DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Simgot for providing the EA1000 Fermat.
It can be gotten here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea1000-fermat or https://samaudiosg.com/collections/all-products/products/sg-simgot-ea1000-fermat-flagship-dynamic-driver-iem (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 6 pairs of silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of tuning nozzles
- Nozzle rings
- Cable
- Carrying case
For a $200ish set, the accessories are acceptable, though there is a glaring lack of eartip variety. Gear at this price bracket also may incorporate a modular cable, which is absent here.
6 pairs of silicone tips are included (there are duplicates of S/M/L sizes). These silicone tips are pretty serviceable, though there are no foam tips.
The tuning nozzles add versatility to the tonality, and they operate via a screw-on mechanism. We will talk more about them in the following sections. Nozzle identifier rings are also included as a nice touch, to identify the sides.
The stock cable is a silver-plated OFC Litz cable. This is unfortunately not modular, but is very nice haptically. It is well-braided with a chin cinch, with minimal microphonics. 2-pin cables are always my preference due to horrible experiences with dodgy MMCX connectors.
A silver leatherette case completes the accessory line-up. This case is semi-rigid, and has a magnetic clasp. The innards are soft and lined with webbing.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The shells are a real looker, featuring a mirror-like metal surface, with a crystal faceplate. Build is very solid, though the shells can potentially be scratch magnets or fingerprint magnets, so do baby them.
Weighing in at about 11 g apiece, the shells are extremely ergonomic and well fitting, with no weird protrusions on the inner aspects to poke the ears. I could wear the EA1000 for hours without discomfort.
Incorporating vents, isolation is below average. Thankfully, I did not encounter any driver flex on my pair.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the EA1000 with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Fiio K11 DAC/amp
- Fiio KA13 dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- 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
The Fermat is easily driven even off the weakest of sources.
INTERNALS/TUNING NOZZLES
The EA1000's engine is a unique DD + passive radiator (PR) setup.
A second-generation dual magnetic and dual chamber 10 mm full-range dynamic driver with a 6 mm composite diaphragm is the main workhorse. Simgot advertises that it was manufactured via sputter-deposition technology, and this diaphragm is optimized to generate a high magnetic flux.
The addition of a PR - which can be seen above on the "R" and "L" markings of the shell - is supposed to improve bass texturing and heft. Indeed, on listening, the bass is toned, with solid quality and timbre.
This IEM's selling point is the 3 tuning nozzles, which have different damping and cavity materials.
As such, they vary the sonics along a spectrum of Harmanish tonalities, subtly affecting the upper mids and lower treble:
Graph of the Simgot EA1000 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
The black nozzle bestows the brightest tuning, with the thinnest note weight. Trebleheads will love this configuration, though it is not for the treble-sensitive. Technicalities are understandably the best with this setup.
The gold nozzle is a bit sharp at the upper mids, but the treble tails off the most thereafter. Vocalheads may appreciate this nozzle, though it may sound a bit shouty, especially at louder volumes.
The red nozzle has a more sedate upper mids peak, but has greater treble extension than the gold one. Personally, this is my favourite setup, as it banishes most of the shoutiness away, yet maintains great air and sparkle in the treble.
Do explore the various tuning nozzles on offer and see what suits your sonic palette.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The following impressions will be made with the red nozzle installed.
The EA1000 is mid-bass focused, with the bass just north of neutral. The added PR tech does seem to add some heft to this region, with decent sub-bass extension. However, it isn't a basshead IEM by any means. What the EA1000 cedes in bass quantity, it aces in quality. The bass is well-textured, with solid speed and nimbleness. There is no mid-bass bleed.
The lower midrange is a tinge depressed, but not by too much. Without any big bass encroachment, it is relatively transparent. With the red nozzles on, the upper mids sport a 9ish dB ear gain, which allows vocals to be showcased, without veering too much to shouty territory.
The Fermat's lower treble continues on from the upper mids boost, and thereafter gives great extension into the upper registers, with much air and sparkle heard. There's admittedly slight sibilance, and perhaps our treble-sensitive brethren might want to keep to the gold nozzle in place if treble zing is an issue. Trebleheads will have a field day with the EA1000's extended treble, which adds a lot of resolution to the table.
As discussed, other nozzles may be more zealous in the upper mids and treble, and I feel the red nozzles are the best midpoint of furnishing clarity, without erring to the side of fatigue. However, treble and upper mids perception varies on a few factors, such as hearing health, ear anatomy (pinna gain), eartip choices, volume played at (Fletcher Munson curve) and even sources, so YMMV.
In keeping with its single DD roots, timbral accuracy is spot on, and there should be no complaints in this area.
Amongst the $200ish DD containing sets, the Fermat is arguably class-leading in technicalities and resolution. There's superb transients and clarity, with globs of micro-detail on tap. Imaging is very well done, and soundstage is spacious in all 3 dimensions. This aids in layering and instrument separation, and the EA1000 handles complex tracks and competing riffs with aplomb.
Despite the stellar technical chops, the EA1000 does not commit the cardinal sin of sounding sterile or analytical, which is a really tough line to balance! It is very coherent sounding, and nicely melds the 3Ts of timbre, tonality and technicalities into the soundscape.
COMPARISONS
Comparisons were made with other DD containing gear residing around the $200 USD range.
DUNU Falcon Ultra
Graph of the DUNU Falcon Ultra via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
The Falcon Ultra has 2 tuning nozzles to provide a pleasant warm Harmanish tone versus a more laid-back bassier fare.
On all tuning nozzles, the EA1000 beats the Falcon Ultra in technical chops - imaging, micro-detailing, soundstage and instrument separation are ahead on the Fermat. The EA1000 also has a tighter and faster bass, with greater treble extension and sparkle.
The Falcon Ultra however, has a thicker note weight with a more relaxing treble/upper midrange. The Falcon Ultra is thus more suited for the treble-sensitive listener or for bass-lovers. Both sets are solid in timbre and are easily driven.
The Falcon Ultra comes with a nicer accessory package, with a modular cable to boot. However, it also has a mirror-like finish that may be prone to smudges and scratches.
Tanchim Oxygen
The venerable Oxygen is the $200 band single DD gatekeeper. It follows the Harman curve, though the Oxygen has more sub-bass. The Oxygen is more sedate in the upper mids/lower treble as compared to the Fermat.
Technicalities go to the EA1000, with the Oxygen lagging slightly behind in soundstage, instrument separation and micro-detailing.
The Oxygen is harder to drive, and it does not have tuning nozzles. The Oxygen is also fussy with fit, due to short stubby nozzles, and some users might need mods of aftermarket longer tips to salvage the fit.
Final Audio E5000
The E5000 is a bullet-shaped single DD which is L-shaped in tonality It has a way more massive bass, and a darker treble. The E5000 has a thicker syrupy note weight, with poorer air and treble extension.
The E5000 is a league behind in technicalities, with a more claustrophobic soundstage, and poorer micro-details and imaging.
The E5000 is one of the most difficult IEMs to drive due to a low sensitivity, and most portable sources cannot do the sonics justice - it is not a matter of volume, but if under driven, the E5000 sounds very bloated and untextured in the bass. The Fermat is a breeze to drive in comparison, with no robust amplification requirements.
CONCLUSIONS
The Fermat may very well turn out to be one of the new $200 range benchmarks for a DD set. Granted, it isn't a pure single DD (due to the addition of a PR which adds to bass texturing and tone), but the EA1000 definitely keeps the strong suits of a single DD such as coherency, timbre, and a natural bass.
Where the Fermat is different - and in a positive way - from the usual single DDs, is in its class-leading technicalities. It handily outperforms the usual gatekeepers like the venerable Tanchjim Oxygen in this department. The spacious soundstage coupled with excellent resolution will bring a smile to detail-heads, with a fast and clean bass, and an airy treble. Many technical sets swerve to the extreme of being sterile or overly analytical, but the EA1000 does not suffer from this, thus preserving musicality in the sonics.
The Fermat has beautiful mirror-like shells, though do watch out for scratches or fingerprints. It is easily driven, and the addition of 3 tuning nozzles for consumers to vary the upper frequencies is invaluable. Speaking about treble, the EA1000 is perhaps not for the treble-sensitive on some nozzles, though tip-rolling or source rolling or playing with the various nozzles might help mitigate this. Foam tips would have been a great addition to tame the treble, but we sadly only have one eartip choice in the packaging.
By and large, the Fermat amalgamates the 3 Ts of tonality, timbre and technicalities into an aesthetically pleasing shell, and is a really solid contender, unless if you are basshead or highly treble-sensitive.
I would like to thank Simgot for providing the EA1000 Fermat.
It can be gotten here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-ea1000-fermat or https://samaudiosg.com/collections/all-products/products/sg-simgot-ea1000-fermat-flagship-dynamic-driver-iem (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 10mm dynamic driver (DD) + passive radiator (PR) driver
- Impedance: 38 Ω
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 127 dB/Vrms
- Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; silver-plated OFC Litz cable
- Tested at $219.99 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 6 pairs of silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of tuning nozzles
- Nozzle rings
- Cable
- Carrying case
For a $200ish set, the accessories are acceptable, though there is a glaring lack of eartip variety. Gear at this price bracket also may incorporate a modular cable, which is absent here.
6 pairs of silicone tips are included (there are duplicates of S/M/L sizes). These silicone tips are pretty serviceable, though there are no foam tips.
The tuning nozzles add versatility to the tonality, and they operate via a screw-on mechanism. We will talk more about them in the following sections. Nozzle identifier rings are also included as a nice touch, to identify the sides.
The stock cable is a silver-plated OFC Litz cable. This is unfortunately not modular, but is very nice haptically. It is well-braided with a chin cinch, with minimal microphonics. 2-pin cables are always my preference due to horrible experiences with dodgy MMCX connectors.
A silver leatherette case completes the accessory line-up. This case is semi-rigid, and has a magnetic clasp. The innards are soft and lined with webbing.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The shells are a real looker, featuring a mirror-like metal surface, with a crystal faceplate. Build is very solid, though the shells can potentially be scratch magnets or fingerprint magnets, so do baby them.
Weighing in at about 11 g apiece, the shells are extremely ergonomic and well fitting, with no weird protrusions on the inner aspects to poke the ears. I could wear the EA1000 for hours without discomfort.
Incorporating vents, isolation is below average. Thankfully, I did not encounter any driver flex on my pair.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the EA1000 with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Fiio K11 DAC/amp
- Fiio KA13 dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- 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
The Fermat is easily driven even off the weakest of sources.
INTERNALS/TUNING NOZZLES
The EA1000's engine is a unique DD + passive radiator (PR) setup.
A second-generation dual magnetic and dual chamber 10 mm full-range dynamic driver with a 6 mm composite diaphragm is the main workhorse. Simgot advertises that it was manufactured via sputter-deposition technology, and this diaphragm is optimized to generate a high magnetic flux.
The addition of a PR - which can be seen above on the "R" and "L" markings of the shell - is supposed to improve bass texturing and heft. Indeed, on listening, the bass is toned, with solid quality and timbre.
This IEM's selling point is the 3 tuning nozzles, which have different damping and cavity materials.
As such, they vary the sonics along a spectrum of Harmanish tonalities, subtly affecting the upper mids and lower treble:
Graph of the Simgot EA1000 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
The black nozzle bestows the brightest tuning, with the thinnest note weight. Trebleheads will love this configuration, though it is not for the treble-sensitive. Technicalities are understandably the best with this setup.
The gold nozzle is a bit sharp at the upper mids, but the treble tails off the most thereafter. Vocalheads may appreciate this nozzle, though it may sound a bit shouty, especially at louder volumes.
The red nozzle has a more sedate upper mids peak, but has greater treble extension than the gold one. Personally, this is my favourite setup, as it banishes most of the shoutiness away, yet maintains great air and sparkle in the treble.
Do explore the various tuning nozzles on offer and see what suits your sonic palette.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The following impressions will be made with the red nozzle installed.
The EA1000 is mid-bass focused, with the bass just north of neutral. The added PR tech does seem to add some heft to this region, with decent sub-bass extension. However, it isn't a basshead IEM by any means. What the EA1000 cedes in bass quantity, it aces in quality. The bass is well-textured, with solid speed and nimbleness. There is no mid-bass bleed.
The lower midrange is a tinge depressed, but not by too much. Without any big bass encroachment, it is relatively transparent. With the red nozzles on, the upper mids sport a 9ish dB ear gain, which allows vocals to be showcased, without veering too much to shouty territory.
The Fermat's lower treble continues on from the upper mids boost, and thereafter gives great extension into the upper registers, with much air and sparkle heard. There's admittedly slight sibilance, and perhaps our treble-sensitive brethren might want to keep to the gold nozzle in place if treble zing is an issue. Trebleheads will have a field day with the EA1000's extended treble, which adds a lot of resolution to the table.
As discussed, other nozzles may be more zealous in the upper mids and treble, and I feel the red nozzles are the best midpoint of furnishing clarity, without erring to the side of fatigue. However, treble and upper mids perception varies on a few factors, such as hearing health, ear anatomy (pinna gain), eartip choices, volume played at (Fletcher Munson curve) and even sources, so YMMV.
In keeping with its single DD roots, timbral accuracy is spot on, and there should be no complaints in this area.
Amongst the $200ish DD containing sets, the Fermat is arguably class-leading in technicalities and resolution. There's superb transients and clarity, with globs of micro-detail on tap. Imaging is very well done, and soundstage is spacious in all 3 dimensions. This aids in layering and instrument separation, and the EA1000 handles complex tracks and competing riffs with aplomb.
Despite the stellar technical chops, the EA1000 does not commit the cardinal sin of sounding sterile or analytical, which is a really tough line to balance! It is very coherent sounding, and nicely melds the 3Ts of timbre, tonality and technicalities into the soundscape.
COMPARISONS
Comparisons were made with other DD containing gear residing around the $200 USD range.
DUNU Falcon Ultra
Graph of the DUNU Falcon Ultra via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
The Falcon Ultra has 2 tuning nozzles to provide a pleasant warm Harmanish tone versus a more laid-back bassier fare.
On all tuning nozzles, the EA1000 beats the Falcon Ultra in technical chops - imaging, micro-detailing, soundstage and instrument separation are ahead on the Fermat. The EA1000 also has a tighter and faster bass, with greater treble extension and sparkle.
The Falcon Ultra however, has a thicker note weight with a more relaxing treble/upper midrange. The Falcon Ultra is thus more suited for the treble-sensitive listener or for bass-lovers. Both sets are solid in timbre and are easily driven.
The Falcon Ultra comes with a nicer accessory package, with a modular cable to boot. However, it also has a mirror-like finish that may be prone to smudges and scratches.
Tanchim Oxygen
The venerable Oxygen is the $200 band single DD gatekeeper. It follows the Harman curve, though the Oxygen has more sub-bass. The Oxygen is more sedate in the upper mids/lower treble as compared to the Fermat.
Technicalities go to the EA1000, with the Oxygen lagging slightly behind in soundstage, instrument separation and micro-detailing.
The Oxygen is harder to drive, and it does not have tuning nozzles. The Oxygen is also fussy with fit, due to short stubby nozzles, and some users might need mods of aftermarket longer tips to salvage the fit.
Final Audio E5000
The E5000 is a bullet-shaped single DD which is L-shaped in tonality It has a way more massive bass, and a darker treble. The E5000 has a thicker syrupy note weight, with poorer air and treble extension.
The E5000 is a league behind in technicalities, with a more claustrophobic soundstage, and poorer micro-details and imaging.
The E5000 is one of the most difficult IEMs to drive due to a low sensitivity, and most portable sources cannot do the sonics justice - it is not a matter of volume, but if under driven, the E5000 sounds very bloated and untextured in the bass. The Fermat is a breeze to drive in comparison, with no robust amplification requirements.
CONCLUSIONS
The Fermat may very well turn out to be one of the new $200 range benchmarks for a DD set. Granted, it isn't a pure single DD (due to the addition of a PR which adds to bass texturing and tone), but the EA1000 definitely keeps the strong suits of a single DD such as coherency, timbre, and a natural bass.
Where the Fermat is different - and in a positive way - from the usual single DDs, is in its class-leading technicalities. It handily outperforms the usual gatekeepers like the venerable Tanchjim Oxygen in this department. The spacious soundstage coupled with excellent resolution will bring a smile to detail-heads, with a fast and clean bass, and an airy treble. Many technical sets swerve to the extreme of being sterile or overly analytical, but the EA1000 does not suffer from this, thus preserving musicality in the sonics.
The Fermat has beautiful mirror-like shells, though do watch out for scratches or fingerprints. It is easily driven, and the addition of 3 tuning nozzles for consumers to vary the upper frequencies is invaluable. Speaking about treble, the EA1000 is perhaps not for the treble-sensitive on some nozzles, though tip-rolling or source rolling or playing with the various nozzles might help mitigate this. Foam tips would have been a great addition to tame the treble, but we sadly only have one eartip choice in the packaging.
By and large, the Fermat amalgamates the 3 Ts of tonality, timbre and technicalities into an aesthetically pleasing shell, and is a really solid contender, unless if you are basshead or highly treble-sensitive.
Since you recently also reviewed the BQEYZ Wind, which of the two do you prefer (since they both sit around the same price bracket)?