u/Ill-Yogurtcloset-622

Hello to you all!

First, a big shoutout to Gk HiFi (Groove Keeper) for giving a coupon to buy this set. There’s no payment involved in the development of this review, so I’m conscious this has certain influence on what I'm saying in this analysis, but before being a reviewer, I’m also a consumer and a hobbyist, so I’m giving my sincere opinions. My biases are my musical and tuning preferences at play.

TL/DR; The Kunten Pro is more than a great challenger for the under-20 USD segment; it is the upgrade to the market disruptor Kunten with which GK began its journey as an independent company. Like their first hybrid IEM, the Streak, for the Kunten Pro, GK worked with the community to help with the tuning and, like the Kunten original, the K Pro has a single DD configuration, this time with a new ‘KUN 2nd gen’ dynamic driver, improved quality of construction, dampening, etcetera, and of course a more refined tuning.

The Kunten Pro delivers a bassy shelf, but that is balanced with some great midrange, and smoothed yet zero dark highrange, incredible upper treble extension, resulting in a warm, engaging, fun, and musical, more than analytical tonality, yet keeping decent technicalities overall; the Kunten Pro has even an improved cable than the usual KZ/CCA/TRN that those brands have accustomed us to for their most economical products, all of this with the special sauce GK is pulling out this 2026.

PROS:

• Bassy and cohesive V/U tuning: very musical but decently analytical.

• Bass: Great sub-bass extension, noticeably powerful mid-bass, fast enough, with great impact and note weight.

• Mids: enough transparency with an adequate note weight; male vocals slightly recessed, female voices are forward, not shouty nor fatiguing.

• Treble: smooth, without auditory fatigue from sibilance, good detail retrieval; warm and organic timbre.

• Technicalities: soundstage is expansive, separation and stratification of instruments above the average for its price segment.

• Quality and ergonomics: Comfortable and ergonomic, lightweight and practical design.

• Easy to power and scalable with higher-quality sources.

• GK TS100 eartips substantially improve its tonality.

• Great value for less than 20 USD.

CONS:

• Midbass bleeding affects the low midrange.

• They are not IEMs with an exceptional level of technical detail or overall technicalities. The soundstage lacks some depth.

• The included eartips and cable are just sufficient for using it out of the box, but it needs better eartips to get the most out of it.

• The smooth treble does not have the same energy as in the Kunten original or the Streak.

The Kunten Pro has an MSRP of 16.13 to 20.58 USD (with a 3.5 mm cable with or without mic, and USB-C with mic, and Golden or Black colours available). You can find it directly on the GK Official Store on AliExpress, and at other stores and/or retailers online.

Kunten Pro technical specs:

- Casing materials: ABS plastic, metallic faceplate

- Driver: 1 x 10 mm super-linear composite diaphragm dynamic driver 2nd gen (KUN 2nd gen)

- Freq. response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz

- Sensitivity: 109 dB/ mW @ 1 kHz

- Impedance: 43 Ω

- Connection: 0.78 mm, QDC

- Cable: 1.2 m length, 3.5 mm jack, with or without microphone, 2 cores, silver-plated OCC (USB-C available)

What’s in the Kunten Pro package?

The box reflects the brand's origins, with a budget-oriented feel and look; the front shows an image of the set. The Kunten Pro I received is golden, with a 3.5 mm cable, but black shells (as the Kunten original) and a USB-C cable option are also available.

Simple and sufficient packaging, by the way, consisting of the IEMs themselves, 3 pairs of the well-known KZ Starline eartips (S – M (installed) - L sizes), a manual, and the cable, which is 2 cores with a 3.5 mm single-ended 0.78 mm QDC connection; it feels thin and decent quality (at least it is better than the usual KZ cable included in the package of almost all of their IEMs). It’s prone to tangling but not to producing transmitted vibrations.

The IEMs themselves are made of ABS plastic, in which you can see the dynamic driver inside, with metal faceplates with the Kunten Pro letters on each side and pointing up the slogan saying “GK INNOVATIVE KUN 2 DRIVER”.

It is light to use and is well-vented with two vents for the dynamic driver (one on the plastic shell and the other on the semi-open faceplate), and it seems not to be prone to scratches or so, more like a “beater” set. Doesn’t have rough or sharp edges; its nozzle has a lip to ensure good eartip grip and fit, making a nice seal as well. Its diameter (6.4 mm) is a great fit for my middle-sized ears.

Upgraded eartips:

GK sells the GK-TS100 eartips, and they have sent me a set of these, and I found that they are a great match for this set.

The GK-TS100 eartips are made of liquid silicone with a black core. They are wide-bore, with a similar shape to Divinus Velvet eartips. I find them so well-fitted in the Kunten Pro that I’m using them even on other sets like the Streak.

How does the Kunten Pro sound?

I think the stock cable and eartips included are enough to use it as it is, but having those TS100 eartips to pair the Kunten Pro with them, well, at least my clear recommendation is to change the eartips, as I said before; the TS100 fit them perfectly.

The Kunten Pro, with its 10 mm super-linear ‘KUN 2’ dynamic driver, offers a mild V/U-shaped tuning that is bassy but pretty balanced, warm, with a smoothed yet refined treble.

Thanks to Fernanda Gunsan for his measurements of this set. No EQ was used in the review of this IEM.

Lower Range:

The Kunten Pro comes with a remarkable quantity and quality on the bass shelf, offering that well-done subbass thump, extension, and great midbass potency; with decent resolution and transparency as well, incredible attack and impact, and its midbass bleeds a bit into the lower mids. Moving forward a bit, its 'KUN 2' driver has a more noticeable impact than on the Kunten original’s KUN driver.

For bassy music, its bass delivery sometimes feels like it is overwhelming a bit of the other frequencies, but its coherence is noticeable.

Mid Range:

Talking about the mids on the Kunten Pro, the midbass bleeds into the lower mids, sounding like a classic V/U-shaped tuned set; the male vocals are recessed, but neither veiled nor thin, fortunately. Overall, the mids are well presented and with pretty decent note weight.

The Kunten Pro shows us the character the ‘KUN 2’ driver has, with great transparency, warm, organic timbre, smoothed pinna gain, having good presence and more than average resolution. Female vocals are beautifully displayed; they are forward, and at high volumes are not shouty nor fatiguing.

High Range:

The Kunten Pro has a smoothed and refined treble; it is crisp and not sharp, yet has good spark. Lower highs take a nice and well-placed dip into the 6 kHz and 10 kHz regions to tame sibilance almost perfectly, elevating to a pronounced peak at 8 kHz to give energy to the mix, and you can notice some great resolution and well-done tonality.

Upper high range and technical aspects:

Going into the upper highs, the Kunten Pro also takes into consideration a smooth and refined approach, with an open and slightly airy take, allowing you to use this IEM at high volumes without fatigue in long sessions.

In the technicalities, the Kunten Pro is a more-than-average capable IEM, with an expansive soundstage, wider but with not so much depth. The instrumental separation and layering show coherence in this set; however, the K Pro is not a macro and micro detail beast, but gives you a decent quality of that analytical fun added to that musicality, with a warm and organic tonality. The Kunten Pro can deliver a full display of macro and micro details, without congestion on complex, busy and/or fast music at any moment.

Comparisons (Kunten original and Streak):

GK Kunten Pro vs. GK Kunten original:

The Kunten is the first IEM launched by GK; it has a 1 10 mm super-linear ‘KUN’ dynamic driver configuration; it is also cheaper than the Kunten Pro. In comparison, the Kunten is more balanced, with less bass quantity than the K Pro, less recession in the lower midrange, but it has a more energetic treble, and it is more prone to sibilance at high volumes, and its upper treble is rolling off earlier than in the K Pro.

The Kunten is more musical than analytical; it has less air and soundstage than in the K Pro, and of course is less technically proficient than the former. I can see what GK did with the K Pro in comparison to the Kunten; the KUN 2 driver, better build, and better internals are more than great additions to the K Pro character, so the K Pro is an upgrade by definition to the Kunten.

Both sets are great for their price, and GK is doing a good job in this crowded market, offering those bang-for-the-buck IEMs.

GK Kunten Pro vs GK Streak:

The Streak is a hybrid set; it has a  1×10 mm super-linear ‘KUN’ dynamic driver + 1 x Microplanar driver configuration. It is practically in the same price segment as the Kunten Pro, with just approximately 5 USD of difference between them. In comparison, the Streak also has less bass than the K Pro; it is more balanced, with a “peakier” upper midrange, more linear lower treble, and a bit more attack in the mid-treble; now, the MPD driver in the Streak gives it more upper treble extension than in the K Pro.

The Streak is more neutral, balanced and technical than the Kunten Pro, so it is a perfect option for audiophiles on a budget, and like the Kunten Pro, it is an all-rounder, so it is a matter of tuning preferences. I’m more inclined towards the Streak, but I see why the Kunten Pro is also an incredibly awesome choice.

Final thoughts and conclusions:

The GK Kunten Pro is an excellent option in the budget-oriented sub-20 USD market of IEMs, delivering a bassy, balanced, warm, sparkly and more musical yet analytical sound with a refined character that is absolutely enjoyable and makes a stand in a crowded and very competitive segment as the true upgrade to the Kunten original and a sidegrade to the Streak.

The Kunten Pro, with its 43 ohms of impedance and 109 dB of sensitivity, is easy to drive, even with low-powered sources; the option with the DSP cable is a well-received feature, because you can use it without looking for an additional source. I tried it with various sources I have, encountering the benefits of being paired with neutral sources, not requiring too much output power to shine at its best.

Apart from those upgraded eartips, I would like for GK to sell the Kunten Pro with a carrying pouch or case, like the CCA Phoenix or the TRN Conch. And I think, well, the GK-TS100 eartips work flawlessly with it, so why include the Starline eartips with its stock package? Yes, you can use the Kunten Pro as it is, but those eartips don't let it bring out all its qualities. So, I guess GK is pulling all the money into the earphones themselves.

It has great bass quantity and quality, and its warm and musical yet analytical tonality makes it ideal for listeners who appreciate an engaging and fun audio experience. It’s not a technical beast, and it doesn’t need to be; the Kunten Pro never claimed to be like that, and that’s great because it’s a refined product for a very affordable price, not a budget-fi killer, and even like that, it’s a bang-for-the-buck IEM.

At under 20 USD, the Kunten Pro isn’t a market disruptor, but it is one of the best choices for budget-conscious audiophiles and newcomers who crave a high-fidelity experience without spending a lot.

It is a recommendation: Absolutely, it is a great and very competitive option in a crowded market, with a warm and fun yet refined tonality and technical perks that appeal to musicophiles on a budget and newbies in the hobby. So, thanks again to GK, and may the gods of audio and musicophilia bless you with happy listening!

Disclaimer: I received my PureAural directly from Clover at NiceHCK to try and review it. This is an unpaid review, and they haven’t sent me a script to follow; I am conscious of disclosing that receiving it for free is going to influence my review, yet I’m sharing my honest thoughts and experience because I’m also a consumer and a hobbyist.

TL/DR: 

The PureAural gaming soundcard is a dongle DAC/AMP with some good features; it is a decently powered device, with software compatibility with its own brand app on Android and via web (with limited functionality) for other operating systems.

It delivers a slightly warm, yet natural sound with more than enough power to drive a wide range of IEMs and other types of earphones with a 3.5 mm unbalanced output. It has support for EQ adjustments, PCM filters, sound effects, and gain settings to change the sound to your needs. The PureAural is marketed as a gaming soundcard more than a dongle DAC/AMP, so its target audience is mainly gamers, yet it works for other folks who are audiophiles or new users. It has an affordable price and NiceHCK’s seal of quality to accompany its value offering.

Pros: 

- Premium build (aluminum body + sturdy cable)

- Dual DAC/amp (CS43198 DAC chip + SG8262 op-AMP) with decent output power

- Single-ended output with mic support

- Neutral, detailed sound without coloration (stock)

- NiceHCK app compatibility with 10-band PEQ, PCM filters, and other features on Android and via web for other OSs

Cons: 

- NiceHCK app not available on iOS and other OSs

- Only a fixed cable, with a detachable cable desired

- Only 3.5 mm single-ended output

- Lacks more physical buttons to control volume and other things

- Its MSRP is not very competitive compared to other options in the market

You can get a NiceHCK Pure Aural for an MSRP of 59.99 USD and you can get it directly at NiceHCK official web: https://www.nicehck.com/products/nicehck-pureaural, Aliexpress: https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005013195174107.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2fra, https://ko.aliexpress.com/item/1005013195742675.html, and Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJYV1BRT. 

PureAural Technical Specifications:

• Impedance: 32Ω
• Cable: Silver-Plated Single Crystal Copper Cable
• Dynamic Range/SNR: 125 dB (32Ω）
• Output Power: 210mW@32Ω / 235mW@16Ω

The PureAural features an aluminum alloy casing, merging durability with a robust and attractive look. It supports recording and calling, and the NiceHCK app on Android and certain functionalities on Windows and other OSs via the NiceHCK web app, with 10-band on-board parametric equalization (PEQ), also delivering a more than decent output power for most IEMs and other earphones. It offers three gain modes and includes an attached silver-plated crystal copper USB-C cable to the main body.

Contents of the box:

• Manual and warranty card
• PureAural main unit
• A USB-C to USB-A adapter

Impressions/Review:

The PureAural gaming soundcard is a feature-rich device that serves as an option in the market for that kind of audience. In the sound delivery department, you can find its top-of-the-line DAC chip (CS43198) and the SG8262 op-AMP, which are well-known chips in the market used in multiple devices, bringing a neutral (natural) sound signature stock.

Unlike other devices that use that chip, the PureAural has a bit of warm coloration yet offers a natural and organic sound, also offering an impressive retrieval of both macro and micro details, along with a more than decent soundstage, resolution, more than average imaging, and layering of instruments, of course, within the limits of the earphone’s capabilities.

I liked the compatibility with the NiceHCK app, which lets you use the onboard 10-band PEQ, change the sound profile, gain (low, medium, high), and play with its PCM filter support. I also tried it with my Windows pc on the web app without problems. You can access the NiceHCK web app at: https://app.nicehck.cn/. The web version also supports EQ adjustment, sound effects, filters, and gain settings.

Its capacity to power a wide variety of IEMs with ease was something I specifically had in mind to test across multiple earphones. The results? This dongle drives them effortlessly (including some “hard to drive” IEMs like the Kiwi Ears Septet, KZ PR2 and PRX, Sgor Luna, and TINHiFi Dudu), and other sets that scale well with decent sources like this PureAural, proving that NiceHCK is giving an affordable product with characteristics previously found in more expensive (and from more commercial brands) soundcards pointed to gamers.

There’s something we need to talk about the PureAural, the app to customize it to your liking only works on Android, with limited support via the NiceHCK web app, limiting its use for Windows and GNU/Linux gamers (for example, Steam OS users), being the majority of potential consumers for this product. For a 60 USD product, I am expecting to have a detachable USB-C to USB-C cable, thereby ensuring its future durability, not a fixed cable to the main body.

The PureAural only has a physical button and a display LED. For a gaming soundcard, I’m expecting to have all the buttons I can use in my gaming sessions (volume, gain mode, play/pause, etcetera), limiting the customizability to the app. And the great and most important thing consumers have to make a decision about buying something: How is its price/performance? Well, it’s not the best in comparison with other soundcards or dongle DAC/AMPs in the same price segment.

Finally, I think the PureAural gaming soundcard is a good product in its category, thanks to its solid build quality, software features, and overall value offering. I can recommend it to certain gamers who are exploring the more audiophile world, users who look for high sound quality, a premium feel, and built-in, on-the-go versatility.

Again, I'm very thankful to NiceHCK for taking me into consideration for the opportunity of trying this product and for my analysis of it. And above all, thank you to the person reading this review for gathering information and making a more informed decision.

Disclaimer: I received my PureAural directly from Clover at NiceHCK to try and review it. This is an unpaid review, and they haven’t sent me a script to follow; I am conscious of disclosing that receiving it for free is going to influence my review, yet I’m sharing my honest thoughts and experience because I’m also a consumer and a hobbyist.

TL/DR: 

The PureAural gaming soundcard is a dongle DAC/AMP with some good features; it is a decently powered device, with software compatibility with its own brand app on Android and via web (with limited functionality) for other operating systems.

It delivers a slightly warm, yet natural sound with more than enough power to drive a wide range of IEMs and other types of earphones with a 3.5 mm unbalanced output. It has support for EQ adjustments, PCM filters, sound effects, and gain settings to change the sound to your needs. The PureAural is marketed as a gaming soundcard more than a dongle DAC/AMP, so its target audience is mainly gamers, yet it works for other folks who are audiophiles or new users. It has an affordable price and NiceHCK’s seal of quality to accompany its value offering.

Pros: 

- Premium build (aluminum body + sturdy cable)

- Dual DAC/amp (CS43198 DAC chip + SG8262 op-AMP) with decent output power

- Single-ended output with mic support

- Neutral, detailed sound without coloration (stock)

- NiceHCK app compatibility with 10-band PEQ, PCM filters, and other features on Android and via web for other OSs

Cons: 

- NiceHCK app not available on iOS and other OSs

- Only a fixed cable, with a detachable cable desired

- Only 3.5 mm single-ended output

- Lacks more physical buttons to control volume and other things

- Its MSRP is not very competitive compared to other options in the market

You can get a NiceHCK Pure Aural for an MSRP of 59.99 USD and you can get it directly at NiceHCK official web: https://www.nicehck.com/products/nicehck-pureaural, Aliexpress: https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005013195174107.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2fra, https://ko.aliexpress.com/item/1005013195742675.html, and Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJYV1BRT. 

PureAural Technical Specifications:

• Impedance: 32Ω
• Cable: Silver-Plated Single Crystal Copper Cable
• Dynamic Range/SNR: 125 dB (32Ω）
• Output Power: 210mW@32Ω / 235mW@16Ω

The PureAural features an aluminum alloy casing, merging durability with a robust and attractive look. It supports recording and calling, and the NiceHCK app on Android and certain functionalities on Windows and other OSs via the NiceHCK web app, with 10-band on-board parametric equalization (PEQ), also delivering a more than decent output power for most IEMs and other earphones. It offers three gain modes and includes an attached silver-plated crystal copper USB-C cable to the main body.

Contents of the box:

• Manual and warranty card
• PureAural main unit
• A USB-C to USB-A adapter

Impressions/Review:

The PureAural gaming soundcard is a feature-rich device that serves as an option in the market for that kind of audience. In the sound delivery department, you can find its top-of-the-line DAC chip (CS43198) and the SG8262 op-AMP, which are well-known chips in the market used in multiple devices, bringing a neutral (natural) sound signature stock.

Unlike other devices that use that chip, the PureAural has a bit of warm coloration yet offers a natural and organic sound, also offering an impressive retrieval of both macro and micro details, along with a more than decent soundstage, resolution, more than average imaging, and layering of instruments, of course, within the limits of the earphone’s capabilities.

I liked the compatibility with the NiceHCK app, which lets you use the onboard 10-band PEQ, change the sound profile, gain (low, medium, high), and play with its PCM filter support. I also tried it with my Windows pc on the web app without problems. You can access the NiceHCK web app at: https://app.nicehck.cn/. The web version also supports EQ adjustment, sound effects, filters, and gain settings.

Its capacity to power a wide variety of IEMs with ease was something I specifically had in mind to test across multiple earphones. The results? This dongle drives them effortlessly (including some “hard to drive” IEMs like the Kiwi Ears Septet, KZ PR2 and PRX, Sgor Luna, and TINHiFi Dudu), and other sets that scale well with decent sources like this PureAural, proving that NiceHCK is giving an affordable product with characteristics previously found in more expensive (and from more commercial brands) soundcards pointed to gamers.

There’s something we need to talk about the PureAural, the app to customize it to your liking only works on Android, with limited support via the NiceHCK web app, limiting its use for Windows and GNU/Linux gamers (for example, Steam OS users), being the majority of potential consumers for this product. For a 60 USD product, I am expecting to have a detachable USB-C to USB-C cable, thereby ensuring its future durability, not a fixed cable to the main body.

The PureAural only has a physical button and a display LED. For a gaming soundcard, I’m expecting to have all the buttons I can use in my gaming sessions (volume, gain mode, play/pause, etcetera), limiting the customizability to the app. And the great and most important thing consumers have to make a decision about buying something: How is its price/performance? Well, it’s not the best in comparison with other soundcards or dongle DAC/AMPs in the same price segment.

Finally, I think the PureAural gaming soundcard is a good product in its category, thanks to its solid build quality, software features, and overall value offering. I can recommend it to certain gamers who are exploring the more audiophile world, users who look for high sound quality, a premium feel, and built-in, on-the-go versatility.

Again, I'm very thankful to NiceHCK for taking me into consideration for the opportunity of trying this product and for my analysis of it. And above all, thank you to the person reading this review for gathering information and making a more informed decision.

Disclaimer: First of all, thanks to Ribbon from Kiwi Ears and Linsoul. The Stardust I’m reviewing is a sample, so yeah, this has some influence on how I’m going to talk about this after my tests. I'm not going to deny that, but as with my other reviews to date, I’m going to be sincere and honest in my thoughts and conclusions, and that’s because before I’m a reviewer, I’m also a consumer and hobbyist. And I also disclose my personal biases: Tuning and musical preferences.

Introduction:

The Kiwi Ears Stardust is a new IEM by the house of Kiwi Ears, carrying a hybrid configuration consisting of 1 DD + 4 BAs and this time pointing towards the more budget segment that those kinds of products used to be in. Now, Stardust is not trying to reinvent the wheel in the price segment, but offers an option for a lot of people; let’s see how it goes.

You can get a Stardust at an MSRP of 76.99 to 79.99 USD (With a cable without a mic and a 3.5 mm jack, a 3.5 mm jack with a mic, and a Type-C jack with a mic options available, respectively). And you can buy it directly at the Kiwi Ears official webpage: https://kiwiears.com/products/kiwi-ears-stardust, the Linsoul official store: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-stardust, Linsoul official stores on AliExpress, Amazon US, UK, and Europe, and other online retailers.

About the Flow eartips, you can get a set of these on the Linsoul official stores, for an MSRP of 9.99 USD: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-flow-ear-tips?srsltid=AU7gw4WMKeSliczh6IhvxjMlJN-Uop4QUg1Hzo2OhLdS8DHGGv4mmzNq

TLDR: The Stardust is a new IEM from the house of Kiwi Ears. With an unusual driver configuration for its price segment (1 DD + 4 BAs per earpiece), and also an unusual tuning philosophy this time.

The Stardust doesn’t excel in bass quantity (8 dB sub-bass), but stands out in quality, transparency and resolution in this frequency range; it’s a set in which you can enjoy a warm yet well-placed midrange, so male and female vocals shine without being recessed or exaggeratedly forward. In the treble, it is noticed the use of balanced armatures because it is very smooth, on the verge of feeling dark sometimes, but it is resolving, clean, crisp and technically proficient enough for its price segment.

Its included accessories and cable are more than adequate for using it right out of the box. And the Flow eartips are a perfect match for it, sonically, in fit and seal, so you can use the Stardust at medium-to-high volume without experiencing fatigue or annoying sibilance.

Finally, the Stardust is not an all-rounder because it has a well-balanced tuning, with great air, an expansive soundstage and decent technicalities overall, but that relaxed treble makes it sound warmer and less resolving, and that’s fine, because not everyone who’s getting into IEMs needs the brightest, most technical, and “flatter” and/or dryer yet neutral/organic tonality, some folks are treble sensitive but wants to get the most of their money and have the option to use their IEMs in every possible scenario (music, gaming, podcasts, etcetera).

Pros:

- Comfortable, lightweight, and ergonomic design

- Excellent bass quality, with speed, and cleanliness

- Warm, natural, and well-balanced midrange

- Smooth, non-fatiguing treble with good sibilance control

- Good imaging, layering, and soundstage for the price

- Good stock cable, eartips, and carrying case

- Easy to drive and low powered sources friendly

- Well-done price-to-performance ratio

Cons:

- Bass quantity may feel lacking for bassheads or bass lovers

- Treble can sound too relaxed or dark for some listeners

- Microdetail retrieval and resolution are only average; it is not the most analytical or technically focused set

- Stock cable could be more aesthetically fitting

- No 4.4 mm balanced option included by default

Its technical specifications:

- Driver configuration:
- 1 x 10mm PU+LCP diaphragm dynamic driver (bass)

- 4 x Custom Balanced Armature drivers (mid, high, and ultra-high ranges)

- Earpiece materials: Resin (main body), anodised aerospace-grade aluminium alloy (faceplate)

- Sensitivity: 107 ± 3 dB

- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz

- Channel balance:≤1.5 dB

- Impedance: 13 Ω

- Frequency range: 10 - 42 kHz

- Jacks: 3.5mm No Mic / 3.5mm With Mic / Type-C With Mic

- Cable type and length: 2-pin 0.78mm connectors, 2-core, twisted pair, silver litz oxygen-free copper. 1.2 m long

What comes in the Stardust’s packaging:

- 2 x Kiwi Ears Stardust earpieces

- 1 x rectangular fabric carrying case (similar to the case some Kefine and KBEar IEMs come in)

- 6 x pairs of eartips:

- 1 x set of white silicone standard bore

- 1 x set of black silicone narrow bore

- 1 x 2-core twisted pair, silver litz OFC cable, with a 3.5 mm jack and 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors. (with or without mic, and USB-C with mic available).

The earpieces are mid-sized; they are lightweight despite carrying 5 drivers inside, and the design is ergonomic and comfortable to use them in long sessions. The main body is made of resin, shiny black in colour, with an aluminium alloy faceplate and an emerald blue gradient triangular design on the faceplates themselves, looking gorgeous.

It’s well vented with two vents mainly for the dynamic driver, avoiding any driver flex. Its nozzles are covered by the usual metallic mesh and are 6.1 mm in diameter, more on the mid-size side, perfect for my mid-sized ears as well, with a lip to adjust the eartips, and the stock eartips fit them well, but the Flow eartips are an even better match in fit and seal for the Stardust, allowing me to use them in long sessions.

About the stock eartips included, I’m more inclined to use the white silicone, standard-bore ones on the Stardust because of its warm and relaxed tonality. But sonically, the Stardust makes a better synergy with the Flow eartips.

And its included cable: it’s not the best aesthetic match for the Stardust, but it’s a great cable, well built, high quality, flexible enough, doesn’t hold a shape, doesn’t tangle easily, and doesn't produce translated vibrations. My recommendation is to upgrade the cable to something with a 4.4 mm balanced jack or anything more aesthetically appealing to you.

Its carrying box is a nice detail, with enough space to carry the IEMs themselves with their cable and maybe a little dongle (like the Kiwi Ears Allegro and Allegro Pro).

How do the Kiwi Ears Stardust sound?

The Stardust is a mild V-shaped tuned set, with a configuration of a 1 PU+LCP diaphragm dynamic driver + 4 custom Balanced Armature drivers; let’s see if it goes a long way.

As I mentioned before, I’m using the Stardust with Flow eartips (balanced-to-wide bore, soft silicone, conical shape), and I swapped the cable for a Jialai AzureBay with a 4.4 mm jack. Still, honestly, it's just for the aesthetic, since the Stardust doesn’t need much power to shine, and its stock cable works perfectly. Thanks to ATechReviews for his graph of this set.

Bass range:

The PU+LCP dynamic driver on the Stardust delivers a high-quality bass shelf that does not excel in quantity, and alas, that’s not the objective in this one; you can expect a fast, very clean bass with a natural decay, and more sub-bass thumping than mid-bass kick, so it’s not bleeding into the lower midrange and acts properly when the music asks for it.

Midrange:

This portion of frequencies is when the Stardust shines the most; as a mild V-shaped tuned set, the lower midrange is well-put, with zero bothersome bleeding from the mid-bass, and male vocals sound natural and kind of forward a bit. It has a good noteweight added, and it’s decently clean and resolute.

Around 600 Hz, the frequency curve begins to rise with a warm pinna gain, then gets a bump around the 2000 Hz area. Male vocals and instruments sound forward, with good presence and clarity. That bump goes around 3 kHz, merging smoothly with the lower treble. Female vocals sound well-positioned, not shouty nor fatiguing at mid-to-high volume.

Highrange:

Here’s the thing: no matter that the Stardust has 4 Balanced Armature drivers per earpiece handling the mid and highrange, its treble is very smooth, on the verge of being dark, but fortunately, with a decent spark, transparency, well-resolving, and with certain unique characteristics.

Lower treble descends from the 3 kHz region to a 4.5 to 5 kHz peak that enhances female vocals and instruments, and a 6 kHz dip to handle the sibilance excellently. In the mid-treble, a bump going from 7 to 9 kHz gives some energy to the mix, and a 10 kHz dip adds to the sibilance handling at mid-to-high volumes, so you can crank the volume up without that bothersome spiciness and for long sessions.

Upper treble and technicalities:

The upper treble in the Stardust is something that also stands out: decent air, an expansive soundstage that can be a base for gaming and other content consumption. And very well extended into the higher frequencies.

In the technical aspects, the imaging is above average, and the layering of instruments is pretty decent for its price, but with that smooth and relaxed treble, you can’t expect the Stardust to be a microdetail beast, and while its reproduction of macro and micro details is adequate for its segment, it is not the main focus of this set. So, resolution is also average, and that’s ok; the Stardust is more musical than analytical, and without that typical “cheap BA” timbre that can detract from the overall listening experience.

Final thoughts and conclusion:

The Stardust, contrary to what its marketing says, is not an all-rounder, nor the neutral beast you can expect for that definition, but it is an IEM that seeks to be warm, relaxed, yet decently musical, more-than-analytical-tuned, and it can work for a lot of folks who don’t look for the most technical and “flat” set, with treble close to the sun ringing in your ears; nope, it can work perfectly for the everyday user who is sensitive to treble but also wants the best experience possible for their money.

I personally prefer a more pronounced treble shelf to balance the mid and lower-range, but I also understand the public the Stardust are covering. The Flow eartips are a nice addition to the Kiwi Ears “arsenal”, not only for IEMs from the brand themselves but other IEMs that can benefit from them. The stock eartips and cable for the Stardust are nice to use out of the box, so I understand folks who buy this expect to have the best price/performance and adequate accessories for the price you are paying for it.

The Stardust, with its 13 ohms of impedance and 107 dB of sensitivity, as I mentioned before, is easy to drive, even with low-powered sources, but my recommendation with it is to pair this set with a “neutral” or uncoloured source, just to get the best of it.

Finally, again, thanks to Ribbon and Kiwi Ears for giving me this set, I can recommend it to certain folks who are looking for that kind of tuning, and IMHO it is well-priced for what it offers. And thanks mainly to you, the consumer who looks for reliable sources of information to make an informed buying decision.

Disclaimer: I wrote this review without financial compromise with Nici Hifi, and they didn't give me a script or agenda to follow. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after I have tried the product for some proper time. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

Before the Intro:

I'm someone who seeks aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable “believer”; what is it? After years of studying electrical engineering (ummm, but that’s another story), I learned that a conductor has certain characteristics as materials, number of wires, caliber, length, flexibility, isolation, external diameter, weight, maximum working temperature, mechanical resistance, electrical resistance, resistivity, conductivity, capacitance, inductance, impedance, geometry, shielded, etc.

Still, with all those parameters and characteristics, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way; there is no scientific evidence or any measurement of it.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example. 

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your aesthetic tastes, if it is well-built and looks high-quality, and if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

Also, if it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it and moving, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily. 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle is a cable from Nici Hifi, a not-so-new brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two jack colors: gold-plated and silver-plated (Rhodium). 

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is at an MSRP of 238.68 USD (You can get it in the next promotions, on sale for 190.94 USD (and less with coins and coupons)). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012492042747.html. 

Pros:
- It’s stiff enough, but flexible and manageable, yet it’s not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations or develop memory

- Its colors are sober, old school, yet shiny and luxurious

- Very high quality; it’s definitely a luxury cable, matches lots of IEMs aesthetically

- Its price is in the premium category, but it goes down significantly on sales

Cons: 

- It looks like the price you pay for it, so it can be a thief magnet, so if you are going outside with them, take some special precautions

- It’s very sturdy and has a noticeable weight, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs and run, or something like that

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: High-purity silver-palladium + rare earth coating + 8N OCC 6um silver-plated 

Cable Diameter: φ 0.2 mm silver-plated, φ 0.08 mm silver-palladium

Impedance: 0.16 Ω 

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm 

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils Cable x 1

Review:

The 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable line is named Chronicle · Classical Oils, inspired by the thousand‑year‑old murals of the Mogao Caves. Comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it. 

I find the Chronicle visually sober, but at the same time, something “old school” and shiny; the sturdiness of the cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with its added weight and manageability; this is preferable for indoor use. 

Nici Hifi provided me with the Chronicle cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug. You can see its dark copper in the cables and bronze colors in the metallic parts, such as the connectors, splitter, chin slider, and jack casing; that combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous and luxurious. 

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations, and despite its thickness, it's not a cable that develops memory.

The chin slider is totally functional; it is not difficult to move across the cable, and it stays in place when you are moving. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears with constant use, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the IEMs for long periods of time. 

The plug casings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium/luxury cable.

Finally, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils is a perfect match for my DUNU Vulkan 2 IEMs; the color scheme, the weight of the shells connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate love and attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? It depends, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is a luxury product, not for every walking folk, but, paired with something like the Vulkan 2 or the Juzear x Squiglink Harrier, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable can be a sober yet beautiful and premium option to consider. 

Disclaimer: I wrote this review without financial compromise with Nici Hifi, and they didn't give me a script or agenda to follow. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after I have tried the product for some proper time. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

Before the Intro:

I'm someone who seeks aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable “believer”; what is it? After years of studying electrical engineering (ummm, but that’s another story), I learned that a conductor has certain characteristics as materials, number of wires, caliber, length, flexibility, isolation, external diameter, weight, maximum working temperature, mechanical resistance, electrical resistance, resistivity, conductivity, capacitance, inductance, impedance, geometry, shielded, etc.

Still, with all those parameters and characteristics, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way; there is no scientific evidence or any measurement of it.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example. 

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your aesthetic tastes, if it is well-built and looks high-quality, and if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

Also, if it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it and moving, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily. 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle is a cable from Nici Hifi, a not-so-new brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two jack colors: gold-plated and silver-plated (Rhodium). 

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is at an MSRP of 238.68 USD (You can get it in the next promotions, on sale for 190.94 USD (and less with coins and coupons)). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012492042747.html. 

Pros:
- It’s stiff enough, but flexible and manageable, yet it’s not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations or develop memory

- Its colors are sober, old school, yet shiny and luxurious

- Very high quality; it’s definitely a luxury cable, matches lots of IEMs aesthetically

- Its price is in the premium category, but it goes down significantly on sales

Cons: 

- It looks like the price you pay for it, so it can be a thief magnet, so if you are going outside with them, take some special precautions

- It’s very sturdy and has a noticeable weight, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs and run, or something like that

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: High-purity silver-palladium + rare earth coating + 8N OCC 6um silver-plated 

Cable Diameter: φ 0.2 mm silver-plated, φ 0.08 mm silver-palladium

Impedance: 0.16 Ω 

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm 

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils Cable x 1

Review:

The 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable line is named Chronicle · Classical Oils, inspired by the thousand‑year‑old murals of the Mogao Caves. Comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it. 

I find the Chronicle visually sober, but at the same time, something “old school” and shiny; the sturdiness of the cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with its added weight and manageability; this is preferable for indoor use. 

Nici Hifi provided me with the Chronicle cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug. You can see its dark copper in the cables and bronze colors in the metallic parts, such as the connectors, splitter, chin slider, and jack casing; that combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous and luxurious. 

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations, and despite its thickness, it's not a cable that develops memory.

The chin slider is totally functional; it is not difficult to move across the cable, and it stays in place when you are moving. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears with constant use, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the IEMs for long periods of time. 

The plug casings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium/luxury cable.

Finally, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils is a perfect match for my DUNU Vulkan 2 IEMs; the color scheme, the weight of the shells connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate love and attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? It depends, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is a luxury product, not for every walking folk, but, paired with something like the Vulkan 2 or the Juzear x Squiglink Harrier, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable can be a sober yet beautiful and premium option to consider. 

Disclaimer: I wrote this review without financial compromise with Nici Hifi, and they didn't give me a script or agenda to follow. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after I have tried the product for some proper time. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

Before the Intro:

I'm someone who seeks aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable “believer”; what is it? After years of studying electrical engineering (ummm, but that’s another story), I learned that a conductor has certain characteristics as materials, number of wires, caliber, length, flexibility, isolation, external diameter, weight, maximum working temperature, mechanical resistance, electrical resistance, resistivity, conductivity, capacitance, inductance, impedance, geometry, shielded, etc.

Still, with all those parameters and characteristics, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way; there is no scientific evidence or any measurement of it.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example. 

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your aesthetic tastes, if it is well-built and looks high-quality, and if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

Also, if it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it and moving, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily. 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle is a cable from Nici Hifi, a not-so-new brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two jack colors: gold-plated and silver-plated (Rhodium). 

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is at an MSRP of 238.68 USD (You can get it in the next promotions, on sale for 190.94 USD (and less with coins and coupons)). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012492042747.html. 

Pros:
- It’s stiff enough, but flexible and manageable, yet it’s not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations or develop memory

- Its colors are sober, old school, yet shiny and luxurious

- Very high quality; it’s definitely a luxury cable, matches lots of IEMs aesthetically

- Its price is in the premium category, but it goes down significantly on sales

Cons: 

- It looks like the price you pay for it, so it can be a thief magnet, so if you are going outside with them, take some special precautions

- It’s very sturdy and has a noticeable weight, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs and run, or something like that

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: High-purity silver-palladium + rare earth coating + 8N OCC 6um silver-plated 

Cable Diameter: φ 0.2 mm silver-plated, φ 0.08 mm silver-palladium

Impedance: 0.16 Ω 

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm 

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils Cable x 1

Review:

The 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable line is named Chronicle · Classical Oils, inspired by the thousand‑year‑old murals of the Mogao Caves. Comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it. 

I find the Chronicle visually sober, but at the same time, something “old school” and shiny; the sturdiness of the cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with its added weight and manageability; this is preferable for indoor use. 

Nici Hifi provided me with the Chronicle cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug. You can see its dark copper in the cables and bronze colors in the metallic parts, such as the connectors, splitter, chin slider, and jack casing; that combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous and luxurious. 

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations, and despite its thickness, it's not a cable that develops memory.

The chin slider is totally functional; it is not difficult to move across the cable, and it stays in place when you are moving. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears with constant use, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the IEMs for long periods of time. 

The plug casings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium/luxury cable.

Finally, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils is a perfect match for my DUNU Vulkan 2 IEMs; the color scheme, the weight of the shells connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate love and attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? It depends, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is a luxury product, not for every walking folk, but, paired with something like the Vulkan 2 or the Juzear x Squiglink Harrier, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable can be a sober yet beautiful and premium option to consider. 

Disclaimer: I wrote this review without financial compromise with Nici Hifi, and they didn't give me a script or agenda to follow. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after I have tried the product for some proper time. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

Before the Intro:

I'm someone who seeks aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable “believer”; what is it? After years of studying electrical engineering (ummm, but that’s another story), I learned that a conductor has certain characteristics as materials, number of wires, caliber, length, flexibility, isolation, external diameter, weight, maximum working temperature, mechanical resistance, electrical resistance, resistivity, conductivity, capacitance, inductance, impedance, geometry, shielded, etc.

Still, with all those parameters and characteristics, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way; there is no scientific evidence or any measurement of it.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example. 

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your aesthetic tastes, if it is well-built and looks high-quality, and if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

Also, if it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it and moving, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily. 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle is a cable from Nici Hifi, a not-so-new brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two jack colors: gold-plated and silver-plated (Rhodium). 

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is at an MSRP of 238.68 USD (You can get it in the next promotions, on sale for 190.94 USD (and less with coins and coupons)). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012492042747.html. 

Pros:
- It’s stiff enough, but flexible and manageable, yet it’s not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations or develop memory

- Its colors are sober, old school, yet shiny and luxurious

- Very high quality; it’s definitely a luxury cable, matches lots of IEMs aesthetically

- Its price is in the premium category, but it goes down significantly on sales

Cons: 

- It looks like the price you pay for it, so it can be a thief magnet, so if you are going outside with them, take some special precautions

- It’s very sturdy and has a noticeable weight, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs and run, or something like that

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: High-purity silver-palladium + rare earth coating + 8N OCC 6um silver-plated 

Cable Diameter: φ 0.2 mm silver-plated, φ 0.08 mm silver-palladium

Impedance: 0.16 Ω 

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm 

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils Cable x 1

Review:

The 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable line is named Chronicle · Classical Oils, inspired by the thousand‑year‑old murals of the Mogao Caves. Comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it. 

I find the Chronicle visually sober, but at the same time, something “old school” and shiny; the sturdiness of the cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with its added weight and manageability; this is preferable for indoor use. 

Nici Hifi provided me with the Chronicle cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug. You can see its dark copper in the cables and bronze colors in the metallic parts, such as the connectors, splitter, chin slider, and jack casing; that combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous and luxurious. 

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations, and despite its thickness, it's not a cable that develops memory.

The chin slider is totally functional; it is not difficult to move across the cable, and it stays in place when you are moving. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears with constant use, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the IEMs for long periods of time. 

The plug casings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium/luxury cable.

Finally, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils is a perfect match for my DUNU Vulkan 2 IEMs; the color scheme, the weight of the shells connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate love and attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? It depends, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is a luxury product, not for every walking folk, but, paired with something like the Vulkan 2 or the Juzear x Squiglink Harrier, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable can be a sober yet beautiful and premium option to consider. 

Disclaimer: I wrote this review without financial compromise with Nici Hifi, and they didn't give me a script or agenda to follow. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after I have tried the product for some proper time. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

Before the Intro:

I'm someone who seeks aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable “believer”; what is it? After years of studying electrical engineering (ummm, but that’s another story), I learned that a conductor has certain characteristics as materials, number of wires, caliber, length, flexibility, isolation, external diameter, weight, maximum working temperature, mechanical resistance, electrical resistance, resistivity, conductivity, capacitance, inductance, impedance, geometry, shielded, etc.

Still, with all those parameters and characteristics, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way; there is no scientific evidence or any measurement of it.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example. 

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your aesthetic tastes, if it is well-built and looks high-quality, and if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

Also, if it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it and moving, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily. 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle is a cable from Nici Hifi, a not-so-new brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two jack colors: gold-plated and silver-plated (Rhodium). 

The Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is at an MSRP of 238.68 USD (You can get it in the next promotions, on sale for 190.94 USD (and less with coins and coupons)). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012492042747.html. 

Pros:
- It’s stiff enough, but flexible and manageable, yet it’s not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations or develop memory

- Its colors are sober, old school, yet shiny and luxurious

- Very high quality; it’s definitely a luxury cable, matches lots of IEMs aesthetically

- Its price is in the premium category, but it goes down significantly on sales

Cons: 

- It looks like the price you pay for it, so it can be a thief magnet, so if you are going outside with them, take some special precautions

- It’s very sturdy and has a noticeable weight, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs and run, or something like that

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: High-purity silver-palladium + rare earth coating + 8N OCC 6um silver-plated 

Cable Diameter: φ 0.2 mm silver-plated, φ 0.08 mm silver-palladium

Impedance: 0.16 Ω 

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm 

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 13 Chronicle Classical Oils Cable x 1

Review:

The 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable line is named Chronicle · Classical Oils, inspired by the thousand‑year‑old murals of the Mogao Caves. Comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it. 

I find the Chronicle visually sober, but at the same time, something “old school” and shiny; the sturdiness of the cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with its added weight and manageability; this is preferable for indoor use. 

Nici Hifi provided me with the Chronicle cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug. You can see its dark copper in the cables and bronze colors in the metallic parts, such as the connectors, splitter, chin slider, and jack casing; that combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous and luxurious. 

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations, and despite its thickness, it's not a cable that develops memory.

The chin slider is totally functional; it is not difficult to move across the cable, and it stays in place when you are moving. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears with constant use, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the IEMs for long periods of time. 

The plug casings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium/luxury cable.

Finally, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils is a perfect match for my DUNU Vulkan 2 IEMs; the color scheme, the weight of the shells connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate love and attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? It depends, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is a luxury product, not for every walking folk, but, paired with something like the Vulkan 2 or the Juzear x Squiglink Harrier, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 13 Chronicle Classical Oils cable can be a sober yet beautiful and premium option to consider. 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Ribbon from Linsoul for giving me the Martilo for this review. However, this analysis doesn't involve any payment, and they aren’t giving me any script or agenda to follow, allowing me to give my entire sincere opinion and thoughts after testing the set for a few weeks. My biases are my musical and tuning preferences, and that’s it.

Introduction: 

The Punch Audio Martilo is not a new player in the market, but it is the first product from a brand that is focused on bassheads (it even says so on the product box). And what a claim they are making! With a tribrid configuration of 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 planar driver, the Martilo makes a stand in the hobby, which sometimes doesn’t give the relevance this public has in the hobby.

You can get a Martilo for an MSRP of 329 USD (you can get it cheaper on sales). And you can buy it on Linsoul’s official webpage: https://www.linsoul.com/products/punch-audio-martilo, and on Linsoul’s official stores on Amazon and AliExpress, and other stores online.

TLDR: The Punch Audio Martilo is the first IEM by Punch Audio, a brand that makes an entry in the market focusing entirely on giving choices for bassheads who still want clarity, so you can expect from these 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar tribrid configured IEMs, with a U-shaped tuning, which follows a modified Harman 2019 target, to be a bass lover's who want clarity delight. 

The Martilo has great extension into the lower and higher frequencies, nice subbass and midbass impact (its main focus), no recession in the lower midrange, a warm yet organic midrange, and a well-done treble with well-controlled sibilance as well, and an upper treble with plenty of air and an open sensation. Technically wise is punching above its price point (pun intended), with more-than-average resolution, incredible imaging and layering of instruments, an expansive soundstage, and a tuning overall that is more musical than technical; it definitely can be “pausegame” and even “endgame” for bassheads.

Its package includes an excellent (and modular) cable, a carrying case, and good eartips to use it straight out of the box, all of this for a very affordable price. Yes, it's a first entry for a still new brand, but it can be a set that can be the one to get for years ahead.

Pros:

- Powerful, high-quality bass with excellent sub-bass extension and impact

- Clear, clean tuning with no significant bass bleed

- Warm, organic and natural midrange

- Excellent imaging and instrument layering

- Expansive, airy soundstage

- Good treble extension with controlled sibilance

- Excellent shell build, including a modular cable, and good accessories for the price

- Easy to drive, yet scales with more powerful/quality sources; magnificent value for bassheads under 350 USD 

Cons:

- Lower treble can become fatiguing at higher volumes (tuning being a modified Harman 2019 target)

- It is not an all-rounder because it is strongly aimed at bassheads

- Resolution is only average for its price range despite excellent detail retrieval.

- Short 3.7 mm nozzle limits eartip compatibility and fit options

- Its soundstage is wider than it is deep

- It could benefit from less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy   

Technical specifications: 

- Driver technology:

   - 2 x 8 mm Dynamic Drivers (sub and midbass)

   - 1 x dual Knowles-branded RDE balanced armature drivers (midrange)

   - 1 x Planar driver (treble and upper treble)

- Crossover circuit: Passive three-way crossover

- Shell materials: 3D-printed, medical-grade resin

- Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1 kHz (±1 dB)

- Impedance: 9 Ω @ 1 kHz (±1.5 Ω)

- Frequency Response: 10 Hz–22 kHz

- Cable: 2-Pin 0.78 mm, 4 cores, braided, litz-type OCC, silver-plated
- Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced

- Cable Length: 1.25 m ± 5 cm

What comes in the Martilo box?

- 2 x Martilo earphones

- 1 x square-shaped, faux leather case

- 6 x pairs of eartips:

   - 1 x set of foam eartips (sml)

   - 1 x set of standard bore, red-core silicon eartips (sml)

- 2 x sets of nozzle filter replacements

- 1 x 4-core braided, Litz-style OCC silver-plated cable, modular

   - 1 x 3.5 mm single-ended and 1 x 4.4 mm balanced plugs

Talking about the IEMs themselves, they are made of 3D-printed, medical-grade resin and shiny black colour with the Punch Audio logo in bronze-colored letters close to the nozzle; no matter how many drivers they pack inside, they are in the mid-to-large size, and they are rather lightweight. Its faceplate has a nice design of a dark red colour with a cobblestone-like pattern.

It is well vented to evade driver flex with a ventilation hole in the upward-pointing portion. A metallic nozzle with a 6.0 mm diameter, more in the mid diameter range, fits nicely in my ears, but its height is short (3.7 mm height), limiting the eartips used to get the best fit and seal.

Its cable is of high quality, 4-core braided, very sturdy but not stiff, and it is flexible and doesn’t develop memory; it is not prone to tangle and doesn’t produce translated vibrations. I like the fact that the cable matches Martilo’s shells and that it is modular; it's clear that it's a product that lives up to its price.

About its included eartips, I found the silicon ones to be a great match in fit, seal, and sound synergy overall. The foam eartips included, I guess, are for folks with mild treble sensitivity who want to enjoy the Martilo without worrying about bothersome sibilance. 

And its carrying case, well, it's the same case you can get with the Punch Audio Portazo, so it's huge, with plenty of space for the Martilo with its cable, and accessories, and of course more than enough space for a dongle.

How does the Martilo sound? 

The Martilo, with its 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar driver configuration, is a U-shaped IEM tuned to a modified version of the Harman 2019 target. 

I am using the stock cable because I don’t think you need to change it, and it has two modular plugs to pair the Martilo with different sources. I think the stock eartips are enough for it, but finding the best fit, seal, and sound synergy, I changed them to Penon Liqueur Orange in M size.

Thanks to AtechReviews for his graph of the Martilo.

LOWER RANGE:

The main focus of the Martilo is in this frequency portion, obviously. The 2 x 8 mm dynamic drivers used for bass are incredibly well-tuned; as a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo has a huge subbass boost that slams hard and adds that almost tactile sensation, and it has a good amount of midbass punch (pun intended) that gives the Martilo an incredible impact.

The bass is very transparent; it is fast, yet it has a natural decay, and it is incredibly resolving. With heavy bass or fast and/or complex music, the Martilo’s bass remains crystal clear and resolving, evading muddiness. The midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, fortunately.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange in the Martilo is also well-tuned, with the 2 x Knowles RDE balanced armature drivers doing a very great job with a warm yet organic tonality; it is also transparent, with more-than-average resolution and great noteweight. 

As I mentioned before, the midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, so male vocals are not recessed yet not forward, never thin or hollow, sounding natural and well-positioned in the mix. As a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo midrange is flat, and then it elevates into a warm and organic pinna gain (upper midrange), delivering nice presence; female vocals are forward, and fortunately not shouty or fatiguing at mid to high volumes.

UPPER RANGE:

The treble in the Martilo is very Harman 2019-like, so you can expect a first peak at the 3 to 3.5 kHz region in the lower treble, a dip that goes into the 5 kHz region and elevates again with a peak at 6.5 to 7 kHz to give the mid treble some energy, and later it goes down with a dip at 10 kHz to tame sibilance. I’m finding the Planar driver responsible for this portion of frequencies is greatly tuned, and I don’t perceive any “planar sheen” (metallic and/or artificial sounds), even at high volumes, but, as an IEM tuned close to the Harman 2019 target, for folks like me who are sensitive to that treble approach, I can get fatigued fast using the Martilo at high volumes, and I’m finding myself lowering the volume to mid-to-high levels, without being spicy and being comfortable to listen for long period of time.

UPPER TREBLE AND TECHNICALITIES:

The Planar driver that is responsible for the upper treble in the Martilo delivers an airy and open sound. The soundstage is expansive, yet wider than deep. 

Overall, the Martilo is more musical than analytical, yet it has a warm and organic character. Resolution is kind of average for its price segment, but imaging is outstanding, as is the layering of instruments. Now, because Martilo’s tuning is close to the Harman 2019 target, you can perceive that average resolution I’m mentioning, but the macro and microdetail retrieval is top-notch.   

With fast, complex, or busy mixes, the Martilo is not bloated or congested, sounding clean and with adequate stereo separation.

SHORT COMPARISONS:

Vs. Juzear x Squiglink Harrier:

The Harrier is an IEM by Juzear that has inside a 1 DD + 6 BA + 2 planar driver configuration; supposedly tuned by Mark Salee from Super* Reviews, and you can get it for an MSRP of 329.99 USD. 

Yes, the Harrier is not a basshead IEM per se, but it also has a U-shaped tuning, and the treble is so rolled-off that it can work as a bass lover's set, but this time for folks who are very sensitive to treble. So, in comparison, the Martilo is remarkably better tuned, cleaner, with noticeably better technicalities, and no matter a proper basshead IEM, it’s better balanced. That said, the Harrier comes with an impressive package including several sets of eartips, a fancy carrying case, and also a modular cable.

Vs. Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch:

The Punch is another IEM tuned in collaboration with a reviewer, this time with HBB, and you can get it at an MSRP of 449 USD (but substantially cheaper in sales). Carrying an impressive 1 DD + 2 Knowles RAB 32257 BA + 2 Sonion EST configuration, the Punch is advertised as the Basshead’s dream.

Consider that the price difference of over $100 between the Punch and the Martilo is not only due to the Punch having two EST drivers responsible for the treble and upper treble frequencies. The Punch is also a U-shaped tuned set, but unlike the Martilo, the Punch’s tuning is closer to a modified JM-1 target with an immense bass boost.

The Martilo is not a cheaper Punch, that's for sure. Now, in comparison, the Punch has a bit more bass boost, a more neutral yet warm character, less lower treble attack, more mid treble energy, but better sibilance control than the Martilo, with dips at 6 and 10 kHz; but the Martilo has more air and feels more open. I prefer the Punch over the Martilo not for being more technically proficient, but for being more “balanced” and less spicy at high volumes than the Martilo.

In fact, the Martilo is incredible for its price, and it has a substantially better package. So, it can be more a tuning preference, and it can be more satisfying to you than the Punch.

Vs. Punch Audio Portazo:

The Portazo is the other (at the moment) IEM by Punch Audio; it is cheaper at an MSRP of 189USD, and carries a simpler configuration of 1 DD + 2 Planar drivers.

In comparison, the Portazo is a mild V-shaped tuned set. With similar subbass boost, but more midbass punch (yeah, again, pun intended) than the Martilo, but because it's V-shaped, the midbass bleeds slightly into the lower midrange, so male vocals are a bit recessed. Upper midrange is less warm than in the Martilo; the lower treble has a bump to enhance female vocals, and midtreble has more bite. 

The Portazo has better sibilance control than the Martilo with 6 and 10 kHz dips, but at high volumes you can feel that “planar sheen” with spicy music. Tuning-wise, the Portazo is more appealing to me, but putting them in perspective, the Martilo is more than 100 USD pricier and does its basshead job better, because the Portazo is a more “ balanced with bass boost” tuned IEM than a true bass lover’s set.

Final thoughts and conclusions:

The Martilo is more than just any first IEM by a brand that focuses its products on bassheads; it is an IEM that punches above its weight, with a very fun and engaging tuning that focuses on a very high-quality bass boost, without neglecting clarity and its technical capabilities.

It offers one of the best, if not the best, value proposition in its price segment, but it's not an all-rounder; it's a basshead set, so it can work perfectly fine for bass-heavy music, and you know what? That's great, because the Martilo doesn't necessarily need to work with any music but does what it's tuned for incredibly well.

I would like Punch Audio to give the Martilo a bit less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy, two things that you can fix with equalization, but the other IEM by the brand, the Portazo, does better.

The Martilo, with its 9 ohms impedance and 100 dB sensitivity, is easy to drive, even with low-powered sources, but it's better to pair it with more powerful and/or quality sources to get it at its fullest.

Finally, can I recommend it? Absolutely, the Martilo is the quintessential basshead IEM under 350 USD, period. It has a nicely boosted bass; it is U-shaped, with a magnificent clarity and more musical than analytical. This can be the sledgehammer for all bass lovers. 

If you've made it this far, I thank you, the reader, and I hope you enjoy a long and happy listening experience.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Ribbon from Linsoul for giving me the Martilo for this review. However, this analysis doesn't involve any payment, and they aren’t giving me any script or agenda to follow, allowing me to give my entire sincere opinion and thoughts after testing the set for a few weeks. My biases are my musical and tuning preferences, and that’s it.

Introduction: 

The Punch Audio Martilo is not a new player in the market, but it is the first product from a brand that is focused on bassheads (it even says so on the product box). And what a claim they are making! With a tribrid configuration of 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 planar driver, the Martilo makes a stand in the hobby, which sometimes doesn’t give the relevance this public has in the hobby.

You can get a Martilo for an MSRP of 329 USD (you can get it cheaper on sales). And you can buy it on Linsoul’s official webpage: https://www.linsoul.com/products/punch-audio-martilo, and on Linsoul’s official stores on Amazon and AliExpress, and other stores online.

TLDR: The Punch Audio Martilo is the first IEM by Punch Audio, a brand that makes an entry in the market focusing entirely on giving choices for bassheads who still want clarity, so you can expect from these 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar tribrid configured IEMs, with a U-shaped tuning, which follows a modified Harman 2019 target, to be a bass lover's who want clarity delight. 

The Martilo has great extension into the lower and higher frequencies, nice subbass and midbass impact (its main focus), no recession in the lower midrange, a warm yet organic midrange, and a well-done treble with well-controlled sibilance as well, and an upper treble with plenty of air and an open sensation. Technically wise is punching above its price point (pun intended), with more-than-average resolution, incredible imaging and layering of instruments, an expansive soundstage, and a tuning overall that is more musical than technical; it definitely can be “pausegame” and even “endgame” for bassheads.

Its package includes an excellent (and modular) cable, a carrying case, and good eartips to use it straight out of the box, all of this for a very affordable price. Yes, it's a first entry for a still new brand, but it can be a set that can be the one to get for years ahead.

Pros:

- Powerful, high-quality bass with excellent sub-bass extension and impact

- Clear, clean tuning with no significant bass bleed

- Warm, organic and natural midrange

- Excellent imaging and instrument layering

- Expansive, airy soundstage

- Good treble extension with controlled sibilance

- Excellent shell build, including a modular cable, and good accessories for the price

- Easy to drive, yet scales with more powerful/quality sources; magnificent value for bassheads under 350 USD 

Cons:

- Lower treble can become fatiguing at higher volumes (tuning being a modified Harman 2019 target)

- It is not an all-rounder because it is strongly aimed at bassheads

- Resolution is only average for its price range despite excellent detail retrieval.

- Short 3.7 mm nozzle limits eartip compatibility and fit options

- Its soundstage is wider than it is deep

- It could benefit from less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy   

Technical specifications: 

- Driver technology:

   - 2 x 8 mm Dynamic Drivers (sub and midbass)

   - 1 x dual Knowles-branded RDE balanced armature drivers (midrange)

   - 1 x Planar driver (treble and upper treble)

- Crossover circuit: Passive three-way crossover

- Shell materials: 3D-printed, medical-grade resin

- Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1 kHz (±1 dB)

- Impedance: 9 Ω @ 1 kHz (±1.5 Ω)

- Frequency Response: 10 Hz–22 kHz

- Cable: 2-Pin 0.78 mm, 4 cores, braided, litz-type OCC, silver-plated
- Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced

- Cable Length: 1.25 m ± 5 cm

What comes in the Martilo box?

- 2 x Martilo earphones

- 1 x square-shaped, faux leather case

- 6 x pairs of eartips:

   - 1 x set of foam eartips (sml)

   - 1 x set of standard bore, red-core silicon eartips (sml)

- 2 x sets of nozzle filter replacements

- 1 x 4-core braided, Litz-style OCC silver-plated cable, modular

   - 1 x 3.5 mm single-ended and 1 x 4.4 mm balanced plugs

Talking about the IEMs themselves, they are made of 3D-printed, medical-grade resin and shiny black colour with the Punch Audio logo in bronze-colored letters close to the nozzle; no matter how many drivers they pack inside, they are in the mid-to-large size, and they are rather lightweight. Its faceplate has a nice design of a dark red colour with a cobblestone-like pattern.

It is well vented to evade driver flex with a ventilation hole in the upward-pointing portion. A metallic nozzle with a 6.0 mm diameter, more in the mid diameter range, fits nicely in my ears, but its height is short (3.7 mm height), limiting the eartips used to get the best fit and seal.

Its cable is of high quality, 4-core braided, very sturdy but not stiff, and it is flexible and doesn’t develop memory; it is not prone to tangle and doesn’t produce translated vibrations. I like the fact that the cable matches Martilo’s shells and that it is modular; it's clear that it's a product that lives up to its price.

About its included eartips, I found the silicon ones to be a great match in fit, seal, and sound synergy overall. The foam eartips included, I guess, are for folks with mild treble sensitivity who want to enjoy the Martilo without worrying about bothersome sibilance. 

And its carrying case, well, it's the same case you can get with the Punch Audio Portazo, so it's huge, with plenty of space for the Martilo with its cable, and accessories, and of course more than enough space for a dongle.

How does the Martilo sound? 

The Martilo, with its 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar driver configuration, is a U-shaped IEM tuned to a modified version of the Harman 2019 target. 

I am using the stock cable because I don’t think you need to change it, and it has two modular plugs to pair the Martilo with different sources. I think the stock eartips are enough for it, but finding the best fit, seal, and sound synergy, I changed them to Penon Liqueur Orange in M size.

Thanks to AtechReviews for his graph of the Martilo.

LOWER RANGE:

The main focus of the Martilo is in this frequency portion, obviously. The 2 x 8 mm dynamic drivers used for bass are incredibly well-tuned; as a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo has a huge subbass boost that slams hard and adds that almost tactile sensation, and it has a good amount of midbass punch (pun intended) that gives the Martilo an incredible impact.

The bass is very transparent; it is fast, yet it has a natural decay, and it is incredibly resolving. With heavy bass or fast and/or complex music, the Martilo’s bass remains crystal clear and resolving, evading muddiness. The midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, fortunately.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange in the Martilo is also well-tuned, with the 2 x Knowles RDE balanced armature drivers doing a very great job with a warm yet organic tonality; it is also transparent, with more-than-average resolution and great noteweight. 

As I mentioned before, the midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, so male vocals are not recessed yet not forward, never thin or hollow, sounding natural and well-positioned in the mix. As a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo midrange is flat, and then it elevates into a warm and organic pinna gain (upper midrange), delivering nice presence; female vocals are forward, and fortunately not shouty or fatiguing at mid to high volumes.

UPPER RANGE:

The treble in the Martilo is very Harman 2019-like, so you can expect a first peak at the 3 to 3.5 kHz region in the lower treble, a dip that goes into the 5 kHz region and elevates again with a peak at 6.5 to 7 kHz to give the mid treble some energy, and later it goes down with a dip at 10 kHz to tame sibilance. I’m finding the Planar driver responsible for this portion of frequencies is greatly tuned, and I don’t perceive any “planar sheen” (metallic and/or artificial sounds), even at high volumes, but, as an IEM tuned close to the Harman 2019 target, for folks like me who are sensitive to that treble approach, I can get fatigued fast using the Martilo at high volumes, and I’m finding myself lowering the volume to mid-to-high levels, without being spicy and being comfortable to listen for long period of time.

UPPER TREBLE AND TECHNICALITIES:

The Planar driver that is responsible for the upper treble in the Martilo delivers an airy and open sound. The soundstage is expansive, yet wider than deep. 

Overall, the Martilo is more musical than analytical, yet it has a warm and organic character. Resolution is kind of average for its price segment, but imaging is outstanding, as is the layering of instruments. Now, because Martilo’s tuning is close to the Harman 2019 target, you can perceive that average resolution I’m mentioning, but the macro and microdetail retrieval is top-notch.   

With fast, complex, or busy mixes, the Martilo is not bloated or congested, sounding clean and with adequate stereo separation.

SHORT COMPARISONS:

Vs. Juzear x Squiglink Harrier:

The Harrier is an IEM by Juzear that has inside a 1 DD + 6 BA + 2 planar driver configuration; supposedly tuned by Mark Salee from Super* Reviews, and you can get it for an MSRP of 329.99 USD. 

Yes, the Harrier is not a basshead IEM per se, but it also has a U-shaped tuning, and the treble is so rolled-off that it can work as a bass lover's set, but this time for folks who are very sensitive to treble. So, in comparison, the Martilo is remarkably better tuned, cleaner, with noticeably better technicalities, and no matter a proper basshead IEM, it’s better balanced. That said, the Harrier comes with an impressive package including several sets of eartips, a fancy carrying case, and also a modular cable.

Vs. Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch:

The Punch is another IEM tuned in collaboration with a reviewer, this time with HBB, and you can get it at an MSRP of 449 USD (but substantially cheaper in sales). Carrying an impressive 1 DD + 2 Knowles RAB 32257 BA + 2 Sonion EST configuration, the Punch is advertised as the Basshead’s dream.

Consider that the price difference of over $100 between the Punch and the Martilo is not only due to the Punch having two EST drivers responsible for the treble and upper treble frequencies. The Punch is also a U-shaped tuned set, but unlike the Martilo, the Punch’s tuning is closer to a modified JM-1 target with an immense bass boost.

The Martilo is not a cheaper Punch, that's for sure. Now, in comparison, the Punch has a bit more bass boost, a more neutral yet warm character, less lower treble attack, more mid treble energy, but better sibilance control than the Martilo, with dips at 6 and 10 kHz; but the Martilo has more air and feels more open. I prefer the Punch over the Martilo not for being more technically proficient, but for being more “balanced” and less spicy at high volumes than the Martilo.

In fact, the Martilo is incredible for its price, and it has a substantially better package. So, it can be more a tuning preference, and it can be more satisfying to you than the Punch.

Vs. Punch Audio Portazo:

The Portazo is the other (at the moment) IEM by Punch Audio; it is cheaper at an MSRP of 189USD, and carries a simpler configuration of 1 DD + 2 Planar drivers.

In comparison, the Portazo is a mild V-shaped tuned set. With similar subbass boost, but more midbass punch (yeah, again, pun intended) than the Martilo, but because it's V-shaped, the midbass bleeds slightly into the lower midrange, so male vocals are a bit recessed. Upper midrange is less warm than in the Martilo; the lower treble has a bump to enhance female vocals, and midtreble has more bite. 

The Portazo has better sibilance control than the Martilo with 6 and 10 kHz dips, but at high volumes you can feel that “planar sheen” with spicy music. Tuning-wise, the Portazo is more appealing to me, but putting them in perspective, the Martilo is more than 100 USD pricier and does its basshead job better, because the Portazo is a more “ balanced with bass boost” tuned IEM than a true bass lover’s set.

Final thoughts and conclusions:

The Martilo is more than just any first IEM by a brand that focuses its products on bassheads; it is an IEM that punches above its weight, with a very fun and engaging tuning that focuses on a very high-quality bass boost, without neglecting clarity and its technical capabilities.

It offers one of the best, if not the best, value proposition in its price segment, but it's not an all-rounder; it's a basshead set, so it can work perfectly fine for bass-heavy music, and you know what? That's great, because the Martilo doesn't necessarily need to work with any music but does what it's tuned for incredibly well.

I would like Punch Audio to give the Martilo a bit less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy, two things that you can fix with equalization, but the other IEM by the brand, the Portazo, does better.

The Martilo, with its 9 ohms impedance and 100 dB sensitivity, is easy to drive, even with low-powered sources, but it's better to pair it with more powerful and/or quality sources to get it at its fullest.

Finally, can I recommend it? Absolutely, the Martilo is the quintessential basshead IEM under 350 USD, period. It has a nicely boosted bass; it is U-shaped, with a magnificent clarity and more musical than analytical. This can be the sledgehammer for all bass lovers. 

If you've made it this far, I thank you, the reader, and I hope you enjoy a long and happy listening experience.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Ribbon from Linsoul for giving me the Martilo for this review. However, this analysis doesn't involve any payment, and they aren’t giving me any script or agenda to follow, allowing me to give my entire sincere opinion and thoughts after testing the set for a few weeks. My biases are my musical and tuning preferences, and that’s it.

Introduction: 

The Punch Audio Martilo is not a new player in the market, but it is the first product from a brand that is focused on bassheads (it even says so on the product box). And what a claim they are making! With a tribrid configuration of 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 planar driver, the Martilo makes a stand in the hobby, which sometimes doesn’t give the relevance this public has in the hobby.

You can get a Martilo for an MSRP of 329 USD (you can get it cheaper on sales). And you can buy it on Linsoul’s official webpage: https://www.linsoul.com/products/punch-audio-martilo, and on Linsoul’s official stores on Amazon and AliExpress, and other stores online.

TLDR: The Punch Audio Martilo is the first IEM by Punch Audio, a brand that makes an entry in the market focusing entirely on giving choices for bassheads who still want clarity, so you can expect from these 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar tribrid configured IEMs, with a U-shaped tuning, which follows a modified Harman 2019 target, to be a bass lover's who want clarity delight. 

The Martilo has great extension into the lower and higher frequencies, nice subbass and midbass impact (its main focus), no recession in the lower midrange, a warm yet organic midrange, and a well-done treble with well-controlled sibilance as well, and an upper treble with plenty of air and an open sensation. Technically wise is punching above its price point (pun intended), with more-than-average resolution, incredible imaging and layering of instruments, an expansive soundstage, and a tuning overall that is more musical than technical; it definitely can be “pausegame” and even “endgame” for bassheads.

Its package includes an excellent (and modular) cable, a carrying case, and good eartips to use it straight out of the box, all of this for a very affordable price. Yes, it's a first entry for a still new brand, but it can be a set that can be the one to get for years ahead.

Pros:

- Powerful, high-quality bass with excellent sub-bass extension and impact

- Clear, clean tuning with no significant bass bleed

- Warm, organic and natural midrange

- Excellent imaging and instrument layering

- Expansive, airy soundstage

- Good treble extension with controlled sibilance

- Excellent shell build, including a modular cable, and good accessories for the price

- Easy to drive, yet scales with more powerful/quality sources; magnificent value for bassheads under 350 USD 

Cons:

- Lower treble can become fatiguing at higher volumes (tuning being a modified Harman 2019 target)

- It is not an all-rounder because it is strongly aimed at bassheads

- Resolution is only average for its price range despite excellent detail retrieval.

- Short 3.7 mm nozzle limits eartip compatibility and fit options

- Its soundstage is wider than it is deep

- It could benefit from less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy   

Technical specifications: 

- Driver technology:

   - 2 x 8 mm Dynamic Drivers (sub and midbass)

   - 1 x dual Knowles-branded RDE balanced armature drivers (midrange)

   - 1 x Planar driver (treble and upper treble)

- Crossover circuit: Passive three-way crossover

- Shell materials: 3D-printed, medical-grade resin

- Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1 kHz (±1 dB)

- Impedance: 9 Ω @ 1 kHz (±1.5 Ω)

- Frequency Response: 10 Hz–22 kHz

- Cable: 2-Pin 0.78 mm, 4 cores, braided, litz-type OCC, silver-plated
- Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced

- Cable Length: 1.25 m ± 5 cm

What comes in the Martilo box?

- 2 x Martilo earphones

- 1 x square-shaped, faux leather case

- 6 x pairs of eartips:

   - 1 x set of foam eartips (sml)

   - 1 x set of standard bore, red-core silicon eartips (sml)

- 2 x sets of nozzle filter replacements

- 1 x 4-core braided, Litz-style OCC silver-plated cable, modular

   - 1 x 3.5 mm single-ended and 1 x 4.4 mm balanced plugs

Talking about the IEMs themselves, they are made of 3D-printed, medical-grade resin and shiny black colour with the Punch Audio logo in bronze-colored letters close to the nozzle; no matter how many drivers they pack inside, they are in the mid-to-large size, and they are rather lightweight. Its faceplate has a nice design of a dark red colour with a cobblestone-like pattern.

It is well vented to evade driver flex with a ventilation hole in the upward-pointing portion. A metallic nozzle with a 6.0 mm diameter, more in the mid diameter range, fits nicely in my ears, but its height is short (3.7 mm height), limiting the eartips used to get the best fit and seal.

Its cable is of high quality, 4-core braided, very sturdy but not stiff, and it is flexible and doesn’t develop memory; it is not prone to tangle and doesn’t produce translated vibrations. I like the fact that the cable matches Martilo’s shells and that it is modular; it's clear that it's a product that lives up to its price.

About its included eartips, I found the silicon ones to be a great match in fit, seal, and sound synergy overall. The foam eartips included, I guess, are for folks with mild treble sensitivity who want to enjoy the Martilo without worrying about bothersome sibilance. 

And its carrying case, well, it's the same case you can get with the Punch Audio Portazo, so it's huge, with plenty of space for the Martilo with its cable, and accessories, and of course more than enough space for a dongle.

How does the Martilo sound? 

The Martilo, with its 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar driver configuration, is a U-shaped IEM tuned to a modified version of the Harman 2019 target. 

I am using the stock cable because I don’t think you need to change it, and it has two modular plugs to pair the Martilo with different sources. I think the stock eartips are enough for it, but finding the best fit, seal, and sound synergy, I changed them to Penon Liqueur Orange in M size.

Thanks to AtechReviews for his graph of the Martilo.

LOWER RANGE:

The main focus of the Martilo is in this frequency portion, obviously. The 2 x 8 mm dynamic drivers used for bass are incredibly well-tuned; as a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo has a huge subbass boost that slams hard and adds that almost tactile sensation, and it has a good amount of midbass punch (pun intended) that gives the Martilo an incredible impact.

The bass is very transparent; it is fast, yet it has a natural decay, and it is incredibly resolving. With heavy bass or fast and/or complex music, the Martilo’s bass remains crystal clear and resolving, evading muddiness. The midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, fortunately.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange in the Martilo is also well-tuned, with the 2 x Knowles RDE balanced armature drivers doing a very great job with a warm yet organic tonality; it is also transparent, with more-than-average resolution and great noteweight. 

As I mentioned before, the midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, so male vocals are not recessed yet not forward, never thin or hollow, sounding natural and well-positioned in the mix. As a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo midrange is flat, and then it elevates into a warm and organic pinna gain (upper midrange), delivering nice presence; female vocals are forward, and fortunately not shouty or fatiguing at mid to high volumes.

UPPER RANGE:

The treble in the Martilo is very Harman 2019-like, so you can expect a first peak at the 3 to 3.5 kHz region in the lower treble, a dip that goes into the 5 kHz region and elevates again with a peak at 6.5 to 7 kHz to give the mid treble some energy, and later it goes down with a dip at 10 kHz to tame sibilance. I’m finding the Planar driver responsible for this portion of frequencies is greatly tuned, and I don’t perceive any “planar sheen” (metallic and/or artificial sounds), even at high volumes, but, as an IEM tuned close to the Harman 2019 target, for folks like me who are sensitive to that treble approach, I can get fatigued fast using the Martilo at high volumes, and I’m finding myself lowering the volume to mid-to-high levels, without being spicy and being comfortable to listen for long period of time.

UPPER TREBLE AND TECHNICALITIES:

The Planar driver that is responsible for the upper treble in the Martilo delivers an airy and open sound. The soundstage is expansive, yet wider than deep. 

Overall, the Martilo is more musical than analytical, yet it has a warm and organic character. Resolution is kind of average for its price segment, but imaging is outstanding, as is the layering of instruments. Now, because Martilo’s tuning is close to the Harman 2019 target, you can perceive that average resolution I’m mentioning, but the macro and microdetail retrieval is top-notch.   

With fast, complex, or busy mixes, the Martilo is not bloated or congested, sounding clean and with adequate stereo separation.

SHORT COMPARISONS:

Vs. Juzear x Squiglink Harrier:

The Harrier is an IEM by Juzear that has inside a 1 DD + 6 BA + 2 planar driver configuration; supposedly tuned by Mark Salee from Super* Reviews, and you can get it for an MSRP of 329.99 USD. 

Yes, the Harrier is not a basshead IEM per se, but it also has a U-shaped tuning, and the treble is so rolled-off that it can work as a bass lover's set, but this time for folks who are very sensitive to treble. So, in comparison, the Martilo is remarkably better tuned, cleaner, with noticeably better technicalities, and no matter a proper basshead IEM, it’s better balanced. That said, the Harrier comes with an impressive package including several sets of eartips, a fancy carrying case, and also a modular cable.

Vs. Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch:

The Punch is another IEM tuned in collaboration with a reviewer, this time with HBB, and you can get it at an MSRP of 449 USD (but substantially cheaper in sales). Carrying an impressive 1 DD + 2 Knowles RAB 32257 BA + 2 Sonion EST configuration, the Punch is advertised as the Basshead’s dream.

Consider that the price difference of over $100 between the Punch and the Martilo is not only due to the Punch having two EST drivers responsible for the treble and upper treble frequencies. The Punch is also a U-shaped tuned set, but unlike the Martilo, the Punch’s tuning is closer to a modified JM-1 target with an immense bass boost.

The Martilo is not a cheaper Punch, that's for sure. Now, in comparison, the Punch has a bit more bass boost, a more neutral yet warm character, less lower treble attack, more mid treble energy, but better sibilance control than the Martilo, with dips at 6 and 10 kHz; but the Martilo has more air and feels more open. I prefer the Punch over the Martilo not for being more technically proficient, but for being more “balanced” and less spicy at high volumes than the Martilo.

In fact, the Martilo is incredible for its price, and it has a substantially better package. So, it can be more a tuning preference, and it can be more satisfying to you than the Punch.

Vs. Punch Audio Portazo:

The Portazo is the other (at the moment) IEM by Punch Audio; it is cheaper at an MSRP of 189USD, and carries a simpler configuration of 1 DD + 2 Planar drivers.

In comparison, the Portazo is a mild V-shaped tuned set. With similar subbass boost, but more midbass punch (yeah, again, pun intended) than the Martilo, but because it's V-shaped, the midbass bleeds slightly into the lower midrange, so male vocals are a bit recessed. Upper midrange is less warm than in the Martilo; the lower treble has a bump to enhance female vocals, and midtreble has more bite. 

The Portazo has better sibilance control than the Martilo with 6 and 10 kHz dips, but at high volumes you can feel that “planar sheen” with spicy music. Tuning-wise, the Portazo is more appealing to me, but putting them in perspective, the Martilo is more than 100 USD pricier and does its basshead job better, because the Portazo is a more “ balanced with bass boost” tuned IEM than a true bass lover’s set.

Final thoughts and conclusions:

The Martilo is more than just any first IEM by a brand that focuses its products on bassheads; it is an IEM that punches above its weight, with a very fun and engaging tuning that focuses on a very high-quality bass boost, without neglecting clarity and its technical capabilities.

It offers one of the best, if not the best, value proposition in its price segment, but it's not an all-rounder; it's a basshead set, so it can work perfectly fine for bass-heavy music, and you know what? That's great, because the Martilo doesn't necessarily need to work with any music but does what it's tuned for incredibly well.

I would like Punch Audio to give the Martilo a bit less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy, two things that you can fix with equalization, but the other IEM by the brand, the Portazo, does better.

The Martilo, with its 9 ohms impedance and 100 dB sensitivity, is easy to drive, even with low-powered sources, but it's better to pair it with more powerful and/or quality sources to get it at its fullest.

Finally, can I recommend it? Absolutely, the Martilo is the quintessential basshead IEM under 350 USD, period. It has a nicely boosted bass; it is U-shaped, with a magnificent clarity and more musical than analytical. This can be the sledgehammer for all bass lovers. 

If you've made it this far, I thank you, the reader, and I hope you enjoy a long and happy listening experience.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Ribbon from Linsoul for giving me the Martilo for this review. However, this analysis doesn't involve any payment, and they aren’t giving me any script or agenda to follow, allowing me to give my entire sincere opinion and thoughts after testing the set for a few weeks. My biases are my musical and tuning preferences, and that’s it.

Introduction: 

The Punch Audio Martilo is not a new player in the market, but it is the first product from a brand that is focused on bassheads (it even says so on the product box). And what a claim they are making! With a tribrid configuration of 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 planar driver, the Martilo makes a stand in the hobby, which sometimes doesn’t give the relevance this public has in the hobby.

You can get a Martilo for an MSRP of 329 USD (you can get it cheaper on sales). And you can buy it on Linsoul’s official webpage: https://www.linsoul.com/products/punch-audio-martilo, and on Linsoul’s official stores on Amazon and AliExpress, and other stores online.

TLDR: The Punch Audio Martilo is the first IEM by Punch Audio, a brand that makes an entry in the market focusing entirely on giving choices for bassheads who still want clarity, so you can expect from these 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar tribrid configured IEMs, with a U-shaped tuning, which follows a modified Harman 2019 target, to be a bass lover's who want clarity delight. 

The Martilo has great extension into the lower and higher frequencies, nice subbass and midbass impact (its main focus), no recession in the lower midrange, a warm yet organic midrange, and a well-done treble with well-controlled sibilance as well, and an upper treble with plenty of air and an open sensation. Technically wise is punching above its price point (pun intended), with more-than-average resolution, incredible imaging and layering of instruments, an expansive soundstage, and a tuning overall that is more musical than technical; it definitely can be “pausegame” and even “endgame” for bassheads.

Its package includes an excellent (and modular) cable, a carrying case, and good eartips to use it straight out of the box, all of this for a very affordable price. Yes, it's a first entry for a still new brand, but it can be a set that can be the one to get for years ahead.

Pros:

- Powerful, high-quality bass with excellent sub-bass extension and impact

- Clear, clean tuning with no significant bass bleed

- Warm, organic and natural midrange

- Excellent imaging and instrument layering

- Expansive, airy soundstage

- Good treble extension with controlled sibilance

- Excellent shell build, including a modular cable, and good accessories for the price

- Easy to drive, yet scales with more powerful/quality sources; magnificent value for bassheads under 350 USD 

Cons:

- Lower treble can become fatiguing at higher volumes (tuning being a modified Harman 2019 target)

- It is not an all-rounder because it is strongly aimed at bassheads

- Resolution is only average for its price range despite excellent detail retrieval.

- Short 3.7 mm nozzle limits eartip compatibility and fit options

- Its soundstage is wider than it is deep

- It could benefit from less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy   

Technical specifications: 

- Driver technology:

   - 2 x 8 mm Dynamic Drivers (sub and midbass)

   - 1 x dual Knowles-branded RDE balanced armature drivers (midrange)

   - 1 x Planar driver (treble and upper treble)

- Crossover circuit: Passive three-way crossover

- Shell materials: 3D-printed, medical-grade resin

- Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1 kHz (±1 dB)

- Impedance: 9 Ω @ 1 kHz (±1.5 Ω)

- Frequency Response: 10 Hz–22 kHz

- Cable: 2-Pin 0.78 mm, 4 cores, braided, litz-type OCC, silver-plated
- Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced

- Cable Length: 1.25 m ± 5 cm

What comes in the Martilo box?

- 2 x Martilo earphones

- 1 x square-shaped, faux leather case

- 6 x pairs of eartips:

   - 1 x set of foam eartips (sml)

   - 1 x set of standard bore, red-core silicon eartips (sml)

- 2 x sets of nozzle filter replacements

- 1 x 4-core braided, Litz-style OCC silver-plated cable, modular

   - 1 x 3.5 mm single-ended and 1 x 4.4 mm balanced plugs

Talking about the IEMs themselves, they are made of 3D-printed, medical-grade resin and shiny black colour with the Punch Audio logo in bronze-colored letters close to the nozzle; no matter how many drivers they pack inside, they are in the mid-to-large size, and they are rather lightweight. Its faceplate has a nice design of a dark red colour with a cobblestone-like pattern.

It is well vented to evade driver flex with a ventilation hole in the upward-pointing portion. A metallic nozzle with a 6.0 mm diameter, more in the mid diameter range, fits nicely in my ears, but its height is short (3.7 mm height), limiting the eartips used to get the best fit and seal.

Its cable is of high quality, 4-core braided, very sturdy but not stiff, and it is flexible and doesn’t develop memory; it is not prone to tangle and doesn’t produce translated vibrations. I like the fact that the cable matches Martilo’s shells and that it is modular; it's clear that it's a product that lives up to its price.

About its included eartips, I found the silicon ones to be a great match in fit, seal, and sound synergy overall. The foam eartips included, I guess, are for folks with mild treble sensitivity who want to enjoy the Martilo without worrying about bothersome sibilance. 

And its carrying case, well, it's the same case you can get with the Punch Audio Portazo, so it's huge, with plenty of space for the Martilo with its cable, and accessories, and of course more than enough space for a dongle.

How does the Martilo sound? 

The Martilo, with its 2 DD + 2 BA + 1 Planar driver configuration, is a U-shaped IEM tuned to a modified version of the Harman 2019 target. 

I am using the stock cable because I don’t think you need to change it, and it has two modular plugs to pair the Martilo with different sources. I think the stock eartips are enough for it, but finding the best fit, seal, and sound synergy, I changed them to Penon Liqueur Orange in M size.

Thanks to AtechReviews for his graph of the Martilo.

LOWER RANGE:

The main focus of the Martilo is in this frequency portion, obviously. The 2 x 8 mm dynamic drivers used for bass are incredibly well-tuned; as a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo has a huge subbass boost that slams hard and adds that almost tactile sensation, and it has a good amount of midbass punch (pun intended) that gives the Martilo an incredible impact.

The bass is very transparent; it is fast, yet it has a natural decay, and it is incredibly resolving. With heavy bass or fast and/or complex music, the Martilo’s bass remains crystal clear and resolving, evading muddiness. The midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, fortunately.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange in the Martilo is also well-tuned, with the 2 x Knowles RDE balanced armature drivers doing a very great job with a warm yet organic tonality; it is also transparent, with more-than-average resolution and great noteweight. 

As I mentioned before, the midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange, so male vocals are not recessed yet not forward, never thin or hollow, sounding natural and well-positioned in the mix. As a U-shaped tuned set, the Martilo midrange is flat, and then it elevates into a warm and organic pinna gain (upper midrange), delivering nice presence; female vocals are forward, and fortunately not shouty or fatiguing at mid to high volumes.

UPPER RANGE:

The treble in the Martilo is very Harman 2019-like, so you can expect a first peak at the 3 to 3.5 kHz region in the lower treble, a dip that goes into the 5 kHz region and elevates again with a peak at 6.5 to 7 kHz to give the mid treble some energy, and later it goes down with a dip at 10 kHz to tame sibilance. I’m finding the Planar driver responsible for this portion of frequencies is greatly tuned, and I don’t perceive any “planar sheen” (metallic and/or artificial sounds), even at high volumes, but, as an IEM tuned close to the Harman 2019 target, for folks like me who are sensitive to that treble approach, I can get fatigued fast using the Martilo at high volumes, and I’m finding myself lowering the volume to mid-to-high levels, without being spicy and being comfortable to listen for long period of time.

UPPER TREBLE AND TECHNICALITIES:

The Planar driver that is responsible for the upper treble in the Martilo delivers an airy and open sound. The soundstage is expansive, yet wider than deep. 

Overall, the Martilo is more musical than analytical, yet it has a warm and organic character. Resolution is kind of average for its price segment, but imaging is outstanding, as is the layering of instruments. Now, because Martilo’s tuning is close to the Harman 2019 target, you can perceive that average resolution I’m mentioning, but the macro and microdetail retrieval is top-notch.   

With fast, complex, or busy mixes, the Martilo is not bloated or congested, sounding clean and with adequate stereo separation.

SHORT COMPARISONS:

Vs. Juzear x Squiglink Harrier:

The Harrier is an IEM by Juzear that has inside a 1 DD + 6 BA + 2 planar driver configuration; supposedly tuned by Mark Salee from Super* Reviews, and you can get it for an MSRP of 329.99 USD. 

Yes, the Harrier is not a basshead IEM per se, but it also has a U-shaped tuning, and the treble is so rolled-off that it can work as a bass lover's set, but this time for folks who are very sensitive to treble. So, in comparison, the Martilo is remarkably better tuned, cleaner, with noticeably better technicalities, and no matter a proper basshead IEM, it’s better balanced. That said, the Harrier comes with an impressive package including several sets of eartips, a fancy carrying case, and also a modular cable.

Vs. Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch:

The Punch is another IEM tuned in collaboration with a reviewer, this time with HBB, and you can get it at an MSRP of 449 USD (but substantially cheaper in sales). Carrying an impressive 1 DD + 2 Knowles RAB 32257 BA + 2 Sonion EST configuration, the Punch is advertised as the Basshead’s dream.

Consider that the price difference of over $100 between the Punch and the Martilo is not only due to the Punch having two EST drivers responsible for the treble and upper treble frequencies. The Punch is also a U-shaped tuned set, but unlike the Martilo, the Punch’s tuning is closer to a modified JM-1 target with an immense bass boost.

The Martilo is not a cheaper Punch, that's for sure. Now, in comparison, the Punch has a bit more bass boost, a more neutral yet warm character, less lower treble attack, more mid treble energy, but better sibilance control than the Martilo, with dips at 6 and 10 kHz; but the Martilo has more air and feels more open. I prefer the Punch over the Martilo not for being more technically proficient, but for being more “balanced” and less spicy at high volumes than the Martilo.

In fact, the Martilo is incredible for its price, and it has a substantially better package. So, it can be more a tuning preference, and it can be more satisfying to you than the Punch.

Vs. Punch Audio Portazo:

The Portazo is the other (at the moment) IEM by Punch Audio; it is cheaper at an MSRP of 189USD, and carries a simpler configuration of 1 DD + 2 Planar drivers.

In comparison, the Portazo is a mild V-shaped tuned set. With similar subbass boost, but more midbass punch (yeah, again, pun intended) than the Martilo, but because it's V-shaped, the midbass bleeds slightly into the lower midrange, so male vocals are a bit recessed. Upper midrange is less warm than in the Martilo; the lower treble has a bump to enhance female vocals, and midtreble has more bite. 

The Portazo has better sibilance control than the Martilo with 6 and 10 kHz dips, but at high volumes you can feel that “planar sheen” with spicy music. Tuning-wise, the Portazo is more appealing to me, but putting them in perspective, the Martilo is more than 100 USD pricier and does its basshead job better, because the Portazo is a more “ balanced with bass boost” tuned IEM than a true bass lover’s set.

Final thoughts and conclusions:

The Martilo is more than just any first IEM by a brand that focuses its products on bassheads; it is an IEM that punches above its weight, with a very fun and engaging tuning that focuses on a very high-quality bass boost, without neglecting clarity and its technical capabilities.

It offers one of the best, if not the best, value proposition in its price segment, but it's not an all-rounder; it's a basshead set, so it can work perfectly fine for bass-heavy music, and you know what? That's great, because the Martilo doesn't necessarily need to work with any music but does what it's tuned for incredibly well.

I would like Punch Audio to give the Martilo a bit less lower-treble attack and more mid-treble energy, two things that you can fix with equalization, but the other IEM by the brand, the Portazo, does better.

The Martilo, with its 9 ohms impedance and 100 dB sensitivity, is easy to drive, even with low-powered sources, but it's better to pair it with more powerful and/or quality sources to get it at its fullest.

Finally, can I recommend it? Absolutely, the Martilo is the quintessential basshead IEM under 350 USD, period. It has a nicely boosted bass; it is U-shaped, with a magnificent clarity and more musical than analytical. This can be the sledgehammer for all bass lovers. 

If you've made it this far, I thank you, the reader, and I hope you enjoy a long and happy listening experience.

Disclaimer: This review is non-paid, and I’m not following a script. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after trying the product. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

 

Before the Intro:

I am usually the kind of person who buys aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable ¨believer¨; I mean, after years of studying electrical engineering, I know a conductor has certain characteristics like impedance and so on. Still, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the absurd belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example.

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your tastes, if this one is well-built and can last you for a very long time, if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

If it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it outside, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes while wearing your IEMs, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily.

 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 is a cable from Nici Hifi, a brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two styles (The 01 has a different portion (the section of cable from the separator to the 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors with a similar wrapping to the rest of the cable), and the 02 that uses a twisted pair )

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 cable is at an MSRP of 137.66 USD (You can get in currently on sale for 90.85 USD and less with coins and coupons). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012310548586.html.

Pros:
- Stiff enough, but not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations

- Very colorful and very high quality, matches aesthetically lots of IEMs

- Its price goes down significantly on sales

Cons:

- Because it uses that wrapping around the conductors, it can develop memory

- It is very flashy and colorful, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: Electrolytic 7N OCC + Shielded high-conductivity 7N OCC + rare-earth metals + high-purity silver-palladium + graphene

Cable Diameter: φ 5.58 mm main cable, φ 2.75 mm to connectors

Impedance: 1.5 ohms

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 41 Assassin 02 Cable x 1

 

Review:

The 41 Assassin 02 comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it.

I find the Assassin 02 visually pleasant; the silicon wrapping the main cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with it developing memory; this is definitely for inside use.

I guess because I’m reviewing it, Nici Hifi provided me the cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug, unlike the usual gold ones.  You can see so many colors: yellow, orange, red, green, and purple; and the Assassin 02, as I mentioned before, has purple cables going from the separator to the 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors. That combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous.

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations. But the 41 Assassin 02 cable is very stiff; it is flexible and easy to handle, but after a while and with storage, it can develop memory, something attributed to its silicone wrapping, but I think that’s the cost of its aesthetic design.

The chin slider is totally functional; it stays in place when you are moving. The cable itself isn't very heavy, so when you're moving around, its weight doesn't really bother you. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the headphones for long periods of time. The plug housings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium cable.

Finally, the 41 Assassin 02 is a perfect match for my Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch IEMs; the color scheme, the purple cables connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate tremendous attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? I think yes, the 41 Assassin 02 cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is not cheap at all, but, paired with something like the Punch, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 41 Assassin 02 cable can be a colorful, beautiful and premium option to consider.

Disclaimer: This review is non-paid, and I’m not following a script. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after trying the product. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

 

Before the Intro:

I am usually the kind of person who buys aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable ¨believer¨; I mean, after years of studying electrical engineering, I know a conductor has certain characteristics like impedance and so on. Still, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the absurd belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example.

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your tastes, if this one is well-built and can last you for a very long time, if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

If it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it outside, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes while wearing your IEMs, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily.

 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 is a cable from Nici Hifi, a brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two styles (The 01 has a different portion (the section of cable from the separator to the 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors with a similar wrapping to the rest of the cable), and the 02 that uses a twisted pair )

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 cable is at an MSRP of 137.66 USD (You can get in currently on sale for 90.85 USD and less with coins and coupons). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012310548586.html.

Pros:
- Stiff enough, but not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations

- Very colorful and very high quality, matches aesthetically lots of IEMs

- Its price goes down significantly on sales

Cons:

- Because it uses that wrapping around the conductors, it can develop memory

- It is very flashy and colorful, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: Electrolytic 7N OCC + Shielded high-conductivity 7N OCC + rare-earth metals + high-purity silver-palladium + graphene

Cable Diameter: φ 5.58 mm main cable, φ 2.75 mm to connectors

Impedance: 1.5 ohms

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 41 Assassin 02 Cable x 1

 

Review:

The 41 Assassin 02 comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it.

I find the Assassin 02 visually pleasant; the silicon wrapping the main cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with it developing memory; this is definitely for inside use.

I guess because I’m reviewing it, Nici Hifi provided me the cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug, unlike the usual gold ones.  You can see so many colors: yellow, orange, red, green, and purple; and the Assassin 02, as I mentioned before, has purple cables going from the separator to the 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors. That combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous.

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations. But the 41 Assassin 02 cable is very stiff; it is flexible and easy to handle, but after a while and with storage, it can develop memory, something attributed to its silicone wrapping, but I think that’s the cost of its aesthetic design.

The chin slider is totally functional; it stays in place when you are moving. The cable itself isn't very heavy, so when you're moving around, its weight doesn't really bother you. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the headphones for long periods of time. The plug housings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium cable.

Finally, the 41 Assassin 02 is a perfect match for my Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch IEMs; the color scheme, the purple cables connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate tremendous attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? I think yes, the 41 Assassin 02 cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is not cheap at all, but, paired with something like the Punch, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 41 Assassin 02 cable can be a colorful, beautiful and premium option to consider.

Disclaimer: This review is non-paid, and I’m not following a script. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after trying the product. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

 

Before the Intro:

I am usually the kind of person who buys aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable ¨believer¨; I mean, after years of studying electrical engineering, I know a conductor has certain characteristics like impedance and so on. Still, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the absurd belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example.

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your tastes, if this one is well-built and can last you for a very long time, if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

If it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it outside, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes while wearing your IEMs, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily.

 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 is a cable from Nici Hifi, a brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two styles (The 01 has a different portion (the section of cable from the separator to the 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors with a similar wrapping to the rest of the cable), and the 02 that uses a twisted pair )

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 cable is at an MSRP of 137.66 USD (You can get in currently on sale for 90.85 USD and less with coins and coupons). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012310548586.html.

Pros:
- Stiff enough, but not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations

- Very colorful and very high quality, matches aesthetically lots of IEMs

- Its price goes down significantly on sales

Cons:

- Because it uses that wrapping around the conductors, it can develop memory

- It is very flashy and colorful, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: Electrolytic 7N OCC + Shielded high-conductivity 7N OCC + rare-earth metals + high-purity silver-palladium + graphene

Cable Diameter: φ 5.58 mm main cable, φ 2.75 mm to connectors

Impedance: 1.5 ohms

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 41 Assassin 02 Cable x 1

 

Review:

The 41 Assassin 02 comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it.

I find the Assassin 02 visually pleasant; the silicon wrapping the main cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with it developing memory; this is definitely for inside use.

I guess because I’m reviewing it, Nici Hifi provided me the cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug, unlike the usual gold ones.  You can see so many colors: yellow, orange, red, green, and purple; and the Assassin 02, as I mentioned before, has purple cables going from the separator to the 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors. That combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous.

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations. But the 41 Assassin 02 cable is very stiff; it is flexible and easy to handle, but after a while and with storage, it can develop memory, something attributed to its silicone wrapping, but I think that’s the cost of its aesthetic design.

The chin slider is totally functional; it stays in place when you are moving. The cable itself isn't very heavy, so when you're moving around, its weight doesn't really bother you. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the headphones for long periods of time. The plug housings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium cable.

Finally, the 41 Assassin 02 is a perfect match for my Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch IEMs; the color scheme, the purple cables connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate tremendous attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? I think yes, the 41 Assassin 02 cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is not cheap at all, but, paired with something like the Punch, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 41 Assassin 02 cable can be a colorful, beautiful and premium option to consider.

Disclaimer: This review is non-paid, and I’m not following a script. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after trying the product. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

 

Before the Intro:

I am usually the kind of person who buys aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable ¨believer¨; I mean, after years of studying electrical engineering, I know a conductor has certain characteristics like impedance and so on. Still, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the absurd belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example.

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your tastes, if this one is well-built and can last you for a very long time, if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

If it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it outside, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes while wearing your IEMs, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily.

 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 is a cable from Nici Hifi, a brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two styles (The 01 has a different portion (the section of cable from the separator to the 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors with a similar wrapping to the rest of the cable), and the 02 that uses a twisted pair )

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 cable is at an MSRP of 137.66 USD (You can get in currently on sale for 90.85 USD and less with coins and coupons). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012310548586.html.

Pros:
- Stiff enough, but not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations

- Very colorful and very high quality, matches aesthetically lots of IEMs

- Its price goes down significantly on sales

Cons:

- Because it uses that wrapping around the conductors, it can develop memory

- It is very flashy and colorful, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: Electrolytic 7N OCC + Shielded high-conductivity 7N OCC + rare-earth metals + high-purity silver-palladium + graphene

Cable Diameter: φ 5.58 mm main cable, φ 2.75 mm to connectors

Impedance: 1.5 ohms

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 41 Assassin 02 Cable x 1

 

Review:

The 41 Assassin 02 comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it.

I find the Assassin 02 visually pleasant; the silicon wrapping the main cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with it developing memory; this is definitely for inside use.

I guess because I’m reviewing it, Nici Hifi provided me the cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug, unlike the usual gold ones.  You can see so many colors: yellow, orange, red, green, and purple; and the Assassin 02, as I mentioned before, has purple cables going from the separator to the 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors. That combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous.

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations. But the 41 Assassin 02 cable is very stiff; it is flexible and easy to handle, but after a while and with storage, it can develop memory, something attributed to its silicone wrapping, but I think that’s the cost of its aesthetic design.

The chin slider is totally functional; it stays in place when you are moving. The cable itself isn't very heavy, so when you're moving around, its weight doesn't really bother you. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the headphones for long periods of time. The plug housings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium cable.

Finally, the 41 Assassin 02 is a perfect match for my Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch IEMs; the color scheme, the purple cables connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate tremendous attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? I think yes, the 41 Assassin 02 cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is not cheap at all, but, paired with something like the Punch, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 41 Assassin 02 cable can be a colorful, beautiful and premium option to consider.

Disclaimer: This review is non-paid, and I’m not following a script. What I’m writing here are my honest opinions and thoughts after trying the product. So, all thanks to Nici Hifi for giving me this cable and letting me review it.

 

Before the Intro:

I am usually the kind of person who buys aftermarket cables for my IEMs to find the perfect aesthetic match (or after seeing an offer I can’t refuse lol).

I’m not a cable ¨believer¨; I mean, after years of studying electrical engineering, I know a conductor has certain characteristics like impedance and so on. Still, I don't expect to hear sound changes in my earphones just because I changed the material (copper, graphene, silver, etcetera), let alone the absurd belief in cable burn-in, since that doesn't work that way.

I love to mod cables: If the sale doesn’t offer a 4.4 mm balanced jack in the cable I’m buying, I change its plug to that type of jack, unless the cable is so good for the earphone I´m using and it can work perfectly with a 3.5 mm single-ended jack, for example.

What do you need to know about a cable?

If the cable looks good and fits your tastes, if this one is well-built and can last you for a very long time, if it has materials that are going to last you, of course.

If it is not going to tangle easily when you are wearing it outside, if it does not produce uncomfortable vibrations when rubbing against your clothes while wearing your IEMs, if it is not going to produce memory that can be bothersome when handling it, and if it is not heavy or too light to be worn comfortably daily.

 

Introduction:

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 is a cable from Nici Hifi, a brand well-known for manufacturing some of the most beautiful and premium cables ever. With two styles (The 01 has a different portion (the section of cable from the separator to the 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors with a similar wrapping to the rest of the cable), and the 02 that uses a twisted pair )

The Nici Hifi Assassin 02 cable is at an MSRP of 137.66 USD (You can get in currently on sale for 90.85 USD and less with coins and coupons). You can buy it directly from the Nici Hifi official store on AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005012310548586.html.

Pros:
- Stiff enough, but not prone to tangle nor to produce translated vibrations

- Very colorful and very high quality, matches aesthetically lots of IEMs

- Its price goes down significantly on sales

Cons:

- Because it uses that wrapping around the conductors, it can develop memory

- It is very flashy and colorful, so it’s not the best choice to go out with your IEMs

- It is not cheap at all, but as we say in Colombia, “If you can afford the whiskey, you can afford the ice”

Technical Characteristics:

Cable type: Electrolytic 7N OCC + Shielded high-conductivity 7N OCC + rare-earth metals + high-purity silver-palladium + graphene

Cable Diameter: φ 5.58 mm main cable, φ 2.75 mm to connectors

Impedance: 1.5 ohms

Connectors: 0.78 mm 2-pin, MMCX, Dual 3.5 mm

Plugs: 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced, XLR

Wire length: 1.2m ± 5cm

What is in its package?

Rectangular faux leather carrying case
Nici Hifi 41 Assassin 02 Cable x 1

 

Review:

The 41 Assassin 02 comes in its carrying case, a plastic bag, and that’s it. And honestly, you don’t need more to just pair it with an IEM and begin to use it.

I find the Assassin 02 visually pleasant; the silicon wrapping the main cable is kind of nice, but this is not the best option to use outside because you will be dealing with it developing memory; this is definitely for inside use.

I guess because I’m reviewing it, Nici Hifi provided me the cable with a Rhodium 4.4 mm balanced plug, unlike the usual gold ones.  You can see so many colors: yellow, orange, red, green, and purple; and the Assassin 02, as I mentioned before, has purple cables going from the separator to the 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors. That combination of colors fits a huge variety of IEMs aesthetically; it looks gorgeous.

About my experience using the cable, well, it is not prone to tangling, nor producing translated vibrations. But the 41 Assassin 02 cable is very stiff; it is flexible and easy to handle, but after a while and with storage, it can develop memory, something attributed to its silicone wrapping, but I think that’s the cost of its aesthetic design.

The chin slider is totally functional; it stays in place when you are moving. The cable itself isn't very heavy, so when you're moving around, its weight doesn't really bother you. The earhooks stay in place and mold perfectly to the shape of the ears, without causing discomfort or inconvenience when using the headphones for long periods of time. The plug housings, the splitter, and the 2-pin connectors look beautiful and are of very high quality; it's clear we're talking about a premium cable.

Finally, the 41 Assassin 02 is a perfect match for my Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch IEMs; the color scheme, the purple cables connecting to the 2-pin connectors, the overall quality, and everything else demonstrate tremendous attention to detail from the people at Nici Hifi.

Is it a recommendation? I think yes, the 41 Assassin 02 cable is a premium, high-quality and overall well-done cable to match it with your IEMs; yes, you can see that it is not cheap at all, but, paired with something like the Punch, a very Colombian phrase comes to mind: "He who has money for whiskey, has money for ice", so if you are thinking in a cable for your mid-fi set, the 41 Assassin 02 cable can be a colorful, beautiful and premium option to consider.

Disclaimer: This IEM was provided for me by Ribbon and Linsoul. First of all, all thanks to them; however, they aren't paying me any money, and they aren’t giving me any script to follow, so in this review I’m being honest and sincere about my tests, thoughts, and conclusions. My biases are my tuning and musical preferences.

Introduction:

The ZiiGaat Lush is a hybrid IEM launched back in March 2025, with a 1 DD + 4 BAs configuration inside, with a medical-grade 3D-printed resin shell, a great and complete package, and pointed towards a broad audience, going close to the JM-1 target with some bass boost to balance; is it still relevant in 2026? Let’s see.

You can get a Lush for an MSRP of 179 USD (usually cheaper on sales). Directly on ZiiGaat's official website: https://www.ziigaat.com/products/ziigaat-lush, on Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/products/ziigaat-lush, and on Linsoul’s official stores on Amazon and AliExpress. 

TLDR; The ZiiGaat Lush is an IEM that turned 1 year old. Launched as one of many sets that use the JM-1 target (meta/neutral) as the base of its own tuning, it is a U-shaped tuned set with some bass boost and a relaxed overall mid and higher ranges; it is a neutral lovers set which claims to be juicy and grand, finally resulting in a mid-fi fantasy turned real, designed originally for studio engineers and stage musicians, but a delight for seasoned audiophiles as well.

Yes, it has some caveats like a relaxed upper highrange and overall average technicalities. Still, it serves as a magnifique all-rounder for folks who crave naturalness and smooth listening for long periods without worrying about sibilance or shouty vocals that fatigue at mid to high volumes.

Pros

- Excellent comfort: ergonomic, lightweight shells suitable for long sessions

- Excellent neutral with bass boost tuning: natural, balanced, and close to JM-1 target

- Excellent bass quality: deep subbass, clean midbass, great impact without bleeding into lower midrange

- Natural, highly resolving mids: male and female vocals sound clear, realistic, and it is overall well-weighted

- Very fatigue-free: smooth upper mids and treble; minimal shoutiness or sibilance even at higher volumes

- Good treble quality: smooth yet sufficiently energetic, with no obvious BA timbre

- Above-average technicalities: good resolution, imaging, layering of instruments, and handling of complex or busy music

- Easy to drive: 17 Ω impedance / 103 dB sensitivity; works well from low-powered sources but scales with better amplification

- Excellent all-rounder: musical rather than overly analytical despite its neutral presentation

Cons

- Upper treble is somewhat relaxed/rolled off: limits air and sparkle.

- Technical performance is good but not class-leading: more “above average” than genuinely high-end

- Could use more midbass punch: for listeners wanting a more energetic presentation

- Treble could have more bite/energy: for those who prefer a brighter, more exciting tuning

- Not ideal for low-volume listening: its neutral tuning benefits from moderate-to-high listening levels

- Stock cable/accessories feel underwhelming for the price, despite being perfectly functional

- Resin shells attract fingerprints and microscratches

- Driver flex may occur for some users, although I did not experience it

- Not for V-shaped/fun-tuning lovers: its appeal is specifically neutrality, smoothness, and naturalness overall

Technical Specifications:

- Drivers:

1 x 10 mm PET diaphragm dynamic driver (Sub and midbass)

4 x custom Balanced Armature drivers ( 1 Dual BA for Midrange, 1 Dual Tweeter for treble)

- Shell materials: 3D-printed resin with a hand-painted faceplate.

- Impedance: 17 Ω

- Sensitivity: 103 dB

- Frequency response range: 20 Hz - 25 kHz

- Connector type: 2-pin (0.78mm)

- Cable material: Four-strand, braided, single-crystal copper silver-plated wire, 1.2 m length

- Interface type: 3.5 mm single-ended

Packaging and accessories:

- 2 x ZiiGaat Lush IEMs

- 1 x rounded-square carrying case in faux leather

- 1 x user manual

- 4 x pairs of eartips:

   - 3 x pairs of orange core, standard bore silicon eartips (SML)

   - 1 x pair of foam eartips

- 2 x filter replacements

- 1 x 4-core, braided, four-strand, single-crystal copper silver-plated wire cable with a 3.5 mm plug and 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors.

The IEMs themselves are made of 3D-printed resin, in the mid-size, and even when they pack 5 drivers per earpiece, they are kind of lightweight. The faceplate design is absurdly gorgeous; according to ZiiGaat is handmade, and to me it looks so Lush (pun intended). The shell design is ergonomic and nicely comfortable to use in long sessions. Its nozzle is metallic, and it has a diameter of 6.2 mm, fitting perfectly on my mid-sized ears.

Some users have reported driver flex, but my experience is different, and I find the vent close to the 2-pin connector enough to evade that. The shells are well-built, but prone to getting microscratches and fingerprints, so take proper care of them.

Its stock cable is the usual cable with other ZiiGaat IEMs; I think it's okay to use it with the Lush as it is; it has good quality and is well-built. Very flexible, doesn’t develop memory, it’s not prone to tangling, and doesn’t produce translated vibrations. It makes a good match with the shells.

The carrying case is a nice accessory to store the Lush with its cable and perhaps a little dongle. And the filter replacements add value for long-term use.

How does the Lush sound?

The Lush, with its configuration of 1 x 10 mm PET dynamic driver for Bass + 4 x Balanced Armature drivers for midrange and treble, is a V-U-shaped tuned IEM.

For this review, I think the stock cable is fine to use with the Lush, but I want something more appropriate to its price and design, so I changed it to a NiceHCK BlackInk cable with a 4.4 mm balanced jack. About the eartips, I think the stock ones are fine to use, but after some tip-rolling I found the GK TS100 eartips suit it better, getting the best seal, fit and sound synergy overall.

No EQ was used in this review. Thanks to Super* Reviews for the graph.

BASS 

Of course, if you are talking about a set like the Lush that focuses on being the most neutral and ‘flat’ possible, you can’t expect a considerable quantity of bass, but the Lush bass is incredible; at mid to high volumes excels in a good amount and a huge impact and high quality overall.

The subbass is so well extended; its rumble is very noticeable and adds balance to the other frequencies. Also, midbass is punchy and very clean and resolving; the decay is natural, and as a V-U-shaped set, that midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange.

MIDRANGE

Midrange in the Lush is its main focus, as a set people can use to produce or monitor music, or audiophile/musicophile folks like me who crave the most neutral and close to the og recording sounding earphones; it produces sound with very high fidelity.

As I mentioned before, male vocals don’t suffer from midbass bleeding into the lower midrange, so they sound natural and a bit forward. Midrange overall has good noteweight, and being close to the JM-1 target, is flat, not warm, but not dry at all. It has an incredible resolution, neutrality, and a smooth elevation into the upper midrange that make listening at high volumes a pleasure you aren’t finding in other ‘flat’ IEMs.

Female vocals are forward as well; as a mid-to-high volume IEM, you can play music for long periods of time without bothersome shoutiness or fatigue.

HIGHRANGE

The Lush’s treble is well merged with the midrange, and balanced with the bass I described before; it’s very smooth, but it has a more than decent bite to not be overwhelmed by the midrange. It is well resolving, and of course it sounds very neutral, without that BA timbre (artificial-sounding treble) that can make an IEM flawed; no, the Lush makes honour of its name here.

In the lower treble, there’s a bump at 5 kHz to give female vocals and instruments more energy, but it is so smooth that at high volumes it is not bothersome at all, with a 6 to 6.6 kHz dip to tame the sibilance perfectly. In the midtreble, an 8 kHz peak gives some attack to the treble, and cymbals and hi-hats sound really good.

Upper Treble and Technicalities 

The Lush’s upper treble is well extended, yet rolls off smoothly, giving decent air and openness. Soundstage is expansive, more wide than deep.

Technicalities in the Lush are more than average, but it’s also not its main focus, and I love it, because no matter how ‘flat’ and neutral it is, it is more musical than analytical, yet you can distinguish macro and microdetails magnifically. It is well resolving; the stereo separation gives you the chance to pinpoint the origin of the sound, and the layering of instruments can let you hear the different instruments in the mix.

With complex, fast or straight busy music, the Lush never lets you down, finding zero congestion or bloating.

Final thoughts and Conclusions 

The Lush is excellent, and it makes perfect sense why a V-U-shaped tuned set that looks so ‘flat’ works so well in the real world: It is well tuned, its drivers are well put inside, it sounds as neutral as you can get, but it’s not warm nor dry, and it has more than average technicalities to accompany your listening sessions. This is IMHO the real upgrade to something so referential as the Truthear Hexa.

Yes, it is not a low-volume set because it is so ‘flat’, but it is an IEM you can use at mid-to-high volumes without hearing any sibilance or getting any fatigue. Of course, you can miss more midbass punch and more treble bite, but that’s not the objective of a set that producers and musicians can use in their jobs, and that’s perfect as it is.

I would like for ZiiGaat to give the Lush a cable and accessories more in accord to its price, but they are very functional, and stock eartips (the ones with the orange core) are of high quality.

Finally, the Lush, with its 103 dB of sensitivity and 17 ohms of impedance, is an easily drivable set, even with low-powered sources. Yet I found it can scale great with quality and powerful sources like my Fosi K7 desktop DAC/AMP or my NiceHCK Octave portable dongle DAC/AMP. And for the tonality of the source itself, neutral or neutral/warm chips are better to pair with the Lush.

Can I recommend it? Yes, but this is not a set for folks who want more colourations and a V-shaped tuned and more fun and engaging set; this is a set for ‘neutral with bass boost’ lovers like me, and is magnificent being like that.

Thanks again to Linsoul for this excellent IEM. And thank you, dear reader, for checking my review. Please have a happy listening!

Disclaimer: This IEM was provided for me by Ribbon and Linsoul. First of all, all thanks to them; however, they aren't paying me any money, and they aren’t giving me any script to follow, so in this review I’m being honest and sincere about my tests, thoughts, and conclusions. My biases are my tuning and musical preferences.

Introduction:

The ZiiGaat Lush is a hybrid IEM launched back in March 2025, with a 1 DD + 4 BAs configuration inside, with a medical-grade 3D-printed resin shell, a great and complete package, and pointed towards a broad audience, going close to the JM-1 target with some bass boost to balance; is it still relevant in 2026? Let’s see.

You can get a Lush for an MSRP of 179 USD (usually cheaper on sales). Directly on ZiiGaat's official website: https://www.ziigaat.com/products/ziigaat-lush, on Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/products/ziigaat-lush, and on Linsoul’s official stores on Amazon and AliExpress. 

TLDR; The ZiiGaat Lush is an IEM that turned 1 year old. Launched as one of many sets that use the JM-1 target (meta/neutral) as the base of its own tuning, it is a U-shaped tuned set with some bass boost and a relaxed overall mid and higher ranges; it is a neutral lovers set which claims to be juicy and grand, finally resulting in a mid-fi fantasy turned real, designed originally for studio engineers and stage musicians, but a delight for seasoned audiophiles as well.

Yes, it has some caveats like a relaxed upper highrange and overall average technicalities. Still, it serves as a magnifique all-rounder for folks who crave naturalness and smooth listening for long periods without worrying about sibilance or shouty vocals that fatigue at mid to high volumes.

Pros

- Excellent comfort: ergonomic, lightweight shells suitable for long sessions

- Excellent neutral with bass boost tuning: natural, balanced, and close to JM-1 target

- Excellent bass quality: deep subbass, clean midbass, great impact without bleeding into lower midrange

- Natural, highly resolving mids: male and female vocals sound clear, realistic, and it is overall well-weighted

- Very fatigue-free: smooth upper mids and treble; minimal shoutiness or sibilance even at higher volumes

- Good treble quality: smooth yet sufficiently energetic, with no obvious BA timbre

- Above-average technicalities: good resolution, imaging, layering of instruments, and handling of complex or busy music

- Easy to drive: 17 Ω impedance / 103 dB sensitivity; works well from low-powered sources but scales with better amplification

- Excellent all-rounder: musical rather than overly analytical despite its neutral presentation

Cons

- Upper treble is somewhat relaxed/rolled off: limits air and sparkle.

- Technical performance is good but not class-leading: more “above average” than genuinely high-end

- Could use more midbass punch: for listeners wanting a more energetic presentation

- Treble could have more bite/energy: for those who prefer a brighter, more exciting tuning

- Not ideal for low-volume listening: its neutral tuning benefits from moderate-to-high listening levels

- Stock cable/accessories feel underwhelming for the price, despite being perfectly functional

- Resin shells attract fingerprints and microscratches

- Driver flex may occur for some users, although I did not experience it

- Not for V-shaped/fun-tuning lovers: its appeal is specifically neutrality, smoothness, and naturalness overall

Technical Specifications:

- Drivers:

1 x 10 mm PET diaphragm dynamic driver (Sub and midbass)

4 x custom Balanced Armature drivers ( 1 Dual BA for Midrange, 1 Dual Tweeter for treble)

- Shell materials: 3D-printed resin with a hand-painted faceplate.

- Impedance: 17 Ω

- Sensitivity: 103 dB

- Frequency response range: 20 Hz - 25 kHz

- Connector type: 2-pin (0.78mm)

- Cable material: Four-strand, braided, single-crystal copper silver-plated wire, 1.2 m length

- Interface type: 3.5 mm single-ended

Packaging and accessories:

- 2 x ZiiGaat Lush IEMs

- 1 x rounded-square carrying case in faux leather

- 1 x user manual

- 4 x pairs of eartips:

   - 3 x pairs of orange core, standard bore silicon eartips (SML)

   - 1 x pair of foam eartips

- 2 x filter replacements

- 1 x 4-core, braided, four-strand, single-crystal copper silver-plated wire cable with a 3.5 mm plug and 2-pin 0.78 mm connectors.

The IEMs themselves are made of 3D-printed resin, in the mid-size, and even when they pack 5 drivers per earpiece, they are kind of lightweight. The faceplate design is absurdly gorgeous; according to ZiiGaat is handmade, and to me it looks so Lush (pun intended). The shell design is ergonomic and nicely comfortable to use in long sessions. Its nozzle is metallic, and it has a diameter of 6.2 mm, fitting perfectly on my mid-sized ears.

Some users have reported driver flex, but my experience is different, and I find the vent close to the 2-pin connector enough to evade that. The shells are well-built, but prone to getting microscratches and fingerprints, so take proper care of them.

Its stock cable is the usual cable with other ZiiGaat IEMs; I think it's okay to use it with the Lush as it is; it has good quality and is well-built. Very flexible, doesn’t develop memory, it’s not prone to tangling, and doesn’t produce translated vibrations. It makes a good match with the shells.

The carrying case is a nice accessory to store the Lush with its cable and perhaps a little dongle. And the filter replacements add value for long-term use.

How does the Lush sound?

The Lush, with its configuration of 1 x 10 mm PET dynamic driver for Bass + 4 x Balanced Armature drivers for midrange and treble, is a V-U-shaped tuned IEM.

For this review, I think the stock cable is fine to use with the Lush, but I want something more appropriate to its price and design, so I changed it to a NiceHCK BlackInk cable with a 4.4 mm balanced jack. About the eartips, I think the stock ones are fine to use, but after some tip-rolling I found the GK TS100 eartips suit it better, getting the best seal, fit and sound synergy overall.

No EQ was used in this review. Thanks to Super* Reviews for the graph.

BASS 

Of course, if you are talking about a set like the Lush that focuses on being the most neutral and ‘flat’ possible, you can’t expect a considerable quantity of bass, but the Lush bass is incredible; at mid to high volumes excels in a good amount and a huge impact and high quality overall.

The subbass is so well extended; its rumble is very noticeable and adds balance to the other frequencies. Also, midbass is punchy and very clean and resolving; the decay is natural, and as a V-U-shaped set, that midbass doesn’t bleed into the lower midrange.

MIDRANGE

Midrange in the Lush is its main focus, as a set people can use to produce or monitor music, or audiophile/musicophile folks like me who crave the most neutral and close to the og recording sounding earphones; it produces sound with very high fidelity.

As I mentioned before, male vocals don’t suffer from midbass bleeding into the lower midrange, so they sound natural and a bit forward. Midrange overall has good noteweight, and being close to the JM-1 target, is flat, not warm, but not dry at all. It has an incredible resolution, neutrality, and a smooth elevation into the upper midrange that make listening at high volumes a pleasure you aren’t finding in other ‘flat’ IEMs.

Female vocals are forward as well; as a mid-to-high volume IEM, you can play music for long periods of time without bothersome shoutiness or fatigue.

HIGHRANGE

The Lush’s treble is well merged with the midrange, and balanced with the bass I described before; it’s very smooth, but it has a more than decent bite to not be overwhelmed by the midrange. It is well resolving, and of course it sounds very neutral, without that BA timbre (artificial-sounding treble) that can make an IEM flawed; no, the Lush makes honour of its name here.

In the lower treble, there’s a bump at 5 kHz to give female vocals and instruments more energy, but it is so smooth that at high volumes it is not bothersome at all, with a 6 to 6.6 kHz dip to tame the sibilance perfectly. In the midtreble, an 8 kHz peak gives some attack to the treble, and cymbals and hi-hats sound really good.

Upper Treble and Technicalities 

The Lush’s upper treble is well extended, yet rolls off smoothly, giving decent air and openness. Soundstage is expansive, more wide than deep.

Technicalities in the Lush are more than average, but it’s also not its main focus, and I love it, because no matter how ‘flat’ and neutral it is, it is more musical than analytical, yet you can distinguish macro and microdetails magnifically. It is well resolving; the stereo separation gives you the chance to pinpoint the origin of the sound, and the layering of instruments can let you hear the different instruments in the mix.

With complex, fast or straight busy music, the Lush never lets you down, finding zero congestion or bloating.

Final thoughts and Conclusions 

The Lush is excellent, and it makes perfect sense why a V-U-shaped tuned set that looks so ‘flat’ works so well in the real world: It is well tuned, its drivers are well put inside, it sounds as neutral as you can get, but it’s not warm nor dry, and it has more than average technicalities to accompany your listening sessions. This is IMHO the real upgrade to something so referential as the Truthear Hexa.

Yes, it is not a low-volume set because it is so ‘flat’, but it is an IEM you can use at mid-to-high volumes without hearing any sibilance or getting any fatigue. Of course, you can miss more midbass punch and more treble bite, but that’s not the objective of a set that producers and musicians can use in their jobs, and that’s perfect as it is.

I would like for ZiiGaat to give the Lush a cable and accessories more in accord to its price, but they are very functional, and stock eartips (the ones with the orange core) are of high quality.

Finally, the Lush, with its 103 dB of sensitivity and 17 ohms of impedance, is an easily drivable set, even with low-powered sources. Yet I found it can scale great with quality and powerful sources like my Fosi K7 desktop DAC/AMP or my NiceHCK Octave portable dongle DAC/AMP. And for the tonality of the source itself, neutral or neutral/warm chips are better to pair with the Lush.

Can I recommend it? Yes, but this is not a set for folks who want more colourations and a V-shaped tuned and more fun and engaging set; this is a set for ‘neutral with bass boost’ lovers like me, and is magnificent being like that.

Thanks again to Linsoul for this excellent IEM. And thank you, dear reader, for checking my review. Please have a happy listening!