Disclaimer:

• I bought this unit from the 2nd hand marketplace. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• VE MEGATRON USB DAC
• Tempotec Sonata HD V
• Cyberdrive Feather DAC
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock preinstalled tri-flange eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.

========================================================================
Sound signature:

• Etymotic IEMs need no introduction. The Etymotic ER2SE follows the Etymotic’s Diffuse Field (DF) Target. As a result, the sound will be flat, uncolored, and unforgiving. This also reflects to the technical performance as well.

Lows:

• The lows here are linear, tight, clean, fast, and punchy. The subbass will only show itself when the track needs it. This will never be the basshead’s dream and maybe the ER3XR/2XR fits the title better if we’re talking about a “bassy” Etymotic IEM.

Mids:

• The mids here are still, neutral, uncolored, and clean. Everything has an “accurate” note weight and articulate. No instances of peaks or harshness are present here in nature unless the track itself is poorly recorded, mastered, or sibilant prone.

Highs:

• The treble here is also linear and has that usual accurate extension from an Etymotic IEM. Some people may find it lacking, unenergetic, or dry, especially for those people who loves elevated presence. Detail retrieval here is excellent in its class and can pick up nuances with ease.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• Etymotic IEMs are more on the realists side - which means they stick to their principle that the soundstage perceived will depend on how your mind or ear perceives it, and depends if the track is recorded widely, narrow, or compressed. Separation and imaging here is precise but again, depends on the track itself.

Pros:

• The most accurate-sounding IEM (according to them)
• Uncolored, true neutral, flat sound signature.
• Speedy,clean attack and decay for a dynamic driver.
• Excellent clarity and resolution.
• Top-class isolation in the UIEM form factor.
• Non-fatiguing sound.
• Excellent technical performance in its class.
• Excellent fit and comfort (when fitted properly).
• Has better value than the ER3SE.

Cons:

• Fit will not be for everybody.
• Cable microphonics is present when the chin slider and shirt clip are unused.
• Subbass might be lacking for some (but not me though, get the ER2XR/3XR for a bass boost)
• This needs an extra amount of power when compared to the ER3SE to fully shine.
• Semi-proprietary MMCX connection.
• Unforgiving and will slap you with the reality that a soundstage in an iem is all made up inside your head.
• A cable winder and a hard case would be a treat for everybody (nitpick).

The ER2SE is now my top recommendation when looking for an Etymotic IEM, particularly under the 100 USD category. It has better value than the ER3SE because it sounds 90% the same, without the BA timbre due to it using a speedy, dynamic driver. As long as you have a fairly powerful source, the Etymotic will sound good and may even replace your kilobuck IEMs.


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The ER2SE needs a decent amount of power to shine the most. A powerful dongle would be a must for me to unleash its full potential.
• Eartips: Etymotic has given you sets of eartips to test and fit according to your comfort. The triple flange preinstalled eartips worked for me well, but may not on your ears.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos here:

Disclaimer:

• This unit is a tour unit by Audiosense, and organized by Sir Law Loo. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• I have used my own eartips (Whizzer Easytips) for this review. This may or may not affect the sound quality of the IEM.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 3 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• Whizzer DA1
• Tempotec Sonata HD V
• Cyberdrive Feather DAC
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018))
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Small Whizzer Easytips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain, without extra amplification.

=========================================================Sound signature:

• The Audiosense AQ7 Pro Insight is the latest flagship by Audiosense, and is well deserved in terms of its neutral-reference sound quality. Unlike most Audiosense IEMs that feature a thick, boosted or elevated lower end, this IEM chose to keep things precise and accurate, and will reveal any flaws or variances of tracks transparently.

Lows:

• The lows presented by the AQ7 Pro insight isn’t really elevated the majority of the time - it is only elevated when the track needs it. Despite having a somewhat balanced (or neutral, if you may) Its presence never lacked during my tests, even on bass heavy tracks. The midbass and sub bass seem to have the same amount, controlled, punchy, and are fast in terms of attack and decay.

Mids:

• While not being emphasized, I would say that this is the AQ7 Pro Insight’s highlight along with its technical performance. It is very clean, open, detailed, without any form of bloat and bleed. Lower mids exhibit very good thickness and texture. Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran’s voices here have that good texture and emotion. Upper mids are almost the same in characteristics with the lower mids, but with an additional amount of sparkle and air. It never sounded sibilant, peaky or harsh, but it never tries to “fix” flaws exist in a track either, making things really transparent.

Highs:

• The treble is presented here in a slightly elevated, well-extended, airy manner. Cymbal crashes and hi-hats exhibit very good definition and keep their presence in any track. Detail retrieval here is excellent and will pick up any microdetails present in any track.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• As a fan of technical performance, I am very impressed by how the AQ7 Pro Insight presented everything in this section. Everything feels “correct” for me albeit being subjective. The soundstage here is immersive and does not try to make things artificial like some IEMs do just to be called “that IEM with a large soundstage”. Separation here is excellent for its price and is somewhat better than the QDC Anole V3 I personally tried before as it handles the busiest of my test tracks with ease. Imaging in return is also top-notch here in its price category as I can determine air between spaces of the vocals and instruments, particularly with live tracks.

Pros:

• One of the best IEM you can get for 400-500 USD in terms of technical performance.
• Neutral-reference sound signature that never lacked in any genre tested.
• Controlled, speedy lows.
• Clear, hyper detailed mids.
• Crisp, non-fatiguing treble.
• Excellent technical performance for its price.
• Very minimal sound coloration without sounding too boring.
• Excellent resolution.
• Above average fit, comfort and isolation.
• Easy to drive.
• Very good and practical amount of accessories, particularly on the Pelican-esque hard case.

Cons:

• This IEM will reveal any flaws or inconsistencies on tracks you played with it (subjective).
• This IEM may sound a bit “bright” for some people.
• Fit may be bulky for medium sized ears since this IEM has a snug fit in my large ear.
• Cable is more than enough, but can be better for its asking price (my nitpick).
• The design could’ve been at least refreshed to minimize the confusion between this version and the older (AQ7 2020) version (also my nitpick).

=========================================================

• The Audiosense AQ7 Pro insight proved itself to be a well-deserved brand’s current flagship as it has the technical prowess that every 400-500 IEM should have, in my opinion. Its clean, resolving, relatively neutral sound signature really got me hooked as I really am looking for a very technically competent IEM. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who wants a 400-500USD IEM and wants their listening experience to have the transparency and detail it deserves.

Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The Audiosense AQ7 Pro Insight is very easy to drive. However, a decent dongle would be very good for pairing with this IEM. I recommend a neutral or warm sounding source for this one.
• Eartips: It all has the eartips you need included but an aftermarket ear tip of your choice wouldn’t hurt.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos here:

Disclaimer:

• I purchased this with my own money from Shopee. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 3 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
• Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811 DAC)
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM and setup configuration: stock tips, stock cable, any form of EQ and MSEB off, 40-60% volume.

Sound signature:

• Mild V/U-shaped sound signature, this IEM leans to being bright. On some sources, this may sound neutral-bright. Tight, controlled bass, slightly recessed mids, elevated, bright highs. Above-average detail retrieval for its price under 20 USD.

Lows:

• Lows are present with sufficient elevation when needed. Midbass is slightly dominant by a small margin compared to subbass. Bass leans to the faster side of decay. Bass may lack texture or detail at times. It can be sufficient for most tracks and EDM, but might be lacking for bass-heads. Overall, the lows are tight, controlled and exhibits fast decay.

Mids:

• The mids are slightly recessed but does not get drowned by the bass despite of having a minimal midbass bleed to keep the lower vocals have a little bit of warmth. The upper mids are raised and have above-average clarity. This is where the DB1 differs from other IEMs in this price range (around $20): it is bright and sparkly, but never sibilant or peaky as long as the user is listening at regular level. Overall, the mids are slightly recessed in the lower mids but have a lot of air and presence in the upper mids. It never sounded muffled or boxy. This is by far the IEM with the "best" representation of mids under $20 that I've bought and auditioned.

Highs:

• The highs are brilliant and extended. There are no peaks or pierces. Average detail retrieval; you can easily pick up on minor nuances on recordings. Overall, the treble is bright and resolving to keep the sound "open" and appealing.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The soundstage is average, broader than deep, and has a little amount of appropriate depth. Separation is also average, and it can handle busy music with moderate congestion, especially on metal and JPop tracks with a lot of instruments playing in the background. Imaging is above average for the price, and I was able to easily pick up on the position of the instruments and voices.

Pros:

• Very good, all-rounder sound for 12USD
• Controlled, tight bass
• Clear mids
• Fatigue-free yet engaging sound
• Airy highs
• One of the best vocal reproduction from an IEM under 20usd (subjective)
• Lightweight fit and isolation (subjective)
• Eye-candy box for most people

Cons:

• Definitely not for bassheads (subjective)
• Bass may lack texture
• Accessories could be better (like include a pouch at least, but hey, this is 12USD with very good sound quality. Manage your expectations.)

Thank you for reading!


Additional Photos:

Disclaimer:

• Fosi Audio sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any form of bias/s as much as possible.
• I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• I have only tested this with earbuds and IEMs and earbuds.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.

IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:

• Celest Pandamon
• Etymotic ER3SE
• Cat Ear MiMi Pro
• NiceHCK EB2S 4.4
• VE Monk Espresso
• VE Asura 2.0
• VE VE Monk V2s
• Shaytan Customs’ Lamia
• Tinhifi C3
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96, Teclast T-Pad)
• Desktop PC, Laptop.
• Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

Setup configuration: Fosi Audio DS1 paired with phones/laptop/pc.

Essential Product Specifications:

• Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB)
• THD+N: SE: 0.0006%(32Ω); BAL: 0.001%(32Ω); S/N: ≥120 dB
• Recommended headphone impedance: 16-300Ω(SE); 16-300Ω(BAL)
• Dual headphone outputs: 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone jack;
• Power Output: 3.5mm - 120mW(SE); 4.4mm - 220mW(BAL)

========================================================================

Sound signature:

• The Fosi Audio presented itself as a neutral, clean-sounding DAC. It greatly avoided major colorations to the sound and is evident when paired with Etymotic ER3SE. There is a bit of an additional tinge of warmth (but not as much as when compared to the Ifi Hip DAC or the likes) to the sound to keep things from sounding too clinical, but it is very negligible, depending on the gear paired with it. Despite not being too technical, it still showed the technical capabilities of my IEMs and earbuds. Interestingly, it also managed to add a bit of body to the Asura 2.0 when paired with it. In general, the Fosi Audio DS1 delivers the power the IEMs or earbuds need when paired. I never experienced "underpowered" instances throughout my tests.

Build Quality:

• Sturdy—that is the first thing that came to mind when I held the DS1 in person. It is literally solid and hefty. It might be too heavy for some. If I’m going to compare it to other dongles, my guess is that it would be as heavy as an Ifi Go Bar. The volume buttons are really satisfying, as they are tactile and crisp. Adjusting the volume via the hardware volume buttons adjusts the device’s software volume as well.

Device Compatibility:

• It is literally plug-and-play. There is no need to install any proprietary drivers, regardless of what device you are going to pair with it.

Battery Consumption:

• The DS1’s battery consumption is average. It is nicely proportioned for the power it delivers. It lasted around 5–7 hours on my smartphone and tablet.

Power and volume:

• The volume here was mostly handled by the device itself, and the DS1 will base the volume on what volume you were at last time. Here are some IEMs and earbuds I have tried with their respective listenable or loud enough volumes:
• Etymotic ER3SE - 20/100
• Celest Pandamon - 16/100
• VE Asura 2.0 - 25/100
• NiceHCK EB2S 4.4 - 16/100
• Most IEMs - 14/100
• Earbuds - 25/100

========================================================================

Comparisons!:

VS the VE MEGATRON

• The VE Megatron is more powerful when compared, but lacks cleanliness when compared to the DS1. There is a perceivable noise floor on the MEGATRON, whereas the DS1 does not have one. Both contribute the same lack of coloration to the sound of the paired gear. The MEGATRON seems to emphasize the midbass just a little bit, while the DS1 exhibits a tinge or warmth to the mids. Both are well made in terms of build quality. The DS1 is smaller and has volume buttons, while the MEGATRON is complete with the essential ports but lacks the physical volume buttons that the DS1 has.

VS Tempotec Sonata HD V

• The Tempotec Sonata HDV looks more elegant as it is a literal glass sandwich, while the Fosi Audio DS1 aims for a more robust, sturdy, all-metal, industrial design. In terms of sound, both share the same level of minimal coloration but are quite different in terms of where they are leaning. The DS1 has a tinge of warmth, while the Sonata HD V seems to emphasize the upper frequencies a bit. The DS1 is also more powerful and has a 4.4mm BAL port and volume buttons, which the Sonata HD V does not have.

Pros:

• A powerful, relatively neutral sounding USB DAC.
• Clean, detailed sound.
• Slight tinge of warmth to the sound makes it not too clinical (subjective).
• Free from any perceivable noise floor.
• Minimal battery consumption compared to the power it can give.
• Hefty, solid build quality.
• Excellent device compatibility - literally just plug and play.
• Very tactile, hardware volume buttons.
• DSD support is always a good treat.
• 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL ports makes it very versatile.
• Very competitive and might be the best dongle I’ve encountered under 80 USD (obviously subjective).

Cons:

• DAC gets warm to touch on long usage. (subjective).
• Might be too hefty to some people (subjective).
• A pouch would be a treat for everybody (a nitpick).

The Fosi Audio DS1 truly is a hype-worthy dongle! I must say, if we’re talking about practicality, you will be more than fine with this dongle throughout your 100-200 USD IEM, earbud, and maybe even headphone journey. I did not experience any major flaws or issues with this dongle, up to the point that the only things that I found were only nitpicks. It’s that good for a dongle. The Fosi Audio DS1 is my top USB DAC recommendation under 200 USD as of Q1 2023!

Who is the Fosi Audio DS1 for?

• For those people who want an all-rounder, fairly powerful dongle .
• For those people who want a bit of warmth to their listening sessions.
• For those people who want a robust usb dongle on-the-go.

Why should you not buy the Fosi Audio DS1?

• None, actually. This might sound shilly, but if you have the budget and do not have a proper source, buy the Fosi Audio DS1.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated links here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5ZR9GFJ/
https://www.fosiaudio.com/product/headphone-amplifier/ds1-dac-headphone-amplifier/

Additional Photos Here:

Disclaimer/s:

• I bought this brand new from shopee, without any discounts or any acknowledgement from Yincrow themselves. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• VE MEGATRON USB DAC
• Tempotec Sonata HD V
• Cyberdrive DAC
• Whizzer DA1 DAC
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96, Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock black earbud foams, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.

========================================================================Sound signature:

• The Yincrow Calf is an almost neutral sounding earbud that slightly exhibits a hint of brightness and forward mids, just enough to get that amount of engagement and details in a track. When used without foams, it becomes a midcentric-bright performer, but still not as bright as what you would hear with the Yincrow RW-1000. Just like other Yincrow’s flagship earbuds, the Yincrow Calf excels in technical performance as it showed very good immersiveness in terms of soundstage, imaging, layering, and separation.

Lows:

• The lows here in the Calf is what you would expect from an earbud - mostly midbass focused, punchy, clean, with good thickness and depth. I dare say that the lows of this is nearly the same as what you would get with the HZSound Heart Mirror - minus the leanness. Despite being midbass dominant, there’s still a good amount of subbass here but not the same as what you would get with an IEM, particularly with most IEMs that have sub bass elevation. All in all, the lows are presented in a detailed, well-done and controlled manner.

Mids:

• Moving on to the mids, it is almost linear with a good amount of slightly forward mids to keep the vocals and instruments forward and alive. Despite not having any perceivable midbass bleed, the lower mids have good thickness and texture presented throughout my tests. Upper mids are slightly elevated with very good clarity, air, and sparkle. In this region I experienced some tinge of brightness especially on female vocal oriented tracks, but greatly avoided any harshness, sibilance, or peaks. I would still say that if you are sensitive to brightness or brighter sound signatures, you may want to use this with thicker, double foams, or maybe just look somewhere else. This Calf by far has the most engaging, open, and detailed mids I got from a Chi-Fi, mass-produced earbud under 100USD.

Treble:

• As for the treble, it has the same level of elevation to the upper mids. It is also airy with a very good amount of extension. Detail retrieval here is excellent for the price as it picks up microdetails easily, given that you are using this without any disturbances from excessive outside noise.

Technicalities:

• Again, the technical performance of this earbud follows the signature Yincrow fashion. The soundstage is just so immersive that it made me feel that I am using headphones most of the time. It is wide with a very good amount of height and depth. Separation and Layering is well-done as it manages very busy tracks with ease. Imaging is precise as you can render vocal and instrument positioning easily.

Pros:

• Sounds better than the Yincrow RW1000 in terms of tonal and technical performance.
• All rounder, detailed sound.
• Controlled, non-lacking bass for the most part.
• Forward, open, detailed mids.
• Non-fatiguing, airy treble.
• Excellent technical performance for a Chi-Fi earbud under 100USD.
• Exhibits holographic, wide soundstage.
• Very good fit and comfort.
• Excellent build quality and accessories.
• Removable cable.
• Easy to drive.
• Premium packaging (as it should)

Cons:

• This earbud slightly leans to the brighter sound spectrum and may be too much for some (but not as bright as the RW-1000 and LBBS though).
• Subbass may sound lacking at times, especially for those people who crave for that IEM type of bass (subjective).

There’s a reason why I put my Yincrow Calf in the S Tier in my ranking list: it is because it deserves the title, mainly on technical performance. The Yincrow Calf is a must have IEM if you want to experience an immersive listening experience. Or maybe quit using your budget IEM, Just kidding. But if you happen to have an opportunity to personally hear this one, do give it a try!

Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The Yincrow Calf is an easy to drive earbud, even easier than driving a vido earbud, more or less. However, I do recommend using a USB DAC or a powerful source for this one for very good improvements, or just to sound to its full potential.
• Earbud foams: The plethora of foams included with the Calf are more than enough, but you are free to use any brand or material to your liking.
• Cable: Cable is already good and usable for the most part, but you may always change the cable to your liking.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos Here:

Disclaimer:

• I luckily won this unit in a previous raffle conducted by KeepHiFi and TinHiFi. Rest assured that this review will do its best to remove any form of bias/es.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5 hours per day, 6 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
• Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811 DAC)
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM setup configuration: Stock preinstalled ear tips, stock cable, MSEB, or any form of EQ off, 40-60% volume, low and high gain.

Sound signature:

• Balanced with an ever-so-slight hint of warmth. Thick, controlled bass, clear natural mids, controlled, well-done treble presentation. Wide soundstage, excellent imaging, and separation for its price range. Very good detail retrieval without being analytical.

Lows:

• Lows are present and appear whenever the track needed bass. Controlled, thick lows, with almost even amounts of sub-bass and midbass with above-average depth. Decay leans on the quicker side. Bass goes deep without any noticeable bleed on other frequencies. Bassheads can be satisfied with this lows presentation but won’t be enough for those people who want a punchier, hard-hitting bass response.

Mids:

• Mids are almost linear but with a slight hint of being warmth. Lower notes exhibit decent thickness and weight. It is also detailed as well. On a non-Hifi source, the lower mids may experience a slight recession. Upper mids are above average in clarity and sparkle and avoid any peaks or sibilance. Overall, the mids are above average in terms of clarity and details without being too intimate or forward.

Highs:

• Highs are present with natural, controlled extension. Above-average detail retrieval, air, and sparkle for its asking price. No existence of any roll-off, peaks or pierce here as well. Overall, the presentation of the treble is natural and excellent for most people but not for those people who ask for more treble energy.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The soundstage is above-average, wider than deep. It does exhibit a hint of being holographic on my observations and tests. Separation is also excellent for its price, one of the best I heard for 60USD. Imaging is also precise and can handle busy tracks fairly well. Overall, the technicalities of the T3 Plus are a big step up from budget IEMs I’ve heard and tested under the 60$ price point.

Comparisons:

• Vs the Moondrop Aria:

The T3 Plus and the Aria share the same characteristic – thick lows, slightly warm mids, natural highs. However, the T3 plus excels in the technicalities, particularly on imaging, separation, and detail retrieval. Its mids also aren’t as recessed as the Aria, its bass is also lesser in quantity as well. Overall, the T3 Plus is a much more detailed Aria with lesser lows quantity and more detail retrieval, and better technicalities. Its fit is also better on most ears. Paint chipping is also non-existent, as a bonus.

• Vs the Audiosense AQ0

The Audiosense AQ0 overall sounds much livelier and more fun than the T3 plus due to its basshead-approved bass quality and quantity. Mids are also much more recessed on the AQ0 by a fairly small margin when compared. Treble is much more extended on the AQ0 as well. Soundstage and imaging are nearly the same on both IEMs, but the T3 Plus is a little better on the separation. Fit and feel are very good on both IEMs but the T3 Plus is much better. Overall, The AQ0 gives the decent “fun”, while the T3 Plus gives the “mature laugh”.


Pros:

• Excellent sound quality for its price (69$)
• Thick, controlled lows
• Clear yet detailed mids
• Natural highs extension
• Excellent detail retrieval
• Above-average technicalities for its asking price
• Fairly easy to be driven, but will scale and sound better from a powerful/decent source.
• One of the best fit and isolation (subjective)
• Generous set of accessories.

Cons:

• Bassheads may ask for more punch (subjective)
• Trebleheads may ask for more treble energy (subjective)
• Aside from those stated, none for its asking price.

Thank you for reading!

Attached Photos:

Disclaimer:

• I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
• CVJ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• Fosi Audio DS1
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock small white eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain.

Sound signature:

• The CVJ KE-S is a warm, v-shaped sounding set. Subbass-dominant bass, mildly recessed mids, slightly elevated, non-fatiguing treble.

Lows:

• The lows are definitely elevated and subbass-dominant. This means that the bass will be rumbly and will rumble deep depending on the track. Its speed is average and is able to handle bass heavy tracks without any audible distortion. Bassheads on a budget will most likely love this IEM.

Mids:

• The mids are mildly recessed and experiences some slight midbass bleed to keep things warm. Despite being recessed, the lower mids never sounded distant throughout my tests. It is lush, smooth, but with good texture and thickness as it is evident on male vocals and instruments associated in this region. Upper mids are elevated, with great amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. Despite all of these upper mid characteristics, the KE-S never sounded sibilant, harsh, or strident in this region.

Highs:

• As for the highs, it is elevated but not as elevated compared to the upper mids. It is smooth, elevated and airy. Instances of peaks, pierce, and harshness are also absent in this IEM. Detail retrieval is also average and is able to pick up most details easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• In a nutshell, the KE-S’ technical performance isn’t out of ordinary, but managed to hit the good qualities of a good sounding budget IEM. The soundstage is wider than deep with a very good amount of height. Separation and layering are average and will go haywire if things get heavy, like rock or metal. Imaging is also accurate on both instrument and vocal rendition.

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Pros:

• All-rounder, fun sound signature.
• Subbass-dominant bass response (subjective).
• Warm, smooth lower mids.
• Forward, clear upper mids.
• Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
• Very good fit, comfort, and isolation.
• Very good timbre for a budget IEM!
• Easy to drive.
• Very cheap!

Cons:

• There’s no serious flaws of this IEM in this price point tbh, but here are my nitpicks:
• There is a midbass bleed the smears to the lower mids.
• Technical performance is nothing to write home about
• A pouch or a cable winder would’ve been a great treat for everybody.

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The CVJ KE-S is now my current favorite IEM under 10USD! Its warm, fun sound will cater most usage and most people exist in this specific price range. I don’t see any major flaws or drawbacks on this IEM, and will now be my top recommendation under 10 USD as of writing of this review. It has been quite refreshing because this sound exists only within 20-50 USD a couple of years ago. Highly recommended!


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone, but is vastly better when used with a proper source.
• Eartips: Eartips included are soft and good in quality, but you may always use your preferred eartips.
• Cable is soft and as good as it gets, but you may always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos Here:

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Disclaimer:

• - I bought this unit with my own money, without any Tanchjim’s knowledge or intervention. Rest assured that this review will be free from any form of bias/s as much as possible.
• - I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
• - The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• - No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• - I have only tested this with earbuds and IEMs and earbuds.
• -Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.

IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:

• - Etymotic ER3SE
• - Simgot EM6L
• - Letshuoer DZ4
• - Tanchjim One
• - Temperament X6
• - Simgot EW200
• - Sony Xperia X Compact
• - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
• - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
• - Desktop PC, Laptop.
• - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

Setup configuration: Tanchjim Space paired with phones/laptop/pc.

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Essential Product Specifications:

• - Headphone port: 3.5mm SE / 4.4mm Bal
• - Input port: USB Type-C
• - Frequency response: 6hz-85kHz
• - Background noise: 1.3uV(BAL), 1.1uV(UNBAL)
• - Dynamic-Range: 132dB (BAL), 127dB (UNBAL)
• - THD+N: 0.00017% (BAL), 0.00019% (UNBAL)
• - Output power: 4Vrms (BAL High), 2Vrms (BAL Low), 2Vrms (UNBAL High), 1Vrms (UNBAL Low)

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Sound signature:

• - The Tanchjim Space exhibits an analytical, reference, transparent/uncolored sound that focuses more on utilizing the gear and the audio file’s optimal sound quality. This also means that this DAC is a “revealing” set, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on the user. It will reveal how wide or narrow an IEM/earbuds sound, how well layered the whole track is, how muffled or clear the files played with it, and the likes. I can clearly hear how compressed Spotify sounds, and how “rich” or clean Deezer, Qobuz, and my ripped CDs sound on this dongle. YouTube Music sits in the middle in terms of sound quality, and is the most practical among the file types/streaming platforms I’ve tested to my liking.

Build Quality:

• - I personally like what they did with the Space - it is very light in weight without skimping on the build quality. The design exhibits a sturdy,industrial-type of motif in a sleek, minimalist, gray color. It is also smaller in height and a bit wider in width as well, which makes it more portable compared to other dongles I’ve tested and loaned.

Device Compatibility:

• - Just like the Fosi Audio DS1 which is my current daily driver for a year and a half, this dongle does not need any proprietary app to sound in its optimal sound quality, making it very easy to connect across all of my android and windows devices. Hardware volume control is also detected in UAPP, and is easily detected on UAPP, Hibymusic, and Eddict player.

Battery Consumption:

• - This dongle is quite average in terms of battery consumption. It drains about 6-10% of battery in an hour when paired with a smartphone at most, depending on the file type and gain that you are using.

Power and volume:

The Tanchjim space was sufficient (and even more than enough at times) on delivering power and volume on all of my IEMs and earbuds. It has a high gain mode on both BAL and SE connections. Here are some IEMs and earbuds I have tried with their respective listenable/ enough volumes (do take note that the volumes indicated are only based on adjusting the hardware volume buttons to 5 steps from its factory hardware volume setting, with the software volume variable. 100% = 100% max software volume):

• - Etymotic ER3SE - 30/100
• - Temperament X6 - 35/100
• - Simgot EM6L - 20/100
• - Tanchjim One - 25/100
• - Simgot EW200 - 15/100
• - Letshuoer DZ4 - 25/100

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Who is the Tanchjim Space for?

• - For those people who want an analytical, uncolored sounding dongle.
• - For those people who want a distortion, jitter free-sound.
• - For those people who wants a dongle with a detachable cable.
• - For those people who want a very lightweight usb dongle on-the-go.
• - For those people who do not want to mess with any app or setting just to achieve optimal sound quality.

Why should you not buy the Tanchjim Space?

• - If you want a dongle that forgives recording/setup flaws.
• - If you are looking for a warm-sounding dongle.
• - If you mainly use easy-to-drive IEMs (The Tanchjim Space Lite sounds about the same to my ears but with only one SE port, 2vrms max output and no hardware volume buttons).
• - If you need a dedicated app for your dongle.
• - If you care about MQA too much.

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Pros:
- An excellent reference/analytical, transparent-sounding DAC under 100 USD!
- Clean, pitch-black,noise and distortion-free, spacious sound (literally).
- The most “revealing” DAC I’ve used under 100 USD.
- Well-done, powerful output (230 mw @32 Ohms).
- Offers two modes of gain.
- Offers SE and BAL ports.
- Independent hardware volume controls!
- Detachable cable!
- Does not require any app to sound in its optimal performance! (There’s an app but it is buggy as of this moment)
- Does not get too hot unlike most USB DACs.
- Minimal yet intuitive LED indicators!
- Quite tiny in terms of form factor!
- Excellent build quality!
- Visually pleasing appearance!
- Visually pleasing packaging! (subjective).
- Average power consumption.

Cons:
- Having a revealing, transparent sound is a double-edged sword. (heavy emphasis on this one)
- Having an independent volume control also requires at least an - indicator or a tiny screen for me to see what volume step I am in.
- Some people may ask for a well-done, properly-functioning dedicated app for this dongle (I don’t need that as it works excellent without it, still subjective though).
- Cable is visually aesthetic and very durable, but it is quite stiff to my liking.
- A pouch or a carrying case would’ve been nice if included for its price, to prolong the dongle’s overall life span.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos Here:

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Disclaimer:

• I paid for this unit. Ma’am Elle of BQEYZ Audio sent me this unit in exchange for an honest review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid of any biases.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 4 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
• Zishan U1 USB DAC (AK4490 Variant)
• Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811 DAC)
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

=============================================================================================================

IEM and configuration: Stock black-stemmed, large wide-bore ear tips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain.

Sound signature: Balanced to W-shaped sound signature, most of the time. There are nearly equal amounts of lows, mids, and highs while keeping things alive. Swapping and experimenting with filters can make the sound u-shaped or neutral-bright (more into that later).


Bass:

• The bass is presented in a controlled, clean manner. Midbass and sub-bass levels are nearly equal level without being too elevated. The decay is average leaning to the quicker side while keeping it textured. The bass is punchy and can accommodate EDM and bass-heavy tracks very well. As a result, the lows are very controlled, versatile, and pleasing without offending any ears.

Mids:

• the mids are mostly linear with a slight recession on some tracks and pairings. Lower mids exhibit a tinge of warmth to keep the male vocals and instrument some thickness and character. Upper mids are ever-so-slightly elevated with a very good amount of clarity and sparkle. Sibilance is absent on the stock filter on Autumn, but it may have a presence of peaks on the treble filter, but it is far from being unbearable or for me to call it a con. The peaks on the treble filter reminded me of how the BQEYZ Summer presents its peaks, but this time, it is refined and airier when compared. Overall, the mids on the Autumn are clean, articulate with a “natural” character, probably because of its driver configuration.

Treble:

• The treble on the Autumn is will extended with a good amount of brightness and elevation. It is still far from being categorized as a “bright” sounding IEM on the stock filter, but it isn’t rolled off or dark either on my observations. It also shows no signs of piercing and harshness on the stock filter as well. Detail retrieval is excellent for its asking price and is clearly a step-up from the BQEYZ Summer when compared.

Soundstage, Imaging, and Separation:

• The soundstage on the Autumn is wider compared to the Summer with an average to above-average level of expansion. Separation is above average and does not suffer any congestion on my tests with busy tracks. Imaging is precise and does take a step up from the Summer, as it presented the positioning of the vocals and instruments clearer and much more precise when compared.

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Magnetic filter key differences/ effects to the sound:

Bass Filter: Elevates the midbass and sub-bass, presenting the lows with deeper and a bit slower bass decay. There is also a presence of slight midbass bleed when compared to the stock magnetic filter. Overall, the sound became a bit thicker when compared to the stock magnetic filter.

Treble filter: Elevates the upper mids and treble, creating a very good amount of presence and air. The overall sound also is a bit “snappier” as well. Lows are lessen in quantity and leans to a much more controlled, linear response. The soundstage, imaging, and separation are also much more improved here as well when compared to the stock filter.

=============================================================================================================
Pros:

• An excellent IEM on its own under and within the 200USD mark.
• Balances the tonality and technicalities very well.
• Versatile magnetic tuning feature.
• Fatigue free, non-lacking of anything sound signature.
• “Natural” sound presentation.
• Generous set of actually good eartips.
• The cable quality is again, much better. No need to replace unless wanted to do so.
• Metal driver shells while keeping the fit light and comfortable.

Cons:

• The sound may not be forgiving on poorly mastered tracks or lower file bitrates.

=============================================================================================================


The BQEYZ KC2 was my first IEM from BQEYZ many years ago. When I first heard its music, it "wowed" me. I've been following their releases for a while now, personally auditioning them from my friends' units, and it still makes me grin every time I hear it. In terms of my past IEM experience, the BQEYZ Autumn is no different. I came to like their house sound as I listened to it more. The Autumn done an excellent job of balancing the best of both worlds within the 200USD pricing range - both tone and technicality. Even in its stock configuration, it competes with several IEMs in its price range, such as the Moondrop KATO, which also adds sound diversity by switching filters. This IEM is my current #1 pick for anyone looking for an all-rounder IEM around $200 USD, since it can handle whatever music you listen to with it.


Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos:

=================================================================================================================
Disclaimer:

• I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
• Simgot sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• - Tanchjim Space DAC
• - Kiwi Ears Allegro DAC
• - Hidizs S9 Pro DAC
• - Simgot DEW4X DAC
• - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
• - Fosi Audio DS1.
• - Sony Xperia X Compact
• -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock medium eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume.

Additional Note here: I’ll be reviewing the EA500 LM in its stock, pre-installed gold tuning nozzles first then comparing it to the other nozzles later on.

=================================================================================================================
Sound signature:

• The Simgot EA500 LM follows the Simgot’s house sound which leans to the brighter side of the spectrum. This means that the EA500 LM is a mild-u (near neutral) sounding IEM that leans to the brighter side of the spectrum. What makes this different from its older siblings is that there is a noticeable improvement in technical performance when compared, albeit not being night-and-day.

Lows:

• The bass on this set is mildly elevated, fast, detailed, and non-lacking for most people. Midbass is definitely more dominant here compared to its subbass, exhibiting a punchy, snappy attack and decay. This doesn’t mean however, that this lacks the subbass when the tracks call for it. It still delivers sub bass with a decent amount of depth. While this may not be a basshead’s dream, I am still happy and pumped that they managed to improve the EA500 LM’s overall bass character. It is now more detailed and textured, while keeping its clean, fast characteristics found on its older siblings.

Mids:

• Simgot’s take on the presentation of their mids is always preferred by my ears because of its openness and details, but is not favored by some due to its “thin” in presentation. The EA500 LM exhibits its sound a bit thicker but not far compared to its older siblings. Lower mids are clean and free from midbass bleed, but are mildly recessed. Lower vocals and instruments are detailed in this region, but will sound “thin” for those ears who are accustomed to a warm, smooth, lush character in terms of presentation. Upper mids are elevated, exhibiting a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. The EA500 LM with its gold nozzle does not exhibit any unnatural peaks and harshness, but is still bright and is not recommended for those people with sensitive ears as it can be “too much” for those ears. In a nutshell, Simgot again traded the warm, “safe” character for a vivid, open, airy presentation, which really fits my preferences, but I am also aware that this will not fit some ears, so do take a note of that.

Highs:

• Moving on to this region, the treble in this set definitely leans to the brighter side, exhibiting a very good amount of air and sparkle. Peaks and harshness are still not heard with this good nozzle, which is a good sign for most ears. Detail retrieval is excellent and will definitely render all the details in the track.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• Here’s where the EA500 LM differs itself from its previous siblings. The soundstage is wide, tall, and holographic. To my ears this is above EM6L and midway to EA1000 in this context, but definitely not on par or above it. Separation and layering is excellent for its price, and will render heavy passages clearly with ease. Imaging is precise and renders vocal and instrument positioning clearly. I did use this when I tested the latest Call of Duty Warzone Mobile game and it is more than enough and precise on that game as well.

=================================================================================================================
Other Nozzles Comparison!

VS Silver Nozzle, Red Ring

• The EA500 LM sounds nearer to the Harman Target with this nozzle. Its bass is more elevated and thick, mids exhibited a smoother warm character, and the treble remained the same. The soundstage however, took a toll on this nozzle to my ears.

VS Silver Nozzle, Black Ring

• This nozzle made the EA500 LM brighter compared to the gold nozzle, elevating the mids a bit compared to the gold nozzle. This also means that the bass became more tight and lost a bit of detail and versatility. Vocals became elevated and sound mildly “nasal” to my liking. This nozzle also introduced peaks and sibilance which is almost non-existent with the gold ring paired. It also affected the layering and soundstage, in terms of width and depth.

=================================================================================================================
Other IEM Comparisons!

VS Simgot EW200

• The EW200 is brighter than the EA500 LM and “thinner” if you find the EA500 and EW200 thin to your preference. Bass is also lesser in quantity on the EW200 and is less detailed when compared. Soundstage is also “flatter” but wider, if that makes sense.

VS Simgot EA500 (Black ringed nozzle)

• The EA500 is brighter and is closer to neutral when compared. It is also prone to sibilance and harshness when compared. Soundstage is more immersive on the EA500 LM. Separation, layering, and imaging are also cleaner and precise on the EA500 LM.

VS Simgot EM6L

• The EM6L is EA500 LM’s thicker-sounding, warmer, “safe” brother. The EM6L is safer in upper frequencies, but the EA500 LM is airier and much more extended. The EA500 LM has better technicalities as well, but not big in terms of difference.

VS Celest Phoenixcall

• The Phoenixcall has more bass quantity and has more recessed mids when compared to the EA500 LM, but is lesser in treble quantity when compared. This also means that the Celest Phoenixcall has less air on the top-end. Technical performance is also cleaner and more precise on the EA500 LM

VS Celest Pandamon

• The Pandamon is a more balanced set when compared. It is thicker as well and exhibits a tinge of warmth. The EA500 LM is airier. Technical performance is also better on EA500 LM due to its soundstage.

VS Letshuoer DZ4

• The DZ4 leans to a more laid-back, neutral, vocal-centric sound when compared. It is also less detailed when compared to the EA500 LM. Technical performance is better on the EA500 LM.

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Pros:

• The “perfected” version of the EA500 and EW200!
• All-rounder, near-neutral sound signature.
• Very good technical performance improvement!
• Well-balanced tonal and technical performance in Simgot fashion!
• Fast, non-lacking, detailed bass response!
• Clear, open, near-transparent mids!
• Airy, well-extended sound signature.
• Excellent detail retrieval!
• Holographic, precise, well-layered technical performance!
• Additional tuning nozzles!
• Very good fit, comfort and isolation.
• Very good build quality!
• Excellent among and quality of accessories!
• Easy to drive.

Cons:

• Just like its older siblings, its finish is prone to scratch and smudges.
• While arguably a very good improvement fromEW200 and EA500, its overall improvement isn’t a huge leap when compared.
• While this set is less bright in sound when compared to the EW200 and EA500, this set can still be shouty or “too much” to sensitive ears.
• A cleaning cloth would’ve been a nice treat due to its smudge and scratch prone finish. An additional set or eartips would be a good treat as well.

=================================================================================================================

As I listened to the EA500 LM, I decided that Simgot took the input they received from earlier sets and applied it to this set. This is their "nearly perfect" IEM for around $100 USD, in my honest opinion. In practice, the EA500 LM's upgrades aren't so "big" when compared to their earlier sets, because, in my perspective, they already made very good IEMs in their respective price ranges, such as the EW200, EA500, EM6L, and many more. But that doesn't affect the fact that I recommend the Simgot EA500 LM to anyone looking for a highly-resolving, technical IEM for less than $100, as long as their ears aren't sensitive to bright, vivid sound signatures. Excellent job Simgot, as always!

Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This IEM does not need an expensive, or too powerful dongle to be fully utilized. A neutral, or a warm sounding dongle would fit with this set. Their own Simgot DEW4X fits this so well.
• Eartips: The stock eartips included decent enough for the most part. You may still use your preferred eartips.
• Cable. The cable is good and sturdy enough for daily usage, but you may still use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!


Non-affiliated link here!: (will update once given)

Additional Photos Here:

(Random Fun Fact: The whole motif of the Pandamon is based on a giant panda named "Mo", a creature Emperor Wanhu had in his garden along with other interesting creatures. Variously transliterated as "mo," "mé," or "mih," this creature had teeth strong enough to bite through iron, copper, and the joints of bamboo and could chew the nails off a city gate. Its stomach acids could easily dissolve these tough items, hence the name "Iron-Eating Animal." Mo were said to have lived in the areas of Sichuan and Guizhou (especially on Mount Emei in Guizhou), and sometimes ate tripods and cooking utensils if these were mistakenly left out by travelers, hence its metal faceplate and black IEM housing. The name Pandamon, however, seems to be a reference to a Digimon character of the same name.)


Disclaimer:

• Kinera sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• Tempotec Sonata HD V
• Venture Electronics Megatron
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018))
• Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock translucent grey-red eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain,with and without extra amplification.

Sound signature:

• The Celest Pandamon, unlike the Gumiho, attempted a more neutral response this time. To my ears, it can sound "midcentric" at times due to the forward mids presentation while keeping the bass controlled and not emphasized too much on most of my test tracks and casual music library, but it is safe to say that it will sound more or less "neutral" in most cases, depending on the pairing. It may sound “dry” for some people especially those who use bassy or warm IEMs on a daily basis but not for me, probably because I mostly use my Etymotic ER3SE during critical listening sessions as my “reference” IEM. Once again, the SPD benefits come into play with this IEM, which is technically competent for the asking price.

Lows:

• The lows are almost linear, almost Etymotic ER3SE/XR-like, but not quite; it is textured, quick, and clean, and never lacked presence in my opinion. Midbass and subbass levels are roughly equal in quantity, with the midbass having a slight dominance in some cases, resulting in a punchy bass presentation. Although bassheads may prefer more quantity to the subbass, it has never lacked for most genres and will deliver well-done, clean bass regardless of genre.

Mids:

• As for the mids, it is open and forward most of the time during my assessment and casual listening period. There is a tinge of warmth here but well done, just like on what most people hear with the Etymotic ER2XR; it never got recessed or drowned out, even on complex passages. Despite being open and forward, it retained the adequate thickness, detail, and smoothness of Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran’s voices. The upper mids are slightly more elevated when compared to the lower mids, exhibiting above-average clarity, air, and sparkle without any instances of fatigue or sibilance. In my opinion, the mids of the Pandamon are one of the best mids I’ve heard within this price bracket if you’re looking for well-presented, forward mids.

Highs:

• Moving on, the treble is well-extended but not as elevated as the mids, with good clarity and air. The cymbal crashes in this set are well done, and they never lack the crash and splash that I look for during my tests. Detail retrieval is average, as it can easily pick up most details.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The Pandamon, like the Gumiho, is an excellent value in this category. The soundstage is expansive and immersive, with plenty of height and depth. My guess is that because the shell seems to sport a semi-open back design, but I am uncertain. Nevertheless, it is wide. Separation and layering are above average, as they never struggled badly on my busy test tracks. Imaging is also precise, allowing for very accurate instrument and vocal positioning.

Sound Comparison/s:

• Vs the Celest Gumiho
  
  • The Gumiho is noticeably bassier and has recessed mids when compared to the Pandamon. The mids are also meatier or thicker on the Pandamon. It is also brighter in terms of treble, probably because it has a BA driver, whereas the Pandamon does not. The rest are more or less the same, with the Gumiho having a bit more wider stage but lacks the immersiveness when compared. In my opinion this isn’t an upgrade nor a sidegrade, but a different flavour.
• Vs the Tinhifi C2
  
  • The Tinhifi C2 is brighter and less neutral when compared to the Pandamon. It also has less smoother sound and warmth. The soundstage is wider on the C2, but lacks the immersiveness the Pandamon has.
• Vs the Dunu Titan S
  
  • The Titan S is also brighter, more u-shaped, and has more extension on the treble when compared to the Pandamon. Bass is more present in terms of quantity on the Pandamon. Soundstage is wider on the Titan S and less immersive when compared.

Pros:

• The most “neutral” sounding IEM Celest has done so far.
• Neutral, midcentric at times, non-fatiguing sound signature.
• Fast, clean bass response.
• Open, forward, lush mids.
• “Naturally” extended treble.
• Excellent technical performance for its price (well-tuned SPD advantage/s I guess).
• Immersive soundstage for its price (at least to my ears).
• Easy to drive.
• Excellent fit and comfort.
• Very good packaging and accessories. The metal bookmark returns!
• Another unique IEM release from the company that quite stands out from the market.
• Visually-pleasing, industrial design cue/s (subjective).
• Probably my favorite IEM existed this year under 100 USD (obviously subjective).

Cons:

• Faceplate design isn’t for everyone (but I like it though) (subjective).
• Bassheads may find the bass too "clean" or "lacks subbass" (subjective).
• Cable is a bit of a downgrade compared to the Gumiho in terms of twist/braid structure.
• I would’ve preferred a pancake/hard case for its price (nitpick).

The Celest Pandamon is quite a banger for a year-ender IEM in 2022. Celest once again nailed the uniqueness of this IEM in terms of its motif, presentation, and sound quality. Despite being a relatively new type of driver technology on the market, I'm starting to like how Celest crafts and tunes their SPD. It did not try to sound identical to the current IEM market, wherein most sets sound the same, u-shaped sound to each other, just with different emphasis. Instead, Pandamon attempted to achieve "true" neutrality in the budget IEM realm, and they got it really close in my book (and ears)—truly one of the few I find interesting and worthy of my overall recommendation!


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: Rated at 9 ohms, I find the Celest Pandamon easy to drive. But for better results and pairings, a neutral or warm sounding dongle fits this well.
• Eartips: The eartips are soft and comfy enough for daily usage. However, you may use your preferred third party eartips.
• Cable is more than enough for the most part, but you can always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated link here: https://www.kineraaudio.com/product/celest-pandamon

Additional Photos here:

Fun fact: (Shangguan Wan'er (664–21 July 710) was a Chinese politician, poet, and imperial consort of the Wu Zhou and Tang dynasties. Described as a "female prime minister," Shangguan rose from modest origins as a palace servant to become secretary and leading advisor to Empress Wu Zetian of Zhou.)

Disclaimer/s:

• This unit was sent to me by Tangzu themselves in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• Tempotec Sonata HD V
• Venture Electronics Megatron
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018))
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: medium eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain, without extra amplification.

Sound signature:

• The Tangzu Wan’er S.G. is quite different from the previously released IEMs by the company, as it is the most "neutral" in terms of sound signature. If we’ll describe the signature in exaggeration, this exhibits a mild-u, borderline-bright sound, tastefully done as it avoids any form of harshness, peaks, and sibilance.

Lows:

• The lows here in the Wan’er S.G. are almost linear to my ears, but well done. It never sounded out of place in my preferences or library, but that doesn't mean it's a basshead or a bassy IEM. Far from it, actually. There are times that the midbass is dominant over the subbass, creating that punchy bass presentation. The decay is average with a little bit of quickness to it, especially on metal tracks.

Mids:

• Moving on to the mids, it is "naturally placed" or mildly recessed, depending on the track. At first, I thought it managed to go toe-to-toe with my Etymotic ER3SE in terms of linearity. Still, it isn’t as linear, but the coloration of the Wan’er S.G.s is very minimal. The lower mids exhibit very good thickness and depth while keeping the majority of the detail, such as raspy male vocals and instruments, within this region. Upper mids are slightly elevated, just enough to give them that "airy," "clear," and "sparkly" quality while avoiding any peaks, harshness, or sibilance. Vocals may sound intimate at times, especially on vocal-oriented tracks, but they never gave the impression of being "claustrophobic."

Highs:

• The treble is well extended, almost as much as the level of elevation of the upper mids. It is airy and sparkly. Cymbal crashes sounded really satisfying to my ears. Detail retrieval is average and manages to pick up most of the details needed easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• As for the technical performance, everything sounds average to my ears. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t bad at all compared to the other budget IEMs I've tried, but the technical performance here will not blow your mind either. It's more than enough for daily listening and has never sounded choppy, even on my busiest tracks. The soundstage is wider than deep, with average expansion. The separation is also average and may suffer some congestion on very heavy passages, particularly with metal tracks. Imaging is also average, with most spatial cues rendered fairly.

Pros:

• One of the most “balanced/neutral”, smooth sounding IEM under 20 USD.
• The most “tonally correct” IEM under 20 USD to my ears (subjective).
• Controlled, well-done lows.
• “Naturally placed” mids.
• Well-extended, non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
• Decent technical performance.
• Excellent two sets of eartips; does not degrade the full potential sound of the IEM. It even has a cleaning cloth!
• Easy to drive to its full potential.
• Very good fit and comfort (subjective).
• Decent build quality and aesthetics.
• Enticing, motif-driven design cues and box art (subjective).

Cons:

• May sound “bright” to some (subjective).
• Technical performance is average (nitpick).
• QDC connection kinda ruins the looks of the IEM (subjective)
• A pouch or a case would be a good treat for everybody (subjective)

As of now, the Tangzu Wan’er S.G is now my top recommendation under 20USD, if you are looking for a neutral sounding IEM, but with removable cable. It is almost as “flat” when compared to the Tanchjim Zero, the most flattest IEM under 20 USD yet, but with more dynamic bass response and well-controlled treble. The Wan’er S.G. also by far is the most “tonally correct” sounding IEM for me under 20USD. This IEM is literally the embodiment of a quote I try to live by: “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” Well done, Tangzu!


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The Wan’er S.G is easy to be driven to its full potential. Any dongle, neutral or warm sounding dongle will do.
• Eartips: It all has the eartips you need included but you can always use your preferred eartips. Tip: try Final E eartips for pleasing results.
• Cable is more than enough for the most part, but you can always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos here:

Disclaimer:

• - I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
• - KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• - The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• - No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• - Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
• - Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• - Fosi Audio DS1.
• - Sony Xperia X Compact
• - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock medium eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, DSP/USB-C plug, 40-60% volume.

(We'll start this review with all of the switches flipped on, as it is the "stock" configuration of the KZ Castor out of the box.)

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Sound signature:

• - The KZ Castor (Neutral) quite resembles the overall sound characteristic that the KZ EDA (Balanced) had, but greatly improved. It is still a “harman” or mild-u-shaped sounding set, but managed to balance both tonality and technicalities for its price greatly, in terms of quality.

Lows:

• - This region isn't the Castor neutral's strong suit because it isn't the most raised or textured in this IEM. It's punchy and somewhat raised, with a fast attack and decay, yet it can get boring on certain tracks. When compared to the EDA Balanced, it is noticeably thicker and has better decay for most genres, including bassy ones. However, the Castor Bass version is the one to choose if you want a bassy sound while still preserving the Castor naming scheme.

Mids:

• - Now we are at the highlight of this IEM, in my humble opinion. Sure, it is slightly more recessed than the other frequencies, as are most u-shaped IEMs, but it is quite open, clear, and detailed for the price. Male vocal fans may find the thickness of the male vocals missing, but it is usually insignificant and has the details when needed. Upper frequencies are slightly raised, clean, airy, and contain a lot of sparkle. This region will sound "peaky" to sensitive hearing on badly recorded or particularly sibilant tracks, but it will never be sibilant or piercing. Overall, I like the mids of the KZ Castor Neutral and probably it’s their best rendition of their signature mids among all of their products I have auditioned.

Highs:

• - This set's treble is nicely extended and somewhat raised. It's neither sibilant or fatiguing at all, while still retaining the necessary presence of this region. Detail retrieval is average, nothing new or something to write home about. It still has most of the details needed for casual music listening sessions.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• - Just like the EDA Balanced, the Castor Neutral quite has the balance in terms of technical and tonal performance. The soundstage is better on this set in terms of depth and height, layering and separation is also a bit better but nothing too significant and may struggle on very busy tracks compared to their recently released IEMs. Imaging and separation is very good and very good for listening to live performances and fps games.

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Switch configurations in a nutshell!

• Just like the first KZ to do the tunable switch feature, the switches here in the KZ Castor exhibits the “add/subtract” type of mechanism. One switch flip equates to a 1db elevation in the low/high frequencies.

================================================================================================================
Other IEM comparisons!

VS CVJ KE-S

• - The KE-S is definitely warmer, smoother, but suffers less treble extension, air, and detail. Technical performance is also better on the Castor Neutral.

VS Tanchjim Zero

• - The Zero is literally dead flat, neutral, and prioritizes the technical performance more than the tonality. The Castor Neutral is a bit behind on the layering, but is on par on all technical aspects when compared. It is also easier to drive when compared.

VS CCA Duo

• - The CCA Duo is a brighter, more peaky IEM. It edges out the Castor Neutral on the detail retrieval and layering, but the rest both IEMs are on par. The Castor Neutral does not suffer in any form of harshness though. It is cheaper as well.

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Pros:

• - For the nth time, their “best” IEM is under 30 USD yet!
• - The usual, “neutral” sound signature (subjective).
• - Well-balanced sound quality in terms of technical and tonal performance.
• - Well-controlled, smooth bass bass response.
• - Open, detailed mids.
• - Non-fatiguing yet airy upper frequencies.
• - Very good technical performance under 25 USD.
• - Versatile, “KZ-signature” tuning switch.
• - Very good fit, comfort, and isolation.
• - Smooth, sleek “fluid” design! (subjective).
• - Easy to drive.
• - Relatively cheap!

Cons:

• - Due to two existing versions of this IEM, the switch feature is quite pointless or a gimmick (subjective).
• - Bass may sound monotonous at times (subjective).
• - Sound isn't good when all switches are turned off/ some of the switches are turned off.
• - Despite not being sibilant or harsh in any way, people with sensitive ears may prefer the bass version more or look for something else due to its “clean-neutral” sound approach (highly subjective).
• - Barebone accessories.

================================================================================================================

In a very good, positive way, there is nothing significantly new about KZ's current lineup. All of their products are really good, refined, and very capable of sounding great on casual music listening sessions. This KZ Castor Neutral version, in KZ manner, is by far, their best yet and their “for the masses” IEM yet! However, I do find its switch feature rather pointless and definitely a useless gimmick due to the Castor’s dedicated “bass” version. Despite the said gimmick, the KZ Castor is definitely on the top of my budget recommendations if you are looking for a neutral-sounding set, well done!

Pairing recommendation/s:

• - Eartips: The eartips are alright and enough for the most part. You may always use your preferred eartips.
• - Source: This IEM is easy to drive, but benefits well on a Hi-Fi dongle or USB DAC.
• - Cable: is already good as what it is, but you may use what you prefer.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated product link here!: https://shopee.ph/KZ-Castor-In-Ear-...fIJWA6f8eBiyXfzFUMMcik8JNlpFRICgZdEAtVwdYsx30

Additional Photos Here:

================================================================================================================
Disclaimer:

• I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
• I purchased this IEM with my own money, without any discount or compensation since ShenzenAudio and Tanchjim do not entertain my emails. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 10 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• Fosi Audio DS1
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• Shanling UA1 Plus
• Sony Xperia X Compact
• Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock large narrowbore eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 3.5 SE plug, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain.

================================================================================================================
Sound signature:

• The Tanchjim One falls in the same sound profile as the Tanchjim Zero, Ola, Ola Bass. It is a neutral-sounding set with a clean, punchy bass boost.

Lows

• This part is the most elevated in One’s sound. It is punchy, impactful, clean, with even amounts of sub bass and midbass in terms of elevation. Attack and decay is on the faster side, but never lacked on most genres. Despite its bass being boosted, bassheads on a budget may find this lacking, especially if you had bassy IEMs in your possession. It sure has more bass presence than the Tanchjim Zero though, adding a bit of thickness to its sound.

Mids

• As for the mids, it is well-placed and can sound forward at times. It does not have any midbass bleed to add a bit of warmth to the lower mids, making things clean and close to transparent as much as it can. Lower mids have an adequate depth. Upper mids are also well-placed with a good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. There isn’t any form of unnatural peaks, harshness, or sibilance in this region.

Highs

• Moving on to the treble, it is well-extended but it lacks a bit of air to my liking. It isn’t rolled off or anything like that, but the cymbal crashes aren't as satisfying to my liking (personal preference). However, the detail retrieval here is still great and very commendable for its asking price.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation

• The Tanchjim One managed to keep the Tanchjim Zero’s technical performance - it is above average for its asking price. However, the soundstage isn’t as wide compared to the Zero, but it is far from narrow or compressed. Separation and layering is really good for its price and has no problems rendering heavy passages. Imaging is precise and is able to render everything accurately, even when used on playing competitive games.

================================================================================================================
Other IEM comparisons!

• VS Tanchjim Zero
  
  • The Zero is a more neutral, sterile, thin sounding set. Both Zero and One are really good sets, and are more of a “different flavour” rather than an upgrade.The Zero is cleaner sound just by a hair bit, while the One is thicker in sound.

• VS KBEAR KW1
  
  • The KW1 is warmer in sound, and loses on the technical performance.

• VS Final E500
  
  • The Final E500 is a neutral sounding set, but is a bit mid forward compared to the One. It is a bit harder to drive as well. The One is thicker in sound and has more transparent mids when compared.

================================================================================================================
Pros:

• - “Relatively neutral” sound signature.
• - Very good balance of tonal and technical performance for its asking price.
• - Managed to keep the Tanchjim Zero’s positive qualities (subjective).
• - Chunky, impactful yet clean bass.
• - Open, transparent mids.
• - Decently extended, detailed treble.
• - Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
• - Very good technical performance for its asking price.
• - Very good scaling capabilities!
• - Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation - even better than the previous Tanchjim Zero.
• - Very good, minimalist, sturdy build quality (subjective).
• - Excellent amount of packaging and accessories!
• - Fairly easy to drive.
• - Removable cable for a bullet-shaped IEM is quite rare!

Cons:

• - While being easy to drive, it needs at least 1.6vrms-2vrms dongle to sound the best.
• - Treble slightly lacks air to my lacking (subjective).
• - Soundstage may sound intimate to some (subjective).

================================================================================================================

Now that I have finished this review, I have realized that the Tanchjim “numbers” and Ola lineup seems to be the Tanchjim’s attempt to recreate the Etymotic lineup, in their own way. It does have the same sound profile, but it isn’t close when it comes to how “raw” the sound of Etymotic IEMs are. However, they managed to nail the nearly similar sound but with a better, ear-friendly fit, which makes me want to recommend the Tanchjim One to everyone who is looking for a comfortable, relatively neutral-sounding IEM aside from the Tanchjim Zero. I do find myself using it more often than my other daily IEMs. Highly recommended!

Pairing recommendation/s:

• - Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone due to its easy to drive nature. However, using an external dongle or DAC wouldn’t hurt.

• - Eartips: The eartips are alright and enough for the most part. You may always use your preferred eartips.

• - Cable gets the job done and is sufficient for the most part. You may always use your preferred cable. However, its female pins are recessed so longer 2pin cables are most likely to fit well with this IEM.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated product link here!: https://tanchjim.com/en/products/earphones/iem/one/

Additional Photos Here:

Disclaimer:

• I bought this unit with my own money from Tangzu Audio. Rest assured that this review will try its best to deviate from any bias/es.
• Despite purchasing this Shimin Li, this is a review unit. I won’t be able to show the full accessories but rest assured that the two sets of eartips and the stock cable are included in the retail units. Also, the vent that you are seeing in the IEMs themselves in the picture will not be visible in the retail unit according to Tangzu Audio themselves.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 4 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• BaseUs USB DAC
• VE MEGATRON USB DAC
• Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
• Cyberdrive Feather DAC
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

Earbud configuration: Stock white medium eartips, BQEYZ Autumn stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.
Sound signature:

• “Neutral-borderline-bright” sound signature on neutral-uncolored sources, but will sound slightly u-shaped on most sources, as what the Yuan Li sounded. It also has that “scaling” ability the more you pair it with extra power/juice from a source.

Lows:

• The lows on the Shimin Li are slightly elevated, accompanied with a slightly dominant subbass response. Its decay leans to a slightly quicker bass response than its older brother, the Yuan Li. However, its presentation of the lows are much more fuller and extended compared to the Yuan Li. I would not recommend this as a basshead’s IEM, but it is articulate enough to cater most tracks you listen to with it. As a result, the lows here are the first thing that is very noticeable when you compare Yuan Li and Shimin Li side by side. It sounds fuller and more complete than the other.

Mids:

• The mids here in the Shimin Li retains the Yuan Li’s DNA and improves it further by making it clearer, forward, and cleaner when compared. In most sources, mostly observed on uncolored sources, the mids sounds relatively neutral in position. But on some sources such as smartphones or warm sources that emphasize the lows by a bit, the lows may elevate more than the mids. Despite the occurrence of that instance, the mids in general never got drowned out to my liking. The lower mids are clean with a tinge of warmth to keep the lower mids sounding full with texture and detail. Male vocals and instruments with lower notes sound naturally thick and “alive” here, if that makes sense. Upper mids are slightly elevated and have an above-average clarity, detail and air. On poorly mastered tracks, with higher than usual volumes, the Shimin Li may produce some slight peaks, but nowhere near to being harsh. Overall, The mids on the Shimin Li balanced itself to be “emotional” while being detailed at the same time. Despite me pushing it to my higher than usual volumes, it still managed to sound smooth and greatly avoided any harshness or sibilance, just like the Yuan Li.

Highs:

• The treble on the Shimin Li is a bit more extended than the Yuan Li, but it still falls under the “natural extension” for me. It is well extended and very airy for its asking price. Despite being extended, there is no presence of any harshness and peaks observed. Detail retrieval is above average for its price as I managed to hear the microdetails easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• This is where the Shimin Li managed to go toe to toe with the Yuan Li and improved most aspects. The soundstage is wide with an above average levels of expansion for its asking price. It is wider than deep and produces good depth. Separation is also a bit better here on the Shimin Li when compared as the instances of congestion are greatly lessened here when compared to the Yuan Li. Imaging is also much more clearer and precise when compared as the positioning of the instruments and vocals exhibit some variable distances between them per track.

Comparisons!:

• Vs the Audiosense AQ0 (100USD)
  • The Audiosense AQ0 is a more "fun sounding" IEM than the Shimin Li when compared. It definitely has bigger, elevated, deeper, and punchy bass when compared to the Shimin Li. The mids excels on the Shimin Li as they are more forward when compared to the AQ0 and is also thicker in body while keeping its better transparency when compared. The highs are also much more extended and airy on the Shimin Li while the AQ0 sounds a bit "safer" in comparison. As for the technicalities, they are nearly the same except for the soundstage as the Shimin Li's soundstage is noticeably wider and has more height.

• Vs the NF Audio NM2 (100 USD)
  • The NF Audio NM2 trades blows with the Shimin Li as they both leans to a somewhat "balanced" sound quality and signature. However when compared side to side, the NF Audio NM2 is less thicker and smoother and presentation when compared to the Shimin Li. The sound on the NM2 is also much more "energetic" when compared to the Shimin Li. The lows are quicker in response on the NM2, the vocals are also more forward in NM2, while the treble is much more airy on the Shimin Li. As for the technicalities, the soundstage is also bigger on the Shimin Li while the NM2 leans to a more "realist" approach. Separation and imaging are about the same. On the build quality though, is where the Shimin Li excels again because it is made of metal shells while the NM2 is made of a generic plastic mold. However this is purely subjective to your liking.

• Vs the BQEYZ Autumn (200 USD)
  • This is where the price range kind of speaks for itself, particularly on the technicalities. The Autumn has a better resolution and layering when compared to the Shimin Li. Not to mention that its tuning versatility, also is a huge difference as it can be tuned to your liking without even touching any EQ. However, the Shimin Li isn't that far when compared to the Autumn in terms of sound quality, it's just that the Autumn is two or three steps ahead compared to the Autumn, given its respective price differences.

• Vs The HZSound Heart Mirror (45 USD)
  
  • The HZSound Heart Mirror is noticeably thinner and brighter in sound when compared to the Shimin Li. Its bass is lacking in quantity, but both exhibits clean bass. The mids are also more uncolored in the Heart Mirror but has less smoothness when compared to the Shimin Li. The highs are definitely brighter on the Heart Mirror and can be too much for some depending on the pairing and tracks. As for the technicalities, the Shimin Li excels for the most part, particularly in the separation as this suffered less congestion on very busy tracks when compared to the Heart Mirror.

Pros:

• Nearly has the same sound quality to its older IEM sibling, the Yuan Li but cheaper.
• “Neutral” borderline bright sound signature.
• Very “open” sounding for its price.
• Smooth, bodied sounding pair while not sacrificing any details.
• Non-lacking, clean bass in most genres.
• “Natural” presentation of upper frequencies.
• Excellent technicalities for its price.
• Two sets of decent eartips.
• Thick, sturdy, and non-flimsy cable. This reminded me of the UE cables before.
• Metal, hefty driver shells.
• Very good fit and isolation.

Cons:

• Due to its “borderline-bright” upper mids, using it with higher gain or higher than your usual volume may cause some slight peaks on poorly recorded or very sibilant tracks.
• This IEM is not for basshead nor for treble-heads either (subjective)
• Shell is prone to scratches and is a fingerprint magnet, as most metal shelled IEMs are.
• A pouch or a cable winder would be a treat for everyone (my nitpick).

=============================================================================================================
Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The Shimin Li, like its brother, the Yuan Li, needs some added power to sound to its full potential as this has the scaling ability like its brother. Pairing it with added power greatly improves dynamics and tightens the bass response by a bit.
• Eartips: The stock eartips are good enough and makes the Shimin Li, to its full potential, but any eartips of your choice will do as well.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated link: https://shopee.ph/TangZu-Audio-Shim...92&xptdk=1eb2b324-0941-4753-9ca9-97ad8dc88992

Additional Photos!:

Disclaimer:

• I bought this unit with my own money at Shopee. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Another Disclaimer: What I will be reviewing is the EB2S Pink Version with the 4.4mm plug. My experience with my unit may or may not differ from the other reviews (particularly those reviews that has the 3.5mm plug version) you may have seen online due to the balanced output’s additional juice of power, but there should be a common ground for the most part. With that being said, I will only be testing this EB2S with my VE MEGATRON USB DAC since I do not have an adapter yet to test it with my other sources.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.


Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80 (connected via MEGATRON DAC)
• VE MEGATRON USB DAC
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock foams, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.

Sound signature:

• The NiceHCK EB2S shares the same quality to its slightly look-alike cousin, the ME80, in terms of resolution and immersiveness. However, their sound signatures are different. The EB2S sports a balanced with a tinge of warmth sound signature. As a result, the sound is fatigue free while keeping the details clean. Do take note, this is not a “killer” or any mind-blowing type of earbud in terms of sound quality. It’s just that it sounds really good for its price.

Lows:

• The lows here are present but not as elevated when compared to the Faaeal Iris Ancestor or the Yincrow X6. Despite being present, it only contributes to the overall sound’s thickness. Midbass is dominant over the subbass and packs a thick but not too deep type of punch. Decay leans to the average, more of a natural type of decay. Therefore, basshead-level tracks here such as Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” or Katy Perry’s “Harleys in Hawaii” may sound lacking in sub bass rumble for bassheads, but will definitely never make the overall sound dry for most tracks such as pop, rock, or even some metal.

Mids:

• The EB2S’ mids are what I would call “perfect” in this price point, or even up to 40 USD range. It is slightly forward and never got recessed even on busy tracks during my tests. While being slightly forward in mids, it kept the body and depth thick to give it body and musicality. Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith’s voices here sounded thick and well-detailed. Upper mids here are also slightly forward and are the same level as the lower mids in terms of presence. It may sound intimate at times but never lacked any air or depth. There are no instances of peaks or sibilance here in the EB2S, making it very suitable for long listening sessions while keeping it detailed at the same time.

Highs:

• The highs here are almost “linear” with decent extension, clarity and air. People who are looking for sparkly, elevated treble may want to look for somewhere else as this earbud does not have it. Despite being not too extended, the EB2S still managed to deliver an above-average detail retrieval for its asking price as I can hear nuances in Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and NIKI’s “Indigo” easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The soundstage here is wide for an earbud, has an above-average of expansion, and shares the same amount of immersiveness as what the ME80 had before it got discontinued. Separation here is also above average and handled my complex test tracks such as ONE OK ROCK’s “Mikansei Koukyoukyoku” and Aimer’s “Zankyosanka” fairly easily. Imaging and layering here is also precise and can render vocal and instrument positioning clearly.

Pros:

• One of the best Chi-Fi mass-produced earbuds I have heard under 20 USD as of now.
• Fatigue-free, easy-to-listen-with sound signature.
• Bodied sound for an earbud.
• Slightly forward, intimate mids (subjective)
• Excellent technical performance under 20USD.
• Very good fit and comfort.
• Sturdy lightweight build.
• Easy to be driven to its full potential despite sporting an LCP driver.
• Very good amount of accessories for this price. A pouch and cable winder will always be a sweet treat!

Cons:

• Those people who like a fun, energetic sound signature might want to stay away from this.
• Long-time IEM users may find the sound of these “lacking weight” as this is an earbud.
• Actually, for this asking price, there is practically none. Any negatives will be said here will just be a nitpick for this price.

I have regretted that I sold my NiceHCK ME80 a long time ago just because it did not fit me well without foams. From that time I have looked everywhere for it despite it being discontinued for quite some time now. But after hearing the sound of this NiceHCK EB2S, I stopped looking for it because the sound of this is overall better for me and it is more suited to be an all rounder compared to its older discontinued cousin. I fully recommend this earbud for people who do not like the fit of an IEM but still want to experience an all-rounder, balanced, smooth, fatigue-free, thick sound quality. As for my unit, I may purchase an adapter next time for me to use it with my other sources, but that is a problem for another time.


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The NiceHCK EB2S is fairly easy to be driven to its full potential. A neutral or a warmer source will do.
• Earbud Foams: Donut foams will make it sound more open and less warm, offering a balanced sound profile.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos:

Video review here:

Disclaimer:

• I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
• Simgot sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• Fosi Audio DS1
• Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock large eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 3.5 SE plug, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain.


Sound signature:

• In a nutshell, the Simgot EW200 is a balanced or mild-U-shaped sounding IEM. What makes this IEM stand out among the other IEMs under the 50 USD category is it managed to balance tonal and technical performance so well that it never sounded “lacking” most of the time.

Lows:

• The lows are moderately elevated, rich, full, and textured. Both midbass and sub bass seem to exhibit a good amount of quantity with a bit of subbass dominance. Decay and attack is also within the average-above average realm, resulting in a clean yet non-lacking presentation. This is by no means a bass-centric, basshead IEM, but it caters most bassy and even bass heavy IEMs while never sounding lacking or muted during my tests.

Mids:

• Despite not being a midcentric IEM, the EW200’s mids is the highlight of this IEM to me, along with its technicalities (more into that later). The mids managed to sound musical and technical at the same time. Call it “natural”, if you may. It is open, engaging, and never sounded drowned or muted at all. Lower mids exhibit good depth, thickness and texture, while the upper mids are slightly elevated while being clear, airy and sparkly at the same time. There aren’t any harshness or sibilance encountered in this IEM, but I would still like to give a friendly reminder to those people who are sensitive to elevated upper frequencies that they may find this IEM “bright” on some occasions.

Highs:

• The highs are elevated but well tuned enough to avoid any form of harshness, pierce and peaks. It is airy and renders higher notes very well. Detail retrieval is average-above-average as it renders most details easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• For under 50 USD, the technical performance that the EW200 offers is quite insane, in my opinion. The soundstage is wide with a really good amount of height and depth, making this sound quite “immersive”. Separation and layering is average-above average and will handle busy tracks fairly easily. Imaging is precise and definitely can render accurate vocal and instrumental positions.

Comparisons!

VS Simgot EA500

• The Simgot EA500 is a brighter, more bass-light set when compared to the EW200. The key difference between the two is that the EA500 has a replaceable tuning nozzle and will definitely affect the sound (but for this comparison we’ll go with the black nozzle filters). With the black nozzle filter on the EA500, the EA500 sounds more neutral, bright, and excels more on the layering and separation, but the EW200 excels more on the soundstage, width, height, and depth. To my surprise, the EW200’s hurdle that is holding it back to sound exactly like the EA500 is that the EA500 is more refined and cleaner than the latter. Nevertheless, both IEMs are really good performers for their respective prices.

VS Celest Pandamon

• The Pandamon is still one of my favorite sets under 100 USD and still shows that it isn’t that left behind when compared to the EW200. The Pandamon aims for a more “balanced”, controlled, bodied approach while the EW200 aims for a more lively, airy, open sound. Hearing the Pandamon and EW200 side-by-side showed that the Pandamon lacked air and treble extension but not to the point that it sounded muted. It just lacks treble extension compared to the EW200 in terms of “openness”. The Pandamon slightly excels on the separation and layering. Both scales well with different sources. Both are very good choices, you just have to pick what you prefer.

VS KZ X HBB PR2 (V1, with Black Mesh)

• The PR2 is harder to drive since it is a planar IEM and leans to a more “fun yet controlled” sound and may sometimes come across “too clean”. The EW200 is like that but less controlled in a good way, keeping things “alive”. Mids are definitely more open and engaging on the EW200. The PR2 excels on the layering but the EW200 isn’t that far and is still very competent when compared to a planar.

VS TRN TA4

• Both are technically capable IEMs, but the EW200 isn’t that far in terms of quality. The only thing that is apart is their respective prices, which means that the EW200 has better value. It also does not have the BA Timbre that the TA4 has.

VS KZ D-Fi (DDDU config)

• The D-Fi aims for a more neutral and a tad bit brighter approach while the EW200 maintains its tonal and technical balance. The EW200 also has better overall technicalities than the D-Fi when compared.

VS Moondrop Aria, Aria SE, Chu, LAN, Starfield

• In a nutshell, all of these IEMs are inspired by the Harman Target - but the Simgot EW200 does things better by balancing both technical and tonal performance for its price while not sounding mellow, intimate, and haywired on busy tracks like the latter.

Pros:

• The current “best” IEM under 50 USD IEM I have heard recently (highly subjective).
• Has the best balanced tonal and technical performance under 50 USD.
• Almost-harman-sounding IEM but improved to sound better than the usual.
• All-rounder, versatile sound signature.
• Controlled, detailed yet non-lacking bass.
• Open, airy, detailed mids.
• Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
• Very good, above-average technicalities for its price.
• Insane stage height and depth in its caliber.
• Very good build quality. Metal IEM shells!
• Excellent fit, comfort and isolation.
• Very good cable quality.
• Easy to be driven to its full potential.
• Scales well to different sources.

Cons:

• Eartips might not fit well to most people’s ears. (subjective).
• IEM shells are smudge, scratch, and fingerprint magnet.

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The current state of Simgot’s target house sound proves that any company can still live by the book while improving what needs to be improved to stand out. Followed by the EA500’s hype train, the Simgot EW200 also deserves the hype if it will be hyped, due to its outstanding tonal and technical performance under 50 USD, in my own humble opinion. I can even say that this IEM can be a no-brainer recommendation for those people who just wants an IEM that just sounds good and great under 50 USD. As what some of my friends say, “Simgoat” indeed! Keep ‘em rolling!


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone, but is vastly better when used with a proper source.
• Eartips: The eartips did not fit my ears that deep, so it may differ to your ears. However, this does not affected the sound quality too much. You may still use your preferred eartips.
• Cable is really, really good. Probably the best stock cable of an IEM you can get with this price. You may still use your preferred cables.

Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliate link here: http://www.simgot.com/en/products/d...H_0vcA9cz9Peg1ubAKLUmsSuxj_Wm4FRnIyE5FSOKWYBE
Additional Photos Here:

Disclaimer:
- I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- Simgot sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Special Note/s here:
- Throughout this review, I will be using the Simgot EA500 with the black tuning filter nozzle on, as it is the company’s signature house sound, then compare the red tuning filter nozzle from there.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• -Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• -Fosi Audio DS1
• -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), Laptop.
• -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock medium eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain,with and without extra amplification.
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Sound signature:

• - With the black tuning filter nozzle used, the SIMGOT EA500 sports the SIMGOT’s house sound, which leans toward a slightly bright sound signature. The EA500 itself may sound within the range of a mild-v,mild-u,w-shaped, or neutral-bright sound signature, depending on the setup and ears used. Changing the filter to the red one will make the EA500 sound like your usual Harman Target curve (u-shaped), but it is a bit refined in the treble department compared to most Harman-sounding IEMs available on the market.

Lows:

• -Clean, non-lacking, and detailed are the descriptors I can fit for the EA500. It never smeared any other frequencies, keeping things fun and non-sterile. Midbass and subbass levels are almost equal in quantity, with the midbass being slightly dominant. Bass decay here is rather quick but is able to produce sufficient subbass for bass-heavy genres such as EDM and metal. Bassheads will be happy with this IEM, but they will prefer it with the red filter paired; more on that later.

Mids:

• - The midrange is the best and strongest suit of the EA500, as it sounds W-shaped to my ears. Simgot managed to balance the tonal and technical performance of this IEM without being too analytical or too blunt in presentation. Lower mids sound almost natural in both placement and depth. Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran’s voices here are well-textured and clean. Upper mids are slightly elevated with a very good amount of clarity, air, and sparkle. There is no sibilance or harshness present here, but since this is a slightly bright IEM, this tuning filter may not be in favor of those who are sensitive to upper frequencies. Overall, the mids of the EA500 is one of the best and my favorite mids I have encountered under 100 USD, as it never skimped in any detail or texture on all the test tracks I have with me.

Highs:

• - The highs are also slightly elevated, airy, and sparkly with the black filter. Still, it doesn’t exhibit any form of harshness, peaks, or piercing in this region. Microdetails are definitely present with this filter and are shown easily by the EA500.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• - For its price, the technical performance of the EA500 is one of the best under 100 USD. The soundstage is wide and exhibits a very good amount of height and depth. Some people may call it "holographic" on most tracks. Separation and layering are above average, as it handles most busy tracks neatly and with ease. Imaging is on the precise side and is able to present vocal and instrument positions with excellent clarity.

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Other tuning configurations:

- With the red tuning filter nozzle

• When used with this filter, the EA500 sounds like Harman, which is u-shaped in a nutshell and leans to the warmer side. The bass here gets chunkier, more elevated, and still midbass-focused, but is lacking in texture and articulation. The mids slightly warms and recesses but maintains its character, and the treble also loses a bit of detail retrieval. The soundstage also gets smaller by a little bit due to the bass elevation of this filter.

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Comparisons! (VS SIMGOT EA500 with Black Filter)

VS NF Audio NM2

• Both are top and technical performers in my book, but the NF Audio NM2 is brighter. It also has lighter shells and is made of plastic.

VS Astrotec AM850 MK2

• - Both IEMs have the ability to change sound signatures due to their detachable nozzles. The AM850 MK2 is also brighter when compared to the EA500. Instances of peaks and sibilance are much more present on the AM850 MK2 compared to the EA500. Soundstage is also a bit wider on the AM850 MK2, but lacks a bit of depth when compared. It is also pricier compared to the EA500.

VS BQEYZ Autumn

• - The forward mids on the Autumn is the first thing that I have noticed when compared. The bass is also more refined and controlled in the Autumn. The treble is also less brighter. The EA500 excels in speed and cleanliness of its sound when compared. It is also slightly more detailed in general, but can be negligible. Autumn is also pricier, of course.

VS Celest Pandamon

• - The Pandamon sounds more neutral and more controlled when compared side by side. It also sounds “softer” in presentation, has more forward mids, and slightly lacks air when compared. As for the technicalities, both IEMs are nearly the same in terms of quality.

VS TForce Yuan Li (Pre-Yuan Li)

• - The EA500 reminds me of the first version of the Yuan Li, which was already discontinued and was a bit pricier when it existed in terms of its overall sound and scalability. It has chunkier bass to boot, but has recessed mids when compared. It was also warmer and slightly less detailed by a hair thin. Treble performance is nearly the same, but the Yuan Li exhibited more instances of peaks when it existed. It also scales well just like the EA500 but was picky due to its hard-to-drive nature.

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Pros:

• One of the best IEMs under 100 USD in my book (subjective).
• Excellent,clean,versatile, well-done sound signature and quality.
• Very good balance between tonal and technical performance.
• Versatile tuning capabilities due to its removable screw-on tuning nozzles.
• Non-lacking, detailed bass quantity and quality for most genres on both tuning filters.
• Textured, excellent mids quality and placement on both tuning filters.
• Airy, highly detailed upper frequency presentation on black tuning filters.
• Excellent technical performance under 100 USD.
• Easy to be driven to its full potential.
• Scales well depending on the setup paired.
• Excellent fit and comfort .
• Well-crafted, durable build quality.
• Visually-pleasing packaging. It screams craftsmanship and geometry!

Cons:

• This IEM is not overly bright but may not be preferred by treble-sensitive ears or those people who prefer warmth.
• This IEM is fingerprint, smudge, and scratch magnet/prone. A cleaning cloth would’ve been nice to maintain its aesthetically pleasing metal shells.
• The supplied eartips are somewhat lacking for its price. It does not affect the sound quality in a negative tone, but I find it gripless to my ears which may affect the seal of the IEM especially during walks or commutes.

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Pairing recommendation/s:

• - Source: This IEM is easy to be driven to its full potential. However, pairing it with a warmer source makes things a bit smoother and more versatile.

• - Eartips: The stock eartips here do not affect the sound negatively, but are not grippy to my liking. Eartips such as JVC Spiral Dots, Final E eartips, or KBEAR 07 eartips are my recommendations.

• - Cable: Cable is as good as it gets, but you may always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!
Non-affiliated link here: http://www.simgot.com/en/products/detail/26.html#!/detail

Additional Photos Here:

DISCLAIMER/S:

• I am one of those people who is gifted (and cursed) enough to hear minor nuances in setups. Please keep in mind that everything you read here may or may not be experienced by your own ears. Both cases/instances are completely fine, never a problem, and have nothing to do with how "good" your ears are. YOUR MILEAGE MAY AND WILL VARY.
• This unit was sent to me by a friend in an exchange for an honest review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to avoid any bias/es as much as possible.
• No monetary compensation was given to me before, during, and after the creation and publishing of this review.

Pros:

• Premium Craftsmanship and build quality (as it should).
• Premium packaging and accessory/ies (as it should)
• Soft feel yet has sturdy build quality
• Adds a bit of warmth to the sound while keeping the clarity and technical performance.
• Has minimal coloration to the sound of the IEM.
• Minimizes noise floor by a lot.

Cons:

• Cable is slightly on the heavier side.
• Expensive (of course)

Cable Specifications:

• Litz 6N pure silver shielding coaxial structure
• High-end, premium shielding
• Shielding Lay: Litz Pure Silver 112 cores 22awg
• Centre Lay: Litz 6N OCC 133 cores 22awg
• Plug/s: 3.5MM SE, 4.4MM BAL, 2.5MM BAL
• Connector: 2Pin 0.78, QDC/Fitear/JH Audio/IE80/IM/IE600/IE500 silver copper alloy CuAg6 patented MMCX, can also be modular.
• Price: 610 USD

Test setup/s:

• BQEYZ Autumn
• TangZu Shimin Li
• Venture Electronics MEGATRON USB DAC
• CDs, Local Files, Streaming sites.

Findings:

• The Hakugei Skyrim is a premium cable aimed at excellent aesthetics, build quality, and sound quality for its price. The sound improvements depend on the setup itself, whether it is responsive to subtle changes or not.
• The cable noticeably added a bit of warmth to the BQEYZ Autumn. Even in Autumn with neutral filters, it sounds like it is using the bass filter. Despite adding warmth, it never made the sound blurry or bloated. It still maintained the clarity and crispness of the sound while also reducing the perceived floor noise. The soundstage seemed to be a bit wider compared to the stock cable.

The Hakugei Skyrim is an excellent premium flagship cable if you have the resources to afford it for your expensive IEM. Aside from its top-notch build quality, it managed to make things a bit warm, and I do find it pairs well with brighter IEMs. It sure is worthy if you pair it with an expensive IEM, as most expensive IEMs are the most sensitive to changes as well.


Thank you for reading!

Additional Note/s here:

• I will be using the MD4 with the stock “balanced” configuration and compare the other modes from there.

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Disclaimer/s:

• I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
• Hidizs sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

================================================================================================================
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• -Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• -Fosi Audio DS1
• -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock small balanced eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain.

Sound signature:

• With the “balanced” configuration set, the Hidizs MD4 exhibits a balanced, mild-v shaped sound signature. From there, the sound varies depending on the switch you configure it with.

Lows:

• The lows are slightly elevated and are a bit midbass focused. Despite being an all-BA set, the bass exhibits a slightly softer than usual character to it, but still shows a good amount of articulation and speed. No matter what genre you listen to with this IEM, the Hidizs MD4 is able to cater most tracks easily, particularly in the bass department. There is a midbass bleed present in this configuration, which leads us to the mids.

Mids:

• … is quite caved in , recessed, and sounds “off” which makes the mids not as extended and forward the way I prefer in this configuration. This is because of the midbass bleed/bloat smearing onto the mids. In return, lower mids are thick, muffled, and somewhat “boxy”. Male vocals seem to be sounding thicker than usual in this configuration. Upper vocals are slightly elevated in this configuration, exhibiting a good amount of clarity and sparkle. There are some instances of occasional peaks here and there, but nothing too off-putting for me to call it sibilant, strident, or hot.

Highs:

• The highs are fairly extended, elevated, with a good amount of air. It isn’t as extended compared to the other configurations. Instances of sibilance in this region are non-existent in this area, but I am aware that there are other inputs experiencing some sibilance in this area, so do take note of those inputs as well if your ears are sensitive to upper frequencies. Detail retrieval in this configuration is average and is improved on other configurations.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The MD4’s technical performance is average in this configuration and gets better on the other configurations. Its soundstage aimed for a more “pseudo-immersive” one rather than your usual wide soundstage due to its height and width nearly having the same depth. Separation and layering are mostly good for the most part, with some instances of overlapping on some heavy passages in this configuration. Imaging is precise and is able to render instrument and vocal positions clearly.

Other Driver Configurations! (U = UP, D = Down)

• “Warm” Configuration (DU)
  
  • This by far is the best configuration among the 4 in my opinion. Everything is much more extended, open, clean, and airy. The boxiness of the lower mids are also non-existent in this configuration. Resolution is also noticeably better and microdetails are much more heard in this configuration.

• “Treble Configuration” (DD)
  
  • Flattens the bass and extends the treble even further by making things more airier than usual. Bass is more tight, faster, and controlled in quantity. The bloat is also non-existent in this configuration, but some upper mid peaks are more apparent in this configuration. Technical performance here is identical to the warm configuration. Personally this is my favorite configuration, but most people will prefer the “warm” configuration.

• “Bass Configuration” (UU)
  
  • Extends and elevates the bass even further, making things more rumbly. The bloat is slightly present in this config, but is definitely shaved or trimmed down compared to the balanced configuration. The rest are more or less the same.

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Pros:

• Clean, versatile sound signature.
• Never sounded thin despite exhibiting an all-BA driver configuration.
• Excellent tuning switch implementation.
• Deep, thick bass (bass and warm config)
• Fast transient decay.
• Excellent resolution and technical performance (warm and treble config)
• Airy, expansive upper frequencies (treble, warm config)
• Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation.
• Excellent build quality and visual details.
• Excellent packaging and included accessories. Lovely!

Cons:

• Midbass bloat and muffled lower mids are present on “balanced configuration”.
• Peaks and slight sibilance are present on “treble” config.
• Instances of overlapping in separation and layering are experienced on “balanced” configuration.

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Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This IEM is very easy to be driven, and prefers neutral source.
• Eartips: Eartips included are soft and good in quality, but you may always use your preferred eartips.
• Cable: Cable is as good and basic as it gets. You may use your preferred cable as always.

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos here: