AFUL coming out to play with new models at CanJam Singapore. Exciting!
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So Aful is finally tinkering with ESTâs? Thank god. Iâve been waiting a long time for this.
It does look like a $1k+ set. So much for âFlagshipâ Cantor.
This brand really should not belong in the clutches of HifiGo imho.
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ESTs and BC for the first time, all in the same model âŠ
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that combination of drivers the few times ive seen it is more like 4-6k, lets hope they demolish that price and its well tuned 
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The left one looks like there is a switch on it as well.
I pray its either stupidly cheap for that configuration (less than 1k) that i HAVE to buy or too expensive that i dont spend time finding ways to survive 2 months without food.
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Let me guess, the left side is like the Explorer 2, it is looking promising so far.
Left is going to be like $2k⊠Iâm guessing. 
I really like the ThieAudio Origin with the BC, but itâs also got a really fat butt that feels like itâs gaping my ears after a couple hours. (lol) Wonder how this would fair cuz those top corners looking pretty chonky in the pics. Planar is definitely interesting.
how would that be explorer 2 
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I donât know, maybe itâs because of its âspaceyâ look? I could be wrong though, could be an entirely new IEM that is like not a successor to the Explorer.
it has 1DD 8BA 4EST 1BCD, its pretty far from explorer 2 but it does have sprinkles of glitter
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Explorer âUltimateâ Lol
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On a different note, the Sound Rhyme SP01 is a hidden gem with 3 tuning nozzles for different preferences.
I said Iâd be back with a comparison between these three, so here it is!
I had all of these on my desk at once during their respective AudioGeek EU tours: the CraftEars Omnium ($2.7k), Letshuoer Cadenza 12 ($2k), and Dunu Glacier ($1.4k), all driven with using my Chord Mojo, Qudelix 5k, and Topping G5. (specs in the table below).
The Cadenza 12âs tuning is great - offering exceptional clarity, smoothness, and midbass punch. It presents vocals more intimately and with greater weight than the Omnium or Glacier. Detail retrieval and stereo separation are outstanding, with strings, vocals, and cymbals rendered with precision. Cymbals come slightly forward in the mix. However, itâs not a subbass monster and doesnât quite scratch that itch for me. When listening to metal, the double bass is well articulated, but some might find the overall presentation too relaxed. The C12 isnât forgiving of poor recordings - you hear the noise floor clearly, though this transparency provides an excellent sense of space.
The Glacier definitely delivers on subbass rumble with better treble decay than the others - cymbal strikes sustain more naturally, less âtss tss.â While its bass feels even more rumbly than the C12, itâs less controlled and can be somewhat boomy. The mids are noticeably thinner. Itâs fun with e.g. pop, electropop and hip-hop. Itâs like turning the Binary Acoustics Chopin tuning up to 11 with more visceral bass and air. The metal build is premium but a bit heavy.
The Omnium strikes an excellent balance between the two, offering better subbass extension than the C12 while maintaining better midrange presence than the Glacier. Its razor-sharp bass reproduction and excellent separation throughout the frequency range make it stand out. Despite having large shells, I found them the most comfortable of the three, as the longer stems prevent the body from contacting other parts of my ear.
After comparing all three directly, I preferred the Omniumâs tuning for its versatility and technical performance, though the C12 excels with vocal presentations and the Glacier delivers the most fun, bass-heavy experience. Ominum would be my pick of the three (sadly, the most expensive 
), but I can see all three suiting particular preferences.
I have to say though, the competition from sets under 1k USD is really tough! Iâve been really enjoying things like Kiwi Ears Punch ($400), IO Volare ($600), and TSMR Shock ($600), and they bring a lot to the table for a fraction of the price.
| Specification | CraftEars Omnium | Letshuoer Cadenza 12 | Dunu Glacier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver Units | 1 x 9.2 mm dynamic driver + 1 x 10 mm planar magnetic driver + 5 balanced armature drivers | 1 x 10 mm LCS Kevlar dynamic driver + 11 balanced armature drivers (7 Sonion + 4 Knowles) | 1 DD + 4 BA + 4 EST (9 total drivers) |
| Crossover | 6-way | 6-way | 4-way |
| Sensitivity | Not provided | 110 dB/mW (±1%) | 109 dB/mW (@ 1kHz) |
| Impedance | 12 Ω ±0.8 Ω (10 Hz-20 kHz) | 16 Ω ±1% | 43 Ω at 1 kHz |
| Cost (USD) | $2700 | $2000 | $1350 |
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The Omnium is a really great set. I would choose that one of these three too, but as you say it is also clearly the most expensive of the three. The price doesnât decide whatâs best for everyone, but at least in this particular instance I would be willing to pay the premiumđ
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@Jaytiss selling off some of your favorites! May I ask what youâre saving up for, and/or what you have already thatâs keeping you satisfied? Or aiming for some headphones as you mention in the reddit post? Curious to know more! 
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Probably reinvesting in iems, I use Sierra open a lot. New Aful flagship and 7th Ascoutics Rowan look fantastic.
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The way you highlight each IEMâs character makes it easy to see why the Omnium stands out. Crazy how the sub-$1k sets are catching upâexciting times for the hobby!
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Hello guys, I made my second review since i had the pleasure of joining the AudioGeek tours. a true blessing for a student like me to get to listen to some banger IEMs during my student time. This one is for the Cadenza 12 and Spoiler: Its a love story.
The virtuoso - Cadenza 12
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Iâve had the I/O Volare ($600) generously on loan from a friend, @Ultra_Bithalver . It has 1 DD, 4 BAs, and 4 ESTs, with a sensitivity of 121dB/Vrms and impedance of 4.8Ω at 1kHz.
The Volare has a warm neutral signature with safe upper treble/air. Though not the U or V-shaped tuning I typically prefer, it delivers a very satisfying listening experience. The mid-bass has excellent kick and attack, initially suggesting a dark tuning, but the mids come through clean and slightly forward. Vocals are intimate (a bit like the Cadenza 12) with good body.
The treble is well-executed but lacks some upper-treble air and sparkle. I might prefer more sub-bass extension, but the overall balance is excellent â warm, full, and smooth with snappy bass thatâs well-integrated with the forward mids.
Interestingly, the Volare doesnât graph like it sounds â measurements would suggest less mid-bass than my ears perceive. The bass has nice fast attack rather than big physical impact.
Fit is great, isolation average. Pretty easy to drive, but current hungry so avoid high output impedance sources unless youâre trying to mess with the tuning of the IEMs. I used my Qudelix 5k and Topping G5.
This one is easy to recommended for those looking for a warm neutral signature with excellent mids presence and satisfying bass with a safe upper-treble tuning. I could see it being a one-and-done kind of set for a lot of people!
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