Context:
My second set from the brand AFUL, the first one is MagicOne. In my first audition, I felt the urge to have it in my collection. It’s a very beautiful looking IEM, especially the face plate. I enjoyed some numbers of my favorite artist Mark Knopfler on my first day of having it. I can clearly hear every nuance when Knopfler pluck on guitar with his pick and move his fingers through the fretboard. So nice, right?
I used the cable supplied (mine is 4.4mm balanced version), which is very good but not those stock tips. As I’m a big fan of cable swapping & tip rolling, I always use pure copper cable with it. And after some experiment with Dunu S&S, Penon Orange, Spinfit Omni, W1 & Divinus Velvet, I choose the Spinfit Omni for its seal & comfort. My go to set-up is P5+Copper cable+Omni, and I’m good to go!
Have Cowon Planue R2 & ifi Hip DAC 2 in my possession, I enjoy music mostly with them. And sometimes with Hiby R3 from a friend of mine. I found that Performer 5 shines with Planue R2. And with Hip DAC 2? Oh man, they’ve got married to each other from the very moment. And I don’t need to turn on the ‘X-Bass’ to enjoy the body of bass!
Disclaimer:
This is not a review unit and I purchased the AFUL Performer 5 with my own money and own interest. There is no monitory transaction between me & AFUL Acoustic. And this review is totally unbiased and upon my listening experience over last one month or so.
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Technical Specification:
Driver: 1 DD (8mm) & 4 BA driver on each side
Impedance: 35Ω
Sensitivity: 110dB
@1kHz
Frequency response: 5Hz – 35kHz
Passive noise reduction: 26dB
Connectors: 2-Pin 0.78mm
Termination: 3.5mm/ 4.4mm
What’s in the box:
IEM themselves
Nicely braided multi color cable with 3.5mm/4.4mm termination
3 pairs of ear tips with blue, red & black bore (S,M,L for each color)
User manual (really, man!) & Warranty card
Unboxing Experience:
The AFUL Performer 5 unboxing experience is fairly standard. The IEMs themselves come nestled in a foam insert within a compact cardboard box. AFUL includes the essentials: a detachable cable with a 0.78mm two-pin connection, a selection of silicone ear tips in various sizes, and a simple carrying pouch. While the pouch might feel a touch lightweight, the overall impression is one of a well-organized and functional package that prioritizes protecting the IEMs themselves.
Build Quality:
The AFUL Performer 5 boasts a build quality that prioritizes comfort and functionality over luxurious aesthetics. The IEMs themselves are constructed from a lightweight resin material that feels sturdy enough for everyday use. While they might not exude the same premium feel as some metal-bodied IEMs, the smooth finish and comfortable design ensure a pleasant user experience. The included cable feels reassuringly secure with its two-pin connection and braided design. Overall, the AFUL Performer 5 strikes a balance between practicality and functionality, delivering a build that feels well-suited for daily listening adventures.
Fit & Comfort:
The AFUL Performer 5 is a very comfortable IEM even for long listening sessions. They've got a lightweight design that feels practically weightless in your ears. The true comfort star, however, is the selection of your ear tips (as I found the Spinfit Omni got the best fit & comfort). The right choice of ear tips allows you to find the perfect fit for your ears, ensuring a secure seal for optimal sound isolation and, most importantly, comfort during extended listening sessions. Whether you're a marathoner or a casual listener, the AFUL Performer 5 promises a fatigue-free experience. Personally, I didn’t feel any pain or pressure even in longer listening sessions like 5-6 hours straight. And the ear hook on the cable doesn’t give any pressure and never let you feel like something is sit upon your ears. The total experience is really comfortable.
Sound impressions:
Before we start digging deep, let us read carefully about AFUL’s statement of their specially developed ‘EnvisionTEC High-Precision 3D Printed Acoutic Tube Structure’ – “Using high-quality 3D printing technology, AFUL Acoustics has designed a precise 3D printed acoustic tube structure for the Performer 5. They have named it EnvisionTEC acoustic tube structure. This features a 60mm ultra-long and ultra-thin bass tube with a 30mm mid-bass duct structure for a powerful, slamming bass response. It helps maintain a proper phase correction between different frequencies.” And they also claimed an “unmatched sound performance” with their five-driver hybrid configuration.
Are they really unmatched? Ok, below my very own experience & thoughts on the sound impression by listening to different genres of music. Here we go…
Sub-Bass:
Punchy over earth-shaking - that's the mantra for the sub-bass on the AFUL Performer 5. Bass heads seeking bone-rattling lows might find it a touch tame. Sure, there's sub-bass presence, but it leans towards a tight and controlled presentation. This focus on balance keeps the sound clean and avoids muddying the mids. Electronica and hip-hop genres that typically rely heavily on sub-bass might not have the same visceral impact. However, the Performer 5 delivers a satisfying punch in tracks like Bassnectar's "Immurement." The kick drum maintains its tightness and presence without bleeding into the intricate electronic soundscapes. the Performer 5 shines on genres like rock. Tracks like Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" for instance - the kick drum hits with authority and impact, keeping the driving rhythm precise and engaging.
Ultimately, whether the sub-bass is enough depends on your personal preference. If you crave the deepest of lows, look elsewhere. But for most listeners who appreciate a balanced sound with a controlled sub-bass presence that complements the overall musicality, the Performer 5 punches above its weight.
Mid-Bass:
The sub-bass performance of the AFUL Performer 5 is nothing short of exceptional, offering a deeply immersive experience that perfectly complements a range of classic tracks I use to listen. The low-end extension reaches impressively deep, providing a solid foundation without overwhelming the midrange. On Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall", the sub-bass rumble is felt with good depth, enhancing the track's atmospheric tension. Similarly, the bass line in Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" comes through with both power and precision, delivering that iconic groove with authority. Moving into Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", where the sub-bass adds a robust underpinning to the grunge anthem’s raw energy.
Overall, the mid-bass performance is a clear winner for the Performer 5, ensuring a clear and engaging listening experience for a wide range of genres, particularly those that rely on a well-defined and punchy low-end.
Male vocal:
Male vocals take center stage with the AFUL Performer 5, ensuring a clear and detailed presentation for my favorite singers. The midrange is finely tuned, allowing male vocals to shine with a sense of presence and richness. Listening to Freddie Mercury's powerful delivery in Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the AFUL Performer 5 captures every nuance of his dynamic range, from the gentle falsettos to the soaring crescendos. Bruce Springsteen’s gritty, heartfelt vocals in "Born to Run" are rendered with exceptional texture and emotional depth, making you feel every word. Likewise, the soulful intensity of Seal's voice in "Kiss from a Rose" is conveyed with remarkable detail and intimacy, highlighting the IEM's ability to handle both subtlety and power.
Throughout my music library, contains tracks from classic era, the Performer 5 maintains a balanced and engaging midrange, ensuring that male vocals are always front and center, rich with character and true to the artist's intent.
Female vocal:
The AFUL Performer 5 handles female vocals with a touch of finesse, offering clarity and a hint of brightness. This combination allows you to appreciate the nuances in a singer's voice without any harshness. On Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," Stevie Nicks' ethereal voice is rendered with exquisite detail and a haunting presence that draws you in completely. Whitney Houston's powerful and soulful performance in "I Will Always Love You" is delivered with stunning fidelity, capturing every subtle inflection and dynamic shift in her voice. Similarly, the expressive range of Annie Lennox in Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is handled with precision, highlighting the rich texture and emotive power of her vocals.
The Performer 5 ensures that female vocals are always articulate and nuanced, providing an intimate listening experience that honors the artistry and passion of these legendary performances.
Treble:
The treble performance of the AFUL Performer 5 is exemplary, delivering a clear, detailed, and airy top end that enhances the listening experience across various genres. The shimmering cymbals in Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" are reproduced with remarkable clarity and finesse, allowing each crash and sizzle to resonate naturally without any harshness. In Michael Jackson's "Thriller," the high-pitched synths and intricate percussions are well-articulated, adding a layer of excitement and sparkle to the track. Madonna's "Like a Prayer" benefits from the AFUL Performer 5's precise treble, with the background vocals and high notes soaring effortlessly above the mix. The delicate acoustic guitar strums in Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" are rendered with a crispness that highlights their subtleties and nuances.
Overall, the treble is smooth yet energetic, providing a sense of openness and airiness that enhances the overall soundstage and allows each high-frequency element to shine with its own distinct character.
Instruments:
The AFUL Performer 5 delivers an outstanding performance across the entire frequency spectrum, handling a variety of instruments with remarkable clarity and precision. The bass guitar in The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" comes through with a deep, resonant punch, while the kick drum maintains a solid, impactful thump that anchors the rhythm section effectively. In Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing," Mark Knopfler's intricate guitar work is presented with superb detail and separation, allowing each note to sparkle without any hint of muddiness. The midrange shines in tracks like Elton John's "Rocket Man," where the piano chords are rich and full-bodied, blending seamlessly with the other elements. High-frequency instruments, such as cymbals and hi-hats in Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight," are crisp and well-articulated, avoiding harshness while preserving their shimmering presence.
The Performer 5 also excels with classical music, faithfully reproducing the grandeur of Beethoven's symphonies, where the strings are lush and the brass is bold and powerful. Mozart's delicate woodwinds and intricate orchestral arrangements are handled with finesse, ensuring that every instrument is heard distinctly within the complex tapestry of sound. This versatility makes the AFUL Performer 5 a truly exceptional IEM for any genre, offering a balanced and immersive listening experience that captures the essence of both modern classics and timeless masterpieces.
Soundstage & Instruments separation:
The AFUL Performer 5 delivers a competent, if not class-leading, soundstage performance. It prioritizes clarity and separation over expansive width. The rich soundstage allows for a spacious and almost three-dimensional presentation, making you feel as if you're right in the middle of a live performance. In Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," the guitar strums and vocals are distinctly placed, creating a sense of space and depth that envelops you. The complex layers of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" are handled with precision, with each instrument and vocal track maintaining its own place within the mix, allowing you to pick out individual elements with ease. Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way" showcases the Performer 5's ability to keep the drums, bass, and guitar clearly separated, even during the more intense parts of the song. In U2's "With or Without You," the separation between Bono's vocals and the instrumental background is crisp and well-defined, adding to the emotional impact of the track.
Overall, the Performer 5 excels at instrument separation and clarity within a focused sonic space, making it a great choice for appreciating the intricacies of complex musical arrangements in classic rock, orchestral pieces, and even modern genres with layered instrumentation.
Cable & Tip rolling:
As I mentioned earlier in this review, I’m a huge fan of cable swapping & tips rolling. For that I always try to collect my preferred cables & favorite tips. With Aful Performer 5, the delivered stock cable sounds nice. But while using a pure copper cable, it feels a bit warmer with thicker mid notes and meaty vocals, which I like obviously. When it comes to tip rolling, my top choice is Spinfit Omni. The first reason is Omni’s comfort and fit. And surprisingly, Omni fits well with the Performer 5 and creates a good seal. And for that, the sound becomes a bit fuller throughout the frequency.
You may have your own preferences but I will recommend a pure copper with this IEM for thicker tune and Spinfit Omni for good seal & comfort.
Conclusion:
The AFUL Performer 5 stands out as a remarkable in-ear monitor that excels in both sound quality and design. Its deep, impactful bass, rich midrange, and clear, detailed treble come together to create a balanced and enjoyable listening experience across all genres. The expansive soundstage and excellent instrument separation add depth and dimension to your favorite tracks, making you feel immersed in the music. With its comfortable fit and stunning aesthetic, the Performer 5 is not only a pleasure to listen to but also a joy to look at. Whether you're a music enthusiast or an audiophile, the AFUL Performer 5 delivers a level of performance that is sure to impress.
Who should get the AFUL Performer 5:
Comfort Seekers: Lightweight design and multiple ear tip options ensure fatigue-free listening sessions.
Budget-Minded Audiophiles: Crystal clear and detailed sound that delivers great value for the price.
Genre Hoppers: Well-balanced sound signature that shines across a variety of musical styles.
Vocal Enthusiasts: Clear and detailed presentation of both male and female vocals.
Maybe look elsewhere if:
You Crave Bone-Shaking Bass: The Performer 5 prioritizes a controlled and tight low-end, not earth-shattering sub-bass.
Wide Soundstage is Your Priority: Performer 5 focuses on clarity and separation within a focused space, not a vast and airy soundscape.
Aggressive Treble is Your Preference: The Performer 5 offers a clear and detailed treble, but some might find it a touch too safe for genres like metal.
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uxury Materials Matter: While well-built, the materials used might not feel as premium as some high-end IEMs.
