Binary Acoustics EP321 Shootout:
The IEMs:
- Binary Acoustics EP321 ($309.99 USD)
- Softears Volume S ($319.00 USD)
- Punch Audio Martilo ($329.00 USD)
- XENNS Mangird Tea PRO ($359.00 USD)
- XENNS Mangird Top PRO ($499.00 USD)
- GoldPlanar GL-AMT16 ($1499.00 USD) w/ Mesh Filter
The Rippingtons - Snowbound
(Contemporary Jazz Group)
Binary Acoustics EP321
There’s quite a bit of tactility and presence, but at the cost of being somewhat grating (foam tips help tame a bit of this.) The stage feels enveloping, but not very large, and it doesn’t have that black of a background either. Upper frequency elements just pop out of the mix quite viscerally with exceptional detail, albeit with a mild metallic sheen. Bass performance is weak, elastic-sounding especially for kick drums. Does not with scale with volume very well.
Softears Volume S
Treble is more restrained here, with a calmer overall presentation. The “blackground” is on part with the EP321. Percussion has a bit more weight behind it, but separation suffers, with less contrast and perceived resolution, overall.
Punch Audio Martilo
Bass is weighty and authoritative as its reputation holds, but it’s a bit more laid back of a listen for the upper-half of the frequency response. Separation is an improvement over the Volume S, and even with the subdued treble, it remains detailed enough to avoid sounding dull.
XENNS Mangird Tea Pro
A smoother, easier listen. Treble doesn’t come of as refined as the others, and the bass is less impactful than both the Volume S and Martilo, landing closer to the EP321 in quantity.
XENNS Mangird Top Pro
An appreciable step up from the Tea Pro (within the family). Easier to follow the instrument lines than the other sets, and I prefer it over the EP321 for its control, even though it’s not as detailed for certain elements.
GoldPlanar GL-AMT16
Other than being a bit “bass-lite”, this is not really much of a contest. I bring this set up because the treble (not overall separation) trades blows with the EP321, but in all other respects, it get smoked.
Ranking: GL-AMT16 > Top Pro > Martilo = EP321 ≥ Volume S > Tea Pro
säje - Wisteria
(Vocal Quartet)
Binary Acoustics EP321
Vocals sound compressed and uneven, with fricatives drawing a little too much attention. Harmonies are reproduced somewhat cleanly, but lacking. Mids are middling.
Softears Volume S
Vocals have more upfront presence, and the bass is weightier; however, separation between voices isn’t as strong, creating a bit of a dense presentation compared to the EP321.
Punch Audio Martilo
This isn’t a vocal set, but it’s more listenable than the EP321.
Xenns Mangird Tea Pro v. Top Pro
Something about the vocal harmonies, and the generally relaxed signature of the Tea Pro, really lends itself here. I actually prefer this over the Top Pro, at least for this sort of playback.
GoldPlanar GL-AMT16
This track really doesn’t benefit from such an elevated treble response as the EP321’s is. No contest amongst the rest of these.
Ranking: GL-AMT16 > Tea Pro > Top Pro > Martilo > EP321 = Volume S
Yosi Horikawa - Crossing
(Electronic/Field-Recordings)
Binary EP321 v. GL-AMT16
The soundstage is more intimate but still quite even (height and depth-wise) for this recording. The EP321 is more up front with better transients… in isolation… but as the track get busier, I just find the GL-AMT16 a better listen, overall.
Softears Volume S
Not as detail-forward, but a slight improvement in bass weight to the EP321.
Xenns Mangird Tea Pro v. Xenns Mangird Top Pro v. Punch Audio Martilo
The richer sound of the Tea Pro doesn’t lend itself to this track, whereas the Top Pro is decently separated with clean attack for the bass notes. The Martilo, on the other hand, is stronger in the bass than both, but still cleanly separated, just not at the level of the Top Pro.
Ranking: GL-AMT16 > Binary EP321 > Top Pro > Martilo > Volume S = Tea Pro
Verdict/TL;DR:
I think the Binary Acoustics EP321 still falls into the specialist category amongst the MEMs implementations, and just like the Aurvana Ace 2, an IEM with MEMs drivers will only go as far as the rest of its configuration takes it.
Do you like ASMR? Do you want to hear kilobuck-level treble? Absolutely get this, this is the best IEM I’ve heard at this price level for genres that token the upper frequency ranges. The rest of the drivers don’t impede on that aspect, but they’re not the best-in-price either.