Fir Audio VxV

Before starting the review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details. Also, special thanks to Bogdan for this great opportunity.



Specifications

• 1x Dynamic Driver
• 2x Mid-Driver, Balanced Armature
• 1x High-Driver, Balanced Armature
• 1x Ultra-High Driver, Balanced Armature
• MMCX Connectors
• 2.5mm TRRS Balanced Connector
• Chassis: Hybrid 6000 Aluminum and DuPontⓇ Engineering Plastic

Package Details

• Leather Carrying Case
• VxV Earphone
• Stock SPC Cable
• 4 pairs Silicon Tips
• 1 pair Foam Tips

Test Equipment

• Opus #1
• Lotoo Paw Gold
• THX AAA 789 & Topping D50s
• JDS Labs Odac and Amp
• Earment TR-Amp

Package, Design, and Isolation:

Fir Audio VxV comes in a cute little white cardboard box. The tops of the box displays a Firry (rabbit) logo, which is designed and used for the first time with the VxV. It is a wonderfully cute logo and I hope Fir Audio will use it with their future products. Do not be fooled by the plain and simple cardboard! After opening the box, you are welcomed into the luxurious world of Fir Audio with the high-quality leather carrying case. The black and rounded shaped leather carrying box is made of soft quality leather, with a Firry logo on the top of the lid. Overall, the quality feel of the carrying case, with its soft leather material and its flawless stitches, is simply wonderful.

Moving inside of the box, we have the obvious earphones and cables, some silicone and foam tips, and various Firry stickers. The stock, silver-plated copper cable is excellent in both construction and material quality. The cable comes with a 2.5mm TRRS balanced terminal end, so those who want to use it with 3.5mm and 4.5mm sources will need to grab an appropriate adapter. The cable is ergonomically very comfortable, extremely light, and tangle-free. The connectors are MMCX and have a very rigid, and solid feel. The pre-shaped ear hooks offer good ergonomics and provide a pretty secure fit behind the ear. A BIG Thank You to Fir Audio for not using memory wires in their cables. The stock cable is so nice, in fact, that you will not feel the need to use an aftermarket cable.

The body design is extremely cute with the Firry logo on the faceplate(I really like the logo). I’d love to get some multi-colored markers and paint it wildly with colors like a nice purple/green/pink mix. Besides being cute, the body is also made of high quality materials, including a combination of hybrid 6000 aluminum and DuPontⓇ plastics, which give the VxV a very high-quality feel. The body is basically built like a tank and feels quite solid. The faceplate has a white Firry logo on its right and a Fir Audio logo on its left. Like Fir Audio’s other models, the VxV only has one color option. I also really like the white and black color mix, which creates a very nice contrast. The body has a relatively small size that fits comfortably in the ear. Its rounded design does not cause any pain or discomfort in the ear, which makes it possible to listen for long, long hours without the need to take any breaks. The nozzle is average in length and also helps to provide good isolation.

Lastly, let’s talk a little bit about the technical details. As you may or may not know, VxV has a 5 drivers hybrid design in each earphone. These consist of a 6mm dynamic driver that takes care of the bass, 2 armature drivers for mid coverage, 1 balanced armature driver for high coverage, and 1 balanced armature driver for super high frequencies. Of course, there are some technologies inside the shell that improve the sound quality, such as Fir Audio’s patented design, “Direct Aperture Acoustics,” which provides a more physical feel in bass frequencies. Additionally, the ATOM (Air Transferring Open Module) system offers a more comfortable, airy, and spacious listening experience, as well as keeping the VxV fatigue-free. I’d like to say that I definitely feel this Atom feature while listening, which I certainly can. I listened with an average sound level for 5 hours without the sensation of ripping the earphones out of my ears after I was done, which I think is a record for me. In conclusion, with magnificent body quality, design, and technologies, the VxV is an absolutely fantastic IEM.



Sound

The VxV is an earphone that plays every frequency in a balanced way, does not put any frequency in the foreground while suppressing others, pushes mid frequencies forward, keeps the bass tight, and extends the treble very well. At a technical level, it is incredibly successful, especially in its mid-frequency which I feel is the star of the show. The textured, emotional, and forward presentation of the mids makes it very enjoyable to listen to vocal-based or instrumental music. The upper frequencies are crystal clear and extend extremely well without sibilance. The bass isn’t super powerful but it is not forgotten when it kicks in and is surprisingly tight and fast for the dynamic driver. The stage is incredibly wide, which I believe is due to the ATOM system. Solaris is one of the few earphones with the largest stage I’ve listened to, and the VxV is wider and more spacious than that. I can easily say that the VxV is the best earphone that I’ve listened to in 2020, as I received it near the end of 2020. I’ve listened to many musical genres with the VxV, such as Classical, Progressive House, Jazz, Pop, etc, and I have never felt a shortage in any genre. Basically, the VxV is a great all-rounder earphone.

The VxV has great detail and resolution on its high frequency and there is absolutely no roll-off, and no sibilance either. Balanced is perhaps the most accurate description of the VxV. Although the treble is extremely well extended and sparkles, it is quite balanced and does not exaggerate in any way. The natural presentation does not create a dry and clinical atmosphere. The trebles are bright and crystal clear, and with all the sources that I used, and never tended to be harsh. The performance of the stringed instruments is absolutely great, and I highly recommend trying them out with the VxV.

The mid-frequency is pretty natural and transparent without any coloration. It is so smooth and clean that I’ve listened to vocals and instrumentals more with the VxV than any other IEM I’ve tried. Although the mid is forward, it is not thick and meaty and it does not create a mid hump and stress the stage. The instruments are spread over an extremely wide area in a spacious way. As an example from string instruments, it does not play with any coloration by exaggerating the sounds from the thick notes, on the contrary, it offers a very natural and transparent concert. In terms of detail and resolution, it definitely does things above its price. It is possible to catch and listen to the sub-details in the track with critical listening. Both male and female vocal performance is great here. Although the mids are forward in presentation, the vocals are not right up in your ear, which is awesome.

The 6mm dynamic driver is responsible for bass frequencies and does a great job here. The bass can go pretty deep and has a decent amount of punch, but it should be noted that it is not at a bass-head level. The beats are strong and punchy as well as tight and controlled. The dynamic driver acts as a balanced armature driver and achieves great recovery time. Even in very fast passages, it does not lose its control and does not tend to turn muddy. It’s an extremely fast driver, although it cannot compete with the balanced armature in terms of speed, it gets very close. The bass is strong and doesn’t exaggerate, which is something the VxV does very well. The bass has a delightful tuning in quantity and intensity and in no way dominates other frequencies. I can say I was amazed by the performance of the bass with certainty, and the VxV is a great performer in this area.

Lastly, the soundstage is another area I love about the VxV. The stage is extremely wide and airy and the ATOM system creates an extremely realistic atmosphere, making it easy to listen to for long hours without fatigue. The stage definitely doesn’t feel artificial, like those Bose Acoustimass Home Theatre systems do. It puts an excellent amount of distance between instruments and makes them very easy to distinguish.


Comparisons

VxV vs Rai Penta:

Both the Rai Penta and VxV share some similarities in materials and technical specifications. Both earphones are hybrids and they have 5 drivers per side, with 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers. Although the configuration is the same, they are very different in tuning. Both earphones are beautifully made with aluminum bodies. Rai Penta is slightly smaller but somehow the VxV provides a better seal and fits for my ear. The Penta also comes with a high quality custom cable but the VxV’s cable gives off a higher quality feel. Overall, they both have great build quality and materials. Soundwise, the Penta has more tamed and smooth trebles while the VxV has better sparkle, details, and expression while providing a much cleaner and clearer sound. The mids are forward, transparent, and natural on the VxV while the Penta is more bodied, warm, and smooth. The clear and airy presentation of the VxV provides better details and a fresh atmosphere in the mids while the Penta feels more limited and narrower, but it has a nice organic texture. Vocals are slightly more forward and have great tonality on the VxV. The Penta is bold in male vocals and somehow feels veiled to me after switching back and forth between the two. Bass goes deeper and hits harder with the Penta while the VxV is faster and more controlled with better detail and also bass notes are absolutely better on the VxV as per my taste. The soundstage is wider and deeper on the VxV and puts more air between instruments than the Penta does. Overall, both are great earphones but the winner here is the VxV for its technical capability, tonality, and overall performance.



VxV vs Campfire Audio Solaris:
The Solaris is one of my all-time favorite earphones with its looks, sound, and design, but today it has to deal with a very tough competitor. I have the original Solaris, not the 2020 model. Good luck Solaris! Both earphones are beautifully made with aluminum and their build and material qualities are fantastic. The Solaris has a relatively bigger body than the VxV and sits well in the ear, but the VxV provides a better seal and fits without a doubt. The VxV doesn’t require any frequent adjustments. The Solaris is a 4 drivers hybrid earphone and has 1 dynamic driver with 3 balanced armatures per side. The VxV has 1 more driver but that really isn’t much of an advantage. I really hate the ‘more drivers the better’ sound arguments. Well, it’s time to get down to business: which one sounds better. They both have a similar extension on trebles but the VxV extends slightly better and has more sparkle. VxV trebles are more natural and transparent while Solaris’ is warm, smooth, and creamy. The details and resolution of both are pretty similar but due to its clean and clear presentation, the VxV provides more in this department. The mids are more bodied and textured on the VxV and its clean and clear presentation continues on here as well. The Solaris is warmer and smoother and is more V-Shaped in the mid area. Vocals are laid back and more distanced in the Solaris while the VxV has a forward and more emotional presentation. The bass is slightly more powerful, punchy, and deep on the Solaris at the cost of being slower, where the VxV has better decay, control, and tightness. I thought the Solaris had a huge soundstage and its stereo-like performance is unbeatable but the VxV has a wider, deeper, and more holographic soundstage than the Solaris. Wow. The Solaris is super sensitive and you might hear some background noise from your source, but the VxV has a pitch-black background. I really like the Solaris and its warm, musical, and enjoyable presentation but I like the VxV more with its balanced, transparent, and beautifully detailed presentation. Good job rabbit.



VxV vs Oriolus Percivalli:
The Oriolus Percivalli is another great gem to me, and I always enjoy listening to any genre with it. It is more than double the cost of the VxV, so it is not a cheap earphone. The Percivalli is also a 5 driver hybrid IEM and has 1 dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature drives, and 2 electrostatic drivers per unit. The Percivalli is made with resin and has a wooden faceplate with a smokey grey translucent body. The materials and build quality are top-notch, just like the VxV. They are pretty similar in size and both provide great comfort in the ear. Soundwise, the Percivalli is more engaging, warm, and musical while the VxV4 has great transparency with fantastic balance and a natural presentation. The Percivalli’s treble has more quantity and sparkle, and also has better technical performance. Surprisingly, the VxV holds its own against the electrostatic weapons of the Percivalli. The VxV is slightly less extended but the clean and clear presentation with fantastic transparency brings out some great performance. The mid frequencies are similar overall, but the Percivalli has organic and warm mids while the VxV has a slightly more forward and natural presentation. Vocals are slightly more forward on the VxV, and the Percivalli has laid-back vocals but both male and female sounds are just a bit thicker. The clean presentation of the VxV feels great in details and resolution, but the Percivalli pulls ahead slightly as there is no significant difference. The bass is more powerful, heavy, and punchy on the Percivalli but the VxV answers back with its fast, controlled and tight bass. When you play both earphones back-to-back like an A/B test, it becomes more obvious. First, the Percivalli’s bass becomes more excited and fun, but after that you realize it feels slow and perhaps even muddy when compared to the VxV’s bass performance. It is more obvious with EDM-like music. The soundstage is more open, airy, and white on the VxV which makes it very unique, but the Percivalli also has an excellent and fresh soundstage where you never feel congested. Overall, the Percivalli is better in some areas, but it’s over double the cost of the VxV, which gives a lot for a lot less money.



VxV vs QDC Anole VX:
The QDC Anole VX is well known and is a pretty famous earphone in the audiophile community. It has a fully acrylic body and is simply beautiful. Unlike the hybrid VxV, the Anole has 10 balanced armature drivers per side. The build and material quality is fantastic, much like the VxV, but its design provides a better seal and fits like a glove. The Anole VX has tuning switches that you can make minor adjustments on sound and I have all the switches turned on. The VX is also more than double the cost. The sound signatures are quite similar but they are different in some areas. The trebles are similar in quantity and quality but the VxV has better clarity and cleaner presentation. The VX mixes both technicality and musicality that present a great harmony on the mid frequencies, while the VxV is slightly less fun but it has a slightly more forward and emotional presentation. Both earphones are great in transparency and technicality, but they don’t drown you in the details either. The bass is more clinical, drier, and faster on the VX. The VX definitely takes advantage of the balanced armature drivers here. On the other hand, the VxV’s bass response is fantastic for a dynamic driver that has great recovery time, and keeps the bass tight and controlled. On the VX, bass notes mostly come from low mids while the VxV has a better sub-bass feel and goes deeper but in much lower quantity than the VX. The VxV definitely has a wider and deeper soundstage and has a better airy feel while the Anole VX is slightly narrow and doesn’t have the feeling of freshness like the VxV has. Overall, both earphones are great and it really comes down to preference, but the VxV has bang for your buck.



Verdict
This is my first Fir Audio product review, and I had a chance to listen to the M5 for around 5 minutes which was awesome with its thunderous bass with hyper-detailed lights. After listening to the M5, my expectation was quite high for the VxV before I got it, and the VxV did not disappoint. When we look at the pricing of the VxV on the Fir Audio line up, we see that it has an almost entry-level position, but don’t be fooled! The VxV is an earphone that salutes the TOTL level with its sound performance, material quality, and ATOM system for long listening hours. It is a fantastic earphone with an ability to handle all kinds of genres and its easy-to-love sound presentation. I know it’s hard to use price/performance definitions for $1,000 earphones, but these days, TOTL status earphones almost go up to $5,000 and the VxV deserves to be recognized as a fantastic earphone with a reasonable price.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Also, I would like to thanks to BGVP Audio for this great opportunity. Here is the link of VG4: https://penonaudio.com/bgvp-artmagic-vg4.html


Specifications:

Drive unit: 4 balanced armatures

Rated power: 6mW

Distortion rate: ≤0.5% (1kHz)

Sensitivity: 115dB SPL/MW

Channel balanced: ≤1dB

Input impedance: 16 Ω

Frequency response: 10Hz-40kHz

Cable length: 1.2m ±5%

Weight: about 4.2g per unit

Plug: 3.5mm straight plug

Waterproof: IPX3

Dustproof: IPX3


Package Contents:

BGVP VG4

S/M/L vocal eartips

S/M/L balanced eartips

Storage case

Brush


Test Equipment:

THX AAA 789

Earmen TR-Amp

Topping D50s

Opus #1

Chord Mojo


Package, Design & Isolation;

Let’s start with unboxing. VG4 comes with a moderately big white cardboard box. After open the outer box, there is also a black box. There are 6 pairs of silicone tips and 1 pair of foam tips. Blue tips are for the vocal performance and white tips are for the bass performance, that’s what BGVP says. There is a nylon carrying case which is pretty small and easy to carry out.

Shell is made of resin and there is a ton of alternative colors that you can select or customize for your personal preferences. Also, you go with the custom shell as well. My VG4 is a translucent color on both shells and faceplate. It is really beautiful and I always like the translucent shell because you can see all the drivers and electronic parts inside. VG4 is not a small earphone but its shape is quite ergonomic and it is easy to wear it without any hassle. VG4 has 3 tuning switches, so you can try and find out which ones suit your preferences more. Also, it provides a great seal and isolation. Stock cable looks great and feels great. It is soft and light which easy to wear it. There are no microphonic issues whatsoever.

Overall unboxing experience, material, and build quality are impressive for its retail price.


Sound:

VG4 has a neutral but slightly warm sound and also has a great balance between frequencies. It is very safe tuning and easy to hook most people. Top to the bottom, it has great control on all frequencies without exaggerating any sound. You can also change the sound with the tuning switches and it really works. I’ve tried so many earphones that has switches and none of them were as effective as like VG4. These switches are work and make some significant changes to the sound.

The treble extends pretty well and has a bright and clean presentation, but I still think that it’s not the best area of VG4. Treble extends very well and has great extension and resonance, especially in stringed instruments, but relatively not very good in detail and resolution. Generally, BGVP has followed an extremely safe way of tuning the treble. I’m not actually a treble-head, but I still wish it was a bit more in quantity. The level of detail and resolution is very good for the price for sure, but… When switch number 1 is activated, it opens the upper mids and the tops have a more airy and clean presentation. There is absolutely no harsh presentation or sibilance as expected in the treble and has a smooth and non-aggressive presentation overall.

Mid frequencies have been my favorite area on VG4. It is extremely clean, detailed, and has a good tonality. Also, it has a very good body and fills well under the overall sound. Both the instruments and the vocal performance are definitely great. It was very enjoyable for me to listen to Le Trio Joubran tracks that I listened to and tested on my many earphones. I love the textured and emotional presentation on the stringed instruments. I think it has enough body, but the number 3 switch adds more body by activating it. I both liked and did not like to activate it. I like it because it creates a more emotional atmosphere in vocals and makes the vocalist closer to you, and it fills the stage more. What I don’t like is that it relatively narrows the stages to its width and it is not as good as separating the instrument. (when comparing switch off) Of course, this is my personal preference. In general, I really like the performance of the mids and it is one of the best earphones I have heard in this price band.

The VG4 has high-quality bass in terms of both speed and control. There is no bulky and punchy presentation and it is not on a bass head level. It cannot be called balanced or flat, but it certainly does not have a warm presentation. The bass manages to stay in control in fast tracks and doesn’t put the overall presentation in a muddy atmosphere. However, if switch 3 is activated, the bass increases both in quantity and power. I thought it would create a somewhat artificial and uncontrolled boost, but it is very controlled and managed to boost the bass frequencies without harassing other areas. BGVP has done quite well in terms of tuning. The bass drivers do not have a dry and cold presentation, even if I did not know that it has balanced armature drivers, I might say it is the dynamic driver. I found it very successful in tonality. Sub-bass is also very good at going deep, but still, it doesn’t have that powerful, bulky depth of the dynamic drivers.

The soundstage is quite wide and I can easily say that it is above the average in this price range. instruments sounds spread out very wide area and offer a spacious and airy presentation. The stage depth is also very successful and it is good at imaging and layering. The background is black enough to provide a clean presentation.


BGVP VG4 vs Audiosense T800:

Comparison:

T800 is one of my favorite earphones and its sound performance is way above its price tag in my opinion. Both earphones are beautiful in terms of material and build quality and ergonomics are great on both earphones. T800 has 8 armatures drivers per side while Vg4 has 4 drivers. T800 is warmer in tonality with a thicker and bolder presentation while VG4 has a more balanced side and slightly warmer. Trebles are airier and have more sparkle on VG4 while T800 is smoother and tamed. Details are more prominent and audible on VG4. The vocal performance is more forward, organic and natural on T800 while VG4 is more balanced, and laid back when I compare it side by side. Instruments are thicker and bolder on T800 and have more body overall. VG4 is slightly laid back and there is more room between instruments and vocals. This is where the difference is huge. Bass is more powerful, impactful, and deep on T800 which provides much more quantity while VG4 has more on the controlled and tighter side. It cannot match in terms of quantity and power but it provides more quality and detailed bass performance. The soundstage has better width and depth feeling VG4 while T800 is slightly narrower than VG4, but still has good wideness and depth overall.


BGVP VG4 vs Astell & Kern Billie Jean:

Billie Jean has 2 balanced armature drivers per unit while VG4 has 4 drivers as you know. Billie Jean shell material is ABS plastic and its body shape is way smaller than VG4. Although body material is ABS, it doesn’t look flimsy and cheap, but VG4 looks and feels much better. BJ provides a pretty good seal and isolation on-ear but VG4 doing a better job both isolation and seal. Bass is quite powerful and deep on Billie Jean and also it is not as controlled as VG4. VG4 is tighter and much more controlled more articulated. Side by side comparison, BJ is muddy and uncontrolled and resolution is not as good as VG4. BJ has more bodied and forward mid-presentation while VG4 has a more laid-back presentation. The resolution and details level is much better on VG4. Trebles are more pronounced and extended on VG4 which provides better details and resolution while BJ is more tamed and almost it feels like rolled off. The soundstage is wider and deeper on VG4 and the instrument's separation is much better.


Verdict:

BGVP has made a great impact on the market with their DM6 iem, and has been compared to more expensive earphones and liked by many people. It is very clear that BGVP aims to continue the success that they have achieved with the DM6 in their new series. It is especially pleasing that they making very good products in terms of price performance. This is a very expensive hobby and companies with the least damage to the wallet are always loved. The VG4 is a very successful product with its sound quality and the successful tuning of the switches it has. I can easily say that it offers much better performance than its price tag and I can definitely recommend in this price band.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Here is the link of ISN Audio D02: https://penonaudio.com/isn-audio-d02.html


Specifications:

Brand:ISN Audio

Model: D02

Driver: 10mm dynamic driver

Material: resin

Impedance: 32 Ω @1khz

Sensitivity: 108 ± 3dB @1khz

Frequency response: 20-20kHz

Connector: MMCX

Plug: 3.5mm Audio

Cable length: 1.2M


Package Details:

ISN D02 IEM

3 pairs of blue silicone eartips (SML)

3 pairs of green silicone eartips (SML)

Carry case

Carabiner


Test Equipment:

Opus #1

Topping D50s & THX AAA 789

Earmen TR-Amp

Chord Mojo

Package, Design & Isolation;

Let’s take a look at the packaging. ISN D02 comes with standard small ISN cardboard box. There is carry case inside of the box and everything has in to it. Nylon carry case is looks flimsy but it does its job. There is a plenty size and quantity tips and you can find the best fits for yourself. ISN D02 is very well build gorgeous looking earphone. It is made by medical grade resin which is looks and feel pretty high quality in hands. I can’t believe the price when I inspect the D02 because it has same or better-quality feelings then the much more expensive earphones that I’ve used. It has only one color which is blue but it is so beautiful in low light condition. There is a gold ISN Logo on both side of the faceplate. There is an air venting grill on top. MMCX sockets feels solid and secure and you can use your after-market cables without problem. Stock cable looks and feels good. It is pretty soft and tangle free. D02 has nice ergonomic shape and size which it will fit most ears without any pain. Isolation is pretty good and there nothing to complaint about it.


Sound:

D02 is typical V shaped sound earphone. There are some minor differences between switches but I’ve used with the default settings while testing (switches up).

Treble has quite enough sparkle and energy. Clean and clear presentation results in an extremely good musical performance. The resolution and level of details are well above the price and surprisingly good. There is no sibilance or hard presentation as well as no roll off, but it might be sharp with some bright source with silver cables. Details level is really great which I’ve listened so many instrumental tracks and have heard background details very easily.

Although mid frequencies are less emphasised then the other frequencies, they are not that far behind and weak in presentation. Mid frequencies are very detailed and has good performance in terms of resolution. Instrument separation is extremely successful. The vocals are impressive, but I like male vocal performance more. It was so enjoyable to listen to Richard Hawley – The Ocean track. Although the mid frequencies are relatively behind, the vocals are forward and have a fuller presentation. With the help of air venting, the stage has a very good sense of width and distributes the instruments over a very large area. Before listened D02, I was expecting mid frequencies will be weak and laid back, but it has a very detailed and bodied presentation.

Basses are one of my favorite frequencies on D02. It has extremely pronounced and powerful beats. Sub-bass has roll of, but they can still go pretty deep. Bass is a bit emphasized in quantity and this may be too much for those who do not like the bass frequency very much, but it will also make the bass-head users smile. However, I would like to mention that it is not a bass-head level earphone. I can consider it is fast, but still the recovery time is a bit slow with the disadvantage of the dynamic driver. The bass is tight but I guess it will perform much better with a better cable. The body and voluminous presentation offer a very musical and enjoyable performance. As you can imagine, it is very enjoyable to listen to music like EDM.

Soundstage is spacious and airy which every instrument spread out enough distance from each other. Instrument separation and details are easy to hear it and clean background helps a lot.


Compare:

D02 vs Rhapsodio Orla:

Orla is single dynamic driver earphone from Rhapsodio and it has a nice beautiful sound. Both earphones-built quality is top notch. Although Orla has smaller in shell size, D02 fits my ears better and provides more secure seal. Sound wise; Orla is organic, sweet and lush while D02 is more energetic, powerful and dynamic. Trebles are more pronounced and emphasized on S02 which provides better clarity and details while Orla is more relaxed and smoother in presentation. Technical performance is better on D02 in terms of resolution and details on trebles, but Orla has beautiful tonality and sweetness that you can easily like. Lush presentation of Orla continuous on mid frequencies as well. It is organic, slightly forward and smooth while D02 is more sterile and drier when I compare side by side. D02 is slightly laid back and less emphasize than the Orla. D02 provides better clarity and details. Vocals are more natural and easier to listen with Orla. Bass is more dynamic and powerful on D02. It hits harder and goes deeper while Orla is lush in presentation and beats are smooth and soft. D02 is more aggressive and edgy. D02 provides airier and spacious soundstage I believe air venting has a big role on here. Orla soundstage feels intimate and limited but still it has nice fresh feelings.


D02 vs Final Audio E5000:

E5000 is one of the favorite earphones from Final Audio which has a nice safe tuning. Both earphones material and build quality are great. E500 has stainless steel while D02 is made by 3d printed resin. Both earphones have MMCX connectors. Like D02, E5000 also has 1 single dynamic driver per unit. Both earphones are great in comfort but D02 provides much better sealing and isolation due to its design. E5000 is smooth, lush and rich while D02 is more dynamic and fun to listen earphone. D02 has better bass presence and it is more in quantity while E5000 is less emphasise but still has good amount of bass. Mids are more organic, natural in presentation and forward on E5000 while D02 has slightly recessed and thinner on mid frequencies. Vocals are more pronounced and forward on E5000 and at the same time it feels intimate in stage. D02 is slightly laid back on vocals but it has nice airy presentation and has better clarity. Trebles are more forward and detailed on D02. E5000 is smooth and creamy. D02 provides better details and resolution. Soundstage is wider and deeper on D02 while E5000 has more limited presentation.


D02 vs Bille Jean:

JH Audio Billie Jean has 2 balanced armature drivers per side while D02 has 1 dynamic driver per side. BJ is made with high quality ABS plastic and its body shape is slightly smaller than D02, but D02 provides better fit and secure seals on ears. Also, BJ comes with flimsy plastic stock cable while D02 comes with beautiful SPC cable which is much better. BJ has quite strong and powerful bass for a balanced armature driver but it can not scare to D02 in this sense. D02 is more in quantity, hits harder, goes deeper. Thanks to dynamic driver. BJ has better speed and control on bass and much tighter while D02 slower and less controlled. Both earphones have recessed mids but vocals are slightly forward and when I compare side by side. Trebles are more extended, sparkled and detailed on D02 which provides more resolution and details. BJ has smoother slightly dark trebles. Soundstage is wider and deeper on D02 and instrument separation is better.


Verdict:

ISN D02 is fantastic earphone for 80$ and it is absolutely bang for the buck. There is so many good things about D02; enjoyable dynamic tuning and very well-made material and build quality, spacious airy soundstage. I haven’t heard anything better than D02 at this price.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details. Also, I would like to thank to Earmen for this great opportunity.

EarMen TR-Amp
EarMen Donald DAC



Specifications:

TR-AMP

PCM 32bit /384kHz

DoP DSD256

Native DSD128

MQA rendering

SNR of +128dB SNR A-Weighted,

-112,5dB THD+N,

400mW into 16 Ohm


Donald DAC

Supported formats:

PCM 384kHz/32bit

DSD – DXD – MQA Rendering

DAC: 32 bit Cirrus Logic CS 43198

USB: XMos 2XX

Input: USB-C – DATA/Power Supply – USB-C – External Power Supply

Output: RCA

You can check out for more details on Earmen website.


Package Details:

Both TR-Amp and Donald Dac come with a simple cardboard box and the opening experience is not breathtaking. Tr-Amp has 2 different color options with red and black. Red looks pretty sexy with that shiny aluminum. TR-Amp comes with a USB-C cable and a beautiful mesh pouch. Donald Dac comes with the only unit and there are no other accessories inside. They trying to lower cost, so it is pretty understandable especially see the 99$ price tag.


Design;

TR-Amp:

The whole body is aluminum, including the volume knob, and build quality is top-notch. Most of the Dac-Amp device coming with aluminum chassis but not everyone looking and feels great in hand. Weight is 240 grams which is not the lightest but heavy either. You can easily stack with your DAP or other portable sources and use it without and carrying problem.

There is 2 USB-C port at the back, one for charging one for data, which means you can connect to your computer via USB-C cable that comes with TR-Amp. Also, it is not common with most of the dac-amp but it has line-out jacks behind the devices. It gives you more flexibility for sure. Front of the device, there is a volume knob and 3.5mm and 6.3mm headphone jack. Yes, it has a 6.3mm headphone jack which is surprising to see it in such a small unit like this. TR-Amp has a 3700mah battery inside which provides is 9-10 hours of playing time depending on your volume level, but it is a pretty decent result.

There is no need to install its software to use it. It is a plug and plays but you can download and install on to your computer if they need it. Here is the link for the software for the Windows users. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/1758/1634/files/EarMen_Win-1.rar?186


Donald DAC:

The body is made of metal and plastic but it doesn’t look and feels flimsy at all. It is super light; I mean really really light. You might ask yourself if there are any electronic parts inside of the unit or not. There is no physical button on the unit. It is activated when it gets the signal from the source. Its dimension is L * H * W (mm) 114 x 80 x59 which is a pretty small unit, you can put it on your desk with its small stand, it will hide very well.

Like TR-Amp, there is 2 USB-C port at the back, one for power, one for data. And also, it has a line out output. There is no battery inside, so it gets the power from the charging port. Since it doesn’t come with the cables, you might need 2 USB-C cables to use it with your computer if you are not planning to use line-output.


More Details:

TR-Amp:

TR-Amp using ES9038Q2M SABRE 32 as a dac inside. This is the highest dac of the Sabre up to date. It supports PCM up to 384kHz, DSD256 via DoP, native DSD128, and MQA which is fantastic. I don’t want to bother you with lots of numbers and specs but it has so many high-quality components inside. You can check out their website for more details.

TR-Amp has up to 400mw power amplifier inside which is it can drive all IEM’s in the market without any issues and also will be enough for most headphones. It drives my HD6XX, HE4XX, and Elear without any power issues. It is not super powerful but it is pretty enough for most gears. Also, the background is black and hasn’t heard any hiss with my sensitive IEM.

While listening it will charge the battery, so you can enjoy your music by the time it’s charging. And as far as I see I haven’t seen any warming issues with the device. With Mojo it gets like a frying pan.


Donald DAC:

Donald DAC using Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC and I don’t remember if I listen to any Cirrus Logic dac before. It is supporting PCM resolutions up to 384 kHz and 32 bits, DXD (352.8 kHz / 24-bit), and MQA like TR-Amp. It supports almost every format without any problem. I’ve played many formats without getting any problem which is good news. I’ve received so many issues with some DAC that I’ve.

This is not a battery powered unit, so you have to connect sources to juice up the device, but you can use as a portable dac with a powerbank. Actually, it is super light, so you can take advantage of its lightest form factor to carry a powerbank. It is always good to have some options.


Sound:

TR-Amp:

Treble is soft and gentle with a touch of warmth. It is not super-extended, shrill, and sharp, it is more like creamy and soft notes accompany with natural tonality. It is detailed and good in resolution but it is not making obvious all the details in the music. It is not surgical sharp trebles, more or less It is average in quantity that doesn’t push your earphone to extend more. It is very clear and there is plenty of air between the instruments. I’m pretty impressed when I listened to my test track Le Trio Jeobran – Douja. Still, it is missing some excitement and dynamism but it is all about preferences. The synergy between earphones and source is very important. For example, Nocturnal Atlantis with TR-Amp are not the best pair in my collection, on the other hand, Hyla Audio Sarda is matched fantastically with TR-Amp. Trebles become more controlled and clean presentation of Sarda level up. Overall, I like trebles but it is not the best area of TR-Amp.

The smooth presentation continues on mid frequencies as well. Mids are so beautiful, natural, and musical. All the instruments and vocals are clear and the detail level is fantastic. Mids are slightly laid back but still, it is close to the stage. Especially vocal performance. But I am not talking like Chord Mojo forwardness. There is a very clear space between instruments and easy to pinpoint in the soundstage. Imagining and layering are also above their price tag. Airy mid-performance help to open the stage and gives a very fresh listening experience. I will compare with Chord Mojo but when I listen to it side by side, I can see why I don’t like Mojo’s mid frequencies. It makes narrower the stage makes it darker. TR-Amp is very clear and performing great in this area.

Bass is not huge in quantity but it goes down really well. The sub-bass region making a great job and you can hear the sub-bass impact. But of course, it is not in the bass-head level. Bass doesn’t dominate the other frequencies and it is well controlled, but it is not best in terms of tightness either. It has great details and layering and also it is not shy in the amount. I like to hear sub-bass rather than mid-bass and most of the devices hit from the lower mids. Thanks to TR-Amp that it reaches and digs pretty deep I heard nice impactful bass with my dynamic driver earphones. Hyla Audio TE-05 is like heaven with TR-Amp. TE-05 has slightly overpowered bass and TR-Amp adds great balance and makes It more controlled. It is absolutely making some touch in the bass area but as I said it is all about synergy.


Donald DAC:

Treble is prominent and well present with Donald Dac. It has a good extension with sparkle as well as slight sharpness with some tracks. Treble is bright and even sharp sometimes, but of course, the earphone that you use has a big role here. It is not sharp or edgy but it is very close to that limit. Detail wise it is surprisingly detailed and the resolution level is really great for a budget-friendly device. It will be better by the time with burn-in. Now, I’ve approximately 100 hours of use with it.

Mid frequencies are slightly dry and seem lifeless but it is also very detailed and close to the reference sound. I’ve used my JDS Labs O2 as an amp during the test and I like the synergy between those two. Mids are slightly thinner on lower mids and the overall sound is clinical and there is no coloration. The detail level is really great. It reminds me Topping D50s in this regard with its reference like sound. Vocals are laid back and men’s vocals are slightly on the thinner side. Female vocals are better and it is more accurate in tonality.

Reference like-sounding affects bass response as well. Bass is tight and controlled and there is absolutely no overpower no matter what you listen to. If you paired with bassy headphones or earphones it will be shine. Bass is fast and accurate in tonality and no exaggeration by any means. It doesn’t dig deep in sub-bass but still has a good response.


Comparison:

TR-Amp vs Chord Mojo:

There is nothing much to say about Chord Mojo and no need to introduce it because it is a well known and super popular device in the community which it deserves. Mojo is smaller in size and a super versatile device with its power and compatibilities. Both devices have metal constructed body and high quality in material. Battery performance is close but Tr-Amp provides 2 more hours which is slightly better than Mojo. Both devices are powerful enough to drive all IEMs and some headphones on the market but Mojo has much more power in its small body, surprisingly isn’t it! But Tr-Amp pretty enough to listen with most headphones, except some hard drive gears. Sound-wise, Mojo is more mid centric, closed and smooth Dac-amp while TR-Amp is more open sound with a great top to the bottom performer. Trebles are more prominent, extended, and detailed on TR-Amp. Separation and micro details are slightly more audible and better on TR-Amp. Mojo is smoother and slightly dark in the presentation. It is not dark but when you do some A-B it feels like that. Mojo trebles are more relaxed and laid back, its detail level is also good. The mid section is where the difference is more noticeable. Mojo has much more forwarder in presentation, and it dominates the overall sound signature. Also due to its forward character, it is romantic and more in your face, especially in vocal performance. TR-Amp is slightly laid back and more like a V-shape mid-presentation. Vocals are stepped back and sound is so fresh. Actually, I like Mojo’s powerful, forward mid-presentation but it also compresses all sound and feels soundstage is narrower. Also, there is some mid-hump which is obvious with some tracks. Bass performance is better on TR-Amp, it goes deeper and more authoritative. Mojo bass mostly coming on lower-mid and it is not as deep as TR-Amp. The soundstage is wider on TR-Amp. All the instruments spread out on stage and give more airy feelings. Overall, I like Mojo a lot and it is absolutely a keeper for me, but I like TR-Amp more with its open sound with better details performance.


Donald Dac vs Emotiva Big Ego:

I’ve been using Emotiva Big Ego for almost 3 years and I still like it with its clean sound. It is a usb-powered device like Donald Dac but the price is more than double. I f I remember correctly it was 279$ but it is not on the market anymore. It has an old Usb-b socket for powering and connection and also has optical out. It is a full metal body like Donald Dac it is very light as well. Their sound signatures are similar but they are different in some areas which I will tell the differences. Trebles are similar in quantity but Donald is slightly brighter and sharper while Ego is more relaxed and tamed. It is hard to notice but their resolution and details level is the same. Donald gives better clarity, so it may be a little bit better. Mids are similar in tonality and slightly thinner in notes. Emotiva has a better soundstage and mids are slightly more open and spacious but not by far. Vocals are clean and clear on both device and it has similar texture and tonality. Bass is where they are differing mostly. Ego has more quantity and natural tonality. It goes deeper and hits harder. On the other hand, Donald has a dry and neutral bass response which gives a flatter presentation. Donald shines with bassy earphones and it has better speed and tightness on bass response. The soundstage is par, but Donald is airier and more open. Both devices are great it is hard to choose which one is better. As I said many times, it is all about synergy and match.


Donald Dac vs Audioquest Dragonfly Red:

These are two different animals in terms of size and usability, but I would like to compare it anyway. Dragonfly Red (DR) is usb powered plug and play usb memory size dac. It is very popular and so many peoples love it, including myself. The retail price of the DR is twicer expensive than Donald Dac. No need to compare its size. DR is so small and easy to carry, even it can fit in the coin pocket of your jeans. Donald dac is much bigger in size. But also, it provides extra connectivity like line-out. Both devices required usb power to work, so they don’t have a battery inside. Sound-wise, DR is more open and airier but also it is more sterile and clinical. Donald Dac is more musical, less bright, and a touch of a warm sounding device. DR has more sparkle and extension on trebles which brings more details while Donald Dac is doing the same thing more smoothly. Trebles are softer and easier to listen to with Donald. DR gets tiring with some treble sensitive iems with its sharp trebles. Mids are more bodied and smoother on Donald Dac and vocals are more forward with better natural feelings. DR is more refined and slightly laid back and it is thin in the presentation when I compare with Donald Dac. I really like the vocal performance of Donald Dac. It has a better texture and organic presentation. Bass is slightly deeper and more powerful on Donald Dac. DR is more controlled and tighter and gives better details.


Verdict:

I haven’t heard Earmen brand before and these are the first products that I am reviewing. Both TR-Amp and Donald Dac are absolutely fantastic devices for the price and TR-Amp could be the most underrated device of the year in my humble opinion. It is better than most devices that I’ve heard under 500$, moreover, it is surprisingly cheap. Sound performance is fantastic which is my Mojo sitting in my drawer since I got the TR-Amp. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Mojo and it is Hulk of the small size dac-amp category with its pure power, but I like TR-Amp sound more, and it becomes my favorite at the very first day. Overall, with top-notch build quality with a great sound performance, this baby deserves much more attention.

Donald Dac is another winner for the price. It is clean and clear sounding Dac combine with great details and resolution. Competition is pretty tough in 100$-150$ range and there is so many good devices out there, and Donald Dac is absolutely one of them that you have to consider.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Here is the link of Penon Audio ORB: https://penonaudio.com/penon-orb.html


Specifications:

Brand: Penon Audio

Model: ORB

Driver: Balanced Armature full frequency + 10mm Dynamic driver

Impedance: 10 Ω @1khz

Sensitivity: 112 ± 3dB @1khz

Frequency response: 20hz-20Khz

Connector: 2Pin 0.78mm

Plug: 3.5mm Audio

Cable length: 1.2M


Package Details:

Penon Orb with cables

Silicon tops

Cleaning tools

Case


Test Equipment:

Opus #1

THX AAA 789 & D50s

Earmen TR-Amp

Chord Mojo


Package, Design;

Penon Orb comes with fairly small yellow cardboard box. All the accessories, earphones and cables are inside of the beautiful blue carrying case. There is a plenty size of tips which you might easily find the best for your ears. Blue carrying case feels nice to touch with great build quality. You don’t have to worry about potential damage when you store it inside. It has solid feelings. There is also plenty of room, so if you want to upgrade your Orb with thicker and bolder cable, you can still keep it inside of the case. Orb body is made of medical grade resin with translucent color, and yes there is no any other color option, but it is so beautiful in its naked form. You can see the drivers and other components inside and that looks pretty gorgeous. There is a gold Penon and Orb print on the faceplate. Orb uses industry standard 2pin socket that you can always upgrade to aftermarket cable. Stock cable looks good and feels pretty ergonomic with its soft form but I think that Orb deserves a much better cable. There are 2 cables coming with Orb which exactly the same but one of them has microphone. Body is not small but not big either, I believe that most people may find it pretty comfortable with its ergonomic shape.


Sound:

Trebles is not the most successful part of Orb and they are more of a smooth and warm texture. There is no roll off, and it does not have high level of details and resolution but It is extremely comfortable to listen with its smooth and creamy presentation, and it doesn’t give any fatigue while long listening session. It lags a bit behind in terms of performance when it comes to giving micro details, but I can say that it has quite sufficient performance when the tag price is remembered.


The Mid frequency is quite rich and full, and this full-bodied presentation combined with the natural timbre which creates a sound that is extremely musical and comfortable to listen to. The partially leading vocals combined with the natural and warm presentation give a pleasant performance. The details and resolution level of the mids are also quite adequate and better than most of the earphones I have heard at this price band. The instrument distinction is also extremely successful and you can easily distinguish its placement in the stage. However, I prefer to listen to Orb with high bass performance EDM style instead of instrument-heavy music.


Bass are undoubtedly the most delicious part of Orb. Greetings to the dynamic driver that produces strong and deep bass, it is very pleasant to listen. Rich and full bottoms go well with any kind of electronic music. EDM with Orb relation is like meat and wine combination. The level of bass in terms of quantity is definitely at the bass-head level. Basses dominate the general atmosphere a bit, but still cover the mids and highs and never give a muddy presentation.

Soundtage, Orb does not promise a great wideness and holographic presentation, but it is still quite spacious and successful enough to distribute the instruments well onto the stage.


Comparison:

Penon Orb vs Dunu DK2001:

Both earphones are great in terms of design and material quality. DK2001 is made of aluminium while Orb has resin body. There are no fit issues with DK2001 which is great with its smaller form factor but Orb provides better seal and fit, even with its bigger body. Both earphones’ stock cables are great but DK2001’s modular cable is better and it offers more flexibility. Orb’s sound is fuller with its rich and vivid presentation while DK2001 is more balanced and brighter when I compare side by side. Bass notes are more punchy and powerful with Orb which is more exciting while DK2001 has better control and speed, it’s slightly tighter. Mids are bold and thick on Orb which is more natural and smoother while DK2001 is slightly recessed and brighter on upper mids. Trebles are more extended and brighter on DK2001 which is slightly better in terms of resolution and details but on the other hand it might be sharp and fatigue for some people. Orb is smoother and relaxed on trebles but it extends pretty well and provides good details and resolution. Soundstage is slightly wider and more open on DK2001 but there is no obvious difference to be honest.


Penon Orb vs Audiosense T800:

Audiosense T800 is really great earphone for its price and it’s pretty popular in community with its sound performance. T800 has 8 balanced armature drivers per side, while Orb has 1 dynamic driver with 1 balanced armature driver. Both earphones’ material is resin and has similar body shape. Both earphones provide great seals and fit in ears and pretty ergonomic for long hours listening. Like Orb, T800 has also fuller and richer sound with powerful bass notes and warm signature. Bass is almost same in quantity but Orb has some extra rumble and it goes slightly deeper. T800 has better control and speed but it is lack of texture and punch that Orb has. Mid frequencies are thicker and bolder on T800 which gives you warmer tonality while Orb is slightly better recessed feelings with natural and smooth response. Trebles are smooth and warm on T800 which gives you more mellowish notes while Orb provides slightly more quantity and extension in this area. Soundstage is almost par but somewhat T800 is slightly wider.


Penon Orb vs JH Audio Billie Jean:

Billie Jean is 2 balanced armature drivers earphone and price tag is $100 more, but I would like to compare it anyway. BJ is made with ABS plastic and its body shape is smaller than Orb. BJ provides pretty good seal and isolation on ear but Orb is much better in this sense. Orb looks and feels more premium in hands. BJ comes with cheap thin black plastic stock cable while Orb comes with 2 stock cables and the cable quality is much better. Bass is quite powerful and deep on BJ but Orb is better for both quantity and quality. It goes deeper, articulated, textured and dynamic driver bass is so delicious when compared to BJ’s dry and dull bass performance. Both BJ and Orb have recessed mids but vocal performance is more forward on BJ. Trebles are more pronounced and extended on Orb which provides better details and resolution, BJ is laid back, feels rolled off. Soundstage is wider and deeper on Orb and separation is more distinguishable.


Verdict:

Penon Audio continues to make great earphones since Sphere and it is obvious that we will see better earphones in the near future. Orb is really great performer for its price with thunderous bass with lush, musical atmosphere. Bass performance is so great and it keeps you to listen with bassy tracks. Orb proves that you don’t have to spent big numbers for the good sound. I can easily recommend Orb who wants dynamic, punchy and musical earphone.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Also, I would like to thanks to Penon Audio for this great opportunity. Here is the link of the ISN D10: https://penonaudio.com/isn-audio-d10.html



Specifications:

Brand: ISN Audio

Model: D10

Driver: 9mm Dynamic driver

Material: resin

Impedance: 16 Ω @1khz

Sensitivity: 100 ± 3dB @1khz

Frequency response: 20-20kHz

Connector: MMCX

Plug: 3.5mm Audio/2.5mm/4.4mm Balanced



Package Details:

ISN D10 earphone

8 pairs of silicone eartips

Carry case

Clean brush

Test Equipment:

Opus #1

THX AAA 789

Topping D50s

Earman TR-Amp



Package, Design;

D10 comes in a small box which is same with H40, the only difference is its outer print. Box is like a pomegranate. When you open it there is beautiful ISN D10 and cable, nylon carry case, lots of tips, carabiner, cleaning tool. There are 8 pairs of tips and I really like the green silicon tips. Its sound and fit are pretty good for me. You can attach the carabiner onto the nylon carry case to hang however you wish. Case itself is exactly the same as H40 has, it looks flimsy but it keeps safe your earphone from the outer world. Cable is so beautiful as expected. It is ISN Audio S4 cable which is surprising for a stock cable, especially for its price tag. Cable is 4 braided SPC, it looks and feels premium. It is soft, tangle free, and the most important is, it sounds good. Termination, pins, y splitter are black and it is nice contrast with cable's silver color. When I received the D10, the first thing I realized was its size. It is fairly smaller than the H40 and it provides better fit and ergonomics when you wear it. Body shape is exactly same as H40 except it is %30 smaller and color is different. It is very dark navy color but it is hard to see its original color, especially in low lights. Navy shells combinate with gold ISN logos on faceplate. Nozzle is pretty good in size not short nor long either. Like it's big brother, it has also MMCX connectors. It feels secure and solid, you can switch between your aftermarket cables. Overall build and material quality are pretty high and it provides more than its price tag.



Sound:

The D10 is a very exciting earphone in sound and I feel it since at the first second of my listening. My favorite frequency of the D10 is absolutely its thunderous bass frequency. Basically, bass is a bit more than my personal preference, but its performance is so impressive that you want to listen that bass slam all the time. Besides bass, the performance of treble is also impressive. You think that such powerful bass will dominate and suppress all frequencies, but the D10 does an extremely successful job here too. Treble is definitely not recessed or rolled off. It has a very well extended, clean and detailed presentation. As expected from V shape presentation mid frequencies are slightly recessed and laid back.

The treble is very detailed and the resolution is very good compared to this price band. The instrument separation is not competing with the totl level, but it can give headaches to many headphones in the $ 300 band. It has good extended and sparkled trebles and, I did not hear any sibilance or harshness with any source that I've listened to. The airy presentation in the treble also helps the soundstage to be opened, making the instrument distinction more successful. You can hear up to small vibrations in stringed instruments, which promises good performance in terms of micro detail.

Mid frequencies sit behind other frequencies due to V-shape presentation. I found its performance more successful in female vocals because the lower mids are not full bodied. Mids does not have a huge amount of detail and resolution, but I can say that it is very successful according to this price band. There is coloration in the mid frequencies as well as in instruments.

Bass performance of D10 is my favorite frequency. The bass is so powerful, it reminds me of Legend-X as soon as I listened and I can say that the bass is almost the same in quantity, as far as I remember. Although bass does not suppress and crush frequencies in general, I can say that it dominates the general sound character. It can also create a compression towards the lower mids. The sub-bass can go quite deep and creates a club atmosphere to your ear. Listening to music like EDM is incredibly enjoyable. I can easily say the amount of bass at bass-head level.

D10 has pretty wide soundstage and, it is easy to positioning instruments. Soundstage depth is also sufficient but not as good as width. Imaging and layering are above its price and provides clean and easy to hear instruments and vocals in stage.

Comparison:

D10 vs Final Audio E5000

Final Audio E5000 is a well-known model in the community and its easy to love the tuning, deserves its fame. Both earphones material and build quality are fantastic. Both have MMCX connectors with SPC cables. They have 1 single dynamic driver per inside. E5000 is stainless steel while D10 is made of acrylic. Both earphones are great in comfort but D10 provides much better sealing and isolation due to its design. E5000 needs some correction in ear every 20min or so if you are walking. Sound; E5000 is smooth, vivid and rich while D10 is more dynamic and energetic. D10 is better on sub-bass presence and it is more in quantity while E5000 is smoother and more rounded. D10 sub bass power is enormous and it is slightly slower than the E5000 but it doesn’t mess up with fast passages anyway. Mids are meaty and bold on E5000 and it has more smooth, natural presentation while D10 has slightly recessed and thinner on lower mids. Vocals are more pronounced and forward on E5000 and it feels narrower on stage. D10 is centered and slightly laid back on vocals but it has nice airy presentation. Trebles are more forward and detailed on D10. E5000 is smooth and creamy, but it is hard to catch the details at the same time. D10 provides better details and resolution in this sense. Soundstage is wider and deeper on D10 while E5000 has more limited present. E5000's sound is overall more organic, smooth, dark and tube like while D10 is more lively, dynamic and excited.

D10 vs JH Billie Jean

It is going to be a balanced armature vs dynamic driver comparison but I would like to compare it. Billie Jean is 2 times expensive than the D10 and it has 2 balanced armature drivers per side while D10 has dynamic driver. Package content is similar with Billie Jean (BJ), it also comes with nylon carry case, various tips, cleaning tools. BJ is made with high quality ABS plastic and its body shape is slightly smaller than D10, but D10 provides better fit and seal on ears. BJ comes with flimsy plastic stock cable while D10 comes with S4 which is much more superior. Sound is similar but D10 has more on every frequency. BJ has quite strong and powerful bass but still it cannot match with D10. D10 hits more, goes deeper, and it is more dynamic. Dynamic driver is always my first choice in terms of bass performance and there is no compromise here too. Only thing that BJ is better on speed. It has better recovery time while D10 is noticeably slower. Both earphones have recessed mids. Low mids are more pronounced and it makes male vocals better on BJ. Vocals are slightly laid back and recessed on D10 while BJ has more forward and natural presentation. Trebles are more extended, sparkled and detailed on D10 which provides more resolution and micro details. BJ has smoother and easy-listening trebles. Soundstage is wider and deeper on D10 and instrument separation is better.

D10 vs Rhapsodio Saturn

Rhapsodio Saturn is a very interesting earphone and I like its creamy, vinly like sound. It has also 1 dynamic driver per unit. Saturn is pretty big in size but still it is good on seal and comfort. D10 takes advantage from its small size and it is one step better both comfort and seal. Saturn has the most smooth, relaxed IEM I’ve ever heard so far. Bass is smoother, warm and organic on Saturn and quantity is less than D10. It has good impact and power but it is not bass head earphone. D10 goes deeper, hits harder and has much more in quantity. D10’s thunderous bass is so exciting to listen and shows better performance on EDM like genres. Mids are lush, warm and forward on Saturn. It has tube-amp sound and vocals are velvet smooth. Trebles are more pronounced, extended, and sparkled on D10. D10 shows better technical performance and easy to hear micro details but also it is less organic and natural. Saturn is more realistic and easier to listen for long hours. Soundstage is better on D10, it is wider and deeper an also instrument placement are much better.




Verdict:

ISN Audio is a fairly new company, and the D10 is their second earphone I have reviewed. Like the H40, D10's performance is definitely above its price. Dynamic, vibrant and fun with incredible bass power and detailed treble presentation that makes it great earphone for who loves its sound signature. Also, it has enough bass to make bass-heads makes happy. Material quality and workmanship are also at the top-notch level. The S4 stock cable also comes with D10 sold separately which is great. I can easily recommend the D10 to anyone who loves electronic music.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Also, I would like to thanks to Penon Audio for this great opportunity. Here is the link of the Sphere: https://penon-official.com/product/sphere-iem/



Specifications:

Driver: Balanced Armature

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20000Hz

Impedance:6Ω@1kHz

Sensitivity:118dB/1mW

Passive noise reduction: 26dB

Earphone interface: 2Pin 0.78mm

Plug:3.5mm

Cable Length: 1.2M



Package Details:

Sphere IEM

Stock Cable

6 pairs of silicone eartips

Wooden case



Test Equipment:

Astell & Kern AK120

Opus #1

Emotiva Big Ego



Package, Design & Isolation;

Penon Sphere shares the same famous red and blue colored box as the other Penon products and the unboxing experience is also similar. There is a rounded wooden carry case, velvet pouch, cleaning tool and silicon tips inside the package. Package contents are not the best but it is fairly enough for not to complain about it. Actually, that wooden case is way better than the most companies’ cheap nylon case.

Sphere’s design looks simple but it is elegant with its black shells and blue sparkle Penon-Sphere name on the faceplate. There is no other color option but I assume many people like it a lot. Right faceplate has Penon logo on top and left has Sphere name. Sphere uses 2pin 0.78mm industry standard socket, so it is suitable to use with after market cables. Shell design is simply geourgeus. Its small and custom like design provides fantastic fit and you can use without any pain for long long hours.

The stock cable looks simple and it is similar with other brands’ stock cable. Cable material is SPC I believe but not sure for that. It is 4 braided which I am guessing it has 30awg size and its material is pretty soft and ergonomic. It has metal L-shaped 3.5mm jack and metal y splitter. There is not much to say about it. It is good and simple but Sphere deserves a better cable I believe.

With the proper tips, Sphere provides great isolation, and it blocks all the noise that comes from outside. I’ve used it outside many times and Sphere did a fantastic job to isolate outside noise. Stock tips are does great job, but I always find mandarin tips are better for my ears. Ergonomic design and size of the shell is fantastic.



Sound:

Sphere has a slightly warm and balanced sound character. The musical and natural sound structure makes it very pleasant to listen. I’ve experienced many single ba driver earphones, and they were lack in bass quantity, but Sphere has surprisingly strong and deep bass. It’s a pleasure to see that bass doesn’t lose its control to disturb other frequencies. The mid frequencies are slightly laid back but quite balanced and the detail level is pretty high. The vocals are surprisingly clean and slightly forward. Treble is another frequency that I found successful in Sphere. Both extension and level of detail are impressive for a single ba driver. I don’t know what driver model and brand that they used, but Penon seems that they push all the limits of the armature driver. In the period of popularity of hybrid and multi-drivers iems, Penon reminds that the single-driver earphones are also perform very well. The perception of the soundstage is quite spacious. Although it is not possible to talk about such a wide and deep stage, it offers spacious instrument separation. Overall, Sphere is a very impressive earphone, especially for the price. It might be the best single armature driver earphone I’ve listened to.

The treble is neither too bright nor too laid back. The extension and the level of details are certainly very successful. No sibilance or sharp presentations which it makes easy to listen. As I said, the balanced structure of the sound character is reflected in the treble. The instrument separation is successful and the distinction is sufficient. You can clearly hear every single instrument. There’s no wildly detailed presentation, but it’s certainly impressive. Especially when I remember Sphere has only one driver.

Mid frequencies are slightly laid back and vocals are relatively forward. Due to the softness of the overall presentation, the mid frequencies are velvety smooth and easy to listen. The instrument sounds are natural and are not thicker or thinner than they should be. The distance between the instruments is also very easily distinguishable. Especially vocals have a very clean and smooth presentation. So, I listened to a lot of vocal songs and I really admired Sphere’s vocal presentation.

Bass is another frequency area where Sphere is extremely successful. The bass goes deep enough for many genres. It is not hard to say that I get fulfilling results, even though with EDM music. Of course, it is not strong and powerful as like as dynamic driver, but it certainly has kept your rhythm with your feet. I would also like to point out that the armature driver does not have those dry, dull presentation, it has natural and soft strokes instead.

The soundstage is not very wide, but it certainly does not have a closed presentation. The instruments and vocals are playing in wide area. And the background of Sphere is quite clean and dark.



Comparison:

Sphere vs Final Audio B2:

Final Audio B2 is the new earphone from Final Audio’s line up and it has also one armature driver like Sphere. Both earphones are beautiful in different ways. B2 feels more premium and elegant in hands with its metal body while Sphere has acrylic simple design, but Sphere is also beautiful iem. Both earphones provide good ergonomics but Sphere is much better and comfortable into ears. Sounds; B2 sound is mildy forward, slightly dark and rolled off on both bass and trebles while Sphere is natural, slightly V-shaped and bright in tonality when I compare with B2. Sphere trebles has more sparkle and extended better and also clearer. B2’s trebles are rolled off and it is slightly veiled. Instruments separation is more audible and better with Sphere. Mids are more forward and pronounced with B2 while Sphere has slightly laid back and centered on stage. B2’s lush and smooth sound making vocals more intimate and romantic. Bass is better in terms of control and dynamic on Sphere and also more in quantity. B2’s bass is rolled off and it is not as deep as like Sphere. Soundstage is wider and airier on Sphere while B2 has more intimate due to its forward mid presentation.

Cable Rolling:

Rhapsodio SGD2.98 MK2:

SGD2.98 MK2 is warm and smooth cable which is great match up with bright earphones. Sphere matches good with SGD2.98 MK2 and It mostly improve bass frequencies with harder beats notes. It hits harder and goes deeper. Overall sounds become warmer and bright atmosphere on the treble’s switches to smooth and lush atmosphere. Mids notes becomes little bit bolder and It adds some weight on mid-bass. Soundstage is wider and it has more depth than the stock cable.



Effect Audio Eros:

Ares is one of my favorite cable from Effect Audio and is safe choice for most earphones. Sphere and Ares are matches great; I like the synergy between those two. Bass become tighter and more controlled, quantity is same or maybe slightly better, hard to understand. Mids are clean and clear, vocals have more forward and dramatic presentation. Treble is more tamed but still clear and extend pretty well. Soundstage is noticeably better both wide and depth. Overall, I like Ares and Sphere matches.



Penon Audio Leo Plus:

Leo Plus is silver plated gold-silver-palladium alloy cable from Penon Audio. I haven’t tested with other earphones yet but it matches with Sphere really great. It improves all frequencies top to bottom. Trebles are more pronounced and detailed; it extends better in every way. Also, instruments separation is much better and more distinguishable. Mids are more forward, thicker and it adds some body. Bass goes little bit deeper, but the biggest improvement is much more controlled and tighter with Leo+. It also improves soundstage both depth and width. Overall, Leo+ is great partner for Sphere.



Verdict:

When Penon Audio start to make cables, I wasn’t sure about their sound quality and I had some suspicious about their success, but they did a great job. They’ve released many good cables which I am using with some of my TOTL earphones. After the success of the cable they decided to release their new IEM, and I knew at the moment that I’ve heard it will be good iem. Sphere is very impressive earphone and its retail price is bargain for its sound performance. All the frequencies are alive and dynamism is so good to listen. Gambling with the 1 balanced armature was a little bit risky for the first product, but they did a great job. Sphere is great earphone bottom to top and it deserve some attention at this price range.

Before reviewing, let me share technical aspects and package details.
And also, I would like to thanks to Piotr for this great opportunity.

https://thecustomart.com/

https://thecustomart.com/fibae-4/





Specifications:

Single low, Single full-range, single proprietary high, single proprietary super high

Top Firing Balanced Armature Drivers

Flat Impedance technology

115dB @1kHz @0.1V

Low % THD

8.1 Ohm @1kHz (+-0.95 Ohm 10Hz-20kHz)

10Hz-21000Hz (+-20dB into IEC 60318-4 coupler)

Custom or Universal fit





Package Details:

– Carton box

– Peli 1010 case

– Zipper case

– Wax pick tool

– Drying pellet

– Warranty card

– Ear tips in 4 sizes (universal fit only)



Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold Diana

Astell & Kern AK120

Opus #1

THX AAA 789

Emotiva Big Ego



Package, Design;

Fibae 4 comes with a black box that is the same as their other products. Inside of the box, there is Pelican 1010 case and mini zipper soft carrying case with tips and cleaning tools. I’ve always been a big fan of Pelican 1010 case to store my gears, and probably I have more than 10 Peli1010 case at home. Package is not fancy and unboxing experience is not so impressive like some brands, but everything you need is in to the box.

If I have to choose only one company that has the most beautiful earphone design, I would pick the Custom Art. They make the amazing beautiful earphone; you should check them on their Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/thecustomart/?hl=en They did a fantastic job with my Fibae 4 which is the cutest, sweetest, prettiest earphone that I have ever had. It looks like a candy and I feel like I’m going to get a delicious taste if I eat it. I am hundred percent sure that all the babies want to eat it when they see. Build quality is fantastic as expected, no flow, no defect, nothing, it is beautifully made. 2 pin socket feels super solid, and it is so tight. I had a hard time to took it of the stock cable. Stock cable looks great and it is better than most of the stock cables but the only thing that I don’t like is its memory wire. Unfortunately, I don’t like memory wire and I never find good fit on it. F4 (Fibae4) doesn’t have a big shell, on the contrary it is fairly small. Its rounded edges and ergonomic design make it super comfy. I’ve used it many hours and I haven’t felt any pain or discomfort issues at all. I believe no one would complain about its comfort.



Sound:

Normally, when I listen to earphone for the first time, I could understand how is the sound signature in first minutes, but with Fibae 4, it took longer than I thought and I couldn’t make any judgements. I decided to burn in like 50 hours than try to get used to its sound, and it started to give some result. The indecisions of the beginning that I faced are disappeared and I fall in love the Fibae 4’s sound. Fibae 4 sound is typical V shape, with powerful bass which hits like Thor’s hammer and relaxed smooth trebles with laid back, detailed mids. Overall sound is tad of dark but don’t let this mislead you, all the details and nuances in the music are there and easy to hear. The high frequencies are not in front of the other frequencies and are generally creamy and smooth. Mids are leaned backwards but it provides good amount of detail. Bass is the locomotive frequency of the Fibae 4. Extremely strong and deeper which dominates the overall presentation. One thing that I quite like about the bass, its articulated and natural presentation. Bass is not dry and dull tonality in despite of balanced armature drivers, on the contrary it has a very natural and organic presentation.

Fibae 4 has smooth, relaxed trebles that never harsh or sharp. It puts pretty enough space to separate the instruments and support to soundstage wideness in a good way. Although its dark presentation, it’s energetic yet detailed. It’s laid back but it never fails to show its ability to bring details. You may not clearly hear the details in the very first listening, but when you get used to it, you will notice that all the details and resolution hidden in the upper frequencies are actually there. Upper trebles missing some extension and dynamism but it makes easy to listen for long hours. This reminds me the Um Pro30 some way. But I would like to tell that some people might want more quantity, so this might not be a good option for treble-head people. Generally, trebles play well, but not as remarkable as bass or mid frequencies.

Bass frequencies might be the star of the show, but there is another hidden gem on F4 which is the mid frequencies. It is laid back and step up behind of the overall sound but it has fantastic details and pattern of the sound that produces. Layering an imagining are also great on mid frequencies. Stringed instruments are not dry and it has natural timbre. Mid bass doesn’t give any stress and it plays airy and clean. Vocals and instruments’ location are easy to distinguishable. While listening to Above & Beyond, it creates an incredible atmosphere like in the club and all the sounds spread out to the stage and vocals can be heard clearly without narrowing the soundstage. I fall in love its mids tuning with every vocal Trance track that I listened. As a result, Fibae 4 became my latest favorite EDM genres earphone. Smooth and mellow presentation doesn’t give any fatigue and although its dark sound never become muddy, ever.

Who said that balanced armature driver doesn’t have punchy bass like dynamic driver? Well, Fibae 4 will destroy those thoughts right away when you hear it. It has a huge bass that rumble of your bones and puts a big smile on your face then it pushes you to open another bassy tracks to listen it over and over and over again. Bass is super enjoyable to listen and there is a plenty of power on low frequencies and it reminds itself with every song that you listen. If I remember correctly, talking about more bass quantity than SE846. Although the bass is quite high in quantity, it does not tend to spread out or dominate the entire sound frequency, but it has some minor bleeding in to the mids that don’t bother me at all. The bass doesn’t dazzle in speed, but it still offers pretty good speed in this regard.

he soundstage is quite wide and simplifies to listen instrument and positioning. Air between instruments are great. The depth provides a good amount of space and help to improve layering an imagining. Background is not pitch black but it is pretty clean.



Cable Rolling:

Effect Audio Origin:

Origin is limited budget series of the Effect Audio cables’ and I got 2 set of them when they released. To be honest, Origin doesn’t make any drastic change on Fibae 4 and its sounds almost similar with the stock cable. Bass is punchy, deep and mids are laid back. Tonality is almost same, but Origin adds some extra brightness on overall sound. The only change that I noticed is on the highs. Highs are slightly clearer and more prominent than the stock cable. Soundstage remain same or I didn’t notice any change. Overall, improvements are mostly nuance and there are no big differences between stock cable and Origin. After comparing stock cable with the Origin, I come to conclusion that stock cable is really great in terms of sound.



Rhapsodio SGD2.98 MK2:

SGD2.98 MK2 is gold plated silver cable from Rhapsodio Audio and its overall signature is warm, lush and smooth. When I try with the F4 I just realized in very few second that it won’t be a good match. F4 sound is already smooth, extra warm sauce make it dark and almost muddy in this sense. The main improvement on the bass frequencies, it hits more, goes deeper and at the same time it loses its control and bleed in to mids. Only positive improvement on the soundstage, it adds more width and depth make it more holographic. Overall, it is not good match with F4 for my personal taste.



Effect Audio Ares:

Ares is the well-known cable on the community and it deserves its good reputation. Due to its budget friendly price, it is the most popular product of the Effect Audio lines as well. F4 and Ares are not the best pair but still they have good synergy. As expected from a copper cable, bass quantity is slightly increased and feels more controlled and tighter. Mids are slightly forward and thicker than the stock cable. Trebles are same in quantity but presentation is cleaner and clearer. Soundstage is better on both width and depth and also there is more air than the stock cable. Ares matches good with F4 but still it’s not what I looking for.



Penon Audio Leo:

Leo is a pure silver cable from Penon Audio, and this is the best cable on my hand to match with F4. Bright and open presentation of the Leo makes great soulmate with smooth and warm sounding Fibae 4. Bass stays in same quantity but it is much tighter and more controlled, and also slightly faster than the stock cable. Mids are more open and natural, and also the distance between vocals are slightly more forward. Trebles are clean and clear which Leo mostly touches on high frequencies. There are noticeably more sparkle o highs and details are more audible. Soundstage is more open and wider as expected and, instrument separation is much better. Overall Leo is great match with Fibae 4 which I am using it with F4 right now.





Comparison:

Fibae 4 vs Fibae 2:

Both F4 (Fibae 4) and F2 (Fibae 2) looks geourgeus looking IEM. F2’s space concept design is one of my favorite and anyone who sees loves at the first second. F4 design is completely different and its super sweet colorful design hard to dislike. There is no much to say about qualities and design, both earphones are top notch in this sense. F4 body is little bit fatter and more rounded shape while F2 is slightly slimmer and also its nozzle is little bit longer. Both are pretty comfortable and no issue with the fit. These are coming with exactly same type of box and only difference is the stock cable that F4 has. Sound wise, F4 is better in every technical aspect from F2 but that is all about personal preferences. F2 has more forward and upfront presentation, while F4 has more open and V shape like sound. Bass is more authoritative and powerful on F4. It hits harder and goes deeper. F2’s bass is more controlled, slightly faster and it takes powers on the mid bass. Both are definitely bassy earphones. Mids are more forward and centered on F2 while F4 is more laid back and distance. Due to its forward presentation, F2 has more melancholic and romantic presentation while F4 has typical V shape mids, but F4 is more detailed and better on resolution. When I start to compare side by side, I felt F2 has more in treble quantity but after some couple of tests I realized that F4 has slightly more in quantity. F2 has well extended, clear and detailed trebles. Both are good in quantity and quality. Soundstage is better on F4, wider and more open while F2 has limited soundstage and its forward mids has big role in here for sure. Both earphones are great in terms of sound, build and design. As I mentioned before, it is all about preferences.





Fibae 4 vs Nocturnal Atlantis:

Fibae 4 and Atlantis shares same number of drivers, but their presentations are completely different. Let’s talk about the design and build. Both earphones are beautifully designed. Material and build quality are top notch on both, no complaint here. Atlantis has golden space design while F4 has colourful dots. Sounds are totally different on both. Atlantis has more neutral reference like sound while F4 has more fun sound signature. Bass is much more in quantity on F4 and it goes deeper than the Atlantis. Atlantis has more linear and rolled off on bass when I compare to F4. Atlantis’ bass is faster and better on decay but F4 is punchier. Mids are more laid back and smooth on F4 while Atlantis has flatter and slightly forward. Trebles are more prominent and extended on Atlantis. Details and resolution are also slightly better. F4 is also detailed on trebles but Atlantis’ bright presentation makes it prominent and brings details more upfront. Stages are almost par and maybe Atlantis a bit of wider but hard to understand. Both earphones are great for specific genres. Fibae 4 shines with EDM, dance, pop, R&B while Atlantis better choice for Classical, jazz, country style genres.





Verdict:

Custom Art has a very special place in audio community and Piotr and his team create really amazing IEM in every new release. And, Fibae 4 has one of the amazing IEM that they made. Bass is so powerful yet detailed and mids are smooth as like hash brown and trebles are detailed and relaxed. Ergonomic shape of the body is great for long listening or outdoor. I don’t need to express of design, just as I said, check their Instagram page, they are building one of the best design IEM in the market. If you looking for a good IEM fantastic for EDM, Pop, R&B and also has an outstanding build quality and great comfort, I can highly recommend the Fibae 4.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Also, I would like to thanks to Penon Audio for this great opportunity.



Specifications:

8 cores pure silver braided cable

Carbon fiber material plug and splitter

Gold-plated plug

Weight：22g



Package Details:

Cable

Storage bag

Velvet pouch

Metal clip

Nylon Strip




Test Equipment:

THX AAA 789

Opus #1

Astell & Kern AK120




Package, Design;

Leo comes with the Penon cartoon box like their other cables. Package contents are exactly the same as Neo which is great. There is velvet pouch, wooden case, metal clip and nylon strip inside the box. I really like its rounded wooden case because it is great to use as an earphone case. Overall package, contents and unboxing experience are great.

Leo is 8 braided silver cable and big brother of Penon Neo silver cable. It's pretty thick but light for an 8 braided cable and surprisingly feels soft and ergonomic while using. There is no memory wire and it is easy to wear it. Y splitter, jack and sockets are black carbon fiber pattern that adds some elegance and it looks great as well. There is a gold Leo text on the Y splitter. Sockets have metallic red and blue circle line to identify left and right side. Cable looks gorgeous and it makes any earphone that you used beautiful. The important thing is the sound of course but the visual is also important. My cable has 2.5mm jack and 2pin sockets but you may select MMCX, 4.4mm, 3.5mm.



Sound Type:

Leo has typical silver cable sound character and it shows its best performance at upper frequencies. It adds more sparkle and extension to show more details and resolution. I've tried with my Fibae 4, Atlantis, Reborn and Leo improves the clarity and resolution level of all the earphones that I used. Reborn's trebles become more prominent and detailed, and mids are tad of laid back, but of course still forward (compared with No5). Moreover, bass is surprisingly doesn't lose its power and quantity which I like. And also, It makes Reborn’s bass more controlled and faster. Atlantis' bass frequencies are not powerful and deep but with Leo I feel the quantity of the bass is increased significantly, and again the top frequencies are definitely more detailed and distinct. Overall, Leo improves the top frequencies significantly, making the bass more controlled and better without reducing the quantity. It makes mid frequencies just a bit thinner and laid back. Tonality is bright but slight on warmer side.



Trebles:

Undoubtedly, treble is the best region of Leo. It takes quality of the high frequencies to a higher level and increases the level of details noticeably. Of course, a good synergy with the earphones used is extremely important. Leo has great match with the particularly bright or laid-back trebles earphone. It won’t be good with bright and prominent trebles earphones for sure. If I have to give an example of Atlantis, upper frequencies are more controlled and it improves the quantity. In addition, the presentation in general has become airier spacious. It makes the strings more prominent and detailed without causing an aggression and harshness. The progression of Leo has made on the top frequencies also contributes to the instrument’s separation.



Mids:

With all the earphones I tested with Leo has lost some weight on mids but that’s’ not a big a margin. In general, Leo takes back the mid frequencies a little and opens the stage. The best thing that Leo does is in the mid it improves the clarity and the sound definitely gets cleaner; it is very obvious when I compare the stock cable with Leo. Improvements of transparency and cleanliness of the mids are quite high. The vocals go back little in the stage, but it creates larger space and airy stage. Instrument separation is definitely better and can be heard easily. Again, to give an example from Atlantis, the cable is boosted the lower mids but Leo makes it tighter and relatively more controlled. Overall, the resolution and detail level of the mid is great and it has positive effect on soundstage.



Bass:

Bass is another great frequency of Leo and its quantity is impressive for a silver cable, but it is not like the copper cable in terms of quantity for sure. Leo makes bass tighter and also improves the speed and tight bass performance makes it controlled. Controlled bass helps clarity and doesn’t compress the other frequencies. Leo has a great bass response and the percussion is punchy. Atlantis’ bass is not powerful and deep but it is tight and controlled. Leo adds some weight to Atlantis’ bass but it still keeps tight and controlled without losing control. Overall bass performance is clean tight and slightly warm.



Soundstage:

Leo noticeably improves the soundstage both wide and depth. Not only it improves the soundstage, it also improves the instrument separation and details. It brings more detail, especially on upper frequencies. Airy and spacious soundstage is pretty great as expected from silver cable.




Comparison:

Leo vs PW Audio SC Silver:

Both cables are pure silver, PW is 4 braided while Leo is 8 braided. PW SC Silver comes in simple black cartoon box with cotton pouch. Leo’s package contents are richer and better. Both cables are beautiful and makes it look gorgeous. Although PW has 4 braids, it is stiffer which makes Leo more comfortable and ergonomic. Sound is similar but they are differing in bass department. Trebles are similar in quantity and quality but PW has slightly more extended and sparkle. Both are detailed and the resolution level on the top frequencies are great. Mids are slightly more bodied on Leo while PW is thinner and bright in tonality. Bass is more in quantity of Leo and it has more impact than the PW. PW has more controlled and tighter bass but it’s sacrifice quantity and weight. Soundstage is similar but Leo feels airier and more spacious.



Leo vs Rhapsodio RSD Silver:

Both cables are beautiful and their material and build qualities are top notch. RSD has 4 braids while Leo has 8 but they are almost in same thickness because of gauge differences of the cables. RSD is warmer and organic sounds cable while Leo is more on technical side and slightly bright when compare to RSD. Leo has more quantity and extension on trebles. RSD is organic and it has copper cable warmth. Mids are more forward and lush on RSD and it has more body while Leo is more laid back and thinner in tonality. Vocals are also more forward on RSD as expected. Bass is more in quantity on RSD and it has more impact but Leo is faster and tighter. Leo is clearer in presentation and the transparency is better. RSD feels more organic and natural. Overall both cables are great but they have different sound character.



Verdict:

Rich package contents, great craftmanship and material quality with great sound is really impressive for the retail price of Penon Leo. Market is so hot these days with the crazy price tags, and Leo brings some fresh air with its affordable price. It is a great performer silver cable and if you match with the right earphone it will improve all the sound to another level.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Also, I would like to thanks to Penon Audio for this great opportunity. Here is the link of the Shozy Neo BG: https://penonaudio.com/shozy-neo-bg.html



Specifications:

Driver: 5BA

Sensitivity: 118db

Frequency；20 Hz-20KHz

Impedance：22 ohm

Noise reduction: -25db



Package Details:

3 Pair Single Flange Silicon Tips

3 Pair Double Flange Silicon Tips

3 Pair Foam Tips

Shozy Neo BG Earhpone

Stock Cable

Carrying Case



Test Equipment:

Astell Kern AK120

Opus #1

THX AAA 789



Package, Design & Isolation;

Shozy Neo BG comes with small printed cartoon box. When you open the box there are carrying case and everything inside. There are 3 pairs of single flange silicon tips, 3 pairs of double flange silicon tips and 3 pairs of foam tips in the box. Package content is not rich but there is not much to complain.

Shozy Neo BG has only one-color option. Translucent black with gold nugget shell looks gorgeous and it is really beautiful. There is a gold Shozy logo on the faceplate, Neo BG name and serial number are located at the back of the shells. Nozzle is constructed with metal; it feels solid and its small size is easy to find after market tips. Shozy Neo BG has 5 balanced armature drivers per side. This is the second version which has 2 pin sockets instead of MMCX. I believe there is no sound difference with V1 and the only change has been made with the sockets. Stock cable is the thickest stock cable I’ve ever seen. This is like a rope and I believe it might hold pretty heavy weight. Cable is so beautiful; it is 8 cores braided with nylon shielded. I like its looks and feels that it gave. There is no memory wire which I’m super grateful for that. Cable Itself is thick but soft material makes it easy to carry and it never gets tangled.

Isolation is great with the proper tips, so I don’t have any complaint here. Stock tips are great but I found RHA Dual Density ear tips are better to my ears.



Sound Type:

Sound is natural and slightly bright which brings so many details on surface. Highs are star of the show for me, so detailed, extended and rich and it adds extra dimension to the sound and makes the details easy to hear. Mids are tad of laid back, timbre is neutral and slightly bright. Lows are tight, fast and it doesn’t mess up with fast passages. Sub-bass doesn’t reach deep but it has fairly enough power to taps your toes. Soundstage is airy and wide; it never feels congested. Instrument separation, detail level and resolution are top notch.



Trebles:

Highs are the most prominent area of all frequencies. It is extended pretty well and has a nice sparkle without being harsh. Its bright presentation makes the soundstage airy and it puts enough air between instruments. Presentation of treble is fantastic, it is accurate, detailed and sparkly. Some people may find it just a bit bright but I can contentedly say that it is in safe zone. No sibilance, harshness or ear drilling peaks at all. If you use with super bright source you may hear some stress on highs but still it will be in tolerable level I believe. Resolution level is pretty impressive for its price. Cymbals, crushes every instrument are clearly presented. Overall, Shozy Neo BG is so generous earphone to bring details, so you can hear so many details that you never heard before.



Mids:

The mids are neutral and detailed, but a little laid back since there is more bass and treble sparkle on overall sound. Frankly, it is a bit lack of musicality and dynamism, but it has great detail and high level of resolution. If I have to choose only one word for Neo BG, it would be the details. It is pretty successful to make it audible to every detail in the music. Vocals are not in front of your face; it is slightly centered on the soundstage and felts laid back. Both male and female vocals are good to hear but it is missing on emotion, and naturality for my taste. It’s not dry or clinical but I prefer just a bit warmth on sound. Overall mid frequencies are very detailed and good for serious listening to hear micro details.



Bass:

Bass is well controlled and tight which doesn't muddy up the rest of the sound. It is not much in quantity and if you want bone shaking, rumbling bass, it is not for you. It goes deep but don’t expect too much. It has a good amount of weight, it is not bleeding or dominating the mids, it is tight and it never lose its control, even though fast passages. Tonality is dry which typical balanced armature sound. When I listen EDM I felt little lack of punchiness and wish it was a little more in quantity. I just criticized but it has right amount actually but for my taste I would prefer little more. By the way, you can always add some extra warmth with pure copper cable, Penon Fiery has a good match with Neo BG, it adds some weight on bass and make the overall sound slightly warmer.



Soundstage:

Neo BG has quite wide soundstage that is better than average in this price range. All the instrument placement is in wide area and easy to listen. I like instrumental music and mostly listening Le Trio Jeoubran, Renaud Garcia Fons, Pink Martini etc. on my stereo system or my portable setup. Listening stringed instruments like violin, guitar, oud is a great experience with Shozy Neo BG and the space between instruments are easy to discriminate. Depth is not the best but layering and imagining are good for its price.



Comparison:

Shozy Neo BG & Audiosense T800:

Both earphones are beautifully made and they look gorgeous and also, they have only one color option, so that means doesn’t have any other color option. Neo BG looks fancier because of its gold nugget shells. Both earphones are super comfy to my ears but Neo BG is slightly might be better due its small size. T800 has 8 balanced armature drivers per side while Neo BG has 5. T800 is using industry standard MMCX socket on the contrary of Neo BG’s 2 pin socket. Package and contents are similar but T800 feels more elegant, but its stock cable is not as good as Neo BG. Neo BG stock cable is fantastic and I don’t feel to upgrade it. They sound so different. Neo BG has neutral, bright and more accurate sound while T800 has slight warm, rich and vivid sound. Neo BG’s trebles are more detailed, prominent and sparkly, no doubt. T800 is not as bright as Neo BG but still it holds great details and resolution. Mids are thicker and bolder on T800, it is more musical and engaging which Neo BG is more neutral, accurate and reference like. They both are shining with the right genres. T800 is very pleasant to listen EDM, R&B or Rock, at the same time Neo BG is great for classical, jazz, vocals or instrumental music. Bass is more in quantity on T800 and it hits harder and goes deeper than Neo BG. There is more weight and punch as you expected. Neo BG is tighter, faster and more right in quantity. Soundstage is wider on Neo BG but there are no big differences. Both earphones are great on sound, it’s all about preferences.



Shozy Neo BG & Nocturnal Atlantis:

Atlantis’ price is almost twice of Neo BG, but I decided to compare them because their sound signature is very similar. Both earphones are made with acrylic and shell design is very similar. Both are super ergonomic in my ears and also both are so beautiful. They have the same 0.78mm 2pin socket type. Atlantis have 4 balanced armature drivers while as you may know Neo BG has 5 drivers per side. Both earphones’ sound is neutral and both trebles have highlighted. Neo BG has slightly more extended and sparkle trebles than Atlantis but quantity is very similar. They both sharing same tonality, bright and neutral. Although they have similar tonality, they are differing in mid frequencies. Atlantis is slightly more forward and vocals are more upfront while Neo BG has laid back and slightly centered. Atlantis’ low mids are little bit thicker and it makes sound more bodied. Bass is more in quantity on Atlantis, it goes little deeper and hits harder but just a small margin. Soundstage feels wider on Neo BG but I can say that it is almost the same. Detail and resolution levels are also similar, Atlantis is slightly better but not as twice like its price. Neo BG is surprisingly amazing earphone and it is easily stand out much more expensive earphones. Impressive.




Verdict:

Shozy is a well-known brand in audio community and they have many good products like, dap, dacs, and earphones. This is the first time that I’m hearing one of their products that makes me pretty impressed by its sound and build quality. Shozy Neo BG is shining star for its price. It’s not hiding any details and its crystal-clear trebles are better than most earphones that I’ve ever heard at this price. Furthermore, it doesn’t refrain from any other expensive earphones to challenge them. Sound quality is above its price and it’s hard to see at this price. Build quality is also fantastic and it looks gorgeous which is hard to dislike its design. Due to its shape, comfort level is very good for long listening session. All in all, Shozy Neo BG is very good earphone up to down, also it won’t hurt your wallet.

Before starting this review, I would like to share the technical aspects and package details.

Also, I would like to thanks to Oriolus for this great opportunity. Here is the link of the Percivali; https://www.en.oriolus.jp/product-page/percivali-jp

https://penonaudio.com/oriolus-percivali.html




Specifications:

Percivali JP

Body Material: Photopolymer

Transducer Type: Electrostatic Driver*2 - BA Drivers*2 - Dynamic Drivers*1

Sensitivity: 113dB/mW

Freq. Response: 10Hz～40kHz

Impedance: 16Ω

Cord: High Grade silver (PW Audio)

Plug Type: 3.5mm mini stereo




Package Details:

Silicone Eartips (S M L 2-flange-M)

Foam Eartips (S M)

Cord Clip

Cleaning Tool

Protect Case (Vannuys)

Round Twin Tube (Vannuys)




Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold Diana

Opus #1

Dethonray DTR1 Prelude




Package, Design & Isolation;

Oriolus Percivali comes with a simple carton outer box that has an Oriolus logo on the top, but don’t let this mislead you because everything changes when you open up the box. Inside the box, a high quality Vannuys case welcomes you. Most of you will recognize the Vannuys brand, they produce high quality cases for audio equipment and this one is no exception. Percivali’s case is amazingly made and you’ll have the option of using it as a vertical case-like pouch, or a regular top-cap open style. The case is pretty big so it provides plenty of space for the Percivali. Also, it has a round twin tube for the earphones themselves, so you can prevent scratches and other possible damages while in the case. Simply put, I love the case and the material quality and this might be the best stock case I’ve ever seen. There are a couple silicon tips with S, M, L sizes and some foam tips, cleaning tools, and chord clips inside.




The Percivali is a beautifully made earphone and its shape is the same as the previous models. Percivali’s size is smaller than the Reborn and it fits better on the ears. Reborn is fatter and bolder than the Percivali but I haven’t felt and fit problems with the Reborn anyway. Percivali only has one colour option and has a wood faceplate with translucent smoke grey shells, I really love how it looks and it has an elegant and premium design. Like other Oriolus’ models, Percivali also has a 0.78mm 2 pin recessed socket. To be honest, I am pretty happy that they didn’t change their sockets to MMCX. I know there are some robust MMCX sockets out there but I still prefer 2 pins. Percivali has 1 dynamic driver for the bass frequency, 2 balanced armature drivers for the mids and 1 electrostatic driver for the high frequencies. The latest flagships of most companies come with a triple driver design and Oriolus is one of them.




The cable is another amazing part to the Percivali. As you might know, Hyla and Oriolus have a collaboration with PW audio and all of their earphones come with the PW Audio cables, aside from some entry level models from Oriolus like the Finshi and Forsteni. The Percivali comes with a high-grade PW Audio silver cable and I believe this is made only for the Oriolus Percivali because I’ve never seen it before in their product line. The cable itself is similar, or maybe even identical to PW 1960s cables, and as you can guess the quality is top notch. The cable has a 3.5mm jack, but there is an option for both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced. The cable is double braided and the outer material is made of nylon sleeving which both looks and feels solid. The cable isn’t super soft but it is tangle free and easy to use. Also, there is no microphone issue with this cable. Its sad to see some companies’ flagship models coming with horribly cheap stock cables and I hope Oriolus gives them some courage to change so they can all include high-quality cables.

Overall, the package quality is simply the best I’ve ever seen, The cable, case, and earphones themselves are premium and I’m happy to loudly applaud Oriolus for this.



Sound Type:

First of all, this is my first time hearing electrostatic drivers earphones, so I can’t compare them to other brands’ models, but I will use the Reborn for comparison at the end of my review. I really don’t know where to start but Percivali is the new king of my heart. It is an impressive and unique hybrid earphone. That electrostatic driver has some magic that’s for sure, but the overall mid presentation and bass response is truly fantastic., Oriolus’ house sound is easy to recognize if you are familiar with their lineup and has a warm and slightly coloured signature. This is not bass heavy but the bass reaches deep enough to satisfy and it has good extension and weight. The treble is… oh boy - it extends crazy good and you can hear everything that you shouldn’t have to hear. Resolution and detail level are easily the best I’ve ever heard. Presentation is crystal clear. Soundstage is impressible airy, wide, and all the instrument placement is easy to pin point and the low to highs show off every flaw in the records.



Trebles:

Where the Percivali really shines is the high frequencies. When I first listened to the Hyla CE-05 I was pretty impressed by the trebles that I heard, its extension and sparkle was different than anything I’ve heard before. I couldn’t imagine better than that, but I was wrong. Electrostatic drivers are a game changer and Oriolus did a great job with their tuning. The treble extensions, sparkle, decay, and details… everything is fantastic. Electrostatic drivers absolutely add extra dimensions to the sound that I’ve never experienced before. Space and depth are extremely high, so each instrument can be heard clearly. Crashes, bells, and all other instruments are crystal clear. This is something else, and much different than the balanced armature or dynamic drivers sound that they produced. Tonality is neutrally tuned. Even with high quantities of trebles, there was no harshness or sibilance. I have never experienced this before and I’ve listened to my sources with different records. You might think it must be tiring with long listening but I can honestly say that I’m so comfortable after 2 hours of listening. The reason is that the trebles are not harsh and sharp, but quite smooth and soft at the top end. Percivali never lost control at higher volumes, which I tested with AC/DC’s Thunderstruck and some other AC/DC songs. It has excellent speed and very nicely handled the fast passages. I don’t want to exaggerate and maybe I used so many “best” words, but I’ve got to say it again. These are the best earphones I’ve heard, both in terms of resolution and details. Tons of details are easily audible in music, you might not even want to hear them - every good, bad, and record fault is there. Overall, I’m super impressed by the high frequencies and this is a way different experience than other earphones



Mids:

Percivali’s sound is U-shaped and the mids are more laid back than the other frequencies, but vocals are slightly forward. Mid frequencies are over shadowed by the high and low frequencies, but sound is musical with great tone and balance throughout. Tonality is a bit complicated. The lower mids are slightly thin, which makes the mids a little weak and dryness and brightening in the upper mids make it lifeless with some music. This can be a bit more obvious with some stringed instruments and It reminds me of the CE-05 in this regard. I wish this area was a little fuller. The resolution and detail levels are extremely high as would be expected from a TOTL earphone. Every timbre in the instruments, and slightest change in the vocals can be heard easily. Like the high frequencies, mids also have a bright presentation and it isn’t possible to talk about the dark presentation. It’s like Percivali’s aim to target clarity on all frequencies. Both male and female vocals are very good on the Percivali which creates emotional atmosphere. Vocals are not too far ahead and will make a lot of users happy by their positioning. You are not face to face with vocals like Reborn, but it’s not positioned far back either. Although it is an earphone that I would call bright, the control in the upper mids are really good and it will never lose its control.



Bass:

Hyla TE5B have one of my favourite bass performances on earphones up to now, but with the Oriolus Percivali, I’ve found a new leader. TE5B is still amazing and I love how it produces its bass, but Percivali is better on control, tightness and details. Bass are fully filled, slightly warm, and have vert soft notes. It is tight, controlled, and satisfactory in quantity. Bass has good authority and it reaches pretty deep but it is not at bass head level for sure. Overall, tonality is slightly warm and the smooth bass notes are hitting on the softer side. It sounds a little on the thicker side with stringed instruments but it doesn’t feel exaggerated. Bass never comes close to bleeding mid range and never pushes the overall sound with its power, it plays in its place. Substantially, dynamic drivers are slower than balance armature drives and only exceptional dynamic drivers are not as slow as the other DD. Percivali’s dynamic driver is doing a good job and it doesn’t show any weakness in this regard. But of course, it is not as fast as a BA driver as well. I listened to some progressive house tracks, and the bass has more than enough punch and rumble to leave you impressed.



Soundstage:

Percivali has a wide and airy soundstage that creates an amazing imagining. You can hear and feel every instrument in its place without any effort. Crystal clear highs make a great impact on the soundstage. Background is not the best but it is quite black. Razor sharp separation, Imagining, and layering are fantastic and probably the best I’ve heard. Speaker like presentation and airy atmosphere dive into your head and it brings your musical experience to another level.



Comparison:

Percivali vs Reborn

The old flagship against the new king. Actually, this is not a fair comparison because Percivali has a different driver configuration and its way pricier than Reborn, but this is not a dog fight and I’ll try to explain how different they are. Both earphones’ body shapes are similar in terms of design but Percivali is slimmer and smaller than the Reborn. Reborn is bulky and fat. They both fit well into my ears, but Percivali is better due to the size. Reborn’s stock cable is the legendary PW Audio No5 and Percivali has the PW silver cable. Sound wise, Percivali is better in every aspect. Its technical capacity and detail level are something else. But technical supremacy doesn’t make it the best because we hear differently and everyone has their own personal taste. Treble is much more extended and the sparkle on Percivali, an it is sharper than Reborn. Actually, Reborn also has nice treble sparkle and extends pretty well, but it cannot match the Percivali here. The Reborn sounds good too, but until you step up to the Percivali. I haven’t experienced but Percivali’s razor sharp treble response may give some fatigue in a long listening session for some, so Reborn is better in this regard. Mid range is the hardest part to compare for me. Reborn’s mid range has a special place in my heart and I still prefer its romantic and lush presentation. Percivali on the other hand, is more refined, airy and detailed than the Reborn. As I said before, technical performance is not the key for listening to music. Vocals are much more upfront and in your face on Reborn, while Percivali is more laid back and centered. Reborn’s bass performance is phenomenal, and I like its bulky powerful low end. Reborn is more like a body builder that has plenty of muscle, while Percivali is more like a fit and tight sprinter. Reborn has more quantity and weight on the low frequencies and its a tad bit slower than Percivali. Percivali is more controlled, tight and he knows what he’s doing. Percivali’s soundstage is wider and deeper and has a more holographic presentation. Reborn is more intimate but absolutely isn’t narrow or congested. Overall, Percivali has better performance without a doubt. Resolution and detail level, technical capability, and overall sound performance are hard to beat, but Reborn still shows how it is special with its sound and after many years it will still be.




Verdict:

I’ve either owned or listened to almost every Oriolus product (except for Mellianus) and every one of them have their special tonality and sound. I briefly listened to Finschi and its sound was very impressive for its price. Reborn is one of my favourite earphones and Forsteni is another amazing hybrid earphone. Oriolus doesn’t have a super side line-up and they are releasing some new earphones every year. I assume they don’t want to lose their focus with 7-8 products that may hinder their success. And I believe they have achieved a lot. They did an amazing job with their new flagship. Percivali’s sound is beautifully made and its technical capability is completely different than their previous models. Hyper detailed high frequencies with beautifully smooth and detailed mids easily impress. Bass performance is one of my favourites as well. Musical and warm presentation won’t compromise any details or resolution. Percivali is one of my favourite TOTL earphones currently and it has become my best earphone for listening to just about everything.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

Also, I would like to thanks to Penon Audio for this great opportunity. Here is the link of the S6 Rui;

https://penonaudio.com/fearless-audio-s6rui.html



Specifications:

Driver: 6 balanced armature (1 Sonion compound low frequency, 1 Sonion compound middle frequency,2 Knowles independent high frequency)

Impedance: 20 ohm

Sensitivity: 116dB/MW

Passive noise reduction: 26dB

Frequency response range: 20Hz-20kHz

Connector:2pin 0.78mm

Plug:3.5mm



Package Details:

Fearless S6RUI earphone

Eartips 4 Foam, 3 (SML) SpinFits and 3(SML) Black silicone.

Leather Carrying Case

2-pin SPC 8 Core cable

Shirt clip

Cleaning tool

Metal plaque with information pertaining to the model



Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold

Astell & Kern AK120

Opus #1



Package, Design & Isolation;

I think Fearless Audio has changed their package design recently. Old package was simple yellow box but now, S6 Rui comes with white designed cartoon box. Inside the box, there are leather cover case, tips, warranty card, and cleaning tools. The carrying case is really fantastic. It reminds me the Anole VX leather case both as design and color. Case has nice touch and its size is pretty enough to keep S6 Rui inside of the box. This is pretty impressive because most of the earphones come with simple carrying case at this price range. It is nice to see that Fearless Audio improves their products and package quality day by day. Cable is another great thing of S6 Rui. Its stock cable is really great and I don’t think I will upgrade it.

My S6 Rui has K9 faceplate with translucent A5 shell design, but there are many other customization options for it, and you can select different designs. And also, you can make your own design as well. This is my second Fearless Audio product and I’m familiar with its shell design and quality. Earphone itself has ergonomic shape which provides good fit and isolation. Built quality is fantastic. No blemish, quality defect or QC issue on it. Like other Fearless products, it has also industry standard 0.78mm 2 pin socket so you can use aftermarket cables with S6 Rui. Isolation is great, no complaint here. I got pretty good seal with the silicon tips. S6 Rui’s body design makes a great comfort and isolation in ears.



Sound:

S6 Rui is pretty well known iem in the audio community and I guess almost every person who buys it loves at the very first sight. Its sound like a dynamic driver, it has nice energy with dynamism and also provides nice detail in every frequency. S6 Rui is some of few earphones that I heard like this kind of bass performance. It is pretty impressive for a balanced armature driver; it hits hard and sub bass goes pretty deep. Mid frequencies are laid back but vocal sound is slightly forward. High frequencies have nice sparkle and extension and it’s prominent on the overall sound.



Trebles:

The upper frequencies are slightly bright, airy and well-extended. A tremendous feature is that the trebles do not loose their control too much. In general, the S6 Rui has a V-shape sound structure, so I can say that the trebles are quite prominent. The fact that the prominent presentation does not make it sound perfect or good by itself, but it is important how it is tuned. In general, I like the tonality of the upper frequencies as well as its control. There is no metallization in the treble, and it has a natural presentation. I did lots of tests with my favorite Le Trio Jeoubran album, and treble does a really good job on stringed instruments. The separation of the instruments and the airy presentation on stage are pretty impressive.



Mid:

Mid frequencies are smooth, easy to listen and overall presentation is soft and does not pressurize the stage in any way. Mids are smooth and its detail and resolution level are quite impressive. It is not shy to give many details in music. Mid frequencies are generally laid back than the other frequencies. Tonality is slightly colored and warm. You feel this coloration especially in the instrument’s sounds, the instruments play a little thick and meaty. In fact, lower mid has a big role in here. Vocals seem to be centered on the stage, and it doesn't seem like you hear it all over the scene. Detail level is good to hear every single detail in the music.



Bass:

Basses are at top of the area where the S6 Rui is the most successful. Basses are really strong, bulky and they don't have any problems about reaching deep. Another thing that surprised me is the beats of the bass are reminiscent of the dynamic driver. Both hits and tonality are very similar to the dynamic driver. Sub basses can go deep very well. I said it was like a dynamic driver, but let me emphasize that you can't get close to a powerful dynamic driver. I love the sound performance of the armature drives, but I think they are a little weak in generating sub-frequencies. Most armature driver headphones are dry and dull with lower frequencies, of course there are some very well tune earphones out there, they are exception. At S6 Rui, I think I can say that it is included in this class. Not dry, not weak or slow, it is very dynamic and natural beats in this regard. Although the bass is strong, it is extremely fast and controlled. It's not the fastest armature driver I've listened to, but in that sense it's definitely good. Overall the bass performance is quite pleasant to listen to and the prat feeling is quite high.



Soundstage:

I can say that the soundstage is wide and deep enough to create room for vocals and instruments. But there is no exception here. It is not the best in its class, but it is better than the average I believe. The instruments and vocals can play from pretty wide area and it is easy to listen. Background is black and clean. It provides clean and clear presentation.



Comparison:

S6 Rui vs Atlantis:

These are two different earphones both as sound characters and technical details. S6 Rui has 6 balanced armature drivers while Atlantis has 4 balanced drivers. Both earphones’ material and built quality are fantastic. S6 Rui’s sound is dynamic and rich, it has nice bass slam with extended trebles. S6 Rui takes its power from the low frequencies and it adds body on the overall sound. Atlantis is slightly warmer and it sounds is reference like. Of course, not exactly reference but its neutral and balanced sound signature bring it closer in that sense. S6 Rui is much more enjoyable earphone. Bass is more powerful and pronounced with S6 Rui. Its bass hits almost like dynamic driver, actually its bass performance is better than some dynamic drivers. Atlantis is less authoritative and when it’s compared to S6 Rui, it feels bass light. Roll off on the bass becomes more apparent. Atlantis bass is tighter and faster, but not a big margin. Mid frequencies are bolder and thicker with S6 Rui while Atlantis has airier and more neutral. Instruments sounds are more realistic on Atlantis. S6 Rui is playing instruments bold and chubby way. Soundstage is wider and airier on Atlantis. S6 Rui has also wide soundstage but Atlantis’ gives better feeling. At the end, both earphones are pretty good for sound but it depends on your preferences. If you are looking for a fun signature, powerful bass with dynamic earphone, go for S6 Rui. Atlantis sound is totally opposite. Neutral, balanced sound makes Atlantis almost reference earphone, and if you are looking for that, go for it. But Atlantis’ price is almost double on S6 Rui.



S6 Rui vs Audiosense T800:

Lately Audiosense T800 is one of my favorite iem under 500$ which its sound is really impressive. It has 8 Knowles drivers per inside and configuration is like; 2 dual drivers for high, 4 mid drivers for mid, and 2 drivers for low frequencies. Both earphones’ material and build quality are top notch, no complaints here. Sound wise, they are sharing some similarities in sound. Both S6 Rui and T800 have extended and sparkling trebles. S6 Rui is little bit more extended and it has more energy than the T800. T800 is more relaxed and smoother without effort. S6 mid frequencies are more laid back and it’s like dominating with low and upper frequencies. T800 mids are more pronounced and more upfront than the S6 Rui. Vocal is also forward on T800. But earphone has nice details and timbre on mids but T800 is just a bit better for my taste. It is more romantic and natural feeling. Bass quantity is similar in quantity but S6 Rui hits a little harder. Soundstage is wider and deeper on T800 but that doesn’t mean S6 Rui is narrower. It is also wide and pretty deep but T800 puts more air and space between instruments.




Verdict:

Fearless is a very fresh company but they already made many amazing earphones, and a lot of people using their iems with pleasure. S6 Rui is one of them, and great iem which deserves its popularity in the community. Dynamic and engaging sound with easy to love tuning make S6 Rui as a all rounder. Its powerful bass performance accompanied with smooth and detail mid and prominent clear treble.

All the body and material quality are fantastic. Stock cable doesn’t need to upgrade, it is already good looking and sounds beautiful as well. Leather carrying case is not a usual thing to see in this price range which is great. Overall if you are looking for balanced armature earphone with warm and detailed sound, S6 Rui is a great option for its price.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.

This is the link where you can get the DTR1: https://penonaudio.com/dethonray-dtr1.html



Specifications:

Micro SD card supported

Color: Black

Format Supported: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF/DSF, OGG

Sample Rate Supported: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz

Line-out & Earphone output

Battery 10 hours

Frequency Response: 20Hz ~ 20kHz

105db SNR

0.008% THD

Max Power Output: 1.7Vrms+R: 1.7Vrms+L (16Ω)

Dimension: H100 W56 D16.4 (mm)



Package Details:

DTR1 Digital Music Player

USB Cable

Charger Cable



Test Equipment:

Fearless S6 Rui

Nocturnal Atlantis

Campfire Andromeda

Astell & Kern AK120

Lotoo Paw Gold



Package & Design:

DTR1 coming with black cartoon box and it has power charger and usb cable inside. There are no any other accessories like screen protector or case. Package contents are a bit disappointing but it has everything you need.

DTR1 doesn’t look fancy like some other daps on the market, but it has cleaned and simple design and somewhat it feels nice quality in your hand. The unit dimension is 100mm x 56mm x 16mm which It is quite small and handy. You can carry it anywhere you wish. The screen quality is decent and nothing special to mention about. There are 5 physical buttons on the front side. Left and right buttons are mainly changing settings, folders. Up and down buttons are like forward and backward and the center bottom has mainly as select/enter function. Right side of the unit has up/down volume button with power button and micro sd card slot that supports up to 256GB. (I tried with 400gb micro sd card and it works without any issue) All the buttons are easy to access and very easy to manage. Rear side of the unit has glass and it looks gorgeous. Bottom side has line out, headphone output (3.5mm) and usb/power socket. DTR1 is a beautifully made device, and ergonomic body will be slid into your pocket.



Techinical:

DTR1 uses single AK4490EQ sound chip inside. I always find AKM chipsets more musical and warmer than the Sabre chipset, but of course it is all about tuning. Here are some details about chipset and amp circuit.

DTR1 selects AK4490EQ for its reliability and specific sound performance, the chipset supports up to 32Bit/768K and switchable digital filters offering different auditory experience. AKM, since its first delta-sigma D/A converter (DAC) in 1989, strives for reproduction of the original sound. Such becomes the philosophy” Velvet Sound” aiming at providing an active space in the reproduction of sound just like a live performance.

In pursuit of “Real Live Sound”, an important part along the signal path – LPF (Low pass filter) adopts two TI OPA1611 on each channel (L/R). Together with the AK4490 chipset the design illustrates a very lively, dynamic output. The amplification circuitry features a mature AD8397 implementation with low distortion, super loading capability not to mention slew rate of 53v/us and 69M bandwidth, further boosted with ±7V power supply. The ideal power supply breaks limitations in shaping sound, achieving powerful, clean sound with effortless extension.



Power and Hiss:

DTR1 looks small but it’s powerful as Hulk. This little device has some serious power inside and it drives my HD6XX very easily. Probably it is enough to drive all IEMs in the market and most headphones. With the high gain I’ve listened Andromeda with %10 volume which is quite louder to listen. High gain with HD6XX is enough to drive with %60 level. It’s really impressive for such a small unit.

There is some hiss on the background and it is more audible with sensitive earphones like Andromeda, Zeus, or Solaris. But Dethonray minimizes the hiss level with the latest firmware. In case you still didn’t upgrade it, I would highly recommend to do it.



Firmware - UI:

DTR1 has quite fast and simple UI which reminds me Lotoo Paw Gold in that case. Both devices are focusing to usability and they don’t care about fancy animation or gorgeous looking display. When you press the power button it takes like 4-5 seconds to be ready. UI is quite responsive and fast. Micro Sd card's scanning time is also another great thing about the DTR1. It scans my 200gb card for a very short time. Overall, I quite impressed by the UI and it is better than most of music players that I have.

Play screen shows all the details like; artist name, song, bit rate…etc




Settings menu screen. There are language, play mode, backlight, brightness, cue settings.



Gain selection, Filter, Auto shutdown, database upgrade and factory reset section.



You can change your backlight time 10 to 60 seconds or always on.



You can change your screen’s brightness.



Low or High gain selection.





Battery Life:

Battery life depends very much on how the battery is used and there are many parameters for that like screen brightness, volume level, gain etc. Dethonray claims it'll last for 10 hours, and I got approximately the same battery life. This is pretty enough and I don’t have any complaint about it. I would like to criticize the battery adapter. I wish they had charge on USB because adapter is hard to carry with you if you need it.



Sound:

DTR1 sound is far better than its retail price. Period. I don’t want to exaggerate but it’s true. Its sound dynamic and engaging. The liveliness of the sound comes at the bottom to top of the audio spectrum. General sound is clean, natural but a little bit colored. DTR1 is a bit warm side, and playing a relatively thick note. Detail and resolution levels are pretty impressive. Actually, better than some of the expensive Daps on the market.

The upper frequencies are spacious and distinct. It does not fall behind the lower and mid frequencies as a quantity. The presentation is very forgiving and it does not have a character that makes mistakes prominent in the music. It is not aggressive and uncontrolled; on the contrary it is highly balanced. The treble is slightly brighter but this brightness is not like peaky or sibilance point. The treble has a beautiful natural tonality and it is effortless. The treble is never too cold or lifeless and the resolution is also extremely successful. It is possible to hear all kinds of instruments. I can say that it helps to expand the soundstage because it puts the gap between the instruments pretty well. The notes are a little bolded and but it is not as like AK120 or another warmest DAP.

One of the best parts of DTR1 is the mid frequencies. Although the mid presentation is not forward, the tone plays lightly colored, emotionally and naturally. The notes are a bit warm and bold which makes full bodied presentation. The harmony of the mids with the bass and treble are really great. There is no grain or veil in the mid frequencies. The upper mids are highly controlled and slightly thick, depending on the earphone/headphone. The vocals are slightly laid back and positioned in the middle of the stage, not from a wide area. The level of resolution and detail is certainly very successful. There is no distortion at high volumes.

DTR1 has good weight and extension on the low frequencies and It is not bleeding or dominating the other frequencies, it is doing its job when it calls. If there is a bass in the music, it hits without exaggerating, not boomy way. Bass has nice decay and prat and it has nice amount of quantity. There is a natural rumble and articulated with smooth timbre. It never loses its control, but I liked authoritative bass response and I wish the bass had a little more in quantity, but as I said, you can always add some extra slam with the filters. Bass has nice detail and resolution overall.

Soundstage is not the best I’ve heard but it is pretty wide and airy to listen. The best part of the soundstage of DTR1 is the separation and positioning of instruments in fast passages. Every instrument clearly selectable and I really impressed by layering and imagining in this respect. The layering of positioning provides a high level of distinction to the listener.



Comparison:

DTR1 vs AK120:

Both DTR1 and AK120 sharing some similarities in terms of tonality and musicality but they are differing in some other way. AK120 is one of my favorite Astell & Kern players and after many years still loving this little device. Both players’ physical size and battery life are very similar. Ak120 is powerful enough to drive most IEM and it can drive some headphones but it can not match with DTR1 in this regard. DTR1 is crazy powerful DAP for its size. Sound wise, both are musical and they have lively and engaging sound. AK120 is darker and veiled and its upper frequencies are laid back. Overall presentation of the AK120 is smooth and dark. DTR1 is also musical and it is on the warmer side, but upper frequencies are more prominent and detailed. Far detailed actually. There is adequate space between instruments, so separation is much better on DTR1. Mid frequencies smoother and forward on AK120 and vocal sound is more in your face while DTR1 is slightly laid back and there are more rooms between instrument and vocal. AK120 has more quantity in bass department and more boomy than DTR1, but it is losing its control and sometimes it dominates other frequencies. On the DTR1 bass is more controlled and tighter with nice slam. Soundstage is wider and deeper on DTR1, bright trebles has some role on here. Overall, they are sharing musical and dynamic presentation but I can easily say that DTR1 is far better DAP than the AK120.

DTR1 vs Lotoo Paw Gold:

For my personal taste, LPG is one of the best players I’ve ever listened. It’s sound and build qualities are phenomenal. Opposite to some people, I really love its unique design and bulky structure. LPG size is bolder, bigger and heavier than the DTR1. Both daps’ firmware are amazingly fast and responsive. No lag, no wait, no issue. Battery life is also almost same like 10 hours. DTR1 is seriously powerful music player and it is almost powerful as like LPG. Sounds, DTR1 and LPG are very different animals. LPG has aggressive and prominent upper frequencies with more bright presentation while DTR1 is more controlled, slightly smooth and musical. LPG’s technical level is higher than DTR1, but musicality is better on DTR1. When I listened side by side, I found LPG’s tonality is a bit dry and dull. Don’t get me wrong I love LPG sound and still the one for me, but DTR1 is so delightful and detailed yet. Resolution and detail level are better on LPG as you expected but not so much. LPG is more capable device with its PMEQ equalizer and you can significantly change the sound. Overall, LPG is still better but it is 4 times expensive than the DTR1 and it is not better 4 times. Frankly, price and performance are amazing with DTR1, that’s for sure.



Verdict:

Well, Dethonray has greatly done of their first dap DTR1. Its sound performance is truly amazing and it is easily challenge to the more expensive dap on the market in terms of sound performance. Heavy duty amp power is great to have which you can listen your power-hungry IEM or headphones without any power issue. Fast and responsive UI is also great. If you want a high class, high performing player and small and almost powerful enough to drive anything on the market, go and buy it. I don't think any other dap can match with DTR1 in price and performance ratio. Hype deserved.

I would like to thanks to Penon Audio for this great opportunity. Here is the TSMR-3PRO’s link:

https://penonaudio.com/tansio-mirai-tsmr-3.html



Specifications:

Unit driver:3 balanced armature

Color:9 colors available (for faceplate) transparent clear color cavity.

Frequency range: 15Hz-20kHz

Impedance: 15ohm

Sensitivity:113dBL/mW

Reduce noise:26dB

Connector: 2pin 0.78mm

3 independent drivers each side

6 independent drivers on both sides

1 Knowles ED29689 and 2 Knowles CI series customized low frequency driver

3 crossover, 7 tuning switches, 12 frequency division components on both sides (USA and Japan imported high quality components)

Low frequency sound tube channel combination + high frequency independent catheter + damping and other physical tuning technology



Package Details:

Earphone

5 pairs of Eartips

Earphone case



Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold

Astell & Kern AK120

Opus #1




Package, Design & Isolation;

Tansio Mirai TSMR-3Pro comes with simple white cartoon box. There is a big black case inside the cardboard box and the entire package is in this case. The package content is not bad at this price. There are lots of tips, a magnetized carrying case, cleaning tools, tuning switch pin. I would prefer hard case instead of that magnetic soft rubber case, but that’s fine.

The earphone design is very stylish. White faceplate and transparent body color are quite beautiful. You can make custom faceplate as well as many different color options. There are silver color brand name and logo on the faceplate but as I said, you can choose different customization options. TSMR-3Pro uses industry standard 2 pin (0.78mm) pin socket. You can use stock cable or you can upgrade it. The shape of the TSMR-3Pro is extremely ergonomic and it has a like ear-shaped design. I did not have any complaints for long periods of use. There are switches on the back of the earphones and they are pretty solid and not flimsy. Stock cable looks good and the cable itself is black 4 braided with 2 pin connectors. There are Left and Right marks on the connectors. Thanks god there is no memory wire and it is easy to use it. The isolation is also very successful and sound is not leaking outside. But like all other earphones, it depends on what kind of tips you are using.




Sound:

There are 3 switches and you can select from 7 different sound tunings with lows, mids and high switches. TSMR-3Pro has slightly warm bass, with smooth and slightly laid back mid and relatively prominent trebles. All switches have some affect on their frequencies but the difference between them is not drastic. Differences were mostly just a nuance and I listened mostly all the switches are down.

Probably treble is the best part of the TSMR-3Pro. The detail and the resolution level of the upper frequencies are impressive at this price. The sparkle and the extension are quite high. It is airy and spacious which makes the positioning of the instrument easy to hear. I have not come across any sibilance or harshness and never noticed any uncontrolled tones in the fast passages or multi stringed instrument parts on the music. Detail and resolution level are pretty impressive. TSMR is source sensitive and its sound character is drastically changing with the sources. In my listening with the AK120, the tops were slightly muddy and grainy, but when I listened with Opus # 1, I got a great clear clean performance. It is quite successful and natural when it is combined with the right source. It doesn't make any mixing in the music and keeping its control. Overall, lively and airy presentation of the high frequencies is quite good, especially for its retail price.

The mid-frequencies are slightly leaned back and the overall presentation is lively and dynamic. The details are quite good and the presentation is musical. Even though the mids are slightly back into the overall frequency, the vocals are relatively forward. The vocals are smooth and realistic. I find it more successful especially in women vocals. The lower mids are a little lack in quantity, but with their success in other areas it doesn't bothered me. Overall, the quality of mid is pretty successful but slightly missing in low-mid quantity makes the sound little bit thin.

The bass is not dominant and it has a nice authority in overall presentation, but this is not for bass-head level that's for sure. Bass frequencies are sufficient in quantity and I can say that it is ideal for many types of genres. Some people may still want more in quantity for sure. Basses are not dry and it doesn't feel artificial, timber is relatively natural. Lack of power and boomy type of beats offer advantages such as speed and recovery time. Sub-bass is not too deep and relatively rolled off, but this is not a problem for many types of music. Although it's not good for EDM genres, it does well with other genres. In general, bass is quite successful with a quick and tight presentation and a relatively adequate detail and resolution.




Soundstage:

TSMR-3Pro has a spacious soundstage and there is no problem either horizontally or in depth. It is airy and roomy enough to perform successfully on stage. With its clean background, the instruments are quite comfortably located on the stage, and are listenable without mixing and losing their resolution.




Verdict:

At 200$ - 300$ level competition is pretty tough in the market and there are many good earphones in this price range, and TSMR-3Pro is one of them. If you want it to get slightly warm, musical with highly detailed earphone, you might want to look at TSMR-3Pro. This is a great sounding earphone for its price. And also 7 different tuning option is great for whoever wants to play with various sound signature.

Let me share technical aspects and package details before review it.

And also, you can buy both TE-5B / TE-5T from Hyla website or Musicteck;

https://www.hyla-audio.com/shop
https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/hyla



Specifications:

Driver type (per channel): Balanced Amateur x 2 Dynamic x 1 Piezoelectric Ceramic x 1

Sensitivity: 97dB@1mW

Frequency response: 20Hz-45kHz

Impedance: 12Ω

Cord: PW Audio 1.2m 2pin high grade PCOCC with silver plated copper.

Plug type: 3.5mm mini stereo with gold plated




Package Details:

Hyla TE5B earphone

PW Audio cable

Foam eartips (S M L)

Silicon eartips (S M L XL)

Cleaning tool

Nylon earphone case (Van Nuys collaboration)




Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold Titanium

Opus #1

Astell Kern AK120



Package, Design & Isolation;

Hyla TE5B is coming as the same box with CE-05. Outer cardboard box has simple design and there is a gold Hyla logo on it. When you open the box, things start to change. Beautiful TE5B and Vannuys storage case are presenting in satin fabric and it feels premium. Like Reborn and CE-05, TE5B is also made by Germany imported resin and Hyla Audio used 3D structural design in their earphones. Hyla went to design change with the new TE series and personally I like it more. Body shape is different than CE-05 and it feels more comfortable to my ears. By the contrast of CE05, Hyla put some logo on the both faceplates of TE5B. I have to admit, CE05 is a beautiful IEM and I like its clean design and color but I always wish some logo on it. Hyla Audio must hear that and they printed logo and text on the faceplates. TE5B has nice blue translucent color and there is no other color option. I like translucent shell, it is beautiful to see all organs inside of the TE5B. TE5B has 1x piezoelectric ceramic super tweeter which produces amazing high frequencies. It is accompanied with 2 Sonion balanced armature drivers and 1 10mm dynamic driver. There are total 4 drivers with 3 different type of drivers.

TE5B’s fit is perfect for me. This is not a small earphone but their longer nozzle and ergonomic shaped shell make it great fit in the ears. I don’t think there will be some fit issues but maybe some small ear might get an issue. Isolation is better than most of the earphones that I tried.

Hyla made a collaboration with PW Audio and they come with beautifully made PW Audio SPC cable. Cable has 3.5.mm gold plated jack. I’ve never tried TE-5B with another cable in my hand but its stock cable is already beautiful. If they were sold separately, I would definitely buy it. Hyla’s another collaboration is with the Vannuys. Like CE05, TE5B is also coming with Vannuys nylon case. It looks and feels beautiful. Also, TE-5B is coming with 3 sets of foam and 4 sets of silicon tips.



Sensitivity and power:

Lotoo Paw Gold has some background noise and it became my official sensitivity testing gear. I’ve heard some hiss with TE5B but nothing serious. For example, if I have to give hiss level score, Andromeda should be like 10/7.5 with LPG and I would give the TE5B 10/3. In terms of hiss, it is way better than Andromeda. Also, there is no noticeable hiss with any source in my hand. Hyla TE-5B loves power. You don't need a powerful amp to run TE5B, most of the daps and some phone drove them easily, but more powerful amp will make TE5B sound better, that's for sure.



Sound:

Probably most of the people are curious about the differences between CE-05 and TE-5B, and let me answer some of those questions. Is there any sound difference between two earphones? Yes, absolutely there is a difference in terms of sound. Is it significant? No, they are not significant or huge but they are noticeable and if you have a complaint about thin mid range of the CE-05, TE-5B has nice improvements in this area. Should I have to upgrade from CE-05 to TE-5B? It’s up to you. Last year I just lost / stolen my backpack and my CE05 has gone sadly, so I cannot compare them side by side, but I remember thin and laid-back midrange of CE-05. Bass is more or less same but I think TE-5B is more prominent in this area. Only thing that I can criticize is the lower volume performance. The TE5B sounds amazing at high volumes, but it lost its magic at lower volumes. I'm normally listening at medium or high volumes but at nights, mostly listening at quite lower volumes and TE-5B a little compromise its performance. Nothing serious.

TE-05 is a great successor of the CE-05, Hyla Audio has improved the weakness in the mid frequencies that the old model has, so TE-5B now plays meatier and it has more body on overall sound. It’s not thin anymore. High frequencies are amazingly clear and impressive, thanks to piezoelectric ceramic driver. It produces an amazing clarity and detail. Bass? It is another story. TE5B is by far the best bass response earphone I’ve heard. I couldn’t find any fault on this area and there is nothing to say about it. I don’t know what kind of bass driver it is or what Hyla did, but it is doing great job.



High Frequencies:

High frequencies are another favorite part of the TE-5B. Piezoelectric driver is freaking detailed and extended. The upper frequencies are extremely generous, but there is no harshness or disturbing sharpness. The extension of the treble is spectacular. You feel the sound of the bells in the track till the last frequency. Each instrument can be heard and there is an extremely clean space between them. The treble may seem a little shiny for some, but I don't see it as annoying. There may be some stress in the upper treble area, especially with the bright sources, but I can say that it has not reached a disturbing point even though listened loudly. The instruments come from neither thin nor thick notes, and I find it quite successful in this sense. The level of resolution and detail is definitely quite high. The TE-5B is very successful in giving micro details. Piezoelectric technology seems to bring a new breath in this regard. Of course, technology is not the only thing, however tuning is more important. Especially these days, there is a driver war out there and TE-5B is very successful at this point. It is doing a better job than the some of the earphone who has 6 upper frequency balanced armature driver.

Articulation and coherency are simply great. It feels like you're listening to music with all its nakedness. I haven't had a chance to listen to the TE-5T yet, but it's hard to believe or understand how TE-5T can have more amount and resolution than TE-5B. In addition, prominent and forward trebles have a positive impact on the soundstage. The perception of the stage is particularly spacious and airy. Overall, trebles are super detailed and it has fast transients.



Mid Frequencies:

The prominent upper frequencies make us think that it will create a weakness in the lower frequencies, but the TE-5B shows it is better tuned than the CE-05 in this sense. There is absolutely no problem of lack of body in the mid frequencies and it has bodied and full.

While moving up to the mid frequency range, TE-5B is continuing to impress. TE-5B is more bodied than the CE-05 and there is a certain fullness in the sound that I was missing before. There is a crispness and overall fuller sound on it. They are not dominant over other frequencies, on the contrary they are smooth and laid back. It’s laid back in the general spectrum, but the vocal presentation is slightly forward and front of the instruments. The TE-5B did a fine job with both the male and female vocals. It’s smooth in overall, but still retaining great amount of detail and vocals, jazz, instrumental sounds are enjoyable to listen. There is a coloration on the mid frequencies and this is especially noticeable in instrumented vocal songs, but the instruments don’t feel artificial and you feel the instrument with all its naturalness. Mid frequencies are very clean and clear, and the lower mid doesn't affected from mid-bass and does not come out of control. The upper mids can be a little peaky on some tracks, and literally this is the only things that I can criticize for about mid frequencies.



Low Frequencies:

The bass response of the TE-5B blows me away, it’s layered, textured and imaging is top notch. Some of you know this feeling. In some concerts or clubs, bass hits into your body, you can feel every beat in your entire body. This is like bass has infiltrate into your body and hitting it from there. Here is the TE-5B reminds me of this effect when I listened. The bass has breathtaking impact and depth. One of the best features is, it is not compress other frequencies and play without bouncing. It does not lose its resolution or details. The bass are hitting from sweet and warm tone. There are many balanced armature earphones that has very successful bass, and one of the best examples is U12 and S-EM9 (according to my listening experience). After listening to the TE-5B, the S-EM9 feels very artificial and dull. I don't have U!2 anymore and I cannot compare it but I don't think any balanced armature earphone can compete with the TE-5B in this regard. The TE-5B prat is simply amazing. The bass has a very high sense of music. Quantity of the bass is at pretty satisfied level, but some bass addicted people may want more. Of course, it is possible to increase the amount of bass by using eq, but I never thought of doing it. The bass is very successful in technical terms. Its resolution and separation are extremely high. I think the Mid-bass have a very good tune here. If it would less, it will make feel a little thin, though a bit more mid-hump, but it has been tuning in a very right place. The recovery time of the bass is quite good for the dynamic drive. It doesn't mess around in fast passages.

Overall bass performance is simply breath-taking.



Soundstage:

The TE-5B has a wide stage both horizontally and vertically. The imaging is extremely precise and the location of the instruments is positioned successfully in the stage, so they are clearly distinguishable. The scene is very natural in its transverse and doesn’t add an artificial width. All the details in the music also presented clearly and the background is quite dark and clear.



Hyla TE-5B vs Oriolus Reborn:

Reborn is one of my favorite IEM in my collection and I would like to keep it till it’s dead. (I wish this never happen. Amen) I always love its emotional and powerful sound and it has a special place in my heart. After Reborn vs CE-05 comparison, now it’s time to compare with TE-5B, and this time it’s going to be a tough one.

Both earphones are great in terms of comfort. TE-5B is little bit bigger than Reborn but it doesn’t have any comfort issue, on the contrary it fits better than Reborn into my ears. Aesthetically, both iems are beautiful. Reborn’s solid black shell color and gold Oriolus text on the faceplate looks premium and elegant. On the other hand, TE5B is looks more sport and dynamic due to translucent blue color and big shiny silver logo and text. Both earphones are coming with PW Audio cables. Reborn has legendary No5 cable while TE5B has some silver-plated copper which is special collaboration with Hyla Audio. I’ve never wanted to upgrade to any other cable yet, they sound already great.

Both Reborn and TE5B has 4 drivers but they are differing in driver types. Reborn has 3 balanced armature drivers with 1 single dynamic driver while TE5B has 2 balanced armature, 1 dynamic driver with 1 piezoelectric ceramic driver. I would like to mention that, these are not reference type of earphones and they are not trying to produce accurate sound or tonality. Their priority is musicality instead of accuracy, so I am judging in this regard.

Finally sound. Reborn has bold, thick and dark sound and its magic in its mid frequencies. On the other side, TE5B shows its magic in every frequency. Although bold, forward dominant mid frequencies, Reborn has nice sparkle and extension in the highs. It’s extended really well and it has nice detail and resolution, but…but TE-5B is better in every way. That piezoelectric driver doing really great job and its extension, detail and resolution is another level. Separation is clearer and more distinct. Every instrument has own place in the soundstage and it’s never mixing each other. Reborn is still great and its performance still totl class but TE-5B is better in this area. If I have to describe in one word for them, I would use for Reborn is smooth, TE-5B is sharp. Mid frequencies are still better on Reborn, at least for my personal preferences, but that doesn’t’ mean TE-5B is not good. The sound coming out of the Reborn is more full-bodied than TE-5B but this not a huge difference. Reborn is forward, and thick mid frequencies has a big role in here. To be honest, TE-5B has more air and space between vocals and instruments in the stage but somewhat I like that forward, romantic presentation of Reborn. TE-5B is more laid back in mid and it has nice body like Reborn. Bass is better on TE-5B, period. Reborn has nice impact and rumble and its bass performance is really impressive as some of you know, but TE-5B is much better and I don’t know how it is achieved. This is the best bass I’ve ever heard from any iems to the date. Bass is never losing its control and never felt slow. (of course, not as fast as like balanced armature drivers) It has nice body and it reaches really deep. Reborn is still great and I like to listen some bassy tracks on that, but TE-5B is just superb. Soundstage is horizontally better on TE-5B, it has more space between instruments and air and also the imaging is much better than the Reborn. Reborn also has wide soundstage but forward mid frequencies feel more intimate when I compare with TE5B. Both has nice depth and more or less very similar.

In the end, I can clearly say that TE-5B is a better earphone than the Reborn in overall. Its extended, super detailed high frequencies and phenomenal bass presentation are hard to beat. I would like to mention again, that bass is something different than anything I’ve heard. Reborn is still amazing iem low to high frequencies for me and I know some people might prefer Reborn over the TE5B due to its smooth and creamy presentation because TE-5B is not as good as Reborn for long listening. These two bad boys will be stay in my collection forever, both are amazing, both are super enjoyable earphones.



Verdict:

This is the second-generation products of the Hyla Audio’s and they made a nice impact on the audio community with the Nerva-X and CE-05 earphones. And now, I think they hit the spot with their new TE-5B too. I really love its phenomenal bass performance, super detailed high frequencies with level of instrument layering and imaging. The new stock PW Audio silver plated copper cable is also really great with TE-5B and I think no need to upgrade it. TE-5B might be the most excited earphone that I have and also, it might easily be an endgame earphone for who are looking musical and detailed sound signature.

Also, like the CE-05 Hyla Audio made TE-5B only 200 units, it is limited run and it is not going to be produced again. If you miss the opportunity to get CE-05, you can jump on it.

Specifications:

8 shares, single share contains 49 cores, a total of 8 × 49.

18K OCC gold-plated cables

The solder joints is silver–contained tin

Carbon fiber metal splitter and CNC integrated slider

Copper Gold-plated plug

Cable length: 1.2M

Package Details:



Package Contents:

Cable

Storage bag

Wooden case

Metal clip


Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold

Opus #1

Astell & Kern AK120

Hifiman Megamini

Earsonics S-EM9

NocAudio Atlantis


This is the link where you can buy the GD849; https://penon-official.com/



Package, Design;

GD849 comes like other Penon cable cases. The contents are also exactly the same. I won’t complain about anything because I like the velvet pouch and that wooden case. I already said that in my previous review but I would like to say again. In this price range, this is the best package content I’ve ever seen. When unboxing, it feels premium with those presentation. Velvet pouch, cable clip, wooden case and Penon patch are all great. All in all, I really liked the package and contents.

GD849 is a really beautiful cable which I like that flat braided design. Cable color is gold and it looks like a luxury necklace. My cable has 2.5mm jack and 2pin sockets but you may select MMCX, 4.4mm, 3.5mm or some other options. The cable itself is pretty thick and heavy but I never had any issue with them. Cable is not thin, so you may need some big case for your earphone and cable to store. Cable itself feels solid and sturdy and it is built like a tank. Also, the material is pretty soft. I like the finish and metal Y splitter. Another great thing about GD849, there is no memory wire like other Penon cables. I don’t know what you guys think but I hate memory wire, and I never get any good fit with them. Overall, I am very pleased with the package content, comfort and quality of GD849.



Sound:

When I got the cable, I was thinking that it must be warmer and darker cable, but I was wrong. Yes, it is slightly warm but it is not dark or muddy. Overall sound is warm, energetic and detailed. If I have to describe in one word for GD849, I chose the “musicality”. Treble is smooth yet detailed and prominent. I tried with my Earsonics S-EM9 and when I switched from stock cable to GD849, sound became alive. S-EM9 has one of the detailed IEMs in the market. After switching to the GD849, it absolutely improved the details and it has more treble sparkle than the stock cable. I have heard more details in the music and it added clarity and air which feels soundstage wider. Although up front high frequencies, it is not harsh or sibilance. Mid frequencies are smooth, energetic and lively. S-EM9 mids a tad of recessed and GD849 adds some body and slightly pulled forward. Low mids are more bodied. Also, vocals came forward and overall sound got little bit thicker than the stock cable. Vocal presentation is more emotional and smoother. Instruments timbre feels bolder than it should be, but it is not reference cable and it is focusing more on musicality. Bass is the best part of the GD849. It is more controlled and it goes deeper than the stock cable. S-EM9 bass is one of the best-balanced armature bass I’ve heard after 64 Audio U12, and GD849 improved the bass performance of S-EM9. Bass goes deeper and it is more layered than the stock cable. One thing that I don’t like, it is make bass response slow. GD849 makes soundstage is wider but not a huge improvement, but depth is much more sensible level. Overall, I like the S-EM9 with GD849 but some people might don’t like that warm and thick sound.

Also, I tried with my Nocturnal Atlantis IEM, and I am pretty impressed by the result. Atlantis has neutral with slightly warm sound signature and sometimes I want to hear more authoritative bass response. GD849 add that authoritative bass that I missed. The bass is balanced and rich but not heavy or overpowering, extends very well. It is also controlled and does not sound muddy. The mids are a bit forward and thick which makes vocals and most instruments sound little bolder. The treble extends well and it has a nice sparkle without being too much. GD849 matches great with neutral and slightly bright earphones. Synergy between GD849 and Atlantis are better than the S-EM9. I tried GD849 with my Oriolus Reborn but I didn’t like the sound. Bass became boomy and it makes mid hump very prominent. Reborn’s sound is already thicker and extra sauce makes it too much for me.





Comparison:

Vs Effect Audio Ares :

EA Ares is one of the most popular cable in the market and I also quite like them. GD849 and Ares have two different sound signatures and they are differing in many ways. When I compare them side by side, Ares is brighter and more linear than the GD849. Upper frequencies are more prominent and airier with Ares. Actually, GD849 is also prominent but warm sound signature makes them smooth and relaxed and it feels like laid back. Mid frequencies are neutral and slightly warm with Ares. GD849 has forward and thick mid presentation and that bolder notes make vocals emotional and smooth. Bass is more emphasis with GD849 in terms of quantity and quality. Ares has more controlled and tight bass but when I compare side by side it feels laid back. Soundstage is airier with Ares but depth is better with GD849.



Vs PW Initial :

Initial is one of my favorite cables and they share some similarities with GD849. Both cables are 8 braided and they look very similar. Sound wise, Initial has smooth and relaxed trebles like GD849 except a tad of laid back. Both cable’s trebles extend pretty well. GD849 is a little bit airier and separation is more definable. Initial mid frequencies are slightly less forward and bright than GD849. GD849 is more forward and thicker than Initial. GD849 bass is punchier and it goes deeper than Initial. Initial is more controlled and it has better layered and detailed bass. With warm source GD849 feels little bit slow. Both Initial and GD849 have great sense of soundstage but Initial feels wider and airier due to its brighter presentation compare to GD849.



Verdict:

Panon Audio keep producing great cables like other models that they have made. GD849 is another great cable in terms of sound and material quality. It feels really expensive, and also looks expensive. Package contains are also great. GD849 is not the best cable in terms of transparency and it is not the largest sounding cable, but its musical and engaging sound signature add some liveliness of your lifeless earphone and moves to the next step. If you are looking for musical, warm and detailed cable, I can easily recommend it at this price range. Its retail price is absolutely steal.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details. Also, I am so thankful to Ken for this great opportunity.



Specifications:

5Hz–20 kHz Frequency Response

115 dB SPL/mW Sensitivity

10 Ohms @ 1kHz Impedance

Less than 1% Total Harmonic Distortion

24K Gold Plated Lid

Durable PVD Finished Body

Dual Custom Balanced Armature Drivers + T.A.E.C. (High)

Single Custom Ported Balanced Armature Driver (Mid)

Specially Tuned 10mm Dynamic Driver (Mid + Low)

Plasma enhanced Chemical Vapor Depostion (C.V.D.) Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon (A.D.L.C.) Diaphragm.

Beryllium / Copper MMCX Connections

Stainless Steel Spout


Package Details:

Campfire Solaris earphone

Campfire Audio Premium Leather Earphone Case

Campfire Audio Super Litz Cable

Final Audio E-Type Tips (xs/s/m/l/xl)

Campfire Audio Marshmallow Earphone Tips (s/m/l)

Silicon Earphone Tips (s/m/l)

Campfire Audio Lapel Pin

Cleaning Tool

Earphone Protection Sleeve


Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold Diana

Opus #1

Astell & Kern AK120

Hifiman Megamini



Package, Design & Isolation;

Solaris comes with the famous Campfire Audio box design, but this time box size is bigger than the other models have. When you open the box, first thing that you notice is the new leather case. Like the other Campfire cases, new case also made of quite high-quality genuine leather and again like other CA cases, inner surface is covered with soft cotton material. New case’s shape is square instead of other models’ rectangle shape. I really like the case, it feels and looks premium. Another great thing about Solaris is the new Super Litz cable. Cable itself is soft and tangle free and it looks gorgeous, but one thing that I don’t like is the memory wire. I wish it doesn’t have memory wire but you can get rid of it very easily. There are some instructions how to remove memory wire that some users already shared. Last new thing about package content is the new earphone protection sleeve. This is really great to store earphone safely. As you know, Solaris is made of aluminum and its paint can worn off if it hits somewhere, so this is great way to protect your earphone. Other accessories that come with Solaris are same as other models. Marshmallow tips, silicon tips and cleaning tool. In the and, package contents really great. Thumps up.

Campfire Audio made some design changes with Solaris, and this is way different than the old Andromeda, Jupiter, Atlas or Vega design. I really like the new design and color choice. Body size is bigger than any other CA earphones and ergonomically I couldn’t find any discomfort issue. It fits like a glove to me, but some people who has small ear might have some fit issue. Personally, I prefer Solaris fits instead of Andromeda or Vega. Overall, I do think that the fit and physical comfort of Solaris is very good. Like other CA models, Solaris is also made of beryllium copper MMCX connectors. I always prefer 2 pin connectors but Campfire is the only brand that I trust their MMCX connector, I never had any issue with Vega or Andromeda. Also, I never read any issues with their products about MMCX issue. In the past, there were some earphones that I gave up to order because it has a MMCX connector, but I can comfortably say that the Campfire Audio products are pretty solid in this regard.

Solaris looks really beautiful. This is the most beautiful IEM I’ve ever had. Much better than the pictures. Finish and workmanship are stunning. When I got the Solaris, I just looked like half and hour before listening. If you are using outside just be careful because it seems pretty like jewellery. Actually, it is jewellery.

Isolation is pretty good. I tried many different types of tips and I have never gotten any isolation problem. Also, Solaris very tip depends earphone. There is a slight difference in sound signature between some of tips and I’ll share my impression below.



Sensitivity:

Like Andromeda, Solaris has low impedance level, so you might get hiss with some of your sources. I’ve heard some hiss with my Lotoo Paw Gold Diana, and Megamini. AK120 and Opus #1 are much more acceptable hiss level when I compared to others. If you hear some hiss with your source, I can recommend to use ifi iematch which you can reduce hiss or minimize. Also, Solaris is easy to drive, so you can use them with any kind of source.



Sound Type:

Before getting my product, I’ve read lots of things about Solaris. Some comments say speaker like sound, some other says holographic soundstage and bass light. For me, the overall sound itself is crisp and clear highs, musical and detailed mids with forward vocals, and powerful and bodied bass. Presentation is neutral and slightly warmer. I find Solaris works well for a wide variety of music while my tastes towards Vocal, EDM and Jazz. Most of people are comparing it with Andromeda and if I have to follow that path, Solaris is more like homogenized Andromeda for me. I think the biggest differences between Solaris and Andromeda is in the bass department. Bass is more pronounced and authoritative with Solaris and sub-bass can go deeper. As many of you know, Solaris using the same dynamic driver with Atlas but more bridled way. Bass quantity is not like basshead level but it is absolutely powerful and enough to satisfy to many people who loves bass. Mid presentation is smooth and detailed. Vocals are the most part that I liked it. Both male and female vocals are fantastic. I really like Reborn’s vocal performance, it is emotional and smooth and Solaris is doing the same emotional vocal presentation with more realistic tone. Solaris’ treble is my another favorite part of the sound. It is silky smooth and highly detailed with good sparkle. Although prominent trebles, I’ve never ever heard any sibilance or harshness in this area. Soundstage is massively wide and deep.

Overall, I really like Solaris and it sounds really special. I was stunned what I was hearing and I didn't want to stop listening since I received.



Sound:

The treble is one of my favorite part of the sound. It extends quite well and has a nice sparkle without being too much. Who doesn’t like Andromeda’s highly extended trebles may like Solaris’ smooth and less spiky trebles. But of course, it doesn't extend like Andromeda’s highs. There is less treble energy and extension when I compare with Andromeda, but this is already more than enough I believe. Some of you guys knew S-EM9, its trebles are really detailed and prominent. When I switched back to the Solaris to S-EM9, S-EM9 felt like rolled off and veiled, but of course it is not. My ears are accustomed to the prominent trebles of Solaris, maybe you can guess more or less how much is the quantity.

As I said before, Solaris is really special in high frequencies. Trebles add air and space between instruments. Every instrument is very easy to listen. Cassandra Wilson – Tupelo/Honey Angel. Cymbal, trumpet, strings and every other instrument are crystal clear. I listen this song many times with Solaris. The reason that I listen many times is enjoyable to listen with Solaris, not because it’s a great song. It is great but not my favorite songs from Cassandra. I highly recommend Solaris owners to listen this song.

Trebles are very easy to listen to for long periods of time because of the smooth and relaxed tone. I have listened Nils Lofgren - Keith Don't Go Live Performance (it is available on Tidal) many times with pleasure. The guitar sound is extremely crisp and airy and you can hear every scratch and details in the music. Cymbals are clear and shimmering without sibling.

Solaris’ mid frequencies are well textured and tonality is smooth. Instrument and timbre tonality are a tad thicker. Overall tuning is U shape and mids are a bit recessed because of prominent bass and treble frequencies but vocals are pretty forward. One aspect that stands out in the sound of the Solaris is the vocal. Vocal presentation is forward and lush and it makes vocal sound emotional and smooth. Both male and female vocals are well presented. Lifelike instruments separation and smooth vocals that make you smile while listening music. Mids are rich and warm, and super clear with excellent separation between instruments.

I read some comments mentioning that Solaris has bass light and I couldn’t understand how its bass light. Solaris’ bass quantity is absolutely great in terms of quantity and quality. It is not like Vega or other bass heavy earphones but I never call it is lack or bass light. Of course, this is not bass head earphone, if you are looking like earthquake bass, Vega or Atlas are better choice that’s for sure. I love Andromeda bass, it is fast, detailed and highly coherent, but sometimes I wish it has a little bit more bass. And now with Solaris my dreams come true. Bass has great quantity level and it is not dominating or bleeding other frequencies. Also, it is not boomy or too exaggerated. Atlas’s diamond carbon dynamic driver doing its job greatly. Bass sounded so natural with just the right amount of presence that I really impressed. If you are a bass-head or who likes tons of bass I'd recommend look somewhere else, but Solaris’ bass is strong and powerful enough to feel punch and rhythm in the music. It's all personal preference though. Bass is well controlled and pretty fast for a dynamic driver. When I compared with my Oriolus Reborn, I noticed that Solaris’ bass is way faster and recovery time is noticeably better. The Solaris’ low-end is well controlled very well articulated.

Solaris’ soundstage is impressive to my ears. Not the best but one of the largest that I've experienced. With 3d and holographic presentation easy to pin point every instrument in the stage. I understand when people call it sounds like speaker. In some instrumental tracks, Solaris sounds like speakers are in front of you.



Solaris vs Andromeda:

Andromeda is one of the most popular and well-known IEM in audio community and Solaris has some serious trouble against Andromeda in terms of popularity because Andromeda’s glowing spotlight hard to shut down. But Solaris is not trying to beat it because it has very different sound character and technical specs. I know this is cliché but this is most like to compare apple and orange, so same as here, Hybrid and Balanced armature is not fair to compare, but let me do it gently.

The most distinctive differences between two earphones are "smoothness vs sharpness" and they harmonized the music from their own character. Andromeda sounds magical and crystal-clear highs are truly fantastic. Andromeda’s wow factor comes from its hyper detailed trebles and super holographic soundstage. The sound of Andromeda is astonishing and I’ve never heard that kind of presentation from any IEMs. On the other hand, Solaris is another animal. It sounds clear and vivid on first listen and it felts Andromeda sounds thinner when I switched back Solaris to Andromeda. Also, Andromeda does not make you feel excited as Solaris. This is where dynamic driver shows its power. Solaris have more body and bass is more dominant in general presentation. Andromeda bass is faster and quicker decay, but not by far. Solaris bass is surprisingly well controlled and faster than I expected from a dynamic driver. I’ve realized it better especially, compare to Andromeda. Instrument tones are more realistic on Andromeda. Solaris is much more musical and livelier, so it is not trying to produce reference like sound. I can say the Solaris' highs are silky smooth while Andromeda is highly sharp and it has more sparkle, but Solaris trebles don't extend as high as the Andromeda, because Andro has more sparkle in the treble. Both earphones are highly detailed in the treble area, but Andromeda shows its details more forward way while Solaris shows smoother way. Both Solaris and Andromeda have pretty wide soundstage but somewhat Andromeda feels airier. Solaris has better depth. Both earphones are pretty sensitive.

Well, there is no winner as you expected, there is a preference. Who likes flat, reference like sound and accurate tonality with amazing clarity, Andromeda is a better choice. On the other hand, who prefers warmer, bodied sound with high level of detail with resolution and breathtaking forward vocal present, Solaris is better. If I have to choose one of them. I choose…err…Solaris. Because it suits better than Andromeda to my personal preferences, but that doesn’t mean that Andromeda is bad or it lost. It is absolutely not. Andromeda is really special to me and always it would be. I’m happy that I’ve both in my collection.




Tips Rolling:

Before sharing my tip impression I’ve to mention that these impressions might change your experience because of ears anatomy, ergonomic wise and sound preferences. Also, all tips that I used are L size.


Spiral Dot;

Spiral dots are one my favorite tips that I have used, but with Solaris, I’m not impressed what I have heard. Bass has good rumble but somewhat lost their magic. Also, I couldn’t get good seal. I had to fix fit for every 10-15 minutes. I’ve never experienced this issue with my other IEM’s that I have.


Spinfit CP500

CP500 is the newest Spinfit’s product. It is designed for wider nozzle earphones. Nozzle diameter size is 5.5mm which is great for Solaris. Personally, new full black color looks great but what about sound? Well, sound is pretty disappointment for me. I tried with different sources but the result didn’t change. CP500’s outer material is pretty soft, and it makes sound thinner and bass light. I couldn’t get a good seal and the isolation was also disappointment. Tips are wrinkling inside my ear and therefore cannot provide a good isolation. I was very hopeful with these new CP500, but result was pretty awful.

Symbio W Peeled:

This is my favorite tips with Solaris. Fits well, sounds well, looks well. Symbio peeled fit is much more secure than Spiral dots and CP500, it is going deeper and giving a better seal. Treble is less energetic than the CP500 but still prominent. Bass is more authoritative and powerful than the other tips. Soundstage is felts narrower than AET07 but very close in this regard. Overall sound is prominent bass with nice tamed trebles. Symbio peeled better than original Symbio (with foam) to my ears.

Acoustune AET07:


AET07 is my 2nd favorite tips with Solaris. Main sound differences between AET07 and Symbio peeled is the high frequencies, but overall, they are very similar. On AET07 high frequencies are more prominent and clearer and it felts its soundstage is more open and airier. Bass is a tad of less punchy than Symbio peeled. Also seal and fit is very close to Symbio Peeled. I believe many people may like AET07.




Verdict:

Well, Ken did it again. Every Campfire Audio product have some impact on the audiophile community, and now it is time for Solaris. Like other successful Campfire products, Solaris is another amazing IEM. I am truly amazed by its sound, design, and build quality. This is the most beautiful IEM in entire Campfire Audio products for my personal taste. The new Super Litz cable that comes with is really great with Solaris and no need to upgrade. Sound wise, low to high is every frequency has some special tuning like Andromeda. This is not reference sounding IEM, this is more like musical engaging and dynamic IEM which always wants to dance with you. To wrap things up, Solaris is absolutely deserving new flagship status in Campfire Audio.

Also, I would like to thank to Campfire Audio price policy. Nowadays IEM prices goes up and most companies increasing their price with every new model, but Campfire Audio still tagging a great price and I’ve always respected. Hope they won’t change their price policy in the near future.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.




Specifications:
7 BA drivers per ear
3 sound bores
5-way passive crossover
Frequency Response: 10Hz – 22kHz
Sensivity (50Hz): 110dB/mVt,116dB/mVt,120dB/mVt и 124dB/mVt
Impedance (50Hz): 12 Ohm
Fixing the drivers and crossover inside shells without air cavities

Package Details:

In-ear monitors AM7LAM-U (universal fit) with black transparent shells
Silver detachable Ambient Cord with sqrewthread plugs and straight 3,5 plug
Engraved waterproof case
IEM wax tool
Dehumidifier capsule
Carabiner
Service Manual + Warranty card



Test Equipment:
Lotoo Paw Gold Titanium
Opus #1
Astell Kern AK120
Audioquest Dragonfly Black



Package, Design & Isolation;
AM7 comes with solid black Pelican 1010 case. When you open the case, beautifully made AM7 shows up. Also, cable, screwdriver, silica gel and some tips come within the package. Package’s contents are not rich but it is satisfying. Maybe one thing is that more tips would be welcomed. When I saw the pictures of universal AM7 earphone, I was not impressed. Simple looking, black earphone and there is no fancy faceplate or shell design. However, when I received the AM7, I was quite impressed in terms of design and material quality. The pictures are absolutely misleading because It is much better than the pictures. Body shape is not same as the current earphone`s design. It is more like big bold SM-64. It is not identical of course, but both inside and outside of the shells are flat like Earsonics SM-64. I have to admit that this is a big earphone and people who have small ears might have some fit issues. My ears are average size and I didn’t feel any discomfort. I only felt a little bit pressure on my anti-helix part of my ear in long listening but that`s not a big issue.

AM7 is a quite heavy earphone but it never falls down from my ear, so do not be mistaken the shape of body. In addition, the fit is not the best but still pretty well. Another thing that I have to mention is the cable. I really like stock cable. I believe that there is no need to upgrade. Its sound is great, it looks great, it fits great. The outer material of the cable is more like ALO Audio SX8, so it is not too soft but it is tangle-free. I have only one complaint about the cable, it is microphonic. When the cable rubs somewhere else you can hear the well-known microphonic noises. You can add some earphone cable clip to solve or minimize the microphonic noise issue.

Isolation is good but not the best either. Like all the other earphones, it depends on kind of tips that you are using. I bought new Spinfit CP155 and it fits really great. Isolation and comfort is pretty good. As I mentioned before, it is not the best.

The content and design of the AM7 package had satisfied me in overall.



Sound:

8 sound signatures in one IEM? Yes! AM7 has 8 different sound signatures, so I want to write about all those sound settings. AM7 has powerful bass, smooth, slightly laid back mid and prominent detailed trebles. I wouldn’t expect that much differences between signatures but that switches really work! Some of the settings are quite similar to each other but they are differing in many other ways. I always thought that these sound settings are meaningless because I used to have some earphones with those sound switches and the differences were mostly just a nuance, but AM7’s sound settings are definitely noticeable. One thing that I would like to mention is that I always thought about changeable sounds earphones are somewhat lack of character, but somewhat I feel that AM7 has some major sound character. They putted their house sound and they served with 8 different sauces. Let me try to explain.



Flat - (All switches down):
This is the dullest sound setting of the AM7. Some of the users are going to love it but this setting is not cup of my tea. Low to high, every frequency is lifeless. It is good for listening classical music, jazz or easy listening genres, but it is not great for bassy tracks. Low-frequencies are not that much as quantity. If you prefer deep and full bass, Flat mode is not the best choice. High frequencies are detailed and fast, it feels like it doesn’t miss any detail in the music. I like quantity and quality of trebles. I listened with LPG which most of you may know that highs are little bit aggressive on LPG, but you don’t have to worry, it performs without fatigue and harshness. Soundstage is airy and pretty wide. Not as airy as like Andromeda but better than S-EM9 in terms of wideness. One of the things that impressed me is the instrument separation. It is really easy to hear every single instrument’s movement in the music. I think that, AM7 is a very capable earphone in terms of separation. Soundstage is airy and spacious. Width is not the best I have ever heard, but it is wider than S-EM9 and Reborn.

Overall, this mode is very safe for almost every type of source. It is more like the boys who are smart and handles everything in the class but still not popular like the other boys.



Balanced Mod – (Blue switch up, Red and Yellow down):
To be honest, I couldn’t hear any significant differences between Flat mode and Balanced mod. Balanced mod is tad of lively than the Flat mode and bass become a little bit prominent, it just hits harder. But I have to mention that the balanced mod doesn’t focus on having bass presence, so if you like EDM or other bass-heavy music you should have to look other mods. High and middle frequencies are almost same quantity and character with the Flat mod. Mids are not forward or laid back, and trebles are mostly the same quantity. Maybe mid notes are little bit bolder tone because of low mid bass, but overall it is almost same. I should specify that in Balanced mode, all the instruments, separation and resolution is quite high. I can hear every single instrument easily. There is nothing harsh about the sound signature which results in a fatigue free experience even with several hours of listening.



Warm + Sweet Mod – (Red switch up, the blue and yellow down):
Now things are starting to change. Probably one of my favorite setting is Warm-Sweet mode. This mod is
musical, warm, dynamic and sub bass can go deeper. Bass is right where it should be, powerful, deep,
rumbling but not overpowering. Mid frequencies are lush and effortless and feels little bit forward. Vocals are pretty damn good and silky mids make acoustic instruments shine. Very emotional and sweet tone. I am really pleased with this mode. Trebles is not the star of the show but it is not lack neither. This mode is great for EDM like music or vocal. Actually, this mode’s sound tone is very similar with Oriolus Reborn. I did some A/B test and I felt the similar sound experience. Both earphone’s mids are flawless and emotional, and powerful bass accompany to the other frequencies. Also, trebles are almost same quantity but they are differ in presentation.



Bass Mod – (red and blue switches up, yellow – down):
Mids, trebles where are you? Ok there you are, but the bass is shouting, yelling and roaring and other frequencies are sitting quietly behind of bass frequencies. Bass is really prominent in this mode. Bass lover might be love it but for me, nope. When I listening music, I would like to hear all frequencies in certain quantity and clarity which I can enjoy it, but with this bass mod all I hear is mostly bass. I couldn’t listen music with this mode, but I have to admit, it is fun to listen some bassy tracks.

Overall,

Bass bass bass. All about bass.



Analytical Mod – (red and blue switches down, yellow – up)
I wouldn’t call it analytical but definitely very close to the neutral and accurate presentation. This mode is reminded me Prophile 8, not clinical and dry but it shows its technical capability slightly in musical presentation. This mode is more likely for some serious listening and bringing out a lot of detail in the songs. Every instrument can be heard clearly and it may allow you to pinpoint in music. Highs are crisp, not piercing, very appropriate. Low-end is neutral and flat, closer to a monitor type bass. The lack of bass takes some time to get used to it and it is not suitable for every music genre. While you can hear every bass note, you don't feel the bass rumble as with other mods. Controls are adequate and not overwhelmed. This mod is most transparent and clear mod in AM7 I guess.



Rock Mod – (red switch down, blue and yellow switch up)
The Highs are good but can be a tad harsh on higher volumes but it depends on the type of song and your source. Middle and high frequencies are particularly detailed, but compare to the other modes, they come out with less details. Mid frequencies are slightly laid back, but vocal presentation is forward. Bass is very tight and loud but at the same time smooth and undistorted. Quantity is less than Dance mode but more than Balanced, Flat and Analytical modes. I like this mode but I think I never use it like the Bass mode.



Dance Mod – (red and yellow switches up, blue – down)
Dance mod is clearly louder and has bit more bass than the Rock Mod. General presentation is musical and fun. The bass response is excellent, and it can go quite low with excellent heavy bass. This is great for EDM or R&B tracks. Also this mode is similar with the Warm-Sweet Mode which I really liked. The main difference is the soundstage wideness. Dance mode feels narrower than Sweet mode and it feels all instruments are close each other. The mids are warm and lush yet detailed. Highs are prominent and
detailed too and it has good extension. Like Dance mod, I never heard any sibilance in any mode.



Bass + Dance Mod – (all switches – up)
This mod is very similar with the dance mod, except they're are a tad more bass heavy. Bass is rumbling and it is showing its authority. It is not muddy, and actually makes some EDM sound better, but also it is not great for long listening sessions. Powerful bass presentation makes stress in the mid area and it feels uncontrolled, but generally it is handled very well. But I have to say that Dance mod is more controlled and detailed. The treble is not bright and prominent like the other modes, but it is still detailed and
sparkly.



Verdict:
It’s always great to play different tuning with earphones. Ambient Acoustics did a great job with these tunable switches. Some of the mods are very similar but there are definite differences between some modes. For example, warm mode vs flat, it is like two different earphones. You may select which mods you like, or you can set it for your sources.
I am quite impressed by AM7. This is really great earphone that you can buy in terms of price performance ratio. You will have many earphones by owning only one earphone, it is like 8 in 1 multi tool.
In short, AM7 is great audiophile earphone for those who are looking for changeable sound tuning TOTL earphone. Also, it is extremely crafted and beautifully designed.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details. Also, I would like to thank ifi Audio and Lawrence for this great review tour.



Specifications:

B Input:

up to PCM768kHz & DSD512 (24.6/22.6MHz)

S/PDIF Coaxial and Optical Input:

up to 192kHz/24Bit

Dynamic Range:

> 113dB (A)

Volume Control:

-101dB…0dB in 1dB steps

Output power:

> 2.82V/500 mW @ 16 Ohm
> 3.7V/270mW @ 50 Ohm
> 3.8V/48 mW @ 300 Ohm
> 3.8V/24 mW @ 600 Ohm

Line out Level:

> 2.1V @ 0dBFS (& 0dB Volume)

THD &N (1V/16R):

< 0.005%

Output Impedance:

< 1 Ohm

Battery:

3.8V/2200mAh

Dimensions:

95 (l) x66.5 (w) x19 (h) mm

Weight:

127g (0.28 Ibs)


Package Details:

xDSD USB DAC


USB-A female to male


USB-B female to USB A female


USB-A male to USB B female


Toslink optical adapter to 3.5 mm mini jack


Velcro patches for attaching to phone or music player


Velvet Pouch



Package & Design;

As you can see to the package details, Ifi xDSD comes with lots of accessories. USB cables, toslink adapter, pouch and patches. I am quite impressed by the package contents. ifi Audio put lots of accessories for their customer.

When I first touch xDSD, I was surprised because it is smaller than I thought. Body material is the combination of aluminium and plastic, it is not heavy because of plastic components. Plastic material is not cheap looking, it looks and feels premium. Also, it feels solid and durable, but it definitely feels like the kind of a thing that you never would like to drop. Ergonomically it is wonderful to use it. I used it with my AK120 DAP and they matched quite well in terms of size. Size is similar with Mojo, maybe a bit taller and thinner. Overall, I liked the shape of body, it easily fit any device and you can carry with your portable gear outside without worrying. Also, I like volume knob lights. It is like Mojo and its colors change in every level of sound.

One thing that I don’t like about the design is the glossy surface. I have to admit, it looks good, but it is like fingerprint collector. You have to clean every time when you touch it if you do not like that view. I wish iFi was made of matte surface. Also, another disadvantage of the glossy surface is, it can be scratched easily. It has some hairline scratches on the body if you look closely. Another thing about the design is the volume-knob. It is sensitive enough and feels good when you turn on, but when you turn down or up little bit hard, knob stretches little bit and rubs to the edges. This is not a big issue but it is really bothered me when I use. These are minor complaints of course but I couldn’t ignore it.



Battery Life:

Battery life of xDSD is neither good nor bad. I had approximately 6 hours listening with my earphones, but if you use with power hungry headphones this result will change, probably you will get 3-4 hours battery life. I think it could be better if it runs like 8-9 hours. This is not the main reason of the battery life but there are too many lights on the body. When you turn on the unit, all input lights, battery light, 3D+ or xBass lights and volume lights are turning on. It could be better that if iFi turns off some lights after selected. For example, when we choose xBass feature, the light could be turned off after 15 seconds. I believe this will affect battery life very positively. Of course, I am not an engineer and these are some amateur consumer thoughts.

By the way, you can follow the battery status at battery indicate led. White (more than %75) – Green (middle of somewhere) Red – (hold the charge cable ready) Blinking Red – (Fire in the hole)



Power:

This thing is really powerful. Piece of cake for xDSD to drive any earphones, and it drove my all earphones without any issue. Also, I tried with my HD6XX headphone and it drives effortless. I believe it is enough to drive most of the headphones with authority. In addition, I tried hiss sensitivity with my Andromeda earphone and I heard just a small amount of hiss but it is absolutely not significant. If I speak more clearly, it is better than my Lotoo Paw Gold Diana, Astell Kern AK120 and Opus#1 in terms of hiss performance.



Sound:

The first thing that I realized when I heard of xDSD was its musical presentation. It sounds effortless and musical. No harshness, aggression or sharpness. It is not mellow like Mojo, but somewhat similar with it. I would call the sound signature of xDSD the neutral, but it leans towards the slightly warmer side. Instrument separation, resolution and details are also pretty good. It is not performing from technical side, it shows its musical side. I don’t know how many hours burned this review unit but I found trebles are tamed and relaxed. I never heard any sibilance and it is not rolled off. Details and separation level are good but not perfect. Sometimes in fast passages it loses its details, especially with prominent trebles earphones like Andromeda. Stringed instruments like violin, guitar and oud sound are also natural feeling. It is not coloured, thick or thin. No roll off at upper frequencies. Trebles are pretty extended. I did not come up with sibilance or harshness, but you may need to be careful when using with bright earphones. Overall, upper frequencies are clear and detailed. Mid frequencies are a bit recessed but it is not like deep V-shape form, it is natural and relaxed. Vocals are natural and is slightly forward. Bass is tight and controlled and the sub-bass provides good rumble and impact, but it is not reaching too deep. When you activate xBass effect it adds some quantity but still it is not the bass-head level performance. It has an average performance as a soundstage. When I compare with Mojo, XDSD has wider soundstage than Mojo but Mojo is better at depth.

iff

Verdict:

I always like iFi Audio products. They produced many good gears like ieMatch which I have one and great p/p product like iDSD. And now like other iFi products, xDSD is also a great little device. It is not perfect, it has some weakness but when I consider the whole cons and pros it is a great product in overall. It is very capable device and it is loaded with some good features. If you are looking to get a small but powerful, also musical and detailed DAC/AMP, iFi xDSD must be in your list.

Before starting this review, I would like to share technical aspects and package details.



Specifications:

Driver Type (per ch.): Balanced Armature x 3 Dynamic x 1

Sensitivity: 114 dB/mW

Frequency Response: 5~40kHz

Impedance: 16Ω

Cord: Special made PW audio The No.5 (7N OCC) JP ver. 1.2m

Plug Type: Rhodium plating 3.5mm mini stereo


Package Details:

Foam eartips M size

Silicon eartips SS/S/M/L size

Cleaning tool

Cable clips

Aluminium case

Soft case


Test Equipment:

Lotoo Paw Gold Diana

Opus #1

Astell Kern AK120

Package, Design & Isolation;

Oriolus comes with simple outer box. There is aluminum case, some silicon tips and 1 pair M size foam tips inside of the box. Package and contents are far from being fancy, but it contains elegant parts. For example, aluminum case. It is like bullet proof and very secure for earphone’s safety. The aluminum case looks great with the glossy finish, which is beautiful and more durable than plastic cases. Another good part is stock cable. As you all know, Reborn comes with PW Audio No5 cable. No5 is probably the best copper cable I have ever used in this price range. New version of No5 is also comes with rhodium 3.5mm jack.

Overall, box doesn’t seem fancy, and it doesn’t contain lots of accessories, but its contents’ quality is amazing. I wish all the brands come with these kinds of premium cable and case.

Oriolus Reborn’s design is same as MK2, but Reborn has some little body material improvement. Body shape, color, logo everything is the same. The only change is resin material. Now Reborn is using Made in German resin which it is better for durability. I liked the design of Reborn, which is same as my old MK2. Body is neither big nor small. If I give an example to compare, it is similar size with CE-05 and a little bit fatter than S-EM9. When you wear it, you won’t feel any fit issue I believe because body shape is pretty ergonomic. If you have an abnormally small ear, it might be a problem of course.

Isolation of Reborn depends to the tips but it is good in overall. I always use silicon tips with my earphones, but if you want to isolate more you can use foam tips. Stock silicon tips are pretty good but I use Spiral Dot tips which is better for isolation and comfort.

Sound Type:

2 years ago, I bought Oriolus MK2 with blind shot and it made me a big ‘wow’ when I heard it. And now, I have the same feelings for the Reborn. Controlled huge bass, amazing good mid and vocal performance, prominent and detailed trebles are simply fascinating. This is really good all-rounder for almost every genre, but I would recommend to listen with EDM or vocal performance tracks. Listening to the vocal is a great pleasure with the Reborn. Smooth and velvet presentation makes you feel to listen more and more. The Reborn’s general sound is warm and forward mid presentation. This is not good for who are looking a reference and neutral sound because sound is coloured and musical.



Trebles:

Reborn’s high frequencies are detailed, controlled and prominent. I am not talking about the best trebles performance, but trebles doing their job really well. Although the huge bass performance and forward mid presentation, trebles are not laid back. It has good sparkle and extension and it never shows harshness. Also, it is not rolled off, it is clean and detailed and I can easily hear every single detail in the music. There is enough space between all the instruments but more space would welcome. Like overall presentation, it is effortless and smooth which you can listen long hours without fatigue. Looks like Pw No5 cable tames the trebles and makes it easy to listen. Trebles detail and resolution are absolutely great. All the details are there, you can focus and hear every movement in the music, but somewhat it does not get into your face, it is effortless. It is not trying to bring all details with technical ability, it shows softly and gently which I liked, but I would like to add that the resolution drops considerably in the fast passages and it is downgrading for the resolution. Silver cable is absolutely great with Reborn, it adds more clarity and detail but bass becomes less prominent.

There is no significant weakness in the upper frequencies, but if there is one thing that I could change about Reborn, I would like to hear more air in the trebles maybe.

Mids:

I couldn’t decide which part is impressed me more, bass performance or mid performance, but after long listening session I definitely voted for the mid area. Mid presentation of Reborn is creamy, smooth and detailed. Vocal performance is to die for. Yes, it is coloured but it is very realistic. Not technically but emotionally, this is the best mid performance I’ve ever heard. I love the timbre, feeling and atmosphere that Reborn created. This is very special tuning.

The general positioning is in the middle of the stage, but the vocals are a little further ahead. Vocals are star of the show. In the soundstage, vocal is centered and forwarded, so you are in the first table front of the scene. If vocal has breathed very close to the microphone, you can feel like she/he breathes in your face. The instruments are little bit thicker than it should be, but it is not bothering because it is not reference type of earphone, so I mostly enjoyed organic and natural timbre of Reborn. Mid-bass comes energetic and powerful witch adds the body. The upper midrange has slightly thicker notes. There is a tad of mid-hump with some bassy tracks but I have heard occasionally. Rarely, lower mids are tend to come to the front of the instrument more often than necessary, and it is causing unnecessary hoarseness, but it is not sustainable. The stringed instruments work well. Guitars, oud and acoustic sound absolutely amazing. Overall sound warm and a tad of dark. Wide soundstage adds tad of air to the mid frequencies, so you are not feeling pressed with the forward presentation. Overall, the vocals are very nice, smooth and non-fatigue. I find it especially successful in male vocals.



Bass:

If you are a bass-head I guarantee that Reborn’s bass performance will put a smile on your face. Thunderous bass is awesome for EDM and other bassy types of music. Bass punch and slam are great. Although the huge amount of bass, it is not bleeding or dominating the other frequencies. I can say that it is better than the average level of tightness and speed (dynamic driver), but it is not the best because of bulky bass. One of the points where the dynamic drivers are weak is bit slow bass frequencies, especially when it is compared to the balanced armature drives. Sometimes it feels slow and it may affect the music, but I have to mention that it is better than most of the hybrid earphones I have ever tried. You may listen to every type of music but sometimes it can be tad of slow for some Metal and Rock tracks, but it mostly handled quite well. Bass goes deep and always remind itself. Midbass is also detailed and in acceptable levels, does not push and compress the sound.

Overall, bass frequencies are smooth, deep, but not exaggerated. When it comes its turn, it hits hard and powerful, but also knowing to stay on the calm when it has to.



Soundstage:

Reborn’s soundstage is average in terms of wideness, but never feels congested. I did not find the depth performance as good as the width but it is also good. Soundstage may seem somewhat limited because of the forward vocal presentation, but when you hear the instrument positions in the soundstage, this feeling will be gone. Every instrument can be separable. Layering and imagining are also great. You can follow each instrument into the soundstage easily. Likewise, the background has a slightly above-average performance in terms of darkness and stability.

Instrument separation is also very good in my opinion. It can compete with the top-level earphones I listen to, and even better than some of them. It may lose its control in some metal music, but still keeps the separation and control at the top level.

Comparison:

Oriolus Reborn vs Hyla CE-05: Two different earphones under the same roof. Both Oriolus and Hyla are belongs to Cyras Japan. Hyla is the fresh brand and they announced two different earphone CE-05 (hybrid) and Nerva-X (10 balanced armature). CE-05 is direct competitor with Reborn which I own one. Both earphones are sharing the similar body size. Oriolus looks fatter and bold while CE-05 looks like Fitear earphones. Not identical but faceplate design shares some similarities. In terms of quality, both CE-05 and Reborn are amazing. Both earphones made German resin and they have recessed (0.78mm) 2-pin connectors. Hyla comes with high quality copper stock cable while Reborn comes with PW Audio No:5 cable. Although, CE-05 has high quality Van-Nuys protector case, Reborn has bullet proof like aluminum case.

Now let’s talk about the sound. Reborn is fantastic hybrid-earphone from low to the high frequencies. I listened it quite carefully before A/B test. When changing directly from Reborn to CE-05, two things stand out. First, bass became more tight and fast. This is the most distinct part of these two earphones. CE-05 is phenomenal in terms of bass performance; tight, deep, fast and controlled. I don’t want to exaggerate but this is the best bass I have ever heard from any earphones. It is addictive. Bass quantity is pretty much the same, or maybe even a bit more on the CE-05 but technical capability is on the CE-05 side. Reborn bass is amazingly powerful and enjoyable but when I compare it with CE-05 it feels little bit slow and uncontrolled. Secondly, high frequencies of CE-05 are more prominent and detailed than the Reborn. Reborn is smooth and relaxed while CE-05’s trebles tad of aggressive and forward. CE-05 is more technical, detailed and high resolution. Also, CE-05 is more sparkling here, which it returns with more sharpness. Reborn is more relaxed and smooth. In long term listening, Reborn is a better choice due to tamed treble presentation. Both earphones differ in mid frequencies. Reborn mid’s are forward, bold and detailed while CE-05 mid frequencies are laid back and thin in overall presentation. I absolutely like Reborn mid frequencies more. Vocal sounds more sentient than the CE-05, especially male vocals. You can touch the singer’s face. Soundstage is similar with both earphones, but CE-05 feels little bit wider, but both have almost same depth. In terms of sound performance, both models do not give much which is due to the very similar technology. Also, Reborn has more body while CE-05 is more like V-shape.

We are all always looking for the winner in these kind of competitions, but I love both Reborn and CE-05 and I can not decide which one is better. All I can says, my brain says technically CE-05, and my heart emotionally says Reborn.



Verdict:

Reborn is truly fantastic earphone at this price. Nowadays some of the companies’ entry level or mid-tier earphones price starting at 600-700$. I have heard some of them and Reborn is easily smoked them in terms of sound and technical capacity. Powerful bass, smooth and detailed trebles and velvet like mid presentation are the Reborn’s keywords. Also, PW Audio No5 cable and aluminium carry box that come with the package is great. I am truly impressed by the Oriolus Reborn. One of my favorite mid performance that I can recommend for those who loves forward mid and vocal presentation.