If one wants a more balanced sound I would 100% go with PA02. One of my friends sent it across and I had no idea about PA02 then. He wanted to know how much I thought the IEM was and looking at the build quality and sound, I guessed around $250 - $300 and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they costed half of what I guessed. It’s amazing how we perceive stuff when we know nothing about them.
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Elevated bass and a smooth treble? Sounds like safe choice for metalheads.
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Oh yes!! I’ve been listening to folk metal on Explorer and it was good!! I however felt the need to EQ lower treble a little for the instruments to standout.
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When an IEM don’t do these cheap tricks like forcing treble l
Peak to ensure details perception enhancement, I freaking respect that.
Sadly retailers in my country still not importing this, have to rely one a friend and he is delaying day after day.
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The lower treble and the upper mids are something I don’t expect to be good in budget IEMs. Still have a long way to go.
In general yes but you always have few exceptions where the manufacturer does put some emphasis on tuning and getting the best out of drivers inside.
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Agreed. But I don’t mind eq-ing
That’s the thing: EQ doesn’t fix everything. The drivers and overall design of headphones / IEMs have their own limits on how much they can respond to EQ adjustments.
Take the HD800, for example. I love its bass, but some people complain about the quantity being less. You can’t just EQ it to turn the HD800 into a bass cannon. The dynamic driver’s excursion limits how much bass you can add, and you also need to account for the impact EQ adjustments have on other parts of the frequency response.
It’s better to have a well-tuned headphone / IEM out of the box rather than relying heavily on EQ.
Think of it like this: if you want a car that can go 200 miles per hour, buy one that’s designed to reach that speed, or at least close to it. You might be able to tweak it to gain the extra few miles per hour, but if you get a car that can only go 100 miles per hour and try to push it to 200, you risk blowing the engine.
In EQ, cutting frequencies is generally safer and more effective than boosting them.
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Here’s my review for Aful Explorer:
Sources used:
- xDuoo XD05 Pro (AKM / Rohm) (w/ SS3602 OpAmps)
- Dita Navigator
- D16 Taipan
- Qudelix T-71
- RME ADI-2 Pro FS R
- iFi Go Pods
Introduction about Aful:
Aful has made a name for itself with the release of the Magic One, Performer 5, and Performer 8 IEMs, each praised for their remarkable sound quality and innovative designs. Building on this reputation, the Aful Explorer aims to deliver an exceptional listening experience at an accessible price point.
Design of the IEM:
The Aful Explorer features an extremely comfortable resin shell that has a starry night design on the faceplate. It has a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing cable that feels durable. The connectors are robust, and the cable itself is flexible, avoiding tangles and ensuring ease of use during long listening sessions.
Fit and Comfort of the IEM:
These IEMs offer an excellent fit, conforming well to various ear shapes without causing discomfort even after extended use. The lightweight design and ergonomic shape ensure a secure and comfortable seal, enhancing both passive noise isolation and overall sound quality.
Sound:
Sub bass: The sub bass is well-extended and provides a solid foundation without overwhelming the rest of the frequency range. It’s deep and impactful, adding a satisfying thump to bass-heavy tracks while maintaining control and avoiding excessive boominess.
Mid bass: The mid bass is tight and punchy, contributing to a dynamic and lively sound. It integrates seamlessly with the sub bass, offering a full-bodied low-end experience that adds warmth and richness to the overall sound signature.
Mid range: The mid range is smooth and detailed, with a slight warmth that adds a pleasant richness to vocals and instruments. It’s articulate and well-resolved, making it a strong point of the Explorer’s sound profile, providing an engaging and natural listening experience.
Treble: The treble, while clear, lacks the extension and airiness. It’s smooth and non-fatiguing, making it suitable for long listening sessions, but it may not satisfy those seeking the utmost in high-frequency detail and sparkle. The treble does not come across as harsh or sibilant, which is a plus for treble-sensitive listeners like me.
Tip rolling to wide bore tips definitely helps with improving the treble slightly.
Tone and Timbre: The tone and timbre are natural and accurate, making the Aful Explorer a versatile IEM suitable for various genres. Instruments and vocals are rendered with a lifelike quality for the price, though the overall warmth may slightly color the sound.
Staging, instrument separation, and layering: The soundstage is moderately expansive, providing a decent sense of space and depth. Instrument separation and layering are competent, allowing for clear differentiation between different elements of the music, though it may not match the holographic presentation of more premium IEMs.
Detail retrieval: Detail retrieval is good but not exceptional. The warmth in the sound signature can obscure some micro-details, making the Explorer more suited for a relaxed listening experience rather than analytical or critical listening.
Technicalities: The Aful Explorer performs well technically, with good imaging and a balanced tuning. However, its overall warmth and slightly recessed treble limit its performance in the areas of treble extension and ultimate detail retrieval.
Conclusion: The Aful Explorer IEM is a solid addition to Aful’s lineup, offering a warm, engaging sound that’s comfortable for extended listening sessions. While it may lack the treble extension and detail retrieval of some higher-end models, it provides a pleasant, natural sound that will appeal to many listeners.
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Super accurate. I enjoy my pair a lot.
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This is a nice and concise review for the Explorer. Have you ever tried the Kiwi Ears Quartet? I kind of liked it except for the sucked out midrange and the uneven upper midrange. I enjoyed the Quartet’s bass. The Quartet lacked some detail in the upper midrange, similar to the Explorer. The Explorer appears to have much smoother overall tuning. Any thoughts?
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I did try the quartet a while back but it was only briefly. I remember not liking as much. I did however own Quintet (loved this for instrumental music) and Orchestra Lite (relaxed tuning) and really liked them.
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I really enjoy the Explorer, and if you want something that is a bit less bass and vocal forward, I recommend the Ziigaat Cinno ( it was overlooked at release ). I appreciate both for being smooth and in that reduced treble part of my collection.
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I really want to hear Zigaat’s line up. Couldn’t get an opportunity
Suddenly felt the need to take these out today. Was comparing 61T and DynaQuattro and wanted to check scalability and MagicOne takes power like it’s no one’s business.
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It can take a surprising Ami of power for a single BA iem.
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The MagicOne is still my favorite IEM. Nothing else in my humble collection – or my past IEMs – sounds quite like it or gives me as much consistent pleasure.
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The low sensitivity is doing that.
You just need 0.44vrms/5mW to get 90db (+20db headroom), so certainly more than other iems but yeah anything can drive this.
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PSA Aful Explorer is $89 on amazon us for prime members right now. I had ordered one for 10% off of $120 during prime sales, only to see a price alert today that it dropped. Was able to cancel and reorder at better price, so no worries, but wtf amazon!? So if any of you ordered recently, get that better price if you can!
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Good looking out, I got in at the OG $120 price a couple days ago and so far, I am loving them even for the OG price.
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