Ourart TI7

Introduction

The Ourart Ti7 are almost revolutionary earbuds, with their shape inspired by sports car wheels and their MMCX connection. The design is unique and its shape very bold, at the limit of comfort and versatility.

All the information I've read previously indicates that the Ti7 are mid-centric earbuds, with good resolution, specific for pop music, vocal styles and relaxed. In addition, there is also talk of their analog sound. What is true in all of this, in my humble opinion?





Specifications

• Driver: 14.2mm custom titanium crystal diaphragm dynamic driver
• Frequency range: 20Hz-25000Hz
• Sensitivity: 118dB
• Impedance: 32 ohm
• Cable: 1.1m
• Jack connector: 3.5mm in L, gold plated
• Type of capsule connection: MMCX

Packaging

The box is almost cubic, dimensions 100x100x75 mm, completely black, with the logo of the brand and letters in silver. Once the cardboard cover is removed, a box lined in shiny black appears. Its upper part is the same as the cardboard cover, but is slightly padded. On the bottom there is a sticker with the specifications and the name of the model.

When the box is opened, the earbuds are embedded in a thick foam mould. They come with donut foam. Cables are also connected. It is a braided black wire of acceptable thickness and robustness. In my case they didn't come with ear guides, which can be seen in the instruction and warranty booklet. The connector is large, in L, of 3.5mm.



All other accessories:

• A zip bag with 4 full black foams.
• A zip bag with 4 black donut foams.
• A zip bag with 4 grey full foams and 4 red donut foams.
• A particular and great clip for the clothes.

The presentation transmits the care and mime with which these spectacular earbuds have been manufactured and presages a sound at their height. The quality of the packaging is excellent, well above the selling price.

The only drawback is, as always and in my opinion, the lack of a rigid transport box.



Construction and Design

The design requires a special mention: the face on which the sound is emitted is reminiscent of an antique car rim. Its large openings give a glimpse of a silver braided cable spiral. Indeed, they are wide car rims and donut foams are their tyres.

No less shocking is the back of the drivers: a completely rectangular box of the same material and color. On the underside are the gold-plated MMCX connections. On the outside, the mark is read in fine black letters.

The ensemble is unique, impressive, spectacular and very daring.

The cable is not at its level, the MMCX connectors coated in black plastic are not to match the refinement of the capsules. At least the Jack connector is saved from this odious comparison.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

The fit and ergonomics are just as bold as the design. The thickness of the capsules does not make it very suitable for all ears. And I think it's the main culprit of its sound, for better or worse.

Thanks to their shape and connection, the Ti7 can be used in a traditional way, downwards or over the ear. Personally, for use over the ear, I recommend cables with guides, as they favor a better fixation of the earbuds in the ears.

As I said, the thickness of the capsules prevents, in my case, an optimal fit and sealing. This is something that does not change, regardless of the position, either traditional or on the ear. This wide shape can also cause some discomfort during long listening sessions.



Sound


Profile

The profile is clearly mid-centric. But it's not the driver's fault, in my opinion, the special shape of the Ti7 totally favors the sound that is perceived: light and colored basses towards the bright side, close and somewhat cold mids, very detailed and enormously open, soft but perceptible trebles.

In this case, although I've always been very skeptical about the burning of the headphones, the overall sound of the Ti7 has improved after hours of burning.



Bass

The consequence of its thick shape, favors the lack of sealing. Thus, the bass are light. The use of different types of foam does not significantly alter the presence of this area. But it can help, as can its use on the ear. In my case and contrary to what other users have read, the use of double foams, or complete foams with doughnuts on top, slightly enhances the lower zone, but more so if the position is on the ear.

The perceived basses are fine, shallow, in my opinion, insufficient for a lover of the lower zone like me. They have a light and soft texture, a very compact body, an extremely fast and dry blow, but reduced. They also lack warmth, rather suffer some cold coloration, which still has a little more depth and generates a sense of hollow sound.

But I refuse to believe that the Ti7 drivers are incapable of providing a more clearly perceptible bass. What you see in the frequency response graph does not indicate that smooth bass. That's why I attribute the lack of forcefulness in this area to the adjustment caused by its design. You just have to peel the capsules out, so that they are more frontal to the ear holes and the farthest part presses more the shell of the ear, to clearly notice the power of its bass. In this way, the sound gets to change a lot and for good.



Mids

However, this is where the capsule design proves particularly successful: the mids are deliciously delicate, clear, very concise and concrete, detailed but sweetly soft. The area is not musically particularly close. But the voices do receive a special treatment, which makes them sound with an almost isolated projection, closer to the listener. They are not warm, on the contrary, they feel slightly cold, fine and subtle, without too much body, but beautiful and enjoyable.

The instruments in the middle zone sound with a declared relaxation, without any aggressiveness or roughness, characteristics that make it extremely suitable for very prolonged listening. The width of the sound, the certain remoteness of its presentation and the moderation at the extremes of the frequency range also help in this sense.



Treble

The treble sounds quite balanced, with no peaks, no stridency, no excessive presence. They are clear but not extremely extensive or sharp, rather soft and with that delicate and sweet look already characteristic of their sound. But even so, they manage to bring a great amount of air and detail to the music, maintaining abundant naturalness and richness of tones.

Finally, it should be noted that there is no trace of wheezing.



Soundstage, Separation

Once conveniently burned, the scene is immense. The opening sensation of the sound is vastly perceptible. If the lower zone were deeper and slightly more emphasized, the three-dimensionality of the sound would reach stellar heights. The speed of the notes gives it a capacity for concretion and detail in the very high sound. The sound is very dry and compact, excellently controlled and executed in a highly precise way.

The space between frequencies is great. The sensation of air is such that there is no congestion, only light in the notes and abyssal darkness between them.

I have not heard other earbuds that produce the same sensation in this section as the wonderful Ti7.

Here is the great attraction of these earbuds, a unique sensation of ethereal and gaseous sound.

The only downside is that so much scene and separation dilutes the music a little, sometimes warning a certain distance, could even become a certain darkness.

As an additional piece of information, the soundstage can be increased using thin foams and higher quality cables.



Comparisons

Ty hi-z HP-150s MKII

The HP-150s are earbuds with a marked V sonority, with present and deep basses, distant voices and crisper highs. They offer a sound almost opposite in profile to the OurArt, starting from a darker and denser presentation, far from the centered, more detailed and relaxed clarity of the Ti7. The sensation of opening, distance even more the profiles, in favor of the Ourart, without the separation is bad in the Ty. But the sound is so clearly inverse, that the comparison is even curious, as far as frequency range is concerned, what one gives, the other not.



Yincrow RW-9

The Yincrow, despite their price, I like them quite a lot. I've enjoyed them a lot, due to their more balanced sound than others. Warm, with a good presence in the bass, a little far away in the middle, but not so much. Voices also warm, with body, halfway between darkness, softness and distance. Treble in general, nuanced, but with a sharp point of joy. The scene is clearly smaller than in Ti7, less clarity, much more presence in the lower zone, more diffuse and closer, without the precision, resolution and detail offered by Ourart. Ti7s are comparatively cooler and more analytical, with a more relaxed presentation and that point of distance that still separates them from the more frontal Yincrow sound. The high mids in the Ti7 feel more emphasized than in the RW-9, so the sound can vary greatly between the two, depending on the musical style reproduced.

In terms of separation and scene the Ti7 are at another level.

Again, many differences between the two profiles to keep the comparison.



Conclusion


The Ouart Ti7 is pure art on stage, both in design and sound. Their unique shapes give them a value superior to their price, due to the sense of exclusivity they produce, along with their level of construction. Their appeal is undeniable and they will probably never go unnoticed. And the question asks itself: Will the sound be at its height? You try to imagine it by its shape and it's really hard to get it right. After a design that could be aggressively sporty, clearly sound sweet, soft, with great opening and soundstage, purely focused on mids, detailed, extreme content and very suitable for prolonged listening. Add to this the possibility of changing the cable, thanks to its MMCX connection and its use over the ear, it is extremely difficult not to succumb to all its charms.

A lot of art!



Sources Used During the Analysis

• F.Audio S1
• Fiio M9
• Burson Audio Playmate

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 95
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 65
• Accessories: 75
• Bass: 65
• Mids: 95
• Treble: 75
• Separation: 90
• Soundstage: 95
• Quality/Price: 90

Purchase Link

https://penonaudio.com/ourart-ti7.html

You can read my full review in spanish here:

https://hiendportable.com/2019/04/14/ouart-ti7-review/

OurArt is a boutique audio equipment manufacturer. Prior to the TI7, I have only seen MMCX cables of OurArt. Recently they have ventured into earbuds and IEMs. The TI7 is an interesting pair of buds with a completely new housing and a titanium coated driver. The effort that has gone into the design and engineering of these buds is commendable. With MMCX buds catching up pretty fast, the TI7 is offered with MMCX connectors as well.

These earbuds can be purchased from Penon Audio, a reliable retailer of boutique earbuds. At the time of this review, these earbuds are retailing at $59.

https://penonaudio.com/ourart-ti7.html

Disclaimer: These earbuds were sent to me as a review sample by Penon Audio.

Build, fit and packaging

The earbuds come in a nice, cardboard box. The box has a nice opening and closing action – similar to watch cases. There is a tiny manual in Chinese. We are also provided with 7 pairs of donut foams an 2 pairs of regular foams and the quality it good as well. There is an interesting, plastic shirt/collar clip too, that I haven’t seen before (Need to explore on how to use them).




The buds themselves are quite interesting – nice metal housing with an open faceplate that seems to give a exposed-driver type look. The buds have MMCX connectors, but I was unable to remove the cable that they came with. Even when my pulling force was good enough to leave some nail marks on the connectors, I was just unable to disconnect the cable. The standard cable looks industrial for a premium looking earbud, especially due to the paint texture on them. A simple, black colored cable would have looked better. The cable has plastic Y-splitter and cable slider; the cable slider works quite well.


The 3.5mm jack is L-shaped and a heavy one too. Looks good though!


The housing is smaller than the MX500 shell that is normally seen on earbuds and they are quite comfortable. The can be worn cable down or cable over ears (as intended by the manufacturer). I like wearing them cable down as I get a better seal that way and the adjustments for fit are more easier.



Foam Matching

Foams are critical to get the right sound out of any earbuds and choice of foam have a greater impact on the sound signature. Foams help with seal and can be used to customize the warmth and bass on offer.

The TI7 comes fitted with donut foams, which I feel offer the best balance for these buds.

Without foams – Due to their smaller size, they don’t give a good seal, which impact bass quantity.

Donut foams – A good balance across the spectrum – adds the right amount of warmth.

Full foams – Same as donuts, but can be a bit miserly on the details of the highs. The donut still has some exposed vents which aid the highs.

Thin foams – Did not try these.


So how does it sound?

Here's the setup for my evaluation - FLACs (16/44.1, 24/48 and 24/96) on my LG G6 with ES9218p DAC SOC or Tidal Hi-Fi played bit perfect through the UAPP player.

From my initial hearing, I found the TI7 presenting a more laidback, relaxed sound signature instead of the energetic signature the is usually seen on most boutique buds. The analogue sounding TI7 does evoke some nostalgia for the interesting buds of the past.

I start the test with Alice Cooper’s Welcome to my Nightmare. The track begins exhibiting a sufficient, but not too wide soundstage offered by the TI7 and some good texture on the bass guitar. What is immediately evident is how relaxed the track sounds – there is a controlled brilliance on the treble, but the lack of extension is immediately discernible. The sound is primarily focused in the mid-range and the highs lack sparkle, but what you also get is a good speed on the bass guitar and cymbals. This track, not being a busy one, is rendered quite well with enough separation – the electric piano at around the 2:45 mark is particularly quite engaging. What I would have preferred is some of that glimmer of the upper mids for the highs as well.

I switch on to the next track, Cold Little Heart by Michael Kiwanuka. This track can get hot on a few IEMs and earbuds that own, but not on the TI7. There are two good bits about this track – the lustrous vocals and the holographic presentation of the nostalgic sounding chorus. While the TI7 does a great job on the vocals and make them sound life-like, the chorus is more two-dimensional and lacks the excitement that I get on other earbuds. Again the mid-centric sound signature is quite evident. While there is enough separation, the lack of treble extension makes it appear as it the airiness is on short supply.

So how does the TI7 handle the alt genre of music?

Enter the synth-pop Fall in Love by Phantogram. The TI7 shows that analogue sounding doesn’t mean that it is quite boring. On the contrary, it can still handle varied genre of music; just not all. On this track, the texture on the bass synth is absolutely delectable (for lack of a better word). Sarah Barthel’s vocals stand-out well and don’t get swallowed by the bass synth, and when there is no bass synth layer, the vocals are exceptional sounding. There is no bass bleed into mids that I could notice. While the track is not quite energetic sounding on the TI7, it still sounds quite good. The only issue I have is that the micro details are hardly present. Change to Get Lucky by Daft Punk, micro details are on short supply here as well and you would need to pump the volume up a bit to find it in the background. But what you will notice is that the speed is quite good in both ends of the spectrum. The bass guitar in this track shines on the TI7 and texture is beautifully rendered.

The lack of extension at the lower end of the spectrum is quite noticeable on tracks like Don’t by Ed Sheeran and All or Nothing by Wyclef Jean and Naughty Boy. On the former, the TI7 can draw blanks on certain bass notes and appear that the sound is slightly inconsistent. But they have enough oomph for the bass on tracks like All of Nothing; may not be satisfactory to bass-heads and even borderline bass-heads, but it’s all about bass quality on the TI7 – ample texture and a fast attack.

What about metal-heads about whom reviewers hardly speak of?

This one is certainly not for you folks. I don’t listen to hardcore metal, but do engage in some progressive metal and some alt-metal, time and again. Tune on to Uprising by Muse, there is no uprising in the energy levels offered by the TI7. If this was the first time I were to hear this track, I would have stopped half-way around. The Cockroach King by Haken is rendered much better than the previous track, but the snare drums on both tracks don’t exhibit the raw, lively percussive sound that they offer. The over-driven guitar, on this track, is not something the TI7 is comfortable with. What sounds great is the piano at around the 2:50 mark. The TI7 can handle some varied genres of music, but they are certainly not for all genres, and definitely not for metal-heads.

The TI7 is technically sound, for the most part. The layering on tracks like Madness by Muse and Caribbean Blue by Enya are rendered decently. Sadly, the layers lack the dynamism on the latter and do not engage me. On the former, the layers are rendered better, but I would have preferred them to be separated more. On simpler tracks like Tiny Monsters by Puscifer, the layering is much better rendered. Also, this track having most of its sound in the “unextended” range of the spectrum, sounds pretty good on the TI7.



Conclusion
The OurArt TI7 is a great attempt at offering good technical performance at an affordable price. While, its analogue, mid-centric sound signature may not suit all genres of music, they can still get a smile on your face for most chartbusters that people usually listen to.

These are the perfect pair of buds for work and sleep, due to the comfort and non-fatiguing sound they offer; after all you need good hearing to listen more.

Specifications

• Drive: 14.2mm, custom titanium crystal diaphragm dynamic driver
• Frequency response: 20Hz~25000Hz
• Sensitivity: 118dB
• Impedance: 32 ohm
• Cable: 1.1m, MMCX Detachable

Price: U$D 59, from PenonAudio

Accessories: Various foam pads in different colors and clip.


Design

The Ti7 are very well built, with all metal thick shells and fairly heavier than the usual earbuds. The outer part of the housings’ body has a peculiar square shape with rather sharp edges that, despite the compact design, can still present fit and comfort issues. The Ti7 feature detachable cables and the MMCX sockets really stand out. These are probably among the best made MMCX socket to be found. The connection is standard, however the MMCX plugs attach very tightly to the earpieces and can be very difficult to detach without applying some force.

The stock cable itself is of very good quality as well, consisting of 4 twisted wires, and terminated in a sturdy L-shape 3.5mm plug. The cable is also very soft and easy to handle.

The Ti7 are advertised as meant to fit both cable ways, straight down or over-ear. Personally, it was only possible to use them cable down as any other earbud. Comfort is average due the extra weight and sharp design.


Sound

Compared to the many new earbuds going around lately, the Ti7 take back to the old sound style found on small earbuds some years ago. The overall sound is less wide in terms of stage and has more midrange focus, with a more traditional bass response for this earphone form factor.

While many earbuds can bring strong lows, wide stage and extended highs, the Ti7 signature is fairly mid-centered, with a thick and rich texture that starts slowly from the mid and upper bass. The sub-bass is rolled-off is comparison and the mid-bass, while full, doesn’t carry too much impact and rumble. Layering is decent, though the main priority seems to give a warmer presentation than a powerful low-end response.

Midrange has a strong presence and a bit more forward over the rest of the presentation. It is rich and fairly sweet, which works better with voices rather than with instruments where separation and air is more needed. Female vocals may have a very little more highlight due the extra lower treble energy that mixes into the upper mids.

Treble is more focused at the lower region with less extension and smoother higher treble. Sibilance is not really an issue, though it is missing some refinement and tonality. Detail is good but with a smoother, laid-back presentation. Stage is kind of narrow due the limited extension on both ends; even with extra amplification the improvements are not too high.

As for drivability, the Ti7 is less efficient than the rated specs may suggest. Volume matching is almost the same than with the HE 150Pro or Asura 2.0 with their 150ohm impedance, asking around the 50/100 volume steps from both the Aune M1s (high gain) and Xduoo X10 DAPs.


Overall, these Ourart earbuds have a very tough design with outstanding detachable connection for such a price. They can present some potential comfort issues with the sharp form a more conventional mid-centered and vocals focused sound presentation.

Introduction –

Newcomer Ourart seemingly came out of nowhere; while audio enthusiasts are frequently bombarded with promotional material on social media, Ourart’s unique designs really drew some positive attention. Their new Ti7 earbud turned heads with its original metal design, 8-core cable and accessible $59 USD asking price. In addition, Ourart promise high fidelity audio through the earbud’s 14.2mm titanium drivers and the Ti7’s removable cable will drastically extend their lifetime when compared to fixed models. Let’s see how Ourart’s sharp new earbud performs.


Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Chi Kong Hui from PenonAudio very much for his quick communication and for providing me with the U3 for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.



Accessories –



Ourart provide an interesting unboxing, a handsome sleeve reveals the hard box underneath adorned with the Ourart insignia. Upon opening the box, buyers are greeted with a pleasing presentation showcasing the design of the earbuds.



Just underneath are the accessories, a shirt clip, 8 pairs of donut foams and 8 pairs of coloured foams. Ourart also offer a silver upgrade cable for $20 or $30 with a mic/single button remote.



Design –



The Ti7 is one of the most distinct earbuds on the market, featuring an all metal build and removable cable that makes mincemeat of the plastic MX500 and Yuin buds. Further yet, their design is absolutely striking with angular sound chambers mated to a sweeping sound output. Laser etched Ourart logos adorn the outer faces and no, they aren’t printed upside down, the earbuds are designed to be worn over the ear. Through such a fit, the earbuds achieve excellent stability perfect for those who struggle with earbuds falling out of their ears.



The front of the earbuds are very open revealing the silver drivers below. Given their vastly different fit than in-ears, I am less concerned about debris and wax build up and foam covers do provide an impermeable layer of protection during daily use. The earbuds have an excellent gunmetal finish with almost perfect machining. I was unable to detect any imperfections beside a small chip on one earpiece though macro photos did pick up some smaller scratches out of the box. Still, the Ti7’s are a far cry from the competition, they feel just as solid as the 1More earbuds if less sculpted in their design.



Though they appear sharp and angular, like Campfire’s earphones, the Ti7 achieves a comfortable fit that formed no hotspots for me even after extended listening. Thanks to their cable routing, they were more stable than my Earpods, Fiio EM3 and Rose earbuds though my Yuin based Shozy’s and MX500 style earbuds provided a similar experience for my ears. They are on the smaller size closer to the Yuin’s which will suite smaller eared or younger listeners as opposed to the much larger Rose Masya and VE earbuds.



And though the Ti7 assumes an over-ear fit they are perfectly comfortable when worn cable down too. Perhaps most importantly, the Ti7 has a removable cable that not only enables replacement due to daily wear and tear but also allows for upgrades later down the road. The MMCX connectors are super snappy without any intermittency and the connectors held their place perfectly well even when worn cable down. The stock cable is a sturdy braided 8-core unit with an Oyaide style right angled plug. The connector is case friendly and the cable itself is very supple and tangle resistant.



Sound –

The Ti7 is an earbud that sits in the outer ear, producing very minimal seal. As such, their sound is very fit sensitive, I received the version without ear guides which I would recommend since the earbuds are light enough not to budge in the ear even when moving vigorously. In addition, the Ti7’s sound noticeably different when worn cable up or down, which would be impossible with guides. When worn over the ear, the Ti7 sits a little looser in the ear, somewhat similar to the MRZ Tomahawk, achieving a notably airier, more balanced response though one that may lack the bass slam to satisfy some listeners. However, inverting their fit to a more conventional cable down style provides a deeper fit depth, increasing bass quantity and adding some extra body to lower mids. While I do personally prefer their more balanced sound when worn over the ear, I can definitely see some listeners forming an affinity towards their thicker, more impactful sound when worn cable down.



Tonality –

The Ti7 is a balanced earbud, more so than the BS1 but not quite to the extent of the higher end Music Maker earbuds. It carries a u-shaped tonality with a fuller bass response and a slight treble bump that aids shimmer and detail presentation. They are still more laid-back and don’t sound neutral by any stretch, but the Ti7 has one of the better balances between frequencies that I’ve heard from an earbud.



Bass –

The Ti7 has a bass response that I would describe as snappy. They are on the meatier side as far as earbuds go but retain an impressive amount of technical ability. They are much tighter than cheaper earbuds pursuing a similar style of sound but still fail to match the level of bass detail that the Shozy earbuds achieve. Extension is above average, they have some rumble but lack any real slam though few earbuds really do. Mid-bass is plump with some bloat though it is still very nicely textured and defined. Upper bass has lesser emphasis but is still fuller than neutral and some warming of the midrange is apparent.

Still, lower mids never become overshadowed by the bass response due to their excellent space and separation. Bass has nice fullness overall without compromising overall balance and the Ti7’s more rounded tone well complements its full bodied midrange. And despite their tubbiness, bass remains mostly tight and controlled, clearly more so than the BS1 and **** Z&W for instance. So even if they do carry a thicker voicing, their form factor prevents any muddiness by aiding bass separation. The Ti7 may not provide the most insightful listen, but they craft a compelling experience overall.



Mids –

The Ourart Ti7 has a darker midrange with polite upper mids and more powerful lower midrange elements. This presentation is underpinned by a profound sense of body, mids are thick but vocal clarity is pretty nice so things never become overly muddy or veiled. That said, female vocals don’t extend as effortlessly as the Rose Masya or Shozy Cygnus and they are lacking some delicacy and nuance. Thinner tracks are well compensated and mids are very smooth but poorly mastered tracks have a tendency to become congested. Lower mids are warm and full but well present and defined.

They are more on the natural than clear side and resolution isn’t enormous though layering is surprisingly clear and delineated given their style of tuning. The Ti7 is a more laid-back earbud that lacks any harshness or sibilance but retains just enough clarity to service more analytical listening. Despite this, detailing is great for an earbud with pleasing crispness to strings and guitars and enough transparency for piano. Their thicker nature does require some adjustment, especially when coming from more clarity orientated sets like those from Rose and they do lack the resolution to fully compensate, but after some time, the Ti7 produces a response that is natural and smooth, representing a step up in refinement and finesse over cheaper models.



Treble –

Earbuds really struggle with treble; of the dozens of models I’ve heard, the number of earbuds with remotely commendable treble responses measure in the single digits. The Ti7 doesn’t append this but they are quite revealing as far as earbuds go. Highs are laid-back but lower treble has a tinge of extra crispness that imbues the sound with some engagement. They smooth off above that but extension is well above average and they even have some air surrounding higher notes. Detailing and clarity don’t touch similarly priced in-ears but they extend very naturally and space far outstrips essentially every in-ear I’ve heard regardless of price. Strings are smooth even if some texturing is lost and cymbals sound realistic and natural.

Furthermore, high-hats and even triangles have decent clarity that bests a lot of earbuds that don’t even reproduce these details. The Ti7, therefore, creates quite an articulate experience; the clashing cymbals and plucking of strings in Eric Clapton’s “Layla” and “Old Love” were flattered by the Ti7’s natural treble response while lower notes were reproduced with satisfying richness and body. The Ti7’s dulcet tones excel with more laid-back genres of music, they lack the energy to inspire modern pop, electronic and rock but do well to keep pace with faster tracks.



Soundstage, Imaging and Separation –

But it’s their soundstage that saves the Ti7 from congestion, they have one of the nicest soundstages I’ve experienced from an earbud. The Ti7’s are exceptionally expansive and imaging is pretty commendable considering their sheer sense of space. The BS1 and MRZ Tomahawk are also strong performers in this regard, however, the Ti7 is immediately more spacious than both. When listening to The Commodore’s “Easy”, the Ti7 reached well beyond the head with all-encompassing width and depth that was only bested by the cavernous 1More E1008, even the $160 Shozy BK was considerably more intimate. With such space, separation is no issue, they aren’t quite as defined as the E1008 nor the Shozy Cygnus, but the Ti7 never sounds congested and is clearly more delineated than the BS1. Imaging is good but not exceptional, the 1More and Shozy earbuds both hold a notable advantage here but instruments remain well placed and vocals well centred on the Ti7. Furthermore, layering is immersive and directional cues are easy to pinpoint, they just aren’t razor sharp. However, that quickly pales when you boot up a game or live recording where the Ti7’s wide open sense of space provides a delightfully enveloping experience unmatched by any similarly priced earbud or in-ear.



Cable –





Removable cables may have become commonplace among in-ears, even cheap ones, but earbuds are evidently catching up in this regard The Ti7 is one of the few that supports a removable cable, using the very popular MMCX interface. As such, cable upgrades are possible and Penon were kind enough to send me Ourart’s silver plated cable upgrade. The upgrade cable actually really surprised me, it’s quite fantastic considering its modest $20/30 asking price. Starting with design, the cable looks far more expensive than its asking price with a lustrous 4-wire braid and carbon fibre Oyaide style straight plug. The y-split is unobtrusive with a plastic chin slider and the MMCX connectors are made from a nice gunmetal aluminium. All terminations have nice relief and the cable itself is supple with minimal memory.



And in listening, the cable did subtly enhance the quality of the Ti7’s sound. The first thing I noticed was their midrange, the upgrade cable provided a smoother sound with a bump in resolution and clearer delineation between foreground and background vocals. Bass also gained some control and texture and treble remained clear with slightly more detail to higher notes. The silver cable really helped with soundstage, especially separation. And to ensure it was the upgrade cable, not just the poor quality of the stock cable causing these differences, I gave the cable a go on some other MMCX earphones like the Oriveti New Primacy and Rose BR5 MKII. Both of these iems demonstrated some form of improvement including some that aren’t apparent on earbuds including increased sub-bass slam, greater midrange resolution and a little extra space to highs.



So overall, it’s a really nice budget SPC cable that I would recommend in isolation of the Ti7, Penon also offer the cable with a remote/mic which is surprisingly hard to come by but super practical during running and commute.



Comparisons –



Penon BS1 ($40): Both earbuds have excellent build quality with ergonomic metal housings though the BS1 has a plastic face and fixed cable. The two earbuds also carry a similar style of presentation that is warm, full and more laid-back. However, the BS1 is more L-shaped in its presentation with a darker midrange and more laid-back treble response. Bass is full if slightly bloomy on both but separation and definition are surprisingly good, they are very much comparable. However, it’s within the higher frequencies that the Ti7 pulls ahead, it has more extension and crispness to its high-end with greater detailing and clarity though the BS1 has almost as much upper midrange detail despite being more laid-back. Vocals, especially female, are much clearer on the Ourart where the BS1 can sound slightly more distant and overly thick. Both have great soundstages but the Ti7 takes space to the next level. The BS1 does sound slightly cleaner overall but it is lacking some excitement for me, the Ourart is the more balanced and technically capable earbud. Of note, the Ourart is much pickier about sources, sounding quite veiled from my phone though they opened up nicely from my dedicated sources. The BS1 will be easier to drive for smartphone users, it is also much more sensitive.

Shozy Cygnus ($90): The Cygnus is an excellent earbud and my sub $100 benchmark for what a mature earbud should sound like. Both earbuds have almost perfect comfort and though the Cygnus has a plastic shell and fixed cable, Shozy’s cable is one of the best I’ve felt. The Cygnus has more bass emphasis and more bloat though lows are faster and as such, are simultaneously more textured and more defined than the Ti7 if not quite as tight. Mids are more recessed but have greater clarity on the Cygnus with superior resolution, they are still more on the natural side but lack the thickness of the Ti7. The Cygnus has similar treble extension to the Ti7 but has a more detailed, aggressive lower treble response. While the Shozy’s soundstage is more intimate, the Cygnus images better and layering is more defined.

Rose Masya ($110): The Masya is the most unorthodox earbud I’ve used, both in terms of build and sound. They are enormous, sitting mostly outside the ear and fit was pretty unreliable for my ears though they too sport a removable cable and their 3D printed housings with wood faceplates (or metal on the regular model) look stunning. The Masya carries Rose’ forward, clear and refined house sound, they demolish other earbuds with their treble air and extension and their midrange is perfectly voiced with clarity and resolution that rivals more expensive in-ears. The Ti7 doesn’t provide much competition within the higher frequencies, the Masya is both more tonally pleasing and more technical but what the Ti7 does achieve is increased solidity to its bass response and arguably more tonal balance. The Masya has below average bass extension even for an earbud and lows simply compliment the midrange and high end rather than driving the sound. The Masya is also on the brighter side so those looking for long term comfort and a more laid-back listen will want to look elsewhere. Still, they fill a very vacant niche, few earbuds are really suitable for analytical listening but the Masya truly excels.

Shozy BK ($160): Take the Cygnus, balance out its tone, add technicality and you essentially have the BK. It’s a fantastic extension of the very natural Shozy house sound with tighter bass, more open, present mids and a more detailed, extended high-end. Build remains similar but the cable is tougher though not removable like the Ti7. I do prefer the BK quite strongly to the Ourart, it represents a maturation of the same style of sound with greater clarity, resolution and more accurate body. Bass is tighter but just as articulate and mids are more balanced and transparent. High are much more open on the BK if not particularly airy or extended in the grand scheme of things. Of course, they are much more expensive and the law of diminishing returns does show its ugly face, but the BK does a lot to justify its premium price. Both are similarly difficult to drive, though the BK is more sensitive, it is also even pickier about source synergy due to its transparency.



Verdict –



The Ti7 is easily among the most distinctive and best-constructed earbuds on the market. Their metal housings and removable cables are both stunning and their sharp styling doesn’t come at the cost of ergonomics. Their sound is also very unique, some aspects are questionable but others are quite compelling. They are very tonally balanced for an earbud but each frequency carries a smooth tuning and sense of fullness that heightens engagement at times but muddies at others. Most importantly, the Ti7 maximises the potential of its form factor, something that countless other offerings fail so miserably to encapsulate. Their wide open soundstage and natural presentation slice through veil even if each element isn’t rendered with absolute precision or clarity. Though they don’t hold a huge sonic lead over the cheaper Penon BS1, their removable cable and sturdy metal build make the Ti7 a fantastic long term investment.

Verdict – 8/10, Newcomer Ourart shoot for the stars with their Ti7, an innovative earbud that sounds almost as good as it looks. Their laid-back tones won’t be to everyone’s liking, but beyond their thickness lies some convincing technicality.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed my review, please see my website for more just like it:
https://everydaylisteningblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/11/ourart-ti7-review-hardy-earbuds-for-a-steal/

Greetings!

Today we're checking out the OURART Ti7.

You might have immediately noticed something about the Ti7. Could it be the unusual shell? The intentional over-ear design? Maybe it's the use of MMCX for it's silver-plated, 8-core removable cable? It could be the titanium-coated drivers, lightly hidden behind the automobile rim-inspired face design. Maybe it's an amalgamation of all of the above.

What I noticed immediately about the Ti7 is that it's unique in a number of ways, something other established players in the ear bud community can't say about most of their products. Heck, even their logo is all their own with no immediate inspiration, and least not that I could locate. That said, none of this really matters when sound quality will likely clinch the purchase for you.

Come with me while we analyze this uniquely designed, feature rich ear bud to see if it's worth your time and money.

Disclaimer:

The OURART Ti7 was purchased from Penon Audio at a discounted rate for the purposes of review. The upgraded cable was sent free of charge at a later date. The opinions and thoughts within this review are my own and do not represent Penon Audio, OURART, or any other entity.

At the time of this review they could be purchased here on Penon Audio for 59.99 USD; https://penonaudio.com/OURART-Ti7

The upgrade cable can be ordered alongside the Ti7 with or sans inline mic for an extra 20.00 USD, or separately for 29.00 USD: https://penonaudio.com/OURAR-Ti7-Upgrade-Cable


Packaging and Accessories:

Right off the bat I enjoyed the style of packaging OURART went with. A cardboard sheath with the OURART branding and logo covers a decent sized cube, not unlike a nice watch box. Removing the sheath reveals the same artwork along with a sticker on the bottom outlining the Ti7's specifications.

Opening the cube reveals the ear pieces on display in a foam cutout with the instruction manual tucked into a slot in the lid. Removing the foam sheet by tugging on a soft strip of ribbon reveals the cable neatly tied up along with a QC validation card, warranty card, and a plethora of accessories;

- shirt clip

- 4 pairs of black donut foams (5th pair pre-installed)

- 2 pairs of red donut foams

- 2 pairs of green full foams

Shirt clips are usually a dime a dozen, but the Ti7 comes with one I've not seen before. Just look at it...it's a monster. Super effective too. Get's my vote for best clip on the market, at least of those that I've tried/own.

Overall a really nice unboxing experience, and the number of extra foams included is great. It's not hard to tear them during installation and this earphone absolutely requires them to get the best sound, so having lots of spares is appreciated.

Build and Comfort:

For the mere 60 bucks the Ti7 demands, you're getting some nice stuff;

- CNC machined aluminum housings

- a silver-plated, 8-core removable cable with one of the tightest, more secure MMCX connections I've come across

- 14.2mm titanium-coated diaphragms

The housings certainly don't look like anything I've seen in the earbud world, with their blocky shape and spoked face plate that lets you catch a glimpse of the gorgeous, silver-colored drivers beneath. The machining is flawless and fit and finish immaculate with only a small seam present where the two sections of the housing meet. There are four pin hole vents surround the mid-regions which are only visible with the foams removed. While I don't necessarily think it's an attractive design per say, especially with OURART printed in block letters on the back where their logo would be better suited, the Ti7 is certainly interesting and eye catching. It's different and it works.

The cable is another very nice aspect of the Ti7. Starting at the bulky 90 degree angled jack which you can disassemble and service yourself, you see a ring of carbon fibre. It doesn't look fake either, giving off that telltale sheen when the light hits at an angle. The dark greyish-green sheath is slightly opaque letting you see the individual wires within. Not only does it look fantastic, but it behaves well too. Cable noise is very minimal, memory is non existent, and I suspect tangling would be too if it weren't for the memory wire on my set. The memory wire is implemented effectively as well, holding the shape you set without the need to constantly re-adjust. The y-split is a solid, well-relieved chunk of rubber with a functional chin cinch that is much the same. If you aren't a fan of memory wire, don't worry because you can order the Ti7 without it.

Comfort is also surprisingly good given the angular nature of the ear pieces. This ear bud is intended to be worn cable up, and in my opinion that is how it best fits. The top of the housing where the cables connect protrudes slightly, not an aspect of the design that is mirrored on the bottom half. Given the shape is essentially a rectangular prism and the corners are abrupt and sharp, when worn cable down these corners may or may not poke your ear. In my case they did which resulted in discomfort. Lesson learned; wear them cable up, as intended.

Overall the Ti7 is a pretty cool looking earbud with a unique design, fantastic build quality, and great comfort pending you wear them as intended. You can wear them cable down and alleviate the discomfort issues but in my experience that requires either the upgraded cable which I'll talk about in the next section, or I suspect a thick third party cable similar to OURART's upgraded option. You could also just have different ear anatomy that accommodates the Ti7 better than mine can.

Upgraded Cable:

Upgraded cables for me are more about improving usability and enjoyment of the product, and not about changing the sound. I'm not going to definitively say the Ti7's cable does or does not change the Ti7's audio quality because I have no way of supporting such a statement with visible evidence, buuuuut, after spending a fair bit of time listening with both cables, mixing and matching, and analyzing in various unscientific ways, I couldn't hear a difference. Penon and/or OURART do though, so if changes in sound are key to whether or not you want to spend the extra bucks I recommend following the link above to the cable page where they outline differences between the stock cable and upgraded cable via their subjective scoring system.

Now, that said I really like the Ti7's upgraded cable and feel it is well worth the extra 20 bucks. Why? The 4 extra cores (12 total) make it thicker, especially above the y-split. This gives me confidence in this cable having improved longevity and durability, and it doesn't give up the excellent behaviour of the stock cable to offer this. While I like the memory wire on the stock cable, the upgraded cable is free of this feature. I've got a number of other MMCX cables and this cable was the only one that kept the stabby bits at the top of the housing from poking my ear when wearing them cable down. That right there is worth the extra cash for me because I prefer my buds worn cable down. Cable up just doesn't feel right, even if the Ti7 works quite well in that orientation. The last big plus for me is that the upgraded cable uses a straight jack (still user serviceable), not the 90 degree angled jack of the stock cable. For me this is great because I use this bud on the move with my player/phone in my pocket. 90 degree jacks put undue pressure on the cable as it's forced to angle up and out, lessening it's lifespan.

My particular cable was sent with an inline mic attached. Some prefer their cables "pure", free of electronic interference. I like convenience on my portable earphones, so I like having a mic. That said, this one is merely okay. The metal shell is one I've seen before on a number of products, such as the LZ A2S. As expected, the single button interface works fine. Unfortunately, call quality is simply passable with a fair bit of background clutter behind my voice. It's doesn't hinder coherence for my callers, it just simply sounds messy.

So yeah, I like the upgraded cable and have no issues recommending it as an add-on to the Ti7. Buying it solo is another story since it's ~33% more expensive. That's a harder sell.

Sound:

Burn in: Be it physical or mental, I strongly recommend spending some time with the Ti7 before passing judgement.Out of the box I found them overly thick with a soupy presentation that didn't do it any favors. While they have a more rich presentation than most ear buds I've used, after some extensive use I'd no longer consider it a negative.

Foams: Just use them. Comfort and bass suffer greatly without. Something fairly porous is recommended if you find them too thick sounding or a bit dull in the treble.

Despite my initial misgivings about the Ti7 out of the box, I'm pleased to report that it's actually a pretty good sounding ear bud, though not great. It's got a thick, slightly dry, mid-focused presentation with early roll off on either end. That may not sound like the most appealing signature in the world, but once you've got them in your ears it all comes together to provide a fantastic vocal-centered experience.

Treble has an appreciably balanced presentation through the lower to upper regions. It has a somewhat unique presentation to my ears. While it's not particularly sparkly or energetic, it still manages to come across fairly airy and detailed with good overall clarity. It's a pleasantly non-fatiguing sound that is devoid of harshness or aggressiveness. At times it can be a little dull, but on the plus side I find it makes for an easy listen.

The mid-range is where the Ti7 really shines. That thickness to their presentation really helps give vocals and stringed instruments a lot of presence and weight which makes jazz-infused classic rock like that from King Crimson an absolute joy to listen to. Detailing and texturing is perfectly acceptable without smoothing things over too much.

Bass performance may be hit or miss depending on how the Ti7 fits. If I just pop them in lightly without a care in the world, mid-bass has some decent punch but beyond that it's pretty anemic and somewhat one-note. Wedge it in a little further and the low end steps up, adding texture and depth. Tuck it in even further, twisting it into place at about a 45 degree angle and the Ti7 has got some impressive thump. For me, use of the stock cable was imperative if I wanted to get the most out of the Ti7's low end as it helped hold them in a position where the low end had a good presence without overwhelming.

The Ti7 has a great sound stage that routinely had me checking my surroundings when watching videos, thinking something fell in the background, or there was a knock on the door, etc. It gives a good impression of width and depth with my music, similar to the staging as heard on a good closed back headphone like the thinksound On2. My favorite ultra-portable, the AKG K403, has an appreciably more open presentation though. Laying and positioning are also fairly accurate with solid black space between effects and instruments. Despite the thick presentation, the Ti7 never really comes across as congested.

Overall the Ti7 is a very pleasing ear bud. It's not so mid-centric that is shoehorns itself into being suitable only for media where that is the focus, but it does excel in that area to the point where I prefer vocal and mid-range heavy tracks, videos, audio clips, etc. It's bass presence is a bit too dependent on placement for my liking. The Ti7's great sound stage is the icing on the cake, making for a spaciously open presentation.

Select Comparisons:

Penon BS1 (39.00 USD): Both earphones are very well-built, but I'd give the edge to the Ti7 for the unique design and more premium materials. Comfort goes to the BS1 since it's more simple, straightforward design works just as well cable up or down, and there are no sharp edges. Sound also goes to the BS1, but not by a wide margin. It's treble has more sparkle and energy. It's mid-range isn't quite as forward and detailed, but it has the end to end extension the Ti7 lacks, and doesn't require the same amount of fiddling to get at the textured, punchy bass it outputs. The Ti7 sounds larger and more open, though imaging and layering qualities are quite close.

Sennheiser MX470 (discontinued): Even though it's quite old and has been discontinued for a while now, the MX470 more than holds it own against these snazzy modern buds. It's relatively small drivers lead to small earpieces that are very ergonomic. Build overall is quite good, with later examples receiving an upgraded cable that is much more durable and not at all sticky, unlike the terrible cable my example was saddled with. Ti7, and more ear buds for that matter, can't touch the 470 in terms of comfort. Sound is again quite close, with the 470 taking my preference. Like the BS1, it has a more extended, versatile signature. It's just as easy on the ears but with a smoother sound than the Ti7. Mids aren't quite as forward or detailed, but the low end is on another plane. The MX470's bass is outstanding; lush, deep, punchy, well-textured. Ti7 takes the sound stage crown.

Rose Masya (109.00 USD): Up until the Mojito came along, the Masya was my favorite ear bud. I hold it in very high regard. While I love it's extremely comfortable, unique hourglass shape, it's build and materials stand no chance against the Ti7. CNC machined aluminum vs. 3D printed plastic. Their very different cables are about on par with the Ti7 having the edge due to a chin cinch and user serviceable jack. The Masya's sound is where that extra 50 USD is going however. It's even more well-rounded than the others in this comparison, with the Ti7 only giving it a run for it's money in the mid-range. The Masya has a gorgeous mid-range so that should say much about the Ti7 and how it performs in that aspect for the price. Treble on the Masya is much more detailed an energetic, though it can verge into harsh territories unlike the Ti7. Bass is not comparable. The Masya extends much, much deeper, has a better mid/sub-bass balance, and is significantly more textured which helps make it much more suitable for more than just mid-centric tunes. While the Ti7 is comparable with a good closed back can in terms of sound stage, the Masya goes a step further and is quite comparable to my modded, open back HE-350 from HiFiMan. Both are great, but the Masya is just that much more open and spacious.

Final Thoughts:

It's really nice to see a manufacturer release a unique ear bud that also happens to be crafted from durable, high quality materials. Use of the Sennheiser MX500 shell is too absurdly common on everything from entry level to flagship ear buds. The Ti7 is a welcome and much needed injection of creativity into a rapidly growing audio segment that's already getting a bit samey, at least from a visual perspective.

The unique design and stellar build quality make it worthy of consideration in my opinion, but for many that's far from enough. Thankfully, the Ti7 also brings to the table a quality silver-plated cable with one of the most sturdy applications of MMCX I've come across, a wonderful mid-centric presentation coming from some delightful titanium-coated drivers, and a great accessory kit contained in some pleasing packaging. It's all-around a very nice ear bud and a worthy purchase, especially for fans of a mid-centric sound.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler

Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock - Skelethon (Album)

Elton John - Yellow Golden Brick Road (Album)

King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (Album)

King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (Track)

Supertramp - Crime of the Century (Album)

Infected Mushroom - Converting Vegetarians (Album)

Infected Mushroom - Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Album)

Massive Attack - Mezzanine (Album)

Fleetwood Mac - Rumors (Album)

Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels (Album)

The Prodigy - The Day is My Enemy (Album)

Tobacco - screw*d Up Friends

Felt - Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bone)

Introduction
Penon Audio is a Hong Kong company selling audio gears. I am very interested in the new Ourart TI7 so decided to try it and hope my review will be of use to those who are interested in it.
Below is the purchase link:
https://penonaudio.com/OURART-Ti7




Specifications

• Driver unit: 14.2mm custom titanium crystal diaphragm dynamic driver Frequency response range: 20Hz-25000Hz
  
• Sensitivity: 118dB
  
• Impedance: 32 ohm
• Cable length: 1.1M (Detachable Cables design)
• Earphone plug: 3.5mm stereo gold-plated L-shaped plug

Accessories
The TI7 comes in a black box that sports the OURART logo. Inside the box, you can see the earbud in the top layer. Beneath it are the accessories. There are 1 warranty card, 3 packs of foams cushion and 1 shirt clip. My only complaint here is the lack of storage case.



Build
The TI7 housing is made of metal and it is detachable with MMCX connectors. The MMCX is tighter than your usual MMCX, ensuring a secure connection. It has a memory cable. The cable is 4 core and it has a nice gold-plated jack with carbon fibre design. Overall, the build is quite good.



Sound Analysis
The bass takes on a conservative approach. There is decent sub bass extension which is just nice actually. The texture is rather smooth and it is comparable to the Rose Masya with the Masya having an edge for its effortless smoothness. The bass does not have a hard slam to it. The mid bass is controlled nicely and the quantity is spot on. There is a seamless transition from the lows to the mids. The mids is the star of the show. Thick and lush. It is perfect for vocals. Female vocals sound very sweet and there is a good intimate presentation of it. The lower mids are very nice and the quantity is spot on for male vocals. The detailing and transparency is quite good at this price point. There is no emphasis on different aspects of mids. The mids is very natural and it is quite flawless. The treble is well extended with no harshness or sibilance. It lacks the sparkle. The frequencies are just right giving a natural presentation. The soundstage is quite good with an excellent width and decent depth. Overall, it is a good earbud with lush mids and immersive soundstage.

DAP Pairings

Questyle QP1R
With the QP1R, there is an increase in extension and the lower mids are fuller. Width of soundstage increases. Overall, the sound becomes thicker.

Ibasso DX200 With Amp 1
The DX200 enhances the TI7 treble and there is more sparkle and extension. The treble becomes clinical and the mids become more forward.

Cayin N6
TI7 becomes more controlled with less sub-bass extension and the treble is more accurate. It becomes more forward.

Conclusion
The Ourart TI7 is a mid-centric earbud with good staging. I feel at its price point, it is quite good with a nice cable and good sound signature. In additon, the over-ear design is a huge positive for an earbud. I wholeheartedly recommend this earbud to those looking for one below 70 USD.

For more reviews, visit https://audio123blog.wordpress.com/ .