General Information
The FlipEars Aurora XXIV is a flagship model of in-ear monitors (IEMs) that promises an awe-inspiring audio experience. It is the latest iteration of the original Aurora and sports a few internal updates. The Aurora draws inspiration from the natural wonder of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights). Its front and back plates feature a custom design with patterns resembling the curtains, rays, and spirals of the mesmerizing auroras. The color and gloss of the plates change as you view them from different angles, much like the shifting lights in the night sky.
The Aurora XXIV is a 10-driver tribrid IEM (In-Ear Monitor) that combines the following technologies:
The Aurora XXIV is a 10-driver tribrid IEM (In-Ear Monitor) that combines the following technologies:
- 2 Electrostatic (EST) drivers for ultra-high frequencies, ensuring exceptional clarity and detail.6 balanced armature (BA) drivers: 2 for low-mid, 2 for mid, and 2 for mid-high frequencies. These provide accurate and transparent mids.2 dynamic drivers (DD) (known as Firewoofers) for sub-bass, delivering deep extension and impact.
Technical Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 124dB @ 1mWImpedance: 21 ohms @ 1kHzFrequency Response: 5Hz – 70kHz
Latest reviews
SherryLion
New Head-Fier
The Musical Temptation I Crave For! Flipears Aurora Pros: 1. Muscial and warm sounding
2. Well-balanced and resolving presentation
3. Smooth and tonally pleasant treble
4. Rich and full-bodied mid-range
5. Authoritative and powerful bass response.Cons: 1. The shells and nozzles are a bit too bigReview Of The FlipEars Aurora
Introduction
Aside from the Chi-Fi companies, the Philippines has joined the audiophile market with Flipears, a specialized IEM manufacturer adapted and specifically built for the masses of audiophiles. The firm is the first in the Philippines to make universal and custom in-ear monitors. The firm was formed by singer-songwriter Aries Sales. The firm focuses mostly on IEMs and has produced several of them, including Artha, Aether, Aurora, Zurq, and others, with their flagship IEM Aurora being regarded as one of the greatest flagships in the IEM market. Fortunately, I was able to get Aurora for evaluation; nevertheless, before starting, I'd want to clarify a few concerns.
Disclaimer
*This is a review unit, courtesy of FlipEars and Audio Geek Brother_hood of Audiophiles. All thanks to them for providing. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “Aurora.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Aurora based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.
Specification
The Aurora has a 10-driver Tribid arrangement that includes custom-made two electrostatic drivers for ultra highs, six balanced armatures drivers (mids, mid-lows, and mid-highs), and two dynamic drivers known as fire-woofers for sub-bass. The shells are biocompatible and hypoallergenic, and they are large but light in weight. The faceplate features an Aurora engraved with a hologram of the Aurora, and the faceplate is a glittering blue and green colour combination that looks majestic and too glamorous. The shells also have the same design as the faceplate above the nozzle, which is unusual for an IEM that I've experienced. When it comes to fit and comfort, I'm a bit skeptical because the nozzles are far too large even for me, but I was able to get a flawless seal with Penon liquor eartips and use them for an extended amount of time. Consider the shell and nozzle size, but rest assured that Flipears also provides a custom-made shell. The Aurora cable is an 8-core OCC copper cable with a 4.4mm straight termination plug and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. The IEMs include the cable, six pairs of silicon eartips with organizer, a microfiber cleaning cloth, cable adapters, cable organizers, and a leather carrying case. Even though I was only provided the cord and IEM for review. According to the technical specs, the impedance is 21 Ohms and the sensitivity is 124dB. The frequency response ranges from 5Hz to 70kHz.
Sound
Aurora establishes itself in this market as one of the greatest musical and warm-sounding IEMs, providing a detailed but calming response that even my Prestige LTD cannot match. To be more specific, the Aurora has a warm-balanced sounding response that enables for a cohesive and effortless sound regardless of the music I choose. When it comes to the Prestige LTD, I believe the clarity, realism, and tonal correctness are the greatest. Aurora bends that will and produce a profound sense of natural sound that sounds precise and clear enough to provide harmony into the mix, which is better done on these IEMs. Because of the way the treble is adjusted, the response does not lean clinical or sterile in the upper harmonics. The midrange produces a spacious sound, and one will fall in love with the note’s depth, weight, and precision. The bass's impact hits you so hard that it leaves you in wonder due to its rapid striking and natural decay of the notes, which is backed by two subwoofers, resulting in a highly robust production of bass heaviness and presence without sacrificing clarity across the spectrum. Let's go further into the sound and learn more about it.
Treble
The treble region's response is not extremely target-specific or follows any, but the way it is tuned gives a more harmonic and tonally pleasing overall response, which mostly supports the mid-range to allow for a sophisticated response without bringing any offensiveness into the mix. The top treble sounds laid-back and relaxing, yet the extension and characteristics are clearly present in the mix. The lower treble provides a more dynamic and energetic response without sounding harsh or abrasive. Instead, the notes have an exquisite texture that, while vibrant, sounds well-rounded. The voice and instrumentation are thicker and more suited to the heavy reaction it evokes across the region. Tracks like Sukinishinayo by ANLY have a more vocal-oriented response with better control over the high octaves, making the response appear dynamic and cohesive. The entire response has strong note weight and richness, which highlights ANLY's sweet and delicate voice. However, tracks such as Kenka by Kujira Yumemi have an overly heavy response. The vocals have good note weight and control, which prevents the vocals from sounding shrill or peaky, nor do the instruments sound sibilant, but the heaviness in the vocals detracts from the magic of the overall response's airy clarity. As a result, the overall presentation of the treble area is composed, fluid, and tonally enjoyable.
Mid Range
When it comes to the midrange, the nicest section is mostly the top area, where the 3kHz drop is visible. The reason I mention this is that it plays an important role here: the vocals and instruments have a vibrant, fuller, and clearer-sounding response while preventing any offensive characteristics from being introduced. This is due to the 3kHz dip, which softens the note's forward and strong approach in the mix without sacrificing tonal performance. The upper mid-range conveys the same vitality as the lower treble, with a stronger focus on vocalists and instruments. The voices and instruments have a well-rounded and full-bodied response, although at the expense of a thin and airy sound. The note's placement in the overall mix improves depth and musical approach, as the vocals sound upfront and rich, and the instruments compliment the vocals, making the overall response sound full and satisfied. In the lower mid-range, the notes have a rich and thick response, which gives the listener a natural and comfortable sounding pleasure. The voices and instruments have a clear response, but with complex tracks, they struggle and produce a muddled image. Tracks like Lead Me On by FLETCHER sound delicate and better composed in terms of note weight and thickness because the vocals sound heavy, bringing them closer to the instruments and bringing a natural and full-bodied response, and the instruments complement them by highlighting the correctness in the vocals' note octaves. Hence the overall presentation of the mid-range is natural, full-bodied and rich sounding.
Bass
In terms of bass, it has everything a bass fan could desire, including punch, rumble, thumps, and slams. The two-firing subwoofer adds a lot of power and presence to the mix. The bass has a significant influence on the mix, adding warmth to the entire presentation. The emphasis is on the sub-bass, but the mid-bass has enough presence to provide warmth and an organic response, implying a naturally producing bass. The sub-bass hits deep and hard with a rumbling presence, and the punches are assertive and accurate, whilst the mid-bass creates a lot of slams and thumps, which are there and apparent but not particularly powerful. However, because to the rounded and natural response, the notes aren't too detailed or textured. Tracks like Jay-Z's Run This Town feature a linear bass response, which allows different types of bass notes from the lowest to mid-bass to sound forward revealed and forceful with an authoritative approach while not dissolving or baffling the upper frequencies. The assault of the notes seems rapid and accurate, while the decay is smooth and natural-sounding. As a result, the overall presentation of the bass region is strong, impacting, and realistic sounding.
Technical Performance
Aurora implies a more musical presentation with tonally precise and natural sounding characters, which I find suitable in terms of separation, staging, and note speed. When comparing IEMs in this pricing range, I definitely find these on par with many other TOTL IEMs in this price range, but when compared to my Prestige LTD, they don't hold a candle. Let's be more specific.
Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation
The stage is spread out, resulting in a fantastic holographic response with components pouring out of every direction owing to precise imaging and excellent note differentiation. The sharpness of the notes is lacking, but they are vivid in approach. In terms of separation, I find that the notes are a touch too near sounding, but I am able to identify where the sound is coming from.
Speed & Resolution
In terms of resolution figuratively, I find the entire canvas to be loaded with outstanding color and depth, but the note’s presentation is comparable to that of Aurora’s counterparts. The detail retrieval is excellent, with macro naunces appearing smoothly, while hiding subtleties fall somewhat behind with emerging in the mix. The attack of the notes is quick and effortless, yet the gradual deacy has a natural aspect that adds authenticity and originality while keeping the overall presentation clean.
Sound Impressions
Sources
Sony WM1A - When listening to this combo, the response appeared broader on the left and right sides, while the midrange sounded cleaner and less weighted, resulting in an amazingly expansive and invigorating listening experience. As the treble extension improved with better extension and presence, the notes became airier. The bass sounds huge and dynamic, with impacts that feels softened yet produces a more realistic sound; I believe the texture of the notes has also improved.
Questyle M15i - When I listened to this pairing, I saw that the response, which was energetic, thrilling, and engaging, enhanced in terms of what Aurora does well. Satellite by Valentino Khan is a great example of this, with its shimmering treble, revealing mid-range, and firing subwoofers packed with strong and impactful thumps and punches all sounding more textured and detailed, with better control over attack and deacy of the notes allowing more details to conspire and more room for them to sound full and rich. However, in tracks such as Kohana Lam's A Few Sentimental, the vocals are unexpectedly sweet and tranquil, with a more upfront approach that provides a deeper and richer experience.
Tracks
Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I can’t stop the loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame Of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring to Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA - Runaway
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Goyte - Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Micheal Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun
Conclusion
To summarize this review, The Flipears did an outstanding job of tuning such an aesthetically pleasing IEM with such a driver arrangement. Simply said, I cannot express how remarkable and musically sounding they are, with tone and technical abilities comparable to their competitors. I believe that Aurora's cohesive and powerful sound is just unparalleled since it maintains a unique position in the market and I find it very compelling, thus I wholeheartedly suggest these.
BonGoBiLai
100+ Head-Fier
Northern Lights Pros: 1. The usual FlipEars timbre and coherence, which is incredible
2. Monstrous bass
3. Lush, beautiful midrange.
4. Top-notch technical performance
5. Extremely smooth and non-offensive without being boring
6. Flawless beauty, superb comfortCons: No tuning switches this time, unlike the Aether and ArthaFlipEars is a high-end boutique IEM manufacturer from the Philippines with over a decade of experience in pro audio. After a successful run in their local vicinity, they have been gearing up for global expansion since mid-2023. I can confidently say that they are among the most consistent IEM brands from the SEA region, alongside Symphonium, FATfreq, and DITA Audio. Every single IEM they have released is a stunner. I have covered FlipEar's $700 Aether and $1700 Artha in two reviews before, both being two of my biggest surprise finds in 2023.
Aurora XXIV is Flipears' current flagship and a successor to the first generation Aurora, offered in both a custom and a universal version. Additionally, if you're looking for something even more luxurious, a 24k Gold-plated version of the Aurora XXIV is available. It features silver shells adorned with Moissanite Diamonds, making it a true collector's item. As always, I will cover the universal version in this review.
Disclaimer: I am an audiophile and a reviewer who works with Mr. @Sajid Amit of Amplify Audio Reviews. This unit was bought by Mr. Sajid Amit with his own money. Amplify generally covers high-end IEMs, Accessories, DAC Amps, and Headphones, with occasional reviews of some budget products. Check out our video reviews at: https://www.youtube.com/@amplifyaudioreviews
Price:
$2099
Specifications:
2 EST + 6 BA + 2 SoniXwoofers DD
(Ten-driver, Tribrid Configuration)
2 EST - 2 Ultra High
6 BA - 2 Low-Mid, 2 Mid, 2 Mid-High
2 10mm SoniXwoofers - Sub-Bass
Sensitivity: 108db @ 1mW
Impedance: 26 ohms @ 1khz
Frequency Response: 5hz - 70khz
Aurora XXIV is a tribrid that replaces the "Firewoofer" bass drivers from the first-gen Aurora with the 10 mm "SoniXwoofer" dynamic drivers. It retains FlipEar's iconic conical-shaped nozzle, which they aptly named "Conoid Resonating Chamber." According to Flipear's engineers, this nozzle specifically increases high-frequency extension. As a byproduct, it also makes FlipEar IEMs extremely comfortable for hour long listening sessions.
Accessories, Build, Comfort:
It is a Flipears IEM, so of course, The Aurora XXIV is stunning to behold, just like every other Flipears IEM. It somewhat resembles Artha's teal-green color scheme, yet the color scheme and pattern are distinctly different. The accessorization remains impressive, as always. The Aurora XXIV comes in a fresh, all-leather packaging with a built-in LCD display. The LCD display is kind of overkill, but it is a novel extra nonetheless.
Inside, you'll find the IEMs themselves, a leather carrying case, a microfiber cleaning cloth, six pairs of silicone ear tips (with an organizer), cable adapters, cable organizers, and stickers. The stock cable FlipEars provides with the Aurora XXIV is exceptionally high quality, especially for a stock cable. Moreover, Flipears provides Eletech Baroque tips as extras with the Aurora, which are by far the most comfortable ear tips available in the market and are pretty expensive if bought separately.
Build quality is as solid as resin IEMs get. Interestingly, unlike the Aether and Artha, there are no tuning switches this time. Comfort is excellent despite a noticeable increase in size compared to the Artha. Aurora XXIV's nozzle is quite fat, yet there is no irritation, discomfort, or ear pressure buildup. A few ear-tip options that I'd suggest you can tinker with are Azla Sednaearfit, Baroque, or JVC Spiral Dots ++. I am a big fan of the stock wide-bore FlipEars tips by the way. I am not sure if they are sold separately but they are among the most comfortable, hypoallergic tips I have come across.
Sound:
Aurora XXIV is a bass canon with an incredibly linear and smooth sound profile. It retains FlipEar’s beautiful house sound that focuses mainly on midrange timbre, backed up by solid bass response and decent treble extension. FlipEars have already proved their bass prowess with two pure BA IEMs (Aether and Artha). This time, however, the Aurora XXIV's bass is powered by two 10mm DD housed in FlipEar’s in-house developed SoniXwoofer isobaric chamber. Bass response now trades blows with the likes of FiR Audio XE6 and EE Legend Evo, but without the clouding effect those IEMs sometimes have over the rest of the frequencies. The bass, like the XE6, is a bit thick, and midbass tilted, so certain bass instruments, like kick drums, sound thicker than they should in reality. Fool in the Rain by Led Zeppelin is one of the few tracks where the drums sound a bit too full. This, on the other hand, makes rap, R&B, and hip-hop stuff thoroughly enjoyable.
Aurora XXIV’s midrange is marvelous and superbly organic; I would say even more organic than the Craft Ears Omnium, which is priced similarly ($2500). Omnium’s midrange is comparatively cleaner and less thick. I would not necessarily brand any of them as superior to another; they are just very different in presentation. Vocals come across as lush and sweet without a single hint of harshness or shout. Aurora XXIV's midrange is basically HD 650 /ZMF Atrium's midrange in an in-ear form factor.
The treble is well extended and airy but tuned to be very safe. Generally, on basshead pairs, the overt focus on the low end can sometimes take attention away from the treble. That being said, I never found the Aurora XXIV dark or muddy even though my daily driver is the Arya Organic, a headphone known for its sumptuous treble. Aurora is especially airy when coupled with the Sony WM1ZM2 and iBasso DP5 stack. It also showcased beautiful treble synergy with the relatively cheaper Questyle CMA 18P. For treble-sensitive folks, harsh treble to be precise, Aurora XXIV is a godsend.
Aurora XXIV is highly technically competent and comfortably keeps up with the likes of FATFreq Grand Maestro, Tia Trio, 64Audio Volur, and Craft Ears Omnium. Artha was already a technical marvel at $1700. Aurora XXIV faithfully continues that trend. This time, the soundstage is slightly more intimate compared to Artha’s expansive staging capabilities. It is still highly competent and holographic for a $2099 set and can stage extremely wide when the track calls for it. Imaging performance is spot on; no room for complaints here. I did some casual and online battle royale gaming with the Aurora XXIV and the directional accuracy was masterclass.
Detail retrieval is as good as any sub $4000 ToTL IEM. After a certain price threshold, detail does not matter as much, in my opinion (unless it is a rip-off, which there are a few), as everything is sufficiently resolving at that stage. I am more interested in how effortlessly that detail is presented, and Aurora does a bang-on job doing that. It is very easy to listen to and get immersed in. I found myself skipping tracks way less than usual when listening to the Aurora XXIV.
Comparison:
64Audio Volur:
Volur can also be considered a basshead IEM, though it lacks the tightness and impact of Aurora XXIV. Volur presents bass in a very diffused, softened manner, which takes the edge off some bass instruments. It is also very intense in the upper treble, thereby causing fatigue in long listening sessions. Aurora XXIV (and every single FlipEars IEM, in fact) are highly extended in the upper treble but zero trace of artificial sheen can be perceived which is a grand testament to their tuning prowess. Aurora XXIV is far superior in the midrange than the Volur, or any 64Audio IEM for that matter.
Craft Ears Omnium:
Omnium is priced very close to Aurora and is more neutral/drier sounding overall. It also provides a highly non-offensive listening experience, though it is not as rounded as the Aurora XXIV and is highly source-sensitive. Aurora, on the other hand, sounds great with mid-fi devices and scales even greatly with higher-end sources. Omnium’s bass is also not as prominent and rumbly as Aurora's. Treble and midrange performance are about equal, though the presentation is vastly different.
DITA Perpetua:
Perpetua is known for its large soundstage and organic bass response, though the bass does not hit nearly as hard as the Aurora XXIV. Detail retrieval is also a few notches below. Midrange performance is about equal, though I prefer the Aurora's midrange a bit more. Vocals sound richer and sweeter in the Aurora than in the Perpetua. Perpetua has some mid-treble energy, which can be harsh on rare occasions, while the Aurora XXIV is always buttery smooth yet crystal clear throughout the treble frequency brand.
Fir Audio XE6:
XE6 is even bassier than Aurora and has a very midbassy, raw, sometimes overwhelmingly so presentation, which often clouds the rest of the frequencies. XE6 is a fun set but it is significantly more colored than Aurora and is a genre specialist. Aurora, on the other hand, is hyper-balanced despite its bass focus and does not underperform in any particular genre.
FATfreq Grand Maestro:
The GM is more sub-bass-focused and is much harder to drive. Grand Maestro often does not come across as that bassy as some tracks do not have much subbass information to begin with. Aurora's bass is thicker, more voluminous, and significantly more present. You are aware of its bass awesomeness all the time, not just when the track calls for it. Grand Maestro's midrange is comparatively thinner (but not thin per se) while the Aurora sports a euphoric, lush midrange. It is also significantly brighter than the Aurora XXIV. Both are bulbous in shape and on the larger side, but the Aurora XXIV is comparatively much more comfortable and isolates way better.
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BRH0Man…looks like I gotta pick the Aurora now…thanks! Haha
