The Time I Got Super Lazy so I’m Going to Blow Through a Bunch of Non-Magical (for me) IEMs
I’ve had a few sets come in lately that have dominated my time (Voldermort, Panda, VULKAN, my returned modded EA500s) and so some sets that have passed through my way that otherwise would normally be noteworthy have…not been noted. With the absolute glut of IEMs on their way in (the current tour box and a few sets I wanted to try out during Prime Day sales, and a couple more I have my eye on to try out that are upcoming), I need to just crank out a few thoughts on a few sets that are meh, fine, or good, but don’t really have an actual hold on me. So let’s do a speed round on some sets, eh?
Songs to Listen to and Follow Along:
As usual, I’m going to write my thoughts in generalities, but I’ll give you a sample of songs that I listen to, that will relate to the concepts I write about. Feel free to ask for specifics, if you don’t keep up with my thought processes.
Playlist
Swashers/Bubbles - Yosi Horikawa (For imaging/detail retrieval (:00-1:00 Swashers), general technicalities check (both), soundstage depth/dynamics/layering/separation (:00-:30 Bubbles))
The Speedwalker (Live at Madison Square Garden) - The Fearless Flyers (For bass elements, particularly sub-bass/mid-bass interplay, drum kits, soundstage/layering)
DISINTER MY HEART - TRAILS (For treble response and resolution, male vocals, midrange response)
When I Fall (Outta Love) - Kevin Olusola (For Imaging/detail retrieval :00-:07, tonality, timbre, male/female vocal interplay)
Fundamental Elements of Madness - Dax Johnson (For soundstage width 1:10-1:26, piano tonality)
Holding On (Rome In Silver Remix) - Dabin (For female vocals, tonality, mid-bass response within mix From 1:12-1:36)
THE SOUND
In the arms of another, who doesn’t mean anything to you; Do you lose yourself in Wonder?; If I could I would hover, while he’s making love to you; Make it rain as I cry
Exit Wounds - Placebo
(IEM Tuning Style: TinHifi T2 Plus - Warm-Neutral; Whizzer BS1 - Lean-Bright; Fiio FD11 - Harman-Neutral (Bass); Whizzer HE10 - V-Shape)
First thing first: In terms of disclosures, I acquired the two Whizzer and the Fiio sets by my own means, for the purposes of having them graphed by @MMag05 (all of which can be found at fr.mmagtech.com), and then to listen to them for my own evaluation. The T2 Plus, however, was a gift to me from the group tour I’m a part of (and as it is a discontinued set anyway, I will describe it more in comparison to sets you can actually get in 2023).
Starting off with the easiest set the Whizzer BS1 was a curiosity as a cheap bullet set with a mostly alright looking lean bass profile, and a worrying bump-up at just past 2k, that turned out to be an absolute non-starter. The set was lacking balance and coherency, and while you can EQ (or mod) more bass into it to get a decent V-shape or lower the upper-mids to get a more neutral balance, the ultimate question is “why would you?” There are so many sets at so many price points that are simply tuned well OOTB, that besides the curiosity of just trying new sets, there’s nothing truly redeeming here. But they are good for appreciating the well done sets you already have. So I guess there is that.
Next up, the Tinhifi T2 Plus is a fine IEM. With it’s flat sub-bass, it emphasizes the present but not overdone midbass, with good open lower mids. This was hitting a “lush” mark for me, especially because the upper-midrange is well plateaued and doesn’t make itself TOO much of the star (for a good all-around signature). The treble is clean, without peakiness, so you can give these more volume than a set like EA500. Technicalities and soundstage are pretty fine, nothing pops as special but nothing is substandard either. This is a set that if you already have it, you have a competitive enough set that you don’t have to do anything else in the sub-$50 bracket, beautiful you need a new budget banger and want this kind of sound, I’m expecting I’d be directing your towards the EW200 (confirmation incoming soon) or possibly the next set up.
I say that because the budget set that really did nice things to me was the Fiio FD11. This set is 1000% related to the JD7, just existing in a lower price bracket. The bass is punchy and present with a very delightful sub-to-midbass balance. I found the note weight and presence to have a good amount of heft on it, but if you are a stickler for clean midranges, you could (probably would) describe the bass as a little muddy. It’s not anything near the amount of weight you’d get from a set like a Maestro Mini or worse a Rosefinch, but it COULD be a little too much. The upper midrange comes to play though because it is properly energetic and cuts right through the warmth like a knife through butter. There can be a little hotness in high female vocals or bright tones, but it’s not something I’d even note as a real con. Soundstage on FD11 is not just intimate, it is flat out inside-your-head. There’s no real width, depth, or height to the staging at all, but the technicalities within that squeezed stage are acceptable if not outright fine. End of the day, it’s another competent sub-$50 IEM that could pop for you if you have the right ears for it.
Last, and certainly not least, is the Whizzer HE10. As soon as I heard this, I got OH10 vibes. It’s got the elevated bass shelf, not-emphasized lower midrange, elevated (but well-tuned) upper-midrange, with smoother treble to keep it from overwhelming you. It is a very coherent, put-together tuning handled by a quality CNT DD driver. They also brought a soundstage that was a bit reminiscent of the OH10 for me; I quite enjoyed the width and depth I get off of both. Like the OH10 too, I wasn’t fully impressed with the technical chops. Neither will make a Yosi Horikawa sound pop due to the imaging/dynamic range/separation, but I do feel like I’m getting what I’d expect from a decent set. That’s good enough.
THE GOOD
- Everything (save one…) here is competent. Certainly within the sub-$100 price range, if you have your eye on the Whizzer HE10 or Fiio FD11, I see no reason to actively talk you out of it. They’re good sets, even if they didn’t set my soul on fire
THE BAD
- The BS1. Just go to jail. Do not pass go and collect $200. Right now!
- T2 Plus being discontinued. That makes this an exercise just to hear a classic set, more than being able to recommend it
- Nothing here will set the world on fire for technical performance. That mantle is still covered by the EA500 for me, around these price ranges
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Long story short, this was an exercise just to try out some sets in an affordable enough price bracket and get back to my roots. And it was mostly a reminder that in 2023, the Chi-Fi game has hit a basic level of competence. Especially when looking at a slightly older model like the BS1, we are in a blessed era where it is incredibly hard to get away with putting out a substandard IEM. On one hand, that’s great because your money is generally safe when buying a new IEM. On the other hand, it can be challenging to find that special feeling an incredible IEM gives you, because it’s hard to find something special in a sea of competent competition. And in this assortment of IEMs, I found a lot of appetizers but nothing that hits the level of a standout entree. But these are sets that are fantastic for beginners and people that just want a new beater set. And that’s going to be it for this review. Enjoy your days, and take care till next time!
Rank for Whizzer HE10 and Fiio FD11: B and B- respectively
Rank With Personal Bias: B and B- respectively
Recommendation Level: HE10: Lukewarm Recommendation Relative to Other Options; FD11: Entry-Level Recommendation
Rank As a Food: Pu Pu Platter
I don’t want to have a problem with too much of an 8k peak.
