back button from the front and operates powering the device on and off, accessing the connection mode, answering phone calls and playing/pausing music.
 
+/UP button: is the center button and controls volume. Long pressing this button will change songs forward when in music mode.
 
-/DOWN button: is the farthest forward button and reduces volume. Long pressing this button will restart the song when in music mode. Long pressing this button a second time after restarting a song will skip back to the previous track.
 
I was really impressed with the connectivity. I was able to use the M08 indoors and outdoors without any signal loss or cutting out. The range before the M08 lost connection with my LG G3 was around 20-25 feet.
 
When using the M08 for phone calls it worked great indoors. The same could not be said for outdoor use. The M08 microphone placement made having outdoor conversations difficult.
 
The M08 has 25 hours of continuous playtime, and 250 hours of standby time thanks to its built in 500mAh Li-Po battery. What that means is I was able to use them on and off for anywhere from two to four days (a few hours each day) before they needed to be recharged. Charging time was a couple of hours from a standard wall charger. This is incredible for a bluetooth headset and a big reason why consumers should put the M08 on the top of their list. With my LG G3, a battery meter was displayed on the top bar of my phone, indicating what my status was and when I was due for a recharge.
 
Comfort

Although not the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever worn, the M08 was very comfortable for an on-ear design. The pads are a high quality synthetic protein material that prevented my ears from getting too sweaty. They have a decent amount of clamping force that I could see being a bit of issues for people with wide heads. For me it helped with isolation. I had several people try them on, all of which said not only did they sound really good, they also stated that the M08 isolation was excellent.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 for testing the wired connection.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
The M08 needs a bluetooth connection that supports version 4.0. The built in decoder and amplifier of the M08 will do the rest of the work. From what I’ve read, Bluetooth 4.0 does not support lossless files. Fortunately for me, my LG G3 doesn’t support lossless music either. For the most part I streamed Google Music in it’s highest streaming quality and had no issues doing so. I tested and confirmed them to work with IOS on an Iphone 6 and Iphone 4, and also my old Sony Xperia TL.
 
Sound Signature
These things sound fantastic for a pair of bargain bluetooth earphones. The signature is warm tilted with a mid bass lift and relaxed upper frequency response. The sound was “big” to my ears and surprised me quite a bit. I wasn’t expecting them to sound as good as they do. To be honest they sounded better than several pairs of wired headphones that cost twice as much as the M08. Let’s break down each frequency to figure out why.
 
Bass
Midbass tones are the star of the show. Although that usually means an unnatural sound, the M08 midbass response was well controlled. Sub bass extended well, and there were times I was really impressed with just how low these could go. Is the M08 elite in terms of bass response? The answer is no. Sometimes these things to border on being stuffy sounding, but for the price they are phenomenal and can hang with just about everything in this range, especially for a bluetooth headphone.
 
Midrange
M08 has a polite and somewhat vanilla sounding midrange. Tones are balanced and neutral sounding to my ears. I did notice what seems to be a recessed upper midrange that made vocals have a very smooth finish. On top of this, the M08 lacks the detail and clarity that would make them elite. Still, the midrange is inoffensive and in good balance with the rest of tuning. Although discerning ears will wish they were more refined, they are very formidable and work well with all genres.
 
Treble
Treble is somewhat snappy and has good presence. It isn’t the most extended or crisp thing you will ever hear, but it just works. Cymbals have a nice and natural quality, albeit slightly distant as compared to the rest of the frequency response. There is no sense of sibilance in the M08 tuning. The overall perception that I got from the M08 treble is that it is polite and inoffensive.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The M08 has some really solid soundstage depth. I’m more impressed with the sound when I focus in on this range. I feel like this is where they excel. The polite and smooth upper frequencies combined with a slight lack of separation and detail makes them seem like they have average height at best. M08 doesn’t have the clarity and refinement for me to say that imaging is elite. Still it is slightly better than the average on-ear headphone thanks to the lower frequency dynamics.
 
Comparisons
 
Meelectronics Air-Fi Matrix 2 ($65 to $95 USD on many sites)
The Matrix 2 was a breakthrough product when they released. They offer APTX bluetooth, and paved the way for a lot of the new bluetooth headsets, including the M08.
 
Comparing the two, the Matrix 2 is definitely the more bassy (and sloppier sounding) of the two. Midrange is slightly more veiled on Matrix 2, but they have a more refined upper midrange and treble area. Matrix 2 seems like it would work better for modern genres, while the M08 seems like it would be more universally suited for all types of genres, and appeal more to those looking for a balanced sound signature. The M08 also has superior isolation.
 
I give them a draw for build quality and functionality. X7 has more buttons and functions, but I really enjoy the simple layout of the M08. Accessories goes to the Matrix 2. Their flat carbon fiber carrying case is epic. Battery life and charging times are similar.

 
Ausdom M06 ($40 to $60 USD on many sites)
The Ausdom M06 is a previous Ausdom model that is cut from the same cloth as the other previously mentioned headphones. To be honest it could be mistaken for a love child of the Matrix two, having elements from both headphones, and a sound that sits between the two.
 
Comparing the two, The M06 has more boomy and less responsive bass as compared to the M08. To be completely honest, I put the M08 in another league than the M06 sound. Side by side, the M06 is muffled, boomy and sloppy in comparison.
 
Build quality, functionality and accessories is a draw.

 
Conclusion
Ausdom made a lightweight and great sounding earphone with fantastic isolation. That’s quite an accomplishment! Although they have the tuning, they don’t have the same detail and refinement to its sound as other more expensive high end wired earphones. Should that be a deal breaker? Absolutely not! These are an excellent pair of bluetooth headphones that are very reasonably priced and designed to be used for commuting, exercising, gaming and so on.
 
They M08 isn’t going to take the world by storm, but it is a step in the right direction for bluetooth headsets. They checked a lot of boxed with the M08, and will make a great addition to anyone’s bluetooth capable smartphone, computer or tablet.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the BGVP YSP04 was was on sale on Easy Earphone’s Amazon and Aliexpress stores. Here is a link to their listings of the product:
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-BGVP-YSP04-Metal-10-2mm-Dynamic-Unit-In-ear-Earphone-HIFI-Headphone-With-Mic-Titanium/519064_32554107892.html
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019EZTQHO?keywords=ysp04&qid=1457987870&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019EZTQHY?keywords=ysp04&qid=1457987870&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2
 
Introduction
The budget-fi world of earphones has some lesser known companies that offers some very cool products. One of them is BGVP (formerly known as Sidy).
 
BGVP manufactures some nice budget-fi earphones that offer solid price to performance ratios. They have released some very respectable models that I’ve really enjoyed. The BGVP house sound for the most part has been a bass forward yet still clear sound. This type of tuning can be found in a majority of their product line. This review will focus on their most recent release, the YSP04.
 
To go along with the YSP04 review, I purchased a pair of BGVP adapters that looked too interesting to not try. To go along with the YSP04 review I will be sharing my experience with this product.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the YSP04 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with BGVP. I would like to take this time to personally thank Easy Earphones for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The YSP04 comes in a black box the size of a large jewelry box. The BGVP logo is printed on a silver sleeve that prevents the box from flipping open.
 

The back of the sleeve shows specifications in Chinese and English.
 

Opening the box, I was greeted with a glimpse of the unique YSP04 housings in a piece of crafted foam. Underneath this foam lies the accessories.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications
Model Number: BGVP YSP04
Transducer Principle: Dynamic
Driver Diameter: Ø10.2mm
Impedance: 18ohm
Sensitivity: 110dB
Frequency Response: 13Hz-23000Hz
Length:110cm
Maximum power:15mW
Plug:3.5mm Gold-plated
 
Accessories
1x Pair of YSP04 earphones
1x Shirt clip
1x Velvet carrying pouch
3x Silicone gray/red tips (S,M,L)
3x Silicone red tips (S,M,L)
3x Silicone black tips (S,M,L)
 

The package is formidable, but the tip selection is somewhat redundant in terms of tips. I would have traded two sets of tips for a clamshell case and single pair of foam tips.
 
Housings

The housing of the YSP04 is one of the most uniquely shaped in-ear models I’ve ever seen. It’s an all metal construction designed to hold a side-firing 10.2 mm titanium composite driver. It is a flat teardrop shape with a second piece of metal that attaches to the housing and leave room for cable attachment. It has a dull brushed nickel finish that looks pretty high end. The YSP04 name is printed on the flat side of the housings. Left and right markers are displayed on the opposite side.
 

The YSP04 nozzle is pretty standard, and sets up to make tip rolling easy to do.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The YSP04 cable is very nicely constructed. It has black and silver innards that are jacketed in a clear rubber coating. The cable has a small amount of spring and memory, neither of which was a major issue or created any major issues when using them. The Y-split is constructed of a black metal jacketing and rubber inner portion, with a chin/neck slider that works well. It is made of the same material and sits flush with the Y-split when not in use. The cable jack is a sixty degree design with a gold plated plug and plastic housing. Strain reliefs are subtle but very adequate. If handled with care, I don’t see the YSP04 breaking any time soon.
 
Functionality
My pair of YSP04 didn’t come with a microphone or remote. However there is a microphone and remote version that can be purchased.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
When I first looked at them I thought there was no way these would promote a great fit. I was wrong, the YSP04 is a great fitting pair of earphones. Wearing them cable down was in line with the average earphone in terms of fitment, with microphonics being average for a universal in-ear monitor. Wearing them over the ear, they were one of the best fitting earphones I’ve experienced. The cable is perfectly angled from the housing to go over the ear, and the chin/neck slider made these fit like a glove.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or iBasso DX80 DAP for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192k Hz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
At 18 ohms, the YSP04 is easy to drive. You can get away with using a smartphone with them, but they will benefit from higher fidelity sources and files. Their bass forward signature will be forgiving with poorly recorded music, but they have some nice clarity and upper midrange energy that will make the YSP04 upscale well. I enjoyed listening to them most with a dedicated audio player like my iBasso DX80.
 
Sound Signature

The YSP04 continues to carry the BGVP signature sound, being bass forward with a warm tilted midrange and a crisp finish, but they also bring an enhanced level of clarity and overall fidelity that can be appreciated by discerning listeners. YSP04 packs a 10.2 mm titanium composite dynamic driver that not only brings the BVGP thump, it’s complemented by some accuracy and detail that hi-fi enthusiasts can appreciate with this type of driver style.
 
BGVP ABC Cable Kit

As stated earlier in the review, I purchased some special BGVP adapters that were advertised to tweak the sound. The kit has three adapters that plug into your source and go between the source and earphone. One cool thing to note is that they are 4 pole plugs that allow you to use the mic/remote with the adapters.
 
NOTE: This kit IS NOT a part of the YSP04 earphone package. It is a separate BGVP item that I purchased and decided to mention in this review. Please refer to the link for them if you are interested in finding out more or purchasing them:
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/100-Original-BGVP-ABC-Earphone-Cable-Earphone-Upgrade-Silver-Plated-Cable-ABC-Detach-Cable/519064_32558609801.html
 
I’m not sure exactly what or how they tweak the sound by using three inches of cable and plugs, but I’m sure it has to do with impedance adaptation. I’m happy to say that the three cables that come in the kit does alter the sound and give users an opportunity to tweak the sound of whatever earphones they are using. I see this kit as an opportunity to change the sound signature of your earphones without having to buy another set, or allow you to tweak an earphone that you feel needs a bit of adjustment. Make sure to reference the link for this kit and read the listing description. Here is are measurements taken by my Vibro Veritas, showing you how each adapter works.
 
NOTE: Although I will be using this kit with the YSP04, I feel the kit worked better with the BGVP DM4. With these adapters I was able to get some really great sound out of them. To be completely honest, this kit will make for some fun times experimenting with each pair of earphones and headphones you have and help you rediscover earphones you might not listen to anymore.
 
Option A

Option A decreases bass and made the YSP04 sound much more linear, bringing out the higher frequencies. This was my preferred way of wearing them.
 
Option B

Option B provides a slight decrease in sub bass presence while increasing the lower midrange. The overall feel is a beefier and more forward midrange (especially lower midrange).
 
Option C

Option C doesn’t alter the frequency response very much, but seems to do something to alter the soundstage presence. Although I can’t put my finger on it by listening to it, it seems to be some kind of crossfeed or reverb effect. I actually like it quite a bit.
 
Now that these adapters are explained, I will continue the rest of the review WITHOUT them being used.
 
Bass
Bass is omnipresent with everything you play. Those looking for a lean or neutral bass presentation should purchase the ABC Cable kit (and use cable option A), or look somewhere else. Although the YSP04 bass is forward, it is responsive and carries nice tone. It is forward enough to say they’re bassy, but not bassy enough to say that it ruins the sound. Mid bass is forward without any sense of bleed into the midrange. Although the bass kind of lingers over the entire YSP04 sound, I don’t find it to be a deal breaker. Long story short, and just like almost all BGVP models, the YSP04 falls into the “basshead audiophile” category.
 
Midrange
I really enjoy the YSP04 midrange. Although it is pretty sloped, its tuning is high resolution and sounds entertaining to my ears. The overall sound isn’t V-shaped to my ears, but rather the midrange is V-shaped in its own right. A forward lower midrange slopes downward and bottoms out at around 1-2K, then raises again at 3K, giving vocals a nice bite. Any more spike and they might be shouty, and any less and they might be muddy sounding.
 
Treble
Treble rolls off at sibilant ranges and picks back up around 9-10K. The overall feel is a sense of them being smooth and extended at the same time.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The authoritative bass prevents me from being able to say the YSP04 has a huge soundstage. The same applies in terms of imaging. The soundstage is intimate and encompassed by some beefy bass.
 
Comparisons
 
BGVP (SIDY) DM4 ($70 to $90 USD on many sites)
The DM4 is a flagship product from BGVP, offering an incredible build and accessories package, as well as a similar bass forward tuning.
 
Comparing the two, they are more sidegrades to each other. They both have very similar bass response, with the DM4 midrange being more balanced, and treble being slightly less extended. The YSP04 tuning is a little more extended at upper frequencies and a little more detailed and dynamic.
 
Build quality is a draw. Both of them have the same magnificent cable and metal housings. I give the DM4 an advantage for accessories thanks to their clamshell case and slightly better tip selection.

 
LZ-Z03A ($30 to $35 USD on many sites)
The Z03A is a recent review, and an excellent sounding earphone.
 
Comparing the two, the Z03A is a leaner, brighter and crisper sounding earphone. The YSP04 is going to be preferred by those who want more bass, thicker midrange and less fatiguing treble.
 
I give the YSP04 an advantage in both build quality and accessories. They have a velvet pouch for transport, and have a superior cable that would usually be found on more expensive earphones.

 
Conclusion
I have been a fan of BGVP for some time now. I appreciate the “basshead audiophile” sound they bring. Although it’s not “flat” or “neutral”, it’s entertaining for sure. Although a bass forward signature isn’t always my preferred cup of tea, I appreciate that they continue to refine their “house sound." I still reach for BGVP earphones when I need to feed my primordial need for some bassy music.  
 
The YSP04 has basically taken a titanium driver and tuned it to their specifications. The metal housing and phenomenal over the ear fit get a big thumbs up. They have a high end build and are fun to listen to.
 
Treble heads and neutralists will loath the YSP04. People liking a bassy and musical sound with plenty of detail will applaud them. BVGP continues to provide a unique approach to earphones.
 
If the YSP04 sounds like something you might possibly enjoy, go for it. You won’t be disappointed.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the LZ-Z03A was was on sale on Amazon and Easy Earphone’s Aliexpress website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://www.amazon.com/LZ-Z03A-Dynamic-Cancelling-Earphones-Headphones/dp/B01C2XK0D4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457660433&sr=8-2&keywords=lz+earphone
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Easy-New-Original-LZ-Z03A-Hifi-Stereo-Dynamic-In-ear-Earbuds-Heave-Bass-Noise-Cancelling-Earphones/519064_32600913773.html
 
Introduction
Earlier this year I had the honor of reviewing a pair of LZ-A2 hybrid in-ear monitors. Here is a link to the review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/lz-a2/reviews/14722
 
The A2 was a “giant killer” of an earphone that offered an uncanny price to performance ratio. Shortly after several reviews were posted on Head-Fi, the A2 peaked in terms of recognition and popularity. At that same time, they were discontinued! What? Why? If you look hard enough, you can occasionally see a pair listed on Aliexpress for upwards of a thousand dollars. This is the law of supply and demand in full effect I guess...
 
After reviewing the A2, I also had a chance to review their single dynamic earphone, the LZ-A1. It was another phenomenal sounding earphone. I walked away from writing the previous LZ reviews knowing that these wouldn’t be the last of their products I would ever hear.
 
A part of reviewing is talking to manufacturers about new products. I was curious to seek the origin of LZ products, and was able to find one of them. Easy Earphones is a Asian shop on Aliexpress (they also have an Amazon store). When communicating with them, I was informed that the A2 was discontinued to make way for a successor to them. Not only that, they also have a successor to the A1. Today I will be reviewing the LZ-A1 successor, the LZ-Z03A.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the LZ-Z03A in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with LZ. I would like to take this time to personally thank Easy Earphones for the opportunity.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The LZ-Z03A comes in a generic looking black box with purple foil lettering on the front.
 

The back of the box has specifications printed in Chinese and English. There is nothing printed on the sides of the box.
 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications:
Resistance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 105±3dB
Frequency Response Range:16-20000Hz
Driver Type: Dynamic
Cord Length:120cm
Driver Diameter: 8mm
 
Accessories:
3x Pair gray/yellow silicone eartips (S,M,L)
3x Pair black silicone eartips (S,M,L)
1x Shirt clip
1x Pair silicone ear hooks
 

Both sets of tips are nice quality, and the ear hooks are a nice touch for someone who prefers an over the ear fit. One thing missing is a clamshell case. I feel that now days any earphone more than twenty dollars should have one, especially ones that sound as good as these.
 
Housings

The housings of the Z03A are barrel shaped combination of metal and plastic. The shape and design trumps the old models and looks slick and sophisticated. LZ improved things by adding more detail and improving aesthetics. The L&R markings are cleverly located, and the silver rings on the outside of the housings are a nice touch.
 

LZ improved the shape, making them a little smaller than the last models. They narrowed the nozzle, making it much easier to do some tip rolling. Thanks to their improved design and shape, the Z03A sets up well for both over and under the ear fit.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The Z03A cable is a nicely colored thin and rubbery cable that seems durable. It has a considerable amount of spring and memory. The Y-split is a gold metal jacketed tube that follows the same theme as the housing. The jack is a straight designed gold plated 3.5mm design with a gold metal jacketing that is identical to the Y-split. Strain reliefs at the jack and housings are small but adequate. Although the cable could be better in terms of material used, I find it to be adequate for a budget in-ear monitor, and would prefer this cable over something more flimsy and less durable.
 
Functionality

A single button microphone and remote is located six inches down from the right channel housing. The single button works for both Android and IOS. When using it for phone calls, I could hear voices with good clarity. When talking to friends and family, they reported my voice coming through at a three or four on a scale from one to five.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
The slim and simple housing shape sets up for both under and over the ear fit. It was a toss up in terms of which fitment I preferred as they both worked well. Microphonics were noticeable and average for a universal in-ear monitor when wearing them cable down. Looped over the ear, microphonics were pretty much eliminated. Isolation is average for an in-ear monitor. Outside sounds are reduced, but can still be heard when music isn’t playing.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier in both high and low gain. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
At sixteen ohms, the Z03A is set up to be used with a smart phone. The Z03A has a bass forward signature with a somewhat crisp treble presence. It is somewhat forgiving with poor recordings, but also upscales well with higher resolution sources. I enjoyed streaming music with them and my LG G3.
 
Sound Signature

The Z03A is a refined slight V-signature that maintains a good amount of clarity through the entire frequency range. The overall feel is dynamic with a warm tilt, crisp top end and somewhat spacious sound for a single driver dynamic in-ear monitor. It sets up well for just about every music genre i played.  
 
Bass
Bass has an overall slightly forward and balanced feel. It is a bouncy bass with fast attack and good tone. There is equal amounts of punch and rumble. Although it is fabulous for a budget model, the dynamic driver will smear sounds when bass passages become complex. Still, the Z03A has a universally polite and slightly forward bass response that works well with every genre of music.
 
Midrange
Lower midrange is forward and carries a warm tilt while avoiding sounding unnatural. Vocals carry nice weight without sounding artificial. There is a drop off from lower to upper midrange but it is tastefully done so that it isn’t perceptually noticeable while giving the Z03A an added sense of spaciousness.  
 
Treble
I say that the Z03A is a slight V-signature because there is a spike around 6kHz. If not for this spike, they might fall into another category. This spike isn’t outrageous and helps give the Z03A a crisp feel at upper frequencies. Those sensitive to this frequency might find them a hair sibilant or fatiguing at higher volumes. I wasn’t bothered by it whatsoever, and found it to be a welcomed touch to help round out their sound signature. The overall feel of the treble response is pretty smooth, natural and balanced aside from the 6kHz lift which helps make the treble pop and add energy to the track.  
 
Soundstage and Imaging
Soundstage is better than the average in-ear monitor thanks to their slight V-signature and fairly high level of resolution. I wouldn’t say imaging is any better than average. Their tuning doesn’t necessarily set up for an extraordinary sense of instrument placement.
 
Comparisons
 
Xiaomi Hybrid (Piston 4) ($20 to $35 USD on many sites)
The similarly priced Xiaomi Hybrid was released shortly before the Z03A. To my ears the Xiaomi hybrid sounds like a refined tuning of the PIston 2.0.
 
Comparing the Xiaomi hybrid to the LZ-Z03A, the Piston hybrid carries more bass body and more relaxed midrange and upper frequencies. The Z03A is more extended, natural and crisp sounding. The tuning of the Z03A seems more universally applicable to every genre of music, as the Xiaomi hybrid seems more geared towards today’s modern genres.
 
As far as build and accessories is concerned, I give them a draw. Both earphones are lacking a case and come with decent tips.
 
Brainwavz ($25 to $40 USD on many sites)
The XF200 is a sports earphone recently released by Brainwavz. They offer a very solid fit, nice accessories package, and V-Signature that sounds really decent.
 
Comparing the two, the XF200 definitely has more of the classic V-shape than the Z03A, with increases both at sub bass and upper midrange frequencies. Midrange is recessed in comparison to the Z03A. After the upper midrange boost, the XF200 rolls off where the Z03A continues on. The Z03A is a more balanced and extended sounding earphone.
 
Build quality goes to the Z03A. They have a more premium build with their metal housing, Y-split, jack and microphone/remote. Accessories goes to the XF200. Their clamshell cases and tip selection are some of the best in the business.
 
Conclusion
The LZ-Z03A is a great budget option, and one of the best sounding earphones you can get for thirty dollars. Just like the other LZ earphones I’ve had the opportunity to review, these have a great price to performance ratio.
 
The Z03A is getting a high ranking from me because in a conversation about what is the best sounding earphones for thirty dollars, I would have to mention these.
 
If you are on a budget and looking for something with good looks and sound, I have no problem recommending these. They are a fabulous performer, and a great example of what budget-fi is all about.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

 
At the time of the review, the Noble 6 universal was was on sale on Noble Audio’s website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://nobleaudio.com/en/shop/universal/
 
Introduction
My Head-Fi journey continues. Between going to shows and writing reviews I’ve had opportunities to try some pretty incredible earphones and sources.
 
One of the most popular earphones these days is the Noble Savant. When my buddy Zach brought a pair over to try out, there was no denying that it sounded pretty incredible. The Savant midrange and treble is darn near perfect in my opinion. Despite this, for my preference I felt they were a slight bass boost away from being elite.
 
A few days passed, and the Savant sound was still pretty fresh in my mind. I was asking around to fellow audio enthusiasts if they knew of anything with Savant-like midrange and treble but also a boost in lower frequencies. Of the people I asked, nothing really came to mind. I eventually decided to email Noble directly, asking them if they had anything like this. I figured “what the heck, it’s worth a shot, right?”
 
Shortly after my email I got a response from Brannan over at Noble headquarters. He suggested the Noble 6 would be something to check out. Although the Savant sound is a memory at this point, I’m blessed to be able to share my time with the Noble 6. It’s an epic earphone for sure!
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review a Noble 6 sample in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Noble Audio. I would like to take this time to personally thank Noble for the opportunity. Brannan, I’m looking forward to checking out the Noble booth at Axpona this spring and listening to the rest of the Noble lineup!
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The Noble 6 comes in a premium textured black box with a glossy black noble logo printed across the front.
 

The back of the box has a brief description of the Noble 6 sound, a barcode and a hand written serial number in the upper left corner. The sides of the box features the Noble crown and “Wizard” logos.
 

Opening the box, I was greeted with some noble stickers and a velvet drawstring bag. Underneath these items, there was a premium black Pelican case.
 

Opening the case, I was greeted with some small ziplock bags which contained the earphones and accessories, a carabiner, and premium certificate of ownership and some custom Noble bands for binding your DAP and DAC/AMP.
 
Specifications and Accessories

 
Specifications:
*Six balanced-armature drivers per side
*Impedance < 30 Ohms
*Noble universal form factor
*Hand assembled and matched
*Detachable cable with industry standard two pin configuration
*Gold pentalobe screws
 
Earphone and Accessories:
*1x Pelican waterproof airtight case (gloss black)
*2x Noble stickers (gloss white)
*1x velvet drawstring bag (black)
*1x pair Noble 6 earphones (L & R channels)
*1x black braided Noble Audio 2 pin connector with memory wire (1.3 meters)
*2x Noble Audio rubber banding rings for stacking portable devices (black & white)
*1x earwax cleaning tool
*3x pair gray/red silicone tips (S,M,L)
*3x pair blue/black silicone tips (S,M,L)
*3x pair Sennheiser-ish dual silicone tips (S,M,L)
*3x pair memory foam tips (S,M,L)
*1x certificate of ownership
 
Housings

The Noble 6 has a lightweight plastic housing with a gloss black finish. The inner part of the housing connects to the faceplate via three gold screws. A Noble logo is printed into the plastic faceplates with an eggshell-like finish.
 

The nozzle is slightly wider than the average universal in-ear monitor, but not wide enough to make tip rolling difficult. The end of the nozzle has two openings at the end to transmit sound. The cable connects via a two pin port on the upper portion of the housing. One red flag for me was the fact that this connection isn’t recessed into the housing. One wrong move that puts too much tension on the connection, and there could possibly be problems. Handle your Noble universal with a reasonable amount of care, and you shouldn’t have this issue.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The Noble 6 has a black braided cable that is pretty fantastic. It’s a quad braided cable from the jack to the Y-split, then a dual twisted cable from the Y-split to the two pin connector. It has a small amount of spring and memory, but not enough to say it’s an issue. The two pin connector at each channel leads into a inch and a half of memory wire that works well with the Noble 6 housing to provide owners with a secure fit. The Y-split is a clear piece of heat shrink tubing that splits the braiding. A clear plastic chin/neck slider works well to snug the earphones into a secure fit. The cable jack is a straight design 3.5 mm gold plated jack with a slim profile metal black jacketing and rubber strain relief.
 
Functionality
The Noble 6 comes with a plug and play cable. There is no microphone or remote included. However, the removeable cable makes it possible for owners to purchase an aftermarket cable with this option. They can be found for as low as twenty dollars, with premium cables costing many times more.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
Noble 6 is an over the ear fit. They have a pretty decent shape that should fit just about anybody’s ear. The various assortment tips gives users lots of options. There’s enough tips to say that there’s something for everybody. Find the right sealing tip, pop them in your ears, adjust the memory wire, snug them into place with the chin slider and enjoy. Microphonics are minimal thanks to the over ear fitment. Isolation is superb for an in ear monitor.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier in both high and low gain. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
These are some very sensitive earphones. To put into perspective, I wasn’t able to turn them up past ½ way up on my LG G3 before they reached unhealthy listening levels. I heard some very faint background noise when using the N6 with anything more powerful than a smartphone.
 
You DO NOT need a powerful source to drive the Noble 6. However, a high quality source or DAC will help maximize your listening experience with them. They sounded great with my Shanling H3 in low gain, or on the Ifi micro iDSD when ran in the highest sensitivity settings. The bass forward tuning and relaxed treble will make them forgiving with low bitrate files and poor recordings, but they will also upscale incredibly well. Improving resolution with a neutral and high quality source greatly improves separation and reveals just how clear and detailed they can be. Warm sources will make the Noble 6 sound a bit bloated and unresolving at lower frequencies. Listen to your highest bit rate files on your most neutral sounding DAP and you will be rewarded with great sound quality.
 
Sound Signature
The Noble 6 is a warm and somewhat bassy tuning with relaxed and extended treble presence. They have a good sense of soundstage depth along with a mid bass punch and timbre rich lower midrange. This is all done without sacrificing resolution.
 
Bass
Bass on the Noble 6 is authoritative and forward in nature. Sub bass tones are a step back from the mid bass boost, but is also responsive and has a good sense of extension and depth. Mid bass kicks like a mule but is high resolution. It has a solid punchy feel to my ears but is also very responsive. The overall feel is powerful and dynamic. It’s a good amount of bass slam for an in-ear monitor, and borders on falling into the “basshead audiophile” category. I actually enjoy it quite a bit because I get dynamic driver slam with armature accuracy.
 
Midrange
Lower midrange carries on from where the midbass leaves off. It’s forward in nature and packs a fair amount of timbre and warmth. Vocals have a warm tilt without sounding unnatural. Bass guitars are forward, while lower piano notes and guitar chugs are robust. Male vocals really pop, especially deeper male vocals. As things transition from lower midrange to upper midrange, the forwardness begins to subside. Upper midrange on the N6 is more relaxed. Because of this vocals on a whole have a smooth finish and female vocals don’t seem to project on the same level as male singers. The midrange tuning makes the overall feel powerful and polite at the same time.
 
Treble
Treble on the N6 continues the somewhat downward slope while maintaining a nice amount of extension and detail. If there’s one the the Noble doesn’t have, it’s sibilance. The N6 tilts more towards the darker side of neutral without losing its extension. Cymbal crashes have a very smooth feel. Something I think that is really special about the N6 is its ability to give you all the details and cover the entire upper frequency range while being very relaxed at the same time.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The N6 has good depth to its sound, but the overall feel is a somewhat intimate soundstage. This is because the lower frequencies are in larger proportion as compared to the higher tones. Imaging is decent and improves with more neutral and less powerful sources and higher bit rate music files.
 
Comparisons
 
Unique Melody Miracle V2 Universal ($1000 USD on many sites)
The Miracle V2 is a six driver universal in-ear monitor that has taken feedback from its original version and tweaked it to a new build and tuning.
 
Comparing the two, the Noble 6 is definitely the bassier and warmer earphone of the two. The Noble 6 take a more midbass forward approach as compared to the more sub bass focused sound of the Miracle V2. Miracle V2 is more thinned out and linear through the midrange. Both earphones have a relaxed upper midrange and treble response, with the N6 being just as extended, but a bit more subdued.
 
I give Noble an edge in accessories. Their pelican case is more travel friendly than Miracle V2’s metal cannister. Tip selection is somewhat similar in terms of what is offered, with the N6 offering a few more pairs. Miracle V2 offers a ¼ inch adapter and airline adapter, while the N6 doesn’t offer either.

 
Oriveti Primacy ($299 to $399 USD on Amazon)
Considering the price tag of the N6 I thought it might be a nice comparison to put them up against one of my favorite mid-fi earphones, the Primacy. Primacy is a hybrid design with impressive ergonomics and sound quality.
 
Comparing the two, the N6 is smoother and more musical. N6 carries slightly more detail throughout the entire sound spectrum, while the Primacy carries slightly more linearity and sparkle at upper frequency ranges. Separation of sounds is slightly better on the N6, while the Primacy sounds on a whole more natural and airy.
 
Noble gets the advantage in terms of accessories, with the Primacy getting an edge in build quality thanks to their all metal housings.

 
Conclusion
The N6 is a musical and detailed earphone with plenty bass. They provide a powerful sound with smooth yet extended upper frequency response. The meaty midbass and lower midrange will give your music a dynamic boost. The relaxed upper frequencies provide a complementary and fatigue free listening experience.
 
When trying to give a star rating to the N6, I think we need to break it down to demographics of sound preferences. Thinking along the lines of someone who prefers a more linear sounding earphone, I give them four stars. Thinking along the lines of someone who enjoys a more musical and dynamic sound, I give them five stars. Considering all preferences, I give the Noble 6 four and a half stars, as it is a median between the two preferences.
 
If you are looking for an endgame dynamic and musical tuning with a detailed upper frequency response that avoids being harsh, consider the N6 from Noble Audio.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the Tingker K200 was was on sale on Easy Earphone’s website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2015-New-Original-Easy-K200-Balanced-Armature-With-Dynamic-HIFI-Monitor-Headphones-DIY-In-Ear-Earphones/519064_32574223582.html
 
Introduction
Here we go again...
 
This is becoming a recurring thing. Hybrids are becoming more and more apparent and affordable. And although the market is flooded with earphones of this variety, almost every single one offers something different from the rest. Today we will be covering another obscure brand hybrid earphone, the Tingker K200.
 
The K200 caught my attention when doing my daily shopping for new and exciting products on Aliexpress. The K200 was listed at a reasonable price and had a lot of features like MMCX cables and hybrid driver configuration. After reading up on the product and seeing that it had a lot of good feedback that was primarily about the phenomenal sound quality, I knew this would be something that needs a Head-Fi review.
 
NOTE: Since getting these earphones in for review, Tingker has released some very fascinating multi-armature earphones. If you reference the link make sure to take a look at them in the Easy Earphones store.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the K200 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Tingker. I would like to take this time to personally thank Easy Earphones for the opportunity to get the word out on Tingker.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The K200 comes in a simple medium sized black box. The front of the package has the Tingker label in metallic print.
 

The back of the box features specifications in Chinese and English.
 
Specifications and Accessories

 
Specification:                                                                                                             
Model: k200
Type: In-ear
Impedance: 19 Ohm
Headphone sensitivity:121db±3db
Frequency range: 18-22000Hz
Cable Length: 1.3 meters
Driver Type: 1x single Knowles armature & 1x 10mm dynamic driver
 
Accessories:
1x Zipper clamshell case
1x Pair silicone ear hooks
3x Pair red/gray silicone ear tips
1x Shirt Clip
1x Pair K200 ear pieces
1x MMCX Cable
 

The entirety of the package is very respectable and offers the user just about anything they would need to make good use of the product. Although the tips are nice, I do think a few more pairs with some double flange and memory foam tips would have improved the accessories package.
 
Housings

The K200 housings are impressive. They are an all metal construction that is lightweight. The only plastic is the banding that helps hold the MMCX connector to the unit. Even still this piece is very solid and could easily mistaken for metal. K200 is a barrel design with a separate MMCX cable attachment. They are designed to fit similar to the Audio Technica CKR line.
 

All in all, the build of the housings is fabulous and almost too good for the asking price.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The K200 cable reminds me a lot of the the Xiaomi Pistons cables, but with added MMCX connectors. They have a cloth jacketed portion from the jack to the Y-split, with thin rubber coated wires from the Y-split and up to the left and right channels. The cable is of the budget variety and won’t blow you away with its impressive build. Still, I find it to be formidable and acceptable for its asking price. The Y-split is a slim profile metal jacketed sleeve with the Tingker name printed on it. A chin/neck slider works well and is made of the same material. It snugs into place just above the Y-split when not in use. The jack is a straight design with a thin metal jacketing similar to the Y-split. Strain reliefs are minimal and non-existent where the cable meets the MMCX connectors. These connectors are decent and not the cheap variety that is prone to splitting and falling apart.
 
Functionality
The K200 comes with a plug and play cable. Although a phone cable would have been a welcomed addition, the MMCX connection makes this a possibility for owners to purchase or use an aftermarket cable. I used the cable from my Trinity Delta and enjoyed using them as a phone friendly accessory. If you shop around you should be able to find a MMCX cable with a microphone and remote for around twenty dollars.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
The somewhat bulky housings would lead you to think that these are an awkward fit, but they are the opposite. They have a very comfortable fit both cable down and over the ear. I was able to wear them for long periods without any need to readjust or take a break. Wearing them cable down, microphonics were much more controlled than the average in-ear monitor. Worn over the ear they were very comfortable and secure when using the provided chin/neck slider. The K200 has virtually no microphonics when worn this way, and were my preferred fitment.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier in both high and low gain. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
At 19 Ohms the K200 is pretty easy to drive. They have a somewhat forgiving sound signature that works with cell phones and amplified devices. One thing I noticed was that the K200 sound tightened up when driving them with a portable amplifier. I was able to get some really fantastic sounds when using them with my Shanling H3, or any portable amplifier for that matter.
 
Sound Signature

The K200 isn’t a perfect sound signature, but at the same time there are particular qualities in the sound that is brilliant in my opinion. They are midrange forward with tight punchy bass. K200’s upper midrange is slightly elevated then rolls off at sibilant ranges. I find the K200 to be decent in terms of its ability to play any genre, but  it particularly excels when playing rock music or just about any band genre.
 
Bass
Bass was a bit of a mystery to my ears. At first it seemed as the the K200 bass was lacking body (rumble), and although that remains the case to a certain extent, the bass can also seem somewhat monotone at sub bass tones as well. There is sub bass but it almost seems like the driver isn’t vented to allow it to achieve certain tones. Don’t let that comment mislead you to think that the bass is bad. While I feel that the K200 could be more responsive and full at sub bass tones it doesn’t necessarily ruin their sound. K200 has more punch than rumble. Don’t expect the subbass to be the star of the show. The best part of the K200 lower frequency presence is punchy and powerful midbass which pairs well with the rest of the K200 sound.  
 
Midrange
This is where things get interesting. The K200 has some phenomenal midrange which I feel is their biggest strength. It emerges from the punchy midbass into a timbre rich, textured and detailed midrange that avoids being unnaturally warm. Its super engaging and puts midrange instruments and vocals at a premium. Guitars and vocals sound awesome on these things. This is why I find them ideal for rock and band genres. A dip around 1k leads into a lift at 2-4 kHz range, making the midrange seem energetic and spacious. I don’t think very many people will be able to fault the magnificently tuned K200 middle frequency range.
 
Treble
Treble drops off from 5-9 kHz, making them very smooth and not sibilant. I’m left feeling like the  K200 doesn’t have the same treble extension as other earphones. Some will really like them for this reason because it is gives a smooth presentation at upper registers. While I enjoy the sound of the K200 treble, during critical listening, there were some parts where I do wish I had that extra treble extension. However, for the most part these were a earphone that maintains crisp feel without any harshness.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
The punchy and somewhat midcentric tuning doesn’t create a large stage. It’s an upfront feel that is adequate and much better than the average in-ear monitor. There’s a great sense of instrument placement and layering of sounds thanks to the awesome K200 midrange.
 
Comparisons
 
Xiaomi Piston Hybrid ($20 to $30 USD on many sites)
Xiaomi released the Piston Hybrid at the end of 2015 and was an anticipated release. This has got to be the cheapest hybrid earphone you can purchase.
 
Comparing the two, they have similar upper frequency responses. The biggest difference I noticed is the much thicker and boomy bass presence of the Xiaomi. While I feel the Xiaomi Hybrid worked better with modern genres, their bass response was too sloppy for rock music and couldn’t hang with the K200 sound for this genre. K200 midrange was much more clear because it wasn’t overshadowed by bass. Treble was very similar.
 
Build quality goes to the K200 for having more metal parts and a detachable cables. Tingker also gets the advantage in accessories thanks to its clamshell case and silicone ear hooks.

 
1MORE E0323 ($50 to $75 USD on many sites)
I pegged the 1MORE as the king of hybrids at the fifty dollar range. I have to say, now that I’ve experienced the K200 the E0323 has some serious competition.
 
Comparing the two, I’ll say that the E0323 has a more refined sound than the Tingker offering. K200 has better midrange and works better with rock and band genres. I also found that an amplified K200 trumps an amplified E0323.
 
Build quality goes to the K200, Their all metal construction is great and much better than the E0323. They also have a superior detachable cable. Accessories goes to the E0323 thanks to their unique and stylish case.

 
Conclusion
The K200 shows us that a premium build and sound doesn’t have to come at a premium price. If you gave these to me and told me that they cost a hundred dollars more than they do I would probably believe it. Their impressive build quality and addictive midrange makes them a winner. If you want an earphone that will make the most of your band genre music, The K200 will give you a budget solution for this.  
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the Vibro Aria was was on sale on the Vibro Labs website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://vibrolabs.com/
 
Introduction
My Head-Fi journey continues to evolve. With each new purchase or review, I get a little more versed. Not only in what I consider to be good/better/best, but I also get to see what the world of high end personal audio has to offer.
 
Over the course of our audio journeys we develop personal preferences in search of our own audio nirvana. Am I to the point that I would consider myself an audiophile? I guess that depends on who you ask and what the qualifying criteria is. I try to not put a label on myself or what part I play in this hobby. Just like many people on Head-Fi, the most important thing for me is to find gear that maximizes my enjoyment of high fidelity music and share this experience with my friends. I hope that I can help others in their pursuit of audio perfection by sharing my experience with the gear I sample.
 
My Head-Fi journey started out by reading reviews and buying cheap earphones in an effort to enjoy my favorite music and movies while keeping the lady in the apartment downstairs from asking me to turn my stereo down all the time. Fast forward to present day, I am sitting behind a keyboard in the dedicated listening room that I call my “Lab” surrounded by hoards of in-ear monitors, headphones, laptops, DACs, DAPs, amplifiers, speakers and cables, still searching, still looking to maximize my listening experience. I’m a headphone geek and I’m not ashamed of it!
 
It’s truly an exciting time for headphones and in-ear monitors. We have seen the bar raised time and time again at every price point. My time spent reviewing has not only given me a chance to inform the Head-Fi community about exciting new products, it has also given me a new perspective and understanding of how things work in the game of earphones.
 
I’ve had some really special moments in this hobby that I didn’t think were possible when I first started participating on the Head-Fi threads. I’ve rubbed elbows and made friends with some of the pioneers of this hobby. What I’ve come to find out is that a majority of them are down to earth people that have taken their passion for audio to a level further than I have.
 
Being able to write reviews and see them occasionally make the front page is an awesome honor. Let it be known that it doesn’t take some special superpowers to write reviews. I treat every review like an opportunity to tell my friends what is good and bad about a particular product. Being transparent and honest has opened doors for manufacturers to occasionally ask me if I would mind listening to a pre production earphone and tell them what I think before it is released. Today I will be sharing and reviewing one of these products, the Vibro Aria.
 
I met Luke when I purchased a Vibro Veritas. It’s a measuring device used to measure frequency response of in-ear monitors. If you are curious to learn a bit more about it, here is a write up:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/782241/vibro-veritas-in-ear-monitor-home-measuring-device-reviews-and-impressions-by-brooko-twister6-hisoundfi
 
Long story short, Luke is Vibro Labs. He’s an engineer who graduated from the University of Maine. I first started chatting with him when I was trying to get my Veritas to work with my computer. You might know him as the guy who stepped on Noble’s toes with a particular tear down video of which I won’t go into great detail about. Let it be known that since then Luke has removed the video from the web, admitting that it was unprofessional. At this point it is water under the bridge and a lesson learned. Luke is a funny guy and borderline genius when it comes to manufacturing and troubleshooting. He has a lot to offer the audio world.
 
Luke is a business partner and designer of the wooden cups for ZMF. This worked out great because I had already spoken with Zach (Mister ZMF) several times and was in the process of reviewing his Omni. The conversation turned in-ear monitors and what we thought would be an ideal design. We tossed around the ideas of hybrids and multi-driver IEMs. Luke later told me that he had been researching and tinkering with various drivers, and was planning on releasing a high end earphone soon. I volunteered as tribute to be a part of the beta process. Zach’s name was also thrown into the hat, and thus began the Aria project.
 
Luke was the brains and manufacturer, Zach was the artist and voice of reason, and I was the critic and comedic relief that made sure everyone’s IQ was lowered a few points each and every day. You might get a feel for the humor if you’ve seen the “alternative” add for the Aria that Luke has posted. I swear, for every bit of progress we made, there were lots of jokes cracked and many laughs. The process worked, and although there were forks in the roads and speed bumps that made this a long journey it was well worth it. The final product is phenomenal in my opinion. .
 
I got my first set of custom impressions done November of last year. I shipped them off to Luke, and a few weeks later the first version of Aria arrived.
 
The first tuning was very dark and bassy and needed a lot of work. From that point the Aria was returned and retuned several times. Luke had taken on quite a challenge because my preferences were a bit different from Zach’s in terms of what we considered to be ideal sound. Various tunings ranged from very bassy to bright and linear. At certain points there was a level of frustration and questions of whether or not we could agree on a sound that satisfied everyone’s preference. Even when we thought the final tuning was complete, a general consensus decided to make some more minor tweaks. The goal was to offer a complete and refined sound that doesn’t fit into a category or cater to a specific preference. I truly believe that the final tuning has accomplished this goal. The Aria sounds awesome.
 
I started this process having no idea how multi-driver in-ears worked, and to be honest I still won’t be able to tell you everything that goes into the making of Aria. What I can tell you is that Luke was able to communicate with Zach and myself, combine our feedback with his, and turn the Aria into one of the most incredible earphones I’ve ever heard. I also learned some things along the way.
 
I want to be very clear in saying that I didn’t seek or want any financial compensation in the making of this earphone. I paid for the parts needed to construct my pair. My compensation was being allowed to be part of the project, learn more about the production side of making a great earphone, and having my input play a key role in the design and tuning. This whole thing has been a unique and amazing experience.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to beta test and review the Aria in exchange for my honest opinion and review. Aside from some fun conversation and suggestive input on the Aria, I am in no way affiliated with Vibro Labs. I would like to take this time to personally thank Luke and Zach for the opportunity to be a part of the tuning process.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The Aria comes in a heavy duty clear plastic Pelican case. It is an waterproof and airtight case that has a locking tab on the front. A carabiner is attached for latching the case to the side of a suitcase, backpack, or luggage etc. A Vibro Labs logo sticker is adhered to the top of the package.
 

The bottom of the case features a certificate of authenticity. It has a serial number and signature from Luke, along with a model number and personalized note of who the product was made for. I think making the certificate a part of the case is genius and prevents the card from becoming unwanted clutter, while also protecting it from wear.
 

Opening the package reveals a foam cutout the Aria and accessories in place. The foam is cut to hold each piece of the package securely and give the product a nice visual effect. There is a nice layout which displays the housings, cable, and earwax cleaning tool. Also included are some stickers if you’re into scrapbooking. Just kidding...unless you really are into that, then yes, you have something for your headphone scrapbook. Either that, or you can stick them anywhere you want…within reason.

 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specifications

Impedance:     15Ω @ 1KHZ

Sensitivity:     110DB SPL/MW

Response:     20HZ – 20KHZ+

Isolation:     -26DB

 
Accessories
1x Pelican carrying case
1x Certificate of ownership (included in the case)
1x Earwax cleaning tool
1x Braided detachable two pin cabled
1x Pair Aria housings
 
NOTE: The Aria universal comes with three sets of Comply foam ts-500 tips (S/M/L)

 
Housings

The first of mine and Luke’s conversation about what would make for an awesome earphone is the shell. We both agreed that semi transparent smoke colored shells would be epic. REAL wood faceplates were also a must because it is a continuation of the work Luke had already done when making custom Grado cups. Luke chose Arizona ironwood for plates. Let it be known that every single faceplate will be of a unique wood pattern because it’s hand carved and made from real wood. Luke will carve each faceplate by hand, put shiny clear coat over it, then make it fit seamlessly with the shells. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
 

The Aria is constructed from a 3d printed acrylic shells. There is a Vibro Labs logo printed on each custom shell, along with the owner's initials printed into the plastic, adding a welcomed level of personalization that’s really cool.
 

The Aria universal is also a 3D printed shell with the same design aspects. The beta sample is in my possession and fits great. While this photo will give you an idea of what the universal will look like, there are some minor shape adjustments to the shell and tip planned to make things even more ergonomic.
 

The housings seem very well constructed and I had no issues with any of the beta pairs. The combination of translucent smoke shells and wood faceplates gives them a really cool appearance, like pieces of high tech organic alien space matter. looking closely under the lights reveals the high tech internals.
 

Aria is a four driver set up with a zero offset crossover. It utilizes pairs of dual woofers and dual tweeters. Don’t let that lead you to think that not having a mid range armature is going to make the midrange lacking in any way. The midrange is in balance with the rest of the sound and extraordinarily well done.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

A black braided two pin cable comes with the Aria. It checks all the boxes for me. It consists of silver braided tinsel over a nylon core. It is slightly longer than the average in-ear monitor cable, and has virtually no spring or memory. It is a bit on the thin side but seems very durable. There is a short memory wire that extends about two inches from the two pin plugs.
 
The Y-split is a very durable piece of firm rubber. There is a clear plastic chin/neck slider that works great.
 
The Aria cable has a ninety degree 3.5 mm gold plated jack with a firm rubber housing. Strain reliefs are very adequate.
 
Functionality

The cable that comes with the Aria doesn’t have any microphone or remote features. Being someone who often listens to in-ear monitors on my LG G3 while on the go, I would have liked this to be a feature of the product. I’m happy to say that I found a budget two pin cable with three button microphone and remote options that work well for both Android and Iphone. I made sure to test and measure the earphones with both cables. The phone cable I bought didn’t seem to impact the sound to my ears and frequency response measurements. Here is a link if you are interested:
 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Earphone-Cable-With-Mic-Remote-For-Westone-ES3X-ES5-UM2-UM3XRC-UM3x-W4R-4-LN005016/32378094178.html
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
 
Since there are two designs I will break them down separately:
 
Custom Shell

The fit of the Aria is fantastic. I don’t need to go into detail for those who have custom in-ear monitors, but for those who don’t, just know that it provides a secure level of seal and isolation that universals can not come close to. The Arizona ironwood shells sit flush and when inserted it is a sleek and high end look. Although I am not a fan of memory wire for the most part, in this case it is an added benefit. The custom shell fits so securely that I don’t get any resistance or unwanted resistance from the wire. In this case the memory wire operates more as a form of prevention from cables rubbing against my ear and preventing irritation.
 
Universal Shell

This will remain blank until the final production model comes in. for now I will say that the beta unit fits great and seals better than the average in-ear monitor. The memory wire works well to help promote a secure over the ear fit.
 
Because both earphones are designed for over the ear fitment, cable noise is not an issue.


 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier in both high and low gain. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
At fifteen ohms, the Aria is easy to drive. One thing I really like about them is that they sounded great through my cell phone streaming Google Music, but also upscaled well with higher quality sources. Aria is a very revealing earphone. They will expose poorly recorded music. Their tuning is VERY true to the recording. You will be able to identify low bitrate music, and although they are not sibilant earphones by nature they will expose sibilant recordings without being unbearably harsh. To add to this, high bit rate and well mastered recordings will sound that much better also. Plugging them into a high fidelity source with some FLAC or DSD on low gain, they are one of the best sounding in ear monitors I’ve ever heard, period.
 
The question I asked myself was “For the asking price, can I purchase an earphone AND digital audio player that trumps the sound quality of the Aria with an up to date smartphone streaming at 16/48K?” That is a tough question that I can’t give a definitive answer to.
 
Sound Signature
Before we begin to talk about sound signature, let it be known that the driver configuration of both models are identical. They also both measured similarly on my Vibro Veritas. Despite this, they sounded differently to my ears because of the depth of insertion and seal. The custom model is bassier, warmer and more relaxed at upper frequencies. The shallower insertion and decreased isolation of the universal yields a more natural, neutral, linear and brighter sound. Bouncing back and forth between the two, it’s hard to say which one I prefer. I might prefer the universal sound by just a bit.
 
Aria Custom

The Aria custom is a warm tilted earphone with a solid and extended bass response that avoids venturing into basshead territory and leads into a pretty smooth but also very extended treble presentation.
 

 
Aria custom’s sub bass is legendary. There are moments I have while listening to the them where I’m blown away by how impressive the sub bass tones are. Mid bass is slightly forward but also very high in resolution..
 
Lower midrange follows along the bass response and puts a touch of added warmth on male vocals to my ears. Timbre and texture is robust, and resolution is at a premium. The Aria custom's lower frequencies present an armature response with a dynamic feel. There’s phenomenal balance from the lowest of bass notes all the way through the Aria midrange.
 
NOTE: The Aria custom sounds best with a neutral source. Using a warmer sounding source with the Aria custom made the midbass and lower midrange venture toward seeming slightly stuffy and congested to my ears.
 
A slight roll off at upper midrange sounds with a small bump at 5k and just past 10K gives them a sense of limitless extension and excellent transient response while remaining smooth. This upper frequency tuning prevents any sense of them being shouty or piercing at the sibilant 6-8k region. Cymbal crashes sound very natural and smooth. I never get the sense of harsh highs that many armature earphones produce..
 
The custom model has a more intimate soundstage than the universal. Imaging is phenomenal because of the combination of power and detail.
 
Although it works well with all genres, I especially like the Aria custom with rock, hip hop, EDM, female vocals and acoustic music.
 
There’s no limit in terms of what sounds it can produce at any part of the sound spectrum. The Aria custom is a robust, engaging and detailed sound that works well with just about any genre. If you want powerful and dynamic sound with complimentary treble detail and extension, the Aria custom is definitely the answer.
 
Aria Universal

I received the Aria universal after the custom, and wasn’t expecting there to be a big difference between the sound of the two earphones. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The universal tuning is a leaner and colder sounding earphone to my ears. Although they measure somewhat similarly, the shallower fit and less isolation makes them a different earphone all together.
 

 
Bass on the universal is leaner and even faster in attack and decay than the custom, with the same  fantastic extension and tone. Mid bass on the universal is reduced, providing more resolution and separation at the expense of some awesome dynamics. If anything the universal could use just a touch more warmth and timbre from what I heard.
 
NOTE: Just the opposite of the Aria custom, I felt that the universal benefits from a warm sounding source. A little bump in the midbass and lower midrange took the universal sound and added a dimension of timbre and dynamics that in my opinion improves their sound.
 
Midrange is very natural and airy with lots of detail. Male and female vocals sounded very natural. Overall, the resolution is razor sharp. Every single detail can be heard. The upper midrange roll off is still there but it is more controlled.
 
There was slightly more spike around 5k making them crisper and less spike around 10k. The Aria universal was more snappy and detailed, but also more revealing of sibilant sounds. I can imagine some people thinking they are a little bright up top, depending on what they use for a source and what songs and music files they use. Transient response is still incredibly natural but with an added crispness as compared to the custom.
 
Playing FLAC and DSD through my L&P L5 on low gain, the Aria universal sounded awesome. They also sounded particularly good with streaming music from my phone (which has a slightly warmer sound). It also seemed to work better with all genres of music. This all came at the expense of having a custom fit and superior isolation.
 
Overall, the universal had less color, with more clarity and neutrality to its sound. Soundstage seemed bigger and more spread out because of this. Imaging was on par with the custom model.
 
If I had to choose between the two right now, I’m not sure because they both have their particular strengths. I think this one will come down to preference and application. For me, I might give a slight edge to the universal because of its slightly more natural sound and resale value. Your mileage may vary.
 
Conclusion
Upon the conclusion of this review, the Aria has become one of my most favorite pair of earphones I’ve owned. I can’t say they are the greatest earphone I’ve ever heard because that title currently goes to the Shure KSE 1500 ($3000) or Noble K10 ($1500+). Still, for the asking price you are getting a great looking and great sounding handmade pair of earphones.
 
I thoroughly enjoy the sound of the Aria. They are a universally engaging tuning that won’t leave very many people disappointed. I could listen it all day long and not lose interest in their entertaining sound signature.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

At the time of the review, the Hisoundaudio HSA-AD1 was was on sale on Penon Audio’s website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://penonaudio.com/Hisoundaudio-HSA-AD1
 
Introduction
Here we go, another hybrid in-ear hitting the market!
 
Have you noticed a theme here? It seems like all the sudden there’s an explosion of these things, and truth be told they all sound pretty good!
 
I’ve been a Penon Audio fan for a while now. I make it a habit to check their web page almost daily to see if they have any new releases. Those of you who are familiar with the site, they always run banners across the top of their page, marketing either existing products or products that will soon be released. For the longest time there was a banner for Hisoundaudio’s new hybrid that is “coming soon.”
 
I’m not going to lie, I messaged Penon quite a few times asking the status of this. Having heard the Flamenco and ES212 (both of which are very nice sounding budget earphones) and also being a fan of hybrid earphones, I knew this is something to keep on my radar. This back and forth communication regarding these earphones went on for almost a year and a half.
 
When I received a message that the HSA-AD1 was finally ready, Penon was gracious enough to give me a chance to share a review with the Head-Fi community. Today I have the honor and pleasure to let you know about the new HSA-AD1 from Hisoundaudio.
 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the HSA-AD1 in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Hisoundaudio. I would like to take this time to personally thank Penon Audio not only for the opportunity, but also their commitment to quality customer service. If you plan on purchasing premium audio gear, make sure to put Penon Audio on your list of sellers to consider.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

HSA-AD01 comes in a small and somewhat simple and generic looking tan box. The front features nothing except a sketch of the earphones.
 

The back of the box has specifications and an introduction to the product. The sides of the box has the Hisoundaudio logo along with a scan code that takes me to the Android Market for an opportunity to download an application called “WeChat.” I’m not sure how this ties into the product.
 
Specifications and Accessories

Specification

1. Type: Dynamic BA driver in ear
   
2. Impedance: 16ohm
   
3. Sensitivity: 105Db
   
4. Frequency response: 10-23KHz
   
5. Maximum SPL: 125db(1KHz,1Vrms)
   
6. Earphone jack: 3.5mm
   
7. Length of the cable: 127cm
   
8. Mic: Yes
   
   

Package

1. Hisoundaudio HSA-AD1 Earphone
   
2. 2 pairs of foam eartips( M/L)
   
3. 3 pairs of silicone eartips(S/ M/L)
   
4. Free 4 pairs of silicone eartips
   
   

 

The HSA-AD1 has a great tip selection, offering various silicone tips and also three sizes of foam tips. The silicone tips have a very nice texture and density to help promote a secure fit. The foam tips are a very high quality memory foam that is easy to squeeze, snug into place, and allow the foam to expand and seal well also. One downfall of the HSA-AD1 was that they didn’t include a carrying case. I personally feel that this is a must have for any earphone that eclipses the hundred dollar mark. On a more positive note, Penon Audio has committed to providing several extra pairs of tips to go along with the AD1 package. Thanks Penon Audio!
 
Housings

The HSA-AD1 features an almost all plastic housing with an ergonomic shape set up for under the ear fitment. The faceplates are a brushed plastic with the Hisoundaudio logo printed on it. The inside of the housing is a rounded bean shaped plastic. A braille-like series of dots are located on the inside of the right housing where they lead to the cable, allowing users to differentiate between the left and right channels. The housings are lightweight and seem setup to withstand the test of daily use.
 

The AD1 nozzle is very skinny, similar to the Shure lineup. They have what appears to be a plastic exterior with a metal interior ring to support its structural integrity. If there is anything about the housing build that would raise concern it would be the nozzle. Still, if handled with care they should hold up well.
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

Hisoundaudio uses a slim profile rubber jacketed flat cable for their AD1. It has a miniscule amount of spring and virtually no memory and seems pretty durable. Although I’m not a fan of flat cables this particular style, this one is on the better side of what I would consider adequate. The Y-Split is a firm rubber piece of plastic that is slim in profile. The cable jack is a ninety degree 3.5 mm gold plated jack with a firm rubber jacketing. Although Hisoundaudio doesn’t really offer much in terms of strain relief, the ruggedness of the cable should permit the AD1 to hold up well with daily use.
 
Functionality

A universal single button remote and microphone is located about four inches down from the left channel. It was tested and works for both Android and IOS. Thanks to it’s placement, the AD1 worked great for phone calls. Friends and family reported my voice coming through at a four on a scale from one to five.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
AD1 has a really comfortable under the ear fit. I had no problem wearing them for extended periods of time. However, their shape didn’t promote the most secure fit. Any time the cable would snag something the AD1 was sure to fall out of my ears. The AD1 could also be worn over the ear, but it makes the fit awkward and difficult to get a consistent seal. Wearing them cable down was my preferred fitment. Worn cable down they had a considerable amount of microphonics due to the flat cable . Worn over the ear, there was still a small amount of cable noise but it was more controlled that wearing them down.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier in both high and low gain. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
At 16 Ohms the AD1 is designed to be used with your smartphone. However, I found them to benefit from the use of a portable amplifier. There’s a little bit of magic in their armature driver that’s waiting to be unleashed with higher bitrate files and slightly more powerful sources.
 
The AD1 is pretty forgiving with poor recordings thanks to their somewhat bassy and warm sound. Still, they upscale pretty well. An amplification bump and high bitrate recording will make these sound tighter, more responsive and detailed. For best results use the AD1 with your best DAP or DAC plugged into your portable device.
 
Sound Signature

The AD1 falls into the “basshead meets audiophile” classification. Bass tones are forward and controlled fairly well. They don’t succumb to the downfalls that many bass forward earphones have. Their response is controlled and robust at lower frequencies and finishes with a smooth but still crisp and extended finish. The overall feel is bass forward and warm without sacrificing resolution or details.
 
Bass
Bass tones are extended, authoritative, and slightly more responsive than the average budget IEM. Lower frequencies are in nice balance with equal amounts of rumble and punch. I didn’t get a sense that sub bass or mid bass are in front of each other whatsoever. When listening to them through my LG G3, the bass response was decent but just a bit slow in attack and decay. Switching over to my Shanling H3 on low gain, the bass tightened up quite a bit and although it still wasn’t the most responsive thing I’ve heard, it was pretty fantastic and very enjoyable.
 
Midbass was controlled in the sense that there isn’t any kind of mid bass bleed. There’s a nice transition from dynamic to armature driver. Although I do feel that the difference in sound between the two drivers will be noticeable to trained ears, they really do compliment each other well. The dynamic driver brings the oomph while the armature provides a very detailed and colder presence to the mix.
 
Midrange
Midrange appears to be warm tilted because of the forwardness of the bass response. This part of the AD1 sound is unique, because to my ears the armature driver outperforms the dynamic driver to a certain extent. The armature driver is a cleaner and tighter sound, so at some points where I would say that the AD1 should have timbre and dynamics, it is more of a low end presence that is separate from a very sharp armature response. Because of this I get a quasi-sense of the AD1 being warm tilted, but when listening closely all vocals (including male vocals) sound very natural and not overly warm at all. Some will say that this is a very complete sound because it accomplishes a “best of both worlds” presentation that other in-ears can’t achieve, while others will say that the two drivers need to be more cohesive. I really like the way this presents because I feel that aside from a very beefy bass response the AD1 maintains an excellent level of resolution throughout the midrange and treble areas that is very unique and entertaining.
 
There is a slight lift and plateau around 2-3k that combined with remarkable clarity that gives vocals a nice bump and balances pretty decently with the bass forwardness. I especially appreciated it when multiple vocals were playing at the same time.
 
Treble
Treble is crisp without being harsh at all. I feel this is the part of the AD1 sound that I enjoyed the most. I was able to get every detail without any sense of harshness. There is a gradual recession that tapers off from 3k all the way to the end of the limit of human hearing. Pronunciations of the letters S and T were heard without being fatiguing in the least. The treble seemed extended and smooth at the same time. I can guarantee that many who hear them will really enjoy the treble response of the AD1.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
For the type of tuning the AD1 has, Hisoundaudio has done well in this criteria. I personally don’t feel that a bass forward tuning can provide the same soundstage and imaging as a more neutral and detailed tuning. Still, with the AD01 the dynamic driver depth along with some really great clarity from the armature driver delivers a much better than average soundstage. Imaging is hampered by the slower response of the dynamic driver, but again the armature driver the AD1 has is fabulous and creates a really good sense of instrument placement.
 
Comparisons
 
Trinity Delta ($90 to $130 USD on many sites)
The Delta is a dual hybrid design similar to the AD01. They offer up to 5 different tuning filters and an incredible accessories package.
 
Because the Delta varies between filters I will try to summarize my comparison. With the bassier filters installed on the Delta, the AD1 and Delta sound similar, with the AD1 having a more enjoyable treble presence. With the less bassy filters installed on the Delta, Trinity offers a more cohesive but also brighter sounding earphone. I really enjoyed the sound of both. If you are looking for an earphone with a more forgiving and less fatiguing sound signature, the AD1 might be the better pick.
 
Although Hisoundaudio provides a better tip selection, the Delta gets an edge for accessories. Their tuning filters along with a triangular clamshell case trumps the AD1.

 
VSONIC GR07BE ($90 to $150 USD on many sites)
The GR07BE is a legendary in ear-monitor. Their biocellulose driver was a breakthrough for in-ear monitors offering a level of resolution that was a game changer at the time of their release. Although technological advancements has subdued the momentum the GR07BE had for a long time, they are still a very relevant and popular IEM.
 
Comparing the two, the AD1 has a more forward bass presence that is sluggish in comparison to the phenomenal GR07BE tuning. I give midrange and treble advantages to the AD1. The AD1 midrange is more forward and also more clear and detailed. Treble on the AD1 is less fatiguing and just as clear. Soundstage and imaging goes to the GR07BE.
 
I give a slight edge to the GR07BE for accessories. The AD1 has a better assortment of tips, but the GR07 has a higher quantity of tips, and also a nice leather pouch for transporting the earphones.

 
Conclusion
Hisoundaudio stuck to its house sound, and now offers a fidelic upgrade from its past offerings. There is something magical about the armature driver Hisoundaudio has included in this earphone. It is an addictive signature that plays all genres well.
 
Although this earphone probably won’t change the face of personal audio, there’s lots of things to compliment about the AD1, especially the sound. Moving forward I hope Hisoundaudio can match the AD1 armature driver to a slightly leaner and tighter dynamic driver. I also hope they go away from the flat cable and provide a housing that promotes a better over the ear fit (and chin/neck slider). A clamshell case would also be a much needed accessory next time around.
 
The AD1 has four and a half star sound, but the previously mentioned tweaks would need to be applied for me to give them a mark this high. I am giving them a four star rating because of these factors.
 
The AD1 is a phone friendly hybrid that will satisfy your inner basshead while providing a great sense of clarity and detail at the same time. If this is something you are looking for you can’t go wrong with the Hisoundaudio HSA-AD1.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!