Cons: - Bass isn't the cleanest, lacks texture and impact on analog
- A bit lacking in treble extension and air on analog
- DSP tuning loses some bass quantity and can be slightly harsh
- One tuning option locked behind USB-C DSP adapter
- Large vent also leads to more noise leakage/less isolation (my wife told me to put this, she doesn't like to hear my music in bed
)
- A bit lacking in treble extension and air on analog
- DSP tuning loses some bass quantity and can be slightly harsh
- One tuning option locked behind USB-C DSP adapter
- Large vent also leads to more noise leakage/less isolation (my wife told me to put this, she doesn't like to hear my music in bed
)
thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure
Disclaimer:
This set was provided by Linsoul in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Non affiliate product link:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/intuaura-splendorii
Gear used:
●LG v30+
●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
●Samsung dongle
●Hiby FC4
●Kiwi Ears Allegro
●Letshuoer dt03
Source:
Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.
Introduction:
Intuaura is a relatively unknown iem manufacturer. Through my searching, I found that they only have about five iems on the market today. However, reviews are scarce except for those on their latest product, the Splendor II (there is also an original Splendor). The Splendor II features a single dynamic driver and includes a DSP adapter that offers an alternate tuning to the original analog one. Some members of the audiophile community have expressed their distaste for the practice of including a DSP adapter that "corrects" the tuning from the one offered with a standard cable. My personal opinion is that the inclusion of DSP adapters is acceptable and welcome as long as the analog tuning is also worthwhile. The Intuaura Splendor II is currently available for $259 on Linsoul. Let's break it down and see what value the two tunings hold.
Build, fit, ergonomics:
The unboxing experience is pretty good. It's not extraordinary for the price bracket, but it doesn't feel cheap, though the art on the box isn't the best print quality. Upon opening the box, the iems can be found resting in the foam cutouts. Underneath the foam is a chunky little case that holds the cable and the DSP adapter, a nice offering of tips in a plastic holder, a cleaning cloth, and 4 replacement filters. The shells are made of resin and are well built. They have a decent weight balance and feel good in the hand. The design of the faceplate is simply stunning. The colors are gold and a blue/purple hue that alternates depending on the direction of the light. I think they have an elegant and captivating aestetic, maybe a bit flashy for some. The words "IN" and "VIEW" are printed on the shell. There's also a vent on the side cut out in the shape of the word "VIEW", which is a really neat inclusion. The size of the shell is about average, neither big nor small. The nozzle length and width are also about average and I had no issue with fit or comfort. There is also a small lip on the nozzle to securely hold tips in place. The standard cable is available in either 3.5 or 4.4 terminations, along with the appropriately sized DSP dongle. It's tightly woven and has a decent weight to it, yet it remains pliable and smooth. The provided case is somewhat larger in comparison to the more commonly encountered ones. Its sturdy with a decent build quality and can easily fit 2, maybe 3 iems if there share a single cable. The tips come in a small plastic holder, which is much better than little bags, in my opinion. There are six sets in total: three standard and three wide-bore. I tried the supplied tips, but I found a better fit and seal with my trusty Penon Liqueurs, as usual.
Sound impressions:
The analog tuning features an L-shaped frequency response. The bass shelf is prominent and extensive with boosted upper mids/lower treble. The soundstage is quite expansive with plenty of width and depth. Detail retrieval is slightly below average for the price but still adequate for my tastes. It definitely leans more musical over technical. The separation is good but there is some bass bleed into the mids, which is no surprise due to the large bass shelf. There is adequate dynamics and accurate three dimensional imaging. Vocals and intruments have a natural, realistic timbre. The note weight is just slightly thinner than my preference but I wouldn't characterize it as thin overall.
Using the DSP adapter presents a more balanced tuning over the L-shaped analog. I would characterize the DSP frequency response as neutral/neutral bright. The bass is less in quantity and behaves much better using the DSP adapter. The somewhat pillowy nature of the bass is cleaned up, and the bleed is resolved with improved separation between the bass and mids. The upper mids/lower treble seem to retain their boost from the analog tuning but come through much more prominently with the reduction in bass. The vocals present more forward as well without the large bass shelf. The note weight seems slightly thinner, but there's more air and extension in the treble as well. There is a little more spice and some troublesome notes to my ears using the DSP adapter. I wouldn't necessarily call it sibilance, but the notes sometimes hit my ear with just a twinge too much energy. Neutral/trebleheads will much prefer the DSP tuning, whereas warmth lovers and bassheads will like the analog.
The following impressions were made using the analog tuning, as it better suits my preferences.
●Lows - Obviously L-shaped iems have a lot of bass and this one is no exception. The sub and mid bass are pretty well balanced with neither taking presence over the other. The sub bass has good, deep extension with a decent rumble and reverberation. The texture is somewhat pillowy and soft and the slam isn't very impactful. The weight is thick and syrupy and the speed is also a bit on the slower side. The mid bass extends into the lower mids and there is some bleed but I've definitely heard worse and it's not much of a detriment for me personally. The quantity is abundant but the quality of the bass is a bit lacking. Even though it's not the cleanest or best presentation, it's still enjoyable and makes for easy listening. It's not overbearing and the added warmth gives the tuning a nice musicality that is relaxing and enjoyable.
●Mid - The presentation of the mids is where the analog tuning really shines. The mids present just slightly behind the bass, but I wouldn't say they are necessarily recessed. The upper mids are boosted to combat the big bass shelf but never sound shouty or fatiguing. Vocals are clear, well separated, and just forward enough to feature prominently with most genres. Both male and female artists sound buttery smooth with no hint of sibilance. The timbre and note weight create a sultry, captivating vocal experience. I could (and have) enjoyed the Splendor II's midrange for hours. There is some mid-bass bleed, and the note weight could be just ever so slightly thicker, but I will chalk that up to personal preference. Instruments and vocals can get a bit overshadowed when the bass gets big on certain tracks, but overall, I find the midrange to be excellent and one of the highlights of the analog tuning. It's not perfect, but it has that warm, smooth quality that I find very enjoyable.
●Highs - The treble is quite tame with the analog tuning, which aligns well with my personal preferences. The lower treble is boosted, along with the upper mids, to combat the large bass shelf. However, there are no real troublesome peaks or sibilance to worry about. There is no harshness with breathy vocals, which is something I’m quite sensitive to and watch out for. Cymbals, claps, and hi-hats are noticeable and distinct, yet they maintain reserved and do not detract from the overall warmth of the tuning. The extension and air of the treble do leave something to be desired, though. The treble has a bit of a blunted quality, but I think it really works well for me, as it fits my preferred tuning. The treble is likely to be the weakest aspect of the analog tuning for some, but its polite, mild nature serves me well. It's worth noting that the treble of the DSP adapter might be better suited to your individual preferences.
Splendor II paired with ivipQ 530 cable. The aestetics match so well, it's like they were made for eachother.
In conclusion:
There is just something about the Splendor II that really captivates me. I understand the analog tuning won't be to everyone's liking. It's not the most resolving, has bass that's a little pillowy and soft, and lacks a bit of air and treble extension. But it's also somehow more than the sum of its parts. Despite its flaws, the inherent musicality of the Splendor II wins for me. It is easy to overlook its shortcomings as I became engrossed in the music during extended listening sessions. The enveloping, comforting bass, velvety smooth vocals, and gentle, polite treble are akin to wearing a cozy sweater on a cool evening. The analog tuning suits my preferences better, but both tuning options have their own merits. Adding the DSP adapter takes the Splendor II in a welcome, new direction. I found that the analog pairs best with pop, soft rock/pop, and chillhop, or when I was in the mood for relaxation. The DSP pairs best with classical, rock, and country music, or when I wanted a more detail-focused, lower-volume listening session. The entire package is truly a great value. The shells are well-built and stunningly beautiful, with a unique aesthetic. The cable is smooth and tightly braided, the leather case is sturdy, if not slightly large, and the included tips are commendable. The Splendor II's biggest drawback is that one of its tuning options is locked behind the included USB-C adapter. This was not truly detrimental to my experience as a strictly portable Samsung user, but I can understand the frustrations of those who prefer DAPs or desktop setups, or iPhone users.I still solidly recommend the Splendor II for the right use cases and think it's a fantastic offering from a relatively unknown company. In fact, conducting this review has piqued my interest in trying Intuaura's other products.
- Introduction -
Hello friends, today in the review let's talk about dynamic headphones; their cost is $259 and the manufacturer is IntuAura, of course not much is known about them, but I have already seen other reviews and many people liked these headphones, which is actually not surprising.
They come in a medium-sized box with a space design, there is the model name Splendor 2, and the company logo is located at the top.
Find the sound you like =))
And here are the technical characteristics, one dynamic driver with a diameter of 10 mm is responsible for the sound, the sensitivity is 125 dB and they have an 18 ohm impedance, and I’ll immediately say that the headphones are easy to drive.
- Let's take a look at what's included -
- Good leather case
- Card with serial number of my model
- Two sets of high-quality silicone ear tips, some narrower and others wider
- Headphone pouch
- Two pairs of additional filters
- Cloth for wiping headphones
- DAC with Type C for connecting to a smartphone
- Excellent cable with 2 pin connectors and a 3.5 jack plug
And here they are, the headphones themselves are made of medical resin with a translucent body, and on the front part they have the company logo and inscription VIEW, and just above there is a standard 2-pin connector and there is a channel marking.
And there is only one hole for compensation and it is located on the inside of the body next to this nozzle, which has an excellent side for fixing the ear pads and on top there is a protective mesh.
The headphones fit perfectly in my ears and very tightly, just the way I like them, so sound insulation and comfort are in perfect order.
- Tuning and Conception -
And now we come to the most important part of the review, the analysis of the sound of the Intuara Splendor 2 dynamic headphones and let's start with their tuning, which is presented to us in the form of Harman 2019 with an increase in low frequencies by 8 dB and with a greater gain in the mid-bass and lower mids, unlike the Target and if you and I were gathered somewhere right now, and you asked me what they sound like right away as soon as you start listening to them,then I would answer you that there is such a bassy layered presentation with pleasant energetic mid-frequencies, and extremely detailed high frequencies with good duration, which exactly corresponds to Harman’s target, and a wide sound stage with excellent holographicity and depiction of plans here really warms the soul, but I think you are still interested in a more detailed analysis of the sound of these headphones, so let's go.
(Low Frequencies)
Low frequencies here are presented as very textured and biting, concentrated on impact, with a clearly noticeable depth of sub-bass, punch and rolling massiveness of mid-bass, and as for a single dynamic driver, I think the result is excellent, the bass here does not sound muddy or boomy, on the contrary crisp and prominent in the mix with the signature attack of the dynamic especially noticeable on the more emphasized kick,and you may have noticed that there is a slight drop into the lower mids, which actually gives the vocal part more warmth and weight, and I approve of this approach.
(Mid Frequencies)
The mids here are presented as tonally warm and weighty with excellent preserved energy and drive in the vocal part and guitar riffs in rock music, and if we take it as a whole, the presentation here is extremely enticing and literally, I would say, takes you into some kind of third dimension, no there is no boredom or dryness here, and in general these headphones are not about some kind of monitor and super analytics, but as for me, on the contrary, the manufacturer’s goal is clear and precise - this is getting pleasure from listening to music , and it seems to me that this is exactly what real audiophiles need when you just take out your headphones, connect them to your DAC amplifier and just enjoy without worrying about anything, since the headphones literally allow you to immerse yourself and feel all this melody and harmony as it really should be good headphones with a presentation that is so enticing and carries you away in any musical genre, that is, it doesn’t matter to them that you turn on , and what else can be attributed to the pluses is that they do not have excessive demands on the quality of recordings, that is, they can easily digest some poorly recorded and old tracks, even in MP3.
(High Frequencies)
But the high frequencies here are simply an ideal complement to the mid frequencies, they are very warm, musical, and neat, there are no sibilants, rustling or crooked timbre here, after all, these are not hybrids, but pure powerful dynamics with good frequency coverage , a great lean towards technicality which I always really approve of, due to this they cope well with heavier instrumental tracks and are incredibly suitable for something acoustic or classical music, I especially liked listening to various movie soundtracks lately, the same Batman, Dune the first, the recently released second, Interstellar oh guys...I highly recommend listening to it in maximum quality, all this is available in Tidal.
My conclusion on this headphones!
IntuAura are extremely interesting dynamic headphones with bassy and detailed sound, a very wide sound stage and a truly immersive, captivating presentation, and I definitely recommend considering them for those who are tired of hybrid headphones, planar, and you just want to try something new and more down to earth and these headphones now would definitely be an ideal choice for these purposes.
Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/products/intuaura-splendorii
I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on IntuAura View Splendor II.
Hello friends, today in the review let's talk about dynamic headphones; their cost is $259 and the manufacturer is IntuAura, of course not much is known about them, but I have already seen other reviews and many people liked these headphones, which is actually not surprising.
They come in a medium-sized box with a space design, there is the model name Splendor 2, and the company logo is located at the top.
Find the sound you like =))
And here are the technical characteristics, one dynamic driver with a diameter of 10 mm is responsible for the sound, the sensitivity is 125 dB and they have an 18 ohm impedance, and I’ll immediately say that the headphones are easy to drive.
- Let's take a look at what's included -
- Good leather case
- Card with serial number of my model
- Two sets of high-quality silicone ear tips, some narrower and others wider
- Headphone pouch
- Two pairs of additional filters
- Cloth for wiping headphones
- DAC with Type C for connecting to a smartphone
- Excellent cable with 2 pin connectors and a 3.5 jack plug
And here they are, the headphones themselves are made of medical resin with a translucent body, and on the front part they have the company logo and inscription VIEW, and just above there is a standard 2-pin connector and there is a channel marking.
And there is only one hole for compensation and it is located on the inside of the body next to this nozzle, which has an excellent side for fixing the ear pads and on top there is a protective mesh.
The headphones fit perfectly in my ears and very tightly, just the way I like them, so sound insulation and comfort are in perfect order.
- Tuning and Conception -
And now we come to the most important part of the review, the analysis of the sound of the Intuara Splendor 2 dynamic headphones and let's start with their tuning, which is presented to us in the form of Harman 2019 with an increase in low frequencies by 8 dB and with a greater gain in the mid-bass and lower mids, unlike the Target and if you and I were gathered somewhere right now, and you asked me what they sound like right away as soon as you start listening to them,then I would answer you that there is such a bassy layered presentation with pleasant energetic mid-frequencies, and extremely detailed high frequencies with good duration, which exactly corresponds to Harman’s target, and a wide sound stage with excellent holographicity and depiction of plans here really warms the soul, but I think you are still interested in a more detailed analysis of the sound of these headphones, so let's go.
(Low Frequencies)
Low frequencies here are presented as very textured and biting, concentrated on impact, with a clearly noticeable depth of sub-bass, punch and rolling massiveness of mid-bass, and as for a single dynamic driver, I think the result is excellent, the bass here does not sound muddy or boomy, on the contrary crisp and prominent in the mix with the signature attack of the dynamic especially noticeable on the more emphasized kick,and you may have noticed that there is a slight drop into the lower mids, which actually gives the vocal part more warmth and weight, and I approve of this approach.
(Mid Frequencies)
The mids here are presented as tonally warm and weighty with excellent preserved energy and drive in the vocal part and guitar riffs in rock music, and if we take it as a whole, the presentation here is extremely enticing and literally, I would say, takes you into some kind of third dimension, no there is no boredom or dryness here, and in general these headphones are not about some kind of monitor and super analytics, but as for me, on the contrary, the manufacturer’s goal is clear and precise - this is getting pleasure from listening to music , and it seems to me that this is exactly what real audiophiles need when you just take out your headphones, connect them to your DAC amplifier and just enjoy without worrying about anything, since the headphones literally allow you to immerse yourself and feel all this melody and harmony as it really should be good headphones with a presentation that is so enticing and carries you away in any musical genre, that is, it doesn’t matter to them that you turn on , and what else can be attributed to the pluses is that they do not have excessive demands on the quality of recordings, that is, they can easily digest some poorly recorded and old tracks, even in MP3.
(High Frequencies)
But the high frequencies here are simply an ideal complement to the mid frequencies, they are very warm, musical, and neat, there are no sibilants, rustling or crooked timbre here, after all, these are not hybrids, but pure powerful dynamics with good frequency coverage , a great lean towards technicality which I always really approve of, due to this they cope well with heavier instrumental tracks and are incredibly suitable for something acoustic or classical music, I especially liked listening to various movie soundtracks lately, the same Batman, Dune the first, the recently released second, Interstellar oh guys...I highly recommend listening to it in maximum quality, all this is available in Tidal.
My conclusion on this headphones!
IntuAura are extremely interesting dynamic headphones with bassy and detailed sound, a very wide sound stage and a truly immersive, captivating presentation, and I definitely recommend considering them for those who are tired of hybrid headphones, planar, and you just want to try something new and more down to earth and these headphones now would definitely be an ideal choice for these purposes.
Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/products/intuaura-splendorii
I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on IntuAura View Splendor II.
Today, we look Splendor II, a single DD IEM from the Chi-Fi manufacturer Intuaura. It’s a fun one. Let’s talk about it.
The DD is housed in a carefully crafted 3D-printed enclosure. This enclosure includes a large sound tube that efficiently directs sound from the DD’s opening to the earphone nozzles.
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Additionally, the 3D-printed enclosure incorporates a system of air release tubes and vents, which I find particularly interesting. On the shell, there’s a vent hole located at the front of the DD to manage excess pressure. Notably, there’s also a pressure release tube on the sound tube itself, connecting to a concealed chamber behind the DD, discreetly positioned beneath the faceplate. This chamber effectively releases pressure through vents cleverly concealed beneath the engraved word “VIEW” on the upper shell.
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Packaging and accessories: The packaging presents some room for improvement: the outer cardboard sleeve lacks clarity in print quality, resulting in blurry text and artwork. The foam cutouts inside the box are generic and do not fit the contents snugly.
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On a positive note, the included accessories are extensive and of good quality: a spacious leather case that provides ample protection, two types of ear tips, protection pouch for earpieces, polishing cloth, a reliable cable, and a USB DAC dongle with built-in EQ.
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Ear pieces design: The earpieces are of medium size and shape. The nozzles are thicker and shorter, protruding further from the shells, which enhances ease of wear. The faceplates are hand made and quite beautiful. The colour of the faceplates change depending on the angle and intensity of incoming light.
Fit, comfort, and isolation: These IEMs offer a comfortable fit even during extended listening sessions. However, noise isolation is only average due to the significant amount of venting. On the bright side, this ventilation prevents pressure build-up and driver flex issues.
Ear tips recommendation: I’ve found the stock wide bore ear tips to be effective in my experience.
Timbre: It is helpful to think of an IEM as a filter that highlights or subdues different parts of the incoming audio signal. This effect can be measured objectively by the squiggly lines below, called Frequency Response (FR) graphs, which measure how loud an IEM is at different frequencies from 20Hz (bass) to 20kHz (upper treble). Subjectivity is how your ears and brain interpret the effect of that filter on your music and decide whether it is “enjoyable.” There are some “rules of thumb” when it comes to tonality, but most interesting IEMs usually bend the rules masterfully.
Figure shows the frequency response of Splendor II against the Harman in-ear target. Measurements were done with an IEC-711-compliant coupler and might only be compared with other measurements from this same coupler. Above 8kHz, the measurement likely does not match the response at the ear drum. Visit my graph database for more comparisons.
The tonal balance of Splendor II can be described as a V-shaped signature, characterized by enhanced bass, lower midrange, and upper midrange compared to the true midrange region. This configuration positions midrange instruments further back in the mix, while bringing the bass forward. As a result, midrange instruments and vocals sound thicker and more integrated with the bass. High notes, such as those on the E string of a violin, may appear more pronounced than other frequencies.
Splendor II exhibits a full frequency response, extending across the spectrum rather than focusing solely on the middle ranges. This presentation ensures a cohesive sound without noticeable gaps between different parts of the frequency spectrum.
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However, the V-shaped tuning of Splendor II may not appeal to those seeking timbral accuracy. For instance, in recordings like “Bach: Sei Solo” performed by Leonidas Kavakos, the violin may sound uneven, with unnatural accentuations on the G and E strings. Similarly, in “Goldberg Variations” performed by Lang Lang, the piano exhibits unevenness, accompanied by a slight sense of boominess and boxiness. On the positive side, Splendor II excels with pop music and large orchestral compositions, where its V-shaped tuning enhances the sense of expansiveness and excitement.
When paired with the supplied DAC/amp, Splendor II undergoes a significant tonal shift towards a more neutral sonic profile. This adjustment results in a flatter frequency response with less emphasis on bass and lower midrange, while the mid-midrange becomes more prominent and the upper midrange gains greater clarity. This tonal balance is arguably more accurate, although I find it somewhat boring comparing to the stock V-shaped signature.
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Bass and perceived dynamic: Dynamic performance is where Splendor II truly shines. Note attacks are precise and articulate, conveying a tight and controlled sound. The bass transients are notably accurate, delivering each note with a satisfying physical impact. This IEM maintains its powerful presence whether at low or high volumes.
The bass response and perceived dynamic range of Splendor II are influenced by the use of the supplied DAC/amp. When used independently, Splendor II exhibits a bassy and punchy character. However, when paired with the supplied DAC/amp, the bass quantity decreases while retaining its characteristic tightness and precision.
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Resolution: To me, “resolution” can be broken down into three components: (1) Sharpness, incisiveness, or “definition” of note attacks (see the figure above). (2) The separation of instruments and vocals, especially when they overlap on the soundstage. (3) The texture and details in the decay side of the notes. The first two give music clarity and make it easy to track individual elements of a mix. The last provides music details and nuances.
The clarity of Splendor II is somewhat constrained by its emphasis on bass and lower midrange frequencies, which can overshadow the midrange presence. Despite this, Splendor II manages to deliver a relatively clean and crisp sound, aided by its quick note attacks. Detail retrieval is commendable, allowing for an enjoyable experience with detail-rich classical recordings without significant loss.
When using the supplied DAC/amp, Splendor II exhibits improved overall clarity due to adjustments in its frequency response. In direct comparisons with my reference models, Splendor II’s resolution stands on par with the Moondrop Blessing 2. Therefore, I assess the resolution of Splendor II at a solid 3/5 level (Good).
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Stereo imaging and soundstage: Stereo imaging or “soundstage” is a psychoacoustic illusion that different recording elements appear at various locations inside and around your head. Your brain creates based on the cues in the recording, which are enhanced or diminushed by your IEMs, your DAC, and your amplifier. In rare cases, with some specific songs, some IEMs can trick you into thinking that the sound comes from the environment (a.k.a., “holographic”)
Regarding soundstage extension, Splendor II offers an expansive audio environment with notable depth perception. For instance, listening to “Gladiator Suite” from Hans Zimmer’s Live album, I experience strong bass presence upfront, flutes positioned farther back, and strings floating back to the sides, creating an illusion of sound originating outside the headstage.
In terms of sound localization, Splendor II demonstrates effective instrument positioning and distance perception. However, while it excels in creating a spacious soundstage with elements seeming to extend beyond the head, precise instrument placement lacks razor-sharp accuracy.
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Comparing against my reference models, Splendor II presents a notably three-dimensional and open soundstage, akin to my Andromeda 2020 (rated 4/5 in my benchmarks). However, when directly compared to the 64 Audio U12T (benchmark for 5/5), Splendor II falls short in achieving the ultimate precision and imaging required for a truly outstanding soundstage.
Multimedia usage:
The V-shaped tuning and expansive soundstage of Splendor II make it an excellent option for video games and movies. In FPS games, I experience a spherical soundstage around my head, allowing precise identification and tracking of sound direction and distance. When watching action movies, the strong bass response and spacious soundstage combine to deliver a thoroughly satisfying cinematic experience.
One of its strengths lies in its ease of driving, making it a versatile option beyond just audiophile applications.
Should you consider purchasing this IEM? It largely depends on your music preferences. If you primarily listen to classical music and prioritize tonal accuracy, this IEM may not meet your expectations without relying on the provided DAC/amp. However, if you’re seeking a fun, engaging sound signature, particularly for multimedia enjoyment, Splendor II receives a recommendation from this reviewer.
What I like about this IEM:
Bias Score: 4/5 - I like this IEM
Updated: June 15, 2024
Forewords
- What I look for in an IEM is immersion. I want to feel the orchestra around my head, track individual instruments, and hear all of their textures and details. I’m not picky about tonality, as long as it is not make the orchestra, violin, cellos, and pianos sound wrong.
- I rate IEMs within with a consistent scale from 1 (Poor) to 3 (Good) to 5 (Outstanding). An overall ranking of 3/5 or above is considered positive.
- Ranking list and measurement database are on my IEM review blog.
- The terminology for subjective impressions in this review is based on the Audio Wheel for reproduced sound defined in the technical report ITU-R BS.2399-0
- This review is based on a review sample from Linsoul (Thank you!). I have no affiliation with or financial interest in Linsoul and Intuaura.
- The unit retails for $259 at the time this review was published. Unaffiliated link: Linsoul
General Information
Splendor II includes a dynamic driver (DD) with a 10mm diameter. The diaphragm features a double-sided composite alloy coating, designed to mimic the characteristics of beryllium metal diaphragms.The DD is housed in a carefully crafted 3D-printed enclosure. This enclosure includes a large sound tube that efficiently directs sound from the DD’s opening to the earphone nozzles.
Additionally, the 3D-printed enclosure incorporates a system of air release tubes and vents, which I find particularly interesting. On the shell, there’s a vent hole located at the front of the DD to manage excess pressure. Notably, there’s also a pressure release tube on the sound tube itself, connecting to a concealed chamber behind the DD, discreetly positioned beneath the faceplate. This chamber effectively releases pressure through vents cleverly concealed beneath the engraved word “VIEW” on the upper shell.
Non-sound Aspects
Packaging and accessories: The packaging presents some room for improvement: the outer cardboard sleeve lacks clarity in print quality, resulting in blurry text and artwork. The foam cutouts inside the box are generic and do not fit the contents snugly.
On a positive note, the included accessories are extensive and of good quality: a spacious leather case that provides ample protection, two types of ear tips, protection pouch for earpieces, polishing cloth, a reliable cable, and a USB DAC dongle with built-in EQ.
Ear pieces design: The earpieces are of medium size and shape. The nozzles are thicker and shorter, protruding further from the shells, which enhances ease of wear. The faceplates are hand made and quite beautiful. The colour of the faceplates change depending on the angle and intensity of incoming light.
Fit, comfort, and isolation: These IEMs offer a comfortable fit even during extended listening sessions. However, noise isolation is only average due to the significant amount of venting. On the bright side, this ventilation prevents pressure build-up and driver flex issues.
Ear tips recommendation: I’ve found the stock wide bore ear tips to be effective in my experience.
Sonic Performance
Testing setup:- Sources: iBasso DX300, L&P W4, FiiO K7, HiBy R3 II
- Cable: stock 3.5mm cable
- Ear tips: stock widebore ear tips
Timbre: It is helpful to think of an IEM as a filter that highlights or subdues different parts of the incoming audio signal. This effect can be measured objectively by the squiggly lines below, called Frequency Response (FR) graphs, which measure how loud an IEM is at different frequencies from 20Hz (bass) to 20kHz (upper treble). Subjectivity is how your ears and brain interpret the effect of that filter on your music and decide whether it is “enjoyable.” There are some “rules of thumb” when it comes to tonality, but most interesting IEMs usually bend the rules masterfully.
Figure shows the frequency response of Splendor II against the Harman in-ear target. Measurements were done with an IEC-711-compliant coupler and might only be compared with other measurements from this same coupler. Above 8kHz, the measurement likely does not match the response at the ear drum. Visit my graph database for more comparisons.
The tonal balance of Splendor II can be described as a V-shaped signature, characterized by enhanced bass, lower midrange, and upper midrange compared to the true midrange region. This configuration positions midrange instruments further back in the mix, while bringing the bass forward. As a result, midrange instruments and vocals sound thicker and more integrated with the bass. High notes, such as those on the E string of a violin, may appear more pronounced than other frequencies.
Splendor II exhibits a full frequency response, extending across the spectrum rather than focusing solely on the middle ranges. This presentation ensures a cohesive sound without noticeable gaps between different parts of the frequency spectrum.
However, the V-shaped tuning of Splendor II may not appeal to those seeking timbral accuracy. For instance, in recordings like “Bach: Sei Solo” performed by Leonidas Kavakos, the violin may sound uneven, with unnatural accentuations on the G and E strings. Similarly, in “Goldberg Variations” performed by Lang Lang, the piano exhibits unevenness, accompanied by a slight sense of boominess and boxiness. On the positive side, Splendor II excels with pop music and large orchestral compositions, where its V-shaped tuning enhances the sense of expansiveness and excitement.
When paired with the supplied DAC/amp, Splendor II undergoes a significant tonal shift towards a more neutral sonic profile. This adjustment results in a flatter frequency response with less emphasis on bass and lower midrange, while the mid-midrange becomes more prominent and the upper midrange gains greater clarity. This tonal balance is arguably more accurate, although I find it somewhat boring comparing to the stock V-shaped signature.
Bass and perceived dynamic: Dynamic performance is where Splendor II truly shines. Note attacks are precise and articulate, conveying a tight and controlled sound. The bass transients are notably accurate, delivering each note with a satisfying physical impact. This IEM maintains its powerful presence whether at low or high volumes.
The bass response and perceived dynamic range of Splendor II are influenced by the use of the supplied DAC/amp. When used independently, Splendor II exhibits a bassy and punchy character. However, when paired with the supplied DAC/amp, the bass quantity decreases while retaining its characteristic tightness and precision.
Resolution: To me, “resolution” can be broken down into three components: (1) Sharpness, incisiveness, or “definition” of note attacks (see the figure above). (2) The separation of instruments and vocals, especially when they overlap on the soundstage. (3) The texture and details in the decay side of the notes. The first two give music clarity and make it easy to track individual elements of a mix. The last provides music details and nuances.
The clarity of Splendor II is somewhat constrained by its emphasis on bass and lower midrange frequencies, which can overshadow the midrange presence. Despite this, Splendor II manages to deliver a relatively clean and crisp sound, aided by its quick note attacks. Detail retrieval is commendable, allowing for an enjoyable experience with detail-rich classical recordings without significant loss.
When using the supplied DAC/amp, Splendor II exhibits improved overall clarity due to adjustments in its frequency response. In direct comparisons with my reference models, Splendor II’s resolution stands on par with the Moondrop Blessing 2. Therefore, I assess the resolution of Splendor II at a solid 3/5 level (Good).
Stereo imaging and soundstage: Stereo imaging or “soundstage” is a psychoacoustic illusion that different recording elements appear at various locations inside and around your head. Your brain creates based on the cues in the recording, which are enhanced or diminushed by your IEMs, your DAC, and your amplifier. In rare cases, with some specific songs, some IEMs can trick you into thinking that the sound comes from the environment (a.k.a., “holographic”)
Regarding soundstage extension, Splendor II offers an expansive audio environment with notable depth perception. For instance, listening to “Gladiator Suite” from Hans Zimmer’s Live album, I experience strong bass presence upfront, flutes positioned farther back, and strings floating back to the sides, creating an illusion of sound originating outside the headstage.
In terms of sound localization, Splendor II demonstrates effective instrument positioning and distance perception. However, while it excels in creating a spacious soundstage with elements seeming to extend beyond the head, precise instrument placement lacks razor-sharp accuracy.
Comparing against my reference models, Splendor II presents a notably three-dimensional and open soundstage, akin to my Andromeda 2020 (rated 4/5 in my benchmarks). However, when directly compared to the 64 Audio U12T (benchmark for 5/5), Splendor II falls short in achieving the ultimate precision and imaging required for a truly outstanding soundstage.
Multimedia usage:
The V-shaped tuning and expansive soundstage of Splendor II make it an excellent option for video games and movies. In FPS games, I experience a spherical soundstage around my head, allowing precise identification and tracking of sound direction and distance. When watching action movies, the strong bass response and spacious soundstage combine to deliver a thoroughly satisfying cinematic experience.
Driveability
Splendor II is straightforward to drive, performing admirably with the basic Apple dongle DAC/amp: the soundstage extends well, dynamics are solid, and the bass is satisfying. Switching to a higher-quality dongle DAC/amp like the W4, I notice refinements across the spectrum: improved instrument separation, a more expansive soundstage, and slightly sharper bass transients. However, the improvements are subtle rather than dramatic.Conclusions
Despite my reservations about the tonal balance of Splendor II, I find myself pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable this IEM is to use. While it may not excel in tonal accuracy without the supplied DAC/amp with built-in EQ, its stock tuning offers a fun experience with its robust bass, dynamic sound, and expansive soundstage.One of its strengths lies in its ease of driving, making it a versatile option beyond just audiophile applications.
Should you consider purchasing this IEM? It largely depends on your music preferences. If you primarily listen to classical music and prioritize tonal accuracy, this IEM may not meet your expectations without relying on the provided DAC/amp. However, if you’re seeking a fun, engaging sound signature, particularly for multimedia enjoyment, Splendor II receives a recommendation from this reviewer.
What I like about this IEM:
- Fun V-shaped signature
- Bass and dynamic
- Soundstage depth
- The openness sensation of the soundstage
- Two sound signatures in one product
- Generous and practical accessories
- Timbral correctness
- The supplied DAC/amp has a slight hissing noise
Bias Score: 4/5 - I like this IEM
Updated: June 15, 2024
INTUAURA Splendor Il
Redcarmoose Labs June 16th, 2024
INTUAURA
So in so many ways I’m exactly like you, meaning I’m after good sound. When a new company shows up on the scene it challenges us to make a personal opinion. This opinion is related to if we want to make a purchase or not, or if we will maybe purchase it at a future date when our finances align. Much of this decision is based on if we relate to what sonic features are contained in an IEM review, or others experience chiming-in on-line as to a particular IEM value and personality profile. Part of the review process is we do the foot-work for you. Meaning I did a few clicks and learned who this new INTUAURA company is……..
They offer an INTUAURA Purple IEM which in so many ways looks to be an upgraded driver to the Splendor Il? I mean the same shell. Slightly different color, but same writing exactly, where it has the company logo and says “VIEW”? Yet it is $649.99. INTUAURA also offers a TOTL Lakeview at $1,500.00, which is again a full-range DD……..only this TOTL Flagship gets to sport the INTUAURA name on the faceplate! Oh and the company logo!
They make a INTUAURA Luster IEM and a Plume IEM………looking much the same design as our Splendor II, though priced less……….and you guessed it both again with a full-range DD. So what I can tell on-line is that this company specializes in DDs. Though the one interesting part is this Splendor Il is the only one with a specific “Phantasm” Dongle included.
The Dongle:
As such this comes as a fun little option. This DSP DAC & AMP technology is called Phantasm. An ether 3.5mm or 4.4mm Dongle (for the same price) which changes the sound of the Splendor Il. Now normally we like to think ahead-of-time that we already understand and know what these DSP Dongles do. I can tell you right-off you don’t know how this one sounds. Yep, to where I always thought of DSP effects as adding stage and grandeur. Yet here the Phantasm system actually reduces stage and adds a slight clarity to the bass at times, adding a noticeable cohesiveness which is not found when using the Splendor Il with just 4.4mm cable straight out. So imagine for just a second that I said this Phantasm Dongle adds cohesiveness already to a cohesive full-range DD? Yep, that is what I hear. This seems is subjective (amongst reviewers) to whether or not the Splendor Il is best with the Dongle or not?. Not only are the results not clear in written and YouTube reviews, it can also be often chosen as an improvement or not an improvement in your personal use?
Headphone/IEM perception:
With a headphone/IEM there are a lot of factors into how we perceive sound with them, though it is safe to say tone is one of the biggest (plus or minus) factors here. Meaning from a phone the Dongle gets a little louder, yet depending on your exact phone model, the difference may or may not be so great. And the tone, yep the same as when compared to the USBTypeC of the HiBy R3 II output into the Splendor Il Dongle, or straight out 4.4mm using the HiBy amplifier…….they can be switched almost instantly and yep, the Phantasm Dongle puts out a slightly smoother and softer tone, with the stage narrower than straight out of the HiBy R3 II player.
Now I don’t want you to concern yourself too much with this Dongle usage as you have a choice. The other extra freedom is if you order your Splendor Il in 4.4 Dongle style you have the ability to listen to the USBTypeC (and included cable) from your phone in 4.4mm. You also have the choice of using an older Apple Phone with the Lightning Plug (not included), simply plugging the USBTypeC Dongle into a USBTypeC to Lighting Adapter……to use your older iPhone. And if you use 4.4mm typically at home you have the luxury of not ever having to change cables, as you simply un-plug the Phantasm Dongle and switch over to your home DAP or desktop in 4.4mm, with the included cable. I had fun using the Dongle to smooth out other IEMs like the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2!
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/kz-zs10-pro-2.27181/reviews#review-34237
Yep, the Phantasm Dongle is a nice tool to have in your tool-box, especially if it is late at night and you want to still listen to a more midrange and treble forward IEM, but don’t exactly want all the forward upper midrange vibrancy, you can use any USBTypeC or even Lighting to enjoy a hotter example like the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 in altered fashion! Now………..sure it only goes so far to tame the PRO 2, but amazingly it even takes the Hybrid disjointedness and seems to add cohesive properties there too? The stage is bigger without this Dongle, yet you can kind-of work with different amplifier choices to do many of the same character traits as the Phantasm Dongle, but in a slightly more realistic way. So I found different amplifiers which seem to add the needed warmth and full-ness to be found with the INTUAURA Splendor Il. Still even with different amplifiers, I wasn’t out of the woods here with the INTUAURA Splendor Il.
INTUAURA Splendor Il with different amps:
Where rotating through different amps, I was looking for both warmth and fullness to where normally an (example) of an amp choice would be the incredibly warm FiiO E17K Alpen 2 DAC/Amplifier, but no, whatever it did, it left the Splendor Il lacking warmth and body. Where with an IEM with this style of tune, you are always balancing the upper mids with the overall response, to where if there is not enough size or warmth the from the source, the INTUAURA Splendor Il tone can start to lean to the thinner and analytical ways of life.
All this boils down to one thing:
Yep, the INTUAURA Splendor Il is responsive to the character of source to the max. So during testing I found the midrange forward Sony WM1A to be just that, fast and midrange forward. The M shaped HiBy R3 II became just that, an M shape curve that gave the Splendor Il upper midrange warmth, and robust mid-bass a showcasing. When you combine the stage the budget HiBy R3 II is known for, you have a fairly quality sounding entry level rig……..with plenty of authority, stage and resolution.
No wonder they opted for a Dongle to try and help smooth-out digititus from upstream gear. I can only dream of the IEM quality traveling-up the INTUAURA line gets you? The $1500.00 Lakeview, the $649.99 “Purple” HA………The one thing I do know is that the vents off to the side are in the shape of letters, which is how they achieve this soundstage.
The letters that function as sound vents:
That means the normal holes that act as vents to let air in and out are in fact letters with this line of IEMs, a first in my experience. And guess what? What? The word INTUAURA has more letters for air to travel in and out of with the $1500.00 Lakeview! Where we still have great and novel “letters” of venting spelling out the word “VIEW” for all the world to see directly off to the side of the faceplate with the NTUAURA Splendor Il.
The sound vents on the 7Hz Aurora:
It is this airy upper mid-centered tone that has been coming to Redcarmoose Labs recently. Yep, the Aurora by 7Hz, same tuning, as is the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 also adding to this trend of lots of forward upper mids and forward treble. Even the new TOTL Flagship from NiceHCK, the Himalaya has a close relationship to this style of tone, not exactly (as the stage is less) but they are respective of this new tuning slant out of China as of present. And I could not be happier as to the new tuning trend. You say to yourself, why didn’t they make tunes like this two years ago? Fast and clear bass, forward upper mids………….that do slightly better with female vocals than male vocals. Yet all this too leaves room for clear and careful treble itemizations. Sure the 7Hz Aurora is more separated, but due to it being a Hybrid it is offering a style of dislocation of items into the stage, where here we are experiencing the classic full-range DD along with that natural timbre only full-range DDs are able to do.
Response to sources:
Staying with the great included cable with a permanent 4.4mm plug……..I once again went through a few sources. I mean I have had the INTUAURA Splendor Il for 17 days. Going back to it after burn-in to try and truly get a grip on what we have here, and not to over hype it or short-change it either, but to come with simple terms as to what it is.
Sony WM1A:
INTUAURA Splendor Il comes off with a giant stage, bigger than the NiceHCK Himalaya, but also more forward in the upper midrange to the point depending on who you are could be almost looked at as forced. I mean truly I am on the fence to this arrangement as if there was a place too forward, here it would be, but if you enjoy this clarity………..it could end a paradise of sorts. Just big open playful skills at mids and upper mids.
In comes the GS849 cable:
While staying with the WM1A and my regular wide-bore ear-tips we are now witnessing a slight thicker idea as to sound replay. This thickness is in how the notes are presented, and offer a slight warmer tone to partake of. Probably one of the greatest GS849 side effects would be the note density and clarity that is resulting from deeper substantiated notes. The stage is maybe wider than the great included cable, and filled with a slightly deeper view into this audio sonic pond. Though remember this clarity is unstoppable and powerful, and there is still a slight upper midrange edge in places.
HiBy R3 II:
Look, this DAP in many ways is a tonal improvement over the more expensive mid centered Sony WM1A. Then moving forward to add the GS849 cable and the R3…………well it is very much a smoother treble, maybe becoming my favorite combination today?
Timestamps refer to original song, not the Youtube video.
Suldusk
Anthesis
Sphaera
96 kHz - 24 bit
This song in many ways showcases the 2024 trend to bring back 1970s singer songwriter movements with simple guitar fingerpicking. Yet upon closer inspection we find multitracks for the vocals, bass and synthesizers. The beautiful style here is the fact that this song was literally made for the INTUAURA Splendor Il, just the way the guitar is found floating across to the exterior of the stage, the effortless known to the vocals, and the fact that all of this is found at (close to) perfect timbre. Nope, none of that steely shine adrift, none. Ahhh
Upon closer inspection we hear a separate guitar to the left and a separate one to the right. At 00:40 we can make out a faint backing vocal positioned lower and sitting behind. While the bass is not totally forward, it is heard very clearly and profoundly goes with the guitar which is the central theme………along with Emily Highfield’s vocals. At 01:23 there is a chorus of multitracks, yet never does this come off as too busy or over worked. At 01:30 we find ourselves distracted by a lead guitar laden with guitar effects. And I pause for a second………….as I don’t always use the R3, but when the tone is totally correct as it is today, you can’t help but not hold respect for just how value priced the R3 II is, but also how useful and true sounding the little R3 II can be at times. I keep reaching down and picking-up the WM1A to forward to different songs, only to be surprised that the IEMs are connected to the HiBy R3 II instead.
At around 02:00 drum accents are introduced as a way to move this song forward, and while they are heard, they are not the loudest or as authoritative as with other set-ups, but it comes-off as totally natural, so much that if this was the first time you heard this, the song would completely hold the that magic that it has. At 02:14 we find the strings arrive, and also note just how sparingly they have used reverb on Emily Highfield’s voice, helping the vocals to allow for more multitracks and enable clear understanding of the rest of this song……….as it starts to get complicated.
At 04:17 the song takes on new directions adding the drama that shrieks can unfold. At 04:50 the song returned to regularly scheduled programming until the end.
Song summary:
The question arises, why was this so good? All this starts with a well recorded song. Then gets added to by the HiBy R3 II balanced M signature playback, then gets thickened slightly by an aftermarket cable, and finally gets replayed by a very competent INTUAURA Splendor Il IEM. I mean I have to ask myself if this is all I needed, and yes, this style of playback (while not perfect) would do for a night, definitely.
Comparisons:
Side-by-sides:
Left to right:
Left to right:
Top row: INTUAURA Splendor Il, KZ ZS 10 PRO 2
Bottom row: ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete, TWISTURA-D-Major
1) INTUAURA Splendor II $259.00 - Single Full-range DD IEM
2) KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 $54.99 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
3) ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete $249.00 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
4) TWISTURA D-Major $49.00 - Single Full-range DD IEM
Here to gain possible satisfaction we are not using the Dongles for the INTUAURA Splendor II or the TWISTURA D-Major, but in fact using the HiBy R3 II in 4.4mm output. In many ways the TWISTURA D-Major add-on Dongle does add a feature of volume and spatial clues to the D-Major……..still I’m not using it. The cable is the SIMGOT AUDIO LC7 Modular Cable System with 4.4mm plug. I just did this test with the WM1A for the prior KZ review…………yet decided that I would give special consideration by including the HiBy R3 II and not use the mid forward Sony WM1A. Where here not using the mid forward Sony WM1A this gives the Splendor II an advantage to help it become more balanced for a side-by-side test, only it is still a totally fair test. It’s fair because every IEM is getting the same cable used, the same DAP used and the same (longer wide-bores) ear-tips used. Some may argue that there is a wide range of price points between IEMs here, and I won’t disagree.
While the odd man out tonally would be the ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete, I’m still finding these 4 IEMs to be related. They came at exactly the same time, and represent the latest in tuning ideas. I still could throw two more test IEMs into the mix, but you have to stop somewhere. Also I feel there is enough of the same as well as enough difference here to be able to ascertain character and quality among IEM peers test subjects.
KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 $54.99 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
Look, if you know anything about the popularity going on with the PRO 2 then you already know what to expect here. Except I need to drive one feature home!
The KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 stage!
To where the 4BAs are excelling at stage and separation here, to where the Splendor II has more cohesiveness, but still…….at this price this KZ is a deal on wheels! Especially now that we have it joined to the smoother (than Sony WM1A) HiBy R3 II. Perfect. Well there is still a hair of BA timbre, yet at this price and with this entertainment factor no ones cares. I mean yes it has a thin lower midrange which doesn’t help male vocals and even the regular midrange is not the thickest in note density here……..but who cares…..not with this kind of money asked. Oh and good luck getting a pair as often they are sold out!
ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete $249.00 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
Man-o-man did I like revisiting this for the test. Where this in itself is a $10.00 less IEM. Also more steely timbre due to BAs used, yes there is no denying that.
But what comes with that is the natural separation that comes from the Arete being a Hybrid.
And…….I really have a passion for Hybrids. Where yes, we get a slight delineation of each and every frequency represented by their own driver in the end. Along with the bass DD, the new ZiiGaat is using 4 (name brand) Knowles drivers, two 29689 mid BAs, and two 31736 treble BAs. As such the 5 drivers utilize one 3 way crossover to separate the incoming signals to each sonic section. Now the trick that ZiiGaat performed was a slightly warm down-tuning of BAs, creating a smoother, less jumpy and more fluid idea to sound playback. Yep, smoother and slightly more easy going than the Splendor II. As such when listening to the same song on both IEMs, the cohesive togetherness of the Splendor II takes hold, yet then if some cymbal splashes come, we see the Splendor II become both garish and too intense? Depending what you are after this could be a good thing or a bad thing, but I truly see the upper midrange as a little too edgy.
ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete guitars (especially electric) get a polishing and a take-down of edge, to where the timbre is often, really always better than trying to make them become a focus point upfront. So slightly more smooth than the Splendor II, I still wonder if a place right between these two would be a pleasant home. The bass of the Arete comes across more separated, because it is separated by its own crossover network and single application DD driver, so this makes it have a crisper edge……..and I know “crisper” isn’t necessarily a word used to describe the bass leading attacks, but that is what I hear? This crispness is holding separation and delineation into where the bass is found inside the stage. So, amazingly enough, even the two 31736 treble BAs are not providing the forwardness and treble intensity found with the Splendor II. So maybe INTUAURA figuring this out decided to place a DSP “Phantasm“ filter to smooth out and add cohesiveness to this bright upper midrange behavior? Yes, that looks like a fact, and added INTUAURA Splendor II bass definition. Believe me anytime a company includes an add-on DSP changer you know we as reviewers are going to look at it as a corrector, even if it changes the soundstage and makes the IEM slightly more cohesive in the end. And……that is how I ultimately see it.
TWISTURA D-Major $49.00 - Single Full-range DD IEM
Surprisingly enough, this particular IEM has even a brighter slant than the INTUAURA Splendor II. Both single full-range DDs, yet this little D-Major is a full 12 grams, and the Splendor II only 5 grams. Oh, and by the way, yes you do notice this weight difference in the ear. So even though it is small the D-Major is on the outskirts of just how heavy an IEM can be. Yet this brightness of the D-Major is found a little more even and correct in tone and placement in relation to the whole upper presentation. So less bass than the INTUAURA Splendor II, but a more even and complete, plus correct top-end!
TWISTURA D-Major:
I had to research this company as it was unheard of to me prior. Upon looking up the TWISTURA company…………I found out it was just recently started-up, with this D-Major as their very first offering. Interesting too included DSP Dongle is not the same as simply plugging into the regular 3.5mm output jack of your phone. Meaning it may even offer a more focused upper midrange and treble? You see, even if the Dongle gets slightly louder than your phone, those effects will also be physiologically noted, as I don’t have an actual power output meter. Regardless…….this is all very simple, I see the inclusion of DSP Dongles as a way to both add 3.5mm output to devices that don’t offer it, and a way to slightly alter playback to enhance certain aspects of tone, doing things that were either impossible to do with a particular IEM tuning, or very difficult. Once again pulling out the HiBy R3 II we are met with a big expansive stage, with both the included Dongle and straight out of the HiBy R3 II. The DSP offers a slight boost even farther into upper midrange positioning and seems to add soundstage. This can be tested really fast by leaving the SIMGOT 3.5mm adapter on and simply unplugging the 4.4 SIMGOT modular plug and making the switch to the DSP.
Strangely I find the D-Major both slightly better upper midrange and treble balanced than the Splendor II even though it is a hair brighter and due to offering even less bass balance. And of course the same preference of HiBy R3 II being preferred over the mid centric Sony WM1A…….of course.
There are even two other nozzles that alter the D-major sound, yet never totally take the sound to a very different place in the end.
Conclusion of side-by-sides:
I really liked this, as the HiBy R3 II gave me an even clearer picture of the IEMs in question. Meaning that while the WM1A was used in my last (KZ IEM review) side-by-sides, using this HiBy R3 II gave me new appreciation for the IEMs in the test. Where sure each IEM still held the tonal features it always contained, using a smoother DAP allowed for better more well rounded usability. Anyway you chose to slice it though the KZ, the D-Major and the Splendor Il are visiting the same part of town where everything is totally white and gleaming, clean and sparkly for the visitor. This sound must be the trend now, and I’m OK with it, it is just not always the very best for genres like Rock that typically use the low-end for pace, as it is safe to say the pace here has been subjugated to the back-seat in favor of brighter fluorescent vocals and cymbal strikes. Oh, and Rap or any other modern day style of EDM or the sorts………..Yep you guessed it……less authority or at least different than you are used to hearing it. Yep, even with a warmer DAP this is the case……..because you can add tone to this brightness, but you can’t cure the sparkles 100%. Where the ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete becomes the odd man out, simply relaying a smoother, more accessible less intense form of upper midrange texture.
Packaging:
Cable:
The included cable is a dream, coming is 4.4mm or 3.5mm at the same price which also matches plug insertion point with Dongle.
Build:
The great low weight and perfect shape make for easy listening. The cable ear-hooks add to the overall ergonomics at hand.
Conclusion:
So in reality I started to rate the INTUAURA Splendor Il slightly less as time went on. Meaning first impressions had me at a solid 4. And the Splendor Il actually got better after 100 hrs of burn-in. Still that smoothness did not change the upper midrange unevenness or glare. Fit is wonderful……as they weight only 5 grams. Timbre is for the most part very good, and they represent a clear new style of tune offered. In many ways I view this new clarity in 7Hz Aurora…….then taken to a slightly different place with the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2. Even a hint of the NiceHCK Himalaya here, though I feel the Himalaya is the totally better and more even, complete/correct IEM. What can I say, the INTUAURA Splendor Il comes with a lot of package extras, like a cleaning cloth, the case of ear-tips………..even a correcting Dongle if you so choose to go that route. It comes with an IEM pouch, and the included cable is the cat’s meow with just how silky it acts. I just wish in the end the INTUAURA Splendor Il was just as silky-smooth in frequency response, though it is not. Now that is not to say you can’t get to a point where the tone is almost manageable. Because you can adjust the tone with aftermarket cables and sources to reach a far superior place, it’s just maybe not worth the money, plus all the extra work (in-the-end) you need to do to get there? Sure the fitment is wonderful and they are built really well, the venting system on the side is a new thing here at Redcarmoose Labs, it is just that while the stage is really big, that in an of itself doesn’t buy the Splendor Il out from the tuning issues. Of course the INTUAURA Company knew this and manufactured a Dongle to placate these upper midrange oddities. And sure the Dongle works if you want to sacrifice details and resolution to get there while using it? The Dongle even cleans up the bass a tad, bringing better pace at hand while still reducing soundstage at the same time. If this sounds like a mixed bag, it is…….as I don’t have any other way to describe it to you?
SPECIFICATIONS
$259.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/intuaura-splendorii
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Kareena from Linsoul for the love and the INTUAURA Splendor Il review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm
Samsung Phone 3.5mm
HiBy R3 II DAP 4.4mm balanced
ifi hip dac DAC/Amplifier 4.4mm balanced
FiiO E17K Alpen 2 DAC/Amplifier 3.5mm single-ended
Redcarmoose Labs June 16th, 2024
INTUAURA
So in so many ways I’m exactly like you, meaning I’m after good sound. When a new company shows up on the scene it challenges us to make a personal opinion. This opinion is related to if we want to make a purchase or not, or if we will maybe purchase it at a future date when our finances align. Much of this decision is based on if we relate to what sonic features are contained in an IEM review, or others experience chiming-in on-line as to a particular IEM value and personality profile. Part of the review process is we do the foot-work for you. Meaning I did a few clicks and learned who this new INTUAURA company is……..
They offer an INTUAURA Purple IEM which in so many ways looks to be an upgraded driver to the Splendor Il? I mean the same shell. Slightly different color, but same writing exactly, where it has the company logo and says “VIEW”? Yet it is $649.99. INTUAURA also offers a TOTL Lakeview at $1,500.00, which is again a full-range DD……..only this TOTL Flagship gets to sport the INTUAURA name on the faceplate! Oh and the company logo!
They make a INTUAURA Luster IEM and a Plume IEM………looking much the same design as our Splendor II, though priced less……….and you guessed it both again with a full-range DD. So what I can tell on-line is that this company specializes in DDs. Though the one interesting part is this Splendor Il is the only one with a specific “Phantasm” Dongle included.
The Dongle:
As such this comes as a fun little option. This DSP DAC & AMP technology is called Phantasm. An ether 3.5mm or 4.4mm Dongle (for the same price) which changes the sound of the Splendor Il. Now normally we like to think ahead-of-time that we already understand and know what these DSP Dongles do. I can tell you right-off you don’t know how this one sounds. Yep, to where I always thought of DSP effects as adding stage and grandeur. Yet here the Phantasm system actually reduces stage and adds a slight clarity to the bass at times, adding a noticeable cohesiveness which is not found when using the Splendor Il with just 4.4mm cable straight out. So imagine for just a second that I said this Phantasm Dongle adds cohesiveness already to a cohesive full-range DD? Yep, that is what I hear. This seems is subjective (amongst reviewers) to whether or not the Splendor Il is best with the Dongle or not?. Not only are the results not clear in written and YouTube reviews, it can also be often chosen as an improvement or not an improvement in your personal use?
Headphone/IEM perception:
With a headphone/IEM there are a lot of factors into how we perceive sound with them, though it is safe to say tone is one of the biggest (plus or minus) factors here. Meaning from a phone the Dongle gets a little louder, yet depending on your exact phone model, the difference may or may not be so great. And the tone, yep the same as when compared to the USBTypeC of the HiBy R3 II output into the Splendor Il Dongle, or straight out 4.4mm using the HiBy amplifier…….they can be switched almost instantly and yep, the Phantasm Dongle puts out a slightly smoother and softer tone, with the stage narrower than straight out of the HiBy R3 II player.
Now I don’t want you to concern yourself too much with this Dongle usage as you have a choice. The other extra freedom is if you order your Splendor Il in 4.4 Dongle style you have the ability to listen to the USBTypeC (and included cable) from your phone in 4.4mm. You also have the choice of using an older Apple Phone with the Lightning Plug (not included), simply plugging the USBTypeC Dongle into a USBTypeC to Lighting Adapter……to use your older iPhone. And if you use 4.4mm typically at home you have the luxury of not ever having to change cables, as you simply un-plug the Phantasm Dongle and switch over to your home DAP or desktop in 4.4mm, with the included cable. I had fun using the Dongle to smooth out other IEMs like the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2!
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/kz-zs10-pro-2.27181/reviews#review-34237
Yep, the Phantasm Dongle is a nice tool to have in your tool-box, especially if it is late at night and you want to still listen to a more midrange and treble forward IEM, but don’t exactly want all the forward upper midrange vibrancy, you can use any USBTypeC or even Lighting to enjoy a hotter example like the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 in altered fashion! Now………..sure it only goes so far to tame the PRO 2, but amazingly it even takes the Hybrid disjointedness and seems to add cohesive properties there too? The stage is bigger without this Dongle, yet you can kind-of work with different amplifier choices to do many of the same character traits as the Phantasm Dongle, but in a slightly more realistic way. So I found different amplifiers which seem to add the needed warmth and full-ness to be found with the INTUAURA Splendor Il. Still even with different amplifiers, I wasn’t out of the woods here with the INTUAURA Splendor Il.
INTUAURA Splendor Il with different amps:
Where rotating through different amps, I was looking for both warmth and fullness to where normally an (example) of an amp choice would be the incredibly warm FiiO E17K Alpen 2 DAC/Amplifier, but no, whatever it did, it left the Splendor Il lacking warmth and body. Where with an IEM with this style of tune, you are always balancing the upper mids with the overall response, to where if there is not enough size or warmth the from the source, the INTUAURA Splendor Il tone can start to lean to the thinner and analytical ways of life.
All this boils down to one thing:
Yep, the INTUAURA Splendor Il is responsive to the character of source to the max. So during testing I found the midrange forward Sony WM1A to be just that, fast and midrange forward. The M shaped HiBy R3 II became just that, an M shape curve that gave the Splendor Il upper midrange warmth, and robust mid-bass a showcasing. When you combine the stage the budget HiBy R3 II is known for, you have a fairly quality sounding entry level rig……..with plenty of authority, stage and resolution.
No wonder they opted for a Dongle to try and help smooth-out digititus from upstream gear. I can only dream of the IEM quality traveling-up the INTUAURA line gets you? The $1500.00 Lakeview, the $649.99 “Purple” HA………The one thing I do know is that the vents off to the side are in the shape of letters, which is how they achieve this soundstage.
The letters that function as sound vents:
That means the normal holes that act as vents to let air in and out are in fact letters with this line of IEMs, a first in my experience. And guess what? What? The word INTUAURA has more letters for air to travel in and out of with the $1500.00 Lakeview! Where we still have great and novel “letters” of venting spelling out the word “VIEW” for all the world to see directly off to the side of the faceplate with the NTUAURA Splendor Il.
The sound vents on the 7Hz Aurora:
It is this airy upper mid-centered tone that has been coming to Redcarmoose Labs recently. Yep, the Aurora by 7Hz, same tuning, as is the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 also adding to this trend of lots of forward upper mids and forward treble. Even the new TOTL Flagship from NiceHCK, the Himalaya has a close relationship to this style of tone, not exactly (as the stage is less) but they are respective of this new tuning slant out of China as of present. And I could not be happier as to the new tuning trend. You say to yourself, why didn’t they make tunes like this two years ago? Fast and clear bass, forward upper mids………….that do slightly better with female vocals than male vocals. Yet all this too leaves room for clear and careful treble itemizations. Sure the 7Hz Aurora is more separated, but due to it being a Hybrid it is offering a style of dislocation of items into the stage, where here we are experiencing the classic full-range DD along with that natural timbre only full-range DDs are able to do.
Response to sources:
Staying with the great included cable with a permanent 4.4mm plug……..I once again went through a few sources. I mean I have had the INTUAURA Splendor Il for 17 days. Going back to it after burn-in to try and truly get a grip on what we have here, and not to over hype it or short-change it either, but to come with simple terms as to what it is.
Sony WM1A:
INTUAURA Splendor Il comes off with a giant stage, bigger than the NiceHCK Himalaya, but also more forward in the upper midrange to the point depending on who you are could be almost looked at as forced. I mean truly I am on the fence to this arrangement as if there was a place too forward, here it would be, but if you enjoy this clarity………..it could end a paradise of sorts. Just big open playful skills at mids and upper mids.
In comes the GS849 cable:
While staying with the WM1A and my regular wide-bore ear-tips we are now witnessing a slight thicker idea as to sound replay. This thickness is in how the notes are presented, and offer a slight warmer tone to partake of. Probably one of the greatest GS849 side effects would be the note density and clarity that is resulting from deeper substantiated notes. The stage is maybe wider than the great included cable, and filled with a slightly deeper view into this audio sonic pond. Though remember this clarity is unstoppable and powerful, and there is still a slight upper midrange edge in places.
HiBy R3 II:
Look, this DAP in many ways is a tonal improvement over the more expensive mid centered Sony WM1A. Then moving forward to add the GS849 cable and the R3…………well it is very much a smoother treble, maybe becoming my favorite combination today?
Timestamps refer to original song, not the Youtube video.
Suldusk
Anthesis
Sphaera
96 kHz - 24 bit
This song in many ways showcases the 2024 trend to bring back 1970s singer songwriter movements with simple guitar fingerpicking. Yet upon closer inspection we find multitracks for the vocals, bass and synthesizers. The beautiful style here is the fact that this song was literally made for the INTUAURA Splendor Il, just the way the guitar is found floating across to the exterior of the stage, the effortless known to the vocals, and the fact that all of this is found at (close to) perfect timbre. Nope, none of that steely shine adrift, none. Ahhh
Upon closer inspection we hear a separate guitar to the left and a separate one to the right. At 00:40 we can make out a faint backing vocal positioned lower and sitting behind. While the bass is not totally forward, it is heard very clearly and profoundly goes with the guitar which is the central theme………along with Emily Highfield’s vocals. At 01:23 there is a chorus of multitracks, yet never does this come off as too busy or over worked. At 01:30 we find ourselves distracted by a lead guitar laden with guitar effects. And I pause for a second………….as I don’t always use the R3, but when the tone is totally correct as it is today, you can’t help but not hold respect for just how value priced the R3 II is, but also how useful and true sounding the little R3 II can be at times. I keep reaching down and picking-up the WM1A to forward to different songs, only to be surprised that the IEMs are connected to the HiBy R3 II instead.
At around 02:00 drum accents are introduced as a way to move this song forward, and while they are heard, they are not the loudest or as authoritative as with other set-ups, but it comes-off as totally natural, so much that if this was the first time you heard this, the song would completely hold the that magic that it has. At 02:14 we find the strings arrive, and also note just how sparingly they have used reverb on Emily Highfield’s voice, helping the vocals to allow for more multitracks and enable clear understanding of the rest of this song……….as it starts to get complicated.
At 04:17 the song takes on new directions adding the drama that shrieks can unfold. At 04:50 the song returned to regularly scheduled programming until the end.
Song summary:
The question arises, why was this so good? All this starts with a well recorded song. Then gets added to by the HiBy R3 II balanced M signature playback, then gets thickened slightly by an aftermarket cable, and finally gets replayed by a very competent INTUAURA Splendor Il IEM. I mean I have to ask myself if this is all I needed, and yes, this style of playback (while not perfect) would do for a night, definitely.
Comparisons:
Side-by-sides:
Left to right:
Left to right:
Top row: INTUAURA Splendor Il, KZ ZS 10 PRO 2
Bottom row: ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete, TWISTURA-D-Major
1) INTUAURA Splendor II $259.00 - Single Full-range DD IEM
2) KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 $54.99 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
3) ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete $249.00 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
4) TWISTURA D-Major $49.00 - Single Full-range DD IEM
Here to gain possible satisfaction we are not using the Dongles for the INTUAURA Splendor II or the TWISTURA D-Major, but in fact using the HiBy R3 II in 4.4mm output. In many ways the TWISTURA D-Major add-on Dongle does add a feature of volume and spatial clues to the D-Major……..still I’m not using it. The cable is the SIMGOT AUDIO LC7 Modular Cable System with 4.4mm plug. I just did this test with the WM1A for the prior KZ review…………yet decided that I would give special consideration by including the HiBy R3 II and not use the mid forward Sony WM1A. Where here not using the mid forward Sony WM1A this gives the Splendor II an advantage to help it become more balanced for a side-by-side test, only it is still a totally fair test. It’s fair because every IEM is getting the same cable used, the same DAP used and the same (longer wide-bores) ear-tips used. Some may argue that there is a wide range of price points between IEMs here, and I won’t disagree.
While the odd man out tonally would be the ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete, I’m still finding these 4 IEMs to be related. They came at exactly the same time, and represent the latest in tuning ideas. I still could throw two more test IEMs into the mix, but you have to stop somewhere. Also I feel there is enough of the same as well as enough difference here to be able to ascertain character and quality among IEM peers test subjects.
KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 $54.99 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
Look, if you know anything about the popularity going on with the PRO 2 then you already know what to expect here. Except I need to drive one feature home!
The KZ ZS 10 PRO 2 stage!
To where the 4BAs are excelling at stage and separation here, to where the Splendor II has more cohesiveness, but still…….at this price this KZ is a deal on wheels! Especially now that we have it joined to the smoother (than Sony WM1A) HiBy R3 II. Perfect. Well there is still a hair of BA timbre, yet at this price and with this entertainment factor no ones cares. I mean yes it has a thin lower midrange which doesn’t help male vocals and even the regular midrange is not the thickest in note density here……..but who cares…..not with this kind of money asked. Oh and good luck getting a pair as often they are sold out!
ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete $249.00 - 1DD x 4BA IEM
Man-o-man did I like revisiting this for the test. Where this in itself is a $10.00 less IEM. Also more steely timbre due to BAs used, yes there is no denying that.
But what comes with that is the natural separation that comes from the Arete being a Hybrid.
And…….I really have a passion for Hybrids. Where yes, we get a slight delineation of each and every frequency represented by their own driver in the end. Along with the bass DD, the new ZiiGaat is using 4 (name brand) Knowles drivers, two 29689 mid BAs, and two 31736 treble BAs. As such the 5 drivers utilize one 3 way crossover to separate the incoming signals to each sonic section. Now the trick that ZiiGaat performed was a slightly warm down-tuning of BAs, creating a smoother, less jumpy and more fluid idea to sound playback. Yep, smoother and slightly more easy going than the Splendor II. As such when listening to the same song on both IEMs, the cohesive togetherness of the Splendor II takes hold, yet then if some cymbal splashes come, we see the Splendor II become both garish and too intense? Depending what you are after this could be a good thing or a bad thing, but I truly see the upper midrange as a little too edgy.
ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete guitars (especially electric) get a polishing and a take-down of edge, to where the timbre is often, really always better than trying to make them become a focus point upfront. So slightly more smooth than the Splendor II, I still wonder if a place right between these two would be a pleasant home. The bass of the Arete comes across more separated, because it is separated by its own crossover network and single application DD driver, so this makes it have a crisper edge……..and I know “crisper” isn’t necessarily a word used to describe the bass leading attacks, but that is what I hear? This crispness is holding separation and delineation into where the bass is found inside the stage. So, amazingly enough, even the two 31736 treble BAs are not providing the forwardness and treble intensity found with the Splendor II. So maybe INTUAURA figuring this out decided to place a DSP “Phantasm“ filter to smooth out and add cohesiveness to this bright upper midrange behavior? Yes, that looks like a fact, and added INTUAURA Splendor II bass definition. Believe me anytime a company includes an add-on DSP changer you know we as reviewers are going to look at it as a corrector, even if it changes the soundstage and makes the IEM slightly more cohesive in the end. And……that is how I ultimately see it.
TWISTURA D-Major $49.00 - Single Full-range DD IEM
Surprisingly enough, this particular IEM has even a brighter slant than the INTUAURA Splendor II. Both single full-range DDs, yet this little D-Major is a full 12 grams, and the Splendor II only 5 grams. Oh, and by the way, yes you do notice this weight difference in the ear. So even though it is small the D-Major is on the outskirts of just how heavy an IEM can be. Yet this brightness of the D-Major is found a little more even and correct in tone and placement in relation to the whole upper presentation. So less bass than the INTUAURA Splendor II, but a more even and complete, plus correct top-end!
TWISTURA D-Major:
I had to research this company as it was unheard of to me prior. Upon looking up the TWISTURA company…………I found out it was just recently started-up, with this D-Major as their very first offering. Interesting too included DSP Dongle is not the same as simply plugging into the regular 3.5mm output jack of your phone. Meaning it may even offer a more focused upper midrange and treble? You see, even if the Dongle gets slightly louder than your phone, those effects will also be physiologically noted, as I don’t have an actual power output meter. Regardless…….this is all very simple, I see the inclusion of DSP Dongles as a way to both add 3.5mm output to devices that don’t offer it, and a way to slightly alter playback to enhance certain aspects of tone, doing things that were either impossible to do with a particular IEM tuning, or very difficult. Once again pulling out the HiBy R3 II we are met with a big expansive stage, with both the included Dongle and straight out of the HiBy R3 II. The DSP offers a slight boost even farther into upper midrange positioning and seems to add soundstage. This can be tested really fast by leaving the SIMGOT 3.5mm adapter on and simply unplugging the 4.4 SIMGOT modular plug and making the switch to the DSP.
Strangely I find the D-Major both slightly better upper midrange and treble balanced than the Splendor II even though it is a hair brighter and due to offering even less bass balance. And of course the same preference of HiBy R3 II being preferred over the mid centric Sony WM1A…….of course.
There are even two other nozzles that alter the D-major sound, yet never totally take the sound to a very different place in the end.
Conclusion of side-by-sides:
I really liked this, as the HiBy R3 II gave me an even clearer picture of the IEMs in question. Meaning that while the WM1A was used in my last (KZ IEM review) side-by-sides, using this HiBy R3 II gave me new appreciation for the IEMs in the test. Where sure each IEM still held the tonal features it always contained, using a smoother DAP allowed for better more well rounded usability. Anyway you chose to slice it though the KZ, the D-Major and the Splendor Il are visiting the same part of town where everything is totally white and gleaming, clean and sparkly for the visitor. This sound must be the trend now, and I’m OK with it, it is just not always the very best for genres like Rock that typically use the low-end for pace, as it is safe to say the pace here has been subjugated to the back-seat in favor of brighter fluorescent vocals and cymbal strikes. Oh, and Rap or any other modern day style of EDM or the sorts………..Yep you guessed it……less authority or at least different than you are used to hearing it. Yep, even with a warmer DAP this is the case……..because you can add tone to this brightness, but you can’t cure the sparkles 100%. Where the ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete becomes the odd man out, simply relaying a smoother, more accessible less intense form of upper midrange texture.
Packaging:
Cable:
The included cable is a dream, coming is 4.4mm or 3.5mm at the same price which also matches plug insertion point with Dongle.
Build:
The great low weight and perfect shape make for easy listening. The cable ear-hooks add to the overall ergonomics at hand.
Conclusion:
So in reality I started to rate the INTUAURA Splendor Il slightly less as time went on. Meaning first impressions had me at a solid 4. And the Splendor Il actually got better after 100 hrs of burn-in. Still that smoothness did not change the upper midrange unevenness or glare. Fit is wonderful……as they weight only 5 grams. Timbre is for the most part very good, and they represent a clear new style of tune offered. In many ways I view this new clarity in 7Hz Aurora…….then taken to a slightly different place with the KZ ZS 10 PRO 2. Even a hint of the NiceHCK Himalaya here, though I feel the Himalaya is the totally better and more even, complete/correct IEM. What can I say, the INTUAURA Splendor Il comes with a lot of package extras, like a cleaning cloth, the case of ear-tips………..even a correcting Dongle if you so choose to go that route. It comes with an IEM pouch, and the included cable is the cat’s meow with just how silky it acts. I just wish in the end the INTUAURA Splendor Il was just as silky-smooth in frequency response, though it is not. Now that is not to say you can’t get to a point where the tone is almost manageable. Because you can adjust the tone with aftermarket cables and sources to reach a far superior place, it’s just maybe not worth the money, plus all the extra work (in-the-end) you need to do to get there? Sure the fitment is wonderful and they are built really well, the venting system on the side is a new thing here at Redcarmoose Labs, it is just that while the stage is really big, that in an of itself doesn’t buy the Splendor Il out from the tuning issues. Of course the INTUAURA Company knew this and manufactured a Dongle to placate these upper midrange oddities. And sure the Dongle works if you want to sacrifice details and resolution to get there while using it? The Dongle even cleans up the bass a tad, bringing better pace at hand while still reducing soundstage at the same time. If this sounds like a mixed bag, it is…….as I don’t have any other way to describe it to you?
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 10 mm composite alloy diaphragm dynamic driver
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance: 18 Ω
- Sensitivity: 125 dB/Vmrs
- Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; copper cable; 3.5 mm or 4.4mm termination available. Also can be used with included USB-C Phantasm DAC/AMP cable
$259.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/intuaura-splendorii
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Kareena from Linsoul for the love and the INTUAURA Splendor Il review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm
Samsung Phone 3.5mm
HiBy R3 II DAP 4.4mm balanced
ifi hip dac DAC/Amplifier 4.4mm balanced
FiiO E17K Alpen 2 DAC/Amplifier 3.5mm single-ended
Ferdinando1968
I really like the GS849 cable.
DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Linsoul for providing this review unit.
The Intuaura Splendor II can be gotten here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/intuaura-splendorii (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- Eartip plastic tray
- Analogue cable
- DSP USB-C Phantasm cable
- Pouch
- Carrying case
- Spare nozzle filters
- Cleaning cloth
For a midFI set, the accessory spread is luxurious. Perhaps other than the omission of a modular cable or foam tips, Intuaura has the audiophile covered in most aspects.
2 variant of silicone tips are included - the wide-bore ones boost treble and increase soundstage, whereas the narrow-bore tips enhance bass, but with some compromise of soundstage. Additionally, the eartips come in their own cool plastic insert tray!
The stock analogue copper cable comes in a 3.5 mm (single-ended) or 4.4 mm (balanced) configuration. This cable is well-braided, though it has slight tangling. Microphonics are acceptable and there is a chin cinch for added grip.
Intuaura has also provided a small soft pouch and a semi-rigid carrying case. The latter is quite crush proof, with soft internals and webbing to cushion and carry the contents respectively.
We also have a cleaning cloth with a waifu, and spare nozzle filters, which are highly useful in the case of damage, debris or condensation.
Lastly, we have the all-important USB-C DSP dongle cable, which is actually one of the intended tunings when used with the Splendor II, to shape the tonality. Intuaura has termed their inhouse DSP technology as "Phantasm", and we will read more about it below.
The rest of this review was done with the stock DSP/analogue cable and stock narrow-bore silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The Splendor II is fashioned from resin, with hand-painted faceplates featuring gold, blue and black sparkles. It is quite a looker. The shells are light with no poky parts on the inner aspects, and ergonomics are top-notch.
Isolation is below average in view of its vented acoustics. Thankfully, I did not find any driver flex on my pair.
INTERNALS
The Splendor II's engine is a 10 mm composite alloy diaphragm dynamic driver, incorporating CNC high-permeability N52 magnets.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Splendor II with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
This IEM is extremely easy to drive with both the DSP USB-C cable and stock analogue cable, and no amplification is needed.
However, this is a double-edged sword, as the IEM hisses with sources with a poor noise floor control on both cables.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
Graph of the Intuaura Splendor II with stock analogue cable, via IEC711 coupler. The 8 kHz region is a coupler artefact peak.
With the stock analogue cable, the Splendor II sports a bright and aggressive V-shaped tonality, and it sounds like something old-school of yesteryear's CHIFI tuning; in today's era of Harmanish measurebator approved graphs, we hardly encounter such sonics actually!
This IEM is focused in the mid-bass, with a big and fun thump on bassy tracks heard. The bass amounts are just a level or 2 shy of true basshead levels, and the sub-bass has a nice rumble and extension. Bass has good texturing and nimble speed, though the copious bass inevitably results in some mid-bass bleed.
The lower midrange is recessed as per the V-shaped tonality and does sound a wee bit thin. The upper mids are a bone of contention too, hitting almost 12 dB in ear gain. This results in a shouty soundscape - especially for female vocals - and sadly, the midrange is tonally flawed with the stock analogue cable.
The treble continues on from the upper mids peak, and there is another rise around the 5 kHz region, which furnishes good clarity. Upper treble extension tails off thereafter. Sibilance is minimal and we have good resolution on tap. Cymbals and high-hats are not too splashy and are actually well controlled.
Timbre is relatively natural. When it comes to technicalities, the Splendor II has great micro-detailing and accurate imaging, though soundstage is bang average. Transients are snappy.
Thankfully, for detractors of the overzealous upper midrange, we have another tuning option with the Phantasm DSP DAC/AMP dongle. With this DSP dongle in play, the Splendor II sounds U-shaped, with a taming of the bass and upper mids. These regions are hence not so in-your-face, and the Splendor II sounds more chill and laid-back. Female vocals are sedate and not piercing now. However, we lose the big bassy fun, and micro-detailing and resolution takes a back seat compared with when the analogue cable was used.
It has to be said, some consumers may feel hamstrung to have to use a DSP dongle to get their ideal tuning, and these DSP dongles do limit source matching, cable-rolling and might cap bitrate playback. EQ is a potential option for those sensitive to this IEM's pinna gain glare, though once again, purists may not want to utilize EQ, resulting in the above tonal flaws with the stock analogue cable being deal-breakers.
COMPARISONS
The Splendor II will be compared against other $200ish USD single DDs. Hybrids, planars and pure BAs are left out of the comparisons, as the different transducer types have their own pros and cons.
The analogue cable will be used for these comparisons.
DUNU Falcon Ultra
The Falcon Ultra has 2 tuning nozzles to also bestow 2 tuning options - one is laid-back and relaxed tonally, while the other nozzle gives a more standard Harmanish tone.
On the Harman nozzle, the Falcon Ultra has an upper mids boost, but this is way more controlled than the Splendor II's 12 dB pinna gain with the analogue cable. It is hence not as fatiguing or shouty as the Splendor II.
The Falcon Ultra's soundstage is a hair wider, though imaging is slightly better on the Splendor II.
Simgot EA1000
The EA1000 is actually not a pure single DD - it has an added passive radiator to give some bass heft - but it mostly functions as one, and is also one of the bona fide DD gatekeepers at $200ish. Thus, it would be remiss to not do a comparison against this benchmark, as some readers will surely ask for this comparison.
The EA1000 has 3 tuning nozzles to confer bright Harmanish tones. The EA1000 however, is not as boosted in the upper mids with all 3 nozzles, though it has less bass quantity. The EA1000 may be a tinge shouty to some consumers, but the Splendor II is actually worse in this arena, and the EA1000 has a tighter and more controlled bass.
The EA1000 has a slightly more expansive soundstage and better micro-detailing, though it loses to the Splendor II in imaging.
CONCLUSIONS
The Intuaura Splendor II is a beautiful but imperfect beast. While it has ingredients that should in theory promise success - namely, excellent resolution and imaging, natural timbre, princely accessories, solid ergonomics and easy drivability - tonal flaws are a blemish in its book. In stock tuning with the analogue cable, the Splendor II suffers from a feverish 12 dB ear gain, which contributes to shoutiness with female vocals, in addition to some mid-bass bleed and an overly depressed lower midrange.
Thankfully, the included DSP USB-C dongle alleviates the bass bleed and peakish upper mids, but we lose some resolution. I would have wished for something of a mid-point between the stock analogue cable and Phantasm DSP cable in terms of tonality and technicalities, but alas, we are stuck with either extreme. The 2 cables also have hiss noted on some sources, though the Splendor II is one of the easiest IEMs to drive.
In the big scheme of things, with big-boy benchmarks at the $200ish single DD pool - stellar luminaries like the Simgot EA1000 and DUNU Falcon Ultra are beckoning! - the Splendor II, while not an outright fail, falls behind in certain departments and comes across as quite forgettable.
I would like to thank Linsoul for providing this review unit.
The Intuaura Splendor II can be gotten here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/intuaura-splendorii (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 10 mm composite alloy diaphragm dynamic driver
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance: 18 Ω
- Sensitivity: 125 dB/Vmrs
- Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; copper cable; 3.5 mm or 4.4mm termination available. Also can be used with included USB-C Phantasm DAC/AMP cable
- Tested at: $259 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- Eartip plastic tray
- Analogue cable
- DSP USB-C Phantasm cable
- Pouch
- Carrying case
- Spare nozzle filters
- Cleaning cloth
For a midFI set, the accessory spread is luxurious. Perhaps other than the omission of a modular cable or foam tips, Intuaura has the audiophile covered in most aspects.
2 variant of silicone tips are included - the wide-bore ones boost treble and increase soundstage, whereas the narrow-bore tips enhance bass, but with some compromise of soundstage. Additionally, the eartips come in their own cool plastic insert tray!
The stock analogue copper cable comes in a 3.5 mm (single-ended) or 4.4 mm (balanced) configuration. This cable is well-braided, though it has slight tangling. Microphonics are acceptable and there is a chin cinch for added grip.
Intuaura has also provided a small soft pouch and a semi-rigid carrying case. The latter is quite crush proof, with soft internals and webbing to cushion and carry the contents respectively.
We also have a cleaning cloth with a waifu, and spare nozzle filters, which are highly useful in the case of damage, debris or condensation.
Lastly, we have the all-important USB-C DSP dongle cable, which is actually one of the intended tunings when used with the Splendor II, to shape the tonality. Intuaura has termed their inhouse DSP technology as "Phantasm", and we will read more about it below.
The rest of this review was done with the stock DSP/analogue cable and stock narrow-bore silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The Splendor II is fashioned from resin, with hand-painted faceplates featuring gold, blue and black sparkles. It is quite a looker. The shells are light with no poky parts on the inner aspects, and ergonomics are top-notch.
Isolation is below average in view of its vented acoustics. Thankfully, I did not find any driver flex on my pair.
INTERNALS
The Splendor II's engine is a 10 mm composite alloy diaphragm dynamic driver, incorporating CNC high-permeability N52 magnets.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Splendor II with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
This IEM is extremely easy to drive with both the DSP USB-C cable and stock analogue cable, and no amplification is needed.
However, this is a double-edged sword, as the IEM hisses with sources with a poor noise floor control on both cables.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
Graph of the Intuaura Splendor II with stock analogue cable, via IEC711 coupler. The 8 kHz region is a coupler artefact peak.
With the stock analogue cable, the Splendor II sports a bright and aggressive V-shaped tonality, and it sounds like something old-school of yesteryear's CHIFI tuning; in today's era of Harmanish measurebator approved graphs, we hardly encounter such sonics actually!
This IEM is focused in the mid-bass, with a big and fun thump on bassy tracks heard. The bass amounts are just a level or 2 shy of true basshead levels, and the sub-bass has a nice rumble and extension. Bass has good texturing and nimble speed, though the copious bass inevitably results in some mid-bass bleed.
The lower midrange is recessed as per the V-shaped tonality and does sound a wee bit thin. The upper mids are a bone of contention too, hitting almost 12 dB in ear gain. This results in a shouty soundscape - especially for female vocals - and sadly, the midrange is tonally flawed with the stock analogue cable.
The treble continues on from the upper mids peak, and there is another rise around the 5 kHz region, which furnishes good clarity. Upper treble extension tails off thereafter. Sibilance is minimal and we have good resolution on tap. Cymbals and high-hats are not too splashy and are actually well controlled.
Timbre is relatively natural. When it comes to technicalities, the Splendor II has great micro-detailing and accurate imaging, though soundstage is bang average. Transients are snappy.
Thankfully, for detractors of the overzealous upper midrange, we have another tuning option with the Phantasm DSP DAC/AMP dongle. With this DSP dongle in play, the Splendor II sounds U-shaped, with a taming of the bass and upper mids. These regions are hence not so in-your-face, and the Splendor II sounds more chill and laid-back. Female vocals are sedate and not piercing now. However, we lose the big bassy fun, and micro-detailing and resolution takes a back seat compared with when the analogue cable was used.
It has to be said, some consumers may feel hamstrung to have to use a DSP dongle to get their ideal tuning, and these DSP dongles do limit source matching, cable-rolling and might cap bitrate playback. EQ is a potential option for those sensitive to this IEM's pinna gain glare, though once again, purists may not want to utilize EQ, resulting in the above tonal flaws with the stock analogue cable being deal-breakers.
COMPARISONS
The Splendor II will be compared against other $200ish USD single DDs. Hybrids, planars and pure BAs are left out of the comparisons, as the different transducer types have their own pros and cons.
The analogue cable will be used for these comparisons.
DUNU Falcon Ultra
The Falcon Ultra has 2 tuning nozzles to also bestow 2 tuning options - one is laid-back and relaxed tonally, while the other nozzle gives a more standard Harmanish tone.
On the Harman nozzle, the Falcon Ultra has an upper mids boost, but this is way more controlled than the Splendor II's 12 dB pinna gain with the analogue cable. It is hence not as fatiguing or shouty as the Splendor II.
The Falcon Ultra's soundstage is a hair wider, though imaging is slightly better on the Splendor II.
Simgot EA1000
The EA1000 is actually not a pure single DD - it has an added passive radiator to give some bass heft - but it mostly functions as one, and is also one of the bona fide DD gatekeepers at $200ish. Thus, it would be remiss to not do a comparison against this benchmark, as some readers will surely ask for this comparison.
The EA1000 has 3 tuning nozzles to confer bright Harmanish tones. The EA1000 however, is not as boosted in the upper mids with all 3 nozzles, though it has less bass quantity. The EA1000 may be a tinge shouty to some consumers, but the Splendor II is actually worse in this arena, and the EA1000 has a tighter and more controlled bass.
The EA1000 has a slightly more expansive soundstage and better micro-detailing, though it loses to the Splendor II in imaging.
CONCLUSIONS
The Intuaura Splendor II is a beautiful but imperfect beast. While it has ingredients that should in theory promise success - namely, excellent resolution and imaging, natural timbre, princely accessories, solid ergonomics and easy drivability - tonal flaws are a blemish in its book. In stock tuning with the analogue cable, the Splendor II suffers from a feverish 12 dB ear gain, which contributes to shoutiness with female vocals, in addition to some mid-bass bleed and an overly depressed lower midrange.
Thankfully, the included DSP USB-C dongle alleviates the bass bleed and peakish upper mids, but we lose some resolution. I would have wished for something of a mid-point between the stock analogue cable and Phantasm DSP cable in terms of tonality and technicalities, but alas, we are stuck with either extreme. The 2 cables also have hiss noted on some sources, though the Splendor II is one of the easiest IEMs to drive.
In the big scheme of things, with big-boy benchmarks at the $200ish single DD pool - stellar luminaries like the Simgot EA1000 and DUNU Falcon Ultra are beckoning! - the Splendor II, while not an outright fail, falls behind in certain departments and comes across as quite forgettable.
Disclaimer
I received INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 from ConceptKart. But they didn't pay or influence me to write anything good or bad about this IEM. All thoughts and opinions are mine. I am not using affiliated links to stay away from any bias.
About Intuaura
Intuaura is a relatively unknown brand in the audiophile world. I was surprised to learn about the brand before it came to my doorstep. By talking to a few of my friends I get to know that these are selling well in local markets (China) but somehow they stayed an underdog in the rest of the world.
I feel they need recognition in the mainstream market because the quality they provide in their products is simply excellent and class-leading. I hope the awareness of this brand populates the market, creating very strong competition to other chi-fi brands. And you know what they say “Competetetion is always best for the customers.”. I genuinely feel this company provides value like AFUL with almost neck-on-neck competition-wise.
A few Information about this IEM
HeyGears worked with Mr. Xie Yu, a leading supplier, to develop a premium dynamic coil unit for the Splendor IEM. The same shell sound cavity is used in the Splendor in-ear monitor. Elevated by Mr. Tang's radical tuning approach, Splendor delivers fast and powerful bass for clear instruments and vocals. The balanced, slightly pop-oriented sound adjustment ensures a dynamic sound experience without loss of clarity or muddiness. Splendor uses A. W.C.T. Acoustic Tuning technology with a unique sound cavity absorption system that absorbs harmonic peaks for precise tuning strategies that provide a textured, comfortable sound experience. This results in realistic, detailed sound reproduction that improves overall audio quality.
DC impedance: 18.5Ω(土5%)
Sensitivity: 125dB/Vrms @ 1kHz(3dB)
Total harmonic distortion: <0.05% @1kHz
Pairing
This IEM is very easy to power. (Needs 14/100 volume in Dawn Pro to produce music around 75db.).
It is not that source-dependent. Of course, you can tell the difference if you upgrade to a better source but it is not that massive. It sounds good with every source I have, it changes the tonality ever so slightly with the sources.
I found out this IEM can work with anything over 2Vrms, and flat sources are preferable since warm sources tend to recess the mids, which certainly changes the character of the sound.
General Tonality of this IEM
I hardly praise the tonality of any IEM I get. Also, I criticised respected IEMs in the hobby just because they didn’t sound good to me. I always feel the need to EQ every IEM I review to get to my sweet spot. There are only three IEMs where I didn’t feel the need to do an EQ after listening to it for the first 30 minutes. (Those IEMs are ThieAudio Monarch MKII, Moded Tripowin Olina & this IEM ).
Subjective Review
The General tonality of this IEM is bass-boosted neutral. It’s unlike something like Blessing 2 Dusk where there is a bass shelf but doesn’t pronounce itself because of the absence of Slam and Punch. It pushes air and packs slam in the bass region.
Bass
The sub-bass goes deep and there were no points where I felt the subbass was lower in quality or quantity. It was full and extended way down to 20hz. The feeling of getting a good sub-bass with an ample amount of air and extension is very rare for me in this hobby due to the ear anatomy I have.
The midbass is very linearly laid after the subbass shelf. It doesn’t jump out of the frequency range. What it means is, the attack is not sudden and it takes time to extract the low end of the song and the fallout of the beats is perfect too. Why I like the low-end attack and fall-off like this in all of my audio devices is simple, it just makes recording more organic and analogue. Superfast attacks might be good for electronic dance music but from Rock to Pop the fast nature kills the authority of the stage.
Midrange
Mids are perfect too. It might sound a little recessed if you’re coming from vocal-centric IEMs but generally, the mids on most tracks are very neutral tonally. I enjoyed all of my vocal-centric tracks with it. The male voices are not forward to the point that only vocal lovers can love it. But they are full of details and weight. I wouldn’t say it is very lush but it is nowhere thin.
Female voices are handled amazingly too. It's like they knew where to give certain peaks to give it a shimmering feeling without being shouty even a single bit. Full of resolution and easy to listen to. The voices flow like water under sunlight, hints of shine and sparkle and fluid with dynamics.
Treble
The treble is the most attractive thing about INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2. So beautifully done, that it feels like a very expensive IEM. I know this comment is a bit problematic since many audiophiles believe there is not anything sonically that would dictate the price of equipment. I am not one of them, I always feel there are certain deltas in the higher-priced audio products that are always differentiable between higher-end and lower-end products. And this IEM screams expensive in the treble region.
The details and micro-contrasts are excellent even though there is no sibilance in the frequency response. Certain peaks in the FR keep the treble from getting boring and tasteless & dark. From lower registers to upper registers everything sounds cohesive and well put out.
The special thing
There is a dip in the treble from 4khz to 6/6.5khz. This dip does a lot of things to the overall sound. It takes away the forwardness of the ringing frequencies from the sound. It smooths out the sharp & shrill aspects of the songs that are full of bad treble.
But the best thing it does can be listened to after 8K. The SPL feels so smooth and gentle with amazing extension that it is impossible to guess that this could be done with a single DD.
Now as usual let's talk about the timber of this Set
Timber
I am satisfied with the timber reproduction of INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2. Due to pretty brave choices in tuning the IEM, it provides better timber than I expected.
Drums
They sound fine. The low-end is there with its authority projecting the confidence to show off the drum hits. The drum body is very present. The upper registers are present too. The only gripe I had with this instrument was lower treble recession. This recession makes the drums super smooth so they sound good but not extremely original. I know some people will like this tuning very well because, for long listening sessions, this is perfect. But I am sure the lower treble extension can greatly help to portray drums better.
On the other hand, Cymbals & High Hats felt wonderful. Full of air and details with plenty of extension. I can listen to solos for hours at a stretch.
Song 1: Caravan - John Wasson
Song 2: Bohemian Rhapsody
Violin
The violin sounds mellow in this IEM. It lacks the upper registers of the instrument which gives it a sharp bite. On the other hand, it makes violin so smooth that I can listen to it for hours and hours without fatigue which is very important to me since I listen to music almost 10-12 hours a day. The violin might feel low in resolution but it’s just the perception of the treble that makes the sound soft. I would’ve liked a bit more lower treble to enjoy the violin to the fullest.
Song 1 : 1982 Festival Overture, Op.49
Song 2: Four Seasons “The Summer ” by Avi Avital
Guitars
Acoustic guitar sounds very good. The strings from E to E produce very pleasing timber. It's a bit smoother than the original timber but the tonality is more full and I can enjoy the guitar for a long time. It surely lacks a bit of bite and attack/incisiveness if you look for that in acoustic guitar recording.
Classical Guitars sound astonishing. The timber is super realistic and there is a hint of analogue nature in the sound. From the lower registers to the upper registers, everything sounded super clean and realistic.
Electric guitars sound very pleasing. I have one thing about rock guitars they should sound smooth. Since they don’t have fixed timber & it is mostly impossible to get the tone that the artist intended, I just enjoy electric guitars without having criticism in mind. Super smooth and detailed, so much so that I listened to a few albums back to back without having any breaks.
1st Song: Layla (Acoustic Live)
2nd Song: Ghiribizzi, MS 43: No. 41 in C Major
3rd Song: Hotel California
Wind Instruments
Wind instruments sound exceptional for the price. Remember I mentioned the certain peaks in the treble, this tuning works like magic to wind instruments. Enormous amount of air to offer, rich in details, and Absolutely Zero Fatigue. Listening to wind instruments is bliss with this IEM. Your eyes might get wet in a few songs, it feels that emotional and soul-touching.
Song 1: Kal Ho Na Ho - Flute Cover by Varum Kumar
Song 2: Feeling Good (Harmonica Cover) - Amanda Ventura
The cello/Bass
Nothing to write home about here. They sound OK, nothing is there to complain. I would’ve liked a bit of separation from the rest of the FR (A slight elevation could’ve helped a lot) range but since it is the nature of the tuning there is nothing that could’ve been done here.
Song 1: 2 Cellos - Game of Thrones
Song 2: The phantom of opera - Prague Cello Quartet
The vocals
Male vocals sound good on this IEM. Doesn’t sound nasal, occupies meatiness and sounds wet to a certain degree. I enjoyed listening to male vocals with them but here too, I would’ve liked a bit of forwardness since most IEMs I use have forward vocals so my brain is burnt in that way.
Female vocals sound phenomenal with this set. The upper registers are pronounced but never got hot ever so slightly. The air and details are there. It is a bliss to listen to female vocals with this set. With the right songs, you can just close your eyes and levitate to another dimension, which was not possible earlier in this price point.
Song 1: Famous Blue Raincoat - Leonard Cohen
Song 2: Suzume (This song sounded so good with this set I listened to it on repeat at least 10 times)
Piano
The piano sounds good. The treble extension is there. Trailing edges are well preserved. The lower treble recession helped to cut down harshness. Overall it was a very pleasing and detailed experience.
Songs 1 : Intersteller Sountracks
Songs 2: SUCCESSION Soundtracks
So one thing you might’ve noticed is that this IEM provides a very soothing and inoffensive signature to begin with. With a generous bass boost, it also makes the low-quality recording sound palatable. I am thoroughly impressed by this IEM’s timber and wholeheartedly recommend this.
Genre Specific Synergy
Hip Hop
INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 is very good with Hip-Hop. The low end of this IEM really brings out the fun and engaging element of the genre. The sub-bass makes thi genre sound large (not sounding like audio coming from tiny drivers). The soundstage and resolution are just the added sauce to the whole experience.
Song 1 : Secrets - Talha Anjum
This song sounds lush. The low-end hits hard and sounded analogue. The vocals are full and warm. Treble is well extended with loads of detail to offer.
Song 2: Tadipar - MC Stan
INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 sounds detailed. The treble is full of details. Imaging is very good too. The vocals are full and textured. Subbass feels full, the attack goes deep.
Modern Pop
INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 fits perfectly for the Modern Pop genre. The bass has greatly accepted the genre and makes it enjoyable. On the other hand the treble compliments the songs too, since audio engineers by choice make the treble of modern songs peaky to handle dark mainstream IEMs.
Song 1: As it was
The low-end hits hard. The drums sound pretty nice. The stage feels big. The vocals are a bit recessed to my liking, Treble sparkliness is there and resolution is up to the mark.
Song 2: Die for you
The spacious presentation of INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 greatly suits the song. Vocals sound ever so slightly recessed and the treble is full of details.
Rock
For rock, this IEM is very good too. The lower treble of this genre is famous for being sharp for most artists. I am happy to admit that, I listened to this genre for more than 5 hours a day for the last 7 days and there is not even a single time I complained about its synergy with the genre.
I would highly recommend INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 for the rock genre.
Blues
The blues sound very good with this too. The main advantage is the lower treble recession which makes the elevated treble in some genres palatable. The bass it had made the genre feel analog and real. Mids are perfectly suited too. The upper treble extension fills the sound with air and inciveness. And everything sounded inoffensive to the fullest.
Orchestra/Western Classical
Although the soundstage & timber suits the IEM for orchestra and Western Classical music the lower treble kept me wanting a bit more. Not that it is lacking in any sense, just that if feels incomplete in the slightest. The details are good and the resolution is up to the mark. Trailing edges and air is present with immaculate quality.
Technicalities
Soundstage
The soundstage of this IEM is above average. IEMs generally are not very good at producing soundstage since the ear anatomy and HRTF is a bit tricky to handle. But I never felt that I could use a bit more soundstage.
It is large enough to feel spacious and not large to the extent that if won’t feel distant from you. The way it handles the soundstage is above average for the price point it offers.
The best thing about the soundstage is that it doesn’t squeeze the sphere. It wraps around the head in a circle.
Song 1: Cornfield Chase - Hans Zimmer
Song 2: Can You Hear The Music - Ludwig
Imaging
The imaging is pretty average. It localizes the instruments precisely enough. It might not feel snappy enough for everyone out there. Pans and swipes are palatable to the point that it doesn't feel two-dimensional.
I wouldn’t call the imaging to be holographically accurate.
Song 1 : Letter - Yoshi Horikawa
Song 2: Bubbles - Yoshi Horikawa
Conclusion
In one word, this INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 screams “LUXURY”. From tonality to aesthetics, from technicality to the wire, everything feels luxurious. This IEM is very capable and worth every penny you spend on it. Just have one thing in mind if you have a very dark-sounding library, this IEM might not be the jam for you.
Sometimes few companies amaze you so much that you question the hypemans in the community. Why it is so underrated is still beyond my imagination. I hope this company and IEM get the recognition they deserve. It's a very huge recommendation from my side.
Ratings
Value = 5/5Tonality = A
Technicality = A-
Comparison with Aful Performer 5
It is better than P5 in almost every way. Bass is more punchier and slam is better in Performer 5. Rest the quantity is better in Splendor 2, the mids are better, treble is better. P5’s soundstage is a lot more squeezed and 2D than Splendor 2. The resolution is one step better in this IEM. The imaging is on par if not worse than P5.
I would choose INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 any day over Performer 5.
Comparison with EA1000 Fermat
Technically they both are comparable. The bass is more rumbly on the fermat at the same time it is more textured. The only problem I faced with Fermat is the lower treble, sometimes it gets so hot, that I just stop listening to them. Although it might be up to your taste I don’t like the Fermat to be something extraordinary at that price point.
I would choose INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 over Fermat blindly, mostly because of my library.
Non-Affiliated Links
Click to buy INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 in India
Click to buy INTUAURA SPLENDOR 2 GLOBALLY
Argha
Sadly, no bro. I tried to find something and found nothing
