EARNiNE EN210

Cinder

Formerly known as Res-Reviews
Pros: Excellent detail articulation, solid constriction, great cable, good case, warm sound signature
Cons: Lacking a bit of upper-treble expression, mildly underwhelming sub-bass
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Earnine EN210 Review: Same Company, Different Sound

Earnine is a fledgling company with a very complicated company history. Originally they were a brand started by TSST ( Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology). However TSST went bankrupt, and the end seemed nigh for them. Thankfully, some of the employees of Earnine managed to revive the brand and continue developing their fully-original balanced-armature designs. I’ve previously reviewed the EN120 (which I absolutely loved), so I came into the EN210’s review with high expectations. But does it live up to my expectations, and can it prove itself to be a better value than its predecessors?

The EN210 is currently in production and isn’t for sale yet. But the wait shouldn’t be too long!

Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Earnine beyond this review. These words reflect my true, unaltered, opinion about the product.

Preference and Bias: Before reading a review, it is worth mentioning that there is no way for a reviewer to objectively pass judgment on the enjoy-ability of a product: such a thing is inherently subjective. Therefore, I find it necessary for you to read and understand what I take a natural liking to and how that might affect my rating of a product.

My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, mid-bass. The mids should be slightly less pronounced than the treble, but still ahead of the bass. I prefer a more bright upper range.

Source: The EN210 was powered like so:

HTC U11 -> USB-C adapter -> earphones

or

Hidizs AP100 3.5mm out -> FiiO A5 3.5mm out -> earphones

or

HiFiMAN SuperMini -> earphones

or

PC optical out -> HiFiMe SPDIF 9018 Sabre DAC 3.5mm out -> earphones

All music was served as MP3 @320Kbps or as FLAC.

The EN210 sounded its best on neutral sources, and did not require nor benefit from any kind of amping.

Sound Signature
Initial Impressions:

There are as many similarities between the sound signatures of the EN210 and EN120 as there are differences. Their trebles share the same DNA but have different levels of extension and clarity. And while the EN120 does everything perfectly except the low-end, the EN210 sacrifices some of its potential to bring more weight and warmth to the table. So I can’t really say if one is better. There’s good arguments that go both directions.

Mid-bass is matched with the upper-mids and treble, and sub-bass is about 3–4dB less emphasized than the mid-bass. All in all it comes out to be a natural sound signature with a warm tilt.

Treble: Songs used: In One Ear, Midnight City, Outlands, Satisfy

High-hats and cymbals sound outstanding on the EN210, and for a warmer IEM I’m extremely impressed. While it doesn’t take my breath away like its older brother, the EN120, does, it still provides me with an immersive experience. Over the course of In One Ear I could hear the sound of air flowing into the vocalist’s nose when he inhaled between lines, all while being charmed with the distinct slams of the high-hats and drums in the background.

String instruments sound wonderful on the EN210, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were used as the primary benchmark for sonic testing back at Earnine’s facilities. Outlands really exemplifies this. Coherence, spacial placement, and instrumental separation are all top notch for a dual-BA IEM, and I can find no faults.

Furthermore, the EN210 isn’t sibilant at all. Earnine seems to be very careful about releasing any sharp or harsh products, something I commend them for. Sibilance can be a hearing hazard, and I wish more manufacturers took more seriously.

Mids: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, 10,000 Emerald Pools

Instrumental separation was Earnine’s previous claim to fame, so how well did they preserve that astral quality in the pursuit of a more “mainstream” sound signature? Well, by my marks, remarkably so. While the EN210 simply can’t compete with the EN120 on this, it does routinely outshine other IEMs in its class. Every chord, every string pluck, and every drum hit is preserved throughout the entirety of songs like 10,000 Emerald Pools. Furthermore, the timbre of guitars, electric and acoustic alike, is great. I can strongly recommend that the EN210 to fans of rock and alternative, regardless of it’s deviation from the tried and true V-shaped sound signature.

The EN210 doesn’t play favorites with male or female vocals either. Both are well-weighted and have an above-average level of intelligibility.

Bass: Songs used: Moth, Gold Dust, In For The Kill (Skream Remix), War Pigs (Celldweller Remix)

Ah, now onto bass. This was previously my biggest nit to pick with Earnine and they have definitely solved the majority of my concerns. I felt the EN120 to be a bit too clinical, even when compared to other popular single-BA IEMs. Frankly, it was boring for most electronic genres. The EN210 doesn’t go full bass cannon, but it does take very good steps to becoming palatable in every genre I threw at it. The EN210 still isn’t a basshead’s dream, but it can definitely perform well enough to be satisfying for anyone not looking to vibrate their eardrums out of their heads.

My favorite performance of the EN210’s bass was definitely Moth. It felt like the EN210 was most at home there and had great attack and decay speeds. Timbre and emphasis were on point and never became messy or loose.

Gold Dust and War Pigs definitely did suffer a bit though. While bass was punchy, relatively firm, and quick, it lacked rumble — a common pitfall of BA IEMs. After all, balanced armature drivers are at a fundamental disadvantage when it comes to creating sub-bass.

Packaging / Unboxing

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Earnine really improved on the EN210’s packaging. The outer-cover’s coating no longer has that cheap feeling to it, and the IEMs are more appropriately housed in a cushy foam.

Build
Construction Quality


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The EN210 feels sturdy and well built. The driver housings are made out of a transparent plastic that feels solid. There are soft rubber color markers on both housings to allow you to easily identify right from left.

The nozzle is made from metal and features a very good mesh that should be able to keep out most kinds of debris.


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Unfortunately, the E210 doesn’t feature removable cables. Thankfully though, I don’t feel the need to replace the stock one at all. The cable is pliable and almost completely free from microphonics. It has no body, is visually attractive, braided, and is quite durable.


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The cable is terminated with a 3.5mm jack, housed in metal. It doesn’t look predisposed to wear and tear and should hold up quite well over time should it not be seriously abused.

Comfort

Due to the EN210’s tiny driver housing and minuscule weight I found the it to be extremely comfortable and instantly fit in my ear; I didn’t even change the default ear-tip size!

Accessories

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The EN210 comes with a satisfactory set of accessories, though a wider variety of ear-tips couldn’t have hurt. Inside the box you’ll find:

  • 1x pair of foam eartips
  • 2x pairs of extra silicone eartips
  • 1x Semi-hard carrying case
I like the EN210’s case. It has more than enough space to fit the IEM and its ear-tips and it isn’t too bulky. The eartips are good too, no complains there. Genuine Comply foams would have made my day though, since no knockoff really comes close in my opinion.

Summary
The EN210 improves many of the aspects I took issue with on the EN120. It’s nice to see that Earnine is actively working to improve their products. It does appear that the EN210 is, however, a symptom of the curious minds and hands at their R&D labs. I admire their handiwork, as the EN210 is a great IEM, but I can’t help but feel it needs more to fine-tuning to become the giant killer I know it can. That being said, I can definitely see the EN210 in its current form being a worthy addition to many collections, especially if you enjoy warm sound signatures and are looking for something with a little bit of character.

Keep up the good work Earnine. At this rate, you’ll hit TOTL status in no time!
L
LikeHolborn
"Furthermore, the EN210 isn’t sibilant at all. Earnine seems to be very careful about releasing any sharp or harsh products, something I commend them for. Sibilance can be a hearing hazard, and I wish more manufacturers took more seriously." yea, responsible.

ryanjsoo

Reviewer for The Headphone List
ryanjsoo's Reviews
Pros: Rich sound
- Clean background
- Compact housings
Cons: Sharp orientation markers
- Intimate soundstage
- Congested bass
- Fixed cable
Introduction –

A few years ago, the majority of leading balanced armature earphones were using almost identical internals; Knowles TWFK dual driver. In fact, that speaker unit is still widely employed today in earphones such as the Fiio F9 Pro. Sonion is another driver manufacturer to achieve acclaim with essentially every earphone on the market using one or a combination of drivers from each manufacturer. Though the driver only tells a part of the story when it comes to the final sound, there is a definite character to each and those who have experienced many IEMs can even point them out by ear. Hailing from Korea, Earnine are one of the few to use completely proprietary balanced armature drivers made in-house by TSST. The EN210 is one of their latest IEMs featuring a dual woofer + full-range setup that, due to its in-house components, substantially different to almost every dual driver I’ve heard. You can read more about Earnine and purchase the EN210 here.



Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Earnine very much for their quick communication and for providing me with the EN210 for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.



Accessories –

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The EN210 has a pleasing unboxing experience. Sliding off the decorative top cover reveals the earphones and zippered hard case within foam. Inside the case are 2 pairs of silicone ear tips (in addition to the pair pre-installed on the earphones themselves.

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Earnine also provides a pair of memory foam tips that offer a more personalised fit and greater noise isolation. The included case is a little large, but its internal pocket enables the user to carry accessories and perhaps a small DAP alongside the earphones themselves.



Design –

The EN210 employs sleek, low-profile housings to enable an ergonomic fit. They have a plastic construction that feels fairly dense and well-joined with no visible glue or uneven seam as is apparent on some budget Chinese in-ears. Subjectively, this is a step down from the metal EN120 and EN1/2J earphones, but the EN210’s smoked housings do provide some additional visual intrigue, showcasing the custom driver setup inside.

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As they barely protrude from the ear, wind noise is minimised when listening outdoors and the earphones are comfortable when sleeping. My only gripe with comfort are the coloured orientation markers that lie at the rear of each housing. The way they’ve been attached to the body leaves a sharp protruding edge that wears on the ear after a few hours.

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The earphone has a solid metal sound tube with metal grill. They accept medium bore tips and, due to their flatter inner face, produce a fairly shallow fit depth. Still, as they’re fully sealed and tuned in a warm, full fashion, they well-suit portable use, delivering easily adequate isolation on public transport and general commute.

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Up top is a fixed cable which is frankly disappointing to see considering that most competitors offer a removable unit. That said, all terminations are nicely relieved with well-reinforced strain relief. The cable itself is also very easy to live with, slightly thinner than average but supple and compliant with minimal microphonic noise. Its right angle plug is perfect for pocket use and slim enough to fit into a smartphone case.



Sound –

Tonality –

The EN210 has a sound rooted in a foundation of body that contrasts to the more atmospheric, treble focussed tuning most dual BA earphones pursue. Instead, the EN210 is reasonably dark and full though it remains nicely balanced overall; its darkness mainly derived from attenuated middle treble and upper midrange. Still, those looking for a clear, revealing and airy sound will want to look more towards the TFZ, iBasso and Fiio earphones.



Bass –

Sub-bass is lightly elevated and extends nicely, providing greater solidity and impact than competing armature models such as the Rose Mini 2. Dynamic driver rivals still offer greater physicality, however, the EN210 is impressively substantial for a BA earphone in this regard, especially for the pirce. This is followed up with a modestly lifted mid-bass that grants the earphone with a full bass presentation and a warmer tone. It’s not over-cooked but can sound a little thick at times, and the EN210 is generally characterised by its weighted yet surprisingly dynamic bass notes. Some may have qualm with its emphasized upper-bass that fills its sound with warm air, creating an organic sound but also one that isn’t especially transparent.

The EN210 decays quite naturally, contributing to its dynamic and textured low-end, yet it maintains the sense of pace more typical to BA drivers. Still, they aren’t on the fastest transducers and some bloat does seep in-between notes on more complex tracks, producing some congestion. Control is impressive, however, especially given its fuller tuning. So though the EN210 isn’t a surgical IEM, it does uphold a pleasing level of bass detail, finding a nice middle ground between the better entry-level dynamic and BA offerings around this price. Resultantly, the EN210 provides a meaty low-end with impressive dynamics and texture at the cost of transparency and micro-detail retrieval.



Mids –

Distinctly dark and smooth in nature, the EN210’s midrange is dense over warm. In particular, lower-mids are well-considered given the EN210’s bigger bass, with slight attenuation accentuating bass/midrange separation and reducing colouration. In turn, the EN210’s midrange isn’t especially thick though it is lightly warm and though it is full-bodied, the EN210 lacks the chestiness of IEMs such as the Magaosi K3 HD. Centre mids are slightly forward, bolstering vocal presence and imbuing them with a more natural body. On the flipside, as its upper-midrange is slightly attenuated, the EN210 provides a smooth, dense vocal reconstruction.

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It isn’t an especially clear or revealing earphone as a result, though its interesting tuning results in a very clean, composed presentation that lacks any fatigue. Of course, this isn’t an in-ear for those looking for huge micro-detail retrieval or crisp instrumentation. Rather, it’s natural with gradual emphasis and pleasing balance and timbre. Clarity remains very palatable, not exceptional but easily avoiding veil, and the EN210 is accurately articulated on behalf of its treble tuning. It’s nicely detailed and remains resolving despite its more laid-back presentation of finer nuances but can take adjustment coming from other budget earphones that tend to be more vivid.



Highs –

The EN210 has a rather interesting high-frequency reproduction that is both smooth and resolving. It has a smooth lower-treble that retains hints of crispness set to a very laid-back middle and upper treble. It has been said that the EN210 has poor extension, however, to my ears, this is not the case. Rather, the EN210 is clearly attenuated but also pleasantly linear into the higher octaves. Its laid-back presentation results in a lack of any brightness and sparkle, so it isn’t revealing and can lack atmosphere. However, though the EN210 has a very dark background, it retains nice, but not exaggerated air, above average resolution and surprising separation despite its thicker tuning; all indicative of a well-extended high-end, if not one that is revealing in signature.

As a result, the EN210 isn’t the most layered earphone nor is its micro-detail retrieval standout, however, it does have nice foreground detail complimented by great control. Moreover, its treble instrument portrayal is clean and fairly well-bodied, with just some unevenness creeping in at times. Still, cymbals naturally shimmer and decay and strings are very well textured. Guitars have enough edge and attack to promote an engaging listen at the cost of sounding a little insubstantial due to a slightly jarring upper-midrange/lower-treble transition. It remains that the EN210 is just as technically proficient as a lot of competitors out there, it’s just less boisterous in its presentation and that can make it difficult to appreciate if don’t know what to expect. Given its receival, Earnine has clearly subverted the expectations of many.



Soundstage –

The EN210 has an intimate soundstage prioritising organisation over expansion. Its dark high-end produces a presentation that lies within the head. It’s nicely rounded between width and depth with a laid-back background that lacks some detail. Layers aren’t clearly delineated due to its treble tuning though instruments are easy to locate and directional cues are fairly precise. Separation is below average, the EN210 never sounds congested but doesn’t awe with air or neutrality and its full-notes quickly occupy its limited space. At the very least, it’s impressive how uncongested the EN210 is considering the nature of its tuning and it is partially redeemed by its pleasing treble extension.



Drivability –

The EN210 has a low 21ohm impedance combined with a higher 100dB sensitivity. As such, it’s easily driven by portable sources while avoiding becoming overly hiss prone. Due to its multi-driver configuration, the EN210 is notably affected by output impedance, however, the changes may actually be positive. To illustrate, I enlisted the DX200 w/AMP5 with a sub 1-ohm output impedance and the 10ohm Hiby R6. The difference was pronounced, with the DX200 providing a full, dark sound and the R6 interestingly offering a more neutral signature. Chiefly, the R6 provided a more transparent midrange with increased upper-midrange presence and brighter, crisper treble. I can actually see a lot of users preferring the EN210’s sound from a source of higher output impedance, impedance adapters can also be used to emulate these effects.



Comparisons –

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Rose Mini 2 ($100): The Mini 2 is a lot more balanced with greater high-end presence and less mid-bass. Sub-bass extends a lot further on the EN210 and it is significantly fuller throughout. However, the Mini 2 is much tighter and more defined. The Mini 2 has a slightly full-bodied midrange that’s a little more natural than the EN210 as it isn’t as dark and dense. The Mini 2 has more vocal presence and clarity, it’s a little more open sounding due to its more present upper-midrange and treble. The Mini 2 has more lower-treble crispness, it’s also very slightly more detailed. Both have a clean background with more muted air, the EN210 more so. Both are also fairly intimate earphones, the Mini 2 has slightly more width and layers and separates better due to its more neturally toned sound. Still, the Rose may lack some bass for some and that’s where the EN210 finds its audience.

iBasso IT01 ($100): The IT01 is a more V-shaped earphone with a brighter high-end. It has greater sub-bass extension and a lot more emphasis, with emphasized slam. On the contrary, the IT01 is less mid-bass focussed, more neutrally toned and slightly more defined. The IT01 is recessed through its upper-bass and lower-midrange, creating a fairly transparent midrange with a tinge of coolness as opposed to the warmer, fuller EN210. The IT01 has a modest upper-midrange emphasis combined with a lifted lower-treble that enhances clarity and crispness. The EN210 sounds a lot denser and darker, it lacks the same detail presence. That said, the IT01 is only slightly more detailed as it is a little uneven up top. The IT01 has more air and sparkle, it extends similarly delivering similar resolution, if not slightly more. The IT01 has a significantly larger soundstage, it’s also a lot more separated but doesn’t image quite as well due to its sculpting.

TFZ King ($100): The King has a brighter midrange and is more V-shaped overall. Its bass extends further, delivering enhanced sub-bass impact. On the contrary, its mid-bass is less emphasized, making it more tonally neutral and more clearly defined. The EN210 is fuller and warmer, it’s also more bloated producing lower definition. The King Pro has a fairly cool, bright midrange with great clarity. This contrasts to the darker, fuller EN210 which is more natural but also less revealing. The King has a notable lower-treble peak that enhances detail presence. The EN210 lacks any emphasis and can sound quite dull by comparison, though it is not in isolation. The King extends further and has more air and sparkle. It delivers greater resolution and detail retrieval in addition to being brighter but may fatigue some. The King has a significantly larger soundstage, especially with regards to width. It is also more separated and layered.

Simgot EN700 Pro ($150): The EN700 Pro warrants comparison due to its similarly warm sound. That said, the EN700 is more V-shaped than the EN210 with its more emphasized treble and more even midrange. The EN700 Pro extends slightly further at the very bottom and its bass has greater slam. Both have emphasized mid-bass but the EN700 has less upper-bass sounding less boomy as a result. The EN00 Pro has a slightly warm midrange, but as its upper-midrange is emphasized, it doesn’t sound nearly as full and dense as the EN210. The Simgot also has a lower-treble emphasis that brings details to the fore while the EN210 is smoother. The Simgot retrieves slightly more detail as its more linear into its middle treble. The EN210 actually extends slightly further, delivering higher resolution. When it comes to soundstage, the Simgot’s semi-open form factor greatly aids expansion compared to the intimate Earnine. It separates slightly better but doesn’t image quite as well.



Verdict –

Some may find the EN210 hard to appreciate, but it does fill a blank in its price range, offering a warm, full sound without the treble fatigue. It has a pitch black background and a dense midrange with immense focus. As such, the EN210 can lack vibrancy and energy with little high-end to redeem its full low-end. However, due to its well-considered bass/midrange transition, bass doesn’t bog down the rest of its sound, even if it is a little congested in and of itself.

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It goes without saying that those looking for a revealing, airy or spacious earphone shouldn’t consider the EN210. However, I can commend the engineering that went into its proprietary parts not to mention the courage to tune an earphone so out of the box. The $100 price point has never been so competitive, and though the EN210 doesn’t awe with its clarity or technical ability, it does do a lot to differentiate itself; its sensitivity to output impedance also enables a more neutral signature via impedance adapters. Ultimately, Earnine’s EN210 suites those preferring a super clean background, voluminous bass and dense, full-bodied midrange though it does sacrifice clarity and expansion to achieve it.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed my review, please see my website for more just like it!
L
LikeHolborn
Wow. sounds perfect, i listen at high volume, its not boring or veiled like a sennheiser is it? upper midrange/lower treble is responsible if not spicy there. what's the best examples of this tuning? extremely mature and real as opposed to fake.

ostewart

Reviewer at Sound Perfection Reviews
Formerly affiliated with HiFi Headphones
Pros: Smooth, Fatigue free, Comfy
Cons: Treble presence and extension
Firstly I would like to thank Earnine for sending me this sample for review, these have had well over 50hrs of burn-in, no differences were noted.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings.

Gear Used: iBasso DX200 / Audio Opus #2 > EN210

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Tech Specs:
Drivers: 1 x Full range BA + 1 x Woofer BA
MSRP: around $105
https://www.tssthajen.com/en120-1

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The EN210 come in quite a nice hard cardboard box, there is an outer sleeve that has a picture of the IEM on the front. Specs and info about the model can be found on the sides and back of the outer sleeve. Remove this and you will find the main box that separates into two parts, take the top off and you will find the IEM’s held neatly in place in a foam insert. Below them is the carry case, which also houses the accessories, for the price the packaging is more than good enough and provides a pleasant unboxing experience.

The EN210 are well built, it looks like they use the same cable as the EN120 which is great, it is a soft and flexible twisted cable which has a short moulded rubber ear guide at the top. The moulded ear guide is soft, and does not contain metal like normal memory wire, this means they are much more comfortable than standard memory wire in my opinion. The jack and housings have good strain relief, as does the y-split. There is a chin slider, and the main housings are made of tough plastic that are very well put together. The sound nozzle is metal, and all in all they are very well built, the housing is translucent, and you can see there is quite a bit of glue used inside to make them strong.

Accessory wise you get a soft clamshell case with the Earnine logo on it, along with 4 pairs of tips. You get S, M and L in regular silicone tips, along with a pair of M foam tips, a nice selection but it would be nice to see different textured tips included.

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Comfort, Isolation and Cable Noise:
The EN210 are styled like most professional style monitors, a small housing with the cable going up and over your ear, luckily they don’t have regular memory wire though. The cable is flexible and soft, and the insertion angle of the IEM’s means they sit quite flush once in your ears. These are incredibly comfortable IEM’s and could easily be worn for hours at a time.

The isolation is very good, the housing is closed and they use BA drivers so these are great for daily noisy commutes and even air travel.

Cable noise is not an issue with these.

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Sound:
Split into the usual categories with a conclusion at the end.

Lows: These are a full sounding IEM, many may think that being a BA based IEM for a lower price they may not have satisfactory lows, but these certainly do. They are quick like most BA drivers, but they also have body and warmth that is more associated with dynamic drivers at this price range. The sound is far from being dry and boring. There is a sense of fullness to the sound of these which is quite surprising considering the EN120 was more analytically tuned. These are laid back and easy to listen to. Kick drums have punch but also body, bass guitars are easily separated and everything blends effortlessly.

Mids: The midrange is well separated from the lows, but still has a more pleasing and smooth tone to it. The midrange is up front and detailed, but it never becomes overwhelming or shouty. Both male and female vocals are equally presented, but I do find distorted electric guitars sometimes lack a little crunch. These are more of an easy listening, warm, smooth sounding IEM. There is a very smooth and laid back transition from the upper mids to treble, which means there is no sibilance to be detected on these. The midrange is surprising due to how vocals are intimate yet seemingly unaffected by the fuller low end.

Highs: The highs are quite laid back on these, they have good air and the positioning of the highs is good but they lack a little presence. Again these are a non-fatiguing, smooth sounding IEM that are not tuned to be the most revealing, or the most analytical. The highs are still there, but there is no real impact and they do sound a little muted.

The soundstage is quite impressive height wise; the width is also fairly good. You can pinpoint where instruments are placed in live recordings quite easily.
Instrument separation is superb on these; they never become congested even with very fast and technical music. Layering is really impressive on these, allowing you to easily pick apart recordings, but the overall sound is very coherent.

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Comparison:
Kinera H3:

Now the EN210 and H3 are quite different in their tunings and also configuration, the EN210 is a dual BA, the H3 is a triple driver hybrid (2BA + 1DD).
The H3 is an up-front and exciting IEM, the bass hits hard and extends low, the midrange is a little lean in the lower mids, and the upper midrange is mildly sibilant. The H3 has sparkling but sometimes over enthusiastic highs that can err on the side of fatiguing.

The EN210 is a fuller, smoother sounding IEM, with a clean and up-front midrange with dull bodied but well controlled lows, and smooth but slightly muted highs.
Choosing between these 2 is purely a matter of taste, the EN210 for me is a little more tonally correct, but the highs do let them down a little. The H3 is more v-shaped and fun, but can be a little overbearing at times.

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Conclusion: If you are looking for a smoother, easy listening IEM for on the go use the EN210 does a very good job. They are not dull, but do lack a little impact and sparkle in the treble range. The sound is full, well layered and enjoyable; they don’t jump out at you but do allow hours of fatigue free listening. The comfort and form factor are excellent, and the sound is more like a good dynamic driver than 2 BA’s, which I think a lot of people will like.

Sound Perfection Rating: 7.5/10 (smooth, comfy and fatigue free for a great price)
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LikeHolborn
... jump or be jumped.

HiFiChris

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: •surprisingly impactful bass for a lower-price multi-BA in-ear
•warm and harmonious sound with good texture
•good resolution and separation
•quite circular sounstage
•great cable
•beautiful visual appearance and design
•great build quality
Cons: •not for those who aren't looking for a thick, warm sound
•extension past 10 kHz quite limited
Preamble:

Originally posted on my German audio review site, the "Kopfhörer-Lounge", here comes my review of the latest in-ear creation from EARNiNE, the EN210.


Introduction:

While there are probably a few dozen, if not even hundred companies that make dynamic drivers for in-ears, earbuds and full-sized headphones, there are only a handful of manufacturers of Balanced Armatures. The two best known BA makers are Sonion and Knowles, but there are also other brands such as the TSST that develop and manufacture those micro drivers that were originally first used in hearing aids in-house.

TSST, which stands for “Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology”, is a joint venture between the two eponymous companies. “EARNiNE”, which went bankrupt but was revived thanks to caring employees, is their brand of in-ears that feature their in-house designed and manufactured Balanced Armature drivers.

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I already reviewed their EN120, a single-BA model with a remarkably neutral, flat tuning and great technical performance that definitely exceeds the surprisingly low price, and its only real flaw was a sharp resonance buildup in the highs as well as slightly sub-par sub-bass definition.

Now a new in-ear was added to EARNiNE’s portfolio, the EN210, a dual-BA in-ear that is priced very competitively as well.

Currently there aren’t really any overseas distributors of EARNiNE’s products, but I was told that the company is planning on selling their in-ears directly on ebay in the not too distant future. //edit: I was just informed that the EN210 is now already available and selling on ebay in EARNiNE's own store: https://www.ebay.com/itm/142606965479


What tuning philosophy does the new dual-BA in-ear EN210 follow and how does it perform? Well, that’s what I answer in this very review.


Full disclosure: After having been in contact with them a few months ago when the revived company wasn’t fully up and running yet and after having reviewed their EN120 that I was offered by the Tony Song Corporation, I was contacted by EARNiNE who told me that they were going to send the EN210 to me once it is ready. I was then sent the sample at no cost, for the purpose of an, as always, honest, unpaid and unbiased review whose content and outcome is not influenced or restricted by the manufacturer or any third person, no matter how it would turn out.


Technical Specifications:

Price: ~ $90 in Korea
Driver Type: Balanced Armature
Drivers per Side: 2
Acoustic ways: 2 (full-range, woofer)
Sensitivity: 100 dB +/- 3 dB at 1 kHz
Frequency Range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Impedance: 21 Ohms +/- 20% at 1 kHz
Cable: 1.2 m, twisted, permanently attached


Delivery Content:

The cardboard box and printed slipcase are nothing that truly stand out or is special, but that’s also not what you would usually expect to get at this price point. You also don’t expect to get a genuine van Gogh when you go Ikea-shopping for a painting, do you?



Anyway, included in the box, apart from the in-ears, are one pair of foam ear tips, three pairs of silicone tips, a manual and last but not least a protective, zippered storage/transport case.


Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

It doesn’t happen too often that budget-priced in-ears leave me excited when it comes to design and build, but in case of the EN210, this definitely was the case when I first opened the cardboard box.



Not only has the EN210 got a unique styling despite featuring rather compact universal fit shells, but its brown-ish grey, transparent colour along with the golden EARNiNE logos looks quite nice and classy as well and weirdly attracts me. And what really makes me personally love the EN210’s design are its rubberised side-marker dots on the inner side of each shell, with a green dot on the left and a red one on the right shell. I don’t know why, but there is just something about this design and the side-markers (that are actually cover plugs for the screws that hold the shell together) that really makes me love it – maybe it’s just the harmonious, earthy colour and interaction of the different colour nuances that you don’t see every day.

Build quality in general is really good, with proper strain relief on the very nice (but non-detachable) cable with three twisted conductors below the y-splitter. That cable is rather similar to Westone’s cables as well as the Plastics One and therefore very flexible, and the in-ear’s nozzles are made of silver metal. A chin-slider is also implemented to the cable.



The compact, squared, zippered carrying case with the EARNiNE logo on top of its lid is nice as well and not only protective but also soft on the outside and inside, and features a little storage pocket inside, too.


Comfort, Isolation:

The EN210 has got shells that are rather small and have got nozzles that are ergonomically angled wherefore chances are little that the ear pieces won’t fit and seal well in your ears. EARNiNE’s in-ear certainly fits and seals extremely well in my large ears and ear canals, that’s for sure.

The EN210 has to be worn with the cable guided around the ears, which is the common standard for most higher-priced and professional in-ears as it improves the fit and drastically reduces microphonics (cable noise) that are not present at all thanks to the light, flexible cable.

Noise isolation, as expected due to the closed shells, is really good.


Sound:

My main source for listening was the iBasso DX200 (AMP1 module).

I only used the largest included silicone tips.

Frequency response measurements can be found here: frequency-response.blogspot.com

Tonality:

Okay, the EN210 is tuned quite differently from the EN120 that took on a remarkably neutral approach with one resonance in the highs. Indeed, the EN210 is tuned quite a bit differently, featuring a rich, full, warm, dark and relaxed sound signature that avoids any harshness but might also be perceived as a bit veiled and lacking some sparkle if you are generally not really interested in dark, warm, full and cosy sounding in-ears.

At first listen, the EN210 showcases a surprisingly full and thick bass for Balanced Armature standards – it clearly doesn’t reach basshead dynamic driver levels in terms of elevation, but is still meatier than many other in-ears with Balanced Armature woofers on the market, especially at this price.

The mids, especially lower midrange, are on the full-bodied, warm and dark side. They are not neutral or flat. They are not recessed. They are close in the mix and rather intimate. Voices are definitely on the warmer side, both male and female. If you are not into full-bodied, warm and cosy lower mids, look away. If you want a sparkling, airy upper midrange, look away, too. But if you like warm, full, cosy and dark sounding mids, the EN210 is right for you.

The EARNiNE’s highs are generally on the darker side, too. They take a step back for a more de-fused, inoffensive, mostly edge-free presentation.

Tonally, the EN210 therefore reminds me of a much better-made version of the Brainwavz M100, an in-ear that just went a bit too far when it comes to darkness, to the degree that it became (very) muffled sounding. Not so the EARNiNE – both in-ears share tuning similarities in the bass and lower midrange, but differ in the highs. While the M100 is just too dark and muffled up top, the EN210 is just dark and inoffensive but not really muffled sounding. Higher notes are still present but in the background. Therefore I think that the EN210 achieved just that what the M100 failed to do.

Around 700 Hz, the lows’ emphasis starts to climb, with an already full and warm lower midrange as well as lower root, with the highest point being reached at around 90 Hz with an elevation that is about 10 dB compared to an in-ear that is diffuse-field neutral in the lows, such as the Etymotic ER-4S/SR, and about 7 dB more than still very neutral in-ears like the Ultimate Ears Reference Remastered or EARNiNE’s own EN120. This elevation is kept upright down into the sub-bass without really rolling off.

Lower mids are warm and full, like a soft, cosy blanket in front of an inviting fireplace in a wooden cottage up in the hills on a snowy winter night. Sure, vocals are generally and undeniably on the warm side. Acoustic instruments sound full and warm as well, but not to the extent of showcasing too much unrealism or unpleasantness (unless you generally don’t like (very) warm and full sounding in-ears and headphones). Female vocals might be perceived as lacking a bit of air though, which is due to a slight notch around 2 kHz – but then again it is nice to see an opposite pole to the many (mainly) Asian in-ears with a bright, elevated upper midrange.

The highs are generally in the background and laid-back, creating a somewhat dark general presentation and sensation. There is a bit of unevenness around 3 (here’s a slight bump that brings voices more forward in the mix but definitely doesn’t brighten them since female vocals are on the warm and dark side, too), 6 and 9 kHz when listening to sine sweeps, with an even roll-off in the super treble above 10 kHz (wherefore you don’t really get any subtle sparkle and air). The treble is therefore not as even and realistic as the much more expensive UERRs’ or more comparably priced Brainwavz B200’s or Rose Mini2’s, but that’s what one doesn’t really expect for the price anyway. Since it’s mostly in the background and on the darker side though, the bit of unevenness the EN210 carries in the highs when listening to sine sweeps doesn’t come across as unnatural, sharp or edgy at all anyway. Quite the opposite is actually the case and the treble is de-fused and well-tamed (definitely don’t expect a sparkling, bright and airy presentation here – cymbals and violins are inoffensive, smooth and laid-back).



So who is the EN210 for?

It was not made for bassheads – while the lows are definitely strong and impactful, they might still lack two or three notches for that.

It was definitely also not made for those looking for a neutral or bright tonality, since the EN210 is anything but that.

It wasn’t made for those looking for a v-shaped sound signature either.

Nope, the EARNiNE EN210 is an in-ear that was made for those who want a thick, warm, cosy, mellow, bold and dark sounding in-ear with a treble that is de-fused and never bothering.

Resolution:

The EN210 is not on the same performance level as some of the higher-end dual-BA in-ears such as the InEar StageDiver SD-2 or Eternal Melody EM-2, but that was rather foreseeable anyway. What it does though is outperforming some of the better single-BA in-ears below $100, with slightly cleaner separation and more headroom. Yeah, in the more entry-level focussed price range, the EN210 is a really strong contender.

What you definitely get with it are the clean, tight and fast transients that you would expect from a better Balanced Armature in-ear. It is thick, it is warm and it is dark, however it never loses focus and doesn’t become wobbly, woolly or undefined sounding.

Starting with the bass, it is definitely a bit more on the softer, slower, body-focused side for Balanced Armature standards, having more of a dynamic nature and texture. Transients and control still make somewhat clear that the used woofer is a BA driver though, and it outperforms some similarly bassy single dynamic driver in-ears at the same price point when it comes to bass details and control with quick and complex passages and tracks.
Sub-bass definition, unlike the EN120 whose sub-bass sounded somewhat undefined, is by the way good.

Midrange and treble details are certainly there – don’t be fooled by the tuning. They are just not in the foreground but instead pushed more into the background due to the choice of a dark tonality. The EARNiNE EN210 is no aggressively or analytically detailed in-ear. It doesn’t even want to be that. Instead, it is forgiving and cosy.

Note separation is good, too – definitely not the sharpest and ultra-cleanest sensation, but not a weakness or imprecision either.

Soundstage:

The EN210 has got a rather circular soundstage with just a slight tendency to being oval, with good overall height.

In absolute terms, it has got about average expansion, but for the price of this dual-BA in-ear, the size is more than just average with an expansion to the sides of about one finger’s thickness more than the base between my ears.

Separation, layering and placement are adequately precise and better than one would probably expect them to be for the price, although in ultimate terms the EN210 is rather on the lower middle side of the scale for multi-BA in-ears in this regard. It doesn’t sound muddy or foggy, however it lacks the ultimate sharpness that some of the higher-priced multi-driver in-ear offerings have.

---------



In Comparison with other Dual-BA In-Ears:

Brainwavz B200:

Now with the reduced MSRP and removable cables, the B200 has become even more of a great deal than it already was with its original MSRP and permanently attached cables. It heads into a smooth, somewhat warm tonal direction with good tonal balance and performs really well on the technical level.

The EN210 carries slightly more bass slam than the B200. Its lower mids are also warmer and its upper mids a bit darker than the Brainwavz’; generally the EARNiNE’s midrange appears a little closer, more intimate. In the highs, it is the EN210 that is tuned darker than the B200, especially in the upper highs that sound more subdued in comparison (especially noticeable with cymbals that are audibly “splashier” on the B200 compared to the EARNiNE’s presentation).

Both in-ears are rather close when it comes to detail retrieval, which means that both are really good technical performers for the reasonable price they are sold for.

The B200 has got the slightly tighter bass while control is similar, along with note separation that is a bit cleaner as well, while the EN210 has got the slightly higher midrange resolution.

The B200 has got the slightly cleaner soundstage and separation while dimensions are about similar (the Brainwavz’ is only slightly wider and higher).

Apple Dual-BA In-Ears:

Often overlooked, the Apple in-ears are actually nice and competitively priced in-ears that, while ultimately lacking the coherency and bass quality of a good single-BA in-ear, resolve well for the price, especially in the higher frequency range where they don’t really lack behind higher-priced multi-BA in-ears at all. If a good fit and seal can be obtained, their sound signature heads into the slightly warm-ish side of balanced in the lows, and they would get a score of 4 out of 5 stars if I were to review them now (things where they are slightly lacking behind good single-BA models are their lows’ resolution compared to the highs’, and to a smaller degree coherency compared to a good single-BA model even though their treble resolution and averaged general detail retrieval somewhat outperforms many single-BA in-ears in the same price range of up to $100).

I bought my Apple in-ears for €72.99 on Amazon (sold and fulfilled by Amazon), and I clearly advise potential buyers to also get them from a trusted reseller such as Amazon (sold and fulfilled by Amazon), the Apple Store or any physical outlet that is an Apple reseller.

Quite obviously, the EARNiNE has got the superior cable with higher flexibility.

While the Apple in-ears have got a rather subtly implemented warmth and bass lift that’s more on the balanced to neutral side, the EN210 has got the bigger, bolder bottom-end tuning with a good bit of more warmth and fullness.

The Apple IEMs have got the more neutral, flat midrange tuning while the EARNiNE’s is definitely on the warm, dark and cosy coloured side.

In the highs, the Apple in-ears are rather neutral with a bit of a relaxation dip in the middle treble, which is something that is what you commonly find in most in-ears. The EN210 is darker and more laid-back in the highs than the Apple IEMs that appear noticeably brighter and splashier in the upper highs, even to the extent of becoming a little metallic and sometimes slightly sharp in comparison.

The EARNiNE has got the somewhat superior bass texture and details, which is also true for the lower midrange where the Apple in-ears always lacked a bit behind their highs when it came to detail retrieval. The EN210 also sounds more coherent with the more even distribution of its resolution – with the Apple dual-BA in-ears, it’s a little like if you can hear where one driver stops and where the other starts when it comes to detail retrieval.

Simply put, from the sub-bass to lower mids, it’s the EN210 that wins when it comes to resolution, whereas the Apple in-ears feature the higher minute detail retrieval and cleaner note separation from the central mids up into the super treble.

The Apple in-ears have got a bit more spatial width whereas the EN210 features the cleaner separation and somewhat more precise placement of instruments.


Conclusion:

The EARNiNE EN210 is a beautiful, well-built, rather wallet-friendly dual-BA in-ear with a great cable and was tuned for those who are looking for a full, warm and dark sound signature without any bothering treble brightness. It also performs well on the technical level wherefore it is a good in-ear and a rather easy recommendation for the price, but definitely not a model for those who fear fullness, warmth and darkness when it comes to tonality or those who want a flatter, more neutral midrange reproduction.



- - -

On a related, subjective note, I personally really like (dare I say “love”?) the EN210’s sound signature and quality for the price enough wherefore it goes on my list of products that I subjectively love and hate (definitely not as one of my main IEMs, but more as a “sidechick”). Yep, there are also some dark, warm and full sounding in-ears and headphones that I personally really appreciate from time to time. Definitely an enjoyable and smooth presentation overall.

ustinj

500+ Head-Fier
Pros: Attractive sleek design, comfortable fit, impressive tuning regardless of price
Cons: treble extension, fixed cables
Introduction

The EARNiNE EN210 is a dual balanced-armature driver in ear monitor, utilizing drivers created in-house by TSST. The driver setup, per earpiece, includes a full-range driver and woofer. EARNiNE was graciously able to provide a sample for me to test and review.

At the moment the EN210 is not currently marketed for sale outside of Korea. However, it was stated that if anyone were interested in picking one up, they could do so by emailing to

tsst@tsst.co.kr

They will help you purchase one. Their shipping was extremely quick and satisfactory, delivered within a matter of days to the USA.

Packaging and Accessories


The packaging is fairly simple, it doesn't attempt to be flashy or luxurious in any way. It does get the job done. Inside of the cardboard sleeve, the EN210 are packaged in a black textured box that opens to reveal the IEMs and case inside.

XZ8gVtR.jpg


I do like the case, it is semi-hard and very spacious. The IEMs wrap nicely into a small bundle and don't really fight back when you place them in the bottom portion of the carrying case. It is a bit taller than really needed, but regardless it looks very good and works fine. It would be more easily pocketable if they had cut the height in half, however.

dOgb8WF.jpg


Tip selection is rather minimal, though I find the included foam tips of fairly good quality and are one of the few that don't drastically muddle sound (cough-Comply). They are very similar to those included with the Acoustune HS1501/1551.


Design

The EARNiNE EN210 has a very attractive, aesthetically-pleasing appearance. The shells are a dark, transparent smokey brown revealing its tightly packed and neatly organized innards. You can see parts of the drivers as well as the sound channels leading to the nozzle. Imprinted upon each housing is the EARNiNE logo (which is very elegant and looks great).

ndQ4PMH.jpg


The shape is designed to be very ergonomic, reminiscent of the very comfortable Shure/Westone counterparts (except with more defined, aggressive-looking edges). It looks and fits great, in my experience. It's a rather comfortable housing, fitting into my ears securely with a medium depth and consistent seal. The shape is also on the flatter side, it sits flush inside my ear and I can even lay on a pillow ear first without any pain or discomfort (however, sound is slightly affected).

The nozzles are made of metal contrasting sharply with the IEM's shell color. It adds rugged aspect to the EN210, a touch of raw industrial design. The nozzle is on the longer side, tip compatibility should be fairly easy to work with (they are not as wide / thick as Campfire nozzles, however). There is a grill covering each nozzle to prevent debris or wax from entering.

cdH1ZJ1.jpg


The cables appear to be detachable, but they are NOT. The cables are actually fixed -- this is a shame because it looks like such a perfect shell type to incorporate some sort of MMCX/2-pin connector. This is one of the letdowns of the EN210, as there are so many great aspects to this IEM but a critical point for many potential buyers is a replaceable cable.

Onto the cable itself, it is a twist-braided 3-core cable, splitting into individual 2-strands for each channel. It is very soft / supple and makes little to no noise. There is a splitter with a chin slider, both work fine and have no real issues. I do notice that the strain relief on the right-angled 3.5mm jack is very lenient and will bend without much resistance, which may be of concern later down the line. The IEMs themselves don't seem to have much relief, but the earhooks and black plastic attachment points should work fine in place.

Regardless, build quality seems rather respectable. Only time will tell in the case of the EN210's longevity/durability.







Sound Impressions

Soundwise, the EN210 varies noticeably depending on the source it is being driven from -- a lower output impedance will reproduce a downward-tilted, slightly laid-back sound signature. Bass would increase in quantity, and upper midrange / treble takes a relatively close seat behind the lower midrange. A higher output impedance will create a more balanced sound signature, in which bass becomes more aligned with the vocals, and the lower midrange no longer has an upper hand over the upper midrange. Lower treble also gains a bit of energy, giving an improved perception of detail. In both cases of low and high output impedance, the EN210 doesn't have very impressive treble extension -- it does not produce a noticeable sense of 'airiness' or spaciousness.

Here is a general frequency response of the EN210.

upload_2017-12-28_19-4-1.png


Bass

The EN210 has a well-extended and pleasingly balanced bass presentation. Sub-bass is present and rumbles at lower registers, though it doesn't have the texture of a good dynamic driver IEM. Mid-bass is controlled, not too emphasized nor overpowering the sub-bass. From what I am hearing, the overall speed of the bass is also not as quick as your typical balanced-armature woofer; it feels a tad less snappy (more natural), but not as drawn out as your average dynamic driver.

With a slightly higher output impedance, both sub-bass and mid-bass are kicked down a notch. However, I think the sub-bass becomes a bit less noticeable and rumbly, while the mid-bass retains its impact.

Midrange

With a low output impedance, the lower midrange is fuller and more pronounced, producing vocals with thicker presentation. Upper mid-range sounds to be slightly behind the lower midrange (slightly is the key word), vocals don't have the immediate edge that cause female vocals to sing and shine. In this case, vocal presentation is really up to user preference.

However, with a higher output impedance (tested with ~5 ohm), the midrange presentation becomes noticeably more energetic. Lower midrange decreases in quantity and fullness. As a result, the upper midrange sounds more forward and vocals feel 'cleaner'. They don't feel sound as thick and cozy as they did prior, but in turn have improved perceived resolution. Female vocals sound crisper and have that desirable 'bite'. I personally really liked this variation over the darker signature, it's very pleasing and natural to my ears.

The source impedance's effect on the sound signature may be a good thing or a bad thing -- some may like the more laid-back signature, some might like the cleaner and leaner signature, and some might like both. Many smartphones (which still have headphone jacks) and some DAPs have a higher output impedance, but the majority of high-end portable audio devices have a lower z-out. This is something to keep in mind when matching the EN210.

Treble

The EN210's treble presentation is ultimately ordinary. It doesn't have any exceptional properties in extension, resolution, or sparkle. On the bright side (or, actually -- not literally bright), the EN210's treble is very rarely, if ever, harsh or strident. With a lower output impedance, lower treble is lesser in quantity than the upper midrange, giving the IEM an overall darker and more laid-back tone (even then, it's only slightly dark).

With a higher output impedance, lower treble comes up to level with the upper midrange. I would not call this IEM dark, especially with a higher z-out source. Dare I say, "balanced signature"?

However, the downfall in both cases (low and high OI) is that the treble does not have very good extension in the upper regions, it does not have the airiness and spaciousness that you can find in other models.

Comparisons

I purchased these IEMs for the sake of comparison; I was so impressed with the EN210 that I picked these up in order to directly A/B them.

Comparison to VSONIC GR07 Classic


When switching from the EN210 To the GR07 Classic (hereon referred to as GR07), it is immediately noticeable that the GR07's bass has a bit more impact and slam, while not necessarily having more quantity. The GR07's bass also has more natural, dynamic texture. The EN210's midrange is more resolving, vocals have greater speech intelligibility and clarity than the GR07. Female vocals sound far better on the EN210 than the GR07. The GR07's mids also have a more intimate staging with a smaller sense of size. The GR07 has a more extended, sparkly treble region -- with a higher output impedance, the EN210 comes closer to being on the GR07's level but still sits slightly behind.

If you have ~$100 and are deciding between the two, it would ultimately be determined by user preference. If your desired sound involves a more impactful bass with extended treble while still being fairly balanced overall, the GR07 takes the cake. However if you value a forward and clear midrange while still having solid bass and decent treble, I would go with the EARNiNE EN210.

Comparison to Campfire Audio ORION


The Campfire Audio Orion is a single full-range balanced armature IEM. Something that both the EN210 and Orion have in common is that their sound signatures have noticeably variation depending on the output impedance of the source. A higher output impedance will make both IEMs brighter and less laid-back. I find the Orion to vary at more 'extreme' levels than the EN210. The Orion is much more sensitive than the EN210 and requires less ticks on my LG V20 to reach listening volume.

At low impedance (<1 ohms): The Orion has a very full-bodied and warm signature, significantly more laid back in the treble region. The bass is slightly wooly, though it is ample in quantity. The EN210's bass is a little quicker in comparison. Orion's lower midrange is fuller and thicker than the EN210, and the EN210 presents vocals much cleaner than the Orion. Upper midrange on the Orion is less vibrant than the EN210, vocals sound a bit more veiled and less engaging. The EN210 has greater treble extension and sparkle than the Orion. However, the overall presentation on the Orion has a more diffused, enveloping feel as if the music surrounds you in a circle (whereas the EN210 sounds more left-right stereo presentation).

At a higher impedance (~4.5ohm): The Orion loses a lot of its bass presence at a higher impedance (nearly nonexistent). It becomes feathery in impact (very quick but light), midbass is much more audible than any subbass. The EN210 retains ample bass impact and extension, though now it sounds somewhat slower than the Orion in speed. Orion's midrange becomes much more engaging and less thick/mushy, as lower mids are decreased in quantity and presence is bumped up a notch. Te same goes for the EN210 -- though the EN210's upper midrange was already competent, lower midrange is slightly decreased with higher impedance, rendering an even cleaner presentation. Orion has a more correct vocal timbre with this output impedance, while the EN210 has a 'plasticky' feel to it. Lower treble is also more sparkly on both IEMs with higher impedance, but both still don't have much air or extension past 10khz.

In terms of frequency response, both shift similarly with impedance but the EN210 has less drastic variance and is superior from the get-go, with improved extension in both extremes. The Orion takes the lead in more abstract sound properties, such as sound stage and coherence. Soundwise I would place the EN210 above the CA Orion (regardless of price!), but Campfire Audio's package feels more complete overall.


Conclusion

The EN210 genuinely surprised me -- not many IEMs I've had the opportunity to sample, let alone at this price range (~$100) have had vocals this refined. As a dual balanced-armature IEM with an undoubtedly entry level price, I was expected something a bit more raw and unruly by nature, but EARNiNE was anything but that.

The EN210 is built fairly well (though with fixed cables), and looks/fits great. Soundwise, it proves itself extremely competent with a professional and mature tuning. A low output impedance renders a warm and slightly laid-back sound signature that can take all genres and tackle them with ease. With a high output impedance, the EN210 is exquisitely balanced and took me by surprise. It easily competes with any of its similarly-priced peers, and even many above. Its ultimate downfall is a weak treble extension, taking away any major sense of air or sparkle.

On first listen, I knew it sounded pretty good for a warm and laid-back listen. But it didn't truly impress me until I paired it with a higher output impedance, the sound is not as laid-back and vocals/snare drums come to life. If you are finding the EN210 to be too laid-back, try a different (higher OI) source, it may take you by surprise how much it changes.

At its asking price, I would undoubtedly recommend the EARNiNE EN210 for its sound alone. If you're interested in giving it a go, feel free to email TSST at

tsst@tsst.co.kr

Sources used in this test were LG V20 with/without UE Buffer jack (low/high OI), and OnePlus One (high OI).
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suman134

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Engaging bass with lush mids, smooth highs. Very comfortable. Plenty of details. Good build quality.
Cons: Cables are not removable.
INTRO:-

Not all of us have heard about earnine9, it’s a Japanese brand which has concentrated on only BA based earphones, 4 to be exact, and all of them are either single or two BA based earphones. Their EN2J was a well received earphone but was still didn’t got as much popularity as others, maybe it was the lack of media exposure.

I hope this won't happen to their newest earphone in their EN lineup, the EN210 (which is still at production stage). The EN210 slots between the EN2J and EN1J, houses 2 BA drivers with a 2 way crossover, without removable cables. One for bass and the other is a full range driver, will be priced at around $120 and comes in only one color, smoke black, it's one of the cheapest dual BA setups if you don’t get into the Chinese foray into the audiophile arena.

It will face stiff competition from TFZ king, King pro, A&D D6, Magaosi K3 pro and fiio F9.

PS :- I would like to thank Sean from earnine9 for the review unit.

ABOUT ME:-

Some of you might know me, I have more than 80 reviews here in head-fi. I am an admirer of balanced sounding earphones without much emphasis on bass and specially mid-bass, and if it has mid bass, decay has to be snappy.

I have been called a mid-head, was ridiculed for it, but man, for me all the magic happens here. For some mids are not a big deal, they don’t listen to much vocals but I am more of a person who likes a good balance between vocals and instruments.

I like my highs with good amount of spark and energy, its better if it has good extension. An early roll off is a no no. But then the price of the earphone comes into play. One can't ask an sub $50 earphone to have fantastic extension and that is understandable. You get what you pay for.

I listen to all kind of music, specially soft, alt and pop-rock, some pop (no K-pop, sorry) with good vocals and instruments, I don’t care about the artist, he should make some sense with his words and should not be a bit too cheesy.

ACCESSORIES & PACKAGING:-

The EN210 comes with 4 pairs of tips, 3 pairs of silicone tips and a one pair of Foam tips. There is a nicely spacious carry case and the instruction booklet sums up the package.

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BUILD AND CABLE:-

The EN210's shell is made out of smoke black semi transparent plastic, one can see the internal drivers if not the whole circuit like the audbos P4. Even though the shell is made of plastic, the EN210 has good build quality. The all metal nozzle with metal mesh protection is a nice thing and I hope other brands will follow this.

There are no vents at all. L/R channels can be identified with red and Green dots on the inside of the earpieces.

The cable has to be some of the best cables on the market along with the TFZ cables. Looks premium thanks to the braiding, isn't bouncy, nicely supple and doesn’t have much memory either. The cable guides too are not wire supported hence aren't needed to adjusted every time. The 90 degree 3.5mm plug is nicely presented with chrome plating. There are enough stress relievers at the 3.5mm jack and y splitter.

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COMFORT AND SEAL :-

First time I put it inside my ears, I instantly felt that the fit is shallow for me and the earpiece kept falling out every now and then. The foam tips are more stable in this regard.

As far as comfort is concerned the EN210 fits nicely inside the ear and is very comfortable. It's not as comfortable as the Brainwavz B200 but is comfortable enough.

With the stock silicone tips seal was good but as it kept falling I used the Foam tips and isolation is equally good with it.

CAUTION:- don’t use earphones where you have to be aware of your surroundings like driving and walking on the road, stay home and enjoy your music or at gym.

SOUND QUALITY:-

The EN210 is impressive instantly. The smooth inoffensive presentation is the best attribute of the 210. It is slightly warm and mostly neutral with minimal coloring. I can say that its one of the most neutral sounding earphones in its price range.

No part of the spectrum is over emphasized more than other.

I am using KZ tips because the stock silicone tips tend to fall off and foam tips sound considerably different. Source is plenue D + fiio Q1 mk2 or plenue R and I have burned the earphones for more than 100 hrs.

BASS:-

Most of the BA based earphones lack bass presence, even the UE 900s with dual BA for Bass lacks bass. But the EN210 doesn’t lack it thank fully. Its not full or big like the TFZ series 4 but has a nicely rounded impact with good body. The good thing about the bass is its not horrid, doesn’t vanish into thin air allowing the listener to enjoy the note.

The best thing about the EN210 bass is its reach, it has really nice sub-bass rumble with authority, it goes really deep into the spectrum, as low as 20khz and the sub-bass presence is not hampered by mid bass as the mid bass is fantastically controlled, letting the 210 deliver pleasant bass notes, that’s a win win situation in my eyes.

There is very good amount of details and nice texture to it, I won't call it the most detailed but it's fairly detailed. You might end up wanting a bit more than what is delivered as the competition is oozing with bass power, let it be the TFZ king or Series 4 or the King pro, all of these are loaded with oodles of bass. Excepth the K3 pro which has lower amount of bass body and impact in comparison.

MID RANGE:-

This is where the EN210 takes advantage over the competition, where the competition mostly goes with a slightly thicker and less sharper notes presentation the EN210 aims for accuracy and precision, still it has the smoothness one can enjoy, thanks to the slightly less emphasized upper mids, it doesn’t try to bite too hard, still bites well without any sibilance to worry about.

Don’t take it any other way, if you like the TFZ king's mid range which is lush and slightly wider, the EN210 shows a bit more attack, more forwardness, better focus and even more accurate notes presentation and thickness.

Out of the lot, with the Brainwavz B200 included, the EN210 has the most neutral mid range, best balance of the lot. Not forward or in the V.

The vocals get the best of the accurate and neutral notes. Both male and female vocals sounds to the point, if the King is 7.5 out of ten, EN210 will get 8.3 for vocals. It does lack a bit more texture we see with the TFZ trio, EN210 makes it up with equally good amount of details and smoother upper mids. You are not missing any notes, yes they are not as good as the big boys like Q-jays and ER-4P at picking micro details but does a hair better than the TFZ king (not pro).

Stage has very nice depth buy it lacks with width and height when compared with the TFZ trio. Its bigger than the K3 pro, so it's not small by any means.

HIGHS:-

One can say that these highs are slightly less forward and they are up to the point. EN210 lacks a bit of energy when compared to the competition. It still has very good amount of spark to it, helped by really nice extension. IT doesn't lack details or definition and stand out with its accuracy. The smoothness flows into the highs too, the EN210 has no treble sibilance at all.

Layering and separation are as good as it gets, TFZ 100 usd duos can sound overly thick at the notes base making it slightly inferior with its instrument distribution. There is nice amount of air between the instruments.

Top end stage is not as good as the mids but is sizeable. I would have liked a bit more energy with the treble as it tend to get lower as it goes deeper into the spectrum.

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AGAINST THE ODDS:- (source - plenue R and plenue D + Q1 mk2)

VS King PRO:- ($175)

Here comes the King pro, with its Huge and deeper bass and sub-bass impact the king shows its authority. Has far better Body, moves more air and has far far better details too.

Mids are slightly lacking with forwardness, details and transparency. Has slightly thicker notes and are not as sharp as the EN210. Vocals and all the instruments sound more calmer with lesser attack.

High are in a different league, very good energy, has better extension and the biggest stage of the lot helps with the spectacular layering and separation.

And then the King pro has removable cables.

VS TFZ series 4:-

The series 4 has considerably bigger bass, bigger impact, more air, and better body. It slightly lacks control in comparison and the EN210J has better sub-bass presence.

Stage size of the Series 4 is leaps and bounds bigger than the averagely sized stage of the EN210J.

The EN210J has better mid range clarity, better micro details, more natural notes with a slightly laidback presentation. Layering and separation too is better with the EN210J.

Highs are a hit and miss nor both as these two are very different, the 4 is more energetic and has more spark and energy to it. Where the 210 has a very easy on the ear presentation, very smooth and has has slightly better extension too.

Both are very good at what they do but the series 4 has removable cables.

VS Magaosi K3 pro;-

K3 pro has a very similar tuning to the 210 except the K3 pro sounds drier all across the spectrum and more energetic where as the 210 sounds smoother, a bit laidback and juicy.

The bass is similar but the 210 has slightly bigger sub-bass, smoother body but K3 has slightly more details. Stage wise both are above average and neck in neck with the overall size.

It’s the mid range where the 210 beats the K3 without much effort. Details of the 210 is very much effortless and smoother with a more forward presentation, the k3 sounds a bit harsh, a bit higher on the energy. Both have similar details but the 210 has better transparency.

High and upper mid are where K3 pro is more active, it has more energy and has better extension too.

Choose 210 if you like your music a bit mellow and juicy, or else K3 pro will rock you up.

CONCLUSION :-

The EN210J is a beautiful looking earphone with very good details and clarity. Notes are barely missed and the level of details is up there in its price bracket. The smoothness is very much pleasing, easy on the ears, easy on the soul.. Just melts inside ones ears.. Oh my my..

Everything is outstanding about its just that it lacks removable cables.

I would recommend the EN210 J to anyone who is looking for an earphone for around $100-120, give this one a shot, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for reading, Cheers!!
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