TForce Audio Yuan Li
Disclaimer: The Tforce Audio Yuan Li was sent over as part of a Singapore IEM review tour. The unit has been sent of to the next reviewer as of writing. This review is not affiliated or sponsored by Tforce Audio in any way
Introduction
Tforce Audio, a OEM manufacturer hailing from Shenzhen china is no stranger to the IEM market with its role as a OEM maker for other IEM companies. Recently it has released its debut model the Yuan Li , priced at 119 USD ( $161) SGD. It packs a single 10mm CLC Dynamic Driver. In a market where single driver IEM's are increasing in popularity over multi BA driver IEM’s, how well does the Yuan Li fare? Well. keep on reading to find out!
Unboxing
In a time where many IEM manufacturers are cutting down packaging due to environmental concerns, Tforce Audio went in the opposite direction and went all out with its packaging and accessories
The Yuan Li comes in an eye-catching box with Chinese artwork and the Tforce Logo adorning the front. With the Specifications printed at the back of the box. Inside You’ll find the IEM Shells, Leather carrying case, and 7 pairs of ear tips. Unboxing the Yuan LI is certainly an experience, with subtle touches and the placement of the accessories and the IEM shells in cut-outs gives a luxurious feel to the unboxing experience. I’ve unboxed IEM’s that cost 10x the price of the Yuan Li but yet don’t give the same experience as what I got with the Yuan Li. Kudos to Tforce Audio
Accessories
You get a total of 7 pairs of eartips, 3 pairs each for the “Balanced: and ‘ Bass enhanced” Tips and one pair of foam tips. The case is a semi-hard flip-top leather case, with the Tforce logo printed on the case and the brand name laser engraved on a metal badge below the logo.
Build
The Yuan Li shells are made out of a chrome-like aluminum embossed with the Tforce logo on the faceplate . Small in size as it is only a single driver IEM. For someone with small ears, these iem’s do protrude a bit from the ear. Comfort-wise, due to its small profile and the lack of fins, I was able to have long listening sessions that lasted up to 10 hours with the Yuan Li
Cable
The cable provided is a 1.2m 2 wire OCC copper cable terminated in 3.5mm Male pin to 2pin. The cable retains little memory and it doesn’t tangle, comes with preformed ear-hooks too microphonics are also non existent with the cable.
Driveability
The Yuan Li has a relatively high impedance of 32ohms as such, amping is needed to bring out the full potential of the drivers. When plugged into my iPhone 11 using the apple dongle, the volume needs to be increased to at least 80% to reach the same volume as I get at 50% volume on my other IEMS.
Sound
Disclaimer : All sound impressions were done with the balanced eartips as the bass enhanced eartips just added a extra subass boost and reduced mid and high presence, it also reduced the soundstage. Testing was done in my room to prevent any sound interference from any surrounding noise Foam Eartips weren't used due to hygiene concerns.
All sources had no EQ set
Lows
Low end is fast and energetic with good detail and balance. Although not as punchy as compared to other DD Iem's out there, the bass in the yuan li makes up for it with its clarity. I'd call this bass neutral bass as the bass is neither punchy nor flat with a slight kick in bass-heavy songs. Kick drum sounds clear and smooth with good decay and a slight punch. Bass guitar lines can be separated from the song with ease. Bass licks are good in tone and have a decent punch to them. The Yuan Li's mid-bass brings justice to one of the most unheard instruments in the music industry with bass licks that are well accented and reproduced to its most organic and original form
Mids
The Yuan Li overall has a warm sound signature with male vocals being intimate and in your face. Female vocals are energetic and colorful, rich in tonality. Instruments-wise, while listening to Justin Bieber's song Purpose, each note of the piano rings out with emotion and with some of the best decay and tonality I've ever heard in an IEM. Listening to Purpose on the Yuan Li made me feel like I was in the middle of an acoustic hall sitting in an unplugged concert with Justin Bieber singing right in front of me. The amount of detail and timber that comes with the Yuan Li is just unimaginable.
Treble
Treble is well controlled with no peaks or sibilance. Treble heads may enjoy this as treble response does not fluctuate even with high consonants such as “s” sounds come off softer than expected. Female alto vocals sound relaxed and is pleasing overall when listening to music with a lot of treble such as EDM
Soundstage and imaging
Soundstage is huge on the Yuan Li which may result in the instruments and vocals sounding airy. Meaning that even though it’s in your face it sounds like the singer is singing in an acoustic chamber with natural reverb. Even though this is welcomed for live albums such as hell freezes over some might find it too airy. Imaging is good even though my unit had a problem, vocals and instruments sounded of center with the left side coming off as louder than the right. I supposed it could be a driver mismatch or a filter problem, this issue was solved with slight panning of the audio to the right.
In conclusion
The Yuan Li is definitely a looker and a keeper. It’s high-class presentation and aesthetics with the warm headphone-like sound signature that you get is a win-win for many! This is a good direction that Tforce Audio Is heading, looking forward to reviewing more of their products in the near future!
Disclaimer: The Tforce Audio Yuan Li was sent over as part of a Singapore IEM review tour. The unit has been sent of to the next reviewer as of writing. This review is not affiliated or sponsored by Tforce Audio in any way
Introduction
Tforce Audio, a OEM manufacturer hailing from Shenzhen china is no stranger to the IEM market with its role as a OEM maker for other IEM companies. Recently it has released its debut model the Yuan Li , priced at 119 USD ( $161) SGD. It packs a single 10mm CLC Dynamic Driver. In a market where single driver IEM's are increasing in popularity over multi BA driver IEM’s, how well does the Yuan Li fare? Well. keep on reading to find out!
Unboxing
In a time where many IEM manufacturers are cutting down packaging due to environmental concerns, Tforce Audio went in the opposite direction and went all out with its packaging and accessories
The Yuan Li comes in an eye-catching box with Chinese artwork and the Tforce Logo adorning the front. With the Specifications printed at the back of the box. Inside You’ll find the IEM Shells, Leather carrying case, and 7 pairs of ear tips. Unboxing the Yuan LI is certainly an experience, with subtle touches and the placement of the accessories and the IEM shells in cut-outs gives a luxurious feel to the unboxing experience. I’ve unboxed IEM’s that cost 10x the price of the Yuan Li but yet don’t give the same experience as what I got with the Yuan Li. Kudos to Tforce Audio
Accessories
You get a total of 7 pairs of eartips, 3 pairs each for the “Balanced: and ‘ Bass enhanced” Tips and one pair of foam tips. The case is a semi-hard flip-top leather case, with the Tforce logo printed on the case and the brand name laser engraved on a metal badge below the logo.
Build
The Yuan Li shells are made out of a chrome-like aluminum embossed with the Tforce logo on the faceplate . Small in size as it is only a single driver IEM. For someone with small ears, these iem’s do protrude a bit from the ear. Comfort-wise, due to its small profile and the lack of fins, I was able to have long listening sessions that lasted up to 10 hours with the Yuan Li
Cable
The cable provided is a 1.2m 2 wire OCC copper cable terminated in 3.5mm Male pin to 2pin. The cable retains little memory and it doesn’t tangle, comes with preformed ear-hooks too microphonics are also non existent with the cable.
Driveability
The Yuan Li has a relatively high impedance of 32ohms as such, amping is needed to bring out the full potential of the drivers. When plugged into my iPhone 11 using the apple dongle, the volume needs to be increased to at least 80% to reach the same volume as I get at 50% volume on my other IEMS.
Sound
Disclaimer : All sound impressions were done with the balanced eartips as the bass enhanced eartips just added a extra subass boost and reduced mid and high presence, it also reduced the soundstage. Testing was done in my room to prevent any sound interference from any surrounding noise Foam Eartips weren't used due to hygiene concerns.
All sources had no EQ set
Lows
Low end is fast and energetic with good detail and balance. Although not as punchy as compared to other DD Iem's out there, the bass in the yuan li makes up for it with its clarity. I'd call this bass neutral bass as the bass is neither punchy nor flat with a slight kick in bass-heavy songs. Kick drum sounds clear and smooth with good decay and a slight punch. Bass guitar lines can be separated from the song with ease. Bass licks are good in tone and have a decent punch to them. The Yuan Li's mid-bass brings justice to one of the most unheard instruments in the music industry with bass licks that are well accented and reproduced to its most organic and original form
Mids
The Yuan Li overall has a warm sound signature with male vocals being intimate and in your face. Female vocals are energetic and colorful, rich in tonality. Instruments-wise, while listening to Justin Bieber's song Purpose, each note of the piano rings out with emotion and with some of the best decay and tonality I've ever heard in an IEM. Listening to Purpose on the Yuan Li made me feel like I was in the middle of an acoustic hall sitting in an unplugged concert with Justin Bieber singing right in front of me. The amount of detail and timber that comes with the Yuan Li is just unimaginable.
Treble
Treble is well controlled with no peaks or sibilance. Treble heads may enjoy this as treble response does not fluctuate even with high consonants such as “s” sounds come off softer than expected. Female alto vocals sound relaxed and is pleasing overall when listening to music with a lot of treble such as EDM
Soundstage and imaging
Soundstage is huge on the Yuan Li which may result in the instruments and vocals sounding airy. Meaning that even though it’s in your face it sounds like the singer is singing in an acoustic chamber with natural reverb. Even though this is welcomed for live albums such as hell freezes over some might find it too airy. Imaging is good even though my unit had a problem, vocals and instruments sounded of center with the left side coming off as louder than the right. I supposed it could be a driver mismatch or a filter problem, this issue was solved with slight panning of the audio to the right.
In conclusion
The Yuan Li is definitely a looker and a keeper. It’s high-class presentation and aesthetics with the warm headphone-like sound signature that you get is a win-win for many! This is a good direction that Tforce Audio Is heading, looking forward to reviewing more of their products in the near future!
