5 Likes
2024-04-28: Simgot EA500LM & DEW4X
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EW200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | + | - |
| Mid-bass | + | - |
| Lower-mids | = | = |
| Upper-mids | + | - |
| Treble | + | - |
| Upper-treble | + | - |
| Soundstage | = | = |
| Imaging | + | - |
| Separation | + | - |
| Macro-detail | + | - |
| Micro-detail | + | - |
| Timbre | = | = |
Bass overall is extremely similar with the LM having a bit better texture and extension. Male vocals are ever so slightly warmer on the LM but otherwise is near identical. Female vocals are warmer on the LM and shoutier as well as a tiny bit more forward on the EW200. Extremely similar treble but peakier and more fatiguing on the EW200 and a little bit brighter. Technicalities are all a bit better on the LM except soundstage and timbre which are very similar. Overall the EA500LM is pretty much a direct and true upgrade over the EW200, although value wise the EW200 is for sure the better value at less than half the price of the EA500LM (40 vs 90 usd)
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EA500 (red nozzle) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | = | = |
| Mid-bass | + | - |
| Lower-mids | - | + |
| Upper-mids | + | - |
| Treble | - | + |
| Upper-treble | + | - |
| Soundstage | = | = |
| Imaging | + | - |
| Separation | + | - |
| Macro-detail | + | - |
| Micro-detail | + | - |
| Timbre | + | - |
Mid-bass is a bit more textured and has a bit more quantity on the LM as well as being a bit tighter. Sub-bass rumbles a bit more on the OG with similar extension but punchier on the LM a bit better texture. Male vocals are a bit more forward as well as warmer and more natural on the OG but cleaner on the LM. Female vocals are more forward and brighter on the LM and is cleaner but can be shouty in comparison to the OG. Treble is brighter and airier on the LM but can be a bit much compared to the smoother and warmer OG. Stage is a bit wider on the LM but deeper on the OG, imaging, separation and detail are a bit better on the LM (due to tonality advantage) and timbre is also a bit better on the LM. If you already own the OG, then it is not really worth to have both of them IMO, but if you have neither of them then the LM is the better deal, unless you want something warmer and more balanced.
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EM6L | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | + | - |
| Mid-bass | + | - |
| Lower-mids | + | - |
| Upper-mids | = | = |
| Treble | - | + |
| Upper-treble | + | - |
| Soundstage | + | - |
| Imaging | = | = |
| Separation | - | + |
| Macro-detail | + | - |
| Micro-detail | = | = |
| Timbre | + | - |
LM has more mid-bass quantity and a lot more texture, while the EM6L is a bit tighter and faster. Sub-bass rumbles a lot more on the LM, extends lower and is more textured while the EM6L barely rumbles in comparison but it is cleaner due to the tightness/speed. LM Male vocals are more forward and has some warmth and is more natural in comparison to the EM6L. Female vocals are kind of similar in quantity but buttery smooth on the EM6L but peakier/dynamic on the LM and can be shouty while the EM6L does not get shouty. Treble is a LOT smoother on the EM6L and somewhat warmer in comparison to the peakier LM which also has better dynamic range and is airier. Stage is deeper in the LM and a bit better macro-detail but better separation in the EM6L and similar micro-detail. Timbre is better on the LM. Overall, they are quite different, the EM6L being the more neutral, smoother and less “fun” compared to the more dynamic, U-shaped and peakier LM. Personally, the LM leans a lot more towards my preferences but the LM treble is exceptionally well done with how smooth it is and still detailed, so if you want something more special then I say the EM6L is the better choice, but otherwise I would go for the LM as it is overall the better iem to me.
| Simgot EA500LM (gold nozzle) | Simgot EA1000 (red nozzle + 2x high density foam 4x3mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | = | = |
| Mid-bass | - | + |
| Lower-mids | + | - |
| Upper-mids | + | - |
| Treble | - | + |
| Upper-treble | + | - |
| Soundstage | - | + |
| Imaging | + | - |
| Separation | = | = |
| Macro-detail | + | - |
| Micro-detail | = | = |
| Timbre | + | - |
Very similar mid-bass but just a bit more textured on the EA1000 although just a bit tighter on the LM. Sub-bass rumbles a bit more on the LM but is a bit more textured on the EA1000 with similar extension. Male vocals are warmer and thicker on the EA1000 but is more natural and cleaner on the LM, similar quantity. Female vocals are similar in quantity but is cleaner and more natural on the LM while it is a bit warmer on the EA1000. Treble on the LM is airier and peakier while it is a bit warmer and smoother on the EA1000, tonality wise I prefer the EA1000 but the timbre is a lot better on the LM and ends up sounding a lot more natural. Stage is slightly bigger in the EA100 but other than that the LM is on par or slightly better in technicalities (tonality advantage) with a lot better timbre than the EA1000. Overall, the only advantage the EA1000 has over the LM would be the bass, other than that the LM is the better iem IMO (and this is compared with the modded EA1000, let alone stock).
Conclusion: The EA500LM is a solid iem, with fantastic timbre and is a fun U-shaped iem. If you do not own any iem from Simgot then this is a good pick, although if you already own the EW200 then you should probably skip this one and go for the EM6L instead for no redundancy and a bigger change. Compared with the OG EA500, this LM version is overall the better iem and also a better iem than the much more expensive EA1000.
Rank: A+
Jcally JA3 - Moondrop Dawn - Simgot DEW4X
Simgot DEW4X: Aluminum build that feels well made in a decently small form factor with a cable that might be a bit too long at around 12cm from tip to tip. Has 2 buttons that control the volume +/- (which is independent from the host it is connected to and with 30 steps which is a bit low) and can switch between high and low gain by pressing both at the same time (with memory, so if you used it on high gain last time, it will still be high gain the next time you use it), with the low gain having a red light and high gain a green light. Heat generation is very low as it is very lukewarm. There are no notification lights on the outside but the lights are visible from the 3.5/4.4mm ports. Measurement wise:
It measures like a CX43131 based dongle should, although ever so slightly less powerful than the Moondrop Dawn (3.5mm) which I measured at 2.062vrms compared to 1.935vrms on the DEW4X on high gain with 3.5mm (the oi difference is negligible). While I cannot measure the 4.4mm, generally it should be 2x more powerful and also 2x higher output impedance than the 3.5, putting it around 3.87vrms and 0.44ohm OI on high-gain and 1.91vrms and 0.46ohm OI on low-gain.
Overall, the 80 usd DEW4X does nothing wrong but nothing stands out for it in the very saturated 50-100 usd dongle market, especially with its relatively low 30 steps volume count (Moondrop Dawn pro has 100 steps) and no play/pause or track control buttons only the volume up/down feature.
20 Likes
Man, the classic Riku reviews always warm my heart. Especially seeing the light box come back for those sweet sweet macro shots. Thanks for sharing, brother
7 Likes
Praise from the photo god is damn appreciated!
FYI: I am not using my macro adapter anymore nor any macro lens in my phone, that is just the main (wide angle) lens on my Sony Xperia 5V zoomed in and it is damn macro-like.
5 Likes
Bro, that means so much, thank you!
Yo, that’s WILD! It just goes to show how important lighting is! The quality is insane on those EA500LM shots, super nice color too! That Phone is the real deal. And of course, the photographer behind the lens too!
3 Likes
Yup, lighting is indeed key. Although none of my previous phones could do this so props to Sony for this as well! Too bad their auto mode is so damn shitty though, takes 1-2 seconds to take a pic on auto with their app but much better with Gcam. The manual mode is king though, I bet you would be able to take some full-sized camera level pics with this (or the 1V).
3 Likes
I’ll need a little bit of clarification on why EW200 is a better value when it is outclassed completely by 500LM in all ways? From your description, I’d be telling someone to skip EW200 and go directly to 500LM (including just saving up to it, if need be).
But otherwise, lovely seeing a Riku review, hot off the griddle
1 Like
Because the price is more than 2x the EW200 AND the difference is not nearly as big as the price difference is.
4 Likes
I’m very much a value champ, but I guess I would value “clear upgrade in every way” differently than if EW200 did anything better than 500LM.
Like “you don’t need 500LM if you have OG” makes sense cause they trade blows. But if EW200 doesn’t trade blows, I would lean towards recommending it for people that can go to $100.
1 Like
Yes while it IS something that people that can afford it would be able to buy it, I still do not think the value aspect is good because of the small difference.
2 Likes
Thank you for the clarifications 
1 Like
I feel like saying 2x, while accurate, makes it sound like the price difference is a lot bigger than it is. A ~$50 difference isn’t all that crazy when the ea500 LM comes with 3 sets of tuning nozzles and what looks like better tips and a cable.
While the EA500 LM might not sound like it’s worth $50 more, if it’s overall better and the total package you get is better it would be hard for me personally to argue for the EW200 over it
2 Likes
Im not saying that if u can afford both, to get the EW200 instead as the LM is for sure the better kit overall.
However, for people that are considering stretching their budget, I would not go for it.
5 Likes
So I have been really enjoying the Grand Berserker 2 and the Grand Rider 1, both are really good, and while I love the extra bass and sub-bass the the GB2 can be a bit too dark ( at times ) for my tastes, and the extra stage on the GR1 is really nice.
@Rikudou_Goku what is your recommendation for slightly less dark than the GB2? I am guessing the Grand Alter Saber 3 is the one, but maybe I am missing something.
1 Like
GB2 is pretty extreme towards that side of the spectrum, so the closest would be the upcoming B3 but it is not nearly as bassy as it is.
3 Likes
Saber 3 would be more along the lines of GB2 than GAS3, but I would also wait for the Berserker 3
4 Likes
this would be my recommendation as well. S3 is a better general use set compared to GB2. I’d still wait for B3 before making a decision unless you’re in a hurry.
3 Likes
Correct.
Yes, GB2 is a bit too much of a niche tuning which is why I didnt go that far this time with the B3.
6 Likes
would you say the new B3 is bassier than the S3?
2 Likes