Simgot EW200 Review - Deeper Into the Maze


Huge thanks to Simgot for giving us an opportunity to review the EW200 as a part of a review tour.

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.


Specifications
Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-Pin
Driver Configuration: 10mm SCP Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 16 ohms
Sensitivity: 126dB @1kHz
Price: $39.99 (Linsoul)

Sources Used:
Colorfly CDA M1
Zishan U1 (ESS Version)


Introduction:
Today we're going to review the Simgot EW200. Simgot is a brand I have not explored yet, but I've seen a lot of praise on audio groups with their recent releases. And now I am graced upon to have a go at one of their highly-praised IEM, the Simgot EW200. I've read a lot of positive feedback for this IEM so I am very excited to experience it. Now let's enter the maze to unravel the EW200.


Build Quality:

The shell is made up of a CNC all-metal body with a mirror finish. While they look so gorgeous, I was worried that they would weigh too heavy for me. But as it turns out, it is actually light. So I didn't have to worry about it falling out of my ears due to the heavy weight. My only nitpick is that these kinds of shells are prone to smudge and micro-scratches. So I had to take extra care when handling the EW200 by using a case with foam padding to keep them secured while on the go.


The Accessory box contains the stock ear tips and a pouch, which is pretty basic.


The stock cable is a silver-plated OFC cable with a L jack and a 0.78mm 2-Pin connector. To be honest when it comes to IEMs with metal shells, I prefer this kind of 2-Pin connectors as they don't weigh that much and have a more compact size compared to others.


Sound Quality:
Rated at 16 ohms and 126dB sensitivity, the Simgot EW200 is an IEM that is very easy to drive. It does not require a powerful source to maximize the performance you can get with the EW200. Even using my phone with it is able to power the EW200 easily. I hoped that I could try it with my Sony A55 but it's currently broken. Well, I'm sure there will be an opportunity soon.

For the bass the EW200 offers a clean and well-textured bass experience. It is only slightly elevated, with great clarity and detail. It has a smooth experience that I find engaging, however for those who crave bass may find these lacking. It is also well-controlled and doesn't bleed into the mids, with exceptions of tracks with boosted bass where I could notice it creeping in at times.

As for the mids I find it to be bright sounding, more specifically to the upper midrange. The initial impressions that I had with the EW200 is that they actually sound sibilant at first, but thankfully after some burn-in it became tame and tolerable. It has a great clarity and amount of detail in which I am hooked on the moment I wore the EW200. It sounds really natural while exhibiting such details, that for a 1DD is actually surprising. Both male and female vocals perform really well for the EW200. With the only caveat of it having sibilance at high volumes. This pair is very easy to drive, so you need to watch your listening volume carefully.

And for the treble it is elevated, but not piercing at all. It does not have any metallic sheen and is very natural and vivid. However some people might find it fatiguing at times, which is common with IEMs that are tuned with the Harman curve.

For soundstage I find the stage of the EW200 to be on the average side. At first I thought it was wide due to the amount of detail it is able to push out, but the more I listen to it the more I realize that it isn't that wide as I initially thought. It was an illusion brought upon with the detail that the EW200 is able to bring upon my ears.

Imaging, separation, and layering all perform above average. Good sense of depth and is accurate in the overall spectrum.


Conclusion:
At 40$ this set is unbelievably good for the price. If you're looking for something Harman then the EW200 is one of the best choices in the market right now. It's like a safe spot in a maze of IEMs with all the same Harman target curve. I can see now why it was so popular and well-praised by many people in the hobby, from newbies to veterans.

I only wish that for sets like this with a full metal shell with mirror finish, is to include a proper case for it. It's just gonna cause more damage in the long run. If you want to protect these kinds of IEM shells then it is vital to invest in a good case that ensures the protection of these IEM.

MUSEHIFI POWER Review - With Power Comes Great Responsibility

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.

Specifications:
Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-Pin
Driver Configuration: 14.5mm Magnetic Planar Driver
Frequency Range: 10 Hz ~ 40 kHz
Impedance: 32 ohms
Sensitivity: 106 dB
Price: $199 (Linsoul)


Sources Used:
Zishan U1 ES9038Q2M
Sony NW-A55 (MrWalkman CFW)
Colorfly CDA M1

Introduction:
MUSEHIFI is a brand that I usually associate with dongle DAC/AMPs. The ones that have no cable in a one solid built dongle. I don't really know much about their IEMs offerings and this is the first time that I am using a MUSE HIFI product. With the ongoing Planar wars with many Chifi brands joining the war, MUSEHIFI joins in with the MUSEHIFI POWER Planar IEM. Let us see if it's worthy of having "Power" in its name.

Build Quality:

Opening the packaging is like opening a bento box with two layers. The first layer is the earpieces itself and the carrying case. Inside the carrying case is the cable and an IEM cleaning tool. On the second layer are two eartip containers that house the stock eartips that the MUSE HIFI POWER has.


The earpiece of the POWER is on the large side, same with the Wu Zetian that I previously covered. However, compared to the Wu Zetian, the shell size of the POWER is much larger. The faceplate is very beautiful with swishes of glittery gold coated with resin, The shell is 3D printed using medical grade resin, there is a concha fin to aid users on the fit of the POWER. Personally it does fit me well, but given its large size, many people will not enjoy the fit of the POWER.


The cable I thought at first glance will be a very stiff cable due to its thickness, but it is actually soft and easy to manage. The whole motif of the cable from the 2-Pin connectors to the 3.5mm plug follows the same Black & Gold colorway with the earpieces. The only gripe I have is that I wish it had a modular plug.


For the case, I find it similar to a messenger bag, the top of the case is latched onto the body via magnet. It has a leather finish with the MUSEHIFI brand printed to it. While it can house the POWER snuggly, I would have preferred a slightly larger case than this.


There a a total of 4 sets (S, M, L) of stock ear tips included with the MUSEHIFI POWER. At a glance it may seem generous but the ear tips included are of the generic kind, just with different bore sizes for tip rolling.


Sound Quality:
The first time I tried them on with my preferred size of stock ear tips ( I used a normal bore one), It razed my ears with sharp upper mids and treble. Sibilance all over the place. I hated it. And when I started to tip roll with the other eartips in this set, none of them worked as the sharpness still remains. I was only able to find it listenable when I used Final Type E Ear tips. I am very disappointed that among the included 4 sets of stock ear tips, none of them works well with the MUSEHIFI POWER. The following sound impressions are written with Final Type E Ear tips.

The first thing that I noticed with the POWER, even with the crappy stock eartips, is that the bass hits the sweet spot for me. Mid-bass dominant and has a fast decay. It performs really well especially when I play speedcore tracks with the POWER, where it is able to catch up to the ridiculous bassline speeds it has.

Vocals on the other hand are like gacha, and most of the time I pull an unlucky one. Why? Because this set is sibilant. It is still sibilant even with the Final E tips taming it a lot compared to stock tips. The sibilance is more apparent with female vocals, it is more pleasant to listen to male vocals with this IEM. Putting sibilance aside, the POWER's vocals are a tad bit recessed in the mix with adequate body to lift its own weight against the POWER's bass and aggressive treble.

The treble of the POWER is cold and very detailed to the point that it is fatiguing. While I like myself some good bright treble with wide extension, the treble on the POWER is unrefined for pleasurable listening, sounding unnatural. I always bring the volume down when there's a treble happy track because I know that my ears will get fatigued easily.

Soundstage is fairly wide, with excellent imaging and technical performance. The amount of microdetails in the treble is massive and can get you fatigued fast.

Conclusion:
While the first impressions with the stock ear tips is horrible, the overall experience that I had with the MUSEHIFI POWER planar IEM is okay. I think that the POWER is still immature and is not worthy of its price. I do hope that if ever MUSEHIFI do a planar IEM again, it'll be more refined than the POWER. Thank you for reading.

KBEAR Ormosia Review - Playing it Safe

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.

Specifications:
Connector Type: MMCX
Driver Configuration: 1DD + 2BA
Frequency Range: 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Impedance: 16±2Ω
Sensitivity: 105 ± 3dB
Price: 4,771.22 PHP (HIFIGO)


Sources Used:
Zishan U1 ES9038Q2M
Sony NW-A55 (MrWalkman CFW)
Colorfly CDA M1

Introduction:
KBEAR is the budget oriented sub-brand of TRI Audio. This branch focuses more on the budget Chifi scene with IEM and cable releases. And this time we have the KBEAR Ormosia. This is the first time that I've had a KBEAR product. Most of the time I hear positive things about their releases, so I am excited to cover this IEM.

Build Quality:

The packaging theme is simple and sexy with a Cheongsam dress in front, this is a refreshing view given the abundance of plain designs and waifu designs.


Opening it will reveal the earpieces, 4 pairs of ear tips, and the case which contains the cable and its remaining accessories.


The 4 pairs of ear tips are not the only ones as inside the case there are another 2 pairs of ear tips. Totalling 6 pairs. The ones with red stems are normal bores and the others are wide bores.


The cable included with the Ormosia is rather basic considering its price. The cable of the Ormosia is similar to the BLON Z200, except that it has a metallic gun color, chin slider, and is detachable with MMCX connectors on the end.


Onto the earpieces, it reminds me of the BLON BL03. It's like a modified version of the shell of the BL03 and made it better. The nozzle is not recessed compared to the BL03 so it does not introduce shallow fit with any of the included ear tips. Due to the size and shape of the earpiece, it can be worn with the cable down or with the cable going over-the ear like a traditional IEM fit.


The case is similar to the MUSEHIFI POWER case except that it has a shiny natural-colored synthetic leather skin compared to the gray one that MUSEHIFI had.

Sound Quality:
At first listen I was not really impressed with the Ormosia as it kind of sounded boring and I have more exciting sets to listen to. But then I listened to Ormosia for a lengthy amount of time and it made me rethink the thought of thinking that it is boring, as it has a lot of great things to offer.

First thing is the bass sounds very mature, clean, and natural. It is slightly elevated with mid-bass being more dominant over the sub-bass. Well-textured with a tad bit slow decay that adapts well to the track being played if there is a fast bassline like in speedcore tracks. While it is not the basshead level of bass, I appreciate the refined bass that the Ormosia has.

To the vocals is another series of pleasure with a slight caveat, and that is the Ormosia is sibilant at times, only rarely though as I listen to my playlist that is mostly composed of tracks with Japanese female vocals. The recessed vocals that the Ormosia has is smooth and well-bodied for male and female vocals alike.

The treble plays on the safe playing field as it displays a smooth treble throughout my listening experience. Too safe for me as I thought that they could add more zing to the treble and it'll not make it any worse. Although this kind of treble is preferred by some who are sensitive to treble, for me it lacks sparkle and brilliance.

Soundstage is wide with very good imaging with instruments and vocal placements. Although at busy tracks the Ormosia might struggle with instruments as they sound narrower in busy tracks.

Conclusion:
The KBEAR Ormosia is a mature sounding piece that is inoffensive to the ears. I find it pleasant, and at the same time boring at times. With tracks that mostly have pop and EDM songs, the Ormosia is not for you. It is more suited for more people who listen to rather mature playlist and is sensitive to treble. If I wanted to listen to classical music, I'd definitely consider the KBEAR Ormosia as one of my choices. Thank you for reading.

BLON Z200 Review - Oppoty No More

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.

Specifications:
Connector Type: Fixed 4 Core OFC Cable
Driver Configuration: 10mm Carbon Diaphragm
Frequency Range: 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Impedance: 32 ohms
Sensitivity: 108dB/mW
Price: 21$ (Linsoul)

Sources Used:
Zishan U1 ES9038Q2M
Sony NW-A55 (MrWalkman CFW)
Colorfly CDA M1

Introduction:
BLON is one of the most anticipated in the past, with their BLON BL-03 as their greatest and most hyped IEM, and is still loved by many. However time passed and many BLON IEMs were released, and none of them reached the success that the BL-03 reached and was easily forgotten in the mind of many enthusiasts. Perhaps the reason for this is that the releases of BLON after its initial success is unimpressive, with only the good looks but lacking sound. The fame that BLON attained before slowly faded as none of their releases after the BL-03 caught the hype. Now we have here BLON latest offering, the BLON Z200. Will it re-ignite the hype once BLON was? Let's see.

Build Quality:

First thing that I notice with the packaging is that they have corrected their misspelling that is made fun of many times in the audio scene. Aside from that, its the standard BLON packaging that you'll see with their budget offerings around this price. Inside it contains the IEM, a set of ear tips, and a BLON pouch.

The Z200 looks like it has a detachable cable, but it does not. It is a fixed cable IEM. There are people who attempt to disconnect the earpieces from the cable without knowing it is fixed, and break the IEM in the process. Always remember that this has a FIXED CABLE.


The cable and plug it has is very basic. With the 4 core copper cable being soft which I like. I wish it had a chin slider though, because fitting with the Z200 is atrocious.


Now with the earpiece, they remind me of SHURE IEMs because of the size of the shell, but their nozzle is a normal looking one. The nozzle of the Z200 is short, along with the usual BLON ear tips, resulting in horrible fitting. None of the stock ear tips worked with my ears. Tip-rolling is required with this IEM, I personally use KZ reversed starlines as they help reach deeper inside my ears. You could also try using the O-ring method that is used in BL-03 before as the BL-03 have the same fit issues.

Sound Quality:
The ear tips that I used in this review is the KZ reversed starlines since I can't make it work with the stock ear tips as I can't fit it properly at any sizes because of its short nozzle stem.

I used to be a proud owner of BL-03 in its glory days before. What I like about it is the bass and the warm organic sound it has. Yes it is given that the bass bleeds and that it isn't really impressive in techs, it's the warm bassy tuning that makes people go nuts about it. Let's see if the Z200 is any similar to the BL-03.

The bass on the Z200 is one that stands out immediately once you try these on. The bass is punchy, more on the mid-bass with adequate sub-bass. Although I find them one-noted as the bass has poor texture. The bass of the Z200 bleeds to the already recessed mids given its V-shaped tuning. Regular bassheads may enjoy this kind of bass, but bassheads that want to hear better bass texture in their playlist may want to look somewhere else.

The mids are recessed as this IEM has a V-shaped tuning. There is nothing impressing me about the midrange as it is the typical midrange that you'll hear from IEMs with this tuning. But the bleeding of the bass is very noticeable especially at bass heavy tracks. It's ok when there's not much bass action going on.

As for the treble, it is smooth sounding with a decent amount of sparkle and extension. I think this is the best feature the Z200 has. It is not offensive compared to the treble that other V-shaped IEMs offer. It is on the safer side while being able to push out decent details.

Soundstage has an intimate presentation, combined with average imaging. And below average technical performance, especially in bass heavy tracks where the bass would bleed making it hard for me to pick out instrument separation on that track.

Conclusion:
Personally I can't really recommend the Z200, there are more options that are even cheaper (and some are even detachable), have better tuning and technical performance than the BLON Z200. The fit is horrendous and it is not detachable. I'd say that BLON yet again missed its shot in making a comeback on the audio scene. Thank you everyone for reading.

TangZu Zetian Wu Review : Under the Empress' Gaze

Huge thanks for TangZu Audio for giving me an opportunity to try these out.

Disclaimer: This unit is provided to me for a set amount of time as part of a tour. Your mileage may vary.

Specifications-
Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-pin
Driver Configuration: 14.5mm Planar Driver
Frequency Range: 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Impedance: 16 ohms
Sensitivity: 100dB @ 1kHz
Price: 150$ (Linsoul)

Sources Used-
Zishan U1 ES9038Q2M
Sony NW-A55 (MrWalkman CFW)
Colorfly CDA M1

Introduction:
Planar Magnetic Drivers. A speaker tech that is commonly used in headphones and speakers, and rarely used in IEMs. In the past few years the application of planar drivers in IEMs is not popular because of factors like R&D costs, production costs, etc. One of the brands known to use this tech in their IEMs is AUDEZE. However recently we all have witnessed a boom of planar IEMs. From brands like KZ/CCA (PLA13, PR1 Standard, PR1 HIFI), MOONDROP (Stellaris), DUNU (Talos), Kinera (Gumiho), Shuoer (S12, S12 Pro), and more and upcoming planar IEMs. This time I have my hands on TangZu's first planar offering, the one and only Empress, TangZu Zetian Wu. This is my first time trying out a planar IEM, so join me as I enter a whole new world of planar IEMs.

Build Quality:
The unit provided in the tour only comes with the case, cable, and the IEM itself. Sadly I can't give any unboxing experience with this IEM.



The case included with the Zetian Wu is by far the largest case I've ever seen. It's made of synthetic leather outside with two gold plated zippers. The leather feels generic to feel with the brand's name imprinted to it. Aside from it's large size, nothing exceptional on the outside.



Inside the case is large as expected of the size of it. The top part is your usual inside pouch where you can store small stuff like eartips or cables. The bottom part of the case has a divider where you should slot the earpiece in and coil the cable around it. Both top and bottom part is layered with some kind of thin synthetic felt. This is to make sure that the contents of the case is protected with the divider and the felt layer.



The earpiece is a bit bigger than your usual IEMs, given that it houses a 14.5mm Planar Driver. To my surprise, even with its size the earpieces are very light, as if it was weightless. Just the look of its faceplate alone makes it look very elegant, befitting its name. The faceplate is made out of CNC Aluminum and the housing is made of 3D Printed Resin.



The cable is made of 5N Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) in 4.4mm Balanced plug/0.78mm pin termination. The thickness of the cable is way thicker than standard 4 Core cable. Despite its thickness, the cable itself is soft and easily manageable.

Sound Quality:
Since the unit sent to me is lacking in accessories (ear tips), I chose to use my preferred ear tips for the Zetian Wu which is JVC Spiral Dots.

In the headphone scene where planar headphones are known to require an amplifier to reach their full potential, the same can be said with planar IEMs. The Zetian Wu requires a powerful source to reach its full potential, at least 2VRMS which is common nowadays. The noticeable difference between SE and BAL on my CDA M1 is only the volume, but with the A55 it’s a different story. With the A55 alone it sounds ok but definitely lacking overall, using a weak source for the Zetian Wu inhibits its ability to perform at full potential.

I was surprised at the quantity of bass that the Zetian Wu has given me on my first listen with it, as it has sub-bass rumble and mid-bass impact that I did not expect for my first planar IEM experience. It is not muddy, controlled, tight, and well textured bass. I usually listen to J-Pop and Doujin music, and having bass like this is really good.

Vocals are excellent for both male and female vocals. Warm, slightly intimate, and extends really well. There are times where I can hear sibilance, but most of the time it is just song specific and I just had to turn down the volume a little bit to make it disappear. Other than that minor inconvenience, there is really nothing much for me to complain about the vocals.

The treble of the Zetian Wu is no slouch either. Listening to instrumentals is a bliss with the Zetian Wu. Detailed and well-extended, with a decent amount of sparkle.

Soundstage is above average, with very good imaging and layering. It does give that planar-like performance that I had with the only planar headphones that I owned, Hifiman HE400se OG. But obviously it does not completely replicate the performance of a planar headphone.

Conclusion:
Overall I find the Zetian Wu to be a very good all-rounder IEM that will fit everything that you’ll throw at it. Rich and natural sounding balanced signature that most people would love. If you have a proper source to use with the Zetian Wu and are looking to try planar IEMs for a change, I’d definitely recommend it. I am looking forward to TangZu new and upcoming releases. Thank you everyone for reading.

Aune BU2 Review

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.

Contents:

The packaging of the Aune BU2 is clean and simple. On the front is the basic product 2D drawing, and below it is the basic specs of the BU2. It slides to reveal the main inscribed box. Here are the contents;

Aune BU2 Portable DAC AMP
USB A to USB C Cable
Short USB C to USB C Cable
4.4mm Female Balanced to 2.5mm Male Balanced Adapter
USB C Female to Apple Lightning Male Adapter
Stacking Band
Quick Start Guide

Accessories:

USB A to USB C Cable
- One thing that I've noticed with this cable and the Type C to Lightning adapter is that they are branded. With this cable made by UGREEN and the Type C to Lightning adapter is made by ZEPHONE. Usually, companies just provide unbranded accessories in their products.

Knowing UGREEN as most of my cable and the cables that my family uses in their gadgets are from UGREEN, the quality of this cable is very good. Although I wish that it was a bit longer. Other than that everything is very good.


Short USB C to USB C Cable
- The short USB C to USB C cable is well-built. The two angled male Type C makes it easier to use with smartphones. The cable of this short cable is tightly sheathed and is stiff. Personally I am not a fan of this kind of cable, for short cables like this I prefer softer ones.


4.4mm Female Balanced to 2.5mm Male Balanced Adapter
- The Aune BU2 only has 3.5mm SE and 2.5mm BAL ports. In order to accommodate 4.4mm BAL cables, they included this adapter. The build of the adapter is well-built. Sturdy 4.4mm Female Jack and 2.5mm Male Jack. Braided 8-Core Cable. Works like a charm.


USB C Female to Apple Lightning Male Adapter
- This is something that I didn't use as I don't have any Apple products in my possession, nor in anyone in the family.


Stacking Band
- It's a stacking band, but why is there only one of it? Usually the number of included stacking bands in portable DAC AMPs are two or more, but here it's only one. Well most of the time I used the BU2 via Bluetooth so I didn't really use the stacking band.


Aune BU2 DAC AMP

Specifications:
DAC: Dual ESS ES9318
Output level: 1.8Vrms(3.5mm SE), 3.6Vrms(2.5mm BAL)
THD+N: 0.000145%
SNR: -120dB
Frequency response range: 20Hz-20kHz
Output Power(2.5mm Bal): Up to 265mW @ 32Ω
Output Power(3.5mm SE): 100mW @ 32Ω


Build Quality:



- The Aune BU2 has an all-metal build with smooth powdered finish. The size is comparable to early android phones. Holding it in my hands, it feels really dense despite its size. On top of the BU2 is a tiny screen that is responsible for navigating through the BU2. The utility knob is located at the top of the device. If you look closely, you can see that the knob is surrounded. This knob is the only way to use the BU2 as there are no other physical controls other than it. Below there are two Type C ports, one for charging and one for USB DAC mode.

Although I have two personal issues with the build of the BU2. First is the surface of the BU2 is a smudge magnet. Holding it with my hands easily leaves handprints in it. And the marks do not disappear and need a good wipe to be clean again. As a solution to this I bought a pouch for the BU2 in which I use to avoid leaving marks on the device. Second is the metal part surrounding the knob. As a person with moderately large fingers, I am having difficulty in using the knob. I found a way to use it without pinching the knob, which is by slightly putting pressure on the top of the knob and rotate it.


Sound Quality (SL: apodizing fast roll-off filter)
- The sound quality of the Aune BU2 is simply astounding. It has a smooth natural signature that is slightly warm. I find it more musical sounding compared to my other sources (Zishan U1 ESS Version, Sony NW-A55 MrWalkman, VE MEGATRON). Soundstage is wide and imaging is accurate. I only used the default filter which is the SL. In terms of power, the SE is enough for IEMs and earbuds that are easy to drive. As for the BAL port, I haven't tested that much since the balanced cables that I ordered have not arrived. But if you're gonna use IEMs only, personally I think the SE is enough, unless you're planning to use IEMs like the Tin HiFi P1, 7Hz Timeless, KBEAR BElieve, etc.

To further customize your listening, these are filter modes that you could try;

SC: brick wall filter
SU: hybrid fast roll-off filter
SL: apodizing fast roll-off filter (default)
SI: minimum phase slow roll-off filter
SH: minimum phase fast roll-off filter
SE: linear phase slow roll-off filter
SD: linear phase fast roll-off filter


Battery Life
- The claim of 9 hours battery life on USB DAC mode seems to be reliable, and the battery life in BT mode seems to be longer than 9 hours. As a portable DAC AMP, having a long battery life is important. And the BU2 will surely keep you in company on long commute rides.


Connectivity
- There are two ways to connect to the BU2, one is via USB and one is via Bluetooth.

The USB DAC AMP function is seamless. Simple plug and play for Windows and Android devices (Again, I have no Apple products here.). UAPP and HiBy Music apps work well with the BU2, with just a few steps you can use it with bit-perfect mode to maximize the capability of the BU2.

The Bluetooth function also works really well. However you are limited only up to APTX-HD, as it doesn't have LDAC connectivity. Here in the Philippines it's fine as the mobile data is not as reliable in other countries, so I stream only at 320kbps. But in other countries with fast and reliable mobile data, they might prefer using LDAC and lossless streaming apps like Tidal.


Conclusion:

This is the first time that I've experienced using a Aune DAC/AMP, despite hearing a lot of good things about it in the past. And now that I've had my hands on the Aune BU2 for quite a while. I can say that it is an excellent DAC/AMP that covers all your basic needs as an audiophile on-the-go. There are also a lot of filter modes that you could fiddle around, further personalizing your experience with the BU2. If you're looking for a portable DAC/AMP that can do Bluetooth and is wired with lots of personalization, the Aune BU2 is a very good choice.

CCA CA10 : The First Take


Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me by Sir Jeff of KZ Official Store in exchange for my honest opinions for this IEM. Your mileage may vary.


Specifications:
Pin Type: 0.75mm 2-Pin
Driver Configuration (Per Side): 5 Balanced Armature Drivers
Frequency: 20Hz ~ 40kHz
Impedance: 25Ω
Sensitivity: 105dB/mW

Sources Used: Zishan U1 (ES9038Q2M), Sony NW-A55 (Walkman One)


Introduction

CCA is a sister brand of the well-known brand Knowledge Zenith, or KZ. Like KZ, CCA releases cheap IEMs that is affordable to the masses. Today we're going to take a look at their latest release, the CCA CA10. Priced at PHP2400, the CA10 sits below the CA16 and the CA24 in terms of price.

This is my first IEM from CCA and a first all-BA IEM for me, so I don't know what to expect from the CA10. Nevertheless, let's dig in!


Build Quality

One thing that I immediately noticed is the faceplate of the IEM which is metal, and in the upper part of it is a see-through bluish green plastic. I find it unique and cool looking as you can take a quick glimpse of what's inside the CA10.



Underneath the faceplate is the main body and the nozzle of the IEM. The shell is transparent so you could see the crossover board and the drivers inside the IEM. Upon closer inspection, You can see that the nozzle is smaller than usual and it has a tiny ear guide fin for it to fit better.

Size-wise, the size of the CA10 is large. Which makes sense considering that it houses five BA drivers per each side. So people with particularly small ears may have a hard time fitting these.


Fitting

I had troubles with the fit of the CCA CA10, not because of its size, but with the included set of stock ear tips. I can definitely say that the included stock ear tips are bad. They're thin, cheap feeling, and doesn't grip well in my ears. With the stock tips I had trouble fitting this IEM as it wouldn't grip inside my ear making the IEM unusable with the stock ear tips.

So with that said, I had to tip roll. As much as possible I want to do my reviews all stock, From cable to ear tips. But there are instances like this that makes me unable to do so. So for ear tips I decided to settle with a wide-bore ear tips from the TZKZ Wave. As it fits well and is wide-bore like the stock ear tips that it came with.


Sound Quality

Bass
- The bass of the CA10 is quite a pleasant surprise because I was not expecting to have a bass that is kind of similar to a DD bass. The bass of the CA10 is boosted, with the mid-bass being more dominant over the sub-bass. Decay is on the slower side than the usual tight and fast BA bass that I'm used to. Bass detail and texture is smooth, and is well controlled.

Mids
- The mids of the CA10 is recessed, with little elevation in the upper mids. Mid-bass bleed is present with tracks that are bass dominant. Sibilance is present at some tracks where female vocals are thin. I find its presentation relaxed overall, with average of detail and clarity.

Treble
- I also find the treble of the CA10 on the relaxed side, smooth and soft. Lacking in sparkle that many loves (including me). Details and its extension is average. Very safe sounding treble, maybe a bit too safe. Sparkle lovers might have to look somewhere else.

Soundstage and Imaging
- Intimate stage and good imaging and separation. Although I have noticed at high volumes, busy tracks sounds congested. I find the CCA CA10 to be more fit in low volume listening, so bringing it out for commute is impossible for me.


Conclusion
For my first CCA IEM and first all-BA IEM, this is a pleasant experience for me. I did not expect my first all-BA IEM to be this bassy. Overall I like the CCA CA10, with the only major problem for me is the bad stock ear tips that is included in the package. I wish that the included cable with the CA10 is softer. For low volume listeners, I highly recommend this IEM.

Links:

https://ph.xiapibuy.com/CCA-CA10-Hy...Bass-Music-Headphones-i.573093318.12366364234

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003752527018.html

KZ x Crinacle CRN (ZEX Pro) Review - The Birth of an New Era (?)

Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me by kzearphone.ph in exchange for my honest opinions for this IEM. Your mileage may vary.


Specifications
Pin Type: 0.75mm 2-Pin
Driver Configuration: 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 Magnetostatic Driver + 1 Balanced Armature Driver
Frequency: 20Hz ~ 40kHz
Impedance: 25Ω
Sensitivity: 104dB/mW

Sources Used: Zishan U1 (ES9038Q2M), Sony NW-A55 (Walkman One, Neutral Tuning)


Introduction

Approximately two weeks ago, the KZ ZEX Pro has started making rounds in the portable audiophile community. With its graph being close to the Harman target, a lot of people who have tried the ZEX Pro immediately liked it. Turns out that the ZEX Pro is actually a KZ x Crinacle collaboration, and is called the KZ x Crinacle CRN. The KZ CRN is tuned with the help of Crinacle himself, which explains the tuning that is has given that it is unusual for KZ to tune a IEM in such way. Seems like proper tuning has been done with the CRN. However, the graphs doesn't tell the whole story. The graph may look pretty, but the sound to our ears will pick up more than the graph shows. And today we will unravel if the KZ CRN will live up to its beautiful graph.


Build Quality

SPC Double Flat Stock Cable & KZ Starline Ear tips
- The new stock cable staple of KZ IEMs. For a stock cable, the build is really good. Simple, sturdy, and does its job properly. There's nothing that I can complain with the stock cable.

As for the stock eartips, it comes with white KZ starline ear tips. The ear tips are fine, and you could also make the KZ Starline ear tips to Reversed KZ Starline. A popular ear tips modification.

KZ CRN Earpieces
- First thing that I've noticed is that the size of the CRN is larger than the ZEX. It has a concha fin that is usually find in CIEMs. The concha fin helps me with the fit as it seats in my ears evenly, the fit is good but it ultimately depends on the shape of your ears.

The shell that houses the drivers inside is made out of translucent resin cavity and is large in size, considering that it houses three drivers inside. I like that you can clearly see the drivers inside the IEM, though its a different story with the color black variant.

The faceplate is made out of zinc alloy according to their website, which is said to be sturdy and have a nice finish. And I agree that the faceplate of the CRN has a nice finish and is sturdy. Looking closely to the faceplate, I noticed a open vent at the bottom of the faceplate. This might be one of the factors that contributes the the tuning of the KZ CRN.


Graph (Credits to : crinacle.com/graphs )




Sound

Bass
- The bass on the CRN has a nice bass response, with the sub-bass being more dominant over the mid-bass. This makes the bass of the CRN have depth to it, but lack the mid-bass impact that bassheads love. Fast and tight decay, well controlled, with just right low-end rumble. Smooth bass texture with just adequate amount of details in it.

Mids
- Mids on the KZ CRN is slightly recessed, details is average, lean body and clean sounding. Neutral presentation. The upper mids it becomes thin sounding at times. I find female vocals more enjoyable in the KZ CRN compared to male vocals.

Treble
- If you have checked the graph, you can see that there is the 8k peak. A bright sounding treble with a 8k peak, making the KZ CRN sibilant and have splashy treble. At the first track that I played with the KZ CRN is "Again by Yui" and I was welcomed by numerous sharp "S" and splashy treble. I lowered my volume in order to tame the treble a little bit, aside from that the treble sounds clean.

Soundstage and Imaging
- The soundstage of the KZ CRN is wide with average depth to it. Instrument separation and imaging is good.


Conclusion
- Overall I think that this is the best well tuned IEM (for now) that KZ has made with the help of Crinacle. The first time I had this IEM as KZ ZEX Pro, I thought that the tuning is vastly different from all other KZ that I've tried before. And then it was revealed that the KZ ZEX Pro's balanced tuning was tuned by no other than Crinacle himself, that explains why is the tuning is so different from the usual KZ v-shaped tuning. While it has a beautiful graph, the 8k peak definitely shows. I think that it is fixable by tip rolling or by EQ, Crinacle himself has shared a EQ setting for the KZ CRN to fix the issue.

Crinacle General EQ Settings for KZ CRN (Source: Crinacle Server on Discord):



I hope that even after this collaboration, KZ will continue to explore other sound signatures different from their usual v-shaped tuning. Bringing in a new era of KZ tuning.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, comments, opinions that you want to share, put it in the comment section below.


Links (Non-affiliated):
https://www.kztws.com/products/zexproxcrinclecrn
https://shopee.ph/KZ-ZEX-PRO-Electr...ZEXPRO-ZEXpro-ZEX-Pro-i.345922933.14802936479


#KZZEXCRN #kzhifi #kzofficial #KZAudio #ElectrostaticEarphone #Earphone

TRN MT1 & TRN CS1 Review: "The hyper-budget brothers shoot out"

Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal experiences. Your mileage may vary.


Introduction:
The TRN MT1 is TRN's contestant in the hyper-budget IEM lineup along with KZ EDX and such. As expected with budget IEMs, many people were not afraid to blind buy the MT1. And those who have took a dive were surprised on what the MT1 has to offer. It gained popularity in the audio scene as one of the best budget IEMs money could buy.

However, weeks after the TRN MT1's release, TRN announced a new 1DD IEM along with the TRN ST2. The TRN CS1. TRN said the the CS1 will be a limited version and only 1000* sets is gonna be available on the market. And the CS1's price? Almost the same with the TRN MT1.

Now a question arises. With the two brothers being at the same price bracket, same brand, and same driver configuration. Which of the two of them will perform better? Will the CS1 be able to stand out against the MT1? Which one has the better build? Etc etc. Let's find out.


Build Quality:
Right off the bat I will tell you that the TRN CS1's build quality better than the MT1... For me at least. The CS1 is very cool looking with that black shiny metal shell and silver grill accents. However the MT1, by no means is ugly. The MT1 sports a all-plastic transparent shell, you could see the driver inside the MT1.

Upon closer inspection, the TRN CS1's size is smaller than the TRN MT1. Although the both of them share a common IEM KZ-style shaped shells, so you have an idea on how they fit.

On the stock cable, the cable on the CS1 is thinner than the MT1. The CS1's jack is straight type, while the MT1 has a L-shaped jack. Although the ear guide on the MT1 is horrible, stiff and unmanageable. It's better to remove the ear guide IMO.

Both of them have similar sets of generic stock ear tips, but I wonder why the one that is pre-equipped in the IEM is different from the rest?


Sound Quality:

Phone/Laptop >Zishan U1 (ESS Version) > TRN CS1/MT1

All stock from cable to ear tips.

My TRN MT1 is the "dyuamic" version. (If this matters)

Bass
- For the bass, the CS1 has the upper hand on this section. The bass in CS1 is lively and impactful, it has a nice deep sub-bass and the mid-bass is strong. In the MT1, the subbass also has a nice depth to it, but lacking in mid-bass. Like you can feel the depth, but lacks the mid-bass slam.

Mids
- As for the mids, the MT1 has the upper hand. The upper mids on the MT1 is much more smoother compared to the CS1. The mids of the MT1 is thin sounding as it lacks body, but the upper mids makes up for it as it has a wide extension with no sibilance noticeable. The mids on the CS1 is much more well bodied, but suffers from midbass bleeding, where the MT1 only has minimal mid-bass bleeding. The upper mids of the CS1 is detailed and bright, but it's stunted extension makes it sound shouty. In fact the CS1 makes my head hurt after listening to it for a while. The MT1 can also get shouty at times, but the CS1's shouty tendencies is much more evident and annoying.

Treble
- Right away the treble of the CS1 is more detailed and bright, because of this the treble sounds harsh. The treble extension of the CS1 also lacks extension, same with it's upper mids. The MT1 on the other hand has smoother and more natural treble compared to the CS1, but it is not as detailed compared to the CS1's treble. But it has a wider extension and is not harsh sounding.

Soundstage
- The soundstage of the MT1 is wider compared to the CS1. Seems like the grills of the CS1 is only for show and it is not a true open-back IEM. I'd say that the soundstage of the CS1 is average, but average is not enough as the CS1's bass, upper mids, and treble have so much presence to the point that it sounds congested at times. The soundstage of the MT1 is above average, which is very good for the price. However it is not exempted as both the CS1 and MT1 struggles with busy tracks.


Conclusion and Thoughts:
To me the winner of this shoot out is the TRN MT1. For its price, the tuning is really good, natural, and more ear-friendly. The TRN CS1 however isn't a bad apple, but seems like a unrefined product that is rushed to ride the hyper-budget hype. Based on what I've heard it has a lot of potential to become a better IEM than the MT1, or other hyper-budget options. But first and foremost, they need to fix that goddamn ear guide. I also noticed that when the CS1 is paired with a warm source, like the Sony A55. It has become more bearable to listen to as it becomes more smooth and musical, but still can get shouty.

TIN HiFi T2 Plus - ᴀ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ


DISCLAIMER: I do not consider myself as a very good reviewer, so I might make mistakes here and there. Therefore take this review with a grain of salt. Feel free to comment down below for reactions, opinions, criticisms. Your feedback matters for me to further improve myself as a reviewer.


A week ago, my order arrived at my doorsteps (Hooray for 5 days of delivery from China to Philippines!). I bought mine at $43 with seller discount and a voucher. Ever since them I've been spending my time listening to TINHiFi's newest offering in the Chi-Fi scene, The Tin T2 Plus.

My source is my one and only DAP, Sony NW-A55.


ɪɴɪᴛᴀʟ ɪᴍᴩʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ (ꜰɪᴛ, ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴜɪʟᴅ):
As I fit them for the first time, I noticed that it doesn't sit deep in your ear canals. Once worn properly, you'll notice that it's almost like it became weightless. Even with its quite shallow fit in your ear, it still achieves proper sealing with the right size of ear tips. It doesn't go off your ears when I pull the cable downwards several times, meaning with proper tips and fit you won't have to worry about these falling off.

Initially I find the bass boomy??? That's why I refrained from saying my impression of it OOTB. However that not seems to be the case, because after doing some tip rolling with the stock tips. I was able to find the ideal size for my ears, which results to a more balanced sound. I was surprised to hear the T2 Plus' sound, considering that this was from TINHiFi which are known to produce IEMs that are meticulous in details and such. For me it was balanced that is kind of warm-ish? But sometimes I do think that these are quite warm sounding (maybe because of the influence of my Sony NW-A55 dap?).

As for the build I find the shells lightweight yet sturdy, the shape reminds me of BLON BL-03 but the T2 Plus is more of a oval shape. It is also more easy to fit the T2 Plus than the BL-03. The cable is a 4 Core SPC Cable with Gold Plated Jack. The overall accent is in silver, in which there is a logo of TINHiFi on the splitter. I find the SPC used on this cable is a little bit thicker than the SPC that I use for DIY projects. Thankfully, my unit didn't have MMCX issues like loose connection and the likes.


ʙᴀꜱꜱ:
For me this is the most bassy from the TINHiFi T-series. Of all the T-series, the bass on the T2 Plus carries quite the weight and depth to it. The sub-bass doesn't go that deep, however among all the T-series this has the deepest depth of them all. Mid-bass is well controlled however mid-bass bleed is noticeable at some tracks when there's too much stuff happening in one time, though that's a quite rare occurrence in my listening sessions with the T2 Plus. The bass delivers the realistic sounds of percussion instruments, however I somehow find the bass guitar's presence is quite behind on some tracks. Overall the bass in the T2 Plus is a well rounded bass, has quite the heft and depth, however some bassheads may find the bass not appealing (not for me though).

ᴍɪᴅꜱ:
I find the vocals on the T2 Plus sweet and lively. I find the vocals forward, but not too much. Just the right amount. I like that the mids are well bodied as they're not too thin nor too thick, I find the vocals in the sweet spot between the two. Mids are very pleasant to listen to. It doesn't go shouty on the upper mids unlike it's big brother the T4. I also like the details that you can hear the nuances on the vocals of the performances.

ʜɪɢʜꜱ:
Unlike the other T-series, the T2 Plus doesn't go quite high. I find it having like a safety net above, causing the highs to be played on a safe level without being too bright. Even though with it's limitation, the highs on the T2 Plus has a pleasant extension to it. I like on how smooth they present the highs on the T2 Plus.

ᴛʀᴇʙʟᴇ:
As same with the highs, the treble also has a safety net. However even with that, the treble sounds lively for me. I like on how natural and lively sounding the treble is. It doesn't need to boost itself in order to get appreciated. The stringed instruments produces a very natural sound that are really pleasant to hear.

ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅꜱᴛᴀɢᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴇᴩᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:
The T2 Plus has a above average soundstage, however comparing it to other T-series I think this has the smallest soundstage of them all (I have tried all of T-series except T1, take note that I didn't spend quite long time with them as I only auditioned them.). Seperation is also above average as I can properly discern the instruments and its locations. But at tracks where there's a lot of going on at one time, you might have a hard time discerning them.

ᴛᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛy:
This is what I like the most about the T2 Plus. The overall tonality of the T2 Plus is very natural and organic. Combining all the aspects with its tonality, results in a very harmonious and pleasant listening experience that you can enjoy for long periods of time.


ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ:
The TINHiFi T2 Plus so far, is my favorite among TINHiFi T-series. It offers a very natural and pleasant balanced/warm sound signature that everybody will appreciate. If I were to recommend a TINHiFi iem to someone, I would say the T2 Plus first.

Moondrop Starfield Review


Design, Seal and comfort:
Out of the box, you'll encounter the shiny glittering drivers of Starfield. Looks alone this IEM is the best that I've seen. It has a metal shell which makes it quite hefty. And the outer coating is very gorgeous. As light strikes it, it shines very brightly with very fine powder glitters. Similar to KXXS, the faceplate has certain angles when looked upon closely. The design is truely one with the stars.

The shape of Starfield is same with the KXXS, and is a little bit larger compared to Kanas Pro Edition. But it's designed to have a universal fit IMO. I have absolutely no problem fitting them in. As for the seal, it's very excellent. The seal is pretty dependent on what tips you're using. Right now I'm using Spiral Widebore M Tips. I don't think anyone will have a problem fitting these unlike BLON BL-03.

Synonymous with the fit, comfort is very good too. The earguide with the stock cable is not too stiff so it's not fatiguing when worn for long periods of time.


Sound Signature: Balanced leaning to warm.


Bass: Like it's big brother's (KXXS, KPE). Starfield packs a bass that a Single DD IEM would have. But compared to KPE (Haven't tried KXXS yet), the bass on Starfield has a smoother presentation than KPE. Nevertheless the Starfield's bass is what I would describe as "Not overly aggressive, not overly shy. Right in the sweet spot.". Speed and decay is fast as it doesn't linger for long. Mid-bass bleed is well controlled so the details are still intact and not overshadowed by the mid-bass bleed.

Treble: Extremely pleasant to the ears, without worrying about treble peaks. The treble reproduction on instruments are well executed as it presents itself realistic and very natural. Like it's bass, the treble also has a smoother presentation compared KPE. Though I would say the treble is a little bit too safe, I wish for it to have a little bit more sparkle. But nevertheless still sends shivers through my spine in some tracks.

Vocals: Suave AF. No sibilance noticed even in high volumes. Starfield has a very good vocal presentation for male and female vocals alike. Again the vocals has a smooth and expressive presentation, that's why it's so pleasant to the ears. The mids is well bodied but does not overpower the instruments, creating a musical harmony that will please everyone's ears. Vocal extension is wide and it spreads evenly.

Soundstage, Separation, and Imaging: Starfield's soundstage for me is medium to large soundstage. Which is very impressive for a single DD IEM. Though some multi-setup/hybrids have better soundstage than the Starfield, but still nevertheless the Starfield surprised me with it's soundstage. You can clearly image where are the instruments and vocals are located. As for separation again is very impressive for a single DD. My previous EDC which is BLON BL-03 tends to sound compressed in busy tracks but that's not a problem with Starfield.

Details/Detail Retrieval: As I switch from BL-03 to Starfield, on thing that I noticed immediately is the details on Starfield really overshadowed the BL-03. I can definitely hear more details in Starfield than in BL-03. Surprisingly I personally think that it is better than some hybrids that I've tried despite it being a single DD IEM. Microdetails that I don't notice with BLON BL-03 rose up as I switched to Starfield. For the detail retrieval, again surprised me because the detail retrieval is fast. So songs with fast paced tempo and vocals will not sound rushed with Starfield, but instead deliver it fast without losing details. And for me that's a "Woah" moment.


~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~

Coming from BLON BL-03, Moondrop Starfield is definitely a HUGE upgrade from it. It's my first time owning a entry-level IEM and I'm really amazed of the performance it delivers as a single DD IEM. I guess this will be my endgame for now.

YMMV.

Performance over size - Kinera Tyr Review

DISCLAIMER: While I am very into earphones and other audiophile stuff, I am not a expert in any way. I am a beginner so take this review with a grain of salt. Nevertheless I am confident with my ears so let's get started.
Following up their entry level IEM Kinera SEED, comes Kinera Tyr. Kinera's most affordable in-ear today, priced at ₱799. Tyr comes from a Norse god with the same name, in Norse mythology "Tyr" is the ancient god of war and the lawgiver of the gods. The bravest god of all. Let's see if it lives up to it's name.

----

Specifications
Sensitivity: 105db ± 1db.
Impedance: 16 ohm.
Driver: 6mm Dynamic Driver.
Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz.
Plug Type: 3.5mm.
Cable Length: 1.2m.

-----

OOTB impressions:
The Kinera Tyr comes with Kinera's iconic hexagonal box, written in it is "All you need is Tyr". Inside the box are; user guide, small circle leather pouch, Kinera widebore stock ear tips, Final Type E ear tips, and Kinera Tyr. Looking at the build, it's quite basic. Earphone plug is small and compact, Y-split is basic looking, strain reliefs are basic. The shell of the Tyr is a bullet type shell, due to the driver it sports (6mm Micro DD). The build of the shell is very small and compact. The Tyr is easy to wear due to its size and form so there's no fitting issues.


Sound Impressions:

Source/s - Sony NW-A55, Pocophone F1

Tracks played - JPOP, EDM, Aviencloud's YT channel.

For me, the Kinera Tyr is a mature tuned V-shaped warm sound signature. Commonly when we say that a IEM is V-shaped, it is lively and energetic sounding but that's not the case with Kinera Tyr.

Bass - The Kinera Tyr packs a well controlled and punchy bass, with a quite fast decay. Due to it's V-shaped tuning, the bass presence really shows up. The texture of the bass is on the warm side. So while it is a strong bass, it's not overbearing or muddy whatsoever. Also the bass is so well controlled that there is almost no mid bass bleed, making the other details not overshadowed by the bass. Though in some busy bass tracks you'll notice some mid bass bleed, the the majority is that you'll not notice it at all.

Vocals - While I said that the mids are extremely recessed doesn't mean that the vocals are way down below. In fact in some tracks with not a lot going on, it gives off a U-shaped sound presentation. The male and female vocals are well presented. The vocals are warm and smooth sounding and adapts to other genres of music. Highs are a bit rolled off. While the vocals are recessed, it is not overshadowed by the bass or treble at all. Thanks to the well controlled bass and it's treble presentation, the vocals were still able to shine.

Treble - The treble in Kinera Tyr are warm and realistic sounding, however the treble is rolled off. Meaning it doesn't goes high compared to the likes of Moondrop Spaceship. This might seem of a downside for those who like some sparkle in the treble. However, due to its rolled off treble. There is no hot treble peaks whatsoever. Meaning there's no ear piercing treble that you can hear in Kinera Tyr. May it be rolled off, but the treble in Kinera Tyr is still enjoyable nonetheless.

Soundstage and imaging are average, there's nothing much to comment here.


Overall, the Kinera Tyr is a V-shaped warm sounding IEM that has a mature tuning. This is very good for long listening sessions, as you can avoid treble fatigue. The bullet type shell is also very comfortable to the ears. This is definitely a thumbs up for me. I definitely recommend it. It also has a mic which is a plus.

Fonge X2 Pro Review - 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.


𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
With the release of hyperbudget iems like the KZ EDX and TRN MT1. It seems to start a trend of chifi brands releasing their own hyperbudget iems that plays around the 300 pesos range, there's like 5 or 6 IEMs that share the similar driver configuration and price with the KZ EDX and TRN MT1. One of these IEMs is the I'm going to review, its the Fonge X2 Pro.

I have never heard anything from Fonge aside from the X2 Pro. but I'd say that they're a brand that focuses on cheap earphones. And this is the first one where they made a detachable IEM as all their previous releases have fixed cable. Priced at 250 pesos, will it be able to compete in this highly competitive price range? Lets find out.


𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Driver configuration: Single dynamic driver
Impedance: 16 ohms
Sensitivity: 98dB
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20KHz


𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗱: ZiShan U1 (ESS Variant), Sony NW A55 (MrW Firmware), POCO F1


𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 :
The IEM arrives without a box, Just a regular small carbon earphone case with all the stuff inside it. And immediately after opening the case, and stinky smell of rubber rose up. It smells so bad that I have to let it out for a while for the smell to be gone.

Inside it is the IEM, cable, and one set of ear tips. The IEMs are attached to the cable out of the box, so no assembly needed here. Aside from the cable and IEM, it has two extra pairs of ear tips and a clip. Overall Build is plastic, nothing special.

Though I must say that Fonge managed to look unique at this price range by giving the X2 pro a different look compared to its competitors around this price. I ordered the white version, and the overall aesthetic is unique and okay for the price. Ear guides on the cable is manageable and doesn't have a mind of its own (thank god). Fit wise, they fit well in my ears. To give credit the ear tips it has out of the box grips into my ears really well, that's a plus for me unlike other stock tips at this price.


𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:

𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀
>The bass of the Fonge X2 Pro is boomy. Out of the box it is ridiculously boomy, but after the burn in period it is not as boomy as it was before. This the main attraction of this iem that will please bassheads. The bass has more sub-bass quantity compared to the mid-bass, its the kind bass that you can feel the depth but the attack is not all over your face. In terms of bass details this is not the best that I've heard of at this price range. The presentation of the bass in the Fonge x2 pro is based on what track is being played with it and what volume does one listen to it. Bass bleeding in mids is rarely present, specially in tracks where the bass is exaggerated.

𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘀
- I find the mids of the X2 Pro as recessed. With adequate body that gets thinner as it reaches the upper mids, the Fonge X2 Pro may get harsh sounding with female vocals when it comes to the highs. In terms of sibilance, I have not noticed any sibilance in my experience. Details and extension is average.

𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗲
- There is a noticeable treble roll off in the upper region of the treble, making the treble lack a little bit of sparkle. But thanks to that it gives the treble of the X2 pro a smooth mature tone that reminds me of the treble of the Kinera Tyr that is priced 5 times than the X2 Pro. Despite the roll off, the treble the X2 Pro produce is clear and detailed.

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴
- Soundstage and imaging is average. Like the MT1 and CS1, when it comes to busy tracks it will have difficulties in retaining its imaging and separation. Nothing to say much here.


𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
- The Fonge X2 Pro presents a darker sound profile to its peers like the TRN MT1 and the TRN CS1, and that what makes the Fonge X2 Pro a strong choice if you prefer the sound profile that the X2 Pro offers compared to others. Altough Fonge cheaped out with them not providing a box, the case that they provide has better value compared to other iems at this price point that leaves only waste to throw in the trash (if you're not collecting the packaging). It is easy to drive even with a phone so that's a plus for me. For its price I don't really have any complains. It is a good sounding iem for cheap, I still personally prefer the MT1 though but that's just my personal preference.

BQEYZ Spring 1 Review (1DD + 1BA +1PD) - 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡!


Disclaimer: This unit was lent to me in exchange for my honest opinion about this IEM. Only the earpiece was provided to me so I can't make any feedback about unboxing experience and its sound at stock form. So like what I did with the **** DT9 Review, I will be stating what cable and ear tips I'll be using with the BQEYZ Spring 1. And lastly, your mileage may vary.


𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
- First I would like to thank my dear friend for lending me this IEM for review.

This is the first time that I've listened to a BQEYZ IEM, but I have heard a lot of good things about the Spring 2 and Summer. And what I have here is BQEYZ's very first tri-brid that has a dynamic driver, balanced armature driver, and a piezoelectric driver, the BQEYZ Spring 1. Now I don't have access to the newer IEMs of BQEYZ, so I can't make any comparisons between the three. Now let us begin.


𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝:
Source - ZiShan U1 ESS Version
Cable - TRI 8 Core SPC Cable, KBEAR 4 Core Copper Cable
Ear tips - JVC Spiral Dots


𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
- As I only have the Earpiece with me, then I'll be only commenting about the earpieces alone. The build quality of the Spring 1 is really good. It has a metal build with a powder-like finishing, making it not susceptible to scratches like shiny metal shelled IEMs. I also like the gold accent that they did with this variant, very elegant looking I would say. Despite it being metal, the IEM itself is lightweight, so you wont have to worry about having weights on your ears.


𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐬
- The Spring 1 delivers a deep bass, with more emphasis and quantity on sub-bass. This gives the Spring 1 a nice low end rumble, but not overdone. Mid-bass on the other hand is average. I find the bass to be focused more on the sub bass than the mid bass. The bass presentation is smooth and its decay and details is average. Bass texture is smooth and pleasant to listen to. Not for bassheads as the bass of the Spring 1 has a mid bass that doesn't have expansive sound that surrounds one's head.

𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐬
- I find the mids of the Spring 1 a bit recessed and thin sounding. Nevertheless the mids still sounds very lively and engaging. And has elevated upper mids that is bright and wide, but sibilance and harshness is present at time specially with K-pop or J-pop tracks. Overall very enjoyable mids even if they're on the thin side, sibilance and harshness is something that you'll encounter with tracks that are prone to them.

𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐥𝐞
- For me, the star of the Spring one is the sparkly treble. The treble presentation is smooth, detailed, natural sounding, and is well extended. All I can say is the the treble is simply amazing. I just wish that it was a bit brighter.

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠
- Soundstage is above average, and the imaging and instrument separation is very good.


𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
- The BQEYZ Spring 1 is a very good introductory IEM to what IEMs with Piezoelectric driver can offer, especially with its treble. The only gripe I have is that I wish that the bass are tighter, but some people may prefer a slower decay in the bass region. And that the occasional harshness in the upper mid and sibilance to be completely eliminated. Overall I think that the Spring 1 is a must buy at this price segment, as it will also introduce you to the wonders of piezo.

KZ ZEX Review - 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me by kzearphone.ph in exchange for my honest opinions for this IEM. Your mileage may vary.

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Pin Type: 0.75mm 2-Pin

Driver Configuration: 1 Dynamic Driver + 1 Magneto-static Driver

Frequency: 20Hz ~ 40kHz

Impedance: 25Ω

Sensitivity: 103dB/mW

Sources Used: Zishan U1 (ES9038Q2M), Sony NW-A55 (Walkman One, Neutral Tuning)

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

To be honest it's has been a long time since I had a KZ IEM, the last KZ IEM that I had is the KZ EDX which I already sold. I also placed an order for the Pro version of it, but the parcel was lost by the courier. We all have such unlucky times. I was given opportunity when KZ has contacted me and asked if I want to review one of their latest releases which is the KZ ZEX. I would like to thank kzearphone.ph for the opportunity to review the KZ ZEX. Now onto the review!

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

I think by now we are all familiar with the packaging KZ has in their budget lineup. It's the usual KZ unboxing experience. Simple does it, right?

Now onto the ear tips. I find it weird that the ear tips that was on the earpiece is the usual KZ Starline ear tips. But inside the packaging is a different set of eartips, different from the usual KZ Starline ear tips. And I find the fit of the new eartips to be horrendous. I find it hard to fit it in my ears as they don't provide a secure seal and proper insertion. So I tip-rolled and settled with Final Audio Type E Eartips for the entirety of this review.



On the bright side, we can see that there is improvement on the stock cable of the KZ ZEX. Instead of the old 4-core twisted braid cable, they now opted to a simpler looking SPC cable. Some may prefer the old cable, but to me I prefer the new cable compared to the old one. It feels really sturdy and has a simple look. Now the question is will this cable oxidize after some time, seeing that this is a SPC-like cable? That's a question only time can answer.



The build of the earpieces of the KZ ZEX is very good. It has a metal front plate with like powder finish, so it's not a fingerprint and dirt magnet. As for the body of the IEM is a translucent black plastic, it allows you to have a peek in the insides of the KZ ZEX. The nozzle of the KZ ZEX has a thin nozzle, so you have to keep this in mind when tip-rolling. Using a ear tip that has a wide bore may result with ear tips getting stuck inside your ears when you remove the earpiece out of your ear. Only use ear tips that can securely fit in the nozzle of the KZ ZEX.



𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Sound Signature: V-shaped sound signature. Not overly aggressive recession in mids. Very easy to drive even with phone alone.

Bass: I find the bass of the KZ ZEX to be tight and punchy. With adequate sub-bass enough to be felt, but lacking the sub-bass rumble. While the mid-bass has definitely more presence as it is forward and has more heft to it, its not over-dominant and well controlled throughout the spectrum. Details is well retained as bass instruments can be easily defined. Overall very good controlled bass.

Mids: The recession of the mids in the KZ ZEX is not as aggressive as most V-shaped IEMs in the market. Meaning the mids manages to remain detailed with adequate body for it to not become to be thin sounding in the ears. Vocals and instruments sounds natural and clean, average separation with no signs of congestion. There is more emphasis that is being put to in the upper mids, making the mids vivid and lively.

Treble: Corresponding with the signature, the treble is elevated. It is natural and smooth sounding, though lacking in sparkle in the upper treble. Nevertheless still very enjoyable with decent amount of details.

Soundstage and Imaging: Average soundstage and intimate sounding. It's like when you're in a stage and the performers are in front of you, the stage is more focused right in front of you making it much more engaging to the ears. Whilst separation is well done with instruments can be clearly identified, imaging on the other hand falls behind it, sometimes failing to discern where and instruments are coming from specially in some busy tracks.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Overall, KZ did a really good job with their first attempt to have an IEM with a magnetostat driver. It is indeed KZ's typical preferred signature which is V-shaped, but I can definitely hear that the tuning on this one is much more refined compared to their releases before. Out of many KZ IEMs that I've tried before, I only liked the KZ ED16 and the KZ EDX. Now the KZ ZEX will join the ranks of KZ IEMs that I personally like. I hope that KZ's will follow this trend and release more refined products from now on. Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, comments, opinions that you want to share, put it in the comment section below.

Links (Non-affiliated):

https://shopee.ph/kzearphone.ph

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