EarAcoustic
SPA - High End Ultra. $190.00 usd.
Single 11.4mm Dynamic Driver.
- Driver: 11.4mm Titanium Gold Ball Top + Silicon Crystal Edge Double-Sided Composite Diaphragm, Double Magnetic Circuit, Double Chamber Dynamic Coil Unit
- Sensitivity: 110dB
- Impedance: 26 ohms
- Frequency Response: 5-40,000Hz
- Cable: 0.78mm dual-pin LiTZ coaxial bundle, oxygen-free copper and silver-plated wire mixed weave, 1.20mm
Preamble:
Thanks go out to EarAcoustic for providing the SPA-High End Ultra review unit to the Canuck Audioholics.
EarAcoustic generously released a lot of units from the Silver Angel series of IEM’s to reviewers around the world.
As such, there are already a plethora of reviews posted on the various forums, and YouTube.
So this one will be short, and more of an overview.
I received only the ear pieces, stock cable, and carry case. All of which are of excellent build and quality.
I can’t speak to the unboxing experience.
Pros and Cons:
The High End series appear to use the same shell design and faceplate for all three IEM, but different shell material for each.
- SPA-Hi End 3D resin printing + precision sub bright silver spraying process.
- SPA-Hi End Ultra Zinc alloy mirror silver electroplating +CNC post-treatment process.
- SPA-Hi End Max Aviation grade aluminum alloy five axis CNC process+mirror silver electroplating.
- Surface technology of face plate: 7075 ultra strong alloy diamond cutting surface+crystal resin coating.
They also utilize the same 11.4mm DD, tuned differently by varying the impedance and sensitivity of each series offering.
From a manufacturing stand point, this is brilliant.
By keeping the design similar, and using standardized components across several models this reduces cost, and stream lines manufacturing processes.
From a consumer point of view, this can be confusing trying to clearly, and easily, identify the unique properties of each model.
And, in my humble opinion, the lack of visual uniqueness between face plates on individual models makes the entire Silver Angel SPA series, kind of boring.
The High End Ultra Zinc alloy shells are immaculate in terms of quality and construction. They have some weight to them, and are of medium large size.
The semi custom design fits my ears well and the cable provides addition support, so fit, comfort, seal, and anchor are not an issue for me.
But there could/will be fit and comfort issues for some.
The stock cable is a very nice silver plated copper litz design. Hardware is excellent quality. It’s on the thick side, and just mildly stiff, but resistant to tangling.
3.5mm termination, and I don’t see the option to upgrade to 4.4mm at checkout.
I source rolled several DAPs and a few dongles. The SPA high end ultra is not overly source dependent, it takes on some “personality” from each source, but sounded good on every source I tried.
Sub Bass pulls low, deep and rumbly on source tracks that call on it. It is well mannered on tracks that are not sub bass focused and has good sub/mid bass definition.
Mid Bass has nice impact and reasonably fast decay.
Mids enjoy good macro and some micro detail, transients are quick and mids don’t congest or sound crowded on busy tracks.
Vocals, are for me, the one nit pick I have with this IEM. While they are clean, clear and detailed, I find the tonality just a bit thin and lacking a touch of organics. A little more bass bleed into the mids could be the answer.
The high end is very capable. Bright crisp and airy with very good micro detail on tracks that demand it, and I found no hint of sibilance or harshness.
The stage fills the head, but is not overly expansive, pretty much inside the head.
Width pretty much between the ears, with good height and decent front to rear depth.
Imaging and layering are on par and accurate.
Summary:
My evaluation was done with the EarScoustic SPA High End Ultra aged ?? hours.
IBasso DX340 DAP 3.5mm SE out.
Stock silver plated cable.
Eletech Baroque extra wide bore tips.
EarAcoustic has provided an exceptionally capable and agile 11.4mm dynamic driver in the SPA High End Series IEM’s.
I often forgot I was listening to a single DD.
The Zinc alloy shell on the Ultra version is immaculate, and exudes quality and refinement.
Stock SPC cable is also a quality offering. I would like to see a 4.4mm termination offered, but the High End Ultra sounded just fine on 3.5mm SE out.
I had no problem engaging and drifting into the music for lengthy listening sessions.
The SPA High End Ultra does tilt more toward a monitor tune with detailed mids and highs, but with adequate bottom end warmth to keep it in check.
Based on quality of materials, accessories, and sound quality.
I feel the SPA is worthy of its $190 usd ask.
As always, individual tuning preferences and personal hearing will ultimately determine if it is right for you.
My music sources:
Qobuz, and, FLAC and DSD files stored on the SD cards of my daps.
My music genre are primarily Rock, Blues, Jazz, Symphonic, Country, Rap, R&B, Pop, Electronic.
Enjoy your music. 