u/Cold-Explorer-4640

The TXN Ceramic is a premium high-fidelity single dynamic driver in-ear monitor that marks the Vietnamese audio brand TXN Sound’s debut into the world of single dynamic driver IEMs. Launched at $590 alongside the flagship TXN Diamond, the Ceramic is crafted for audiophiles seeking a more musical and engaging sound signature without sacrificing technical performance. 

The TXN Ceramic is tuned with a clear focus on delivering a musical and organic sound signature from the very first listen. It offers class-leading imaging capabilities paired with rich, soulful vocals. The in-house designed aluminium shells are precision-crafted using CNC machining, ensuring excellent comfort during long listening sessions. Additionally, the anodised finish enhances durability while providing resistance against scratches.

Tonality - The TXN Ceramic delivers a balanced, organic sound signature with a tasteful touch of warmth that adds musicality and soul to the presentation. From the very first listen, its focus on vocals and musical engagement becomes clear. The Ceramic leans toward a mid-centric tuning, while the lows and highs remain well-balanced and cohesive. Instruments carry a natural, lifelike timbre, complemented by immersive and emotionally engaging vocals.

Lows – The lows are tuned in a very balanced manner. The sub-bass delivers a satisfying rumble, though it rolls off slightly early. The mid-bass offers a tight, punchy response with impressive speed and engagement. Bass decay is quick and clean, preventing any bleed into the lower mids.

Mids – The mids are presented slightly forward in the mix, bringing vocals into the spotlight with a soulful and emotional character. Both male and female vocals sound engaging and expressive. Instruments within this range, especially acoustic guitars and pianos, carry a natural, lifelike timbre that enhances the overall musical experience.

Highs - The treble presentation is smooth, relaxed, and free from harshness. Extensions rolled off at the very top, which guarantees ultimate crispness. Completely free of sibilance, making it ideal for fatigue-free listening for hours. The micro details are rendered in a very effortless manner and showcased in a very organic manner without being on your face 

Soundstage and Imaging - Soundstage is of moderate width and height, offering an intimate "studio lounge" feel rather than a concert hall. The fast transient response of the ceramic driver produces excellent instrument layering. The imaging capability of TXN Ceramic is truly outstanding and one of the best we have experienced from an IEM in this price range.

P.S. These beautiful photos were taken by my better half with her smartphone, and I was like, what am I doing with all those big setups? Then I realised why they are called 'better'.

Went early to the meeting, and TXN Ceramic came to the rescue.

Also, it's the 18th anniversary of the beautiful album 'Watershed' by Opeth

TOTL sound with TOTL source. Running IceLab Spectrumica on Dethonray Listening M1 exudes phenomenal output. With a proper power delivered to the IEM, the lower end's physicality is nothing like before.

​

Phew, after so long travel of air water land and what not, finally it arrived

Airpod inspired design and unlike the cheapo tws sound. Thick and warm.

Following the sad demise of the great Indian legend Asha Bhosle, and in light of the recent Gorillaz Indian tour announcement, we remember her with one of her last works, showcasing her divine voice. The latest album, The Mountain indeed an emotional journey.

Working with Dethonray Clarinet and Gaudio Tian, the album felt soulful.

https://music.apple.com/in/album/the-mountain/1837237742

Taking a spin with the Kinera Celest Yaksha hybrid IEMs. Packed with a 4-driver tribrid setup (2DD + 1BA + 1MPD) inside stunning, filled-resin shells that catch the light beautifully.

​If you love a warm, musical, and deeply rhythmic sound with plenty of bass thump and smooth highs, this under-$150 set is an absolute vibe.

​ What’s on your playlist today?

CanJam returns to Singapore today. Wish all the brands a grand show. Whoever visiting this weekend please share your experience with us here.

DISCLAIMER: The generous team at ROSESELSA Audio graciously provided the ROSESELSA Cambrian over-ear headphones to us at no cost for review. We at Aural Cafe are excited about this collaboration with ROSESELSA and would also like to thank ROSESELSA for their kind support to Aural Cafe.

Introduction: -

Today at Aural Cafe, we will be reviewing the ‘Cambrian’, their maiden over-ear true-wireless headphone, from the China-based hi-fi brand ROSESELSA. The Distant Mountain is an exclusive, single 40mm dynamic driver-based over-ear headphone from ROSESELSA, featuring a composite Wood-Fibre diaphragm with an ultra-thin flexible suspension.

ROSESELSA is a hi-fi brand under the parentage of Chengdu Ruoshui Technology Co., Ltd. Ruoshui Shisha, its subsidiary, focuses on consumer-grade digital audio products, including headphones, headphone upgrade cables, accessories, and high-end custom products. ROSESELSA, formerly known as ROSETECHNICS, was established in 2015 in Chengdu, China. With a team comprising esteemed tuners, designers, and music enthusiasts, ROSESELSA was founded by two Audio-Obsessed engineers, Xie Yu, a Former Fostex engineer, contributor to iconic models like Sennheiser IE7/IE8 and B&O A8, specialising in dynamic driver development and Yu Long, as the brand's CEO and product Research and Development Lead. In 2016, they launched their first IEM line and in 2018, introduced the first hybrid IEM, Star City 5 Pro, blending dynamic drivers and balanced armatures. During this journey of constant innovation, ROSESELSA brand garnered recognition domestically by constantly ranking among the top 10 Hi-Fi Brands in China. However, they achieved their global breakthrough after entering the European, North American, and Asia-Pacific Markets in 2024, winning multiple International Design honours, including the MUSE Design Awards (Silver), New York Product Design Awards, and London Design Awards. In 2023, they appointed musician Steve Chou as brand ambassador to reinforce their image of musical artistry.

ROSESELSA's maiden launch has been a series of IEMs under the Rose Mini Series, Rose Hybrid series and later Electrostatic IEMs in 2020. While the Rose Mini Series of IEMs aimed to cater to the needs of budget-conscious audiophiles, the Hybrid series in 2018 was designed for audiophiles seeking an IEM with solid resolution and staging. The Electrostatic flagship set of IEMs was launched in 2020 with the aim of airy highs. While we were fortunate enough to review their first on-ear headphones, ‘Distant Mountain’,

-          https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hwpj5vGem/

This time at Aural Café, we will be reviewing the ROSESELSA Cambrian, the first full-sized Bluetooth headphone that adopts a 40 mm single Dynamic Driver featuring a Wood-Fibre diaphragm with an ultra-thin flexible diaphragm. As per ROSESELSA, the Cambrian Bluetooth Headphones have a sound that can give you a live-music-like experience. As per the ROSESELSA team, Cambrian’s unique HR2 Plunck Technology and Equal-Loudness Contour Tuning reproduce crystal-clear, balanced sound. 5 silicon crystal mics, a neural network intelligent noise cancelling algorithm, and a multi-layer passive noise cancelling structure form a noise elimination system that can reduce up to 99% of ambient noise—such as from aeroplanes, streets, and subways shielding the user from disturbances and enjoying an ultra-pure music experience. The Horizon Anti-Torsion Headband is engineered with multiple protective layers of metal and anti-torsion structures. Combined with a multi-axial hinge design, it offers inherent durability while seamlessly adapting to glasses.

The Cambrian over-ear headphones are priced at 54.99 USD in the global market.

Specifications: -

Driver: 40mm Dynamic Driver

Diaphragm: Composite Wood-Fibre Diaphragm Driver

Noise Cancellation Depth: 48 dB

Audio Formats: LDAC/SBC/AAC

Battery Life: 100 Hours

Headphone Weight: Approx 270g

Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -

As you can see from our unboxing video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mukvZatWLAk), the Cambrian Headphone arrived in a big, rectangular-shaped cardboard box. The headphone’s photo of the Cambrian is printed on the top of the box along with the brand ROSESELSA's name and logo.

On opening the box, we are surprised to be welcomed with the beautiful ROSESELSA Cambrian headphones by removing the top cover only. In the left corner, there is another small box that can be found. It contains accessories. Overall, the unboxing is pretty simple and straightforward.

When it comes to the design and build quality of the ROSESELSA Cambrian Headphones, we at Aural Cafe to inform our readers and our fellow audiophiles that the quality of the build is just fine for its price. The team at ROSESELSA has done a solid job as they can maintain the price and build while designing. Following the design language of exquisite minimalism and visualisation, the team of ROSESELSA adopted black, ashy gray and ashy blue; we at Aural Café chose the black version of it. The foldable earcups and the swivel mechanism help in carrying the Headphones easily while commuting. The slow-rebound ear coushions helps to wear them for a longer session of gaming and music. The pressure relief ports, as well as the mic, are strategically placed holes around the earcups to reduce the pressure buildup, extending treble and enhancing comfort during long listening sessions. Although some may consider the build quality to be average. All in all, the design and fit are pretty good. We at Aural Cafe have come across and considered them in recent times while considering price.

When it comes to accessories, Cambrian comes with a charging cable and a detachable cable (3.5mm to 3.5mm) to connect the headphones without Bluetooth. When it comes to carry cases, it would have been great if they had provided a basic carry pouch for the Cambrian.

Sound Analysis: -

The ROSESELSA Cambrian is generally about as balanced as it could get, with a distinctly consumer style emphasis on the bass end, and can vary a little from use to use depending on how well it is worn with any ANC.

·         Lows: - In the bass frequency areas, it has excellent midbass energy enough to add weight and impact to music with some degree of control over rumble, but not as low as some bass cans. Once activated, the bass may get a little chunky, and for some users, the bass can bleed over into the midrange, which is not important to tightness, but is nice to have a “thump” anyway. The layering is also average, which we felt while listening to ‘The Hills’ by The Weeknd. We at Aural Cafe would love to see a more boosted sub-bass exuding a better rumble, which would also add a touch more musicality and body to the overall sound signature.

·         Mids: - One of the more agreeable tuning features of the Cambrian is the midrange. Feels warm and slightly forward, the male voice will ring out full and natural, and the female voice is soft and relaxed. This gives the vocals a pleasant sound and is relatively easy to hear even in casual listening circumstances. We enjoyed listening to ‘Bad Guy’ by Billie Eilish due to the superb resonance and musical emotions of the vocals, with the Cambrian at the helm.

·         Highs:- Treble's performance varies more and is subject to listener sensitivity. Some people might find it smooth and non-intrusive, while others might experience some aspects being slightly sharp or irregular, depending on the headphone's "laid-back" tuning. Overall, the treble is not as refined or extended and is more of a consumer presentation. When it comes to instruments such as Cymbals, they lack the energy of the hit that we crave.

·         Soundstage & Imaging: - In the factual side of things, the Cambrian’s stage is not too wide or deep; it tends to be pretty closed and in between spacious and unspacious. Imaging is adequate, instruments are positioned, but not necessarily with great accuracy, and some detail is retrieved, average for a budget Bluetooth product. All in all, it brings music to you in a manner that could be described as controlled and easygoing, but doesn't really sound open and highly resolving.

ANC & Real‑World Performance: -

Overall, Cambrian delivers decent performance despite being a sub-$60 ANC headphone. Active noise cancellation is good, reducing low‑frequency noise such as fan sound or traffic for use while commuting or studying, and the transparency is effective to a degree to hear what's happening around you. Bluetooth is fairly reliable and provides good wireless connectivity. That is, however, not to say that it is without drawbacks, as with many budget ANC systems, there are some slight pressure changes and artefacts in ANC mode, and sometimes, mechanical noise due to wearing or adjusting the headphones on the head.

Sensible in real-world use, Cambrian truly triumphs. The battery life is so long that it's perfect for extended use throughout the day or on the go, and a multipoint connection for easy switching from phone to laptop. A wired mode is also helpful as a backup in the event of battery failure. There are also some drawbacks to take note of: The phone calls aren't always noticeably good, sometimes they get muffled, and there may be some slight latency or lag in some cases. Moreover, although the “glossy” finish looks good, it is very easy to get fingerprints and smudges on it, which can add to the user experience.

Conclusion: -

ROSESELSA Cambrian is a feature-rich true wireless Over-Ear Headphones from the brand. The team at ROSESELSA seems to have worked hard to blend the minimal aesthetic build of the Cambrian with the capable single 40 mm Dynamic Driver with tons of features. The lightweight and ergonomic design of the Cambrian helps while listening to music on the go. When it comes to Sound quality, which is ultimately what matters to an audiophile, we understand the approach from ROSESELSA is purely focused on daily casual listening. Long battery life, ANC, LDAC, and dual‑device pairing make it a practical daily driver. We at Aural Cafe would definitely love to have a better quality Bass-response and a much more controlled upper mids, along with the trebles, but then it’s a matter of personal taste. For us, it’s best for budget‑conscious buyers who want reliable wireless ANC headphones for commuting, work, or casual listening. If anyone is willing to purchase, it is available for purchase globally through the following link (Non-Affiliated link is given below).

-          https://global.roseselsa.com/products/cambrian-over-ear-noise-cancelling-wireless-headphones

Limited to 250 pcs.

aune audio AR5000 with Shanling Audio H7 sourced from HiBy Music R3 Pro Saber.

Posted somewhere on comment. Paired with Dethonray's DTR1+ Limited Edition to a Custom Tube Amp made by a friend.

Being the primitive technology in the industry, dynamic drivers always have a special place in the heart. Took out the InTime Miyabi today after a year, maybe even more. Still intimate, still energetic.

Also, today is the 41st anniversary of probably the best album by 'Dire Straits'. So, celebrating it with none other than Astell&Kern SP1000M + Dethonray Clarinet connected by the InTime Miyabi. Won't compromise the quality with streaming, so the offline file is the saver today. I wish someday I would collect the LP.

• https://music.apple.com/.../brothers-in-arms.../1565391787

Came all the way from Germany, Vision Ears. Really excited to unbox.

The Etymotic ER4XR continues to be a gold standard for detail lovers. With its surgical clarity, slightly boosted bass, and unmatched isolation, it’s a tool for professionals and a treat for purists. Not the most comfortable for everyone, but if precision is your priority, the ER4XR is still hard to beat.

DISCLAIMER: The iFi Audio GO Blu Air was provided to us free of charge by iFi Audio for review purposes. We at Aural Cafe would like to thank the iFi Audio team for this opportunity and for their continued support to Aural Cafe.

Introduction: -

After reviewing several IEMs at Aural Cafe, we switch things up with a look at the iFi GO Blu Air: a compact Bluetooth DAC/Amp from the house of iFi Audio. Featuring Master Hi-Fi 32-Bit DAC from Cirrus Logic, along with Qualcomm QCC5144 Bluetooth chipset, GO Blu Air is a compact Bluetooth DAC/amp designed for people who want better sound than a typical smartphone or dongle can deliver without sacrificing portability.

The GO Blu Air is iFi Audio’s latest addition to its GO lineup, which focuses primarily on portable hi-fi audio solutions. GO Blu Air is an ultra-portable, compact Bluetooth DAC/amp designed for those seeking a richer hi-fi listening experience than a typical smartphone or dongle can provide, without compromising on portability, all thanks to its individually optimised Bluetooth 5.2 chip, DAC, and twin-mono amplifier stages. Powered by a reliable Master HiFi 32-bit DAC from Cirrus Logic, the GO Blu Air is positioned as a more affordable, wireless-only alternative to the original GO Blu, placing strong emphasis on convenience, sound quality, and support for high-resolution, low-latency codecs such as aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC. With the complete removal of the 3.5 mm headphone jack and more recently the lightning port from smartphones, USB-C jack, and Bluetooth have become the universal standard for audio connectivity. At the same time, hi-res music is more accessible than ever, thanks to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz. As a result, portable Bluetooth DAC/amps and dongles have quickly emerged as the go-to solution for audio enthusiasts seeking better sound on the go. While brands like AudioQuest and FiiO were early entrants in this segment, companies such as iFi Audio, Questyle, and iBasso Audio are now pushing the category forward with more innovative and refined devices. With products like the GO Blu Air, iFi Audio continues to set a strong benchmark by delivering simple yet highly functional hi-fi devices in this category. At Aural Cafe, we’ve also had the opportunity to review the iFi GO Bar Kensei and GO Link Max, which our readers can check out by clicking on the following links:

- https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-pod-max.28303/reviews#review-41736

- https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-zen-dac-3.27260/reviews#review-36502

Built around the idea of “hi-fi that fits in,” the GO Blu Air seamlessly integrates into daily life, small enough to slip into a pocket, yet powerful enough to transform the way you experience music on the go. Powered by a reliable Master HiFi 32-bit DAC from Cirrus Logic, at its core, the GO Blu Air is a Bluetooth DAC/amp engineered to bridge the gap between convenience and high-quality audio. Unlike typical all-in-one Bluetooth solutions, iFi takes a more audiophile-focused approach by separating the Bluetooth, DAC, and amplification stages, mirroring the architecture of full-sized hi-fi systems. Audio is received via a dedicated Qualcomm Bluetooth chipset, processed through a high-resolution Cirrus Logic Master HiFi DAC, and amplified by a twin-mono output stage, ensuring a clean, detailed, and dynamic sound. The story of GO Blu Air's high-quality internals doesn’t end here, as it comes integrated with the iFi proprietary ultra-low jitter GMT clocking system and 3.5 mm S-balanced port to keep distortion and noise at a bare minimum level.

Compared to 199 USD of the OG GO Blu, which was launched in 2021, the GO Blu Air is priced at 129 USD. For $70 less, the Air loses the USB DAC functionality of the OG GO Blu and now features a lightweight polymer chassis body instead of the brushed aluminium chassis of the OG GO Blu. The GO Blu Air is clearly positioned as a lightweight, on-the-go Bluetooth DAC/amp, featuring an upgraded Bluetooth 5.2 chipset (over the 5.1 found in the original GO Blu), along with a detachable magnetic clip, a practical addition that wasn’t included with the GO Blu. A detachable magnetic clip is seamlessly integrated into the chassis, letting an audiophile securely fasten the GO Blu Air into his or her belt, bag, or jacket, nullifying the need for an aftermarket case. In addition, it also features a built-in MEMS microphone with Qualcomm’s noise and echo suppression technology, enabling clear hands-free calls, in-game voice chat, and quick access to one device’s voice assistant.

Designed for modern listeners and discerning audiophiles, the GO Blu Air supports a wide range of high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC, LHDC, and aptX Adaptive, delivering superior wireless audio performance across both Android and iOS devices. With both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, along with ifi’s signature XBass and XSpace analogue enhancements, it offers flexibility and customisation rarely seen in such a compact device. In terms of power, the 3.5mm output delivers on par with the original GO Blu, while the 4.4mm balanced output sees a slight increase compared to the OG GO Blu. While this is impressive given its ultra-compact size, it may still fall short of optimally driving more demanding, full-sized professional headphones. Weighing just around 30 grams and featuring a sleek magnetic clip for easy portability, the GO Blu Air is clearly built for life on the move, offering up to 10 hours of playback while maintaining the sonic performance expected from iFi’s hi-fi pedigree. In essence, the GO Blu Air isn’t just another Bluetooth dongle; it’s a thoughtfully engineered portable audio solution aimed at listeners who refuse to compromise on sound, even in a wireless, on-the-go setup.

iFi Audio’s Go Blu Air is globally available at a price of US$ 129.

Specifications: -

• Input: Bluetooth 5.4

• Codecs Supported: aptX Lossless, LDAC, LHDC/HWA, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC

• Chipset: Qualcomm’s Flagship QCC5181

• Connection Types: MMCX, 2-Pin (Included), A2DC, T2, Pentaconn (Optional)

• Output Impedance: 16/32/64/300 Ohms (Auto-Impedance Detection)

• Power Output: ≥120mW/1.96V @ 32 Ohms

• SNR: ≥132dB(A) @ 300 Ohms

• DNR: ≥129dB(A) @ 32 Ohms

• Battery Life: 7 Hours; 35 Hours including Charging Case

• Net Weight: 24.5g (Pods), 185g (Charging Case)

Packaging & Accessories: -

As seen in our unboxing video (https://youtube.com/shorts/i5scOA6xjWM?feature=share), the unboxing experience of the iFi GO Blu Air follows a familiar approach that long-time iFi users will instantly recognise as minimalistic, functional, and no-nonsense. Rather than going for an elaborate presentation, iFi GO Blu Air arrived in a compact white colour cardboard box, keeping things clean and practical, aligning with the product’s portable, everyday-use philosophy. The front part of the box offers a quick visual introduction to the GO Blu Air’s design language, with the iFi branding placed at the top centre and the product name ‘GO Blu Air’ printed prominently near the bottom, followed by the tagline “Mobile Bluetooth Headphone Amp”. We also came across the usual Hires Audio sticker stuck at the top right corner of the box. While the right corner side informs an audiophile about the unique features of the GO Blu Air, the left Corner of the box gives us a glimpse into the side profile of the GO Blu Air, along with its unique magnetic clip. The features and the technical specification of the GO Blu Air can be seen printed on the back side of the box, along with the iFi parent company name and address. On opening the box, we directly come across the GO Blu Air Bluetooth DAC/Amp, along with its proprietary magnetic clip, placed neatly with the help of a paper cutout. After digging a bit, we come across a small USB-A to USB-C charging cable placed at the top part of the box, while the brown colour carry pouch made out of soft microfibre was seen placed at the bottom part of the box. We also come across the usual instruction manuals, which become a bit important in this case as contain instructions which will help an audiophile to operate the GO Blu Air optimally. We also like to mention that each part of the packaging, from the paper box to the plastic used for packaging of the GO Blu Air, is made of recyclable materials, as iFi prides itself on being an eco-friendly hi-fi audio company. All in all, the unboxing of the GO Blu Air is less about theatrics and more about getting straight to the experience. It delivers exactly what an audiophile needs to get started, with the highlight being the device itself, tiny, lightweight, and immediately intriguing. It’s a reminder that iFi has prioritised portability and usability over flashy packaging, which ultimately fits the product’s on-the-go nature perfectly.

Build & Design Concept: -

The black iFi GO Blu Air, measuring 53.5 x 33.7 x 19.5 mm, largely retains the size, shape, and overall design language of the original GO Blu. However, while the OG model featured a brushed aluminium build, the GO Blu Air uses a sturdy polymer chassis that still manages to look and feel surprisingly premium. The front of the device is finished in a refined leather texture with subtle iFi branding, giving it an elegant touch. On the side, we came across the familiar ChronoDial, now made from silicone instead of the copper-aluminium construction seen on the original offering, with smooth and intuitive control. Up top, the GO Blu Air houses both a 3.5 mm S-Balanced output and a 4.4 mm balanced port, along with a small LED indicator that serves multiple functions, which we’ll cover later in the operation section. The layout remains user-friendly, with a circular power button on one side and a secondary button below the ChronoDial dedicated to Bluetooth pairing. At the bottom, there’s a USB-C charging port, accompanied by a MEMS microphone opening and a small LED indicator for battery status. One of the standout design elements is the semi-transparent back panel, which offers a subtle glimpse into the internal components. This side also features a magnetic strip along with a Hi-Res Audio Wireless badge. The included detachable magnetic clip, finished in black with a bold gold iFi logo, feels solid and secure in use. The magnetic connection is strong, and for easier removal, it’s best to hold the clip from the bottom. Overall, despite its $129 price point, the GO Blu Air delivers a build and design that feels both functional and premium. From the leather-textured finish and well-placed controls to the thoughtful inclusion of LED indicators, a high-quality magnetic clip, and a soft carry pouch, everything about the package feels carefully considered. Right from the first impression, the GO Blu Air establishes itself as more than just another Bluetooth DAC/Amp; it’s a well-designed and thoughtfully executed portable audio device from the iFi Audio team.

Operating Go Blu Air: -

Operating the iFi GO Blu Air is largely intuitive, yet it reveals a surprising level of depth as you become more familiar with its controls. For the initial setup, you need to press the round button located just below the ChronoDial to initiate Bluetooth pairing. After the first connection, however, the device automatically enters pairing or reconnect mode upon powering on, eliminating the need to use the pairing button again when connecting to the same smartphone or DAP. In use, the pairing process is quick, stable, and hassle-free, with strong connection reliability even at a distance. Once connected, the device provides an audible announcement of the active Bluetooth codec. While this feature can be disabled, it’s a useful addition, as it lets you instantly know which codec is in use, offering added confidence that you’re getting the best possible audio quality. The circular button located just below the ChronoDial allows users to toggle between iFi’s sound enhancement modes XBass, XSpace, and XBass + XSpace. A simple short press cycle through each mode seamlessly. To indicate the active setting, a small LED near the 4.4 mm port lights up in different colours:

Yellowish: XBass

Bluish: XSpace

Colourless: XBass + XSpace

This colour-coded system makes it easy to identify the selected mode at a glance while using the device on the go.

When it comes to the ChronoDial, it functions much like the one found on the original GO Blu, serving as a versatile multi-function control. Rotating the dial adjusts the volume, while pressing it allows you to control playback.

The controls work as follows:

• Single press: Play/Pause

• Double press: Skip forward

• Triple press: Go back to the previous track

• Long press: Activate your smartphone’s voice assistant

For the best experience, users should press directly on the iFi logo at the centre of the ChronoDial rather than the edges, as this ensures more accurate and responsive input.

The story of GO Blu Air customisation doesn’t end here, as it also offers The GO Blu Air a lets you fine-tune your listening experience by swapping between DAC digital filter options, namely Standard and Minimum Phase. These filters subtly alter how the DAC processes sound, giving you a bit of control over the final presentation.

To switch between the filters, one needs to press the ChronoDial button and the function button as outlined in the manual. Once changed, the device confirms the selection through voice prompts.

• Standard Filter: Offers a more precise and neutral sound with sharper detail and better extension.

• Minimum Phase Filter: Delivers a smoother, more natural presentation with slightly softer transients, often preferred for longer listening sessions.

While the differences are subtle, this feature acts as the final customizable touch, allowing users to tailor the GO Blu Air’s sound to their personal preferences.

The GO Blu Air is supported by the iFi Nexis app, which offers a straightforward set of controls. While there isn’t a wide range of customisation, the app allows users to enable or disable Bluetooth codecs and perform firmware updates. To download the iFi Nexis app, simply follow these steps:

For Android

1. Open the Google Play Store

2. Search for “ifi Nexis”

3. Tap Install

For iPhone

1. Open the App Store

2. Search for “ifi Nexis”

3. Tap Get to download

Make sure your GO Blu Air is paired via Bluetooth before opening the app. The app lets you:

1. Adjust sound settings (XBass, XSpace, filters)

2. Update firmware

3. Customise device behaviour

We would also like to point out that we did miss having a digital screen and would appreciate seeing one in a future version of the GO Blu series. As for sound customisation, we at Aural Cafe don’t rely heavily on EQ, so the absence of parametric EQ wasn’t an issue for us. However, audiophiles who prefer fine-tuning their sound signature may find this feature missing on the GO Blu Air.

When it comes to battery status, the small LED located at the bottom of the device near the USB-C port serves as an indicator, displaying the battery level as follows:

Green: >60%

Yellow: >10%

Red: Less than or equal to 10 %

When it comes to battery backup, iFi Audio officially rates the GO Blu Air at around 10 hours of playback. In our testing, we achieved 9 to 9.5 hours when pairing the GO Blu Air with IEMs at moderate volume, which dropped slightly to around 8 to 8.5 hours when paired with headphones.

Sound Analysis: -

The sound impressions of the GO Blu Air are based on listening to a wide range of music genres using several neutral IEMs and headphones, with the GO Blu Air as the primary source. Since it is purely a Bluetooth DAC/amp, we also evaluated its wireless performance extensively. Powered by the Qualcomm QCC5144 chipset with Bluetooth 5.2, the GO Blu Air was tested with multiple smartphones and DAPs to assess both connection reliability and codec performance. In our testing, AAC playback on the iPhone 13 was smooth and stable. However, our preferred codec remained LDAC, which we experienced while pairing the GO Blu Air with devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 13s, delivering noticeably better audio quality. We also tested aptX support using the Astell & Kern ultima SP1000M, which performed flawlessly. Overall, this turned out to be one of those rare experiences where we encountered virtually no Bluetooth issues, connections were stable, and performance remained consistent throughout. We would also like to mention here that, for review purposes, most of our impressions were formed using the 4.4 mm balanced output to extract the best possible performance from the device.

• Tonality: - After spending several hours listening to a wide range of genres with the ifi GO Blu Air as the primary source, paired with neutral IEMs and headphones like the Rhapsodio Little Eden, Sora Audio RISE, and HiFiMan Deva Pro via the 4.4 mm balanced output, we can confidently say that its overall sound tonality is slightly warm, smooth, and musical. This kind of tuning of the GO Blu Air by the iFi Audio team seems to prioritise musicality over strict analytical precision. Powered by a reliable Cirrus Logic Master HiFi 32-bit DAC, this kind of balanced, slightly warm tuning doesn’t come as a surprise to us at Aural Cafe. Instrument timbre comes across as natural and lifelike, complemented by a pleasing sense of vocal texture. The combination of individually optimised Bluetooth, DAC, and twin-mono amplifier stages, along with iFi’s ultra-low jitter GMT clocking system, seems to be playing its role well as GO Blu Air exudes top-notch clarity with minimal noise or hiss, resulting in impressive clarity and good micro-detail retrieval across the frequency range. Although this kind of balanced sound tonality can work with any genre of soundtracks, when it comes to us at Aural Cafe, we particularly enjoyed blues and progressive rock with GO Blu Air at the helm. Tracks like Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin sounded especially engaging, with the GO Blu Air delivering a smooth yet immersive listening experience.

• Lows: - The GO Blu Air delivers a full-bodied, slightly warm bass response that adds a pleasing sense of weight and impact to the overall presentation. While listening to Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, the sub-bass performance comes across as decent, offering enough depth to be engaging, though it doesn’t quite stand out as exceptional. Where the GO Blu Air truly shines is in the mid-bass region. Both the quantity and quality of the mid-bass clearly outshine the sub-bass, delivering a punchy, energetic, and immersive experience. This was particularly enjoyable while listening to Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, where the midbass hits felt punchy and rhythmically engaging. We would also like to mention here that we would love to see a slightly tighter midbass with GO Blu Air at the helm. In terms of timbre, instruments in the low-frequency range are reproduced very convincingly. The timbre of the musical instruments, such as bass guitars and kick drums, exhibits a natural and satisfying tonal character, arguably more lifelike when compared to instruments in the highs, making the overall low-end presentation both enjoyable and musically intimate.

• Mids: - The warmth from the lower end travels to the mids, making the overall mids soulful and musical with GO Blu Air at the helm. When it comes to the positioning of the mids is neutral with GO Blu Air at the helm. The overall clarity is top-notch, all thanks to the solid implementation of individually optimised Bluetooth, DAC, with twin-mono amplifier and ultra-low jitter ‘GMT’ clocking system. Vocals come across as natural with a hint of warmth, giving both male and female voices a pleasing sense of body and richness without sounding overly forward. Instruments in the midrange, such as guitars, pianos, and strings, are rendered with good tonal balance and a lifelike timbre, though the focus leans more toward musicality than clinical detail, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to “Skyfall” by Adele. The GO Blu Air avoids harshness or shoutiness, making it particularly comfortable for long listening sessions. However, this smoother approach does mean that it may not extract the last bit of micro-detail or edge definition compared to more analytical sources. Overall, the mids strike a fine balance between warmth and clarity, making them versatile and enjoyable across a wide genre of soundtracks.

• Highs: - The treble performance of the GO Blu Air stays true to its smooth and musical character, placing comfort in listening ahead of aggressive detail retrieval. High frequencies are delivered in a refined, non-fatiguing manner, making it especially well-suited for extended listening sessions, particularly with brighter IEMs or headphones. There is a subtle roll-off in the upper treble that helps reduce harshness and sibilance, though it also means the device doesn’t emphasise sparkle or air as much as more analytical sources. Cymbals and other high-frequency elements sound slightly softened yet remain natural, without any sharp or piercing edges, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to “Time” by Pink Floyd. While it may not extract the finest micro details or brilliance, the treble is clean, controlled, and blends seamlessly with the rest of the frequency range, contributing to a cohesive and relaxed listening experience.

• Soundstage & Imaging: - The GO Blu Air presents a soundstage that feels focused and naturally scaled, rather than overly wide, with soundstage width taking a clean lead over its soundstage depth. GO Blu Air offers a balanced sense of space with adequate width and depth, giving instruments and vocals enough room to breathe without sounding crowded. It's slightly warm tuning helps maintain a cohesive and intimate presentation, though it doesn’t push elements far out into a large, airy field like more analytical sources might. When it comes to imaging, the GO Blu Air does a commendable job, delivering clean and well-defined positional accuracy. Instruments are placed with clarity across the stereo field, and movement between channels feels smooth and consistent. The XSpace feature can be used to subtly open up the presentation, adding a bit more perceived width when desired. While it may not aim for a grand, holographic stage, the overall presentation remains engaging, natural, and well-suited for a wide variety of music.

When it comes to us, Aural Cafe, we thoroughly enjoyed listening to Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd with GO Blu Air at the helm.

• Synergy: - The GO Blu Air demonstrates excellent synergy with a wide range of IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones, largely due to its slightly warm, smooth, and musical tuning. It pairs especially well with neutral and brighter transducers, adding a subtle sense of body, richness, and musicality without masking their inherent character. In terms of drivability, the GO Blu Air delivers up to 262mW / 2.9V @ 32Ω and 52mW / 5.6V @ 600Ω via its 4.4 mm balanced output, allowing it to perform confidently with most IEMs and moderately demanding headphones. It offers clean output with solid control and good dynamic response through both its 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm outputs. While it has sufficient power for everyday listening and a fair range of portable headphones, it is not intended to fully drive high-impedance or power-hungry planar headphones to their maximum potential. Overall, through its solid Bluetooth reliability, the GO Blu Air achieves a strong balance between portability, compatibility, and sonic synergy, making it a highly versatile companion for on-the-go hi-fi listening setups.

Conclusion: -

The iFi GO Blu Air emerges as a thoughtfully engineered ultra-portable Bluetooth DAC/Amp that successfully bridges everyday convenience with genuine hi-fi sound quality. Built around a capable Cirrus Logic Master HiFi DAC and Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.2 platform, it delivers a smooth, slightly warm, and musical presentation that prioritises long-term listening comfort and engagement over clinical analysis. Across the frequency range, it impresses with rich mid-bass punch, natural midrange tonality, and a refined, non-fatiguing treble, making it particularly enjoyable for genres like blues, rock, and vocal-driven music. Its stable wireless performance across LDAC, AAC, and aptX codecs further strengthens its appeal as a reliable daily driver, while features like XBass, XSpace, dual filters, and a well-implemented ChronoDial add meaningful usability and sonic flexibility. However, the GO Blu Air is clearly tuned and designed with portability-first priorities. It does not aim to replace powerful desktop DAC/Amps, lacks USB DAC functionality, and offers only moderate output power, meaning it is best suited for IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones rather than demanding full-size planars. The GO Blu Air is an easy recommendation for audiophiles who want a simple, stylish, and sonically pleasing wireless hi-fi companion for everyday use. It excels as a travel-friendly upgrade over smartphone audio, delivering a consistently musical experience. If anyone is willing to purchase, it is available for purchase locally and globally through the following links (Non-Affiliated link is given below).

DISCLAIMER: The Twistura Beta was provided to us free of charge by the TWISTURA team. We at Aural Cafe are excited about our first collaboration with Twistura and would like to thank the Twistura team for their support to Aural Cafe.

Introduction: -

Twistura is a young and emerging name in the world of in-ear monitors, representing a new wave of hi-fi brands focused on delivering high-fidelity sound at accessible prices. Based in Guangdong Province, China, the company was established in 2024 under the aegis of Dongguan Tevestu Electronic Technology Co. The name “Twistura” is derived from a blend of “Twist” and “Aura,” symbolising innovation, individuality, and a unique emotional connection to music, an ethos reflected in the brand’s aim to create IEMs that bring music to life with character, clarity, and soul through a thoughtful fusion of technology and design. Twistura’s IEMs’ lineup showcases a rapidly evolving approach to accessible hi-fi. Twistura began its journey with the D-MAJOR IEM ($47) in late 2024, featuring a single 10mm beryllium-coated composite diaphragm dynamic driver along with interchangeable tuning nozzles. This was followed by the more affordable D-MINOR IEM ($37) in early 2025, equipped with a 10mm LCP composite dynamic driver, designed to deliver a similar tuning philosophy in a simplified and more accessible package. In February 2025, Twistura introduced its flagship BETA ($119), featuring an 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm dynamic driver, an interesting IEM that we are reviewing today at Aural Cafe. Expanding beyond single dynamic drivers, Twistura launched the Sigma ($63) in April 2025, a hybrid IEM combining a 6mm LCP diaphragm dynamic driver with a custom 60040 balanced armature driver to enhance technical performance and resolution. The lineup was further diversified with another flagship, the Woodnote ($152), in late 2025, featuring a single 10mm wood dome composite diaphragm dynamic driver. Woodnote takes a different tuning approach from Twistura's earlier instruments and is aimed at delivering a more natural and organic timbre compared to the brand’s earlier neutral and balanced offerings. Overall, all these IEMs highlight Twistura’s progression from foundational single dynamic driver designs to more experimental materials and hybrid configurations, all while maintaining a strong focus on value-driven performance. Across its lineup, the brand emphasises innovation through dynamic and hybrid driver systems, modular tuning options, and distinctive diaphragm materials such as glass and wood, reinforcing its commitment to sonic character and experimentation. What’s even more impressive is that Twistura also offers a dedicated lineup of upgrade cables. Leading the range is the STRING ($63), a hybrid design built with monocrystalline copper and silver-plated conductors. This is followed by the CHENXI ($94.90), featuring an interchangeable plug system and a blend of OFC and silver-plated copper wires for added versatility. At the top sits the RHYMING DUST ($152), crafted from silver-plated single-crystal copper, positioned as the brand’s premium offering for those seeking the highest level of refinement and performance.

Today at Aural Cafe, we are reviewing TWISTURA's flagship offering, BETA. Launched at $119, the BETA represents Twistura’s push to redefine what a traditional dynamic driver can achieve through material innovation and acoustic engineering. At its core is a newly developed 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm dynamic driver, designed to combine the rigidity of glass for precise highs and ultra-fast planar type speed with the natural warmth of a dynamic driver. While a few IEMs in the market such as the Sivga Que UTG (which we at aural cafe had previously reviewed), TANGZU Xue Tao Gaming, and the more premium Campfire Alien Brain (which uses a hybrid setup with a single Glass PU diaphragm dynamic driver alongside four balanced armatures drivers) have explored glass based diaphragms, what truly sets the BETA apart is the way this dynamic driver has been implemented. The Twistura team has carefully engineered a micron-thin planar glass diaphragm paired with a flexible PU surround, effectively balancing rigidity and compliance. By leveraging the natural stiffness and low-damping properties of planar glass, the driver is able to deliver exceptionally fast transient response, enhanced resolution, and a clean, transparent sonic presentation. The dual-magnetic circuit further improves driver control and efficiency, while the dual cavity acoustic design aims at optimising airflow and minimising unwanted resonance, resulting in tighter, more controlled bass and a wider, more immersive soundstage.

Keeping in mind the diverse preferences of audiophiles, the Twistura team has designed the BETA as a highly versatile IEM, featuring an interchangeable tuning nozzle system with three tuning nozzles included right out of the box. The silver nozzle, labelled “Standard,” serves as the baseline tuning. The black nozzle, marked “Instrumental,” emphasises the upper mids and treble, delivering a brighter and more energetic presentation along with enhanced separation and airiness. Meanwhile, the golden yellowish nozzle is labelled as “Vocal,” and sits between the two, in the upper mids area, offering a more forward and intimate mids as per the official frequency graph. Being a single dynamic driver-based IEM, the acoustic chamber of BETA becomes a lot more important. The BETA build quality reinforces Twistura team's focus on the BETA acoustic chamber as it is crafted with a precision 5 Axis CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminium alloy shell that offers durability while delivering superior damping vis-a-vis minimizing unwanted resonance. Complementing this is a high-purity oxygen-free copper cable with interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs, ensuring compatibility across a wide range of sources and maintaining signal integrity. In essence, the Twistura Beta is more than just another single dynamic driver IEM; it stands as a statement piece, blending experimental diaphragm materials with advanced driver architecture and user-focused tuning flexibility. Housed in a lightweight aircraft-grade aluminium alloy shell, BETA embodies Twistura’s vision of delivering high-end technical performance and refined sound at an accessible price point, making it a compelling contender in today’s evolving hi-fi IEM landscape.

Specifications: -

• Driver Type/Count: Single 11mm Dual Magnetic Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver

• Impedance: 24 Ω ±15% (@1kHz)

• Freq Response: 20Hz-20Khz

• Sensitivity: 124 dB/Vrms u/1 kHz

• Distortion: ≤0.1% (@1kHz, 94dB)

• Cable: 0.78mm 2-pin Modular 3.5/4.4mm Interchangeable High-Purity OFC Cable

Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -

As you can see from our unboxing video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/L1hA5ekonxw), Twistura’s flagship BETA arrives in a fairly large, rectangular grey cardboard box, wrapped in a sleek black paper sleeve. The front of the sleeve features a silver-toned 3D image of the BETA shell at the centre, giving a first glimpse of its design. The TWISTURA branding sits at the top left in silver alongside the official logo, with the model’s name “TWISTURA BETA FLAGSHIP” placed just below, along with a mention of its driver technology, again in silver. Toward the bottom centre, the name of the parent company, Dongguan Tevestu Electronic Technology Co., is printed, while the branding is repeated on both sides of the sleeve in varying sizes for a layered visual effect. The rear side includes detailed technical specifications along with a frequency graph highlighting the impact of the interchangeable tuning nozzles. Sliding off the sleeve reveals a sturdy grey inner box with the Twistura logo placed cleanly at the centre in white. Opening it, we are immediately greeted by the beautifully crafted BETA IEMs neatly positioned in the top section, showcasing their sharp, CNC-milled silver finish IEM shell and faceplate. Beneath this, three separate boxes of silicone ear tips are neatly placed. Each box of silicone ear tips comprises eartips featuring different colours and bore designs in standard S, M, and L sizes. The bottom half of the box houses a rectangular, purplish carry case made of vegan leather (sold separately as the LINGXI case at Twistura's official website for 15$). On opening the carry case, we come across BETA’s stock modular cable pre-fitted with a 3.5mm termination, along with a 4.4mm plug and two additional tuning nozzles (black and gold), presented on a premium metal plate. The BETA come pre-installed with the silver “standard” nozzle. Beneath the case lie the usual documentation, including manuals and warranty cards. Overall, everything about the BETA unboxing experience is flagship and taking its price into consideration. From the premium shells and well-organised accessories to the high-quality ear tip packaging and carry case, everything feels thoughtfully executed and highly functional. That said, we would have preferred a slightly more compact box and perhaps a black or dark grey carry case instead of the purple one, which would better complement the BETA’s overall black and silver aesthetic.

When it comes to design, the Twistura BETA silver finish IEM shell is crafted from lightweight aircraft grade alminium alloy with the help of high precision 5axis CNC technology. The faceplate design of the Twistura BETA strikes a fine balance between modern minimalism and precision craftsmanship. Machined from aircraft-grade aluminium using high-precision CNC milling, the faceplate features a clean, angular aesthetic with sharp lines and smooth contours that seamlessly blend into the shell. Its silver finish gives it a refined, almost industrial look, subtly reflecting light to highlight the machining quality without appearing overly flashy. The BETA faceplate also features the Twistura official brand logo in bold black colour round shape. On carefully checking the shell, we come up with one unique thin rectangle shape venting near the two-pin termination and one tiny round shape venting hole on the top of the IEM shell near the nozzle. The venting design is implemented to optimise the airflow and becomes a bit more important when it comes to a single dynamic driver setup. The brand name Twistura is also embossed neatly near the edges of the shell. When it comes to stock cable, the BETA comes with modular OFC cable. As per Twistura, the modular high-purity oxygen-free copper (OFC) cable ensures minimal signal loss and maximum transparency. The Twistura official website also mentioned that the BETA flexible stock cable is braided in a way so as to keep it tangle-free. When it comes to stock ear tips, we at Aural Cafe were pleasantly surprised to see the flagship presentation of stock ear tips of BETA, taking into consideration its budget pricing. The BETA comes with three boxes of silicone ear tips in S, M, and L sizes right out of the box.

When it comes to fit, the BETA’s shell feels impressively lightweight considering its all-metal construction. The bold, circular black logo engraved on the faceplate adds a distinct premium touch to the overall design. In terms of ergonomics, the size and shape of both the IEM shell and nozzle are decently optimum, offering a comfortable in-ear fit along with decent passive isolation. The stock cable is equally lightweight and flexible, thereby well-suited for on-the-go use. During our testing at Aural Cafe, we didn’t encounter any noticeable microphonics, which further enhances usability. The included ear tip package is a pleasant surprise and adds real value. The first box of ear tips features transparent, narrow-bore tips made from soft, flexible silicone identified as the STARS Liquid Silicone Ear Tips at 11$ (Twistura Official Website), which help enhance bass response. The second set includes white silicone tips with a slightly narrower bore and a firmer structure, which seems to be aiming for a more balanced sound signature. The third box consists of grey silicone tips with a wider bluish colour bore in standard SML size, which we feel are tuned to bring out more treble energy and deliver a more open presentation. The included purple vegan leather carry case is well-built and premium in feel, though we would have preferred a black or dark grey finish to better match the BETA’s overall aesthetic. Overall, every aspect from the clean external presentation to the neatly organised internal layout reflects a brand that prioritises substance over flash. Rather than relying on extravagant packaging, Twistura focuses on delivering quality essentials, resulting in an experience that feels understated yet genuinely satisfying.

Sound Analysis: -

We’d like to clarify that our sound impressions of the BETA are based on pairing it with a TOTL neutral source, using the “Standard” silver nozzle along with the transparent silicone ear tips, as this combination delivered the most balanced and consistent performance in our testing. The effects of the black “Instrumental” and gold “Vocal” nozzles on the overall sound are discussed in the respective lows, mids, and highs sections of the review. The influence of the other stock ear tips has been covered separately in the source matching and drivability section. Additionally, the unit was given approximately 50 hours of burn-in, as recommended by the brand, allowing us to better evaluate the BETA’s true potential as a flagship offering from Twistura.

• Tonality: - After testing the Twistura BETA across a variety of hi-fi sources and music genres, we found its overall tonality to be balanced with a lean toward neutrality. With our preferred silver “standard” nozzle, the presentation remains smooth and even across the entire frequency range, with no particular emphasis on lows, mids, or highs. Switching to the black (instrumental) nozzle introduces a noticeable lift in the upper mids, which can occasionally come across as slightly shouty. In contrast, the gold (vocal) nozzle delivers a more expressive midrange, with female vocals in particular sounding richer and more engaging. Clarity across the spectrum is excellent, thanks to the 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm dynamic driver, allowing micro-details to come through with ease. The bass response remains largely consistent regardless of nozzle choice, with the mid-bass taking precedence over the sub-bass in both presence and texture. Sub-bass carries a mild lift, while the mid-bass stays tight and immersive, benefiting from the well-implemented dual-magnetic, dual-cavity design. Vocals are positioned in a balanced manner, neither too forward nor recessed across all nozzle configurations. Male vocals gain better texture with the gold nozzle, while female vocals exhibit improved stability and extension with the same. The treble remains open with a smooth extension, performing most naturally and consistently with the silver standard nozzle compared to the other options. At Aural Cafe, we feel this tonality pairs particularly well with fast-paced, rhythmic genres like electropop and vocal-centric tracks. When it comes to us, Aural Cafe, we enjoyed listening to ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd, where the BETA’s clarity and transient speed truly shine.

• Lows: - The low end is undoubtedly one of the BETA’s strongest aspects. It is carefully tuned to align with the IEM’s neutral tonality, avoiding any excessive boost. The midbass takes a clean lead over the subbass both in quantity and quality. The subbass is subtly boosted, which we experienced while listening to “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish. In line with its tuning, the sub-bass delivers a respectable amount of rumble, though we at Aural Cafe wouldn’t have minded a touch more, purely as a matter of personal preference. When it comes to the midbass, the midbass remains tight and engaging, showcasing excellent dynamics and transient response, all thanks to the solid implementation of a dual magnet dual cavity setup. The transient response especially stays solid, which makes the low-end presentation feel more engaging and immersive. While the mid-bass punch isn’t overly aggressive, it carries enough impact and definition to keep fast-paced electropop and EDM tracks enjoyable and immersive. When it comes to us, we at Aural Cafe just loved listening to “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran with BETA at the helm because of its fast-paced, immersive lows showcasing top-notch transient response. When it comes to timbre of the instruments, the timbre of the instruments in the lows showcase best timbre in comparison to the mids and the highs. Musical instruments, especially the bass guitar and Kick drums, showcased lifelike timbre.

When it comes to tuning nozzles, we didn’t come across any audible hearing difference when we swapped the standard silver nozzle with either the black or the golden yellow tuning nozzle.

• Mids: - When it comes to mids, the role of a very capable 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm dynamic driver comes into the forefront. When it comes to the positioning of the vocals, they are positioned with remarkable precision, maintaining perfect balance without ever sounding recessed or overly forward. The 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm along with solid venting system provides top notch clarity in this part of the sound frequency Vocals are showcased with exceptional clarity, retaining a natural, and soulful character Both male and female vocals exhibit excellent texture and emotional depth, though we at Aural Cafe were particularly drawn to the Beta soulful presentation of female vocals which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to “Hello” by Adele and “Apocalypse ” by Cigarettes After Sex. While the low mids stay decently stable, considering their price, the upper mids do come a bit more aggressively than our taste. The timbre of midrange instruments, such as the violin and acoustic guitar, comes across as natural and decently satisfying.

When it comes to the impact of the tuning nozzles on this part of the frequency range, male vocals take on a more raw and natural texture when switching from the silver nozzle to the gold (vocal) nozzle. This added character was particularly enjoyable while listening to “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia. At the same time, female vocals also benefit from the gold nozzle, showing smoother extension and a more refined presence in the upper mids. In contrast, the black (instrumental) nozzle was less appealing to us, as it tends to push the upper mids forward, making them sound slightly shouty.

• Highs: - Owing to the well-executed 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm dynamic driver, the highs on the BETA come across as open and spacious. The overall treble presentation is smooth and refined, with no noticeable harshness, making it especially comfortable for extended listening sessions. The upper treble retains an airy character with a pleasing sense of body, while the excellent transient response adds realism to string instruments and cymbals, allowing them to sound natural, lively, and engaging—something we particularly enjoyed while listening to “Time” by Pink Floyd.

Switching from the standard silver nozzle to the black nozzle makes the highs slightly more open and spacious, whereas the golden yellow (vocal) nozzle smooths the treble further, offering a more refined presentation compared to the silver nozzle.

• Soundstage & Imaging: - The Twistura Beta soundstage width takes a clear lead over its soundstage depth, which we clearly experienced while listening to “Hotel California” by the Eagles. The overall soundstage stays wide with above-average width and a noticeable sense of depth, creating a presentation that feels open rather than confined. When it comes to separation, the BETA performs solidly, offering a clear distinction between instruments, even in moderately busy tracks. While it may not achieve top-tier micro-layering or ultra-high resolution, it maintains enough clarity to prevent congestion and keeps the overall presentation organised and articulate. Imaging is one of the strongest technical points of Beta and one of the best we have encountered from an IEM in this price range, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to “Money” by Pink Floyd. Overall, the BETA offers a decently spacious soundstage along with competent imaging capability, thereby standing out as a technically capable performer within its segment, even if it doesn’t fully reach flagship-level spatial realism.

• Synergy: - The Twistura BETA is built around a single 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm dynamic driver that scales impressively with a capable hi-fi source. While it remains easy to drive and performs well even with a basic dongle, we at Aural Cafe strongly recommend pairing it with a proper hi-fi setup to unlock its full potential, where the presentation becomes more vivid and the lows gain better elasticity and authority. In terms of ear tips, we preferred the transparent liquid silicone tips, as they tighten up the mid-bass and bring better stability to the mids. The white narrow-bore tips come close, though they slightly soften the mid-bass, giving it a more raw and natural character, while offering smoother and more stable upper mids. The grey wide-bore tips, however, were less appealing to us, as they made the overall presentation feel somewhat sterile and less natural.

Despite being priced at $119, we explored the BETA’s capabilities across a wide range of portable and desktop sources, along with different cables and ear tips. Its neutral tonality pairs exceptionally well with slightly warm, musical sources like the iBasso DX320, Dethonray Prelude DTR1+, and Dethonray Pegasus SG1 Gold. On the desktop side, it showed great synergy with the warm and musical character of the Aune S17 Pro. For dongles, we tested options like the iFi Audio Go Link Max, iFi GO Blu Air, Celest CD-20, Aune Yuki, and Tanchjim Space. Among these, the Celest CD-20 and Aune Yuki stood out as the best pairings, delivering a slightly punchier mid-bass and a more immersive overall presentation.

While the BETA’s stock cable is decent, featuring oxygen-free copper that adds a subtle warmth to its otherwise neutral tonality, we explored its full potential by pairing it with a range of aftermarket cables from brands like Hansound, Linum, PW Audio, Rhapsodio, Modular Workshop, and Linksmith. Among these, the BETA performed best with the Linksmith Fire Rock Poison copper cable, which brought a slightly warmer, more musical character to the overall sound, along with a touch of improved sub-bass rumble, something we at Aural Cafe particularly enjoyed.

We also experimented with several aftermarket ear tips from brands such as SpinFit, Divinus, Symbio, Linksmith, and E-Pro. Out of these, the SpinFit CP145 tips delivered the best synergy, as it makes the overall sound presentation of the BETA a lot more stable and smoother across the sound frequency.

Conclusion: -

In conclusion, the Twistura BETA stands out as a thoughtfully engineered single dynamic driver IEM that successfully blends innovation with real-world usability. At its core, the 11mm planar glass composite diaphragm driver delivers a clean, balanced, and near-neutral tonality, complemented by excellent clarity and impressive transient speed. Its low end is tight and engaging with a mid-bass focus, the mids are natural and well-positioned with particularly pleasing vocal performance, and the highs remain smooth, airy, and fatigue-free, making it a strong choice for long listening sessions. The inclusion of interchangeable tuning nozzles adds a welcome layer of versatility, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preferences without drastically altering its core signature. From a technical standpoint, the BETA offers a wide and open soundstage, solid separation, and standout imaging for its price segment, making it a capable performer across a variety of genres, especially electropop and vocal-centric tracks like “Lose Yourself To Dance” by The Weeknd ft. Pherell Williams. Build quality, accessories, and overall presentation further reinforce its value proposition, while its ability to scale with better sources adds to its appeal for both casual listeners and enthusiasts alike. Despite minor quirks like slightly energetic upper mids, the Twistura BETA emerges as a well-rounded, technically capable, and musically engaging IEM. It clearly reflects the brand’s ambition and direction, making it a strong contender for anyone looking for a modern, versatile, and value-driven hifi experience. If anyone is willing to purchase, it is available for purchase globally through the following link (Non-Affiliated link is given below).

- https://twistura.com/collections/in-ear-monitors/products/beta-flagship-11mm-glass-diaphragm-dynamic-wired-earphone