Zorloo Aero

Preamble:

Zorloo’s (http://www.zorloo.com/) Andy sent me a prototype of the new Aero In-Ears to hear my honest opinion. I wrote this review based on the impressions I sent to him.

After their Z:ero in-ears and the ZuperDAC (which is really super and now, thanks to my input, is manufactured with lowered output impedance), the Chinese start-up company Zorloo is soon going to launch their second in-ears that will be called “Aero” – the MSRP is supposed to be $119, the crowdfunding pre-order price should be around $79.
Just like their previous model, the Aero will be digitally connected (Micro USB, USB-C or Lightning connector) to the source device, with the DAC being integrated to the y-split.
Compared to the Z:ero, the Aero now offers removable in-ear-pieces, as there will be three versions – “Acoustic” (more flat sound), “Euphoric” (for modern music) and “Nostalgic” (warmer signature); maybe there will be a fourth, brighter “Melancholic” version later.
For the test, I received the version with “Acoustic” in-ear modules which will also come as standard (the additional modules can be purchased for $50 per pair).

This is still a product in prototype status, so the tuning, drivers and sound quality are still ongoing and may change in the production model.


Delivery Content:

My pre-production sample arrived in a small air-cushion envelope that contained the in-ears, a carrying pouch, one pair of foam tips as well as three pairs of silicone tips.
The final version’s accessories and packaging may and of course will differ.

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Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

Regarding haptics, aesthetics and build quality, the Aero is a great step up from the Z:ero, as the in-ear bodies are made of massive, matte-grey metal with Zorloo logo and appear quite valuable.
The cables are now replaceable (2 mm DC connectors, just like on the MEE M6 pro whose cables by the way fit as well) and sit conveniently firm, with barbs that prevent them from unintentional movement.
Below the (unfortunately quite low sitting) y-split, the cable is flat; above it is round. Strain relief is decent, though a chin-slider is unfortunately missing.
The large y-split contains the DAC and has got three buttons for playback control which are now made of rubber - the solid single buttons from the Z:ero were better in my opinion.

All in all, the Aero is both visually and haptically a quite valuable product and a clear step up from its predecessor.
 

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Comfort, Isolation:

The in-ear bodies are quite heavy and large, comparable with the RHA T20’s. In my ears, the in-ears sit comfortably plus securely and I don’t notice the weight anymore after some minutes.
The ear-guides are shaped by some sort of soft heat-shrink but don’t have metal reinforcements, wherefore they feel very soft and I don’t notice them at all, nonetheless they keep their shape perfectly.
In my ears, microphonics are extremely low, though the y-split sits quite deep and the cable swings around when walking due to the lack of a y-split.

Isolation is a bit better than average in my ears.


Connection, Remote Control:

Generally quite identical as the Z:ero in-ears:

PC: After plugging the in-ears into the computer with the help of the included adapter, the drivers are automatically installed and the Z:ero can be selected in the system settings. Then, two independent volume controls are possible in the Windows sound mixer and through the in-ears’ remote.

iPhone: Yes, that’s right, the in-ears (Android version) can be used with iOS devices as well if the Apple CCK (Camera Connection Kit) is being used. A separate version with lightning connector is supposed to follow.
Two independent volume controls as on the PC are not possible, but the volume is controlled through the remote control, which works very well. In contrast to the Z:ero, the lowest possible volume setting above mute is quite high and too much for people who listen at low volume.

The remote control with integrated playback controls worked very well with both devices. However, a microphone is not included.


Sound:

The sound was evaluated on my Windows 7 PC with the help of the adapter that came with the Z:ero in-ears. Before listening, the IEMs were burnt in for more than 100 hours (just in case). I used the largest included silicone tips.

Tonality:

Beforehand, I want to state that my pre-production sample had imbalance issues in the lows, as the right side had more lows than the left (mids and treble were identical) – that’s why I can’t state a definite dB value.

Roughly summarised, I would describe sound as “analogue”, dark, bassy and a bit warm.

Mid-bass and upper bass are audibly emphasised (however less than Zorloo’s) by I’d say around 7 dB (bit hard to say because of the imbalance issue I had). From 200 Hz up, lows start evenly decreasing but only stop at 1 kHz, wherefore mids are warm as well as dark and sound a bit (too) coloured, which is also due to the high frequencies.
The treble has got good/enough level in the presence area, with a following peak at 4 kHz, however the middle and upper treble are audibly pushed back.

Unfortunately, so I have to say, the tonal tuning isn’t really felicitous and the treble doesn’t sound much natural at all, just like the mids. In comparison, the Z:ero in-ears sound much more cohesive and natural. Compared to the Z:ero, Aero has got less bass (and sounds a bit leaner as it is faster and better controlled), but lows are still a bit too present for a more balanced tuning.

Resolution:

Although resolution is better than Z:ero’s, it doesn’t come close to a possible MSRP of $119 – I’d rather say the Aero is about in the league as “big manufacturers’” models around/below $50.
Compared to the Z:ero, lows are faster and better controlled, however bass is still somewhat soft, blunt and could have better control. For the price, mids clearly lack details and the driver has some audible distortion - $60 would be a more fitting price for the sound and overall package, so I’d say.

Soundstage:

Soundstage is about the only real highlight I see (/hear) – the displayed imaginary room is quite large, roomy and sounds airy (wherefore it is a clear step up from the Z:ero). The soundstage is about as deep as wide and conveys a good sense of space.
Instrument separation however is only around average.


Conclusion:

The initial idea is good, the implementation of it however is not – the Aero seems like an unfinished product an needs a lot of re-work in terms of tuning to match the price. Compared to the tonal flaws, things like the remote with the rubbery buttons together with the high lowest volume don’t matter much – quite a few things have to be changed in terms of sound so that the Aero sounds halfway natural and realistic with the “Acoustic” modules, and resolution doesn’t match the price at the moment although it is better that Z:ero’s.

44% or 2.2 out of 5 stars.