Hello everyone, we are starting a new month and the models keep parading through my room. I have been going at a crazy pace wanting to cover everything even though it is not a rhythm I can keep up forever, but different releases have piled up alongside other releases that happened a while ago but circumstances have allowed me to give them a try today. And that is the case with the Simgot EA1000. It was the only important Simgot model that had not passed through my hands yet and, honestly, expectations were high seeing the amount of positive comments it has accumulated since its release. Luckily, in this case I think a large part of that fame is justified.

The first thing they convey to me as soon as I see them in person and touch them, is the feeling of being in front of a very well crafted product, both for the build quality and the small details you discover with use. It goes for a very clean, detailed and balanced presentation that also allows for small adjustments through the different nozzles and eartips to better adapt it to everyone's tastes and Simgot is one of the few brands that opt for this in almost every release. This is something that generates debate about to what extent it is necessary or mandatory and just another way to alter the sound without getting into equalization.

What I like/I don't like

• Premium build quality for its price range.
• Sapphire crystal very resistant to small scratches.
• Very good quality cable included out of the box.
• Excellent level of detail.
• Very good instrumental separation.
• Wide soundstage with a good sense of depth.
• Three nozzles that allow for minor tuning adjustments.
• Easy to drive with practically any source.
• The original eartips are below expectations.
• The treble can be intense for some.
• There is no modular cable and only the 3.5mm version exists.
• Less isolation than other closed IEMs.

Specifications

• 10mm dynamic driver.
• Third generation SDPGD diaphragm with LCP suspension.
• 6mm internal passive radiator.
• CNC machined stainless steel shells.
• Faceplate protected by sapphire crystal.
• Three interchangeable acoustic nozzles.
• Silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure in 3.5mm.
• 0.78mm 2 pin connector.
• Impedance of 16 Ω.
• Sensitivity of 127 dB/Vrms.
• Frequency response from 20 Hz to 40 kHz.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

We start as always keeping the structure I like, with the unboxing and as you will see in the different photos, we have an experience according to the price. Inside the box we find the earphones perfectly protected, the detachable cable, a rigid carrying case, three sets of interchangeable nozzles identified by rings of different colors, several sets of silicone eartips in different sizes, replacement rubber O-rings for the nozzles and the documentation.

I have to say that despite how neat the presentation and content are, what convinced me the least of all are the included eartips. They do their job, but I think they are clearly a step below everything else. I ended up getting a much better fit with the Divinus Velvet Wide and the TRI Clarion, improving both the stability and the overall feel of the sound.

The cable on the other hand, is quite above average. It is a two core silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure that is flexible, barely transmits microphonics when walking and holds its shape very well without tangling constantly. By the way if anyone does not know what Litz structure is or what properties it has, I already investigated it and wrote about it myself in the Tanchjim Nora review that you can see on my profile. The connectors, the splitter and the 3.5 mm jack are made of metal and convey a feeling of quality consistent with the rest of the product. The only thing I really miss is a modular system, although perhaps when they were released it was not "so trendy" to offer this option, something I have seen in more recent Simgot models like the Supermix 5 and the ET142 that I also reviewed previously, so I can guess that if the EA1000 had been released in these past months they would surely carry the modular cable option.

The shells are probably the prettiest I have seen from this brand and although I already knew them from tracking the model at the time, seeing them now in person they are really beautiful and aesthetic, the white color looks great on the combination. They are completely made of stainless steel by CNC machining and finished with a sapphire crystal faceplate that gives it a very elegant look without being overly flashy. After a few days of use with tests at home and also on the street as I usually do, they remain practically the same as the first day, without the small scratches that usually appear quickly on other IEMs with glossy finishes.

The vent located on the outside is not there solely for design either. Inside is the 6mm passive radiator, an important part of the EA1000's sound personality and one of those responsible for that very open soundstage feeling it offers. I have tried other IEMs with passive radiators recently like the Aful Explorer 8S or the Binary EP321 and they really add something that maybe I am not as knowledgeable about as I should be but they undoubtedly improve the experience in all cases where I have tried them. Therefore whenever I read that they carry one I already think positively about that model. I do not know if someday I will think otherwise but for now it is 3 out of 3 if I am not missing any other right now....

Before receiving them I thought they would be bulkier seeing some photos, but in reality they adapt very well to the ear. The angle of the nozzle facilitates a deep insertion, the fit is stable even walking and I have never had discomfort during long sessions. The isolation is decent, although the vent in this case prevents that vacuum feeling typical of other closed IEMs, allowing part of the outside sound to still be present, it is not exaggerated but it is there.

Another interesting detail is the three included nozzles. The red one offers the most balanced tuning and will probably be the choice of most users. The black one provides a slightly more open soundstage and a somewhat greater presence in the treble area, while the brass one has ended up being my favorite because it adds a bit more body, makes voices slightly more natural and smooths the treble a bit without losing detail. Without this nozzle and that lack of weight my overall experience of these EA1000 falls below my expectations. The differences are not huge, but they are enough to adapt the sound to everyone's tastes.

Sound

Bass

Moving on to how the EA1000 sound, the bass offers a very controlled, fast sound with excellent extension. The sub bass sounds really good and provides a very convincing sense of depth, it has not felt heavy to me in any type of music I have tested nor dominant over the other frequencies.

The mid bass maintains that same line. The punch is clean, with a fast attack and an equally controlled decay, both in simpler, acoustic tracks or without a large instrumental load, as well as in fast, heavy or orchestral tracks.

During several sessions using the FiiO KA15 outside the home, it especially caught my attention how it maintains that sense of control even listening at moderate volumes. It does not need a particularly powerful DAC to offer proper performance, something that is always appreciated in an IEM also designed for portable use.

Anyone coming from clearly warm tunings will probably miss a bit more punch in the mid bass area. I have never had the feeling that the bass covers voices or instruments, something that does happen in other models with a heavier tuning.

As for the eartips, as I mentioned before, the Divinus Velvet Wide are the ones that have given me the best result because they add a bit more body in the bass without altering the overall balance too much. If you also seek to slightly soften the response in the upper end, the Kbear Coffee Bean also work really well and achieve a somewhat more relaxed listen without sacrificing too much resolution, although of the two I choose the Divinus.

Mids

The mids maintain the same philosophy as the bass, seeking balance and cleanliness. Male voices have proper body, without sounding excessively thick, while female voices appear with a bit more prominence thanks to an elevation in the upper mids.

One of the aspects I liked the most is the timbre, it has a very natural character and it is easy to appreciate small changes in intensity or texture during the performance of the instruments. The dynamic driver responds quickly and conveys a sense of continuity between all frequencies sounding fully homogeneous despite not being a hybrid option with multiple drivers sounding at the same time with the constant risk that one or several drivers fall behind compared to others.

I also found it to be a very forgiving IEM for long sessions. Despite its good amount of detail, I have never had the feeling that the mids constantly try to draw attention. They simply present the information with great clarity and let you be the one to decide what to focus on during the listen.

Treble

We reach the treble where it is probably the section that generates the most opinions within the community. In my experience, the treble of the EA1000 has quite a bit of energy, but I think it is often exaggerated saying that they are excessively bright, as I was previously informed by other experiences from different users. It is obvious that clarity was sought and that makes high quality recordings sound really open, while more aggressive mixes quickly show some flaws.

The extension is excellent. There is enough air so that the soundstage never feels closed and small details appear easily.

That being said, the EA1000 is not a forgiving earphone. If a recording presents sibilance or too aggressive equalization in the high frequencies, here I can agree somewhat about the somewhat intense representation of the treble but I associate it more to the type of recording than to the IEM itself, but that does not take away from the fact that there are people who generally do not tolerate in the best way how that treble is shown depending on the content they consume.

During all the tests I ended up almost always using the brass nozzle because it manages to slightly relax this area without losing resolution. Combined with the Divinus Velvet Wide it offers, in my opinion, the most successful balance of the set. For those who prefer an even more open soundstage, the TRI Clarion are still a highly recommended and cheap alternative, although personally I think the sound gains a bit more naturalness with the Velvets once again...

Soundstage

The soundstage on this model seeks to create an open presentation where each element has enough space to develop naturally.

The width is clearly above average within this price range, but what surprised me most was the sense of height. Up until now I had not found that three dimensional perception in an IEM with only a single DD of this level and it helps a lot to make recordings with many instruments breathe better.

I think part of this feeling is also favored by the design of the earphone itself and by the work of the passive radiator. Regardless of the reason whether it is because of that or not, the result is a wide soundstage, with good depth and a very pleasant presentation even after several hours of use...

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation I think is also up to the price of this IEM keeping the layers well differentiated and in place and without ever noticing that horrible congestion that is indeed quite common in much cheaper models.

The cleanliness between notes also helps a lot. There is a fairly marked sense of silence before the next instrument or effect appears, which makes it easier to follow each element of the mix quite easily. It is one of those details that do not catch your attention during the first few minutes, but that you start to value as you use the EA1000 for a longer time, believe me.

I would not say it reaches the level of some considerably more expensive models, but I do think it makes a difference compared to a good part of its direct rivals, some released after this one.

Imaging

The imaging maintains the same level as the rest of the technical section so that is good news because in most cases 1 out of the 3 sections usually fails me. Locating the position of each instrument is simple and movements within the soundstage are represented quite accurately.

In audiovisual content it also offers a very convincing performance because it makes it easy to identify directions and distances of many environmental effects. Obviously it does not replace specific headphones for this use, but within the world of IEMs under 300 $ it has seemed to me one of the most competent models I have tested recently.

Comparisons

By now, I had tested almost all of the latest Simgot models and therefore the EA1000 was my last missing piece to get a good overview about the actual product portfolio of the company. Instead of only answering which one I prefer, I think it would make more sense to describe what each model offers. Honestly, I do not believe there is a "winner" among them at all. There are very distinct personalities for each model as far as usability and design is concerned. Depending on your needs, I would recommend a completely different model.

Simgot Supermix 4

To me the Supermix 4 appears to be the best compromise between performance, usability and price in the whole Simgot product line. It has a very balanced tuning which is rarely (if ever) extreme, a very lightweight resin housing and a representation that works with virtually any type of music (genre) and does not demand too much from your ears. Therefore, it is typically an IEM you can easily recommend without having to ask many questions as it is unlikely to disappoint users. However, if you start with the EA1000 some differences become obvious which by themselves are sufficient enough to explain the increased cost. To begin with, it becomes apparent immediately by its build. In comparison to the Supermix 4, both machined steel and sapphire glass clearly belong to a higher category. Next is the sound. 

The EA1000 provides a feeling of higher resolution, a larger soundstage, and much more accurate placement of the stereo image. Additionally, I perceive timbres in acoustic instruments to be more convincing and the general presentation of the sound to be refined. 

That being said, the Supermix 4 certainly has advantages of its own. For example, it is significantly more tolerant. If you merely wish to experience enjoyment out of music and analyze neither details nor nuances in the same level of depth, it will likely result in longer sessions of enjoying music than the EA1000. The EA1000 requires a lot more of itself, mainly concerning high-quality recordings and patience while sitting quietly to listen carefully.

Simgot Supermix 5

In my opinion, the Supermix 5 caused quite a few misunderstandings since many were expecting a rather evolutionary development of the Supermix 4 and that is exactly what they did not receive. By far its largest innovation is the addition of the bone conduction driver. Beyond the marketing aspect however, it is how this affects the presentation of the sound that counts.

What I have noticed above all else is a sense of greater cohesion or continuity between all frequency ranges. Music fills the space in a better way and creates a slightly more realistic impression of substance without needing additional low-end extension. While not an extraordinary change that results in a completely new earphone, it adds to an enveloping presentation of music and a richer surface texture on occasion. Even with these changes however, I find myself thinking that the EA1000 has some aspects where it seems superior to me. The soundstage feels slightly more open, the DD offers a very fast attack and the sense of cleanliness between instruments continues to be a reference within this price range. Furthermore, the interchangeable nozzle system allows you to slightly adjust the tuning according to your preferences, something the two Supermixes do not offer.

Which one would I keep? If you are looking for a more relaxed listen, with a full sound and a very pleasant presentation for hours, I would probably choose the Supermix 5. If what you enjoy is a greater sense of resolution, a more open soundstage and a somewhat livelier sound, the EA1000 still seems like the more interesting model of the two to me.

Simgot ET142

The ET142 is probably the most different model in Simgot's entire recent catalog. You can tell it does not try to do the same thing as the EA1000. The addition of the planar driver makes the response extremely fast and increases the amount of micro detail even more, especially in very complex passages where many instruments appear at the same time. That is why they stand out in fast metal tracks with fast double bass drums and a lot of distortion.

However, I have also found it to be much less forgiving. It is much more sensitive to the choice of eartips, the fit inside the ear and even the type of recording. When everything clicks it offers a spectacular experience, but it is also much more demanding on the user having to spend quite a bit of time to achieve the perfect fit.

The EA1000 maintains a very high technical level, but at the same time it is much easier to enjoy from the first minute. You do not have the feeling of constantly looking for the perfect combination for its best version to appear. It just works.

If someone asked me which one to buy without knowing their tastes, I would probably still recommend the EA1000. I would reserve the ET142 for someone who already has experience with high end IEMs and is specifically looking for that speed and that extra level of micro detail that the planar brings.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After several days using it, I perfectly understand why the EA1000 keeps showing up so often when someone looks for an IEM around 250 $. It does not stand out solely for excellent construction or a very careful design. The really interesting thing is that it manages to combine a very well resolved tuning with a technical section clearly above average, while also maintaining its own personality within the Simgot catalog. For anyone who liked the EA500 or EA500LM, models that by the way were some of my first IEMs when I started in this, here they will get the end of the road for the sound of those two models with the best of each taken one step further. Clearly this is not the perfect solution for those who prefer a strong bass or very smooth highs, however I believe that if you place a high priority on resolving detail, creating an expansive and accurate sound stage, accurately representing timbre, and having a virtually flawless build quality then I believe that this is still one of the simplest purchases to make in your budget.

Purchase Link: LINSOUL

Disclaimer: I received this unit from Simgot to review. All of my comments are completely unbiased as I was in no way influenced by either the company that produced it or the store. I used objective testing and personal listening sessions using my reference equipment to evaluate this unit. 

Hello everyone, we are starting a new month and the models keep parading through my room. I have been going at a crazy pace wanting to cover everything even though it is not a rhythm I can keep up forever, but different releases have piled up alongside other releases that happened a while ago but circumstances have allowed me to give them a try today. And that is the case with the Simgot EA1000. It was the only important Simgot model that had not passed through my hands yet and, honestly, expectations were high seeing the amount of positive comments it has accumulated since its release. Luckily, in this case I think a large part of that fame is justified.

The first thing they convey to me as soon as I see them in person and touch them, is the feeling of being in front of a very well crafted product, both for the build quality and the small details you discover with use. It goes for a very clean, detailed and balanced presentation that also allows for small adjustments through the different nozzles and eartips to better adapt it to everyone's tastes and Simgot is one of the few brands that opt for this in almost every release. This is something that generates debate about to what extent it is necessary or mandatory and just another way to alter the sound without getting into equalization.

What I like/I don't like

• Premium build quality for its price range.
• Sapphire crystal very resistant to small scratches.
• Very good quality cable included out of the box.
• Excellent level of detail.
• Very good instrumental separation.
• Wide soundstage with a good sense of depth.
• Three nozzles that allow for minor tuning adjustments.
• Easy to drive with practically any source.
• The original eartips are below expectations.
• The treble can be intense for some.
• There is no modular cable and only the 3.5mm version exists.
• Less isolation than other closed IEMs.

Specifications

• 10mm dynamic driver.
• Third generation SDPGD diaphragm with LCP suspension.
• 6mm internal passive radiator.
• CNC machined stainless steel shells.
• Faceplate protected by sapphire crystal.
• Three interchangeable acoustic nozzles.
• Silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure in 3.5mm.
• 0.78mm 2 pin connector.
• Impedance of 16 Ω.
• Sensitivity of 127 dB/Vrms.
• Frequency response from 20 Hz to 40 kHz.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

We start as always keeping the structure I like, with the unboxing and as you will see in the different photos, we have an experience according to the price. Inside the box we find the earphones perfectly protected, the detachable cable, a rigid carrying case, three sets of interchangeable nozzles identified by rings of different colors, several sets of silicone eartips in different sizes, replacement rubber O-rings for the nozzles and the documentation.

I have to say that despite how neat the presentation and content are, what convinced me the least of all are the included eartips. They do their job, but I think they are clearly a step below everything else. I ended up getting a much better fit with the Divinus Velvet Wide and the TRI Clarion, improving both the stability and the overall feel of the sound.

The cable on the other hand, is quite above average. It is a two core silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure that is flexible, barely transmits microphonics when walking and holds its shape very well without tangling constantly. By the way if anyone does not know what Litz structure is or what properties it has, I already investigated it and wrote about it myself in the Tanchjim Nora review that you can see on my profile. The connectors, the splitter and the 3.5 mm jack are made of metal and convey a feeling of quality consistent with the rest of the product. The only thing I really miss is a modular system, although perhaps when they were released it was not "so trendy" to offer this option, something I have seen in more recent Simgot models like the Supermix 5 and the ET142 that I also reviewed previously, so I can guess that if the EA1000 had been released in these past months they would surely carry the modular cable option.

The shells are probably the prettiest I have seen from this brand and although I already knew them from tracking the model at the time, seeing them now in person they are really beautiful and aesthetic, the white color looks great on the combination. They are completely made of stainless steel by CNC machining and finished with a sapphire crystal faceplate that gives it a very elegant look without being overly flashy. After a few days of use with tests at home and also on the street as I usually do, they remain practically the same as the first day, without the small scratches that usually appear quickly on other IEMs with glossy finishes.

The vent located on the outside is not there solely for design either. Inside is the 6mm passive radiator, an important part of the EA1000's sound personality and one of those responsible for that very open soundstage feeling it offers. I have tried other IEMs with passive radiators recently like the Aful Explorer 8S or the Binary EP321 and they really add something that maybe I am not as knowledgeable about as I should be but they undoubtedly improve the experience in all cases where I have tried them. Therefore whenever I read that they carry one I already think positively about that model. I do not know if someday I will think otherwise but for now it is 3 out of 3 if I am not missing any other right now....

Before receiving them I thought they would be bulkier seeing some photos, but in reality they adapt very well to the ear. The angle of the nozzle facilitates a deep insertion, the fit is stable even walking and I have never had discomfort during long sessions. The isolation is decent, although the vent in this case prevents that vacuum feeling typical of other closed IEMs, allowing part of the outside sound to still be present, it is not exaggerated but it is there.

Another interesting detail is the three included nozzles. The red one offers the most balanced tuning and will probably be the choice of most users. The black one provides a slightly more open soundstage and a somewhat greater presence in the treble area, while the brass one has ended up being my favorite because it adds a bit more body, makes voices slightly more natural and smooths the treble a bit without losing detail. Without this nozzle and that lack of weight my overall experience of these EA1000 falls below my expectations. The differences are not huge, but they are enough to adapt the sound to everyone's tastes.

Sound

Bass

Moving on to how the EA1000 sound, the bass offers a very controlled, fast sound with excellent extension. The sub bass sounds really good and provides a very convincing sense of depth, it has not felt heavy to me in any type of music I have tested nor dominant over the other frequencies.

The mid bass maintains that same line. The punch is clean, with a fast attack and an equally controlled decay, both in simpler, acoustic tracks or without a large instrumental load, as well as in fast, heavy or orchestral tracks.

During several sessions using the FiiO KA15 outside the home, it especially caught my attention how it maintains that sense of control even listening at moderate volumes. It does not need a particularly powerful DAC to offer proper performance, something that is always appreciated in an IEM also designed for portable use.

Anyone coming from clearly warm tunings will probably miss a bit more punch in the mid bass area. I have never had the feeling that the bass covers voices or instruments, something that does happen in other models with a heavier tuning.

As for the eartips, as I mentioned before, the Divinus Velvet Wide are the ones that have given me the best result because they add a bit more body in the bass without altering the overall balance too much. If you also seek to slightly soften the response in the upper end, the Kbear Coffee Bean also work really well and achieve a somewhat more relaxed listen without sacrificing too much resolution, although of the two I choose the Divinus.

Mids

The mids maintain the same philosophy as the bass, seeking balance and cleanliness. Male voices have proper body, without sounding excessively thick, while female voices appear with a bit more prominence thanks to an elevation in the upper mids.

One of the aspects I liked the most is the timbre, it has a very natural character and it is easy to appreciate small changes in intensity or texture during the performance of the instruments. The dynamic driver responds quickly and conveys a sense of continuity between all frequencies sounding fully homogeneous despite not being a hybrid option with multiple drivers sounding at the same time with the constant risk that one or several drivers fall behind compared to others.

I also found it to be a very forgiving IEM for long sessions. Despite its good amount of detail, I have never had the feeling that the mids constantly try to draw attention. They simply present the information with great clarity and let you be the one to decide what to focus on during the listen.

Treble

We reach the treble where it is probably the section that generates the most opinions within the community. In my experience, the treble of the EA1000 has quite a bit of energy, but I think it is often exaggerated saying that they are excessively bright, as I was previously informed by other experiences from different users. It is obvious that clarity was sought and that makes high quality recordings sound really open, while more aggressive mixes quickly show some flaws.

The extension is excellent. There is enough air so that the soundstage never feels closed and small details appear easily.

That being said, the EA1000 is not a forgiving earphone. If a recording presents sibilance or too aggressive equalization in the high frequencies, here I can agree somewhat about the somewhat intense representation of the treble but I associate it more to the type of recording than to the IEM itself, but that does not take away from the fact that there are people who generally do not tolerate in the best way how that treble is shown depending on the content they consume.

During all the tests I ended up almost always using the brass nozzle because it manages to slightly relax this area without losing resolution. Combined with the Divinus Velvet Wide it offers, in my opinion, the most successful balance of the set. For those who prefer an even more open soundstage, the TRI Clarion are still a highly recommended and cheap alternative, although personally I think the sound gains a bit more naturalness with the Velvets once again...

Soundstage

The soundstage on this model seeks to create an open presentation where each element has enough space to develop naturally.

The width is clearly above average within this price range, but what surprised me most was the sense of height. Up until now I had not found that three dimensional perception in an IEM with only a single DD of this level and it helps a lot to make recordings with many instruments breathe better.

I think part of this feeling is also favored by the design of the earphone itself and by the work of the passive radiator. Regardless of the reason whether it is because of that or not, the result is a wide soundstage, with good depth and a very pleasant presentation even after several hours of use...

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation I think is also up to the price of this IEM keeping the layers well differentiated and in place and without ever noticing that horrible congestion that is indeed quite common in much cheaper models.

The cleanliness between notes also helps a lot. There is a fairly marked sense of silence before the next instrument or effect appears, which makes it easier to follow each element of the mix quite easily. It is one of those details that do not catch your attention during the first few minutes, but that you start to value as you use the EA1000 for a longer time, believe me.

I would not say it reaches the level of some considerably more expensive models, but I do think it makes a difference compared to a good part of its direct rivals, some released after this one.

Imaging

The imaging maintains the same level as the rest of the technical section so that is good news because in most cases 1 out of the 3 sections usually fails me. Locating the position of each instrument is simple and movements within the soundstage are represented quite accurately.

In audiovisual content it also offers a very convincing performance because it makes it easy to identify directions and distances of many environmental effects. Obviously it does not replace specific headphones for this use, but within the world of IEMs under 300 $ it has seemed to me one of the most competent models I have tested recently.

Comparisons

By now, I had tested almost all of the latest Simgot models and therefore the EA1000 was my last missing piece to get a good overview about the actual product portfolio of the company. Instead of only answering which one I prefer, I think it would make more sense to describe what each model offers. Honestly, I do not believe there is a "winner" among them at all. There are very distinct personalities for each model as far as usability and design is concerned. Depending on your needs, I would recommend a completely different model.

Simgot Supermix 4

To me the Supermix 4 appears to be the best compromise between performance, usability and price in the whole Simgot product line. It has a very balanced tuning which is rarely (if ever) extreme, a very lightweight resin housing and a representation that works with virtually any type of music (genre) and does not demand too much from your ears. Therefore, it is typically an IEM you can easily recommend without having to ask many questions as it is unlikely to disappoint users. However, if you start with the EA1000 some differences become obvious which by themselves are sufficient enough to explain the increased cost. To begin with, it becomes apparent immediately by its build. In comparison to the Supermix 4, both machined steel and sapphire glass clearly belong to a higher category. Next is the sound. 

The EA1000 provides a feeling of higher resolution, a larger soundstage, and much more accurate placement of the stereo image. Additionally, I perceive timbres in acoustic instruments to be more convincing and the general presentation of the sound to be refined. 

That being said, the Supermix 4 certainly has advantages of its own. For example, it is significantly more tolerant. If you merely wish to experience enjoyment out of music and analyze neither details nor nuances in the same level of depth, it will likely result in longer sessions of enjoying music than the EA1000. The EA1000 requires a lot more of itself, mainly concerning high-quality recordings and patience while sitting quietly to listen carefully.

Simgot Supermix 5

In my opinion, the Supermix 5 caused quite a few misunderstandings since many were expecting a rather evolutionary development of the Supermix 4 and that is exactly what they did not receive. By far its largest innovation is the addition of the bone conduction driver. Beyond the marketing aspect however, it is how this affects the presentation of the sound that counts.

What I have noticed above all else is a sense of greater cohesion or continuity between all frequency ranges. Music fills the space in a better way and creates a slightly more realistic impression of substance without needing additional low-end extension. While not an extraordinary change that results in a completely new earphone, it adds to an enveloping presentation of music and a richer surface texture on occasion. Even with these changes however, I find myself thinking that the EA1000 has some aspects where it seems superior to me. The soundstage feels slightly more open, the DD offers a very fast attack and the sense of cleanliness between instruments continues to be a reference within this price range. Furthermore, the interchangeable nozzle system allows you to slightly adjust the tuning according to your preferences, something the two Supermixes do not offer.

Which one would I keep? If you are looking for a more relaxed listen, with a full sound and a very pleasant presentation for hours, I would probably choose the Supermix 5. If what you enjoy is a greater sense of resolution, a more open soundstage and a somewhat livelier sound, the EA1000 still seems like the more interesting model of the two to me.

Simgot ET142

The ET142 is probably the most different model in Simgot's entire recent catalog. You can tell it does not try to do the same thing as the EA1000. The addition of the planar driver makes the response extremely fast and increases the amount of micro detail even more, especially in very complex passages where many instruments appear at the same time. That is why they stand out in fast metal tracks with fast double bass drums and a lot of distortion.

However, I have also found it to be much less forgiving. It is much more sensitive to the choice of eartips, the fit inside the ear and even the type of recording. When everything clicks it offers a spectacular experience, but it is also much more demanding on the user having to spend quite a bit of time to achieve the perfect fit.

The EA1000 maintains a very high technical level, but at the same time it is much easier to enjoy from the first minute. You do not have the feeling of constantly looking for the perfect combination for its best version to appear. It just works.

If someone asked me which one to buy without knowing their tastes, I would probably still recommend the EA1000. I would reserve the ET142 for someone who already has experience with high end IEMs and is specifically looking for that speed and that extra level of micro detail that the planar brings.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After several days using it, I perfectly understand why the EA1000 keeps showing up so often when someone looks for an IEM around 250 $. It does not stand out solely for excellent construction or a very careful design. The really interesting thing is that it manages to combine a very well resolved tuning with a technical section clearly above average, while also maintaining its own personality within the Simgot catalog. For anyone who liked the EA500 or EA500LM, models that by the way were some of my first IEMs when I started in this, here they will get the end of the road for the sound of those two models with the best of each taken one step further. Clearly this is not the perfect solution for those who prefer a strong bass or very smooth highs, however I believe that if you place a high priority on resolving detail, creating an expansive and accurate sound stage, accurately representing timbre, and having a virtually flawless build quality then I believe that this is still one of the simplest purchases to make in your budget.

Purchase Link: LINSOUL

Disclaimer: I received this unit from Simgot to review. All of my comments are completely unbiased as I was in no way influenced by either the company that produced it or the store. I used objective testing and personal listening sessions using my reference equipment to evaluate this unit. 

Hello everyone, we are starting a new month and the models keep parading through my room. I have been going at a crazy pace wanting to cover everything even though it is not a rhythm I can keep up forever, but different releases have piled up alongside other releases that happened a while ago but circumstances have allowed me to give them a try today. And that is the case with the Simgot EA1000. It was the only important Simgot model that had not passed through my hands yet and, honestly, expectations were high seeing the amount of positive comments it has accumulated since its release. Luckily, in this case I think a large part of that fame is justified.

The first thing they convey to me as soon as I see them in person and touch them, is the feeling of being in front of a very well crafted product, both for the build quality and the small details you discover with use. It goes for a very clean, detailed and balanced presentation that also allows for small adjustments through the different nozzles and eartips to better adapt it to everyone's tastes and Simgot is one of the few brands that opt for this in almost every release. This is something that generates debate about to what extent it is necessary or mandatory and just another way to alter the sound without getting into equalization.

What I like/I don't like

• Premium build quality for its price range.
• Sapphire crystal very resistant to small scratches.
• Very good quality cable included out of the box.
• Excellent level of detail.
• Very good instrumental separation.
• Wide soundstage with a good sense of depth.
• Three nozzles that allow for minor tuning adjustments.
• Easy to drive with practically any source.
• The original eartips are below expectations.
• The treble can be intense for some.
• There is no modular cable and only the 3.5mm version exists.
• Less isolation than other closed IEMs.

Specifications

• 10mm dynamic driver.
• Third generation SDPGD diaphragm with LCP suspension.
• 6mm internal passive radiator.
• CNC machined stainless steel shells.
• Faceplate protected by sapphire crystal.
• Three interchangeable acoustic nozzles.
• Silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure in 3.5mm.
• 0.78mm 2 pin connector.
• Impedance of 16 Ω.
• Sensitivity of 127 dB/Vrms.
• Frequency response from 20 Hz to 40 kHz.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

We start as always keeping the structure I like, with the unboxing and as you will see in the different photos, we have an experience according to the price. Inside the box we find the earphones perfectly protected, the detachable cable, a rigid carrying case, three sets of interchangeable nozzles identified by rings of different colors, several sets of silicone eartips in different sizes, replacement rubber O-rings for the nozzles and the documentation.

I have to say that despite how neat the presentation and content are, what convinced me the least of all are the included eartips. They do their job, but I think they are clearly a step below everything else. I ended up getting a much better fit with the Divinus Velvet Wide and the TRI Clarion, improving both the stability and the overall feel of the sound.

The cable on the other hand, is quite above average. It is a two core silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure that is flexible, barely transmits microphonics when walking and holds its shape very well without tangling constantly. By the way if anyone does not know what Litz structure is or what properties it has, I already investigated it and wrote about it myself in the Tanchjim Nora review that you can see on my profile. The connectors, the splitter and the 3.5 mm jack are made of metal and convey a feeling of quality consistent with the rest of the product. The only thing I really miss is a modular system, although perhaps when they were released it was not "so trendy" to offer this option, something I have seen in more recent Simgot models like the Supermix 5 and the ET142 that I also reviewed previously, so I can guess that if the EA1000 had been released in these past months they would surely carry the modular cable option.

The shells are probably the prettiest I have seen from this brand and although I already knew them from tracking the model at the time, seeing them now in person they are really beautiful and aesthetic, the white color looks great on the combination. They are completely made of stainless steel by CNC machining and finished with a sapphire crystal faceplate that gives it a very elegant look without being overly flashy. After a few days of use with tests at home and also on the street as I usually do, they remain practically the same as the first day, without the small scratches that usually appear quickly on other IEMs with glossy finishes.

The vent located on the outside is not there solely for design either. Inside is the 6mm passive radiator, an important part of the EA1000's sound personality and one of those responsible for that very open soundstage feeling it offers. I have tried other IEMs with passive radiators recently like the Aful Explorer 8S or the Binary EP321 and they really add something that maybe I am not as knowledgeable about as I should be but they undoubtedly improve the experience in all cases where I have tried them. Therefore whenever I read that they carry one I already think positively about that model. I do not know if someday I will think otherwise but for now it is 3 out of 3 if I am not missing any other right now....

Before receiving them I thought they would be bulkier seeing some photos, but in reality they adapt very well to the ear. The angle of the nozzle facilitates a deep insertion, the fit is stable even walking and I have never had discomfort during long sessions. The isolation is decent, although the vent in this case prevents that vacuum feeling typical of other closed IEMs, allowing part of the outside sound to still be present, it is not exaggerated but it is there.

Another interesting detail is the three included nozzles. The red one offers the most balanced tuning and will probably be the choice of most users. The black one provides a slightly more open soundstage and a somewhat greater presence in the treble area, while the brass one has ended up being my favorite because it adds a bit more body, makes voices slightly more natural and smooths the treble a bit without losing detail. Without this nozzle and that lack of weight my overall experience of these EA1000 falls below my expectations. The differences are not huge, but they are enough to adapt the sound to everyone's tastes.

Sound

Bass

Moving on to how the EA1000 sound, the bass offers a very controlled, fast sound with excellent extension. The sub bass sounds really good and provides a very convincing sense of depth, it has not felt heavy to me in any type of music I have tested nor dominant over the other frequencies.

The mid bass maintains that same line. The punch is clean, with a fast attack and an equally controlled decay, both in simpler, acoustic tracks or without a large instrumental load, as well as in fast, heavy or orchestral tracks.

During several sessions using the FiiO KA15 outside the home, it especially caught my attention how it maintains that sense of control even listening at moderate volumes. It does not need a particularly powerful DAC to offer proper performance, something that is always appreciated in an IEM also designed for portable use.

Anyone coming from clearly warm tunings will probably miss a bit more punch in the mid bass area. I have never had the feeling that the bass covers voices or instruments, something that does happen in other models with a heavier tuning.

As for the eartips, as I mentioned before, the Divinus Velvet Wide are the ones that have given me the best result because they add a bit more body in the bass without altering the overall balance too much. If you also seek to slightly soften the response in the upper end, the Kbear Coffee Bean also work really well and achieve a somewhat more relaxed listen without sacrificing too much resolution, although of the two I choose the Divinus.

Mids

The mids maintain the same philosophy as the bass, seeking balance and cleanliness. Male voices have proper body, without sounding excessively thick, while female voices appear with a bit more prominence thanks to an elevation in the upper mids.

One of the aspects I liked the most is the timbre, it has a very natural character and it is easy to appreciate small changes in intensity or texture during the performance of the instruments. The dynamic driver responds quickly and conveys a sense of continuity between all frequencies sounding fully homogeneous despite not being a hybrid option with multiple drivers sounding at the same time with the constant risk that one or several drivers fall behind compared to others.

I also found it to be a very forgiving IEM for long sessions. Despite its good amount of detail, I have never had the feeling that the mids constantly try to draw attention. They simply present the information with great clarity and let you be the one to decide what to focus on during the listen.

Treble

We reach the treble where it is probably the section that generates the most opinions within the community. In my experience, the treble of the EA1000 has quite a bit of energy, but I think it is often exaggerated saying that they are excessively bright, as I was previously informed by other experiences from different users. It is obvious that clarity was sought and that makes high quality recordings sound really open, while more aggressive mixes quickly show some flaws.

The extension is excellent. There is enough air so that the soundstage never feels closed and small details appear easily.

That being said, the EA1000 is not a forgiving earphone. If a recording presents sibilance or too aggressive equalization in the high frequencies, here I can agree somewhat about the somewhat intense representation of the treble but I associate it more to the type of recording than to the IEM itself, but that does not take away from the fact that there are people who generally do not tolerate in the best way how that treble is shown depending on the content they consume.

During all the tests I ended up almost always using the brass nozzle because it manages to slightly relax this area without losing resolution. Combined with the Divinus Velvet Wide it offers, in my opinion, the most successful balance of the set. For those who prefer an even more open soundstage, the TRI Clarion are still a highly recommended and cheap alternative, although personally I think the sound gains a bit more naturalness with the Velvets once again...

Soundstage

The soundstage on this model seeks to create an open presentation where each element has enough space to develop naturally.

The width is clearly above average within this price range, but what surprised me most was the sense of height. Up until now I had not found that three dimensional perception in an IEM with only a single DD of this level and it helps a lot to make recordings with many instruments breathe better.

I think part of this feeling is also favored by the design of the earphone itself and by the work of the passive radiator. Regardless of the reason whether it is because of that or not, the result is a wide soundstage, with good depth and a very pleasant presentation even after several hours of use...

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation I think is also up to the price of this IEM keeping the layers well differentiated and in place and without ever noticing that horrible congestion that is indeed quite common in much cheaper models.

The cleanliness between notes also helps a lot. There is a fairly marked sense of silence before the next instrument or effect appears, which makes it easier to follow each element of the mix quite easily. It is one of those details that do not catch your attention during the first few minutes, but that you start to value as you use the EA1000 for a longer time, believe me.

I would not say it reaches the level of some considerably more expensive models, but I do think it makes a difference compared to a good part of its direct rivals, some released after this one.

Imaging

The imaging maintains the same level as the rest of the technical section so that is good news because in most cases 1 out of the 3 sections usually fails me. Locating the position of each instrument is simple and movements within the soundstage are represented quite accurately.

In audiovisual content it also offers a very convincing performance because it makes it easy to identify directions and distances of many environmental effects. Obviously it does not replace specific headphones for this use, but within the world of IEMs under 300 $ it has seemed to me one of the most competent models I have tested recently.

Comparisons

By now, I had tested almost all of the latest Simgot models and therefore the EA1000 was my last missing piece to get a good overview about the actual product portfolio of the company. Instead of only answering which one I prefer, I think it would make more sense to describe what each model offers. Honestly, I do not believe there is a "winner" among them at all. There are very distinct personalities for each model as far as usability and design is concerned. Depending on your needs, I would recommend a completely different model.

Simgot Supermix 4

To me the Supermix 4 appears to be the best compromise between performance, usability and price in the whole Simgot product line. It has a very balanced tuning which is rarely (if ever) extreme, a very lightweight resin housing and a representation that works with virtually any type of music (genre) and does not demand too much from your ears. Therefore, it is typically an IEM you can easily recommend without having to ask many questions as it is unlikely to disappoint users. However, if you start with the EA1000 some differences become obvious which by themselves are sufficient enough to explain the increased cost. To begin with, it becomes apparent immediately by its build. In comparison to the Supermix 4, both machined steel and sapphire glass clearly belong to a higher category. Next is the sound. 

The EA1000 provides a feeling of higher resolution, a larger soundstage, and much more accurate placement of the stereo image. Additionally, I perceive timbres in acoustic instruments to be more convincing and the general presentation of the sound to be refined. 

That being said, the Supermix 4 certainly has advantages of its own. For example, it is significantly more tolerant. If you merely wish to experience enjoyment out of music and analyze neither details nor nuances in the same level of depth, it will likely result in longer sessions of enjoying music than the EA1000. The EA1000 requires a lot more of itself, mainly concerning high-quality recordings and patience while sitting quietly to listen carefully.

Simgot Supermix 5

In my opinion, the Supermix 5 caused quite a few misunderstandings since many were expecting a rather evolutionary development of the Supermix 4 and that is exactly what they did not receive. By far its largest innovation is the addition of the bone conduction driver. Beyond the marketing aspect however, it is how this affects the presentation of the sound that counts.

What I have noticed above all else is a sense of greater cohesion or continuity between all frequency ranges. Music fills the space in a better way and creates a slightly more realistic impression of substance without needing additional low-end extension. While not an extraordinary change that results in a completely new earphone, it adds to an enveloping presentation of music and a richer surface texture on occasion. Even with these changes however, I find myself thinking that the EA1000 has some aspects where it seems superior to me. The soundstage feels slightly more open, the DD offers a very fast attack and the sense of cleanliness between instruments continues to be a reference within this price range. Furthermore, the interchangeable nozzle system allows you to slightly adjust the tuning according to your preferences, something the two Supermixes do not offer.

Which one would I keep? If you are looking for a more relaxed listen, with a full sound and a very pleasant presentation for hours, I would probably choose the Supermix 5. If what you enjoy is a greater sense of resolution, a more open soundstage and a somewhat livelier sound, the EA1000 still seems like the more interesting model of the two to me.

Simgot ET142

The ET142 is probably the most different model in Simgot's entire recent catalog. You can tell it does not try to do the same thing as the EA1000. The addition of the planar driver makes the response extremely fast and increases the amount of micro detail even more, especially in very complex passages where many instruments appear at the same time. That is why they stand out in fast metal tracks with fast double bass drums and a lot of distortion.

However, I have also found it to be much less forgiving. It is much more sensitive to the choice of eartips, the fit inside the ear and even the type of recording. When everything clicks it offers a spectacular experience, but it is also much more demanding on the user having to spend quite a bit of time to achieve the perfect fit.

The EA1000 maintains a very high technical level, but at the same time it is much easier to enjoy from the first minute. You do not have the feeling of constantly looking for the perfect combination for its best version to appear. It just works.

If someone asked me which one to buy without knowing their tastes, I would probably still recommend the EA1000. I would reserve the ET142 for someone who already has experience with high end IEMs and is specifically looking for that speed and that extra level of micro detail that the planar brings.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After several days using it, I perfectly understand why the EA1000 keeps showing up so often when someone looks for an IEM around 250 $. It does not stand out solely for excellent construction or a very careful design. The really interesting thing is that it manages to combine a very well resolved tuning with a technical section clearly above average, while also maintaining its own personality within the Simgot catalog. For anyone who liked the EA500 or EA500LM, models that by the way were some of my first IEMs when I started in this, here they will get the end of the road for the sound of those two models with the best of each taken one step further. Clearly this is not the perfect solution for those who prefer a strong bass or very smooth highs, however I believe that if you place a high priority on resolving detail, creating an expansive and accurate sound stage, accurately representing timbre, and having a virtually flawless build quality then I believe that this is still one of the simplest purchases to make in your budget.

Purchase Link: LINSOUL

Disclaimer: I received this unit from Simgot to review. All of my comments are completely unbiased as I was in no way influenced by either the company that produced it or the store. I used objective testing and personal listening sessions using my reference equipment to evaluate this unit. 

Hello everyone, we are starting a new month and the models keep parading through my room. I have been going at a crazy pace wanting to cover everything even though it is not a rhythm I can keep up forever, but different releases have piled up alongside other releases that happened a while ago but circumstances have allowed me to give them a try today. And that is the case with the Simgot EA1000. It was the only important Simgot model that had not passed through my hands yet and, honestly, expectations were high seeing the amount of positive comments it has accumulated since its release. Luckily, in this case I think a large part of that fame is justified.

The first thing they convey to me as soon as I see them in person and touch them, is the feeling of being in front of a very well crafted product, both for the build quality and the small details you discover with use. It goes for a very clean, detailed and balanced presentation that also allows for small adjustments through the different nozzles and eartips to better adapt it to everyone's tastes and Simgot is one of the few brands that opt for this in almost every release. This is something that generates debate about to what extent it is necessary or mandatory and just another way to alter the sound without getting into equalization.

What I like/I don't like

• Premium build quality for its price range.
• Sapphire crystal very resistant to small scratches.
• Very good quality cable included out of the box.
• Excellent level of detail.
• Very good instrumental separation.
• Wide soundstage with a good sense of depth.
• Three nozzles that allow for minor tuning adjustments.
• Easy to drive with practically any source.
• The original eartips are below expectations.
• The treble can be intense for some.
• There is no modular cable and only the 3.5mm version exists.
• Less isolation than other closed IEMs.

Specifications

• 10mm dynamic driver.
• Third generation SDPGD diaphragm with LCP suspension.
• 6mm internal passive radiator.
• CNC machined stainless steel shells.
• Faceplate protected by sapphire crystal.
• Three interchangeable acoustic nozzles.
• Silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure in 3.5mm.
• 0.78mm 2 pin connector.
• Impedance of 16 Ω.
• Sensitivity of 127 dB/Vrms.
• Frequency response from 20 Hz to 40 kHz.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

We start as always keeping the structure I like, with the unboxing and as you will see in the different photos, we have an experience according to the price. Inside the box we find the earphones perfectly protected, the detachable cable, a rigid carrying case, three sets of interchangeable nozzles identified by rings of different colors, several sets of silicone eartips in different sizes, replacement rubber O-rings for the nozzles and the documentation.

I have to say that despite how neat the presentation and content are, what convinced me the least of all are the included eartips. They do their job, but I think they are clearly a step below everything else. I ended up getting a much better fit with the Divinus Velvet Wide and the TRI Clarion, improving both the stability and the overall feel of the sound.

The cable on the other hand, is quite above average. It is a two core silver plated OFC cable with Litz structure that is flexible, barely transmits microphonics when walking and holds its shape very well without tangling constantly. By the way if anyone does not know what Litz structure is or what properties it has, I already investigated it and wrote about it myself in the Tanchjim Nora review that you can see on my profile. The connectors, the splitter and the 3.5 mm jack are made of metal and convey a feeling of quality consistent with the rest of the product. The only thing I really miss is a modular system, although perhaps when they were released it was not "so trendy" to offer this option, something I have seen in more recent Simgot models like the Supermix 5 and the ET142 that I also reviewed previously, so I can guess that if the EA1000 had been released in these past months they would surely carry the modular cable option.

The shells are probably the prettiest I have seen from this brand and although I already knew them from tracking the model at the time, seeing them now in person they are really beautiful and aesthetic, the white color looks great on the combination. They are completely made of stainless steel by CNC machining and finished with a sapphire crystal faceplate that gives it a very elegant look without being overly flashy. After a few days of use with tests at home and also on the street as I usually do, they remain practically the same as the first day, without the small scratches that usually appear quickly on other IEMs with glossy finishes.

The vent located on the outside is not there solely for design either. Inside is the 6mm passive radiator, an important part of the EA1000's sound personality and one of those responsible for that very open soundstage feeling it offers. I have tried other IEMs with passive radiators recently like the Aful Explorer 8S or the Binary EP321 and they really add something that maybe I am not as knowledgeable about as I should be but they undoubtedly improve the experience in all cases where I have tried them. Therefore whenever I read that they carry one I already think positively about that model. I do not know if someday I will think otherwise but for now it is 3 out of 3 if I am not missing any other right now....

Before receiving them I thought they would be bulkier seeing some photos, but in reality they adapt very well to the ear. The angle of the nozzle facilitates a deep insertion, the fit is stable even walking and I have never had discomfort during long sessions. The isolation is decent, although the vent in this case prevents that vacuum feeling typical of other closed IEMs, allowing part of the outside sound to still be present, it is not exaggerated but it is there.

Another interesting detail is the three included nozzles. The red one offers the most balanced tuning and will probably be the choice of most users. The black one provides a slightly more open soundstage and a somewhat greater presence in the treble area, while the brass one has ended up being my favorite because it adds a bit more body, makes voices slightly more natural and smooths the treble a bit without losing detail. Without this nozzle and that lack of weight my overall experience of these EA1000 falls below my expectations. The differences are not huge, but they are enough to adapt the sound to everyone's tastes.

Sound

Bass

Moving on to how the EA1000 sound, the bass offers a very controlled, fast sound with excellent extension. The sub bass sounds really good and provides a very convincing sense of depth, it has not felt heavy to me in any type of music I have tested nor dominant over the other frequencies.

The mid bass maintains that same line. The punch is clean, with a fast attack and an equally controlled decay, both in simpler, acoustic tracks or without a large instrumental load, as well as in fast, heavy or orchestral tracks.

During several sessions using the FiiO KA15 outside the home, it especially caught my attention how it maintains that sense of control even listening at moderate volumes. It does not need a particularly powerful DAC to offer proper performance, something that is always appreciated in an IEM also designed for portable use.

Anyone coming from clearly warm tunings will probably miss a bit more punch in the mid bass area. I have never had the feeling that the bass covers voices or instruments, something that does happen in other models with a heavier tuning.

As for the eartips, as I mentioned before, the Divinus Velvet Wide are the ones that have given me the best result because they add a bit more body in the bass without altering the overall balance too much. If you also seek to slightly soften the response in the upper end, the Kbear Coffee Bean also work really well and achieve a somewhat more relaxed listen without sacrificing too much resolution, although of the two I choose the Divinus.

Mids

The mids maintain the same philosophy as the bass, seeking balance and cleanliness. Male voices have proper body, without sounding excessively thick, while female voices appear with a bit more prominence thanks to an elevation in the upper mids.

One of the aspects I liked the most is the timbre, it has a very natural character and it is easy to appreciate small changes in intensity or texture during the performance of the instruments. The dynamic driver responds quickly and conveys a sense of continuity between all frequencies sounding fully homogeneous despite not being a hybrid option with multiple drivers sounding at the same time with the constant risk that one or several drivers fall behind compared to others.

I also found it to be a very forgiving IEM for long sessions. Despite its good amount of detail, I have never had the feeling that the mids constantly try to draw attention. They simply present the information with great clarity and let you be the one to decide what to focus on during the listen.

Treble

We reach the treble where it is probably the section that generates the most opinions within the community. In my experience, the treble of the EA1000 has quite a bit of energy, but I think it is often exaggerated saying that they are excessively bright, as I was previously informed by other experiences from different users. It is obvious that clarity was sought and that makes high quality recordings sound really open, while more aggressive mixes quickly show some flaws.

The extension is excellent. There is enough air so that the soundstage never feels closed and small details appear easily.

That being said, the EA1000 is not a forgiving earphone. If a recording presents sibilance or too aggressive equalization in the high frequencies, here I can agree somewhat about the somewhat intense representation of the treble but I associate it more to the type of recording than to the IEM itself, but that does not take away from the fact that there are people who generally do not tolerate in the best way how that treble is shown depending on the content they consume.

During all the tests I ended up almost always using the brass nozzle because it manages to slightly relax this area without losing resolution. Combined with the Divinus Velvet Wide it offers, in my opinion, the most successful balance of the set. For those who prefer an even more open soundstage, the TRI Clarion are still a highly recommended and cheap alternative, although personally I think the sound gains a bit more naturalness with the Velvets once again...

Soundstage

The soundstage on this model seeks to create an open presentation where each element has enough space to develop naturally.

The width is clearly above average within this price range, but what surprised me most was the sense of height. Up until now I had not found that three dimensional perception in an IEM with only a single DD of this level and it helps a lot to make recordings with many instruments breathe better.

I think part of this feeling is also favored by the design of the earphone itself and by the work of the passive radiator. Regardless of the reason whether it is because of that or not, the result is a wide soundstage, with good depth and a very pleasant presentation even after several hours of use...

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation I think is also up to the price of this IEM keeping the layers well differentiated and in place and without ever noticing that horrible congestion that is indeed quite common in much cheaper models.

The cleanliness between notes also helps a lot. There is a fairly marked sense of silence before the next instrument or effect appears, which makes it easier to follow each element of the mix quite easily. It is one of those details that do not catch your attention during the first few minutes, but that you start to value as you use the EA1000 for a longer time, believe me.

I would not say it reaches the level of some considerably more expensive models, but I do think it makes a difference compared to a good part of its direct rivals, some released after this one.

Imaging

The imaging maintains the same level as the rest of the technical section so that is good news because in most cases 1 out of the 3 sections usually fails me. Locating the position of each instrument is simple and movements within the soundstage are represented quite accurately.

In audiovisual content it also offers a very convincing performance because it makes it easy to identify directions and distances of many environmental effects. Obviously it does not replace specific headphones for this use, but within the world of IEMs under 300 $ it has seemed to me one of the most competent models I have tested recently.

Comparisons

By now, I had tested almost all of the latest Simgot models and therefore the EA1000 was my last missing piece to get a good overview about the actual product portfolio of the company. Instead of only answering which one I prefer, I think it would make more sense to describe what each model offers. Honestly, I do not believe there is a "winner" among them at all. There are very distinct personalities for each model as far as usability and design is concerned. Depending on your needs, I would recommend a completely different model.

Simgot Supermix 4

To me the Supermix 4 appears to be the best compromise between performance, usability and price in the whole Simgot product line. It has a very balanced tuning which is rarely (if ever) extreme, a very lightweight resin housing and a representation that works with virtually any type of music (genre) and does not demand too much from your ears. Therefore, it is typically an IEM you can easily recommend without having to ask many questions as it is unlikely to disappoint users. However, if you start with the EA1000 some differences become obvious which by themselves are sufficient enough to explain the increased cost. To begin with, it becomes apparent immediately by its build. In comparison to the Supermix 4, both machined steel and sapphire glass clearly belong to a higher category. Next is the sound. 

The EA1000 provides a feeling of higher resolution, a larger soundstage, and much more accurate placement of the stereo image. Additionally, I perceive timbres in acoustic instruments to be more convincing and the general presentation of the sound to be refined. 

That being said, the Supermix 4 certainly has advantages of its own. For example, it is significantly more tolerant. If you merely wish to experience enjoyment out of music and analyze neither details nor nuances in the same level of depth, it will likely result in longer sessions of enjoying music than the EA1000. The EA1000 requires a lot more of itself, mainly concerning high-quality recordings and patience while sitting quietly to listen carefully.

Simgot Supermix 5

In my opinion, the Supermix 5 caused quite a few misunderstandings since many were expecting a rather evolutionary development of the Supermix 4 and that is exactly what they did not receive. By far its largest innovation is the addition of the bone conduction driver. Beyond the marketing aspect however, it is how this affects the presentation of the sound that counts.

What I have noticed above all else is a sense of greater cohesion or continuity between all frequency ranges. Music fills the space in a better way and creates a slightly more realistic impression of substance without needing additional low-end extension. While not an extraordinary change that results in a completely new earphone, it adds to an enveloping presentation of music and a richer surface texture on occasion. Even with these changes however, I find myself thinking that the EA1000 has some aspects where it seems superior to me. The soundstage feels slightly more open, the DD offers a very fast attack and the sense of cleanliness between instruments continues to be a reference within this price range. Furthermore, the interchangeable nozzle system allows you to slightly adjust the tuning according to your preferences, something the two Supermixes do not offer.

Which one would I keep? If you are looking for a more relaxed listen, with a full sound and a very pleasant presentation for hours, I would probably choose the Supermix 5. If what you enjoy is a greater sense of resolution, a more open soundstage and a somewhat livelier sound, the EA1000 still seems like the more interesting model of the two to me.

Simgot ET142

The ET142 is probably the most different model in Simgot's entire recent catalog. You can tell it does not try to do the same thing as the EA1000. The addition of the planar driver makes the response extremely fast and increases the amount of micro detail even more, especially in very complex passages where many instruments appear at the same time. That is why they stand out in fast metal tracks with fast double bass drums and a lot of distortion.

However, I have also found it to be much less forgiving. It is much more sensitive to the choice of eartips, the fit inside the ear and even the type of recording. When everything clicks it offers a spectacular experience, but it is also much more demanding on the user having to spend quite a bit of time to achieve the perfect fit.

The EA1000 maintains a very high technical level, but at the same time it is much easier to enjoy from the first minute. You do not have the feeling of constantly looking for the perfect combination for its best version to appear. It just works.

If someone asked me which one to buy without knowing their tastes, I would probably still recommend the EA1000. I would reserve the ET142 for someone who already has experience with high end IEMs and is specifically looking for that speed and that extra level of micro detail that the planar brings.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After several days using it, I perfectly understand why the EA1000 keeps showing up so often when someone looks for an IEM around 250 $. It does not stand out solely for excellent construction or a very careful design. The really interesting thing is that it manages to combine a very well resolved tuning with a technical section clearly above average, while also maintaining its own personality within the Simgot catalog. For anyone who liked the EA500 or EA500LM, models that by the way were some of my first IEMs when I started in this, here they will get the end of the road for the sound of those two models with the best of each taken one step further. Clearly this is not the perfect solution for those who prefer a strong bass or very smooth highs, however I believe that if you place a high priority on resolving detail, creating an expansive and accurate sound stage, accurately representing timbre, and having a virtually flawless build quality then I believe that this is still one of the simplest purchases to make in your budget.

Purchase Link: LINSOUL

Disclaimer: I received this unit from Simgot to review. All of my comments are completely unbiased as I was in no way influenced by either the company that produced it or the store. I used objective testing and personal listening sessions using my reference equipment to evaluate this unit. 

Hello everyone! I am going to close the month of June with a recent release from the brand KBEAR, a product sent by Keephifi. Curiously, this is the store with which I started my transition to written reviews, since I came from YouTube and it was the KZ Taurus a few months ago that started this streak of reviews in written format on social networks and forums.

Therefore, I am grateful again to resume contact with them and to have another KBEAR in my hands. Previously on YouTube I was able to review the KBEAR KB02, so these will be the second ones from the brand.

Regarding the Kalideer, I must say upfront that they do not stand out in one specific aspect. They are not the most technical, nor the most spectacular, nor the ones that will surprise you as soon as you put them on. What they achieve is much more complicated. Everything is very well integrated, no frequency tries to impose itself over the others, and that makes it an extremely easy IEM to enjoy for hours. This is something that I curiously felt recently in the review of the Aful Explorer that I just finished and you can check on my profile. It might seem silly, but when an IEM achieves that, it usually means that the tuning is really well thought out and balanced right at its sweet spot.

What I like / What I don't like

• Excellent build quality for its price range.
• Very comfortable after several hours.
• Good assortment of eartips.
• Balanced tuning with a slight warm touch.
• Bass with good depth and very good control.
• Natural and pleasant mids.
• Smooth treble that barely generates fatigue.
• Good soundstage and instrumental separation.
• Only available with a 3.5 mm connector, and there is no modular option either.
• Not the right model for those looking for maximum technical performance.
• Its relaxed presentation may seem unimpressive during the first few listening sessions.

Specifications

• Three-driver hybrid configuration.
• 1 beryllium-coated dynamic driver for bass.
• 1 balanced armature driver for mids.
• 1 piezoelectric driver for treble.
• Resin shells manufactured using 3D printing.
• Detachable cable with 0.78 mm 2-pin connection.
• 3.5 mm connector.
• High sensitivity and low impedance.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more natural presentation when I am at home but not necessarily sitting in front of the PC.

Unboxing and build

It gives the impression that KBear has paid attention to small details like the box design, the organization of the accessories, and the overall presentation of the product. I found it curious to see the IEMs at the top inside their foam mold, underneath the typical box where the case with the accessories usually goes, but additionally a second box that occupies the entire left side from bottom to top where the eartips have been included. It is a simple design decision but one that I do not remember seeing until now. It is something totally irrelevant but it deserved its own mention.

The included cable has a 3.5 mm termination. I have not seen them offer a 4.4 mm option, which is my standard choice and that of many people, nor is the cable modular. This is something we already see implemented by many other brands at these prices and even lower, but in the end, each brand has its criteria and its reasons. We have a carrying case with enough space inside, a cleaning cloth, the usual documentation, and a fairly generous assortment of eartips. In fact, this last point seemed like one of the surprises of the package. Besides including several sizes, KBear incorporates some original TRI Clarion, something unusual in this price range that allows you to start playing with the tuning without having to buy additional eartips. I already have several sets of Clarions in my collection so this has not brought me anything new, but someone starting out in this hobby will surely appreciate them for this and future IEMs.

I have not missed the opportunity to try from my own repertoire of eartips looking for which ones give me a better seal or modify certain aspects of the original sound signature. The Divinus Velvet Wide were the ones that convinced me the most to add a little more body to the bass and slightly smooth the treble part, while the TRI Clarion are still my recommendation for those who want to gain some sense of width and a slightly more obvious instrumental separation. As a third alternative, I also liked the Dunu S&S, especially because they improve the seal more than the other two and manage to give the sub-bass a bit more presence without altering the rest of the tuning too much.

The shells use a resin housing manufactured via 3D printing and are surprisingly compact for a three-driver hybrid configuration. They do not have uncomfortable shapes, the weight is very well distributed, and during all the tests I noticed practically no driver flex when putting them on. This is something that brands are taking care of more and more, since it was more common 1 or 2 years ago and now it is barely happening to me, and that is a plus for everyone. The isolation is typical of a universal IEM. It reduces outside noise quite well, although some ambient sound still gets in, which is completely normal in this type of design.

Aesthetically they also left a good impression on me. My unit uses a combination of blue, purple, and reddish tones with shiny embedded gems. These IEMs are inspired, according to KBear, by the nine-colored deer from the Dunhuang murals. There is another more colorful version, very different from this one, that you will surely see in other reviews. In person they have much more presence than in the promotional photographs and convey the feeling of a very well-finished product.

Sound

Bass

From the very first listen I had the feeling that KBear had tuned the bass quite smartly. They did not look for a disproportionate amount of low frequencies, but they are not at the opposite extreme of sounding too light either. There is enough presence for the music to have weight, although always from a fairly balanced perspective at all times.

There is a slight priority towards the sub-bass, something that is especially noticeable when the recording contains information in that area. The beryllium-coated dynamic driver responds with quite a bit of control and maintains a good texture even when several instruments share the spotlight. Honestly, when I read the word beryllium I usually relax because it is a material that I have always liked when implemented in IEMs in these ranges.

Another detail that I liked was the decay time of the notes. The bass has enough duration to convey body and naturalness, but it disappears before invading the next note or sound. Although I love models that extend the bass rumble, there is always the risk that it lasts too long and starts to cover up other sounds. That makes the listening experience less fun, but in exchange we get greater clarity, which in the long run is what we should prioritize.

It does not reach the physical impact of models clearly oriented towards a more fun tuning, like for example the Juzear Fiesta that I also reviewed not long ago. However, precisely that balance makes it work very well with practically any musical genre. As the days went by, I ended up appreciating that consistency much more than a punchy bass during the first few hours of listening.

Mids

If I had to point out the section that best represents the personality of the Kalideer, it would probably be the mids. Not because they clearly stand out over the rest of the frequencies, but because everything maintains a coherence that is very unusual in this price range. There is no feeling that the bass pushes too much or that the treble tries to steal the spotlight. Everything occupies its proper place within the mix.

Male vocals are, in my experience, the great beneficiaries of this tuning. They have a very pleasant body, good presence, and a sense of solidity that makes them especially convincing. Female vocals still maintain clarity and good articulation, although they are perceived as lighter next to the male ones. At no time did I get the feeling that they were recessed, it simply seems that the Kalideer favors a bit more that lower part of the mids where many male voices tend to rest.

The guitars also left me with very good impressions. Both electric and acoustic guitar sounds were full-bodied and had a lot of texture but neither was too bright or had an overly thin tone characteristic of many other IEMs tuned on the bright side. There also was some air/space around each instrument as well which seemed to help make the chord progression move a little better and allowed for more enjoyable listening experiences when listening to the music. It is that specific touch that gives a special point to this model in this frequency range.

Treble

The piezoelectric driver provides enough extension to convey a sense of air and recover a good amount of information, but without resorting to an excess of brightness to fake a superior resolution. This was something I initially feared would happen, as my experience with piezoelectrics has not quite clicked yet, being in fact to date the type of driver I like the least for treble. To my surprise, in the Kalideer they have managed to implement it in a way that does not sound excessive or too bright.

What convinced me the most was the way KBear has slightly rounded the highest peaks. This does not mean that the treble is muted, but rather that the notes finish in a smoother way, avoiding that sharp feeling that ends up tiring you in long listening sessions and that, as I just said, I have experienced with this type of drivers before.

However, this decision has a consequence. In especially fast recordings or those with a lot of information concentrated in the treble, the Kalideer does not convey the same sense of speed as clearly more technical models. You can tell that it prioritizes a relaxed presentation over an extremely fast response.

Personally, I think it is a pretty smart compromise because it makes the Kalideer a very forgiving IEM even with recordings that would normally be somewhat aggressive. After several hours of listening I barely experienced any listener fatigue, something I consider one of its greatest virtues and I think is essential for many people who doubt its piezoelectric driver when deciding on them.

Soundstage

The soundstage offers a fairly natural representation of space. Being more specific, one could say that where it stands out the most is in its depth. There is a clear sense of different layers within the mix and that helps a lot for the instruments to maintain a certain distance from each other. That distribution makes the music breathe quite easily and conveys a very pleasant sense of realism.

The width is also good and never feels claustrophobic, although perhaps it is in height where this model falls a bit behind. It is not the largest stage I have heard in this price range, but it is one of the most coherent.

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation in these Kalideer I would say is the best achieved technical aspect of the three. Even when several guitars, keyboards, and ambient effects appear working at the same time, the Kalideer manages to maintain quite a bit of air between all of them. In all the sessions where I have tested them, I have never had the feeling that the instruments ended up losing definition.

The interesting thing is that this separation does not seem forced, as that is something I notice quite quickly and makes me think that the overall package has been left somewhat unbalanced. Here everything stays tied together in a much more natural way, something that I personally ended up preferring after many hours of listening.

I think that within its category it offers a quite convincing and very balanced technical performance.

Imaging

Regarding imaging, lateral movements are fluid and easy to follow, while small effects and secondary sounds are placed with quite a bit of precision within the stage.

I would not say that it is an IEM designed specifically for competitive video games, something I also thought about the Explorer that I mentioned at the beginning of the review. These types of tunings that seek to be somewhat more relaxed are not going to give you that extra or highly refined detail to locate the sounds around you with maximum precision. However, when listening to music it conveys a consistent localization and a very credible sense of positioning, obviously without being annoying in the long run in exchange for not being the most precise.

Comparisons

Aful Explorer

The Explorer goes for a slightly warmer and more relaxed tuning, with a slightly more present bass and vocals that convey a more enveloping feeling. It is a particularly pleasant IEM for long sessions, although the Kalideer seems a bit more balanced across all frequencies and offers a slightly more open stage. If you are looking for a very warm sound, the Explorer will probably still be a great option that might be slightly ahead in terms of fun despite having a very close tuning. But if you listen to very different genres and prefer more versatile behavior, I would end up choosing the Kalideer.

Simgot EW300 DSP

The EW300 DSP offers a much more energetic presentation and a superior sense of detail, especially using the DSP cable. Its treble has more prominence and it conveys a more immediate response. It is a clear example that piezoelectrics have to be tamed correctly or they can be somewhat more aggressive than one can tolerate. The Kalideer takes the opposite path. Its sound is more relaxed, easier to listen to for hours, and maintains a very successful balance between musicality and technical capability. If you are looking for excitement from the first listen, being able to change the nozzle to slightly alter the signature, or a more robust finish, the Simgot will probably catch your attention more. Valuing long-term comfort, the Kalideer ends up being a more solid bet as long as you listen to a variety of musical styles.

Twistura Beta

The Twistura Beta clearly goes for a more fun experience. It is a somewhat more expensive model but compensates by offering a better case, more interchangeable nozzles than the Simgot I just compared, and also a much more durable finish, this time with a modular cable. The bass has a greater sense of impact and is somewhat more spectacular during the first few minutes. However, that personality also makes it a more specific IEM for certain genres. The Kalideer, instead, offers a much more uniform and consistent tuning. It does not stand out in a single area, but rather performs correctly with practically any musical style.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After living with the KBear Kalideer for a few days, I think its greatest virtue lies precisely in everything it does not try to do. It does not impress with exaggerated bass, it does not offer extremely bright treble to fake more detail. It simply goes for a very well-balanced tuning, with a slight warm touch and a relaxed presentation that invites you to keep listening to music for hours.

The funny thing is that, despite this very comfortable philosophy, it does not give up a more than competent technical level. The instrumental separation, the soundstage, and the detail retrieval are clearly above what I expected when I started testing it. Obviously there are more specialized alternatives if you are looking for maximum technical performance or a much more striking tuning, so I am not going to tell you that it is the best overall for this price unless you want something relaxed but with personality and suitable for practically everything.

Purchase link: KeepHifi 

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by KeepHifi for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Hello everyone! I am going to close the month of June with a recent release from the brand KBEAR, a product sent by Keephifi. Curiously, this is the store with which I started my transition to written reviews, since I came from YouTube and it was the KZ Taurus a few months ago that started this streak of reviews in written format on social networks and forums.

Therefore, I am grateful again to resume contact with them and to have another KBEAR in my hands. Previously on YouTube I was able to review the KBEAR KB02, so these will be the second ones from the brand.

Regarding the Kalideer, I must say upfront that they do not stand out in one specific aspect. They are not the most technical, nor the most spectacular, nor the ones that will surprise you as soon as you put them on. What they achieve is much more complicated. Everything is very well integrated, no frequency tries to impose itself over the others, and that makes it an extremely easy IEM to enjoy for hours. This is something that I curiously felt recently in the review of the Aful Explorer that I just finished and you can check on my profile. It might seem silly, but when an IEM achieves that, it usually means that the tuning is really well thought out and balanced right at its sweet spot.

What I like / What I don't like

• Excellent build quality for its price range.
• Very comfortable after several hours.
• Good assortment of eartips.
• Balanced tuning with a slight warm touch.
• Bass with good depth and very good control.
• Natural and pleasant mids.
• Smooth treble that barely generates fatigue.
• Good soundstage and instrumental separation.
• Only available with a 3.5 mm connector, and there is no modular option either.
• Not the right model for those looking for maximum technical performance.
• Its relaxed presentation may seem unimpressive during the first few listening sessions.

Specifications

• Three-driver hybrid configuration.
• 1 beryllium-coated dynamic driver for bass.
• 1 balanced armature driver for mids.
• 1 piezoelectric driver for treble.
• Resin shells manufactured using 3D printing.
• Detachable cable with 0.78 mm 2-pin connection.
• 3.5 mm connector.
• High sensitivity and low impedance.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more natural presentation when I am at home but not necessarily sitting in front of the PC.

Unboxing and build

It gives the impression that KBear has paid attention to small details like the box design, the organization of the accessories, and the overall presentation of the product. I found it curious to see the IEMs at the top inside their foam mold, underneath the typical box where the case with the accessories usually goes, but additionally a second box that occupies the entire left side from bottom to top where the eartips have been included. It is a simple design decision but one that I do not remember seeing until now. It is something totally irrelevant but it deserved its own mention.

The included cable has a 3.5 mm termination. I have not seen them offer a 4.4 mm option, which is my standard choice and that of many people, nor is the cable modular. This is something we already see implemented by many other brands at these prices and even lower, but in the end, each brand has its criteria and its reasons. We have a carrying case with enough space inside, a cleaning cloth, the usual documentation, and a fairly generous assortment of eartips. In fact, this last point seemed like one of the surprises of the package. Besides including several sizes, KBear incorporates some original TRI Clarion, something unusual in this price range that allows you to start playing with the tuning without having to buy additional eartips. I already have several sets of Clarions in my collection so this has not brought me anything new, but someone starting out in this hobby will surely appreciate them for this and future IEMs.

I have not missed the opportunity to try from my own repertoire of eartips looking for which ones give me a better seal or modify certain aspects of the original sound signature. The Divinus Velvet Wide were the ones that convinced me the most to add a little more body to the bass and slightly smooth the treble part, while the TRI Clarion are still my recommendation for those who want to gain some sense of width and a slightly more obvious instrumental separation. As a third alternative, I also liked the Dunu S&S, especially because they improve the seal more than the other two and manage to give the sub-bass a bit more presence without altering the rest of the tuning too much.

The shells use a resin housing manufactured via 3D printing and are surprisingly compact for a three-driver hybrid configuration. They do not have uncomfortable shapes, the weight is very well distributed, and during all the tests I noticed practically no driver flex when putting them on. This is something that brands are taking care of more and more, since it was more common 1 or 2 years ago and now it is barely happening to me, and that is a plus for everyone. The isolation is typical of a universal IEM. It reduces outside noise quite well, although some ambient sound still gets in, which is completely normal in this type of design.

Aesthetically they also left a good impression on me. My unit uses a combination of blue, purple, and reddish tones with shiny embedded gems. These IEMs are inspired, according to KBear, by the nine-colored deer from the Dunhuang murals. There is another more colorful version, very different from this one, that you will surely see in other reviews. In person they have much more presence than in the promotional photographs and convey the feeling of a very well-finished product.

Sound

Bass

From the very first listen I had the feeling that KBear had tuned the bass quite smartly. They did not look for a disproportionate amount of low frequencies, but they are not at the opposite extreme of sounding too light either. There is enough presence for the music to have weight, although always from a fairly balanced perspective at all times.

There is a slight priority towards the sub-bass, something that is especially noticeable when the recording contains information in that area. The beryllium-coated dynamic driver responds with quite a bit of control and maintains a good texture even when several instruments share the spotlight. Honestly, when I read the word beryllium I usually relax because it is a material that I have always liked when implemented in IEMs in these ranges.

Another detail that I liked was the decay time of the notes. The bass has enough duration to convey body and naturalness, but it disappears before invading the next note or sound. Although I love models that extend the bass rumble, there is always the risk that it lasts too long and starts to cover up other sounds. That makes the listening experience less fun, but in exchange we get greater clarity, which in the long run is what we should prioritize.

It does not reach the physical impact of models clearly oriented towards a more fun tuning, like for example the Juzear Fiesta that I also reviewed not long ago. However, precisely that balance makes it work very well with practically any musical genre. As the days went by, I ended up appreciating that consistency much more than a punchy bass during the first few hours of listening.

Mids

If I had to point out the section that best represents the personality of the Kalideer, it would probably be the mids. Not because they clearly stand out over the rest of the frequencies, but because everything maintains a coherence that is very unusual in this price range. There is no feeling that the bass pushes too much or that the treble tries to steal the spotlight. Everything occupies its proper place within the mix.

Male vocals are, in my experience, the great beneficiaries of this tuning. They have a very pleasant body, good presence, and a sense of solidity that makes them especially convincing. Female vocals still maintain clarity and good articulation, although they are perceived as lighter next to the male ones. At no time did I get the feeling that they were recessed, it simply seems that the Kalideer favors a bit more that lower part of the mids where many male voices tend to rest.

The guitars also left me with very good impressions. Both electric and acoustic guitar sounds were full-bodied and had a lot of texture but neither was too bright or had an overly thin tone characteristic of many other IEMs tuned on the bright side. There also was some air/space around each instrument as well which seemed to help make the chord progression move a little better and allowed for more enjoyable listening experiences when listening to the music. It is that specific touch that gives a special point to this model in this frequency range.

Treble

The piezoelectric driver provides enough extension to convey a sense of air and recover a good amount of information, but without resorting to an excess of brightness to fake a superior resolution. This was something I initially feared would happen, as my experience with piezoelectrics has not quite clicked yet, being in fact to date the type of driver I like the least for treble. To my surprise, in the Kalideer they have managed to implement it in a way that does not sound excessive or too bright.

What convinced me the most was the way KBear has slightly rounded the highest peaks. This does not mean that the treble is muted, but rather that the notes finish in a smoother way, avoiding that sharp feeling that ends up tiring you in long listening sessions and that, as I just said, I have experienced with this type of drivers before.

However, this decision has a consequence. In especially fast recordings or those with a lot of information concentrated in the treble, the Kalideer does not convey the same sense of speed as clearly more technical models. You can tell that it prioritizes a relaxed presentation over an extremely fast response.

Personally, I think it is a pretty smart compromise because it makes the Kalideer a very forgiving IEM even with recordings that would normally be somewhat aggressive. After several hours of listening I barely experienced any listener fatigue, something I consider one of its greatest virtues and I think is essential for many people who doubt its piezoelectric driver when deciding on them.

Soundstage

The soundstage offers a fairly natural representation of space. Being more specific, one could say that where it stands out the most is in its depth. There is a clear sense of different layers within the mix and that helps a lot for the instruments to maintain a certain distance from each other. That distribution makes the music breathe quite easily and conveys a very pleasant sense of realism.

The width is also good and never feels claustrophobic, although perhaps it is in height where this model falls a bit behind. It is not the largest stage I have heard in this price range, but it is one of the most coherent.

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation in these Kalideer I would say is the best achieved technical aspect of the three. Even when several guitars, keyboards, and ambient effects appear working at the same time, the Kalideer manages to maintain quite a bit of air between all of them. In all the sessions where I have tested them, I have never had the feeling that the instruments ended up losing definition.

The interesting thing is that this separation does not seem forced, as that is something I notice quite quickly and makes me think that the overall package has been left somewhat unbalanced. Here everything stays tied together in a much more natural way, something that I personally ended up preferring after many hours of listening.

I think that within its category it offers a quite convincing and very balanced technical performance.

Imaging

Regarding imaging, lateral movements are fluid and easy to follow, while small effects and secondary sounds are placed with quite a bit of precision within the stage.

I would not say that it is an IEM designed specifically for competitive video games, something I also thought about the Explorer that I mentioned at the beginning of the review. These types of tunings that seek to be somewhat more relaxed are not going to give you that extra or highly refined detail to locate the sounds around you with maximum precision. However, when listening to music it conveys a consistent localization and a very credible sense of positioning, obviously without being annoying in the long run in exchange for not being the most precise.

Comparisons

Aful Explorer

The Explorer goes for a slightly warmer and more relaxed tuning, with a slightly more present bass and vocals that convey a more enveloping feeling. It is a particularly pleasant IEM for long sessions, although the Kalideer seems a bit more balanced across all frequencies and offers a slightly more open stage. If you are looking for a very warm sound, the Explorer will probably still be a great option that might be slightly ahead in terms of fun despite having a very close tuning. But if you listen to very different genres and prefer more versatile behavior, I would end up choosing the Kalideer.

Simgot EW300 DSP

The EW300 DSP offers a much more energetic presentation and a superior sense of detail, especially using the DSP cable. Its treble has more prominence and it conveys a more immediate response. It is a clear example that piezoelectrics have to be tamed correctly or they can be somewhat more aggressive than one can tolerate. The Kalideer takes the opposite path. Its sound is more relaxed, easier to listen to for hours, and maintains a very successful balance between musicality and technical capability. If you are looking for excitement from the first listen, being able to change the nozzle to slightly alter the signature, or a more robust finish, the Simgot will probably catch your attention more. Valuing long-term comfort, the Kalideer ends up being a more solid bet as long as you listen to a variety of musical styles.

Twistura Beta

The Twistura Beta clearly goes for a more fun experience. It is a somewhat more expensive model but compensates by offering a better case, more interchangeable nozzles than the Simgot I just compared, and also a much more durable finish, this time with a modular cable. The bass has a greater sense of impact and is somewhat more spectacular during the first few minutes. However, that personality also makes it a more specific IEM for certain genres. The Kalideer, instead, offers a much more uniform and consistent tuning. It does not stand out in a single area, but rather performs correctly with practically any musical style.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After living with the KBear Kalideer for a few days, I think its greatest virtue lies precisely in everything it does not try to do. It does not impress with exaggerated bass, it does not offer extremely bright treble to fake more detail. It simply goes for a very well-balanced tuning, with a slight warm touch and a relaxed presentation that invites you to keep listening to music for hours.

The funny thing is that, despite this very comfortable philosophy, it does not give up a more than competent technical level. The instrumental separation, the soundstage, and the detail retrieval are clearly above what I expected when I started testing it. Obviously there are more specialized alternatives if you are looking for maximum technical performance or a much more striking tuning, so I am not going to tell you that it is the best overall for this price unless you want something relaxed but with personality and suitable for practically everything.

Purchase link: KeepHifi 

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by KeepHifi for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Hello everyone! I am going to close the month of June with a recent release from the brand KBEAR, a product sent by Keephifi. Curiously, this is the store with which I started my transition to written reviews, since I came from YouTube and it was the KZ Taurus a few months ago that started this streak of reviews in written format on social networks and forums.

Therefore, I am grateful again to resume contact with them and to have another KBEAR in my hands. Previously on YouTube I was able to review the KBEAR KB02, so these will be the second ones from the brand.

Regarding the Kalideer, I must say upfront that they do not stand out in one specific aspect. They are not the most technical, nor the most spectacular, nor the ones that will surprise you as soon as you put them on. What they achieve is much more complicated. Everything is very well integrated, no frequency tries to impose itself over the others, and that makes it an extremely easy IEM to enjoy for hours. This is something that I curiously felt recently in the review of the Aful Explorer that I just finished and you can check on my profile. It might seem silly, but when an IEM achieves that, it usually means that the tuning is really well thought out and balanced right at its sweet spot.

What I like / What I don't like

• Excellent build quality for its price range.
• Very comfortable after several hours.
• Good assortment of eartips.
• Balanced tuning with a slight warm touch.
• Bass with good depth and very good control.
• Natural and pleasant mids.
• Smooth treble that barely generates fatigue.
• Good soundstage and instrumental separation.
• Only available with a 3.5 mm connector, and there is no modular option either.
• Not the right model for those looking for maximum technical performance.
• Its relaxed presentation may seem unimpressive during the first few listening sessions.

Specifications

• Three-driver hybrid configuration.
• 1 beryllium-coated dynamic driver for bass.
• 1 balanced armature driver for mids.
• 1 piezoelectric driver for treble.
• Resin shells manufactured using 3D printing.
• Detachable cable with 0.78 mm 2-pin connection.
• 3.5 mm connector.
• High sensitivity and low impedance.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more natural presentation when I am at home but not necessarily sitting in front of the PC.

Unboxing and build

It gives the impression that KBear has paid attention to small details like the box design, the organization of the accessories, and the overall presentation of the product. I found it curious to see the IEMs at the top inside their foam mold, underneath the typical box where the case with the accessories usually goes, but additionally a second box that occupies the entire left side from bottom to top where the eartips have been included. It is a simple design decision but one that I do not remember seeing until now. It is something totally irrelevant but it deserved its own mention.

The included cable has a 3.5 mm termination. I have not seen them offer a 4.4 mm option, which is my standard choice and that of many people, nor is the cable modular. This is something we already see implemented by many other brands at these prices and even lower, but in the end, each brand has its criteria and its reasons. We have a carrying case with enough space inside, a cleaning cloth, the usual documentation, and a fairly generous assortment of eartips. In fact, this last point seemed like one of the surprises of the package. Besides including several sizes, KBear incorporates some original TRI Clarion, something unusual in this price range that allows you to start playing with the tuning without having to buy additional eartips. I already have several sets of Clarions in my collection so this has not brought me anything new, but someone starting out in this hobby will surely appreciate them for this and future IEMs.

I have not missed the opportunity to try from my own repertoire of eartips looking for which ones give me a better seal or modify certain aspects of the original sound signature. The Divinus Velvet Wide were the ones that convinced me the most to add a little more body to the bass and slightly smooth the treble part, while the TRI Clarion are still my recommendation for those who want to gain some sense of width and a slightly more obvious instrumental separation. As a third alternative, I also liked the Dunu S&S, especially because they improve the seal more than the other two and manage to give the sub-bass a bit more presence without altering the rest of the tuning too much.

The shells use a resin housing manufactured via 3D printing and are surprisingly compact for a three-driver hybrid configuration. They do not have uncomfortable shapes, the weight is very well distributed, and during all the tests I noticed practically no driver flex when putting them on. This is something that brands are taking care of more and more, since it was more common 1 or 2 years ago and now it is barely happening to me, and that is a plus for everyone. The isolation is typical of a universal IEM. It reduces outside noise quite well, although some ambient sound still gets in, which is completely normal in this type of design.

Aesthetically they also left a good impression on me. My unit uses a combination of blue, purple, and reddish tones with shiny embedded gems. These IEMs are inspired, according to KBear, by the nine-colored deer from the Dunhuang murals. There is another more colorful version, very different from this one, that you will surely see in other reviews. In person they have much more presence than in the promotional photographs and convey the feeling of a very well-finished product.

Sound

Bass

From the very first listen I had the feeling that KBear had tuned the bass quite smartly. They did not look for a disproportionate amount of low frequencies, but they are not at the opposite extreme of sounding too light either. There is enough presence for the music to have weight, although always from a fairly balanced perspective at all times.

There is a slight priority towards the sub-bass, something that is especially noticeable when the recording contains information in that area. The beryllium-coated dynamic driver responds with quite a bit of control and maintains a good texture even when several instruments share the spotlight. Honestly, when I read the word beryllium I usually relax because it is a material that I have always liked when implemented in IEMs in these ranges.

Another detail that I liked was the decay time of the notes. The bass has enough duration to convey body and naturalness, but it disappears before invading the next note or sound. Although I love models that extend the bass rumble, there is always the risk that it lasts too long and starts to cover up other sounds. That makes the listening experience less fun, but in exchange we get greater clarity, which in the long run is what we should prioritize.

It does not reach the physical impact of models clearly oriented towards a more fun tuning, like for example the Juzear Fiesta that I also reviewed not long ago. However, precisely that balance makes it work very well with practically any musical genre. As the days went by, I ended up appreciating that consistency much more than a punchy bass during the first few hours of listening.

Mids

If I had to point out the section that best represents the personality of the Kalideer, it would probably be the mids. Not because they clearly stand out over the rest of the frequencies, but because everything maintains a coherence that is very unusual in this price range. There is no feeling that the bass pushes too much or that the treble tries to steal the spotlight. Everything occupies its proper place within the mix.

Male vocals are, in my experience, the great beneficiaries of this tuning. They have a very pleasant body, good presence, and a sense of solidity that makes them especially convincing. Female vocals still maintain clarity and good articulation, although they are perceived as lighter next to the male ones. At no time did I get the feeling that they were recessed, it simply seems that the Kalideer favors a bit more that lower part of the mids where many male voices tend to rest.

The guitars also left me with very good impressions. Both electric and acoustic guitar sounds were full-bodied and had a lot of texture but neither was too bright or had an overly thin tone characteristic of many other IEMs tuned on the bright side. There also was some air/space around each instrument as well which seemed to help make the chord progression move a little better and allowed for more enjoyable listening experiences when listening to the music. It is that specific touch that gives a special point to this model in this frequency range.

Treble

The piezoelectric driver provides enough extension to convey a sense of air and recover a good amount of information, but without resorting to an excess of brightness to fake a superior resolution. This was something I initially feared would happen, as my experience with piezoelectrics has not quite clicked yet, being in fact to date the type of driver I like the least for treble. To my surprise, in the Kalideer they have managed to implement it in a way that does not sound excessive or too bright.

What convinced me the most was the way KBear has slightly rounded the highest peaks. This does not mean that the treble is muted, but rather that the notes finish in a smoother way, avoiding that sharp feeling that ends up tiring you in long listening sessions and that, as I just said, I have experienced with this type of drivers before.

However, this decision has a consequence. In especially fast recordings or those with a lot of information concentrated in the treble, the Kalideer does not convey the same sense of speed as clearly more technical models. You can tell that it prioritizes a relaxed presentation over an extremely fast response.

Personally, I think it is a pretty smart compromise because it makes the Kalideer a very forgiving IEM even with recordings that would normally be somewhat aggressive. After several hours of listening I barely experienced any listener fatigue, something I consider one of its greatest virtues and I think is essential for many people who doubt its piezoelectric driver when deciding on them.

Soundstage

The soundstage offers a fairly natural representation of space. Being more specific, one could say that where it stands out the most is in its depth. There is a clear sense of different layers within the mix and that helps a lot for the instruments to maintain a certain distance from each other. That distribution makes the music breathe quite easily and conveys a very pleasant sense of realism.

The width is also good and never feels claustrophobic, although perhaps it is in height where this model falls a bit behind. It is not the largest stage I have heard in this price range, but it is one of the most coherent.

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation in these Kalideer I would say is the best achieved technical aspect of the three. Even when several guitars, keyboards, and ambient effects appear working at the same time, the Kalideer manages to maintain quite a bit of air between all of them. In all the sessions where I have tested them, I have never had the feeling that the instruments ended up losing definition.

The interesting thing is that this separation does not seem forced, as that is something I notice quite quickly and makes me think that the overall package has been left somewhat unbalanced. Here everything stays tied together in a much more natural way, something that I personally ended up preferring after many hours of listening.

I think that within its category it offers a quite convincing and very balanced technical performance.

Imaging

Regarding imaging, lateral movements are fluid and easy to follow, while small effects and secondary sounds are placed with quite a bit of precision within the stage.

I would not say that it is an IEM designed specifically for competitive video games, something I also thought about the Explorer that I mentioned at the beginning of the review. These types of tunings that seek to be somewhat more relaxed are not going to give you that extra or highly refined detail to locate the sounds around you with maximum precision. However, when listening to music it conveys a consistent localization and a very credible sense of positioning, obviously without being annoying in the long run in exchange for not being the most precise.

Comparisons

Aful Explorer

The Explorer goes for a slightly warmer and more relaxed tuning, with a slightly more present bass and vocals that convey a more enveloping feeling. It is a particularly pleasant IEM for long sessions, although the Kalideer seems a bit more balanced across all frequencies and offers a slightly more open stage. If you are looking for a very warm sound, the Explorer will probably still be a great option that might be slightly ahead in terms of fun despite having a very close tuning. But if you listen to very different genres and prefer more versatile behavior, I would end up choosing the Kalideer.

Simgot EW300 DSP

The EW300 DSP offers a much more energetic presentation and a superior sense of detail, especially using the DSP cable. Its treble has more prominence and it conveys a more immediate response. It is a clear example that piezoelectrics have to be tamed correctly or they can be somewhat more aggressive than one can tolerate. The Kalideer takes the opposite path. Its sound is more relaxed, easier to listen to for hours, and maintains a very successful balance between musicality and technical capability. If you are looking for excitement from the first listen, being able to change the nozzle to slightly alter the signature, or a more robust finish, the Simgot will probably catch your attention more. Valuing long-term comfort, the Kalideer ends up being a more solid bet as long as you listen to a variety of musical styles.

Twistura Beta

The Twistura Beta clearly goes for a more fun experience. It is a somewhat more expensive model but compensates by offering a better case, more interchangeable nozzles than the Simgot I just compared, and also a much more durable finish, this time with a modular cable. The bass has a greater sense of impact and is somewhat more spectacular during the first few minutes. However, that personality also makes it a more specific IEM for certain genres. The Kalideer, instead, offers a much more uniform and consistent tuning. It does not stand out in a single area, but rather performs correctly with practically any musical style.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After living with the KBear Kalideer for a few days, I think its greatest virtue lies precisely in everything it does not try to do. It does not impress with exaggerated bass, it does not offer extremely bright treble to fake more detail. It simply goes for a very well-balanced tuning, with a slight warm touch and a relaxed presentation that invites you to keep listening to music for hours.

The funny thing is that, despite this very comfortable philosophy, it does not give up a more than competent technical level. The instrumental separation, the soundstage, and the detail retrieval are clearly above what I expected when I started testing it. Obviously there are more specialized alternatives if you are looking for maximum technical performance or a much more striking tuning, so I am not going to tell you that it is the best overall for this price unless you want something relaxed but with personality and suitable for practically everything.

Purchase link: KeepHifi 

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by KeepHifi for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Hello everyone! I am going to close the month of June with a recent release from the brand KBEAR, a product sent by Keephifi. Curiously, this is the store with which I started my transition to written reviews, since I came from YouTube and it was the KZ Taurus a few months ago that started this streak of reviews in written format on social networks and forums.

Therefore, I am grateful again to resume contact with them and to have another KBEAR in my hands. Previously on YouTube I was able to review the KBEAR KB02, so these will be the second ones from the brand.

Regarding the Kalideer, I must say upfront that they do not stand out in one specific aspect. They are not the most technical, nor the most spectacular, nor the ones that will surprise you as soon as you put them on. What they achieve is much more complicated. Everything is very well integrated, no frequency tries to impose itself over the others, and that makes it an extremely easy IEM to enjoy for hours. This is something that I curiously felt recently in the review of the Aful Explorer that I just finished and you can check on my profile. It might seem silly, but when an IEM achieves that, it usually means that the tuning is really well thought out and balanced right at its sweet spot.

What I like / What I don't like

• Excellent build quality for its price range.
• Very comfortable after several hours.
• Good assortment of eartips.
• Balanced tuning with a slight warm touch.
• Bass with good depth and very good control.
• Natural and pleasant mids.
• Smooth treble that barely generates fatigue.
• Good soundstage and instrumental separation.
• Only available with a 3.5 mm connector, and there is no modular option either.
• Not the right model for those looking for maximum technical performance.
• Its relaxed presentation may seem unimpressive during the first few listening sessions.

Specifications

• Three-driver hybrid configuration.
• 1 beryllium-coated dynamic driver for bass.
• 1 balanced armature driver for mids.
• 1 piezoelectric driver for treble.
• Resin shells manufactured using 3D printing.
• Detachable cable with 0.78 mm 2-pin connection.
• 3.5 mm connector.
• High sensitivity and low impedance.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more natural presentation when I am at home but not necessarily sitting in front of the PC.

Unboxing and build

It gives the impression that KBear has paid attention to small details like the box design, the organization of the accessories, and the overall presentation of the product. I found it curious to see the IEMs at the top inside their foam mold, underneath the typical box where the case with the accessories usually goes, but additionally a second box that occupies the entire left side from bottom to top where the eartips have been included. It is a simple design decision but one that I do not remember seeing until now. It is something totally irrelevant but it deserved its own mention.

The included cable has a 3.5 mm termination. I have not seen them offer a 4.4 mm option, which is my standard choice and that of many people, nor is the cable modular. This is something we already see implemented by many other brands at these prices and even lower, but in the end, each brand has its criteria and its reasons. We have a carrying case with enough space inside, a cleaning cloth, the usual documentation, and a fairly generous assortment of eartips. In fact, this last point seemed like one of the surprises of the package. Besides including several sizes, KBear incorporates some original TRI Clarion, something unusual in this price range that allows you to start playing with the tuning without having to buy additional eartips. I already have several sets of Clarions in my collection so this has not brought me anything new, but someone starting out in this hobby will surely appreciate them for this and future IEMs.

I have not missed the opportunity to try from my own repertoire of eartips looking for which ones give me a better seal or modify certain aspects of the original sound signature. The Divinus Velvet Wide were the ones that convinced me the most to add a little more body to the bass and slightly smooth the treble part, while the TRI Clarion are still my recommendation for those who want to gain some sense of width and a slightly more obvious instrumental separation. As a third alternative, I also liked the Dunu S&S, especially because they improve the seal more than the other two and manage to give the sub-bass a bit more presence without altering the rest of the tuning too much.

The shells use a resin housing manufactured via 3D printing and are surprisingly compact for a three-driver hybrid configuration. They do not have uncomfortable shapes, the weight is very well distributed, and during all the tests I noticed practically no driver flex when putting them on. This is something that brands are taking care of more and more, since it was more common 1 or 2 years ago and now it is barely happening to me, and that is a plus for everyone. The isolation is typical of a universal IEM. It reduces outside noise quite well, although some ambient sound still gets in, which is completely normal in this type of design.

Aesthetically they also left a good impression on me. My unit uses a combination of blue, purple, and reddish tones with shiny embedded gems. These IEMs are inspired, according to KBear, by the nine-colored deer from the Dunhuang murals. There is another more colorful version, very different from this one, that you will surely see in other reviews. In person they have much more presence than in the promotional photographs and convey the feeling of a very well-finished product.

Sound

Bass

From the very first listen I had the feeling that KBear had tuned the bass quite smartly. They did not look for a disproportionate amount of low frequencies, but they are not at the opposite extreme of sounding too light either. There is enough presence for the music to have weight, although always from a fairly balanced perspective at all times.

There is a slight priority towards the sub-bass, something that is especially noticeable when the recording contains information in that area. The beryllium-coated dynamic driver responds with quite a bit of control and maintains a good texture even when several instruments share the spotlight. Honestly, when I read the word beryllium I usually relax because it is a material that I have always liked when implemented in IEMs in these ranges.

Another detail that I liked was the decay time of the notes. The bass has enough duration to convey body and naturalness, but it disappears before invading the next note or sound. Although I love models that extend the bass rumble, there is always the risk that it lasts too long and starts to cover up other sounds. That makes the listening experience less fun, but in exchange we get greater clarity, which in the long run is what we should prioritize.

It does not reach the physical impact of models clearly oriented towards a more fun tuning, like for example the Juzear Fiesta that I also reviewed not long ago. However, precisely that balance makes it work very well with practically any musical genre. As the days went by, I ended up appreciating that consistency much more than a punchy bass during the first few hours of listening.

Mids

If I had to point out the section that best represents the personality of the Kalideer, it would probably be the mids. Not because they clearly stand out over the rest of the frequencies, but because everything maintains a coherence that is very unusual in this price range. There is no feeling that the bass pushes too much or that the treble tries to steal the spotlight. Everything occupies its proper place within the mix.

Male vocals are, in my experience, the great beneficiaries of this tuning. They have a very pleasant body, good presence, and a sense of solidity that makes them especially convincing. Female vocals still maintain clarity and good articulation, although they are perceived as lighter next to the male ones. At no time did I get the feeling that they were recessed, it simply seems that the Kalideer favors a bit more that lower part of the mids where many male voices tend to rest.

The guitars also left me with very good impressions. Both electric and acoustic guitar sounds were full-bodied and had a lot of texture but neither was too bright or had an overly thin tone characteristic of many other IEMs tuned on the bright side. There also was some air/space around each instrument as well which seemed to help make the chord progression move a little better and allowed for more enjoyable listening experiences when listening to the music. It is that specific touch that gives a special point to this model in this frequency range.

Treble

The piezoelectric driver provides enough extension to convey a sense of air and recover a good amount of information, but without resorting to an excess of brightness to fake a superior resolution. This was something I initially feared would happen, as my experience with piezoelectrics has not quite clicked yet, being in fact to date the type of driver I like the least for treble. To my surprise, in the Kalideer they have managed to implement it in a way that does not sound excessive or too bright.

What convinced me the most was the way KBear has slightly rounded the highest peaks. This does not mean that the treble is muted, but rather that the notes finish in a smoother way, avoiding that sharp feeling that ends up tiring you in long listening sessions and that, as I just said, I have experienced with this type of drivers before.

However, this decision has a consequence. In especially fast recordings or those with a lot of information concentrated in the treble, the Kalideer does not convey the same sense of speed as clearly more technical models. You can tell that it prioritizes a relaxed presentation over an extremely fast response.

Personally, I think it is a pretty smart compromise because it makes the Kalideer a very forgiving IEM even with recordings that would normally be somewhat aggressive. After several hours of listening I barely experienced any listener fatigue, something I consider one of its greatest virtues and I think is essential for many people who doubt its piezoelectric driver when deciding on them.

Soundstage

The soundstage offers a fairly natural representation of space. Being more specific, one could say that where it stands out the most is in its depth. There is a clear sense of different layers within the mix and that helps a lot for the instruments to maintain a certain distance from each other. That distribution makes the music breathe quite easily and conveys a very pleasant sense of realism.

The width is also good and never feels claustrophobic, although perhaps it is in height where this model falls a bit behind. It is not the largest stage I have heard in this price range, but it is one of the most coherent.

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation in these Kalideer I would say is the best achieved technical aspect of the three. Even when several guitars, keyboards, and ambient effects appear working at the same time, the Kalideer manages to maintain quite a bit of air between all of them. In all the sessions where I have tested them, I have never had the feeling that the instruments ended up losing definition.

The interesting thing is that this separation does not seem forced, as that is something I notice quite quickly and makes me think that the overall package has been left somewhat unbalanced. Here everything stays tied together in a much more natural way, something that I personally ended up preferring after many hours of listening.

I think that within its category it offers a quite convincing and very balanced technical performance.

Imaging

Regarding imaging, lateral movements are fluid and easy to follow, while small effects and secondary sounds are placed with quite a bit of precision within the stage.

I would not say that it is an IEM designed specifically for competitive video games, something I also thought about the Explorer that I mentioned at the beginning of the review. These types of tunings that seek to be somewhat more relaxed are not going to give you that extra or highly refined detail to locate the sounds around you with maximum precision. However, when listening to music it conveys a consistent localization and a very credible sense of positioning, obviously without being annoying in the long run in exchange for not being the most precise.

Comparisons

Aful Explorer

The Explorer goes for a slightly warmer and more relaxed tuning, with a slightly more present bass and vocals that convey a more enveloping feeling. It is a particularly pleasant IEM for long sessions, although the Kalideer seems a bit more balanced across all frequencies and offers a slightly more open stage. If you are looking for a very warm sound, the Explorer will probably still be a great option that might be slightly ahead in terms of fun despite having a very close tuning. But if you listen to very different genres and prefer more versatile behavior, I would end up choosing the Kalideer.

Simgot EW300 DSP

The EW300 DSP offers a much more energetic presentation and a superior sense of detail, especially using the DSP cable. Its treble has more prominence and it conveys a more immediate response. It is a clear example that piezoelectrics have to be tamed correctly or they can be somewhat more aggressive than one can tolerate. The Kalideer takes the opposite path. Its sound is more relaxed, easier to listen to for hours, and maintains a very successful balance between musicality and technical capability. If you are looking for excitement from the first listen, being able to change the nozzle to slightly alter the signature, or a more robust finish, the Simgot will probably catch your attention more. Valuing long-term comfort, the Kalideer ends up being a more solid bet as long as you listen to a variety of musical styles.

Twistura Beta

The Twistura Beta clearly goes for a more fun experience. It is a somewhat more expensive model but compensates by offering a better case, more interchangeable nozzles than the Simgot I just compared, and also a much more durable finish, this time with a modular cable. The bass has a greater sense of impact and is somewhat more spectacular during the first few minutes. However, that personality also makes it a more specific IEM for certain genres. The Kalideer, instead, offers a much more uniform and consistent tuning. It does not stand out in a single area, but rather performs correctly with practically any musical style.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

After living with the KBear Kalideer for a few days, I think its greatest virtue lies precisely in everything it does not try to do. It does not impress with exaggerated bass, it does not offer extremely bright treble to fake more detail. It simply goes for a very well-balanced tuning, with a slight warm touch and a relaxed presentation that invites you to keep listening to music for hours.

The funny thing is that, despite this very comfortable philosophy, it does not give up a more than competent technical level. The instrumental separation, the soundstage, and the detail retrieval are clearly above what I expected when I started testing it. Obviously there are more specialized alternatives if you are looking for maximum technical performance or a much more striking tuning, so I am not going to tell you that it is the best overall for this price unless you want something relaxed but with personality and suitable for practically everything.

Purchase link: KeepHifi

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by KeepHifi for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Little by little I am getting more into the Aful brand. I think I already mentioned it in another review, but the first review I did when I decided to start with this was of the Aful Magic One. This is a model that by the way has already been discontinued, although its successor seems to be close to coming out and I am looking forward to seeing what they offer. Another model that always caught my attention within the 100 $ range was the Explorer. These are IEMs that, far from being discontinued, seem to still give people a lot to talk about. Every week there is a day or two where I see a post from someone talking about them, and always in a positive way. Because of this, I did not want to miss the opportunity to try them out and give my own conclusions...

In my experience, the Explorer is not a model that impressed me during the first few minutes. In fact, some might initially think it lacks a bit of energy compared to other more aggressive proposals. But as the hours passed I began to understand the idea behind its tuning. It offers a relaxed listening experience with generous bass, free of fatigue, and a very pleasant presentation for long sessions.

Its goal seems much simpler: to make you want to keep listening to music for hours, and believe me, it achieves it...

You can also check out a quicker, more laid-back video review of the Explorer on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wyAH24Lbmw

What I like / What I don't like

• Deep bass with good texture and very well controlled.
• Excellent comfort.
• Really attractive design.
• High level build quality.
• Smooth treble but with enough detail.
• Relaxed listening for hours.
• Vocals could be slightly more forward.
• The soundstage is not a reference in its category.
• Lovers of bright tunings will find something missing.
• Not the most impressive IEM during the first listens.

Specifications

• Hybrid configuration of 1 dynamic driver + 2 balanced armatures.
• 8 mm dynamic driver with biocellulose diaphragm.
• Balanced armatures developed by Aful.
• 3D Pressure Balancing technology.
• Multi-layered Electronic Crossover.
• RCL Net Frequency Division Technology.
• High Damping Air Pressure Balancing System.
• Microresonator Technology.
• Impedance: 26 Ω.
• Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW.
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 30 kHz.
• 0.78 mm 2-pin connector.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15. This makes it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

The Explorer's presentation is simple but well executed. The box shows a space-inspired theme. This sounded familiar from having previously reviewed the Performer 8S which in that case was based on the planet Jupiter. Upon opening it we find the IEMs on a fairly soft foam at the same height as the case. This is a solution that I personally like more than some rigid cardboard supports used by other brands or very dense foams where it is hard to get the IEMs out later.

The remaining contents inside the case are the cable, in my case 4.4mm (my preferred option whenever available), and three sets of silicone eartips in different sizes. The stock eartips are surprisingly competent and many will probably not feel the need to change them immediately, something that does not usually happen most of the time.

The shells are manufactured using 3D resin printing and feature a combination of blue tones with a visual effect inspired by a starry sky. I have tried to show them as best as possible in my photos, but in hand the finish looks even better.

The ergonomics are very well achieved. They are light, quite compact, and adapt easily to my ear. After several hours of listening they have not caused me any discomfort.

The nozzle is integrated into the shell and allows you to attach eartips quite easily. Although there is no lip at the end of the nozzle, I have not had any problems with the eartips slowly sliding out until they fall off completely. Internally you can see several independent acoustic tubes looking through the nozzle. At the bottom you can see the pressure relief hole.

I quite liked the cable. I don't know if it is up to what is expected at this price point or not, but to me it has a very good appearance and manageability and fits quite well with the IEMs without being the same color. I could say, as I usually do with Aful, that it would be great to start offering modular options, since even in more expensive models like the Performer 8S or even more expensive ones like the Dawn-X they still do not offer this option. I guess it is a brand decision forcing you to choose the cable option you will use the most. To be honest, in my case the 4.4mm is already more than enough for me, but it is something to point out about the brand in general...

Sound

Well let's get to what matters, starting as always with the bass. There is an obvious elevation in the sub-bass. The extension is very good and allows for a convincing physical sensation when the song requires it. The interesting thing is that it does not just offer quantity. There is also a quite refined texture to differentiate different layers within the low frequencies. Instruments like electric basses and synthesizers benefit especially from this tuning. As I have been able to verify during several sessions on Apple Music using the FiiO KA15 and the NiceHCK Octave, the Explorer maintains a very successful balance between impact and control. It has enough energy to be fun, but without this frequency range being the main focus.

Moving on to the mids, the vocals appear more integrated into the mix and do not constantly try to grab attention. I am convinced that people who are huge fans of vocals will notice a sort of veil or lack of detail in them with this model, especially if they come from models with more forward upper mids. In my opinion, it is simply a tuning decision aimed at reducing fatigue. Male vocals have quite a bit of body and naturalness thanks to the mid-bass. Female vocals maintain a good presence but without standing out too much. It is not a tuning designed for those looking for forward vocals. It is a tuning for those who want to listen to the whole package without any element stealing the spotlight, also allowing you to turn up the volume more than usual in a certain way.

Even being a relaxed set, the treble is better resolved than some might think. What really happens is that the highest extension is smoothed out. You can appreciate this by looking at graphs or the one I used in the review which belongs to Soundcheck39. The region still maintains enough energy to retain clarity, details, and a good perception of information. The cymbals have enough sparkle, reverberations appear where they should, and the small nuances are still easily identifiable. The difference is that nothing tries to stand out artificially. This allows you to listen to more aggressive recordings for hours without suffering fatigue, seeking to offer a balanced and comfortable experience. With the FiiO K9 and its extra power compared to my dongles, I was able to verify that the resolution remains perfectly competitive within its price range even at high volumes.

Regarding eartips, the three options that gave me the best results after trying several are the Divinus Velvet Wide, the TRI Clarion, and the Penon Liqueur Orange. The Velvet Wide help gain a bit more air and width. The TRI Clarion provide a slightly more open feel and a bit more clarity. The Penon Liqueur Orange are probably the ones that best preserve the original philosophy of the Explorer. I must emphasize this once again since it is not the first time, but they are saving me on more than one IEM. You can check my previous reviews and you will see that they end up being one of my favorite options in many cases, maintaining the weight of the bass in these Explorers and slightly improving the overall cleanness.

Soundstage

I wouldn't say this model has reached the same levels as others focused on spatiality. It doesn’t feel like a small or confining space.

It has a slight advantage over average in terms of width and is more believable to me in terms of depth. Typically, I find iem in this price range are stronger in terms of width vs. depth. However, this model presents an immersive listening experience more than an artificial extreme width.

I don’t think I'd purchase this IEM with the expectation of a giant soundstage. But, again, I also don't see it being a limiting factor for the category. So, it’s really not worth getting worked up about this point...

Instrumental Separation

The clarity of the various elements due to their relatively large spacing prevents an overwhelming amount of interference from other parts on each instrument.

Additionally, even in extremely complex, layered recordings, it will be very easy to identify the specific components of the recording as well as the various layers that have been placed into the final mix. This low energy at the higher mid frequencies is also helpful to prevent saturation when there are numerous tracks appearing at once.

While it is not as high in levels as would be typical for a warmer tuned bass guitar, it is significantly higher than most tunings that are considered warm.

Imaging

The positioning of instruments and vocals is done consistently. Live recordings, as well as movies which have an abundance of spatial data, make it simple to determine the placement of each instrument based on how it was positioned.

It exceeds my expectations for this price point. The stereo image remains constant and the placement of each instrument remains easily interpretable.

While the Explorer doesn't appear to offer anything unique compared to other speakers in this category, it still offers a very good performance. I would venture to say that it wouldn't be a recommended speaker for video game use. If any user has further tested the Explorer in video games, then they can simply disprove me by commenting and sharing their own experiences so we may all know whether you are correct.

Comparisons

Simgot SuperMix 4

The SuperMix 4 is essentially the direct opposite of the Explorer. With its focus on clearness, separation, a natural and distinct sense of vocals, and the overall openness of the soundstage, the SuperMix 4 makes the vocals seem more prominent and the treble seems louder than they do when using the Explorer. In addition, it will provide better resolution and an even more analytical presentation. However, that additional energy could make certain recordings (especially aggressive ones) as well as longer sessions more tiring to listen to. The Explorer provides more bass extension, a more relaxing way to listen to music, and clearly less listener fatigue. So, while I recommend the SuperMix 4 to those who want to analyze every recording and extract every last bit of detail, I highly recommend the Explorer to those who want to enjoy their music for hour after hour with little-to-no fatigue.

Ziigaat Doscinco

The Doscinco has a similar philosophical approach as the Explorer, but goes even further by taking the emphasis on low-end to another level. As such, its presence is very apparent from the moment it is turned on and creates an exciting sensation to listeners who appreciate music in more contemporary genres. It is however less well rounded and slightly more subjective. The Explorer has a greater ability to bring the lower frequencies together with both midrange frequencies and high frequency content, providing users with a much wider range of options when listening to various forms of music. In addition to being more integrated across the spectrum, I felt that the vocals were also more naturally placed throughout the overall system compared to those from the Doscinco. If you have a passion for the low end of music and want nothing more than to be hit with great impact then I believe the Doscinco will provide that and at an affordable cost relative to other systems available today. However, if you desire a balanced system with fun, while sacrificing some degree of bass response, I recommend choosing the Explorer.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza II

I'd say, the Cadenza II is more likely to go with a standard tuning which might be easier to simply recommend, without hearing it first, and it appears to cost less than the Explorer. The vocals seem to present better especially female and there seems to be a more neutral feel overall. This may also make the Cadenza II more appealing for consumers of a lot of music featuring vocals. The Explorer provides a very different type of experience. The bass presents with more authority, the entire system is more immersive and there's an overall sense of relaxation when listening through it. The Cadenza II would be my suggestion for the safer option of these two, whereas the Explorer is my recommendation for a more unique or characterful listen.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here).

Final thoughts

It's an IEM where the more you use it, the more you'll appreciate its design. While I wrote earlier you won't immediately fall in love with it, as has been my experience with all of the other products I've reviewed over the years, I do think its unique design makes for a most comfortable, warm and fun way to enjoy music.

Its bass response is great, mid-range is relaxed, and high-end is informative without being too harsh. It wouldn't be my recommendation if you are looking for extreme detail or want your vocals very up-front. However, if you like longer listening sessions and prefer a frequency response contrary to what we have seen trending lately, I do believe there is much to recommend about the Aful Explorer.

Purchase Link: https://hifigo.com/products/aful-explorer

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by HiFiGo for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Little by little I am getting more into the Aful brand. I think I already mentioned it in another review, but the first review I did when I decided to start with this was of the Aful Magic One. This is a model that by the way has already been discontinued, although its successor seems to be close to coming out and I am looking forward to seeing what they offer. Another model that always caught my attention within the 100 $ range was the Explorer. These are IEMs that, far from being discontinued, seem to still give people a lot to talk about. Every week there is a day or two where I see a post from someone talking about them, and always in a positive way. Because of this, I did not want to miss the opportunity to try them out and give my own conclusions...

In my experience, the Explorer is not a model that impressed me during the first few minutes. In fact, some might initially think it lacks a bit of energy compared to other more aggressive proposals. But as the hours passed I began to understand the idea behind its tuning. It offers a relaxed listening experience with generous bass, free of fatigue, and a very pleasant presentation for long sessions.

Its goal seems much simpler: to make you want to keep listening to music for hours, and believe me, it achieves it...

You can also check out a quicker, more laid-back video review of the Explorer on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wyAH24Lbmw

What I like / What I don't like

• Deep bass with good texture and very well controlled.
• Excellent comfort.
• Really attractive design.
• High level build quality.
• Smooth treble but with enough detail.
• Relaxed listening for hours.
• Vocals could be slightly more forward.
• The soundstage is not a reference in its category.
• Lovers of bright tunings will find something missing.
• Not the most impressive IEM during the first listens.

Specifications

• Hybrid configuration of 1 dynamic driver + 2 balanced armatures.
• 8 mm dynamic driver with biocellulose diaphragm.
• Balanced armatures developed by Aful.
• 3D Pressure Balancing technology.
• Multi-layered Electronic Crossover.
• RCL Net Frequency Division Technology.
• High Damping Air Pressure Balancing System.
• Microresonator Technology.
• Impedance: 26 Ω.
• Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW.
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 30 kHz.
• 0.78 mm 2-pin connector.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15. This makes it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

The Explorer's presentation is simple but well executed. The box shows a space-inspired theme. This sounded familiar from having previously reviewed the Performer 8S which in that case was based on the planet Jupiter. Upon opening it we find the IEMs on a fairly soft foam at the same height as the case. This is a solution that I personally like more than some rigid cardboard supports used by other brands or very dense foams where it is hard to get the IEMs out later.

The remaining contents inside the case are the cable, in my case 4.4mm (my preferred option whenever available), and three sets of silicone eartips in different sizes. The stock eartips are surprisingly competent and many will probably not feel the need to change them immediately, something that does not usually happen most of the time.

The shells are manufactured using 3D resin printing and feature a combination of blue tones with a visual effect inspired by a starry sky. I have tried to show them as best as possible in my photos, but in hand the finish looks even better.

The ergonomics are very well achieved. They are light, quite compact, and adapt easily to my ear. After several hours of listening they have not caused me any discomfort.

The nozzle is integrated into the shell and allows you to attach eartips quite easily. Although there is no lip at the end of the nozzle, I have not had any problems with the eartips slowly sliding out until they fall off completely. Internally you can see several independent acoustic tubes looking through the nozzle. At the bottom you can see the pressure relief hole.

I quite liked the cable. I don't know if it is up to what is expected at this price point or not, but to me it has a very good appearance and manageability and fits quite well with the IEMs without being the same color. I could say, as I usually do with Aful, that it would be great to start offering modular options, since even in more expensive models like the Performer 8S or even more expensive ones like the Dawn-X they still do not offer this option. I guess it is a brand decision forcing you to choose the cable option you will use the most. To be honest, in my case the 4.4mm is already more than enough for me, but it is something to point out about the brand in general...

Sound

Well let's get to what matters, starting as always with the bass. There is an obvious elevation in the sub-bass. The extension is very good and allows for a convincing physical sensation when the song requires it. The interesting thing is that it does not just offer quantity. There is also a quite refined texture to differentiate different layers within the low frequencies. Instruments like electric basses and synthesizers benefit especially from this tuning. As I have been able to verify during several sessions on Apple Music using the FiiO KA15 and the NiceHCK Octave, the Explorer maintains a very successful balance between impact and control. It has enough energy to be fun, but without this frequency range being the main focus.

Moving on to the mids, the vocals appear more integrated into the mix and do not constantly try to grab attention. I am convinced that people who are huge fans of vocals will notice a sort of veil or lack of detail in them with this model, especially if they come from models with more forward upper mids. In my opinion, it is simply a tuning decision aimed at reducing fatigue. Male vocals have quite a bit of body and naturalness thanks to the mid-bass. Female vocals maintain a good presence but without standing out too much. It is not a tuning designed for those looking for forward vocals. It is a tuning for those who want to listen to the whole package without any element stealing the spotlight, also allowing you to turn up the volume more than usual in a certain way.

Even being a relaxed set, the treble is better resolved than some might think. What really happens is that the highest extension is smoothed out. You can appreciate this by looking at graphs or the one I used in the review which belongs to Soundcheck39. The region still maintains enough energy to retain clarity, details, and a good perception of information. The cymbals have enough sparkle, reverberations appear where they should, and the small nuances are still easily identifiable. The difference is that nothing tries to stand out artificially. This allows you to listen to more aggressive recordings for hours without suffering fatigue, seeking to offer a balanced and comfortable experience. With the FiiO K9 and its extra power compared to my dongles, I was able to verify that the resolution remains perfectly competitive within its price range even at high volumes.

Regarding eartips, the three options that gave me the best results after trying several are the Divinus Velvet Wide, the TRI Clarion, and the Penon Liqueur Orange. The Velvet Wide help gain a bit more air and width. The TRI Clarion provide a slightly more open feel and a bit more clarity. The Penon Liqueur Orange are probably the ones that best preserve the original philosophy of the Explorer. I must emphasize this once again since it is not the first time, but they are saving me on more than one IEM. You can check my previous reviews and you will see that they end up being one of my favorite options in many cases, maintaining the weight of the bass in these Explorers and slightly improving the overall cleanness.

Soundstage

I wouldn't say this model has reached the same levels as others focused on spatiality. It doesn’t feel like a small or confining space.

It has a slight advantage over average in terms of width and is more believable to me in terms of depth. Typically, I find iem in this price range are stronger in terms of width vs. depth. However, this model presents an immersive listening experience more than an artificial extreme width.

I don’t think I'd purchase this IEM with the expectation of a giant soundstage. But, again, I also don't see it being a limiting factor for the category. So, it’s really not worth getting worked up about this point...

Instrumental Separation

The clarity of the various elements due to their relatively large spacing prevents an overwhelming amount of interference from other parts on each instrument.

Additionally, even in extremely complex, layered recordings, it will be very easy to identify the specific components of the recording as well as the various layers that have been placed into the final mix. This low energy at the higher mid frequencies is also helpful to prevent saturation when there are numerous tracks appearing at once.

While it is not as high in levels as would be typical for a warmer tuned bass guitar, it is significantly higher than most tunings that are considered warm.

Imaging

The positioning of instruments and vocals is done consistently. Live recordings, as well as movies which have an abundance of spatial data, make it simple to determine the placement of each instrument based on how it was positioned.

It exceeds my expectations for this price point. The stereo image remains constant and the placement of each instrument remains easily interpretable.

While the Explorer doesn't appear to offer anything unique compared to other speakers in this category, it still offers a very good performance. I would venture to say that it wouldn't be a recommended speaker for video game use. If any user has further tested the Explorer in video games, then they can simply disprove me by commenting and sharing their own experiences so we may all know whether you are correct.

Comparisons

Simgot SuperMix 4

The SuperMix 4 is essentially the direct opposite of the Explorer. With its focus on clearness, separation, a natural and distinct sense of vocals, and the overall openness of the soundstage, the SuperMix 4 makes the vocals seem more prominent and the treble seems louder than they do when using the Explorer. In addition, it will provide better resolution and an even more analytical presentation. However, that additional energy could make certain recordings (especially aggressive ones) as well as longer sessions more tiring to listen to. The Explorer provides more bass extension, a more relaxing way to listen to music, and clearly less listener fatigue. So, while I recommend the SuperMix 4 to those who want to analyze every recording and extract every last bit of detail, I highly recommend the Explorer to those who want to enjoy their music for hour after hour with little-to-no fatigue.

Ziigaat Doscinco

The Doscinco has a similar philosophical approach as the Explorer, but goes even further by taking the emphasis on low-end to another level. As such, its presence is very apparent from the moment it is turned on and creates an exciting sensation to listeners who appreciate music in more contemporary genres. It is however less well rounded and slightly more subjective. The Explorer has a greater ability to bring the lower frequencies together with both midrange frequencies and high frequency content, providing users with a much wider range of options when listening to various forms of music. In addition to being more integrated across the spectrum, I felt that the vocals were also more naturally placed throughout the overall system compared to those from the Doscinco. If you have a passion for the low end of music and want nothing more than to be hit with great impact then I believe the Doscinco will provide that and at an affordable cost relative to other systems available today. However, if you desire a balanced system with fun, while sacrificing some degree of bass response, I recommend choosing the Explorer.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza II

I'd say, the Cadenza II is more likely to go with a standard tuning which might be easier to simply recommend, without hearing it first, and it appears to cost less than the Explorer. The vocals seem to present better especially female and there seems to be a more neutral feel overall. This may also make the Cadenza II more appealing for consumers of a lot of music featuring vocals. The Explorer provides a very different type of experience. The bass presents with more authority, the entire system is more immersive and there's an overall sense of relaxation when listening through it. The Cadenza II would be my suggestion for the safer option of these two, whereas the Explorer is my recommendation for a more unique or characterful listen.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here).

Final thoughts

It's an IEM where the more you use it, the more you'll appreciate its design. While I wrote earlier you won't immediately fall in love with it, as has been my experience with all of the other products I've reviewed over the years, I do think its unique design makes for a most comfortable, warm and fun way to enjoy music.

Its bass response is great, mid-range is relaxed, and high-end is informative without being too harsh. It wouldn't be my recommendation if you are looking for extreme detail or want your vocals very up-front. However, if you like longer listening sessions and prefer a frequency response contrary to what we have seen trending lately, I do believe there is much to recommend about the Aful Explorer.

Purchase Link: https://hifigo.com/products/aful-explorer

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by HiFiGo for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Little by little I am getting more into the Aful brand. I think I already mentioned it in another review, but the first review I did when I decided to start with this was of the Aful Magic One. This is a model that by the way has already been discontinued, although its successor seems to be close to coming out and I am looking forward to seeing what they offer. Another model that always caught my attention within the 100 $ range was the Explorer. These are IEMs that, far from being discontinued, seem to still give people a lot to talk about. Every week there is a day or two where I see a post from someone talking about them, and always in a positive way. Because of this, I did not want to miss the opportunity to try them out and give my own conclusions...

In my experience, the Explorer is not a model that impressed me during the first few minutes. In fact, some might initially think it lacks a bit of energy compared to other more aggressive proposals. But as the hours passed I began to understand the idea behind its tuning. It offers a relaxed listening experience with generous bass, free of fatigue, and a very pleasant presentation for long sessions.

Its goal seems much simpler: to make you want to keep listening to music for hours, and believe me, it achieves it...

You can also check out a quicker, more laid-back video review of the Explorer on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wyAH24Lbmw

What I like / What I don't like

• Deep bass with good texture and very well controlled.
• Excellent comfort.
• Really attractive design.
• High level build quality.
• Smooth treble but with enough detail.
• Relaxed listening for hours.
• Vocals could be slightly more forward.
• The soundstage is not a reference in its category.
• Lovers of bright tunings will find something missing.
• Not the most impressive IEM during the first listens.

Specifications

• Hybrid configuration of 1 dynamic driver + 2 balanced armatures.
• 8 mm dynamic driver with biocellulose diaphragm.
• Balanced armatures developed by Aful.
• 3D Pressure Balancing technology.
• Multi-layered Electronic Crossover.
• RCL Net Frequency Division Technology.
• High Damping Air Pressure Balancing System.
• Microresonator Technology.
• Impedance: 26 Ω.
• Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW.
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 30 kHz.
• 0.78 mm 2-pin connector.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15. This makes it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

The Explorer's presentation is simple but well executed. The box shows a space-inspired theme. This sounded familiar from having previously reviewed the Performer 8S which in that case was based on the planet Jupiter. Upon opening it we find the IEMs on a fairly soft foam at the same height as the case. This is a solution that I personally like more than some rigid cardboard supports used by other brands or very dense foams where it is hard to get the IEMs out later.

The remaining contents inside the case are the cable, in my case 4.4mm (my preferred option whenever available), and three sets of silicone eartips in different sizes. The stock eartips are surprisingly competent and many will probably not feel the need to change them immediately, something that does not usually happen most of the time.

The shells are manufactured using 3D resin printing and feature a combination of blue tones with a visual effect inspired by a starry sky. I have tried to show them as best as possible in my photos, but in hand the finish looks even better.

The ergonomics are very well achieved. They are light, quite compact, and adapt easily to my ear. After several hours of listening they have not caused me any discomfort.

The nozzle is integrated into the shell and allows you to attach eartips quite easily. Although there is no lip at the end of the nozzle, I have not had any problems with the eartips slowly sliding out until they fall off completely. Internally you can see several independent acoustic tubes looking through the nozzle. At the bottom you can see the pressure relief hole.

I quite liked the cable. I don't know if it is up to what is expected at this price point or not, but to me it has a very good appearance and manageability and fits quite well with the IEMs without being the same color. I could say, as I usually do with Aful, that it would be great to start offering modular options, since even in more expensive models like the Performer 8S or even more expensive ones like the Dawn-X they still do not offer this option. I guess it is a brand decision forcing you to choose the cable option you will use the most. To be honest, in my case the 4.4mm is already more than enough for me, but it is something to point out about the brand in general...

Sound

Well let's get to what matters, starting as always with the bass. There is an obvious elevation in the sub-bass. The extension is very good and allows for a convincing physical sensation when the song requires it. The interesting thing is that it does not just offer quantity. There is also a quite refined texture to differentiate different layers within the low frequencies. Instruments like electric basses and synthesizers benefit especially from this tuning. As I have been able to verify during several sessions on Apple Music using the FiiO KA15 and the NiceHCK Octave, the Explorer maintains a very successful balance between impact and control. It has enough energy to be fun, but without this frequency range being the main focus.

Moving on to the mids, the vocals appear more integrated into the mix and do not constantly try to grab attention. I am convinced that people who are huge fans of vocals will notice a sort of veil or lack of detail in them with this model, especially if they come from models with more forward upper mids. In my opinion, it is simply a tuning decision aimed at reducing fatigue. Male vocals have quite a bit of body and naturalness thanks to the mid-bass. Female vocals maintain a good presence but without standing out too much. It is not a tuning designed for those looking for forward vocals. It is a tuning for those who want to listen to the whole package without any element stealing the spotlight, also allowing you to turn up the volume more than usual in a certain way.

Even being a relaxed set, the treble is better resolved than some might think. What really happens is that the highest extension is smoothed out. You can appreciate this by looking at graphs or the one I used in the review which belongs to Soundcheck39. The region still maintains enough energy to retain clarity, details, and a good perception of information. The cymbals have enough sparkle, reverberations appear where they should, and the small nuances are still easily identifiable. The difference is that nothing tries to stand out artificially. This allows you to listen to more aggressive recordings for hours without suffering fatigue, seeking to offer a balanced and comfortable experience. With the FiiO K9 and its extra power compared to my dongles, I was able to verify that the resolution remains perfectly competitive within its price range even at high volumes.

Regarding eartips, the three options that gave me the best results after trying several are the Divinus Velvet Wide, the TRI Clarion, and the Penon Liqueur Orange. The Velvet Wide help gain a bit more air and width. The TRI Clarion provide a slightly more open feel and a bit more clarity. The Penon Liqueur Orange are probably the ones that best preserve the original philosophy of the Explorer. I must emphasize this once again since it is not the first time, but they are saving me on more than one IEM. You can check my previous reviews and you will see that they end up being one of my favorite options in many cases, maintaining the weight of the bass in these Explorers and slightly improving the overall cleanness.

Soundstage

I wouldn't say this model has reached the same levels as others focused on spatiality. It doesn’t feel like a small or confining space.

It has a slight advantage over average in terms of width and is more believable to me in terms of depth. Typically, I find iem in this price range are stronger in terms of width vs. depth. However, this model presents an immersive listening experience more than an artificial extreme width.

I don’t think I'd purchase this IEM with the expectation of a giant soundstage. But, again, I also don't see it being a limiting factor for the category. So, it’s really not worth getting worked up about this point...

Instrumental Separation

The clarity of the various elements due to their relatively large spacing prevents an overwhelming amount of interference from other parts on each instrument.

Additionally, even in extremely complex, layered recordings, it will be very easy to identify the specific components of the recording as well as the various layers that have been placed into the final mix. This low energy at the higher mid frequencies is also helpful to prevent saturation when there are numerous tracks appearing at once.

While it is not as high in levels as would be typical for a warmer tuned bass guitar, it is significantly higher than most tunings that are considered warm.

Imaging

The positioning of instruments and vocals is done consistently. Live recordings, as well as movies which have an abundance of spatial data, make it simple to determine the placement of each instrument based on how it was positioned.

It exceeds my expectations for this price point. The stereo image remains constant and the placement of each instrument remains easily interpretable.

While the Explorer doesn't appear to offer anything unique compared to other speakers in this category, it still offers a very good performance. I would venture to say that it wouldn't be a recommended speaker for video game use. If any user has further tested the Explorer in video games, then they can simply disprove me by commenting and sharing their own experiences so we may all know whether you are correct.

Comparisons

Simgot SuperMix 4

The SuperMix 4 is essentially the direct opposite of the Explorer. With its focus on clearness, separation, a natural and distinct sense of vocals, and the overall openness of the soundstage, the SuperMix 4 makes the vocals seem more prominent and the treble seems louder than they do when using the Explorer. In addition, it will provide better resolution and an even more analytical presentation. However, that additional energy could make certain recordings (especially aggressive ones) as well as longer sessions more tiring to listen to. The Explorer provides more bass extension, a more relaxing way to listen to music, and clearly less listener fatigue. So, while I recommend the SuperMix 4 to those who want to analyze every recording and extract every last bit of detail, I highly recommend the Explorer to those who want to enjoy their music for hour after hour with little-to-no fatigue.

Ziigaat Doscinco

The Doscinco has a similar philosophical approach as the Explorer, but goes even further by taking the emphasis on low-end to another level. As such, its presence is very apparent from the moment it is turned on and creates an exciting sensation to listeners who appreciate music in more contemporary genres. It is however less well rounded and slightly more subjective. The Explorer has a greater ability to bring the lower frequencies together with both midrange frequencies and high frequency content, providing users with a much wider range of options when listening to various forms of music. In addition to being more integrated across the spectrum, I felt that the vocals were also more naturally placed throughout the overall system compared to those from the Doscinco. If you have a passion for the low end of music and want nothing more than to be hit with great impact then I believe the Doscinco will provide that and at an affordable cost relative to other systems available today. However, if you desire a balanced system with fun, while sacrificing some degree of bass response, I recommend choosing the Explorer.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza II

I'd say, the Cadenza II is more likely to go with a standard tuning which might be easier to simply recommend, without hearing it first, and it appears to cost less than the Explorer. The vocals seem to present better especially female and there seems to be a more neutral feel overall. This may also make the Cadenza II more appealing for consumers of a lot of music featuring vocals. The Explorer provides a very different type of experience. The bass presents with more authority, the entire system is more immersive and there's an overall sense of relaxation when listening through it. The Cadenza II would be my suggestion for the safer option of these two, whereas the Explorer is my recommendation for a more unique or characterful listen.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here).

Final thoughts

It's an IEM where the more you use it, the more you'll appreciate its design. While I wrote earlier you won't immediately fall in love with it, as has been my experience with all of the other products I've reviewed over the years, I do think its unique design makes for a most comfortable, warm and fun way to enjoy music.

Its bass response is great, mid-range is relaxed, and high-end is informative without being too harsh. It wouldn't be my recommendation if you are looking for extreme detail or want your vocals very up-front. However, if you like longer listening sessions and prefer a frequency response contrary to what we have seen trending lately, I do believe there is much to recommend about the Aful Explorer.

Purchase Link: https://hifigo.com/products/aful-explorer

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by HiFiGo for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Little by little I am getting more into the Aful brand. I think I already mentioned it in another review, but the first review I did when I decided to start with this was of the Aful Magic One. This is a model that by the way has already been discontinued, although its successor seems to be close to coming out and I am looking forward to seeing what they offer. Another model that always caught my attention within the 100 $ range was the Explorer. These are IEMs that, far from being discontinued, seem to still give people a lot to talk about. Every week there is a day or two where I see a post from someone talking about them, and always in a positive way. Because of this, I did not want to miss the opportunity to try them out and give my own conclusions...

In my experience, the Explorer is not a model that impressed me during the first few minutes. In fact, some might initially think it lacks a bit of energy compared to other more aggressive proposals. But as the hours passed I began to understand the idea behind its tuning. It offers a relaxed listening experience with generous bass, free of fatigue, and a very pleasant presentation for long sessions.

Its goal seems much simpler: to make you want to keep listening to music for hours, and believe me, it achieves it...

You can also check out a quicker, more laid-back video review of the Explorer on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wyAH24Lbmw

What I like / What I don't like

• Deep bass with good texture and very well controlled.
• Excellent comfort.
• Really attractive design.
• High level build quality.
• Smooth treble but with enough detail.
• Relaxed listening for hours.
• Vocals could be slightly more forward.
• The soundstage is not a reference in its category.
• Lovers of bright tunings will find something missing.
• Not the most impressive IEM during the first listens.

Specifications

• Hybrid configuration of 1 dynamic driver + 2 balanced armatures.
• 8 mm dynamic driver with biocellulose diaphragm.
• Balanced armatures developed by Aful.
• 3D Pressure Balancing technology.
• Multi-layered Electronic Crossover.
• RCL Net Frequency Division Technology.
• High Damping Air Pressure Balancing System.
• Microresonator Technology.
• Impedance: 26 Ω.
• Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW.
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 30 kHz.
• 0.78 mm 2-pin connector.

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15. This makes it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

The Explorer's presentation is simple but well executed. The box shows a space-inspired theme. This sounded familiar from having previously reviewed the Performer 8S which in that case was based on the planet Jupiter. Upon opening it we find the IEMs on a fairly soft foam at the same height as the case. This is a solution that I personally like more than some rigid cardboard supports used by other brands or very dense foams where it is hard to get the IEMs out later.

The remaining contents inside the case are the cable, in my case 4.4mm (my preferred option whenever available), and three sets of silicone eartips in different sizes. The stock eartips are surprisingly competent and many will probably not feel the need to change them immediately, something that does not usually happen most of the time.

The shells are manufactured using 3D resin printing and feature a combination of blue tones with a visual effect inspired by a starry sky. I have tried to show them as best as possible in my photos, but in hand the finish looks even better.

The ergonomics are very well achieved. They are light, quite compact, and adapt easily to my ear. After several hours of listening they have not caused me any discomfort.

The nozzle is integrated into the shell and allows you to attach eartips quite easily. Although there is no lip at the end of the nozzle, I have not had any problems with the eartips slowly sliding out until they fall off completely. Internally you can see several independent acoustic tubes looking through the nozzle. At the bottom you can see the pressure relief hole.

I quite liked the cable. I don't know if it is up to what is expected at this price point or not, but to me it has a very good appearance and manageability and fits quite well with the IEMs without being the same color. I could say, as I usually do with Aful, that it would be great to start offering modular options, since even in more expensive models like the Performer 8S or even more expensive ones like the Dawn-X they still do not offer this option. I guess it is a brand decision forcing you to choose the cable option you will use the most. To be honest, in my case the 4.4mm is already more than enough for me, but it is something to point out about the brand in general...

Sound

Well let's get to what matters, starting as always with the bass. There is an obvious elevation in the sub-bass. The extension is very good and allows for a convincing physical sensation when the song requires it. The interesting thing is that it does not just offer quantity. There is also a quite refined texture to differentiate different layers within the low frequencies. Instruments like electric basses and synthesizers benefit especially from this tuning. As I have been able to verify during several sessions on Apple Music using the FiiO KA15 and the NiceHCK Octave, the Explorer maintains a very successful balance between impact and control. It has enough energy to be fun, but without this frequency range being the main focus.

Moving on to the mids, the vocals appear more integrated into the mix and do not constantly try to grab attention. I am convinced that people who are huge fans of vocals will notice a sort of veil or lack of detail in them with this model, especially if they come from models with more forward upper mids. In my opinion, it is simply a tuning decision aimed at reducing fatigue. Male vocals have quite a bit of body and naturalness thanks to the mid-bass. Female vocals maintain a good presence but without standing out too much. It is not a tuning designed for those looking for forward vocals. It is a tuning for those who want to listen to the whole package without any element stealing the spotlight, also allowing you to turn up the volume more than usual in a certain way.

Even being a relaxed set, the treble is better resolved than some might think. What really happens is that the highest extension is smoothed out. You can appreciate this by looking at graphs or the one I used in the review which belongs to Soundcheck39. The region still maintains enough energy to retain clarity, details, and a good perception of information. The cymbals have enough sparkle, reverberations appear where they should, and the small nuances are still easily identifiable. The difference is that nothing tries to stand out artificially. This allows you to listen to more aggressive recordings for hours without suffering fatigue, seeking to offer a balanced and comfortable experience. With the FiiO K9 and its extra power compared to my dongles, I was able to verify that the resolution remains perfectly competitive within its price range even at high volumes.

Regarding eartips, the three options that gave me the best results after trying several are the Divinus Velvet Wide, the TRI Clarion, and the Penon Liqueur Orange. The Velvet Wide help gain a bit more air and width. The TRI Clarion provide a slightly more open feel and a bit more clarity. The Penon Liqueur Orange are probably the ones that best preserve the original philosophy of the Explorer. I must emphasize this once again since it is not the first time, but they are saving me on more than one IEM. You can check my previous reviews and you will see that they end up being one of my favorite options in many cases, maintaining the weight of the bass in these Explorers and slightly improving the overall cleanness.

Soundstage

I wouldn't say this model has reached the same levels as others focused on spatiality. It doesn’t feel like a small or confining space.

It has a slight advantage over average in terms of width and is more believable to me in terms of depth. Typically, I find iem in this price range are stronger in terms of width vs. depth. However, this model presents an immersive listening experience more than an artificial extreme width.

I don’t think I'd purchase this IEM with the expectation of a giant soundstage. But, again, I also don't see it being a limiting factor for the category. So, it’s really not worth getting worked up about this point...

Instrumental Separation

The clarity of the various elements due to their relatively large spacing prevents an overwhelming amount of interference from other parts on each instrument.

Additionally, even in extremely complex, layered recordings, it will be very easy to identify the specific components of the recording as well as the various layers that have been placed into the final mix. This low energy at the higher mid frequencies is also helpful to prevent saturation when there are numerous tracks appearing at once.

While it is not as high in levels as would be typical for a warmer tuned bass guitar, it is significantly higher than most tunings that are considered warm.

Imaging

The positioning of instruments and vocals is done consistently. Live recordings, as well as movies which have an abundance of spatial data, make it simple to determine the placement of each instrument based on how it was positioned.

It exceeds my expectations for this price point. The stereo image remains constant and the placement of each instrument remains easily interpretable.

While the Explorer doesn't appear to offer anything unique compared to other speakers in this category, it still offers a very good performance. I would venture to say that it wouldn't be a recommended speaker for video game use. If any user has further tested the Explorer in video games, then they can simply disprove me by commenting and sharing their own experiences so we may all know whether you are correct.

Comparisons

Simgot SuperMix 4

The SuperMix 4 is essentially the direct opposite of the Explorer. With its focus on clearness, separation, a natural and distinct sense of vocals, and the overall openness of the soundstage, the SuperMix 4 makes the vocals seem more prominent and the treble seems louder than they do when using the Explorer. In addition, it will provide better resolution and an even more analytical presentation. However, that additional energy could make certain recordings (especially aggressive ones) as well as longer sessions more tiring to listen to. The Explorer provides more bass extension, a more relaxing way to listen to music, and clearly less listener fatigue. So, while I recommend the SuperMix 4 to those who want to analyze every recording and extract every last bit of detail, I highly recommend the Explorer to those who want to enjoy their music for hour after hour with little-to-no fatigue.

Ziigaat Doscinco

The Doscinco has a similar philosophical approach as the Explorer, but goes even further by taking the emphasis on low-end to another level. As such, its presence is very apparent from the moment it is turned on and creates an exciting sensation to listeners who appreciate music in more contemporary genres. It is however less well rounded and slightly more subjective. The Explorer has a greater ability to bring the lower frequencies together with both midrange frequencies and high frequency content, providing users with a much wider range of options when listening to various forms of music. In addition to being more integrated across the spectrum, I felt that the vocals were also more naturally placed throughout the overall system compared to those from the Doscinco. If you have a passion for the low end of music and want nothing more than to be hit with great impact then I believe the Doscinco will provide that and at an affordable cost relative to other systems available today. However, if you desire a balanced system with fun, while sacrificing some degree of bass response, I recommend choosing the Explorer.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza II

I'd say, the Cadenza II is more likely to go with a standard tuning which might be easier to simply recommend, without hearing it first, and it appears to cost less than the Explorer. The vocals seem to present better especially female and there seems to be a more neutral feel overall. This may also make the Cadenza II more appealing for consumers of a lot of music featuring vocals. The Explorer provides a very different type of experience. The bass presents with more authority, the entire system is more immersive and there's an overall sense of relaxation when listening through it. The Cadenza II would be my suggestion for the safer option of these two, whereas the Explorer is my recommendation for a more unique or characterful listen.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here).

Final thoughts

It's an IEM where the more you use it, the more you'll appreciate its design. While I wrote earlier you won't immediately fall in love with it, as has been my experience with all of the other products I've reviewed over the years, I do think its unique design makes for a most comfortable, warm and fun way to enjoy music.

Its bass response is great, mid-range is relaxed, and high-end is informative without being too harsh. It wouldn't be my recommendation if you are looking for extreme detail or want your vocals very up-front. However, if you like longer listening sessions and prefer a frequency response contrary to what we have seen trending lately, I do believe there is much to recommend about the Aful Explorer.

Purchase Link: https://hifigo.com/products/aful-explorer

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by HiFiGo for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Greetings to the whole community. I have spent a few days with my second Sivga. In this case, I have raised the bar a bit after the SM100, which left a very good impression on me, both for its design that stands out quite a bit from the rest of the models on the market and for its very good performance within its category. This time I went for a model that, although it is true I did not get to try the original QUE, always caught my attention even though at first glance it seemed like a safer tuning or one that would appeal to more people. That is why I wanted to directly try this other version, the QUE UTG, where the bass was reduced and the treble was enhanced compared to the original QUE.

It is not a model designed to impress, its personality leans more towards speed, a sense of space, and a very defined presentation. They are not for everyone, but they are surely what many are looking for. I hope to explain it in the best possible way so you can understand it.

What I like, What I don't like

Wooden faceplate that gives it a different look without being flashy.

Modular cable well above average.

Very successful instrumental separation.

Sense of spaciousness above many 1DDs.

Responds very well to ear tip changes.

It is not a tuning for everyone.

Male vocals could use a little more body.

High frequencies can be tiring if you are sensitive.

The bass prioritizes speed over punch.

Specifications

10 mm dynamic driver with ultra thin flat glass diaphragm.

32 Ω impedance.

103 ±3 dB sensitivity.

Frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Detachable 0.78 mm 2 pin connector.

Silver plated OFC copper cable with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm modular connectors.

Zinc alloy shells with green sandalwood faceplate.

1.25 m cable length.

My Sources

FiiO K9. My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.

FiiO KA15. Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to operate from the pocket.

NiceHCK Octave. I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.

Questyle M15i. Reference portable amplifier and DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

Sivga proves once again that they know how to take care of the presentation. The box maintains a clean and quite elegant design, and once opened, everything is placed quite neatly.

Inside we find the IEMs themselves, underneath a compact hard case, a cable with a modular system and 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations, which I must point out, as always happens, that the cable connector also has an extra safety thread to prevent them from coming loose when pulled, six pairs of silicone ear tips distributed in different sizes, and a small manual. However, I must clarify that the IEMs came with 2 of the black ear tips already installed, something I am not sure is standard but would be 2 more than what is seen in the photos. It is not an exaggerated amount of accessories, but everything conveys the feeling of a well thought out product.

The shells mix a CNC zinc alloy structure with a green sandalwood faceplate that gives them a lot of personality without seeming like an unnecessary ornament. I think this could already be a hallmark of the brand that keeps them differentiated from the majority that have faceplates joined in a single piece of resin or all aluminum. As I have been able to verify during long sessions, the size is contained, and the weight is well distributed, so I have never felt fatigued with them.

Regarding the ear tips, the included ones do the job and have not given me as bad an experience as usual with IEMs in general, but I think the UTG improves quite a bit by switching to Divinus Velvet Wide or Kbear Coffee Bean, among the options in my repertoire that I have been able to test. Both slightly reduce the energy in the treble region and make the vocals gain a bit more naturalness or body.

Sound

Bass

The first thing that catches the attention is that Sivga has preferred quality over quantity. The sub bass appears when the recording calls for it and maintains a good level of texture, but it never tries to dominate the scene.

The mid bass is fast and quite controlled. The hits have a clean output and disappear quickly, preventing the midrange from being muffled, and this is where the material chosen for this dynamic driver benefits. In my experience, this works especially well with instrumental music, jazz, and tracks or styles in general that do not have a huge load of instruments and excess distortion, although it does not do too badly in those cases either.

However, anyone looking for an exaggerated punch will surely be left wanting more. Although I have not tried the original QUE, I am sure that in that model they will find that extra bass that we do not have here. Anyone who prefers a bass that accompanies without invading in the slightest will probably understand very quickly what Sivga is trying to achieve with this UTG version.

Mids

The midrange follows the same philosophy as the rest of the set. Everything sounds quite clean and with a separation that makes it easy to distinguish instruments even when the mix starts to get crowded. It does not push the vocals forward. I think they are located at a distance that seems quite comfortable to me, without stealing the spotlight but without being too far apart from the rest, aiming to keep the soundstage balanced.

Female vocals have an extra touch of clarity and a very pleasant sense of openness. Male vocals appear slightly more recessed and with less body than I would personally like, although they never sound thin or artificial.

Even so, I must clarify that, despite not being the biggest fan of mids or vocals in general, I think this model occasionally sounds somewhat lacking in weight in this frequency range. However, to a certain extent, as I mentioned, with a change of ear tips, we can balance everything a bit more to improve the experience.

Treble

Sivga has opted for a very open presentation with a lot of information in the high frequencies, and unlike the bass, in this version, there seems to be an overall enhancement of the treble compared to the QUE. This generates a sense of detail superior to what is usually found in this price range, although it also requires a bit of adaptation.

Cymbals, strings, and some effects appear defined and with a convincing extension. I have never felt that there is an exaggerated peak that turns everything into an uncomfortable experience, but I do think the margin between being very pleasant and starting to get tiring depends quite a bit on each person's sensitivity and the ear tips being used.

As I could verify during a couple of long sessions I had with them on different days, the Kbear Coffee Bean slightly softened this area while maintaining a good amount of information. The Divinus Velvet Wide also achieved a very interesting balance, although leaving the tuning less bright.

Soundstage

The soundstage does not reach the level of some slightly more expensive hybrids, but it achieves a greater width than I expected when trying them for the first time.

The depth is also convincing and prevents everything from seeming placed on a single line, something I usually fear in many single driver IEMs, but which brands in general know how to manage quite well.

With the Questyle M15i, I spent several hours alternating between different styles, and I always had the same impression. The UTG does not try to create an artificially huge soundstage, it simply places each element with enough space to make listening relaxed and easy to follow.

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation holds up gracefully even when several guitars, percussion, keyboards, and vocals appear at the same time, there is still a clear distance between all the instruments. Each instrument maintains its position and rarely invades the space of the next one, perhaps in styles with greater guitar distortion or faster drum beats, it is harder to differentiate the separation, which can show a bit more the limitation of having only a single driver working.

The restrained bass also helps, as it lets the rest of the frequencies breathe and prevents the mix from gaining unnecessary weight.

Imaging

Sound localization is very well executed. It is easy to follow small details that appear on the left or right, as well as to identify movements within the soundstage.

It is also not going to be something truly remarkable in this model, although for the peace of mind of anyone interested in them, it does not really fall behind. For non competitive video games or movies in general, they convey a fairly precise sense of the position of each element, especially on a horizontal level, without standing out as much in heights above you.

Comparisons

Twistura Beta

The Twistura Beta, which also uses a glass driver, opts for a warmer tuning and a more obvious bass presence, and it would surely be a better rival for the QUE than for these QUE UTG in terms of pure bass. The Twistura is a very easy model to listen to for hours and offers somewhat fuller vocals depending on the nozzle you use. In return, it loses some of the clarity and the sense of separation achieved by the UTG. If you are looking for a slightly more intimate listen but with a bit more punch, I think the Twistura Beta would be the better option of the two. If you prefer to perceive more details and a more open soundstage, the Que UTG seems like a more interesting option to me.

Simgot ET142

The ET142 offers a very balanced presentation and very solid technical capability, with excellent control across practically the entire frequency range, but with two drivers instead of one and at a significantly higher price, they are also more similar in bass to the QUE than to this UTG, but equally comparable. Compared to the Sivga, they convey a somewhat more uniform sound that is less demanding regarding the choice of ear tips. The UTG gives a more open sensation in the treble and an instrumental separation that, in my opinion, is more striking in long listening sessions or less fatiguing.

Tanchjim Nora

The Nora, which I have more fresh in my memory for reviewing it days ago, opts for a smoother and more pleasant profile. Its vocals have a closer touch, and the bass adds a bit more warmth to the set, so realistically, and as you are already reading, this UTG never wins in pure bass, and if the models I am comparing are not your style at all due to a lack of bass, you already know the UTGs will not be either. The Sivga QUE UTG has a wider soundstage, superior detail retrieval, and an overall feeling of greater speed. It all depends on the type of listening you prefer, although personally, I would end up using the Que UTG when I want to pay attention to the music and the Nora when I simply want to disconnect, so to speak.

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile, Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here.

Final thoughts

I am going to close this review by saying that the Sivga QUE UTG has a very distinct personality, and precisely there lies its greatest virtue. It is not going to surprise many because the lack of bass is there, but it can catch the attention or complement the collection of many people looking for a bit more detail and speed when dealing with just 1 DD, apart from a good soundstage and an instrumental separation that stands out quite a bit in its price range.

I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a warm or very relaxed tuning, but I would to anyone who values the sense of detail and a fast sound with plenty of space between instruments. By changing to the appropriate ear tips, it is possible to adjust some small imbalances and get even more out of a set that, due to its build and performance, leaves a very positive impression.

Purchase link: https://sivgashop.com/es/products/sivga-que-utg-flat-glass-diaphragm-driver-wired-iem?variant=46840024170752

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Sivga for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Greetings to the whole community. I have spent a few days with my second Sivga. In this case, I have raised the bar a bit after the SM100, which left a very good impression on me, both for its design that stands out quite a bit from the rest of the models on the market and for its very good performance within its category. This time I went for a model that, although it is true I did not get to try the original QUE, always caught my attention even though at first glance it seemed like a safer tuning or one that would appeal to more people. That is why I wanted to directly try this other version, the QUE UTG, where the bass was reduced and the treble was enhanced compared to the original QUE.

It is not a model designed to impress, its personality leans more towards speed, a sense of space, and a very defined presentation. They are not for everyone, but they are surely what many are looking for. I hope to explain it in the best possible way so you can understand it.

What I like, What I don't like

Wooden faceplate that gives it a different look without being flashy.

Modular cable well above average.

Very successful instrumental separation.

Sense of spaciousness above many 1DDs.

Responds very well to ear tip changes.

It is not a tuning for everyone.

Male vocals could use a little more body.

High frequencies can be tiring if you are sensitive.

The bass prioritizes speed over punch.

Specifications

10 mm dynamic driver with ultra thin flat glass diaphragm.

32 Ω impedance.

103 ±3 dB sensitivity.

Frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Detachable 0.78 mm 2 pin connector.

Silver plated OFC copper cable with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm modular connectors.

Zinc alloy shells with green sandalwood faceplate.

1.25 m cable length.

My Sources

FiiO K9. My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.

FiiO KA15. Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to operate from the pocket.

NiceHCK Octave. I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.

Questyle M15i. Reference portable amplifier and DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

Sivga proves once again that they know how to take care of the presentation. The box maintains a clean and quite elegant design, and once opened, everything is placed quite neatly.

Inside we find the IEMs themselves, underneath a compact hard case, a cable with a modular system and 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations, which I must point out, as always happens, that the cable connector also has an extra safety thread to prevent them from coming loose when pulled, six pairs of silicone ear tips distributed in different sizes, and a small manual. However, I must clarify that the IEMs came with 2 of the black ear tips already installed, something I am not sure is standard but would be 2 more than what is seen in the photos. It is not an exaggerated amount of accessories, but everything conveys the feeling of a well thought out product.

The shells mix a CNC zinc alloy structure with a green sandalwood faceplate that gives them a lot of personality without seeming like an unnecessary ornament. I think this could already be a hallmark of the brand that keeps them differentiated from the majority that have faceplates joined in a single piece of resin or all aluminum. As I have been able to verify during long sessions, the size is contained, and the weight is well distributed, so I have never felt fatigued with them.

Regarding the ear tips, the included ones do the job and have not given me as bad an experience as usual with IEMs in general, but I think the UTG improves quite a bit by switching to Divinus Velvet Wide or Kbear Coffee Bean, among the options in my repertoire that I have been able to test. Both slightly reduce the energy in the treble region and make the vocals gain a bit more naturalness or body.

Sound

Bass

The first thing that catches the attention is that Sivga has preferred quality over quantity. The sub bass appears when the recording calls for it and maintains a good level of texture, but it never tries to dominate the scene.

The mid bass is fast and quite controlled. The hits have a clean output and disappear quickly, preventing the midrange from being muffled, and this is where the material chosen for this dynamic driver benefits. In my experience, this works especially well with instrumental music, jazz, and tracks or styles in general that do not have a huge load of instruments and excess distortion, although it does not do too badly in those cases either.

However, anyone looking for an exaggerated punch will surely be left wanting more. Although I have not tried the original QUE, I am sure that in that model they will find that extra bass that we do not have here. Anyone who prefers a bass that accompanies without invading in the slightest will probably understand very quickly what Sivga is trying to achieve with this UTG version.

Mids

The midrange follows the same philosophy as the rest of the set. Everything sounds quite clean and with a separation that makes it easy to distinguish instruments even when the mix starts to get crowded. It does not push the vocals forward. I think they are located at a distance that seems quite comfortable to me, without stealing the spotlight but without being too far apart from the rest, aiming to keep the soundstage balanced.

Female vocals have an extra touch of clarity and a very pleasant sense of openness. Male vocals appear slightly more recessed and with less body than I would personally like, although they never sound thin or artificial.

Even so, I must clarify that, despite not being the biggest fan of mids or vocals in general, I think this model occasionally sounds somewhat lacking in weight in this frequency range. However, to a certain extent, as I mentioned, with a change of ear tips, we can balance everything a bit more to improve the experience.

Treble

Sivga has opted for a very open presentation with a lot of information in the high frequencies, and unlike the bass, in this version, there seems to be an overall enhancement of the treble compared to the QUE. This generates a sense of detail superior to what is usually found in this price range, although it also requires a bit of adaptation.

Cymbals, strings, and some effects appear defined and with a convincing extension. I have never felt that there is an exaggerated peak that turns everything into an uncomfortable experience, but I do think the margin between being very pleasant and starting to get tiring depends quite a bit on each person's sensitivity and the ear tips being used.

As I could verify during a couple of long sessions I had with them on different days, the Kbear Coffee Bean slightly softened this area while maintaining a good amount of information. The Divinus Velvet Wide also achieved a very interesting balance, although leaving the tuning less bright.

Soundstage

The soundstage does not reach the level of some slightly more expensive hybrids, but it achieves a greater width than I expected when trying them for the first time.

The depth is also convincing and prevents everything from seeming placed on a single line, something I usually fear in many single driver IEMs, but which brands in general know how to manage quite well.

With the Questyle M15i, I spent several hours alternating between different styles, and I always had the same impression. The UTG does not try to create an artificially huge soundstage, it simply places each element with enough space to make listening relaxed and easy to follow.

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation holds up gracefully even when several guitars, percussion, keyboards, and vocals appear at the same time, there is still a clear distance between all the instruments. Each instrument maintains its position and rarely invades the space of the next one, perhaps in styles with greater guitar distortion or faster drum beats, it is harder to differentiate the separation, which can show a bit more the limitation of having only a single driver working.

The restrained bass also helps, as it lets the rest of the frequencies breathe and prevents the mix from gaining unnecessary weight.

Imaging

Sound localization is very well executed. It is easy to follow small details that appear on the left or right, as well as to identify movements within the soundstage.

It is also not going to be something truly remarkable in this model, although for the peace of mind of anyone interested in them, it does not really fall behind. For non competitive video games or movies in general, they convey a fairly precise sense of the position of each element, especially on a horizontal level, without standing out as much in heights above you.

Comparisons

Twistura Beta

The Twistura Beta, which also uses a glass driver, opts for a warmer tuning and a more obvious bass presence, and it would surely be a better rival for the QUE than for these QUE UTG in terms of pure bass. The Twistura is a very easy model to listen to for hours and offers somewhat fuller vocals depending on the nozzle you use. In return, it loses some of the clarity and the sense of separation achieved by the UTG. If you are looking for a slightly more intimate listen but with a bit more punch, I think the Twistura Beta would be the better option of the two. If you prefer to perceive more details and a more open soundstage, the Que UTG seems like a more interesting option to me.

Simgot ET142

The ET142 offers a very balanced presentation and very solid technical capability, with excellent control across practically the entire frequency range, but with two drivers instead of one and at a significantly higher price, they are also more similar in bass to the QUE than to this UTG, but equally comparable. Compared to the Sivga, they convey a somewhat more uniform sound that is less demanding regarding the choice of ear tips. The UTG gives a more open sensation in the treble and an instrumental separation that, in my opinion, is more striking in long listening sessions or less fatiguing.

Tanchjim Nora

The Nora, which I have more fresh in my memory for reviewing it days ago, opts for a smoother and more pleasant profile. Its vocals have a closer touch, and the bass adds a bit more warmth to the set, so realistically, and as you are already reading, this UTG never wins in pure bass, and if the models I am comparing are not your style at all due to a lack of bass, you already know the UTGs will not be either. The Sivga QUE UTG has a wider soundstage, superior detail retrieval, and an overall feeling of greater speed. It all depends on the type of listening you prefer, although personally, I would end up using the Que UTG when I want to pay attention to the music and the Nora when I simply want to disconnect, so to speak.

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile, Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here.

Final thoughts

I am going to close this review by saying that the Sivga QUE UTG has a very distinct personality, and precisely there lies its greatest virtue. It is not going to surprise many because the lack of bass is there, but it can catch the attention or complement the collection of many people looking for a bit more detail and speed when dealing with just 1 DD, apart from a good soundstage and an instrumental separation that stands out quite a bit in its price range.

I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a warm or very relaxed tuning, but I would to anyone who values the sense of detail and a fast sound with plenty of space between instruments. By changing to the appropriate ear tips, it is possible to adjust some small imbalances and get even more out of a set that, due to its build and performance, leaves a very positive impression.

Purchase link: https://sivgashop.com/es/products/sivga-que-utg-flat-glass-diaphragm-driver-wired-iem?variant=46840024170752

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Sivga for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Greetings to the whole community. I have spent a few days with my second Sivga. In this case, I have raised the bar a bit after the SM100, which left a very good impression on me, both for its design that stands out quite a bit from the rest of the models on the market and for its very good performance within its category. This time I went for a model that, although it is true I did not get to try the original QUE, always caught my attention even though at first glance it seemed like a safer tuning or one that would appeal to more people. That is why I wanted to directly try this other version, the QUE UTG, where the bass was reduced and the treble was enhanced compared to the original QUE.

It is not a model designed to impress, its personality leans more towards speed, a sense of space, and a very defined presentation. They are not for everyone, but they are surely what many are looking for. I hope to explain it in the best possible way so you can understand it.

What I like, What I don't like

Wooden faceplate that gives it a different look without being flashy.

Modular cable well above average.

Very successful instrumental separation.

Sense of spaciousness above many 1DDs.

Responds very well to ear tip changes.

It is not a tuning for everyone.

Male vocals could use a little more body.

High frequencies can be tiring if you are sensitive.

The bass prioritizes speed over punch.

Specifications

10 mm dynamic driver with ultra thin flat glass diaphragm.

32 Ω impedance.

103 ±3 dB sensitivity.

Frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Detachable 0.78 mm 2 pin connector.

Silver plated OFC copper cable with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm modular connectors.

Zinc alloy shells with green sandalwood faceplate.

1.25 m cable length.

My Sources

FiiO K9. My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.

FiiO KA15. Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, and multimedia buttons to operate from the pocket.

NiceHCK Octave. I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.

Questyle M15i. Reference portable amplifier and DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

Sivga proves once again that they know how to take care of the presentation. The box maintains a clean and quite elegant design, and once opened, everything is placed quite neatly.

Inside we find the IEMs themselves, underneath a compact hard case, a cable with a modular system and 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations, which I must point out, as always happens, that the cable connector also has an extra safety thread to prevent them from coming loose when pulled, six pairs of silicone ear tips distributed in different sizes, and a small manual. However, I must clarify that the IEMs came with 2 of the black ear tips already installed, something I am not sure is standard but would be 2 more than what is seen in the photos. It is not an exaggerated amount of accessories, but everything conveys the feeling of a well thought out product.

The shells mix a CNC zinc alloy structure with a green sandalwood faceplate that gives them a lot of personality without seeming like an unnecessary ornament. I think this could already be a hallmark of the brand that keeps them differentiated from the majority that have faceplates joined in a single piece of resin or all aluminum. As I have been able to verify during long sessions, the size is contained, and the weight is well distributed, so I have never felt fatigued with them.

Regarding the ear tips, the included ones do the job and have not given me as bad an experience as usual with IEMs in general, but I think the UTG improves quite a bit by switching to Divinus Velvet Wide or Kbear Coffee Bean, among the options in my repertoire that I have been able to test. Both slightly reduce the energy in the treble region and make the vocals gain a bit more naturalness or body.

Sound

Bass

The first thing that catches the attention is that Sivga has preferred quality over quantity. The sub bass appears when the recording calls for it and maintains a good level of texture, but it never tries to dominate the scene.

The mid bass is fast and quite controlled. The hits have a clean output and disappear quickly, preventing the midrange from being muffled, and this is where the material chosen for this dynamic driver benefits. In my experience, this works especially well with instrumental music, jazz, and tracks or styles in general that do not have a huge load of instruments and excess distortion, although it does not do too badly in those cases either.

However, anyone looking for an exaggerated punch will surely be left wanting more. Although I have not tried the original QUE, I am sure that in that model they will find that extra bass that we do not have here. Anyone who prefers a bass that accompanies without invading in the slightest will probably understand very quickly what Sivga is trying to achieve with this UTG version.

Mids

The midrange follows the same philosophy as the rest of the set. Everything sounds quite clean and with a separation that makes it easy to distinguish instruments even when the mix starts to get crowded. It does not push the vocals forward. I think they are located at a distance that seems quite comfortable to me, without stealing the spotlight but without being too far apart from the rest, aiming to keep the soundstage balanced.

Female vocals have an extra touch of clarity and a very pleasant sense of openness. Male vocals appear slightly more recessed and with less body than I would personally like, although they never sound thin or artificial.

Even so, I must clarify that, despite not being the biggest fan of mids or vocals in general, I think this model occasionally sounds somewhat lacking in weight in this frequency range. However, to a certain extent, as I mentioned, with a change of ear tips, we can balance everything a bit more to improve the experience.

Treble

Sivga has opted for a very open presentation with a lot of information in the high frequencies, and unlike the bass, in this version, there seems to be an overall enhancement of the treble compared to the QUE. This generates a sense of detail superior to what is usually found in this price range, although it also requires a bit of adaptation.

Cymbals, strings, and some effects appear defined and with a convincing extension. I have never felt that there is an exaggerated peak that turns everything into an uncomfortable experience, but I do think the margin between being very pleasant and starting to get tiring depends quite a bit on each person's sensitivity and the ear tips being used.

As I could verify during a couple of long sessions I had with them on different days, the Kbear Coffee Bean slightly softened this area while maintaining a good amount of information. The Divinus Velvet Wide also achieved a very interesting balance, although leaving the tuning less bright.

Soundstage

The soundstage does not reach the level of some slightly more expensive hybrids, but it achieves a greater width than I expected when trying them for the first time.

The depth is also convincing and prevents everything from seeming placed on a single line, something I usually fear in many single driver IEMs, but which brands in general know how to manage quite well.

With the Questyle M15i, I spent several hours alternating between different styles, and I always had the same impression. The UTG does not try to create an artificially huge soundstage, it simply places each element with enough space to make listening relaxed and easy to follow.

Instrumental Separation

The instrumental separation holds up gracefully even when several guitars, percussion, keyboards, and vocals appear at the same time, there is still a clear distance between all the instruments. Each instrument maintains its position and rarely invades the space of the next one, perhaps in styles with greater guitar distortion or faster drum beats, it is harder to differentiate the separation, which can show a bit more the limitation of having only a single driver working.

The restrained bass also helps, as it lets the rest of the frequencies breathe and prevents the mix from gaining unnecessary weight.

Imaging

Sound localization is very well executed. It is easy to follow small details that appear on the left or right, as well as to identify movements within the soundstage.

It is also not going to be something truly remarkable in this model, although for the peace of mind of anyone interested in them, it does not really fall behind. For non competitive video games or movies in general, they convey a fairly precise sense of the position of each element, especially on a horizontal level, without standing out as much in heights above you.

Comparisons

Twistura Beta

The Twistura Beta, which also uses a glass driver, opts for a warmer tuning and a more obvious bass presence, and it would surely be a better rival for the QUE than for these QUE UTG in terms of pure bass. The Twistura is a very easy model to listen to for hours and offers somewhat fuller vocals depending on the nozzle you use. In return, it loses some of the clarity and the sense of separation achieved by the UTG. If you are looking for a slightly more intimate listen but with a bit more punch, I think the Twistura Beta would be the better option of the two. If you prefer to perceive more details and a more open soundstage, the Que UTG seems like a more interesting option to me.

Simgot ET142

The ET142 offers a very balanced presentation and very solid technical capability, with excellent control across practically the entire frequency range, but with two drivers instead of one and at a significantly higher price, they are also more similar in bass to the QUE than to this UTG, but equally comparable. Compared to the Sivga, they convey a somewhat more uniform sound that is less demanding regarding the choice of ear tips. The UTG gives a more open sensation in the treble and an instrumental separation that, in my opinion, is more striking in long listening sessions or less fatiguing.

Tanchjim Nora

The Nora, which I have more fresh in my memory for reviewing it days ago, opts for a smoother and more pleasant profile. Its vocals have a closer touch, and the bass adds a bit more warmth to the set, so realistically, and as you are already reading, this UTG never wins in pure bass, and if the models I am comparing are not your style at all due to a lack of bass, you already know the UTGs will not be either. The Sivga QUE UTG has a wider soundstage, superior detail retrieval, and an overall feeling of greater speed. It all depends on the type of listening you prefer, although personally, I would end up using the Que UTG when I want to pay attention to the music and the Nora when I simply want to disconnect, so to speak.

You can check my full ranking of all the IEMs reviewed so far on my profile, Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here.

Final thoughts

I am going to close this review by saying that the Sivga QUE UTG has a very distinct personality, and precisely there lies its greatest virtue. It is not going to surprise many because the lack of bass is there, but it can catch the attention or complement the collection of many people looking for a bit more detail and speed when dealing with just 1 DD, apart from a good soundstage and an instrumental separation that stands out quite a bit in its price range.

I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a warm or very relaxed tuning, but I would to anyone who values the sense of detail and a fast sound with plenty of space between instruments. By changing to the appropriate ear tips, it is possible to adjust some small imbalances and get even more out of a set that, due to its build and performance, leaves a very positive impression.

Purchase link: https://sivgashop.com/es/products/sivga-que-utg-flat-glass-diaphragm-driver-wired-iem?variant=46840024170752

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Sivga for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

TWS earphones have evolved tremendously over the last few years. What was once a product mainly designed for conveniently listening to music while walking or commuting to work is now getting closer and closer to the experience we traditionally associated with wired IEMs. The Moondrop Pudding is one of those models that aims to offer much more than its price might initially suggest.

When I first saw the promotional images, two things immediately caught my attention. The first was the design, clearly different from most TWS models currently available on the market. The second was the number of features it promised to include, adaptive ANC, LHDC codec support, multipoint connectivity, a dedicated app with a full parametric EQ, and very competitive battery life.

After receiving the unit, my first impression was even better than what the official images suggested. The yellow color looks much more elegant than I expected and is nowhere near as flashy as it appears in some promotional photos.

I used them for several days at home, while walking my dog during my three daily walks, on public transport, and in other everyday situations. After all that time, I can say that the Pudding is not simply another affordable TWS carrying the Moondrop name. It is a product with several strong arguments to compete within its segment. As always, I will try to explain from my own experience where it stands out and where there is still room for improvement, even within this budget range.

What I like/don't like

• Pleasant tuning that is easy to enjoy.
• Deep sub-bass with good presence.
• Clear and well-defined vocals.
• Complete application with EQ, AutoEQ, and additional customization options.
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 compatibility.
• Multipoint connection.
• Very effective adaptive ANC for the price.
• Competitive battery life.
• The included eartips are quite basic.
• The upper frequencies may feel slightly intense for some users.
• Fit has a significant impact on the final sound.
• Touch controls can be triggered accidentally.
• Not the most discreet-looking TWS, especially in the yellow color.

Specifications

• 10 mm dynamic driver
• Composite Damping Titanium Crystal Dome diaphragm
• Bluetooth 6.0
• SBC, AAC, and LHDC codecs
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5
• Real-time adaptive ANC
• Transparency mode
• Wind noise reduction
• Multipoint connection
• Integrated parametric EQ
• Built-in AutoEQ
• Approximately 60 ms low latency mode
• Up to 12.5 hours per charge
• Up to 41 hours with the charging case
• USB-C port

Unboxing and Build

The presentation of the Moondrop Pudding is quite nice considering its price category. The box features a transparent window that allows you to see both the charging case and the earbuds before even opening the packaging. I do think that mixing two languages on the front of the box creates a somewhat overcrowded appearance, taking away a little from the first visual impression.

Once we remove the protective plastic cover, we find the earbuds inside their charging case, a USB-C cable, documentation, a collectible illustrated card featuring Moondrop's classic mascot, this time trying to reach a delicious pudding to match the product's theme, and three sizes of silicone eartips.

The included eartips do their job, but honestly, I think this is one of the areas with the most room for improvement. To be fair, that is something I find in roughly 80% of the products I receive. They work perfectly well to get started, although later on I will mention a few alternatives that I consider superior.

Visually, the Pudding has a lot of personality. The yellow color chosen by the brand is completely different from what we usually see and gives the product its own identity without becoming excessively flashy. In person, it looks much more elegant than I initially expected. Even though I did not choose the color myself, I am very happy with how it looks and would encourage anyone who is undecided between the three available color options to give this one a chance.

The earbuds feature a decorative grille with diagonal lines that strongly reminds me of the design language used in some of the brand's IEMs. Even the charging case design slightly reminds me of the Space Travel, which I owned not long ago. The difference is that those were inserted vertically into the case and had no protective lid covering them.

The charging case deserves special mention. It is quite compact and features a transparent lid that allows you to see the earbuds even when it is closed. It is an attractive and distinctive design, although it also makes fingerprints and dust fairly easy to notice after a few days of use. Fortunately, all the photos were taken when the product was freshly unboxed.

Another detail I really like is the placement of the charging port on the side rather than on the bottom. This allows the case to remain standing upright while charging. I also appreciate the small metal plate with the brand name located next to the charging port and the pairing button.

In terms of comfort, the earbuds are slightly larger than they appear in promotional images. They do not follow the AirPods-style format but instead use a shape that is much closer to a traditional IEM. Even so, once properly fitted they remain comfortable during long listening sessions, and the weight distribution is well balanced.

The construction is entirely plastic, which is completely expected at this price point. I should be honest though, while this was only the case with my unit, one of the downsides of this material is that it can be fragile. In one of my photos where I divided the image into four sections, you can see both earbuds resting on my desk with the case behind them. If you look closely at the nozzle of the right earbud, there appears to be a small imperfection or chipped section. It was most likely a manufacturing issue rather than transport damage, but it immediately reminds you that this is not an indestructible product.

That said, the assembly quality is good, there are no unusual creaks or rattles, and as long as they remain inside the case and avoid unexpected drops, the overall build feels more solid than I initially expected.

App and Features

If I had to point out the most distinctive aspect of the Moondrop Pudding compared to many of its direct competitors, it would probably be the application.

Many affordable TWS models include apps that are limited to displaying the remaining battery level and offering two or three EQ presets. Here, the situation is completely different.

As soon as the earbuds are connected, although they did not pair with my smartphone until I removed them from the charging case, the application immediately recognizes the device and provides access to a wide range of features.

Within the app, you can check the battery level of each earbud individually, modify audio quality settings, and manage different operating modes through a relatively straightforward interface.

One of the strong points is the use of Bluetooth 6.0 and LHDC codec compatibility. Interestingly, LHDC was not enabled by default on my unit, leaving only SBC and AAC available until I manually activated it through the application. The app allows you to manage different LHDC related modes, including support for both LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 depending on your device compatibility. As you can see in my screenshots, I was able to use all available modes without any issues, and I would imagine that anyone with a reasonably modern smartphone should be able to do the same.

We also get multipoint connectivity, a particularly useful feature for users who constantly switch between a computer, tablet, and smartphone. Being able to receive a phone call while watching content on another device remains a genuinely practical feature that is still not guaranteed in this price range. That said, I did not personally use it during my testing since I limited my usage exclusively to my smartphone.

The noise cancellation performance is something that surprised me almost more than the sound itself. We have ANC mode, transparency mode, and normal mode. On top of that, the ANC works adaptively and includes a dedicated option to reduce wind noise.

During my tests while walking through busy streets and using public transportation, the ANC managed to reduce a large amount of the constant background noise. Obviously, it does not compete with models that cost several times more, but considering the price of the Pudding, I find the performance more than satisfactory. In fact, it surprised me in a situation where I was not expecting much. At home, next to my computer monitor, I have a small fan that produces a noticeable amount of airflow but is also fairly noisy. When I activated ANC, the fan noise gradually faded away over the course of about 3 to 4 seconds, eventually disappearing almost completely. I could only hear a very faint breeze, and even that became completely masked as soon as I started playing music, even at low volume.

Moondrop has included a full parametric equalizer that allows users to adjust frequency, gain, and Q factor for each band. This represents a huge difference compared to the simplified EQ systems found in many wireless earbuds, which most people probably never use due to their lack of flexibility. That is definitely not the case here.

There is also a built-in AutoEQ feature for those who prefer starting from pre-configured profiles before making manual adjustments. I found a large list of presets that simulate the tuning of other models, including several well-known Moondrop IEMs such as the Dusk, Blessing, Chu II, and others.

Personally, I believe this combination makes the Pudding one of the most customizable TWS products I have tried within its price range. Even users with some experience can make fairly precise adjustments to tailor the sound to their personal preferences.

Sound

Bass

The bass of the Moondrop Pudding aims to strike a balance between fun and control. Most of the energy is concentrated in the sub-bass region, allowing the deepest frequencies to take center stage. Electronic basslines have good depth, and the lowest frequencies provide a greater sense of extension than I initially expected.

There is enough impact to bring energy to modern genres without constantly invading the rest of the frequency range. What I liked most is that Moondrop did not try to impress users simply by boosting the bass to excessive levels. There is plenty of punch when the recording calls for it, but there is also enough control to prevent the sound from losing clarity.

With this model, the seal has a significant impact on bass perception. As I mentioned earlier, the stock eartips initially made me think there was not enough bass, but as usual, it was simply a matter of trying different options from my collection. Out of all the eartips I own, the Dunu S&S turned out to be one of the best matches because they provided a more stable fit and a more consistent sub-bass response.

Mids

Moving into the midrange, vocals maintain a strong presence within the mix and remain easy to follow even when multiple elements are playing simultaneously. Both male and female vocals come through with enough clarity to consistently retain their prominence.

The transition from the bass is well handled, allowing instruments such as guitars and pianos to maintain a fairly clean presentation. At least with the stock tuning, there seems to be a slight elevation in the upper-midrange that adds a sense of definition and helps certain instruments stand out.

Fortunately, it never becomes excessive across the majority of tracks I listened to.

Treble

The treble may be the most debatable part of the tuning.

Personally, I do not consider it aggressive, but there is a noticeable amount of energy in certain areas that may feel slightly intense for listeners who are particularly sensitive to higher frequencies.

Even so, the overall sound conveys a level of detail that is clearly above what many affordable TWS models usually offer. Cymbals, strings, and small nuances in detail-rich recordings are easy to pick out within the mix.

Since I experimented with eartips to improve bass performance, I also found two options that helped smooth out the treble response compared to the stock eartips.

The Divinus Velvet Wide is probably my main recommendation because it softened the treble slightly without sacrificing openness.

The Tangzu Tang Sancai Wide also works very well for those seeking a more relaxed presentation in the upper mids and lower treble, although they did not provide as secure a seal in my ears as the Velvet.

The upper treble extension is respectable and adds enough air to the presentation despite the limitations that inevitably come with a TWS design and the use of a single dynamic driver.

Soundstage

The soundstage is quite competent. It does not reach the level of spaciousness that some IEMs can provide within the same price range. However, there is enough room between instruments for the music to breathe naturally rather than sounding overly compact.

Depth is more modest, although it still allows different layers within the mix to be perceived.

Even with ANC activated, the sense of space remains relatively stable and there is no major collapse of the soundstage. That said, some listeners may still prefer listening with ANC turned off because the difference is noticeable, even if it is not dramatic.

Instrumental Separation

The combination of relatively controlled bass and a clean midrange allows different elements within the mix to occupy distinct positions.

More complex recordings can still exhibit a certain amount of congestion, which is completely normal for this category, but overall it remains easy to follow different instruments independently.

Reviewing TWS products can be difficult for me nowadays after having reviewed more than 60 IEMs, which fortunately or unfortunately outperform virtually any wireless alternative. However, when compared strictly against other products in the same category, the Pudding performs very well in this area.

Imaging

Imaging performance is quite solid.

The general positioning of sounds is accurate enough for music, movies, and casual gaming that does not require pinpoint positional accuracy.

That said, it is not the aspect that most people will prioritize when looking for wireless earbuds for everyday use outdoors.

The combination of good separation and competent stereo imaging contributes to a surprisingly immersive experience for the price, and that is ultimately what stands out to me the most.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEM reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final Thoughts

The Moondrop Pudding left me with a very positive impression and even brought me back to a time when I was perfectly happy using TWS earbuds before moving over to the IEM side of the hobby.

Beyond the sound quality, what truly stands out is the sheer number of features included at this price point. The combination of adaptive ANC that actually works, and works very well, LHDC with Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, competitive battery life, and a surprisingly complete application makes it a very attractive option.

From a sound perspective, it offers an enjoyable tuning with deep bass, clear vocals, and a level of detail that exceeds expectations for its category. Some users may prefer slightly smoother treble, but both the built-in EQ and a simple eartip swap make it easy to tailor the experience.

It is not common to find this many customization options in an affordable TWS product, and that makes the Pudding particularly appealing for users who enjoy experimenting with their setup.

This is the official product page for more information:

https://moondroplab.com/en/products/pudding

And you can purchase them through this non-affiliate link:

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-pudding-true-wireless-headphone-tws

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Moondrop for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions.

TWS earphones have evolved tremendously over the last few years. What was once a product mainly designed for conveniently listening to music while walking or commuting to work is now getting closer and closer to the experience we traditionally associated with wired IEMs. The Moondrop Pudding is one of those models that aims to offer much more than its price might initially suggest.

When I first saw the promotional images, two things immediately caught my attention. The first was the design, clearly different from most TWS models currently available on the market. The second was the number of features it promised to include, adaptive ANC, LHDC codec support, multipoint connectivity, a dedicated app with a full parametric EQ, and very competitive battery life.

After receiving the unit, my first impression was even better than what the official images suggested. The yellow color looks much more elegant than I expected and is nowhere near as flashy as it appears in some promotional photos.

I used them for several days at home, while walking my dog during my three daily walks, on public transport, and in other everyday situations. After all that time, I can say that the Pudding is not simply another affordable TWS carrying the Moondrop name. It is a product with several strong arguments to compete within its segment. As always, I will try to explain from my own experience where it stands out and where there is still room for improvement, even within this budget range.

What I like/don't like

• Pleasant tuning that is easy to enjoy.
• Deep sub-bass with good presence.
• Clear and well-defined vocals.
• Complete application with EQ, AutoEQ, and additional customization options.
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 compatibility.
• Multipoint connection.
• Very effective adaptive ANC for the price.
• Competitive battery life.
• The included eartips are quite basic.
• The upper frequencies may feel slightly intense for some users.
• Fit has a significant impact on the final sound.
• Touch controls can be triggered accidentally.
• Not the most discreet-looking TWS, especially in the yellow color.

Specifications

• 10 mm dynamic driver
• Composite Damping Titanium Crystal Dome diaphragm
• Bluetooth 6.0
• SBC, AAC, and LHDC codecs
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5
• Real-time adaptive ANC
• Transparency mode
• Wind noise reduction
• Multipoint connection
• Integrated parametric EQ
• Built-in AutoEQ
• Approximately 60 ms low latency mode
• Up to 12.5 hours per charge
• Up to 41 hours with the charging case
• USB-C port

Unboxing and Build

The presentation of the Moondrop Pudding is quite nice considering its price category. The box features a transparent window that allows you to see both the charging case and the earbuds before even opening the packaging. I do think that mixing two languages on the front of the box creates a somewhat overcrowded appearance, taking away a little from the first visual impression.

Once we remove the protective plastic cover, we find the earbuds inside their charging case, a USB-C cable, documentation, a collectible illustrated card featuring Moondrop's classic mascot, this time trying to reach a delicious pudding to match the product's theme, and three sizes of silicone eartips.

The included eartips do their job, but honestly, I think this is one of the areas with the most room for improvement. To be fair, that is something I find in roughly 80% of the products I receive. They work perfectly well to get started, although later on I will mention a few alternatives that I consider superior.

Visually, the Pudding has a lot of personality. The yellow color chosen by the brand is completely different from what we usually see and gives the product its own identity without becoming excessively flashy. In person, it looks much more elegant than I initially expected. Even though I did not choose the color myself, I am very happy with how it looks and would encourage anyone who is undecided between the three available color options to give this one a chance.

The earbuds feature a decorative grille with diagonal lines that strongly reminds me of the design language used in some of the brand's IEMs. Even the charging case design slightly reminds me of the Space Travel, which I owned not long ago. The difference is that those were inserted vertically into the case and had no protective lid covering them.

The charging case deserves special mention. It is quite compact and features a transparent lid that allows you to see the earbuds even when it is closed. It is an attractive and distinctive design, although it also makes fingerprints and dust fairly easy to notice after a few days of use. Fortunately, all the photos were taken when the product was freshly unboxed.

Another detail I really like is the placement of the charging port on the side rather than on the bottom. This allows the case to remain standing upright while charging. I also appreciate the small metal plate with the brand name located next to the charging port and the pairing button.

In terms of comfort, the earbuds are slightly larger than they appear in promotional images. They do not follow the AirPods-style format but instead use a shape that is much closer to a traditional IEM. Even so, once properly fitted they remain comfortable during long listening sessions, and the weight distribution is well balanced.

The construction is entirely plastic, which is completely expected at this price point. I should be honest though, while this was only the case with my unit, one of the downsides of this material is that it can be fragile. In one of my photos where I divided the image into four sections, you can see both earbuds resting on my desk with the case behind them. If you look closely at the nozzle of the right earbud, there appears to be a small imperfection or chipped section. It was most likely a manufacturing issue rather than transport damage, but it immediately reminds you that this is not an indestructible product.

That said, the assembly quality is good, there are no unusual creaks or rattles, and as long as they remain inside the case and avoid unexpected drops, the overall build feels more solid than I initially expected.

App and Features

If I had to point out the most distinctive aspect of the Moondrop Pudding compared to many of its direct competitors, it would probably be the application.

Many affordable TWS models include apps that are limited to displaying the remaining battery level and offering two or three EQ presets. Here, the situation is completely different.

As soon as the earbuds are connected, although they did not pair with my smartphone until I removed them from the charging case, the application immediately recognizes the device and provides access to a wide range of features.

Within the app, you can check the battery level of each earbud individually, modify audio quality settings, and manage different operating modes through a relatively straightforward interface.

One of the strong points is the use of Bluetooth 6.0 and LHDC codec compatibility. Interestingly, LHDC was not enabled by default on my unit, leaving only SBC and AAC available until I manually activated it through the application. The app allows you to manage different LHDC related modes, including support for both LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 depending on your device compatibility. As you can see in my screenshots, I was able to use all available modes without any issues, and I would imagine that anyone with a reasonably modern smartphone should be able to do the same.

We also get multipoint connectivity, a particularly useful feature for users who constantly switch between a computer, tablet, and smartphone. Being able to receive a phone call while watching content on another device remains a genuinely practical feature that is still not guaranteed in this price range. That said, I did not personally use it during my testing since I limited my usage exclusively to my smartphone.

The noise cancellation performance is something that surprised me almost more than the sound itself. We have ANC mode, transparency mode, and normal mode. On top of that, the ANC works adaptively and includes a dedicated option to reduce wind noise.

During my tests while walking through busy streets and using public transportation, the ANC managed to reduce a large amount of the constant background noise. Obviously, it does not compete with models that cost several times more, but considering the price of the Pudding, I find the performance more than satisfactory. In fact, it surprised me in a situation where I was not expecting much. At home, next to my computer monitor, I have a small fan that produces a noticeable amount of airflow but is also fairly noisy. When I activated ANC, the fan noise gradually faded away over the course of about 3 to 4 seconds, eventually disappearing almost completely. I could only hear a very faint breeze, and even that became completely masked as soon as I started playing music, even at low volume.

Moondrop has included a full parametric equalizer that allows users to adjust frequency, gain, and Q factor for each band. This represents a huge difference compared to the simplified EQ systems found in many wireless earbuds, which most people probably never use due to their lack of flexibility. That is definitely not the case here.

There is also a built-in AutoEQ feature for those who prefer starting from pre-configured profiles before making manual adjustments. I found a large list of presets that simulate the tuning of other models, including several well-known Moondrop IEMs such as the Dusk, Blessing, Chu II, and others.

Personally, I believe this combination makes the Pudding one of the most customizable TWS products I have tried within its price range. Even users with some experience can make fairly precise adjustments to tailor the sound to their personal preferences.

Sound

Bass

The bass of the Moondrop Pudding aims to strike a balance between fun and control. Most of the energy is concentrated in the sub-bass region, allowing the deepest frequencies to take center stage. Electronic basslines have good depth, and the lowest frequencies provide a greater sense of extension than I initially expected.

There is enough impact to bring energy to modern genres without constantly invading the rest of the frequency range. What I liked most is that Moondrop did not try to impress users simply by boosting the bass to excessive levels. There is plenty of punch when the recording calls for it, but there is also enough control to prevent the sound from losing clarity.

With this model, the seal has a significant impact on bass perception. As I mentioned earlier, the stock eartips initially made me think there was not enough bass, but as usual, it was simply a matter of trying different options from my collection. Out of all the eartips I own, the Dunu S&S turned out to be one of the best matches because they provided a more stable fit and a more consistent sub-bass response.

Mids

Moving into the midrange, vocals maintain a strong presence within the mix and remain easy to follow even when multiple elements are playing simultaneously. Both male and female vocals come through with enough clarity to consistently retain their prominence.

The transition from the bass is well handled, allowing instruments such as guitars and pianos to maintain a fairly clean presentation. At least with the stock tuning, there seems to be a slight elevation in the upper-midrange that adds a sense of definition and helps certain instruments stand out.

Fortunately, it never becomes excessive across the majority of tracks I listened to.

Treble

The treble may be the most debatable part of the tuning.

Personally, I do not consider it aggressive, but there is a noticeable amount of energy in certain areas that may feel slightly intense for listeners who are particularly sensitive to higher frequencies.

Even so, the overall sound conveys a level of detail that is clearly above what many affordable TWS models usually offer. Cymbals, strings, and small nuances in detail-rich recordings are easy to pick out within the mix.

Since I experimented with eartips to improve bass performance, I also found two options that helped smooth out the treble response compared to the stock eartips.

The Divinus Velvet Wide is probably my main recommendation because it softened the treble slightly without sacrificing openness.

The Tangzu Tang Sancai Wide also works very well for those seeking a more relaxed presentation in the upper mids and lower treble, although they did not provide as secure a seal in my ears as the Velvet.

The upper treble extension is respectable and adds enough air to the presentation despite the limitations that inevitably come with a TWS design and the use of a single dynamic driver.

Soundstage

The soundstage is quite competent. It does not reach the level of spaciousness that some IEMs can provide within the same price range. However, there is enough room between instruments for the music to breathe naturally rather than sounding overly compact.

Depth is more modest, although it still allows different layers within the mix to be perceived.

Even with ANC activated, the sense of space remains relatively stable and there is no major collapse of the soundstage. That said, some listeners may still prefer listening with ANC turned off because the difference is noticeable, even if it is not dramatic.

Instrumental Separation

The combination of relatively controlled bass and a clean midrange allows different elements within the mix to occupy distinct positions.

More complex recordings can still exhibit a certain amount of congestion, which is completely normal for this category, but overall it remains easy to follow different instruments independently.

Reviewing TWS products can be difficult for me nowadays after having reviewed more than 60 IEMs, which fortunately or unfortunately outperform virtually any wireless alternative. However, when compared strictly against other products in the same category, the Pudding performs very well in this area.

Imaging

Imaging performance is quite solid.

The general positioning of sounds is accurate enough for music, movies, and casual gaming that does not require pinpoint positional accuracy.

That said, it is not the aspect that most people will prioritize when looking for wireless earbuds for everyday use outdoors.

The combination of good separation and competent stereo imaging contributes to a surprisingly immersive experience for the price, and that is ultimately what stands out to me the most.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEM reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final Thoughts

The Moondrop Pudding left me with a very positive impression and even brought me back to a time when I was perfectly happy using TWS earbuds before moving over to the IEM side of the hobby.

Beyond the sound quality, what truly stands out is the sheer number of features included at this price point. The combination of adaptive ANC that actually works, and works very well, LHDC with Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, competitive battery life, and a surprisingly complete application makes it a very attractive option.

From a sound perspective, it offers an enjoyable tuning with deep bass, clear vocals, and a level of detail that exceeds expectations for its category. Some users may prefer slightly smoother treble, but both the built-in EQ and a simple eartip swap make it easy to tailor the experience.

It is not common to find this many customization options in an affordable TWS product, and that makes the Pudding particularly appealing for users who enjoy experimenting with their setup.

This is the official product page for more information:

https://moondroplab.com/en/products/pudding

And you can purchase them through this non-affiliate link:

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-pudding-true-wireless-headphone-tws

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Moondrop for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions.

TWS earphones have evolved tremendously over the last few years. What was once a product mainly designed for conveniently listening to music while walking or commuting to work is now getting closer and closer to the experience we traditionally associated with wired IEMs. The Moondrop Pudding is one of those models that aims to offer much more than its price might initially suggest.

When I first saw the promotional images, two things immediately caught my attention. The first was the design, clearly different from most TWS models currently available on the market. The second was the number of features it promised to include, adaptive ANC, LHDC codec support, multipoint connectivity, a dedicated app with a full parametric EQ, and very competitive battery life.

After receiving the unit, my first impression was even better than what the official images suggested. The yellow color looks much more elegant than I expected and is nowhere near as flashy as it appears in some promotional photos.

I used them for several days at home, while walking my dog during my three daily walks, on public transport, and in other everyday situations. After all that time, I can say that the Pudding is not simply another affordable TWS carrying the Moondrop name. It is a product with several strong arguments to compete within its segment. As always, I will try to explain from my own experience where it stands out and where there is still room for improvement, even within this budget range.

What I like/don't like

• Pleasant tuning that is easy to enjoy.
• Deep sub-bass with good presence.
• Clear and well-defined vocals.
• Complete application with EQ, AutoEQ, and additional customization options.
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 compatibility.
• Multipoint connection.
• Very effective adaptive ANC for the price.
• Competitive battery life.
• The included eartips are quite basic.
• The upper frequencies may feel slightly intense for some users.
• Fit has a significant impact on the final sound.
• Touch controls can be triggered accidentally.
• Not the most discreet-looking TWS, especially in the yellow color.

Specifications

• 10 mm dynamic driver
• Composite Damping Titanium Crystal Dome diaphragm
• Bluetooth 6.0
• SBC, AAC, and LHDC codecs
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5
• Real-time adaptive ANC
• Transparency mode
• Wind noise reduction
• Multipoint connection
• Integrated parametric EQ
• Built-in AutoEQ
• Approximately 60 ms low latency mode
• Up to 12.5 hours per charge
• Up to 41 hours with the charging case
• USB-C port

Unboxing and Build

The presentation of the Moondrop Pudding is quite nice considering its price category. The box features a transparent window that allows you to see both the charging case and the earbuds before even opening the packaging. I do think that mixing two languages on the front of the box creates a somewhat overcrowded appearance, taking away a little from the first visual impression.

Once we remove the protective plastic cover, we find the earbuds inside their charging case, a USB-C cable, documentation, a collectible illustrated card featuring Moondrop's classic mascot, this time trying to reach a delicious pudding to match the product's theme, and three sizes of silicone eartips.

The included eartips do their job, but honestly, I think this is one of the areas with the most room for improvement. To be fair, that is something I find in roughly 80% of the products I receive. They work perfectly well to get started, although later on I will mention a few alternatives that I consider superior.

Visually, the Pudding has a lot of personality. The yellow color chosen by the brand is completely different from what we usually see and gives the product its own identity without becoming excessively flashy. In person, it looks much more elegant than I initially expected. Even though I did not choose the color myself, I am very happy with how it looks and would encourage anyone who is undecided between the three available color options to give this one a chance.

The earbuds feature a decorative grille with diagonal lines that strongly reminds me of the design language used in some of the brand's IEMs. Even the charging case design slightly reminds me of the Space Travel, which I owned not long ago. The difference is that those were inserted vertically into the case and had no protective lid covering them.

The charging case deserves special mention. It is quite compact and features a transparent lid that allows you to see the earbuds even when it is closed. It is an attractive and distinctive design, although it also makes fingerprints and dust fairly easy to notice after a few days of use. Fortunately, all the photos were taken when the product was freshly unboxed.

Another detail I really like is the placement of the charging port on the side rather than on the bottom. This allows the case to remain standing upright while charging. I also appreciate the small metal plate with the brand name located next to the charging port and the pairing button.

In terms of comfort, the earbuds are slightly larger than they appear in promotional images. They do not follow the AirPods-style format but instead use a shape that is much closer to a traditional IEM. Even so, once properly fitted they remain comfortable during long listening sessions, and the weight distribution is well balanced.

The construction is entirely plastic, which is completely expected at this price point. I should be honest though, while this was only the case with my unit, one of the downsides of this material is that it can be fragile. In one of my photos where I divided the image into four sections, you can see both earbuds resting on my desk with the case behind them. If you look closely at the nozzle of the right earbud, there appears to be a small imperfection or chipped section. It was most likely a manufacturing issue rather than transport damage, but it immediately reminds you that this is not an indestructible product.

That said, the assembly quality is good, there are no unusual creaks or rattles, and as long as they remain inside the case and avoid unexpected drops, the overall build feels more solid than I initially expected.

App and Features

If I had to point out the most distinctive aspect of the Moondrop Pudding compared to many of its direct competitors, it would probably be the application.

Many affordable TWS models include apps that are limited to displaying the remaining battery level and offering two or three EQ presets. Here, the situation is completely different.

As soon as the earbuds are connected, although they did not pair with my smartphone until I removed them from the charging case, the application immediately recognizes the device and provides access to a wide range of features.

Within the app, you can check the battery level of each earbud individually, modify audio quality settings, and manage different operating modes through a relatively straightforward interface.

One of the strong points is the use of Bluetooth 6.0 and LHDC codec compatibility. Interestingly, LHDC was not enabled by default on my unit, leaving only SBC and AAC available until I manually activated it through the application. The app allows you to manage different LHDC related modes, including support for both LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 depending on your device compatibility. As you can see in my screenshots, I was able to use all available modes without any issues, and I would imagine that anyone with a reasonably modern smartphone should be able to do the same.

We also get multipoint connectivity, a particularly useful feature for users who constantly switch between a computer, tablet, and smartphone. Being able to receive a phone call while watching content on another device remains a genuinely practical feature that is still not guaranteed in this price range. That said, I did not personally use it during my testing since I limited my usage exclusively to my smartphone.

The noise cancellation performance is something that surprised me almost more than the sound itself. We have ANC mode, transparency mode, and normal mode. On top of that, the ANC works adaptively and includes a dedicated option to reduce wind noise.

During my tests while walking through busy streets and using public transportation, the ANC managed to reduce a large amount of the constant background noise. Obviously, it does not compete with models that cost several times more, but considering the price of the Pudding, I find the performance more than satisfactory. In fact, it surprised me in a situation where I was not expecting much. At home, next to my computer monitor, I have a small fan that produces a noticeable amount of airflow but is also fairly noisy. When I activated ANC, the fan noise gradually faded away over the course of about 3 to 4 seconds, eventually disappearing almost completely. I could only hear a very faint breeze, and even that became completely masked as soon as I started playing music, even at low volume.

Moondrop has included a full parametric equalizer that allows users to adjust frequency, gain, and Q factor for each band. This represents a huge difference compared to the simplified EQ systems found in many wireless earbuds, which most people probably never use due to their lack of flexibility. That is definitely not the case here.

There is also a built-in AutoEQ feature for those who prefer starting from pre-configured profiles before making manual adjustments. I found a large list of presets that simulate the tuning of other models, including several well-known Moondrop IEMs such as the Dusk, Blessing, Chu II, and others.

Personally, I believe this combination makes the Pudding one of the most customizable TWS products I have tried within its price range. Even users with some experience can make fairly precise adjustments to tailor the sound to their personal preferences.

Sound

Bass

The bass of the Moondrop Pudding aims to strike a balance between fun and control. Most of the energy is concentrated in the sub-bass region, allowing the deepest frequencies to take center stage. Electronic basslines have good depth, and the lowest frequencies provide a greater sense of extension than I initially expected.

There is enough impact to bring energy to modern genres without constantly invading the rest of the frequency range. What I liked most is that Moondrop did not try to impress users simply by boosting the bass to excessive levels. There is plenty of punch when the recording calls for it, but there is also enough control to prevent the sound from losing clarity.

With this model, the seal has a significant impact on bass perception. As I mentioned earlier, the stock eartips initially made me think there was not enough bass, but as usual, it was simply a matter of trying different options from my collection. Out of all the eartips I own, the Dunu S&S turned out to be one of the best matches because they provided a more stable fit and a more consistent sub-bass response.

Mids

Moving into the midrange, vocals maintain a strong presence within the mix and remain easy to follow even when multiple elements are playing simultaneously. Both male and female vocals come through with enough clarity to consistently retain their prominence.

The transition from the bass is well handled, allowing instruments such as guitars and pianos to maintain a fairly clean presentation. At least with the stock tuning, there seems to be a slight elevation in the upper-midrange that adds a sense of definition and helps certain instruments stand out.

Fortunately, it never becomes excessive across the majority of tracks I listened to.

Treble

The treble may be the most debatable part of the tuning.

Personally, I do not consider it aggressive, but there is a noticeable amount of energy in certain areas that may feel slightly intense for listeners who are particularly sensitive to higher frequencies.

Even so, the overall sound conveys a level of detail that is clearly above what many affordable TWS models usually offer. Cymbals, strings, and small nuances in detail-rich recordings are easy to pick out within the mix.

Since I experimented with eartips to improve bass performance, I also found two options that helped smooth out the treble response compared to the stock eartips.

The Divinus Velvet Wide is probably my main recommendation because it softened the treble slightly without sacrificing openness.

The Tangzu Tang Sancai Wide also works very well for those seeking a more relaxed presentation in the upper mids and lower treble, although they did not provide as secure a seal in my ears as the Velvet.

The upper treble extension is respectable and adds enough air to the presentation despite the limitations that inevitably come with a TWS design and the use of a single dynamic driver.

Soundstage

The soundstage is quite competent. It does not reach the level of spaciousness that some IEMs can provide within the same price range. However, there is enough room between instruments for the music to breathe naturally rather than sounding overly compact.

Depth is more modest, although it still allows different layers within the mix to be perceived.

Even with ANC activated, the sense of space remains relatively stable and there is no major collapse of the soundstage. That said, some listeners may still prefer listening with ANC turned off because the difference is noticeable, even if it is not dramatic.

Instrumental Separation

The combination of relatively controlled bass and a clean midrange allows different elements within the mix to occupy distinct positions.

More complex recordings can still exhibit a certain amount of congestion, which is completely normal for this category, but overall it remains easy to follow different instruments independently.

Reviewing TWS products can be difficult for me nowadays after having reviewed more than 60 IEMs, which fortunately or unfortunately outperform virtually any wireless alternative. However, when compared strictly against other products in the same category, the Pudding performs very well in this area.

Imaging

Imaging performance is quite solid.

The general positioning of sounds is accurate enough for music, movies, and casual gaming that does not require pinpoint positional accuracy.

That said, it is not the aspect that most people will prioritize when looking for wireless earbuds for everyday use outdoors.

The combination of good separation and competent stereo imaging contributes to a surprisingly immersive experience for the price, and that is ultimately what stands out to me the most.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEM reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final Thoughts

The Moondrop Pudding left me with a very positive impression and even brought me back to a time when I was perfectly happy using TWS earbuds before moving over to the IEM side of the hobby.

Beyond the sound quality, what truly stands out is the sheer number of features included at this price point. The combination of adaptive ANC that actually works, and works very well, LHDC with Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, competitive battery life, and a surprisingly complete application makes it a very attractive option.

From a sound perspective, it offers an enjoyable tuning with deep bass, clear vocals, and a level of detail that exceeds expectations for its category. Some users may prefer slightly smoother treble, but both the built-in EQ and a simple eartip swap make it easy to tailor the experience.

It is not common to find this many customization options in an affordable TWS product, and that makes the Pudding particularly appealing for users who enjoy experimenting with their setup.

This is the official product page for more information:

https://moondroplab.com/en/products/pudding

And you can purchase them through this non-affiliate link:

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-pudding-true-wireless-headphone-tws

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Moondrop for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions.

TWS earphones have evolved tremendously over the last few years. What was once a product mainly designed for conveniently listening to music while walking or commuting to work is now getting closer and closer to the experience we traditionally associated with wired IEMs. The Moondrop Pudding is one of those models that aims to offer much more than its price might initially suggest.

When I first saw the promotional images, two things immediately caught my attention. The first was the design, clearly different from most TWS models currently available on the market. The second was the number of features it promised to include, adaptive ANC, LHDC codec support, multipoint connectivity, a dedicated app with a full parametric EQ, and very competitive battery life.

After receiving the unit, my first impression was even better than what the official images suggested. The yellow color looks much more elegant than I expected and is nowhere near as flashy as it appears in some promotional photos.

I used them for several days at home, while walking my dog during my three daily walks, on public transport, and in other everyday situations. After all that time, I can say that the Pudding is not simply another affordable TWS carrying the Moondrop name. It is a product with several strong arguments to compete within its segment. As always, I will try to explain from my own experience where it stands out and where there is still room for improvement, even within this budget range.

What I like/don't like

• Pleasant tuning that is easy to enjoy.
• Deep sub-bass with good presence.
• Clear and well-defined vocals.
• Complete application with EQ, AutoEQ, and additional customization options.
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 compatibility.
• Multipoint connection.
• Very effective adaptive ANC for the price.
• Competitive battery life.
• The included eartips are quite basic.
• The upper frequencies may feel slightly intense for some users.
• Fit has a significant impact on the final sound.
• Touch controls can be triggered accidentally.
• Not the most discreet-looking TWS, especially in the yellow color.

Specifications

• 10 mm dynamic driver
• Composite Damping Titanium Crystal Dome diaphragm
• Bluetooth 6.0
• SBC, AAC, and LHDC codecs
• LHDC V3 and LHDC V5
• Real-time adaptive ANC
• Transparency mode
• Wind noise reduction
• Multipoint connection
• Integrated parametric EQ
• Built-in AutoEQ
• Approximately 60 ms low latency mode
• Up to 12.5 hours per charge
• Up to 41 hours with the charging case
• USB-C port

Unboxing and Build

The presentation of the Moondrop Pudding is quite nice considering its price category. The box features a transparent window that allows you to see both the charging case and the earbuds before even opening the packaging. I do think that mixing two languages on the front of the box creates a somewhat overcrowded appearance, taking away a little from the first visual impression.

Once we remove the protective plastic cover, we find the earbuds inside their charging case, a USB-C cable, documentation, a collectible illustrated card featuring Moondrop's classic mascot, this time trying to reach a delicious pudding to match the product's theme, and three sizes of silicone eartips.

The included eartips do their job, but honestly, I think this is one of the areas with the most room for improvement. To be fair, that is something I find in roughly 80% of the products I receive. They work perfectly well to get started, although later on I will mention a few alternatives that I consider superior.

Visually, the Pudding has a lot of personality. The yellow color chosen by the brand is completely different from what we usually see and gives the product its own identity without becoming excessively flashy. In person, it looks much more elegant than I initially expected. Even though I did not choose the color myself, I am very happy with how it looks and would encourage anyone who is undecided between the three available color options to give this one a chance.

The earbuds feature a decorative grille with diagonal lines that strongly reminds me of the design language used in some of the brand's IEMs. Even the charging case design slightly reminds me of the Space Travel, which I owned not long ago. The difference is that those were inserted vertically into the case and had no protective lid covering them.

The charging case deserves special mention. It is quite compact and features a transparent lid that allows you to see the earbuds even when it is closed. It is an attractive and distinctive design, although it also makes fingerprints and dust fairly easy to notice after a few days of use. Fortunately, all the photos were taken when the product was freshly unboxed.

Another detail I really like is the placement of the charging port on the side rather than on the bottom. This allows the case to remain standing upright while charging. I also appreciate the small metal plate with the brand name located next to the charging port and the pairing button.

In terms of comfort, the earbuds are slightly larger than they appear in promotional images. They do not follow the AirPods-style format but instead use a shape that is much closer to a traditional IEM. Even so, once properly fitted they remain comfortable during long listening sessions, and the weight distribution is well balanced.

The construction is entirely plastic, which is completely expected at this price point. I should be honest though, while this was only the case with my unit, one of the downsides of this material is that it can be fragile. In one of my photos where I divided the image into four sections, you can see both earbuds resting on my desk with the case behind them. If you look closely at the nozzle of the right earbud, there appears to be a small imperfection or chipped section. It was most likely a manufacturing issue rather than transport damage, but it immediately reminds you that this is not an indestructible product.

That said, the assembly quality is good, there are no unusual creaks or rattles, and as long as they remain inside the case and avoid unexpected drops, the overall build feels more solid than I initially expected.

App and Features

If I had to point out the most distinctive aspect of the Moondrop Pudding compared to many of its direct competitors, it would probably be the application.

Many affordable TWS models include apps that are limited to displaying the remaining battery level and offering two or three EQ presets. Here, the situation is completely different.

As soon as the earbuds are connected, although they did not pair with my smartphone until I removed them from the charging case, the application immediately recognizes the device and provides access to a wide range of features.

Within the app, you can check the battery level of each earbud individually, modify audio quality settings, and manage different operating modes through a relatively straightforward interface.

One of the strong points is the use of Bluetooth 6.0 and LHDC codec compatibility. Interestingly, LHDC was not enabled by default on my unit, leaving only SBC and AAC available until I manually activated it through the application. The app allows you to manage different LHDC related modes, including support for both LHDC V3 and LHDC V5 depending on your device compatibility. As you can see in my screenshots, I was able to use all available modes without any issues, and I would imagine that anyone with a reasonably modern smartphone should be able to do the same.

We also get multipoint connectivity, a particularly useful feature for users who constantly switch between a computer, tablet, and smartphone. Being able to receive a phone call while watching content on another device remains a genuinely practical feature that is still not guaranteed in this price range. That said, I did not personally use it during my testing since I limited my usage exclusively to my smartphone.

The noise cancellation performance is something that surprised me almost more than the sound itself. We have ANC mode, transparency mode, and normal mode. On top of that, the ANC works adaptively and includes a dedicated option to reduce wind noise.

During my tests while walking through busy streets and using public transportation, the ANC managed to reduce a large amount of the constant background noise. Obviously, it does not compete with models that cost several times more, but considering the price of the Pudding, I find the performance more than satisfactory. In fact, it surprised me in a situation where I was not expecting much. At home, next to my computer monitor, I have a small fan that produces a noticeable amount of airflow but is also fairly noisy. When I activated ANC, the fan noise gradually faded away over the course of about 3 to 4 seconds, eventually disappearing almost completely. I could only hear a very faint breeze, and even that became completely masked as soon as I started playing music, even at low volume.

Moondrop has included a full parametric equalizer that allows users to adjust frequency, gain, and Q factor for each band. This represents a huge difference compared to the simplified EQ systems found in many wireless earbuds, which most people probably never use due to their lack of flexibility. That is definitely not the case here.

There is also a built-in AutoEQ feature for those who prefer starting from pre-configured profiles before making manual adjustments. I found a large list of presets that simulate the tuning of other models, including several well-known Moondrop IEMs such as the Dusk, Blessing, Chu II, and others.

Personally, I believe this combination makes the Pudding one of the most customizable TWS products I have tried within its price range. Even users with some experience can make fairly precise adjustments to tailor the sound to their personal preferences.

Sound

Bass

The bass of the Moondrop Pudding aims to strike a balance between fun and control. Most of the energy is concentrated in the sub-bass region, allowing the deepest frequencies to take center stage. Electronic basslines have good depth, and the lowest frequencies provide a greater sense of extension than I initially expected.

There is enough impact to bring energy to modern genres without constantly invading the rest of the frequency range. What I liked most is that Moondrop did not try to impress users simply by boosting the bass to excessive levels. There is plenty of punch when the recording calls for it, but there is also enough control to prevent the sound from losing clarity.

With this model, the seal has a significant impact on bass perception. As I mentioned earlier, the stock eartips initially made me think there was not enough bass, but as usual, it was simply a matter of trying different options from my collection. Out of all the eartips I own, the Dunu S&S turned out to be one of the best matches because they provided a more stable fit and a more consistent sub-bass response.

Mids

Moving into the midrange, vocals maintain a strong presence within the mix and remain easy to follow even when multiple elements are playing simultaneously. Both male and female vocals come through with enough clarity to consistently retain their prominence.

The transition from the bass is well handled, allowing instruments such as guitars and pianos to maintain a fairly clean presentation. At least with the stock tuning, there seems to be a slight elevation in the upper-midrange that adds a sense of definition and helps certain instruments stand out.

Fortunately, it never becomes excessive across the majority of tracks I listened to.

Treble

The treble may be the most debatable part of the tuning.

Personally, I do not consider it aggressive, but there is a noticeable amount of energy in certain areas that may feel slightly intense for listeners who are particularly sensitive to higher frequencies.

Even so, the overall sound conveys a level of detail that is clearly above what many affordable TWS models usually offer. Cymbals, strings, and small nuances in detail-rich recordings are easy to pick out within the mix.

Since I experimented with eartips to improve bass performance, I also found two options that helped smooth out the treble response compared to the stock eartips.

The Divinus Velvet Wide is probably my main recommendation because it softened the treble slightly without sacrificing openness.

The Tangzu Tang Sancai Wide also works very well for those seeking a more relaxed presentation in the upper mids and lower treble, although they did not provide as secure a seal in my ears as the Velvet.

The upper treble extension is respectable and adds enough air to the presentation despite the limitations that inevitably come with a TWS design and the use of a single dynamic driver.

Soundstage

The soundstage is quite competent. It does not reach the level of spaciousness that some IEMs can provide within the same price range. However, there is enough room between instruments for the music to breathe naturally rather than sounding overly compact.

Depth is more modest, although it still allows different layers within the mix to be perceived.

Even with ANC activated, the sense of space remains relatively stable and there is no major collapse of the soundstage. That said, some listeners may still prefer listening with ANC turned off because the difference is noticeable, even if it is not dramatic.

Instrumental Separation

The combination of relatively controlled bass and a clean midrange allows different elements within the mix to occupy distinct positions.

More complex recordings can still exhibit a certain amount of congestion, which is completely normal for this category, but overall it remains easy to follow different instruments independently.

Reviewing TWS products can be difficult for me nowadays after having reviewed more than 60 IEMs, which fortunately or unfortunately outperform virtually any wireless alternative. However, when compared strictly against other products in the same category, the Pudding performs very well in this area.

Imaging

Imaging performance is quite solid.

The general positioning of sounds is accurate enough for music, movies, and casual gaming that does not require pinpoint positional accuracy.

That said, it is not the aspect that most people will prioritize when looking for wireless earbuds for everyday use outdoors.

The combination of good separation and competent stereo imaging contributes to a surprisingly immersive experience for the price, and that is ultimately what stands out to me the most.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the IEM reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final Thoughts

The Moondrop Pudding left me with a very positive impression and even brought me back to a time when I was perfectly happy using TWS earbuds before moving over to the IEM side of the hobby.

Beyond the sound quality, what truly stands out is the sheer number of features included at this price point. The combination of adaptive ANC that actually works, and works very well, LHDC with Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, competitive battery life, and a surprisingly complete application makes it a very attractive option.

From a sound perspective, it offers an enjoyable tuning with deep bass, clear vocals, and a level of detail that exceeds expectations for its category. Some users may prefer slightly smoother treble, but both the built-in EQ and a simple eartip swap make it easy to tailor the experience.

It is not common to find this many customization options in an affordable TWS product, and that makes the Pudding particularly appealing for users who enjoy experimenting with their setup.

This is the official product page for more information:

https://moondroplab.com/en/products/pudding

And you can purchase them through this non-affiliate link:

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-pudding-true-wireless-headphone-tws

Disclaimer: This unit was sent by Moondrop for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions.

Greetings everyone, we continue with the streak of testing new brands that, despite the time I have been listening to and reviewing IEMs, I had not yet had the opportunity to try. This time it is the brand CVJ, which kindly agreed to provide a unit of their Neko model so I could review it over time and give my own opinion after a few days of testing. As always, I am going to tell you the best and worst of this model and how it compares to other models I have previously reviewed that are similar in price or tuning to this Neko.

What I like / What I don't like

• Fully metallic construction.
• Modular cable with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm connections and a screw lock.
• Bass with good punch and a sense of depth.
• Lively treble without being particularly aggressive.
• Good separation for a single dynamic driver.
• The shells weigh more than usual.
• Despite being metallic, the finish leaves fingerprints easily.
• The soundstage has more width than depth.
• The mids are slightly recessed compared to bass and treble.
• They do not include a carrying case.

Specifications

• 10 mm dynamic driver
• Black Gold composite diaphragm
• Dome with gold nanotechnology coating
• Impedance: 26 Ω
• Sensitivity: 114 dB
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• 0.78 mm 2-pin connector
• 4-core silver-plated detachable cable
• Interchangeable 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm connectors
• CNC-machined aluminum alloy shells

My Sources

• FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to my PC for critical cleanliness and power tests.
• FiiO KA15: Portable DAC dongle for daily use when leaving home due to its amount of quick adjustments, its integrated equalizer, multimedia buttons to handle from the pocket.
• NiceHCK Octave: I use it when seeking a more direct power delivery without the digital processing of the FiiO KA15, making it ideal for when I want to perceive the natural response of whatever I am listening to without any extra coloration from the device itself.
• Questyle M15i: Reference portable amplifier/DAC to search for a more organic and musical texture, when I am at home but not necessarily at the PC.

Unboxing and build

Given the size of the box and the price range we are dealing with, the contents could be said to be appropriate. Even so, putting aside that no carrying pouch is included, no matter how simple like a cloth one, it seems to me to be more than decent content. We find a 4-core detachable cable with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations, several sets of silicone eartips in different sizes, and basic documentation.

The cable deserves a special mention because it is clearly above what is usually seen in this range. It has good thickness, transmits a sense of durability, and barely tends to tangle. Furthermore, the modular system is one of those that have the typical screw lock that keeps the connector fixed and does not disconnect no matter how hard you pull it, something that I always value.

The shells are made of CNC-machined aluminum and transmit a quite premium feel. They are quite heavy for their size though, although the overall ergonomics are well resolved and I have not had problems during long sessions. I must also say, and it is something I also expected, but they do not escape leaving your fingerprints recorded at the slightest touch, which is why they have been really difficult to photograph.

Regarding the eartips, they work correctly but they are the most average point of the set. Personally, I got better results using Divinus Velvet Wide to slightly soften the upper area and improve the spatial sensation. I would also recommend the Softears Ultra Clear, of which I only have a pair. I recommend these more for those who want a somewhat more open presentation. They are two options that fit quite well with the tuning of the Neko and help to polish some small imbalances.

Sound

Speaking of the sound of these Neko, in the bass region, the sub-bass has enough presence to provide depth and physical sensation when the recording requires it, but without becoming something too intense that invades the rest of the frequencies. There is punch, there is impact, and, most importantly, there is a fairly reasonable sense of control for the price. The mid-bass has a bit more prominence than, for example, in a neutral tuning, giving enough body to basslines and percussion. After some tests with the FiiO K9 and the Questyle M15i, the Neko showed a consistent response, maintaining that warm and pleasant feeling without losing too much definition. This is not a bass designed to analyze details in your songs, but rather to enjoy music without further pretensions, which does not mean it lacks enough detail to appreciate interesting nuances compared to cheaper models and others of similar price.

The mids would be situated slightly behind the low and high frequencies in this model, although not to the point of seeming absent. Vocals retain an adequate presence and feel clean, especially female ones, which have quite good clarity. What happens is that the set follows a slight V-shape, so initial attention usually goes towards the extremes first. Even so, acoustic instruments, guitars, and some others maintain enough information to sound convincing. The Neko avoids one of the most common mistakes in many budget models, which consists of receding the mids so much that the vocals seem to be singing from another room. That does not happen here. There is a slight distance, yes, but a clear connection to the performance still exists.

Finally, the treble is quite well balanced. It has energy, brightness, and the ability to provide a sense of detail, although as I said we will not reach an ultra-detailed analytical level, but perhaps more than I expected before trying them for the first time. There is a more than noticeable elevation in the upper-mid area that brings vividness to sounds like cymbals, strings, and some electronic effects, but CVJ has avoided falling into the typical excess that some manufacturers use to fake resolution and end up turning the treble into something too piercing or annoying. In my opinion, this area is one of the keys for this model to work with the stock tuning. The treble offers enough information to convey a sense of clarity without becoming an exhausting experience. The air in the highest zone is not gigantic, and that will put off many who appreciate better treble extension. With the Divinus Velvet Wide, an especially pleasant presentation is achieved, slightly reducing any kind of harshness in more mediocre recordings. In modern styles, electronic, pop, or rock, they work quite well when testing various tracks from Apple Music playlists. Even in long sessions, I did not perceive excessive fatigue, something I always appreciate because my ears have already survived too many products where you have to watch out at medium or high volumes and in sessions of more than 2 hours.

Soundstage

The soundstage is wider than it is deep. It does not offer a gigantic representation nor does it intend to compete with significantly more expensive models, but it does achieve a spatial sensation superior to the average of many budget IEMs, meaning we could say it delivers without being something to write home about, allowing instruments to be distributed with a certain naturalness. The depth, as I was saying, is more limited. Elements tend to be presented quite close to the listener, generating an intimate experience rather than an expansive one.

Instrumental Separation

Regarding instrumental separation, since it is a single dynamic driver, I did not expect a particularly remarkable performance, but it maintains a fairly competent organization. Even when several instruments appear simultaneously, the model retains enough order to follow each element without too much effort. The bass does not constantly invade the space of the mids, and the treble does not muddy the presentation either.

Imaging

The imaging capability is precise for the price range they operate in. Sounds can be located easily, and there is a fairly coherent representation from left to right. I have not tested them in video games since it is something I do not usually do, as I focus my reviews on music use and occasionally with movies, although to be honest, with this model I have not had the chance to test its imaging in environments beyond music. However, I can confirm based on other models of similar prices that these Neko are above what I normally expect in this budget segment.

Comparisons

Compared to the Tangzu Wan'er SG II. The Wan'er bets on more present mids and a more relaxed presentation. It is excellent for those who prioritize vocals and relaxed listening. The Neko, for its part, offers a more dynamic experience, with a greater sense of bass impact and more energy in the upper region. Personally, I find the Neko more entertaining, although the Wan'er remains a fantastic option for those looking for balance over excitement. In my preferences, I choose the Neko, but I do not look down on the Wan'er SG II at all.

Compared to the KZ EDC Pro, the Neko conveys an overall feeling of a more refined product. The EDC Pro can initially impress with its punchiness, especially knowing how cheap they are, but it also ends up being less controlled and somewhat more aggressive in certain recordings. The Neko maintains a better balance between fun and listening comfort, in addition to offering a clearly superior build quality.

Regarding the KBear KB02, the main difference appears in the overall presentation. The KB02 has a fairly direct and energetic personality, but the Neko achieves better cohesion between frequencies. The bass is better integrated and the treble shows a more natural transition. The KB02 might be more striking during the first few minutes due to using a bone conduction driver, but the Neko works better in the long run and it will surely take you longer to get tired of them.

Global Ranking Link

You can check my full ranking of all the iem reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Final thoughts

The CVJ Neko offer an excellent build, a surprisingly good cable that, let us say, compensates for not having the simple carrying pouch, and a tuning that manages to combine fun and balance better than I expected.

They are not perfect, obviously. The mids could be a bit more forward for many people, and the soundstage depth is not going to be the best you can get within its competition. However, within their price range, they do many things right and very few really wrong.

This is their official purchase link: https://www.cvj-audio.com/store/products/neko

Disclaimer:This unit was sent by CVJ for review. My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.