Acho Reviews (in English & Spanish)

Simgot EA1000 “Fermat”

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Simgot EA1000 “Fermat”

The EA1000 “Fermat” have been sent to me by Simgot in exchange for the publication of my opinions in this review. Simgot have not made any specific requests and I will attempt to be as unbiased as humanly possible in my review.

You can find the official page for the Simgot EA1000 here: SIMGOT official | professional audio brand

As always, this is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

The Simgot EA1000 are by no means a recent release, at least in the terms of IEM releases, which move faster than operating system updates! There are a lot of reviews out there, stretching back to October 2023 and I had already heard some very good things about the EA1000.

As I have said many times in the past, I try to not take much notice of reviews and comments by others when I plan on reviewing something, trying to avoid any expectation biases, but it has been impossible to avoid all mention of these IEMs in the past 6 months or so.

So, while my review may not be as completely free of preconceived expectations, I was still more than interested in trying out the EA1000 when Simgot reached out to offer the chance.

Now this is not the first set of Simgot IEMs that have been across my desk and my opinions of the previous models I have reviewed have been similar across the board, great performers but not my personal taste.

In the case of the EA1000, we again have a similar tuning to some of the previous models I tried from the brand, although with some minor tweaks. Here the choice has been a a single 10mm dynamic driver paired with a 6mm passive radiator, which is located on the inside of the shell facing the ear.

I really don’t need to go into much more as far as specs and background, as there are already many reviews out there that have covered them, so let’s get on with my usual format.

Presentation…

The packaging of the EA1000 consists of a purple outer cover that refers to Fermat’s Last Theorem on the cover. On the back, in the usual Simgot style, we get three frequency graphs that show the tuning of the IEMs with each of the included nozzles. As the side of the graphs it shows what these tunings are targeted as, along with mentioning which nozzles to pick for each of them.

From the side of the cover, an internal black box pulls out that is presented in a way that is nicely different from so many othe presentations. Instead of a lift off lid, there is a top card (that also references Fermat) that lifts forwards in a sort of origami folded fashion and reveals a copper coloured business card showing Fermat’s Last Theorem and a QR code on the back that can be scanned to extend the warranty period of the IEMs. There is a lot of other text on this top card layer, such as an explanation of the Theorem, which makes it look elegant and much more to the eye than a simple cover.

Folding this top cover to one side, we are greeted by the IEMs sitting in their respective cutouts at the top. Towards the bottom of the box there are two smaller boxes, one for the storage case and another for accessories. Then, finally, underneath the IEM layer, we find another accessory box inside which there are 6 sets of silicone tips (in 3 sizes, 2 of each) and the user manual.

In total, as far as contents, we get the IEMs, the cable, 6 sets of tips, a storage/transport case, 3 sets of nozzles and plenty of replacement o-rings for the nozzles.

I find the packaging and presentation of the EA1000 to be nice and elegant, making the unboxing experience something a little different to so many other sets. As always, I applaud companies that come up with their own twists on something as simple as packaging, without going overboard and using tons of plastics. In this case, except for the plastic bag containing the o-rings, all the packaging is cardboard and has a nice premium feel to it (as far as cardboard goes of course).

Build and aesthetics…

The shells of the IEMs are completely metal, except for the white faceplate that features a subtle design to the background and the Simgot logo in a coppery rose gold colour. I have to say that I think the IEMs look very elegant and discrete, with just enough going on to stand out.

On the inside of the shell, there is a passive radiator which is covered with a grille that is also a coppery gold colour. There is a metal and and center over the grille where Simgot have opted to put the L and R to identify the size and, once again, I think it is very tastefully done.

The cable is in a matching silver colour, with silver hardware, and just a gold coloured chin slider that is less coppery in colour than the other rose gold accents but still looks good. The cable seems to be of decent quality and I have had no complaints about using it paired with the IEMs. There is no balanced option included but that is not unusual.

The included storage/transport case is also of good quality, in a grey colour with a flip up lid and magnetic closure. Inside the case there is also some elastic on the lid and a pocket on the bottom to serve as organization. The case is plenty big enough to store the IEMs along with any accessories you may need.

As far as comfort, I do find them to be comfortable although I did have issues getting a good seal, even when opting for the largest size of included tips. I did get a seal, just that it took a little more work to get them seated correctly.

As a whole, I find everything to be of good build quality and have elegant aesthetics, so absolutely no complaints from me here.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As said a moment ago, there are three sets of nozzles included with the IEMs, each providing a slightly different tuning. The differences between the tunings are not huge but they are very noticeable, enough to prefer one over the other depending on preferences.

While the 2 sets of silver nozzles do have different coloured o-rings, red and black, the set with black o-rings has a foam filter located inside the nozzle, which is why I have referred to “Silver” (the ones with the red o-rings) and “Silver with filter” (the ones with red o-rings). For brevity, I am going to refer to them as G (Gold), SwF (Silver with filter) and S (Silver), throughout the review.

Here is the frequency graph of the 3 tunings in relation to my usual preference target:

As you can see, the differences are not a lot but they are certainly enough to differentiate between them when listening.

While the bass ranges (and mids) are almost identical between the three nozzles, the change in the upper minds and treble is enough to reduce focus on the lower ranges depending on which nozzles are chosen.

So, starting off with the subbass range, and with a focus on “Chameleon”, the G nozzles do rumble but not excessively. There is more of a focus on the midbass here than on the subbass. Moving to the SwF nozzles, there is a more noticeable rumble, even if the graph may not indicate a very noticeable difference in these ranges. This is due to the reduced upper peaks that allow the focus to be placed more on the lower end. With the S nozzles, the rumble is slightly less than the SwF but it is not a huge difference.

Moving over to “No Sanctuary Here”, the midbass with the G nozzles is clean and controlled, with clean hits that are fairly impressive. Swapping over to the SwF nozzles, the midbass is maybe not quite as clean sounding as the G but it is much more enjoyable in general. With the S nozzles, the midbass is slightly tamer sounding than with the SwF but still sounds a little less clean than with the G nozzles. The presentation with the S nozzles is nice but I do find the SwF presentation preferable to my ears.

Testing out the midbass for fatigue, using “Crazy” as always to judge any excessive reverb in the guitars lower notes, I found that with the G nozzles the midbass in not overly boosted and takes a bit of a back seat to the upper mids. It is not fatiguing in the midbass but the upper mids are too present and a little harsh, although not terrible, it is mostly noticeable in the moving of fingers on strings. Here the SwF nozzles give us a midbass that is still not fatiguing, although there is noticeably more presence of the reverb than with the G. Vocals are less harsh but there are still touches of sibilance. With the S nozzles, we are sort of mid way between G and SwF as far as midbass is concerned, although the upper ranges are slightly harsher and with touches of sibilance similar to the G.

Smooth Operator” is a fairly well produced track and has a decent balance in general but with the G nozzles, I do find it to be lacking a bit of bass presence and warmth to the vocals. With the SwF nozzles there is more presence in the bass and a warmer tonality in general, although vocals do take a slight step backwards. With the S nozzles, we have a similar story as with the G, the track loses some bass presence and warmth in general.

Looking at something a little busier, such as “The Room” by Ostura, the G nozzles do a good job of providing detail and separation of instruments, even with the busier parts of the track. With the SwF, the separation of instruments is not as impressive but the overall sound is much more pleasurable, less thin and more authoritative. With the S nozzles, the detail is more upfront but the track is thinner overall and harsher in its presentation.

Staying with something in a similar genre, “Killing in the Name” does sound a little thin with the G nozzles. Moving to the SwF nozzles, Rage Against The Machine starts to sound like I expect Rage to sound, with more authority to bass and guitars, less harshness and fuller sounding overall. The S nozzles bring a similar experience to the G nozzles, seeming a little thin and, in this case, a bit harsher in the higher guitar notes.

Something a little more acoustical, in this case “Free Fallin’”, I find the G nozzles to be a little thin sounding due to the upper mid forwardness. With the SwF nozzles, the guitar sounds more realistic, with vocals that are not quite as present but smoother and more enjoyable. The S nozzles sound a little more detailed than the SwF, with vocals a little more upfront but not quite as smooth.

Focusing on vocals, male in this case, “These Bones” has nice balance of vocals with the G nozzles although those upper mids remove some warmth from the bass focused vocals. With the SwF nozzles, there is more body to those low vocals, with a more smoothed out presentation. With the S nozzles, things are a little more detail focused but again lose a bit of warmth in those lower vocals.

With female vocals, in this case “Strange Fruit”, the G nozzles provide a good separation of layers but are missing some body to the vocals. The SwF nozzles are not quite as detailed in the nuances but provide more body to the voices and are a preferable, to me, presentation. The layers are not quite as separated but, again to me, it is worth it. The S nozzles bring back more focus to the details but again present us with a harsher experience.

Finally, as a last track I am going to mention as this review seems to be much longer than I anticipated, “La Luna”, a binaural recording. With the G nozzles, the space is decent but there is not a huge amount of depth to the rear. The SwF nozzles presenta a similar story, maybe even slightly more compact, whereas the S nozzles do present themselves as the most spacious of the three, with more depth and better separation of instruments and positioning.

Conclusion…

The Simgot EA1000 “Fermat” is a set of IEMs that aims to give you a lot for a price that, while not the cheapest, is still very fair. We get a nice presentation, an excellent build, decent accessories and good looks.

We also get three different tunings to choose from. While the tunings may not look that different on paper, they are certainly different enough to the ear to clearly pick one as a preference above the others. In my case, my preference lies with the “Silver with filter” nozzles, which, while not focusing on presenting detail as much as the other two, have a slightly rounder and more relaxed sound to them. Now, this is actually surprising to me as, looking at the graph, I would have expected the SwF nozzles to have the harsher presentation of the 3, due to the more elevated peaks around 2.5k and 5k, knowing that I am extremely sensitive to 5k. However, that is what my ears, or my brain, tell me, so who am I to argue?

However, I have to say once more that, although I cannot say that the EA1000 are not a great set of IEMs, they certainly are, I just don’t find myself in love with any of the three tunings.

I don’t think that the EA1000 are a set of IEMs that will please those who want a bassier, more laid back, signature. Nor will they be a good option for those who are sensitive to boosts in the upper ranges but, for those who do like a little spice up top, they are certainly worth checking out.


As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

10 Likes

That was my thought too. I sort of knew it when I saw the graphs, but my ears confirmed it. I rarely enjoy stuff with pinna that steep, or early. The EA1000 eases up by 3K, but the damage is already done at that point.

3 Likes

FiR Audio Electron 10 & Electron 12

Last week I published the following on my blog (and YouTube) but due to being completely absorbed by a project (work) until today, I haven’t had time to upload this anywhere else. Better late than never I guess…

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - FiR Audio E10 & E12

Today I am looking at not one but two sets of FiR Audio IEMs. The Electron 10 and the Electron 12 have been sent to me as part of a tour organized by FiR Audio.

The conditions of the tour were that each participant would get to spend 5 business days with the IEMs and then pass them on to the next participant. There have been no specific requests, I don’t think that even a review was requested from participants, and as the time frame is rather short, I decided I would share my opinions on both sets at once and be a little briefer than my usual review format.

My usual set up is that I spend at least a week with each set of IEMs (or headphones etc.) in normal day to day use and then sit down and do specific detailed listening tests before putting my review together. While I can usually get a good feeling for a set of IEMs with a lot less time, I do find that my feelings towards something may change with day to day use, sometimes liking things more and other times liking them less.

In this case, I have basically been switching back and forth between the two sets for a few days and then done a more detailed listening test. Therefore, my opinions are based on this brief period and it is possible that my feelings would change if using them for a longer period.

As usual, here are a couple of non-affiliate links…

FiR Audio Electron 10 official page: e10 - Fir Audio

FiR Audio Electron 12 official page: e12 - Fir Audio

Thread where the tour was organized on Head-Fi: FiR Audio E10 & E12 Tour | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

FiR Audio and the Electron IEMs…

For those who don’t know FiR Audio, I don’t blame you as I am not exactly versed on them either. I have seen the name around the forums and read a few positive impressions on some of their sets but that is about the limit of my knowledge.

The brand was actually founded in 2018 by 3 guys who had plenty of experience in the IEM world, having worked for 64 Audio. They have made no effort to hide that they aim at designing high end IEMs, along with some interesting products to help with the maintenance of IEMs.

The Electron series, comprising of the Electron 10 (E10) and Electron 12 (E12) are their cheaper options, coming in at just under $1300 and $1800 respectively. That is for the universal models, as they are also available, as are all their models, as custom fit models.

The E10 features a single 10mm dynamic driver with tactile bass technology and an impedance of 16 Ohms. The E12 follows the same specifications except for the use of a 12mm driver, as the name would imply.

Both models also use the ATOM venting technology along with Flex fit canals. Another interesting thing about them is that they use what FiR calls SwapX assembly and face plates. In the case of the faceplate, it is easily removable (held on with a magnet) and can be replaced by the user. For the SwapX assembly, it is related to the faceplate removal as, under the faceplate, there are 3 screws that allow the IEM to be opened and easily serviced (although I haven’t removed any screws for obvious reasons). This is a way of being able to repair the IEMs if the need should arise.

One thing about these IEMs is that they use simple 2 pin connectors rather than the proprietary RCX connector that FiR uses on other models. This is something that I am sure a lot of people will appreciate.

In general, the IEMs are well built and I find them very comfortable, although, with the shorter than usual nozzles, I do find myself needing to opt for a larger size of tips than usual. During my tests I used the large size of the included silicone tips (foams are also included). I did find that, with the E10, there was a bit of driver flex when inserting them upon getting a good seal but that is only upon insertion, I didn’t notice it with the E12.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As I haven’t really done the extensive listening with the E10 and E12 that I usually do, I am going to abbreviate this section and just give my opinion on each with 5 specific songs, similar to what I have done with other models in the past when focusing on EQ options etc. I have picked these 5 songs from my test track list as I feel that they cover different styles and can show the strengths and weaknesses of an IEM pretty well.

I have also not had much chance to go through multiple sources with these IEMs, at least not in depth. I will say that they are very easy to drive, not needing much in the way of power from any of the sources I did use. Mainly I have used the iFi Gryphon (although I did spend some time with the Aune Yuki) and a setting of around 50 (depending on the track) was enough for my usual listening levels, with anything over 60 starting to be too loud for my personal preferences.

So, on to the music and starting off with something that focuses on the rumbling subbass and can make IEMs suffer, you can probably all guess that I am going to use “Chameleon” by Trentemoller.

Here the E10 is very clean, without any loss of control in the lowest notes. There is enough rumble for me to appreciate the track but I would say that it is more on the “polite” side than the “bassy” side. The rhythm is clean and the other sounds are all easily appreciated, without anything becoming muddy or lost.

With the E12 there is much more of a noticeable presence in the lower subbass, with a more pronounced rumble than on the E10. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it is a bass head rumble but you certainly get a feeling for what the track is about. The upper ranges are still present although it does seem to make the minds seem far more recessed on the larger set.

Moving on to something that I use to judge the midbass, “Crazy” by Daniella Andrade is a track that is quick to make me nauseaus when midbass is excessive and not well controlled. The low end of the guitar has a reverb that can become very boomy and make me want to stop listening almost immediately. Some sets of IEMs can also add sibilance and harshness to her vocals in the higher ranges, although this is not as common as the excessive boomyness.

The E10 does seem to put a bit of emphasis on that low end reverb yet it is kept clean and under control, saving me from the fatigue that I can quickly experience if things are kept tight when slightly elevated. There is a slight hint of sibilance to the vocals of Daniella, not terrible but noticeable. Harshness is not really an issue, although her voice can seem a little thin on occasions. I will say that the details are pretty impressive and are not drowned out by that midbass, even though it is boosted.

The E12 seems to have a very similar presentation in the midbass, maybe even a little more subdued to my ears, mainly because of the upper mids and higher ranges being much more pronounced. Here I really do notice a harshness and sharpness to the vocals, with the 2.5kHz and especially the 5kHz peaks making the track rather uncomfortable for me.

Now using something to focus more on vocals, layering and detail, I like “Strange Fruit”, due to the multiple layers of vocals with small nuances that can easily blend together.

I again find, as with “Crazy”, that with the E10 vocals can be slightly thin and with a hint of sibilance. There is decent separation between the vocal layers but I don’t find them to have as much body as I would like. The dip in the midrange takes away some of the lower warmth of Dominique’s voice, leaving it to be a little more focused on the the higher ranges and a specific boost in the 5kHz that I can’t say I am a huge fan of.

With “Strange Fruit” on the E12, details are easier to appreciate but once again, those upper peaks make the focus of the vocals rather harsh and uncomfortable. Separation between the layers is better but the overall presentation of the track isn’t.

Still focusing on spaciousness but more about the separation of instruments and their placement in the whole soundstage, rather than the spacing between layers on the previous track, I find “La Luna” to be a nice binaural recording that gives me a sensation of how the soundstage is actually laid out.

In the case of the E10, I find that instruments are nicely placed, mostly where I would expect them to be after listening to this track on so many different systems. I wouldn’t say that the soundstage is huge but it is larger than what I find to be average on IEMs, with a decent separation, easily portraying the location of the individual instruments.

Moving over to the E12, there is an even larger sensation of space than with the E10. Instruments have the same positioning as on the smaller set but spread out a little more, not a huge amount but certainly noticeable.

Finally, something a little more upbeat and pop, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers. This track is a typical modern recording of a pop track that doesn’t really suffer from being overly compressed, like many other modern recordings do.

With the E10, the first thing I noticed was how the midbass is punchy and much more pronounced that I found it to be on the other tracks I have mentioned so far. Again I find that the dip in the midrange takes away a little body from the vocals, while being pushed forwards by the peaks in the upper minds and treble regions. As I have said many times in the past, I am sensitive to 5kHz peaks and with this track, I found that the E10’s peak in that range was much more pronounced than with other simpler acoustic tracks. In fact, I found the upper ranges to be quite peaky and uneven in general with this track (and other similar recordings).

Playing the same song with the E12, there is more impact to the lower registers, still being punchy but with more emphasis. The problem here is that the issues noticed on the E10 are exaggerated on the E12. There is a definite dip in the centre but the upper peaks are very noticeable to my ears, most of all the 5kHz. Of course, being sensitive to 5k, it is normal that it would stand out to me but I just find that it even makes the track seem a little distorted in the higher regions. It is not actually distorted, it is just my ears (and brain) not being able to process it correctly and giving me that harsh sensation that could even be painful with tracks that are boosted in these regions.

And I just realized that I haven’t shared the graph, so before moving on to the conclusion, here it is:

This will give you an idea of the peaks I was referring to.

Conclusion…

I can’t really say that I am in love with either of the two models. Personally I would choose the Electron 10 over the Electron 12, as I find that the E12 can become a lat harsher than the E10 in those upper ranges. To be honest, the peaks are very similar on both of them but the more pronounced dip in the midrange makes the peaks far more apparent to my ear on the E12.

The E12 does have better subbass, well, maybe better is not the correct term as both have decent subbass, it is just a little more present on the E12, but the upper peaks make the focus move towards the higher end and it actually comes across as having less midbass.

Detail wise they are both good, not groundbreaking but good nonetheless, and the spaciousness of the presentations is also very good, I just can’t get on with the overall tuning of these two sets of IEMs.

I would love to get my ears on one of their other sets at some point to see if the tuning choices are a brand thing or just this particular line of IEMs.

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For those who speak español, this can be found in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

4 Likes

Kefine Delci

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Kefine Delci

The Kefine Delci have been sent to me by Kefine for me to try them out and to share my opinions in this review. Kefine have not made any requests and, as usual, I will attempt to be as unbiased as humanly possible.

I was going to post the official page of the Delci, as usual, but looking around it seems that it is available from many retailers. I mention the price of 55€ in my review but it is available are various prices from various places, so I suggest you look around and pick the deal that interests you the most.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

This is not the first set of IEMs that I have reviewed from Kefine, although they are still a new brand, with the Delci being only their second set of IEMs (as far as I am aware). Their first set, the Klanar, is a planar set that I reviewed in November last year. I said that, while the Klanar wasn’t my favourite tuning, there was no doubt that they had done a good job with their first entry into the market.

The Delci moves away from the planar driver and opts for a 10mm dynamic driver that combines DLC and PU. Priced at just over 50€, 55€ to be exact, it falls only just outside my ultra budget limit buy only by 5€, so I would still consider it to be a very well priced IEM.

So, how have Kefine done with their second set? Let’s find out.

Presentation…

As far as packaging, there is very little difference between this model and the Klanar, which comes in at almost twice the price. The outer sleeve is black instead of white but still features an image of the IEM, with some basic specs on the back.

Opening the simple black box that slides out from the sleeve reveals content that us also very similar to the previous model. The IEMs sitting in a simple piece of foam and a storage case underneath that contains the cable and 6 extra sets of tips (so 7 in total) in 2 core sizes.

As with the Klanar, the presentation of the Delci is nothing special but it is half the price of the previous model so I have no complaints.

Build and aesthetics…

As far as build and aesthetics, we again find they are very similar to the planar model. In this case we get gunmetal grey shells rather than black, and there is a slightly more pronounced elevation to where the simple Kefine lettering sits in the center.

The cable also opts for gunmetal grey hardware and connectors, this time in metal rather than plastic in the case of the Klanar.

In general, I find the IEMs to be simple but very well built and extremely comfortable. I literally put them in my ears with the tips that were already on them and they instantly felt great.

I actually feel that these are a step up from the Klanar, which is great news at the price!

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

I first placed the Delci in my ears one afternoon in the office while listening to some blues, acoustic jazz and other simple relaxed music. I was immediately surprised by how much I liked what I was hearing. Things were relaxed yet detailed, smooth and warm but not dark, just a very nice listen.

I could honestly stop there and say that I really like these IEMs but I did my usual stint of using them for 5 days or so before moving on to my test track list and looking for specific points of good or bad, so I guess I will be a little more in depth than that :wink:

Before moving on, here is the frequency response in comparison to my usual preference graph:

I really am glad that I listen to things before measuring them as, looking at the graph above, I would have immediately thought that they were dark and bassy, yet that is not the case.

Don’t get me wrong, they are certainly not bright and bass thin, but the warm smoothness that they offer doesn’t make me feel like it is missing detail and treble.

In the subbass region, I of course put them through my “Chameleon” test, which brought back quite a bit of rumble, making the track sound pretty impressive, but what was more impressive was that it managed to do so without becoming out of control or overshadowing the remaining frequencies too much. It is not the most subbass I have heard, nor is it the most balanced outcome that can be achieved with this track, but it is certainly not a bad rendition of the craziness that “Chameleon” can be.

With “Sun Is Shining”, there is a little too much in the lower ranges in comparison to the upper ranges, yet it is not something that I immediately dislike. In fact, I found it quite a pleasant and relaxed listen, with maybe a bit too much in the bass department but doing a good job of controlling it.

No Sanctuary Here” gives me a similar impression to “Sun Is Shining”, where I would not say that the Delci presents the track in the way I would consider my favourite, but even with that emphasis on the bass, it makes for a bassy electronic listen that I don’t find as tiring as I usually do with this kind of reproduction.

In my midbass fatigue test, I do find “Crazy” to have a little too much boom in that low end of the guitar but not enough to make me feel fatigued, meaning that it does a good job of both controlling the midbass, with good detail, and not bleeding into the lower mids too much.

In fact, I find that the midbass throughout the mids is the highlight of these IEMs. I spent a lot of time enjoying the Delci with a lot of blues and other electric guitar focused music and found the overall tonality to be very nicely presented. It is maybe missing some of the crunch that you would get on sets with a more present upper minds/lower treble range, but it does not lack detail and gives a great smoothness to the guitars that I find very enjoyable.

Vocals may be a little further back that usual but they are by no means absent and they have a great body and smoothness to them. For example, “Dreamin’” puts quite a bit of emphasis on the low end with the vocals not being the centre of attention but it does work well and presents a very relaxed sound that does not come across as anything being lost, just presented in a smoother way.

This presentation also works well for tracks that were a little too bright in their original recording and maybe missing a little warmth to the bass. “Walking On The Moon” by The Police makes the bass, and track in general, a lot more pleasurable than usual, although Sting is pushed back slightly more than I would prefer. This may not be the best for balancing the vocals against the music but it certainly helps get rid of the harshness that is present in this recording.

While the signature is not something that focuses on details, it also doesn’t give the impression of details missing, the driver does a great job of presenting them in a more subdued way.

In fact, my only complaint would be a peak that appears in the treble ranges that can sometimes coincide with cymbals and other metallic high pitched sounds, making them a little harsh on occasions. This is not a regular occurrence, at least I haven’t found it to be, but sometimes the percussion on a track will just find this peak and suddenly stand out against a very smooth track otherwise.

Don’t think that this is something that puts me off the Delci, it is not like they are sibilant or harsh at all, just that peak that sometimes pops up and says high, sort of bringing me out of the trance into which these IEMs seem to place me.

Conclusion…

The Delci are a set of IEMs that have a musicality that I never thought I wanted, until placing them in my ears and just finding great pleasure from listening to them. They are not a set that makes details stand out, yet they are detailed. They are not shy on bass, yet they are not overpowering. They don’t make vocals the center of attention, yet vocals don’t get lost. They are just a very musical set of IEMs.

As I mentioned in the sound section, I found these to be an absolute pleasure for a lot of blues recording, especially those that are a little older and can be harsh and lacking a bit of warmth in the bass. The add body and warmth yet sound very natural doing it. They don’t sound like they are boosting the bass, they sound like they are smoothing it but without losing definition.

These are not a sound signature that I see people specifically asking for, yet I do see them as a sound signature that people will enjoy if they just sit back and listen to them. Yes, there is that peak that can make an appearance at times, but I really can’t find myself complaining about anything else.

While I found the Klanar to be a good first try by Kefine, I think that the Delci are a win, especially at the price point they come in at. They will obviously not be everybody’s taste as far as sound signature, they aren’t even my taste as sound signature, but I think they are a great set to have on hand when you just want to relax.

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As always, this review can be found in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

7 Likes

Jialai Carat

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Jialai Carat

The Jialai Carat have been sent to me by the brand, which is part of NiceHCK, in exchange for my impressions. I have received no requests or comments and, as always, I will do my very best to be as unbiased as possible.

You can find a non-affiliate link to the Jialai Carat here by visiting the version of this review published on my blog.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

Jialai is a new brand in the world of IEMs and is a sister brand of NiceHCK, a brand that has been around for quite some time. The Carat is the first model and opts for a single 10mmm titanium coated DLC driver, coming in at around 65€, depending on where you purchase from.

They are stated as being tuned to the IE2019 frequency curve, something that they say will ensure enhanced clarity for vocals and a smooth overall presentation.

So, how does the Carat perform amongst the masses of budget focused IEMs that are available on the market?

Presentation…

I have to say that the presentation is pretty impressive for a set that is slightly over what I would consider ultra-budget.

Arriving in a silver coloured flip top box, the front simply shows the brand and model, while the back shares some basic specs about the model.

Flipping open the top reveals the very shiny IEMs sitting in their foam cutouts, underneath which we find a storage/transport case along with the cable, a basic user manual and 9 sets of silicone tips in 3 different styles.

It is not that we are receiving out of the ordinary but it is nice to see the inclusion of a selection of tips along with a case that is of decent quality.

There really is nothing to complain about in regards to packaging or amount of accessories.

Build and aesthetics…

The shells are made from CNC machined aluminium and have a mirror like finish to them. While this makes them look shiny and impressive when opening the box, the finish will collect more fingerprints than CSI Miami. The positive side is that they clean very easily with a microfiber cloth but, unless you are going to wear gloves, it is almost impossible to keep them looking as shiny as they do out of the box.

The build is good and they are nice and light for a full metal build, however, due to the short nozzles, the fit is not very deep, meaning I needed to opt for a larger size of tips that I would usually. I ended up opting for the yellow core tips from the included sets, which is a large size, and once I placed them in my ears with these tips, the result is very comfortable.

While the IEMs are well built and have nice aesthetics, I can’t say the same for the included cable. The cable has a very plastic feel to it and is rather rigid, keeping the folds and kinks that it came with (from being wrapped in the box) even after using it for almost a week. The cable does function and does it’s job but, knowing that NiceHCK make some decent cables, it would have been nice to include something a little better than what we get with the Carat.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

Before starting with my subjective impressions, here is the graph of the Carat in relation to my usual preference curve:

As always, the preference curve is just as a guide, it is not a rule that means I will like or dislike a product.

Starting off with the subbass and my obligatory “Chameleon” test, there is presence but the quality is not the best nor is it the cleanest. This is mainly due to a large presence of midbass that seems to fusion with the subbass and create a low end that is not very defined.

While there is too much midbass for my personal preference, using “Crazy” as my usual fatigue test, the quality of the midbass is actually not too bad. I don’t find the midbass overly fatiguing but I think that the driver seems to struggle a little with subbass, which, when added to the midbass boost, creates a rather unfocused low end.

This is again noticeable with “No Sanctuary Here”, where the low end just seems to struggle for clarity, something that seems to clean up as soon as we remove subbass from the equation.

As we move into the midrange, there is quite a noticeable dip in the mids which makes certain vocals and instruments get a little lost in their midrange when the track has a decent amount of low end (especially subbass). With simpler tracks, this doesn’t become an issue but with bassy and busy tracks, this does not help.

Moving into the upper ranges, the tuning is decent but can come across a little hot on occasions. I wouldn’t have thought this based on the graph but to my ears, certain songs do suddenly become a little spicy.

This is less apparent when the low end is busy but then that accentuates the V shaped tuning, making the dip in the midrange more apparent. So it solves one but creates another.

Conclusion…

It is great to see new contenders in the budget focused IEM world, yet the Jialai Carat doesn’t quite do it for me. While the build is great, except for the cable, and the tuning is something that I can see a lot of people liking, I just find that the performance doesn’t really stand out as being brilliant.

That low end can suffer quite a bit when there is a presence of both subbass and midbass, making things come across as poorly defined, but even when there isn’t a lot of low end in the mix, they still don’t come across as overly detailed.

I am not really saying these are a bad set of IEMs, it wasn’t long ago that they would have been pretty impressive, I just don’t think that they are great at anything in particular and really don’t have much going on that would make me pick them over quite a few other options in this price bracket.

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As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

7 Likes

Effect Audio X Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim Noir

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Effect Audio x Elysian Pilgrim Noir

The Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim Noir have been sent to me to try out and to share my impressions. I have not received any requests and I will do my very best to be as unbiased as humanly possible.

You can find the official Elysian Acoustic Labs website here: https://elysianacousticlabs.com/

However, the Pilgrim Noir can be found on the Effect Audio website here: Earphones

As always, the above links are non-affiliate.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

I have never had the chance to get to hear anything from Elysian in the past, although I have heard plenty about Elysian. Most of what I have heard is that the audio quality is great but the time frame for production not so much. However, it does seem, at least from what I have read, that this has improved dramatically recently.

In this case, Elysian has partnered with Effect Audio to present the Pilgrim Noir, an “upgraded” version of the Pilgrim which has also been released by Elysian, at the same time, as its own model.

Well, from not having heard any Elysian product, I have gone to being lucky enough to receive both the Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Noir, two of their more budget focused sets, and I was eager to finally get to hear what they are capable of, even at a reduced price point.

As I had to choose one to start with, I decided on the Noir, so you will not find me comparing it to the regular version in this review. Just to put things into perspective, the Noir is priced at just over 700€, while the regular version comes in at around half that price.

Build and aesthetics…

You will have noticed that I have skipped the packaging and contents, that is because I didn’t receive any. In fact, the Noir arrived in a simple plastic bag, with a very thin layer of foam around it, inside a plastic FedEx bag.

So, if you want unboxing experiences, you will need to wait for my regular Pilgrim review, as all I got in this case was the IEMs and the cable, not even any sets of tips or even a brown cardboard box :blush:

Anyhow, the IEMs… I know I said that I wasn’t going to compare the two models, and I am not, but as far as build and aesthetics, the only difference is in the colour. I haven’t really paid much attention to the regular version yet but at a glance, the regular version is silver, while the Noir version is… well… noir.

The external shell is made of aluminium, with 3D printed internal cavities that contain 4 drivers in a hybrid configuration. A 9.2mm LSR dynamic driver takes care of the low end, 2x Sonion balanced armatures take care of the mid range and a Knowles balanced armature takes care of the highs.

The IEMs are on the larger side and that, coupled with slightly shorter nozzles, does mean that I had to opt for a large size in tips. Speaking of tips, I used the Spinfit tips that are included with the regular version for this review.

The included cable is the Eros S:NOIR cable by Effect Audio, which is a very nice cable. I am not the biggest fan of the heat shrink used for the ear hooks but they are more comfortable than they look and the cable in general gives off a premium feel.

In fact, the combination of IEMs and cable give off a premium feel, feeling well built and with aesthetics that are simple but not at all offensive.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

Ok, so the important part, how does the Noir sound?

Well, to cut a long story short, the overall signature is quite relaxed yet it does not come across as missing detail or clarity.

As usual, before getting into my thoughts with my specific test track list, here is the graph of the Noir in comparison to my usual preference target for reference:

As can be seen in the graph, the frequency response deviates quite a bit from what I would consider my preference, however, as I have said many times in the past, my preference target is not a rule as to what I will or I won’t like, it is just a general reference guide.

Getting to my usual test track list and detailed listening, let’s start off with the track I always start off with for subbass, “Chameleon” by Trentemoller. There is plenty of low end rumble in the track, yet it is kept clean and defined, not seeming to lose any control of those low notes. It is a bit elevated for my personal preferences and I feel that this could even satisfy the bass heads out there (maybe not the most extreme ones) but it doesn’t seem to be loose or flabby at any point during the track. The upper ranges of this track do take a backseat to the lower ranges, which is to be expected based on the FR and the track in general.

Moving to “No Sanctuary Here”, the overall presentation is of a bassy track with a slight emphasis on that lower end that does cast some shadow on the upper ranges, with the vocals taking a step back. In my personal opinion, I would like just a touch more clarity in this track, just a bit more light on the vocals and the bending of the guitar chords, yet the backing vocals and the low end sound great.

Now, moving into something with less subbass presence and more of a focus on midbass, “Crazy” by Daniela Andrade is my usual pick for judging excessive presence of these frequencies. I have to say that, when I first hit play on this track, the opening bars made me think that it was going to be fatiguing to me in the midbass range, yet, when the vocals kicked in, there was an overall balance to the track that I find very pleasurable. With many sets I find that this track is either overly bloated in the reverb of the lower guitar ranges, or overly hot in the upper ranges on Daniela’s vocals, with the Noir, these seem to balance out nicely.

With “Elephants On Ice Skates”, I once again found that the intro seemed to be a little “off”, coming across as a little dull and lacking some bite to the bass plucks, yet, as with “Crazy”, when the whole track started to play, it became much more balanced and offered a very relaxed yet detailed presentation. All instruments were easily separated but none seemed “too much”.

Moving through a pretty balanced midrange, as we get to the higher mids, this is where we find a little bit of a step back in presence. It is a little bit strange as, when things are isolated, for example the solo part of the vocals in “Human (acoustic)”, they seem to be a little distant and lacking a bit of clarity, yet, when they come back into the mix with the instruments, they don’t get lost. These are certainly not vocal forward in their presentation, in fact, they are lacking presence in vocals if anything, yet they still manage to be clear when the vocals are mixed with the music.

There is no sense of sibilance at all, with Patricia Barber even sitting around a -2 or -3 on my non-scientific scale of -12 to +12 in “Code Cool”, the same with other tracks that are prone to sibilance, they are subdued and do not become harsh at any point.

As far as details, these IEMs are not something that I would say are focused on details, yet they manage to present everything in a coherent manner. There is a nice separation between layers, such as in the vocals of “Strange Fruit”, there is a nice sensation of space in the binaural recording of “La Luna”, and they don’t become blurry with busier tracks like “The Room”.

Conclusion…

The Pilgrim Noir leave me with a strange sensation. When listening to isolated parts of tracks, I would say that they are a little dull and missing some sparkle. Yet, when listening to tracks in their whole, at least the majority of them, they do not come across this way.

Yes, they are a laid back presentation, without really being exciting in any way, yet they are so easy and relaxing to listen to that I really enjoy using them. They manage to keep things clean and clear but also rounded and pushed back at the same time.

If you are looking for something that pushes details and clarity at you, then I don’t think that the Noir are something that will fit, yet, if you are looking for something that allows you to relax and just enjoy the music without feeling that anything is missing, then they are most certainly worth a listen.

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As always, this review is available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

4 Likes

Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV

The Tangzu X HBB Xuan NV have been sent to me by Linsoul for me to try them out and to publish my opinions in this review. Linsoul have not made any requests, they never do, and I will do my usual best to be as unbiased as possible in my review.

You can find a direct link to the Tangzu X HBB Xuan NV via Linsoul by visiting the version of this review published on my blog (www.achoreviews.com)

As always, it is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

Can anyone say for sure how many collaborations HBB has? Can HBB even name them all without looking them up? I know that I lost track many moons ago :grin:

Seriously though, I don’t think HBB or his collaborations need any introduction at this point in time and the Xuan NV is his latest (or maybe not?) with the brand Tangzu, who he already collaborated with in the past. While I didn’t get to listen to the Heyday, his previous Tangzu collab, I do know that there were plenty of people who enjoyed it. This time, we have moved from the planar in the Heyday to a dual dynamic driver in the Xuan NV and the price has also dropped from 190€ to around 70€ for this model.

We are used to collaborations from HBB being very different from previous models, so, what do we get with the Xuan NV?

Presentation…

Tangzu have a habit of using classic looking artwork on their packaging and the Xuan NV is no different, with a box cover that is still anime inspired but more traditional in its intent. The reference to HBB is also quite subtle, with just his logo appearing on the bottom right corner, without further reference to him on the packaging. The back of the packaging shares some basic specs of the IEMs and plenty of QR codes to scan.

Opening the box we get the IEMs, a pouch style storage case, 6 sets if Tang Sancai tips (3x balanced and 3x wide), plus a set of simple white silicone tips installed and the cable. Nothing extraordinary but plenty to allow us to enjoy the IEMs.

Build and aesthetics…

The shells are 3D printed in medical grade resin, with a transparent red colour to them and gold design on the faceplate to represent a butterfly wing on each IEM. If you look very closely, you will see HBB in lettering on one wing and Tangzu on the other, although you will have to look very very closely, as it is very hard to make out.

The internals contain 2x dynamic drivers, one 10mm ceramic and the other an 8mm PU+LCP. The overall impedance of these drivers is quite low, 8.5 Ohms, but so is the sensitivity at 98dB. I have found that these IEMs do need quite a bit of power to get them to my usual listening levels, so those of you who listen loud (the majority listen louder than me), will need to make sure you have a decent dongle or amplifier, I don’t suggest trying to run these from a phone.

Overall, the IEMs look decent enough, they are very lightweight and I find them to be comfortable even for long listening sessions.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As I said a moment ago, HBB has a lot of collaborations and also has the habit of each one being different. I am not sure if he is trying to collect tunings like Pokemon but here is a quick recap of the tunings he has had so far (and I am probably missing quite a few):

Well, the Xuan NV manages to find yet another variation in tuning, so call HBB whatever you want but he certainly isn’t boring when it comes to choosing a tuning:

So, to put this into perspective against my usual preference curve that I use as a reference, this is what it looks like:

So let’s start off with “Chameleon” as usual and talk about subbass. There is plenty of rumble for my tastes although it is not the cleanest of low notes that I have heard. By that I don’t mean it does a bad job, far from it, it is controlled but it does seem to blend the subbass notes together slightly when this track is at its fullest. To be honest, it is a brutal test for IEMs anyway, as there is a lot of low end there and the Xuan NV don’t fall apart. I have heard better but I have heard many sets that are much worse.

With something a little less overloaded, like “No Sanctuary Here”, there is more clarity, things don’t suffer quite as much. I still wouldn’t say it is amazing in the lowest notes but it is certainly decent enough. There can be just a little too much going on in “Royals” but if we move to something more midbass focused, such as “Sun Is Shining”, then things get a lot better.

Mids are pretty decent and if we don’t overload the lowest registers, the tonality and performance of the mids is more than acceptable. There is a rather large boost around the 3kHz mark which serves well to counteract the subbass but can leave things a little harsh when we take tracks that are not really bass focused, such as acoustic songs like “Tears in Heaven”.

I find that it works much better for some of the older hip hop tracks that are not overly heavy in the subbass but still have enough in the bass department for the vocals to not be overly harsh due to that 3k boost.

One thing I will say is that there is absolutely no harshness to my ears from that 5kHz region, something that I really appreciate. To me a boosted 3kHz is much more tolerable than a 5kHz peak, although each person is sensitive to different frequencies, so your mileage may vary.

Sibilance is also kept in check, or reduced rather, with no sign of sibilance in the usual suspects like Patricia Barber in “Code Cool”.

The treble extension is not great, with a noticeable roll off that does give a sensation of lacking air. This interacts with the overall signature to present a rather laid back presentation that is not the most detailed.

Conclusion…

I seem to have tried out quite a few IEMs lately that have a “relaxed and laid back” presentation, some more than others. In the case of the Xuan NV, it is an enjoyable set of IEMs for the most part, although I do find it to be lacking detail retrieval in general and it can also become a little overwhelming if we pump overly (sub)bassy music into it.

While I don’t have any specific issues with the Xuan NV, I really don’t find it to stand out above other similar alternatives at similar price points. This is not to say that you won’t enjoy it, if you are looking for a presentation that is of this style, then I think that you will enjoy it, I just feel that there are other alternatives with a similar laid back style that can compete.

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As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

6 Likes

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim

The Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim have been sent to me by HifiGo for me to try them out and to share my opinions in this review. HifiGo have not made any requests and, as always, I will do my very best to be as unbiased as humanly possible in y review.

You can find the Pilgrim via HifiGo here: https://hifigo.com/products/elysian-acoustic-labs-pilgrim

As always, this link is non-affiliate.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

I recently reviewed the Pilgrim Noir, which is a joint venture between Elysian Acoustic Labs and Effect Audio. I actually received both of the models on the same day, from different places, and the only reason that I chose to review the Noir first was because I had to pick one and there seemed to be less info on the Noir out there.

Today I am reviewing what could be considered the “regular” version of the Pilgrim, the one that is simply the Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim, without any additional collaborations. While I did not do any comparisons between the two models in my review of the Noir, because I hadn’t spent time with the Pilgrim yet, I will make some comparisons in this review. To make things easier, I am just going to refer to this model as the Pilgrim and refer to the model I previously reviewed as the Noir, which makes sense and saves me having to type more than necessary!

Straight of the bat, the first comparison is going to be in the price. I did mention in my review of the Noir that the Pilgrim is around half the price. Well, as of today, you can get the Pilgrim from HifiGo for 366€, while the Noir is available on the Effect Audio site for $799, which is approximately 738€. So yes, the Pilgrim is actually less than half the price of the Noir.

However, there are more differences than just the colour, as the drivers used are also different. Where the Noir used 1x LSR DD for the lows, 2x Sonion BA’s for the mids and 1x Knowles BA for the highs, the Pilgrim opts for 3x Sonion BA’s along with the LSR DD, also opting for a 3-way crossover instead of the 4-way on the Noir. Of course, these are just parts and do not make up the whole, which is something we will talk about in the sound section, yet it is worth noting.

As far as other specs that are different, we find that the Noir has a stated impedance of 8.3 Ohms, with a sensitivity of 103dB, whereas the Pilgrim states a 9 Ohm impedance and a sensitivity of 101dB. Honestly, these differences are so minimal that they are not even worth considering. However, we do notice that both have a low impedance, something that is worth considering when choosing a source for these IEMs.

But anyway, enough with the letters and the numbers, let’s take a proper look at the Pilgrim and find out what we are sacrificing by paying less than half of the cost of the Noir.

Presentation…

As the Noir arrived in a plastic bag, the Pilgrim obviously wins in the packaging department :wink: Seriously though, I can’t compare as I have nothing to compare to.

The Pilgrim arrives in a large and simple matte white box with the Elysian logo on the top in silver, a simple silver design also on the top and Pilgrim in silver letters on one side. That is it, simple and elegant.

Removing the lid reveals the IEMs sitting in two cutouts on a raised platform on a recessed tray. Lifting this tray out, a black box is revealed that simply states “Make no compromises”. Inside this box we find the warranty card, a small booklet about the IEMs, a microfiber cloth with the Elysian logo and, I believe, the cable. I say “I believe” because I honestly can’t remember if the cable came in the box or in the storage case which we find below it.

The storage case, which is found at the very bottom of the box is possibly one of the best looking I have received to date. It is in a faux white leather, oval in shape with the Elysian logo in silver on the top, with a hinged lid that reveals a grey lined interior. The case looks great, however, I think the only way it will stay looking great is if we leave it in the box, as the white case will soon not be white anymore if we use it for transporting the IEMs. Inside the storage case we get 3x sized of Spinfit tips and maybe (if it wasn’t in the box) the cable.

I think that the packaging and presentation of the Pilgrim is great. Simple, elegant and well done, my only complaint is about the lack of tip options included. I have to say that the included tips are not my favourite tips with the Pilgrim but, as always, I try to use what is included in the box unless there is a specific reason not to. Therefore, I have used the included Spinfit tips for this review and I also used the same tips for my review of the Noir. I must say that it is very important to make sure a correct seal is obtained.

Build and aesthetics…

I mentioned in the Noir review, one of the only things that I compared, that the only difference between the two models as far as build is the colour. The Noir is black (obviously) and the Pilgrim is a combination of shiny silver and matte silver (aluminium) which works very well to set off the design of the face plate. The centre of the faceplate features the Elysian logo in a raised format, following the 3D effect of the general design, and there are 4 vents on the faceplate, strategically placed in the darker (matte) areas.

Something that I did forget to mention in my review of the Noir is that they both use Pentaconn connectors for the IEMs in place of the more common 2pin or MMCX connectors found on the majority of IEMs. While this will make it more difficult to find replacement cables if you are wanting to, I have to say that I much prefer these connectors. They are much easier to connect and disconnect than MMCX, while still maintaining the swivel possibility, adding to the comfort.

Now, as I have said, both IEMs are identical. This means that I have had the same issues getting a good seal with the Pilgrim as I did with the Noir. This is something that I found easier to solve by using different tips to the ones included, yet, as I said a moment ago, I have used the included Spinfit tips for both reviews. It is possible for me to get a seal with the Spinfits, it just takes a bit of work. When they are seated correctly and I get the seal correct, then I find them comfortable, even if they are not the lightest or smallest of IEMs, but I still prefer to opt for other tips in this case.

The included cable is obviously different from the Effect Audio cable included with the Noir. No, this cable isn’t as nice as the Eros cable, but it is far from terrible. It is quite basic cable, silver in colour with matching matte silver hardware. I am not the biggest fan of the rubberised transparent outer coating but there is no way I could bring myself to say this is a bad or ugly cable. It matches the IEMs very well, it does its job and there is absolutely no sound difference (to my ears or to my measurement rig) if I swap the cable from the Noir to the Pilgrim. Have I seen better cables? Yes of course, but I have also seen much much worse at higher price points.

In general I am a fan of the aesthetics and feel that the build is very good. Personally I prefer the looks of the Pilgrim to the Noir, even though I usually prefer black to silver. But that is obviously a very personal thing and is irrelevant to my review, or the review of anyone else for that matter.

The one issue with the aesthetics is that the shiny silver finish scratched ver easily. I haven’t “babied” these IEMs but I haven’t mistreated them either, I have just used them as I would any other IEM. While the Noir, which has actually had more use (due to me reviewing it first and using it for comparisons during this review), still looks like new, whereas the the Pilgrim does show quite a bit of use in the form of scratches on the shiny part of the faceplate. It’s a shame because I am a fan of the looks of the Pilgrim.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

Ok, the million dollar question, or rather the 372€ question… which sounds best???

Neither.

Both.

Which ice-cream tastes best?

Seriously though, these two IEMs, while they do share a lot of similarities, they are also completely different flavours. There is no best between them. It is a case of which flavour do you prefer.

The Noir is more of a laid back tuning, without becoming overly dark, that doesn’t seem to focus on anything in particular but nothing is really missing.

The Pilgrim is more of a forward tuning, without becoming overly bright, that makes details and separation more apparent than on the Noir, yet doesn’t become overpowering with it.

I could probably just stop there but let’s take a look at the Pilgrim with my test tracks, that is, after the usual look at the graph in comparison to my usual preference curve and the Noir:

We can see from the graph that the Pilgrim is a little closer to my usual preference than the Noir but, as I said in the Noir review and in many other reviews, this preference is by no means a rule as to me liking something more or less, it is just a general reference guide to my usual preferences.

So, starting off with… yes, “Chameleon”, as always! The quality of the Pilgrim matches that of the Noir, that is to say, clean, clear and very well defined. What does change is the quantity and, for my personal tastes, I much prefer the Pilgrim. Both the slightly reduced subbass presence and the slightly more present upper ranges, take the focus away from the lowest ranges and leave me with a flavour that is much more to my personal liking.

Sticking with tracks that I mentioned in my review of the Noir, “No Sanctuary Here” is also a lot less bass focused yet it is not lacking bass at all for my tastes. The bass is full and not anemic in any way, yet it does not stand out above the rest of the spectrum, allowing for a reproduction that I find more balanced. With this track, the vocals took a bit of a step back on the Noir, while that is not the case here. The vocals are more forward but this does not detract from the great performance of the backing vocals and bass in general.

Crazy” is just about perfect on the Pilgrim. There is no sign of excessive reverb in the lower notes of the guitar, with what I would consider a very natural tone to it. There is also no sign of sibilance or harshness in the upper ranges, letting the voice of Daniela Andrade be very clear and present but without any real drawbacks. I can’t say it is the best I have ever heard this track sound but it is definitely up there with some of the best.

With the Noir I mentioned that certain parts of tracks in isolation could come across a little dull and lacking bite, that is not the case here. With “Elephants On Ice Skates”, there is plenty of bite to those bass guitar plucks throughout the intro, with the lower notes of the bass coming in with authority yet not overly done. The same can be said about vocals, such as Dominique Fils’Aime in “Strange Fruit”, where her solo voice is not missing spice yet it is not spicy either, if that makes any sense. While on the subject of “Strange Fruit”, I will also say that the space between the vocal layers is just enough for them to be easily separated yet not too much for them to sound disconnected from one another. They harmonize very nicely.

The same can be said about “Billie Jean” by The Civil Wars, where both the male and female vocals sound clear when solo’d but also sound natural when working together, without either of them really stealing the light from the other.

As far as sibilance, where I noted that the Noir reduced sibilance, I would say that the Pilgrim is pretty neutral in this regard, with “Code Cool” being just on the verge of what I would expect from the track, the same being said for the intro to “Hope Is A Dangerous Thing”. If anything, I would say it is maybe even tamed a little but not to the extent that it is on the Noir.

Conclusion…

While I haven’t done an exact comparison section between the Pilgrim and the Noir, I think I have referred to the Noir enough during this review to be able to grasp the differences between the two. As I said at the beginning of the sound section, I don’t feel that there is a better or a worse between them, they are just different flavours and it comes down to personal preference.

If there is one thing I think is possibly better in performance on the Noir, it is detail retrieval. Now that might sound strange, as the Pilgrim is actually more upfront about showing the detail, yet I think that is exactly what leads me to believe that the detail performance of the Noir is slightly better. The Noir does not push detail, in fact, it is just a smooth laid back sound signature that sort of hides detail. Yet, it doesn’t hide detail. When listening to them side by side, there isn’t anything missing from the Noir at all, it is just that the Pilgrim focuses on in more. If I were to EQ the Pilgrim to the tuning of the Noir (something that I haven’t played around with yet), then I think that the detail may suffer a little and not be a good as on the Noir. But, to be honest, this is just speculation and is irrelevant at this moment.

While I enjoy the laid back nature of the Noir, my personal preference is towards the Pilgrim, where I feel it matches my tastes more, especially for an all round set. There are times when my mood would lead me to pick up the Noir over the Pilgrim, yet, if I could only have one, then that would be the Pilgrim. Which I guess is a good thing, as the Pilgrim is half the price of the Noir, as I said at the beginning.

So why is the Noir double the price of the Pilgrim? Well, apart from the possible difference in detail performance (which may not even exist), there is the tuning, the aesthetics and, of course, the Effect Audio cable. The cable is almost 300€, which, if we take that out of the equation, only leaves a 70€ (approx) difference between the 2. Which, I honestly feel is a reasonable price difference. If the cable is worth the 300€ to you, well only you can decide that.

I guess that my conclusion is that both the Pilgrim and the Noir are very good IEMs that cater to different people with different tastes. There really isn’t a better or worse (in my opinion), just a different flavour that depends on the final user and if they are willing to pay that extra or not.

What is for sure is that, in my opinion, for 366€, the Pilgrim is a very impressive IEM.

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As always, this review can be found in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

7 Likes

Simgot EA500LM

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Simgot EA500LM

The EA500LM have been sent to me by Simgot for me to try them out and to share my thoughts and opinions in this review. Simgot has not made any requests or comments and I will do my best to be as unbiased as possible in this review.

The official Simgot page can be found here: SIMGOT official | professional audio brand

The EA500LM doesn’t seem to be available on their web but a quick search will return it on the usual online stores.

As always, the link is non-affiliate.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

I don’t think Simgot needs any introduction to those who read or watch my reviews. I have reviewed multiple IEMs from the brand and my conclusion with all of them has been almost the same: they are great IEMs but I just can’t really get on with the tuning. My last review, which was quite recent, was of the EA1000 “Fermat” and I think it is the best I have tried from them so far, although I, once again, reached a similar conclusion. However, Simgot haven’t given up on me and have sent me along the EA500LM for me to see if it meets my preferences more.

I also reviewed the Simgot EA500 back in May of last year and one would think that the EA500LM would be a similar IEM, and in the looks department they are, however they are very different and I don’t think that a comparison a of the two would really be very relevant. I actually think that the EA500LM is more on a level of the EA1000 in terms of performance, although the tuning is also different, providing quite a different presentation to my ears.

This set uses a single dynamic driver, as did the original EA500, but based around the technology found in the EA1000, although without the passive radiator. They come in at around 80€ and I honestly feel that these are a set of IEMs worth looking at in the price range.

Presentation…

The IEMs arrive in a black box with artwork that changes colour depending on how the light hits the box. While there is nothing really to get excited about as far as packaging, they do keep it original and it is not just a plain box.

Inside the box we get the IEMs, the cable, 3 sets of silicone tips in 3 sizes, two additional nozzles, an oval storage/transport case and a bag of red and black o-rings as replacements if needed.

To be honest, there is nothing really extraordinary about the contents and, apart from the multiple nozzles to change the tuning, something that we have seen a lot with Simgot, the quantity of contents is rather basic (although I have seen much worse).

Build and aesthetics…

One thing I definitely can’t fault Simgot for is their build quality. Once again the EA500LM are a complete metal shell, with a shiny silver finish, that keeps up with their usual quality construction. The aesthetics are simple but shiny, something that will of course attract fingerprints but looks good when clean, with the Simgot logo on one side and the LM logo on the other.

The IEMs are rather compact and fit nicely inside the ear, at least they do in my ear, making for a comfortable fit, however, as with other Simgot models, I do find that I need to use a larger size of tips. On the subject of tips, the included tips are the usual tips from Simgot and do their job, being what I have used for this review. They are not my favourite tips but they are not horrible either.

The included cable has a rather rubbery feel to the clear finish over the brown and black internal cores, terminating in transparent plastic 2 pin connectors at one end and a black metal 3.5mm connector at the other. As with the tips, the cable is not my favourite but it certainly does its job and I can’t bring myself to complain about it.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As I mentioned, the EA500LM include 3 sets of screw in nozzles that allow different tunings of the IEM. This is nothing new from Simgot and is something that has been included with the previous models I have reviewed.

The main noticeable difference between the nozzles is in the upper mid range, with one set being a lot more noticeable in its changes than the other.

Here is the frequency response graph of the 3 nozzles in comparison to my usual preference curve as a reference:

Now, the last time I reviewed a multiple nozzle set, the EA1000, I tried to do it in a way to make things clearer on what the differences were between each nozzle. However, I think I ended up making it far more confusing by doing that, so I am going to approach this in a different way and see if I can keep it less confusing this time.

Starting off with the silver nozzles with the black O-rings, there is a lot of clarity but there is also that overly focused upper mid range double peak that is what led me to not get on well with the previous tunings of other Simgot models.

The subbass is clean and clear, with good definition, and it stands up to the torture test of “Chameleon” well, although it is not a set that will provide an excessive amount of rumble if that is what you are searching for. There is enough subbass for my personal preferences but it is not a wow factor of these IEMs. That doesn’t mean it is bad, I like it, it is not overpowering.

The midbass is just as clean and defined as the subbass, with nice detail and no boomyness at all in those lower reverberations of the guitar in “Crazy”. In the same way, “No Sanctuary Here” has a level of bass that I find nice, especially as the bass is quick and clear. It has that slight dynamic driver taste to it (if that even exists) but none of the slow response that we sometimes find from a DD.

The upper mids are where I can’t say I like these IEMs. I find it to be overly present, harsh and fragile sounding with these nozzles. This gives a lot of presence to vocals and also makes things seem very clear but I just find it to be a little harsh overall for me personally.

There is plenty of air and extension in the upper ranges, at least as far as my hearing extends (around 15.5kHz at my last test earlier this year). It is not a smooth treble, especially when added to that additional presence in the upper mids, although it does accentuate the detail without making it sound artificial, especially due to the EA500LM having good detail throughout the whole range.

Now, moving over to the silver nozzles with the red rings… I did this change half way through the track “No Sanctuary Here” and immediately felt things improved a lot in that harshness that I was hearing between 2.5kHz and 5kHz.

While the bass is still the same as far as quality and quantity, the reduced presence takes away a bit of the harshness and allows a little more focus on that low range. To be honest, they are still a little spicy for me in those ranges, however, I find them much more pleasurable than with the previous nozzles.

Going back to “Crazy”, the clarity is still there, there is still no boomy midbass and the detail is still good, but the vocals are slightly tamer in the upper ranges. I say slightly as there is still some sibilance and spice in the vocals of Daniella but I think this is something that I could adjust with some tip rolling and be fairly happy with the results.

The rest, for the most part, remains unchanged.

So, the last set of nozzles, the gold ones (which also have red O-rings but as there is only one set of gold nozzles, that doesn’t really matter).

These are my preferred set of nozzles by far. In fact, this is my favourite sound from a Simgot IEM to date. Ok, there is still a slight over-presence in those upper mids but now I am not feeling uncomfortable with it. Where I have been able to listen to other Simgot sets (and this set with other nozzles), with the Gold nozzles I am no longer feeling uncomfortable.

I would still prefer a tamer 2.5kHz to 5kHz range, we are now at a place where different tips and styles of music are enough for me to actually sit back and enjoy these IEMs. I find the subbass to stay clean and detailed, as with all the nozzles, the midbass to be very detailed and listenable, with a better presence as we climb up to those ranges that I just can’t love with Simgot tunings.

Detail and separation is good, soundstage is decent and, although a little peaky, the treble is not as overpowering due to the reduced upper mids. There is still a bit of sibilance in the vocals of “Crazy” but it is a lot more manageable, even at slightly higher volumes than my usual listening levels (although at high volumes it does become a little uncomfortable still).

Conclusion…

After reaching the same conclusion many times with Simgot IEMs: “They are great but the tuning isn’t for me”, well, I have the same conclusion here except… with the gold nozzles and some tip changes, I finally can enjoy a set of their IEMs without feeling uncomfortable.

Yes, they are still slightly on the harsh side (even with the gold nozzles) for my personal tastes but this is something that is probably only relevant to me and maybe 0.5% of those considering these IEMs. Even so, they are still very listenable.

But personal tuning tastes and sensitivities aside, the EA500LM are a very good set of IEMs that tick all the boxes for those looking for a set of good performing all round IEMs that are focused more towards a slightly forward signature than many of the “laid back” signatures we are seeing lately.

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As always, this review can also be found in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on Youtube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

4 Likes

Letshuoer S08

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Letshuoer S08

The S08 have been sent to me directly by Letshuoer in exchange for the publication of my opinions in this review. Letshuoer have not made any requests or comments and I will do my best to be as unbiased as humanly possible in my review, as always.

The official page for the Letshuoer S08 can be found here: Letshuoer S08 Fourth Generation in Ear Monitor Earphone, Dual-coil Cus – letshuoer

As with all links that I share, the above is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

Letshuoer have announced that, to celebrate their 8th anniversary, they will be releasing various new models and the S08 is the first of them.

This model is certainly not the first planar by Letshuoer, with the S12, S12 Pro, Z12 and S15 all being models that are well known in the IEM world. I personally have a soft spot for the S12, as it was the first planar magnetic IEM that I liked enough for it to become my daily driver for quite some time (between review and review that is) and the S15, while a completely different flavour of IEM, was also a set that I enjoyed.

In their pre-launch publicity of the S08, Letshuoer say that they are sure that the S08 will remind people of the other models in the S series of planar IEMs, although they have opted for a completely different shape and also a smaller driver in the form of a 13mm instead of the 14.8mm found on their other models.

While I know that there are already some reviews out there of this IEM, I have managed to not read them or pay much attention to comments, which is how I prefer to review things when possible. I will also say that I am putting together this review before the actual launch of the S08, although it may already be available when I actually publish it, so I can’t confirm the exact price at this moment but Letshuoer did mention it would be under $100, which is always a nice price point for planar IEMs (as long as they are good of course).

Presentation…

The last few products I have received from Letshuoer have all been excellent in the packaging and accessories department. While the S08 is a little more basic than things like the S15, it is still a nice experience and includes a decent amount of content.

The black outer box has a design on it in the form of an 8, with basic text on the front. On the back we get the basic specifications of the IEMs in 3 languages, along with a scratch sticker to prove the authenticity of the IEMs.

Sliding out an opening the inner box reveals the instruction manual and warranty card, underneath which we find the round screw top storage case, something we are used to receiving from Letshuoer lately, along with the IEMs sitting in sponge cutouts above it.

Inside the storage case, we find the cable, a replacement connector for the cable (more on that in a moment) and a disc storing 3 sets of “balanced” ear tips and 2x sets of “vocal” ear tips, plus another set of vocal tips that come installed on the IEMs.

In all it is nothing out of the ordinary but it is a nice set of accessories, all of decent quality, and I have no complaints at all under the 100€ mark.

Build and aesthetics…

As I mentioned in the intro, the S08 opts for a different shape to the previous S line up, with an oval shell that I find to be very comfortable and easy to obtain a seal, with the correct size tips of course. The faceplate has a 3D raised shape that resembles an 8, with Letshuoer engraved into one IEM and a logo into the other.

The shells are made from aluminium and are available in black or silver, with the black being the one I received. The aesthetics are discreet but elegant and, while I haven’t seen the silver model in person, I really like how the black version sits inside the ear without drawing attention to itself.

The included cable is also very nice at the price point that this IEMs sits at (if the sub $100 price is correct). It has interchangeable connections, which is not new for Letshuoer, but in this case there is a ring that screws on to the connector holding it in place. I like the design of the connector and, although I haven’t experienced any issues with the push on connectors in the past, it does add a bit more robustness to the connection. The cables itself is nothing really special, and it does have plastic connectors at the IEM end, but it is not overly thick or thin, and uses a four way braid that looks good in the dark brown colour it uses (at least for the black model).

Overall I am a fan of the aesthetics and the comfort of the S08, finding them to fit easily in my ears with a fit that is deep enough to use my usual size of tips but not be overly intrusive.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

Letshuoer teased in their publicity that this would remind people of other S series IEMs and it does, in some ways, but is its own thing in others.

As with many sets that we are seeing lately, at least the sets that seem to be coming across my desk, there is a tendency towards a more relaxed and laid back signature, without as much brightness in the upper end, which makes IEMs need more performance in the detail department to not fall behind the competition, due to the fact that they are not relying on those upper ranges to push forward that (sometimes false) sensation of detail.

This seems to be the aim with the S08, with a frequency response that does remind us of the S15 in some ways but not in others. Here is the graph of the S08 in comparison to my usual preference response:

And here it is in comparison to the S12 and the S15:

Now, moving on to my subjective opinions, which don’t always align with the graphs, I immediately see the resemblance in the lower notes to the S15 and the S12. We have that planar speed that keeps the lowest notes of “Chameleon” clean and clear, yet there isn’t a lot of rumble really. Not that there isn’t presence in the subbass, there is, it is just that, as it is fast and clean, it doesn’t seem to be as present as on other sets.

It is impressive how the S08 can keep up with “Chameleon” without feeling strained or about to lose control, yet it is also a little “polite” in the way it presents this track. The presentation of “No Sanctuary Here” fits the S08 better in my opinion, as it benefits from that slight “politeness” in the lower ranges, making for a track that is present yet not boomy at all.

With my midbass fatigue test, “Crazy” is a little too present in the midbass range but it is clean enough for that reverb to not become fatiguing. One thing I did notice with this song is that the upper mids, which we will talk about in just a moment, do affect her vocals in a negative way. There is a dip in the 3k range that sort of hollows out her voice in that range, putting emphasis on the frequencies just below and just above that range, making her come across a little fragile and also harsh in her upper vocal ranges.

Listening to “Tears In Heaven” I was very impressed by the separation and width to this track, with details being very apparent in the multiple instruments, yet I also got the sensation that the timbre and tonality of the same instruments were not quite correct, lacking a bit of body to them and having an overly emphasized upper range. Much the same as with the vocals in “Crazy”, this lends to a slightly fragile sound.

I do find that the slight dip in the upper minds can affect some tracks much more than others. For example, “Long After You’re Gone” is another guitar plus vocals track and the fragility That I noticed with “Tears In Heaven” is not present, with the track seeming to have plenty of body and a nice fullness to both guitar and vocals.

Listening to “Billie Jean” by The Civil Wars, I once again get that sensation that something is not quite correct with the guitar and male vocal, even seeming a little nasal on occasions, yet the female vocals sound full and present, whereas with other female vocals, I can get that thinness again and slight harshness.

It is not really an issue with sibilance, at least not with the usual culprits such as “Code Cool”, it is more something that appears just when certain vocals or instruments that have a certain presence in that area coincide with the dip and it leaves things a little harsh and thin.

I will say that I am impressed with the detail and the space that these IEMs offer, with good separation both left to right and front to back. There is a wonderful sensation of space between the separate layers of “Strange Fruit” and the location of instruments in “La Luna” is very good.

Treble extension is not the best and can lead to a little sensation of dullness on certain tracks, depending on what the style of recording is. For example, it is much more noticeable with certain instruments such as acoustic guitars and pianos but is not really noticeable with more electronically focused music.

Conclusion…

The Letshuoer S08 is a set of IEMs that leaves me a little confused. With certain tracks they can come across as a little dull, with others, there is no sign of that dullness at all. Certain acoustic tracks seem to have good tonality and timbre to the guitars, whereas others seem to come across as a little fragile and harsh. The same happens to vocals, where a certain female vocal can be fragile and a little spicy, yet another, even in a similar range, has more body and presence.

One thing that I can’t deny is that these IEMs perform well. The planar drivers do what they are good at, they provide speed and detail. They are not the most detailed of IEMs out there but they are still good and will still present the details in a way that is enjoyable. The bass is very well controlled and defined, seemingly coping with even difficult tracks easily.

So it is just the tuning that leaves me a little confused. Now, I don’t speak about EQ in my reviews, at least not usually, because I like to judge things in their stock form, but personally, I think that the S08 are a very good candidate for some EQ tweaking. They perform well and just some slight reshaping of the upper mids makes them come alive and sound much more natural to my ears.

I think that is an important note here, you have a sub $100 set of IEMs that is well built, comfortable (to my ears), looks good (to my eyes) and performs well, so even if you find you are not fond of the stock tuning, a touch of EQ will soon turn it into a very enjoyable IEM.


As always, this review is available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

4 Likes

Myer Audio CKLVX D41

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Myer Audio CKLVX D41

The title of this review on my Spanish YouTube channel said that this is a “Fortunate accident” and the reason behind this is that I was never supposed to receive these IEMs.

About a month ago I received a set of IEMs which show the name “CKLVX D41” on the box and I had absolutely no idea what they were or who sent them. I searched online and found next to nothing about them, except for a couple of reviews (that I didn’t watch) and the mention of them on Reddit saying that they could be found under the brand “Myer Audio”.

After going through the pending IEMs I have for review, I realised that I was missing the Tanchjim 4U that I had been sent by HifiGo. After some more research, it turned out that they had been shipped to me by mistake. I am happy that the mistake was made and that has led to the title of “Fortunate accident”, something that I will discuss as we move forwards.

So, to recap, the Myer Audio CLKVX D41 have been sent to me by HifiGo, no comments or requests have been made by them, and you can find them via HifiGo here: MYER-AUDIO CKLVX D41 1DD+4BA Hybrid In-Ear Earphones — HiFiGo

As always, this is a non-affiliate link.

Apart from the above backstory, I really don’t know much more about these IEMs. I know that they are priced at around 150€ (on HifiGo), that they feature a 10mm dynamic driver along with 4x balanced armature drivers.

Other than that, I know as little about these IEMs as you do, possibly even less.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Presentation…

The packaging and presentation of the D41 is nothing special. It is a simple black box with Cklux on the front and “High performance In-ear monitor” underneath in smaller letters. On one side there is a white sticker with a frequency response graph that simply states Ckvlux model:D41. On the back there is a smaller sticker that shows the address of the manufacturer (Shenzhen Meier Technology Co. Ltd). There is no reference to Myer Audio anywhere on the box.

An even simpler black box slides out from the external cover, also black but with no markings at all, and opens to reveal the IEMs, along with a round storage/transport case, both sitting in sponge cutouts, a user manual and a quality control card that says it is for a Juzear 41T.

At first, as I couldn’t really find any info on the CKLVX D41, I also tried searching for the Juzear 41T, which is a different IEM but coincidentally also uses a single dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures. I don’t know anything about the 41T but it seems they are made, or at least packaged, in the same factory.

Build and aesthetics…

Once we discard the packaging and start focusing on the product itself, things definitely take a turn for the better. The included storage/transport case is a round faux leather style with a zip and is really quite nice. Inside the case we find the cable which is also much better than I expected, sporting quadruple weave and metal hardware. The cable seems to be of good quality and, while I wouldn’t rush out to buy the cable on its own, I have no issues with it.

Also inside the case we find 3 sizes of silicone tips, in two different styles, along with a single set of red foam tips, plus the ones installed on the IEMs. The tips are not great, especially the red ones that have some stray bits of silicone here and there, but the clear ones are not terrible and I have had no issue using them for this review, opting for the medium size.

The IEMs themselves are a 3D resin printed shell in black, with a polish brown faceplate that actually looks quite nice. While the IEMs are certainly not small, I found them to be comfortable and enjoyed them for long listening periods.

Honestly, while the build and aesthetics are not going to win any prizes, they do look good and seem to be well built.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

Here is where I was pleasantly surprised. I obviously had no idea what to expect when I put the D41 in for the first time as I wasn’t even sure of the brand, let alone what it was going to sound like. This is definitely one of those times when I had no preconceived opinions :grin:

Before getting to my usual subjective opinions, here is the graph of the D41 in relation to my preference target that I always use for reference. As said many times in the past, this is just a guide and does not mean I will like or dislike a product based on its proximity to my preference on paper.

Starting off with the subbass, it has a very nice presence to it which remains controlled for the most part, although the “Chameleon” test does prove to be a little much for the D41. It is not that it loses control or sounds terrible, but it is not quite as clear as it could be. However, as we know, “Chameleon” is really a torture test and when moving to something more tolerable, like “No Sanctuary Here”, things are a much more defined. It is still not the clearest of subbass ranges, or midbass really, but it is pleasant and gives things a bit of a rounded texture in the lowest ranges.

Speaking of midbass, my fatigue test with “Crazy” again reveals that it is not the cleanest of low ranges. It not overly boomy in the reverb to the point of it irritating me but I would prefer either a bit more clarity or a little less midbass.

As we move into the midrange, things start to improve quite a bit. I find vocals to have a nice body to them, both male and female, with acoustic instruments having decent enough timbre, maybe just slightly too rounded on the lower notes (midbass) with certain recordings.

The thing that is different about the D41 is how it deals with the presence of vocals. There is that thickness in the lowest ranges, such as with Leonard Cohen in “Happens to the Heart”, but in the upper mids, the vocals are not lost but they are not spotlighted either. There is no real boost to the presence of the vocals and they manage to be slightly back but without getting lost. They could be referred to as being slightly dark, yet they are still clear enough to not feel like they need boosting.

The upper ranges are very smooth, especially for a set that is using 4 balanced armature drivers without being more specific about how they are using them. I would have expected the upper ranges to have some of that harshness that is found on so many balanced armature upper ranges when not done properly, but that is not the case. I suppose some could find them a little lacking in the upper frequencies but, to be honest, I grew quite fond of the smoothness for a lot of music.

There is no issue at all with sibilance or other harsh appearances and, while the details are not really the forefront of the show, they manage to provide a sensation of things being tied together and nothing really taking a front seat.

I enjoyed listening to a lot of tracks that feature strings and/or brass sections, songs that are not the easiest to listen to on other sets became a smooth and enjoyable listen on the D41.

Conclusion…

I didn’t even know what these IEMs were when I first listened to them but I am glad I did. I can’t say that they are the best IEMs I have ever heard and that everyone should run out and buy them (I would never say that anyway) but I have found them to be an unexpected pleasurable experience.

There are many reasons why I would not recommend these IEMs, in fact, there are many reasons why I would say that they aren’t for me, yet I have really enjoyed listening to them. They are not the best in the bass department, they are not the best in the vocals department, they don’t excel at details and they aren’t exactly great in the treble, but for some reason… I really like them.

I had no idea who Myer Audio were before these IEMs, I still don’t to be honest, but if this is their first set of IEMs, colour me impressed at them managing to do something a little different that just works. It shouldn’t, but it does.

__
As usual, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

6 Likes

I’m currently listening to them and I can say that they blow much more expensive IEMs out of the water. So that…
:grimacing: :wink:

Price is only an indication of how much it costs :wink:

I’m glad that there are sets out there in the wild.

1 Like

200

I guess this is a way of saying you don’t agree with my personal opinions on the D41?

Or am I missing something?

giphy (1)

Simgot Supermix 4

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Simgot Supermix 4

The Supermix 4 have been sent to me by Simgot in exchange for the publication of this review. Simgot have not requested anything or made any comments and, as always, I will do my very best to be unbiased in my review of these IEMs.

There doesn’t seem to be an official page for the Simgot Supermix 4, at least I haven’t found one, but they are available from the usual online stores. A quick search online will bring back plenty of results to choose from.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

I have to start off by saying that I am very happy to review these IEMs. As I mentioned in my last Simgot review, and probably in other reviews of Simgot IEMs previous to that one, I have really wanted to like a set of Simgot IEMs.

By that I don’t mean that I don’t think that Simgot make good IEMs, all of the IEMs I have received from them have been good, but I have struggled with all of them to some extent or another. The EA500LM, my last Simgot review, was the set that I have enjoyed the most to date but, even then, I would still not say that they are for me.

I have to give credit to Simgot for reading each of my reviews, saying thank you and moving on without a single complaint. It is not that my reviews of Simgot have been negative but there are a lot of brands who take offense with comments that are not along the lines of “these are the best ever” and no longer contact me to review their IEMs. That is something that Simgot have never done, in fact, they have continued to send models until we are where we are today.

Now, looking at the tuning of the Supermix 4 on paper, I would have said that these IEMs are probably the tuning from Simgot that I would most dislike out of all of them. I know I am jumping the gun here, I will get to audio impressions in a moment, but this is another one of those cases that proves that my preference target is nothing but a squiggly line that has no impact on whether I will like or dislike the sound of an IEM. But anyway, more on that in a moment, let’s first mention briefly what the Supermix 4 are.

Featuring four drivers in a hybrid set up, consisting of a dynamic driver, a balanced armature, a planar magnetic driver and a piezoelectric driver, there is a lot to go wrong when trying to make all of these play together in a coherent way.

According to the publicity, they are using the 10mm DD for the low frequencies, the BA is being used for the mids and the Planar+PTZ are being used for the higher frequencies. They are priced at around 140€, a price that I feel is more than reasonable for what you get, so let’s see what it is that you actually get.

Presentation…

While the outer box is not the usual style we get from Simgot, the packaging and contents certainly are. The outer sleeve is green and shows an x-ray style image of the IEM on the front, with the frequency response graph and the specs shown on the back.

Removing the sleeve reveals an inner box with a flip open card style lid, something very common on Simgot packaging, which opens to show the IEMs in foam cutouts and the usual accessories box below. Underneath the IEM section, we get the second box which contains the included tips.

The tips are the usual ones that Simgot includes, nothing extraordinary but I have, as always, used them for this review. The included cable is rather nice, with an outer texture that is a little rubbery to the touch but nowhere near like cables from other brands. It is stated to be an oxygen-free copper silver-plated cable, if you are interested in that kind of thing. All I know is that it works and is quite nice.

The storage transport case is also the typical oval shaped non-branded case we have seen in other Simgot packages, again nothing special but more than enough to protect the IEMs when storing or transporting.

In general, the contents could be considered a little sparse at the price point in comparison to other brands but it is the usual content from Simgot (except for no additional nozzles with this set, something I am actually happy about :wink:) so it is no worse (or better) than other options from the brand.

Build and aesthetics…

The shells are simple black 3D printed shells with a dark grey metal (I think it is metal) faceplate. The faceplate has a simple circle on it in a goldish colour, depending on light, making them very simple overall. These are not the typical fingerprint magnets from the brand, no mirror finish which can look great but also be a curse if you are someone who hates fingerprints. Here we have something that does not show signs of use at all, at least in the time I have been using them.

The size is around average, not overly large but certainly not small and the fit is comfortable for me personally, being light weight also. Due to the length of the nozzles, I have found that I can use both medium and large size tips with these IEMs, getting a seal with both. After some listening, I found that I preferred the larger option with the IEMs getting just a couple of mm less insertion but both work.

The cable, as I said above, is quite nice and has metal hardware that matches the faceplate of the IEMs, so, while nothing extraordinary, I am quite happy with the overall aesthetics of the Supermix 4.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

If you read the intro, then you already know that this section is going to be positive. However, before getting to the subjective bit, here is the graph of the Supermix 4 in relation to my personal preference target:

Ok, so I enjoyed using these for general listening for the week I used them but let me share my opinions on these IEMs while sitting down with my usual test track list and focusing on specific tracks and performance.

As always, let’s start with the “Chameleon” subbass torture test. There is a lot of subbass here and, to be honest, it can become a little much unless you are someone who likes a lot of rumble. The driver does a good job of presenting the track, although I do feel that it is a little overwhelmed by the brutality of the bass when it is in full swing. By this, I don’t mean that it sounds bad, far from it, it proves to be a very capable driver in the lows, it just suffers slightly when driven to the limits.

Moving on to something that is still bass but in a much more sensible way, “No Sanctuary Here” sounds very good on the Supermix 4. There is plenty of subbass and midbass without ever getting the sensation that the driver is suffering at all. There is a very nice cleanliness to the bass hits, while not really over shadowing the rest. Yes, there is an emphasis on those lower notes but they are not stealing the show from the rest of the track, they just sound very full and capable.

The low end reverb in “Crazy”, something that easily fatigues me if overdone or not 100% clean, on the Supermix 4 sounds very clean and pleasant. There is again a sensation of the low end having a great “body” to it but without seeming overdone and keeping it clean and articulate. There is also no harshness or sibilance to Daniella Andrade’s voice in this track, something that does appear on a lot of sets. While there is definitely a bit of a focus on the lows and the upper mids, I find the track to sound very pleasurable on this set of IEMs.

Even though there is that V shaped response to these IEMs, it does not overpower the mids completely and I find it does an excellent job of reproducing “Sun Is Shining”, where the electronic bass is definitely the strong point but the rest of the track is still clean and by no means eclipsed at all.

Another track that shows the capability of these IEMs to reproduce a good low end without taking away from the clarity of the rest of the song is “Elephants on Ice Skates”. The bass plucks are clean and articulate, the brass sections are not overpowering and the the actual low bass notes are full and smooth.

There is a nice sensation of treble extension and air without it sounding artificial. While the Supermix 4 may not be the most detailed of IEMs, it doesn’t try to artificially create a sensation of being more detailed than it actually is, meaning that there is no overly pushy upper treble that tries to make the details stand out. That doesn’t mean that they are lacking in detail, they do a more than respectable job, they are just not something that is focused on making detail the forefront of the experience.

The soundstage is not huge but there is a nice separation between the instruments and vocals inside that stage. That also goes for the layers of vocals in things like “Strange Fruit”, where they different voices are identifiable but are not really separated, more of a chorus effect than individual vocals.

Conclusion…

This is the review that I have been hoping to do of a Simgot product. I have been wanting to really like a product of theirs and the Supermix 4 is finally it. For once my conclusion isn’t “they are good… but…”

The fact that I have been wanting to like something from Simgot may mean that there is some subconscious bias on my behalf, which I have tried to avoid but can’t guarantee that it isn’t there. Saying that, I also wanted to like previous models and it has taken until the 6th model I have tried to actually get there, so a “thank you for your patience” goes to both Simgot and you, the reader!

I find the Supermix 4 to be a very pleasurable IEM that I wouldn’t say is the best at anything in particular, but it does a good job at everything. It is a set that I have really enjoyed using, no matter what music I have decided to listen to, and feel that it is certainly something that those looking for a general all round set to enjoy music should take a look at.


As always, this review is available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

4 Likes

Excellent review. I have the ea500lm. Great set.

1 Like

Tanchjim 4U

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Tanchjim 4U

The Tanchjim 4U have been sent to me by HifiGo in exchange for the publication of this review. HifiGo have not made any specific requests and I will do my best to be as unbiased as humanly possible in my review.

The Tanchjim 4U are available from HifiGo here: TANCHJIM 4U DMT-4 Ultra Double-chamber Dynamic Driver In-Ear Monitors — HiFiGo

As always, this is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

It has been quite some time since I listened to a Tanchjim set of IEMs, since 2022 to be exact. The models I tried back then we probably more to my preference than to that of many others, due to a quite tame low end (except for the Tanya, which was quite elevated in the mid bass), and I found the performance at their respective price points to be a positive.

The 4U is a set that comes 2 years later but still aims at the reasonably priced category, available for just under 65€, featuring what they call a DMT-4 Ultra LCP Diaphragm dynamic driver.

What is a little different on this set is that they feature a 4-way dial that lets you choose between 4 different tunings, or rather 4 different bass levels, something that I will mention under the sound section.

Presentation…

Not much has changed since the last set I reviewed as far as packaging and contents. The outer white sleeve shows an image of the IEM on the front, with FR graphs and specifications on the back. This slides away to reveal a grey interior box with the Tanchjim logo on the top, almost identical to that of the Ola that I reviewed over 2 years ago. That is not a negative, the packaging is simple and elegant, so I am not complaining.

Opening the box reveals a sheet of anime stickers of a character named Asano, although I have no idea who it is, nor have I investigated :wink: Inside the box we get the IEMs, 6 sets of silicone tips (3 sizes of two types, large and small core), the cable, a small screwdriver to adjust the tuning selector and a small drawstring bag.

Again, almost identical to the contents of the Ola (except for the screwdriver and the stickers).

Build and construction…

The IEM construction also stands out to me as Tanchjim, even though it is a different shape to other models from the brand. It is a metal construction, using matte aluminium shells along with a shiny faceplate that sports the Tanchjim logo.

The shape I find is comfortable, they are fairly lightweight and they seem to be well built, something that I feel is the case with all Tanchjim products, at least those that I have seen.

The included cable is a simple lightweight 2 core braid that splits into individuals at the metal splitter. All the hardware is metal and matches the matte aluminium finish of the IEMs.

The rest of the contents are basically those that were included with the Ola, which is not to say that they are bad. They are not great but acceptable.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

When I first started listening to the 4U and playing with the tuning selector, the question that sprung to mind was “Why?”.

I understand that they want to give the users options, the same as other companies that include multiple nozzles or filters, and in this case, the fact that it is a dial that turns makes it a lot easier to change between tunings. However, the question of “Why?” Is more related to the tuning options they offer on this set.

As a picture is worth a thousand words (although I will probably still rack up a thousand words in this review), here is the graph of the 4 tuning options in relation to my usual reference:

As we move from FWD to UP to BCK to DWN, the tunings make less sense to me. I am actually quite fond of the FWD tuning, which I will comment on in just a moment, but the other tunings just give me the same sensation as losing a seal, with the bass just dropping off more and more as we go.

Now, you probably all know that I am not a fan of overly emphasized bass, as you can see from my preference target, although there are many sets with more bass than my preference and I still find to be great. In this case, I am quite happy with the presentation of these IEMs in the FWD position but I can’t say that I would choose to use them in any of the other modes. That doesn’t mean other people won’t, just that, for me personally, the FWD tuning would have been plenty.

So, starting off with the subbass, you can probably already guess that there isn’t a huge amount of rumble going on with this set. If you are someone who likes a deep rumbling bass, then these are not the choice for you, even in FWD mode.

However, where they do perform well is in the clarity and presentation of the midbass. I find them to lend themselves more to acoustical performances than electronic based music, with things like the bass on “No Sanctuary Here” being a little tame for those that seek a hard hitting low range. Again, that doesn’t mean it does it badly, the bass is there in quality, just not in quantity.

Crazy” is pretty well balanced in the low ranges, with the reverb not being an issue as far being bloated or overly boomy. There is plenty of clarity and it fills in the low end of the rack nicely but without being the focus at any point. There is a little emphasis on Daniela’s voice in this track but it is clear and not harsh or too spicy, something that I am pleased to hear.

Listening to “Hotel California (acoustic)”, I would say that the guitar could do with just a little more body and warmth, but it is once again clear and nicely defined. With “Elephants On Ice Skates”, there is more focus on the plucks of the bass than on the low notes, yet the low notes are still there, the track doesn’t come across as “empty”, just a different presentation to that of so many other sets lately.

Seven Nation Army” by Zella Day does seem to have a little more warmth in the body of the guitar but once again, the focus is shifted more towards the vocals. I actually find female vocals to be very enjoyable on the 4U, with them taking the centre of the stage but without becoming overly present or thin. They also deal fairly well with sibilance. There is still sibilance in the intro of “Hope Is A Dangerous Thing” but I find “Code Cool” to be slightly tamed in this regard, at least in comparison to what I would expect from this kind of tuning.

I find the upper mids to be smooth and enjoyable which moves into upper ranges that are not the smoothest but are certainly not a negative on this set, again, taking into consideration the tuning that the 4U are going for. There do seem to be some peaks that try to increase the sensation of detail, which is a shame because they can give a slight hint of being artificial at times.

The stage width is not huge but there is enough space for things to spread out a little, like the vocal layers of “Strange Fruit”, which are easily identifiable, although the main voice is slightly overpowering to the background vocals on occasions. With “La Luna”, the location of the instrument has space between them but they are not placed far away and the rear left guitar does seem to be more left than rear, but once more, not bad.

Conclusion…

It has actually been refreshing to listen to something that is a break from the majority of tunings lately, that seem to be aiming more for a warm and laid back signature. In the case of the Tanchjim 4U, it goes for a brighter more up front signature. There is more emphasis on vocals, especially female vocals, but they don’t become overly harsh or thin sounding.

I still have the same question though… why? I really don’t feel that the 4U needed that those extra positions that we get from the tuning selector. I could maybe understand positions 1 and 2, but I feel that 3 and 4 are unnecessary. In fact, I don’t think that even position 2 is necessary as those that are looking for this kind of signature will already enjoy the basic “FWD” position.

I think that if that tuning selector had been omitted, then maybe these IEMs would have dropped under the 50€ mark that I consider ultra budget and they would have been an easy budget recommendation for those looking for a tuning of this kind.

I am not saying that these are expensive, they are only 65€, and they are certainly a step forwards from the Ola, I just think that we are getting something that wasn’t really necessary. They aimed for a specific tuning and performance and got it, why add more bits that become redundant?

__
As usual, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

3 Likes

Meze Audio Alba

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Meze Audio Alba

The Meze Alba have been loaned to me by DeCine, the official distributor for Meze Audio in Spain. DeCine have not made any requests and have in fact been quite patient as I have been inundated with work lately, so the review has taken longer than I expected. I will, of course, do my very best to be as unbiased as humanly possible in my review.

As DeCine does not sell direct, here is the link to the official page of the Meze Alba: ALBA

As always, this is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

Intro…

Meze Audio are a brand that I have a lot of respect for. I can’t say that I have loved the tuning of all their products but I also cannot say that I have been able to complain about them. They make elegant, well built, high quality headphones and IEMs. However, except on rare occasions, they also come with a price tag that is a reflection of that quality and elegance.

In the case of the Alba, I believe that this is their most budget friendly set of IEMs to date, coming in at around 159€ here in Spain. Now that is obviously not an “ultra-budget” price, something that I consider under 50€ IEMs to be, but it is a very interesting price for those who are interested in picking up their first set from the Romanian brand.

So, for what can be considered the entry price to Meze, what are we actually getting in the Alba and is it worth the price of admission?

Presentation…

I would have been surprised if the packaging and presentation of the Alba was not well thought out and elegant… I wasn’t surprised.

While the actual contents are pretty basic, the packaging is elegant and gives the feeling of having purchased a high-end product. The box is white, with a silver design on the top and the logo of Meze underneath, with nothing much else other than Alba written on one side.

Opening the box reveals an interior that follows the same white and silver colour scheme, with the IEMs sitting at the top and a small, oval storage case sitting underneath. Opening the case we find the included cable and tips, once again matching the white and silver theme. As far as tips, we only get 4 sizes of white silicone tips but I found them more than enough to use them for this review.

Apart from the main box, we also receive a Meze Audio dongle, at least I did. As far as I can tell from all the listings online, this dongle DAC is included with all the purchases but please forgive me if I am wrong on this.

In general, I find the presentation of the Alba to be simple and elegant. It may not seem to be the most extensive as far as contents but we do get everything that is needed, plus the dongle DAC, so I can’t find anything to complain about, especially when we move into the build and aesthetics of the contents.

Build and aesthetics…

As soon as I see the name Meze, I automatically think it is going to be well built and look good. Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder but in my eye, they once again look great. The design of the IEMs is basically the same as that of the Advar although this time the colour combination is white and silver, rather than the black and copper of the Advar.

My first impression (apart from “these look great”) was that they seem smaller than I remember the Advar being. However, looking at photos online (as I no longer have the Advar), they seem to be the same size, so I guess I am just remembering wrong.

The quality of construction and finish of the IEMs is identical to that of the Advar, which is to say a 10 out of 10. They are no doubt a well built product and there is the same attention to detail as with all Meze products.

As far as comfort, another very personal thing, these are a shape that I find extremely comfortable. They are such a small size and the shape just fits my ear perfectly, making them disappear when I wear them.

The included cable is a little on the thin side but it is not a bad cable at all. It uses metal hardware except for the connectors to the IEMs, which are transparent, but in this case, the Alba opts for 2 pin connectors instead of the MMCX found on the Advar. This is going to be a positive for some and a negative for others but I personally prefer 2 pin over MMCX.

The transport/storage case is small but is large enough to hold the IEMs and the supplied dongle and has a nice soft interior. The colour of the storage case matches the IEMs, white with silver logo, which has the benefit of looking great but the drawback of not staying white for long if you use it to transport the IEMs.

I have to say that, as usual, it’s Meze. I have nothing but praise for the build, comfort and aesthetics.

Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

I think that the vast majority will agree on what I have said about Meze products so far but where there is division is in the sound department, as is to be expected. In the case of the Alba, I am sure that there will also be those who like the sound signature and those that don’t. I personally fall into the first category.

Before getting on with my subjective impressions, here is the graph of the Alba in comparison to my usual preference target for reference:

Ok, so starting off in the subbass zone and using the usual “Chameleon” torture test, the Alba holds up pretty well. There is a slight emphasis on the subbass over the midbass which is nice and it helps keep the low end from becoming overloaded with this track. Now, I can’t say that the subbass is overly detailed (I’ll comment more on detail shortly) but it manages to hold it’s own. It is neither overpowering nor under delivering in the low end, at least for my personal tastes.

With something a little less dramatic, such as “No Sanctuary Here”, the low end does seem cleaner, with a nice thump to the midbass along with a smooth rumble in the subbass. Again, not overpowering but plenty for my tastes, although I do still get the sensation that the bass ranges are not the most detailed, they are more of a smooth and enjoyable sensation than an impressive boosted low end. I don’t think that bass heads would choose this model, yet those who look for a nicely balanced low end should find the Alba enjoyable in this regard.

With my fatigue test for midbass, “Crazy”, I find that there is a lovely sensation of reverb without it ever becoming the dominant factor in these ranges. It is not boomy, nor is it excessive, it performs at a level that I find nicely balanced, filling in that low end without taking anything away from the rest of the track.

With “Elephants On Ice Skates”, I find that the bass plucks lack a little excitement yet they are once again very well balanced with the rest of the track, making for a very musical presentation rather than a “wow” presentation.

Focusing on vocals, “These Bones” has a very smooth balance to it, without the deep vocals becoming the centre of attention of the acapella track in general and allowing the harmonizing vocals to fill out the soundstage and sound very natural. Once again I find that the focus is more on the overall presentation than showing off any detail.

With female vocals, I found that some vocals could seem to be a little too smooth, such as Sara K. in “All Your Love (Turned To Passion)”, yet this same smoothness works very well for other female vocals such as the voice of Raelee Nikole in “Dreamin’”.

When listening to The Civil Wars in “Billie Jean”, where there are both male and female vocals, I find that the male voice seems better presented when on his own in comparison to the female vocal, however, when they are both singing together, the balance is very good between them.

Moving to Dominique Fils-Aimé in “Strange Fruit”, I like the way the vocals harmonize but I do feel that there is a lack of detail in her vocals. Not enough to be detrimental to the track but, after listening to this song thousands of times, I feel that there is a bit of excitement missing.

Moving into the upper mids, I find that the slight delay in presence does make for a smoother presentation but also adds that slight “lack of excitement” in vocals that I have mentioned. This is a positive in the fact that nothing becomes harsh in these ranges yet it does make vocals sound a little strange on occasions, especially female vocals.

There is no sensation of sibilance in the usual culprits, such as Patricia Barber in “Code Cool”, where I would actually place her sibilance around a -2 on my non-scientific -12 to +12 scale. The same can be said with Paul Simon in “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes”, where he voice has the sibilance reduced slightly in comparison to many other sets, with the brass section also being a lot tamer than on many other presentations.

Soundstage is decent enough. It is not groundbreaking but enough to give a nice sensation of surrounding you in “La Luna”, although the slight lack of detail can make things seem to be slightly more blended together than on other more detailed sets.

And on the subject of detail, it is not that these IEMs are totally lacking detail, it is just not one of the strong points of the Alba. When listening to things like the small details in the background of “Strange Fruit” (that bird through the open window at the beginning) or the decay of the body strikes on the guitar in “All Your Love (Turned To Passion)”, then the details are there, you just need to focus more to hear them and they also roll off quite a bit faster than on other sets that are more detail focused.

Conclusion…

The Meze Alba are a set of very well built, very good looking and very comfortable set of IEMs by a brand that is known for high end products. As far as sound, I would say that they are basically an “all rounder” that focuses much more on a comprehensive overall presentation of music than excelling in any particular way.

If you are someone who is in the world of audiophilia and knows what they want specifically, then I really don’t think that these IEMs are for you. I don’t think that they excel at anything in particular (except build of course) and actually come across to me as missing some excitement in the vocal and detail department.

However, they are also a set of IEMs that will do well with whatever you want to listen to, meaning that those who aren’t sure exactly what they want, or just want a general all round set, will get a set that they will be very happy with.

In fact, if someone wants a set of good IEMs from a very respectable company at a price that won’t break the bank and don’t know where to start, I think that the Alba would be a very good choice.

I wouldn’t choose to add them to my own personal collection, as I have already covered the specifics and am crazy enough to use a different set for different genres and moods, but I would not hesitate to recommend them to all the “normal” people around me that just want a good set of IEMs to listen to music.

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As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

2 Likes